Page 39 of The Outpost (Jamison Valley 4)
“How was Ivan allowed to leave Seattle?” The FBI should have been watching him. The articles I had read last month said he’d been arrested with his father and Anton. If they were out on bail, the judge would have ordered them to stay in the city.
“My guess is no one knows he’s here,” Beau said. “When I was at the motel, the vehicle he came in had Washington plates. He probably snuck out of town and drove over last night.”
“He’s taking a big risk if he’s breaking bond. Why wouldn’t they have just sent one of their goons? Why Ivan?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. If I had to guess? I’d say the Federovs are scrambling. Maybe they don’t have anyone they can trust right now. Maybe their ‘goons’ are being watched too. Plus, Ivan is convincing. He’s got charisma. Maybe they thought he’d have an easier time getting information from people around here.”
A cold shiver crept up my back. “I hate that he’s in Prescott.”
These two months, I had fooled myself into thinking that running away had been the right decision. So much time had passed, I’d started to think that I was safe and that my loved ones were out of harm’s way. Foolish hope. If any harm came to my friends or family, I would never forgive myself.
“I never should have run. I should have stayed in Seattle.”
“What?”
My eyes met his as my mind raced through worst-case scenarios. “What if something bad happens? If I had just stayed in Seattle, then Ivan wouldn’t be in Prescott. What if Anton is going to my family?”
“If you had stayed in Seattle, you’d probably be dead. Your parents would be planning your funeral, and the Federovs would be walking free. Let’s just be glad you’re here and hope Anton hasn’t found a way to Florida.”
I slumped in the chair. “I hate that I’m stuck here. That I’m in the dark with no information. I feel helpless.”
“Come on.” Beau held out a hand and pulled me up. “Let’s take a drive up the ridge. You can check on your family. Read the news.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“Just hang tough, Shortcake. This is going to end well. I promise.” Beau’s words held such conviction, I almost believed them.
We quickly made the terrifying trip up the ridge so I could use Beau’s phone to research the case against the Federovs and check in on my family via social media. Unfortunately, the news articles weren’t all that forthcoming, and as of late, the FBI hadn’t made any revealing statements. All any article said was that the case was pending trial.
Thankfully, my family’s posts were much more comforting.
“Well? Do you think your family got your letter?” Beau asked.
I smiled and nodded. “I’m sure of it. Look.” I held the phone out for him to see my brother’s latest post. “He put one asterisk at the bottom.”
The letter I’d sent to my parents earlier this spring had been fairly vague. I’d told them that I was okay, safe in hiding, and that I’d periodically check in on social media to make sure they were okay. I had instructed them to keep posting their pleas but I’d also asked that they include a code of asterisks so I knew they were okay. One asterisk for safe. Two if there had been any sign of the Federovs in Florida. Three if something bad had happened.
“That was a good idea to have them use the code,” Beau said.
“Thanks. It was your good idea to send the letter in the first place.”
“It’s going to work out.” This time his words were easier to believe.
When I was done checking in on my family, I looked up at Beau. “Can I watch the video again?”
He smiled and nodded.
I turned back to the phone, sure this video would put a smile on my face.
On Beau’s last visit to the outpost, he’d brought me this video. I think I must have watched it fifty times that day and nearly cried each time.
Tapping play, I smiled as Main Street Prescott filled the small screen. The sound of an airplane buzzing through the air preceded a white plane zooming over town and streaming a sky banner.
Silas had asked Felicity to marry him on that banner. Beau had been there, and luckily for me since he stood so much taller than the average person, he had been able to capture not only the plane’s proposal but also my friend’s reaction. Felicity had rushed into Silas’s arms to say yes.
Even though I hadn’t been there, I hadn’t missed it. Beau had seen to that.
“I’m sorry you weren’t able to be there,” Beau said after I watched the video twice.
