Chief Wilson leaned back. “Second-best option for me. You got it. I’ll call up to Major Crimes and let everybody know. We’re going to catch this monster once and for all.”
Michael shook the chief’s hand again as a rush of emotion pulled at his face. By the time they were back in the hallway, Cathy could see the glisten in his eyes.
“Michael, you sure you don’t want your badge back?”
“No,” he said. “I’m not sure. But we have all the time in the world to decide.”
The press conference on the steps of the police station was a celebration. Every news outlet in the state turned out for the announcement that Michael had been pardoned. Since Cathy couldn’t be sure that they had received the packets she’d sent them, she passed out new copies so that the journalists could quickly review Michael’s case and hopefully assure the public that the governor’s decision had been the right one.
Governor Larimore made a somber statement about why he’d chosen to make an exception to his campaign promise. When it was Michael’s turn at the microphone, he pulled Cathy with him.
As cameras flashed and filmed, Michael swallowed the knot in his throat. “Thank you all for coming. I’m overwhelmed with the love and support I’ve received from the police force and from all of you.” He cleared his throat. “Two years ago, my brother was murdered, and that was the beginning of a long, dark ordeal for Cathy and me. We haven’t yet gotten justice for Joe’s murder, but we hope that this generous and compassionate act by Governor Larimore will result in new beginnings. My hope now is that I can help resolve Joe’s murder, as well as the related deaths that have occurred since then.”
He thanked the governor and Ned for not letting politics stand in the way of his pardon. Then he kissed Cathy. “And I have to thank my bride-to-be, Cathy Cramer, for working tirelessly to bring this pardon about. As soon as I can get to a store, I plan to put a ring on her finger. Then we have a wedding to plan.”
He kissed her again, and the crowd applauded.
“Finally, I want to thank Jehovah God, who has walked with me through all of these trials. He doesn’t promise Christians that our lives will be smooth sailing, but he does promise not to leave or forsake us. He has kept his promise in my case.”
After another round of applause, the journalists shot out questions for the governor and Michael. Through it all, Michael held Cathy’s hand and thought he was the most blessed man in the world.
Though Michael had had deep concerns about Creed’s authenticity, he had to admit after meeting him that the guy seemed real.
They started with his timeline—when he’d gotten into the drug business, who he’d worked with along the way, people he’d sold to, people who’d supplied him, where they’d met when, whom he’d spoken to, what he’d seen.
Creed gave up all that information and more, offering things they didn’t even ask for. As new thoughts came to his mind, he’d interject them as clues that might help them find Miller.
Finally, after six hours of questioning, they brought an unmarked department SUV into the sally port of the adjacent jail and loaded Creed in, away from watching eyes. Cathy sat next to him on the bench seat behind the driver, and Michael climbed in behind her. Max drove, Forbes rode shotgun, and two more detectives joined them. Another unmarked carload of cops rode behind them, watching for any sign of ambush.
Creed took them to a place on a canal that led to the Gulf of Mexico where he knew some deliveries of cocaine had been made. It was a new location behind a private residence, just as they’d seen before. The detectives scrambled to find out who owned the property, and several stayed behind to recon the place as Creed took the others on to more locations.
The guy who saw himself as low on the totem pole of the drug operation had more information than he’d realized. He took them to another location outside a local library and told them what day he’d met Miller’s men there. A couple of detectives got busy getting the security video from the library’s outdoor cameras.
Then he took them to the homes of two of his suppliers—guys he’d known by street names before he’d gotten into drug dealing himself. From the public records on those properties, they were able to track down the residents and get driver’s license pictures and mug shots, which Creed used to identify them.
He was a gold mine of information, but none of it led directly to Miller.
Finally, when they were done, Cathy took Creed and Michael to the safe house her friend had loaned them. It was open to the beach but had a cinderblock wall ten feet high between it and the street in front of it. It wasn’t Fort Knox, but it was unexpected. Miller would never find them there, and even the police weren’t aware of the location.
Cathy left them alone to go get Holly, who wanted to come visit Creed. Michael chose a bedroom and laid out his firearms on the bed. Max had kept his personal weapons and returned them along with his holsters, his Kevlar vest, his rounds of ammunition . . . all reminders that he had been reinstated into his life.
Slowly, methodically, he cleaned his weapons, loaded them, slipped them into their holsters, then strapped one to his ankle and the other to his belt. He sat on the bed, feeling the freedom of a soft mattress after months on a six-inch-thick piece of foam on a steel cot. How wonderful to sleep in a place that didn’t smell of body odor and bad breath or urine covered over with Clorox. It was quiet . . . a sweet luxury he had too long been denied.
“Do you think they saw us going by their places?”
Michael turned at Creed’s voice. Creed stood in the doorway, hands in his jeans pockets, concern on his face. “I don’t think so. We didn’t slow down at any of them.”
“But if they did, they could have followed us here.”
“We would have seen them. Trust me. I was watching for tails.”
“But they’re good. Miller . . . he’s deadly.”
Michael turned back to the bed, put his ammo into his duffel bag, along with his vest. “Tell me about it. I’ve been up close and personal with him.”
Creed looked down at his feet. “It’s not me I’m worried about, but my parents and sister . . .”
“My brother has guys watching their homes. If Miller or his goons try to approach them, they’ll be stopped. I think right now they’re just keeping their heads down.”
“Do you think they know I talked?”
“By now, probably.”
Creed was quiet for a moment, and Michael studied him. He still looked pale, and his body slumped, as if exhausted.
“Can I call my parents?” Creed asked. “My sister? Warn them that they could be in danger?”
“Not a chance,” Michael said. “They know that. We’re gonna get him. Just sit tight and let us work. There’s a football game on. Florida State and Ole Miss. Go relax. Sleep a little. You’re still sick.”
Creed shrugged. “Yeah, I guess.”
“And Cathy went to get Holly and the baby.”
Creed looked alarmed. “That might not be a good idea. What if Miller has figured out my connection to Holly? What if he’s staking out her house or Cathy’s? He could follow them here.”
“They have a plan to meet their brother, Jay, behind a shopping center, and they’re going to switch cars with him to throw the thugs off if they get that far.”
“He would do that?” Creed asked.
“Yeah, probably so Cathy and I can spend time together. That family’s tight. They watch each other’s backs.”
“Then I would think I’m the last person their brother would want Holly to be with.”
“He’s heard the truth about what happened. Doesn’t mean he’s not concerned, but he trusts Juliet’s and Cathy’s opinions about Holly’s judgment.” Michael held Creed’s gaze for a moment. “You know, I’m close to Holly. She’s like a sister to me. Don’t hurt her.”
Creed regarded his shoes again. “I won’t. I know my word doesn’t carry a lot of weight with you. Drug dealer, accused of murder . . . big-time loser. But I don’t
want to hurt Holly, or Lily either.” He nodded at Michael’s holster. “Congratulations on your pardon. Sorry you have to spend your first day free here with me.”
“It’s better than jail.” Michael walked out of the room, and Creed followed him into the living room. Michael turned the TV on, found the game.
“Your whole story makes me wonder if there’s hope for me,” Creed said, dropping to the couch. “To have the slate wiped clean, I mean.”
Michael turned to him, looked at him fully. “You know, your slate can be wiped clean whether you go to prison or not.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s called redemption.”
“Oh, right,” Creed said. “Yeah, I was raised in church. I know all about redemption. Jesus dying for our sins and all.”
Michael could see he didn’t really get it. The “and all” told Michael all he needed to know about Creed’s faith. His nonchalance minimized Christ’s sacrificial death, turning it into something mythical and false, and demonstrated a lack of awe.
He said a silent prayer that God would show Creed what true redemption was.
CHAPTER 44
Holly heard Cathy pulling into her driveway, so she grabbed up Lily and the diaper bag, set her house alarm system, then hurried out to the car. Cathy gave her a disgusted look as Holly strapped Lily’s car seat in.
“You’re wearing lipstick. You curled your hair.”
Holly rolled her eyes. “So?”
“So . . . you never do that. You really like this guy, don’t you?”
Holly didn’t answer right away. She gave Lily her pacifier, then turned on a colorful video on her tablet and set it beside the seat. Lily looked content, so Holly got into the front to sit beside her sister.
“I just took a shower, okay? Sue me for grooming.”
“I’m just saying . . .”
“I know what you’re saying, Cathy. Enough. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Cathy sighed. She made an unexpected turn, and Holly looked over at her. “Where are you going?”
“To meet Jay and do our bait and switch.”
Holly twisted in the seat and looked out the back window. There was some traffic behind them, but no one turned when they did.
“Jay’s getting us some Chinese takeout so we can take it with us.”
“Why? I thought we were going to cook.”
Cathy shook her head. “Didn’t have time to go grocery shopping.”
“I could have gone. I was looking forward to cooking. Creed said he likes to cook. He would have helped.”
“Yeah, and you could act like a happy little family. No thanks.”
Holly gaped at her. “I’m not a child, Cathy. I can cook for a man without falling for him.”
“Come on, Holly. Don’t play dumb with me. You wanted to come tonight. I didn’t want you to, but you insisted. I’m going along with it, but I think it’s a bad idea.”
Holly hooked her seat belt and crossed her arms. “A, I’m not in love with him, and B, I don’t see why it would be such a bad idea if I were. Hasn’t he done everything he promised? Hasn’t he given us information we didn’t have before?”
Cathy considered that as she drove. “Yes, he’s been very open and helpful.”
“You were supportive yesterday when I was at the hospital. You seemed to understand the things I’m going through.”
Cathy sighed. “I do. But that doesn’t mean getting more involved with him is wise.”
“So let me get this straight,” Holly said. “You don’t think that if he’s sorry for what he’s done then he should be forgiven? Because if you don’t think he can be redeemed, then maybe I can’t be either.”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying.”
“Then what?”
“Just that your life is fragile and hard enough. Why complicate things by getting involved with a guy who has huge legal problems?”
“You got him immunity. He’s not guilty of murder, and as soon as all this is untangled, the police in Southport will know that. He hasn’t even been charged yet.”
“Holly, you can’t be that dense. You know what I mean. There’s a contract out on his life. People want him dead because of his involvement in a criminal drug ring.”
“Which he’s helping dismantle as we speak.”
Cathy drove in silence for a long moment. Finally, she spoke again. “How many times have I heard you say that you wish you’d listened to me and Juliet and Jay? How many times, Holly?”
Cathy had her there. It had happened more times than Holly could count. Was this one of those times?
She looked out the window as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” played in the backseat. Was this different from all those other times? Was this just another case of Holly doing what she always did? Bolting headlong into a situation that would bring her heartache and pain?
She looked back at her daughter. In the mirror she’d hung on the headrest, she could see Lily drifting off to sleep. What a precious sight, her little daughter so satisfied . . .
Her heart ached for her. She wanted so much more for her. “He’s her father,” she said simply.
Cathy let out a long sigh. “I know, but . . . does that mean you have to . . . have a relationship with him?”
“Yes, I think it does.”
“You know what I mean, Holly. Don’t play stupid.”
Holly got quiet again. Finally, she looked at her sister. “I don’t know how I feel about Creed. A few days ago, he was the last person on earth I wanted to see, but like I told you, I see a lot of myself in him. The wild child who fell off the cliff . . . who has a whole body of brokenness that needs to be healed.”
Cathy’s face softened, and she met Holly’s eyes. “But you don’t have to be the one who heals him.”
“I know I don’t, but maybe I understand him.”
“And maybe you don’t.”
“There’s remorse, Cathy. He’s trying to undo it. Doesn’t that speak to his character, at least a little?”
“Not necessarily. When people are looking at prison, they’re often remorseful.”
“The whole time I was with him, he didn’t use once. He’s not an addict, he’s just a stupid rebel like me, who makes wrong choices and then has to untangle himself from the consequences. And sometimes the consequences stick around.” She looked back over the seat. “Sometimes they become blessings. Don’t you think God can do something with a man like Creed? A girl like me?”
“You know I do,” Cathy said. “I just don’t want you to be hurt. I want you to be careful. Cautious.”
“I want that too.”
It wasn’t a promise that she would be—just an acknowledgment that she wanted to be. She knew Cathy hadn’t missed that. Cathy came to a stoplight and looked over at Holly. Headlights lit up her face for a moment, and Cathy saw the little girl in Holly’s eyes, the one abandoned by her father when he chose a mistress over all of them. She remembered Holly looking out the window at night, watching headlights and expecting him to come home, even though their mother had told her he wouldn’t.
Her father’s choices had cost them all, but Holly more than anyone. She had been a daddy’s girl, the glimmer in his eye until the day he walked away. Cathy wondered if he’d thought about what his leaving would do to Holly. Had he considered how worthless it would make her feel? How she would think it was because of something she’d done, or something she’d lacked? That she’d fly through puberty a few years later like someone out to prove something? That it would take her years to land on solid ground?
She had been on solid ground since Lily, and her remorse was real, not some speech that she’d rehearsed. Holly had changed. Maybe she could be trusted with her own emotions this time. And if Cathy couldn’t talk her out of a relationship with Creed, then she could at least work to keep him from becoming a convicted felon.
Without thinking, she leaned over and pressed a kiss on Holly’s cheek.
“What?” Holly as
ked with a smile.
“Nothing,” Cathy said. “Just . . . I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Someone behind her honked, and she saw that the light was green. She pressed the accelerator.
Holly looked back. “Is someone following us?”
Cathy turned again. “No, we’re fine. Jay should be right up here.”
When they reached the shopping center, they drove around back and stopped at the door of an empty store. Jay got out of his car and came to the back door to get Lily’s seat.
“Sure you’re doing the right thing?” he asked.
Holly hoped they weren’t about to go over the whole thing again.
“I’m sure,” Cathy said. “No one followed us, but if they did, they’ll tail you instead of us when we come out of here. Go to the nearest grocery store parking lot and go into the store. When they see that you’re not us, they’ll think they’ve been tailing the wrong car.”
“I wasn’t talking about that,” Jay said. “I was talking about Holly.”
Holly got her purse and followed him to the backseat of his car, where he placed Lily’s seat. “Please don’t preach to me, Jay. Cathy just got finished.”
He bent low and strapped the seat in, then straightened and looked down at her. “How would you see this if you were in my shoes?”
She sighed. “Like a big brother worried about his little sister who’s been known to have big lapses in judgment. But why don’t you pray for me instead of worrying or preaching?”
He smirked. “I’ll do that.”
“I think it’s okay,” Cathy said. “We’ve talked. Her head is on straight.”
Jay hugged Holly, pressed a kiss on her cheek, then took the keys from Cathy. “Call me when you’re ready to trade back.”
“Be careful,” Holly said as she got into the car.
Jay chuckled and got behind the wheel of Cathy’s car.
CHAPTER 45