June opened the door of their bedroom and together we walked through it to the back door which I assumed was a closet. The room was on the small side but tidy, the bed neatly made and no clothes in piles on the floor. Pictures lined the dresser, smiling toothless kids and families with arms draped around each other caught at the perfect moment. I paused to smile at a small blonde boy hanging upside down from a tree branch by his knees. June stood below frowning, arms outstretched ready to catch him but the boys face was absolute joy.

June laughed as she reached for the frame. "That's Lucas, the daredevil. Half my grey hair is from his lack of fear."

I ran my finger across the glass and smiled. It was impossible not to- Lucas looked like he had taken on the world and won, it was what I hoped to see in Maddie'a face everyday. The joy of fearless winning.

June looped her arm around mine and pulled me toward the door. When she opened it I gasped, it was a long narrow room that stretched out at least ten feet. Both sides of it were lined by a desk like countertop and it was filled. A large computer sat on the end and next to that a printer. Monitor screens, something that looked like a cb radio, and a few machines I couldn't guess the reasons for blinked around the room. Above the shelves were shadow boxes of certificates and medals and the back wall was a large sliding case of guns.

Somehow I had entered the twilight zone and couldn't move my feet to walk past the doorway. What kind of people had I stumbled across? I scanned the walls seeing pictures and certificates all made out to Tom, the biggest pic being him shaking the hand of our former president both smiling in the Oval Office.

My feet finally listened to my brain and I got closer to the certificate which was an award for bravery and faithful service to the country.

"Was Tom a spy?" I asked.

June walked past me and started booting up the computer.

"No, he was special ops military until he took a bullet to the hip and then moved over to secret service. He was active twenty six years. Still goes back from time to time for big events, but for the most part he dreams of reliving the excitement of the chase. He keeps up to date with his buddies in this room and does some freelance work with them. You know the old saying, you're never x-military and you never retire from your service brothers or your unit until you're done breathing."

I didn't know the saying, or anything about military life. My dad's company was secure but when you retired from there you got a nice dinner and a watch with a handshake. No life commitment that is heard of, but I wondered if that held true for other fields.

"I've never heard of it, but friends for life sure seems like a good thing. Is his whole unit retired? Where are they now?"

June got a mischievous smile and pushed me toward the chair in front of the computer.

"If I know anything, they're in route on their way here. Brace yourself, these guys like nothing better than being useful and getting the job done."

I could see her smiling in the reflection of the computer and a chill ran up my back.

"What? I don't need a troupe. I just want to talk to Kyle and get to where I'm going. I'm not trying to cause trouble for anyone."

My voice was squeaky which I hated, but the thought of Tom and his friends getting involved scared me. I didn't want to be responsible for anyone getting hurt.

"Tom spent the night checking out GenTech, and getting details on its shady dealings. They're into some pretty serious stuff, and the deal with the military isn't on the level. Looks like our military isn't the only one buying their information."

For a moment I thought about being angry. Of course Mr. Kayle would sell out his own country. Anyone who would double cross his partner and blackmail his son would scam their own government. But I didn't care about any of that, not really. I was as patriotic as the next person, to a point. What I cared about now was keeping Maddie safe and alive and getting us to the safe spot my dad had set up. And of course, making sure Kyle was ok. Maybe that made me a bad person, but I just wanted a life without fear and running and craziness.

I looked at June over my shoulder and then to the floor.

"Is it wrong that I don't care? I don't care about any of that. I just want to be safe. And have Maddie safe and not worry about them coming after her."

June placed her hand under my chin and propped my head up until my heard met hers.

"Of course not. It's not wrong to want to protect your baby. You're so young, and you've already been through enough. No one expects you to fight this battle. These guys are going to make sure you do your thing and get far away before they take on more. You and Maddie are priority. I promise. Now do your thing here- but no information about where you are, not even a hint. Got it?"

I straightened my shoulders and smiled. June got me, and I believed her. I didn't care what they did about GenTech once I was away. My dad wasn't there and I had no ties to anything there. I placed my fingers on the keys and started searching for Val's company's number.

Her website popped up easily and a picture of her and her partner looking adorable in their uniforms while their arms were full of cleaning supplies brought a smile to my face. Everything on the site was bright pink and black and it looked completely professional. Scrolling to the bottom of the page I found the number and punched the buttons on the cheap flip phone Tom had given me.

"Val's cleaning service. This is Val. How can I help you?" Val's chipper voice answered and I jolted from my seat and began pacing.

"Val, it's me, can you talk?"

The line was silent except for the sound of scuffled movement.

"Cassie? Is that you. Oh My God! Are you ok? Kyle got shot! Did you shoot him? The police came to the house and searched it, everyone was asking me a million questions and I was pretty sure you were dead. What the hell is going on?"

I let out a breath and calmed myself.

"I'm ok. I don't know how Kyle is, and it's driving me bonkers. Have you heard anything?"

"He's in the hospital. I know his dad tried to move him and the police wouldn't allow it saying he's got evidence or something. His dad was having a fit- it made the news. Did you shoot Kyle?"

I'd forgotten with so much going on I was now blamed for the shooting. Add that to the list of reasons I'd be looking over my shoulder for life. All the joy of hearing Val's voice deflated.

"Of course not. He took that bullet for me. Jumped right in front of it without even blinking. He gave me a chance to bolt, and I did."

I could hear water running in the background and Val's voice muffled yelling "be out on a minute".

"I knew you wouldn't shoot him. I don't even know why I asked. Are you safe?"

"I'm safe, and I have a plan to get everything semi normal. But I need your help."

She giggled and turned off the water.

"Happy to help, as long as it doesn't involve guns or anything illegal. I got s baby to raise. But there's something you should know Cassie before include me. When I cleaned the house after you left I found listening devices and cameras all over. And more than that, I'm pretty sure, and I know this sounds crazy, but someone is watching me and Agnes."

"I'm so sorry Val. I didn't mean to get you mixed up in any of this and I'm working on fixing everything. Just be patient a few more days, and it's all going to be better."

"I don't know about that Cassie, I'm fine, but Agnes is the one you have to worry about. She's tried to break in to see Kyle several times saying he knows where you are and I've pulled the baby out of daycare and have her watching him just to keep her out of trouble when I'm not around."

I couldn't stop the chuckle rising. Good old Agnus never was one to back down.

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There may be a few extra errors. Just FYI feel free to point them - I'm trying to get out what I can with stolen time right now.

Truth time. Updates will be sketchy for a bit (as if you didn't notice. I'm currently fostering a preemie and although I can't share a pic - she's totally worth the slowing of my own life. I haven't forgotten or hit a wall- I'm dancing as fast as I can but she's obviously taking priority for a few months 💕