It was after 10:00am when Trent and Carlos arrived at the animal sanctuary. It had been an old farmhouse that Sarah’s boss had transformed into a place to rehabilitate injured and sick animals. Sarah was waiting on the front porch as Trent and Carlos got out of Carlos’ Durango. Carlos hesitated.

"You okay, buddy?" Trent asked.

"Yeah," Carlos responded. "This is just the first time I’ve been here since…." His voice trailed off.

"I know," Sarah said. "For the longest time I couldn’t walk across the courtyard without hearing those gunshots again." Sarah had been there to see Carlos get shot three times at close range. What she hadn’t known at the time was that Carlos had been wearing a bulletproof vest that had saved his life. "C’mon, I’ll show you the office."

The farmhouse where Carlos had hidden from the police was now the business centre of the sanctuary. Sarah spent a great deal of her time here.

"So tell us what happened," Trent said as Sarah motioned them towards two chairs. Trent sat and Carlos stood.

"It’s strange, really. Nothing is ever taken, but I swear things are moved around. Things like papers and files aren’t where I left them. I can’t prove anything but I’m the only one who has been here in the last week. The person who feeds the animals in the evening doesn’t come into the office. What has me most concerned is that I think someone is messing with the tranquilizer gun."

"What makes you think that?" Carlos asked.

"It’s just that I take great care with it, like make sure it is clean. This morning I purposely checked it and it was messed up. And I think all the files involved have to do with Sheba."

"Who’s Sheba?" Carlos asked.

"Sheba is a Siberian tiger that was brought here 3 weeks ago. She was smuggled into the country illegally to be sold but was discovered at the airport. She was injured and malnourished so they brought her here."

"You think someone is after her? Maybe the person she was supposed to be sold to?" Trent suggested.

"Maybe." Just then the door opened and in walked Vince.

"Hi," Sarah said, smiling. "What a nice surprise."

Her smile was not returned. "What the hell are they doing here?" he demanded.

"They are helping me, Vince," Sarah said.

"Why?" he asked, as he eyed them suspiciously.

"I..I think someone has been breaking in here," Sarah told him, hesitantly.

"Why do you think that?" Vince stared coldly at Trent and Carlos. "Was anything taken?"

"No, just things misplaced, like files."

Finally, Vince turned to look at her. "Sarah, you can’t even remember where you left your keys, let alone where you leave files when you go home for the night." The sarcasm was heavy in his voice. "Don’t you think you are over-reacting?"

Sarah sighed. "Maybe you’re right. Maybe I imagined it."

"I’m sure you did. Besides, how much are these guys charging you?" Without waiting for an answer Vince turned back to Trent and Carlos and said, "Sorry, guys the gravy train just stopped. Now get out."

"Wait a minute," Carlos started before Sarah stopped him.

"It’s okay, Carlos. Maybe it’s better if you guys just go," Sarah was staring at her desk.

"Sarah, can I see you outside for a minute?" Trent asked.

"Anything you have to say to her you can say to me," Vince said, straightening slightly. Trent just looked at him.

"Sarah?" he said again, motioning towards the door.

"It’s okay, Vince. I’ll just be a second." As Sarah got up and followed Trent outside, Vince moved to follow her. Carlos stepped in his way.

"I don’t think that is a good idea, pal," Carlos told him.

"Are you threatening me?" Vince demanded.

"Merely making a suggestion." Since Carlos was easily a few inches taller and about 40 lbs heavier than Vince was, Vince wisely backed down.

Outside, Trent turned to Sarah. "Sarah, I know you. You have instincts like your sisters that are usually bang on. If you think something is going on, it probably is. Don’t let this guy talk you out of something you want to do." He had put his hands on her shoulders.

"I know, Trent. It’s just that I’m not sure. I’m going to try a few things tonight, leave a few traps that will tell me for sure. I’ll let you know tomorrow."

Carlos had joined them. "Is he treating you okay, Sarah?" he asked.

"Yes, Carlos," she said, looking at the ground.

"If he isn’t we’ll break his legs for you, okay?" Carlos was only half joking.

Sarah chuckled as Trent hugged her and kissed her on the forehead. "We’re here when you need us, Kiddo," he told her. Sarah hugged him back.

"Thanks, guys. I promise I’ll call tomorrow." Sarah headed back into the house as the guys headed to the car.

"This guy just rubs me the wrong way, Trent," Carlos said, shaking his head. Trent nodded in agreement.

"What was that all about?" Vince demanded when Sarah came back into the farmhouse.

"Nothing," Sarah told him as she sat down behind her desk.

"Nothing? I saw him kiss you!" Vince’s voice was rising.

"Vince, they are friends, okay? Now I’ve got work to do." Her tone showed her exasperation.

"You were involved with one of them, weren’t you?"

"It doesn’t matter."

"It does to me. Which one?"

"Look, it’s over. Now, they are both like my big brothers."

"Sarah, I care about you but I can’t compete with a memory, especially if it’s in your face everyday."

"Vince, you are not competing. I broke up with him." Sarah’s tone was softening. "I care about you, Vince. What do you want me to do?"

"Stay away from them." Sarah looked at him. Vince was serious. "Do it for me. For us."

After a moment, Sarah spoke. "Okay, if that’s what you want. I’ll try. But they really are good guys." Vince did not answer.

"Great. Let me take you out tonight," he told her.

"I can’t. I’m going out with my sister tonight. How about tomorrow?" Sarah offered.

"Nope. Can’t. Cancel with your sister. She’ll understand." Vince was adamant.

"No. I stood her up yesterday, remember?"

"C’mon. It’ll be fun. I’ll take you to that expensive Italian place. I’ve made reservations so you can’t say no." He came over and put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them.

"Vince.." Sarah said, pulling away.

"Let me guess. You’ll meet her at that bar and you’ll see them again. So much for your promise." Vince turned to leave.

"I don’t know where we’re going," but Sarah’s tone belied the fact that she would probably see one or both of the guys that night.

"Okay, fine. If that’s the way you want it, I’m leaving. Bye, Sarah."

"Vince," Sarah said, stopping him. She took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I’ll call Sam. Pick me up at home at 8:00."

Vince went and kissed her. "Thanks, Sarah. I’ll see you at 8:00." As Vince walked out the door, Sarah wondered why she felt so confused.

"No, that’s okay, Sarah. Have fun and call me tomorrow……Talk to you then….Bye." Sam hung up the phone and turned to Trent who had joined her at her office for lunch. "Well, I’ve got no plans for tonight, now."

"Sarah canceled?"

"Yep. She’s going to someplace ritzy with Vince. Should I worry about this guy, Trent? You’ve met him."

"Well, to be truthful I don’t like him or the way he talks to Sarah, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t like me or Carlos. Where did she meet him?"

"He came to the sanctuary looking to invest some money for his boss or something. She’s only known him about 2 weeks. I almost feel like he’s trying to isolate her."

"We’ll just keep in touch with her and see where this goes. I’d like to think she has better sense than to stay with him."

"I hope so." Sam was voice echoed the concerned for her sister.

Carlos sat at the computer in the office. Kim had gone to lunch so he was alone. Recently, Kim had showed him how to access the information databases and now he was putting it to use. As he typed, the name ‘Vincent Reid’ came across the screen.

Go to Part 3

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