Body Parts
Page 29
“What will happen to all the foster kids?”
“We’ll try to find them homes. Real homes,” he says.
My eyes well up. “And the ones who are too old?”
“If they’re eighteen, or want to live on their own, there’ll be people who can help with the transition. They won’t be left to fend for themselves just because the Centers close.”
“What about PharmPerfect? That’s shutting down, too, right?”
His jaw shifts like he’s chewing on the answer. “They’ve been ordered to cease operations until the investigation is complete.”
“W-what does that mean? Will they be able to open up again in a few weeks?”
“Certainly not the Centers. Those are shut down indefinitely and anyone associated in any way, shape, or form will be prosecuted. But the board of directors can claim they had no knowledge of what Mr. Murphy was doing, that he acted on his own. If investigators agree he’s the one to blame, the board will fight to keep PharmPerfect up and running.”
Before he can continue, I hear Gavin’s voice behind me.
“Tabitha!”
I spin around and the knots in my stomach unravel. For a moment all the chaos around us falls silent. I let out a breath and Gavin jogs toward me, his smile widening with each step.
“Just a minute, sir,” a female officer says, stepping into his path. She’s wielding a notepad and he holds up a finger to me as she prattles off questions about the events leading up to today.
I turn back to the soldier and my breath catches when I see the way he’s looking at me, examining me with eyes that look younger.
“I know it doesn’t seem right that everyone isn’t going to jail, but the folks at PharmPerfect won’t come near you again,” he says.
“How? How can you be so sure they’re not going to continue—”
“I have contacts at the FBI who will update me if anything suspicious goes on while the board is being interrogated. You and your friends are all safe. You have my word.”
“I don’t even know who you are.”
“I’m…I’m someone who has a personal interest in making sure you’re okay.”
I rub the sore spots on my wrists, but what I really want to do is rub my heart. It aches like it’s waiting to be disappointed.
“What do you mean?”
“What I’m trying to say is,” he steps closer, “I don’t want you in foster care. I want you to stay with me.” He reaches out, his finger grazing my cheek. “You can dye the hair, but not the freckles…”
I clutch my chest. “Does this mean…” My hands drop to my side. “Are we…?”
“We’ll need a DNA test to prove it,” he says, a gentle cadence to his voice. “But I have no doubts. Aside from the brown, you look just like your mother.” His eyes brim with tears as he pulls me into his arms. I breathe in the smell of his uniform, making a mental note—a memory. This is the smell of my father.
I hold tight, trying to make up for a thousand lost embraces.
“You’re really here.” I laugh through my tears. “I can’t believe you got the message.”
“I thought one of the men in my battalion was playing a sick joke.” My dad loosens his grip. “Who’s Gavin?”
I pull back enough to point. Gavin’s still caught up with answering questions, but he catches my eye and gives my dad a respectful nod. “He’s part of the rescue group that saved kids from the Center. We were living here.” I wave at the nearly nonexistent barn.
“No one needs to hide anymore. We’ll find everyone a place to call home.”
I smile at the thought. “That’s all any of us ever wanted.” I wipe my eyes when we let go, but he keeps an arm around me, as if he’s afraid he’ll lose me in the mix of people running around.
In the corner of my eye, I see two officers lifting Parker, carrying him to an ambulance that’s just arrived. “Where are they taking him? Is he going to be all right?”
“Don’t worry, they’ll transport him to a hospital on the mainland. The doctors will repair any damage.”
“Can I say goodbye?” My dad nods, and I hurry before they can load him.
“Parker!”
He looks up with a strained smile. Although he’s clearly in a lot of pain, I see relief in his eyes.
“That’s him, isn’t it?”
“Yep. That’s my dad.” I rock on my heels. I have a surge of energy, so pumped I could blast off. “He’s real. Can you believe it?”
“That’s great,” Parker says, but when he purses his lips, part of my happiness fades.
“They’re going to find us homes. All of us.”
“I’m eighteen. It’s a little late.” The medic averts her eyes as Parker’s voice wavers.
“They can still help.” Parker looks doubtful and I go on. “Don’t you see? This is your chance to start over, be whoever you want. You could join the military or FBI, work to stop guys like Mr. Murphy.” His mouth spreads into a slow smile. “Let’s make a pact.” I hold out my hand for him to shake. “Once you get better, we’ll work together to make sure PharmPerfect pays for what they did to us.”
He quirks an eyebrow. “I guess I can agree to that.” He shakes. I hug him before the medic radios in that they’re on their way. Then the door closes and I watch Parker leave, feeling like part of me is going with him.
Paige is waiting nearby, and I walk with her back to my dad, who’s in a deep conversation with Gavin. They look up when we approach.
“Is Bracken going to be okay?” I ask Gavin, torn between throwing my arms around him and hugging my dad again. Gavin nods and opens his arms for a brief second before shoving his hands in his pockets. I smile, thinking this must be what normal feels like, what girls with protective fathers get to experience.
“He’ll be all right.” Gavin struggles to keep his hands tucked away. “He’s lost a lot of blood, but they said no major organs were hit.” Finally, he can’t resist and his arms stretch wide, curling around my body. I lean toward him just as Paige hollers.
“There are the others!” She takes off for the woods, like she’s trying to beat someone in a race. Like Meghan would have.
“Others?” My dad narrows his eyes, squinting at the figures popping out from behind the trees.
“Our team.” I share a look with Gavin.
Paige twirls Mary around in the field before setting her down to greet the rest of the crew. Mary runs at Mary-speed—half skipping, half prancing—until she reaches Gavin’s arms, and we squeeze her between us. Gavin’s arms are long enough to envelop us both. It’s the best Mary sandwich yet.
“She’s from the Center, too?” My dad rubs his eyes as if he’s coming out of a daze.
I let go of Mary and Gavin, taking my dad’s hand. Our fingers lace naturally, like they were always meant to fit together.
“Come on.” I tug him toward the trees. “I want to introduce you to the rest of my family.”
About the Author
Jessica Kapp loves to imagine the what-ifs of life as she writes contemporary and speculative fiction for young adults from a small farm in Washington. When she’s not reading, writing, or talking books with barista at her favorite coffee shop, she can be found on the soccer field.
Visit her webpage at www.jessicakapp.com or on Twitter at @JessKapp.
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Table of Contents
Body Parts
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter
15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
About the Author
Connect with Diversion Books