“He can’t hurt you ever again,” Alexandra whispered. “I promise. And I won’t abandon you.” Moving slowly, Alexandra removed her wig. “My real name is Alexandra Mitus. I’ve been concerned about you from the day we met. Do you remember meeting me in Jase’s office?”
“Yes.” Sage glanced toward the doorway. “You tried to help me.”
“I did,” Alexandra said. “I want to help you now, too.”
Again, Sage looked past her to Crockett. “Is he your friend?”
“Yes, he helped me find you. Would you like to meet him?”
“Yes,” Sage whispered.
Alexandra walked to the doorway. “Sage wants to meet you. She’s terrified, so go easy.”
When Crockett stepped into the room, the stench of body odor and rancid food permeated the air. Pity tore at his heart. The conditions were deplorable.
“Hello, Sage,” he said. “Thank you for helping me. That was a brave thing to do.”
Sage stared at him for several seconds before asking, “What’s your name?”
“I’m Crockett. Crockett Wilde.”
As she shuddered in a shaky breath, her eyes filled with tears. “From Uvalde?”
His heart rate jumped to the triple digits. “How do you know that?”
“Because that’s where I’m from, too. I’m Sophia Lynn Wilde.”
33
Sophia
Sobbing, Sophia threw her arms around Crockett. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he embraced his sister. Year after year, he’d hoped and prayed and screamed at the heavens for this moment. And now, he struggled to grasp the reality of the situation.
Crockett had never wished a man dead before, but as he held his sister in his arms, he knew that if the body of Jase Payne wasn’t already on its way to the morgue, he would have killed him. And then faced the consequences for his actions.
She pulled away and stared into his eyes. “Mom and Dad?” she whispered, still shaking.
“Same house in Uvalde.”
“Mr. Wilde, under the circumstances, I need to see your driver’s license,” said Officer Randolph. “We have to run a check.”
Crockett handed it to her, then locked eyes with Alexandra. “Thank you.”
Tears streamed down Alexandra’s cheeks and she ran a tender hand down his back.
“I need someone to contact my—our—parents,” Crockett said as he wiped his eyes. “Ron and Linda Wilde of Uvalde, Texas.”
“We’ve arranged to take the minors to the hospital,” said Officer Randolph.
Sophia’s eyes widened and she broke away from Crockett. “I have to protect the children from Jase or he’ll hurt them.”
“Mr. Payne tried to hurt a policeman and I shot him,” said the policewoman. “He’s dead and he can’t hurt you or the children anymore.”
Sophia slid her gaze to Alexandra.
“It’s true,” Alexandra confirmed.
“What about Frank?” Sage asked.
“Who’s that?” Alexandra asked.
“Francois,” she replied.
“He was arrested and taken to the police station,” Officer Randolph said.
Her eyes narrowed. “I hate him, too.”
A warm smile touched the officer’s eyes. “Miss Wilde, these children all have families, like you. The doctors need to check everyone’s health. Jase hurt your brother and he’s got to get stitches in his arm. Everyone’s going to the hospital.”
“Let me tell the Littles,” said Sophia.
With the blanket still wrapped around her, she approached them. The children huddled around. She spoke quietly, pausing to look at each of them. When finished, some hugged each other. Several started crying. One boy knelt and prayed.
Crockett clasped Alexandra’s hand. “I am indebted to you,” he whispered before pressing a kiss to her temple.
She squeezed his hand. “Being able to do this for Sophia, for you, for your family…” Her voice cracked and she choked back the raw emotion teetering on the edge.
Sophia returned. “Okay, we’re ready,” she said and grasped Alexandra’s hand. “Don’t leave me.”
Through the tears, Alexandra smiled. “I won’t. I promise.”
Choking back the swell of emotion, Crockett followed behind his sister and Alexandra. Sophia led everyone to the elevator she’d never herself taken. The one that brought the rejuvenated men back down to the parking garage level. And out to freedom. Where she and the children were headed.
A police van waited inside the now empty parking garage.
Still clasping Sophia’s hand, Alexandra waited for Crockett. “I’m going to ride with your sister,” she said to him. “Find us after you see a doctor.”
“Of course,” he said before addressing his sister. “I’ll arrange for Mom and Dad to travel here tomorrow. Can I hug you, Sophia?” Saying her name brought more tears to his eyes.
“Yes.” Her sad smile ripped through his heart.
Crockett gave her a gentle squeeze with his free arm. “I’ve waited thirteen years for this moment. I love you, Soph. You’re brave and strong.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Thank you.” She turned away, her frail shoulders quaking.
As Alexandra draped her arm around Sophia, she glanced back at Crockett and mouthed, “I love you.”
If he spent the rest of his life showing her how much he adored her, it wouldn’t be long enough.
When she attempted to board the van, an officer stopped her. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but you’ll have to follow us in your vehicle.”
“She rides with us,” said Officer Randolph.
Officer Jones approached Crockett. “Sir, could I speak with you, please?” Crockett tossed Alexandra a nod before she followed Sophia into the van. “I’ve got your father, Ron Wilde, on the phone. He wants to speak with you.”
Taking the phone, Crockett said, “Dad, I found her.”
Aside from an occasional whisper between the teens, Alexandra, Sophia and the children rode to the hospital in silence. The police van housed a row of seats on either side that faced each other. But most children cast their eyes downward, tears rolling down their cheeks.
Sophia had clasped Alexandra’s hand so tightly it had fallen asleep. But she wasn’t going to let go. Her heart broke for the shell of a woman sitting next to her. She couldn’t begin to know the hell she’d endured.
“Thank you,” Sophia whispered. “For years I’d been invisible to everyone. But not you.”
In the darkened van their eyes met. Alexandra knew that no words could ever right this horrific injustice. She also knew that the road back would be a long one. “You will always matter to me, Sophia.”
Even at one in the morning, the Arlington Hospital emergency room bustled with activity. But the group was ushered into a private waiting area away from the public. As triage rooms became available, physicians examined each of the minors.
Sophia jumped up when the first two children filed out after the nurse. “I need to stay with the Littles.”
Alexandra rose. Her instinct was to place a hand on Sophia’s shoulder, but she was so self-conscious about touching her. Instead, she offered a gentle smile. “The doctor needs to examine them. And then a social worker—someone who’s trained to help each of the Littles find their family—will step in.”
Fear sprang from Sophia’s eyes. “Some of them ran away and were abducted. Not everyone has a family like I do. I’m all they have.”
Alexandra worried that the truth could send Sophia into a panic, but she wouldn’t lie to her.
“Once you’ve been examined and we meet your social worker, we can ask what’s going to happen next.”
“Are you leaving me?”
Alexandra’s eyes grew moist with emotion. “I’m staying. Once Crockett is stitched up, he’ll find us.”
Sophia shuddered in a breath and sank back down into the chair. Alexandra joined her. Several moments later, a woman approached with a police detective.
“H
ello, Sophia. I’m Tabitha Browning,” she said. “I’m a special kind of social worker called a reunification specialist.” With a warm smile, the woman pulled over an empty chair and sat down. “That’s a lot of fancy words that mean I’m going to help you re-join your family, for starters.”
“What will happen to the Littles?” asked Sophia.
“We’re going to start the search for their families. I understand you’ve already seen your brother.”
Sophia released the vise grip on Alexandra’s hand. “Yes. Crockett Wilde.”
Tabitha explained that the police detective had questions and asked if Sophia was up to answering them. Her spine stiffened and her eyes chilled. “Some questions are okay. I don’t like remembering back to the early years.”
As Sophia’s nightmare unfolded, Alexandra knew that her story needed to be told. And that she would be the one to tell it.
The doctor finished suturing Crockett’s arm. “You’re lucky. No tendons were severed. I’ll write you a physical therapy prescription for after the stitches come out. Do it. It will help ensure a full recovery, especially if you plan on continuing with martial arts.”
After thanking the doctor, he inquired as to where he could find his sister. Before he headed down the corridor, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket.
“Sorry to call so late,” he said.
“What’s going on?” Colton asked, his voice groggy.
“I need your help. Can you fly to Uvalde and bring back my mom and dad? Alexandra found my sister.” Crockett gritted his teeth to keep from crying.
“Absolutely,” said Colton. “Whatever you need. Text me their address and phone number. I’ll update you when I get to Dulles. That’s the best news.” He hung up.
Crockett powered through the ER anxious to find his sister and Alexandra.
The following morning, while Crockett paced in the hospital lobby, his phone rang. It was Colton.
“Flight go okay?” Crockett asked.
“Smooth sailing,” his best friend replied. “How are you doing? How’s Sophia?”
“Good, I’m good. Sophia’s so damned strong. Alexandra hasn’t left her side. Thanks for flying my mom and dad here.”
“Absolutely. Someone from my security team is dropping them at the hospital. Should be there in the next few.”
“I appreciate your help.”
“You’ve waited a long time for this day. Try to enjoy it. I’ll talk to you later.” Colton hung up.
Relief and gratitude swept over Crockett. I have waited a long time for this. As soon as Colton’s Bentley pulled up, Crockett’s parents raced inside.
His mom hugged him. “This doesn’t feel real.”
Crockett hugged his dad. “You guys okay?”
“We’re nervous, elated, in disbelief,” Ron Wilde said. “How are you, son? How’s Sophia?”
As Crockett guided them toward the elevator, he updated them. “She’s got some health issues, so she was moved to a room.”
Linda Wilde wiped her eyes with a soaked tissue.
“The physical ones she’ll heal from,” Crockett said. “The emotional ones will take a long time. Be prepared. I didn’t recognize her. It’s a shock.”
Linda grasped her husband’s hand. “We’ll get through everything together. Whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.”
The elevator doors opened and they squeezed inside. When they arrived at Sophia’s floor, Crockett hustled them down the hallway.
They stepped into the room to find Alexandra sitting at Sophia’s bedside, holding her hand. When Sophia locked eyes with her mom and dad, she burst into tears. Though she had an IV in her arm, she pushed out of bed and into her mother’s arms. Both sobbed while Linda clung to her child.
Crockett’s dad, overcome with emotion, pulled Crockett into an embrace and cried. For the past thirteen years, Crockett had envisioned this moment hundreds of times, but the reality of the reunion was beyond the scope of his imagination.
Sophia broke from her mother’s embrace to hug her father. “Daddy,” Sophia said as he held his baby gently in his arms and wept.
Alexandra rose and inched toward the door, but Crockett slid an arm around her waist. “Please don’t leave,” he whispered.
“I don’t want to interfere,” she murmured. “This time is so precious and private.”
“You’re the reason for this miracle.” When Crockett wrapped her in his arms, he could no longer contain himself. As the magnitude of what Alexandra had done for him, for Sophia, and for their entire family overtook him, he released thirteen years of pent-up pain and anger in a tidal wave of tears. When he pulled it together, he kissed Alexandra’s tear-streaked cheeks.
“Mom, Dad, you remember Alexandra Mitus,” Crockett said.
“She risked everything to help me,” Sophia said, clinging to her mom and dad.
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Linda embraced Alexandra. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for bringing our Sophia back to us.”
“You’ve made our family whole again,” Ron said before hugging Alexandra. “We’re so grateful to you.”
“Your strong, amazing daughter was worth the risk,” Alexandra said. “But I didn’t do it alone. Crockett was with me every step of the way.”
For the first time in thirteen years, Crockett Wilde was happy. And through the tears, he smiled.
34
Dream Job
Four days later, Alexandra signed in at the network news affiliate in Arlington, Virginia, spoke briefly with the receptionist, and took a seat in the waiting room. Unlike her first meeting with Max, she couldn’t wait to speak with Meryl Hastings, the TV station’s news director.
No sooner had Alexandra sat down than Meryl walked into reception and greeted her with a bright smile and a firm handshake. The executive suggested they chat in her office.
“I just got off the phone with your boss, Rick Schwartz,” said Meryl after relaxing into her desk chair. “I understand he’s holding a spot on his investigative team for you.”
“He is.” Alexandra crossed her legs. “I’d planned on returning, but I’m hoping you’ll make me an offer I can’t refuse.”
Meryl laughed. “Your email piqued my curiosity. Sounds like you’ve got one hell of a story. The local stations are still leading with that sex trafficking operation and it’s been four days. Did you receive a tip while working at Cable Fifteen?”
Being out from under Max’s thumb made her happy. “Working there wasn’t the right fit. I found the story on my own, based on a hunch.”
Meryl nodded. “Spoken like a true professional. For the record, I can’t stand Max. His loss might be my gain.” Leaning back, she crossed her legs. “Why investigative journalism? From what Rick told me, your news magazine show topped the ratings board every week.”
“I loved hosting my show, but there’s something deeply fulfilling about pursuing and uncovering the truth, especially if it brings value to someone else. Did you enjoy your investigative reporting career before seguing into management?”
“I loved it for the same reason. Working something from a simple hunch.” She adjusted her black-rimmed glasses. “Pitch me your story.”
Twenty minutes later, the color had faded from Meryl’s cheeks. “Horrific. What’s your working title for this piece?”
“The Faces of Evil.”
“I’d be a fool to let you leave my office without a verbal offer.” Meryl extended her hand. “I’d like to bring you on board as an investigative reporter. I’ve got a midday anchor spot that’s going to open up in late spring. That might be a good fit for you.”
Alexandra beamed. “I would love that, Meryl.” The two women shook hands.
Crockett stared at Danny, sitting across from his desk. “Is this confirmed?”
“Unfortunately,” said Danny. “I read the police report.”
“This has got to be a mistake.”
“It’s accurate. You want to tell Alexandra or sho
uld I?”
“I’ll do it,” Crockett said.
“I was hoping my good news would overshadow this,” Danny said.
“Justice was done when the FBI arrested Ruth Lizzard for corporate espionage and sabotage,” Crockett said. “I’m thrilled the FBI reinstated us as the front-runner for Round Two. My team deserves this win. But the bomb you just dropped upstages all of that.”
Danny rose. “I hear you and I’m sorry.”
“Thanks for making the trip to tell me in person.” As Crockett walked his cousin out, Danny asked about Sophia.
“All things considered, she’s doing well. Mom and Dad are moving to Virginia while she undergoes her initial treatment. The reunification specialist remains optimistic, but she’s honest. It’s going to take years, a lot of patience, and unconditional love.”
“I’m here for whatever you need.” After a hearty handshake, Danny heaved open the glass door and left.
Crockett told Ellen he’d be taking the rest of the afternoon off and to contact him for urgent matters only. On the way out, he texted Alexandra. “Headed home. See you there. ILY.”
While driving, he called Colton. “Are you in town?”
“Had a meeting in DC. I’m heading over the bridge now.”
“Swing by my place. I have some news.”
“You want to tell me what this is about?”
“In person.”
Crockett ended the call and gripped the steering wheel. No fucking way will I manage this one alone. His guts churned as he parked in his spot, then rode the elevator to his penthouse.
He went straight to his bar and tossed back a shot of whiskey, then poured one for Colton. After dropping his coat and computer bag on the sofa, he made a pot of coffee. Anything to keep busy.
Ten minutes later, Colton arrived. “Congratulations,” he exclaimed, taking in the penthouse. “This is sensational. You’ve got a million dollar view.”
“Thanks.” He shot his best friend a tempered smile. His phone buzzed and he read the incoming text from Alex. “Be home soon. ILY2.”
THE WILDE TOUCH: Book Two of The Touch Series Page 32
