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“She wasn’t a victim. She was the instigator of the whole thing. Patrick wouldn’t say, but I think he was the one who had taken the killing shot. I could feel it. It’s weighing on him. He’s…” Gene paused, looking unsure. “Let’s just say he went through hell and back in Iraq. Taking someone’s life, even for the sake of saving someone else’s, has got to take a toll.”
Amanda agreed solemnly. “I can imagine.”
They took a moment to let the heaviness ease up before they spoke again.
“This woman, Holly D’Beech, insinuated to the parents that her associates had the children and would harm them to keep the parents compliant,” Gene continued relating the story.
“Compliant for what?”
“They were held at their home, while Holly kept going to the office. According to Mrs. Carson, it wasn’t unusual for Holly to be in charge at work while her husband was away, so nobody at work raised a red flag. But this time, she heard her husband and Holly arguing about the imported cars, that he was about to stop the incoming shipments. Holly had kept him away from the business to block him from doing that.”
Amanda frowned. “Why?”
“That’s the part I can’t wheedle out from Patrick,” Gene said. “I think that part is still under investigation.”
Amanda shook her head in disbelief. “This whole thing is beyond my imagination.”
“I know.”
Gene reached out for her hand.
“I’m just glad Mona and Beau are back with their mother and safe.”
“Patrick said he had people monitoring them until they figured out the entire case,” Gene assured her.
“I’m still confused why Mona didn’t go to the police,” Amanda wondered. “She’s smart and independent. I would think she knew the police would help.”
Gene looked thoughtful. “Remember how scared Mona was? She kept saying not to call the police, that they would hurt them. You and I thought she was talking about the parents hurting them. But she was actually talking about them, Holly and her goons, hurting their parents. Maybe somehow Holly implanted in Mona’s mind that she would hurt their parents if Mona went to the police.”
Amanda gritted her teeth in outrage.
“What a bitch! Can you imagine putting children through that? Thinking they might be responsible for their parents getting hurt or even killed?”
“I know. People constantly sadden me with their ability to wreak havoc in this world, whether in their own lives or others,” Gene said.
The expression on Gene’s face was of resignation, as if he knew it was something that would never change.
“But then I met someone like you,” he said, squeezing her hand in his. “For a while now, I forgot despite the evils in this world, good deeds and kindness are still powerful forces. If it wasn’t for you, Holly D’Beech might’ve gotten away with whatever scheme she had going. The Carsons might’ve ended up in the morgue instead of her.”
A shudder went through Amanda’s body at that possibility.
“It was your empathetic ability to read a girl’s fear in a split second that led to this happy conclusion, Amanda,” Gene said.
“Happy? A woman is dead. And their father was shot,” Amanda pointed out.
Gene gave her an understanding smile.
“You’re right. That woman’s criminal acts, unfortunately, will continue to affect everyone involved. The kids, their parents, her associates, and even Patrick. But don’t let what this woman did change you, Amanda,” Gene said.
“How could it not? I’m still shaking with anger for those kids!”
“They’ll get through this in time,” Gene assured. “You showed me people can rise from trauma with grace. Most people would’ve resented it if they had to give up their lives to take care of someone else and grown bitter. But you continue to look after everyone in your community, spreading affection for anyone without question. Anyone else would’ve given up on those kids after the first obstacle, but not you. I don’t know anyone else with a bigger heart, Amanda Garner.”
Amanda’s face must’ve turned as red as the next traffic light they hit. She was just glad the interior of the car was too dark for Gene to notice it.
Gene glanced at the woman sitting in his passenger’s seat.
“You made me sound like a saint. I’m no Mother Teresa,” Amanda said. “I don’t have any kind thoughts for this Holly D’Beech.”
