“Richard has eyes and ears everywhere.”
“But none of them should know I’m here.”
Naomi wasn’t sure it was that easy.
She looked at the baby again. At the tiny fist curled against Sissy’s chest. At the faint flutter of breath.
“Did you name her?” Naomi asked, knowing she needed some space from Sissy’s question.
“Not yet. I . . . I thought I knew. I thought she was going to be Emma. But now I’m not so sure. She doesn’t seem like an Emma.”
Silence stretched for a moment.
Naomi cleared her throat before asking, “Listen, Sissy. I need to understand exactly what you want and what your expectations are. This situation isn’t simple.”
“I know.” Sissy swallowed hard. “But you’re the only one I trust. All I care about right now is knowing that my baby will be safe and loved. Nothing else matters. I made mistakes, Naomi. Alotof mistakes. But my daughter shouldn’t be punished for what I did.”
“Are you guilty of the things you’re being accused of?”
Her eyes widened. “No! Not those things. I’ve made other mistakes. I’ve associated with people I shouldn’t have associated with. But I don’t know anything about this fraud I’m being accused of.”
Naomi wondered if that was the truth. She had her doubts.
The words settled heavily between them.
From the corner of her vision, Naomi saw Micah and the federal agents standing just outside the door. One of them glanced into the room, then nodded at Micah.
What were they saying? What were they deciding?
A moment later, Micah stepped inside. “Naomi, can I talk to you a minute?”
Her heart lurched, but she nodded and rose. She cast one last look at the baby before following him into the hallway.
The door clicked shut behind them.
The two agents joined them—one a taller man named Langston and the other a shorter and stockier man named Brixon.
Micah went over what he’d already explained in the SUV—emergency placement, temporary custody, oversight. The federal agents confirmed the details with composed professionalism that made the whole thing feel frighteningly real.
As they talked, a prickling sensation teased the skin at the back of Naomi’s neck.
She glanced down the hallway.
She only saw pale walls, a nurse disappearing into a room, and the glow of a vending machine at the far end.
Then, just before she looked away, movement caught her eye.
A figure stood near the corner.
Whoever it was quickly stepped back out of sight.
Her breath hitched.
Micah followed her gaze. “What is it?”
“I thought I saw someone. Someone watching.”
“Did you recognize this person?” Brixon asked.
She shook her head. “No. I only got a glimpse.”
Was it Travis? Someone tied to Richard?
Micah’s expression hardened. “I’ll have security check the cameras.”
“I’ll see if I can catch him.” Brixon hurried down the hall.
But Naomi’s gut told her he wouldn’t find anyone.
At the thought, unease coiled tight in her chest.
