WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.080 --> 00:00:08.439 Chapter sixteen, Martin Present. Martin turned on his phone for the first time 2 00:00:08.519 --> 00:00:12.519 since yesterday. He had turned it off because he was sick of his wife 3 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:17.079 nagging him, and Martin needed some time to himself. He had gone to 4 00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:21.399 play golf yesterday and then wound up at the strip club, where he proceeded 5 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:25.679 to get hammered. He didn't make a habit of going to the strip club, 6 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:30.239 but last night he had. He had slept in his car and powered 7 00:00:30.239 --> 00:00:34.280 down his phone. Lisa had wanted him to go out to dinner with one 8 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:39.079 of the women from her book club. Martin and Lisa never went out with 9 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:44.079 other couples, so Martin was surprised when she had asked him. Martin was 10 00:00:44.119 --> 00:00:49.640 also surprised that Lisa was in a book club. They had gotten into a 11 00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:54.479 huge argument, with Martin whining and complaining about how he didn't want to go. 12 00:00:55.359 --> 00:00:59.479 Lisa had said she was lonely, that she needed some companionship and a 13 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:04.599 normal lifestyle where she and Martin went out with other couples. Martin didn't understand 14 00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:10.079 why his wife was asking him for this now, when they had been perfectly 15 00:01:10.120 --> 00:01:14.680 content for years just the two of them. Lisa had told him how she 16 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:18.840 missed Jessica, and how she missed going out into the world, and how 17 00:01:18.840 --> 00:01:23.280 all she wanted was to go have dinner with these two people, Dan and 18 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:29.439 Leslie something or other To shut her up, Martin agreed. He told his 19 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:33.439 wife he would be home at five to get ready for dinner. When that 20 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:37.640 time came, instead of going home, he had pointed the car north to 21 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:42.359 the Tiger Tail Strip Club on Route eighty five, just outside of town, 22 00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:49.159 and by five PM was breast deep in some latina's stripper's chest. By two 23 00:01:49.200 --> 00:01:53.120 am, when he was unceremoniously kicked out by the ship for brains bouncer, 24 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:57.519 he was too drunk to drive, so Martin slept in his car in the 25 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:02.640 parking lot. It was not his proudest moment, but it sure beat the 26 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:07.000 hell out of going to dinner with some book club lady and her fag husband. 27 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:13.240 Now he is pulling up to his street. The phone has just powered 28 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:19.919 on begins chirping incessantly. God damn it, what he says, muttering under 29 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:23.199 his breath and shaking the phone in his hand as if that will cease its 30 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:29.919 noise. Probably his wife, nagging bitch, he thinks, scrolling through his 31 00:02:29.960 --> 00:02:35.360 mist calls. He has twenty seven. Most are from Lisa, but a 32 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:39.759 few are from his daughter Jessica. That's weird, he says out loud. 33 00:02:40.199 --> 00:02:46.639 She never calls me, probably because she hates me. Martin checks the voicemail 34 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:53.280 application on his phone. Eighteen voicemail messages from his wife, none from Jessica. 35 00:02:54.919 --> 00:03:00.000 Martin understands why his daughter hates him. He sees a lot of him 36 00:03:00.039 --> 00:03:02.919 himself and his daughter, and that is probably why he tried to stay far 37 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:07.840 away from her her whole life. He had no intention of hanging around her 38 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:14.159 and drying out those worst parts of him in her. Besides, she had 39 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:19.759 her mother, Lisa hovered over that child like a helicopter. Martin had worked 40 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:23.719 too much in the beginning. Then, after he pulled off one of the 41 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:29.800 largest hedge fund pump and dump schemes in history, started laundering money and sent 42 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:35.879 a crooked senator to jail, he was too busy beginning his life over starting 43 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:40.240 anew He had to pretend to go to work at an investment firm. He 44 00:03:40.280 --> 00:03:45.599 had been banned from the securities industry for good, but his wife was too 45 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:49.919 stupid to know that. Every day he would go to work at a men's 46 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:54.000 suit retail store in Walton County. He would sell run of the mill suits 47 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:58.599 to guys who couldn't even make a quarter of the money he used to make. 48 00:03:59.080 --> 00:04:03.080 It was a menial job, but he needed something to pay the bills. 49 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:08.199 Martin knew Jessica saw right through him. The older she got, the 50 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:12.840 more bitter she seemed to become. He had let her down so many times 51 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:16.240 he was usually surprised she still talked to him at all. When she looked 52 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:20.319 at her father, she saw a loser. Martin could see it in her 53 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:26.800 eyes. His delusional wife carried on with life as if nothing had ever happened, 54 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:31.040 but Jessica did not. The day Jessica graduated from high school was one 55 00:04:31.040 --> 00:04:35.399 of the best days of Martin's life. This was not because he was proud 56 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:40.600 of her accomplishments, but because it meant she would soon be leaving the house 57 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:45.040 for good, and Martin wouldn't have to worry about her evil glances in his 58 00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:51.120 direction, or her eye rolls and underhanded comments. With Jessica gone, Martin 59 00:04:51.160 --> 00:04:57.879 could have some semblance of his life back. The only other time he saw 60 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:01.759 Jessica was when she graduated from college. Even then, it was only to 61 00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:06.319 take her out to dinner and to watch her except her diploma. His wife 62 00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:10.720 went to visit their daughter at college, but every time she would go, 63 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:15.759 Martin would beg off, making up some excuse or another as to why he 64 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:19.920 could not accompany her. He never had anything to do, He just didn't 65 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:25.680 want to go. His daughter hated him, and Martin didn't like people who 66 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:30.879 hated him. He tried to avoid those people at all costs. So this 67 00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:35.279 is why Martin is surprised. Looking at his phone, he finds the fact 68 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:41.639 that Jessica is voluntarily trying to get in touch with him very odd. Her 69 00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:45.360 mother probably put her up to it, he thinks, as he deletes the 70 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:49.000 voicemails without listening to them. Oh well, he thinks, stepping out of 71 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:54.079 the car, I'll call her back in a little while. Right now, 72 00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:58.800 I have to endure the wrath of Lisa. He fully expects his wife to 73 00:05:58.839 --> 00:06:01.839 blast him the second he walks through the door. Martin is going to get 74 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:05.240 an earfull from her, and he is not sure he's up to it. 75 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:10.920 He needs to eat something he ate at the buffet at the strip club last 76 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:15.680 night, but something didn't agree with him. Maybe his wife can make him 77 00:06:15.720 --> 00:06:19.439 something, he thinks as he turns the key in the lock and hesitantly opens 78 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:25.639 the door. He hears nothing. He pokes his head into the hallway. 79 00:06:26.399 --> 00:06:31.199 Still nothing. Maybe she's out, Martin thinks to himself. He says, 80 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:35.360 how did I get so lucky, and does a little skip into the kitchen. 81 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:41.639 Maybe he's off the hook this time. He whistles a salsa tune to 82 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:46.800 himself. Martin deposits the mail on the table and thumbs through the letters, 83 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:50.480 most of it junk mail. After a few minutes, he pulls out bread, 84 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:55.759 turkey, and mayo to make a sandwich. He is slapping together the 85 00:06:55.959 --> 00:07:00.240 ingredients and is taking his first huge bite when he hears it, a muffled 86 00:07:00.279 --> 00:07:06.319 cry and what sounds like a chair scraping against tile. Martin stops to listen, 87 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:12.199 the sandwich falling to the counter. He hears it again. It sounds 88 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:15.800 like someone is crying. Softly. Going around the corner into the hallway, 89 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:21.279 Martin determines the noises coming from the small hall closet next to the laundry room, 90 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:28.879 Lisa. He calls out, walking slowly toward the closet, He stops 91 00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:32.519 as the muffled noises become louder. It sounds like there is someone in there. 92 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:38.240 The closet is tiny and used to store rain boots, cleaning supplies, 93 00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:43.680 and other lesser needed gadgets. Martin can't remember the last time he went into 94 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:48.079 the closet. His wife is in charge of the cleaning. He calls out 95 00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:53.839 her name again and places his hand on the doorknob. He wiggles the doorknob 96 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:59.920 and the muffled sounds intensify. Martin turns the doorknobs slowly, opening the door. 97 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:03.839 Or what he sees before him makes his heart hammer in his chest. 98 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:09.160 It is his daughter, Jessica, tied to one of the kitchen chairs. 99 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:13.759 Her hands are wrapped around her back, held together with zip ties. Her 100 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:20.279 ankles are also held together with duct tape. Over her mouth is another piece 101 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:24.759 of duct tape, and her eyes are wide with fear. She has peeded 102 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:28.160 herself. Martin can see the wet stain on her pants and can smell the 103 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:33.879 stale urine. Her hair is straggly around her face, and Jessica struggles against 104 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:39.440 her restraints, wiggling her body that causes the chair to scrape against the tile 105 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:45.039 floor. Martin yells, Oh my god, Jessica and kneels down to rip 106 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:50.200 the duct tape off of her mouth. Dad, Jessica yells, she is 107 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:54.799 crying now, tears falling down her face. She tries to get the words 108 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:58.399 out over her sobs. They got me, they tied me up. I 109 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:03.759 don't know where they went who, Martin asked, panicking, Who did this? 110 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:07.879 I don't know. Jessica is crying harder. They were speaking Spanish, 111 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:13.960 two guys. Martin inspects the zip ties on her wrists and ankles. He 112 00:09:15.080 --> 00:09:20.080 may need more than scissors to undo them. Where is your mother, Martin 113 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:24.240 asked. I think she's dead. Oh my god, Martin says again, 114 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:30.879 Oh my god, are you hurt? Martin asked, inspecting Jessica's head and 115 00:09:31.080 --> 00:09:35.000 arms. They punched me a couple times, but other than that, I'm 116 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:39.519 okay. Martin sees the beginning of a purple bruise forming by her left temple. 117 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:46.480 He touches it gingerly. Jessica yanks her head away in pain. We 118 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:48.039 have to get out of here, Dad, What are we going to do? 119 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:52.919 I don't know, honey, but I'll think of something. Martin looks 120 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:58.240 around for something to use to untie Jessica. When he hears the phone ringing 121 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:01.360 in the kitchen, stay right there, I'm going to call nine one one. 122 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:07.559 Martin heads out into the hallway, running to retrieve his phone. When 123 00:10:07.559 --> 00:10:11.440 he rounds the corner into the kitchen and his heart drops. Standing in his 124 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:16.759 kitchen are two Latino men. One has on a black ski mask and one 125 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:22.039 a black bandana that covers his nose and his mouth. In the second man's 126 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:26.639 hand is a gun held down by his side. The minute he sees Martin, 127 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:31.879 he holds the gun up and begins yelling in Spanish. He motions to 128 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:37.120 the other man to grab him. Martin's stunned, holds both hands up to 129 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:41.279 the sky and whimpers, don't shoot. He yells, don't shoot. I'll 130 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:46.200 give you anything you want. The first man grabs Martin's arms, pulling them 131 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:50.399 behind his back. He then yanks his head back by his hair, turning 132 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:56.799 Martin around to face the hallway walk. The intruder says, shoving Martin into 133 00:10:56.879 --> 00:11:01.840 the hall, they pass Jessica in the closet. Martin tries to turn his 134 00:11:01.960 --> 00:11:05.360 head to look into the closet at her, but the man has such a 135 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:09.960 tight grip on his head that he can't move it. Martin stares straight ahead, 136 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:15.120 feeling the sharp grip of the man's hand against his scalp and around his 137 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:20.440 wrists. The second man follows them, still yelling in Spanish, gun trained 138 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:26.919 at Martin's back go The second man yells, finally speaking English with a heavy 139 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:31.759 accent. Martin is paraded out the back door and pushed down the cement steps. 140 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:37.600 He loses his balance, the man's hands coming loose, and Martin falls 141 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:41.200 to the ground in a heap. He tries to scramble to his feet, 142 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:45.759 but the man is too quick. He grabs Martin again and pushes him toward 143 00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:50.519 the pool, pushing aside the outdoor patio table and chairs as he makes his 144 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:56.200 way towards the shallow end. Martin finally catches a glimpse of the pool and 145 00:11:56.320 --> 00:12:00.200 sees the body of a woman floating near the deep end, faced down. 146 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:05.000 There is blood in the pool, swirling through the water and turning it a 147 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:09.039 pinkish red color. The blood is coming from a hole at the top of 148 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:15.240 the woman's head, her body already bloated from death. Martin recognizes his wife's 149 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:18.559 white linen pants and blouse and the gold Roluc's watch. He gave her a 150 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:24.799 long time ago, Lisa. He cries out and feels the biles start to 151 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:28.639 rise up in his throat as he begins to vomit. The first man shoves 152 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:33.639 Martin to his knees beside the pool and pushes his head into the water. 153 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:39.679 Martin's head is yanked back up. He splutters and gas for air, shaking 154 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:43.799 his head back and forth before it is plunged in again. This time, 155 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:48.879 the intruder leaves his head under the water for longer. Martin squirms, but 156 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:52.799 the man's grip is tight. When he is set up for air again, 157 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:58.240 he screams, what do you want? Martin is wretching and shivering, sucking 158 00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:03.440 in droplets of water with every shallow breath he takes. You're dead now, 159 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:07.840 the man says, into his ear, his breath hot next to Martin's face. 160 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:13.480 You owe money to the senator that was years ago, Martin says. 161 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:20.279 The senator is in jail, he's out. The man pushes Martin's head down 162 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:24.720 until he is staring straight into the water, and we kill you now, 163 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:30.600 just like your wife. She was good to fuck and kill. He says 164 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:33.600 something in Spanish to the other man, and they both laugh. Wait. 165 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:39.240 Martin struggles against the man's grasp. The Senator is out of jail. How 166 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:46.279 did he find me? No more questions, the man barks. Lisa Walker 167 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:50.480 floats down to the shallow end, pulled along by the small waves he is 168 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:54.879 making throughout the pool. Martin can smell the dead flesh on her riding away. 169 00:13:54.960 --> 00:14:00.159 He watches as she slowly floats, her stiff arms and legs sticking out 170 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:05.120 from her torso, the blood pulling around her head. Martin trembles as he 171 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:09.159 imagines that fate for himself. He is desperate and knows he must do something. 172 00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:13.399 The next time the man pulls his head up out of the water, 173 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:20.320 he gurgles unintelligible words into his ear. Kay, the man yells, annoyed, 174 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:24.559 shut up. The man with the gun growls he has remained silent up 175 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:31.639 until this point. I have the money, Martin screams, wriggling around to 176 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:35.679 face the man who is holding him. He finds himself with the gun in 177 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:39.960 his face, the man holding it screaming in Spanish. The man with the 178 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:45.840 gun presses the barrel into Martin's cheek, and Martin screams, attempting to back 179 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:50.679 away, while still on his knees. I swear, Martin is crying, 180 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:54.159 now, gulping in air. I have your money. Tell us where it 181 00:14:54.399 --> 00:15:00.759 is, the first man says, his eyes flashing interest. Mart and swallows, 182 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:05.639 the gun still pressing against his face. It's millions, but I don't 183 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:09.279 have it here. Where is it, the first man says, forcefully, 184 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:15.360 I have to take you to it. Martin said, his eyes pleading with 185 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:18.840 the men. It's not with me. It's with my daughter. Only she 186 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:24.320 can access it. But I have it, I swear. The first man 187 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:28.799 signals to the second man, who pulls the gun away from Martin's face slightly. 188 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:33.639 Get her, the man says, motioning for the second one to go 189 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:39.000 into the house to retrieve Jessica. He continues speaking in Spanish until the second 190 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:43.919 one understands and takes off for the back door to the house. No, 191 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:48.519 Martin calls out, stopping the second man in his tracks. No, not 192 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:56.919 her, not Jessica asa ace to eha, the second man yells, becoming 193 00:15:56.960 --> 00:16:02.600 impatient. The first man translates, slamming the gun into Martin's face again, 194 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:07.720 isn't that your daughter? Martin looks up, Yes, it is. I 195 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:12.519 mean no, it is but she doesn't have your money. She is not 196 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:18.279 the one you're looking for. The men paused. Confused, Martin continues, 197 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:30.159 the one you want is my first daughter, Nicole, Chapter seventeen. Ryan 198 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:37.799 passed Nicole plodded along through the darkness, the bows in her hair bobbing up 199 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:44.759 and down. They walk through the woods, leaves crunching underfoot. Ryan offered 200 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:48.639 to carry the four year old the half mile to the convenience store, but 201 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:52.360 the little girl refused. She placed one tiny foot in front of the other, 202 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:57.360 her mouth set in a determined line, eyes focused straight ahead the bear 203 00:16:57.480 --> 00:17:03.480 her father gave her swinging in her hand. Ryan and Nicole walked in silence, 204 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:07.559 the lights of Nichole's house slowly fading behind them. After a few minutes, 205 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:12.559 Ryan asked the little girl if she was scared. No, she stated, 206 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:18.880 matter of factly, I'm not. You're very brave, Ryan said, 207 00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:22.799 glancing down at the little girl, whose hand was in his. The girl 208 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:30.079 shrugged, carefully sidestepping a muddy puddle. Well, Ryan continued, soon, 209 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:33.720 you'll be with a nice family, just for a little while. Is that 210 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:38.920 okay? The girl looked up at him and nodded. My mommy explained to 211 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:42.319 me all that. She told me I have to be brave and that I 212 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:48.960 would see mommy and Daddy again soon. That's right, Ryan said, squeezing 213 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:52.920 Nikole's hand. That's right. Ryan was carrying the little Duffel bag she had 214 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:57.359 brought with her over his shoulder. The bag was yellow and blue and had 215 00:17:57.359 --> 00:18:02.960 a picture of Bell dancing with the Beast on its side. Beauty and the 216 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:07.680 Beast was written in cursive on the opposite side of the bag, with Disney's 217 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:11.440 trademark in a circle at the end. He slung the bag over his shoulder 218 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:15.920 and continued, Do you like Beauty and the Beast, Nicole, he asked. 219 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:22.160 The little girl looked up at him. Face grave Belle is my favorite 220 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:26.640 character. I love her yellow dress. Nicole's face was so somber, her 221 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:33.119 tone so serious that Ryan had to laugh. I like the Beast, he 222 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:37.039 admitted to her. The girl scrunched up her face and wrinkled her nose. 223 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:44.880 But he's so hairy, she said. Ryan only nodded in return and pointed 224 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:48.599 up to the lights of the convenience store ahead of them. See those lights, 225 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:53.440 he asked her. That's where we're going. We're almost there. Nicole 226 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:57.680 tightened her grip on his hand as she walked. When they reached the convenience 227 00:18:57.680 --> 00:19:03.240 store, Ryan looked around for his colleague. Derek was supposed to drop off 228 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:07.480 another car for Ryan. Then Derek was to be picked up by Sam after 229 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:12.480 he collected Martin and Lisa. They switched cars and marshalls frequently in case of 230 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:17.880 a tail. Ryan didn't see him, so he asked Nicole if she wanted 231 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:22.720 a snack, ice cream, or cookies for the drive. Nicole asked if 232 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:27.200 they had carrots. What a funny little girl, Ryan thought, suppressing a 233 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:32.720 smile. If he had been offered cookies at four years old, he definitely 234 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:37.880 would have taken them. Ryan walked to the back of the convenience store where 235 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:41.880 the refrigerated food was kept. He spotted a snack pack of carrots. He 236 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:47.279 also grabbed a package of string cheese and an apple juice. He paid for 237 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:52.039 the food and handed it to Nicole. She thanked him. Who are we 238 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:56.519 waiting for? She asked, chewing thoughtfully on a baby carrot my friend, 239 00:19:56.599 --> 00:20:00.720 Derek, Ryan responded, he's bringing us a car so we can drive you 240 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:06.359 to your new home. Nicole chewed, staring out the glass door of the 241 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:11.559 store. Soon, Ryan saw headlights swing around and flash into the convenience store 242 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:15.680 windows. Both he and Nicole put up their hands to block the glare. 243 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:21.079 Derek parked the car in the last parking spot and headed toward the store. 244 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:26.079 He wore all black clothing and a hood covered his head. Ryan thought this 245 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:30.440 was a good move on Derek's part, seeing as he was completely bald and 246 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:36.160 therefore memorable. Ryan ushered Nicole out of the store, where they met Derek 247 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:40.519 on the curb. They nodded to each other, and Derek clapped Ryan on 248 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:45.599 the back. Derek handed Ryan the keys to the black car. She's all 249 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:48.440 yours, he said, all gassed up too. Should be able to get 250 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:55.240 you to Tennessee before having to stop. Thanks, Ryan said, nervously, 251 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:59.440 hopping from one foot to the other. He still got excited and nervous with 252 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:03.599 these draw offs and exchanges. The adrenaline pumped through his veins like a jolt 253 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:08.079 every time. Nicole dropped his hand and stuck it out in front of her 254 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:14.319 toward Derek. Hi, I'm Nicole, she said, gazing up at him. 255 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:19.519 Derek Afrod, who is this kid? He said, nudging Ryan and 256 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:26.279 bending down to bounce on his haunches at Nicole's level. I'm Derek, he 257 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:30.240 said, shaking her hand. He stood up and looked at Ryan again. 258 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:37.039 Funny kid, cute too. Ryan ushered Nicole into the back seat, placing 259 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:41.160 her duffel bag and juice beside her with an arm's reach. Better get going, 260 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:45.079 he said to Derek, closing the back door of the car. They're 261 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:51.440 all ready for you, Derek said, expecting you good, Ryan responded, 262 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:56.960 opening the driver's side door. Sam will be here soon. Derek had taken 263 00:21:56.000 --> 00:22:00.359 a pack of cigarettes and a lighter out of his pocket and waved them in 264 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:03.519 the air, as if to say he'd be all right waiting. Ryan nodded 265 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:07.000 one more time and got behind the wheel. As he pulled out of the 266 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:14.559 parking lot, Derek gave one last wave. Ryan turned right onto the inner 267 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:18.680 State as the bright lights faded once again behind them. He looked back at 268 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:23.000 Nicole, who was staring out of the window. You okay, kiddo, 269 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:27.440 he asked her, thinking that it felt strange to call her kiddo when she 270 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:33.759 acted more like an adult than he was. Yes, she replied, taking 271 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:37.160 a sip of her juice through the white straw sticking out of the box. 272 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:42.559 How long until we get there? A long time? I want to try 273 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:48.440 to get some sleep. Ryan felt around on the passenger seat for the small 274 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:52.720 pillow and blanket that Derek had thrown in the car. Nicole accepted the pillow 275 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:57.240 and blanket, and, tucking her legs under herself Indian style, placed the 276 00:22:57.319 --> 00:23:03.400 pillow on the armrest and dutifully closed her eyes. The bear had its own 277 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:08.519 seat next to Nicole, sitting upright, arms outstretched. Ryan was grateful he 278 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:15.039 couldn't see the bear from his bandage point behind the wheel. Ryan glanced back 279 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:18.640 to make sure she was okay, and turned the radio on to the lowest 280 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:22.720 volume. Simon and Garfuncle seemed appropriate for a little girl trying to sleep. 281 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:27.200 He thought. Sounds of Silence was about as close as he was going to 282 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:33.400 get to playing her a lullaby. He drove through the night, stopping at 283 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:37.160 an all night McDonald's for coffee, whispering loudly into the speaker at the drive 284 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:41.279 through so as not to wake her. The drive through girl who handed him 285 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:45.559 his coffee peered into the back seat, and, noticing Nicole sleeping there, 286 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:51.119 asked Ryan if she was his daughter. Ryan just thanked her for the coffee 287 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:55.960 and gave her an extra dollar as a tip. Nicole slept through the hours, 288 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:59.759 only stirring once or twice. One time. She talked in her sleep, 289 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:03.799 gibberish. Rine couldn't comprehend. Her eyelids fluttered as she dreamed, and 290 00:24:03.880 --> 00:24:08.839 her little fists curled into balls, then released, over and over. Ryan 291 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:14.200 drove the speed limit, no less, no more. It was important in 292 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:18.519 these situations not to draw attention to one's self for any sort of offense. 293 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:23.559 Ryan considered himself a good driver in general, but when he was on the 294 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:27.880 job, he was perfect. He was alert and awake, anxious to get 295 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:34.400 nic Cold to the desired destination. He finally reached it a few states back. 296 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:40.799 The scenery had changed, trees and bushes became shrubs and cacti. The 297 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:45.000 weather had changed too. The cold, black night had given way to a 298 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:49.359 beautiful sunrise. The expansive desert allowed him the perfect view of the yellow and 299 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:53.119 gold, pink and purple sky that seemed to burst in front of him. 300 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:59.559 The sun shimmered on the horizon, not hot yet, but wavy and flaming, 301 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:03.400 as if to warn of its impending heat. It was still quiet in 302 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:10.279 those early morning hours, semi trucks his only companions on the road. Ryan 303 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:15.079 excitedly pushed the gas, hovering at one mile over the speed limit until he 304 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:19.799 released his foot again. When the exit sign came into view, Nicole yawned 305 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:23.720 and opened her eyes, sat up still in the dress from the night before. 306 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:30.680 Where are we, she asked, sleepily, rubbing her eyes. Almost 307 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:34.559 there, Ryan replied, turning the car onto the dirt road off the interstate. 308 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:41.680 Were almost there, he repeated. Nicole looked around her and placed her 309 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:45.440 tiny hands on the car window. Ryan adjusted the rear view mirror so he 310 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:51.440 could see her better. She watched the scenery go by, so vastly different 311 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:56.640 from where she had been more than twenty four hours ago. She crossed her 312 00:25:56.720 --> 00:26:00.400 legs at the angles and a smile played at the corner of her mouth. 313 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:07.000 As he turned the car onto the last dirt road, surrounded by cacti and 314 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:12.200 shrubbery, Nicole pointed to a particularly large cactus, jabbing her finger against the 315 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:18.759 glass and exclaiming with one small ooh. Ryan smiled and pulled up in front 316 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:23.200 of the trailer. Before he could exit the car. The door to the 317 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:27.680 trailer swung wide open, and two people walked down the rickety wooden steps. 318 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:33.319 The woman wore a bandanna in her hair, her loose fitting white dress swirling 319 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:37.279 around her calves. Her blonde hair shone in the sun, and she was 320 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:42.680 barefoot. The man wore a Phoenix cardinal's baseball cap, jeans, and held 321 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:48.240 a rag in his hands. They stopped where the stairs ended and both looked 322 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:52.599 on expectantly, holding up hands to their foreheads to block out the sun. 323 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:59.000 They peered into the car excitedly. Ryan got out and walked around to the 324 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:03.480 back door of the her. He opened the door and helped Nicole out, 325 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:08.039 reaching around her and taking her duffel bag out as well. Nicole looked around 326 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:11.599 her for a minute and then faced the man and the woman standing by the 327 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:18.440 trailer. Both smiled back at her. Harry hung back at the foot of 328 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:22.880 the stairs, playing with the rag in his hands. He nervously wiped his 329 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:26.559 hands on his jeans and adjusted his baseball cap. He looked from his wife 330 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:30.559 to the little girl with the pink bows in her hair standing before them. 331 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:37.000 Hannah opened her arms wide and beaming, addressed Nicole. We've been waiting for 332 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:41.279 you, honey, she said. Welcome to Peach Springs.