“Hello, your honor,” I stated with my heart beating with nerves. “You don’t know me, but I know you. I was wondering if-”
“Look, Little Miss,” he cut me off. “I don’t know how you got my personal number, but I suggest you call my secretary for any appointments.”
“You gave me your number Your Honor,” I found myself blurting out. “I know you don’t remember me, but I am a friend of William Bell, and you guys made sure I would have your number in a case of an emergency. You wanted me to tell you ‘good will prevail’.”
He cleared his throat. “What’s your location?”
“Knightstown Academy,” I said promptly.
“Will is there,” he said in confusion.
“Yes, sir,” I said softly, “But since giving me your name and number, things have become…complicated.”
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” he said brusquely. “Meet me by the swings at the elementary school.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, Your Honor. Thank you so much!”
For appearances sake, Gavin and I decided to run the two miles to the school. Luckily, Gavin had an extra sweatshirt for me to wear. We didn’t waste any time running down to the elementary school. I knew I was going to be late getting back to meet Collin, but without my phone, he wouldn’t be able to track me, and I could claim I wanted to run instead of strength train today.
As we ran up to the playground, I saw Judge Myers was already waiting for me. I remembered how I thought he reminded me of a kindly grandfather. He had a way about him that made you feel comfortable.
“It’s good to see you again, Amanda,” he said immediately, the moment I stopped within feet of him. Gavin looked at me in confusion. I never told him I was born with a different name.
My jaw dropped, “You remember me,” I gasped.
He looked over at Gavin. “Gavin, it’s nice to meet you as well.” Holding out his hand.
Gavin looked a little discomfited but took his hand. He gasped immediately. “You see everything.”
Judge Myers smiled kindly. “Not quite. Come follow me, it’s a bit chilly out here. Let’s take a drive.”
Gavin took my hand and I squeezed it back. I didn’t know if he was offering me moral support, or if he needed it.
Gavin allowed me to sit up front in the black Lincoln with darkly tinted windows.
Judge Myers turned and looked at me. His eyebrows knitted. “We’ve met before, but I don’t remember it. Hmmm,” he continued to look in my eyes. I noticed the warmth in my head and I knew he was prying in my head, but instead of feeling invaded or cold, like Zach made me feel, the feeling from his was different. “I am truly stumped. My gift is to see into people’s lives. It helps me in my line of work. After meeting a defendant, I can tell within moments if he’s innocent or guilty.” He explained. “I see that we have met before, in a hospital. William Bell adopted you and…a little blond girl…Ella,” he smiled as if he found her name in my head. “But…something’s changed.”
“How close are you to William?” I asked hesitantly.
He chuckled softly. “You’re wondering what side I am on, and I assure you it’s yours.”
I snorted good naturedly. “Do you have to do that?”
It was kind of hard having a conversation with someone that already knew what you were thinking or seeing.
He frowned suddenly. “You should be able to shut me out, but someone has a block on you. Okay, I will stop reading you and let you talk.” He chuckled good naturedly.
He started his vehicle and we started moving.
“Someone’s turned back time,” I clarified bluntly. “Someone has taken the memories of my connections. They can’t remember me, but I remember everything. Collin Scott has been blocking me, and I know Zach Young has been making him watch me.”
He frowned even deeper. “I’m not familiar with Collin Scott, but I’ve known Zach Young. He has no back bone, I can’t imagine him capable of such an act.”
I grabbed his hand and looked in his eyes, “Look please.”
I brought up my memories of the time we found Zach in that run-down trailer, helping abduct children for Horatio, then when he tried to compel me in the restaurant, then when he succeeded to compel me and attempted to make me fear Will.
Judge Myer’s eyes widened in surprise. “I haven’t even heard about a time changer in centuries. I’m sure Horatio is hiding them carefully. The only one I know of, that’s capable of messing with memories is…your sister.”
I gasped. I had completely forgotten about having a half-sister out there that was believed to be working with Horatio. She was now in contact with the guys. She would have to be, to make sure any chance encounters I had with the guys could be erased once more.
“Do you know who she is?” I breathed in shock.
He shook his head once more. “No, Horatio has had her under his thumb for so long. All her records were lost and burned. I couldn’t find them, even if I wanted to.”
I frowned and stared down at my hands, reminded of why I was here to begin with. “Pietro Ricci, Troy, can you find his records?”
He smiled. “That’s something I can help you with, but why the urgency?”
“Do you know how he came into the care of Will?” I asked hesitantly.
He nodded. “I do. I signed every single one of your adoptions or guardianships. Sealed the ones that needed to be sealed.”
I looked back at Gavin, who looked more than shocked. “Sorry,” I frowned. “It’s not my secret to tell, but Troy left his foster home for a reason, and tonight another little boy will want to leave for the same reason…but worse.”
Judge Myron looked grave. “It will be taken care of. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“My sister, well, cousin, Ella Thomas,” I said worriedly. “I don’t know if she’s okay. She’ll come into her gift soon and I don’t know where she is or if she’s even okay. I want her safe. My brother, Alex-”
“Alexander Ray,” Gavin supplied from the back seat. I gave him a grateful smile.
“Alex will come into his gift soon,” I continued. At Judge Myers look of wonder, I added. “I forget you don’t remember all of this…now,” I said ruefully. “My mother had 5 of us, that I am aware. The evil harpy that’s messing with my life,” both men chuckled at me. I continued. “Me, followed by Micah and Alex. I’m not sure where my other brother falls in this, but Alex was able to let me know about his existence before…,” I paused and waved my hand around. “…all this happened. Alex is in the city, Gavin can give you more details, but he will get his gifts soon as well. His father will take him to hospitals, then sell him, essentially. Can you look again? It would make more sense.”
I let Judge Myers see the moment I met Alex and everything he knew about my brother Micah, who was homeless, living on the streets of Baltimore, and how he ended up in the trailer to begin with.
Judge Myers gave me a reassuring smile. “I will try my best to handle this, but I can’t make any promises,” he said sadly.