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It was amazing that even though her body was failing, there was still deep conviction in her mother’s eyes.
But as her mother's breathing grew weaker and more labored, Bailey understood time was running out. She closed her eyes and tried to summon the strength to face what was coming, to find a way to say goodbye to her mother without making amends.
One thing she learned from Gloria was, sometimes forgiveness is not always about receiving an apology, but about taking off the noose of hurt and pain that leaves you gasping for air. There is power in laying it down and walking away, even if someone is still hanging on to the other end of the rope. Let them grip it as tight as they want for as long as they want. It can’t hurt you anymore.
“I love you, Mama,” she whispered as she stepped out of the room. “But I’ve got to do what’s right even if it’s impossible. I have to try. We might not be fighting for the same thing, but I hope you can appreciate that, like you taught me, I’m fighting for what I believe is right.”
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
King
Sitting in his car with his loaded gun in his lap, he knew things were at a tipping point. The little store was empty, his car parked beside it. What would come of the charming little place for weary travelers to stop once Dale’s men took hold of Cinderhill again. If it were up to King, they’d never find out.
“Carmen,” he said, too breathless to try to come across as calm.
“What’s the matter?” Carmen asked, her voice hushed, indicating someone must be around her. Someone she didn’t want to know about this clandestine arrangement.
“Can you not talk right now?”
“Talk,” she said, her clipped word rushing him along.
“Shit is going down here. There were men, a faction of people who fled after Dale’s arrest, that are threatening to come back. I’ve tried a few different channels to get some solutions but they’ve escalated. Today they came in and stole supplies and assaulted a resident while Bailey and I were trying to get some help from a retired cop who worked the case the first time.”
“Arnoldo?”
“Yes. He couldn’t do anything for us other than informing us that the local politicians and police force will not be much help. Dale’s men have recruited others from town, some connected to the police. There is still some bad blood from the surrounding towns about the negative press Dale’s arrest brought them. It’s a mess.”
“What’s your plan?” Carmen asked, and a lightning bolt shot through his chest.
“I was hoping you had one. I’m armed. I can try to protect Cinderhill but there is no one else here. I’d be on my own. I have no idea how many men are out there and they’re highly motivated by their religious delusions. They know the terrain far better than I do. I need some kind of backup. Can you send—”
“That’s not what we do,” Carmen corrected. “We’re not an army or law enforcement. We extract people and then use channels available to try to make sure those responsible are prosecuted. We’re a network of safe houses and therapeutic healing centers, not soldiers.”
“I understand,” King said, hanging his head.
“I can get people out of there. People who want to leave. If they understand how dire the situation is and don’t have other options, I can assist with that.”
“There would be some,” King sighed. “But not Bailey. She’s not going to abandon this place or the people who stay. Her mother might pass soon and has turned down all medical care from the doctor; she won’t go to the hospital. Bailey won’t leave her either.”
“I knew something was wrong. I could feel it in my gut. She wouldn’t ask for help, told me everything was different there. But it’s all the same. Dammit.”
“I can put the word out to people that there are options to leave if they’d like. I’ll coordinate with you on that.”
“And what about Bailey?”
“She gets the protection of every bullet in my gun. That’s all I can offer if she doesn’t want to leave. I promise no one gets to her unless they go through me first.”
“That’s not a fair ask of this job. I didn’t mean for you to have to die to protect her. I’m not paying you nearly enough for that.”
“It’s not about the money. Bailey is...” He trailed off.
“I know she is. That’s why I sent you there to begin with. She’s remarkable, isn’t she?”
“Yes, and that resolve and stubbornness will probably get us killed.”
“I’m going to work some back channels I have to see if there is anyone outside of local law enforcement who might be able to help. It’ll be a political nightmare, but I have a few favors I could call in. Unfortunately, they’ll need more to go on than just some stolen food and a fight between a couple people. I need proof of an imminent threat. Some photos from their camp or some illegal behavior. Something.”
“I’ll work on that. I had plans to stake it out tonight anyway.”
