Page 99 of The Lucky Heart (Jamison Valley 3)
“Not happening,” Silas stated at the same time Jess and Beau chorused, “No.”
“Sit down.” I pulled out a stool and patted the seat. “Maisy can get to work on you while we all brainstorm what to do.”
“How about we get the full story first?” Jess asked. “I’d like to hear this from the beginning.”
Thirty minutes later, everyone knew Sabrina’s story. Maisy deemed none of Sabrina’s injuries too serious and said the wounds on her face would heal with minimal scarring. Deciding the less she knew the better, she collected Coby to go home. The minute the door closed behind her, Jess started grilling Sabrina about the evidence she’d sent to the police.
“You’re sure you got enough evidence for a conviction to stick?”
“I’m sure. The FBI should have taken down an illegal handgun shipment,” she glanced at the clock on the oven, “six hours ago. With my intel, Anton should currently be sitting in a jail cell.”
“You trust the federal agent you contacted?”
She nodded. “I’ve worked with him for years. He’s a good guy and an even better cop. He’s solid.”
“If he’s such a good cop, why’d he let a reporter do an investigation meant for the FBI?” Jess asked.
“You kept it a secret, didn’t you?” I asked Sabrina.
She nodded. “No one knew what I was doing.”
“Reckless,” Jess huffed. “Just like coming here. You should have gone to your FBI guy instead.”
“Probably,” she admitted. “But I panicked and my first thought was to run. I’m not all that confident in protective custody and really don’t want to enter witness protection.”
Jess shook his head. “The Federovs aren’t going to stay in jail for long. They’ll be after you if they aren’t already.”
“I know but as soon as my story breaks tomorrow, they’ll be hounded by the press. They won’t be able to go anywhere without an audience.”
“That still doesn’t make it safe for you to go back to Seattle,” I said.
“And you can’t show your face in Prescott,” Silas added. “The first place they’ll look for you is with family and friends.”
“You need to be off the grid,” Beau rumbled.
“That’s what I’m thinking,” Jess said. “You got any ideas?”
“Maybe one of the outposts? The one on the north side of Fan Mountain? I could take her up there and get her settled. Stick around for a while and clean the place up. Then make trips up and down to keep her in supplies.”
Jess and Silas shared a look. Were they grinning? How was this funny?
“I think that would work,” Silas said.
“What’s an outpost?” I asked.
Jess smirked. “Think of it like a cabin in the woods.”
“Wait a minute.” Sabrina’s face paled. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I’ll just promise not to go out in public, stay tucked away in Felicity’s closet or something. I’ll be like Harry Potter living in my tiny cupboard.”
“I’m sorry, Sabrina,” Silas said gently, “but I’m not having you anywhere near Lis.”
Silas, my protector. My heart warmed and I gave him a small smile.
“I can understand why you’d say that,” Sabrina said. “I don’t want her in harm’s way either, but I’m not going to disappear into the wilderness with a strange man.”
“Then what are you going to do?” Jess asked.
She lifted a hand and twirled a lock of hair. She was worried. Really worried. That hair twirl was her one tell. “I don’t know. I need a new ID. Maybe a car. Can you lend me some money?”
