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I nodded, feeling nervous yet excited to see Amy and baby Ava after only one day. Despite only seeing them virtually, it still would bring me joy. I grabbed the tablet and opened the Zoom app, seeing the preloaded meeting invitation. Downing gave me a reassuring nod. He followed me into the other room and I clicked the button to join the call.
The screen flickered for a moment, and then there they were – Amy, her soft ebony hair cascading around her shoulders, and little Ava, chubby-cheeked and gurgling happily in Amy's arms. My heart swelled with love and longing as I waved to them, trying to maintain a smile despite my bittersweet ache.
"Hi, Amy. Hey there, Ava!" I said, my voice wavering just a bit.
Amy's eyes lit up as she saw me and gave me a warm, gentle smile. "Mitch, it's so good to see you! Ava, look, it's Daddy!" She turned Ava towards the screen so she could see me better.
The baby's eyes widened, her tiny hands reaching out toward the screen as if trying to touch me. I couldn't help but chuckle, my eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"We miss you so much, Mitch," Amy said softly, her own eyes shining with emotion. "But we're so thankful you're okay and that we can still see you. Thank God for digital technology.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, finding it difficult to speak. "I miss you both more than I can say. But I'm grateful too. Grateful that we're all still safe and able to be together like this, even if it's just through a screen."
"Oh, Mitch. I've been thinking. I'm pretty sure I forgot to close the gate when Ava and I headed out to the beach. I'm so, sorry—“
"Amy, save your breath. This is all my fault. If I hadn’t been so worried about money, I would have never let my security detail go, thinking home security would be enough. Now all the wives and kids have been placed in protective custody like you.”
"Oh, God, Mitch...."
"And your father has been calling the office, worried sick about you. I don't know what to tell him.”
"Let me talk to Agent Ramirez and see if she'll let me get in touch with him. Papa might be able to help. He has contacts you know!”
Our conversation continued, filled with updates about Amy's living arrangements and how she and Ava were coping. It was a bittersweet exchange, a lifeline that connected us across the distance and danger that separated us.
As my allotted time drew to a close, I reluctantly prepared to say goodbye. Downing stood nearby, his expression a mix of sympathy and firm resolve.
"I love you both so much," I told them, my voice thick with emotion. "Stay strong, and know that I'm doing everything I can to be with you again."
Amy nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "We love you too, Mitch. More than anything."
With a final wave to baby Ava, I ended the call, and the screen went dark. At that moment, the emptiness of the room felt almost unbearable. But as I looked over at Downing, I saw a glimmer of something in his eyes when he asked, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop but is Amy's father, Giuseppe Russo?"
"Yes, and I'm sure he's been burning up my phone."
"While you were out, I collected everyone's phones and put them in my car safe, so I wouldn't know. But if that's Giuseppe Russo, I think he’s…” Downing shook his head.
"Who is he?"
"The Russo family has deep ties to organized crime. They operate in Colorado and Nevada, and I'm pretty sure they have connections around here, too — the horse tracks. I believe Antonio Russo is the kingpin of the operation. He's in Vegas.”
"I don't think it's the same family. Amy's family owns a boutique that sells skiing equipment in Vail," I shook my head. "And anyway, if you know all this stuff, why are they still operating?"
Downing smirked as he walked away, "You fellas got a lot to learn!"
Chapter Sixteen
Amy
With Ava nestled securely in the baby carrier backpack, I adjusted the straps and gripped my walking stick, ready to embark on this little adventure. The sun cast its warm golden rays through the trees, dappling the forest floor with spots of light. The gentle rustling of leaves above and the sweet scent of nature filled the air, setting the scene for a perfect day for a picnic.
Last night's whispered conversation with Mitch over the FBI's trusty iPad had left me with a thrilling revelation that the Rosedale girls were nearby, tucked away in their own secluded cottages. It was an unexpected but welcome surprise, given the isolation the FBI had imposed upon us. Agent Ramirez reluctantly gave her approval for me to meet them, understanding my need to reconnect with familiar faces in these challenging times.
The trail opened up to a lovely clearing, where the sunlight sparkled on the placid surface of Lake Susan like a thousand tiny diamonds. The breathtaking view stopped me in my tracks, and I paused for a moment to savor the beauty before me. Lush greenery framed the lake, creating a scene that seemed ripped straight from the pages of a romance novel—or a creepy thriller. I wasn't sure which.
As I neared the lake, I spotted my friends gathered around a picnic table. Instead of their usual laughter, I was met by a few hushed sounds of children playing hide-and-go-seek around the shelter and between the picnic tables. On a ridge not far away, I spotted a black sedan. A male agent was outside leaning against the hood, binoculars in hand, keeping watch over us.
"Look, here comes Amy!" Ariel called out, her smile as infectious as ever.
