Sandman grabbed her shoulders, stopped her from walking out, and turned her toward him.
“You have to keep that anger you have, baby. That’s your strength and your power. He’s not winning. He’s just ahead a few points. Together we can do this. You’re not alone, Grace. I’m here for you. Big Jay and Duke are here for you, too.”
He hugged her tightly and she grabbed onto him, loving the feel of his strength and conviction in his tone, his words.
He held her in silence and she realized how much he and his brothers had come to mean to her so quickly. But she was used to handling things on her own and right now, it would be too much to talk with Sandman, explain her emotions, her memories and fears. She would feel like she was giving up all of her layers and taking a chance that he and his brothers would never hurt her. In this fragile state, she just couldn’t find the belief and power to do that.
She slowly pulled back from his embrace.
“I think I need to be alone, Sandman. I need some time alone.”
He nodded his head and accepted her request. He was too good to be true. Too perfect for the likes of her and this situation.
“Call me if you need anything.” He softly kissed her lips. She watched him leave the room then touched fingers to her lips. She loved his kisses. She loved the connection she felt for him, Big Jay, and Duke.
Grace walked back to the desk and sat down, reading over the e-mails again. It was too much to take in and to accept as reality.
She laid her head down on the desk and closed her eyes as she began to think about growing up with her mom and dad, brothers, and Clara.
Grace was only three years old when her father Frank Sr. had passed away from cancer. She had a good memory and recalled a lot of good times with him and her siblings.
He was a sheriff for many years until he got sick, became weak and had to retire early. He loved being a lawman. It was in his blood. She guessed it ran in the family considering John, Frank, and even Peter’s choice of careers.
Her mom had a hard time dealing with the loss of her husband. It took her more than ten years to finally start dating. One day her mom told her that since Grace was fifteen years old, she could start to focus on herself. Her wants and needs in life.
That was when she met Eric. He was a nice man who was married once before and had lost his wife to cancer as well. They met at some community volunteer event and that was how they began dating.
He opened a hardware store in town, after buying out and taking over the small, beat-up old one Henry Tucker used to own.
Eric tore the building down and renovated the whole place. It was very well known in the area and he actually opened up two others.
They got married that same year after Grace’s sixteenth birthday.
They made a very nice couple and Eric was pretty decent. He did, however, want the kids to call him dad, but they refused.
As far as they were concerned, they had a dad. His name was Frank Thompson Sr. and he was their only dad.
Finally after many discussions they opted for “Eric” and that was final.
As the years went on Eric traveled a lot between stores and her mom would sometimes travel with him. Then they decided to get involved with politics.
Eric figured with Mom’s great personality and his good business sense they would make the perfect local, political couple.
Grace’s mom started getting involved in charity organizations and was Eric’s campaign manager. She also helped Donald out a lot with different fundraisers and community welfare programs.
Grace remembered one time she and Clara got mad at Eric because he told them they couldn’t go out on a double date with these two boys they liked.
He said he didn’t trust them and that she and Clara were way too young to date. They laughed at him saying they were seventeen and eighteen years old, old enough to live out on their own and do as they pleased. Grace laughed as she recalled her and her sister’s stubbornness.
Eric wouldn’t budge. He sent them to their rooms and of course, being defiant teenagers they snuck out.
Eric found out and was furious and unfortunately their mom agreed with him. They were so upset with Eric that they snuck out again and drew funny faces on all his political posters that hung near the hardware store.
At the time it was very funny and they both felt they achieved their revenge on him. Eric was really angry.
As time went on Eric became a little more controlling of their mother, wanting her to be the best-dressed politician’s wife, have the best car, act a certain way…and so on. Grace’s mom didn’t have a day off but she claimed she wouldn’t have it any other way.
When Grace’s brothers made their achievements, graduating from the police academy, passing the bar exam, and becoming first grade detective it only added to their perfect political family.
Then that early June only three years ago, when her older sister Clara disappeared, their perfect little family fell apart.
The media went crazy. The town was swarming with investigators, reporters, camera crews, and television vans. It was crazier than when the carnival came to town and it pulled in just as much attention and people.
She didn’t want to relive any of it as she changed her thoughts back to Clara.
She went over their conversations in her head. First when she called to say she was coming home, then after she arrived and they hung out together talking about Alan. Poor Alan was even investigated and was called a possible suspect in Clara’s murder by the media before the police even questioned Alan.
He was heartbroken, devastated, and emotionally distraught just as Grace’s family was.
He nearly lost his job with the amount of time he took off from work even after Clara’s body was found and Stew Parker was arrested.
Stew Parker. Grace said his name to herself. That had been a shocker.
Then she thought once again about Clara and how she and her would play in the woods and fields around their house all the time.
As a matter of fact, Clara went on some pretty dangerous hiking trips in college that were planned through the university. Which now made Grace wonder.
She didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of it before.
Clara knew that woods inside and out and she was very resourceful.
Plus she would have put up a fight, struggled with the killer especially if he was a stranger. Grace recalled a conversation her brothers were having about the crime scene. The police said she was stabbed to death. The thoughts disgusted her but she had to face this situation head-on. She needed to see the report, ask Sandman questions because she was now thinking that Clara knew her killer. There was no other explanation for it. Clara had to have known who her killer was. She needed to find Sandman.
When she walked into the dining area, she saw Sandman sitting at the large wooden table looking at some pictures and reading a file. Big Jay was leaning against the wall staring at a pile of papers and Duke was scrolling with the mouse as he stared at the computer screen
“Sandman.”
They all looked at her.
“Hey, gorgeous. How are you doing?” Big Jay said then placed his palm against her cheek. She leaned into it and allowed him to hug her. She looked back at Sandman.
“I’m sorry about before. I was upset and angry and I’m used to being alone. Dealing with things on my own. I know you care and you want to help me. I’m going to need your help. It’s going to be hard for me. I know this so please bear with me, okay?” she said. She would always be amazed at these three men’s height and superior appearance. Even now as Sandman approached, she felt her belly quiver and the anticipation of his big strong arms embracing her and taking away her fear.
“I understand that, baby. Just remember that you’re not alone and that we can do this together, okay?”
He smiled before he pulled her into his arms. He held her close and she loved having all three of them there with her.
Big Jay caressed her hair and s
he turned to look up toward him.
“We’re here for you, baby.”
She smiled. “I know.”
Sandman released her and Duke took her hand and brought her fingers up to his lips. He kissed them softly.
“We’ll get through this.”
“I know and I need all three of you to help me.” She took a deep breath then released it.
“I was thinking about my sister and I was wondering about the crime scene. I need to see her file.”
Sandman crossed his arms in front of his wide chest and showed no emotion when he said no.
“Please hear me out, Sandman. I was thinking about her and a part of her disappearance that I ignored, or blocked out, or maybe simply didn’t want to face.”
“What is it, Grace?” Big Jay asked.
Grace took in a deep breath and looked into Sandman’s eyes.
“I want to see her file. I need to know how the killer got her to the woods. What was the cause of death? Everything.”
“That isn’t necessary. Leave it to us, baby. It’s our job and it’s something we’re used to viewing,” Duke said very firmly but also with compassion and empathy.
“I need to see it. I know I can help. I can’t just sit around and do nothing but wait for him to strike again.”
“This is going to be difficult, to say the least, Grace. The pictures are pretty bad. Maybe I can just read you the report, tell you what the detectives’ and the coroner’s findings were?” Sandman asked her as she sat down at the table. If he was suggesting that, then the pictures must be horrific. She needed to trust his judgment, and the fact that he was letting her in on this much was surprising. She needed to take what he gave her in this situation.
“Okay,” she said as Sandman took a seat next to her and began reading and explaining the findings.
Chapter 12
Frank, John, Peter, and Eric sat around the kitchen table in their mother’s house.
Sarah was working at the kitchen sink peeling potatoes for potato salad.
“I wonder if Grace still likes my potato salad?” Sarah asked, as she looked out the large window above the kitchen sink.
She missed her daughter something terrible. She wanted her here with her. She wanted to hold her and love her.
“I’m sure she does, Mom. She’ll be back home soon. You’ll see,” John said, as he looked at his brothers.
“I’m sure she’s fine, Sarah. After all she is with that special investigator,” Eric added, as he gave his wife a loving squeeze.
“Yeah that guy is something else. The way he used his own body to protect her. I’m real curious about his confidential files. I wonder what that guy is capable of?” Frank asked, and the others added similar comments indicating that they all wondered as well.
“Can’t you find out more about him, Frank? Something to make us feel even more confident that she’s safe?” Eric asked.
“No, I can’t. Whatever he’s done in the past that’s labeled confidential stays confidential. I did hear Detective Jim Warner say something about Sandstone being the best. He had been assigned to a lot of high-profile government officials in the past. Supposedly he came pretty close to getting killed. The position he has now is supposed to be less dangerous. Then add in his years in the military as a commando and I’d bet he’s the best we could ever ask for in protecting Grace,” Frank told them.
“Yeah the word around the station is that he’s an expert in arm-to-arm combat. He actually prefers it to the use of a gun. But who knows if that’s just talk. He’s so mysterious, people tend to make up stories when they can’t find out anything about someone,” John told them then took a slug of beer from the bottle.
“Well, I just hope he can protect your sister. Grace must be so scared right now. Having to wear a disguise to escape the precinct undetected,” Sarah added.
The guys laughed a little.
“What’s so funny?” she asked as she looked at her sons.
“You should have seen her in that police uniform,” John said with a smile on his face then shook his head as if he were remembering the scene.
“Yeah, I’ve never seen a female patrol officer who made the uniform look that good before,” Frank added.
“I thought Sandstone’s eyes were going to pop out of his head when Grace first walked through the door,” John added.
“Donald and our eyes popped out of our heads when we first saw her, too. The guys are still taking about it.” Frank and John began laughing.
“I hope she’ll be safe with this Sandstone guy. He’s a very attractive man and big, to say the least,” Sarah stated.
“Maybe you’ll get that son-in-law you’ve been wishing for, Mom,” Frank teased and the others began laughing.
“What? You guys think something is going on between those two? He’s only known her a few days,” Eric said, sounding concerned. Sarah knew that Eric cared for Grace as if she were his biological daughter. Even when she was away, he made sure he was home whenever Grace planned on calling.
Sarah put her arms around Eric’s waist.
“Honey, you didn’t catch their reaction to one another when they first met?” Sarah told them and the men hadn’t seen exactly what she had. The instant attraction, the chemistry, and if a relationship emerged between them she would recall both of their first reactions to one another. She would never forget it and would cherish the fact that she was able to witness it. She often wondered if Grace had any relationships while she was in Europe. She never wrote about any or mentioned any over the phone. She knew her daughter was old enough to be sexually active and responsible enough but she worried about her handling the emotional part.
Grace closed herself off when Clara died. She put up a wall around her heart and she resisted emotional commitment. It would take someone strong and special to tear down that wall. Grace was stubborn, independent and strong willed. She felt she could do anything and everything on her own. She preferred it that way and probably felt content and in control relying solely on herself. Sarah was sure that Grace and Sandstone would bash heads in that category but she hoped he could keep her safe.
Sarah laughed as she went about adding the fresh celery to the potato salad. The men continued to talk about the case and still wondered who the killer could be and what he wanted with Grace.
“How are Maggie’s parents doing, John? Do they need anything?” Sarah asked as John leaned against the kitchen counter.
“They’re doing all right I guess. They have a lot of family in the area so they’ve had a lot of company the last few days. Once things settle down I’m sure it will start sinking in more.” John looked down at his shoes with his hands in his pockets.
Sarah wiped her hands on her apron and took her son’s hand.
“We know it’s going to be hard for them. It’s tough to lose a daughter, a sister, anyone you love, to murder. You be there for them, Johnny, just like people in the community were here for us,” Sarah told her son and John gave his mother a hug.
* * * *
“The medical examiner’s report shows a blow to the head just above the right temple. She was stabbed with a long, sharp weapon, twenty times,” Sandman told Grace as he read certain parts of the medical examiner’s report.
Grace took a deep breath as a tear fell from her eye.
“What kind of object do they think she was hit in the head with?” Grace forced herself to ask.
Sandman looked at her a moment, amazed at her strength. He could see the fight in her eyes. She was determined.
“Well let’s see what it says here.” Sandman scanned over the documents. “The medical examiner said a possible weapon used was something made of hard metal, thin like a tire iron. The evidence found at Stew Parker’s house contained one tire iron with your sister’s blood on it.”
Sandman looked through the file.
Grace thought about it for a minute and felt she knew her sister really well.
“What are you thinking?” Big Jay ask
ed her as he looked up from the laptop. Even Duke sat nearby. He didn’t look happy at all about the situation.
Grace put down the file.
“My sister knew those woods inside and out. We used to always play in those woods then walk that same highway to get back home. Everyone in town knew Stew Parker. He was the poor guy who lived in the shack off the highway. Kids made up stories about him and a friend of our father’s who was the sheriff told us to stay clear of Stew, that he wasn’t mentally fit and we did,” Grace told them.
“Would your sister have given him a ride if she saw him walking the highway? That would explain the fibers from his coat that were found in the passenger seat,” Big John asked.
“No, she would never do that and the killer probably planted that evidence, too. At the time I was so distraught I didn’t know one day from the next, we were all confused, and scared. It was terrible. The entire town was on lockdown and in pursuit of a killer. I don’t think there was a person alive in our town that hadn’t been affected by the incident,” Grace replied, looking toward the slider doors instead of directly at the men.
Sandman figured she had a hard time talking about what happened. Sharing her feelings and experience with them was difficult for her.
“Clara would have never picked up a hitchhiker, a stranger, or Stew. If someone needed help, then she always carried her cell phone. She would call someone else to come help the person. My brothers taught us to be street smart, be aware of our gut feelings, and know when circumstances seemed wrong or unnerving. I think my sister knew the killer,” Grace stated confidently and Sandman moved forward in his seat.
“Other people were questioned in the area. All other suspects were accounted for, including her boyfriend at the time. The detectives checked their alibis, confirmed their whereabouts at the time of the murder,” Duke added.
“I’m telling you that Clara knew the person she let into her car. I should have known this then. I just wasn’t thinking clearly and then the detectives and the police found out about Stew and the evidence in his home. What exactly was found in his house?” Grace asked.
The American Soldier Collection 3: Amazing Grace (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 15