“I’m sorry.But I’m sure it’s just temporary.”He took her hand, squeezing it gently.She couldn’t tear her gaze from the message on the screen.
Locked out.She wondered if that meant her bills that were on autopay wouldn’t go through.As if having her house burned down wasn’t bad enough, now this.
If Richard Freeman had set out to ruin her, he was doing an excellent job.By the time this nightmare was over, she’d have no job, no house, a lousy credit score, and no life outside of a jail cell.
She pulled free of Micah’s grip and stumbled away from the computer, battling the urge to throw up.What if this was it?What if her life was really over?
“Bryn, wait...”He reached for her.She avoided him, shaking her head and disappearing into the bathroom.
Fighting tears, she sat on the commode and silently prayed.Please, Lord Jesus, save me!Help me uncover the truth before it’s too late!
Micah stoodoutside the closed bathroom door, battling helplessness.He felt awful for what Bryn was going through and wished there was something more he could do for her.He listened but didn’t hear anything that sounded like crying.After a long moment, he turned away and went back to the computer.
He was convinced Richard Freeman and his wife, Kim, were involved in this conspiracy to frame Bryn for Damien’s murder.Normally, he would be out knocking on neighbors’ doors to learn more.Sometimes the smallest bit of information could break a case wide open.
It was getting too late to do that now.People weren’t as likely to answer questions after dark.He made a mental note to head back to Madison in the morning.As much as he wanted to keep Bryn safe, they needed answers.
And soon.
He glanced over when the bathroom door finally opened.Bryn emerged, avoiding his gaze.“I’m going to get some sleep.”
“Sure.”He stood and approached.“Please don’t lose faith.We’ll figure out a way to get through this.”
“I won’t.”Her smile didn’t reach her dark eyes.“I want you to promise me something, though.”
His gut clenched, but he kept his expression impassive.“What’s that?”
“That if I’m arrested, you’ll do everything possible to save yourself.”She finally met his gaze head-on.“I mean it, Micah.It’s bad enough that I’m being framed for murder, but I can’t bear the thought of taking you down with me.”
He didn’t want to agree but sensed this was important to her.He drew in a slow, deep breath.“Here’s what I’ll promise you, Bryn.I promise that if you get arrested, I’ll cooperate fully with the police investigation.But you need to know that I will also never stop digging for the truth to secure your freedom.”
She sighed.“That will only put you in danger.”
“I don’t care.”He narrowed his gaze.“I won’t rest until the person who actually murdered Damien is behind bars.”
They stood facing off for a long moment, then she sighed again.“Micah, sooner or later you’ll need to move on with your life.”
In that moment, he realized that she was the only one he wanted to move on with his life with.And that took him right back to the possibility of moving away from the United States, forever.
When she started to turn away, he snagged her hand.“Wait.There’s one more option.We can get fake identities and disappear.”
“I can’t let you do that.”She shook her head emphatically.“I can’t let you throw your life away by hiding a fugitive.”
“I prefer that option to watching you get thrown behind bars.”
She looked away, gnawing on her lower lip in a worried gesture that made him think she was seriously considering his suggestion.Micah didn’t have any family he cared to stay in touch with, and he knew Bryn was alone in the world now too.
Why not start over someplace new?The only downside was that he knew the police and the FBI would never rest until they were found.
And while they might be able to avoid being located for a while, he wasn’t sure they’d be able to evade capture forever.
“I need to get some sleep.”She tugged at her hand.He forced himself to release it.“Let’s talk more tomorrow.I still think we should head back to Madison to talk to my colleagues.It’s Sunday, so they should be home for the most part.”
“Okay, that’s a good plan.Sleep well, Bryn.”Tucking his hands into the front pockets of his jeans, he watched her go.
When he was alone in the kitchen, he used his phone to call Di.She answered on the first ring.“Mick?What’s wrong?”
“Hey, I need a favor.”He moved from one window to the next, looking outside as he talked.“Do you know who I can talk to about obtaining a couple of fake passports?”
