Steven rubbed the back of his head. “I shouldn’t delay your time with Blue a moment longer. But listen, son. You seem like a nice young man. Raised well. I know you’ve gone through hell in the last forty-eight hours. But this is a lot for someone of her age. Hell, it’s a lot for me, and I’m a kid compared to her.”

Steven rounded the counter and William followed him through the butler’s pantry, down the hall, and through the porch doors, where the two burly guards were still stationed. William stepped between them and stopped immediately in the doorframe.

Quincy sat directly beside Blue, with Lily standing on her other side. Both had changed clothes, Lily to a blue dress and Quincy into an ill-fitting shirt and pants. At William’s arrival, Blue clasped her hands together, Lily shyly smiled, and Quincy stood up.

“William! She’s your great-grandmother!” Quincy said, pointing to Blue.

“Mr. Martin, a bit of decorum, shall we?” Blue asked.

“Come on girl, we’re old friends now,” Quincy said, reaching down to gently pat her hand. “One believer to another, right?”

“He knows?” William asked, looking at Quincy. “You told him?”

“Of course she did. She knows who I am. She doesn’t know my taste in clothing or my actual pants size. She figured this is the size I would wear, which means a serious juice cleanse is in my future.”

“You decided to let him out?” Steven asked.

“More like he complained his way out.” Blue looked up to Quincy’s grin. “Miss Lily and I were having a nice talk when all we could hear was stomping and cursing upstairs. So I sent for him.”

“Against all of our better judgments,” Rudd said, from where he leaned against the pillar.

“Now wait a minute. Wait a damn minute,” Quincy said, walking towards Steven. “I know you! You’re Steven Richards.”

“Mr. Martin. Let’s give them a minute,” Rudd said. “You said you were hungry. I will happily stuff your mouth with anything to keep you from talking for five minutes.”

“No way. This is a gold mine right here. Everything I knew was real, is right here before my eyes. It was almost worth almost getting my butt blown off.”

“Let’s go.” Rudd took him by the arm. “Let them talk. I don’t agree with you knowing anything, but now that you do, I’ll be keeping a close eye on you.”

“Let it be known,” Quincy said, holding up a finger as Rudd led him to the door, “I spent half my fortune on trying to unravel the truth. I know my phone got either blown up or tossed somewhere, but give me a way to call and I’ll have a jet here within the hour. I can get us somewhere truly safe—”

Rudd closed the doors behind them.