"So, he came alone?" Quinn furrowed her brow.
"Well, no, he didn't."
"Who was he with then?" Quinn shivered from the cold winter air since she was no longer in the heated rental car.
"First, tell me why you're here."
"I already told you," Quinn stated. "I'm here to get you out of here."
"Why?"
"Is there a reason why you wouldn't want to leave?"
"Maybe because I don't truly trust you." Jackie rubbed her arms to try to warm up.
Quinn didn't consider that Jackie would be hesitant. Quinn thought that Jackie would be overcome with joy to be rescued. "I didn't come here to hurt you. I promise."
"How'd you know I was here?" Jackie questioned.
"I've known for years."
"And you're just now doing something about it?"
"Given that you've been here for eighteen years, I'd say that you know my husband isn't one to cross."
"Why now?" Jackie queried. If Quinn had known the entire time that Jackie was in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, why did it take her so long to rescue her?
"Would you mind if we get out of the cold? I'll tell you anything you want to know," Quinn asked. She noticed that Jackie hesitated, so she continued, "You can search me if you want. I have no weapons. I'm not here to hurt you."
Jackie nodded. "Fine, come inside. There's still coffee left from this morning."
The ladies walked into the cabin, and Jackie closed the door by using the dining room chair to prop under the doorknob.
"What happened to the door?" Quinn inquired.
"Your son."
Quinn sucked in a breath. "Why would he do that?"
"Sit." Jackie motioned to the small round table. "I'll get you a cup of coffee and tell you what happened after you tell me why you've been missing for a month and then suddenly showed up here to rescue me."
The ladies spoke truthfully to each other, even down to the fact that Jackie and Frank had developed a relationship over the years. Quinn didn't understand how Jackie could fall in love with a man who had killed her husband and gave away her baby, but then she had fallen for Frank Russo when she knew he wasn't an angel.
Frank had a way about him that made you feel like you were the most important woman in his life. At least he was like that with Quinn until she got pregnant with Frankie. She didn't understand the change then, but hearing Jackie's story, Quinn realized Frank was living a double life.
When Jackie told Quinn why Frankie had shown up, Quinn was stunned, to say the least. She never thought that her son would go against his own father. "We need to do something," Quinn stated. "If Frank catches Frankie—"
"He'll kill him?"
Quinn shook her head. "I don't think so. He'd kill Zell."
"That's what Frankie said too. How do you suggest we stop him?" Jackie motioned between herself and Quinn.
"I don't know yet." Quinn stood. "But we should leave now and think of a plan on the way there."
Jackie agreed. As the women talked, she realized it was time for her to get her life back. She had met her daughter, and could finally have a relationship with Zell. Jackie needed and wanted to help.
After Jackie grabbed some clothes and her toiletries, the ladies got into the car and headed for the city. Jackie was in awe of the snowy mountains as they drove toward New York City, and it hit her that her daughter must have been too. Jackie had always assumed Zell was living the high life, certain Saffron had sent Zell to the best schools, provided the finest clothes money could buy, and traveled the world every summer. That was part of the reason Jackie never tried to escape when there were no guards. She thought Zell would have a better life without her.
"You know what has become my obsession for the last few years?" Quinn asked after several miles of silence.
"Um, no?" Jackie questioned.
"For several years now, there has been a TV station dedicated to true crimes. Instead of soap operas, I've watched shows about serial killers and murder."
"Like Dateline?" Jackie questioned. She remembered that show from when she was younger and free.
"Yes, exactly, but this is a 24/7 thing on TV now."
"Okay?" Jackie wasn't sure where Quinn was going with this information.
"Poison could be the way we do it."
"Poison? What kind of poison?"
Quinn lifted a shoulder slightly. "Well, it's not as though we can get our hands on much given the time constraints of what we need to do."
"Right. So, what are you saying?"
"I think we should slip antifreeze in his liquor."
"Antifreeze? Like for cars?"
Quinn nodded. "Yes. It's detectable in an autopsy, I think, but who would suspect a housewife, who hadn’t driven herself in over twenty-plus years, would have access to it or even think to use it?"
Jackie thought about what Quinn had said for a moment. "Whose car is this?"
"I rented it."
"Isn't it rented under your name?"
Yes, Quinn had rented the car in her name. She had to show her driver's license when she did it. "You're right, but I still think we should try."
"And if we get caught?"
"I think no matter what we do to kill him, there's a chance we'll get caught. But for our children's safety, we need to try, right?"
"Yes, I agree."
"Or," Quinn continued, "we dump his body in the harbor like he does with all of his victims and then meet back up with the kids at the cabin. Maybe the police won't even think to run that particular tox screen when doing his autopsy."
"Is that what Frank did with … my husband?"
Quinn patted Jackie's knee. "Yes, I'd say so, though I don't know for sure."
"Well, it's only fitting that Frank would wash up somewhere like all the men he's killed."
Quinn grinned. "Yes. Yes, it is."
From watching all the true crime shows, Quinn knew that there was no perfect murder. Eventually—maybe even decades down the road—most murders were solved because of new technology, a witness, or new evidence, but Quinn also knew that she needed to try. Knowing that her son wanted to put a stop to his father made her heart swell. She hated that she had left without telling Frankie goodbye, and now she was going to get her redemption.
And her revenge.
When Quinn stopped for gas, she purchased a jug of antifreeze with cash, as planned, and then the women continued to the city.
The ladies returned the rental car and took a taxi to Quinn's apartment. They both weren't sure what or who would be there when they arrived. Jackie had told Quinn Frankie's plan about setting the warehouse on fire and then going to the club to rescue the women being sold. They didn't know what time the auction would be over or if Frankie had succeeded at his takedown and rescue mission.
"Mrs. Russo, you're back," Sal, the doorman, stated as he opened the door for the ladies.
Quinn smiled warmly. "I am."