Page 41 of Jeremy
“Yes,it’s pretty new, but—”
“Atleast five months old by the look of her,” Justus interjects.
“Youshould know. You brought her over here.” I come around and sit on the arm ofthe couch, too fidgety to sit still for long.
“No.Nohoooo. You aren’t blaming me for this. I wasn’t responsible for covering yourstump before you hump. You know my motto. Say it with me, now. If you’re notgoing to sack it, go home and whack it.”
“Shedoesn’t know about ISH yet. I want to tell her, but I wanted to run it by youguys. Same as we did for Zoe, Ayda, and Sadie.”
Landonleans back. “She’s having your kid. She needs to know. Are you worried abouthow she’ll take it?”
It’sall I’ve been able to think about for days. In Safe Hands is a greatorganization, and I’m proud to be a part of it, but we haven’t always donethings the legal way. In the beginning, we had no patience for the repeat childmolesters and child rapists who kept beating the system and getting out. Wetook them out ourselves, permanently, and disposed of the bodies.
Asthe guys found their wives and started raising families, the risk was just toogreat, and we swore off that part of the job. We still have a backup plan if weever absolutely had to do away with someone, but it’s only for an emergencysituation.
“Alittle. I’m still feeling her out, but I’ll tell her soon. She has some secretsof her own as well.” I run my hands through my hair. “We’ll work it out.”
Landongrins at me. “Congratulations, man. I’m happy for you.”
Justusslaps me on the shoulder. “Me too. Having a kid is great.”
“Doesthat mean you plan to stay here permanently?” Landon asks.
Mymind has been so overwhelmed with the cult, Mel, and the baby, I hadn’t eventhought about that. “I don’t know. I guess it’ll depend on what she wants todo. It’s early days. She’s on bed rest for complications, so right now we’rejust trying to get her through the pregnancy.”
“Doyou want me to call Zoe? Or Leah would be glad to come and help out, I’m sure. Theycould stay with her while we’re dealing with these assholes.”
“I’vebeen balancing things okay, but I may take you up on that if she has anothersetback.” I look back and forth between them. “I don’t want to pull any lawenforcement in on this yet. I want to deal with the leaders.”
“Dealwith as in I need to find a crematorium worker who will take a bribe?” Justusasks.
“Wouldn’thurt.”
Thelook they share worries me. This is why I didn’t want them to come here. “Theykilled Frannie. I’m calling the shots on this one.”
Neitherof them argues, but they don’t agree either.
“Youdon’t need me for this part. I’m going to stay at Mel’s. You know where I am ifyou need something.”
Imake it as far as the door before Landon calls my name. His face is impassive.“Tell her. This isn’t like when we told the other girls. She’s carrying yourchild. She deserves to know what you really do.”
Theonly response he gets is me cursing under my breath.
Becausehe’s right.
#
Thesmile on Mel’s face when she sees me melts away as she takes in the expressionon my face. I didn’t plan on diving right into this terrifying conversation,but I’m not going to be able to act like everything is normal while I worryabout her reaction.
“What’swrong?”
“Nothing’swrong, but we need to talk.”
Shesighs, and leans against her pillow. “Those words are never followed by goodnews. If you’ve changed your mind—”
“Never,”I assure her, sitting next to her. “But there are some things about me youshould know.”
“Okay.”She stares at me expectantly.
