by Kira Chase
Frankie's eyes narrowed. “Tell us some of the things Brenna did to you, Bobby?”
He winced. “She told me she could do whatever she wanted to do to me and if I told anybody, they’d never believe me because I was a mental case.”
“What would she physically do?”
He drew another shuddering breath. “She'd slap my face and punch me for no reason at all. I could be doing my homework and she would burst into my room and tell me how the sight of me made her sick.” He bit his bottom lip. “I didn't always have dinner. Sometimes they’d order a pizza or bring home fast food for dinner and make me sit at the table and watch while they ate.”
Tears stung Frankie's eyes. “When Brenna struck you, did you ever strike her back?”
He shook his head. “No. Grandpa always said to never hit a girl under any circumstances. Just to get away from the situation. I couldn't get away from Brenna and even though I wanted to hit her back, I didn't.”
Frankie gritted her teeth. Her hands instantly balled into fists the same way Bobby's fists had. No wonder the boy cringed and pulled away whenever Brenna tried to touch him. Frankie's insides were raging with disgust for the woman, but she had to maintain her cool for Bobby's sake. There was no way in hell, under any circumstances, was she going to allow that boy to go back with Kyle and Brenna. She'd defend him any way she could. She hoped Will was the boy's father. He'd definitely have no problem retaining custody of Bobby and restoring him to where he yearned to be…with his grandparents.
“Bobby, did Kyle and Blake continue physically abusing you, too?” Johanna asked.
His eyes welled with fresh tears. “Yeah. They used to laugh and say they didn't need to go to the gym to use the punching bag since they had me.” A tear rolled down his cheek. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do if I can’t go back to my grandparents.” He gulped as he looked at Frankie and then Johanna. “I don't usually trust anybody anymore, but I trust you two. I really need your help. Bad.”
Frankie swallowed the lump in her throat as she glanced at Johanna who kept blinking back tears. “You can trust us no matter what. We're going to help you, Bobby. We promise.”
“Bobby, did any of them warn you about telling anyone about the abuse they were inflicting on you?” Johanna asked.
He nodded. “Yes, but I knew nobody would believe me anyway.”
“Well, we believe you, and so will Sheriff Ryker,” Johanna said. “Okay?”
His eyes widened in fear and he began shaking. “No, please don't tell the sheriff. It’ll get back to Kyle and Brenna, and they’ll—”
“Bobby.” Frankie took hold of his shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. “You can trust Sheriff Ryker. He's on your side. You said you trust us…well, the sheriff is a good friend of ours. He wouldn't be our friend if we didn't trust him.”
“Okay,” he relented.
“Bobby, you told us what Brenna did when you tried to call your grandparents. Have you tried to call them by borrowing a friend's cell phone at school or using a public phone?”
“No. I was afraid they'd find out.” He hung his head. “Besides, I don't have any friends at my new school. No one talks to me, but I haven't exactly tried to be friends with them either. And Kyle and Brenna never take me anywhere. I wanted to run away, but what's the use? Blake would find me and bring me back and then it would only be worse.” He pulled out his cell phone and fiddled with it. “Can I call them? Just to let them know not to worry?” His eyes brightened. “Please? Brenna won't do anything to me with you two here.”
“I think we can work that out, but not right now,” Frankie said. “Why don't you wait for me in the kitchen? I need to talk to Johanna real quick and then you can make the call.” She considered warning him about not telling Brenna that she was going to let him make a call, and then decided against it. He wasn't going to tell Brenna anything.
He smiled as he jumped to his feet. “Okay. I can't wait.”
Frankie noticed that he was walking a little straighter as he left the room. “Why don't you fill George in,” she said to Johanna and I'll make sure Bobby's okay in case Brenna tries to browbeat him about our conversation.”
Johanna nodded. “George and Will need to hear the tape.”
“I agree, but I don't think we should play it here. We need to get everyone at our house, away from Brenna. We have to discuss what the next move will be. George will need to get in touch with Seattle again.”
“I don't understand the part about Will going to prison.”
“Neither do I,” Frankie admitted. “This is deeper and darker than we realized.”
“We have to protect that kid, Frankie.”
“We will. There is no way in hell he will ever go near those three again. And if I have anything to say about it, they'll all be serving some prison time.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Chapter 15
George Ryker nodded at Johanna who stood in the doorway of Trey's home office. He was seated on a small tan leather sofa positioned in front of a large window. Will sat on an upholstered brown-print chair facing him. Will's hands were gripping his knees and his head was bowed.
“Come on in, Johanna,” George invited.
Will looked up at Johanna as she entered, but didn't smile. He looked terrified.
“Are you and Frankie finished talking to Brenna and Bobby?” George asked.
Johanna nodded. “Yes. I need to talk to you and Will.”
“You got something?” George asked lifting an eyebrow.
A smile broke across her face. “Oh yeah. Better than we could’ve imagined.”
“Wish I could say the same,” George answered disgustedly. “I'm not getting anywhere.”
“Well, I believe it shouldn't take too long to break this wide open with what we've just learned.” She cast an eye on Will who had suddenly turned ashen.
“I hope so. Fill me in,” George replied wearily. “I can use some good news.”
* * * *
Frankie leaned against a counter facing the table where she had a perfect view of Bobby and Brenna. She watched carefully as Brenna pretended to act motherly toward Bobby.
“What did you talk to those women about, Bobby? Did they tell you they are private investigators? They used to be cops,” Brenna said in a tone probably sharper than she intended, but her motive was clear. She knew Bobby's distrust of police and hoped to use that against them. She placed a hand on the boy's shoulder as her narrowed eyes focused on Frankie. A smug look crossed her face.
Bobby's back was to Brenna, but his eyes focused on Frankie's and she finally saw the complete trust for her in them. He hadn't bought into anything Brenna had said. He shrugged off Brenna's hand.
“What did you tell them, Bobby?” she persisted.
“None of your business,” he answered tonelessly. “I'm allowed to have a private conversation.”
“You'll be dealt with later,” she threatened. “Maybe I should send you to your room for your backtalk.”
Bobby rolled his eyes, but Brenna couldn't see them. He looked at Frankie and the look in his eyes told her that he had full confidence that she would protect him. Frankie's eyes drifted to Brenna who was becoming increasingly nervous. Her jaw had tightened and her hands gripped the edge of the table turning her knuckles white. Brenna's eyes locked once again with Frankie's. Frankie flashed Brenna a bright wide smile that instantly turned Brenna's eyes into two dark slits and her lips into a tight thin line. She was satisfied that she'd managed to wipe the smug smile off the woman's face. She briefly removed her eyes from Brenna's and glanced at Bobby's eyes once again. His eyes twinkled with delight.
“Since Bobby refuses to answer me, I'll ask you,” Brenna said sharply. “What did you talk to Bobby about?” Her voice was cold in contrast to the sparks in her dark eyes.
Frankie shrugged nonchalantly as she held the woman's gaze. “Oh, you know…the weather, video games, girls…the usual stuff.”
Her comment caus
ed a sudden outburst of laughter from Bobby. He met her eyes again and it warmed her heart to see the joy in them. She hoped that his fear of repercussions from Kyle and Brenna were gone. Bobby had thrown off the chains that had bound him and let his normal self shine through. He trusted her completely. She wouldn't let him down.
“You're not going to answer my question?” Brenna demanded.
“No, I'm not,” she said dismissively. “Bobby, Trey and Will have a game system in the den. Would you like to play?”
“Sure.” He grinned at her. “Are you up for a challenge?”
She made a face and he laughed.
* * * *
Johanna sat waiting for George to speak after she'd given him a skeletal version of Frankie and her conversations with Brenna and Bobby. Will sat twisting his fingers together, but still kept silent. She couldn't believe that he'd shown no reaction after she'd briefly spoken about the abuse his alleged son had suffered. What the hell is wrong with him? she wondered. How could he be so cold and uncaring, especially since he believed the boy was his.
George leaned back on the sofa and pulled thoughtfully on his chin. “We need to listen to the tape,” he finally said, peering at Will. “You should listen to it too.”
Will shrugged. “Play it.”
Johanna shook her head. “No. Not here. We would like you to come to the house, Will.” She looked at George. “Do you have time? I think you need to hear it as soon as possible.”
“Let's do it,” the sheriff replied.
“Trey won't want me there,” Will said dejectedly. “He won't even give me the time of day.”
“Don't worry about Trey,” Johanna said.
“Are Bobby and Brenna coming, too?” Will asked.
“Definitely not Brenna.” She frowned. “I'm not comfortable leaving Bobby here alone with her either, Will. Especially after what I've told you. And once you hear what he said, I doubt you'll ever want him near Kyle or Brenna again.”
“I'll have a deputy stay here with them until Will gets back,” George assured her. “Since Brenna is alleging that Bobby is Will's son, why doesn't Bobby just come along with us?”
“It's a good idea, but I don't think Bobby needs to relive what he told us so soon. Besides, there are some things Frankie and I need to discuss that I'm afraid might worry Bobby.” She paused. “When you request a deputy would you ask him to monitor the interaction between Bobby and Brenna? And also not to allow Brenna to be alone with the boy?”
“Are you that concerned for the boy's welfare, Johanna?” George asked bluntly. “She'd be crazy to do something to him here.”
“Frankie and I both are concerned about his wellbeing. After you hear what's on the tape, I think you will be, too.”
“Then we should just hear it right now. If Bobby is in any kind of danger, we should address it here and now,” Will insisted.
“No. There are some things on the tape I don't want Brenna to get wind of.” She held a hand up before Will could interrupt. “Trust me on this. After you listen to it, we've got to figure out a plan.” She drew a deep breath. “This goes much deeper than we thought.”
George considered what she'd said. “You wouldn't be so insistent if it weren't serious, Johanna. I trust your judgment,” he stated. “I'll get Brent over here.”
“Thank you, George,” Johanna said, relieved. “I'm going to let Frankie know that it's set.”
She looked again at Will as she walked past him. By the looks of him, whatever he was hiding was ripping him apart. Hopefully they'd be able to break him and find out what else was worrying him.
Johanna found Brenna in the kitchen. She thought Frankie would still be here with Bobby. Brenna was sitting at the table fiddling with her cell phone. She looked up, but didn't speak.
Johanna wondered if Brenna had called her brother and informed him of the turn of events. “Where's Bobby and Frankie?” she asked lightly.
“Your girlfriend took him to play some video games,” Brenna replied coldly.
“She's not my girlfriend, she's my wife,” Johanna said evenly and then turned on her heel and headed to the den. She stood for a few minutes in the doorway watching Frankie and Bobby until they finished their game.
Bobby was laughing and very animated as he high-fived Frankie. She was pleased to see him relaxed and acting like a normal teen. It took all of her restraint not to go back to the kitchen and lash out at Brenna for her inhumane treatment of the boy.
“Who won?” she asked brightly.
“We're even,” Bobby said. He set his game controller down. “Can I call my grandparents now?” he asked excitedly.
Frankie winked At Johanna. “I'll stand guard,” Johanna said.
Frankie handed her cell phone to Bobby. “Use my phone so Brenna won't know. Do you know the number?”
“By heart.” He grinned. “Thank you,” he said while rapidly punching in the numbers.
Johanna watched Bobby's face as his call was answered. Tears streamed down his cheeks and his fingers trembled slightly as he clutched the phone. Frankie was quickly at her side tugging on her hand. They wanted to give him some privacy but that didn't seem to matter to Bobby as he excitedly chatted with his grandparents. His glowing face literally lit up the room and his brilliant smile cut through his tears, tears of sorrow, which had now turned into tears of joy.
“I can't believe the change in him,” Frankie whispered.
“Look what the poor kid's been through. It makes my blood boil,” Johanna said. “At least we'll get him back where he belongs.” She squeezed Frankie's hand. “I couldn't live with myself if he was forced to go back to Seattle with those monsters.”
“We will, babe. Don't worry. Before long he'll be back where he belongs with his grandparents.” She inhaled deeply. “Is everything set with George?”
“Yes. He's filling Trey in right now,” Johanna replied.
“What about Will? Do you think we can get him to crack?”
Johanna frowned. “He's shaken. I don't know what Kyle has over him, but it has to be explosive for him to go against everything and everyone he's ever cared about.”
“What did George say?”
“Not much, but it doesn't look like he opened up to George about anything.”
“If George can't crack him, then maybe we never really knew him at all,” Frankie said.
Johanna sighed wearily. “I have tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, but now I don't think I can even defend him anymore.” She frowned. “It will take a miracle for me to ever trust him again.”
Frankie gave Johanna a hug. “Imagine how Trey feels.”
She nodded and they didn't speak again until Bobby ended the call and beaming, walked over to them.
“Thank you both so much,” he said. “They put me on speaker so I could talk to them together.”
Frankie smiled at him. “They must have been surprised to hear from you.”
He nodded. “And relieved. They both started to cry when they heard my voice,” he relayed in a slightly trembling voice. “I cried, too,” he admitted. He searched their faces. “I will be able to live with them again. Right?”
“Right,” they both replied.
“That's what I told them,” he said, relieved.
“Bobby, we need to talk to you about something,” Johanna began.
His bright eyes darkened and a fearful look came over his face.
“It's not bad,” she quickly assured him and watched as he relaxed again. “We're going to be leaving in a few minutes. Will's coming with us, but he'll be back later.”
His eyes slanted. “Brenna will be alone with me?” he asked in a cracked voice.
Frankie laid a hand on his shoulder.
“No,” Johanna quickly assured him. “The sheriff is waiting for a deputy to arrive. He'll be here with you and Brenna. Under no circumstances will you be left alone with her no matter what she says to you. The deputy will see to it that she can't harm you physically or verbally.”
<
br /> “What happens when he leaves?”
“He won't leave until Will returns.”
His eyes narrowed. “I don't trust Will. He's a friend of Kyle's.”
“Will won't let anything happen to you, Bobby,” Johanna said confidently.
He shook his head. “Will doesn't care about me. I heard him when we were out back by the fire pit. Kyle and Brenna were trying to convince him that he's my father. They didn't think I heard, but I did.”
“What did you hear, Bobby?” Frankie asked.
“Will said it wasn’t in his plans to be a parent.”
“That doesn't mean he doesn't care about you, Bobby. It was a shock to him that he had a son. That's all.”
“It doesn't matter anyway because he's not my real father,” Bobby insisted. “I know that for a fact.”
“How do you know that?” Johanna asked softly.
“My grandparents told me about my real father.”
Johanna was stunned by this new revelation and the look in Frankie's eyes told her that Frankie felt the same. This detail Bobby had previously left out, but he was more forthcoming now that they had gained his trust. “Bobby, I'm going to record what you tell us, okay?”
He nodded. “Did you record the other stuff?”
“I did,” Johanna admitted.
“Good.” His lips drew into a thin line. “So, you believe me?”
“Definitely,” Frankie said quickly while Johanna nodded in agreement.
“What did your grandparents tell you about your father, Bobby?” Frankie asked.
“My dad loved my mom and they wanted to get married, but she was too young. My grandparents wanted her to finish high school first. So, my father enlisted in the Army.” He paused. “My mom never told her parents about him because he was a few years older than her.”
