Penance (Oak Grove Suspense Book 2)

by Reese A. Stephens

  “Okay. She’s in the playpen.”

  Shayla leaves and I quickly close down all my windows and erase any trace of my search for Mathis before heading to the den to retrieve my daughter. I stop dead in my tracks as I reach the playpen.

  “Oh my God!” Shayla doubles over in laughter. “Please, please tell me that is not poop!” I look at my wife, who is still laughing. Is this why she was so adamant that I give her a bath?

  She shakes her head. “No, it’s not poop. Your son left his chocolate avocado pudding sitting on the table and she grabbed it. I think she thoroughly enjoyed it.”

  I start to chuckle. “Do you even have cases to review?”

  “Yes, I do. Thank you very much. I have two big surgeries on Monday. I want to go over all my notes to be sure I don’t miss anything.”

  I lean down and kiss her head, then whisper in her ear. “You’re an excellent surgeon, but your mothering skills are completely questionable right now.”

  She shoves me away, laughing. “You’re a jerk. I’m an excellent mother. I’ve had years of practice, which is why you should bathe our daughter; you need to catch up.”

  I huff in faux exasperation. I almost joke about that not being my choice, but I think better of it. Shayla raising Dylan on her own wasn’t really her choice either.

  “I guess. Come here, you chocolate monster.” I pick up my giggly squirmy eleven month old, getting covered in chocolate as she slaps her hands happily against my face and chest. “You owe me big, Mrs. Jacobs.”

  “That’s Dr. Jacobs to you. Now, go and clean my baby.”

  I roll my eyes at her, but can’t help my smile. Call me a caveman, but I love that she changed her professional name. She didn’t do that in her first marriage. I won’t get into that mess, but she’s much better off without that loser.

  “Oh, Han. You’re a complete disaster.”

  I sit her down on the bathroom floor and peel off my shirt, which is already covered in chocolate baby handprints, and toss it on the floor. I get her bath water ready and strip her down before putting her into the little tub seat that Shayla got for her. Both Shayla and Hannah love it because Han can sit in the water and play without slipping around. I get down on the floor beside the tub and wash her up quickly.

  “There’s my pretty girl.”

  “Dada.”

  I chuckle. I love that her first word was Dada. She says a few words, but mostly it’s just gibberish. She splashes and kicks in the water happily. I’m soaking wet but couldn’t be happier about it if I tried. I love being a dad and regret not having this with Dylan, but I’m so thankful that I get to experience everything with Hannah. The flash of a camera interrupts our daddy-daughter time. I smile as I look up at my wife and she clicks another photo.

  “Oh, my word. You two are just too cute. You’re soaking wet.”

  I shrug. “It’s worth it.”

  “I was going to start getting ready. I just wanted to check on you guys.” Shayla grabs the towel from the counter and hands it to me so I can lift Hannah from the tub.

  “We’ll come with you. I’ll get her diaper on and she can play on the floor while we get dressed.”

  Shayla smiles broadly at me. I can see the tease on her lips, but she refrains as I glare at her. “Sounds good. I just washed everything up, if you need something, just yell.” She turns to leave.

  I shake my head. She finds my diaper changing skills hilarious. I’ve improved greatly from the first time, but cloth diapers are tricky. I can’t seem to get them on correctly, something she and Dylan find absolutely hilarious. Especially, since my seventeen-year-old son has no trouble putting them on his sister the right way. Once we’re ready, we head into the living room where we find Dylan and Faith, kissing.

  “Eww,” I whine immaturely, making Hannah giggle. Dylan and Faith jerk apart as I laugh. “Ah, I love pay backs. I told ya, kid.”

  “You suck,” Dylan grouses, but he can’t stop smiling.

  I wink. “You guys ready to go?”

  Dylan immediately becomes somber. “Yeah, I can’t believe it’s been two years.”

  I squeeze his shoulder. “I know, bud. But it wasn’t your fault.

  “It still feels like it is sometimes. Danny didn’t deserve what happened to him.”

  I nod my head. “You’re right, but neither did you or your mom. I’ll catch Mathis, son. I promise you that.”

  “I don’t doubt you.”

  The faith and trust my kid has in me is humbling, but it also makes me determined to not fail this time. I will catch Mathis and I will bring him to justice, even if that means I have to put a bullet between his eyes. As soon as Shayla comes out, we load up into our SUV and head over to my mom’s. Both my brothers’ families and the Thorns will be here. We started this tradition last year on the anniversary of Danny’s death. We have felt his loss to our core, but we’ve also been determined to not wallow in sadness. Instead, we always celebrate the life he lived.

  My mom, Penny, greets us at the door when we arrive. “How’s my baby?” She grabs Hannah from my arms.

  “Gee, thanks a lot, Mom. I feel the love,” I tease.

  “You know I love you too, but you’re not this cute anymore.” She turns to Hannah. “Is he? No, he’s not.” She talks to my daughter in that high-pitched way people get when they speak to babies.

  “Bro, you gotta get used to it. I don’t think she’s acknowledged me since Jeremy was born,” Nathan, my oldest brother, tells as he gives me a hug and a slap on the back.

  “Yep, once those kids come along, we are just ancient history,” Paul agrees.

  I always find myself hugging him a little tighter than any of my other siblings. Paul and his wife, Gwen, have done well considering that they lost their son at such a young age. I know they still struggle, but I imagine anyone would.

  “Oh, you two knock it off. I still acknowledge you … sometimes,” Mom defends, making us all laugh. I don’t care one bit that she’s wrapped up with her grandkids; they love her back just as much. She’s a fantastic grandmother. “Dinner’s already on the table. Let’s go eat.”

  I finish greeting the rest of my family and Shayla’s as we make our way to my mother’s formal dining room. We all sit, but before anyone digs in, Paul stands and raises his glass.

  “Gwen and I would like to thank you all for coming out to honor our son’s memory. These past two years have been hard on all of us, but this year things seem to be a little better. We’ll never forget Danny and what he means to us, but I think he’s smiling right now. One thing that Danny always asked for as he grew up was a little brother or sister, I wish we could have given him that while he was here with us, but …” He pauses as he chokes up. He clears his throat and chuckles before grabbing Gwen’s hand with his free one. “But, I think he must have been talking someone’s ear off up there, because we found out that we’re expecting again.” Everyone gasps, cheers, and offers congrats before he can continue. “So, here’s to Danny and his new little sister, Dannilynn. We know he had a part in sending her to us. Cheers!”

  There’s not a dry eye in the house. We all take turns hugging and congratulating, not only my brother and his wife, but their other son Sam, who seems to be just as happy as they are with the news. We spend a few hours at my mom’s celebrating this new life and remembering the fallen. All the guys play tackle-football in the yard, while the ladies play with Hannah and my brother, Nathan’s six year old twin girls. It’s a great day, a healing day for our family. I’m so blessed to be a part of this wonderful group of people.

  One Week Later

  The following Friday, I take Shayla out on our weekly date. We decide to go to Mooney’s where my sister is working. I don’t know why she wants to work in a bar, but it pays well, and supplements her teacher’s salary. Shayla and I find a table and I pull out her seat before leaving her to head over to the bar where Laney is to place our drink order. As I get there, I spy a familiar face across the bar and turn to Laney
/>   “Hey, is that Judson Hardenbergh?

  She looks over at him and sighs. Her eyes look sad and a little forlorn when she meets mine again. “Yeah, I told you what happened to his family, right?”

  I nod. It’s a horrible thing to have happen. I can’t fathom losing mine to such a horrible death. It was tough enough when Danny died, but at least we know it went quickly. I can't imagine knowing your children suffered as they burned to death. I don't think I could survive that.

  “He moved back to his grandparents’ place, fixed it up, and built himself a workshop for his furniture business, but he’s still so lost and lonely,” Laney says, bringing me out of my thoughts. “I’ve tried to be his friend, but he’s so closed off. I think I annoy him more than I comfort him. His dad used to come and get him when he drank too much, but from what little he’s told me, they’ve given up on him and he rarely sees them now. I don’t think his sisters visit him either and they used to be so close. Losing his family, and his relationship with his kin, has really taken a toll on him.”

  I wrap my hand around my sister’s. “You can’t force your help on someone. When he’s ready, I’m sure he’ll reach out.” I wink.

  “I know. I just hate that he’s going through this all alone. His mom, dad, and sisters truly care about him, I just think he’s shut everyone out.”

  “I can’t say I wouldn’t do the same. Just be his friend, don’t be clingy.” I chuckle.

  She slaps me. “I’m not clingy.”

  “All right, all right,” I say rubbing my arm as if she really hurt me.

  “Stop being dramatic, Ryan,” she says with an eye roll.

  I laugh as she glances over at him. “Do you want me to introduce you? I mean, I know you know him, but you haven’t seen him since high school.”

  I accept the offer, and motion for Shayla to come over. We chat for a few minutes and I invite him to my family cookout before going back over to our table.

  “I feel bad for him,” Shayla says as we sit.

  I watch as Judson pays his bill and leaves out the back door. My sister follows as soon as she’s put the money in the register. “I do too. Laney is on a mission to save him. She’s always had the biggest crush on him, even after they broke up.”

  “Why did they break up?”

  “Who knows, some high school crap I’m sure. I just don’t want her getting hurt. I don’t know if he can come back from this. I don’t know that I wouldn’t be in the same position as him if I’d lost you and Dylan to Mathis.”

  “It’s gotta be hard, for sure. I hope he comes on Sunday.”

  “Me too.”

  We change the subject and order our food. It’s been a good evening. I love having this one-on-one time with my wife. We’ve just finished up our food when Laney comes running inside.

  “Ryan! Ryan!” I jump up, followed by Shayla. Laney grabs a hold of my forearms breathing heavily, worry filling her every feature. “Jud … Ralph …”

  “What happened? Breathe, Laney.”

  She takes a few deep breaths and pulls me to follow her. “Jud and I were talking in the alley. He got upset and started to leave and Ralph jumped him.”

  We hurry outside in time to see Ralph knocking Judson into the dumpster, then Jud losing his cool and wailing on Ralph. I run to them. I grab his raised arm and wrap my other arm around his middle, pulling him away.

  “Come on, Jud. He isn’t worth a night in jail.” He fights me, but he’s so drunk that his movements are sluggish. When he relaxes in my grip, I ask, “You cool?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “I want to press charges,” Ralph slurs drunkenly.

  My sister pipes in, “Jud didn’t start this, you did. I have security cameras out here to prove that. You still want to press those charges, Ralph?”

  He grumbles, shaking his head exaggeratedly as he stalks off into the night, but as he reaches the shadows of the building he turns back and yells, “It’s a good thing your family died in that fire, you’re a sorry excuse for a man. I bet Shannon would love seeing you like this.”

  Judson yells and takes off after him. I jump into action, grabbing him and flinging him to the ground on his stomach with his arm wrenched behind his back. I look up to Ralph. “Get out of here, Ralph, before I haul you in!” He huffs indignantly before running off into the darkness.

  I offer to take Judson home, but he declines, though when my sister insists she’s taking him home, he doesn’t object. The look on his face is a mix of annoyance and appreciation. I think if anyone can reach him, it will be Laney, if she doesn’t push too hard, that is.

  ~*~

  The following morning, the phone rings at five-forty-five am. Moaning, I roll over towards Shayla. I hate that darn phone. There is movement and then she shakes me.

  “Babe, that’s your phone.”

  “Huh?”

  “Your phone is ringing, not mine.”

  I become a little more alert as I answer the call. “Jacobs.”

  “Uh, Chief, sorry to call so early, but we have a suspected homicide up at the old Hardenbergh place,” Jessica, my lead detective states. I perk up at the mention of Judson’s last name.

  “Hardenbergh? Are you talking about Jud’s place?”

  “Yes, sir. He called in and reported a dead body. We’re almost there, but wanted to let you know.”

  “I’ll be there soon.” I jump up out of the bed and grab my clothes.

  “What’s going on?” Shayla asks. I bend down and kiss her quickly.

  “A body was found up at Jud’s place. Go back to sleep, I’ll be back later.”

  “It’s not him, is it?” She sits up and climbs out of bed.

  I shake my head. “No, he called it in. I’ll tell you what I can later.” I kiss her before running out the door to my car.

  During the whole drive over, my mind won’t focus on what could possibly be happening with Judson. I should be asking myself if Judson had something to do with his. Or why someone would kill or at least dump a body on Judson’s property. There’s a million things I should be thinking, but all I can think of is, is Mathis back? Is he finally here to take me down? Pulling up to Judson’s about thirty minutes after the initial call, I see Jessica talking to Jud as he sits on his front steps. I’m about to join them when a car speeds up his drive way. I groan as I see my sister jumping out of the driver’s seat.

  “What’re you doing here? This is a crime scene, you can’t be here.”

  “I heard it on the scanner. I wanted to be sure Jud was okay.”

  “Just … just wait here. Please.” She nods and I continue over to Jessica and Judson.

  “Chief, Judson here called in and reported the body. I was just taking his statement,” Jessica explains.

  “I don’t remember anything, Ryan. I … I went in the house after Laney dropped me off and drank a bottle of rum.”

  “How’d you find the victim?” I ask.

  He swallows and runs his hand through his hair. “Every morning I run through the woods. I have a path I take to the pond on top of the mountain and back down. I noticed something odd. I went off the path and found Ralph.”

  Ralph Clark. The odds against Judson just grew considerably. It’s no secret the two of them hated each other, or that they’d recently been in a fight just last night.

  “Chief,” I turn to my right and see Pete Anderson. He holds up an evidence bag. “I found this on the body. Looks like a possible murder weapon.”

  I take the evidence bag. It’s a carving knife; it looks homemade. The blade appears to be at least four inches long. It could do serious damage to a person; kill them if they used it correctly. I hold the bag up to Judson.

  “Does this look familiar?”

  Judson hangs his head. “It’s mine.”

  I sigh. “Take him in.”

  “I didn’t kill him. I swear to you, I didn’t do anything to Ralph.”

  Judson’s vehemence is noteworthy, but there’s nothing I can do right n
ow. He doesn’t resist arrest; I think he knows that no matter what he says, it won’t help his case at the moment. We have a murder weapon and probable cause. It’s all I can do; even though I believe he didn’t murder Ralph Clark. My hands are tied.

  Chapter Seven

  Ryan

  “Ryan, you can’t let them take him. He didn’t do this,” Laney says, running towards Judson and puts her hands on his chest.

  “Laney, please stop,” he begs her.

  Jessica looks over at me for help. I stride over to my sister and wrap my arm around her shoulder. “We have to do our job. He’ll be fine, but if you cause problems, I’ll be forced to take you in with him.”

  “Me? I didn’t do anything. Would you seriously arrest your own sister?” I smirk and she slaps me. Well that was a surprise, but before I can respond, she starts to speak again. “I’m being serious. You know he didn’t do this. Why do you need to cuff him?”

  “Laney, just let them do their job. You don’t have to save me,” Judson tells her softly.

  Laney throws her hands up in the air, obviously frustrated with the situation. “If I don’t, who will?”

  “Hey, just let me handle this,” I interject. “If he didn’t do this, then there’s nothing to worry about.”

  She looks up at me with so much sadness in her blue eyes that it breaks my heart. I didn’t realize how much she cared about Judson. I pull her into a hug as the tears start to run down her cheeks. I brush her fiery red hair back from her face and kiss her head. I can’t stand to see my baby sister cry, but it’s even worse because there’s nothing I can do to fix this, at least right now.

  Judson looks up to the sky with a frustrated groan. “I’m fine, Laney. Please, stop crying.”

  She looks at him. “You’re not fine. You didn’t do this.”

  “And they’ll figure that out. Let your brother and these fine officers do their job.”

  “But,” Laney starts, until Judson interrupts.

  “Stop, Alaina.” His voice is stern, but not angry. “I’m serious. This is none of your business. I’m none of your concern; just leave, please.”