by Jen Talty
“So far, you are not telling me anything I don’t know, except the hit man thing, which is scary and not something I probably wanted to know.”
“I’m sure it’s just talk.” Frank felt the need to clarify. “I’m taking Andy fishing with me this weekend in hopes of getting him to trust me.”
Jared held up his hand, shaking his head. “Frank, that’s pushing it. We’re talking about a minor involved in a possible court case with his guardian and his father. You have to stay out of it.”
“I can’t.” Frank pushed back his chair, and with a heavy heart, made his way toward the main window. “Three weeks before Hannah drowned, I answered a disturbance call at her trailer.” The sun shone high in the cloudless sky. He squinted, peering across the parking lot, and watched a few cars drive by. “Hannah said she was fine. That nothing happened, and Taylor was welcome in her home. So, I left.”
Frank didn’t have to turn to know that Jared hadn’t moved a muscle. He felt him staring with an intense gaze.
“You did what you could within the confines of the law.”
Frank whipped his head around and glared at Jared. “The law sucks.”
Jared stood and stepped closer. He was tall, well over six feet, and had at least two inches on Frank. He also had at least an extra thirty pounds of solid muscle. Frank was fit, strong, but he didn’t have the bulk Jared had and figured he never would. Hopefully, he’d always have Jared on his side. “The law usually works in the end. You just have to be patient.”
“Patient? A young woman is dead. Her kid is alone, and some moron is about to screw him up, permanently.”
“Hey, you’re barking up the wrong tree.” Jared’s every word was laced with emotion. “I had to walk away from my wife’s stepfather, knowing exactly what he had in mind. Her mother died at the hands of that man, and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. And do I really need to go into the fact that some psycho kidnapped my wife?”
“No.” Frank shoved his hands in his pockets. “But you did go off half-cocked to that island, never once thinking about going by the book.” Frank held Jared’s stare. The man had a heart of gold. He’d do just about anything for those he cared about and Frank figured that included him. “I won’t do anything to jeopardize the State Police. If I choose to introduce my little brothers to a new friend, I have that right.”
Jared shook his head. “I suppose you do. Just don’t push my buttons.”
Frank nodded, glancing at his watch. Couple more hours and he’d be able to head home for the day. He couldn’t help but wonder what Lacy was doing.
He fiddled with his cell phone. If he called her, she’d probably just come up with another valid reason why they shouldn’t date—fake date. If he just showed up, she’d probably send him packing. He wished Andy had a cell phone. Idiot. That would be using the kid to get to her. “I’m taking a drive before I clock out,” he yelled over his shoulder, snagging the patrol car keys.
Frank didn’t wait for Jared to respond. If he couldn’t call her, he could at least check out where and what Taylor had been up to today, and then drive by Lacy’s place. Just doing his job.
4
Lacy squeezed her hands together as she watched Frank drive by in his patrol car. She couldn’t see Frank, since he stayed on Route 8, never coming down into the trailer park, but she knew it was him. He slowed down and drove by at least five times, which made her nervous. She smiled at Ms. Lazzery, the social worker who had decided to make a surprise visit, which just added to the pounding headache that had been plaguing her all day.
“What do you have planned for Andy for the rest of the summer?” Ms. Lazzery asked as she adjusted herself in a folding chair just to the right of the porch. A gust of wind rustled her hair, but it didn’t seem to bother her since she did nothing to adjust it. “It’s important to keep kids busy.”
“We go to the library a lot,” Andy said, glancing Lacy’s way.
Lacy had to give the boy credit; he was doing his best to make her look good, but he might be going a bit too far. “We’ve gone a few times. We’ve got the summer reading list the school sent.”
“What about other activities?” Ms. Lazzery asked.
“We went horseback riding last week,” Andy offered, seemingly trying to impress Ms. Lazzery.
It had been one of the few times Lacy had been able to splurge on something extra for them since she’d gotten a few big tips. She tried not to frown remembering one of those larger tips had been from Frank.
“Do you like horses?” Ms. Lazzery leaned a bit closer. At times, Ms. Lazzery seemed cold, as if she approached her job from a safe distance. However, when she got involved in discussions with Andy, she appeared more human, as if she cared. If Lacy was being honest, she was sure Ms. Lazzery cared, but she still didn’t trust that the woman would be able to see beyond the surface when it came to Taylor. Or her for that matter. People in that position tended to see only what they wanted to see.
“I like all animals,” Andy said.
“So, do I.” Ms. Lazzery jotted a few things down on her note pad as she glanced around the park.
Frank’s car slowly rolled down the dirt road. Just great. Frank was the last person she needed around right now.
“Is there a lot of crime here?”
Watch your tongue, Lacy. “I did have a rock tossed through my window the other day.” She figured the woman already knew, hence the surprise visit, but hopefully Lacy’s honesty would win her a few brownie points. Ms. Lazzery was supposed to want what was best for Andy, and that’s what scared Lacy the most. Andy’s father had more money, a better place to live, and a so-called stable life. What did Lacy have?
“I’m sorry about the rock. I hope the police are looking into it.” Ms. Lazzery kept her nose in her pad and continued to scribble.
“Oh yeah. They came right out,” Andy said almost too quickly.
Lacy could tell Andy’s nerves were fried by the way he squirmed in his seat. She couldn’t blame him. Her nerves were pretty much shot between Ms. Lazzery’s questions and Frank hanging around. Mindlessly she rolled her hair between her fingers. She knew she was doing it, but nervous habits didn’t disappear overnight. Besides, the silky strands felt good between her fingers. It calmed her, or so she told herself.
Ms. Lazzery lifted her chin, sneezed, and then took another look around the park. “Are you aware that Mr. Pratt is buying a home?”
Lacy had heard that and it pissed her off. It added to the perfect fake life Taylor had conjured up. Couldn’t anyone else see the man was a bastard and a criminal? “I’m really doing the best I can.” Maybe fake dating should be added to her plan.
“I’m sure you are, but you have to understand my concern. Your jobs are seasonal, and to my knowledge you have not been able to gain a more permanent position,” Ms. Lazzery said in a soft voice. “I need to see some kind of plan from you, and soon.”
Lacy hadn’t much time to write out the five-year plan the courts wanted. She could barely see past next week, much less five years from now. “Regardless of any plan, my priority is Andy.”
Ms. Lazzery leaned back in the chair and folded her hands in her lap. “I commend your efforts. It’s obvious to me that Andy enjoys being with you, but Mr. Pratt has filed for custody. We must consider all possibilities in order to make the best decision for Andy. Sunday will be his first supervised visitation with his father. I’ll pick Andy up at five in the afternoon and bring him back around nine.”
Andy mumbled something under his breath. Lacy could only imagine what he said and wished it had been louder. However, by the surprised look on Ms. Lazzery’s face, she got the message. Andy had issues with his father.
“I know this is hard for you, Andy.” Ms. Lazzery patted his knee. “I’ll be in touch before Sunday.” She rose, stuffing her things in an oversized bag and then slide behind the wheel of an older, four-door blue sedan.
Lacy inhaled sharply as Frank waved Ms. Lazzery out in front of him.
He then had the nerve to pull into the grassy lot himself. Lacy turned on her heels and headed into the trailer, slamming the door behind her. She grabbed a beer, twisted it open, and guzzled half of it down. What the hell was she thinking? The courts wouldn’t give Andy to her. Taylor would schmooze them over and she’d lose. No, Andy would lose.
“Aunt Lacy!” Andy shouted.
She jumped. Not because he scared her, but because he never called her that unless something had him spooked. “Andy?” she questioned, pushing back the screen with her hand. “Are you okay?”
He barreled through the door with a huge smile on his face. His feet never stopped moving as he hopped from one foot to the other in excitement. “Can I go for a ride in Frank’s car? Please?” His eyes sparkled with joy, not something she’d seen from him since she’d moved back.
Frank stood inches behind Andy, under the tarp. She secretly hoped a huge gust of wind would roar through the park, whipping the tarp right off the trailer and taking Frank with it. Damn him, his good looks, and stupid ideas. “In his Trooper car?” she questioned trying to collect herself. It wasn’t really Frank she was mad at, but the situation. And the fact that she even considered taking him up on his dating offer. She needed to find a decent job, not suck face with the local authorities.
“No, the boring pickup.” Andy rolled his eyes.
“Don’t get fresh with your aunt.”
“I can discipline my own nephew, thank you.” She glared at Frank.
“Sorry, Aunt Lacy, but please, can I go? I mean, it could be a good lesson for me of some kind, right?” Andy batted his eyes, a trick he used to do when he was about five.
“What if something happens? Or you get called in?” she asked Frank. She’d never forgive herself if something happened to Andy. Or anyone else for that matter.
“It will just be around the park.” Frank removed his hat. He stood at attention, legs slightly spread, hands clasped on his hat. His eyes focused straight ahead and his jaw set.
Mentally, she kicked herself for thinking him sexy like that. “All right, but don’t touch anything in the car,” she said with her fingers in her hair. One of these days, she’d be in an uncomfortable situation and not twirl her hair. Maybe.
Andy nearly knocked Frank over as he bolted past him, yelling ‘thanks’ over his shoulder.
Frank regained his composure and a huge smile broadened his face. “My little brother still gets like that.” He tipped his hat and slid it over his soft-looking buzz. “We’ll be back in a few, ma’am.”
She let a soft laugh slip through her lips as she watched Andy run to the car and circle it like a lion waiting to pounce on his prey. He jumped up and down as Frank approached. They exchanged a few words and Frank pointed a few times before he opened the side door for Andy.
It was then that Lacy realized Ms. Lazzery hadn’t left yet. Her car was parked in the dirt road, just a few trailers down.
“Damn it.” Lacy rinsed the rest of her beer down the drain and tossed the bottle, before rummaging for a mint and heading to her makeshift lawn. She hooked her fingers in her belt loops to keep them from her hair.
Ms. Lazzery pulled her car back into the spot it had occupied just a few minutes before. “Ms. DeGeorgio,” Ms. Lazzery started as she stepped from her vehicle. “I’d forgotten to ask about Andy’s next doctor’s appointment. I need to follow up with her and find out how Andy felt about his visit with his father from her perspective.”
“It’s Tuesday at three,” Lacy said. Her heart raced as if she had just gotten caught cheating on a test. She hated feeling as if everyone was scrutinizing her every move. Hated that Frank could reduce her to a pile of hormones in a matter of seconds.
“Is there a reason the State Police are visiting you?”
Lacy took a deep breath before speaking, “Sergeant Harmon is a friend. He offered to give Andy a ride in his patrol car.” She wondered how Ms. Lazzery might interpret the word ‘friend.’
“I see. Well, I guess that’s okay. Mind if I have a word with the officer?”
Lacy shook her head. What choice did she have? Besides, she hadn’t done anything wrong. Andy, on the other hand, had been a little stupid lately. She closed her eyes and mentally spoke a little prayer to the man upstairs that Frank would keep his mouth closed about the jet ski, the money, and anything else Andy might have told him.
Lacy offered Ms. Lazzery a seat, but she chose to stand. Lacy needed to sit down before her legs completely buckled. She glanced down the road, waiting to hear the gravel being kicked up by the police tires. Moments passed, but it seemed like forever before the patrol, with a beaming Andy in the front seat, pulled into the drive.
“Afternoon, ma’am.” Frank strolled from his car, tipping his hat.
Ms. Lazzery glanced at Andy, who went from happy to terrified in a matter of seconds. “I’d like a word with you, Officer…”
“It’s Sergeant Harmon,” Frank corrected in a deep monotone voice. He assumed his standard position, darting his eyes toward Andy. Lacy noticed he gave Andy a slight smile before giving his attention back to Ms. Lazzery. “Is there a problem of some kind?”
“No problem. Just curious as to what brings you by, Sergeant.”
Andy scurried over to Lacy. She rose from her chair, looping her arm around him. She could only hope Frank didn’t blow it. If he said anything other than what Lacy implied, she’d be a goner.
Frank didn’t move a muscle. Amazing how he could do that. “I’m just checking on some friends, ma’am.”
“He’s dating my aunt,” Andy added.
Lacy opened her mouth, but then thought better of it as she clamped down on her tongue. If she called Andy on the lie, she’d make him feel bad, he’d act out, and she’d end up looking like she couldn’t control him. By not saying anything, she knew the fake dating had begun. Great.
“Really?” Ms. Lazzery looked slightly amused making Lacy feel worse. “These are things I need to know, Ms. DeGeorgio.”
Lacy wasn’t sure if Ms. Lazzery’s tone indicated dating Frank would be taboo or good for her case.
“I understand the situation,” Frank started, “I wouldn’t want to do anything to complicate things more, but I care for Lacy and Andy. I don’t think us being in a relationship should affect her case in a negative way.”
“A relationship?” Ms. Lazzery questioned with wide eyes.
“I think her personal life is personal,” Frank added. He wasn’t making things better, and Lacy thought it was high time to shut him down, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out. Why did she find this plan remotely appealing?
Ms. Lazzery pulled something out of her purse and handed it to Frank. “Here’s my card. I’d like to talk to you, since you are spending time with this family. Nothing formal, but a few moments of your time, in private.”
Ms. Lazzery’s use of the word family felt like a mini mental victory. “Sergeant Harmon does have our best interest at heart.” Now that sounded pathetic, maybe even desperate. “He’s a good guy.” Not much better.
“Let me give you my card.” Frank leaned into his patrol car and pulled out a small paper. “Call anytime,” he offered.
“Can I go watch TV, Lacy?” Andy whispered.
She nodded, knowing Andy needed to escape. Normally when he got like this, he’d take off down the road to find Ricky or that other kid. Maybe having Frank around wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
Then again, she could be delusional.
No, just desperate to beat Taylor at his own game.
“I’m not judging, mind you, but the courts will be looking at what environment is more suitable for Andy. You have to be upfront about everything.” Ms. Lazzery held up her hand when Frank opened his mouth. “Dating is not something that is necessarily frowned upon; I’m just saying that everything in this case needs to be out in the open. I need to know who will be influencing Andy’s life and make sure that’s in a positive way. Andy is my only concern here.”
Frank strolled over to Lacy and put his arm around her shoulder. She wanted to shrug it off and tell him to take a hike. Talk about being in over her head.
“I understand. I want what is best for Andy, too.” Frank smiled as if he were the happiest man on God’s green earth.
Lacy toyed with her hair instead.
“That is very commendable,” Ms. Lazzery said as she slipped back into her car and disappeared onto Route 8.
“So, I guess its official,” Frank said with a boyish grin.
She paused for a moment and studied him. Offering himself up to be her boyfriend wasn’t going to help her in the long run. He might be damned sexy, but that wouldn’t get her full custody of Andy. “This is insane. I barely know you.”
“You know me better than you think you do.”
“Yeah right.”
“Well, let’s go to dinner and discuss it. I could get my folks or cousin to babysit, and then later we could maybe take Andy to putt-putt or something.”
“You’re crazy.” She took a step back from him. “Why the hell did you run with what Andy implied? Why didn’t you just say we’re friends?”
“Hey, you ran with it, too.”
Well, she couldn’t argue that point without looking like an idiot. She hadn’t done anything to imply they were not an item. “This is so screwed up.”
“She’s evaluating your suitability to raise Andy, right?”
“She’s evaluating everything. Says it’s her job to make sure that every possible avenue is checked out, then she’ll make her recommendation to the court about what she thinks is best for Andy.” Lacy crumpled back into the chair. “The whole process could take a year.”
“I think me being a cop helps your situation. Maybe we could even push the system a bit if we…”
“If we what?”
“Nothing.” He squinted. “Let’s stick with dating.”
“Maybe. If I really liked you that way. Or wanted you around. But I don’t. So now it just complicates things, and Andy is put in a situation where he has to lie.”