Sophia
Sobbing,Sophia threw herarms around Crockett. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he embraced his sister. Year after year, he’d hoped and prayed and screamed at the heavens for this moment. And now, he struggled to grasp the reality of thesituation.
Crockett had never wished a man dead before, but as he held his sister in his arms, he knew that if the body of Jase Payne wasn’t already on its way to the morgue, he would have killed him. And then faced the consequences for hisactions.
She pulled away and stared into his eyes. “Mom and Dad?” she whispered, stillshaking.
“Same house inUvalde.”
“Mr. Wilde, under the circumstances, I need to see your driver’s license,” said Officer Randolph. “We have to run acheck.”
Crockett handed it to her, then locked eyes with Alexandra. “Thankyou.”
Tears streamed down Alexandra’s cheeks and she ran a tender hand down hisback.
“I need someone to contact my—our—parents,” Crockett said as he wiped his eyes. “Ron and Linda Wilde of Uvalde,Texas.”
“We’ve arranged to take the minors to the hospital,” said OfficerRandolph.
Sophia’s eyes widened and she broke away from Crockett. “I have to protect the children from Jase or he’ll hurtthem.”
“Mr. Payne tried to hurt a policeman and I shot him,” said the policewoman. “He’s dead and he can’t hurt you or the childrenanymore.”
Sophia slid her gaze toAlexandra.
“It’s true,” Alexandraconfirmed.
“What about Frank?” Sageasked.
“Who’s that?” Alexandraasked.
“Francois,” shereplied.
“He was arrested and taken to the police station,” Officer Randolphsaid.
Her eyes narrowed. “I hate him,too.”
A warm smile touched the officer’s eyes. “Miss Wilde, these children all have families, like you. The doctors need to check everyone’s health. Jase hurt your brother and he’s got to get stitches in his arm. Everyone’s going to thehospital.”
“Let me tell the Littles,” saidSophia.
With the blanket still wrapped around her, she approached them. The children huddled around. She spoke quietly, pausing to look at each of them. When finished, some hugged each other. Several started crying. One boy knelt andprayed.
Crockett clasped Alexandra’s hand. “I am indebted to you,” he whispered before pressing a kiss to hertemple.
She squeezed his hand. “Being able to do this for Sophia, for you, for your family…” Her voice cracked and she choked back the raw emotion teetering on theedge.
Sophia returned. “Okay, we’re ready,” she said and grasped Alexandra’s hand. “Don’t leaveme.”
Through the tears, Alexandra smiled. “I won’t. Ipromise.”
Choking back the swell of emotion, Crockett followed behind his sister and Alexandra. Sophia led everyone to the elevator she’d never herself taken. The one that brought the rejuvenated men back down to the parking garage level. And out to freedom. Where she and the children wereheaded.
A police van waited inside the now empty parkinggarage.
Still clasping Sophia’s hand, Alexandra waited for Crockett. “I’m going to ride with your sister,” she said to him. “Find us after you see adoctor.”
“Of course,” he said before addressing his sister. “I’ll arrange for Mom and Dad to travel here tomorrow. Can I hug you, Sophia?” Saying her name brought more tears to hiseyes.
