Annie looked over at Dennis. “You need to go get the car and bring it here. We’ll drop you off at your car on the way out. While you do that, we will explain to these ladies that they are as safe with us as they would be in their mothers’ arms.”

There were only two words to describe Muno and Moss as they huddled together on the chocolate-brown sofa: defeated and terrified. “How did you find us?” Amalie Moss demanded bravely.

Myra sniffed. “Just chalk it up to dogged detective work. I want to reassure you that you are safe with us. We know who you are, Rosalee Muno and Amalie Moss. You, Mrs. Moss, are married to Lincoln Moss. You were given safe passage in the underground railroad operated by a dear friend of ours. Your ID numbers were 9643 and 9644. We know all about the picture that was in the tabloid. We are currently in the process of locating the woman who sold you out for money. She was a nurse at the clinic where you had your facial surgery. We will deal with her separately. For now, we just want you to know you are safe.”

“I’ll never be safe from him,” Amalie whimpered.

“I guarantee your safety,” Myra said gently. “You need to trust us. Can you do that?”

Muno’s head bobbed up and down as she started to cry. “I’m sorry, Amalie, I can’t do this anymore. We have to trust someone. I believe these people. I really do, Amalie. I want to see my family again. All we succeeded in doing was getting Jason and Stacey in trouble. That lunatic husband of yours is going to go after them. We’re lucky these people found us first. I’m going with them. What you do is up to you.”

Amalie put her arm around the young girl. “You’re right. I can’t do this anymore either. I just want a life again.” She looked Annie dead in the eye, and said, “We won’t give you any more trouble. I promise.”

“Do you have any belongings?” Myra asked. Amalie and Rosalee both shook their heads from side to side.

“As soon as our partner gets here, we’re going to take you someplace where you will truly be safe. You have to trust us and give us your word you won’t try to cut and run. If you can’t do that, then we’re going to have to tie you up,” Myra said.

Rosalee Muno’s eyes opened wide all of a sudden. “Are you . . . I think I know . . . you are, aren’t you?” Annie didn’t think it was possible, but the young girl’s eyes opened even wider when she smiled at her. “You are! I knew it! Amalie, they’re the Vigilantes. She’s right, we’re safe with these people.”

“Who are the Vigilantes, Rosy?”