“Well, an attempt on your life will bump it up their priority list. I’ll make a few calls when we get back and see if I can’t light a fire under someone’s ass.”
Julia gave him a quizzical look.
“I was NYPD for ten years,” Mitch explained. “I still know some people.”
“Oh, okay. That would be super helpful.”
“In the meantime, let’s go home, but maybe you should stay with me,” Alex suggested.
“I’m not sure what difference a hallway would make,” Julia said. “I thought of staying at my mom’s, but I don’t want to endanger her. Maybe I should leave Calvin with her though. Or my sister. Then again, if he tracked us all the way up here, is anywhere safe?” She couldn’t control the panic in her voice.
Alex put an arm around her. “I won’t let anything happen to either of you.”
She attempted a smile. “How do you think he found us?”
“Mitch will look into that,” Alex said. “I doubt it was through my car, which means he could have a way to track your cell phone, or…” He paused.
“He’s watching me and followed us,” she finished. She inhaled and let the breath out slowly. “Right now, all I want is a shower and a warm bed.”
“I hear you. We’ll stop by Johnny’s ER on the way home,” Alex said. “I’ve already called him, and he’ll get us in straightaway. Cal should get his blood tested and an x-ray to verify there’s no smoke damage.”
“What about you?”
Alex rolled his eyes. “Oh, he’ll check me too. But I’m fine.”
“How can I thank you for everything?” Julia said, fresh tears starting. “You and your family.”
“Hey,” Alex said. “It’s okay. Johnny will take care of Cal. Mitch will get the police going. And I’ll make sure you’re both safe at the condo.”
Mitch looked at Alex. “You still have what I gave you?” he asked, and Alex nodded.
“The gun?” Julia asked. “You gotta keep that thing away from Calvin.” Normally, she didn’t approve of guns, but she could see how one might come in handy in this situation.
“Of course. Do you know how to use one?” Alex asked.
Julia shook her head.
“All right. Well, it’s freezing,” Alex said. “Let’s get going. We’ll figure out something in the car. You go ahead. I’ll be there in a second. I just need another minute with Mitch.”
She was exhausted and almost asleep by the time Alex returned to the SUV. He buckled Calvin into the seatbelt and made him a pillow from the blankets the firefighters had left with them. Calvin barely stirred.
They were supposed to be hatching a plan of some sort, but she was too tired and fell asleep before they were off the mountain. Alex woke her gently as they pulled into the hospital parking lot.
Johnny was quick and efficient and had them on their way within an hour. Calvin didn’t appear to have any lasting damage, but Johnny told her to call if Cal started having difficulty breathing or drawn-out coughing spells. Alex stayed with them the whole time.
Cal fell asleep again on the drive back to the condo. “Home sweet home,” Alex said. “I’ll carry Cal up. Can you get the doors?”
Once Cal was settled in his bed, Julia closed the door quietly and returned to the living room, where Alex was pacing. “Do you have to go anywhere in the next few days?”
“Not really. Starting Monday, Calvin’s school is out for Christmas break. I work from home. We only go to the park or the bodega with any regularity. Now that Charlie’s gone, we don’t even have to walk the dog. Cal will go stir-crazy, but we can hunker down for a while.”
“Okay. Well, I don’t love it, but the building is pretty secure. I’ll pick up some groceries. Kenneth and Rudy will keep an eye out for strangers. Not as much fun as hiding at the cabin, but hopefully, it’ll keep you safe until the police can find who did this.”
“You really think they’ll find him?”
Alex shrugged. “Honestly, I have no idea. And you can’t stay holed up forever. Let’s get some sleep and talk about it later.”
He took a step toward her and put his hands on her shoulders. When she looked up, the concern in his eyes was her undoing. Tears flowed again. “How am I supposed to keep my son safe?”
