Harkham's Case (Harkam's #1)

by Chanse Lowell

  His dad’s fingers drummed on his desk. “Mmm,” he grunted and his eyebrows popped up for a moment like he was skeptical.

  “I mean it. I have the answers.” The numbers swirled, but he could beat them. He knew he could.

  “Such as?” His dad’s fingers stilled, and his jaw snapped shut. “I can’t wait to hear this.”

  Adam ran his sweaty palms down his thighs to absorb the moisture. “First of all, you need to realize what she means to me. She does things to me.”

  “Yeah, I’ve gotten that. Thanks.” His dad paused and gave him an assertive look. “That’s called lust, Adam—not love. I’ve seen exactly what she does to you. Walking around here with your erection larger than life. I don’t need you to explain anything because the proof’s in front of me all the damn time.” He rolled his eyes. “Anyone can see you’re attracted to her.”

  “Stop it,” Adam gritted through his teeth. “I’m not talking about that with you, and being hard for her is not a bad thing. I won’t let you make me feel guilty about it.” He slapped his hands on his thighs. “I’m talking about how she makes me feel about myself. I feel normal, I feel good, and I know I can succeed at anything, because she knows I can do it. I’m gonna graduate this year, and it’ll be because she was cheering for me.”

  His dad’s jaw tightened.

  “Do you know how hard it was for me each time I went back to school to think Mom would be disappointed if she found out I was kicked out again?” Adam’s left eye twitched.

  His dad stared, motionless.

  “She’s not keeping tabs on you kids, she doesn’t—”

  “I wasn’t done,” Adam said. He rammed his fingers through his hair. “Please, don’t interrupt me. You never listen, but this time you’re going to. I have lots to say.”

  His dad nodded. “Continue . . .” He extended a hand in the air and motioned for him to keep going.

  “Thank you.” Adam swallowed and closed his eyes to straighten his jumbled thoughts. “Mari’s the best person I’ve ever known, and I . . . I know you can’t see it. But let me tell you what her dad told me when I was there.”

  His dad stood up and shoved off from his desk. “Don’t you think for a second I didn’t have a lengthy discussion with her dad about who she is. I watch out for you. Do you think I’m stupid? Have you lost all respect for me? That willful girl is disobedient, and she chooses to screw up her life on purpose.” Adam’s eyes went wide. His dad continued on. “No, Adam. You’re the one not seeing things clearly. Her parents are fed up with her. She’s caused nothing but trouble since before she even got her period!” His face rushed with redness, and his eyes went black. “Drugs? Killing people? Or even being suspected of it? Selling her body to get high? Come on. Think! I need you to think!” He paused with a grimace. “Those are not the actions of somebody that is a ‘good person.’ There’s a difference between somebody that’s nice and good. Dammit, son. I thought you understood this by now. I’ve been working with you for years on this concept, and here you go—getting sucked up into her web of lies because she smiles at you, kisses you and lets you eat sugar.” His hands went to the back of his neck as he groaned.

  “I do too know the difference between somebody that’s good and bad. Do you know how long she’s suffered, thinking she hurt a little baby? It wasn’t her fault. And everybody blamed her, including her own parents. Nobody ever stopped to comfort her. Of course she took drugs to forget about it all. I would, too.”

  “You don’t know what you’re saying.” His dad shook his head in disbelief.

  “I do, too. Sugar makes me happy. That’s why I went nuts over it so many times. It made me forget in small ways. She had way more problems because no one supported her—not the way I had with you—so she needed more than sugar.” Adam huffed.

  “Support is something you get when you’ve earned it and actually want help. She didn’t want help. Her father told me what she did each time she went to rehab.” His dad pointed out the window. “She relapsed more than once.”

  “Yeah, and she learned that wasn’t the right thing to do. She’s been clean for a long time and without anyone’s help! Why can’t you give her credit for that?” Adam’s emotions caught in his throat, making it hard to speak clearly.

  “Credit? Credit? Are you serious? Listen to yourself. I don’t know this girl, and at this point I don’t want to. She should be in prison as far as I’m concerned with the kinds of horrific things she’s done.” His dad walked back to his seat and sat down.

  “She’s leaving her mom’s house. She’s eighteen. And when she goes, she’ll have nowhere to stay. If she leaves, I go with her.”

  His dad’s eyes flashed with a wicked ferocity. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “You’re not my real father! I can do whatever the hell I like. I’m an adult!” Adam said, his voice pinching his throat as it hissed past his windpipe.

  “Are you going to start calling me your guardian again? What the hell was that all about back there when she was standing next to you? Are you trying to be vindictive now? That’s not the son I know. That’s the boy she’s molding you into being!”

  “You know what it was about. I know what you are. You never adopted me. And I can report you,” Adam said, his back and chest heating.

  “For what?”

  “Abuse. You’re holding me back, and part of the deal of my staying with you is that you see to my progress.” Adam stood up and paced. “We have an extra bedroom here. She’s not going to cause any trouble at all. I’ll see to it she behaves. You can give her the guidance and support she needs.”

  His dad’s head cocked. “And what about you? I can barely understand you at all anymore.”

  “I’m not a child.”

  “Sure as hell could’ve fooled me. Running off late at night and convincing your brother to put you on a plane. Those are the actions of a petulant toddler, throwing a tantrum. She was only going to be gone a week.” His father’s left arm dropped on the desk, and his forearm slid, knocking off a few things.

  Adam’s brow crinkled. Did he do that on purpose?

  Since his dad left it all on the ground, Adam figured it was calculated when he did it.

  “One week too long. My heart breaks when she’s gone. Can you understand that?” Adam’s voice went soft.

  “Yes, I can, but you’re not the same with her.” His dad’s glare intensified.

  “No, you’re right. I’m better with her. Watch. Let her stay here. See how much happier I am. How the numbers stay away completely.”

  His dad’s mouth twitched. Adam could tell he was considering it.

  “She’s amazing. I’m sure you’ll see it as well. Give her some time. Watch how she is with me, too. Stop judging her for her past and allow her to show you how wonderful and sweet she is. She cares about me—all of me. I love how she speaks to me and looks at me like I’m the sun, warming her soul. It’s about the . . .” Adam was breathless. “It’s like I have a world I belong in. Finally.” He was glowing inside and out. Just thinking about her warmed his soul and made his mouth smile so big it almost hurt his face.

  “You belong here with us. We love you. We take care of you.” His dad’s face fell.

  “I know that’s what you want to believe, but I want a wife someday. A life of my own. Maybe even children. I want her. And if you’re going to stand in the way, then I’ll have to leave. I’m not going to budge on this. I know what I want and what I deserve.”

  His dad’s hands fell in his lap and then he stared at them. “You leave me no choice. I can’t let you go. You’re my responsibility. Stop calling me your guardian, especially around her, and I’ll let her stay here. I’m your father, and you’ll treat me with respect.”

  Adam nodded and smiled even though his father couldn’t see it.

  “And you will make sure she’s using clean language in my home.”

  “I will.” Adam nodded.

  “No sex, no nudity—at all.” His dad glanced up at
Adam. “I mean it.”

  “I know. We’ll keep to the rules.”

  “She’s not staying in your room, so don’t even think about it.” His dad popped his knuckles, still in his lap.

  “I won’t.” Adam’s tongue clicked. He could barely contain the fireworks going on inside his chest, and it had nothing to do with numbers, because they had all disappeared. “You’ll love her. I promise!”

  “I highly doubt that, but I want you safe.” His dad’s mouth sagged, but he wasn’t quite frowning.

  “I am safe—with her.”

  “We’ll see . . .”

  “And my music is back in my head. I want to take piano lessons again.” Adam leaned forward.

  “Okay.” His dad’s eyes were dull.

  “Okay?”

  “Yeah. It’s fine.” His dad waved his hand like he didn’t care at all.

  Adam’s chest burst with life. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Can I go get her now?”

  “You may. But, Adam . . . ?”

  “Yeah?” Adam bit his tongue on accident when he jerked up to standing. His body was a bundle of jumpy nerves.

  “I’m giving this a shot to prove I trust and believe you. Do not let me down.” His dad gave a stern look.

  “You’ll be so proud of me, Dad. I love you!”

  “I love you, too, son. Go get her.”

  “Bye!” Adam waved, hopped and raced out the door before his father could argue and change his mind.

  Adam was in his car and calling her in his next breath. “Mari, you’re gonna love me even more!” he said to himself, waiting for the call to go through.

  * * *

  Mari walked to Katie’s. Maybe she could stay here tonight at her friend’s house and then find a homeless shelter for the next few weeks while she found a studio and a job.

  “Mari?” Katie’s mom asked when the door opened.

  “Hi, Mrs. Johnson. Katie’s home, right?” Mari slouched a little—exhausted in every way imaginable.

  “Yeah, I’ll get her.” Mrs. Johnson left the door open and went after her daughter.

  “Katie!” Mrs. Johnson hollered and walked upstairs. “Mari’s here to see you.”

  Katie traipsed down the stairs and smiled until she saw the stuffed duffel bag. “I hope that’s not Rory’s corpse stuffed in there,” she joked.

  “I wish . . . Nah, I was just wondering if I could spend the night tonight?” Mari bit her cheeks to keep from spilling all that happened.

  “I . . . I kind of have plans tonight. It’s fall break, and I—”

  Mari’s face fell. “No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” She turned to go.

  “What’s going on? Why do you have that huge bag with you?” Katie stepped outside and shut the door. “Are you running away?”

  “Not really. I’ve evicted myself. I can’t live with either of my parents anymore, and I’m eighteen. I’ve left home.”

  “Where’re you gonna go?” Katie’s brows shot up.

  “I’ll check in at a homeless shelter tomorrow. It’s too late to get to one today. I guess tonight maybe I’ll find a Motel 8 or something.” Mari shrugged. “I was hoping to avoid using any money, though, since I don’t have tons of it.”

  “What if you slept in my car?” Katie offered.

  Mari’s stomach shook as the willies took over, shuddering her entire body. When she was homeless, she broke into cars a few times to keep warm while she slept. She got caught once.

  “No, thanks. I’ll be fine.” Mari waved and walked stiffly away before she had to explain anything else.

  Katie hollered a goodbye after her. “Call me if you need me!”

  Mari waved over her shoulder without looking back.

  She walked to the nearest bus stop and took a seat.

  Her phone rang. She pulled it out and smiled.

  The smile faded, though, when she realized he might be in huge trouble.

  “Adam, are you okay?” she answered her phone.

  “Best day ever!”

  “What?” She scrunched her face. Was he kidding?

  “Come over,” he said.

  “I can’t.” She scuffed her foot on the ground and stared at the bike skid marks. Maybe she could buy a bike tomorrow? She should have taken the one at her mom’s house. By now, her mom was probably hauling all her belongings to a thrift store to be sold.

  “I’ll come get you. Where are you?”

  “At a bus stop,” she confessed.

  “Why?” She heard his car starting up. “You don’t need to ride a bus. You’re gonna live with me.”

  “Adam, we can’t do that. We’ve gotta get through high scho—”

  “I told my dad you were leaving your home, and I would leave too if he didn’t let you stay with us. We have a spare bedroom that never gets used. None of our relatives ever visit. It’s got a comfy bed, some closet space and a dresser. It’s not real big, but you’re not fat. You’ll fit in it well,” he said.

  She smiled. Could he light up the universe with his exuberance? It sure seemed like it. “Your dad seriously said I could move in?”

  “Yeah,” he breathed.

  “Have him call me.”

  “Tell me where you are first,” he insisted.

  “Are you really coming to get me?” She stretched her neck, pushing her head from shoulder to shoulder. It felt like she’d walked all the way home from her dad’s to her mom’s. Her whole body ached.

  “I am. I’ll always save you. That’s what I do.”

  She chuckled. “I’m beginning to believe that’s definitely the case.”

  “Where?” he repeated.

  She gave him directions, and before he hung up, she instructed him to have his dad call her or she wouldn’t get in the Mercedes with him.

  They ended the call, and within seconds her caller ID read Dustin Latham.

  “Hello, sir,” she said, her voice like an avalanche of feelings.

  “Stop pretending to have manners. You’re an animal,” Dustin said.

  “Ex-cuse me?”

  “You heard me. You disgust me the way you’ve constantly manipulated my son. First you get him to buy some expensive rock concert tickets, then you talk him into flying out there to Alta to come and get you so you’d have an excuse to leave your father. When does it stop? Oh, yes, having him buy you that ring,” he accused.

  “It was my mother’s. She gave it to me, and I didn’t talk him into any of those things. I wanted him to keep his distance, but he won’t,” she rambled in a rush. “I only ever want him to be happy.”

  “And he’s foolish enough to believe that.” He groaned. “I. Am. Not. Convinced.” He exhaled loudly into the phone. “So, here’s what we’re gonna do. You’re gonna stay here for a week. We’ll say we gave it a try, and it didn’t work out. I’ll help you find a place of your own so you can stay away. You can keep being friends at school, but if I hear talk of marriage again, I’m going to have to pursue legal action against you.”

  She balled herself up on her seat. “Yes, sir . . .”

  “Do you hear me—really hear me? You may have walked all over your spineless parents, but I’m not them. I have three children, and I take my responsibilities seriously. I don’t tolerate them lying to me, and I won’t allow it from you either.” She heard something click on his end. “And if I ever hear my son refer to me as his guardian again, I’ll see to it you have a hard time getting anywhere past having a job flipping burgers.”

  She tucked her head down into her knees. How was it her fault Adam was referring to his dad as his guardian? She had nothing to do with that. All she was ever told was Dustin wasn’t his biological father—that was it. “If I ever hurt him, I’ll see to those things myself.”

  “You talk a good talk, I’ll give you that, but your walk says something entirely different.”

  “I’m trying to do the best I can and watch out for him,” she said.

  “I’ll believe that when I see it with my very own t
wo eyes. I’ll see you within the hour. I expect you to pick up after yourself and keep out of trouble over the next week while you’re staying here,” he said with a smooth, even voice. “Goodbye.”

  He hung up.

  Her head spun. What was she doing going to that man’s house? He hated her worse than either of her parents. How was this going to work out? And how would this be better than staying with her spiteful mother?

  She stood up, ready to leave and find a motel somewhere when Adam pulled up.

  He parked, jumped out of the car, picked her up and swung her around in a tight hug.

  “I love it when you let me save you!” he crooned.

  He put her down, opened the car door for her and she crawled in like it was a hole to hide in.

  Her bag was set in the trunk, and Adam drove off with a giddy grin.

  He held her hand, and she practically curled her whole damn body around his grip.

  Would he ever realize how he really did save her in every way?

  Nobody believed she was worth the breaths she took—nobody except him . . .

  * * *

  Mari was cooking. In his house!

  Adam hovered, grabbing her any ingredient she needed.

  He hugged her from behind repeatedly and kissed her a few times.

  “Stop bugging her,” Sam said from the counter. She rolled her eyes at him and thumbed through her magazine.

  “I’m not bugging her. She loves me, and that means I can be near her all the time.” He poked his tongue out at his pesky sister.

  “You’re gonna make her wish she’d stayed with her Neanderthal of a father,” Sam said.

  Mari halted stirring the food like she had something to say but bit her cheeks and went back to the cooking.

  “I love spaghetti!” Adam moaned and rested his chin on her shoulder as he smelled the tempting aroma swirling around in front of him. “And this smells really tasty.”

  “I hope you’ll like it. I make it a little different than most people do,” Mari said. “I do have to admit this one’s pretty fattening, but I couldn’t resist. You had all the ingredients, and since I’m no longer avoiding sugar . . .” She gave a half shrug.