“Hey, Carl…tell me—did I do something to upset you or…”
That’s the first time he looked my way since I’d arrived.
“Upset me? You can’t upset me, bro.”
“Okay!” I threw my hands up. “If you wanna act like a spoiled child instead of talking it over like an adult, have it your way. I’ll be out of your hair soon enough since it’s looking like my trip was in vain anyway!”
I got up to leave.
“Wait!” He put the remnant of his sandwich on the table and muted the television.
As I slowly assumed my previous position, I noticed he was gathering his thoughts. He then turned to me.
“You want me to tell you what’s on my mind, big brother? Well, I’ll tell you. It was bad enough that you moved away and left us here after you know what Mom, Dad and I had gone through.”
“Hold up!” I interjected. “What you guys went through? What about me and what I went through to rescue you—all of you—everyone in this blasted town? You think it was easy for me? It was horrifying knowing what had happened to you guys, wondering if I’d ever get you back and at the same time fighting to rescue you without being caught.”
“I’m not saying you didn’t go through anything, Hewey. I’m trying to say after it was over, you were a visitor popping in here and there. Mom missed you a lot and even though she never said she wanted you to come back home, I knew she did.”
I shook my head. “You know Mom and Dad heard from me every other day and I saw them as often as I could. For goodness’ sake, I’m a grown man! Mom knew I had to live my own life wherever I felt I needed to be. She never would’ve been selfish to lay a guilt trip on me about coming back home.”
Looking at my brother, I knew he hadn’t yet gotten to the crux of the matter.
“All those years of seeing me, Carl, you never once acted the way you’ve been acting since Mom and Dad died. We were always close, despite the distance between us. You used to call me all the time, then the calls got fewer and fewer and then stopped altogether. If I don’t call you, you won’t call. Something must’ve happened to change the relationship we had.”
He was silent for a while, just sitting there shaking his head. Then the tears started streaming down his face.
“After Mom and Dad died, you abandoned me, Hewey.”
“How?” I asked, completely stunned by his assertion.
“I had to be here handling their loss by myself in this house with all the memories. I didn’t have anyone; no friends I could confide in about my true feelings—no one. I was all alone with my thoughts, crying my eyes out every single day for close to a year. For months, I kept Mom and Dad’s bedroom door shut to prevent myself from going further into depression.” He looked at me with a mixture of sadness and anger in his eyes. “When we were younger, you were the one with all the friends. In my mind, you, Mom and Dad were not just my family—you were my friends. So, when they were gone and you were so far away, I had nobody. And what’s worse—you never came back after the funeral. After a year went by and you hadn’t returned, I made up my mind that I had to find a way to cope on my own without you as a brother because you obviously didn’t care about me enough to come back. And look—you’re only here now because of your friend, Jase—and I’m your brother.”
His words cut me to the core. I knew he was right about everything, but I’d never seen it that way before. “I had no idea you felt that way, Carl,” I replied. “I knew losing Mom and Dad was really hard on you, especially since you were always here with them, but I guess I wasn’t thinking straight. I was so wrapped up in my own grief that I couldn’t bear to come back to this house because the reality that they were gone would’ve hit me way too hard. That’s why I stayed away; not because I didn’t want to see you or for us to be together like before. It was how I grieved and I was selfish about it, Carl, and I’m sorry. As your big brother, I was supposed to be here for you and maybe if I was, I would’ve been able to handle my grief a lot better.”
I got up, went over to him and just stood there. Tears were still streaming down his face. “I’m sorry. I know I can’t take anything back, but will you forgive me?” I asked. “I promise to be here for you even more than ever before.” If he decided he’d rather not have anything more to do with me, I’d understand, but in my heart, I meant every word of what I said.
Moments later, he stood up and gave me the biggest hug ever and we were both in tears.
* * * *
I was relieved that Carl and I had finally broken the ice. Other than Uncle Charlie, he was the only family I had that was worth the definition of one.
That evening, Carl walked with me to Uncle Charlie’s house where we ate a big bowl of pea soup only Uncle Charlie could make so perfectly.
Uncle Charlie was our mom’s brother. He’d taught most of us in the neighborhood how to fish and often rented his canoes out. Nothing much had changed with him, except, like many of our neighbors, he’d also aged quite a bit. Uncle Charlie was hitting seventy-three and still going strong. He’d never married, but had a daughter who lived in New Jersey, whom he hardly ever saw. I don’t think she and I had ever met and I wasn’t sure if we ever would. Uncle Charlie was convinced her mother had filled her head with nonsense when it came to him, failing to tell his daughter how he’d fought for custody of her when she was a year old and lost because the judge thought he was bum since he was out of work at the time. Uncle Charlie only had so much fight in him. He thought the system was against him and that he was fighting a losing battle, so when his ex-girlfriend picked up and left with their child— moving to a whole new state—and made it close to impossible for him to see his baby by threatening to have her jailbird brothers beat him up, he figured he’d keep his distance and hoped his daughter would one day look for him. So far, that day never came.
“I thought you’d never come back here, boy!” He told me at dinner. “Three years is a long time to stay gone.”
“Yeah. I was wrong for that.” I glanced at Carl.
“I don’t need you gettin’ in your head that you’re high society since you own that company in New Mexico,” Uncle Charlie added. “No matter how far you climb up the ladder of success, you’re still a small-town boy who used to piss his pants up to the age of twelve.”
I was shocked he said that last part.
Carl was laughing.
“Well—you know where I got the information from. Your mother—of course! She told me everything about you boys.”
“I’m sure she did,” I mumbled. “You don’t have to worry about my head getting all swollen, Uncle Charlie. Although I like to make money, I’m not controlled by it.”
“Well, send some of it this way!” He swallowed a spoonful of soup.
“Haven’t I always sent you money when you said you needed it?”
“Sure, you did. I’ll always be grateful for the new canoes you bought to replace the old ones, but my bank account could always use a li’l boost every so often.” He smiled.
“You’re a piece a work, Uncle,” Carl said.
“Am I, boy? Your brother knows I’m pullin’ his leg.”
I picked up my soda and took a gulp. “Uncle Charlie knows whenever he needs me I’m just a phone call away.”
“I know that.” He nodded. “Just like your folks knew. You’re a good boy. Both of you are. Carl here took good care of them, especially when they were gettin’ up in age. Never left their side and tended to their every need, And you, Hewey, did what you could from where you were at, and by all accounts, that was a lot. I told ya I know everything that went on. Your folks loved you two more than words could say and they were so proud of both of you.”
He started to get a bit choked up, then quickly abandoned the topic.
“How about we go fishing on the lake?” I suggested.
“Today?” Uncle Charlie grimaced.
“Yeah. Right now. Carl, are you in?”
“I’m in.” He rested his napkin next to his
empty bowl.
“Well, I’m out!” Uncle Charlie said, dropping his spoon. “I’m full, I’m tired and I’m going to bed very early tonight.”
“Well, have it your way,” I said. “Olivia, here we come.”
“You know where to put the dinghy when you’re through,” he said.
“Yeah—exactly where we found it,” I assured him.
Those were our uncle’s famous words. He’d once told us he’d written his will and had left everything to Carl since his daughter supposedly didn’t want to have anything to do with him. He told me I didn’t need what he owned because I could afford his estate a hundred times over. Regardless, the man had a good heart and he only did what he felt was right or fair, despite how truly wrong or unfair a situation might’ve been.
Carl and I spent a couple of hours fishing at Lake Olivia, catching a couple of tiny ones and tossing them back each time. Sam, Rob, Jase and I had spent many days on the lake in one of Uncle Charlie’s dinghies, but Carl was often left out of the equation because he preferred playing video games instead. I figured my little brother and I had some catching up to do and we couldn’t have asked for a nicer evening. It was cool out and the water was calm, glistening in the setting sun.
“From what you mentioned earlier, sounds like you guys are not making much headway finding out what happened to Jase, huh,” Carl said, throwing his line back into the water.
I told him what happened to Mays and how Jeffreys was no help.
“We plan on going to the police station tomorrow to ask some questions. Hopefully, we’d uncover something there,” I said.
“Maybe you guys should speak to the people who were closer in proximity to Jase and his mom when they were in the compound,” he suggested.
“I hadn’t thought of that, but I have no idea who they are.”
“The Coopers around the block—one of Sam’s neighbors—shared a cell with them. I remember that.”
“Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent. They would’ve been released at the same time, so they should know something.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” I frowned.
“You never asked! And to be honest, I never thought about it before now,” he said.
“Well, that’s definitely an avenue we must check out. Once that cell door was opened, they might’ve seen where Jase and his mother went—at least, in what direction.”
“Hope it works out,” Carl said.
“Thanks, li’l bro.”
8
_________________
The following morning…
I called Sam and Rob and told them what Carl had said about the Coopers. Rob told me he’d pick me up around ten o’clock and we’d meet at Sam’s house.
When Rob and I arrived there, Sam was standing on the front porch waiting for us. She hurried over to the car as we were getting out.
“No time to waste, guys. Let’s get this thing done,” she said.
That day, Sam was wearing a pair of cropped jeans, a beige tank top and navy-blue sports cap. She couldn’t be more casual or sexier, in my opinion. My heart was throbbing for the girl and I pleaded inside for us to go back in time when we were just teenagers where I’d profess my love for her and she’d have no choice but to fall head over heels in love with me. At least, that would’ve been the ideal chain of events. Instead, I was stuck in the present, twenty-odd years later, wishing I’d told her how I always felt about her. Nevertheless, I had to get my head out of the cloud of regret and delusions. We had a case to solve that involved our best friend.
Sam’s folks were not at home at the time; she claimed they’d gone in search of new plants for the garden. Their yard was still the envy of the entire neighborhood and I should’ve figured Mr. and Mrs. Turner wouldn’t have left that property no matter what happened, especially after they’d put so much love into it.
“Hopefully, your folks wouldn’t have this car towed away if they get back here before we do,” Rob told Sam.
“Nah. Once they see the license plates, they’ll figure it’s your rental,” she replied.
We immediately headed up the street on foot since the Coopers’ house was only a few doors over.
“Sam, I think it’s best you take the lead with them since they’re your neighbors,” I said.
“Okay, no prob.”
The Coopers’ house was a bit rundown with faded paint peeling in certain areas of the exterior wall, and the lawn was overgrown. I figured either they weren’t doing so well financially or someone stopped giving a damn for whatever reason. A white sedan was in the driveway.
We walked up to the front door and after pressing the bell that didn’t work, Sam knocked.
Seconds later, the door swung open and a young man appeared on the other side of it. He looked like he’d just rolled out of bed.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“Hi. Good morning,” Sam started. “I’m Sam Turner, your neighbor from down the street, and these are my friends, Hewey and Rob.”
“I don’t care who you are,” he replied, nonchalantly. “What do you want?”
I assumed he was the Cooper’s son, Max. I remember when he was a baby being carried around in the food store, strapped to his father’s chest. I don’t know what went wrong with him over the years, but something certainly did based on that attitude he was displaying.
“Is your Mom or Dad home?” Sam asked.
“Mom’s asleep and…”
“Max…who is it?” A man called out.
“It’s one of the neighbors and some other guys!” he yelled. “Asking for you and mom.”
An older man suddenly appeared next to him. It was Mr. Cooper.
“Hi, there. How are y’all doing?” he said.
Seemed like the guy had only aged five years since I’d last seen him decades ago. He was clean cut and still quite handsome.
“We’re fine, thanks.” Sam smiled. Rob and I hailed as well. “We were wondering if we could speak with you for a moment.”
“Sure. Come on in and make yourselves comfortable,” he said.
The man and his son were like night and day.
Despite the shabbiness of the exterior of the house, inside was very nice and well-kept. The three of us sat together on the couch, although we figured Mr. Cooper wouldn’t bite. We weren’t so sure about Max though, who soon disappeared down the hallway.
“May I offer you some coffee or tea?” Mr. Cooper asked.
“No, thanks.” We all responded.
He sat down across from us. “So, now, what can I help you with this morning? I guess, first of all, I should say that I recognize each of you. I remember when you were young kids riding your bicycles throughout the neighborhood; getting into some mischief here and there.”
We all glanced at each other with a guilty smile.
“Yep…that’s us,” Sam replied. “Who can ever forget, huh?”
He grinned. “I can’t cast any judgment on you guys since I was no saint as a kid either. I got into so much trouble, my folks threatened to take me to juvenile court.”
“Really?” I was stunned. He seemed like such a calm, good-natured guy. I couldn’t imagine that he was ever a pain in anyone’s butt.
“Yeah. It’s true. As I got older, I settled down a lot and decided it was best to do things my parents’ way since the other way was causing far too many problems.” He chuckled. “I got myself together just before I went to college, so that it wasn’t likely I’d go off to a new state and get arrested over there.”
We had a good laugh about it. Funny how people can look so innocent and have a darker side to them. I guess it’s true for all of us.
“Okay, so now since that’s out in the open, what can I do for you folks?”
Sam replied, “We all came back home this week because we want to try and find out what happened to our friend, Jase, and his mom. They haven’t been seen since you all were held captive in the same cell at the compound many years
ago and we’re at a loss for answers.”
Suddenly, Mr. Cooper’s expression changed and he abruptly stood up. “I can’t help you; I’m sorry. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll have to show you to the door.”
I got up as well. “Wait...what the hell just happened? Why don’t you wanna talk about it?” I asked.
“Because I don’t know anything!” He stressed. “And I’d rather keep the whole horrible experience in the past. I will not speak of it.”
“Sir…” Sam sought to interject.
“Please! Leave now or I’ll have to call the police!”
Rob and I glanced at each other in sheer amazement. This guy was like Mr. Jekyll one minute and Mr. Hyde, the next.
“Maybe you should call the police!” Rob exclaimed. “Then we’ll probably get to the bottom of what’s going on around here sooner than we thought.”
By this time, Mr. Cooper’s eyes were glaring at us behind his clear, circular glasses. “Look…I don’t want any trouble. I am being honest with you when I tell you I don’t know anything; I have no idea what happened to your friend and his mother. The only thing I could think about while there was the safety of my wife and newborn child. I was grateful when it was all over and I don’t want to relive it!”
“Well, we’re the reason you’re standing here today with the freedom you so cherish, Mr. Cooper.” Sam told him. “If we hadn’t found a way to rescue everyone in this town, you’d still be under the spell of the canines or worse, buried in that massive hole they intended to put you all in. The least you can do is tell us what happened to our friend if you have any idea at all.”
“I don’t,” he said, stoically. “I appreciate whatever you’ve done—and now again, I’m asking you to leave.”
The guys and I looked at each other, realizing this was another waste of our time, so we headed for the door. Cooper was already there.
“I saw them,” went a soft voice behind us. It was Mrs. Cooper. She was standing with Max in the hallway. She looked haggard and worn—at least a good thirty years older than her husband, though in actuality, I knew she was at least a couple of years younger than he was.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (Hewey Spader Mystery Series Book 3) Page 4