"Katie doesn't want anyone to know that she's back. She wants to ease her way back into our lives or some shit.” Michael took another puff from the bad habit and avoided eye contact with the chief.
William looked at Michael sideways.
"Ease her way back into our lives? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Michael shrugged his shoulders then took another puff.
As shocked as William was, it was obvious more was bothering Michael about his sister's return. The chief looked around, no one was in earshot. Michael and Billy meant the world to him and he had taken on a father figure role in their lives since Mack died.
It was hard not to show some favoritism towards the boys. William had silently promised Mack that he would watch over the McKeller kids as if they were his own.
He placed his hand on Michael's shoulder.
Michael looked William in the eye.
"What is it, son? What's bothering you?"
Michael appeared hesitant a moment then he finally spoke. “I've missed her and have worried about her so much. I'm afraid she may have minimized what her injuries were."
Michael looked towards the backyard and the fire-training tower. “Katie pushed us all away, she didn't need or want our help and she's setting us up and mom especially for the rejection and isolation."
"Maybe not, son. Katie never told any of you the specifics about the fire. It was obvious she had been through a lot. Katie made those choices for reasons maybe you and I might not understand but they are her choices. Just think about how wonderful it will be to have Katie back."
"I know. I've just got this feeling that something isn't right, you know? Whether she likes it or not she's going to have my protection."
William smiled.
"That's what being a big brother is all about."
"Hey Mike you ready yet?” Billy interrupted the conversation and the chief smiled.
"Give her my best and tell her to stop by and see me. I've missed her too."
Bolton Bay: Crime Scene
"The guys did good. They kept away from this area and I'm able to get a bunch of samples off this victim,” Kenny told Lou as he continued to collect evidence.
He had already taken many pictures of the victim and the crime scene.
Lou stood to the side.
"Man, I could never get used to that smell.” Lou scrunched his nose, then cleared his throat.
Kenny smirked at Lou's comment. The smell was intense and it was not that Kenny was used to it. No one gets used to the smell of death. Kenny focused on the investigation and the desire to collect as much evidence as he could. That was not an easy task considering the main source of evidence was the charred statuesque body, lying in a puddle of water and soot.
Kenny was silent as he continued his work.
He asked himself multiple questions. Who is this victim? What injuries does the victim have and was he conscious at the time of the fire? Why was he unable to get out?
Kenny noted their location in the building. He would need a blueprint of the place, locate the offices away from the restaurant area and perhaps find out why this victim could not escape.
Kenny was fully aware that inhalation of smoke or chemicals can cause the victim to become disoriented and panic, they do not know what to do and unfortunately they are rendered unconscious and it is too late.
Kenny would be sure to find out what happened, to discover the true circumstances of this victim's death.
Lou's cell phone began to ring and Kenny glanced up towards him as he reached to his hip to retrieve the phone from the black clip.
"Detective Bachelli!"
Kenny listened to Lou as he spoke.
"Are you sure you got a witness? Can she identify the man walking out?"
"The back door? A description?"
Kenny stopped what he was doing as Lou continued talking on the phone. A moment later, he hung up.
"They got somebody outside who may have seen someone enter the restaurant before the fire then again as the fire started. They're claiming to have heard a small explosion first then they saw the guy exit the back door."
"Where was this witness at the time of the explosion? Did they get a good look at the guy?” Kenny asked.
"I'm going to find out everything. I'll call you."
"Find out everything you can about this person and I mean everything,” Kenny said.
"I'll do my job and you make sure to do yours. You're going to be here for days,” Lou teased and Kenny shook his head then went back to work.
Lou headed towards a group of detectives talking with a young woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties.
He introduced the others and immediately noticed the fact that the young woman was upset and nervous. She pushed her blonde hair behind her ears and avoided making eye contact with him.
Lou got the other detectives to give them some space. He was hopeful yet pessimistic about the witness. He started asking the young woman some questions.
"What were you doing sitting outside the restaurant?"
"I was spying on my boyfriend, the piece of crap. I knew he was cheating on me. Can I smoke?"
Lou nodded a ‘yes'.
The blonde lit up her cigarette and he noted her shaking hands.
"What did you say your name was?"
"I didn't.” She took another deep inhale held it then released it.
Lou tilted his head and gave her a ‘don't even think of messing with me’ look.
She glanced away, appearing annoyed, then changed positions, leaning her free hand on her hip. Lou noticed the small round bruises on her hipbone as her short, loose fabric shirt lifted. It also revealed her semi flat stomach.
Lou took in the full sight of her and could not help the gut feeling. Was she a streetwalker, one of many club bangers perhaps? There were all types that tended to hang out in the surrounding area. Decent people answered a detective, a cop, with respect.
"Name,” he demanded.
"Lori, and yours?"
Lou absorbed her appearance again and when their gazes met, she winked and swayed her hips then let her tongue roll over her bottom lip.
His gut was right.
"So, Lori, what did you see?"
"Just some guy go into the restaurant then leave."
"The other detectives said you mentioned an explosion."
"Yeah, I heard some loud bang then smoke headed out the side windows near the back."
"Where were you at the time?"
"I heard the explosion and walked towards the side of the building. That's when I saw the smoke then the same guy walking out from behind the building. The flames were all over and he stood there watching a minute.” Lori pointed towards the office window and the side parking lot. A wooded area covered the property.
Lou knew that a small side street was on the other side of the woods.
He continued to ask Lori questions and soon she was describing the man she had seen.
Lou knew it had to be Redding Jr. He jotted down some more notes then got the witness's information. He knew where she lived, her phone number and the small department store she worked at.
He went over everything again then thanked her.
Lou received more information from the police officers that canvassed the area around the restaurant as well as from the other detectives. Lori was not the only person who noticed the guy. An hour later, they had a partial license plate and a description of the bus the guy had left in. The next step was to locate the bus company, question the bus driver and find out the bus route. If they were lucky perhaps, the driver or a passenger recalled the stop where the suspect got off the bus. Lou quickly called dispatch to start working on the location of the bus company. A process like this was going to take a while but he embraced the fact that it appeared as if they were getting closer to capturing Earl Redding Jr.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 2
Everyone was in the kitchen except Katie. She
strolled through the sitting room near the living room letting her hand gently glide across her father's old navy blue recliner.
She inhaled and could have sworn she smelled his scent. Smoke and hard work with a hint of aftershave mixed in. She remembered calling it the ‘firemen's cologne'.
She closed her eyes and could see his face clear as day.
"Katie Marie McKeller, get over here and give your daddy a hug!" Her father would say and she would run into his arms. She did that until that morning. The morning he left for work at the firehouse and never returned.
Katie swallowed hard, drawing her attention to the family pictures and the window overlooking the backyard.
She stared at her high school graduation picture and her forced smile. Her father had died only weeks before.
Then there was a picture of her college graduation with Mom, Michael, Donny and Billy standing around her. Even in that picture, she barely smiled.
She continued to take in her surroundings and reminisce about her childhood. The four-bedroom Cape style home had received some major updating over the years. All except the small sitting room she now stood in. The windows were open wide and a soft ocean breeze caressed the air around her. She inhaled, allowing her senses to remember and to travel back to a time when her whole family gathered in love as one. She glanced towards the hallway, her imagination getting the best of her as the childhood memory played out.
She recalled being around 14 years old, her hair was cut to her shoulders and she had just tiptoed out of her parents’ room. It was silly, but she wanted to try her mom's lipstick. The one she wore the night before to the annual fire department dinner. Katie closed her eyes. The memory was so clear and the black dress her mother wore was sophisticated and sexy. She recalled blushing a little, as her father kept pulling her mother close to kiss her. By the third time he gave her some loving and a gentle spank on her bottom, her mom retaliated with a jab to his stomach. Katie's father, Mack, pulled her mother Lea into an embrace as they laughed then kissed again.
Katie wiped the tear from her eye then recalled the lipstick event. She was walking, or rather, she was ‘sneaking’ down the hallway when Michael bumped right into her. He saw the lipstick and reprimanded her.
"What are you doing, Katie Marie?” he asked with his hands on her shoulders.
"Nothing. Sorry," she'd said, then tried to bypass him. What a meaningless attempt that was. Michael, even at the age of 20, was over 6ft tall.
"You don't need that crap on your lips, Katie, and you're way too young."
Katie recalled how she started to argue with her brother and he stopped her. She would never forget the look of sincerity and love in his eyes as he said: "You're beautiful without it."
The current burst of laughter in the kitchen, interrupted Katie's thoughts. She listened. Billy was teasing Donny about gaining some extra pounds and mom was laughing.
Melody was adding her comments about her soon to be husband's almost perfect physique, which sent Donny into an uproar. Katie heard Donny say, “Almost perfect, what do you mean almost perfect?"
Katie smiled, half listening to the conversation and laughter overflowing from the kitchen as she walked towards the living room and looked around. Her mom made many changes to the room, but kept a few pictures Katie sent from over a year ago.
Katie peeked out the side window and could see her mother's vegetable garden. It was huge. She smiled just thinking about cooking with all those homemade herbs and veggies. That was something she loved to do, cook. She had gotten darn good at cooking. At least that is what her dinner guests told her, when she had any. She thought about Terry, Bradley, and Paul.
She walked towards the back door that led to the porch. She loved the smell of earth and gardens. Once again, the ocean air swept over her along with signs of the nearby beach. Bits of sand bordered the grass around the backyard. The outdoor shower sat against the side of the house near the patio and driveway. There was nothing like taking a shower outdoors after a day of lounging on the beach. It was one of the benefits living so close to the beach. She missed the outdoor shower experience having lived in a condominium complex in Bolton Bay. The outdoor shower stall was a definite symbol and reminder of the house's close proximity to the beaches of Warrens Cove. A mere two-block walk and she could wiggle her toes into the granular, cream-colored sand.
Katie leaned over the railing to take a closer look at the assortment of vegetables the robust garden contained.
"Every year mom expands that damn garden and either myself or Billy get dragged into weeding it.” Michael's deep voice interrupted her thoughts. Katie turned towards her brother.
God, he was so handsome and tall, his features were a combination of both their parents.
However, he seemed serious and reserved when she entered the house today.
All three of her brothers were tall like their father. It was funny how Katie did not get the tall gene. She was just a few inches over five feet tall.
"I wouldn't mind that job. If you need a hand, I'll help."
Katie looked back over the railing and towards the garden.
"You like that stuff, too? You learn how to cook or something?” he asked, placing his hands awkwardly in his pockets then leaning right beside her.
Michael had always been rugged and tough. He wore a serious expression most of the time, which could come across as intimidating. She was not intimidated at all. She loved Michael and she missed him.
Katie wanted to hug him but was afraid he might push her away. God, it was a terrible thought. Nevertheless, she was right to think it. She did not know them anymore than they knew her. This was her fault.
"I had a friend in college whose parents were from Italy. They had a stunning garden twice the size of Mom's. Anyway, their tomatoes were gorgeous. They taught me how to cook them down and make homemade tomato sauce. I love to cook."
Was she rambling? Did her brother not trust her, not want to be near her or something? He hesitated and showed no contact since she arrived. Katie felt like she was under some microscope. He was staring at her, she could feel his eyes on her even though her back stayed towards him.
Michael stared at his sister's profile while she spoke about her friend from college and cooking. Katie was striking and she wore her hair long instead of short like he last remembered. The deep chestnut color shimmered with shades of red and gold. She looked taller, even though she was only 5 ft 4 in.
"Mike showing you the garden?” Billy asked, bursting through the doorway all bubbly and excited. Turning towards him, Katie smiled.
Michael watched as his younger brother touched Katie's hand and smiled wide.
"I'm glad you're here, sis."
That was Billy. He spoke his mind and always focused on the positive. Usually that annoyed Michael but right now, he envied his brother. Only moments ago Michael wished he had the nerve to embrace his sister.
He wanted her to know that she could trust him and that he was here for her.
Billy placed his arms around Katie's shoulders.
"So how does it feel to be back home? Mom hasn't made too many changes to the house?"
Katie smiled. “It feels a little strange."
"Well you'll get over that. One quick trip to the beach and a taste of the boardwalk delicacies and you'll feel right at home."
"You remember Jerry's? He moved his place down to the other end of the boardwalk to get away from the club crowds,” Michael said.
"Really? Are there a lot of new places on the boardwalk?” Katie asked.
"Oh yeah. Unfortunately the area has grown at record speed and become a bit touristy. You'll get used to it,” Billy added.
"Dinner's ready!” Melody announced.
They all headed into the dining room.
Katie sat in a chair next to Billy. Donny, Michael, Mom and Melody gathered around the dining room table as well.
Katie instantly recalled the many holiday celebrations the family shared in the dining roo
m. Every holiday, every birthday and special occasion celebrated over a large meal and the whole family gathering around the same table.
Katie missed that closeness, that connection. It was not as if it were severed. The displaced family connection stayed buried among the five years she lived away from them, combined with the loss, regret and trauma.
Katie's eyes immediately caught sight of the heirloom china closet that guarded all of her mom's china and breakables. Their father's memorial plaque marking his first day as a firefighter and his last day on earth replaced their great-grandmother's Balleek vase. Dad's small picture in full uniform stood above the words.
"Fireman's Prayer"
"When I am called to duty, God,
Whenever flames may rage,
Give me strength to save some life, whatever
Be its rage..."
Katie's eyes dropped to the last two lines.
"...and if according to my fate...
I am to lose my life, please bless with your
protecting hand, my children and my wife."
Billy touched Katie's hand and she looked at him. His smile was sympathetic as he squeezed her hand.
Katie fought back the tears, unwilling to shed them in front of the family.
"So what are the plans for tomorrow Katie? What would you like to do first?” her mom asked as she passed around the sweet potatoes. Her mom was smiling wide, apparently happy to cook the family a feast and have all her children together.
Everyone glanced towards Katie and she daintily wiped the corners or her mouth with the napkin then placed it on her lap before speaking.
"Well, I'd love to look around town, familiarize myself with Warrens Cove again. I need to go car shopping, look for a place to stay—"
"A place to stay? What do you mean? I thought you were going to stay here?” Her mom asked and instantly, Katie's stomach hurt. She did not want to insult her mother or her family and she did not want to impose. Donny and Melody had their own place but Billy lived downstairs and Michael had the separate apartment above the garage.
"I thought it might be crowded. I didn't want to impose—"
"Impose! You are my daughter. Now, I do not want to hear another word. We've missed you and you're staying here where you belong.” Her mom raised her voice then took a breath.
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