Page 32 of Raven

“I told them my wife wouldn’t stop crying unless I brought her mom back. Said she was having our son soon and he needed his father.”

“Damn,” Tag said. “How the hell did you come up with that on the spot?”

I shrugged. “No idea. My mind was blank—then boom, I had a crying wife, a mother-in-law in Russia, and a baby boy on the way. Just rolled with it.”

They both laughed as we kept driving.

Eventually, we pulled into a gas station to refuel. I asked for directions to the town where Sam was hiding. After eight long hours on the road, we reached it.

We cruised slowly down G Street, watching for any sign of him.

Then we heard a sharp whistle. I hit the brakes, and Sam bolted from the shadows and jumped into the vehicle.

“They were getting close,” he said, breathless. “Thank God you made it into Russia. How’d you even manage that?”

I told him the story.

“Where’s your family?” I asked.

“They’re six hours away. But the police have eyes on the house—everyone going in or out is being watched. It’s going to be hard getting near them.”

“What’s the plan?” Cyclone asked.

Sam looked tired—beyond tired. “Sam, have you slept?”

“No. I don’t have time to sleep. I’ve tried everything. I kept my distance, hoping they’d leave my family alone. But my kids… the last time I saw them, they were terrified. Thought they were about to watch me die. They would’ve, too, if I hadn’t wrecked the car and escaped.”

I glanced at Tag, then back at Sam. “So what happens when we get to the town?”

Sam exhaled. “I was hoping you could figure that part out. I just want my family back—and to get them out of here alive.”

“Why don’t we all collaborate during the six-hour drive?” I said as we continued driving. “You can share the approaches you’ve tried, and then we’ll explore something different.”

We all talked and planned until we drove into town, then we got a room. I’m going to pretend to be her brother. And I’ll tell her I’m taking her and the kids out to breakfast. So, get some sleep, everyone, because we'll be driving until we reach a friendly country. If this works. I’ll fill the tank and get some snacks. When I get back here, I’ll drive to the back and be ready. We won’t have time to visit.”

I found her mom’s home faster than I thought I would. I knocked on the door and noticed the two men sitting in the car across the street.

When the door opened, I smiled. “Pretend you’re my sister,” I said as I hugged her.

“We missed you. Mother, look who is here, your long-lost son,” she said as we closed the door.

“Where is my husband?”

“He’s safe. You and the kids are going with me. We are going for breakfast. You can’t take anything with you, only your purse and the clothes you are wearing. If you want to dress you and the kids in two or three outfits, you can do that as long as it looks normal. My name is Raven Ledger.”

“Hi Raven, thank you for your help. My name is Mary.” She sat down and began to cry. I sat in the other chair and let her cry. She probably hasn’t had much sleep. Her mother sat in the other chair.

“This is the only child I have left. Can I go with you?”

“Yes, you’re welcome to join us. It might be a little crowded, but that’s fine. No one will mind if the kids sit on laps,” I said.

“We can take Mary’s vehicle, which is larger than most SUVs. We keep it full of petrol so we won’t have to stop,” her mother said.

“That’s great. You all get ready. I told Mary that she could wear a few outfits as long as they looked normal,” I said.

“I’ll put them on now. Come along, Mary, we need to get busy.”

The daughter stood up and raced upstairs, calling for her two kids. I went out to the car to get my bag and the snacks I bought. The police were leaning against it.

---