Fifty-Two
The next day, Cole and his family sat in a small lounge inside a private airplane hangar. In a matter of minutes, they would be leaving the country. Cole had slept so hard last night that Lisa had to shake him awake when room service had arrived with breakfast as the sun rose over Austin. They had all sat there this morning, eating breakfast and watching the breaking morning news on the TV. Every national news station was showing clips of federal agents escorting Peter Nelson from a luxury hotel in handcuffs last night and putting him in the back of a black sedan. It was a stunning sight to behold. Reporters had little information to share at the moment but had been told it would be an absolute bombshell when the FBI held a press conference around noon. Words like bribery , murder , and cover-up were being thrown about on political shows. Nelson’s attorney had already been on camera proclaiming his client’s innocence, calling it a blatant political attack, and demanding that Nelson be released. Senate confirmation hearings had been canceled for the day. No one seemed to know what was next, but nearly everyone agreed Nelson was likely done for. There was certainly no coming back from this.
“Do you think we’re going to the beach?” Jade asked.
Cole shrugged. “Don’t know. He just said it would be nice.”
Lisa spoke up. “The FBI’s version of nice could be much different from ours. We could be stuck in a nowhere town in the middle of the desert.”
Cole laughed. “That’s true. But something tells me Burns is going to take care of us.”
“I sure hope it’s the beach,” Jade said, a huge smile on her face.
None of them had stopped smiling since last night. Cole knew they had some tough days ahead with the expected court proceedings. The case would be explosive and in front of a national audience. But none of that mattered to them right now. For the first time in forever, they were walking in real freedom. No more looking over their shoulders. No more worrying about who might suddenly be knocking on their door. No more lying to Jade. No more living in perpetual fear. They finally had their lives back.
Or, better put, they had a chance at brand-new lives.
“When can we see your family?” Jade asked.
“ Our family,” Lisa corrected.
“Right. It’s going to take me a little while to adjust to that thought.”
“Soon,” Lisa said. “Agent Burns says we can call them once we settle overseas. But it may still be a little while until we can visit them in person.”
“I can’t wait!” Jade exclaimed. “I feel like I just won the family lottery.”
Cole and Lisa shared the biggest grin. They couldn’t wait, either. They had missed their families tremendously. Although they had tried to make peace over the years with potentially never seeing them again, if necessary, it had never settled in their hearts.
They suddenly heard a jet landing somewhere outside the hangar. Within minutes, they watched through the lounge windows as a private plane rolled inside the building and came to a stop. A set of stairs was lowered to the concrete and a uniformed pilot appeared.
“Looks like our ride is here,” Cole said.
“I can’t believe we’re flying on a private plane,” Jade said. “I feel like a celebrity.”
A uniformed woman inside the hangar walked over to the lounge and opened the door for them. “We’re ready for you guys.”
Jade hurried out of the lounge and raced over to the plane. Cole and Lisa held hands and took their time. He wanted to take his time with everything right now. Jade was already inside the plane when they reached the bottom of the stairs. Cole turned when he heard tires squeal on the concrete and a black Chevrolet Suburban entered the building. When the driver stopped, Agent Burns bounced out the back. He quickly walked over to them.
“Shouldn’t you be in DC right now?” Cole said.
“Jumping on a plane right after you guys. Big day ahead. But I wanted to get the chance to see you off. You have everything you need?”
“We think so,” Cole said.
“Good. I do have some news I wanted to share with you before you left, because I know it’s a big deal. I have contacts in the medical field. I made some calls and just spoke with the most prominent and nationally recognized spine surgeon in the country. He’s agreed to take on Jade’s case, if you’re open to that.”
Cole and Lisa shared a stunned look.
“Why would you do something like that?” Cole asked.
“I have a daughter. And I can’t imagine having to put her through this kind of surgery. I’d want her in the best hands possible.”
Cole nodded. “Thank you.”
“Yes, thank you,” Lisa added. “This is unexpected and kind of you. Jade will be so relieved.”
At that moment, Jade poked her head out the plane door. “Come on, guys! Let’s go!”
Burns grinned, reached out his hand. “You better get going.”
Cole shook it. “Thank you.”
“Likewise. I’ll be in touch.”
The agent hurried back to the vehicle. They watched as it raced out of the hangar again. Together, they climbed the stairs and entered the plane. There were eight luxury seats. Jade had already claimed hers. A flight attendant met them in the cabin. She said they had plenty of snacks and drinks, and she would serve them lunch once they were in flight. Cole and Lisa dropped into two seats facing their daughter. The stairs were shut behind them and the plane began moving out to the tarmac. All three of them buckled up. Jade was already opening every package in a basket full of snacks and goodies. It was so good to see her happy.
A moment later, they were up in the air. While holding Lisa’s hand, Cole watched through the window as Austin gradually disappeared beneath them. He wondered if they would return to Austin, go back to Winter Park, or maybe start over somewhere else.
Would they remain Cole, Lisa, and Jade Shipley?
Or would they go back to Greg, Amy, and Marcy Olsen?
They had a lot to sort out.
But all that mattered right now was they were still together as a family.
Cole leaned over, kissed Lisa. She tucked her head into his shoulder.
That’s all that had ever mattered.