‘Nothing would surprise me with that asshole,’ Klara said. ‘Especially as he’s in Kelleher’s pocket.’

‘I need to sleep,’ I said.

Two minutes later, after giving Klara a long hug, Elise and I got into the Volvo and drove down the long winding path to the village below. Once there we hit the highway and continued on down to a town called Yucca Valley where there were the usual strip malls and budget motels. We pulled into the first one we found. Elise insisted on using her card to pay for it. Then we found a 7-Eleven. She went inside and made a call and bought a few things. I remained inside the car, hoping the air conditioning would keep me awake. When she returned she looked at me and asked:

‘You sure you can get me back to the trailer?’

‘I’ll somehow keep going for a little while longer.’

As we drove off she took a notebook out of her purse and scribbled a name and number.

‘My colleague’s name is Judy Rainer. She’s been briefed. She’s now going to start making arrangements. Tomorrow we can drive back over here and I can call her and see what the next steps will be. But here’s the thing: once we get Amber to my group’s safe house we will, with her permission, begin to see how we can get this quickly handed over to the criminal justice system before Kelleher turns the tables on us. Our group has many lawyers working with us – and even a few retired judges. We can quietly but effectively get a case built against Kelleher very fast – and also ensure that the state entrusts Amber to our care until her baby is born. I’m sure of this. I also know that Klara will raise all sorts of hell and insist on doing things her way. I want this to be in the hands of the District Attorney within forty-eight hours. Because Kelleher is a formidable opponent – and if he finds us before then …’

‘Klara’s always going to be a target now, isn’t she?’

‘That is a possibility, Brendan. But we will deal with that, the law will deal with that …’

‘I can’t lose her. If she had to go into permanent hiding –’

‘Brendan … let’s not go to Catastrophe Corner just yet. Let’s wait and see how it all plays out.’

I sensed myself getting shaky. Fatigue, fear. I gripped the wheel. I choked back a sob. I again found myself thinking: there is no life for me without my daughter. I have nothing but her. Elise reached over and touched my arm.

‘You are not alone. Please know that.’

But I still felt very much alone.

I drove on. We passed a modern church off the highway – Victory Calvary – with a big message board outside reading: We can help you see the light!