"Lantana went through that?," Nikki asked as she stared at Michael in her living room. "Dear God, poor woman. I've told my entire family about her and they all want to meet her. How is she now? Is she OK?"

"She's doing well, considering," Michael said. "She's staying with my mother at the moment. She has no education after age fourteen, no skills, no money, nothing. We're going to get her into a hotel later as a protected witness and we'll see what we can do to get her an education and some skills so she can have a life."

"That's good to know," Nikki said. "I want to see her sometime."

"We'll arrange that," Michael said. "She really needs all the support that she can get."

"She can stay with me," Nikki said. "We have a guest room. Along with that, we can use a nanny. She can help us in exchange for room and board. I know people that work for the state and can get her into some adult education and help with getting skills and everything she needs to get back on her feet."

"Now, that's excellent news," Michael smiled. "We'll get the message to her and we'll get you two together real soon."

"Please do," Nikki said. "And tell her that I'll pray for her. I'm sure she's still religious."

"She does have her old Bible," Michael replied. "I'll call you soon and we'll make the plans for you and Lantana to meet up as soon as we can. Right now, she is a witness. So, she'll be talking to police and FBI a lot and needs her rest."

"I'm anxious to see her," Nikki said. "I am so glad that you helped her and that she's OK. Watch out for her."

"We will," Michael promised. "I'll contact you."

At the office, Lantana sat at the table with Michael and Blade. She had a long statement to give, but knew that she had to do this. Every word she said was recorded on cassettes as she told her story. Michael and John both knew not to hurry her. Lantana stared at her hands on the table as she talked. She told the men about her captivity, her rapes, being pimped out, her beatings, going days with no food at times, never seeing the outside world, and knowing nothing but fear and pain. She had been so isolated that she never even realized that 9-11 had happened, that Michael Jackson had died, or who Osama bin Laden was. She often didn't even know what day, time, or date it was. She often didn't even know when it was Christmas. Hearing fireworks at times helped. She knew that people shot off fireworks at night for Independence Day and at midnight for New Year. Sometimes, she had a sense of the day and date, but would later lose that sense. Until she saw a calendar at the hospital, she was not even sure of her own exact age.

Michael and John remained patient, knowing that she was having a lot of difficulty telling them her story. Michael did his best to keep her calm, but he was no Dr. Phil. When Lantana finally finished, John quietly reached out and shut off the cassette recorder.

"Thank you, Lantana," John said. "I know this was not easy for you."

Lantana nodded, not sure what to say.

"We're going to protect you," John continued. "I have people looking for Suzie and the others now."

"They won't leave Miami," Lantana said. "They'll want to come for me because they know that I won't protect them."

"They won't touch you," John said again. He looked at Michael. "I want her moved to a hotel and have a guard there twenty-four seven."

"I'll get on that," Michael replied.

"So, I'll be locked up again?," Lantana asked.

"No," John said. "As long as you have protection, you can come and go as you please. I just want to be sure that you're safe."

"Sam, Fiona, and I will keep her safe," Michael promised. "As soon as Jesse gets back, he will too." He paused. "She will have some visitors over the next few days." He looked at Lantana. "Lantana, we found Nikki Walker-Blade," he said. "She's eager to see you again. And, Fiona found your half-brother, Keith."

"Brother?," Lantana asked.

"Your father may not have known," Michael said. "His high-school girlfriend left before any of them knew she was even pregnant. Keith said that she tried to contact your father, but stopped when she learned that he had married. She didn't want to upset him or cause him trouble. Keith was at your father's funeral, but he didn't talk to you. He said he wasn't sure if you knew or how you would react. He lives in Daytona."

Lantana smiled. "I have a brother?," she asked. "And he's my father's son? There's still a part of my father alive?"

Michael smiled, seeing how pleased Mellissa was. "That's right," he replied. "He's on his way to Miami to see you. Fiona told him what has happened and he wants to be here."

Lantana was pleased to know that part of her father was still close. She was eager to meet Keith. She couldn't wait to see what he looked like and know what kind of man he was. She hoped he was like her father.

"Michael, take her to the Ocean View Hotel," John said as he was putting away his phone. "There's already an FBI Special Agents there to guard the room. There will be four altogether, working in four-hour rotations. All are women to make sure Lantana feels comfortable. There will be several changes of clothes, something for Lantana to sleep in, and a pair of shoes for her. The agent there now is named Janet Larkin."

"Sounds good," Michael said. "We'll run by my mother's place and get her things. She has some journals and a few items there. We'll be at the hotel in an hour."

"Be sure that you are," John said.

John accompanied Michael and Lantana to the car. Once Lantana was in the passenger seat, John stopped Michael as he was about to walk around to the driver side door. "Michael, I want you to know that I really didn't like it when I heard that you called Sam to get her to talk," John admitted. "I know it worked, but you should have waited for that psychiatrist."

"And given Hannah and the others time to run away?," Michael asked. "Lantana would likely still be in that hospital, screaming her lungs out every time anyone approached her. She could have had a psychotic break or ended up catatonic. I did what I judged to be right. She still trusts Sam more than any one of us. He was the one who told her that she could talk to me and to you. So, I'll tell him you send your thanks to him for his help." Michael opened the driver's door and looked at his mentor. "After all, we don't want him to feel unappreciated, do we?," he asked. He got into the car, started the engine, and drove away.

John watched the Charger until it was out of sight.

"Yeah," John said to himself. "Thanks, Sam." He walked back into the building.

3