"Fascinating." Justin nodded. "Okay. Well, if you don't know, then I guess I don't have any other questions since you obviously can't help solve this particular puzzle."
He stood and aimed for the door. "Don't go anywhere... I'm pretty sure this isn't the last talking-to that you'll get."
Once outside, he was met by Reese who had been watching and listening from the adjoining room. "That's it? You're done?"
Justin shrugged. "She's not going to give us anything. Not yet. She doesn't have enough reason to. If she really is in on something with Garret, I don't think they're on the same page, which is a might strange. Has Garret calmed down any?"
Reese wasn't happy with what he deemed a lack of result, but he just sighed and nodded. "A bit. You want him brought up?"
"No. I'll go to him."
"Not without backup, you won't."
"Suit yourself." Justin aimed for the stairs. Before he got to the holding cell, he was joined by Hal, armed and ready. Justin cared little though. "I want a word with him alone."
"No chance," Hal retorted. "He'll rip you to shreds."
"No he won't. But if he does, you're off the hook. Please. Three minutes is all I want."
Hal didn't like it, but he'd allow it as long as he could see through the tiny one-way window in the door in case he needed to intervene. At least Garret was finally sitting on his cot without screaming now.
Justin entered cautiously, met by Garret's angry glare. "You don't look so hot."
"What do you want?" Garret's voice was hoarse and irritated.
"Just trying to put together a puzzle, but we're missing an awful lot of pieces."
"You'd get more if you let me see that woman."
"You mean Victoria?"
Garret's eyes flickered.
Justin nodded. "Yeah, we got her name. She doesn't care much for sharing though. Isn't quite as cooperative as you. Which leads me to believe she's either not connected to you at all, or you two have pretty poor communication."
Garret stood up. As he did, Justin heard Hal at the door, but held up a hand to stop him, as his eyes remained on Garret. "Tell me what's going on before Reese puts you both away for life."
"Just let me see her." Garret tried to control his temper. "That's all I want. Give me fifteen minutes."
Justin shook his head. "I'm sorry, that's not my call."
Garret sighed and sank back down on the cot. "How is Nate?"
One of Justin's eyebrows quirked. "I don't know, but I think he's going to be alright. You're concerned?"
"Of course I am." Garret bounced his knee with impatience. "At least Reese can't pin murder on Victoria."
"Ah. Back to her again. I asked her why you wanted to see her so badly but she didn't seem to know. Care to enlighten me?"
Garret's eyes remained on the floor. "It's none of yours or anyone else's business."
His tone and body language made Justin cock his head. There was something there. Something hidden. Something deeper. "How long have you been in love with her?"
Garret's gaze shot up instantly and he grew rigid. No one could know. Not yet. They'd use it against them for sure. "I'm not allowed to be in love with anyone," he hissed. "Now if all you're gonna do is badger me, then get out before I use your head as a battering ram."
Justin pursed his lips and thought for a moment before relenting. He'd learned what he wanted. He didn't believe Garret's threats, but all the same, he'd leave him be for now...
..."Learn anything?"
Justin was back in Reese's office, once again being questioned. And once again that same unwanted churning came to his gut. Reese was a good guy. Honorable. Trustworthy. But he was also bent on taking down the Agency. And for some reason, Justin couldn't let himself be a part of using love as leverage. He had no proof. It was only a gut instinct based in Garret's physical reactions, but even so, he believed he'd latched onto the truth. But love could be the worst leaverag of all, and Justin simply didn't feel good about using it. Not like this. It felt like betrayal of the worst kind.
"Justin?"
Justin blinked at Reese. "Oh, um...no. Victoria's got a thick enough shell to resist a canon and Garret is still pretty worked up." He glanced at his watch. "I gotta go, though. I'm late for a session with someone."
Back at the interrogation room, Wyatt had returned. But not to talk this time. He motioned to Victoria. "Get up. We're gonna get you comfortable."
It was a short walk down the hall and downstairs. There were only two holding cells, and it was the second on that Wyatt chose, since the first was already occupied. Thankfully, a cinderblock wall separated the two.
"In ya go." Wyatt motioned with his handgun into the cell. "You can keep your bracelets on - if you behave yourself, maybe we can take them off later. For now though, make yourself cozy. I have a feeling you're gonna be here a while."
Jason winced as he leaned on Katie to get to his feet. He could pretend all he wanted that it didn't hurt, but Katie would just know he was lying anyway. Using her for support, he limped beside her towards the hall.
He chuckled at her comment and shook his head. "I dunno. I always thought your beast side was kinda sexy." As soon as he'd said it, his face grew hot and he bit his lip, choking on an embarrassed laugh. He could kick himself for his lame brain comments - didn't he know anymore how to shut up? "But let's do coffee anyway," he tried to recover as they neared his office, "just to be on the safe side." Seriously, did he have no brain at all?
Just having Nate awake and talking without being so pale was enough to bring Laura comfort. It would take her a while to get over the shock of the day, but at least she knew now that he’d be okay.
She nodded as he recalled information – it matched what Rick had told her his last comment though, made her turn and glance at his face. “You seem to think this Garret guy is awfully innocent. From what I hear, Reese thinks it’s all part of an elaborate plan to infiltrate the Elite. How can you be so sure Garret save your life and didn’t intend for you to get hurt in the first place? I mean after all…he is Agency.”
“I can’t do it anymore. I just can’t.” Rosalyn leaned her hands on the saddle rack, losing the battle of trying to control her tears as they cascaded from her eyes. She threw her oily rag aside, giving up on cleaning her saddle.
Clint sighed, remaining seated on the narrow bench. The tack room door was shut – not that it mattered. At this late hour, few would wander into the barn anyway, unless it was Stacy, and she’d know well enough to leave them alone.
The evening had not been good. During supper, Rosalyn and Jim had gotten into it. The argument had escalated until both father and daughter had gone their separate ways. When Rosalyn hadn’t shown up again, Clint had helped put Chase down for the night, then had gone looking for his sister. He’d found her vigorously cleaning every spec of dust from her saddle and oiling every tiny crack in the leather, but it had done little to soothe her soul.
“We’ve all been taught to survive.” Clint tucked his hands in his jacket pockets and leaned back against the wall.
“There’s a difference between surviving and living.” Rosalyn sniffed and glared at her saddle. “And I am tired of survival only.”
Clint wished he could help. He wished he could fix this. He wished he could change the way things were. Change his father’s heart. Erase the past. Anything.
Rosalyn’s pocket buzzed, interrupting the tense silence. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand before retrieving her phone to see who had just sent her a text message. Chad. With sweet words. Again. As always. All of this stupid mess had all started the very day Chad had come. The day he’d flirted with her at the dinner table. Treated her like a princess. And stolen her heart.
Giving an angry yell, Rosalyn recoiled, phone in hand, before letting it fly. It slammed into the tack room wall and fell to the floor, the screen shattering. Several pieces of the casing broke off and sprung in all directions, bringing a quick and sudden death to the handheld technology.
Clint’s eyes were wide, and he blinked. “Feel better?”
“No.” With tears still flowing, Rosalyn turned to her brother. “I’m done. With all of it. With this place. With Dad. With Chad.”
“Hey…” Clint stood and set a hand on her shoulder. “You can’t mean that.”
“Which part?” Rosalyn’s lip trembled, but she held a steady gaze. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t be torn in two different directions.”
“But –”
“No. It’s time I stop this stupidity and find my direction. My way. Not Dad’s…or Chad’s, or anyone else’s.”
Clint withdrew his hand, his frown showing his concern and confusion. “I thought you wanted to be with Chad.”
“I do.” Rosalyn swallowed hard, while yet another tear escaped. “But not like this. Not while I’m just being pulled apart. Not while I don’t even know who I am anymore. I can’t do it.” Choking on a sob, she fell into her brother, grateful for his arms that hugged her. “It’s not Chad’s fault,” she cried softly. “But I can’t keep doing this. I can’t let him in when all it does is cause grief. He’ll just get hurt.”
Clint’s hug was a gentle one, just offering a small bit of shelter in this miserable storm. He knew his sister was in love with Chad, but he also understood her need to break free from all of this, if only to figure out what she truly felt and truly wanted. “Are you going to let him know?”
Rosalyn sniffed again as she pulled away and went to pick up the pieces of her phone. “No. He’ll figure it out.” Maybe it was mean, but her heart simply couldn’t take telling him to leave her alone. A clean break – that was her choice. “If he actually worries and calls you or something, you can let him know what’s going on.”
“What really is going on?”
“I’m leaving.” She turned and stared at her brother’s eyes. “I’ve been considering it for weeks, and now it’s time. Will you help me?”
Clint set his hands on his hips as a deep sigh was slowly released. “Yeah. What do you want me to do?”…
…It was late. Late enough that the sky was pitch black, showing only a few stars through a low cloud cover. A chilly breeze carried with it a dampness that made the air feel colder than it really was. Eerie shadows were cast about through waving trees that, in the daylight, normally offered a comforting scene. Tonight though, little comfort could be found.
Clint finished tying his boots and donned his leather jacket before quietly slipping back down the hallway to his and Wendy’s bedroom. Bending over, he left a soft kiss on her cheek before setting a folded note on her nightstand – just in case he didn’t return as soon as he hoped.
Wendy –
Had to run some early errands. Be back shortly. Love ya.
Clint
He was careful to remain silent as he left the house, and only once outside dared a tired yawn. The cold air was a sure way to wake him quickly though, and he aimed for the ranch’s main yard.
Rosalyn was already there – waiting in the shadows near the main house that was, at this hour, without occupants. With her were several bags, a laundry basket and one cardboard box.
“This it?” Clint couldn’t hide his surprise.
Rosalyn nodded, and shouldered one of the bags before picking up another one and the basket. “It’s…enough.”
Clint knew better than to argue, even though he felt his sister deserved more than this. She had many more belongings and should be allowed the dignity of taking what was rightfully hers. But this was her choice, and he’d said he’d help. “Alright.” He picked up the last bag and the box and nodded down the driveway. “I parked closer to the road so we wouldn’t wake anyone.” …
… Rosalyn rang the doorbell and waited. She and Clint stood at the back of a large brick house in a fairly quiet part of town. It was still dark out, but the street lights left few shadows. Though not the best part of town, it wasn’t the worst, and it was close enough to downtown that many necessary locations, such as a grocery store and gas station, could be walked to easily.
“You sure about this?”
Rosalyn glanced at her brother. “Yeah…I am.”
“Rosalyn!” The door had been opened by a young woman about Rosalyn’s own age – rather short, slender, with brown hair haphazardly pulled back at the nape of her neck. She reached out and immediately hugged Rosalyn. “I thought maybe you’d changed your mind.”
Rosalyn returned the hug before withdrawing, and she shook her head. “I couldn’t. Not now.” She gestured to her brother. “Hannah, you know Clint.”
“Oh yes.” Hannah nodded. She’d seen Clint at church with the rest of the family. “And this is Lizzie.” She opened the door wider as another young woman joined them.
Lizzie scratched her blonde head and nodded sleepily. “Hey, y’all.”
Rosalyn giggled. She’d met Lizzie not all that long ago at an event with Hannah. “A little too early for you?”
Lizzie grinned. “Just a bit.” She thumbed inside. “Why don’t y’all come in for some coffee?”
Clint helped Rosalyn pick up her things and bring them inside. “Thanks, but I gotta get back to the ranch.”
Hannah’s eyes dimmed with concern. “I’m assuming no one else knows yet, right?”
“Right.” Rosalyn sighed and looked back to Clint. “I’m sorry you’re gonna get the brunt of it.”
“Eh…” He shrugged. “I’ve got broad shoulders. You be okay now?”
“Yeah.” Rosalyn drew close to give her brother a long hug. “Thank you for all your help.”
“Don’t mention it. Just…let me know if you need anything, okay?”
“Okay.” Rosalyn pulled back and swallowed hard, keeping her tears hidden. “I’ll call you later.”
“Right.” Clint nodded to the other girls. “Later.”
All three waved, and once the door was closed, Hannah and Lizzie both came closer to Rosalyn. “You doin’ alright?” Lizzie questioned.
“Oh, yeah.” Rosalyn sniffed as a tear finally escaped. “I’ll be fine. Just… wish things could have been different.”
Hannah patted her shoulder. “Well, we’re happy to have you here.”
“Especially the whole sharing the rent part,” Lizzie teased.
Rosalyn laughed and rolled her eyes. “Right. Where’s my room?”
“Right down the hall. Come on.”
They’d been standing right near a kitchen that was small, but organized well enough to create plenty of space. Next was a cozy living room with a couch, two chairs, a small entertainment center and a window that overlooked the backyard. After that was a nice large bathroom – which was good, since three women would now be sharing it. A spacious walk-in closet was next, which would be shared as well, since the three bedrooms were all quite small with very little space to spread out.
“Here you go.” Hannah set one of Rosalyn’s bags on the single bed.
“Thanks. So who else is in this house?”
“The two Wixtrom brothers are upstairs.” Lizzie pointed to the ceiling. “They work nights though, so we hardly ever see or hear them. Then next door to us are the Barker’s. They’re older, like in their sixties, and sweet as I’ll get out.”
“There’s a sign out front for a vacancy – where’s that?”
“Oh, there’s a basement apartment available, but it’s been empty for a couple months now. Nice place – just one bedroom though.”
Rosalyn’s eyes scanned her new room. It really was small but…it was cozy. It was plain…but she’d eventually collect some new belongings to put in here. Like a nightstand…or a little bookcase. At least she had a window. It looked out into the alley, but at least it provided light and a view to the sky, should she feel claustrophobic suddenly living in the city.
“Well…” Hannah looked at her watch. “It’s about five o’clock. I woulda gotten up in an hour anyway for work, so I’m gonna go have some of that coffee Lizzie made. Anybody joining me?”
Lizzie yawned. “It’s my day off, but why not? I’ll take a nap later.”
Rosalyn smiled. “There’s no way I could sleep now. I’m in.”
“Good.” Hannah slung an arm over Rosalyn’s shoulders as they headed back down the hallway. “You job hunting today?”
“Yeah. I’ve got several leads on some cleaning jobs. It’s a start anyway…”
… “What do you mean you can’t tell me?!” Becky’s eyes flashed as she stared at her son. It was hours later. He’d been back to the ranch just barely before dawn, and only now, in the main kitchen for breakfast, was he receiving the first wave of reactions to Rosalyn’s departure.
“I gave her my word.” Clint’s tone remained steady, even though it hurt to see his mother under such stress. “She is well. She is safe. But I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone where she went. It was her specific request.”
“So that’s it? All I get is this note?” Becky waved a piece of paper in front of his face. Arriving at the kitchen this morning, that’s all she had gotten. A note.
“I’m sorry.” Clint set his hands on his mother’s shoulders. His own eyes were so tired. He was carrying a heavier burden than perhaps he ever had, and he was alone in it. “You have to let her go,” he urged softly. “She doesn’t even have a cell phone now. Respect her decision. For her sake.” He let her go, but just in time to turn and almost run into Jim, who had heard most of the conversation. His face was tight with what seemed to be more anger than worry.
Ignoring his father, Clint poured himself a cup of coffee and prepared to leave the kitchen, but Jim blocked his route. “Excuse me.”
Jim folded his arms. “Not until you tell me where your sister has gone,” he demanded quietly but sternly.
“I’m sorry.” Clint held a steady gaze. “I can’t do that. Please let me pass.”
Jim’s jaw clenched, and his arms lowered, but he didn’t move. “I won’t ask again,” he warned.
“So what are you gonna do?” Anger was boiling through Clint’s veins, and his coffee cup trembled in his hand as he stared at his irate father. “You gonna hit me again? Once more for good measure?” His voice lowered to almost a whisper. “You strike out one more time, and so help me, you’ll never lay eyes on your grandchildren again.” Daring to move, he pushed past Jim. But he wouldn’t be joining everyone else at the tables. Instead, he slipped out the back door and walked around to the porch. Easing down on the swing, he held the warm mug between his hands and watched the wisps of steam that rose then disappeared. Such was life. It was there…then gone. So fast. And right now…he hated it. He hated all of this. If it weren’t for Wendy and Chase, he would have been gone long before now. Other than having them, he felt more alone than he ever had before.
