Page 92 of Deliverance

"Did you ask Erin about California?"

I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. "Yeah. As soon as she's cleared to leave town and the cops don't need her for any further questions, she's ready to go."

"Then I guess I need to start packing."

"Yeah, and I'll start looking for a place to live."

"And you'll be able to get that job?" Momma asked as she looked over at me.

"Already texted him. He said as soon as we get there, he'll put me to work."

"I can't believe we're moving to California. Long Island has been my entire life."

I nodded. "Yeah, but I think it will be good for us."

"Maybe I'll meet some Beverly Hills millionaire." She grinned.

I chuckled. "That would be nice for both of us."

We continued to talk about California and everything we needed to do to get there: pack, rent a truck, sell our cars or figure out how to transport them, and find a place to live. The sun had set by the time I pulled up to our house on Long Island. I was tired from driving almost eight hours. The only thing that would have made it better was if Erin would have come with us.

Momma unlocked and opened the front door, only to stop in the doorway.

"What is it?" I questioned. I peered around her to see that the living room was trashed. Everything was on the floor, the coffee table was broken in half, and the couch was slashed to shreds. "Was the door still locked?"

"Yes," she breathed.

Then there was only one person who could have done this, and I should have let Momma poison him.

Chapter Thirty

Erin

Finally, after so many years, I was excited. When Ric had asked me to move with him, we had been standing in ice-cold weather with snow falling from the sky, so California sounded especially amazing to me. He didn't mention where we would live or how we would survive, but I figured he had a plan. I had no money, no job, and only a handful of belongings. Would he be okay if I was a housewife of sorts until I was ready to work? Maybe I could write a book about my ten-year ordeal and make millions from it. That would belucky.

I pulled my new cell phone off the charger, seeing that I had a text from Ric.

Ric:Morning, baby.

I smiled as I texted back:

Me:Morning. Back to getting up at dawn?

It was a little after six. I was only awake because I had a lot on my mind. Maybe Ric did too.

Ric:Have a lot to do before we leave for Cali.

Me:I've always wanted to go to Los Angeles. I'm excited.

Ric:Me too.

I thought I would be nervous or scared once I got out, but I wasn't. I was eager to start a new life, and I thought it was because of Ric. He had been like my rock back in the penthouse. Yes, we'd had a bit of a falling out, but in the end, we were good. I knew that it might be a while before I could go anywhere alone, and I was okay with that. I didn't think Ric would have me stay at home alone or force me to get a job. California was his idea. For me to be a teacher again, I would have to take steps to get a new license, and that would take time. I couldn't walk into a classroom and teach.

I went downstairs and into the kitchen, needing to find coffee. My parents weren't awake yet, and I took the time to send a message to Steven on social media.

Erin Moreland

6:34 AM