Jordan leapt up the stairs, gently took his gun from Molly’s hands, and then held her in his arms. Molly sobbing, said, “I’m sorry. I was hiding under the bed and didn’t know what to do.”
“You did just fine Molly. Just fine.”
Blue watched them embrace as she walked over to the end table next to the sofa in the living room and carefully set the gun down on it. Then she looked up at Jordan and, matter-of-factly said, “I thought you might want this back.”
Jordan looked down at her through tear-filled eyes, nodded, and said, “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Chapter 41
Fifteen minutes later, Jenna turned the corner to see police cars blocking the street in front of Jordan’s house, their flashing blue lights reflecting off the houses. She slammed on her brakes, her brain trying to deal with the sensory overload. An ambulance blared its horn from behind as it veered around her. She threw the car into park, jumped out, and ran down the street, a look of panic on her face. Jordan, standing on the front lawn with Molly and Blue, was the first to see her. He motioned to her, trying to get her attention, but she didn’t see him. She continued her sprint down the street, her eyes darting between the house, police cars, and ambulance.
Blue, standing with Molly, pointed to Jenna. Molly turned, saw her, and took off running in her direction. When Molly reached her, Jenna swept her off her feet and held her in her arms as Jordan watched. Then, out of the corner of his eye, Jordan noticed Blue, standing alone. He walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulder. The smallest of tears formed in Blue’s eye as, for a split second, she remembered how powerful the healing touch of a parent’s hand could be.
Jordan looked at Blue and said, “Come on” and then took her by the hand to walk over and join Jenna and Molly.
Jenna, panic in her voice, said, “Oh my God, Molly just told me that a man was killed in your house!”
“It’s okay, Jen. It’s okay. Blue here, she saved our lives. The man who died was the man who killed Casey.”
“But how? Why!”
“He came looking for me. He was about to kill me when Blue showed up.”
“But I still don’t understand!”
“Blue had a gun with her. She was returning it to me. I believe it was meant to be.”
“Meant to be? What does that mean?”
“Jen, he was pure evil. He killed Casey. He killed Tommy. And he died by the same gun he had used on Casey. I believe in God’s justice, and I believe it was meant to be.”
“I don’t know. This is too much. I…I need to sit down.”
Jenna looked at Molly and said, “Sorry, honey,” letting Molly slide from her grasp as she kneeled on the lawn.
Jordan looked at Molly and said, “Molly, there is one thing I don’t understand. How did you know to hide when that man came into the house?”
Molly dropped her eyes and sheepishly said, “I didn’t. I heard the step squeak, and I thought it was you.”
Jordan smiled and said, “That’s okay. You’re not still mad at me, are you? I apologized to Mr. Wilkins after you left.”
“Is he still mad at you?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“Then I guess I’m not either.”
They hugged, and Jordan got up and walked over to Blue, who had again drifted off by herself. He put his hand softly on Blue’s shoulder and said, “Blue, you saved my life—and Molly’s. I know how hard it must have been, but you’re a hero. And we’re gonna get you someone who can help you through this. Is that okay?”
Blue smiled and said, with false bravado, “No worries, I’ll be fine. Hell, that guy was about to shoot my best friend.”
Molly, who had walked over, gave Blue a hug, just as Sanders and Bennings walked out from inside the house.
They motioned Jordan aside. Bennings pointed to Blue and asked, “Is that the girl who shot Baxter?”
“Yeah, that’s her. Wait…you’re not gonna pull her in for questioning are you? For God’s sake, she saved my life!”
“No. But I do need you to tell her something.”
“What’s that?”
“That as far as the FBI’s concerned, she wasn’t here today.”
“Wasn’t here?”
“She was nowhere near this place. Baxter, apparently in deep remorse, came to your house and committed suicide.”
“Oh really? He shot himself in the back?”
Bennings smiled and said, “That is rather odd. But then again, he was a very odd man.”
Jordan looked at Sanders and asked, “You see it the same way?”
Sanders got a broad smile on his face and said, “Don’t have a choice now do I? After all, the FBI has full jurisdiction, and I’m not about to take on the Feds.”
Jordan nodded, smiled, and said, “Thanks, guys.”
Jordan started to turn away when Sanders tugged on his shoulder and said, “Jordan, this thing is over. It’s finally over. Take some time off. You and Molly get away from here for a while.”
“Yeah, I think I know just the place.”
They exchanged handshakes, and Sanders and Bennings walked back inside the house.
Chapter 42
I still didn’t know how much my life had changed, not until late that night. That’s when I knew for sure that I had my dad back, the way things used to be. And that’s also when I started to see all the colors of the rainbow again.
Jordan took the same path that Molly had taken so often. When he turned toward the cottage, he saw Raymond. He was at the end of his fishing dock, under a halo of light being thrown by a single light bulb dangling from an old tin roof. As Jordan approached, he watched Raymond repeatedly cast out his fishing line, wait a while, and then slowly reel it back in.
When Jordan reached the edge of the pier, he called out, “Mr. Wilkins, I wanted you to know that we found the gun, so there’s no need to worry.”
Raymond didn’t answer. He just kept casting and recasting his fishing line. Finally, he said, “Great time for catfish. They come down the creek at night and hang out here, where there’s still enough fresh water for them and lots of food.”
Jordan said, “I didn’t know that,” and took it as an invitation to take a step onto the dock.
Jordan walked down the pier as Raymond continued fishing. Several minutes passed when Raymond set down his fishing pole, turned, and asked, “How’s she doing?”
“Pretty good now.”
“Good to hear. Now, if you would just hand me a piece of chicken from that tray over there.”
Jordan nodded, walked over to the bait table, and grabbed a piece of raw chicken off a section of newspaper. As Jordan picked it up, a smile crossed his lips when his eye caught a picture on the grease-stained Sunday newspaper sitting under it. It was a picture of Raymond, and the headline read: SCAD Honors Raymond Wilkins, World Renowned Artist and Native Son.
Jordan handed Raymond the chicken. Raymond put it on the hook, and then cast it out into the water. He glanced at Jordan and asked, “By the way, did Molly ever tell you why she took the gun in the first place? She did take it, didn’t she?”
“Not really. But she did ask her friend to go into your house and take it. She was afraid you were going to do something bad with it.”
“I see.”
Raymond reeled in a catfish, released it, and went back to casting the rod as he said, “She almost had it right.”
“Almost?”
“Yes, I’m ashamed to admit it, but I did give it some thought. Like you, I lost my wife. She got cancer and died—after fifty-one years of marriage.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Yes. And suddenly, I had no purpose. With the gun sitting there, well, it got me to thinking.”
Raymond put his pole down, looked directly into Jordan’s eyes, and said, “But then I met Molly. She gave me a purpose again. You understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”
“Yes, sir. I think I do now.”
“Good, now abou
t the gun. Florence found it in Kevin’s bedroom the same day he left, hidden behind a Bible of all places. Please don’t tell me that he murdered your wife!”
“No. That was the gun, but Kevin was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s a good young man. As for the man who did kill Molly’s mother, he died earlier today. He was at my house, looking for me.”
“Well then, I guess then the Lord’s justice has been served.”
“Amen to that. Anyway, I better get going. I’m hoping to take Molly and get away for a few days. When we get back, I know she’d love to see you again. Is that okay with you, sir?”
Raymond smiled and said, “You know the answer to that question. Oh, and tell her that when she gets back, I’ll have a surprise for her.”
“I surely will.”
They shook hands, and Jordan turned and walked away.
When Jordan got back to Jenna’s, he found Molly and Jenna in the living room watching television. Jordan walked over to Molly, tugged on her hand, and said, “Come on, I want to take you someplace.” She stood up and asked, “Where to?”
As they walked to the door, Jordan glanced back at Jenna and said, “You’ll see.”
A half-hour later, they drove through the cemetery gates and pulled up in front of the plot of grass where Casey was laid to rest. He looked at Molly and said, “I have something for you, and your mom.” He reached across the seat, in front of Molly, and started to open the glovebox when Molly said, “Dad, you don’t really think that…”
Jordan waggled his finger in front of her face and said, “Yes I do, honey. Love lasts forever. Just wait. You’ll understand what I mean.”
He reached into the glovebox and pulled out a beautiful white porcelain box. On its lid was a hand-painted portrait of a fair-haired mother looking over the shoulder of a young girl sitting at an easel, painting.
Molly asked, “What’s that?”
“It’s a surprise. Now come along.”
They got out of the truck, Jordan took Molly by the hand, and they walked to Casey’s grave. When they reached her headstone, Jordan kneeled and said, “Hi, Case. Molly and I stopped by to visit. I have something for both of you. It’s a late Christmas present, so here it…Oh, darn, wait a second.”
Jordan reached underneath the porcelain box, found the key he was looking for, and wound it up. Then he looked at Molly, smiled, and said, “Okay, here goes.” He lifted the lid, and the round drum inside with the small bumps on it started to turn. And then the metal prongs inside the music box came to life and started to play “Best Friends,” the song that Casey and Molly used to always sing together, the song that Jordan had recorded long before, when he was sitting on the front porch with Tommy.
Molly watched in fascination as the prongs rang out their musical notes. It took her awhile to recognize the song. And then…her face lit up. She turned to Jordan and started to sing along with the music box as it slowly wound down. Whether by luck or by providence, the last notes, and Molly’s last words to Jordan were, “We’re always gonna be best friends.”
Jordan wiped tears from his eyes and said, “Merry Christmas, Casey. Merry Christmas, Molly. I love both of you…so much.” And then father and daughter took turns talking to Casey for almost an hour, bringing her up to date on everything that had happened.
Chapter 43
“Mind if I stay at your place for a while?”
Jordan was talking to Jenna from the driver’s seat of the family minivan. They were heading north on I-95 and had just crossed over into Georgia. Molly was sitting behind them with a Disney backpack lying on the seat next to her. Molly had pleaded with Blue to go with them to Orlando, but she had insisted that she had better things to do.
Jenna said, “Sorry, I don’t have a place!”
“Okay…then can I stay at Dad’s place for a while, or are you gonna make me ask him for permission?”
She smiled and said, “Neither one. Jordan, the house is yours, not mine, not Dad’s. It always has been. So, you can stay as long as you like!”
“What?”
“Dad bought it for you. The deed is in your name.”
“Why that manipulative…!” Jordan stopped in mid-sentence, caught himself, and finished with, “…kind and loving father.”
Jenna laughed and said, “Hey, you finally get it.”
“Yeah, whatever. Anyway, I need to find a real estate agent and a mover because neither Molly nor I are ever going back to the old place.”
He glanced in the backseat at Molly and asked, “What do you say to that?”
“I say hurray! I’ll have Jenna, Raymond, and Blue to hang around with.”
Jordan looked at Jenna and said, “Well, two out of three ain’t bad!”
The next day, Jordan left the Realtor’s office and pulled his truck into the driveway of what was now his new house. As he got out of the truck, Molly ran around the corner and said, “Dad, close your eyes and come with me!”
“He smiled and asked, “Really? I’ll fall on my butt.”
“No, you won’t. Just hold tight onto my hand.”
She led him around the side of the house and around to the back deck. “Okay. Now stop here, but don’t open your eyes yet.”
Jordan heard the murmurs around him, but he waited until he heard “Happy birthday” ring out to open his eyes. When he did, he found Jenna, his parents, and Casey’s mom standing there, along with Raymond and Karen. Surrounding him were balloons tied to the deck railings. He acted surprised and smiled, but his eyes were immediately drawn to the painting sitting on the easel nearby. It was a beautiful seascape in oil, with a father and daughter standing on the shore, holding hands. The big rip in the corner was still there, but Raymond had done an excellent job repairing it.
Jordan was mesmerized. He walked up to the painting and said, “Oh my God, it’s beautiful.” And then he realized he hadn’t even acknowledged his guests. He turned and said, “Oh, I’m so sorry. Thank you all so much for being here.”
Jenna bailed him out, saying “Oh, no, you go right ahead. We understand!”
Molly beamed with pride, watching as her father scanned the canvas.
Then she asked, “Do you like it? Do you think it’s good?”
“It’s a whole lot better than good, Molly. I love it! Thank you so much.”
Jordan put his arm around Molly’s shoulder as she said, “It’s not quite done, you know.”
He smiled and said, “Maybe not, but it’s already perfect.”
Jordan turned back to his guests and said, “Thank you all so much for coming. Mom, Dad, Nancy…it’s so good to see you.”
And then, realizing his bad manners, he recovered by looking at Raymond and Karen and saying, “And you guys, too! You know what I’m trying to say.”
Jenna said, “Yes we all do. Now let’s go inside. I’ve got birthday cake and plenty of ice cream. And then she smiled at Jordan and said, “And yes, it’s chocolate!”
Jordan, Molly, and Jenna laughed. The others didn’t get the joke.
As they started to go inside, Jordan hesitated and said, “You know what, you guys go ahead. I’ll join you in a minute or two.”
Now outside and alone, Jordan walked back up to the painting and touched it very gently, as if it might break. He slowly slid his hand down to where the torn canvas had been repaired and held it there, looking out past the dunes and out toward the ocean. He stood there for several minutes, lost in his own thoughts. And then he saw Blue. She was all by herself, walking between the dunes. She turned toward Jordan, and their eyes met. He smiled, called her name, and waved for her to come over. She paused, looked at him, but didn’t respond. He called to her again and waved her over. But she didn’t move in his direction. She slowly turned her back and walked away.
Jordan dropped his head. He slowly took his hand off the canvas and walked inside the house.
Epilogue
Nine Years Later
Today is one of the dark days, but I’ll be o
kay. So many good things have happened in the past nine years. With Karen’s help, Dad and I worked through the healing process, helping each other along the way. And Raymond, he did so much more than teach me how to paint. He taught me how brilliant life’s colors can be—if we just learn to accept others for who they are and forgive them when they aren’t who they should be. One of my few regrets is losing track of Blue. The last I heard from her was when she called me late one night from a foster home near Atlanta. She was crying. I hope she’s okay.
Dark clouds filled the skies as Molly and Karen walked out of the church. They moved quickly toward their cars as the damp, winter breeze cut through their clothing. Now a young woman, Molly looked more like her mother than ever. Her hair was darker with a bit more red in it, her shape had filled out, and she had the same twinkle in her eyes that had made Jordan fall in love with Casey so many years before. Karen, she hadn’t changed much at all. She was still beautiful and still single. She and Jordan would get together occasionally for dinner or a movie, but nothing serious had ever come of it.
When the women reached their cars, they exchanged a few words, hugged, and then drove off in different directions. Shortly thereafter, Molly asked the computer inside her dashboard to make a phone call.
“Are you there yet?”
“I’m here but take your time. How you are holding up.”
“I’m okay. See you in about fifteen minutes. Okay?”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Fifteen minutes later, Molly pulled into the parking lot in front of the Tybee Pier.
She got out of the car and paused to look around.
It’s been too long, but it hasn’t changed.
In fact, more than three years had passed since Molly had last set foot on the pier. College, her artwork, and a few boyfriends had all gotten in the way. She stood there, thinking back to the wonderful days spent with her mom on the pier, including the first time she had ever held a paintbrush and put color onto canvas.
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