I’m almost afraid to ask the next question. There’s only one agent I think of when the word grandfather comes to mind.
“Is his name Greg Williams?”
His brown eye gets big. “Yeah. How’d you know that?”
Rules for disappearing
by Witness Protection prisoner #18A7R04M:
Remember your old life is dead and gone….
New rule by Anna Boyd:
Hell, no. If you love the life you have—fight for it.
turn away from the hole in the wall. Noah calls for me, but I don’t get up. Why in the world is Agent Williams’s grandson being held captive in the next room?
My mind spins with accusations. Agent Parker told us she was the one who told Thomas where we were. How is Agent Williams involved with this?
The lock on the door turns and I sit up quickly. I whisper through the hole for Noah to be quiet and then lean against the wall, blocking the hole with my back.
The door opens slowly and Thomas sticks his head in.
He looks at Teeny on the mattress and then at me sitting on the floor. “I heard there’s a problem in here.”
Oh, crap. Vader told on me for banging on the walls. “No, everything’s fine. It’s fine.”
Thomas stands straight, arms by his sides. “You didn’t ask for a shower and toiletry items?”
I sit up straighter. “Oh…yes. Yes, we want a shower and to brush our teeth.”
Thomas enters the room and walks to the card table. He’s still dressed as a priest, his long black robes picking up the white powder that covers the floor. He runs his finger over the surface of the table, coating the tip in plaster, and holds it up to me.
“Will it become necessary for me to separate you to ensure good behavior?”
This is one of the strongest threats Thomas has against me right now. I’m worried about Ethan, but he is strong and resourceful. Teeny is another story. I can’t imagine what it will be like for her if she’s stuck in a room like this by herself. And as much as I hate to admit it, I don’t want to be by myself either.
“No,” I answer.
“Anna, I know how your mind works. There’s nowhere to go.”
I can almost hear Ethan’s voice in my head—get him talking.
“Why would I believe anything you say? You’re a murderer. And a kidnapper. And God knows what else.”
I worry for a moment that maybe I took the wrong approach.
He doesn’t move or answer me. Teeny pulls the sheet on top of her, trying to hide underneath it. I’ve scared her and regret that.
But I can’t lose this opportunity.
“I know you have some plan that includes us. Please tell me what it is. We should all work together on this.” I hate the begging tone that creeps in my voice.
Not even a flicker of emotion crosses his face. “Would you like to know about the man who has been hired to kill you?”
Um…hell no.
“I guess,” I squeak out.
