You Can't Hide by Theresa Sneed (uplifting novels TXT) 📕

Todd was silent as if inwardly struggling. “I don’t know, Elle. Someone broke into your grandparent’s cabin, someone who is obviously dangerous.”

She slapped her hands down on the hood. “And that someone has Sally.”

His shoulders fell forward. “Alright, okay. What’s your plan?” He opened the car doors for them.

Elle got in the backseat. “Well, Merrick doesn’t know who Karen is, so I thought she could talk to him.”

Karen turned around. “What? They won’t let me in to see someone on death row.”

“Sure they will. I called the prison from Louise’s.” She gestured toward the house they had just pulled away from. “I explained that Merrick had hired another lawyer and to expect her later today.”

Todd pulled over. “Hold on, she can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

He turned around and stared at her. “It’s a prison, Elle, a prison—criminals, and all that comes with it.”

“She’ll be safe enough. I mean it’s not like she’ll be in the same room with him, right? Don’t they use that glass thingy—to um, separate them?”

His eyes widened. “As his lawyer, she’ll probably be in the same room with him, Elle.”

“Eew.” She bit the side of her mouth. “But, there’ll be a guard in there with them too, right?”

“Oh, I’m sure of that.” He grimaced. “But Elle, if Merrick is behind both the abduction and Sam’s rollover,” he frowned, “don’t you think he could do something to Karen, too?”

“Sam’s rollover? Oh, my, gosh.” She drew in a sharp breath, never imagining that the rollover was anything but an accident.

“The newsflash said, ‘suspicious rollover’.”

“You’re kidding.” She sat forward. “But how?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just repeating what the newsflash said.”

“They must have new information, but how would the media know that before we would?”

He gave her a ‘duh’ look. “All it takes is one person from the inside leaking information.”

“Yes, and you know how that works,” Karen said. “Anything to sell a newspaper.” She leaned over to Todd. “I know you’re worried, but with you here,” she took his hand, “we’ll be okay.” Her voice quivered, and Elle wondered if maybe she should just let the authorities take over. They were following all the leads they had. They just didn’t have the leads she had. She grabbed a notepad from her purse and scribbled on it. “There’s a post office down the road. I want to mail this.”

Karen made a face. “What?”

Elle folded the paper. “As a backup, you know, just in case.”

After Elle mailed her letter, she got back into the car, and Todd pulled onto the road. He gestured to the map Karen had opened on her lap. “Massachusetts?”

“Yes, to the prison where Merrick is being held.” Elle glanced at her watch. “We should be there in about four hours.”

Karen let out a quick breath. “So, what alias am I using? What name did you give them?”

“Um, Karen Willis.” Elle pursed her lips.

Karen gasped. “You gave them my real name?” She pressed her head against the seat. “Perfect. I’m going to impersonate a lawyer and lie about who I am inside a prison. At least I won’t have to go far when they arrest me.” She glared at her friend.

“They won’t arrest you. If they find out you’re not a lawyer, you’ll just tell them you’re one of those looney women who stalk prisoners on death row.”

“Eew.”

Elle nodded. Especially someone as loathsome as Merrick Snyder, she thought with disdain. She tossed Karen her notepad. “Take notes. I’m going to tell you everything I know about Merrick Snyder.” Posing as a lawyer, Karen would need to fool the master of deception himself.

The rest of the way to Massachusetts, they talked about Merrick, about what a lawyer would ask, and about how a lawyer would act. They stopped only once, bought a professional looking outfit and a briefcase, and then pulled into the prison right on time.

Todd hugged Karen, obviously reluctant to let her go. “Be careful in there.”

Karen clenched and unclenched her fingers. She nodded nervously.

“Thank you.” Elle said, wiping tears from her eyes. “I’ll never forget this.”

Karen smirked. “I won’t let you. Actually, I’m going to try really hard to forget all of this.”

Elle hugged her friend. “Remember, Merrick will have no respect for you as a woman, lawyer or not, but look him straight in the eye—firmly, that’ll get his attention.”

Karen handed her ID to the front guard. He studied it, then her, and then gave her a form to fill out. Elle had told her to expect that, so she took it calmly and lied on almost every line. Forcing her hand not to shake, she passed it back to him. He skimmed down it and then pressed a button, unlocking the door that led into the inner part of the prison. Another guard approached her.

“Miss Willis? Follow me.” He gestured toward a long hallway and then led her to a small room. “I will wait for you out here.”

Her eyes widened, but she quickly relaxed them, hoping that she would not be left alone with a known murderer. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Merrick sat forward, appraising her with stern eyes. “Who are you?” he demanded, in a gruff voice.

Relieved that a burly-looking guard sat in the corner of the room, she thrust her hand forward. Merrick wouldn’t take it, which didn’t surprise her. She allowed a smirk to settle on her lips. “I expected as much from you, Mr. Snyder.” Smoothing her skirt out, she sat in the chair across from him. “My name is Willis, and I am your new council.”

He slammed the desk with his fist. “Where’s Simpson?”

“Apparently, he has better things to do.”

“Why, I’ll—”

“You’ll what, Mr. Snyder?” She weaved her fingers together on top of her briefcase. “I am a successful lawyer, and I think I can help you.”

He made a face. “Right. Have you even read my case, Willis?”

“Of course I have. But are you aware that your