Free Seeking Safety by Karen Ward Page A

that snowy night in Wyoming. What's
more, he knows that Barry recognized him when he walked past. He
winked at him! He is so excited and he is trying to tell his Mom
about Barry winking at him when they are approached by one of the
security guards and whisked inside the building without an
explanation.
    I am shocked and frightened. My heart is
pounding with trepidation as we are herded into the lobby. Why are
they making them come inside this fancy hotel? Oh dear, what am I
going to do? Are we going to be arrested? Did Eric do something
wrong? Please God, help us!
    Once we are inside the hotel, the guard
reassures me that we are not in any trouble. He explains that Mr.
Farrady has requested they be brought to his suite. Relief flows
through me and Eric begins jumping up and down with excitement.
They are going to see Barry!
    Once Barry enters the suite he discards his
suit and puts on his jeans and a casual shirt. He takes a deep
breath, finally, he feels like himself. Then he begins to pace the
floors waiting for his guests to arrive. He really can't believe
that they are here and will be walking in the door of his suite at
any minute.
    When the suite door opens and he sees Eric
and Melanie enter, a huge grin spreads across his face. He crosses
the room and wraps both mother and son in a warm hug. Melanie is no
longer blonde but has dark sable brown hair in a short pixie cut.
Eric appears to have grown at least a foot.
    "It's so amazing to see you. Come in here so
we can have some privacy," he says indicating his private sitting
room.
    Once we are settled, he asks, "So how are
you? Do you live here now?"
    I smile, "I am so shocked! It really is you!
I kept seeing your picture in all of those tabloid rags and I
couldn't believe the famous Barry Farrady was the one that helped
us that night in Wyoming. I guess I was so out of touch and
isolated at the compound in Idaho that I had no idea who you were
then."
    Eric grinning from ear to ear says, "I'm the
one that recognized the picture. Mom told me I was crazy. She said
someone as famous as you would never be nice enough to help perfect
strangers. When I saw you were coming to New York, I told her we
had to come see you!"
    Barry laughing exclaims, "I am so glad you
did! So tell me, are you living here now? Are you still in
protection?"
    "We are living here now but we are no longer
in the witness protection program. We do have new identities
though. I am Beth Mitchell and this is Michael Mitchell. Our
handlers feel like the danger to us is minimal since Darren is
dead."
    "I have wondered so often over the last few
weeks about you. I wanted to know how you were doing and if you are
safe. I would love for you to come to the ranch for a visit. Do you
think that is possible? You can see from that circus outside that
spending time here or anywhere in public is impossible." says Barry
disgustedly.
    "I suppose it's possible, but ..."
    "I'll furnish the transportation. You don't
need to worry about a thing. You just tell me when," interrupts
Barry.
    "All right, would mid June work for you?
Michael will be out of school then."
    "Perfect. I'll be through with all this
publicity stuff by then too. Give me an exact date and I'll send my
private jet for you. That way it will be harder to trace if someone
is looking for you. Plan on staying at the ranch for at least a
month, all right?" says Barry. "I want a chance to get to know the
two of you."
    Eric and I spend the next hour telling Barry
about our new life in New York City. He updates us on the changes
he has made at the ranch and tells us that Scoot and the other guys
that make up Drake Security are all relocating to the ranch where
he is building them an office and living space over his barn.
    When time comes for us to leave, one of
Barry's security guards escorts us down the back stairs to a
waiting limousine that takes us back to our apartment.
    ******
    From that day forward Eric is on cloud nine.
He is going to get to spend a whole