Page 55 of More Than A Boss

Will could tell the train had slowed down and was preparing to stop. He weighed his options. Stay hidden and wait until everyone had exited or make a run for it immediately. He knew that there would be cops crawling all over the station, so he thought it best to take his chances and exit immediately, then turn himself in for protection.

When the train came to a stop, Will waited for several minutes then crawled out from beneath the covers, banging his head again while trying to maneuver himself into position to get down from the upper bunk. Landing on his feet, he cautiously stuck his head out of the cabin and looked both ways, then made a run for it.

As he exited the train, he ran to the first police officer he saw. “Help me!” he said desperately. “I’m Will Havers, and I’m in danger. I was held captive on the train from Chicago. I’m in witness protection and I was discovered, my cover blown. Help me please!”

Will was quickly hustled out of the station and put in a waiting police cruiser. As he passed another police car, he saw Jon sitting in the back seat. Looking deranged and maniacal at seeing Will, he spat at the window, the glob of spittle making a slimy trail as it slid down the glass. Will shuddered, as Jon appeared to be laughing hysterically while shaking his head wildly. Camilla received the call that Will was safe and being held in protective custody. She sank to her knees and began praying. “Please, God, heal our family. Please help Will to forgive me. Keep us safe. Please forgive me for my transgressions. Help me, oh Lord, to be a better, stronger, braver person.” She pleaded as she sobbed, thankful that Will was safe.

—

The next day, Christian Silva paced like a chained mad dog in his cell. Back and forth, back and forth. How could things have gotten so fucked up, he wondered. He had finally gotten through to his sister, only to have Will escape not once but two times. Jon was a dead man, he thought with little satisfaction. Christian knew that Santiago would be just as unpleased with himself as he was with Jon. There was a slim chance that Santiago would cut him some slack, since he was severely limited by his incarceration. He had gained his sister’s location. He had no control over how it had played out. He hoped that it was enough for his boss.

It was time for the kitchen staff to begin dinner preparation, so he was led out by the guard to the mess hall. They all had their specific jobs on the line, so he immediately began to work at his tasks. Two hours later, the buffet was ready, and the prisoners filed in. He stood in front of the vegetable trays and scooped out portions on each plate thrust toward him.

A fight broke out at the far end of the cafeteria and pandemonium ensued. Fists were flying, bodies tumbling, food trays sailing across the room and being used as weapons. Suddenly, Christian was grabbed from behind and a deep voice whispered into his ear, “Santiago has a message for you. He said to tell you it is nothing personal.” He felt something sharp against his neck and then slumped to the floor, his throat cut from ear to ear, as a pool of his own blood grew around him. He lay there, gurgling, eyes open as the life drained from him. His last image was of his mama, smiling at him, holding her arms wide open for him to be enfolded in her embrace.

—

While Will waited for his family to disembark the plane, he wondered what he was going to say to Camilla when he saw her. Since her brother had been murdered several days ago, she and the children were flying back from Chicago this afternoon. When he had heard that news that his brother-in-law, Christian, was dead, he was shocked. In the deepest recesses of his psyche, he was also relieved. There would be no trial that he had to testify at except his own. On that front, Zane was optimistic that all charges would be dropped because, now that Christian was dead, Will’s friend and employee had recanted yet again, switching back to his original testimony helping to clear the way for a dismissal. There just wasn’t enough evidence for them to proceed with prosecution.

Camilla was so afraid. Would she be able to make Will understand why she behaved the way she had? Isabella and the baby were asleep, and Daniel was looking at a Christmas storybook with bright beautiful drawings of reindeer and elves and, of course, Santa himself.

“When will we see Daddy? Daniel asked.

“Very soon, my darling,” Camilla answered, much calmer than she felt.

“I miss Daddy,” he said simply.

“So do I.” She put her arm around his slim shoulders and pulled him against her, kissing him on his head. “So do I,” she repeated. Her emotions were going in a million different directions. Grief for her brother and his sad life and death, fear of losing her family and marriage, guilt and remorse for her cowardice, and a tiny sliver of hope that they could somehow overcome all of this to live a happy life together again, without fear for their lives.

They exited the plane with the help of a flight attendant, escorted by none other than Officer Rory Murphy, who carried Isabella and the carry-on bag so that Camilla could hold Daniel’s hand while carrying the baby. They walked through the jetway leading to the terminal, where an employee waited with a double-stroller for the children. She thanked the flight attendant and loaded her children in the stroller, with Daniel walking alongside her. Another officer was waiting to lead them out to the baggage claim area and transport them to the police station. Camilla was emotionally and physically running on empty. She was exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes, and was gray beneath her usual olive skin. She looked utterly defeated.

“DADDY!” Daniel took off running toward his father as he spied him waiting at the end of the long airport atrium. Will stooped down on his haunches, waiting for his son with open arms.

“Daniel!” he shouted out, as he scooped the boy up into his arms, crying openly.

“Daddy, I missed you!”

“Buddy, I’ve missed you, too.”

Just then, Camilla reached Will, hesitant about what to do next. Will put Daniel back down and turned to her, searching deeply into her eyes. Satisfied with what he saw there, he pulled her into his arms and whispered, “I forgive you. You are the mother of my children and the love of my life.” Camilla began to sob as she clung to Will, desperately holding on tight.

“Oh, Will, I’m so terribly sorry for betraying you!” she said, hiccupping, with tears running down her ravaged face. “How can you ever forgive me or trust me again?” she wondered aloud.

“It’s already done. I love you,” he said simply. “Let’s step into the rest of our lives together. We will heal from this, Camilla. You have to believe in love.” He held her tight, and Daniel, too, who was crying as he gazed up at his father adoringly, as if he were his hero. Will’s heart was full.

“Will Santa be able to find us here?” Daniel asked innocently.

Officer Murphy, who was standing nearby, answered, “You bet he will, Daniel. Santa has superpowers!” Officer Rory Murphy, who had witnessed the exchange between Camilla, Will, and their son Daniel, had suspiciously over-bright eyes as he said, “Let’s get back to the precinct so we can get you all settled for the night. I am sure the kids are hungry,” he said kindly.

Camilla smiled through her tears and thanked him. They made their way to the police van and headed back to the station to tie up any loose ends. Afterward, they would move into Zane’s house, where they would stay temporarily until their own home could be professionally cleaned and made livable again. Zane knew that they would be happier having Christmas, which was only days away, in their own home so he paid extra to put a rush on the job.

Since Christian Silva was dead and Zane had just received word that the charges against Will had been officially dropped, there was cause to celebrate. With the danger to Will and his family resolved, there was no reason for Will to testify against Santiago, so they could safely return home as soon as it was ready.

Zane had enlisted Casey and Charlie to help him put up and decorate a tree, as well as to buy some toys for under the tree since they had to leave their Christmas presents behind in Chicago.

The best news for Zane was that Allie could also return and was flying back tomorrow. Just in time for the office Christmas party, he thought.

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