“They’ll turn up,” Remy said kindly to Nate. “They’re Svenssons! We’re a resourceful lot. Look at Hunter! He managed to find an alligator in New York!”
“There’s a naming contest for the gator,” Archer said, trying to hype the kids up and distract them. “You can donate to the zoo and get the opportunity to cast a vote for a name! What do you want to name him?”
Isaac’s face was screwed up. “They’re dead, aren’t they?”
“Isaac!” I admonished as several of the younger kids started to cry.
“You all are full of shit,” he spat.
“No swearing,” I warned him.
“You claim you have everything under control, but you don’t.”
“Isaac!”
“Just leave him,” Remy said, grabbing my arm as Isaac stormed out. He ran a hand through his short hair. It was strange seeing my brother without his big bushy beard and shaggy mop. He wrinkled his nose and turned to the kids. “I bet you all didn’t have anything good to eat while I was gone.”
“They had grilled vegetables.”
“Who wants burritos?” Remy asked. “I brought back salsa!”
The kids raced to the kitchen. Crawford followed them.
“That Meg?” Remy asked me as my phone rang. I sent her call to voicemail.
“I’m done with her,” I told him.
“Hunter…”
“I can’t.” I shook my head. “She was collaborating with Leif. Now our sisters are missing. I can’t forgive her for any of it.”
“You don’t have to keep sacrificing your happiness for us,” Remy said gently. “No one wants that for you.”
“I refuse to sacrifice my family for my happiness, though,” I said ruefully.
My phone rang again.
“Maybe you should talk to her?”
I hit the red button. “I’ve made my decision.” I followed my brothers into the kitchen. The kids had already opened the salsa.
“You all need to eat something besides chips and dip,” I told them.
“But it’s so good!” Henry held out a chip covered in salsa. A bit dripped on the floor, but I didn’t snap at him.
“Oops!” he said. “Open wide!” He stuffed the snack in my mouth, getting the red sauce on my chin.
My phone rang again as I wiped off my face. Remy gave me a worried look.
I turned off the device. “I think you all need cheese dip to go along with that.”
* * *
“Thank you for all your help,”I told Agent Donnelly later that day. We were meeting with the FBI down at the local police department where they had set up a temporary processing center.
“It sounds like it was a fortuitous event that your brothers Remington and Crawford just happened to be at the compound visiting family.”
“Yes,” I said, holding his gaze. “Very fortuitous.”
