“Find her . . . ?”
My entire fucking world was gone, exploded, imploded. Years of work and sacrifice threatened, hell, most likely ruined. And while that should have been my focus, it wasn’t, not really. All I could think about was Sara. If she’d remembered, if she’d figured it out, then she undoubtedly thought I was responsible and knew I’d lied—that we’d all lied. “Raquel, if she remembers . . . she won’t want to see me.”
“I remember.”
I didn’t know what to say.
“I’ve known for a long time,” she continued. “When my memories returned, Benjamin told me the truth and I chose to stay. That’s what I was praying would happen with Sara. Brother Jacob, Sara loves you.”
“Sara, Raquel. Sara loves me. If you’re right, if she remembers, then I’m not looking for Sara. I need to find Stella, and I suspect Stella hates me.”
“Think about it. I remember the Eastern Light. What will happen if The Light finds her first?”
A cold chill ran through my body. “If you remember, then you know what will happen.”
Raquel cleared her throat. “Brother Jacob, I’m completely out of line and I’ll pray about it, I will. If you choose to tell Benjamin, I won’t deny it, and I’ll accept whatever punishment he deems necessary. But I’m breaking the rules by asking you to question everything, no, I’m begging you . . . please, go to Detroit and bring Sara home.”
“How?” I asked. “How did you know she’s from Detroit?”
“Because that’s where I came from—the Eastern Light. Isn’t that where we all come from?”
I took a deep breath. “If I make it back to Northern Light with Sara, we never had this conversation. If I don’t, we never did. No matter what, it never occurred. You know what would happen if the Commission learned that you withheld information from them.”
“I can’t lie to Benjamin. I trust him.”
I nodded. “That’s between you and your husband. I’ll pray too. Destroy the phone you used. I hope we see you again.”
“Me too. Godspeed, Brother Jacob.”
The line went dead, and seconds later the phone that I’d been holding in a death grip struck the wall and, leaving a dent in the plaster, shattered to pieces. Picking up the largest piece, I pulled out the battery and the small SIM card. Then I dropped the remaining parts and, using the heel of my boot, smashed them to bits. With each stomp I contemplated my next move.
I was so fucking close to finishing this, to reaching the end. Three long years. But . . . now . . .
I knew without a doubt where she’d try to go, whom she’d try to reach.
Nearly a year ago when I’d seen her in Dearborn outside Detroit, she’d been with him. She had been so happy, smiling and holding his hand. They had been walking through a sidewalk festival and laughing. I remembered the look I’d seen in her eyes. It took months before I saw a smile even close to the one she’d given to him. She’d trusted him.
Fuck!
Even if I did reach her before The Light found her, she wouldn’t trust me. If The Light got to her first, there wouldn’t be a question of what they’d do. My question was about Dylan Richards.
What would he do? Would he do it again? Would he do what he’d done last October? If she contacted him first, would he willingly hand over his girlfriend in exchange for his pathetic existence? Would he once again deliver Sara to The Light?
Once a dirty cop, always a dirty cop.
I knew that.
What I didn’t know anymore was what kind I was.
Taking a deep breath, I recalled the number I’d memorized and stored away. I steadied my hand as I fired up the other burner phone and dialed. Running my fingers through my hair, I listened to the rings.
Special Agent Adler, my handler, answered on the fifth one. “Agent McAlister?”
“Yes, sir,” I answered through gritted teeth.
“Fuck! We haven’t heard from you in over two years. Tell me you’re calling because you’ve got the evidence. Tell me to get the bureau ready, that you’re ready for the raid. Tell me you’ve got what we need to bring Gabriel Clark down.”
“Special Agent, we have a problem.”
UNTIL . . .
Away from the Dark
Book Two of The Light series
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you to everyone who believed in me: to my husband, children, parents, and friends. Without your support and love I would never have brought this new story to life. Thank you also to my readers. You have turned my world upside down and I will be forever grateful.
Thank you to my agent, Danielle. Your faith in my work has given me the courage to enter new challenging arenas. I would never have taken this leap if it were not for you.