Chapter Forty-Nine
Mike, Kyle, Kip and Troy sat on the floor with Reed. Birdie was preoccupied with her feet as she rested in her bouncy seat.
Josh Stone walked into Wes’s living room and stepped to attention. With an audible swallow, he said, “Sirs, um, Mr. Wentworth wanted me to alert you to a change in plans.”
“Ah shit,” Kip said.
“I’ll kill him myself,” Mike growled and stood. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He leaned down and, with a gentle tone, said, “Reed, play with Uncle Kip.”
Reed toddled toward him. “Uncle Kip…” He tossed a ball at him.
“Stone, what the H happened?” Troy asked.
“I don’t know how he knew, but as I put Ellie in the cab, Wes came up behind me.” Josh explained what Wes said and what Zach asked.
“Zach agreed?” Kyle shook his head. “Darn it, it’s Zach’s MO. If they die, there’s going to be no forgiveness.”
The doorbell rang. Kip let Riley Armstrong and Brandon Finch inside. “Ellie asked us to come by,” Riley said.
A large sigh fell from Brandon’s lips. “Where’s Wes?”
“Change in plans,” Troy said. “Riley, Brandon, I appreciate you being here. Riley, are you up to making a C-A-K-E for Reed? Wes was planning a family meal. He told me he wanted to bake.”
“Of course.” She crouched down in front of the toddler. “Hey, Reed. Aunt Riley and Uncle Brandon are going to bake you a cake.”
“Mommy save Uncle Troy. He save Mommy and Dada,” the toddler said.
Troy swayed on his feet, and Kip grabbed his elbow to steady him. “Bro, he’s repeating what you said about Ellie.”
Troy chewed his cheek. The little boy heard him speak about Eleanor saving him. But nothing about him saving them. He also heard Reed call Eleanor Momma. He prayed she’d survive long enough to hear it herself.
“Bye, pal, we’ll see you later,” Kyle said.
Josh joined the group in Wes’s office. Barely inside, the door opened, and Ian and Kieran walked in wearing casual clothing. “Sit-rep?” Kieran asked. “Stone?”
“Mr. Crockett relieved me from duty, sir.” He stood so stiffly, it was as if he was attached to a rod.
“At 1412, Ice dropped Eleanor and Alamo off at the West’s Leesburg home. At 1514, the front bedroom window’s blinds were raised in a prearranged signal that contact was made. Remy Mirouette and Chad Thorn, with the combined Zulu and Tango Teams, are dispersed throughout the area providing around-the-clock surveillance. We have dedicated eyes on the rear basement entrance Zach identified as a likely egress. I expect them to wait for dark to leave, considering how aware their next-door neighbor was,” Troy advised.
Ian sat on the couch beside Troy, crossing his legs at the ankles. “There are three categories of people in our life who can hurt us like no other. Our children, our family and the person we love. Let’s rewrite this plan and get them out of there.”
“Boss, if they die, not to be maudlin, but what happens to Reed and Birdie?” Kip worried.
Ian withdrew a small card from his briefcase. Ellie was a prepared woman. He read her words:
My darling Wesley,
After years of aberration, I never knew a man like you existed. You make me laugh and cry. You innately seem to know what I need. I believe you are a bit of a mind-reader. You also helped me understand love, that it comes without conditions.
As I spent time at the Training Center, I also saw family does not have to be from blood. That brings me to the purpose of the note and the enclosed documents Mr. Ian and Kieran Chase helped me with. You are probably pissed I did this, but I was chicken. I couldn’t face you and leave. Wesley Crockett, I am naming you guardian of Reed West and Birdie West in my absence or in the case of my death. In the case you chose not to or are unable to, Mr. Ian Chase has agreed to be their guardian.
I love you. Ellie.
Ian handed Troy a copy of her will naming Ian and him co-executors. Wes was named custodial guardian and manager of trusts in the children’s names. Ian was named as a secondary one.
“When we brought the kids to her, I found Ellie in the kitchen in a full-blown panic attack. She was petrified that if something happened to her, her family would get the kids. I tried to assure her none of us would let it happen. She confessed one more guilt-laden secret.
“At the time of the Wests’ deaths, she found out she was named executor of their wills. I guess they knew Belinda wasn’t stable enough to handle the money. Ellie divvied up the inheritance. One, an investment account to fund the home’s standard bills. Another to provide Lindy three thousand dollars per month. Another, the same for herself. And finally, a corporation called Horsey Lady, where the bulk of the estate is hidden. It went untouched for ten years. It’s worth about two million dollars,” Troy said.
