Wrecked Palace

by Catherine Cowles

  It was a hard thing to describe, to even truly wrap my head around, but I’d felt alone since I’d taken custody of the kids. Yes, I had Bell and Kenna, Callie and the Alliance, Harriet before she passed, but the real weight of it rested on my shoulders. And as much as those amazing women in my life loved and supported me, they couldn’t understand what it felt like to have everyone on the island whispering about you, knowing that your parents had brought drugs into the community, into a home with children. They couldn’t understand how terrifying it was to know that the well-being of the siblings you loved more than life was up to you and you alone.

  In a completely different way, Griffin understood it all. But his wounds were so much deeper. He’d lost his entire family, including the sibling he’d tried to save. And instead of an island prying into his life, the whole world had. I couldn’t imagine the kinds of scars that left behind.

  I felt a pulling sensation in my chest, a deep tugging. I wanted to be the one to help ease those hurts for him, tend the marks left behind. I closed my eyes for the briefest of moments. I could be there for Griffin, be his friend and his sounding board, but I needed to hold that deepest part of my heart back. Because if I let that piece free, I would fall. And Griffin wasn’t in a place to catch me.

  A throat cleared, and I looked up. “Patti.”

  “Daydreaming again, are we?” she asked, brows raised.

  Straightening my spine, I forced a smile. “Just thinking as I clean. What can I help you with? Would you like a sandwich or a salad?”

  “Neither. You know I make my own meals.”

  I held back the eye roll I wanted to set free. Patti said it as if she deserved a medal for cooking her own food. “Anything else I can help you with?” Mentally, I was screaming, why are you here?

  She straightened the purse on her shoulder. “I wanted to see if Mia would like to come over and play with Mallory this weekend.”

  I did my best to keep my expression pleasant. “That’s kind of you to offer, but we have plans this weekend.” Patti’s daughter, Mallory, was too much like her mother: a know-it-all and a tattletale. Mia was not a fan.

  Patti raised a brow. “Oh? What are you up to?”

  The gleam of interest in her eyes had me going on alert. “Mia has gymnastics, and we’re spending some time together as a family on Sunday.”

  “At Griffin Lockwood’s? I’ve heard you’ve been spending quite a bit of time out there.”

  I stiffened. The gossip mill was working overtime apparently, and of course, Patti was at the center of it. “Have you now?” I wasn’t going to give her anything. It was none of her dang business, and it pissed me right off that she was talking about Griffin behind his back.

  Patti’s expression sobered. “Is that really wise, Caelyn? I know you’re not a mother yet, so your instincts might not be as finely tuned as the rest of us, but he has a violent history.”

  I counted to ten in my head and then let out a long breath. Nope, still too furious to speak. I counted to ten again and met Patti’s gaze. “I’ve had just about enough of your high and mighty BS. You sit and judge and gossip, never once thinking about the ugliness of your own heart.” Patti gasped, but I kept right on talking. “Griffin Lockwood is a kind and decent man who has been through hell. You and your cronies only make that worse by stirring up sensationalized rumors. And you don’t know me, Patti. Not one real thing about me. I may not have birthed those children, but I love them as if they were my own. I’d do anything to protect them. And that means I’ll do whatever it takes to shield them from the venom you spew.”

  Clapping sounded from down one of the aisles, and Shay stepped into view. “Amen.” Her gaze hardened on Patti. “You’re a nosy bitch who needs to get a life. Get out of here and don’t come back.”

  Color rose in Patti’s cheeks as she seemed to struggle for breath. “Well, I never. I guess I should expect this kind of behavior from an oddball like you. You hide out on that little island and rarely come to town. You’re probably a criminal.”

  Shay’s face went pale for a moment, but she recovered quickly. “Even if I was, I’d still be a better human than you.”

  Patti uttered something very unladylike under her breath and then turned back to me. “I’m going to be calling Child Protective Services to report my concerns.”

  I froze. I could only imagine the kind of story Patti would weave. One that I was sure would end with a visit from a social worker. I had permanent custody of my siblings, but with enough lies and manipulation, that could change. I willed my wildly beating heart under control. Everything would be fine. I’d call Callie and see what her advice was. She’d know what to do.

  I took a slow, deep breath. “You do whatever you need to. But karma’s coming for you.” At least I hoped it was.

  Patti glared at me and then took off down an aisle and out the front door. I slumped against the counter. Without a word, Shay rounded the bar and came into the kitchen space. “Are you okay?”

  I nodded and then shook my head. “What is wrong with that woman?”

  “She’s crazy. And a bitch. That’s what.” Shay gave my arm a squeeze. “People like that…they’re deeply unhappy. It’s not about you.”

  I gave Shay a watery smile. “I’m sorry you got caught up in the middle of it.”

  She snorted. “Please, I’m happy to deal a smackdown when it’s warranted.” She glanced towards the door. “Guess she’s going to have it out for me now, too, huh?”

  I winced. It was not fun to be the center of Patti’s focus. And it was even worse if you’d done something that she found offensive. “The least I can do to make up for it is make you lunch.”

  Shay’s lips quirked. “I take it that means I need to watch my back around the nosy B.”

  I chuckled. “It wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

  “Then cook me something delicious. But make yourself something, too. You’re looking a little pale.”

  I was feeling just a little bit wobbly on my feet. I took a sip of my juice that was on the counter. “Two delicious concoctions coming up.”

  After some food and conversation with Shay that centered around nothing too serious, I felt a lot better. As Shay got to her feet, I pulled her in for a quick hug. “Thank you. I know we don’t know each other all that well, and it means a lot that you stepped in for me.”

  Shay looked a bit taken aback by the hug and my sentiments but squeezed my shoulders. “Anytime. You’re a good egg, Caelyn O’Connor, and no one should be treating you poorly.”

  “Thank you. And we should do this again sometime. Maybe you can come over for dinner, meet the tiny terrors.”

  Shay’s mouth opened and then closed, a hint of wariness flitting across her features. “That’s really kind of you. Maybe one of these days when I get some time off.”

  I knew a brushoff when I heard one. I just wasn’t sure why. “It’s an open invitation. But no pressure either.”

  The set of Shay’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  “See you.”

  I waved Shay off and went about cleaning up my station. I glanced up at the clock just as Molly came running into the store. “I’m here! I’m here! I’m so sorry I’m late, Caelyn.”

  I grinned at the young girl. “You’re five minutes late. Don’t sweat it.”

  “Thank you. You’re an angel. Get going. I’ll finish cleaning up.”

  I grabbed my bag from under a cabinet. “Appreciate it. Just text me if you run into any issues.”

  “I know.”

  I pulled out my keys. “And Mr. Walters will be here to help you close up.”

  Molly chuckled. “Yes, Mom. And I promise, I won’t have any boys over.”

  I stuck out my tongue at her as I passed. “Make good choices!”

  “Hugs not drugs!” she shouted as I left.

  I chuckled as I headed out into the sun and the parking lot. I slipped my sunglasses out of my bag and put th
em on as I made my way towards my SUV. Big Bertha had gotten quite the makeover at the mechanic’s last week. Sure, she looked the same, but her insides were all shiny and fixed up. I beeped the locks and went to open the door, but a piece of paper fluttered from where it was caught under the windshield wiper.

  I leaned forward and plucked it up, giving its contents a cursory glance. I froze. In large, block letters it read: YOU’RE GONNA PAY.

  13

  Griffin

  Yet again, I found myself in my truck, making my way towards town. Taking the route that took me past Caelyn’s sunny yellow house and The General Store. A route I didn’t need to take. What excuse had I come up with this time? I needed milk. So what if I barely drank the stuff?

  I needed to get a grip. I’d almost convinced myself to just go around the block and head home when I caught sight of Caelyn standing next to her SUV in the parking lot. She was frozen to the spot, her gaze locked on a piece of paper, her face pale.

  I didn’t think. I simply pulled my truck to the side of the road and hopped out. I jogged towards her, and the closer I got, the more my chest tightened. She looked…terrified.

  “Caelyn,” I called.

  Her head snapped up, eyes darting around.

  “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  She shook as she reached out to me, paper in hand. “This was on my car when I came out of the store.”

  I took the note from her and scanned it, letting out a litany of curses. “How long ago?”

  “I—I just came out. I’ve been in there since this morning.”

  I pulled out my phone and dialed one of the few contacts in my cell. It rang a few times, and then a gruff voice answered. “Sheriff Raines.”

  “It’s Griffin Lockwood.”

  “Hey, Griffin. What can I do for you?”

  I looked down at the letter, trying to figure out how to best explain. “I’m outside The General Store with Caelyn O’Connor. Someone left a threatening note on her SUV.”

  Sounds in the background quieted. “What kind of threat?”

  I read him the note.

  “I’m at Island Sports right now responding to a theft. Try not to touch the note any more than you have already. I’ll be there in ten.”

  “Thanks.” I hit end on my phone and turned back to Caelyn. “Sheriff Raines will be here in ten.”

  She nibbled on her bottom lip. “Maybe it’s just kids playing a prank. We shouldn’t worry him.”

  I met Caelyn’s stare. “Kids are in school right now.”

  Her eyes widened. “School. I’m supposed to pick up the kids in fifteen minutes.” She started fumbling through her bag, searching frantically for something. “I’m not late. Never. Not once. I know what it’s like when your parents forget to pick you up time and time again.”

  I set the note back on the SUV and took Caelyn’s shoulders in my hands. “It’s okay. They’ll understand.”

  Caelyn took a slow, steadying breath as if trying to rein in all of the emotions running through her. “I’m going to call the elementary school and tell them I’m going to be late. Can you call the high school and have them tell Will to go wait with the girls? He knows how to look out for them.”

  I squeezed her shoulders. “Of course.” I released my hold on Caelyn, even though it was the last thing I wanted to do, and pulled out my phone again. After a quick search, I found the number for the high school and explained the situation to the school secretary. She needed to speak with Caelyn to verify the story, but once that was done, the woman agreed to let Will know that Caelyn was running late and to meet her at the elementary school.

  I shoved my phone back into my pocket just as Caelyn was wrapping up her own call. She gripped the device so hard, her knuckles were white. “Mia’s teacher is going to wait with them until I get there.”

  “They’re going to be fine. Completely safe.”

  Caelyn let out a shuddering breath. “I just don’t want them to be scared.”

  “You’ve made it so they won’t be.”

  Caelyn nodded but didn’t seem assuaged. She had a jittery quality to her now, as if she couldn’t stand still.

  A sheriff’s department SUV pulled to a stop behind my truck, and Parker Raines stepped out. I nodded in greeting. Caelyn gave an awkward little wave. “Sheriff.”

  He smiled warmly. “I’ve told you time and again, call me Parker.”

  “I know. It’s just weird because the old sheriff was all about formal titles. But that doesn’t matter. From now on, you’re Parker. You know my friends and I call you Sheriff Hotstuff.” She let out a little squeak. “I can’t believe I said that out loud. When I’m nervous, I ramble. And this note has me really freaking nervous. I’m just gonna shut up now.”

  Caelyn clamped her mouth closed as her cheeks reddened. Parker and I looked at each other and then we both barked out a laugh. Caelyn’s face got even redder. “It’s not funny,” she hissed at me.

  I grinned. “Come on, it’s a little funny. Do you guys have a nickname for me, too?” I couldn’t help but ask.

  Caelyn’s gaze jumped around, anywhere but at me. “No. No nickname for you, sorry.”

  She was lying, and now I was curious about what that nickname was.

  Parker finally got his laughter under control. “I’ve been called a lot of things on the job, but I’m not sure Sheriff Hotstuff is one of them.”

  Caelyn covered her face with her hands. “I’m never going to live this down.”

  Parker knocked Caelyn’s arm with his. “Trust me, of all the things I’ve had happen on a call, this doesn’t even rate on the embarrassment radar.”

  Caelyn’s hands fell away from her face. “Thank you.”

  “All right,” Parker began. “Tell me what happened.”

  Caelyn immediately sobered, a hint of fear entering her features. I had the sudden urge to pull her into my arms. To shield her from anything that would put that kind of look on her face. She glanced at the store and then looked back at Parker. “I was working my normal shift, and when I came out, I saw a piece of paper under my windshield wiper. I thought it was just a flyer or something. But it wasn’t.”

  Parker pulled a pair of gloves out of his back pocket, along with a plastic bag. “Let’s take a look.” He snapped on the gloves and picked up the note, his jaw hardening as he read. Carefully, he slipped the paper into an evidence bag. “Any idea who would leave you a note like this?”

  Caelyn’s face paled. “None at all. Do you think maybe someone put it on the wrong car? Or it’s just a sick prank?”

  I didn’t think that someone who had gone to the trouble of writing a note like this would put it on the wrong vehicle. But I understood why Caelyn wanted to hope that it might be true.

  “It’s possible…” Parker started. “But it’s probably unlikely. I’ll see if the bank’s security cameras caught anything, but I don’t think they reach quite this far. Has that guy come back to the store? The one you called me about before?”

  “What guy?” I growled.

  Caelyn flinched. “A man came into the store. Seemed like he was on something. Tweaking probably. When I told him we didn’t carry cigarettes, he took off.” She looked at Parker. “He hasn’t been back. And, honestly, I only called about him because another customer was freaked. She wanted me to call the sheriff’s department and let them know.”

  “She was right to have you call me,” Parker said.

  All I could think about was some guy jonesing for his next high, skulking around The General Store. Worse, he could’ve been casing the place for money to pay for that next fix. I turned to Parker. “You have officers doing drive-bys?”

  Parker rubbed the back of his neck. “After everything that’s happened this past year, the county approved me to hire more staff. We now have someone on island at all times. I’ll have them put the store on their regular route.”

  I turned to Caelyn. “You have something to protect yourself with? A knife? Taser?” I hated the im
age of Caelyn having to fight anyone, but the idea that she might not have anything to defend herself with was even worse.

  A small smile curved her mouth. “You sound like Shay.”

  “I don’t know who the hell that is, but if she’s telling you to be cautious, I like her.”

  Parker chuckled. “Me, too.” His expression grew serious. “There is a longshot we need to consider.”

  Caelyn began twisting the strap of her bag. “What?”

  “That this could be related to your parents.”

  I didn’t know much about Caelyn’s parents, other than that they had been charged with drug-related offenses and had lost custody of the kids. But Parker’s tone had my entire body stringing tight.

  Caelyn’s eyes went wide. “Mom’s out of prison.”

  Parker nodded slowly as if trying to put together invisible pieces in his mind. “Hadn’t thought about her as an option. I haven’t been in touch with her parole officer since she was released, but I’ll remedy that.”

  Caelyn shivered even though the sun shone brightly, and I had another urge to pull her in close. When would the world give this woman a break? She nibbled on her bottom lip. “She’s shown zero interest in me or the kids. Not once has she initiated contact. Do you really think that after all of these years, the first thing she does is leave me a nasty note?”

  Parker rolled off his gloves and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. “I’m honestly not sure. But you were an integral part of putting her away for as long as you did. Your testimony, allowing Will to testify, it’s why her sentence was the max.”

  “But she’s out. And it’s not like she can be mad about my dad. He never even saw the inside of a jail.”

  Parker shook his head. “Some people have bitterness in them that even years won’t lessen. And speaking of your dad, you haven’t heard anything about him, have you?”

  “No.” Caelyn looked out towards the ocean at the end of the street. “I used to call the state police and my FBI contact every couple of months or so to see if they’d heard anything, but I haven’t in a while. And it’s not like he’s showing up on our doorstep with presents for all of the birthdays and Christmases he missed.” She looked back at Parker. “What about the people he was mixed up with?”