Taking a deep breath, he prayed for the words to say. “We need to talk.”
Her mouth tightened. The golden shade of her eyes darkened to an almost brown. “What’s wrong.”
“Can we go to Rachel’s office?” He nodded in the direction of the children’s voices. “I don’t want to risk little ears hearing.”
“Okay,” she said breathlessly. “Let me tell my ladies where I’ll be. They should be fine without me for now.”
He hated hearing the fear in her voice. Wished there were a better way to break the news. Better yet, he wished there wasn’t any news to break.
She left her office, a small room off one of the daycare rooms, and spoke with one of the other staff members who Connor didn’t recognize. Tiffany returned to him, her face taut with tension.
Connor took her hand, offering what comfort he could. When they got to Rachel’s office, he locked the door, ensuring they’d have privacy.
“What’s going on?” She didn’t sit but shifted her weight from foot to foot.
“Remember a few weeks ago, when you were worried your past would affect my position, so I talked to chief to have it all in the open?”
Her expression was guarded. “He didn’t fire you, did he?”
“No, nothing like that. He couldn’t do anything regardless because you were never arrested for a crime.” He waved his hand, assuring her that his job was secure. “However, I did ask him to let me know if he ever heard anything about Brad.”
“And?” She took a deep breath.
“He was in court this morning for a case, and the hearing before him was for Brad. His lawyers were able to appeal and get him a new trial based on an obscure technicality.”
Her face went ashen. “What does that mean?”
“They let him go until the new trial.”
“What?” She sank into a chair. “How can they do that? Why would they do that?”
Angry at the system, he tried to be calm for Tiffany’s sake. “Unfortunately, that happens sometimes. The justice system works most of the time, but there are people out there who have made a living out of finding the loopholes.”
Her entire body trembled. “He’s going to come for me. I know it.”
He kneeled in front of her and stilled her hands with his. “If he does, he’ll have to get through me first. I’m not leaving your side.”
“I’m scared.”
“I know, sweetheart, and I’m sorry.” Standing to his feet, he pulled her up and wrapped her in his arms. He’d give her any comfort he could.
“I should tell Rachel.”
“She already knows. She and Carl are in his office, watching the camera.” He backed up a step. “Whenever you’re ready, we’ll meet them in there and come up with a plan.”
The color was slowly coming back to her face. “Do you think he knows where to find me?”
Everything in him wanted to tell herof course not, but he couldn’t lie. “Maybe not now, but he’ll find out if he wants to badly enough.”
“Let’s go talk to Rachel and Carl.” She pulled away, putting on a brave face.
