Diamond Lake Series: Complete Series (Bks 1-7) Boxset

by T. K. Chapin

  He nodded and scooted a bit closer.

  Relaxing, I rested my arm above the back of the couch just over his head and hit Play on the game.

  **

  Seven o'clock rolled around and Charlie arrived at my house. Leaving Peter to more Yankee games inside, I took to the backyard where Charlie was unloading more wood for the dog house.

  "How's the kid doing?" Charlie asked, glancing at the house behind me as I approached his truck.

  I laughed. "Good. He tried to ask me if he could play with my gun earlier, just after dinner." Hoisting a piece of wood over my shoulder, I took it over to the spot where the tools were already lying near the hot tub off the back porch.

  Charlie tossed more wood off the back of the truck as he laughed in response.

  Setting the wood down, I turned and walked over to the truck. Resting a hand on the truck's side, I peered over my shoulder at the house. "I called Dr. Ekker. He's going to run a blood test in the morning."

  "That's good. What if he's your kid, Brody?"

  Adjusting my footing, I looked up at Charlie. "You have a kid. You tell me."

  He laughed. "My kid soils herself, cries, and spits up at this point. Pretty basic stuff. You got this kid launched into your lap with no warning, man. You're allowed to feel a bit overwhelmed. Just take it day by day and ask God for lots of help."

  "I just don't want to screw this up."

  Charlie paused and smiled. "You're already doing a great job if you're worried about that. You said Jess was an atheist, right?"

  I nodded.

  "You could be the only godly influence the boy ever gets. Make use of the time."

  His words rang a powerful conviction through my soul and gave me pause. Maybe that was the point of it all. Maybe that was the reason the kid showed up on my doorstep. Whether he was truly my son or not, it didn't matter when it came to the boy needing Jesus.

  That evening, as I tucked Peter into bed in the guest room, I got down on my knees beside the bed, just like my grandparents used to do when I was his age. There was something so precious about those times in prayer with my grandparents, speaking our hearts to the Lord. It might have taken a long while for me to come around to the idea of Jesus, but it was their influence and seeds of faithfulness that touched my life. Peering into Peter's eyes, I asked, "Would you like to pray?"

  "Pray?" he questioned.

  Could a child not know what prayer was? The thought caused a shudder to ripple through me as reminders of his mom pelted against my mind like a hard rain on a rooftop in a bad storm. Jess was from a part of my past that was before God, before the transforming blood of Jesus Christ changed me from the inside out. I had been a rebel in college, loving sin and living in it. She was not only a rebel too, but an atheist. That didn't bother me back then, but it sure did now. Raising an eyebrow, I nodded to Peter. "Yes, pray. We pray to talk to God."

  "Talk to God about what, though?" he questioned, eyes glimmering with excitement at the notion.

  "Anything really. Tell Him about our day, how we are feeling, and ask for forgiveness when we did something wrong."

  "Why?”

  Smiling, I said, "It's a way for us to have a relationship with Him. Look, I'll pray and then you can if you want."

  "Okay."

  I bowed my head and folded my hands. "Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this day and all the blessings You have provided. Thank You for keeping me safe on the job and protecting me from harm. We pray You watch over Peter's mom and keep her safe. Thank You for bringing Peter here, and help him to have Your peace and comfort wrap around him tonight. We pray in Your heavenly name. Amen." Lifting my eyes, I looked at him.

  He shook his head. "I don't want to pray . . ."

  "That's all right. You don't have to do it." Standing up, I went to the door and flipped the light off. I glanced back and saw him turn onto his side and pull his fleece animal print blanket over his shoulder. I smiled and shut the door carefully, making sure not to be too loud.

  A long-winded sigh escaped my lips as I began walking down the hallway to my room. Suddenly, a scream came from the guest room Peter was in. Hurried steps brought me to the door and I flung it open. Flipping on the light, my heart soared to the clouds with worry, but he was there. "What's wrong?" I asked, glancing at Peter as he sheltered his eyes from the blinding light.

  "I don't have a night light. Can you keep the door open?"

  "Oh." My heart settled. "Sure." Leaving the door cracked so the hallway light shone in, I turned and continued down the hall to my bedroom. Charlie's words followed me to my pillow and into my prayers that night. God was up to something. I sensed it, but I just had no clue where he was taking me, Peter, and Jess.

  Chapter 3

  WRINGING MY HANDS AS I waited in the doctor's office for Dr. Ekker to bring Peter back out, I thought about the last time I had seen Jessica. The day was just before college graduation. She, I, and a few of our friends had decided to stay out at my buddy Cody's lake cabin over in Idaho. It was supposed to be a simple night, a few drinks and a few friends. Those plans were shattered when Cody had brought a bottle of whiskey that the guys all downed within a few hours’ time.

  That night was the night I decided to give my life over to Jesus and turn away from the party life. Our friend at the time, Kent Hodges, was with us and he wasn't a drinker. I never talked much to him until that night when my head was spinning and I couldn't find myself more than a few steps from the toilet on the second level of the cabin. While Jess, come to find out later, was in the other room swapping spit with my roommate, Chris, Kent and I hung out in the bathroom until five-thirty in the morning. Somewhere between the second and third time of emptying my stomach, I asked how he always remained so nice and upbeat no matter what was going on. A specific memory triggered the question.

  Kent had wrecked his car and tore up the front end, yet he witnessed to the tow truck driver after learning he had just lost his little girl a couple of years back. They were crying and hugging by the time the tow truck driver left.

  Kent explained to me in the bathroom that he wasn't happy that day about his car being wrecked, but he didn't let the joy of the Lord leave him or stop him from sharing the good news with the tow truck driver. He went on to tell me about how Jesus helped him every day. I signed up right there on the spot. It might have been because I felt so close to death on that bathroom floor, but I believe it was because God chose to give me grace that night and I heard His call and accepted it.

  "Jenkins," a nurse said, jolting me out of the flashback. Lifting my eyes, I saw Peter standing beside the cute nurse who looked familiar. He had a kung-fu grip snugly wrapped around her waist. She peered down at the boy and then at me. "He hasn't let go of me since they drew the blood. He was pretty upset."

  Rising to my feet, I came over to them at the doorway they were standing in. "Did the doctor get a chance to run the test?"

  Shaking her head, she looked at me. "Not yet. He had an emergency come up. He'll be in touch with you."

  "Okay. Thank you." Reaching out, I offered a hand to Peter. He glanced up at the nurse.

  "Can I just stay here? With you? You smell nice. Like flowers."

  Smiling, she shook her head. "No, honey. You can't." Bending down to meet him at eye level, she continued, "But Brody here is a great guy, and he'll take care of you."

  Nodding, I stepped closer and touched his shoulder. I wanted to help ease the pain and confusion he must have experienced, not only today, but yesterday when his mother up and left him. I couldn't imagine the mental torment the entire situation was putting him through. How could a mother put a child through so much anguish? Peter detached from the nurse a moment later and clung to my side. Catching the eyes of the pretty nurse, I smiled at her. "Thank you again."

  "No problem, Chief. I have littles at home and know how they can be. You can call me if you need anything."

  "I don't think he has medical problems."

  She laughed and stepped cl
oser, lowering her voice. "I mean if you need help figuring stuff out . . . with parenting or, you know, whatever. You can call me." Her hand touched my arm, her lips curling. If she made it anymore obvious, she'd have her lips on mine.

  "It's Chloe, right?" I asked. "Chloe Hines?"

  “Esther, but yes. Esther Hines. We were both at the Policeman party back in December. I went with Paul."

  "Oh . . . Paul, yes. I remember now. Red dress." She had worn a flowing red gown that turned every officer’s head as she walked by them. It was unforgettable.

  She raised an eyebrow. "You do remember."

  Nodding, I took Peter's hand. "Yes. Hate to cut this short, but I gotta roll. I'll be in touch, Esther."

  "Do that." She smiled, flashing her flawless teeth. She turned, leaving back through the door leading to the rooms in the back of the doctor's office.

  Peter looked up at me. "We going to Charlotte's house now?"

  "Yep. You’re pretty anxious to play with her kids, aren't you?"

  He smiled and nodded enthusiastically. Smiling, I smoothed my hand over his head. I suspected he hadn't seen other kids in a while. Maybe he'd be able to relax and enjoy being a kid today.

  Arriving at Charlotte and Dylan's house, I found the both of them sitting out on the dock in lawn chairs. Dylan set his iced tea down and rose to shake my hand.

  "You guys look comfortable."

  Dylan held out his hands and nodded. "Gotta enjoy the little bit of sunshine left before the October chill sets in."

  "That's true. Thanks for doing this, you guys," I said as I rubbed Peter's head lightly.

  "Hey. Don't worry about it, Brody." Dylan looked over at Charlotte and then back at me. "After all you've done for us with helping with Emily's school, it's the least we can do." There had been a bomb threat at the school late last year. Parents of the students were all extremely worried, and as a personal favor, I volunteered myself plus a few others down at the station to not only patrol the halls for the next three months, but we also donated metal detectors and eventually were able to fund a full-time school resource officer. It broke everyone's heart, including my own, that a little town like Newport, Washington could have big city problems too, but the world was changing rapidly and Newport wasn't immune to the world anymore.

  "Schools need to be protected. But I thought you might have been a little sour with me. You know, since I did take all your money last poker night," I said with a wink. He laughed.

  Charlotte bent down to meet Peter at eye level and began asking questions about what he likes to eat, do, and so on. Glancing at my watch, I looked at Dylan. "Gotta get to work. I'll be here around five to pick him up."

  "Gotta go save the world, eh?" Dylan smiled.

  "One incident report at a time." Turning, I began to leave, walking down the dock and out to my cruiser. The sound of footsteps caught my attention in the gravel as I made it out to the car. Turning around, I saw Peter.

  He stood there, silent.

  Smiling at him, I realized he was upset I didn’t even say goodbye. Closing the distance between us, I bent a knee down and hugged him. As my arms wrapped around the boy, I felt a warmth radiate through me, mixed with pain. The kid was already beginning to rub off on me.

  **

  After getting down to the precinct, I learned that Officer Ponce received a phone call that morning from our witness. Mrs. Jamison was ready to spill the beans. She told Ponce a couple of teenagers were driving in a truck with a large object in the bed. They were heading down old Ernst Road toward the old Sandpiper restaurant that was on the northwestern side of Diamond Lake. The size description of the object sounded a lot like our bell, and that meant we needed to track it down to see just what was underneath that cover. Ponce and I decided to head out that afternoon to check it out. When Ponce questioned why she hesitated, she turned to her age again and blamed it on not remembering.

  "That's strange," Ponce said, parking and pointing through the windshield to the cracked doorway that revealed a light on inside. "This place hasn't had electricity running in it for what? A decade, according to the information we had?"

  Nodding, I turned to him and said, "Let's get to it."

  Undoing his seatbelt, Ponce got out and so did I. We both removed our guns from our holsters and proceeded slowly. "Newport Police," Ponce shouted as we approached the partially open door with guns drawn. "If anyone is in there, come on out with your hands visible."

  The door creaked on its hinges, and the smell of mold and stench came from inside. An older gentleman stepped through the shadows, and as he came into the sunlight, I saw it was Donald Atkins. Breathing a sigh of relief, I returned my gun to its holster and charged Ponce to do the same.

  "What are you doing out here, Don?"

  He laughed and slid the toothpick in his mouth to the other side, squinting as he shielded his eyes from the sun. "Being the sole owner of the property, I suspect I have a right to be here." The old worn eyes shifted to the rookie. "What are you two doing here?"

  "We're investigating the disappearance of—" Ponce began to say.

  "The bell. I know that, but what brought you here?" He adjusted his footing and peered out to the lake. "We didn't take it. I'd check with those Townson folks though. They're the ones who like to steal."

  Raising a hand, I said, "Those old stories are just that—stories. You and I both know you can't believe them."

  Jaw clenching, Don shook his head and jerked his eyes over to me. "I ain't no thief, Chief boy."

  "You won't mind if we look around inside then, right?" Ponce asked, not knowing that he’d get nowhere with Don.

  Letting out a short laugh, Don glanced at him and then back over at me. "I'll need to see a search warrant. For cryin' out loud, you ought to train the boy about the locals, Brody." Turning, the old man went back in through the door and slammed it behind him, causing both Ponce and me to flinch.

  Ponce and I went back over to the cruiser. Defeat sat on the rookie's shoulders, weighing them down and causing him to slouch. Coming closer to his side, I patted him on the shoulder. "We'll get the warrant. He knows that. Don't let the setback get you down. Chances are he didn't take it though. He's not one to steal."

  Nodding, he looked over at me. "Why would he be difficult about it?"

  "It's just the way Don is, kid. I'm surprised his owning the property didn't show up in the report."

  "It did, but I didn't think—"

  Interrupting him, I said, "Well, Rookie, that's where you went wrong. This is nothing but a thinking game."

  Back down at the station that afternoon, a knock sounded on my office door. Setting the preliminary reports from the day prior down on my desk, I glanced up. "Come in."

  Officer Henry Forbes walked in. He shut the door behind him. He looked a bit fidgety, almost as if he was uncomfortable with whatever had brought him into my office. My eyes shifted over to the chair in front of my desk, encouraging him to let the dust settle from his boots.

  "What's on your mind, Forbes?"

  Tilting his head, he scratched his chin a little and then peered at me directly in the eyes. A pause, another touch of his chin, and then a sigh. "I don't know how to start this."

  Sitting up in my seat, I paid attention. Scooting closer to my desk, I let my palms fall out and up. "Just put it out there. What's up, Henry?"

  "We've been going to the same church for years. I know you pretty well."

  My eyes went to the blinds, catching a few prying eyes peering in through the window. "Out with it."

  "The kid. What's the deal with him? And who's Jessica Larson?"

  My lips pressed together and I stood up. Going over to the open blinds, I closed them. Twisted in his seat, Henry's eyes were glued to me. I could feel them following my every move as I went around the room, closing all the blinds. As I shut the last one, I said, "I could have a kid with the girl."

  "What? Who? Jessica Larson?"

  Letting out a sigh, I returned to my desk and sat down
. Bringing my hands together on the desk, I explained how Jess and I had dated for a year back before I met Jesus at the cross on the bathroom floor of Cody's lake cabin. Also, I clued him in about the kid staying with me for a few days.

  At the end of explaining everything, a question surfaced in my mind. "How did you know about Jessica being involved?"

  "You left her file in the print tray. And no, I won't say who found it."

  Brushing a hand through the air, I laughed. "That's fine. Well, now it's out. It's no secret. Do me a favor and let the others know it's not a big deal." My cellphone rang, and peering at the caller ID, I saw it was the doctor's office. Part of me wanted to shoo Henry out of the room, but then again, I didn't. "It's the doc," I said with a raised brow as my eyes caught his.

  "Oh. I'll let you . . ." He began to get up from his seat.

  I raised a finger to stop him, and I answered. "Hello?"

  "Hi, Brody. It's Dr. Ekker. I wanted to call you personally."

  I knew right then that the boy was mine. A million thoughts cascaded through my mind, but the most pressing one was realizing how much time I’d already lost. Why would Jessica keep Peter away from me for so long? She robbed me of seven years.

  The doctor cut into my thoughts and brought me back to the moment. "Peter is your child. These things have a very small percentage of inaccuracy."

  "Okay. Thanks, Doc. I appreciate your taking the time to call me."

  Hanging up, I swallowed hard as a sweet but frightening feeling fell over me all at once. Even though Henry was sitting right in front of me, I forgot he was still in my office. There was nothing in my mind but Peter—my son.

  "You okay, Brody?" Henry asked, seeming unsure of whether to sit or leave.

  Shaking out of it, I nodded and smiled at him. "Yeah. I'm fine. I'm . . . a dad."

  A smile crept on Henry's face. "God is good, even when things don't seem to be that great."

  Rising to my feet as anger toward Jess kindled inside my bones, I assured Henry I wasn't upset with his comment, but with Jessica. I ushered Henry to the door. Locking the door as we both came out into the precinct, he questioned me on where I was off to. "I'm going to see my son."