“It is. Ellie has been in hiding for all these years. She’s actually in witness protection.”
“Really? They said she murdered someone.”
“I wouldn’t call it murder, but someone did get killed. It was self-defense. She was…” Greta paused and took a deep breath. It was still hard to think about it all these years later. “Ellie was attacked by someone she worked with. She fought the man and smashed a large urn over him while she was fighting him off. He fell and struck his head on the corner of his desk.”
“Poor Ellie had a black eye, sprained wrist, and was so very scared.”
“But why did she have to hide?”
“There was this overly ambitious prosecutor. He said they could press murder charges against Ellie. They wouldn’t press charges if she got evidence against her employer. It wasn’t fair because she was only protecting herself. But she was afraid she’d go to jail. She got the evidence they needed and testified. Then her life was threatened… and everyone in her family. So they put her in witness protection.”
“All alone?”
“Well, no. A good friend of hers, Martin, went into the program with her a little bit later, after spreading the word he was leaving town and moving to California. Martin and Ellie grew up together. They were friends since, well, forever. He couldn’t let her go off and start a new life all alone. So, he went with her. The Feds weren’t happy, but by now it was coming out that the prosecutor wasn’t on the up and up. He had not so much offered a plea bargain, as illegally threatened her to get the evidence he needed.”
“So, she’s still hiding?”
“She is. But now, somehow, some of the information is coming out. Cal thinks his father has something to do with it. He has very powerful connections.”
Greta looked out at Becky Lee’s garden. “You need to be extra careful now. Watch out for anything suspicious. She messed with a powerful family. There are actually some agents around town keeping an eye on you and your family.”
“Watching me?”
“Yes, just to make sure nothing happens.”
“So, by marrying Cal, I’ve put Scotty and him in danger?”
“I… well, I don’t know, dear.”
Becky Lee stood up and paced. “I’ve messed everything up. I was just trying to do the right thing for Scotty. Now, I’ve made it worse. Much worse.”
“You made the choice you did for the right reason. You didn’t know. I didn’t know that Ellie was even alive when you married.”
“I guess this is why father never talked about Ellie. Did he think she was a murderer and just ran away?”
“I think Ellie told him the truth but warned him not to tell anyone, to keep you all safe.”
“So that’s why he wouldn’t talk about her and always changed the subject.” Becky Lee stopped pacing. “Oh, I should go and tell him that Ellie is alive. He thinks she’s dead, too.”
“I don’t know how all this is going to end. I don’t know who dug into this, or why. Maybe it was Cal’s father. I don’t know. I do know you all need to be careful.”
Becky Lee turned to Greta. “Thank you for coming here and explaining all this to me. We will be careful. I’ll go talk to Cal right away. We’ll keep an even closer eye on Scotty.”
“I’m sorry you’re in the middle of all these troubles now. You need to have faith that things will work out the way they were meant to.”
“I’m just hoping we’re all meant to be safe.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
As soon as Cal got home from work, Becky Lee led him out to the front porch while Scotty played with Penny in the backyard. He listened while she explained everything that Greta had told her.
He sat quietly as she told the whole story, holding her hand and listening, giving her strength.
“So, you see, I’ve only made it worse for you, marrying you. Now Scotty might be in danger because of me. Because of my family. I was just trying to keep him safe and look what a mess I’ve made.”
“You haven’t made a mess. You had no way of knowing any of this.” Cal rubbed his jaw. “It looks like we’re going to have to be even more careful now.”
“I know. Greta said they have people watching us. That’s kind of creepy, isn’t it?”
“Not if it keeps Scotty safe. I think we might need to adjust our work schedules for a while though. I’d feel better if Scotty was with you or me.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll talk to Keely. Take some time off. It’s the least I can do. I’ve just… I’ve made everything so much worse.”