Chapter 26

 

 

Kristen hadn’t heard from the FBI in days and when she called the police station she was unable to reach Detective Cross. She was growing impatient as she’d hoped that she would have something to use as an advantage against Helen. The woman had filed not one, but two lawsuits against her. Camila was also on edge. Kristen noticed she wasn’t eating well and she was quiet most of the time. She’d received a veiled threat from Helen when the woman sent her a photo she’d had taken of Camila and her son.

They were in the living room, absorbed in their own thoughts when the doorbell ringing broke the silence. Both women looked at the door. Camila had dread written on her face while Kristen rushed to open it. Standing at the entrance with serious expressions were Detective Cross and the FBI agent who processed Hailey’s case. Their faces told her they had some news and she was anxious to know the outcome.

“Detective,” she greeted. “Agent Morris, please come in.”

“Miss Broderick, we are here on official business. Is there a Camila Lopez at this address?”

Kristen glanced behind her.

“Yes,  that’s me,” Camila said, approaching. “What can I do for you, officer?”

“We have a warrant for your arrest for the abduction of Hailey Broderick. You have the right to remain silent…”

Kristen couldn’t believe what she was hearing and seeing as the detective stepped forward and clamped a pair of handcuffs on Camila’s wrist.

Kristen grabbed tried to step between them. “Wait what are you doing?”

Camila’s eyes bulged and her mouth hung open. The incredulous look on her face told Kristen her friend was as shocked as she was. The detective continued to read Kristen her Miranda rights without interruption. When he was done, he led her to an awaiting patrol vehicle.

Agent Morris lingered behind to explain. “We found a transfer from the suspect’s bank account to Matthew Newman.”

Kristen shook her head adamantly. “No, you’re mistaken. Camila would never do something like that.”

“The perpetrator confessed that he kidnapped your daughter at the request of Camila Lopez. Miss Broderick, both suspect’s phone records reveal they have spoken multiple times.”

“No, that can’t be true. What phone records?”

The agent cleared his throat. “I’m only sharing this information with you because you are the victim’s mother. It seemed your friend purchased a phone recently, which she used to make the calls to her accomplice. We found the phone in the hotel room where Miss Lopez had been living.”

Kristen shook her head adamantly. “Camila would never hurt Hailey. What’s her motive?”

“We have not established a motive as of yet. But we don’t need a motive to make an arrest.

Kristen watched, helpless as the patrol vehicle drove away with her best friend. There was no doubt in her mind that Camila did not have Hailey abducted. She also knew in her heart that this was Helen’s doing. Helen would certainly have the means to do this.

Kristen sprang into action. The first thing she did was call Ethan. She hated to bother him while his martial arts class was in session, but she had no idea how to help her friend.

 

*

 

 

“Why would my mother do this, Camila?” Ethan demanded.

“I made a promise to Camila not to say anything, I can’t tell you. But you must trust me that Helen is responsible in a big way.” She cupped his face and looked deeply into his eyes, trying to convey her sincerity.

The police had taken Camila and she wanted to help her friend, Ethan knew that. He also knew by now that Kristen would never break a friend’s trust. Although he still felt a little uncomfortable, he nodded. “Okay, I trust you.”

She sighed, dropping her hands and walking a few paces away. “Now we just need to prove it.”

Ethan watched her as she bit her lips and twined a lock of her hair. She moved to the front window looking out over the lawn. He’d rushed home after she called, knowing she must be going out of her mind. Camila and Kristen grew up together. They were like sisters and Camila would never harm her, let alone her child.

“I’m moving back to the mansion, temporarily,” Ethan announced after some thought. “That’s the only way to get to my mother.”

Kristen whipped around to face him, a stricken look on her face. “No, Ethan. I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she protested. “What if she finds out what you’re up to?”

Ethan cupped her face. “I was a Navy Seal. I think I can conduct a classified operation without detection.”

“What will I say to Hailey?”

“I’ll explain to Hailey, she’ll understand,’ Ethan assured her.

Still not convinced, Kristen voiced her biggest fear. “I have a feeling you’re never coming back…”

“You still don’t trust me?”

“It’s just that your mother…” she replied.

“Please trust me on this one. I’ll be back in three weeks.”

“That long?” Kristen asked. She had a bad feeling about this plan.

“The court date is in three weeks, I should find something by then.”

“Are you getting her to drop the lawsuit?”

“No, she’ll just think of something else when I move back home. We’ll use her own tactics against her to teach her a valuable lesson.”

“And all this will help Camila?”

“If all goes well, I’ll find the evidence to prove her innocence.”

 

*

 

Going back to Broderick Mansion was the last thing Ethan wanted. A dark mood slowly settled over him as he packed. A part of him hurt that he had to deceive his own mother. He told himself that he was doing the right thing since she was obviously out of control. That didn’t make it any better.

“What will you tell Hailey?” Kristen asked.

Ethan took her hand, rubbing his thumb on the back of it. “I’ll tell I’m taking a trip.”

“You’re lying to her? Why don’t you tell her the truth?”

“Mom scares Hailey. You think if I tell her I’m going to grandma’s house, she’ll understand that?”

Kristen gripped his hand tightly. “I don’t like this one bit.”

“Me telling her I’m taking a trip isn’t a complete lie. I just won’t tell her where I’m going. I’ll be back before you know it and we…” his voice lowered, while he used his free hand to trace her cheek. “We can still see each other.”

A lump rose in her throat as her heart skipped several beats before racing like a speeding train. It never ceased to amaze Kristen the way her body and heart responded to Ethan. Since the moment they met ten years ago, her response never changed. She’d tried replacing those feelings with resentment for Ethan. It didn’t quite work, but at least she could mask her feelings with anger. Now, there was nothing to be angry about and she found herself drawing closer to him.

The blossoming of something new happened inside of her reminding her of a new flower blooming. She was noticing the slightest things about him that she never knew before, like the way he held his fork or drank from a can of beer. She noticed how his Adam’s apple gyrated when he laughed and his lips slightly parted when he snored.

“Where did you go?” Ethan asked.

Kristen came out of her reverie and wound her arms around his neck. “You were saying something about sneaking around for the next three weeks?”

“How about I sneak you into the mansion and we make love on mother’s bed?”

Kristen erupted in a fit of laughter. She hadn’t laughed like that in ages. The idea was a great one, but she doubted they could pull it off.

“I’m serious,” Ethan declared. “I’ve done it a zillion times while in high school.”

Kristen pouted. “I don’t want to.”

“Liar. You’re just jealous because you’re not the first one that I’d done it with.”

“You are such a whore...”

Ethan pulled her roughly to him. “You’re gonna pay for that.”

“Let me go, you man-whore you!” she shrieked jokingly.

Ethan dipped and slipped one hand beneath her knees, sweeping her into his arms. In mock terror, Kristen widened her eyes and flailed her feet.

“Let me go, you pervert!”

Ignoring her, he jogged up the stairs. When he entered the bedroom, he kicked the door shut and dumped her on the bed.

“It’s almost time to pick up Hailey at school,” she giggled as Ethan pushed her back against the pillows and covered her body with his. Soon, their lips sealed and time was of no importance.