Page 21 of Wintering with George

“Great.”

He was quiet a moment. “You have a choice here.”

“I know.”

“You can go legit, get in touch with your buddy Doyle, save everyone, but you run the risk of them splitting the family up to ensure their safety. Or, you can take help from the private sector.”

But I knew already because one way would have to go through law-abiding channels, while the other would be fast. I needed fast.

“If you could help me now, and then if I need a long-term fix, I’ll make that call.”

“Done. I’ll call you back in five,” he said and hung up.

Walking down the hall, I saw Toby in his room, packing two bags. It was impressive how he was rolling things and placing them into the duffels. I liked how well he took direction, and his follow-through was both excellent and appreciated.

I went down the stairs to the first landing and saw Thomasin rushing around, with Kurt following her, trying to talk to her, and Brad putting out platters of food. When I whistled, all three of them looked up at me.

“So I need you all to get up to your rooms and pack a bag because we are out of here in fifteen minutes.”

All three stared at me in shock, and then the balloon of silence burst and they were all yelling at once.

“Shut up!” I bellowed, and I could be loud. “Kurt,” I said, pointing at him. “You are coming with me whether you want to or not, and I’m taking the dogs, my cat, and the boys,” I announced, then, to Thomasin and Brad, “So if you want to fuckin’ be with your kids for Christmas, I suggest you pack. Now.”

“I don’t understand,” Kurt yelled at me.

I pointed at Brad. “To help Thomasin’s business, Brad borrowed money from the wrong fuckin’ people, and there is a contract for a kidnap and ransom on the boys that someone is coming to collect on.”

Silence again, which I didn’t hate.

“Toby is packing a bag for him and one for Dennis,” I told Thomasin. “You and Brad need to pack a bag each too. Imagine being gone a week. Bring whatever you want from under that tree, and I will get the dogs and the cat loaded up.”

They were all just staring at me.

“Now, people. Move now.”

And then there was running, which was good to see. I really did like it when people followed directions.

Chris called me back and asked me about my passengers. I knew why. He had to have a strategy in place and ensure provisions were made for each person and animal I had with me. Whatever was required, he would make arrangements for. He was always about plans and more plans. It was why he’d never been caught. He left absolutely nothing to chance, ever, not even the smallest, most seemingly insignificant item.

I explained about the dogs, my cat, and the people. Another ten minutes after that, he directed me to drive to the airport, to the long-term parking, where there would be an SUV big enough to hold the ark full of humans and animals.

“Ark?” I said because it was overly dramatic.

“Just do as I say.”

I took a breath, feeling the fear wash over me. “Thank you for⁠—”

“God help you if you get maudlin right now.”

“Heaven for-fuckin’-bid.”

He grunted and hung up.

It was a tight squeeze into the Lexus SUV, and I promised everyone it wouldn’t be long. When we left, people were parking on the street in front of their place, ready to be received into Thomasin and Brad’s home for the party.

“Everyone is going to wonder what’s going on,” Thomasin said more to herself than anyone else, “but that’s okay. That’s fine because I’d rather be alive than there explaining things and risking our lives.”

“You can do a lot with this when you get back,” I assured her. “People will sympathize with you, and your popularity will be off the charts.”