“He is.” She shakes her head in disbelief. Before she can stand, I tell her, “Don’t say anything to them. Just let them take you in. I’m going to get you a lawyer as quickly as I can.”
“I’ll just get a public defender. It’s not a big deal.”
I shake my head. “This guy's mom is Senator Elias.”
Her eyes widen in shock. “The wicked witch?” she whispers like the woman herself will hear from hundreds of miles away.
I nod my head. “Yes. Just trust me, okay? Don’t say anything.”
She swears but gets up and heads out to the front of the shop with her head held high. The cops are nice enough not to take her away in cuffs, but it still doesn’t make it any better.
I pick up my phone and let out a breath before hitting the call button on a number I haven’t used in years.
“Son?” My father’s voice comes through the other line after only one ring.
“Hey, dad. It’s been a while.”
~ ~ ~
Penny
Jordan decided to spend the day with me, and we head to Autumn’s preschool to pick her up after grabbing a quick appetizer at Paddy’s. When we get there, I don’t see Autumn outside waiting like normal.
“Hey, Tracey,” I greet her teacher as we walk up to the preschool.
“Penny, hi!” She smiles back.
“Where’s Autumn?”
“What do you mean? She’s with Declan.”
Jordan speaks next. “Declan came and got her? When?”
Tracey knows that Jordan and my mom and dad are the only people who are allowed to pick her up, and more recently Declan, who she hasn’t met yet.
Her brows furrow in confusion. “Like fifteen minutes ago.”
I relax just slightly and nod. “Oh. Right. Okay, thank you.”
Jordan grabs my hand before we turn to leave. “Declan didn’t say anything to you?”
I shake my head. “No. But he’s on the list.”
“He would have at least texted you, right?”
My gut is telling me the same thing. We look at each other and both start running the three blocks back towards the shop. We enter Blank Canvas Ink, and Declan is on his phone.
“Just a minute,” he says to the person on the other line.
“Is Autumn here with you?” I ask, my voice shaking with panic. My heart is beating out of my chest, and I’m afraid of what he’s going to say next.
“No. I’ve been here all day,” he tells me, confusion setting in.
My heart drops. “Call the cops,” I whisper to the room.
Just before everything goes dark, I can hear Declan say, “Dad, I need your help.”
~ ~ ~
