Silent Run

where I was born, who my parents are, where I lived, Chicago, Victor, Shane Hollis, everything."
    Excitement flared in his eyes. “I want to hear it, but let’s start with the most important piece of information. Where is Caitlyn? Do you know?"
    Her daughter’s name pierced another hole through her heart, and she bit down on her lip as she nodded.
    â€œYes, I know where she is."
    â€œThank God! Where?"
    â€œWith Teresa -- in Santa Barbara."
    Jake shook his head in confusion. “Santa Barbara? That doesn’t make sense. If Teresa’s in Santa Barbara, she would have seen the news broadcast, your picture in the local paper. Why didn’t she come forward? Why didn’t she come to the hospital?"
    â€œI told her not to tell anyone she had Caitlyn, no matter what happened to me. I made her promise that she would keep Caitlyn safe. She grew up like I did, Jake, with no one to trust. She didn’t ask me questions I didn’t want to answer. She just said she would guard Caitlyn with her life until I came back."
    Jake stared at her “If you stopped there right before your accident and someone was following you, then they already know where Caitlyn is."
    â€œI didn’t take Caitlyn there myself,” she said quickly, seeing his mind racing to a horrible conclusion. “I sent her with Amanda. We were closer friends than Amanda said when we saw her yesterday. She’d grown up like me. She was a street kid. We had a lot in common. She knew how to survive, too. When she heard I was in trouble when that guy tried to grab me in the elevator, she offered to help."
    â€œAmanda,” he echoed in bemusement. “I suppose she made you the same promise of silence, and that’s why she kept the secret when we saw her yesterday."
    â€œYes. It’s my fault, Jake. I didn’t tell them who I was running from. I thought too much information would put them in more danger. I guess when Amanda saw you with me she just couldn’t trust that you were the good guy. And since I couldn’t remember, she --"
    He cut off her explanation with a wave of his hand. “Whatever. We know where Caitlyn is; let’s go.” He jumped to his feet. “I don’t want to lose another minute. You can tell me the rest on the way there. It’s almost a two-hour drive."
    She grabbed her bag and packed up her clothes while Jake closed up the computer and grabbed his own things. Within ten minutes they were in the car and on their way to get Caitlyn. She felt better now that she knew who she was, but she wouldn’t feel completely right until she had her daughter in her arms.
    Halfway down the street Jake pulled out his phone again and pushed in a number. “Dylan,” he said a moment later. “Sarah has her memory back. Caitlyn is with someone named Teresa in Santa Barbara. What’s the address?” he said, turning to Sarah.
    â€œEleven-oh-one Mirada Drive,” she replied.
    Jake repeated the address to his brother. When he’d finished the call, he turned to Sarah. “Dylan and Catherine will meet us in Santa Barbara. I told him to give us a head start. I don’t want him to spook Teresa if she sees a stranger at the door."
    She nodded, knowing that there was a lot to be said, but where to start? That was the big question. First she needed to call Teresa. “Let me use your phone. I’ll give Teresa the heads-up that we’re coming."
    â€œI don’t want her to run with our child. If she thinks someone has a gun to your head, she might do just that.” He shot her a dark look. “Believe me, I’d like nothing more than to have you get her on the phone and confirm that Caitlyn is safe, but at this point I’d rather not do anything that’s going to send Teresa into hiding."
    She thought about what he was saying and then put down the phone. “I’ll wait until we get closer then.” It was hard not to make the call when she desperately wanted to hear Caitlyn’s voice, but she had to think about what was best. “We have to make sure we’re not being followed. We can’t lead anyone to Caitlyn."
    â€œI’m well aware of that,” Jake snapped. “Give me a little credit, Sarah. I’m not a complete fool."
    â€œI never thought you were."
    â€œObviously you did, or you would have brought Caitlyn to me."
    â€œDo you want to get into all that now?” she asked