Dangerous Silence

by Rhonda Brewer

  “Chloe is staying here. It’s where she belongs.” Matt sat across the table from Mike and glared at him.

  “Then I guess we need to get all the cards on the table.” Mike rested his arms on the table and glared back.

  Mike needed the man to come clean with his family. Matt was the little girl’s father. He was the first choice for custody. Billie seemed determined to be Chloe’s guardian. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her.

  Chapter 10

  Billie was sure her heart was about to jump out of her chest at any minute. Since the moment Mike walked through the door her heart pounded. Now he sat in her mother’s kitchen looking even more delicious then he did the night she met him.

  She couldn’t help but be relieved that he wasn’t with Stephanie. The only thing that bothered her was how Matt reacted to Mike. Her brother wasn’t as captivated as she was or her mother for that matter.

  The sad thing was she didn’t have the time to deal with her overwhelming attraction for Mike. Chloe was the reason he was there, and she could have kissed him when he brought Chloe to the house. Kissed him, licked him and probably….

  Focus Billie.

  “Billie, are you okay?” She jumped at the sound of her name mainly since it was Mike asking.

  “Yes. I'm fine.” She hurried to the other side of the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. She didn’t usually drink it, but at that moment she needed to focus on something besides the way Mike’s blue T-shirt fitted to his incredible body.

  “Damn it,” Billie grumbled.

  “You seem jumpy, Belinda. I don’t think you should be drinking coffee.” Her mother took the cup from her hand. “Here, drink this.” Her mother gave her a cup of herbal tea. “It’s that new Chamomile tea that I picked up last week.”

  “Mom, I’m fine.” Billie reached for the coffee again.

  “Belinda Margaret, you’re not doing Chloe any good if you’re jumping at every little thing. Drink the tea.” Her mother dumped the coffee down the sink and put the empty cup in the dishwasher.

  “Now, Michael, what do we have to do to make sure Chloe stays with us?” Her mother sat next to Mike and gave him her full attention.

  “Well, let me start off by saying you don’t have to be concerned with Mr. Wilks getting custody of her.” Mike pulled a folder from a briefcase. Billie hadn’t even noticed him bring it in.

  “Oh, thank heavens for that.” Her mother pressed her hand against her chest and took a deep breath. So, did Billie and Matt.

  “He’s not her father, and since he wasn’t married to Peggy, he’s not her step-father either. Legally he has no chance.” Mike continued. “Even if Chloe’s father did come forward now he would first have to prove he was her father. He would also have to prove he was capable of caring for her.”

  Matt began to tap his fingers on the table, but his mother reached across and covered his hand with hers. Billie had no idea what was going on with her brother lately, but he worried her.

  “No more coffee for you either, Matthew.” Her mother said.

  Mike continued, but something in the way he stopped and glanced at Matt told her that there was something Mike held back. It was pretty obvious Matt knew what it was and she hoped it wasn’t going to interfere with Chloe’s well-being.

  “That’s a fine young man.” Her grandfather declared at the supper table.

  Mike had declined her mother’s invitation to stay for supper but asked if Matt could walk him out. Billie felt a little hurt that he hadn’t asked her, but then again why would he?

  “I remember all those O’Connor boys were very well behaved. The whole family was incredibly close.” Her mother smiled at her.

  “I’ve met all the brothers now, and the younger ones are a little on the wild side,” Matt grumbled as he caught Billie’s gaze.

  “Matthew, you’ve had your wild days too.” Philip reminded her judgemental brother.

  “The three younger ones have a reputation for being players.” Matt held his fork up and pointed it at Billie. “I saw the way you looked at him. Trust me he’s just looking for another roll in the hay.”

  “Matthew Walter Carter, you’ve got no right to say something like that about someone you don’t know well. For all, you know he could be the man your sister ends up marrying.”

  Her mother’s statement had Billie choking on the juice she’d just swallowed. Philip slapped her on the back until she was able to catch her breath. She jumped up from the table and grabbed a handful of paper towels to clean up the juice she’d spilled on the table.

  “Trust me, Mom. That guy isn’t looking for a wife. He’s looking for a ….” Matt stopped when her father slapped the back of his head.

  “I wouldn’t finish that sentence, young man.” Her father warned. “Your sister is much smarter than you give her credit. I’m sure she wouldn’t fall for a man that would treat her that way, and I’m not saying young Mr. O’Connor would.”

  It seemed Matt got the message, but Billie couldn’t get the words her mother had spoken out of her head. She certainly wasn’t ready to get married, but Mike was the first man in a very long time to set her pulse racing and her body humming.

  “I still say he’s a fine young man.” Her grandfather said.

  Billie wouldn’t tell her grandfather she agreed because Mike O’Connor was definitely fine. Every single inch of him was more than fine.

  The tug on her arm brought her out of her head. Chloe stared up at her as if she was about to burst into tears. Billie pulled her onto her lap and kissed her cheek.

  “Why is Matt so mean to my new friend?” Chloe signed.

  Matt winced and closed his eyes because he seemed to realize when Mike said Chloe could read lips, he’d been right.

  “Matt is just worried.” Billie didn’t want Chloe to be mad at Matt. He had become attached to the little girl, and Billie knew it would kill her brother if Chloe saw him as less than the hero he’d become in her eyes.

  “Billie’s right.” Matt signed. “I didn’t mean to make you think I didn’t like him. He’ll make sure you stay with us.”

  Billie prayed her brother was right because it seemed if Felix had his way Chloe would remain in foster care. A flutter of hope sprang to life when she pictured Mike standing up to Felix. Like Chloe’s knight in shining armor. Possibly even hers.

  Chapter 11

  Mike stared at Keith as if he had two heads. Mike asked his brother to come over to talk about the conversation with Jason, but Keith’s response had him shaking his head.

  “Uncle Kurt will kick your fucking ass.” Mike chuckled.

  “No, he won’t. Jess doesn’t want him to know, and you’re going to keep it to yourself as well. I just wish I knew where Jason got his information.”

  “So, when did Jess start working for you?” Mike grabbed two beers out of the fridge and handed one to Keith.

  “Crash and Trunk have been training her for a while, but she didn’t want anyone to know.” Keith leaned against the counter and sipped his beer.

  “Jess is a black belt in Karate, and she’d been trained by Uncle Kurt since she was able to walk.” Kurt had taught them all, but the only ones in the family that stuck with it were Jess, Ian, and Keith.

  “Yes, which was the only reason I agreed to this. Crash and Trunk have been teaching her. She hasn’t had a lot of experience with firearms, and they’ve been helping with that.” Keith explained, but Mike still knew their uncle would be pissed if he knew one of his daughters were in danger.

  “That still doesn’t explain why she’s watching this guy and how Jason knew.” Mike couldn’t figure out that little tidbit.

  “That’s Jess’s doing and believe me I’ll have a chat with her about that,” Keith grumbled. “She’s keeping on eye on that asshole because Matt asked me to check on him. He beat the hell out of Chloe’s mom, and Matt’s convinced he had something to do with her death.”

  “From what I’ve seen on that file Jason gave me, the gu
y is a woman beating asshole with a record a mile long.” Mike motioned toward the papers he showed Keith.

  “I didn’t want Jess doing this in the first place, but the sneaky little thing had Emily, Crash, and Trunk gang up on me,” Keith grumbled.

  “Emily knows about this?” Mike was surprised.

  “Trust me I can’t keep anything from that woman.” Keith smiled. “She has ways of finding out.” When Keith waggled his eyebrows, Mike knew exactly how Emily got her information.

  “Must be nice.” Mike felt that twinge of jealousy he always got when he saw the glowing happiness his brothers showed when they talked about their wives.

  “Maybe you should stop running around and find someone to help you fill this house with more than an echo.” Keith twirled the top of the bottle in a circle.

  If he only knew how much Mike wanted that very thing and when he thought about it a certain beautiful brown-eyed beauty came to mind. He smiled when the memory of the night they met came to mind.

  “Already have someone in mind, bro?” Keith grinned.

  “Did you know Matt’s mom is Mrs. Carter from Holy Cross?” Mike changed the subject.

  “No, I didn’t. If I remember correctly, she was the same teacher that told mom I should be in the gifted program.” Keith smiled.

  “So, until Jess gets something on this guy she’s going to keep working at the bar with him. What happens to her flower shop?”

  Jess owned a small flower shop in St. John’s. It was the reason he and his brothers had dubbed her the flower child. Albeit, one that could probably kill someone with one hand. He still didn’t know why she’d never turned in her application for the academy.

  “She hired a couple of girls, and she works herself there on Saturday.” Keith tossed the beer bottle in the recycling and turned back to Mike.

  “Why didn’t she follow her dream of being a cop?” If Keith knew about everything else, he had to know why Jess changed her mind.

  “Bro, that’s something you’d have to ask our little cousin. I didn’t know until you told me.” Keith moved toward the front door.

  “I need you to talk to Matt about telling his family about Chloe’s true paternity.” Mike opened the door of his house. “That C.P.S asshole knows now. Although, I've got to admit I liked pulling the rug out from in under him.”

  Felix’s expression was priceless when Mike tossed the paternity results in front of him and his snooty supervisor. The way they shuffled through their files and stammered over their words was incredibly satisfying.

  “He called me tonight and told me what you did. He’s thankful, but I don’t think he likes the way you were eyeing his sister.” Keith chuckled. “I'll talk to him about it though. He doesn’t seem to like those workers either.”

  “I met his sister about a month ago at a club. We hit it off, and it was nice to see her again. That’s all.” Mike shrugged his shoulders.

  “Is this the same girl Sandy’s been searching for?” Keith raised an eyebrow.

  “Fuck, did she tell everyone?” Mike sighed.

  “The only reason I know was because I saw the printouts she had. It's a shame you didn’t know that Matt’s sister was no longer a social worker because she was the first name Sandy found.” Keith chuckled as he jogged down over the steps.

  “Thanks, a fucking lot. Asshole.” Mike shouted.

  “You don’t go through all that trouble for a one-night stand, bro. Just make sure to smooth things over with her brother before you go making any moves and if you’re just in it for a wham bam thank you, mam, leave her alone.” Keith disappeared down the path toward his property.

  Mike closed the door. He scanned the foyer of his house and sighed. Everything was almost finished. The only thing’s left was his home office and the landscaping, but he still didn’t feel content. He bought the house hoping he wouldn’t feel as detached but the truth was, without someone to share it with, it was just another place for him to feel alone.

  The only time he didn’t feel that way was when he thought about Billie. Now that he’d finally found her, the feeling was stronger, and he knew without a doubt, he needed her in his life. The buzzing of his phone had him jogging back to the kitchen to snatch it off the counter. He didn’t recognize the number, but he answered it anyway.

  “Mike O’Connor.” He put the phone to his ear.

  “Mike, it’s Billie.” Her voice echoed through him.

  “Hi,” well could he sound any more idiotic.

  “The police are here to take Matt. They want to question him about Peggy’s death. One of my neighbors said they saw him at my house that night.” Mike grabbed his keys and was out the front door before she finished the sentence.

  “Billie, find out where they’re taking him and text it to me. Tell Matt not to say a word until I get there.” Mike was already turning onto the highway toward St. John’s.

  “I didn’t know who else to call.” Her voice came through as a whisper.

  “I’m glad you called. I’m not a criminal lawyer, but right now he just needs someone there. Hopefully, this is nothing.” Mike could hear the voices in the background.

  “Mom’s upset and so is my dad. Chloe’s crying and I’m scared to death. Please call me when you know what’s going on.” The crack in her voice went straight to his heart.

  “I promise. I’ve got your number now, Billie.” Her chuckle made him ease off on the gas since she got his attempt at humor. “Text me with where they’re taking Matt, and I’ll meet him there.”

  “I will. Thank you, Mike.” Billie said, and the call ended.

  Mike pulled into the St. John’s division of the Newfoundland Police Department. Since he knew most of the officers, he had no problem finding someone to direct him to where Matt was not so patiently waiting.

  “Mike, he’s like a caged animal in there.” John met Mike at the entrance of the interrogation room.

  “He didn’t do this, John.” No matter how much he disliked Matt, he knew there was no way he'd hurt Peggy. He didn’t know how he knew that, but he was a good judge of people.

  “Off the record, I don’t think so either, but when I’m told to bring him in because a neighbor saw him leaving at around ten, I’ve got to follow orders,” John said.

  “I know, bro. I’ll let you know when we’re ready.” Mike opened the door and walked into the room. Matt paced back and forth with his hands shoved into his front pockets.

  “What the hell is wrong with your family?” Matt threw his hands up in the air.

  “John’s just doing his job.” Mike motioned for Matt to sit.

  “Why didn’t they just call? I would’ve come down, and none of my family would be upset. For Christ’s sake, Billie had to pull Chloe off my leg.” Matt flopped down in the chair.

  “Matt, that’s not how it works, but for what it’s worth, I don’t think you could ever hurt Peggy.” Mike needed Matt to know that. “Now, let's talk about that night.”

  “Thanks for believing in me. Considering how I’ve treated you, I’m surprised you even want to help me.” Matt rested his arms on the table and looked Mike straight in the eyes. “Peggy texted me to tell me Billie was gone out. Chloe was baking cookies with mom, and I told my mother I had to run out and pick up some things for work. That was a lie. I was going over to see Peggy.”

  “Were you dating her?” Mike asked.

  “I wouldn’t call it dating because nobody knew. It was so stupid to keep it quiet, but I wasn’t sure how my family was going to react to it because Peggy basically grew up with us. Billie thinks of her as a sister. Anyway, we were going to talk about telling everyone about Chloe and everything. I loved her. I think if I'd been honest with myself I fell in love with Peggy a long time ago but it just seemed wrong to pursue it. Stupid huh.” Matt pulled his hands down over his face.

  “Not really, sometimes you find love in the places you don’t expect.” Mike had seen it enough to know it was true.

  “We decided to tell everyon
e and deal with the aftermath. We were going to do it the following weekend but then….” Matt swallowed hard, and his eyes glistened with tears he held back.

  “What time did you leave?” Mike knew from his brother that the coroner placed the time of death between ten and midnight.

  “I was back at my parents by nine. Mom had just tucked Chloe in bed, and Jeopardy was just over. Pop watches it every night, and it comes on at eight thirty.” Matt seemed pretty sure of the time.

  “So, John’s going to be the one coming in and asking questions. If I hear something I don’t like; I’ll make sure you don’t answer.” Mike opened the door and waved to his brother. John was further down the hall looking at his phone.

  For the next hour, John grilled Matt on every detail of that night. It pissed Mike off, but Matt seemed to be calm. Mike was glad he didn’t fly off the handle because that wouldn’t look good.

  “One last question and you can go,” John stood up. “Would you be willing to take a DNA test?”

  “Why would he have to do that?” Mike placed his hand on Matt’s shoulder.

  “Peggy had sex before she was killed and she also had some skin under her nails. The samples are both different, and we want to see if Matt matches either of them.” John wrote something on the pad in his hand.

  “She was…. Raped.” Matt stammered.

  “It doesn’t look like she was raped. No tearing or bruising but whoever she had sex with wasn’t the same person she scratched.” John met Mike’s gaze.

  “We made love that night.” Matt’s voice trembled. “It was the first time since we admitted our feelings to each other.”

  “And you sure of your timeline?” John tucked the pad into his jacket pocket.

  “One hundred percent. You can check with my family.” Matt didn’t flinch when John hummed.

  “I’ll talk with them. You’re free to go but don’t leave town.” John opened the door to the room. “Just in case I’ve got more questions.”

  “The only place I go is work and home.” Matt stood up.