“Yes, sir. What happened? Is Mom okay?”
I give him a rundown of everything that’s happened; promising him that his mom, sister, and grandmother are fine. After he promises to go straight home after football, we end the call, and I make my way to my home office desk. I pull up everything I have on Mathis’ whereabouts and anything I feel may help me track him now, focusing on the areas I know he’s been to in Oak Grove. I grab my landline and call the guys.
“JPR Security, how may I help you?”
“Since when do you answer your own phone? Where’s the pretty receptionist you have the hots for?” I chuckle, Paul has never been one for picking up the slack for his employees.
He chuckles. “She’s not my receptionist anymore, she’s my pregnant girlfriend.”
“Dude, seriously?”
He laughs and sighs contentedly. “Yep, we were fooling around for a while, but then she got pregnant … yeah. So, what’s up?” He tries to change the subject, but not happening!
“So you’re only with her because she’s having your kid?”
“What? No, no, it’s not like that. I’d already asked her to make what we had legit before I found out. Well, I found out right after I asked her to be mine. We love each other. I’m planning to ask her to marry me soon.”
“That’s awesome, Paul. I’m really happy for you.”
“Thanks, so tell me what’s up? You got a lead on Mathis?”
“He snuck into my in-laws house, took my daughter, and went to the hospital and gave Shayla a message for me.”
“What? He has Hannah? Why are you so calm?”
I snort derisively, “I’m not calm. I’m anything but. I’m just trying to keep it together for Shayla’s sake. She’s trying to be strong, but she’s going to breakdown any minute. And, no, he doesn’t have either of them. He just took Hannah to prove he could.”
“I’ll get the guys down there as soon as we can. I think we could fly out in the morning if we take Jon’s chopper.”
“Thanks. I knew I could count on you guys. I also need Riley to do some infrared on the land around an area I found a dead body. I’m thinking he may have a hideout in the woods around where she was found.”
“He killed someone?”
“Yeah, but not his typical kill. It wasn’t planned. That’s why he sent a message through Shayla. He wanted me to know he was here.”
“Theatrics, man. This dude is ballsy. We’ll get him. He’s getting sloppy. He wouldn’t have killed like that in the past.”
“I know. I think she caught him by surprise. She was there to kill the occupant of the nearby house. She had a gun, they fought, and she lost.”
“Hmm, that’s too bad, keep me posted. I’ll get the boys ready pronto.”
“Thanks. See you soon.”
I disconnect and already feel better knowing that the guys will be coming out. I know Marsh will need to sit this one out. He’s in too deep with Lyon. I wish he could be here, but there’s nothing I can do about that now. I then call a squad car to come and watch over the Thorn’s and my house. Tom calls moments later so I catch him up on what’s going on. He has a couple buddies he can call and sets off to do that while I get my wife and daughter back to our house for the evening. I sit them both at the table and put together some sandwiches for Shay and I, and a light snack for Hannah since Tom fed her while I was gone.
“Talk to me, baby.” I sit across the table from her and squeeze her hand.
“I don’t have anything to say. He’s going to come after us until he gets me, Ryan.”
“He won’t touch you!” I snap, she jumps. Taking a deep breath, I lower my voice and say, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell. I’ve got the guys coming, there’s a patrol car outside, and your dad is getting some of his buddies to come. You will be protected. I will keep you safe!”
“I know you’ll try, but he was able to get through your alarm system and everything else to get Hannah, and drug my mom. There’s no telling what else he’s capable of, Ryan. He has money, lots of money. He can get in and out of places undetected. It’s been two years and you’ve still never come close to catching him. Why would that change now?”
“He’s not perfect, Shay. He will mess up and when he does, I’ll be there to take him out.”
“I hope so.”
We sit quietly for a few minutes, before the front door opens. Dylan and Faith come into the kitchen. Dylan heads straight to Shayla and wraps her in his arms.
“I’m okay, baby,” she says softly.
He pulls back and looks at her for a long moment. “I can’t go through that again. You can’t fight Dad on his protection detail. I’ll skip school and follow you around if I have to.”
She cups his face. “You won’t need to do that. I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep you all safe.”
I don’t like the sound of that. It’s the same crap she said last time when she ended up getting taken. My body shudders as flashes of her being held captive by Mathis and his psychotic cousin, Trevor, float through my mind. My eyes pinch shut as I remember storming into the house to find Trevor attempting to rape her.
“I’m not playing around here, Shayla. I don’t care if you like it or not. As of tomorrow, you have a bodyguard twenty-four seven. Mathis won’t come close to any of you.”
She glares at me. “You’re attitude is not necessary, Ryan. I said I would do whatever I have to. I know what needs to be done! You can have me guarded all you want, but if he wants me, he’ll get me. Don’t you think he proved that today?”
I run my hand through my hair, frustrated. “No, he won’t come near you again. I’m going to extremes this time. I will not allow him to take you again.”
“I don’t want to fight about this. I’m not going to argue with you on having bodyguards, but they can’t linger around the hospital. It’s unprofessional and they can’t come into patient rooms or surgery.”
“You won’t know they’re there,” I retort quickly.
I sit back down and scrub my hand over my face in frustration. I’m at a loss of what to do. I’m baffled by how he got into Tom’s house to begin with. Tom couldn’t find anything amiss on his system. I’m having Riley dig deeper and to set more cameras on both properties. Looking over to Dylan and Faith, who are working on fixing their own sandwiches, I notice the time.
“Hey, why are you guys here? It’s not three yet.”
Dylan shrugs. “I needed to see that mom was okay. We’ll eat and go to practice. We only missed study hall. It’s not a big deal.”
I can’t even find it in me to care. “Can you skip practice? I’d feel better if you were here tonight.”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll call coach.”
Dylan and Faith head up to his room with their sandwiches and I pull Shayla into my arms. “I’m sorry. I just want you safe. Let’s have the kids watch Hannah so you can relax in a hot bath.”
She wraps her arms tightly around me. “I’m really not going to fight you, but you can’t keep stuff from me like last time.”
“I won’t. The guys will be here in the morning and they will be tailing you anytime you leave the house, and I’ll send one of them to the school. I don’t think Mathis will go after Dylan, but just in case, I want someone there.”
“I just want our kids and you safe,” she says determinedly.
“I do as well,” I reason. “You’ll be protected, Shayla.”
I kiss her, pouring as much emotion as I can into the simple act. I’ll give my own life to protect her and our family. She lays her head on my shoulder and I can feel the rise and fall of her breaths. She’s still worried; I can sense that. I press a kiss atop her head.
“I won’t lose you, Shay.”
She nods against me. We break from one another and call for Dylan and Faith. They agree happily to watch Hannah for a couple of hours. They head off to the family room while Shay and I head to our bedroom. I fix her bath with Epson Salt, the lavender oil she likes, and light some of her candle
s. I smile at her as I help her out of her clothes and lead her into our large tub. After she’s settled in the warm water, I dim the lights, and sit on the floor beside her.
“You want a glass of wine?” She shakes her head no, keeping her eyes closed and her head back against the little tub pillow. “Do you want me to go?”
She rolls her head to the side and opens her eyes. “No, please stay.” She reaches out her hand, and I take it into mine. “I love you. Never forget that.”
“Never.” I kiss the back of her hand. She's so quiet and still, it’s really starting to worry me. “Are you okay? I mean, today was a big deal.”
Tears run down her cheeks, it breaks my heart, and pisses me off that I couldn’t protect her. “He said something that got me thinking.”
“What's that?”
She swallows then sits up in the tub, pulling her knees to her chest. “He said that I feel connected to him, that I care for him.”
I don't know what to think about that. In a way I understand, we've talked before about her connection to both Mathis and Trevor in therapy. “Do you agree?”
“No ... Maybe ... I don't know. It's so confusing. You fuss all the time about me calling him Jason, saying it's too personal. What if I do it because somewhere deep inside me I do feel a connection to him?”
“I don't know what to tell you, baby. Maybe we should go back to therapy. It could help us figure it out.”
I pull her over to the side of the tub and hold her as much as I can, but it's awkward. I give up, climbing clothes and all in to the tub behind her. She clutches my shirt as she lets go of all the emotions she's been holding in, her gut wrenching cries rip my heart to shreds. I do the only thing I can right now and hold her tightly against me. We stay this way until the water is cold and she’s calmed down. I carefully help her out of the tub, dry her off, and pull one of my t-shirts over her head before helping her into our bed. I lie with her until she falls into a deep slumber and then I go to get Hannah from Dylan and Faith.
“She’s asleep,” Dylan tells me as I enter the family room. “Is mom okay?”
I glimpse in the portable crib, covering Hannah with the little pink blanket. I sigh and sit down on the sofa beside him. “I don’t know. Today really shook her up. It shook us all up, but she was face to face with the man of her nightmares. He said some messed up stuff to her. I’m sure she’s not telling me everything.”
“I bet tomorrow she gets up and tries to act like nothing happened.” Dylan knows his mother well.
I groan, scrubbing my face with my hands. “I know. I’m not going to keep her from work. She needs something to keep her mind occupied. I’ll just have people following her. I’ll keep her safe.” We sit there silently until the clock dings the next hour. I look over and see it’s already seven. “Wow, it’s late. I’ll get dinner started.”
“Don’t worry about it. We ordered pizza about thirty minutes ago. It should be here soon.”
“Thanks.” I reach into my wallet and pull out a couple of twenties, and throw them on the coffee table. “Use that. I’m going to go put Han in her bed.”
I gently pick up my daughter from her play-pen and take her to her room. More than likely she’ll sleep all night. Dylan and Faith have put her in pajamas so all I have to do is lay her in her bed. I run my fingers over her head, she’s grown so much. It’s hard to believe she’ll be one soon. I just hope I can get Mathis before then so we can relax and enjoy our precious little girl. I bend down and kiss her forehead.
“Love you, sweet baby.”
I spend the rest of the evening with Dylan, even though I’m eager to call Riley to get any news on the search for Mathis. I know my guys will call me if there’s anything pressing. Plus, my son needs me right now. Even if he doesn’t come right out and say it, I know he’s anxious. He starts up Shayla’s diffuser with her calming oil blend, saying he wants his mom to feel relaxed when she gets up, but I know it’s really for him. Last I checked on Shayla, she was dead to the world, and I too fired up our bedroom diffuser for her, hoping it will help her sleep peacefully. Dylan and I spend the evening playing video games after Faith’s father picks her up. There are no conversations of meaning, just a night of mindless activity. I think it’s what we both needed.
The next morning, I wake up to find Shayla sick in the bathroom.
“Baby, you okay?” I ask, moving her hair from her face, she’s kneeling down in front of the toilet, losing her breakfast.
She nods her head. “I’m okay.”
“Do you think you’re pregnant?” I ask, hoping the answer is no. I want another baby, but now is definitely not the time.
“No, I know I’m not. I just can’t shut my brain off. I keep thinking about Trevor and Jason.”
“I’m so sorry, baby. Maybe we should take the day off today.” She shakes her head vehemently. I won’t fight with her. I hold her hair as she gets sick again. “Are you sure this isn’t a stomach bug?” I wipe her forehead with a wet towel.
“No, I don’t feel sick. I don’t have a fever. It’s memories. I keep seeing Trevor on top of me and Jason pinning me to the car.”
“Did he do that yesterday?” She nods. Anger surges through me. She didn’t tell me that. I try to rein it in and keep my voice steady. “Did he do anything else?”
“He was just really close, whispering in my ear. I can still feel his breath on me.”
“Please stay home.”
“I can’t. I’ll be okay. Besides, we are short-staffed as it is. I can’t miss right now.”
I help her up from the floor and she gets in the shower. I keep myself busy by getting ready. Shayla’s still in the bathroom by the time I finish. I go to the door and let her know I’ll be downstairs. Dylan and Hannah are in the kitchen eating when I come in. I squeeze his shoulder.
“Thanks for taking care of your sister.”
He smiles. “Anytime. You know I love helping with her.”
“I know. Are you staying for football after school?”
He nods, swallowing his cereal. “Yeah, but I can come home if you need me too.”
“You go to practice. We aren’t going to stop our lives because he’s here. We’ll just take precautions and be sure everyone is protected. The guys should be here soon and Faith’s dad said he’d drive you two to school and hang around until I send Jon to take over.”
“Okay, cool, but I can drive you know.” He’s right, he does every day. He picks up Faith and they ride together, but I need him protected right now.
“I know, but I’d feel better for the next few days if you’d let someone take you and bring you home.”
“I’m not going to make things harder on you. I’ll do whatever you think is best.”
“Thank you, Son.”
“Will he be bringing us home, too?”
“Yes, unless you hear differently from me. But only from me, you got that?”
“Yes, sir!” he stands and salutes me like a solider. I laugh and pull him into a bone-crushing hug.
“I love you.” I ruffle his hair.
He smiles. “Love you, too.” The doorbell rings. “See ya later.”
He grabs his bag and heads off to the front door where Faith is waiting for him. I wave to her father and shout a ‘thank you’ before they drive off. Shayla comes into the kitchen about twenty minutes later, dressed for the day.
“Hi, sweet girl,” she coos to Hannah.
“Feeling better?” I ask.
“Yes, a lot. I’ll be fine. What time will the guys be here? I need to be at work by nine.”
“Paul said they’d meet us at the hospital at eight-forty-five.”
“What are we going to do about Hannah? I don’t think mom is up to watching her.”
“Laney doesn’t have school today, so she and Jud are on their way here to get her. They’ll take her back to my mom’s.”
“Oh, good. I’m sure your mom misses her. It’s been a couple of weeks since we’ve been over there.” Before I
can respond, the doorbell sounds and I head off to answer it while Shayla fixes herself some tea.
“Hey, guys. You’re early. Come on in.” I move to let Laney and Judson into the house.
“Hope we aren’t intruding,” Judson says as he shakes my hand.
“Nope, we were in the kitchen.”
Laney leads the way, hugging Shayla and kissing Hannah on the head. We exchange all the pleasantries and then head in to the kitchen. We get them some coffee and our breakfast before we all sit down at the table.
“So, we came early to talk to you about something,” Laney says, looking over at Judson and squeezing his hand.
I take a sip of my coffee. “Okay, what’s up?”
“You know that Judson’s daughter is still alive and he’d like to find her. I thought maybe you could help with that.”
I’m not surprised by the question, but the reality of it is, unless Marsh can get to Lyon, we may never know what happened to her. I, of course, have looked in my system, but haven’t found anything leading to her whereabouts, and I haven’t been given the go ahead to look further because it could compromise the case.
“I don’t know if I can do anything right now. I mean, we don’t have anything to go on, she could literally be anywhere in the world.”
“You won’t even try?” Laney asks angrily.
I hold my hand up to stop the tirade I’m sure is to follow. “I didn’t say that. I’m just saying that I have nothing to go on.”
“What about Riley? Couldn’t he use some of his hacking skills to try to find out if there was anything strange around that time? He at least has a starting point,” Shayla interrupts and shrugs apologetically when I look at her.
“I’m sure he could, but he’s really busy right now.”
“He could spare twenty minutes,” Shayla retorts.
Right now, I’m being really selfish. I want Riley on Mathis. I don’t think I can focus on anything else until he’s caught and I know Shay is safe. Unfortunately, I have a strong feeling she’ll fight me on this one. Sighing, I run my hand through my hair.
Penance (Oak Grove Suspense Book 2) Page 22