CHAPTER 16
THE POLICE OFFICERS who picked them up were the good guys. Which didn’t mean Kurt and the others were home free immediately. It took three days of hospital visits, police interrogations, and legal negotiations. He was ready to sleep for a week.
The prosecutor decided not to press charges against any of them. Finding the new batch of trafficking victims had helped.As had several of Lambert’s men cutting deals to start talking.
Shaylee’s organization—STOP—and the police were working together to identify and locate the remaining victims IPI had placed in homes and businesses across the Caribbean.
Kurt had the impression that the government wanted to deal with the police corruption and human trafficking as quietly as possible, and that putting Americanson trial for killing two of those involved—Glenn did not survive the injuries he sustained in the fall from the cliff—would only put more of a damper on the much-needed tourism industry.
Other than the Lamberts, everyone’s names had been kept out of the news.
Tessa and Oliver Murphy were allowed to resume their summer-long cruise of the islands. Kurt had thanked them again and exchanged contactinformation with the pair, promising to keep in touch.
By eleven on Thursday morning, Kurt, Caitlyn, and Rose were finally free, riding in Shaylee’s little car toward Caitlyn’s house.
“You think they’re truly done with us?” Rose asked. “After everything…it seems too easy.”
“Yes,” Shaylee said. “It’s done. You have the paperwork to prove it.”
“Right,” Rose said, her hand glued to Shaylee’sthigh. “It’s going to take a while for that to sink in though.”
She had recovered from her near drowning, and the baby did not appear to be adversely affected by the trauma, though only time would tell. Shaylee was sticking by her side, and had assured them that she’d encourage Rose to get counseling to deal with everything she’d been through.
Kurt wanted that with Caitlyn, who sat huddled underthe protection of his arm, but not nearly as close as he’d like. He couldn’t stop touching her, reassuring himself that she was here with him and safe.
The last few days—during those nights when he hardly slept—had confirmed for him that he didn’t need a family, the whole thing that his sister and his friends had, all the trappings of a traditional life.
He would welcome marriage and children.Happily.
But heneededonly Caitlyn.
And he wasn’t sure he could have her.
Clenching his free hand, he focused his attention on the view out the window, on this gorgeous island he would never be able to bring himself to visit again if Caitlyn let him walk out of her life again. They’d hardly had a moment to talk since the police intercepted the Murphys’ boat, and he had no idea what she wasthinking.
Minutes later, they stopped in front of her house and everyone exited the car.
Rose hugged her sister. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Cait let her go, only to be enveloped in Shaylee’s arms, her expression slightly confused but content.
Rose turned her attention to Kurt. “Thank you again.”
“Of course. I’m glad you’re okay.”
She grabbed him around the neck and held tight. “Give her time,”she whispered as she stepped back.
All he could do was nod. He’d already given her fourteen years. How much more time did she need?
Shaylee gave him a quick hug and thanks, and then the couple left him and Caitlyn standing on the sidewalk as they drove away.
“You’re back!” A petite woman with coal-black skin and graying hair pulled into a bun rushed down the steps of the red house next door,Rockley shooting out the open door past the woman as if on fire.
Caitlyn laughed and fawned over the adorable mutt, hugging him tight and apologizing for leaving him for so long. “Thank you, Jade. I owe you.”
“Bah.” The woman gave a dismissive wave and smiled. “He’s a joy. And you are safe. All’s good.”
Caitlyn introduced her to Kurt and they made small talk for a few minutes before Jade madeher excuses and left so they could go inside.
