prove it,” he said.
“Okay,” she said, smiling at Roman. She showed him where to sign, then Riley signed as witness, and she signed. “Now, if you don’t mind, let’s sign two more sets. One for you, one for me, and the first I’ll file in the courthouse the minute I get back.”
“Yes,” Roman said.
After all were signed, Ms. Autry handed him a finished set of papers, then put the other two in her briefcase. “I must say, Mr. Lyakhov, you are a pleasure to meet. Talie did not underestimate you in the least. And that’s it. You’re Darcie’s legal guardian.”
“Thank you,” Roman said. “How long until we can get Talie out?”
“The charges against her are all circumstantial. But, they’re strong. In an ideal world, her ex would walk into a police station and confess. But I have no hope of that happening. I’m doing all I can, and I won’t stop fighting until I see her walk free, no matter how long that takes,” Ms. Autry said, passionately.
“Why?” Riley said, finishing the letter and standing up from where he’d been sitting on the arm of the sofa.
Ms. Autry smiled sadly as she gathered her things to go. She stood up and placed the strap of her purse on her shoulder before looking Riley in the eye. “I lost my sister to a man not unlike the one that’s allowing Talie to take the fall for him. I tried repeatedly to get her away from him, but she just wasn’t strong enough. I can’t allow a woman that I believe is innocent, to fall to another piece of trash that does not even deserve to share the air we breathe.”
“We’ll need regular updates. We’ll be involved in any way we can be. There is nothing that is out of the question. If you need something done, and you’re unable, you let us know,” Riley said.
“Can I send Talie a letter?” Roman asked.
“Yes, you can. Absolutely,” Ms. Autry said.
Roman got up and started to leave the room. He stopped at the last minute and turned to look at Darcie, finding her watching him with a terrified look on her face. “Come on, let’s go write your mama a letter.”
“Okay,” she said, smiling and running to put her hand in his. A few minutes later they were back. Roman handed Ms. Autry two folded sheets of paper. “Maybe I should have put them in an envelope,” he said.
“Not necessary. I’m placing them right here,” she said, showing him the zippered pouch inside her briefcase.
“Thanks,” Roman said, picking up Darcie and holding her as they watched Ms. Autry prepare to leave.
“Sure you don’t want to eat anything before you go. Rest a while?” Maia asked.
“No, thank you. This is a rental car. I’m going to return it to the airport and fly home this evening if I can get a flight,” Ms. Autry said.
“Well, travel safe,” Maia said.
“Thank you,” Roman said, wrapping the woman in a bear hug when he stepped within reach.
“No, thank you!” she said, laughing and patting his arm. “Darcie will be happy, healthy and safe here. I have no doubt.”
“Drive safe now,” Riley said as he walked her to the door.
“Oh! One more thing,” Ms. Autry said. “I’ve been trying to call for over a week. No one’s answered your phone. Is it working properly? Have you changed your number?”
Right away a look of realization crossed Roman’s face. “I turned it off. It was too painful when I kept waiting for Talie to call me and she never did. Then she asked me to stop calling her, and I just stopped carrying it,” he explained.
“Well, please turn it back on. Please carry it. I may need to speak with you. And if she’s allowed a phone call, she might call. She had to have you stop calling because her ex checked her phone and would get angry each time you tried to contact her,” Ms. Autry explained.
“How did she end up with him back in her life?” Yvette asked from the sofa.
“She was not notified by the police when he was released from prison. She had no opportunity to leave town. He quite literally showed up one day and barged back into her life. He used the thing she loved most in the world to keep her under control,” Ms. Autry said, with a quick glance toward Darcie who was looking over toward the tree.
“She needs to be free,” Roman said.
“And we’ll get there,” Ms. Autry said again. “Darcie, if