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“Yes.”
“One of my jobs is to hide people in the Witness Protection Program, but to do that, others would have to learn that I’ve been helping Dania. It’s also my job to hunt her down and turn her in, but I’ve decided to help her.” As the words left his mouth, he wished he could take them back. He’d been so touched by Hayley’s story that he’d let his guard down.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay.” Wrinkles creased her forehead as she gave him an empathetic look. “You love her, don’t you?”
He definitely wasn’t going to answer that.
“I could tell.” A slight smile came to her lips. “You watched her with admiration as she worked to save not only my life but my son’s. You helped her, did everything she asked without question. I’ve never seen a man take directions from a woman before, like you did from her. Only a man who deeply respects and loves a woman would do that.” Her brows rose as if expecting him to acknowledge that she was right.
And he should because she’d wrangled the truth to the ground with her analogy. But he couldn’t. That would give Hayley the upper hand. And he couldn’t give her that much power. He said nothing.
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”
His mind raced ahead to what he needed to do. “I might know a place where you could hide for a while, but I need to get a few things straightened out first. If Val texts again, don’t tell him you’ve had the baby. Put him off. Do you think he’ll come see you?”
“I highly doubt it. Early this morning, his father is hosting some meeting with a lot of politically high-powered people. He’ll want Val by his side.”
The wordspolitically high-powered peopleresonated with Brett. Could that include Walter Tyler? “Do you think the state’s attorney general will be there?”
“I don’t know.” A shrug rolled her shoulder. “It’s not like Val tells me anything. He got a call from his father while he was here, and I overheard part of their conversation.”
Vanessa had said that Walter was a major stockholder of Blue Skies. The fact that Val may have been the last person who’d seen Matt alive, coupled with Eli saying that they wanted Matt to represent them because of who his father was, made Brett really suspicious.
He had to get to that meeting, see who was there, see what was going on. “I need to leave. I’ll be in touch, and I promise I’ll find a place where you and your baby will be safe.”
“Are you taking Dania with you?” She squinted, and her eyes filled with anxiety.
“You’re telling me the truth that you didn’t know that guy at Gran’s last night?”
“No, I don’t know him.” She appeared sincere.
Brett couldn’t take Dania with him. She would have to stay here with Hayley and be watchful. He had noticed the shotgun hanging on the wall in the living room, so with Dania’s sharp-shooter skills, all three of them would be safe should they have an unwanted visitor. They might even be safer in this trailer than anywhere else. “I’ll leave her with you. You two need to talk, and you could probably use her help since you’ve just had a baby.” He left the bedroom.
Was he doing the right thing? Never in his life had he been so conflicted. He’d believed that right and wrong were black and white. No grays. Yet, he was up to his chin in a field of gray.
A deep, thick gray that threatened to swallow him if he didn’t find the answers they needed.
Chapter Thirty
Dania listened as Brett recountedwhat Hayley had told him. Something was off with Hayley’s story. Val had a temper, but he’d never been violent. From what Brett had told her about their meeting, Val already suspected that Brett knew where she was.
“I don’t have much time. Val and his father were possibly meeting with Walter and some other bigwigs at the Wheelers’ office this morning. I think I’d better be there.” He started for the door.
“Stay safe.” Why did she feel as though she were sending him off to war? It didn’t make sense, but no matter how much she tried to ignore it, the churning in her stomach remained. She just couldn’t stand the thought of something happening to Brett, not after everything they’d been through. Not after learning what a great guy he really was and that he believed in her.
“Don’t worry.” He walked back to her, took her hand, and leaned close to her ear. “If all goes well today, we might find the guy who took Matt’s life. Have a little faith.”
She wanted to wrap her arms around him but knew if she did, she might not let him go. “I’m doing my best.”
“I know you are.” Brett have her a hug, then without saying another word, he left. She suddenly felt cold and empty without him there, much as she had when Matthew had died and left her alone. She couldn’t stand here and let fear overwhelm her. She shook her head. She had to keep busy.
Dania did the dishes, sanitized the pacifier, and cleaned the kitchen as she tried to sort out what the turn of events meant. She needed to have an earnest talk with Hayley, but the moment she thought that, the baby started to cry. Dania hurried to the nursery and picked up the little one. “It’s okay. I’ll take you to your mama. But first, let’s make sure you’re dry.” She relished holding the baby even for a little while.
She placed him on the dressing table just as Hayley said, “I should do that.” She stood in the doorway, dressed in sweatpants and a long shirt. Her hair hung around her shoulders, and her face was drawn with fatigue, but she was up and had a determined look on her face.
“Let me while I’m here.” Dania nodded to the rocker. “Why don’t you sit down while I change him. You can feed him when I’m done.”
Hayley eased into the rocker.
