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For now, all I can do is go home and try to quiet my relentless thoughts. Try to find some faith that between Lucia's connections and my sheer force of will, we can bring Natalie home.
Home tome.
I'll burn the whole damn city down for her if I have to.
* * *
It's five in the morning before I hear back from Lucia, and it's a quick, enigmatic text:Come to my office.
I head right there. It’s early enough that Lucia is the only person there, or perhaps she never went home last night. She ushers me into her office, and gestures for me to sit in front of her desk.
She doesn't waste time on pleasantries.
"The best I could arrange is a phone call. And they're barely allowing that, Alessa."
My temper flashes. "A call? That's it?"
Lucia's stern gaze checks my building tirade. "It's something. And you need to take care with what you say. The FBI will be recording." She picks up her landline and dials a number, and after seemingly endless transfers, pushes the handset across her desk toward me, green light flashing. "Make it quick."
Her voice resonates with quiet urgency. I know she's taking a risk even making these calls on Natalie's behalf. But I won't back down now.
"Natalie...?" I force steadiness into my voice but emotion strangles the rest. "Natalie, are you there?"
The line crackles. That's the FBI, I bet. Then, "Alessa! It's so good to hear your voice." Natalie's warm relief washes over me. "Are you alright?"
Hysterical laughter threatens to erupt. Trust Natalie to forget her own predicament and fret about me. "I'm fine, just worried for you," I manage unevenly. "Are they treating you well? Have they allowed a lawyer?"
Questions spill urgently through the limited connection but Natalie gives vague answers and brushes aside my questions. Within moments, she's saying she has to go.
"But Natalie," I plead, "please—I need to help you."
"Alessa," she murmurs, "you already have. Just hearing your voice, it…it gives me strength. Truly."
"But—"
"Trust me, Alessa. Truth can’t stay hidden forever."
She's trying to tell me something. I know it, though I'm not sure what it is. But her quiet conviction resonates through me, kindling hope.
"I trust you," I say softly. "Be careful."
"You too, Alessa. I love—"
The call cuts out, the dial tone sounding in my ear. But I keep the phone pressed there against my ear as I replay those final few syllables and hope like hell she was about to say what I think she was going to say.
Because I love her, too.
And I want the chance to tell her in person. To say it again and again until the words themselves lose all meaning.
I replace the handset and take a shaky breath.
"Well," Lucia says after a moment, "I hope it was worth it."
"You're goddamn right it was worth it," I tell her, lifting up my chin. I stand, then pause, reaching into my purse. "Before I forget, Lucia."
I slide a small rectangular jeweler's box over to her, and she opens it to see the gold card nestled in ruby-red velvet. "Your lifetime membership to the Ruby."
Lucia smiles. "Thank you."
