Page 22 of Isla by Any Other Name

“Yes, ma’am,” Mitch saluted.

Isla and Mitch headed into the woods on the path that led to the compound’s training center.

“You okay? You’ve been really quiet since we got back,” Mitch asked, concerned.

Isla hugged herself against the mountain chill. “I’m okay, I just need some time to process everything. I knew facing that monster would be tough, but I didn’t realize how hard it would really be. The way he stared me down made my heart stop. He terrifies me.”

“He wanted to scare and intimidate you. That’s his power play. Don’t worry, once he’s in prison forever, it’ll be over. There’s no way he’s getting out of this, this time.”

“I hope you’re right. I can’t live this way, not knowing if he’s going to find me or my folks.”

“You’re safe with us, Molly.” He took her hand in his while they walked along the trail. There was a clearing up ahead with a small stream running through it. They sat on the rocks alongside it. She leaned against Mitch’s chest as he gathered her to him. He kissed her brow as they sat in silence enjoying the sounds of nature around them.

“Isn’t it hunting season?” Isla said. “My friend’s brothers always go hunting around Thanksgiving.”

“It is, but Curt’s property is posted so we shouldn’t have another episode like we did last week. We’re being vigilant though. We’re watching the monitors 24/7. If anyone breaches the compound, we’ll know about it.”

Isla bit her lip. “Mitch, how long are we going to be here? It’s been more than two weeks already. It could take months before Hernandez goes to trial. How long before they change teams? I can’t imagine that you and your team are going to be with me until this is over. You guys have lives and families.”

“We’ll be relieved two at a time now that the case has gone to the grand jury. Our team will rotate every two days. The team that’ll come in to relieve our team will be here seven days a week. They’re a team of four. Good people, I’ve worked with them for years. You can trust them. I handpicked them myself.”

“So you’re leaving?” Isla said, her heart sinking.

Mitch shook his head. “Each of us will get a two-day pass to go home. Molly, I’m not going anywhere unless I need to.”

Isla felt bad now. Like she was keeping him here against his will. “Mitch, you need time off for yourself. The holidays are coming up—what about your family? I’m sure they want to spend time with you.”

“I’ll spend time with them when this is over. I’m not leaving you alone. I’m in charge of this team and what I say goes. Don’t worry about me. I want to be here.”

“Thanksgiving is coming up,” Isla said. “Is anyone from the team going home to their family?” Call it the aftereffect of foster care, but Isla constantly worried about people not having family at the holidays.

“Lara and Colt are going home for the holiday,” Mitch said. “They’ll be back on Friday.”

Then Isla got an idea. “If we’re going to be here for the holiday, I guess I need to plan my menu so that Jax can bring me the groceries I’ll need. I’m making a proper Thanksgiving feast.”

Mitch smiled. “Just give me a list and I’ll see that you get what you need.”

Mitch leaned down and touched his lips to hers. He took her hand. “Come on, we’ve been gone long enough. I don’t want your dinner to burn. And just so you know, meatloaf is my favorite dinner.”

“I would have pegged you for a fried chicken kind of guy. Meatloaf, huh?”

“Yep, meatloaf.” He laughed as he tugged her along.

Chapter thirteen

Mary Carlson made the call. Her fingers trembled as she touched the numbers on her burner phone.

“Yeah?” said Roberto.

“It’s me,” she said. “Um, Mary Carlson. I might have something. But it’s going to take time to find out if it’ll be anything worthwhile.”

“What do you have?” he growled.

Mary felt the thrill of the chase turned into the fear of the fall. She was on a cliff’s edge here. She stammered, “I think I know who the lead agent is on the case. He’s supposedly on family leave, but his team has been nonexistent for as long as he has. His name’s Mitch Larkin. He and his team are the best we have here. It’s reasonable to believe that he’s on the case. Anyway, a friend and coworker of ours told me this afternoon that maybe Larkin was on vacation at his hunting cabin in Virginia, in Albemarle County. I need some time to work this angle. See if I can come up with an address. It makes sense that they could be keeping her there.”

“Twenty-four hours,” Roberto growled before he hung up.

Mary looked at the phone. This wasn’t exciting any more. She was terrified that she would hit a brick wall and she’d be on the receiving end of a bullet. Twenty-four hours. Would she be able to come up with the information that would keep her alive? She could go to her boss and tell him she was an informant for Hernandez. Prison time was looking pretty good right now. This could all end here.