The following morning Hunter walked me into the federal building in downtown Chicago for a formal interview to be recorded with the investigator. They wanted everything, every detail I could think of starting from when I’d first met Brant, all the way through my kidnapping by JW, and just how heavy the involvement with my mother had been.
My mom received nothing more than a slap on the wrist for colluding with JW, but for me, her real crime was turning over my safety for money. Her lies had crushed me, and betrayal between a mother and daughter festers for a lifetime, forgiveness and trust not so easily restored. It would take years to comprehend the magnitude of her secrets, and I couldn’t fathom JW had been as involved as he’d claimed, taking care of me in his own way from afar for years. The facts added up, I just wished they weren’t true.
“You mentioned last night that he claimed to be your father.” The investigator interrupted my thoughts as his eyes darted up to mine before he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “While Mr. Ellis,” the investigator’s eyes slipped to Hunter’s then back to mine, “John Walker,” he corrected, “Isn’t listed on your birth certificate as you know, paternity can only be proven with a DNA test–that will be up to you. But the story you said he told lines up. Your mother’s bank history has numerous deposits made sporadically over the course of years, many with JW’s name attached. And the company that purchased your mother’s home in Clearview was a subsidiary of one of JW’s companies back in the eighties.” His eyes burned with remorse as he confirmed every shocking detail of JW’s story, somehow intertwined with mine, though I’d been ignorant to it.
“As you know, he offered Brant Warner a job, higher paying than industry standard.” His eyes cut to me, as if that should have been my first warning sign. Was he kidding? I was a poor college student — of course I hadn’t questioned when a blessing had seemingly fallen into Brant’s lap. “JW’s had some sort of heightened surveillance on your husband for the last eighteen months or so, which is why the FBI took a deeper look into Brant.” He cleared his voice as his eyes shot from Hunter and back to mine awkwardly. “We found out what Brant was doing, then decided to use that as our in to take down the biggest criminal mastermind this city has seen in the last forty years. When Hunter came back from Afghanistan, everything fell into place. It was the moment we’d been waiting for. We’ve been on this case full time, Ms. Warner.” His eyes went to Hunter and suddenly the mysterious all-hours calls on the burner fell into place. “We made sure to get Brant out before JW could ambush him, as he had planned–we’re still waiting on a trial date for your husband as I’m sure you’re aware–but then JW took you and went off the map. We lost control then, and JW hid out, and upped the stakes. And in regards to that envelope he left you–” The investigator shuffled through his file for the evidence report.
I shuddered, remembering the blood-stained envelope I’d handed over to investigators last night, hoping I’d never have to see it again. “JW left an account in my name with almost a million dollars in it,” I said, my voice numb to the numbers. “I don’t want any of it. Take it all. I’ll donate it before I spend a dime of it,” I seethed, thinking of the gall he had to think I would take his blood money after everything he’d put me through.
“Well, all his accounts are frozen now, but it looks like he’s been putting money into that specific account for years. Decades, even.” The investigator’s eyes focused on the file in his hands. “If they clear it, it’s yours to do what you please with, but if you don’t mind me saying, with all the shit that man’s put you through, maybe spending it on something that matters isn’t such a bad idea.” He looked across to Hunter before his gaze darted back to me. “He was a bad man; put his money to good use. And for what it’s worth, I don’t believe he went there to harm you. He knew what he was walking into–knew Hunter would kill him if he laid a hand on your head–he came to deliver his confession like a coward. He knew we were closing in, and he went out on his terms.” His eyes rang with sympathy. “All of us here would really like to thank you for your sacrifice for the case.” The investigator’s words pulled me from my thoughts. “We can’t thank you enough, in fact,” his eyes bleeding sincerity.
“Thank you. Are we done?” I looked at Hunter. “You’ve been great,” I glanced back at his supervisor, “But I can’t stay in this city any longer.”
“Yes,” he chuckled. “I understand that. Now that we have your side of things, I’m pleased to say we don’t need you anymore. Or you either.” He grinned at Hunter.
“Thanks.” Hunter pulled my hand into his own.
“Unless you’re looking for something permanent…you know the offer stands…”
I cast a quick glance to Hunter before he shook his head and stood. “Let’s go, Princess. Before this guy ropes us into something else.” He pulled me from my chair.
“Leave a number where we can reach you!” the man called as we left the room, Hunter waving him off with one hand.
“Offer?” I whispered when we stepped into the elevator.
“Nothing to worry about, I’m not taking it.”
“Really? The FBI offered you a job?”
He only shrugged. “It requires staying in the city, breaking down the hierarchy of JW’s crew.”
“The hierarchy? Aren’t we done? Isn’t it over? Without JW there’s no organization.”
“Hardly,” Hunter remarked as the elevator stopped and the doors slid open to a rush of business-suited bodies on the main floor. “The organization doesn’t die, Erin. They elect a new boss.”
“But, but–”
“That’s why we’re leaving the city. I don’t want to be here anymore than you do, and I don’t think the organization wants us here either.” He frowned a moment before pushing out into the cool September streets.
“Won’t they try to get revenge?”
“I would imagine so.”
“But I thought you said no wit-pro. If they’ll be after us–”
“Listen, we’re not a top priority for the organization right now. They’re reeling from the loss of the only boss most of those guys have ever known. So no, it’s not over like you’re thinking, but it will be once we leave and cut all ties.” His eyes darted to mine once we were safely tucked in his Lexus. “Can you do that, Erin?” I knew what he was referring to–my mom.
The woman who birthed me then betrayed me, who rang my phone up at all hours of the day and made demands on my heart that were impossible to bear, but the one I still wasn’t able to turn away from.
“That won’t be a problem.” I sighed and wrapped my arms around my tummy. “I do need to get a prenatal appointment and some vitamins before we leave the city though,” I said, redirecting the conversation to what mattered. Us. Our family. Our future.
“Right, mama…” Hunter squeezed my thigh as he swerved out into Chicago traffic. “We’ll get you the best baby doctor money can buy.”
“For one check up?”
“Wherever we go. Only top notch hospitals for my baby mama.”
“Look at you, a gloating dad already.” I chuckled, feeling impossibly light and hopeful.
“Love will do that to ya.” He shrugged and passed me a quick grin that set my heart flying on angel wings. The future was bright, brighter than ever, regardless of the baggage we carried. I’d been kept in the dark on many things throughout my life, but it took Hunter to realize that every moment we live is leading us to the most important one — this one.
