Page 55 of Operation: Unify

“Before you go, Melinda McFarland came home with us. She’s lived in an abusive relationship for many years and shows all the classic symptoms. The reason Lacy went to get her out was that Melinda felt sure her husband was going to try to kill her and make it appear like it was self-defense. He wanted a huge payout from a life insurance policy. He and his brother were somehow going to make it happen in his brother’s hotel so that it burned down in the process and he, too, could get a pay day.”

Brendon’s usually reserved face melded into horror. “With people inside? He was willing to burn down a hotel? Doesn’t he know how dangerous that is? Not to mention trying to kill Melinda.” He released the brake on his chair. “I’m going to call the FBI and file a request for help. We both know they may ormay not come. Then, I’m going to check in with Nadine and see how she’s doing.”

Connor nodded, thankful Brendon was there to help him through this. “Thanks. Keep me posted.”

Brendon left the room and Connor sat alone in his office for a moment. Before he could even finish thinking how tired he was, Randy knocked on his door jamb. Connor waved him in.

“Hey,” Randy said. “Sorry to bother you. I know you had to get right back to your job the minute you walked in. Junior just brought all of our bags to the house. Where should I put them?”

Most of the area that was ready for people to actually live within the house was taken. There were beds down in the bunker and it was set up as a living space, but that could soon be taken over by everyone living at Wayside. Though, the men had to have been able to come from the Homestead, the ranch next door that he’d purchased so his men could live separately from work. If that was the case, then they could leave from there and not be seen, should the need arise. At least he had a plan B if needed.

“For now, ask Junior to show you to the bunker. That’s all I have that isn’t one of the cabins outside. We’ll have to clear those if these guys get too close to the house. You may as well get settled there instead of having to move right away.”

“Good plan. Should Melinda do that too?”

Connor gave a nod, glad to have something decided. “Yes, for now, that’s the plan. We’ll get you both set up with something more permanent when this is in the past.” Hopefully soon.

“Sounds good.”

As soon as Randy stood, Connor’s phone buzzed with a text. He glanced down at it and Nadine’s name splashed across his notifications. He opened it up.

Men are on the move. Closing in.

Lacy satwith Melinda as she completely cleaned a heaping plate of spaghetti with a mountain of sauce and meatballs. Thankfully, Melinda didn’t apologize for it either. Some women who came to Wayside limited the food they took because they were worried about looking like they were taking too much. She had to tell them Victoria made plenty for everyone and to take what they wanted.

“Ugh, I’m going to put myself in a food coma.” Melinda laughed. “At least I know I won’t get a stomachache from the medication.” She yawned.

The reminder made her think about what Connor had speculated in the car. “Did the doctor say what kind of side-effects the medication would have? You were pretty sleepy most of the ride home and it was a long drive.”

Melinda scrunched her brow. “I’ll be honest, I don’t remember much about the hospital stay. I was pretty medicated the whole time. I remember various police officers coming in to talk to me, since I had to concentrate so hard on what actually happened. You’d be surprised how easily your brain decides to make things up that it doesn’t really remember. I had to do my best not to do that. How he managed it, knowing that the questioning would come under fire because they did it when I was medicated, was that he would read a doctor’s report to me and ask me what really happened. Some I couldn’t recall, and he told me he’d ask later. The last time they came, I insisted on letting the medication fully wear off so I could answer everything. I just wanted to leave that hospital.”

“You were only there a day and a half. They came multiple times to bother you when you were so badly injured?” Lacycouldn’t believe they would do that. Then again, their job was to arrest people who committed crimes, not take care of those victimized by it.

“Yes, at least three times that I recall. But the last time was the one that proved I’d been telling the truth. I never gave an account of what happened when Tod brought me to the ER for injuries. He was the one who did the explaining, which is a red flag in the ER. Any time the patient does talk when they can, it’s documented.”

“Good. I’m glad you had someone on your side. I can’t figure out how he was able to post bail and get out though. His brother was after us, so it couldn’t have been him.” Lacy stared at the Christmas tree, trying to make sense of the situation.

“It’s a small town. Even Randy’s father could be the one, though Randy said his father has almost nothing and lives on social security disability income, so I don’t believe he’s the one. I’m only using him as an example.”

“It’s interesting to me that he could be so awful behind closed doors and be so respected in the community.” Lacy grabbed Melinda’s plate and took it up to the bin for dirty dishes.

“Everyone, to some extent, is different in front of people than they are at home. Tod was just exceptionally different.” Melinda stood and pushed in her chair.

“I suppose you’re right.” Though this kind of difference seems so polar opposite that it was appalling.

Randy peered into the room. “Hey, Junior is about to show us down to our hideout where we’ll be staying for a little while. Ready to see your new place?”

“Down?” Lacy was shocked Connor had agreed to send them to the top-secret bunker below Wayside.

“Yeah, there aren’t enough rooms up here so he said we should go down there.” Randy shrugged. “I’m just doing what he says.”

There was no way he could’ve known about it unless Connor had said something, but she was still surprised. “Do you need any help bringing the bags down?”

Melinda smiled. “I think I can manage my little backpack. Thank you for all you’ve done for me. You literally saved my life. Probably more than once. I’ll never be able to repay you for this.” She gripped Lacy in a loose hug.

“Don’t think that way. I’m not looking for repayment. I want you to be healthy, happy, and safe.” And that was exactly why she’d come to her friend’s aid.

Randy led Melinda out of the dining room leaving Lacy on her own for the first time since Connor had come to her rescue. So many things had changed since then. He’d showed her his heart which was surprising since Connor was good at keeping himself guarded from everyone all the time. He had to be as their boss. He couldn’t show much emotion or risk the barrier of management being broken. That also left him separate when he needed people.

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