Barry scowled. “So, we just wait?”
“I know. Just, give me a second.” They turned in time to see Rick pull her onto the boat by her hair and fling her down. They watched her fall to her knees, out of their view, onto the boat deck.
“Rick!” Leif yelled, stepping out into view, splaying his hands out to the side, showing he was unarmed.
Clearly startled, Rick looked back behind him, toward Leif.
Leif watched as, rising from the boat deck, a flurry of her blond hair blew across her face. And, with her arms extended, she swung upward with a large metal object, slicing through Rick’s shoulder.
“Agh! You bitch!” Rick pressed his open hand over his wound where blood was already seeping through his shirt.
“Rick!” Leif yelled again, sprinting across the yard toward the pier, just in time to see her wield the Danforth anchor with both hands for a second blow. The sharp triangular flukes on the anchor caught Rick square in the chest, wedging in deep.
Jumping onto the boat, all Leif could hear from him was a rasping gurgle. Rick collapsed to the deck of the boat, futilely pushing at the embedded anchor. With wide, frantic eyes and blood gushing from his mouth, he convulsed in spasms, gasping for breath.
“Brie!” Leif vaulted over Rick’s body and reached for her, but skidded to a stop when she looked up.
Covered in Rick’s blood, she cowered, backing to the stern. “Who . . . who are you?” she shrieked. She held her head with shaking, blood-soaked hands.
Beth? Leif put out his arm to stop his partner who had just boarded the boat. “Hey, it’s okay.” He spoke to her as if she was a frightened child. “We’re here to help. We’re looking for my sister. Was she here? With . . .” His voice still calm, Leif looked toward Rick, who lay lifeless on the deck just behind the cockpit seats with his eyes wide open. “With him?”
“Your sister?” She hugged herself, shivering. “She’s here? With him?”
“Beth, that’s your name, right?” Leif asked gently, approaching her.
“Who . . . who are you—” Her voice faded. She sank to boat deck, right in front of the stern bench.
They heard distant sirens getting closer. “Maria must’ve called the police. Don’t touch the anchor,” he said to his partner, who had made his way toward Rick’s body. Leif lifted Beth to the bench. “She’s in shock. Call an ambulance and go meet the police out front.” Leif stripped off his field jacket and wrapped it around her.
Chapter 34
“Brie, I’m glad you came to see me. It must have been quite a drive from Frederick, and you came alone.”
Brie nodded. “It took me almost an hour to get here.”
Rising from her seat, her therapist laughed. “Well, I’m glad I was able to fit you in. It sounds like you’ve found your niche at your new school. I’ll contact your guidance counselor and take care of your truancy, this time.”
“That’s totally confidential, right? I mean, all my teachers won’t find out about everything, will they?”
“Of course not,” she said with her hand on the doorknob. “Only your counselor will know anything, and I’ll just give her a vague overview. This was a big step for you, to take the initiative to seek help before you acted on your impulses. You’re sure you’re ready to go?”
Brie nodded. “Yes, I don’t feel like I’m suffocating or detached. I’m just . . . kinda scared.”
“That’s just nerves. That’s normal in a relationship. Now remember, don’t imagine all kinds of scenarios. This boy, Jake, sounds like someone you can trust. Share how you’re feeling, and why you’re feeling that way. I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation for him not showing up last night, especially since Leif texted you that he came by your home this morning.” She opened the door and stood aside for Brie to leave.
“Oh, and Brie, I think your idea of visiting the lake house with Leif would be a good idea, if memories you’ve suppressed are trying to come back.”
“I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. Thank you so much, for fitting me in.”
“I’m only sorry you had to wait for an hour.”
“That was no problem.” Brie laughed. “I like reading magazines. It reminds me I’m not the only one with issues.”
“All right, Brie.” She smiled. “Now go talk to your friend, Jake. Remember, be open with him.”
Jake swung his front door open and a slow smile spread across his face. “Brie,” he said. “You left school early?” He leaned on the doorframe.
Her eyes sparkled. “My turn. I ditched.”
He grinned back. “How’d you get out?”
“Of jail?” She flashed him her most endearing smile. “Marcus helped me break out.”
“Equipment room? Through the guys’ locker room?” Laughing when she nodded, Jake looked over his shoulder then back at Brie. “Come in.” He took her hand.
Once inside, she stopped and pulled him back to her.
He turned in question, but when his eyes met hers, he understood. Embracing her, he whispered, “Missed you, too. I’m sorry about last night. And, I just missed you this morning. I went—”
She hooked her thumbs in his belt loops and rested her head on his shoulder. “I know. I mean, Leif texted me this morning. He told me you stopped by. I just needed to see you.”
“You okay?”
“I am now.”
He chuckled and gave her a quick squeeze, before he took her hand. “Come on. I think I’m needed in the kitchen. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
“Someone’s here?” she asked, allowing herself to be led. Timid, she looked past Jake. “Aw, he’s cute. Who is he?”
“Ari’s little brother.”
“Why is he here? Is Ari here, too?” Brie stepped back.
Jake wrapped his arm around Brie, pulling her back. “Hey, come back here. No, she’s not.” He sighed. “That’s why I didn’t come over last night.”
Brie’s face fell, but Jake looked from her back to the child.
He watched the child motion. Jake grinned at him and made hand motions of his own.
“He’s deaf? You know sign language?”
Jake turned with a short laugh. “Yes, and yeah, you could say that. He wants to know who you are.”
“What did you tell him?”
Jake signed to show Trevor what he was saying to Brie. “I’m telling him you’re my friend, Brie.”
Brie watched Trevor sign back to Jake.
“Yes, Ari’s friend too,” Jake said out loud while signing.
Skeptical, Trevor looked at Brie.
“I had no idea you signed,” Brie said, sidling up close behind Jake.
Trevor cocked his head, scowling. But, Jake grinned and signed as he said, “Yes, I sign. Not as good as Trevor.”
At that, Trevor grinned, then signed, “You like kiss with her?”
Jake’s eyebrows shot up. He chuckled. “Yes, I like kiss with her,” he signed without speaking.
“Why you not kiss Ari?” Trevor asked him.
“Ari kiss with her boyfriend, Greg. Brie my girlfriend.”
“You love Brie?” Trevor signed back.
Jake grinned. “Enough questions,” he signed.
“What’s so funny? What did he say?” She came further into the kitchen. “I can’t believe you’re actually blushing.”
Not ready to bring up the “L” word, Jake signed for Trevor as he spoke to Brie. “He asked if I like kissing you.”
“And, what did you say?”
“What did I say?” He repeated her question aloud, while signing to Trevor.
Trevor grinned mischievously back at Jake.
Jake signed as he spoke so Trevor could see. “I said yes. I like kissing with you.”
Trevor giggled. “I kiss Jenny. She my girlfriend,” he proudly signed.
Jake laughed. “He said he kisses Jenny. She’s his girlfriend.” Then, Jake signed to Trevor. “Do you love her?”
“Yes,” Trevor nodded back with his fist, his eager eyes big and bright.
Brie looked surprised, but Jake laughed again, saying as he signed, “Finish your snack. I want to go kiss with Brie.”
Taking her hand, Jake pulled her into the next room. He unzipped her jacket, slipped it off her shoulders, tossed it onto the sofa, and then leaned down to kiss her.
“All that talk about kissing, I needed that.”
“Mmm, me too.” She put her arms around his neck. “He’s adorable, and you’re so sweet with him. Where’s Ari?” When he stiffened, she drew back again.
“Brie, Ari tried to commit suicide last night. That’s why Trevor’s here. That’s why I didn’t come over last night. He won’t stay with anyone else. He’s a good kid. He and Ari are really close. I just don’t get how she could’ve done something like that to herself. She must have known what that would do to him and her mom. And, my family.”
Brie shook her head, bringing her hand to his cheek. He covered her hand with his, holding it there. She whispered, “Jake, you can’t think like that. Sometimes you can’t get past what’s happening to you to see how it affects anyone else.”
“Are you talking about you?” He took her hand to his lips, kissing the scars on her palm. When his eyes met hers, he saw that distant sadness he had seen the first time he laid eyes on her on the bus.
“I’m talking about anyone who gets so desperate that they can’t overcome whatever is weighing them down. It’s like you’re suffocating and there’s no way out. Is she okay?”
“Yeah, she’s going to be okay. Gia’s with her. That’s why Trevor’s here all day.”
“Gia?”
“Her mom. She texted me that Ari’s alert now. She came out of her coma around noon.”
Brie gave him a slow nod and looked down.
“Hey. What are you thinking?” With a light touch of his finger, he lifted her chin.
“Do you know why she did it?” she whispered.
Jake tucked a stray lock of Brie’s hair behind her ear. “Yeah,” he murmured.
“Was it—”
“Jeeek!” Trevor had snuck up on them and was pulling on Jake’s shirt to get his attention. He signed, “I think you love Brie.”
Jake silently signed back with a sheepish, resigned grin and fist nod. “Yes. Probably.”
“Wait a minute,” Brie interrupted, pointing at Trevor. “Doesn’t this mean love?” Brie asked, crossing her arms in front of her as though she were snuggling herself.
Jake’s grin grew, but he signed to Trevor. “Now you trouble!” Jake turned and grabbed Trevor, while the boy writhed and giggled.
Relieved at seeing Brie’s car parked behind the Jeep in Jake’s driveway, Leif pulled his own car to a stop at the curb in front of the house and relaxed back in his seat. He’d wasted a half hour looking for clues in the lake house, with cops following him around the crime scene. Then, he’d filed a missing person report. The girl, Beth, hadn’t seen anyone else, claiming Rick had kept her locked in the cellar, alone.
All the anxiety that had been building from not knowing where Brie was, or how she was, dissolved the moment he saw her car. Jake was right. But, right now? I need her.
Rapping on the front door, he suddenly realized how cold it had gotten. He’d left his jacket with the girl.
“Where’s Brie?” he asked when Jake opened the door.
Jake stared back, his jaw slack, his eyes hard.
“Where is she?” Leif pushed the door open wider when Jake didn’t make an effort to answer him.
“Is that Leif?” Brie looked over Jake’s shoulder. “Oh, my God! Leif, what happened to you?” She covered her mouth with her fingertips.
Jake pulled Brie closer.
Startled at their reaction, Leif looked down at his blood soaked T-shirt, then looked back up at Brie.
“Leif! What happened? What did you do?”
He cringed at her shrill voice. “I found Rick. Brie, I need you to come home.”
“Okay,” she said, nodding. She covered Jake’s hand with hers and gently pushed at his hand. “Okay, I’m coming. Let me get my jacket.”
Jake didn’t release her. “No.” He shook his head. “Brie,” he locked eyes with Leif. “Don’t go with him. I need to tell you something.”
Leif shook his head at Jake and then, swallowing, he looked back at Brie, pleading with his eyes.
“Jake, I have to. He needs me.” She looked from Jake to her brother. “It’ll be okay, Jake. I promise.”
When she returned with her jacket, Jake’s eyes darted to Leif and then back to her. “Wait. Look at him, Brie. That’s blood! He said he found Rick. What do you think happened? Brie, he is messed up.” he hissed, grabbing her arm, again. “It’s not safe.”
“Jake, you’re hurting me.”
Jake looked back at Leif. “Brie, remember that flash drive? He didn’t tell you what was on it, did he? Did he?”
“What?” She turned to Leif. “Leif? What was on it?”
Stepping farther inside the house, Leif ignored her and looked at Jake. “You were right. Okay? I’ll tell her. I’ll tell her everything. I’ll show her what’s on that damn flash drive. But, not here. She’s coming with me,” he growled.
“Brie.” Jake shook his head. “I’m begging you. Look at him. You know he did something.” Jake turned, releasing her when a small boy tugged at his shirt. Jake looked down to see what the boy was signing, but he only shook his head, held up one finger at him, then put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and turned to Brie. “Brie, don’t leave with him. Please, stay here with me.”
“Jake, it doesn’t matter what he did. He’s my brother, my family. Please, don’t make me choose.” Brie leaned up and kissed Jake under his ear. “I’ll be back. I promise. He needs me now.”
Jake stepped back and pointed at Leif. “You better tell her. Tell her everything.”
Wanting Jake to know just who won that round, Leif gave him a derisive smile. “I already told you I would.”
Chapter 35
Déjà vu, Jake smirked. This is becoming too familiar. The sun was just beginning to rise. He sat in his idling Jeep, with the heat cranked up, and checked the time on his phone.
Okay, so it’s a little early for school, but that’ll give us some time to talk. I’ll just act like things are normal. Things were until Leif showed up. He navigated to Brie’s thread and texted his message: Hey Brie I found my phone it was in my football bag
He waited, staring at his phone. No answer. He texted again.
OK- guilty I found it last night was too pissed at Leif to text you when I found it I’m sorry
No response.
Brie I’m sorry can I come pick you up?
Nothing.
Why do you do this? You’re coming to school today aren’t you? I can’t ditch again I’ve got football practice for the championship next weekend and tonight I’ve got band practice remember my bands playing at the fall fest this Saturday
Still no answer. Dammit. He typed, You know YOU could of called ME
Why am I sitting here having a freaking conversation with myself?
Yet, he sent another. Alright forget it let me know when you’re ready I’m not into playing games
He chewed his lip, pondering, then sent another. BTW Did Leif tell you about the flash drive? Just be careful ok I mean it be careful
Jake faced off with his friend in the locker room after they had already showered and changed.
Jake took a step toward him. Marcus’ angry
sideways glances hadn’t gone unnoticed “You got somethin’ to say to me, Graham? Then, just say it.”
“A’right.” Marcus slammed his locker shut and turned to Jake. ”What’s wrong wit’ you, man? You were totally checked out on the field. I think Li’l Lindstrom’s got you all pussy-whipped.” Marcus vented in the nearly empty locker room.
“Screw you, Graham.” Jake shouted, shoving Marcus.
“Knock it off you two.” Troy wedged himself between them, pushing them apart.
Marcus waved Jake off and stalked out of the locker room.
Troy dropped onto the bench opposite Jake. “He’s right, man. We’ve got the championship coming up in two weeks and your head’s not in the game anymore. Something’s up with her again, isn’t it? I mean when you two are good, nobody can touch you on the field. But, when things are shitty . . . I’m tellin’ ya, you’re like a third-string benchwarmer.”
“You’re right.” Jake waved in the direction Marcus had gone. “He’s right. I’m distracted.”
“Jake, we need everybody in, one hundred percent. I’m not sayin’ break up with her. Just put her on hold, at least until next weekend. You’re on some frickin’ rollercoaster, and we never know if you’re goin’ up or goin’ down.”
“No! I am not gonna do that to her.”
“Whatever man, just don’t shortchange us. We worked too long and too hard for this. Don’t throw it away.” Troy slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out, leaving Jake alone.
Jake stewed for a minute before punching his locker door. Wincing, he shook out his hand, then grabbed his equipment bag and headed out of the locker room through the gym.
“Jake! Hey Jake, wait up.” He recognized the voice, but still hesitated. Why? He wan’t quite sure. He looked up.
Sarah leaped up off the bleacher, leaving Pam and Troy behind. She jogged across the gym floor toward him. Troy gave Jake a subtle nod before walking off with Pam. Jake narrowed his eyes at Troy’s back, shaking his head in disbelief. This is his answer? No way Bro. Not gonna happen. But, he lowered his gear to the floor and waited.
Sublime Karma Page 27