by Jill S. Behe
First, the police station. Might as well get the formal statement out of the way, and give some justification for his not being home when Carin got there.
Next was lunch.
The Corner Café had outdoor tables. He tied Bella to a table leg, and went inside to order. They were semi-regulars, and the manager always made sure there was a bowl of water and a bone, or two, available for Bella.
After the meal, Decker stopped at the Safeway. This was trickier, as he had to leave Bella in the truck. But, it was a cool 55°F, no chance the dog’d get too hot. Besides, Decker didn’t figure he’d be more than ten minutes, fifteen at the most.
On his way out of town, he passed the library—which triggered a reminder that he should have brought back the books he’d borrowed, and read, and by now were probably overdue.
Just his luck. Give him a chance to see that pretty librarian again. He’d flirted fairly heavy with her the last few times he’d been in. She’d flirted right back, too.
He grinned at the memories, and made a mental note to put the books in the truck when he got home.
All in all, he’d been gone over two hours.
He sighed at the sight of his daughter’s dark red Chevy Cruze blocking access to the garage. She was pacing the front porch, and he could tell by the stilted gait, her temper level was probably at about the nuclear stage.
“Dad!” She stood on the top step, hands on hips, face an angry flush of red. “Where the hell have you been? Why haven’t you answered your phone? How could you just leave like that and not tell anyone where you were going?”
Decker nonchalantly opened the passenger door for Bella—who bounded out to greet their visitor—then reached in for the groceries. “Hello to you too, Carin.”
Carin stalked down the remaining steps, deliberately by-passing the pooch. “You’re ignoring me? Seriously?” She halted Decker’s trek to the house. “Answer me!”
“Get out of the way.”
“No. Not until you answer me.”
“Then I guess we’ll be here a while. Here, you take the bag with the ice cream. When it melts, it’ll be your fault.”
Her jaw dropped as he pushed one of the paper bags into her belly. Her hands automatically grasped at it.
Decker took advantage of her focus to not drop anything, neatly side-stepping around her to continue up the sidewalk.
Once inside the house, he strode to the kitchen and began unloading the bags.
Carin set hers on the counter. “Dad!”
Decker leaned against the center island, studying his youngest offspring. “Just who should I have told I was going into town? And what exactly am I supposed know that the media missed?”
That stumped her speechless, and he resumed putting away the groceries.
“You’re not safe out here.”
“What gave you that idea?”
“You found a body.”
“And? Besides, I’m not the one in the morgue.”
“That’s not funny.”
“It wasn’t meant to be. I’m safer out here than you are in Boulder.”
“KNOCK. KNOCK,” a voice called into the room.
“Come on in, Cade. Join the fun. Figured you’d both show up at some point. Maybe that’s the secret to getting you to visit.”
“We visit.”
“When was the last time?”
The siblings glanced at each other.
Decker almost laughed. “Yeah. And, you’re always together.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just what it sounds like. You only come out here when you have no other recourse, and you come in pairs, thinking you can gang up on me. I’m not a feeble-minded doddering old man who can’t take care of himself alone out here in the boondocks.”
Carin’s face went red and her mouth pinched.
Decker ignored her. “You’re both wrong, by the way. Cade’s not as adamant as you are, Carin, but you both tend to treat me like I’m an idiot.”
“I’ve never said you couldn’t live out here by yourself.”
“That’s good, Cade, because I don’t need your permission.”
The young man frowned. “That’s not what I meant.”
“I know. But, you two need to back off. I’m in charge of me.”
“We could have you declared incompetent.”
Cade’s eyes went wide. “Speak for yourself, sister.”
Decker squinted at his daughter. “You’d best not try it, darling girl.”
“Why? You’re crazy to live way out here. You made mom move from her nice safe house to this wilderness, and now she’s dead. And it’s your fault.”
“Whoa-ho-ho!” Running his hands over his face, Cade groaned. “Good god, Carin. You’re the idiot.”
Decker took a moment to calm himself.
“I refuse to apologize.” Carin’s voice broke. “It’s true.”
“Not even close.”
She turned to confront her brother. “Yes—”
“No, it isn’t.” He held up a hand, head shaking. “Don’t know where you got that notion from, but you’re way off base. Mom’s the one who talked Dad into moving out here. Not the other way around.”
Carin shook her head.
“You hate it here. From the moment they told you they were moving you voiced your objections, and you hadn’t even seen the place.”
She looked at her father, finally noticing the grief on his face. “Daddy?”
Decker turned to the stove. “How about I make some tea? Cade, why don’t you open that pack of cookies and we’ll sit in the living room and talk about this, okay?”
Carin sniffed. “I’m not going to stop trying to get you to move. There’s no security here.”
Bella barked twice.
Decker smiled. “She disagrees with you.”
“Besides that,” Cade plated the cookies. “Carin’s apartment complex has even worse security. There was a drive-by shooting over there the other night,”
Decker stopped pouring. “What?”
Carin waved it off. “Just a bunch of imbeciles. It was on the other side of the complex anyway.”
“Still….”
“Still, a girl was murdered here.”
“Yeah? How many have been where you live? What’s the count? How safe are you to sit on your balcony at night? I’ll bet Dad sits out on the porch several times a week and only sees four-legged furry things.”
“I’m very safe here, honey. It’s ridiculously quiet and peaceful. Your mother’s spirit is here, too. How could I leave her?” He motioned them into the other room. “Besides, how do you know it isn’t safe? You’ve not spent more than an hour or two here since we moved in, and it’s usually just before dark and most always on a holiday.”
The stubbornness settled on her face. “It’s too quiet.”
“Oh, now it’s too quiet. You know what you need, sister dear? You need a hobby. Or, better yet, a man to take care of. Course, if you treat him the same way you treat Dad, you’ll scare them all off.”
Carin’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean? I can’t find a guy?”
“Oh you can find them, you just can’t keep them. You’re a control freak.”
“I am not.”
“Are you serious? Listen to how you’re trying to control Dad. You want him to conform to your way of thinking. Not everyone has the same opinions you do.”
“I know that. I’m not trying to control Dad.”
“What was that a moment ago? ‘We’ll have you committed.’ Just because he doesn’t agree with you? What would you call that?”
“I’m trying to make him see reason.”
“Whose reason? Yours? It’s not Dad’s. Hell, it’s not even mine.”
She plopped, like a petulant four-year-old, onto the sofa, arms folded, legs crossed, foot swinging.
Decker set the tray of mugs on the coffee table, taking notice with a mental grimace, the layer of dust. Nothing he could do about
it now. “Sweetheart, I love you. But sometimes you aggravate the heck out of me. You didn’t listen when I recommended a different, safer, apartment building. What would you have done if I’d demanded you move?”
Lip pooched out. “I love my apartment.”
“Neatly ignoring the question.” Cade reached for a mug. “And at what cost?”
Decker took a sip of tea. “I love this house.”
“My apartment is fine. Lay off, punk boy. I’m a grown woman. I make my own decisions—”
“Do you hear yourself, sis?”
“What? I am.”
“And Dad’s not? He’s right. You treat him like he’s senile.”
“I do…not.” She hung her head. “Oh god. I do, don’t I?”
“You run off at the mouth, projecting your views on everyone whether they’re interested or not, and then when they don’t agree, you blast them.”
“Cade, that’s enough.” Decker offered her a cup. “Leave your sister alone. I think she got the point.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now tell me why you’re both really here.”
“I’m here because Carin called. Said you were in trouble, and you needed us.”
“Did she say why?”
“No.”
“Oh?”
Carin glared.
Cade returned the look. “I quote: ‘Dad’s in trouble. He needs us.’ That was it.”
“You didn’t ask questions? You just dropped everything and jumped in your car?”
“Never got the chance to ask, she hung up. And wouldn’t answer her phone when I tried calling back.”
Decker nodded and turned his attention. “I see.”
“I didn’t hear anything about anything until I was on my way and heard it on the radio.”
“Carin? What trouble am I in?”
Her mouth puckered.
“I’m surprised you didn’t call the police department.”
“I did.”
“You—?”
“What the heck, Carin?”
She shrugged. “They said you weren’t under arrest, so—”
“What?”
“Why would you think he’d be under arrest?”
She hunched her shoulders, glaring. “He wasn’t answering his phones.”
“Okay. So if I wasn’t in the brig, that means you probably called the hospital, too.”
She cleared her throat, but stayed silent.
“My god. You’re a real piece of work. Are you sure she’s my blood sister?”
“Cade.”
“I’m serious. So then, what? You left work to drive all the way out here? Just to see that he really can take care of himself?”
“Cade, that’s enough.”
“Dad, she needs to answer for being an idiot.”
“I’m very intelligent, thank you.”
“Not when it comes to him, you’re not.”
“Carin.” Decker spread his arms. “Tell me why you’re here.”
“You found a body.”
“So you keep saying. Are you sure it was me?”
“The news reports said the body was found by a jogger.”
“And? I repeat, are you sure it was me?”
“It had to be you.”
“Really? I’m not the only one who lives in this town. Surely I’m not the only jogger in this area. I know several others who run that trail, by name, and who run with their dogs.”
She crossed her arms, brows knitted. “After what happened with mom, I figured you’d need…our support.”
“I would hope you are aware that your dear old dad is made of sterner stuff, but I guess I’d be wrong. And, you still haven’t told me why you thought, immediately, that I was the jogger they were talking about.”
“I didn’t know. Not for sure. I just assumed—”
“You know what happens to those who assume, don’t you, sis?”
“Shut up, Cade.”
She still hadn’t answered the question.
“Why would you think I’d need your support? Did you think I would fall apart? Have a nervous breakdown?” Decker waited, but his daughter stayed silent. He drained his cup, and set it back on the tray. “Well then, I guess this visit is over.” He looked at Cade. “Sorry you wasted a trip.”
“Never wasted,” Cade grinned. “Contrary to popular belief, I like coming out here. Just don’t do it often enough. I’m going to make a point to, though, from now on. Maybe you can take me fishing or something.”
“I’d like that. A lot.”
“I’m staying.”
“Okay, I don’t have a lot of time right now, but we could get a meal in town or catch a movie.”
“No. I mean, I’m going to stay here for a while.”
“Carin—”
Decker raised a hand to silence his son. “Why?”
Her lips thinned. “I can’t spend some time with my father?”
“Sure. But what will you do? How will you spend that time?”
“I’d just be here. Be company for you.”
“Company? What about work?”
“What about it?”
“You’re going to commute to Boulder from here? That’s an hour and a half one way.”
“I…took vacation.”
“Took?”
“Yeah. I called my boss on Thursday and told him I had a— Um, I took a few days off.”
“Thursday?”
For a brief moment, Carin looked panicked, then her face cleared. “See, I’d already planned to come up.”
“Did you think to call me, to make sure it was okay to stay here?”
“Why would I need to? You’re always harping that we don’t come visit.”
“Visiting? Yes. Moving in? Not a chance.”
“No, not moving in. Just a few days. A week, at most.”
“Oh. I see. So, if I’d had a bug up my butt and decided to come stay with you, you’d be okay with that? I could just show up at your door and announce that I was moving in for a week or two?”
“Of course not, but—”
“Then why would you think it’d be okay with me?”
“Because I’m your daughter.” She was serious.
“You’re daft, sis. You’re doing it again.”
“What am I doing?”
And clueless, apparently.
“Projecting your will on dad. Manipulating him, or trying to.”
She looked at Decker. “You’re saying I’m not welcome?”
Decker studied his daughter. “Today? Yes, I’m saying you’re not welcome. Today. If you’d let me know about it ahead of time, that might be different. But not for a week, ever. Besides, I have things to do. I won’t be around to keep you company.”
Carin sat up, surprise raised her eyebrows. “What things are more important than spending time with me?”
“Things that have been in place for a while. Things I can’t rearrange, or put on hold.”
“But—”
“What? You didn’t think I had a life? That I sit around and twiddle my thumbs all day long?”
“Mom’s only been gone—”
“Five years. Five years. And what does that have to do with anything?”
“Your things are another woman, aren’t they?”
Decker shook his head. He was getting tired of the inquisition. “Do you see a woman around here? Besides, even if what you’re thinking was true, and it isn’t, it would be none of your business.”
“It most certainly would.”
“Do I ask about your boyfriends? Do I get angry if you mention you had a date?”
Carin’s eyes went to slits. “You’re—”
“Be very careful how you answer that, little girl.”
“I’m not a little girl.”
“Then start acting your age.”
Carin fell silent, brooding.
Cade stood. “I’ll take that as my cue to leave.”
Decker stepped over, and pulled him into a hug. “It�
�s always good to see you, son. Don’t be a stranger.”
“You say that every time. This time, I’m going to take you up on it.” He looked at his sister. “I’ll call first. Make sure you’re free.”
She stuck her tongue out at him.
“Have a safe trip back, Cade.”
“I will. Bye.”
Decker turned to Carin once the sound of Cade’s car began to fade. “Are you going to help with the dishes?”
Her dark brows lowered. “You have a dishwasher.”
“I do, yes. But, there are only three cups. Would be a waste of water and energy to run it just for them.”
“I’m not doing dishes, dad. Come on. Let me stay?”
“No, Carin. There’s no point. Next time you feel the urge, give me a call, and we’ll arrange some time.”
“But not today.”
“No. Not today. Not for a few weeks, at least.”
“A few weeks? What the hell, dad?”
“According to you, it’s dangerous out here. There’s a killer on the loose. Why would you want to stay way out here, practically in isolation? You don’t even want me out here.”
Forehead creased, lips pooched, she stood. “Very well. But, if anything else happens, I’m coming back.”
“Call and ask first.”
Her eyes closed. “Maybe.”
“It will be the same as today, if you don’t.”
“Fine. I’ll call.” She started towards him, and Bella growled. Carin stopped. “What’s with her?”
“You’re projecting anger. She thinks you’re going to attack.”
“Oh, for god’s sake.”
Decker went to her, and hugged. “You know I love you.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. But you tend to try and bulldoze your wishes on people. You’ve done it since you were young. Puts people off, and some do the opposite out of spite.”
“Which kind are you?”
He smiled. “I just ignore you.”
He saw her eyes narrow, but then she smiled—though not quite all the way to her eyes. “I love you, daddy.”
“I know.”
He didn’t feel any weird vibes from her. Well, none weirder than usual. But there was something simmering below the surface. Obviously, she wasn’t going to let him in on whatever it was.
At least not right now.