Page 68 of Justice for Samara

He waited, and in a couple of seconds, he got his answer.

I trust you. And I trust Carter. I haven’t even met Cruz, but if you guys trust him, I trust him too. Just make sure he knows that this isn’t something I’d want many people to know.

That hurt his heart, so he shot another one back to her.

I would never tell anybody anything if I thought they’d hurt you with it. I love you and I wouldn’t do that to you. And trust me, Cruz doesn’t want to hurt you either.

All he got back was a thumbs-up emoji. He sighed out a long breath, then launched into the story of Stadler and all the shit he’d been up to for years.

When he finished, Cruz sat there, dumbstruck. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but it’s all very true,” Carter said, glancing at Michael. The younger man nodded in agreement.

Cruz sucked in a heavy breath, blew it out from between pursed lips, and handed Michael a sliver of hope. “I’m not sure how much I can help you, but I know a couple of people who can. Are you open to bringing them into this?”

Michael barely let him get the sentence out before he barked, “Do you trust them?” He knew he sounded cross, but he didn’t care. It was Samara’s life they were talking about, and he had to be sure.

Cruz didn’t seem the least bit offended. “I wouldn’t suggest them if I didn’t. One of them I know personally, and I know he’s straight as an arrow. The other is someone my friend Conor knows, and I’ve heard him talk about the guy, how great he is, how trustworthy he is, and better yet, how dog on a bone he is when he’s trying to do or find something or someone. The guy never gives up. And both of these men are in unique positions to help you all. Are you willing to take that leap?”

Michael sat there, thinking. They were up against a wall and time was running out. When Stadler found out Samara had been checking up on the old cases, he’d be furious, and there was no telling what he might do. Matter of fact, Michael was pretty sure it would be an almost-fatal attempt at best. A voice pierced his thoughts as Carter whispered, “Michael? Michael, I know this is hard, and I know you care about her?”

“No, Carter. I don’t just care about her. I love her and she loves me. I can’t do anything that will put her at more risk.”

“Honestly, son, I think you’ve run out of options. This may be our best chance to get this guy gone.”

“He’s right, Michael.” Cruz leveled his gaze with Michael’s. “You want to give her the absolute best possible chance? This is your opportunity. Say the word and I’ll make it happen.”

For the first time, he knew how a cornered animal felt. His heart was pounding and his palms were sweating. He was terrified. What if he made the wrong decision? What would Samara do if it was him instead of her?

He knew exactly what she’d do. “Set it in motion. The sooner, the better. And when can we meet these guys?”

Cruz’s smile was gentle. “I had a feeling we’d need them, so I already asked them to be on standby. I can get them in here tomorrow morning if that’s what you want.”

Michael nodded. “Let’s do this thing.” In twenty-four hours, he’d have a very good idea if he’d done what he needed to do or if he’d signed her death warrant. And if anything happened to her, they might as well kill him too.

He didn’t want to live without her.

* * *

The alarm clockhad barely been shut off when Michael’s phone pinged. He opened his social media messaging app to find a message from Cruz in a group chat that included Carter.

Can you guys meet in Hopkinsville?

Michael waited, but when Carter didn’t answer, he did.

Don’t know about Carter, but I can.

Another one came in immediately.

We need her there too.

Michael didn’t hesitate.

I’ll have to ask her.

There was no doubt in his mind that she’d balk, but he knew why they needed to talk to her. They considered him reliable, and yet it would be hearsay until she spoke up. The water had been turned off in the shower, so he called out, “Samara?”

“Yeah, babe?”

Here we go, he told himself. “Uh, Cruz wants us to meet him in Hopkinsville.”

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