After Shock (#2 - Semper Fi Series)

Released

Justice would be served, she was sure of it. The problem was that the courts and the law didn’t see it her way. She wanted the kids with her. It wasn’t that Alyssa was a bad person, Millie just felt like she could do more for those babies than their mother could financially. And, if they lived with Millie and Roger, Allen could be near his kids. Millie had tried to go through a judge, but the stupid idiot on the bench had said that the children could not live with Allen for longer than a couple of days because of his “fragile mental condition.” What a bunch of hooey! Her boy was fine. She’d prove it, but the children needed to be near him long enough to do so. She picked up the phone, made a call to the D.A.’s office, and then to Judge Sinclair.

“Mrs. McDonald, for the last time, Allen is no longer capable mentally to raise children on his own.”

“Your Honor, he won’t be alone.”

“I understand he’d be with you and your husband, but right now, with their mother missing, it’s not looking good for you.”

Millie was speechless. This was obviously news she wasn’t prepared for. He knew about Alyssa’s “disappearance.” Alyssa would be broken soon, and with too many days alone, she’d acquiesce to just about anything so she could see the sunlight again. “Thank you, Your Honor. Have a beautiful day.” She disconnected without waiting for his goodbye. That was not what she had expected at all, the judge’s response. She thought maybe with Alyssa out of the way, the judge would have no choice but to award them to her son, but that hadn’t happened. She harrumphed and decided she needed to come up with a more permanent solution to the Alyssa problem. “Oh, what tangled webs we weave?”

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“Alyssa? Are you there?” Silence. “Alyssa? Say “Victory” if you hear me?” Still nothing. Amanda was a little worried, but didn’t panic just yet. “Lyss? I just talked to Laramie and Lakota and they said to tell you hi!” Amanda wasn’t lying. She had spoken to Marie a few minutes before while Ryan was on the mic talking to Alyssa. He had deep feelings for her. Hopefully he was telling the truth. She didn’t deserve to have her heart stepped on any more than she already had.

“I’m here,” came faintly over the transmission. “I was asleep until I heard you say my babies’ names. No one has come since I was put in here. You’re all keeping me sane. Thanks.”

“We’re only a few minutes from the ranch. I’m not sure what course of actions we will take once we get there. Stay calm, okay?”

“Okay. Who haven’t I talked to yet?” The only one left was Ray, and he felt so much guilt that he was afraid to talk to her.

“Ray is the only one.” Amanda said, even though the look from Ray said he didn’t want to talk.

“Put him on.” Alyssa had enjoyed getting to know Ray all those hours in the hospital, and was glad for his protection.

“H-H-Hullo,” he answered timidly.

“Hi Ray. It’s good to hear your voice. How are you holding up?” Alyssa, unaware of his remorse, repeated cheerfully.

“I-um- I guess I’m okay. You’re not mad at me for letting them get you?”

Of course not, Ray. Why would I be mad at you? You couldn’t have known or controlled that or made it happen any differently than it did. And you know what?”

“No. What?”

“Now I know who was after me and why! That makes this kind of worth it. I might even be able to diffuse this situation without force and without anyone being injured. That’s how I want it to happen.”