Chapter 40
FORTY
“I just spoke to Alice to ask if there’s a way into the camp,” I tell Gabriel, fifteen minutes later, when I’m back on the balcony with Coco in my arms. “She said she’ll call someone and call me back.”
“Did you tell her why we want to get inside?”
“I just said that Judy might be in danger and she immediately wanted to help. You know how much she cares for her. I didn’t say anything about Sadie.” The phone suddenly rings and Coco wiggles from my arms and runs to jump on Gabriel’s lap. “It’s Alice,” I mouth at Gabriel and pick up.
“Hi, Scarlett, there might be a way,” Alice says on the other end. “You could try sneaking into one of the Townstead Wholesale store delivery trucks that deliver food and supplies there. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help.”
“Thank you, Alice. I really appreciate this.” After Alice gives me more information about the logistics, I hang up, my heart feeling a little lighter.
“What did she say?” Gabriel looks up and Coco immediately takes the opportunity to lick him under his chin.
“There are delivery trucks that go in there two days a week. One of those days is tomorrow.”
“And you think they’ll be able to get us in? How do you figure we will convince them?”
“We don’t need to convince anyone. We are going to have to sneak into one of the trucks without anyone seeing us.”
“It will never work.” In slow motion he shakes his head from side to side. “That camp is heavily guarded. They will never let us through.”
“I have to try, Gabriel.” I clench and unclench my fists. “This could be our only chance.”
He peers at me through half closed eyes. “What do you mean you?”
“I’m the one who’s going.”
“You can’t do that.” He reaches out, trying to touch my hand, but I pull it away.
He lowers his hand on top of Coco’s head. “Don’t be ridiculous, Scarlett. It’s too dangerous.”
“Listen, Gabriel. Sadie and Judy are inside there with a kidnapper. I’m going to do everything I can, even if it’s dangerous.”
I consider calling the police, but I think of the threatening note Judy got, warning her not to go to the cops. I immediately picture squad cars storming the gates, sirens blaring. Megan would hear them coming from a mile away.
By the time they got to her, she could have already hurt Sadie and Judy. We can’t risk it. We can’t alert the cops unless we absolutely have to.
“But I can’t let you go in there alone—”
“No buts.” I take Coco from his arms and walk to the balcony doors. “It’s easier for one person to sneak into the truck than both of us. It could be packed with supplies with enough space for only one person to hide. Also, it’s not going to help if we both get caught, is it?”
He pushes himself upright. “Fine.” Suddenly, despite the bloodshot eyes, he looks sober. “I’ll try and find another way in.”
“Yeah. Once inside, I’ll do my best to update you. If anything goes wrong, you’ll have no choice but to reach out to the police. To hell with what that note said.” I pause. “Do you think it was from her? The photo of Sadie and everything.”
“I’m sure of it. There’s something else you don’t know.” He covers his face with both hands. “I asked her to send me proof that Sadie is alive, and she asked for money. I’ve been sending her thousands every month.”
Blood drains from my face. “You what?”
“I needed to know that Sadie was okay.”
Despite renewed anger churning in my belly, I let that go for now.
“Right. Well, we need to focus on what happens tomorrow. Alice said deliveries arrive at the camp at ten-thirty like clockwork. If the truck takes twenty minutes to get there from the store, they must start loading around ten. That’s our window, when the truck is packed and the driver’s almost ready to leave.
I’ll slip in just before they close the doors. ”
I hug Coco to me, kissing her head. “Alice said there’s usually only one driver delivering the goods, which makes things less complicated.”
Gabriel nods, a little too slowly, then stands up. “I really don’t—”
“This is going to happen with or without your help.” I meet his gaze head on. “I suggest that tonight, you shower, sleep, and sober up. Tomorrow you will start making things right.”
When Gabriel leaves to take a shower, I quietly go to my room, pick up some paper and a pen, and start writing a long overdue letter.
It’s time for me to tell my own story.