At Michael's loft, he and Sam looked over the file. Jesse walked into the door and joined the reading party.
"What's up?," Jesse asked.
"We've got Lucas Russell in custody," Michael said. "We also have Ryan Russell, the middle child, in custody. We lost Hannah and the other two siblings, Travis and Suzie. They could be a threat to Lantana's safety, so she now has twenty-four seven guard at her door to be sure she's safe. Everyone is also under instruction that only Sam talks to her until she recovers emotionally enough. We know that she trusts him."
"What happened that she trusts him?," Jesse asked.
"He has something in common with her father," Michael said.
"A love of Hawaiian shirts?," Jesse asked.
Sam let out a mocking laugh. "Thanks a lot," he said. He got serious as he leaned on one hand on the table. "Her father was a Navy SEAL and died in the line of duty," Sam said. "He was with a team rescuing hostages and he took a bullet trying to protect a little girl."
"Wow, that's sad," Jesse said. "How long was she locked in that attic?"
"Since she was fourteen," Sam replied. "She's thirty-four now."
"Twenty years?," Jesse asked. "She's been locked up like that for twenty years?"
"Amazing, isn't it?," Michael asked.
"Mikey, I almost forgot," Sam said. "I told Lantana that you would be searching the house again. She wants us to find a necklace that her late father gave her a week before he passed. Please tell me I didn't promise her that I can walk on water."
"Not at all, Sam," Michael said. "You and I will go back there later and find that necklace for her."
"Thanks, brother," Sam said.
"We'll do that tomorrow, Sam," Michael said. "If that necklace is there, we'll find it. And you'll take it to her yourself."
"Guys, can we concentrate on Hannah and her kids?," Jesse asked.
"They're surely together," Michael said. "They've worked together all their lives. The kids who are old enough still haven't left home. I'm willing to bet my very life that they're hiding out together."
"I would say try the fleabag hotels by the airport," Jesse said. "Those are still favorite places for fugitives. We need to get their photos to the airport security."
"Already done," Michael said. "Their photos are all over the South and the east coast, all the way to New York City."
"Airport security is too heavy now," Sam said. "You need to alert the bus stations and train stations."
"I'll get John on that now," Michael said. He got his phone and started to dial. "I don't see why we didn't do that before. But I still think they'd run by plane or boat. You both do know how easy it is to get to Cuba from here."
"If that's their plan, they'll go by boat," Jesse said.
"Somehow, I don't think they're leaving the country," Michael said. "They still have to be worried about what Lantana knows." He looked at Sam. "After we search that house, you'll need to see what more information you can get from her."
"I'll do what I can, Mike," Sam said. "She's still anxious, even while she knows she can trust me."
"Take all the time you need, Sam," Michael said. "Jesse and I do have other avenues available. It's not all on Lantana."
Early the next morning, Michael and Sam walked past the "Crime Scene" yellow tape and entered the house.
"I'll take the upstairs," Michael said. "You look downstairs. We already know it's not likely in the attic or she would have it already."
Michael and Sam began to tear the house apart, looking in any place that could hide the necklace. That mean many places. Michael found a room that he realized was a nursery in the works. There was a new crib, changing table, and other baby items. Everything was in green and white, neutral colors.
"Somebody was having a baby," Michael said to himself. "We already know that it's not Lantana." He began to search the room. In the dresser, he found a small jewelry box. He opened it and found what they were looking for.
Sam was ripping apart the game room. A large TV, video game systems, games, a pool table, a ping-pong table, and other fun things were in the room. Michael walked in.
"Sam, I think I have it," Michael said. He handed the box to Sam, who opened it.
Sam smiled. "That's exactly like she described it, Mikey," he said as he held the necklace up and watched the unicorn pendant dangle in front of his eyes. "Thanks, Mike."
"Come on," Michael said. "Let's go take it to her."
At the hospital, Lantana was watching TV when Sam walked into the room. He took the box from his pocket. "Hey, Lantana," he smiled. "I think we found what you wanted." He opened the box and handed it to her. She looked at it and smiled. A tear ran down her face.
"That's it," Lantana said. "I was so scared they had sold it. I thought I would never see this again." She looked at Sam. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome," Sam replied.
Lantana put the necklace on. She seemed so happy to have it back in her possession.
Sam sat down near the bed. "Lantana, we really need to know some things," he said. "Would you please answer a few more questions?"
Lantana sighed. She nodded. "OK," she said. "Ask me."
"Do you know where Hannah, Travis, and Suzie would go to hide from the law?," Sam asked.
"They would never go far," Lantana said. "I'm one-million percent positive that they're still in Miami. Hannah likes to have only the best. So, she would choose someplace flashy, where there's a lot of wealthy people around. She's very vain and shops for the best clothes she can possibly find, so look someplace where there are lots of fancy clothing stores."
Sam nodded. "Thanks, Lantana," he said. "We're going to keep you safe. There will be a guard at the door all the time until we find Hannah and the others." Sam leaned forward on the bedrail. "Lantana, do any of you have family anywhere," he asked.
"Lucas has a brother," Lantana said. "He had two brothers, but one died a few years ago. The other one lives in Georgia. He works for some financial firm. I don't really know much about him. His name is Leroy and he has a family. As far as I know, he's a law-abiding citizen."
"Thank you, Lantana," Sam said. "Would you talk to Michael? You can trust him. He's my closest friend. He's like my brother."
Lantana sighed and thought. "Maybe," she said.
Sam smiled. "Well, that's a start," he said. "You didn't say 'no' to that idea."
Lantana managed a small smile. "Can I ask you something?," Lantana asked after a moment.
"Yeah, of course," Sam replied. "What do you wanna know?"
"Why are you helping me?," Lantana asked. "You don't know me. You didn't know my father. So, why would you be doing this?"
"Michael called me when you refused to talk to anyone," Sam told Lantana. "When he told me what had happened and where they found you, I told Mikey that I would be glad to help. I can't imagine what it was like for you to go through all that. I know what it's like to be trapped in a situation that you can't get out of. It happened to me on my last mission in Columbia. I do understand."
Lantana sighed. "How long are they keeping me here?," she asked. "I want some good food, something I haven't had since I was a teenager."
Sam smiled. "We'll bring something in for you," he promised. "You like Asian food?"
"Italian," Lantana replied. "Seafood, too."
"Gotya," Sam smiled. "I won't let you down."
Lantana had been let down by so many people, she knew not to get her hopes up. However, Sam hadn't given her a reason to doubt him yet. She knew to be cautious with anyone she met. After all, her own family kept her isolated and abused her for years. Who could she really trust?
As Sam was about to leave, a nurse walked in with a syringe. "Miss Kempton, the doctor wants you to relax," she said. "So, I am going to give you a mild sedative."
"No, you're not," Lantana protested.
"Please don't fight this," the nurse said.
"She's an adult," Sam protested. "She has the right to refuse any test or treatment. This is not an eight-year-old child."
The nurse sighed. By then, Lantana didn't realize that she was clinging onto Sam's hand in both of her hands. He squeezed her hand back reassuringly.
"Lantana would appreciate it if you leave now, please," Sam said.
"We only want to help her relax," the nurse said.
"She'll relax when she feels safe," Sam said. "If she doesn't want it, she doesn't get it."
The nurse walked out of the room, not at all happy.
Lantana sighed, relieved. Sam squeezed her hand and promised he would be back soon. "Let me know if you need anything," he told Lantana as he gently freed himself from her hands. "I'll be back to check up on you."
"Thank you, Sam," Lantana said. "If Michael is like you, I will talk to him if he still needs me."
"I'll tell him," Sam replied. "And he really is a great person. I promise you that. You can trust him."
"Even though he wasn't a SEAL," Lantana smiled.
"Absolutely," Sam smiled. "Get some rest. We'll find you a place to stay as soon as you're ready to leave here."
"Soon," Lantana said. "I want to leave here as soon as possible."
"We'll take care of that," Sam promised.
Sam left the room. Lantana laid back, relaxed, and fell asleep.
4