Defending Morgan (Mountain Mercenaries #3)(28)
“Which brings us to another point,” Rex said. “And full circle in this conversation. Where are we bringing Morgan when you all get back to the States?”
No one said a word for a beat.
“While we were talking, I looked up Ellie Jernigan,” Meat said.
“My mom? Why? What’s wrong? Is she okay?” Morgan asked.
“She’s fine,” Meat soothed quickly. “But she doesn’t live in Atlanta anymore. She moved.”
“She did?” Morgan asked. “To where?”
“Albuquerque, New Mexico,” Meat said. “It looks like she moved there a few months after you were kidnapped. Seems she wanted to get away from the city, from your dad, and from the constant news coverage of your disappearance. She’s been calling the detectives in charge every week, though, wanting to know what new information they might have, whether they have any leads on your disappearance. She told a newspaper reporter that she’d only stayed in Atlanta because you were there. She took a job with an Albuquerque dentist and has been living a quiet life.”
“Wow. I never thought she’d move,” Morgan said.
“Albuquerque isn’t that far from Colorado Springs,” Arrow said quietly. “Only five, five and a half hours.”
She stared at him, and he saw that she understood exactly why he’d mentioned that. Eventually, she asked, “Has anyone told my parents that I’m alive?”
“Not yet,” Rex answered.
“After our discussion today, about how any one of my friends could be behind my kidnapping, I’m not that comfortable going back to Atlanta,” Morgan said. “I have a feeling I’d always be looking over my shoulder, wondering if someone was following me. Every time I talked to Lane or Karen or anyone I used to work with, I’d wonder if they were plotting to get me back down here. I kind of like the idea of starting over in a new city like Albuquerque. I’ve never been there.”
“It’s a dry heat,” Black said with a grin.
Morgan chuckled, and Arrow was relieved. It was a strained laugh, but she was making the effort. He was so proud of her. “Would your mom object to you living with her while you got back on your feet?” he asked Morgan.
She shook her head slowly. “I don’t think so. I mean, she cried the day I left for college. Even after I graduated, she wanted me to move back in with her. She loved visiting me, and we’d talk about my bees and my business for hours. I can’t imagine she’d object to me moving in with her now. Especially not when I’ve basically come back from the dead.”
“I’ll call and talk to her,” Gray volunteered. “I’ll tell her as much as I can about how you’re doing and where you’ve been. Then I’ll ask if it’s okay if you stay with her while you’re getting back on your feet.”
“I should probably go back to Atlanta, though,” Morgan said. “At least for a bit. I need to check on my bees. And my business. I should also probably see Lane. And my dad. I need to—”
“We’ll take care of as much of the business side of things as we can,” Rex told her. “Obviously, you’ll want to see your father and your friends, but don’t worry about your belongings and the legal stuff. We’ll arrange to get your belongings sent to New Mexico. And if anything was sold or given away, we’ll get you new things.”
Arrow hated the look of sorrow that crossed her face when she thought about her stuff being sold, but she rallied enough to thank Rex.
“Thank you. I’ll probably have to figure out taxes for the business, but I just hope my bees are okay.”
“I’ll help you get new bees,” Arrow said. He hated the damn things. Ever since he’d watched a show about killer bees when he was little, he couldn’t stand any kind of flying, stinging insect—bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets . . . even bumblebees gave him the creeps. But for Morgan, he’d overcome his aversion.
“Thanks,” she whispered, and stared at him with gratitude in her eyes. Arrow could tell she was at the end of her rope.
“I think this conversation is done,” he told their handler. “Morgan is beat, and it’s been a long day.”
“Understood,” Rex said. “So, Morgan, one more question . . . are you okay with coming back to Colorado Springs briefly? I’m going to look over what you’ve told me, and I’m sure I’ll have more questions. Once you meet with the team, we can escort you to Albuquerque and to your mom.”
“Yeah, I’m okay with that,” Morgan said. “But how are you going to get me out of the country? I don’t have any identification.”
“I’ve been working with Rex, and we’ve got it covered,” Meat said. “And if anyone asks . . . you were the one who signed the form to get a copy of your passport from the American embassy in Santo Domingo.”
Arrow was relieved to see the slight grin on Morgan’s face.
“Gotcha. Thank you, Meat.”
“You don’t have to thank me, darlin’. You just take care of yourself and get your butt back home. I can’t wait to meet you.”
“Same here,” she said.
After a few more pleasantries, Rex ended the connection. They had a flight planned for the next day. They’d leave Santo Domingo and fly straight to Colorado Springs, where Nina’s mother would be waiting. Arrow made a mental note to have a talk with Morgan about what to expect and how to deal with the press, but for now he wanted her to relax, secure in the knowledge that she was safe. Safe with him.