by Al Turner
“I hung up when I noticed we no longer had a live prisoner. I’ll need to do my job at the crime scene and then call this in with county. Is there anything I need to clean up?”
“Not unless my DNA is on the guy I tied up. As for Shelby, he usually covers his own tracks.”
A thought struck Rick. “You don’t suppose Shelby came back and did this?”
“Not after being specifically told not to. Besides, slitting throats isn’t his thing.”
“I’ll head back over there.”
“Be careful, Rick. Whoever killed him may still be nearby to clean up any evidence pointing to Lloyd’s. I can go with you.”
Rick shot him an incredulous look. “No thanks, buddy. You’re the last person who needs to be anywhere near there. Besides, whoever silenced that guy is likely long gone. Dead men tell no tales, Jack.”
“You’re probably right. Go home and check on your wife first.”
“Been there, done that. Anything else before I head over?”
Jack thought briefly. “No, but you may want to relay to whatever county resources show up that shots were fired and you found dead men. We may be able to steer them toward believing it’s some drug-related rendezvous gone wrong. When Pops arrives, he can get some things in motion.”
Kate had sat quietly fuming but could stay silent no longer. “Really, Jack? That’s it? That’s all you’re going to tell them?” She got up and stomped toward the hallway that led to their bedroom. She stopped suddenly and tossed her head, a lock of dark hair flowed over the right side of her face. It might have been alluring had she not been so angry. “I’ll be in my room packing. We obviously can’t stay in our home.” The door slammed behind her.
Jack turned to the others. The twins and Daniel were still trying to absorb the things they had just heard Jack say. Rick appeared to think it was a bad time to leave and retreated to his corner to call his wife.
“Okay, guys, let’s start working on an exit plan,” Jack said.
“Really, Dad?” Carson finally said, echoing her mother’s tone. “That’s it?”
“C’mon, Mr. Page, we can’t leave just yet. There has to be more,” said Daniel.
“You should probably go check on Mom,” Tripp said, causing the others to glare at him. “She seems upset.”
Carson groaned at her brother’s words. “What you just said is more evidence we couldn’t possibly be related, Tripp, much less twins. She’s mad at Dad. What else is new? I want to hear more tales from our family tree.”
“Yeah, Mr. Page—you hardly told me more than I already knew,” Daniel said.
Tripp was irritable. “You’re certainly not one to preach about being forthcoming.”
“Hey, I’m on your side.” Daniel looked oblivious as to why his friend was so hostile.
“Oh? Who paid for that privilege?”
Carson jumped to her feet and faced the two men. She pointed her index finger at one, then the other. “Oh no you don’t. We’re not getting distracted from the important stuff. You two can have your lover’s quarrel later.”
Jack noted the rift that had formed between the two young men and felt even worse about his earlier remark about what Daniel was or wasn’t paid to do. “I should go check on your mom. Rick, if you insist on sticking around, take the kids’ statements about what happened at the bay earlier. We’ll at least have something to pass along to the authorities when the time comes.”
“Oh, that was already done—thank you, Tripp,” said Carson. “Where are you going, Dad? I have questions.”
“Carson, people are dead. Please cooperate with Mr. Sanchez,” Jack said and then headed to his bedroom. He knew he was in trouble with his wife.
***
The others stood around and grumbled in disappointment. Carson still insisted their dad knew far more than he gave up. Tripp didn’t disagree but pointed out there were probably more important things to worry about. Daniel and Carson rejected this and attempted to pry information out of Sanchez, but he merely held up his hands and claimed ignorance.
Carson suggested they all march down the hallway and demand answers. Daniel agreed, while Tripp was resistant to the idea. Quiet conversation turned into noisy chatter, with Carson—naturally—the loudest of the three. Sanchez came over to quiet them down a bit.
“Look, guys, your parents have had a rough day too. Let’s give them some privacy while we go over to your places and get some things packed. I’m sure your dad has a plan.”
“Good idea,” said Daniel, still wanting to get back to his and Tripp’s office. He tugged at Carson’s shirt, hoping to get her agreement.
Instead she pulled away and separated herself from the others. She stood defiantly, intent on pursuing something. “I’ve got a better idea.”
Tripp shook his head as she strode down the hallway anyway. He and Daniel reluctantly followed.
TWO ROADS
The bedroom was spacious, with similar decoration to the rest of the house. Jack moved at a deliberate pace, passing the tall captain’s chest and making his way around the poster bed. There Kate sat with her head in her hands. An open suitcase sat on the bed with only a few items loosely thrown into it.
He sat beside her and placed a hand on her leg. “I really don’t know what you expected me to say.”
She looked up, her dark eyes glaring, and gave him an astonished look. She raised both little hands in frustration. “How about the important stuff?”
Jack brushed aside a lock of her soft hair that hung over one of her lovely eyes, and she flinched slightly. “The truth is a bitter pill we’ve been protecting them from for years. I just wanted them to have a normal life.”
“And you think I didn’t?” Kate moved his hand abruptly and stood at the edge of the bed. “We were overprotective, paranoid parents for the first half of their lives. Why do you think they turned out the way they did?”
“We made some mistakes and adjusted, Kate. The kids turned out fine.”
“They turned out fine in spite of those mistakes.”
“What do you want me to do? Go out there and tell them everything we’ve kept hidden from them all of their lives? What good can possibly come from that?”
Kate’s frustration turned to anger. “I didn’t say to tell them everything, but they deserved more than that.”
“I agree, but what parts do we tell them? After we open Pandora’s box, how do we shut the lid again?”
“I don’t know—maybe we don’t. You always taught others that the truth will set them free. Well, preacher, you need to practice what you preach for a change. Time to go out there and give them more than that weak performance I just witnessed.”
“The truth may set us free, Kate, but it can also condemn those we love. Have you forgotten the type of people who were involved? And those were the good guys. We left that behind us for a reason.”
“No, it’s always been chasing you, Jack. You only pretend to be outrunning it, and I’m tired of running with you. What happened today proves that a real danger still exists, and our children know nothing about it.” She continued her packing.
“We don’t even know what these events mean.”
Kate’s stare became stone and then she got things off her chest. “You live in denial, Jack. You’ve stored up all this knowledge and would dump it on our children only upon passing to the next life. The man I fell in love with was never paralyzed with indecision—nor would he ever take the coward’s way out. I guess that man died long ago.”
The words stung Jack. The hurt turned into anger, and he felt the urge to return an equally painful volley. Why not run home to your rich daddy, then? he thought. Maybe you should find yourself a charming young bartender. If I’m as good as dead, why must I put up with this crap? He almost said all this but instead chose to say nothing and allow the indignation to dissipate.
Jack decided not to give his wife the fight she so wanted. He rose from their bed, walked into the closet, removed his bloody shirt and r
eplaced it with a clean blue button-up. He tossed his own suitcase onto the bed next to hers. It was efficiently packed and ready to go.
Kate noticed what had materialized before her. Jack wondered what she was thinking. Did she want to scream in frustration or settle into acceptance? Maybe a bit of both. “You’re not coming with us, are you?” Her tone had a new placidity to it.
Jack let the suitcase drop to the floor with a thud. He turned to his wife and kissed her on the cheek. “Nope, I’ve a different road to travel. I’ll have Pops get you and the kids somewhere safe.”
“What are you going to do?” She looked concerned, perhaps thinking she had pushed him too far. She held her breath and awaited his response.
“You wanted me to do the right thing, Kate. Your wish is granted.” He opened the door but didn’t walk out just yet. “You think the children have the right to know more, but I think what you really mean is you want someone else to share the burden. I hope both you and they are prepared for what that means.”
Jack walked out, turned left, and headed toward his study. He barely noticed the three young adults to his right as they retreated to the living area. As he entered his private room, the last of the day’s sunlight came through the glass back door and drenched the vibrant Caribbean hues. The door led to an enclosed patio that in turn led down to the boat dock in the canal.
He still had things to do before he could leave. At his bamboo desk, Jack sat in the wicker chair and typed on the iMac’s keyboard. He fired off an email before pulling up a map on the screen. He made some calculations and sent it to the printer in the corner of the room. After retrieving the output, he walked over to a picture of a palm tree on the wall and effortlessly swung it open to reveal a safe. To open it, he waved his hand in a pattern before the optical eye in the corner, then retrieved an envelope and a small caliber pistol. He put the envelope in his suitcase and stuffed the gun under his shirt in the waistband of his slacks.
From the same vault, he also retrieved a phone and a wad of cash. Jack hesitated for only a second as he examined the money. The funds weren’t originally intended for this use and would fall short of his needs. That meant a quick detour. Leaving his suitcase behind, he exited his home through the back patio.
IT'S COMPLICATED
Carson casually headed back down the hall again. She stood by her parents’ door until she heard the boat’s engines fire up. As she entered the room, she already knew only one person was left. This bothered her more than the angry words that had come from the bedroom earlier. Throughout her entire childhood, her parents had hardly ever fought.
When they did fight, it was hardly earthshaking. Her dad, usually the calmer of the two, would go into some long lecture. Mom, on the other hand, was the passionate one—not unlike Carson. The face her mom typically presented to the world appeared calm and conservative. Behind closed doors, however, she could be totally different. What Carson had eavesdropped on earlier was something new.
As Carson peered into the room, she found her mother on the bed, her face buried in a pillow to drown out the noise. “Momma,” she said softly.
Tripp and Daniel were close behind, but she knew they’d prefer not to venture into the bedroom uninvited. Her mom sat up at the sound of her voice. She tried to collect herself as Carson climbed into the tall bed beside her.
Her mother wiped her red eyes, pulled back her hair, and sat for a moment. “I’m sorry, sunshine,” was all she could manage.
Carson glanced around the room, noting her mom’s suitcase on the bed and her dad’s shirt tossed on the closet floor. Some of the drawers on the captain’s chest were still half open. “Where did Dad go?”
“He’s gone,” her mom said and started to sob again.
“I got that part. Why did he take off in the boat?”
Her mother grabbed her hand and just held it. Carson was afraid of the silence. She fought off the panic as it crept up on her. The day was supposed to get better after all the hell they had been through, not worse. Her father wouldn’t just abandon them now. There had to be a reason.
“Mother,” Carson said, beginning to tear up. “Where’s Dad?” She moved her hand under her mother’s chin and raised it to make eye contact.
“It’s my fault,” her mother said softly. The rest of what came from her mouth was inaudible.
Carson finally determined she had no idea. She fought the panic off with the best weapon she had—her anger. Fists clenched, she told herself to remain calm and think. “Why do things have to be so complicated, Mother?”
Her mom shook her head. “I don’t know, sunshine.”
“Mom,” said Tripp as he cautiously entered the room. He sat down and placed an arm around her. “We’ve been adults for a few years now. I think we deserve to know what you know.”
Daniel moved into the doorway. Her mother nodded and laid her head against her son’s shoulder, grabbed his hand, and patted it. She had a captive audience.
“I was in high school when I met your father. He was so brash and sure of himself. I was dating someone else at the time but fell instantly in love with him. It wasn’t long before we were dating. My father, however, wasn’t happy with my choice. Your grandfather could be an overbearing man, and your dad was hardly his pick.”
“I seem to remember something about Dad not being your pick either,” Carson said.
Her mother frowned. “You only think you know what you speak of, young lady.”
“Well, I’d know more if you’d let me finish what I started.”
Her mother looked as if she wanted to respond but then noticed the other two were confused. Carson knew that only she and her mother knew about the stupid diary entries — the ones that Carson had been caught reading.
Tripp, looking unsure of the reference, decided to move the conversation along. “To be clear, Dad’s avoided our other grandparents over the years because he wasn’t considered the ideal suitor? That seems a bit excessive.”
Their mother thought about her answer. “Like Carson, your dad never cared for my father. He can be a difficult man to warm up to. Still, I suppose I could’ve helped things more than I did.” She started to sob again but quickly contained herself. “There were things that happened.”
“It sounds like things started off rough for you two,” Tripp said.
“I made some mistakes too.”
Carson wondered if they were about to get some type of confession. “What are you talking about, Mother?”
“Your dad and uncle were as different as night and day, much like you twins are. Still, your dad was very close to his brother. When he died, your dad made some mistakes.”
“What kind of mistakes?”
“The kind you can’t take back.”
Carson stepped closer to her. “That doesn’t tell us a lot.”
“I believe your dad suffered from some sort of survivor’s guilt.”
“It must be more than that,” said Tripp.
Carson nodded.
“Your dad had harsh words for your uncle before he died,” Kate finally said. “When he couldn’t save him, it tore him up inside.”
Tripp had a curious look about him. “I read an old newspaper article from that day. It said the blaze was so hot, it practically cremated the man on the scene. Saving him wouldn’t have been an option.”
“Better question—what the hell does this have to do with what happened to us today?” Carson asked.
“Perhaps nothing,” her mom said. “We need to pack our things. We can go to Texas and stay with your grandparents for a while.”
Carson took a step back. “Hell no,” she said. “I am not going to Texas. I will not be patronized by that old bastard.”
Her mother looked astonished. “I know you two don’t get along, but he’s still family.”
Carson turned from her mother and calculated something in her head. She took a deep breath and came to her conclusion. When she spoke, she did so with her back to her mom. “You were so cruel
to Dad earlier, but you’ve kept these same secrets. You’re a hypocrite, Mother. Go to Texas. I’d rather join Pops at sea than run to my other grandfather, begging for shelter.”
“If you prefer, we can do that. We just need to get somewhere safe.”
“No, Mother, I will not run from anything. I’m tired of being smothered by your protectiveness. I’ll start my own search for the truth. If it turns out Dad needs my help, I’ll be there for him.”
Distraught, her mom and Tripp tried to reason to her. But Carson had made up her mind. They all followed her to the living room, where Sanchez was. Before he could intervene, however, she was out the door.
***
Kate sent Rick to bring Carson back, while Tripp and Daniel spoke among themselves, reaching a quick conclusion.
Tripp kissed his mother and told her he loved her. “I have to go where Carson goes, Mom. We’ll be fine.” He stepped through the doorway as she shook her head.
Daniel paused before he followed. “I’ve got their backs, Mrs. Page.”
Once again, Kate was alone. She immediately tried to call Jack to let him know what had transpired, but she got his voice mail. She left a brief message for him to call her back. Emotionally exhausted, she leaned back against the doorframe and slowly slid down to the floor. The house became a quiet theater for the ticking of her mantel clock.
Kate absolutely loved antique clocks, but as it ticked away, it only reminded her how empty the house was. As she began to think she might just slip into madness, her phone rang. She jumped at its sound and fumbled to answer it. It wasn’t who she had expected.
“Kate,” came the voice that could only belong to Pops.
She leapt to her feet and juggled the phone before she brought it back up to her ear. “Pops, thank God!” she exclaimed. The man was someone she both loved and loathed at the same time. He was also who she really needed to talk to. “Things are getting crazy. We need your help.”