Page 116 of Darkwater Lane

“She asked us for help,” I tell her, bristling.

“And you gave it to her. She okay?”

I hear the worry in her voice. As a mom, I know that feeling well. I don’t plan on telling her where Florida is, but I can give her this at least: “She’s safe.”

She nods once, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. “Have the feds come ’round to talk to her?”

My stomach sours, wondering if Lilah’s here hoping to intimidate Florida into keeping her mouth shut. I refuse to let Florida be any kind of pawn. “Not yet. When they do, they’ll have to contend with our lawyer first. I don’t plan on letting the authorities get anywhere near Florida without legal representation.”

She smiles. “Good. She never did nothing wrong. She wasn’t a part of any of this.”

“I know.”

“She tell you she got into college?” She smiles faintly, admiration gleaming in her eyes. “She’ll be the first of us to go. She’s always had her head in the clouds, that one.” I hear the pride in her voice. It’s the same as I’ve felt for Lanny.

We may be different in almost every way, but there is one thing Lilah and I share. We’re both mothers who care for our families above all else. I think that’s one reason she never followed through on taking us out.

“Florida’s a good kid,” I tell her.

A look of sadness crosses her face. “She is. We offered for her to come with us, but…” She trails off. Clears her throat. “You’ll take care of her?”

“As if she were my own,” I say without hesitation.

“Even if she and Lanny ain’t together no more?”

I’m surprised to hear that she knows about Lanny and Florida’s relationship. I search her face for any judgment, but don’t find any.

“Florida saved Connor’s and Sam’s lives when they were kidnapped before. She encouraged Lanny to go after her dreams. I owe her. So yes, I’ll take care of her regardless of what happens between her and my daughter.”

“I don’t want any of what’s going on with the rest of us gettin’ in the way of Florida’s dreams. You hear me?” She leans in, eyes meeting mine to make sure I’m listening. “You tell her she comes first. Whatever it takes, she comes out of this clean. If that means cooperating with the feds, then that’s what she’s to do.”

My smile is a bit sharper than I intend when I say, “Trust me, I’ve got no problem making sure she saves herself at your expense.”

The corner of her mouth lifts at that. “Jasper’s taken off already,” she tells me. “Feds won’t find him. I’m on my way to join him.”

“Isn’t that going to be a little tough with a warrant out for your arrest?”

She waves a hand. “We been good to the citizens of Norton. That buys a lot of goodwill. They tend to show appreciation for that kind of thing.”

That’s one way of saying they bribed the hell out of anyone who might stand in their way.

She looks at me pointedly. “I’m sure there will still be plenty of folk willing to do us favors after we’re gone.”

Which means, if she wanted to continue her reign of terror over us, she could. We both know all I would have to do is open my mouth and shout, and I’d probably bring down enough trouble that she couldn’t escape. But I also recognize that she’s offering me a truce of sorts.

We help take care of Florida, and they let us live in peace.

I tell her, “You’re lucky to have lived in a community that cared so much about you. I hope we find that same level of belonging once you’re gone.”

It’s my way of laying claim. Letting her know we have a right to stay if we want.

She smiles tightly. “I’m sure you will.”

She hesitates for a moment and then lifts a hand, running a finger along the side of her mouth as though wiping away an errant speck of makeup. “You tell her…” Her voice cracks. “You tell her we love her and to take care.”

“You could always tell her yourself,” I offer. “Turn yourself in. Let her come visit you.”

She twists her lips. “We got folk who depend on us. Can’t do much for ’em behind bars.”