“What if instead of putting them all into protective custody, we only offer it to those who have a solid alibi for Baby’sandArloJ’s times of death?” Tanner suggested. “That way, we can protect the ones we know didn’t do it, while continuing to weed out the possible suspects.”
Wilder sighed. “You might be onto something there. We’ll need to find places for at least fifty members, and possibly their wives, ole ladies, and any minors.” Wilder’s cell phone dinged. He reached into his inside jacket pocket, pulled it out, and glanced at the screen.
“Great,” Tanner said. “You start working on that and I’ll -”
“Sorry, they need me downtown,” Wilder said, already on his feet. “Gotta run. Set it up. We’ll talk more later.”
Annoyance bloomed in Tanner’s gut as he watched Wilder rush out the door leaving him to do all the grunt work.
Thiswas just one of the reasons why most law enforcement agencies didn’t like to work together.
***
Spending time outside with Violet always made April feel better. There was something about the warmth of the Texas sun on her face, and inhaling the fresh air instead of the recycled air-conditioned air, that somehow put things into perspective for her. April couldn’t put off telling Tanner the truth anymore. They had grown so much closer over the last few weeks. She didn’t just like the man. She was starting to want him.To fall for him.It was killing her that he didn’t know about his own daughter.
And then there was Violet to consider. She was so mature for her age. Would finding out about Tanner give Violet hope? Would it upset her? Scar her for life? It didn’t matter how much April liked Tanner, or how much she loved spending time with him or kissing him. If bringing Tanner into Violet’s life hurt her niece in any way, she’d never forgive herself. But leavingViolet with Ned just wasn’t an option. The man was cruel and unyielding. April didn’t even think he liked Violet, let alone loved her.
“Aunt April?” Violet asked, interrupting her thoughts as they walked the track in the courtyard later that afternoon. It was a beautiful day and after Violet recovered from the gruesome exercises Ned had put her through that morning, she seemed eager to spend time outside. And April would never deny her niece extra time out in the sunshine.
“Hmm?” April asked.
“Do you think we could run away from here like they do in the movies?”
April wished they could, but life was so much more complicated than that. “It wouldn’t be easy and -”
“I heard Echo and Ned talking last night after you went home, and they said some scary things.”
April tensed, wishing they’d be more careful knowing there was a six-year-old on the premises. “What kind of scary things?”
Violet seemed to shrink right before her eyes, which made April want to drop down to her knees to be eye level with her and insist she tell her. But that would likely draw attention from whoever was watching them on the cameras all around the compound. So, April kept her back straight, her eyes forward, and her hand firmly holding on to Violet’s as they proceeded to walk the track. “You know you can tell me anything, Violet. What did they say?”
“I think Ned wants to build a bomb,” Violet whispered just loud enough for April to hear.
“That’s terrible,” April said, keeping all emotion out of her voice, not wanting to scare her niece. “Is that what he said?”
Violet nodded. “Echo told him I wasn’t ready to do that yet. That there were too many tiny parts and if I messed up, I’d kill usall.” Tears choked her last words, and April’s stomach lurched as she swallowed hard, desperate to keep her lunch down.
Vomiting would not go over well, and it would definitely attract attention, something she didn’t want at this moment. She didn’t know what to say though. The idea of Violet helping these monsters build a bomb was inconceivable. She had to get her out. “If we ran away, it would be dangerous,” April warned softly.
Violet didn’t seem fazed in the least. “I can stop the bullets.”
“I know,” April said, carefully considering her options. Any bullets fired wouldn’t be aimed at Violet though. They would be shooting ather. But if they did somehow manage to escape the heavily guarded gate, there would still be no end in sight. Ned would never stop looking for them. And April would become a fugitive. But even if she were injured or even killed, if it meant getting Violet out of here, April knew it would be worth it. “We could never come back.”
“I don’t want to come back,” Violet assured her.
“You’d never see Ned or Echo again,” April continued.
“I hate them,” Violet said in a small, sad voice. “If we run away, you could be my mommy, and you’ll meet a handsome prince just like in the movies, and we can all live happily ever after.”
Violet’s love for all things Disney princesses gave her so much hope for a future April wasn’t sure was meant for them. Life wasn’t a fairy tale, but she wasn’t about to tell her niece that. Instead, April fought back tears at her niece’s words. April had always loved those movies just as much, and often dreamed of meeting a prince of her own, but life had taught her differently. Happy endings were rare, and princes were even rarer. But maybe this was her chance to give Violet her happily ever after with a handsome cowboy who loved his family and cared about people. He would protect Violet with his life. Of that April wascertain. She hated herself for not telling him about Violet yet, but that would be rectified soon enough. “You know Ned isn’t your real dad,” April hedged.
“I know. Maybe we can find my real daddy,” Violet whispered, looking up at April with hopeful eyes. “I can do this, Aunt April. I can get us out of here. I promise. Ned didn’t even know it, but he helped make me stronger. And now, I can be free, and so can you.”
The hope and excitement in Violet’s voice was almost enough to bring April to tears. She hadn’t heard her niece sound this excited in a long time, but the risk of Violet getting hurt was too great. April was starting to regret even considering such a crazy idea and was just about to say no when Echo came out of the Integrative Training building. She stared at him as he started approaching them, his gaze squarely on Violet. “Wait a minute, you’ve already done your exercises today,” April said, thinking out loud. “What does he think he’s doing?”
“Ned said I have to do them more often now, so I get better faster,” Violet said, her little body tense with anticipation.
“No, you won’t,” April said resolutely. “We’ll have to move fast though.”
