Tara Taylor Quinn - Mother by Fate

“The one Nicole said was dirty and working with the Ivory Nation.” The nationally known white-supremacist organization that had named Trevor Kramer president of the California coalition.

“I know Sanchez’s report says that Kramer claims he left all of that behind, but it’s clear he didn’t. It’s also clear to me that this Miller guy is as crooked as Nicole feared he was. He probably issued a second warrant today. You know how Nicole said that anytime she acted contrary to Trevor’s wishes, another warrant was issued.” Anytime Nicole tried to get away from Kramer, or stand up to him, Miller would show up at the door with another warrant for her arrest. The charges were always dropped, but there was a record of them. They were taking away her freedom one doubt at a time.

“I agree. There’s obviously a new warrant.”

“But until the LAPD has a chance to follow up on everything Nicole gave them, he’s free to brutalize her.”

“She should have gone into protective custody like they wanted her to.”

“And risk never seeing her son again? Would you do that?”

The question was superfluous—Lila didn’t have a son. Or any children that Sara knew of. “No, I wouldn’t.”

“I don’t know what this bounty hunter guy thinks I can do for him, but I want to offer to go with him, to help him hunt for Nicole. I’ll tell him that once he finds her, I’ll go in and bring her out. She trusts me.”

“I don’t like it.”

“This guy’s determined, Lila. He’s going to find her. And when he does, she’s as good as dead.”

“Do you think he’s one of them?”

“I don’t know. It’s possible.”

“What’s your gut instinct?”

“I think he’s doing his job and might be caught up in their game. But I’m not clear either way.”

“I don’t like it. You’re usually clear.”

“I know. But this has been one hell of a weird day.” And Lila only knew half of it. “Whether he’s with them or not, my instincts tell me that he won’t hurt me, Lila. And I don’t want this guy finding Nicole without someone on the team there to help her,” she said. “He thinks he can convince me that Nicole’s not what we think she is. I’m going to go along with that.”

“He obviously thinks you can help or he wouldn’t be there.”

“Exactly.”

“I don’t like it,” Lila said again.

“She needs this, Lila. She deserves it.”

“I know.”

“It doesn’t put the Stand at risk.”

“It puts you at risk, and you are a huge part of the Stand.”

“There are other counselors who would be equally as good at coaching victims.”

“You’re part of our family.”

“I have to do this, Lila.” There, she’d said it. “There’s something about Nicole. I...need to do this.”

“I think I knew that.”

“So you’ll give me whatever support you can?”

“I’ll do more than that. I’m alerting the team and I’ll make sure that wherever you are, Sanchez or someone from his department will be right behind you.”

“Thank you.”

Lila took a couple more seconds to issue severe warnings. To extract promises that they both knew Sara might not be able to keep.

And then Sara hung up.

She was sure-footed as she crossed the cool decking on her way back to Michael Edison. She was doing the right thing. The only thing.

Her biggest doubt was the little extra spring she felt in her step at the prospect of having a few more hours with the handsome bounty hunter.

It made no sense. She’d been married to a liar once. It wasn’t a road she was going to travel again.

Ever.

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