She’d prefer to avoid calling him, because she didn’t know if he was associated with Royce or not and didn’t want to risk it, unless it was necessary.
“Well, if you want to make more money, then on base is your best chance.”
Olivia was afraid of that. She might have to call her contact after all and forge paperwork. She had really hoped to avoid that. Olivia wasn’t a hundred percent sure Skip wasn’t in Royce’s pocket and would turn her in, if she called him, but she was almost out of money.
“What did you do before moving here?”
“I was in shipping.” More or less.
“Well, not much call for that out here, but I’m sure we can find you something.”
“Thanks.”
Olivia glanced over at Ivy, who sat quietly, playing with her food. How did she introduce them? Friends she supposed but leave it to Cora to beat her to the punch.
“Hi, Ivy. I’m Cora, a friend of your moms. This is Abigail, Kinsley, Linzy, and Hannah. Oh,” Cora’s eyes widened in shock. “Olivia, you didn’t get to meet Hannah, because she just got back into town this morning. Hannah is with Ben.”
“You mean he’s with me.” Hannah joked. “It’s nice to meet you, Olivia. I’m sorry I wasn’t there last night. I’m travelling a lot back and forth from LA and here.”
“The center for abused women, right?”
“Yes,” Hannah beamed. “I’m so glad I have my brothers helping me with it, but I want it to be perfect, and I want to be there every step of the way. It’s not always possible, but I’m glad I’m not too far away.”
“That sounds amazing. When will it be open?”
“Beginning of next year. It’s going to have everything. Counselors, rooms for women to stay, job aids, and financial consults.”
“Financial consults?” Cora asked.
“Most victims don’t have control of their money. Spouses keeping a tight fist over the account, or women who were captured and have no access to money. They need to learn to budget and help setting up their own accounts.”
That made sense. Olivia wished something like that had been around for her. She might not have stuck with Royce as long as she did. There would have been a safe place for her to go.
“Hannah, that’s brilliant.”
Hannah turned bashful under the praise. “My brothers were the ones who came up with the idea. I’m just helping to fund it.”
“It’s still your brain baby, and it’s almost a reality.”
“I have some therapy dog candidates here, but if you want to choose from local shelters in LA, I have friends I can call.” Linzy said. Now that Olivia had heard their names again without loud music and yelling, she could remember them.
“We’ll go see them later. I’ve been running around so much the past week that all I want to do is sit down and relax.”
“No rush.” Linzy turned to Ivy, who was just staring at all of them. “Do you like dogs, Ivy?”
“Uh,” Ivy looked panicked between Linzy and Olivia. “I don’t know. I’ve never been around them.”
“Never been around.” Linzy gasped in horror. “The travesty.”
“Not everyone is a dog lover, Linz.” Abigail said, patting her friend on the shoulder, as if in condolences.
Both Abigail and Kinsley had been in the FBI. Abigail got out over a year ago, and Kinsley just recently left. Olivia remembered hearing the stories but couldn’t remember everything said about them. Apparently, they were both high up there in the bureau with catching criminals.
“I couldn’t afford a dog, and my ex wouldn’t allow one, so Ivy’s never been around them.” Olivia realized she said too much about Royce, when all the women looked at her with sympathy. With Hannah running a center for abused women, they probably recognized one easily. “Maybe one day, when we have a yard for one.” She said brightly.
“Well, Ivy is more than welcome at the farm in the meantime. I always have dogs.”
“You do?” Ivy asked excitedly, stepping closer to the women.
