Page 74 of Dark Shadows
“Cree sounds like a force of nature.”
“She is. These consultants work under strict protocols, maintaining plausible deniability in official reports whileproviding crucial insights that wouldn't be available otherwise.” Harrison’s expression remained professional. “Your experience with Officer Daniels' case demonstrates exactly why we need people with your perspective. You see things others can't, both literally and figuratively.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you have a gift, Ms. Miles. One that could help prevent others from going through what you did.” Harrison’s eyes held hers. “People with abilities like yours are vulnerable in ways most law enforcement don’t understand. They need protection and understanding from someone who's lived it.”
“You're offering me a job,” Savanah said.
“I'm offering you a purpose,” Harrison corrected. “A chance to be part of something bigger. To work with Agent Spencer's team and others who understand what you've been through because they've lived it themselves.”
Mason's hand tightened around hers, supportive without being insistent.
“We can protect you,” Harrison continued. “Train you. Give you the resources to use your abilities effectively. And in return, you use your abilities to help solve the unsolvable and save lives.”
“I'll need time to think about it,” she said finally.
“Of course.” Harrison held a card, which she took. “Take all the time you need. No rush.”
“Cree says she'll say yes,” Mason interrupted with a smile.
Harrison’s eyebrows shot up. “She told you that?”
“Not exactly,” Mason replied. “But she did say Savanah would be saving my life plenty more times in the future, so I'm reading between the lines.”
After Harrison and Jacob left, Savanah turned to Mason. “Did you know about this?”
“That he'd offer you a job? Yes.” Mason's smile was warm. “That he’d come to town and do it personally? No.”
“What do you think I should do?”
“I think,” Mason said, his voice gentle, “that you've spent your life running from who you are. Maybe it's time to run toward it instead.”
Through the window, she could see her hometown stretching out below. The same streets, the same buildings, but somehow different now. Or maybe she was the one who had changed.
“Help save people by talking to the dead.”
“And help bring justice to some cold cases,” Mason said.
Wesley had twisted his protection into something dark and terrible. Perhaps she could turn her abilities into something healing instead.
“I'll call Harrison tomorrow,” she said. “But I can’t leave this time without telling my mom goodbye.”
Mason's smile widened. “We can stay longer if you want.”
“No,” Savanah said, surprising them both with her certainty. “I'm moving forward, but first I have some personal unfinished business to attend to.”
They got cleaned up, packed, met Jacob in the parking lot, and drove to her mother's house. Richard's truck in the driveway made her smile through the last of her tears.
“Didn't waste any time, did they?” Mason squeezed her hand.
“I’ll just be a minute,” she answered with a quick kiss before heading inside to find her parents in the kitchen. Her mom was cooking breakfast, Richard fixing the cabinet he'd always meant to repair. It looked right. Natural. Like time had somehow reset itself to before everything went wrong.
“You're leaving,” Catherine said, seeing Savanah's face.
“Yeah.” Savanah hugged her. “But I'll be back. Promise.”
“You better.” Richard set down his tools and pulled her into a bear hug. “No more running, kiddo.”
