##Chapter 5: Resolve

Elaine ran down the hall, opening doors, looking for an office. She finally found an unused supply closet and dug through the boxes on the shelves searching for anything to write with. She had tried to use her phone's note application, but her phone claimed storage was full.

How was that even possible!?

"Please just… aha! I found something. Okay, so could you please repeat everything you just said?"

Laying the paper against the wall, she wrote as carefully as she could. The Holidays new address was quite long. They would also need to stop by the post office to get their new ID's. They would be escorted every step of the way by professionals from the shelter.

"So they can get into contact with the office anytime they wish right? There's no deadlines they need to worry about, or paperwork they would need to file beforehand? Okay, uh-huh… gotcha."

Then there was the job and school registration hotline. It would be about a month or two before the official paperwork for their new identities would be completed, so in the meantime, a small fund was being collected for them. The money could be used for just about anything.

"Thank you so much, Barbra. If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call me right away."

It'd taken an hour to get everything sorted, but the Holidays would officially be able to start their new lives.

She couldn't wait to tell them.

Elaine found the two giggling and folding the clothes she brought for them. Everything had been arranged by size and color. They'd already gotten most of the bags full. It even seemed like they'd finally gotten around to eating too. She could see the wrappers and cups tossed inside a bag with their old clothing.

"Did you find anything you liked? Don't worry about having to put all this away on your own. I was planning to leave most of it here anyway."

Grace walked across the table, jumping off to hug and throw her arms around Elaine's neck. She stumbled as she took the girl's weight, catching herself on the doorframe.

"Miss Roberts, we're gonna be witnesses! We're gonna get up on the stand and testify against that jerk Bobby! Mama and me both are gonna do it! Isn't that just the coolest!?"

What!? When had they decided that!? Did Abigail come back for them while she was busy?

"I really don't think this is a good idea. You'll be forced to be in close contact with Bobby throughout the trial. There's no telling what he would do."

Gina put her bags on her shoulders, walking forward to tap her daughter on the head.

"Give her some room to breathe, Grace. Please don't worry, Elaine. We'll be well cared for. Miss Fredricks has already arranged all the transportation for us. She should be here any moment now."

Of course she had. Nothing if not professional that one.

There was the sound of a small argument downstairs, heavy footsteps on the stairs, before the door opened, and the woman herself arrived, followed by three well-armed men in vests.

She motioned to the Holidays, but Elaine stepped between them.

"I really do think you'll be safer starting your lives over someplace far from here. Are you absolutely certain this is what you want to do?"

Grace and Gina shared a look before they swapped places, the girl walking over to the protective detail as her mother wrapped Elaine in a tight hug.

"We're absolutely certain. We can't thank you enough for all your help. You've worked so hard for us, and we'll forever be grateful to you and everyone else who's doing everything they can to see that Bobby finds justice."

Elaine's eyes grew blurry and she wiped at them. To hide the fact she was crying, she didn't even truly know why the event was getting to her so much, she folded the paper and wrote her number down, pressing it into Gina's hands.

"If you need anything, feel free to call anytime. I'll do whatever I can to help you. Don't even worry about the time, I never sleep anyway."

One of the guards snatched the paper free. He motioned to Gina, waiting until she passed by to stuff it into his vest.

"That won't be possible. We cannot risk Bobby Holiday finding out our location before the trial concludes, so we are to be under strict gag orders. There is to be no contact with the outside world. We'll return this paper to the Holidays once the trial is over."

Elaine nodded, not trusting herself to speak without sounding nasally just yet. She waved to Grace as the girl turned back to look at her.

Abigail was looking out the window, probably watching as the family was escorted into whatever vehicles were waiting for them. She made no move to turn around, for which Elaine was grateful. She didn't think she could handle the other woman seeing her cry.

"There truly is no need to worry, Miss Roberts. The witness protection agency is one of the most secure forces in the city. The Holidays will be well guarded, I can assure you."

Well… even if she couldn't contact them directly… nothing said she couldn't talk to someone who could.

***

A gentle tap to her jacket made Abigail turn on her heels, nearly rolling over the shorter woman behind her in her haste.

Elaine covered her mouth to hide her laughter, not even trying to compose herself as she pointed to the living room. "Before you leave, could I talk to you for a moment, Abigail?"

She had anticipated this. She was prepared in all she had to say. She would apologize to Miss Robert's for her uncouth behavior. Assure her that no legal ramifications would be forthcoming because of the event.

The kiss would not prevent them from forming a relationship according to traditional standards. At least, this was the hope Abigail was going to do her best to convey.

She allowed herself to be led back to the living room, turning to the side briefly to straighten her jacket. It wouldn't do to appear unkempt. "What did you wish to speak about, Miss Roberts?"

Elaine chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck slowly. "This situation made me realize that I don't know the law as well as I should. There were many questions today that I didn't know the answers to. I wasn't able to help the Holidays as much as I could have, and I'd like to solve that problem."

Oh--this had nothing to do with the kiss then.

Perhaps she was in need of a lawyer? It would explain her nervous behavior after trying to get in the way of the law so much today. Abigail inclined her head, trying to ease the woman's nerves. "How do you propose to do that?"

A bright smile and eager step forward nearly made her flinch. How on earth did anyone make smiling look intimidating?

Was it that she knew what that smile felt like that made it so frightening?

"I was wondering if I could have your phone number? Your real one, not the one you give out to all your clients."

An… odd request, but not an entirely unwelcome one.

She was more versed in criminal legislature than civil proceedings, but with Miss Roberts' line of work, she might have more need of someone who could--

Right. Speaking in the moment would be highly productive and was societally expected. She swiftly reached into her jacket and pulled another card free, offering it with a gentle smile of her own. "Forgive me, I was simply surprised. Here, this card contains all of my contact information. Are you in need of permanent legal counsel? I cannot predict what my schedule will be like during this trial, but I will absolutely be happy to recommend lawyers suited to your cases."

Elaine typed the numbers into her phone slowly, tracing her thumb over the numerals one by one. "No, I'm good on lawyers. You're really sweet for asking though."

No need for… then why take the time to try and obtain her personal number?

Oh.

Oh, could it be the first line of thought she'd had then? Had it been related to the kiss all along and the desire to learn more law was a clever feint designed to keep others from prying into their personal affairs?

She should reign in her wild fancies before they ran away with her. Putting too much pressure on a new thing was a terrible idea.

It was also quite the surprise. It was very rare to find an interested party in this town for romantic pursuits. Granted, there were interested parties, but… they were never this… special. The fault for that could lie in her standards for romantic partnership, but such things could easily be evaluated at another time and place.

"Ah, I see. I'm not used to being approached so forwardly. I must admit, I find you charming as well. Do you care to tell me what your schedule looks like? I have more free time towards the weekends than I do during the week, but I cannot assume the same for yourself."

Elaine tilted her head, then slowly sauntered closer, gently tracing her finger along Abigail's jacket collar. "Darling, for as handsome as you are, I'm just simply not into people who take my clients away. Perhaps if you can keep your promise to keep them safe, I'll reconsider, but I only wanted your number so I could be there for Grace and Gina if they needed anything."

A warmth encompassed her cheek before Elaine slid away, gliding down the stairs out of sight.

Abigail stared at the doorway, slowly putting the card back in her pocket. The truth of the words had stung, but better to have honesty than ill-bred intent. For all her bubbly personality, Elaine was quite the trickster. She hadn't even considered the possibility of subterfuge coming from her.

As she left the bakery, Abigail wondered, if she asked, what else Elaine would be willing to show her?