Chapter 35
PATRICK
Charlotte had spun a quick story about how she and Kylie had been working together to expose Josh for kidnapping and brainwashing her niece. It sounded like bullshit, except for the part about the recording she had of her and Kylie meeting to hatch their plan over a month ago in New York.
I listened to a portion before coming to the source.
Kyle moved out of the way when Kyler and Josh grabbed their littles and held them tight.
“I’m okay, Daddy,” Rayna said.
Tinley whispered something to Josh. He reluctantly set her down.
“Kylie knows why Charlotte is here?” She approached her. “Please tell us what you know.”
She took Kylie’s hand and led her to a chair next to the desk. It was odd seeing Tinley so assertive and grown, while Kylie, wide eyes and fidgety hands, looked like a scared little girl.
“That day in New York when you came in to give your statement, I was the one who escorted her into the building, and she was so excited to be reunited with you.” Kylie looked around.
“I needed to see the reunion. I thought if I saw you two together, it would give me a reason to hope.” She dropped her hands on her head. “I don’t know.”
I knelt next to Kylie and took her hand.
“Go on.” I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
“When it wasn’t such a joyous reunion, it broke my heart.”
“Oh, Kylie.” Tinley squeezed my other hand. “It must have brought up a lot for you because of your sister. I’m sorry.”
Tinley truly had a heart of gold.
“It’s not your fault.” Kylie wiped her eyes.
“The next day, Charlotte showed up, asking to speak with me. I didn’t think meeting her in the building was a good idea, so we took a walk and ended up at a diner.
I shared a little about my sister with her, and she shared about losing her sister.
Your mother. She told me the two of you were close before you were taken because you were so close in age.
Then she asked me what she needed to do to file a complaint against Josh.
” She looked up at Josh. “I had the idea in my head, but I never told her about it, and I didn’t discourage the idea either.
I asked her to give me a few weeks. That I was going to get to the bottom of whatever was going on and that I would make sure her niece was safe. ”
Kylie turned to me. “That is all, Patrick. I swear I wasn’t working with her.”
I offered my support with a kiss to the side of her head. Josh and Kyler both gave a slight, consenting tilt of their heads, but this conversation wasn’t over.
“I should talk to Charlotte.” Tinley stepped toward the door.
The entire room collectively lunged to block her way.
“Guys!” Her face turned red while her balled-up fist turned white.
“I am very much in an adult headspace, which I understand it’s rare and I don’t much care for it, but while I’m here, please let me take care of this. Put it to bed once and for all.”
We all stepped to the side, except Josh. “Tinley, are you sure?”
“I think I should go with her.” Kylie grabbed Tinley’s hand. “I mean, I’m the one who gave her false hope; I needed to set the record straight.”
“Daddy.” She reached up on her tiptoes. “I’ll be fine.” She hugged him and then headed out the door with Kylie in tow.
KYLIE
Tinley and I stepped into the VIP Member’s lounge. Charlotte sat at the long mahogany bar that took up the whole back wall of the room. We weaved between small round tables and green, cushiony chairs to make our way to the back.
Charlotte sipped from a champagne glass. She didn’t notice us until we got close.
“Tinley.” She jumped up and hugged her. She failed to notice Tinley’s slight flinch or how Tinley stepped away as soon as she released her. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Yeah.”
Tinley was stuck. I guided her to a chair at the bar. I stood and gripped the back of the empty chair I had purposely put between them.
“So, what did you find out?” Charlotte turned to me. “You’ve had over a month; surely you have enough to put Josh away. Or at the least, open a formal investigation. Have you briefed the FBI?”
“Charlotte.” I flexed and re-flexed my fingers. They ached. “I don’t work for the FBI anymore. I am not working undercover. And I’m happy to tell you that there is nothing to report.”
“W-what?” she yelled.
The guards near the door stepped forward. I held up my hand to stop them.
“Charlotte. I need you to listen to me carefully.” Tinley leaned forward.
“I am not being held here against my will. I have not been brainwashed. After all the shit I’ve been through, the universe saw fit to send me a man like Josh Burroughs and friends like Rayna and Kyler and give me a life.
One I never thought I would have or deserve.
I am really happy. I’m not being coerced or held captive.
I’ve been there and now what it feels like. ”
She stole Rayna's little joke, but it did nothing to relieve the tension in the room.
“But...” Charlotte didn’t have words to respond.
“Things are so good for me here. I am fine.”
Charlotte turned toward me.
“It’s true.” I took Charlotte’s hand. “Tinley made it through something that would have broken most people, and now she actually gets to have a life again. I came here for the wrong reasons—I know that. But being with her and Rayna these past few days, I don’t know.
Something loosened in me. Something I’ve been carrying around since my sister died.
I’m ready to have a life again. Maybe you’re ready, too. ”
She pulled her hand away. Her gaze moved between Tinley and me.
“Well,” was all she said. She downed the rest of her champagne, stood up and pulled her dress away from her body. It settled around her feet. “I guess there’s nothing more for us to say.”
“Where are you going?” Tinley stood up.
“I trust the money will continue to be deposited into my account.” She pierced her lips and waited.
“Of course.” Tinley answered and sat back down.
Folding her hands in her lap. She would not give this woman the reaction she was hoping for.
Good for Tinley. I also knew once Charlotte left, it would take Tinley a while to get over it.
The adult composure was a fragile shield; I knew that once Charlotte was gone, the little girl inside would have to process all the hurt.
I took her hand to show her I’d be there to help her through it if she needed me.
“My plane doesn’t leave until tomorrow.” She stepped away from the bar. “I’d like to stay in one of those fancy suites if your boyfriend can swing it.”
Tinley hopped off the bar stool and headed toward the door.
“No problem.” I answered for Tinley. “I’ll have someone bring you a key. Good luck, Charlotte.” I nodded.
Tinley stopped at the door. “Bye, Charlotte.”
“Bye.” She waved in Tinley’s direction.
I joined Tinley at the door. She extended her hand, and I took it and gave her a comforting squeeze. She gave me a smile, and it filled my heart.
“Come on,” I whispered, my own energy waning. “Let’s go find our daddies.”