Even after a sleeping pill, Regina couldn’t rest. As always, her daughter remained at the forefront of her mind. It was no secret that Regina didn’t like Bellamy living eight hours away. To put it mildly, she hated it. If the decision had been Regina’s, Bellamy would have stayed in New Orleans for college and lived within walking distance of her house. They’d have dinner together every night and breakfast once a week. Perhaps that was a bit excessive, but Regina wasn’t too proud to admit she had a problem with letting go. She was a mother who’d lost her only son, her only child, and his daughter was all she had left.

After the accident, she’d latched onto Bellamy and the three-year-old became her world. Luckily, Bill had been the more rational between them and balanced Regina’s neurosis. No question, he’d give his life and everything good in it to see Bellamy smile, but he appreciated the young woman’s need to spread her own wings and fly. Still, his progressive attitude didn’t keep him from worrying or calling her landlord and arranging placement of a home security system, and thankfully, everything would be installed tomorrow afternoon.

As Regina reached to turn off the lamp and finally get some sleep, the home phone rang. Caller ID said Athens, but the number was unfamiliar.

“Bill.” Regina shook her husband’s shoulder. “Wake up, love. Someone’s calling from Athens.”

“Bellamy?” He rose to his shoulder and yawned.

“I don’t know,” she said before she answered. “This is Regina East.”

“Mom?”

“Bellamy? Are you okay? Where’s your phone?”

“I’m fine, but the apartment was broken into again. I’m at the hospital getting checked out and my phone’s still in my room.”

Bill bolted out of bed and threw the closet door open to search for clothes. “At the hospital? Are you hurt?”

“Not at all, Dad, but I shot him, the man. He tried to hurt me.”

“Oh, sweetheart.”

“I’m calling Aunt Atlee right now to reserve the hospital charter.”

“Mom,” Bellamy groaned. “Don’t worry Aunt Atlee with this. I’m really okay. I promise! Just drive to Athens.”

This time, Bill spoke up, his voice firm, unyielding. “We will be there in an hour.”

When they’d disconnected, Regina finally released the tears she’d held inside for Bellamy’s sake, and Bill immediately dropped the clothes he’d gathered and rushed to her side. “What’s going on? Why is this happening to our daughter?”

“I don’t know, Gina, but I promise you, we’re about to get to the bottom of it.”

Two hours later, Regina held Bellamy as tight as her arms allowed while Bill spoke with Agent Martin. Though a glass window separated them, Bellamy could tell from the look on her dad’s face that he wasn’t happy with the direction the investigation was going. Truthfully, Bellamy wasn’t either, not with so many unanswered questions. What was the man searching for? And why did he kill himself when he couldn’t find it?

“Sweetheart, there are times in our life when God gives us signs… clues, if you will, about the direction our path is taking. Could it be, maybe, your time in Athens is coming to an end?” Regina bit her bottom lip.

“I’m not leaving, Mom. I understand you’re scared for me, and I agree this is a huge deal, but you and Dad taught me to never walk away from a challenge. Athens is where I live right now and I’m not giving these assholes the satisfaction of knowing they bested me.”

“This isn’t a joke, Bellamy. This is your life we are talking about. I’m half a step away from demanding you move back to New Orleans.”

Though Bellamy wanted to argue, she held her tongue. Fear guided her mom’s words now and she had every reason to be afraid. Instead, she simply leaned in, accepting the love Regina offered.

“Regina, Bellamy…” Bill peered around the door. “Amy’s parents are here and the police want to talk to us all.”

Settled in a conference room provided by the hospital, the families watched as three officers followed by Agent Martin filed in. He placed two folders on the table. “Ladies, I’m sorry to see the two of you under these circumstances. How are you?”

Bellamy spoke first. “A little shaken, but otherwise—”

“Terrified out of our minds,” Amy cut in.

“I imagine so. This would be overwhelming for anyone.” He turned to Bellamy. “Ms. East, your quick thinking saved both your lives. You’ve had training, yes?”

She patted Bill’s forearm. “Yes, sir, I have. These two were determined to make sure I knew how to defend myself. Paid off, I guess.”

“I would say so,” Agent Martin agreed, then he pointed to the folders. “First things first, your apartment will be a crime scene for a while. When we get done here, we’ll escort you inside to get the essentials. As you mentioned yesterday, neither of you have anyone who’d want to hurt you, so I think it’s time we look at your families. Mr. Schroder…” He gestured to Amy’s father. “You’re a lawyer. Anyone threaten you lately?”

“I write legal documents for a management company. It’s a benign job. My wife’s a kindergarten teacher.”

He scribbled on his notepad. “Mr. and Mrs. East, you’re both physicians. Is there anything we need to be aware of? Disgruntled patients or family members?”

“Not at all.”

“I’m assuming the pictures inside the folder don’t look familiar to any of you?”

Bellamy studied the man who’d assaulted her, his face bloated and bloody. If she did recognize him, she wouldn’t have with his grotesque appearance.

When no one spoke up, Agent Martin continued, “Well, I hate to say this, but beyond extra patrols in the area, per our protocol we can’t offer any other protection simply because the perpetrator is no longer a threat. Again, nothing has been stolen and beyond what Ms. East told us was said, we have nothing to go on. No evidence. The likely explanation is this was a stalker type situation.”

“A stalker type situation? Then why would the man ask Bellamy where is it? This is the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard, and I will have every single one of your jobs on a spike before the sun rises if you don’t amend your so-called protocol.”

“Regina…” Bill’s hand went to the small of her back.

“Mrs. East, I understand your frustration, believe me…”

“Clearly, you do not. These are twenty-one-year-old girls. Yes, Bellamy has a good head on her shoulders, and I’m sure Amy does too, but the point is, they are too young to worry themselves with their safety in their own home. If you can’t be safe at your house, where can you be safe?”

Bellamy had never seen or heard such vehemence in her mom’s voice. It made her smile. “Mom, let’s give him a chance to finish.”

“Sadly, Ms. East, your family has every right to be upset. I’ll be the first to admit, it’s not enough.”

“So what do you recommend, Agent Martin?” Mrs. Schroder asked.

“Stay with family and friends for a while. Two, three weeks?”

“Nope. I’m moving home.” Amy turned to Bellamy. “I’m sorry, girl. I know our lease isn’t up for several more months, but I’m too scared.”

“No, don’t be sorry. I understand, believe me.”

Mr. Schroder’s arm wrapped around Amy as they stood. “Bellamy, we’ll pay the rent until you can find another roommate.”

“Thank you, sir.” Bellamy looked over her shoulder at Regina and easily read her mind, but Amy’s decision to leave had no merit on Bellamy’s decision to stay. Bellamy wasn’t leaving Athens. Convincing Regina of this fact would be like reversing the pull of the earth.

Back in their hotel and while Bellamy walked Pongo and Luci, Bill pulled out the number Agent Martin had slipped him before they left the station.

“What’s that?” Regina asked. “Weston Davis? Who’s he?”

“A friend of Agent Martin’s. He’s a CIA operative with connections to several private security and detective agencies.”

“As in a bodyguard?”

Bill ran his fingers over the paper. “Exactly. But hopefully, we’ll find someone who not only can protect, but solve this mystery. When I spoke with Agent Martin privately, he told me Weston was the one he would call if he had a problem. What do you think?”

“Do you even have to ask? Call! Please. Bellamy is determined to stay here and I want her to be as safe as possible.”

“Any other young woman would run, you know that, don’t you? Look at Amy. But not our Bellamy.” Bill inhaled and held the breath longer than he intended. When he exhaled, there were tears in his eyes. “I miss Will. I miss all three of them. But mostly, I miss my son.”

She responded with a heavy sigh. For a moment they sat in silence, comforted and tormented by the memories of their lost child. Regina pushed the cell phone an inch closer. “This is why we have to keep his daughter safe. Make the call.”

“You’re right.” Bill punched in the number and waited as it rang. “That is unequivocally my top priority: keeping Bellamy out of harm’s way.”

“This is Weston Davis.”

“Mr. Davis, my name is Bill East. Agent Martin of the Clarke County Police Department told me you may be able to help me with a security issue.”

“Mr. East, I’ve already spoke with Agent Martin and he’s given me a little background on the situation.”

Bill kneaded the tension in his shoulders. “Wonderful. Do you think you’ll be able to help us?”

“Yes, sir. I believe I know just the man for the job. His name is Locke Manning.”