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“Change in plans. Your mom wants you to come to her. Is that okay with you?”
Relief replaces confusion on the kid’s face. “Yes, sir. I wanna see my mom.”
My armpits dampen with perspiration, and I white-knuckle the steering wheel on the drive back to Sandy Island in Ashton’s car. If something has happened to Julia, I will never forgive myself for putting her in danger. I offer up a prayer of thanks when I pull into the Mathesons’ driveway and see an open garage door. I park inside the garage and help Conrad out of his car seat.
Julia comes out of the house to greet us. Her hair is wet from the rain, and her damp clothes cling to her body. “I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been frantic with worry,” she says, engulfing her son in her arms.
My heart swells seeing mother and son interract. They have a special bond, strengthened by the hardships they’ve experienced this year. “Did you encounter any problems?” I ask her.
She locks eyes with me over the top of her son’s head. “No, aside from getting soaked to the bone. I’ve been hiding in the laundry room, so as not to get anything wet.”
“I’m sorry it took us so long. I wanted to make sure we weren’t followed. We need to get you into dry clothes.”
Julia reluctantly lets go of her son and grabs her backpack out of the car. I follow her inside the dark house with Conrad’s suitcase and the pizza box.
The outside spotlights provide illumination as I lead Julia and Conrad through the living room and kitchen to the guest wing. “The primary suite is upstairs. The Mathesons designed the downstairs so each of their two daughters will have her own bedroom suite with sitting area. You can have your choice.”
Julia enters the first one we come to and tosses her backpack on the bed.
I park Conrad’s suitcase just inside the door. “These rooms all have blackout shades in the windows. As long as the shades are drawn, you’re safe to turn on the lights. I’ll leave you to get settled.” I back out of the room, holding up the pizza box. “Take your time. I’ll meet you in the sitting room across the hall when you’re ready to eat.”
Stumbling around the dark kitchen, I manage to reheat the pizza and locate some paper plates. When Julia joins me in the sitting room thirty minutes later, she’s wearing dry jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt.
“Sorry that took so long. I had to get Conrad settled. Once he closed his eyes, he was out like a light.” Sitting down on the sofa beside me, she helps herself to a slice of pizza. “This looks delicious.”
“It’s hours old, definitely past its prime, but it’s better than nothing.” I settle back against the cushions. “I have a confession to make. I had one of my investigators look into your background.”
She freezes with the tip of the pizza slice near her lips. “How much do you know?”
“Enough. Your real name is Casey Bishop, and you recently escaped Witness Protection after testifying against your husband for human trafficking. I’d like to hear the rest from you.”
She takes a bite of pizza and sets the slice down on the plate. “Have you ever heard of The Six?”
“I only know what Carter told me earlier today.”
“I think of them as the modern-day mafia. They are a corrupt group of six men who have somehow kept their identities a secret from the world. My husband got involved with one of their human trafficking cartels. I turned him in and testified against him in court. I was in Witness Protection during the trial. The plan was to remain in WITSEC after Grady’s conviction, but I decided I didn’t want to live in isolation. They provided us new identities, and we came here to start a new life.”
“Then you got mixed up with me, and your face ended up on the news.”
She shrugs, because what can she say? She’s in even more trouble because of me. “Why was Conrad’s suitcase in your trunk?”
Julia’s chin quivers, and it takes her a minute to pull herself together. “I almost turned my son over to Child Protective Services today. I considered sending Conrad to live with my sisters, but they both have children, and I couldn’t put their lives in danger.” She looks over at me. “I can’t protect him, Will. As evidenced by what happened today.”
“What made you change your mind?”
She sighs. “I’ve never been on my own. I moved from my father’s house to my husband’s. I wanted to prove I could make it. Giving up my child was the ultimate failure. But I didn’t see any other way with Rourke blackmailing me. He claims to have a member of The Six on speed dial. If I don’t do as he says, he’ll turn me over to them. Your father-in-law’s attorney threatened to do the same. I assume they’re all working together.”
My eyes widen. “You mean Landon Whitfield?”
“Yes, he paid me a little visit on Sunday.”
I shake my head. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe what you’ve gone through because of me.”
Unshed tears glisten in her eyes. “I considered perjuring myself to save my son, but I couldn’t do it. I draw the line when it comes to sacrificing my principles.”
Julia leaves the sofa and wanders around the room, stopping in front of the bookcases. Corey Matheson is an avid reader. Her husband jokingly claims she’s kept every book she’s ever purchased. Based on the books now lining the many custom-built shelves in the house, he may be telling the truth.
I go to stand beside Julia. “Regardless of how we got here, we’re in this situation together. I suggest we combine our resources to find a way out.”
