“Then she got word of his death. It freaked her out a little bit. She did some research, tried to get benefits, but she found he wasn’t ever listed as in the United States military, he didn’t exist at all. And this account he set up for her in Switzerland had about half a million dollars in it.” Sophia said it all still standing in the middle of the living room, her arms wrapped around her. Trent stood to her side, and she said it so quickly there wasn’t any time for questions until Gage interrupted her.
“Do you have the account information?” Gage asked, looking up from his notes.“No, not anymore, let me finish. Now, I understand she knew there was a chance she would die giving birth. When she told me about the money, I thought she was just grieving Aaron. I didn’t pay lots of attention to her, but she moved the money, cashed it in, and hid it away from the kids and you so there wouldn’t be a tie back to you guys. She gave it to me. We put it in a bank safety deposit box because she wasn’t sure where the money came from. She made me promise if anything happened to her, I would remove fifteen hundred a month and put it in an account for you, like it came from the government. She created an elaborate plan for it and it worked because you never touched the money, Trent. It just sits there. You never question it, or look at it.”
“Do you have any of the emails or written documentation he sent her?” Gage asked, still bent over, writing.
“No, she got rid of it all before she died. She was scared, but she kept telling me she wasn’t sure he was dead,” Sophia said, looking at Trent.
“Why did she say that?” Trent asked before Gage could.
“I don’t know, I think it was just a hunch. She would say they were too connected and sometimes she felt like she could sense him around,” Sophia said.
“Did she see him, ever?” Gage asked.
“Not after he died, not that she ever told me,” Sophia said.
“Did Lynn ever refer to him as anyone else?” Gage asked, looking up at Sophia, smiling at her. Trent knew he tried to make her feel comfortable, to help her remember things from back in the past, but he’d never seen Sophia look more nervous.
“No, not to me, but now you mention it, I remember a time early on when she was unpacking his things. She found a bunch of different passports, all with his picture. Back then, we thought he was some sort of secret agent spy for the government. Now, I’m guessing that wasn’t the case. So I’ve told you what I know, tell me what’s going?” Sophia asked. Trent began to speak, but Gage stopped him.
“Honey, we can’t say right now, but we will soon. I promise,” Gage said, rising.
“Trent, this money’s yours, it’s all yours. I always wanted her to just give it to you if something happened to her, but she didn’t want you or the kids to know their dad wasn’t what he seemed,” Sophia said.
“Yeah, it’s a little late for that,” Trent said, running his hands over his face. He let out a pent up breath he didn’t know he held.
“I get you can’t tell me what’s going on, but I can see on your face it’s not good. I’m here for you. I’ll do anything for you and the kids,” Sophia said, coming up to him, wrapping her arms tightly around him. He hesitated a little, but finally enveloped her snugly back in his arms.
“Thank you, Sophia, I think it’s about to get tough,” Trent whispered into her hair.
“Trent…” Sophia started, but he stopped her.
“I’ll tell you as soon as I can, and if the kids and I need to leave town, I’ll call you as soon as I can. If we need to go, you have to promise to take care of Rhonny for me. Take the money and help her stay here as long as she needs to. Promise me, Sophia,” Trent said, pulling back from the embrace, keeping his hands on her upper arms, looking at her hard. Willing her to understand the request and agree.
“Trent, this is sounding like an inevitability. You’re scaring me a little. I want you and the kids in my life. I promised Lynn I would be here for them,” Sophia said, wrapping her arms around his waist, drawing him for another hug.
“I know, Sophia, I swear I do, but I have to protect them, and this doesn’t look good,” he said, keeping her there tightly in the circle of his arms. Tears sprang to her eyes and she hugged him tighter. He could feel her begin to cry. Gage stayed at the edge of the sofa, watching them, but he stayed completely out of it.
“Trent, I love those kids. If you need to take them off, I’ll go with you. You can’t keep carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders alone. At some point it’s got to get too heavy. Trent… don’t be mad, but Rhonny told me some of your jobs canceled. You have all this money here. This could give you years without working.”
“Look, Sophia, we have to go. I’ll call you. Thank you for this information,” Gage said. He stood by the front door, giving them as much space as he could to have this minute between them.
“I love you, Sophia. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“You’re such a brave, good man. Promise me, whatever happens, we’re together,” she said. He didn’t promise her, but hugged her tight again and she cried in his arms. “You’re scaring me, Trent.”
“I’m scared too, but I have to go,” Trent said, pulling from her arms. He didn’t look back as Gage opened the door and they walked out together.
****
The drive back from Sophia’s was the longest drive Gage had ever taken. This last twenty minutes felt more like five hours as his heart ached in his chest and fear settled in his belly. Watching Sophia hold Trent tore Gage up because, for the briefest of seconds, Trent let his guard down and held her tight, too tight, like she were a life preserver in the storm. A storm Gage caused… And despite everything he’d put on Trent tonight, he desperately wanted to be Trent’s life jacket for the rest of their entire lives. Trent was so squarely inside Gage’s heart. Nothing else mattered but this man sitting quietly beside him.