Page 15 of Enduring Promise

Claire cast a nervous glance at Russ, her wariness sharpening again. “The last thing I want is my story getting out.”

Russ held up his hands in a gesture of peace. “Look, Claire, I’m not exactly in a position to write any exposé right now. I’m mostly trying to survive long enough to testify against people who would rather I disappeared forever. I’m here because I’m lucky enough to have found refuge with Madame Fournier. I honestly don’t care if I never report on another story again. My life has completely altered. No matter what happens, because of the reach of the organization I’m supposed to be taking down, I’ll spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. They won’tjust let me go quietly into the night. They’ll always be looking for me. I can’t care about writing your story; I have to make sure I’m alive to write my own someday.”

Hillary added, “Anything you tell us is completely off the record. We’re not here to exploit your story or betray your trust.”

Claire let out a long, shaky breath, her defenses weakening as she sank into one of the chairs by the fireplace. She glanced between them, her expression filled with a mix of fear and resignation.

“It won’t be at all what you think,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m not the one trying to take down the bad guys. I-I am the bad guy.”

CHAPTER 15

Hillary's heart pounded with sudden apprehension. The image she had formed in her mind about what Claire might be involved in was beginning to feel shaky, uncertain. What if they had misjudged her? What if, by confiding in Claire about their own situation, they had made a terrible mistake? Hillary's stomach twisted as she struggled to make sense of the implication of Claire’s words:I am the bad guy.

But before Claire could say more, the door to the library swung open, and Sophie rushed in, looking flustered and panicked.

"Claire," Sophie said breathlessly, glancing nervously over her shoulder. "Your grandmother is on the warpath. You need to get out of here now. If she catches you in here with them..."

Claire’s face paled, and she stood quickly, casting an apologetic look at Hillary and Russ. "I have to go," she whispered, her voice tense. Without another word, she hurried out of the room, Sophie following closely behind her, leaving Hillary and Russ alone in the quiet library.

As the door closed, Hillary felt a rising sense of panic, an urge to chase after Claire, to somehow fix the unraveling situation. But before she could act on it, she felt a reassuring hand onher shoulder. She looked up to see Russ standing beside her, his expression calm, a steady presence that helped ground her racing thoughts.

"Hey," he murmured, his voice soft but firm. "We can’t force this. We have to wait for our moment."

Hillary let out a shaky breath, nodding slowly, though the tension still coiled tight in her chest. "I’m sorry for blindsiding you like that," she said quietly. "I just... my gut was telling me that confiding in her was our best option. I thought maybe it would help her open up, make her trust us."

Russ offered her a small, understanding smile. "You don’t have to apologize. I trust your instincts, Hillary. If you thought it was the right move, it probably was. We just have to be patient. She’s clearly dealing with something complicated, and whatever it is, it’s big enough to make her scared. But she came here today, didn’t she? That’s a start."

Hillary nodded, some of the tension easing as she took comfort in Russ’s words. In his touch.

She folded her arms across her chest and felt something rise in her. Frustration. “I want an update on our situation. I am all for helping Claire but it’s ridiculous not to know what is going on with Topeka and Alex. Have there been arrests? Is this going to go on forever? What you said about having to look over your shoulder for the rest of your life. It’s not fair.”

“We could call Carmen or Kenan,” Russ suggested. “It’s supposed to be radio silence. It might jeopardize our ability to stay here. But if you want to reach out, I’ll support that.”

“No,” Hillary sighed, knowing he was right. It was impulsive and selfish to risk their current situation just so she, a chronic control freak, could have some sense of what might come next. “Do you really think you’re going to have someone after you for the rest of your life?”

“In one way or another, yes. I’m not going to be able to testify in any kind of way that protects my identity. Some people will go to jail but that won’t really strip them of their power. You know how much is overlooked in the prison system. Even there, money and power are everything. I’m going to have to evaluate what my life will be like on the other side of this.”

“I don’t know how my sister did this for so long. She’s been a fierce supporter and ally to the Kinross organization for years. All at the risk of her freedom and safety. She never batted an eye. I’m here crumbling, wishing I could call her and have her tell me it’s all going to be okay.”

“You think she’s never been in a tight spot and wanted to call you?” Russ gave her an empathetic smile. “We’re not supposed to be unfeeling and unbothered. This situation is extreme. But I feel like, here in this moment, at least we’re safe. And we’re comfortable. That’s got to count for something.”

With cosmically bad timing a scream from outside the window of the library filled the air. It was blood-curdling and then quickly accompanied by the raised and concerned voices of others.

“Fire,” someone yelled and others began to shout the same.

“Fire?” Hillary asked breathlessly. “Did they just say fire?”

Russ grabbed her hand and pulled her quickly from the library and down the large stairs toward the front door. There was no way to know exactly what was going on but leaving felt like the smartest choice.

“What if it’s a trick to get us out in the open? What if they’ve found us?” Hillary stopped in her tracks before they reached the front door. “What if there is a bullet with our name on it out there? A fire seems like the perfect ruse.”

“A fire in an old house like this with no sprinklers or fire prevention also seems like a quick way to die. We have to get out.”

Some staff rushed by them out the door and Hillary finally decided to move. Russ tugged her close as they stepped outside and she held her breath and closed her eyes. Was it over? This little reprieve? Was all of it over?

CHAPTER 16

Russ felt Hillary tense against him as they stepped outside, her grip on his hand tight, her breaths quick and shallow. He kept her close, scanning the scene to make sense of the chaos. People were rushing toward the commotion at the far end of the property, shouts filling the air as thick smoke began to curl above the trees.

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