I point toward the back. “I’d run along the shore until I cleared the property and then call an Uber.”
“Oh, good plan. Good plan.” He takes off.
Harry is next. “I’ve got five percent.”
I lean against the wall. One of the police cars has reached the front door. A female cop steps out. “I said, first come, first serve.” I smile at Harry and reach out to pinch his cheek—hard. “Besides, I lied to Baldwin. He’s not getting away with jackshit.”
“You’re welshing on a deal?” Harry cries.
“I’m putting a pervert in prison. I hope the two of you can be cell mates.” I drag Harry forward, pulling on his fleshy cheek, all the way through the entry and out the door. The policewoman stops halfway up the stairs. “Who’s this?”
“The first of your criminals, ma’am.”
Chapter Fifteen
Birdie
I nervously pace back and forth waiting for the police to arrive. I had everyone move to the side of the house, not wanting to run into any of the men who might be trying to get the hell out of here before the cops arrived, which should be any minute now. A few of the girls took off on their own. I’d gotten them to at least give me a number where I could reach them, promising them it would be me who reached out to them and I wouldn’t give anyone else their information without asking them first. They seemed hesitant but I reassured them that I would only reach out if it was about protection or to help them.
Each second that ticks by feels as though it’s an hour. The worry that fills my stomach about what is happening inside threatens to make me sick. Even though I’m confident in Nick, he is technically in the presence of a killer. His uncle had no issue offing his parents and I feel as though he could do the same to Nick. Not only that, but I can’t imagine everything Nick is feeling with being back in his childhood home. The disgust and sadness he must feel at the sight of his uncle, who’s turned into a despicable human being. It makes me sick to think about it. The whole drive here he told me about his childhood. It was the kind that every kid dreams of having. I couldn’t help but think while listening to his stories that Nick would be the same kind of loving husband and father to his own family. Look how hard he is fighting for his grandma now. To restore what his mom and dad worked so hard for. He truly is an honorable man.
I look up to see one of the young girls is shivering and crying. She’s probably coming down from the high she was on. I walk over to sit next to her. I pull my sweater over my head and put it on her, hoping that my presence will comfort her in some way. Sometimes just knowing someone is there with you can mean more than any words.
My mind drifts back to the video that I watched of Nick’s uncle and what he’d done to these poor innocent girls. They are so young. Too young to experience what they had at his hands. I don’t know how they got on this path but I know that Nick will do whatever he can to help them. I’ve been lucky myself that I didn’t follow my mother. Who knows where I could have ended up? It often takes the right people to come into your life at the perfect moment to change everything and maybe that is something Nick and I could do for these girls if they let us. I don’t know what their life situations are, but no one deserves what I saw on that tape.
Who knows how long Nick’s uncle has been doing this? At least now he is going to be stopped forever. I don’t believe for a second that he wasn’t doing these sorts of things before Nick’s parents passed. Now he’s just gotten more cocky about it, thinking he is untouchable. That’s what money and power does to some people. It makes them feel as though they are above the law. I’m guessing Nick’s uncle thought he would get rid of whatever was standing in his way. He started with Nick’s parents and I truly believe that if Nick and Gran hadn’t gone on the run, they would’ve been next.
I hear the sirens coming close now and know it’s only a matter of seconds before the cops reach us. A loud crash comes from inside, breaking me from my thoughts. I’m about to stand up and run to see what’s going on, thinking that something bad is happening to Nick, when the young girl’s hand reaches out to grab mine. I fight with myself about what to do. But I know that this girl is probably scared and needs me. Nick can take care of himself and the cops will be here any second. I know that Nick would want me to stay with the girl so that’s what I do. I grab her hand and sit next to her without either of us saying a word. The intention is to comfort her but she winds up having the same effect on me.