Zion took a deep breath. If it would keep her in place until the authorities arrived, he’d play along. “Is that really what you want? Is that what it’ll take for you to leave my family alone to deal with our heartbreak?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re not getting any pity from me, you liar.”
“You mean lawyer.”
“No, I mean liar.”
Sirens sounded faintly in the distance.
He stepped inside and waved her in, before she heard them and tried to flee again. “Come in. Maybe you can talk to the judge, too.”
Ellen’s eyes lit up and her hands let go of her hips. “You think that’ll help?”
Zion waved her in again. The sirens were getting louder, though still barely noticeable. “It’s possible. Come on.”
She stepped inside, and Zion left the door cracked open.
“You’re actually going to help me?” Ellen sat at the kitchen table.
“I can’t make any promises. Some judges are more helpful than others.”
She played with the fringes of a placemat. “But you can call another one if the first doesn’t do anything, right?”
“Sure.” Anything to keep her distracted. Zion sat next to her, and was overpowered by the stenches of cigarette smoke and cheap perfume. He’d have to air out the room once she left. “Let me just find the phone number.”
“Okay. Hurry up.”
He took his time pulling up his contact list.
“What’s taking so long?” She craned her neck to see the screen.
“The fact that you’re impatient.” He strained to listen for the sirens. Either they’d turned them off, or they were headed somewhere else.
Zion sent up a silent plea that they had turned off the noise so as not to scare his intruder away.
“Let me see that.” Ellen snatched the phone from his hand. “You’ve got six judges here. Who should we call?”
He glanced toward the door. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out, if you’d let me.”
“You don’t know?” She shoved the phone back at him.
The door burst open. Several men in blue piled inside, all bearing guns.
Zion jumped up and pointed to Ellen. “She’s the one who was here, shooting yesterday!”
Ellen put her hands up. “He’s lying! I live here, and he forced his way in!”
The officers pointed all guns at him.
Blood drained from his body. They believed her?
“Hands in the air!” One officer moved closer to Zion, aiming the rifle at his head.
He raised his hands over his head. “I’m the homeowner, Zion Powell, attorney at law.”
“Turn around and don’t make any sudden movements.”
“He was going to assault me,” Ellen said.
Zion looked at the officer. “You’re making a big mistake.”
“Turn around!”
He bit his tongue and did as he was told.
“Lower your hands to behind your back.”
“What’s going on here?” Rowena’s voice sounded from near the stairs.
Zion turned his head as he lowered his arms.
Rowena stood in the doorway of the kitchen, wearing a pink silk robe and her hair wrapped in a towel. “Why are you arresting my husband? Not the psycho who shot at him yesterday?”
“He lives here?” asked one of the cops.
“Yes! And that woman is a criminal!”
Ellen shook her head. “They’re wrong! I live here. They’re the criminals.”
“I’m going to call this in.” One of the cops stepped outside the room.
The other officers kept their weapons aimed at Zion, Rowena, and Ellen.
“He’s telling the truth.” The other officer returned to the room. “She’s wanted for evading officers twice. And these two—” He gestured toward Rowena and Zion. “—live here.”
Ellen ran toward Rowena and shoved her out of the way. The cops chased after Ellen, tackling her to the ground.
Zion rushed over to Rowena. “Are you all right?”
She rubbed her arm. “Mostly just shaken up.”
The officers led Ellen outside, reading her the Miranda rights.
Rowena leaned against Zion and breathed heavily. They gave a report to one of the policemen.
Zion stopped him before he left. “Question her to make sure she isn’t behind my son’s disappearance. She has more motive than anyone I can think of.”
“Will do.” The officer made a note of it and left.
Zion and Rowena then hurried to get ready.
As he was brushing his hair, Zion realized he never told Morgan about the press release. He pulled out his phone and called.
“Dr. Morgan James.” He always answered his phone the same way, but this time he sounded shaken. Broken.
“Morgan, this is Zion.” He didn’t know why he said that. The caller ID should’ve already told Morgan as much.
“We got a ransom letter.”
“What? When?”
“It was at our door when we got home.” Morgan’s voice cracked.
“How much money do they want?” Zion jumped up and raced for the stairs. Maybe there was a letter at his front door, too, but they’d missed it.
“They don’t want money.”
Zion skidded to a stop. “What do they want?”
Morgan sighed. “They want me to come clean about everything publicly.”
“Come clean about what?” Zion lunged for the front door and scanned the porch for an envelope. He lifted potted plants, looked behind the porch swing and under the mat.
Nothing.
“That’s just it,” Morgan said. “I have no idea. But I only have about eight hours now to figure it out. And how to make it public.”
Zion stepped onto the lawn and looked in the plants. “I have kind-of good news.”
“What?”
“There’s going to be a press conference in about an hour at City Hall.”
“An hour?” Morgan exclaimed.
“I only found out an hour ago myself. I was going to call you, but then Ellen showed up.”
Morgan swore. “Seriously?”
“The police finally arrested her, but not before first trying to arrest me. Don’t get me started. See you at the conference?”
“We’ll be there.” Morgan ended the call.
Zion checked the time. “Rowena, we need to leave!”
She marched into the room with a pinched expression.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
Rowena held up a voodoo doll. “You left your office door unlocked.”
A million thoughts ran through his mind, but he settled on one. “Given everything else going on, we need to drop this for now.”
She shook her head. “You’ve been keeping this from me.”
“Because you wouldn’t give me the freedom to keep something important to me. To my family. To my village’s culture at large.”
“You’ve always been so glad to get away from there.”
He nodded. “Yes, but many things I grew up with are important to me.”
“Even though it bothers me?”
“You’ve never tried to understand. All you know is pop culture and myths. You’ve never taken the time to ask me what it’s about. What it means to me.”
Her expression softened. “You’re right.”
“And then there’s the fact that—wait. What?”
Rowena took a step toward him. “You’re right. I’ve only demanded my way. I haven’t asked for your side.”
He stared at her in disbelief. “You want to hear my side?”
She placed the doll in his palm. “Yes, but first we need to get to the conference.”
Zion kissed her. “Thank you.”
33
Dr. Morgan James
* * *
Zion and Rowena stood at a stage in a large meeting room, telling everyone there and watching from home how wonderful Emmett and Atlas are, and
pleading for anyone with information to come forward.
Morgan, Lila, and the twins watched from just off-stage, waiting for their turn. Though the thought of what Morgan needed to say made his stomach turn.
Lila leaned against Morgan. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
He put his arm around her and took a deep breath. “I’m the one who has to spill everything to the world in a minute.”
She looked at him and frowned. “Sorry, I forgot about that. I was just thinking about what I’m going to say. I don’t think I’ll be able to hold myself together.”
Morgan kissed her cheek. “You’ll do fine. Just say what’s in your heart.”
“I don’t think anyone wants to hear that.” She scowled. “I want to rip the face off whoever is holding the boys.”
“Yeah, don’t say that. Focus on your love for Atlas. How much both of them mean to us. Plead with the kidnappers to let them go. Nothing will pull on the heartstrings like a mother’s tears.” He glanced back at the stage, where Rowena was speaking with a wobbly voice and wiping her eyes.
If the abductors didn’t release Atlas and Emmett after this, they were without a doubt the most heartless individuals alive.
“Are we going to speak?” Violet asked.
Morgan made eye contact with both girls. “It’s up to you. You can either stand up there with us, silently showing your support for Atlas and Emmett, or you can say your piece. Completely up to you.”
Rowena stopped speaking, and people in the crowd called out questions. She and Zion answered them, until Veronica ushered them offstage and waved over Morgan and Lila.
“I’m going to be sick,” Lila muttered.
Morgan kissed her forehead. “You’re going to do great.”
“You’ll do fine, Mom.” Scarlet hugged her.
They all walked onto the stage and passed the Powells. Rowena was sobbing into Zion’s chest. The two men exchanged a woeful glance.
Morgan ushered Lila to the podium and adjusted the mic to his level. “I’m—”
Screech!
He winced, then stepped back slightly. “I’m Dr. Morgan James and this is my wife, Lila, and our twin daughters, Violet and Scarlet.”
Silence hung in the air.
Morgan continued. “Our lives have been torn apart in the last three days. We can hardly sleep or function because of our worry for not only Atlas, but also his best friend Emmett, who is like a second son to us. It feels like not one but two members of our family have been ripped from us. Atlas and Emmett have been best friends since they were toddlers, and the Powells are like an extension of our family. Neither my wife nor I have been to work since all of this happened. We’re too grief-stricken to even consider that. We’re begging anyone with information to please come forward and tell the police department. Before I share some more, my wife would like to say something.”
Lila’s eyes widened. “I—I, uh…”
Scarlet stepped between Morgan and the mic. “Actually, I’m going to share first while Mom collects herself. This entire thing has been so hard on her. On all of us, really. My sister and I have been having a really hard time with this. Not only is our actual brother missing, but Emmett is like a brother to us.” Scarlet cleared her throat. “Well, not exactly a brother. But we’re close to him. What I’m trying to say is that we miss them and desperately want them back. If the person or people who have them are listening, please let them come home. They belong with their families. They want to be with us, and we want them back. Please.”
Lila put her hand on Scarlet’s arm. “I’m ready to talk now.”
Scarlet hugged her mom, then stepped aside and the two girls clung to each other.
Lila sniffled and stepped up to the mic. “Thank you to everyone who has come today, and for those watching at home. I can’t tell you what a nightmare this has been for our two families.” Her voice cracked. “Personally, I feel like my heart has been ripped from my chest and stomped on. Crushed to pieces, beyond recognition. I’m a different person than I was a few days ago. The only thing I want is to have my son back and to be able to hug him and never let go. We don’t know why this has happened, but we beg anyone with information to step forward and tell the police or call the information hotline. It doesn’t matter how small the clue is—it could be the one thing that leads to bringing the boys home. Thank you.”
Morgan’s own heart broke at hearing Scarlet’s and Lila’s words. He stood up straight and put his arm around Lila, moving close to the microphone. “Atlas and Emmett have been friends since they were little, as has been mentioned. They’ve been adventurous explorers since toddlerhood, when they were determined to dig up pirate’s treasure in one of our yards. Not much has changed now that they’re seniors in high school. Three nights ago, they wanted to explore an abandoned hospital, this time hoping to find ghosts and perhaps another treasure. We aren’t entirely sure, as it was a secret project for their video channel.”
Morgan’s mind went blank as his focus moved from the boys to the crowd in front of him. He’d never enjoyed public speaking, but now his pulse raced faster than ever, knowing he had to spill his secrets to the world. To all the people staring at him and to everyone the cameras would reach.
Focus! He needed to do his best to humanize the kids as much as possible. To help every person in the crowd feel like they knew them so they would want to help bring them home as much as he did.
He cleared his throat. “I know I only have a few minutes here, but let me tell you a little bit about them. Atlas has always loved gaming and computers, and it has always been his dream to create video games. He’s never let go of that vision, and he’s won competitions. He’s going to go far, and I don’t doubt he’ll one day invent one that becomes a household name. Then there’s Emmett, the fun-loving kid with a big imagination. He loves acting and has been in every school play I can remember, often in a leading role. They’re both the kind of kids that everyone is friends with. Now they’re missing, and they’ve done nothing to deserve any of this. Please bring them back. If you know anything, no matter how small, open up now.”
Veronica made eye contact with him, her expression asking if he was done.
Morgan turned back to the mic, his heart pounding so loudly he couldn’t hear anything else. “And speaking of opening up, I need to talk about one thing that might play into this. I don’t know, but it’s worth mentioning that Atlas and I did have an argument not long before the boys disappeared.” Lila put her arm around his waist, and he focused on her before continuing. “He found out that I’d had a child who died before I met Lila. I’d never told her because the event had been too traumatic. Atlas demanded that I tell her, but I refused, wanting him to stay quiet about the whole thing.” Morgan focused on one of the cameras. “Atlas, if you’re able to hear this, know I’ve told Mom everything. Everything is out in the open as it should be. Please come home.”
Lila pushed in front of Morgan and stepped up to the mic. “I have one thing to say to the abductors. I will exchange myself for Atlas and Emmett. Return them and you can have me! Just let them go!”
Morgan gasped. He reached for the mic, but Veronica ushered them away from the platform and one of the policemen spoke to the crowd.
Morgan and his family joined the Powells.
“Was that what the writer of the note wanted you to say?” Zion asked, his eyes wide.
Lila shook her head. “That was all me. They only asked for Morgan to spill his secrets.”
“And what I shared is the only thing I can think of.” Morgan frowned. “I don’t know what else they would want me to come clean about. I’m hardly walking around with a bunch of secrets.”
“That is a pretty major one,” Violet muttered.
“And it’s the only one.”
Veronica came over. “That went really well. I think you all tugged on people’s heartstrings. Now we hope that anyone who knows anything will come forward.”
“Let’s hope.” Lila shudd
ered.
“You’re free to leave. I’m going to close everything once the detective is done. I really hope the boys come home soon.” She shook hands with everyone, then went back to the stage.
The two families said goodbye, then headed for their cars. Morgan’s stomach rumbled, though he had no desire to eat. He just wanted to get home, go to bed, and sleep until the next day, when hopefully he would get news that the boys were back.
“I’m hungry,” Scarlet said. “Can we stop for something to eat?”
“Yeah,” Violet added. “I’m famished. Please.”
Lila glanced at Morgan. “What do you think?”
“You’re the one driving.” Morgan’s stomach grumbled loudly.
“See?” Violet said. “Dad’s hungry, too.”
“No sense in starving everyone.” Lila turned toward the main part of town. “What does everyone want?”
Nobody cared, so she went to the drive-through at the closest fast food joint. The girls finished their food before they got home, but Morgan waited to eat with Lila.
As soon as they pulled into the driveway, the twins raced inside before Morgan even opened his door. Lila balanced the food bags and helped him out.
He took the bags from her. “Let me carry those. I’m not completely useless.”
She gave him a quick kiss. “Of course not, but you were just shot.”
“Yesterday. And it only grazed me.”
They headed up the steps, the aromas making Morgan’s mouth water.
Lila froze at the top step, and he nearly bumped into her. “What?”
“That.” She pointed to the mat, where again, a white paper stuck out from underneath.
He groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Maybe it’s good news.” She reached down for it. “What if they’re going to release the boys?”
“Wouldn’t they just let them go?”
“Not necessarily.”
They made their way inside, and Morgan set down the nearly-forgotten food.
Lila held up the envelope. “There isn’t any writing on this one.”
Morgan frowned. “Technically, there wasn’t on the other one, either. Do you want me to open it?”
Lies Never Sleep Page 23
