Page 193 of State of Alert

“What did she get?”

“Her birth control device. We were so afraid of her gettingpregnant that we wanted to double up on protection. She had a ring thing, but she forgot it at home, so we went back to get it. She was in and out in a minute and didn’t see anyone, but she’s freaking out that we were there at all and that we lied about it.”

Sam felt weak in the knees at the role she’d played in sending two teenagers on the run. She’d been so certain they were involved. “You’re not in trouble. Could I speak to Zoe? I’ll tell her that myself.”

“Sure. Hang on.”

Sam heard him talking and a female voice responding, sounding annoyed. Then she heard a pleading edge to his voice.

More noise as the phone changed hands.

“Hello.”

“Zoe, this is Lieutenant Holland. Zeke told me about why you returned home on Sunday and how you were only there for a minute.”

“I told you I had nothing to do with this, but you wouldn’t believe me.”

“What happened to Jada in Ohio?”

“She wouldn’t shut up about me killing our mother, whichI did not do! I kept telling her it wasn’t me, but she didn’t believe me. We got into a fight over it, and I tied her up and left her in the room so I could get away from her. If the whole world is blaming me, I wasn’t about to make it easy for you guys to find me.”

“I’m sending the U.S. Marshals to meet you and Zeke to bring you home. They’ll be told you’re not suspects and shouldn’t be treated as such. Will you come home with them?”

“Do you swear this isn’t a trick?”

“I swear on the lives of my family.”

“I told you I didn’t do it,” she said tearfully.

“I know you did. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”

Zoe sniffled repeatedly.

“Tell me where you are.”

“What’s the name of this place again, Zeke?”

“Herron Creek in Colorado Springs.”

“Hang tight. Someone will be there soon.”

Sam closed the phone and called Jesse.

“Best.”

“Our fugitives have made contact. They’re at a camp called Herron Creek in Colorado Springs. They’re no longer considered suspects in our case and shouldn’t be treated as such.”

“Got it.”

“Jesse… these are kids. Please don’t let anyone get hurt.”

“Understood.”

The line went dead.

Malone came down the hallway. “What’s wrong?”

“I fucked up.”

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