Page 44 of Day Break

How had she obtained hers? Had they found her husband? Did the man know where she was? Is that why she was hiding out on the island?

Just to be safe, I had made digital copies of both of the documents she’d printed out the night before. I put them in a file on my hard drive for safe keeping.

I knew that a lot of the FLDS members used the same names or took over other’s names when in trouble. Half the girls were called Sarah, and Meyers was one of the dozen or so last names that were popular. There was bound to be more than one woman called Sarah Meyers.

I was still watching her when she lowered her arms and turned to head down the stairs. She almost tripped when she noticed me. I smiled and tried to act casual. I’d decided to wait and find out as much as I could before driving her as far away from my grandfather as I could.

“Morning,” I said, trying to sound casual.

“Morning,” she said as she gripped the railing and slowly walked down the stairs. “I wasn’t expecting you to be awake this early.”

I motioned to my laptop on the table. “Work.” I shut the window with the article and flipped my laptop screen down. “Did you get some rest?” I asked.

She moved to stand on the other side of the table, her hands gripped together. “Yes,” she said. “I… I’m sorry I overreacted last night.”

I smiled. I’d had plenty of time to figure out how I was going to respond to her. Still, seeing the worry in her blue eyes had me responding with a quick nod.

“I’ll head in and make breakfast,” she said.

“No, don’t bother. My grandfather won’t be up for a few hours. For now, I can make do with these.” I motioned to the tray of muffins that I’d brought out. I’d also carried out a thermos of coffee so I could refill my cup without having to go back in for seconds. I’d even brought out another mug for Chloe. I wanted some time to talk to her before my grandfather woke.

I was on my third cup of coffee and was completely wired.

“Sit.” I motioned to the chair opposite mine. “We have some time.” I poured her some coffee and nudged the plate of muffins towards her, then took another one for myself, hoping it would counter the effects of the coffee a little.

Chloe’s eyes were glued to mine as she sat, her hands spread out on the table.

Before I had a chance to speak, she jumped in.

“You know.” She took a deep breath. “Don’t you?”

I waited, tilting my head slightly, unsure of what to say. What did I know? Her past? Where she’d been for the last year? Who she was? What she was?

“I’d hoped to tell George myself.” Her eyes darted towards the house and her shoulders slumped. “I can go.” Her eyes moved from the house to her fingers spread out on the table.

She hadn’t touched the coffee or the muffins yet.

I waited.

“I was going to tell him. I was going to tell you.” She glanced up but didn’t lock eyes with me. Instead, she looked at a spot on my chest. “I… had hoped to…”

“What?” I asked when she didn’t finish. “Prove yourself?”

Her eyes jerked up to mine and held. “Yes,” she said, and I saw the sadness behind her blue eyes. Sadness and truth. “I’m not a criminal.”

I tilted my head slightly, running my eyes over her. No, I didn’t think she was. Then again, half of my clients who claimed to be innocent were probably guilty.

“Why don’t we—” I started.

Just then Byron let out a happy bark, and we both turned to see a sleek black Jaguar pull in and park behind my car.

“Shit,” I groaned. Then I turned quickly to Chloe. “Later. For now, keep your secrets. That’s my cousin Phil,” I warned, standing up quickly. “Get inside. Make breakfast. Wake my grandpa.”

I met Phil halfway up the pathway as Chloe slipped into the house.

“You old sneak.” Phil laughed and slapped me on the shoulder. “I should have known you’d bring someone up here to while the weekend away.” He nodded towards the house. “Why’d you send that sweet thing off?”

“That sweet thing,” I growled out, “is Grandpa’s new caregiver.”