I slap my hands on the table, anger pouring through me. “No chance! No way in hell would she ever do that.”
“After I pulled her history, it seemed pretty unlikely.” He agrees calmly. “But she took the deal and left.” He hesitates. “Looks like CPS took her daughter.”
I moan, slamming my eyes shut, knowing the destruction of her life is because of me. Because she helped me. “Tell me she got her back, please.”
Declan nods carefully. “It took her about six months, but she did get her back.”
Thank God.
“It was Brent.” I say harshly.
“Yeah, it was. We know Brent spread a story about you when you left. That you’d stolen his 401K, emptied the bank accounts, and split. He had some friends on the force that helped him. The same guys that buried your police and medical reports.” His tone is low and deadly. “I don’t know exactly how he did it, but he and those cops planted evidence. From what I can tell, the hospital bought it hook, line and sinker. They still don’t have a clue that she was framed. Neither does CPS.”
“She saved my life,” I say, voice cracking, “and they destroyed hers.” Micah’s warm hand covers mine, and I grab onto the lifeline he’s offering.
“What happened to the cops? Can you prove they did these things?” I ask, eyes filled with tears.
“That’s why I wanted Colt to hear this.” Declan says, tilting his head towards him.
When I look over at Colt, the joking happy guy, the one who waved hello this morning isn’t there. In his place is a hard man with a steel cold gaze.
“Colt is head of security for The Brash Group. He handles everything from logistics to counter espionage to surveillance and personal security. And I think he’s going to want to help with this.”
Colt’s smile is feral. “Damn right I want to help. This woman sounds like a saint, and they blew up her fucking life.” I’ve never seen this side of Colton. As safe as I know I am with him, a little shiver still runs down my back.
“Where is she now?” I ask, looking back at Declan.
He pulls more paperwork out of the folder, along with a couple of photos. He places one on the table in front of me. Colton moves to stand between us so he can see, too. Looking up from the photo is my smiling friend. Her rich auburn hair pulled into a ponytail, her round face wreathed in a smile. “This is the photo from her badge at the hospital.” I tell them. “She has the best smile. She lights up the room when she walks in. Everyone loves her, and she always has a kind word.” I say, touching it softly.
Declan nods, then lays another picture in front of me. It’s still Evie, but the smile is gone. Her cheeks have lost their roundness, and her eyes are hard. A sob breaks free. “They stole her smile.” What have I done? “This is all my fault. I never should have let her get involved.”
“Holly,” Micah snaps. “None of this is your fucking fault. This is on Brent, and those fucking cops. Lay the blame where it belongs, baby. Be mad at them.”
“He’s right,” Declan says. “This isn’t on you. Don’t make what she did for you, the sacrifices she made, count for nothing.”
“She had a new baby, Declan, and she still scraped together money to help me run. That’s how good she is.” Breathing deeply, I wipe my tears. “Where is she now?” I ask, touching the second photo.
“She got a job as a custodian in a care home. She’s making less than a third of what she used to. She picks up extra shifts whenever she can, but she’s barely making ends meet.”
“You pulled her financials?” Colton asks gruffly. Declan nods. “How much in her checking account?”
Declan hisses through his teeth. “Thirty-six dollars. She’s been overdrawn twice already this month.”
Colton's expression is grim. “Those motherfuckers are going to pay. I guarantee it.” He pulls the photos off the table, taking them both back to his chair. He traces his fingers over Evie’s smiling face, looking lost in thought.
“I have to talk to her. I have to thank her. I have to do something for her.” My mind is swirling, but one thought rises above all of them. I have to make this right. I owe her everything, and I can’t allow the rest of her life to be destroyed for me. When I look at Micah, his eyes are calm, locked on me.
Waiting.
“Anything,” he says clearly. I know he means it. He’s already offered me everything he has. Accepting it for myself is hard. I’m still mentally calculating the cost of every egg I eat, every pair of pyjamas. He’d hate it, so I won’t tell him, but I haven’t been able to stop. But when it comes to Evie, I’m going to ask.
“I need Evie to be made whole. I need to talk to her and then I need her to have a better job, a safe place to live, a car. Whatever she’s lost, I want her to have it back.”
“And if she doesn’t want it?” Declan asks.
“What do you mean?” I ask sharply, frowning at him.
“She’s had lies spread about her, her reputation ruined, her child taken away from her. Going back to her old life may not be possible.”
