Page 27 of Now and Forever

Seth felt as if he were somewhere else, outside his body and not a part of what was happening. He didn’t seem to have any spit as he answered, “I’d rather get it out of the way, too. But no coffee. Maybe water, please.”

Daddy took his elbow and Seth gasped, tensing again. Daddy immediately released him, but drew closer, lowering his voice before his spoke.

“I need you to take the lead here, sweetheart. Would you prefer I don’t touch you right now?”

Hearing Daddy say it out loud sounded so cold. “Maybe just until we leave the airport?”

Daddy gave him a smile. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

They followed the detective to the bagel shop and chose a small table with enough chairs for them all.

“Stay here with the bags while me and Detective Smith grab your water and some coffee.” Daddy hesitated, shifting from foot to foot. “Unless you’d rather not be alone? We can all stay together if you’d rather.”

Seth turned his attention to the detective. “Are they still in prison?”

He nodded. “I apologize. I should’ve mentioned that right away. Yes, everyone’s still in prison.”

Seth let out a long exhale. “Then I’ll be fine here, uh, Malcolm.”

He was hyper-aware enough of his surroundings that he doubted he’d be blurting out anything he shouldn’t. Daddy’s mom had made him feel so at home, he now believed that it had contributed to his faux pas.

“We’ll be right back. There isn’t much of a line.”

Even though he’d been reassured by the knowledge that his father and the others were still incarcerated, it didn’t keep him from compulsively checking his surroundings. His thoughts were thrust back in time to those first weeks after he’d escaped the camp. Everywhere he turned he’d swear there was one of the counselors, church member or his father lurking in the crowds. A familiar face, or perhaps the way someone moved or gestured, would send him into a panic. Would they grab him in public? Follow him then report back to the church where he was?

As it turned out, his paranoia hadn’t been all that misplaced.

“Here we go.” Daddy screwed the top off the water bottle then handed it to him.

“Thanks.”

His hand trembled as he accepted the drink, so he quickly set it down before he dropped it and made a scene.

Daddy and Detective Smith got settled with their coffees, with Daddy taking one sip of his before pushing it to the side. He folded his hands then rested them on the table.

“Okay. We’re listening.”

“Seth, your father and the others plead out. There won’t be a trial after all, so the prosecutors no longer need to speak with you again.”

Seth blinked several times, his mind a jumble of questions. Daddy scrubbed his face with one hand then fell back in his chair.

“They didn’t haveanyinkling that this might happen? You only contacted Nate a few days ago!” Daddy crossed his arms. “I…I guess this is good if it means Seth doesn’t have to testify.” He glanced at Seth before returning his gaze to the detective. “Is it? They’re not getting some cushy deal with a light sentence, are they?”

The detective shook his head. “They’re not.” The detective turned to him. “And I strongly believe this is good, Seth. Your father, the lead guard, the pastor and the others? They’re never getting out. They agreed to life without the possibility of parole.”

Seth inhaled a shuddering breath, his heart thudding so hard he was dizzy. “N-never?”

“Whoa. Hold on.” Daddy waved his hands around. “How is that adeal? I mean, hey. I’mthrilledtheir asses will be behind bars for good. But I’m confused. Why would they agree to that?”

“Because death was on the table.”

Seth gasped and Daddy’s jaw dropped. Seth couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think beyond the sound of his heart thundering in his ears. Bile rose in his throat and he thought he might be sick. Never once, even through all his fury and hurt, had he wanted to be responsible for someone’s death. Not even the evil that was his father.

“Why?” Seth could barely push the one word out.

“In Idaho, a person can be charged for kidnaping in the first or second degree. Second degree kidnapping carries a sentence of one to twenty-five years. First degree is defined as being a kidnaping that also involves a ransom. The sentencing for that is life in prison or death.” Detective Smith took a drink of his coffee. “What saves a kidnapper—or those who aid and abet—from the death penalty, is the release of their victim unharmed.”

“But I wasn’t held for ransom. I got away.”

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