Finding Eden(62)

My heart squeezed painfully with the recognition of that thought. It had gone through my own head often, as well. This life feels so damn long. "Morning Glory," I murmured, kissing her head, "you found a way to live, to survive. I'm so proud of you. But now we can let all that go. There's no need to delve into that now. Hector's dead. The police know our story, they know your story, it's all in their hands now."

"Hmm," she hummed, not sounding totally convinced.

I turned her toward me in the dark. "Eden, there's no point to that line of research anymore."

"What about you?" she asked. "What about finding out who you are?"

"That might not have anything to do with any of that. As we lie here, millions of people across the world are hearing our story and hearing my information. Surely, someone reported me missing once upon a time. Surely someone knows me?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Yes," I agreed. "And so we wait to find out. We wait to find out who I am."

She turned and looked up at me in the moonlit room. "We already know who you are." She gazed up at me. "We wait to find out where you came from. There's a big difference." She was right. I may not know where I came from, but I know who I am now. If my identity remained a mystery, I still knew who I was. Eden's.

"I love you," I said, pulling her in to my chest.

"I love you, too."

We snuck to the bathroom and cleaned up, and then got back in her squeaky bed and held each other until the first light of dawn was streaming into her room, when I snuck back into my own.





CHAPTER ELEVEN




Eden



A beautiful blonde filled the screen, microphone in hand. "This is Sara Celi of Fox Nineteen, Cincinnati, live from the home of Calder Raynes and Eden Everson. A new development has occurred in the reopened investigation of the Acadia sect where a hundred ninety-eight people tragically died in one of the largest mass murder/suicides in history. Tricia, back to you for the rest of the story."

After briefly going back to the anchor in the studio who introduced the Fox affiliate in Arizona, the screen focused on a young, brunette woman holding a microphone, her hair blowing slightly in the wind. "Michelle Mathis here, just outside Goodwin Police Headquarters where Officer Clive Richter, former Acadia council member, has been arrested for drug trafficking and money laundering. His ex-partner, Officer Michael Owens, has been given immunity and as Chief Bard told me he has been very cooperative. The Chief was also able to tell me that in lieu of information Calder Raynes and Eden Everson have given, Clive Richter is now also a suspect in the attempted murder of Calder Raynes. We'll continue to bring you coverage as we receive new information."

Calder and I sat side by side on the couch, holding hands and watching the footage. "Turn it off," he finally said when we'd seen the same shot played over what seemed like a hundred times.

The TV clicked off and Calder sat staring straight ahead, a look on his face that I couldn't read. "You okay?" he asked numbly.

I nodded, trying to figure out what I felt exactly. For three years I had felt such paralyzing fear whenever I thought of Clive Richter, or even the police in general. But now, seeing him being led away in handcuffs, looking small and weak, the only emotions coursing through my body were relief and a certain sense of triumph.

"Are you okay?" I asked Calder, glancing at Detective Lowe who was sitting on the chair across from the couch. He had shown up at my mom's house to let us know in advance there would be breaking news about Clive Richter. Apparently, finding out Calder and I were alive prompted Clive's ex-partner to seek immunity and bring to light crimes he knew Clive was and had been involved in.

Calder kept staring ahead for a minute and then he nodded a barely perceptible nod and rubbed his hands on his thighs before standing up. "I'm going to get a glass of water. You want one?"

"Yeah, sure." I tried to read his expression, but couldn't.

He nodded, one quick jerk of his head. "Detective?"

"Yeah, sure. Thanks, Calder."

I watched Calder's back as he walked out of the room. Initially, hearing there was news about Clive had rattled me, too. But for Calder, I could only imagine that seeing Clive's face had brought up the rage and helplessness of that day, despite the fact that there was a good chance now that he'd pay for his crimes, at least a few of them. I wasn't surprised he'd been involved in other illegal activities. Those who enjoy destroying lives generally are more than happy to spread their particular brand of misery around. I just hoped there would be enough evidence to convict him for the crimes he'd committed against Calder and me, too. I guessed we'd have to wait and see.