27

 

Conrad gave Maria’s hand a squeeze. He couldn’t imagine all she’d lived through in the past year—the betrayal of her husband and the terror of her child being kidnapped. He was in awe and admiration of her bravery and the strength it must have taken to rebuild her life. He would do what he could to keep her and her daughter safe.

“But someone lied about Raymond being dead,” Maria said.

“Maybe. Maybe not. Once you listen to the recording, you might decide it’s not Raymond at all.” Suzanne held up the tape recorder.

“Let’s hold up on listening to the tape and call the U.S, Marshal, first,” Ben told Zink. He looked at Maria. “Do you have the number?”

“It’s in my phone.” Maria removed her hand from Conrad’s and got her purse. She handed her phone to Ben. “Morgan Reed.”

“Don’t you want to talk? Explain what’s going on.”

“You can. She might believe you. Besides, I want to check on Layla.” Maria walked down the hall.

Ben put the phone on speaker, and then hit a number.

A woman answered. “Veronica, what’s up?”

“This isn’t Veronica. I’m Chief Ben Martin from the Sunberry Police Department. We’ve got a situation here.”

A slight pause. “Where’s Veronica? I need to talk to her. Now.” The woman’s voice held a sense of urgency.

The chief jerked his head towards the play room, signaling Conrad to get Maria.

Conrad knocked on the door but got no response. He opened the door and peeked in.

Mother and daughter were curled on the bed together sleeping. A smile tugged at his heart.

Maria had told them it had been almost twenty-four hours since she’d slept. She needed the rest.

He closed the door quietly and walked back to the living room. He whispered to Ben. “She’s asleep and I’m not waking her up. She’s exhausted. From what I can figure out, she hasn’t slept in almost twenty-four hours. Whatever’s going to happen, she needs some rest before it does or she won’t be any good to anyone, especially Layla.”

Ben nodded and explained the situation to the marshal.

Zink’s mouth twitched into a smile and her eyes met Conrad’s.

“Don’t say it, Zink.”

She held up her hands. “Me? I wasn’t going to say a thing. But you’ve got to admit the two of you make a good-looking couple.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

The chief ended his call with the Marshal and looked at Conrad.

“What does this Morgan Reed want us to do?” Conrad asked.

“She’ll arrange a meet with the FBI, Maria, and herself at a neutral place. Somewhere non-public. Where they can talk in private.”

“Like here?” Conrad asked, but Zink was already shaking her head. He knew she was a private person. The last thing she would want would be for more strangers to cross her threshold. He was surprised she’d been so welcoming to Maria and Layla.

Well, not really. Zink couldn’t resist a child in trouble. Ever. But he also noticed a growing bond between Maria and Zink. Probably a good thing for both of them.

Ben shook his head. “I don’t think that would be a good idea. I was thinking the motel out by the highway. That’s what I suggested to her, anyway. She’ll call me back to confirm time and location.”

“What’s the point of the meet?” If someone had betrayed Maria to her ex-husband’s people, Conrad didn’t want to make it easy for them to find her and finish the job.

“To let the FBI ask their questions, and then move Maria and Layla to a new location with new identities.”

Conrad stared at his boss. Maria gone? Before he had a chance to even know her. It hadn’t occurred to him that would happen. But of course, that made sense. They’d been on national TV. Time to move on to another new life. Tough choice, but the right choice, he supposed. Their safety was paramount.

“Now what?” Zink asked.

Ben’s shoulder’s relaxed. “Let her sleep for now. Conrad’s right, she’s going to have a tough few hours. The more rest she gets the better for her. Besides, the Marshal can’t make it for several hours. In the meantime, I’m going to see what’s happening with Emily.”