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“Exactly. It’ll be dark soon. The rain plays in our favor. You’ll need to go alone on foot. I doubt anyone will spot you but walk close to the dunes just in case. I’ll take Conrad with me. We’ll pretend he’s spending the night with me at Marsh Point. Once I’m sure no one is following me, I’ll bring him to you.”
“Are you sure the Mathesons aren’t there?”
“Positive. I spoke with Cliff last week. They aren’t coming back until Thanksgiving.”
“I don’t feel right staying in their house.”
“They won’t mind. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll call them tomorrow.” I take Julia by the arms. “Listen carefully. We don’t have much time. There’s a lock box on the railing. The code is 7-6-5-4. The key fits the front door. Inside the door to your left is a hallway that will take you to the mudroom. The door in the mudroom leads to a three-bay garage. On the wall beside that door is a control panel for the garage doors. Press one of the buttons, doesn’t matter which, so I can hide my car inside the garage when I arrive.”
“What about their security system?”
“They haven’t installed it yet. Do you have a flashlight?”
She pats her back pocket. “The one on my phone.”
“You’ll need to leave all your electronic devices here so they can’t track you.”
A pained expression crosses her face. “That makes sense. But I don’t like not being able to get in touch with you.”
“I don’t either. But people survived hundreds of thousands of years without cell phones. We will too.”
She sucks in a breath. “Right. I’ll check in the kitchen. I think Fry keeps a flashlight in the junk drawer.”
“The Mathesons’ house is all windows. Whatever you do, don’t turn on any lights once you’re inside. Pack small bags for you and Conrad. I’ll take those with me.”
“But Conrad’s suitcase is in the trunk of my car with all his clothes in it.”
I furrow my brow. “What?—”
“I’ll explain later. But you’ll have to get it out of my trunk. He needs his things.”
“I understand.” I know better than to argue with a Mama Bear.
“How long before you meet me?”
“I’m not sure, Julia. Don’t be alarmed if it takes me a couple of hours.”
When her chin starts to quiver, I pull her in for a hug. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you. Most of the houses on the beach have been vacated for the winter. If you get spooked, hide out in the dunes. I will eventually come for you.”
“If anything happens to me, you have to promise to take care of my son.”
I hold her at arm’s length. “You have my word.”
Julia swipes at her eyes. “Let’s get this over with.”
I kiss her lightly on the lips. “Follow my lead.” When we get inside, I sit down on the edge of the sofa next to Conrad. “Hey, Buddy. How would you like to spend the night with us at Marsh Point? I haven’t told Caroline yet, but she will be thrilled.”
The boy looks uncertainly at his mother. “But what about Mama?”
“We’ll leave her here to clean up this mess,” I say, winking at Julia.
“Gee, thanks,” Julia says and disappears into her bedroom.
I give Conrad’s knee a squeeze beneath his blanket. “We’ll take you to school in the morning, and your mom will pick you up afterward. How does that sound?”
“Okay, I guess,” he says in a reluctant tone as he peels back the blanket.
I help him to his feet. “How about if we stop for pizza on the way home?”
