next to Epic's grandmother without falling. I wondered why it took both hands to present me with a relatively small sculptural glass figure of a flame, but when she handed over the absurdly heavy thing, all became clear. My name and the year had been engraved on the base.
“It is my pleasure to present the first ever AIM Humanitarian award. For myself, my community, my state, and all the people we serve, I would like to say thank you, Ryan Winslow, for the hard work you do to uncover these crimes and bring justice to the victims.”
I had prepared a few words. That was before I’d realized the woman warmly holding my hand was Epic’s much-loved grandma. His mother had cast me in the villain’s role. How did his grandmother see me?
“Mrs. Alsop." I nodded to her before turning to the tables in the darkness beyond the bright lights of the stage. "Friends. Thank you so much for the wonderful introduction. You make what I do sound pretty heroic. The truth is, I sit in a room with a computer looking for little connections. My job isn’t any different than what any other data analyst does day in and day out, except I focus on certain pieces of information that come up time and time again in human trafficking cases.
“Like a dog trained to track a certain type of scent—a tool, if you will—I do one thing pretty well.”
I could guess who snickered at the word “tool.” Down in front.
“There are so many others who share this with me—legislators, law enforcement, other NGOs. Too many to name. We all want the same thing: to end the suffering of human beings who have fallen victim to the greed of others.
"That said, I’m delighted to receive recognition for the work we do at StolenLives and even more thrilled that our work resulted in arrests and convictions. I can’t stop—I won’t stop—until there’s no longer a need for what I do. Thank you.”
People in the vast black space beyond the stage lights applauded. I was able to make out our table, and Epic, who stood and whistled.
I felt strangely dizzy, even though I hadn’t had much to drink. I wasn’t sure whether I’d make it down the stairs without taking a header, but Epic met me at the bottom where he caught my hand and led me to the side until his grandmother closed out her speech and came down to greet us.
“C’mon, Grandma. Let’s go find somewhere you can meet Ryan properly.” He led us out of the banquet hall. We found an empty seating area in a quiet corner and took it over. Mrs. Alsop and I sat side by side on a couch with Epic opposite, sitting on a cocktail table.
“So, I’m guessing tonight was a bit of a surprise.” Violet Alsop’s eyes twinkled. “Epic told me all about you, but he didn’t want you to know about the family connection until the ceremony. I’m sorry if it was a shock.”
“I should have done some research and found out for myself,” I admitted as I glanced from one to the other. “This is just weird. Epic, you’re the image of your grandmother.”
“I know. I’m going to be almost as gorgeous as she is someday.”
“That's my silly boy talking,” said his blushing grandma.
“And”—Epic raised his hands—“you can totally see how this is pure coincidence, right? I didn’t even know you when the list of awardees went out.”
“And now you’re working together.” Mrs. Alsop took his hand in hers. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”
I leaned forward. “Mrs. Alsop—”
“Call me Violet, please.”
“Violet.” I tasted the name. It was very much like Epic’s-–fitting and fun. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you. Epic talks about you so often that I feel like I almost know you.”
“Same,” she said. “Epic has been very impressed by what you accomplish at StolenLives. My daughter Chloe pressed for a different career path for him, but I think ultimately, Epic would never have found what he’s looking for in finance. He’s always been a crusader. He’s so much like my Charlie.”
“Tell me about him.”
“Oh, you don’t want to listen to me talk tonight. We’ll have lots of chances to get acquainted. I need to get back to my adoring public, and you need to go off and do whatever it is young people do. I’m afraid I can only vaguely remember…but Charles and I used to—”
“Ew, Grandma.”
“I’m flattered,” I said, “but I’m hardly young people.”
“Compared to me you