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

her directly, would’ve been easy to track, by any paparazzi.”

Nancy hadn’t thought of that and was relieved that Sofia had. “Thanks.”

“Right now, the world thinks she’s dead, but after the execution, everyone’s going to know who wrote that book.”

Nancy shuddered. “Oh, no,” she breathed out.

Sofia’s eyes twinkled. “Not to worry, Nancy.”

“Not to worry?” What had they done? “What if someone is still out there, and the FBI just hasn’t caught up to him? Elle could be waltzing right back into trouble.”

Sofia sighed. “You worry too much.” She shook her head. “No one has surfaced in all these years. Marvin Snyder must have been acting alone.” She tapped the table. “But, I understand Elle’s need to remain anonymous, and I, too, had thought about the paparazzi catching up to her. So,” she grinned, “I created a real life for Ashley West. I gave her a birth certificate, a social security card, and a past.”

Nancy’s eyes widened. Wow. Look what money can buy.

“Now, if anyone tries to dig deeper, they’ll find evidence that Ashley West took everything she needed from the news to create her book based on a woman she never met.”

“Wait,” Nancy said, “If they find out you’re the one getting paid, won’t that bring them right to you?”

“They won’t. Ashley West is getting paid by the publisher. The funds are deposited into a joint account in her name and mine—my maiden name.”

“Oh. Brilliant.”

“Ah,” she said with a grin, “it’s but the mind of a writer, Nancy.”

Wendy waved them over from across the courtyard. She was not smiling. “It’s Millie,” she said, when they got to her. “She just got here,” her voice shook. “I’ve never seen her this bad.”

“Which cabin is she in?” Sofia asked.

“Orange, but,” she placed her hand on Nancy’s arm. “She doesn’t want to see anyone, but Sofia.”

“Oh.” Nancy took a step back and watched them leave. The orange cabin was on the other side of the lodge. She kept watching, until they entered the cabin, and the door closed behind them.

She stared at the orange cabin for some time, wondering what was going on inside its walls. After a while, she turned toward the path that led to the blue cabin, lost in worries about Millie, and her own problems, too. She’d been brave to ask to be at the execution, but now felt like it was the last place in the world she wanted to be. She glanced at the row of colorful cabins in front of her. Tomorrow was the lethal injection, and she never felt so utterly alone.

Thirty

It Ends

Elle stood at the window of the hotel in Bangor, Maine. Too late to show up unannounced, they’d opted to stay in a hotel the night before, instead of driving the hour it would take to get home from the airport. Muted rays of sunlight cut through patches of fog, making for a hazy sunrise. She turned back to her suitcase and finished placing the items inside. The long-awaited day had finally arrived. Today, they would see family they’d not seen for over eight years.

She hesitated with at least calling them first, but Sam told her to hold off. Who would they call first anyhow? It was best to announce their existence with them all together, right before the lethal injection. Their arrival would definitely be the highlight of the day.

Sally was unusually quiet. She was five-years-old, the last time she was there. “What if they don’t remember me?” She wound a rubber band around her long hair.

Elle touched her shoulder. “Why would you say that, sweetie? Have you forgotten them?”

Sally grinned. “No, of course not.”

Sam grinned. “So, there’s your answer. You look the same, too, kiddo.”

Sally thrust her hands on her hips. “Really, Dad?”

“Trust me,” Elle chimed in. “Even though you’re older, you still look very much like the child that left them.” Those words caught in Elle’s throat. She couldn’t imagine how incredible seeing Sally alive was going to be for everyone. Of course, seeing Elle and Sam, too, but mostly, the little girl that had captured their hearts, all those years ago. She could barely contain her excitement, as they loaded their luggage into the rental car.

Sam placed the Motorola 8000X between them on the seat. It wasn’t theirs, but belonged to the FBI. They would use it to time their arrival at the farm and the beginning of the execution. Agent Sanderson had explained its unique push-to-talk walkie-talkie feature, and told him that’s the way they would communicate with him.

Sally leaned over the seat and stared at it. “That’s pretty neat, I guess.” She made a face. “It sort of looks like something from the future.”

“Like Star Trek?”

“More like Star Wars,” she said.

It crackled, and then a voice said, “Do you have a copy, Sam?”

Sam picked it up and pushed a button. “Copy that.”

“Everyone has arrived, including Elle’s family from California.”

“Are you there right now?”

“Yes, but I’m outside, giving your family some time to process the upcoming execution. Agent Thompson and I will remain here until it’s over and then gather our equipment.”

“Thank you.” With that, Sam pushed a button and signed off. “They’re ready for us.”

Elle fought back tears of joy. Within minutes, they would be there.

Nancy was up and ready, when Wendy appeared at the blue cabin’s door. As instructed, she was to take her to the place the FBI had requested, and they would pick her up there. As she took the small white pill, Nancy thought it was kind of funny, having the FBI pick her up away from the sanctuary. They probably knew exactly where it was.

Unsure of how long she had slept, she was surprised that just minutes had passed when Wendy gently nudged her awake. Once inside the vehicle with the agents, she gave Wendy a quick wave. She was to come back and get her in the same location later that next night, after Nancy had spent some time with her brother.

After a long drive, they pulled