TO DIE FOR (Eva Rae Thomas Mystery Book 8) - Willow Rose Page 0,72
up.”
“This is serious,” Mrs. Harris said.
“Please, help me,” Amy said.
Mrs. Harris faced Kim. She spoke with a firm voice yet failed to hide how angry she really was.
“Please, open the door, Mrs. Robinson.”
Kim walked up and put the key in the door without protest. She turned it, and it opened. I pushed the door open. Amy threw herself into my arms. I grabbed her and held her tight, kissing her hair.
“Oh, you poor thing. You poor, poor child.”
She cried and held me tight like she didn’t want me ever to let go of her again. “Is he all right? How’s Owen?”
I nodded, crying heavily. “He’s fine. He’s just fine.”
Amy relaxed, but I didn’t let go of her. My heart was breaking for the girl.
“I meant to come back,” she said, sobbing. “On the day I ran away, I came here to ask my mom to forgive me and for her help, but then my dad came home, and he…he grabbed me, then dragged me into my room and locked the door. I couldn’t get out. I couldn’t get back to Owen.”
“I know, sweetie. I know. It’s okay.” I paused, then took a deep breath before I asked what had been on my mind for quite some time, “He’s the father, isn’t he? Your father? He’s Owen’s father, right?”
Amy’s body jolted in sobs, and I held her so she wouldn’t fall to her knees. “Oh, my God,” she said. “Oh, my God.”
“It’s okay, Amy. I’ve got you now. He can’t hurt you or Owen anymore.”
“He was so angry,” she said between sobs. “When it turned out that I was pregnant, and my mother…she wouldn’t forgive me. That’s why I ran away. They wanted me to get rid of him, but how could I? They said my dad might end up in jail if anyone found out, and that made me feel guilty, but in the end, I had to protect my child.”
I exchanged a look with Mrs. Harris, grabbed Amy by the shoulders, and looked into her eyes.
“It’s not your fault, Amy. Do you hear me? He’s the one to blame. Everything is going to be all right. We’re taking you home now.”
“But…where are you taking her?” Kim asked.
“Sydney and I run a shelter for young women who have been trafficked. We have a team of doctors and psychiatrists that can help her get her life back together again. She’ll be taken care of there.”
“But…but what am I supposed to tell Phil when he comes home?” Kim asked as we started walking down the stairs.
I turned and looked at her. She seemed so lost; it was heartbreaking. But she had chosen her life, and now she had to live it. I didn’t feel sorry for her. Phil was going to jail for what he had done, and she would end up very lonely.
“I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
Then, I turned away and put my arm around Amy, walking her out to her son in my car. When she saw him, her face lit up, and tears sprang to her eyes. She took him out of the carrier, then held him close.
“Oh, my sweet boy. I am never letting go of you again. Do you hear me? Never. Nothing and no one will ever come between us again.”
I placed a hand on her shoulder, fighting to press the tears back, but failing miserably.
“It’s time. We need to go.”
Chapter 76
“You’re telling me you would sit here in your car and watch her? While she was in her house? No wonder she thought you were creepy and called the cops on you.”
I looked at Scott, sitting next to me in my minivan. I had parked it across the street from Lily Mitchell’s house. He had called me the day before and asked me to help him out with one more favor—just this one favor. Once he had explained to me what it was, I couldn’t say no to him.
“There she is,” he said and pointed. “Look at her; isn’t she gorgeous?”
I exhaled and nodded, then placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Let’s do this.”
He took in a deep, nervous breath, and I got out of the car. I walked toward Lily, who was hurrying to her car in the driveway while searching her purse for her keys.
“Excuse me? Lily?”
She stopped. Her green eyes landed on me. “Yes? Can I help you?”
I glanced briefly toward Scott in the car across the street, and she saw me do it, then went pale.