Billie walked out of her motel room before sunrise. She had been in Wendover for three days and with the race ending, she knew her newly acquainted friends would be leaving town and so would the security of having them around. She walked down the dimly lit corridor and into the parking lot. Just as she was putting the key in the door, she heard a voice behind her.
"I have finally found you."
She turned in shock and put her hand over her mouth, stifling her reaction.
********************************
Gabe walked into the local police station the next morning. "Hello there, I was wondering if a man from out of town stopped in at all. I witnessed him get attacked at a bar and wanted to make sure he was ok." He lied a little. The woman at the front desk turned to look behind her. A man reading a paper with his feet propped up put the paper down and stood up.
"As a matter of fact, there was a fella in here the other day from out of town." The tall and serious looking man said, walking over to Gabe.
"Any idea where he went? Just want to check on him." Gabe asked.
The man smiled. "No. No idea. And not sure I would tell you if I did know." He said, looking down at Gabe's scabbed over knuckles. Gabe noticed and put them in his pockets.
"Well thanks anyway." He said, turning to leave.
The man followed him out. "Wait."
He followed as Gabe hurried to his car.
"I have some concerns about the well being of the woman he was searching for. And I know you obviously do too." He said.
"Yeah. The guy is an abusive piece of shit. I need to find him before he finds her." Gabe said.
"And what do you plan to do when you find him?" The man asked.
"Make sure he's not anywhere near her." Gabe said.
The man nodded his head. "I can understand that."
Gabe nodded back and opened his car door.
"I'll help you." The man said.
"Alright. Who are you?" Gabe asked.
"I'm the sheriff of Maricopa County." The man said.
And with that, Gabe smiled and thanked him, knowing even then that they had their work cut out for them.
******************************************
"Ezra? Oh my god." Billie squealed as she ran to him. She clung to him, smelling the familiar scent of his soap and skin, exhaling in the safety of his arms.
Ezra pulled her away and examined her. "Are you hurt? Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm okay." She said, tears forming in her eyes.
He pulled her to him again and held her as she began to sob.
"Let's get you out of here." He said. He lead her to his car and helped her in.
"But Paula's Jeep…" Billie began.
"I'll buy her ten more." Ezra said, closing the door and telling Andrew to drive. There was another man in front. One that looked extremely large and strong. Ezra noticed her looking at him.
"Billie, this is Paul. Paul helped us find you." He said.
"Thank you." Billie said quietly.
"My pleasure, ma'am." Paul said, smiling.
They drove off and toward Salt Lake City where Ezra said he had a room for her to rest. As the car pulled into a luxury hotel in the city, Paul's cell rang.
"Yes. Can you confirm? Alright. We will be there shortly." He said. Looking back at Ezra, he gave a nod.
"Billie, Andrew is going to take you up to the suite. You are safe there. I will be back in a couple of hours. Take a bath. Breathe. Rest." Ezra said.
"Where are you going?" Billie asked.
"To take out some trash." He said, kissing her forehead and getting into the drivers seat as Andrew whisked her away inside.