Dangerous Silence
Book 5 of O’Connor Brother Series
By: Rhonda Brewer
This book is dedicated to all the victims of human trafficking and their families. This book is a work of fiction but sadly there are people who live this for real. May God watch over each and everyone of them.
Acknowledgements
There are so many people who made publishing this book possible and saying thank you just doesn’t seem enough.
As always thank you to all the authors who I consider friends and mentors. Special thanks to Michelle Eriksen, Abbie Zanders, and Amabel Daniels for their constant support and help. To my dedicated beta readers, Jackie Dawe Ford, Nancy Arnold-Holloway, Mayas Sanders, thank you so much for the support and constant encouragement. To my readers, you are the reason that I continue to do this.
Last but certainly not least, thank you to my husband, Danny who gives me the inspiration for the romantic heroes I write and encourages me every day. To my two children Laura and Colin, both of you show me everyday how proud you are and how much you love me. That gives me even more encouragement to keep doing what I love. To my beautiful granddaughter, Emma. You may not be old enough to read yet but your smile gives me inspiration to keep going. I love all of you.
This book is fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be taken as real. Any resemblance to people living or dead, events, location or companies are purely coincidental.
This is the original work of Rhonda Brewer.
All rights reserved. No part of this work can be reproduced in any way without written permission from the author.
DANGEROUS SILENCE©2017 Rhonda Brewer
All Rights Reserved
Chapter 1
Twenty-seven years ago,
Mrs. Carter brought the new boy to the front of the class. Michael O’Connor was anxious to meet a new friend, but the lady next to the kid was distracting him with the way she moved her hands. The new boy watched her while Mrs. Carter spoke.
“Class, this is our new student, Lyle Earle.” Mrs. Carter smiled at the class like she always did. She was the best teacher in the world and the prettiest too.
“Hi, Lyle,” The students shouted.
“Boys, this is Mrs. Earle, and she’s Lyle’s mom. She’s going to be coming with Lyle every day.” Mrs. Carter said.
“Why?” Bobby Tucker always asked way too many questions.
“Well, you see, when Lyle was born, he couldn’t hear like you and me.” The teacher explained.
“Why?” Bobby asked again.
Mrs. Carter never got annoyed with Bobby, but Michael sure did. Bobby was one of his friends, but it still bugged him the way he always asked tons of questions.
“Bobby, not everyone is the same, it’s what makes everyone special. Lyle has to use his hands to talk. I’m sure you’ve been watching Mrs. Earle moving her hands.” Mrs. Carter said.
“Uh huh.” Bobby nodded.
“That’s a special way to speak with someone who can’t hear. It’s called sign language.” Michael stopped listening to Bobby and concentrated on Mrs. Earle and the way she made all the different movements with her hands. It seemed like one of those dances they did in that movie his grandmother liked with that Elvis guy.
“He’s weird.” Ernie Marsh whispered from behind Michael.
“He’s not.” Michael didn’t like Ernie because he picked on most of the boys in the class. He’d probably pick on girls too if it weren't an all-boys school. Michael wasn’t afraid of him, and he made sure Ernie knew it.
“Is too, he can’t even hear.” Ernie snarled. “That’s stupid.”
“Just because he can’t hear don’t make him stupid,” Michael spoke a little louder than he probably should have because the next thing he heard was Mrs. Carter’s soft voice.
“Michael, we don’t say stupid.” She swirled her finger in a circle which meant to turn back around in his seat.
“Sorry, Mrs. Carter,” Michael dropped his head.
“Do you want to tell me why you said that word?” Mrs. Carter asked.
“He said the deaf kid was stupid,” Ernie shouted.
“I did not. You did.” Mike yelled.
“I didn’t,” Ernie yelled back.
“Boys, that’s enough. Michael, and Ernie, I want both of you to follow me outside the class.” Mrs. Carter pointed to the door.
Michael never got in trouble in class. It was all Ernie’s fault. Now Mrs. Carter would probably call his mom and dad, and he’d end up with no dessert. It probably meant he wouldn’t get to go fishing with Grandda over the weekend either and he’d miss out on Nanny Betty’s homemade bread. Ernie was a jerk.
“Now, boys, what happened in there wasn’t very nice. Ernie, I’ve told you many times not to say mean things. I’ll be calling your father today.” Mrs. Carter stood in front of them with her hands on her hips. “Ernie, go back in the classroom and pull out your special notebook. I want you to write I am sorry twenty times, and I’ll get it at the end of the day.”
Mrs. Carter opened the door, and Ernie scuffed into the classroom with his head down. When she closed the door, she crouched in front of Michael and took his hands.
“Michael, I’m surprised at you.” He couldn’t look at his favorite teacher. “Do you want to tell me why you yelled and called Lyle stupid?”
“I didn’t call Lyle stupid. I told Ernie that Lyle wasn’t stupid just because he couldn’t hear but Ernie said he was.” He felt awful that Mrs. Carter would think he could be as mean as Ernie and he couldn’t stop the tears.
“Michael, don’t cry.” Mrs. Carter pulled a tissue out of her pocket and gave it to him. “I didn’t think you would say something like that. Why don’t we move you to the other side of the classroom and you can sit by Lyle? Maybe you can help him settle in the class.”
“He can’t hear me.” Michael didn’t know how to do the hand language.
“That’s why his mom’s here. She’s going to help us talk to Lyle and help him talk to us” Mrs. Carter smiled.
“Can she learn us how to do the hand language?” Michael asked.
“If you want to learn sign language, I’m sure she can teach you some.” Mrs. Carter smiled again. “You’ve got a very big heart, Michael O’Connor. You’re going to make some lucky young lady very happy when you grow up.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Carter.” Michael smiled.
When they entered the classroom, Mrs. Carter quickly changed the seats and put Michael right behind Lyle and across from Bobby. Ernie kept sticking his tongue out at Michael for the rest of the day, but he didn’t care.
While they ate lunch, Michael sat with Lyle and Mrs. Earle. It was easier to talk to Lyle than he thought it would be. Everything Michael said, Mrs. Earle would sign and then she would tell Michael whatever Lyle signed. Lyle even showed him how to spell both their names with sign language. It was so cool.
After Lunch, they played outside in the sandbox. Mrs. Earle had left them to play, but Michael learned he and Lyle could play together without even talking. If Michael wanted to say something to Lyle, he would act it out. It was fun until Ernie started to destroy the roads and hills they made with the sand for their trucks.
“Stop, Ernie,” Michael shouted and stood in front of Lyle.
“If you play with the dummy then you’re a dummy too.” Ernie kicked the dirt.
“You better stop.” Michael fisted his hands at his sides.
“Dummy,” Ernie made a face and kicked dirt at Lyle.
“I warned you already, stop,” Michael shouted louder.
“Dummy, d
ummy.” Ernie pointed between Lyle and Michael and kicked dirt at Lyle again.
The dirt hit Lyle in the face and looked like it had gone into his mouth. Lyle jumped up and spit on the ground. Now Michael was mad. He remembered his mom and dad gave them three chances to behave themselves and decided he should do the same.
“This is your third chance. Stop kicking dirt at Lyle.” Michael growled and clenched his fists tighter. If Ernie was going to be mean, Michael would teach him a lesson.
“What are you gonna do, dummy? Shake your hands at me.” Ernie pushed Michael, and he fell on his butt.
Michael jumped up and lunged at Ernie pushing the bigger boy to the ground. Michael punched Ernie in the nose then stood up and turned around, but Lyle was gone. Before he could look for his new friend Ernie grabbed him around the feet and knocked him down to the ground. Michael and Ernie rolled around the ground punching whenever one of them would get on top.
Michael and Ernie got yanked apart when someone grabbed Michael by the collar of his shirt. He looked up and swallowed hard.
Father Wallace.
“Boys, both of you march yourselves straight into my office.” The priest was scary when he was angry, and from the look on his face, Father Wallace was more than a little mad.
Michael sat on the bench in front of the Principal’s office waiting for his mom and dad to arrive. He was in so much trouble when his parents got there. Ernie’s dad was in the room with Father Wallace, and Ernie and Michael cringed every time he heard Mr. Marsh’s raised voice.
“Michael Francis O’Connor, what’s wrong with you?” His mother whispered when she sat next to him on the bench. She always used his full name when he or his brothers were in trouble at home.
“Now, Kathleen lets wait until we chat with Father Wallace.” His father gave him that look he gave when he was disappointed, and that didn’t sit well with Michael.
“Dr. and Mrs. O’Connor, thank you for coming.” Father Wallace walked out of the office, and Ernie walked out behind his father. Michael knew Ernie didn’t have a mom, but he didn’t know what happened to her. “You too, young man.”
Michael sat between his parents with his head hung down. His school pants were dirty, and the knee had a huge hole. That wasn’t going to make his mom any happier.
“Michael, I’ve heard Ernie’s side, and now I want to hear yours.” Father Wallace sat back in his chair with his hands clasped in front of him. He was a great principal and didn’t yell like the last one, but Michael had never been in trouble before, so he didn’t know what to expect.
“Ernie kept kicking sand at Lyle. I gave him three chances to stop because mommy and daddy always give us three chances, but he wouldn’t stop. He was picking on my friend.” Michael finished talking and dropped his head. “He just wouldn’t stop.”
His head snapped up when he heard Father Wallace chuckle. Michael glanced up to see his dad with his hand over his mouth, but his mother still looked upset.
“What do you say to that?” Father Wallace smiled at Michael.
“There’s never a reason to use your fists, Michael. Isn’t that what Uncle Kurt is teaching you in Karate?” His mother pointed at him.
“Mrs. O’Connor, I agree, but Michael’s never been in trouble before. He’s the first one of your boys I’ve ever seen in my office.” Father Wallace said.
“Considering there are six of them here I’d take that as a good percentage.” His dad laughed but stopped when his mom glared at him.
“You have one more boy starting next year, right?” Father asked.
“Yes, A.J.” His mom said.
Michael shifted in the chair because he still didn’t know what punishment he was going to get. None of his brothers got in trouble in school and from the way his mom tapped her foot he was in big trouble.
“Michael, I want you to apologize to Ernie tomorrow, and he will apologize to you.” Father Wallace stood and shook hands with his dad. “I understand you were protecting the new boy but as your mom said, fighting is not the way.”
Michael nodded and glanced up at his dad. His father didn’t seem as mad as his mother, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t in huge trouble when he got home.
“I’m sorry for getting in trouble.” Michael looked up at his mom.
Her face softened, and she cupped his cheeks with her hands and knelt in front of him.
“You know we love you and I’m proud you stood up for someone who couldn’t stand up for themselves but next time take your friend and walk away. Okay?” His mom kissed his cheek.
“Yes, mommy.” Michael jumped off the chair and wrapped his arms around her.
“Since the day is almost over, you can take Michael home.” Father Wallace said.
“Can I go say goodbye to Lyle?” Michael asked.
“He’s in class right now, but I’ll tell him for you.” Father Wallace said.
On the way home, his mom and dad talked about the trip to his grandparent’s house. It was a long drive, but Michael and his brothers always had so much fun when they were there.
“I’m gonna learn sign language so I can talk to Lyle,” Michael told his parents as he tried to force himself to stay awake.
“That’s great honey.” His mom said.
“He’s cool.” Michael yawned, and his eyes drifted closed. Yep, he and Lyle were going to be best friends.
Present day….
Mike took a sip of his rum and let the dark liquid sit on his tongue before swallowing it. It burned as it slipped down his throat, but it was a good burn. It was the first time he’d been out with his friends in a while, and although he wasn’t into the club scene much anymore it was good to shoot the shit with them
They’d dragged him in, and out of so many bars on George Street, he didn’t even know which one he was in at the moment. He scanned the huge crowd from his perch wondering why the hell he was there in the first place. The clubs weren’t as much fun as they used to be.
The three men showed up at his office and never even gave him a chance to stop at home to change out of his suit. So now he sat in a bar with the collar of his shirt open and the tie hung loosely around his neck. The bastards got to dress in comfortable jeans and t-shirts.
George Street spanned three blocks in downtown St. John’s. Lined with bars, pubs, and restaurants, it was popular among the party crowd. It was only a hop, skip and jump from his apartment building, and there were nights he could hear the pumping sound of the music if he opened his fourth story window. Most weekends the street swarmed with people, and during Mardi Gras, it was wall to wall party animals.
At one time, he, his two younger brothers and their friends would spend every chance they could get hopping from club to club. He’d usually end the night with a girl spending the night at his place, or he’d go to hers. Now, most of the girls were jailbait or too drunk to talk. He’d even noticed his two younger brothers weren’t partying as much anymore.
Yeah, George Street had lost its appeal, or maybe he was just getting too old for this shit. At least at thirty-two, he felt that way.
Ernie, Bobby, and Lyle were his best friends through school. He and Ernie had a rocky start, but Mike found out why Ernie had such a rough time. His mom had run off, and his dad had begun to date Lyle’s mom. Around grade four Ernie’s father married Lyle’s mom, and that’s when Ernie changed. He was excited to have a brother, and by the end of the year Ernie, Lyle, Bobby, and Mike were inseparable.
They grew up in Hopedale, played on the same baseball team, spent summers at the beach chasing girls and graduated high school together. That’s where their time together got less.
Mike finished his law degree in Toronto and moved back to Newfoundland as soon as he could. When Lyle graduated, he moved to Burnaby, British Columbia and worked as a teacher at the school for deaf children. Ernie was a firefighter in St. John’s and Bobby was a paramedic. They shared the apartment with Mike, but because of their schedules, it was hard to hang out and even more challeng
ing with Lyle.
They’d all learned sign language so they could communicate with Lyle. It also came in handy when you were in a loud club and couldn’t hear anyone speak.
“It’s so good to hang out together.” Ernie signed.
“I don’t remember the last time I was on George Street.” Lyle signed.
Even though he couldn’t hear the music, he was able to feel the vibration and had no problem getting out on the dance floor. March wasn’t typically the month Lyle came home but it was his mother’s sixtieth birthday, and he came back to surprise her.
“You need to come back home more often.” Bobby signed.
“I know, that’s what mom keeps saying. She’s lonely since Peter died. I’ve applied to the School for the Deaf here but not sure if they are hiring right now.” Lyle signed.
While his friends discussed their lives, Mike scanned the bar. The high tables and stools made it a lot easier to scope out the bar. He fully expected to see one of his younger brothers in the place but then again, they were probably at one of the bars in Hopedale. He glanced toward the bar and his gaze locked with a raven-haired beauty smiling at him
It wasn’t unusual for women to notice him. Not that he was conceited or anything, but from experience, he was aware women found him attractive. Of course, most women considered Lyle, Ernie, and Bobby appealing as well. With four of them sitting together it wasn’t any wonder the beauty and her two friends were eyeing their table.
“Look at that there goes O’Connor reeling them in with that pretty boy smile.” Ernie chuckled as he signed what he was saying.
“Hey, he’s not the only one with a pretty boy smile.” Lyle grinned.
Mike rolled his eyes and glanced back to where he’d seen her. He was disappointed to see her talking to a man. The guy was a little shorter than Mike and chunky. Mike was ready to cut his losses when he saw her try to pull her arm away and it got his attention.
“Hey, you’re losing your touch, Mike. She’s moved on.” Bobby nudged him, but when the guy grabbed her again, Bobby noticed. “Whoa, that’s not right.” All four men were on their feet in seconds.
Dangerous Silence (O'Connor Brothers Book 5) Page 1