Partners

by Kira Chase

  “So, your grandparents didn't find out about him until later?” Frankie asked.

  “Yeah. They didn't know about him right away.”

  “So, she was secretly seeing him?” Johanna asked

  “Yes.”

  “How did they find out?”

  Bobby drew a deep breath. “The last time he was home on leave my mother got pregnant with me. She told him, but he got shipped out before they could get married.” He paused. “He never came home.”

  “Did your mother tell her parents when she became pregnant?” Johanna asked.

  “Yes. They wrote to him several times and my grandparents liked him. My mother and him were going to get married on his next leave. My grandparents told me they would have been proud to have my father as their son-in-law.”

  “What's your father's name, Bobby?” Frankie asked.

  “Randall Corbin. I saw the letters he wrote to my grandparents. He sent pictures, too. I have pictures of him and my mother on my dresser at my grandparents' house. Kyle wouldn't let me bring any pictures of my dad with me, though.”

  “Did you ever meet your father's parents?” Johanna asked gently.

  He shook his head. “No. His parents died when he was my age. He was put in foster care since there weren't any relatives to take him.”

  Frankie was thoughtful for a minute. “So, Kyle and Brenna warned you not to mention anything about your biological father to Will?”

  “Yeah.” His eyes misted. “It's not fair to my real dad.”

  “No, it's not,” Johanna agreed. “That's a terrible thing they forced you to do, Bobby.”

  “I really don't want to be alone with Brenna or Will,” Bobby said. “Can I please go to your house?” he pleaded. “I promise I won't get in the way. You won't even know I'm there. Please don't leave me with them.”

  Johanna saw the pain in the teen's eyes. She turned toward Frankie. By the expression on Frankie's face, she knew that Frankie was formulating a plan that would remove Bobby from Trey's home and place him in theirs until the matter was settled.

  “You know what? That's a good idea, Bobby. I'll talk to Sheriff Ryker and see what we can do.” Frankie patted his shoulder.

  He grinned. “Thank you.” He looked sheepishly at them. “I really am sorry for the way I acted when we first met.”

  “We know,” Frankie said. “No need to apologize.”

  Chapter 16

  Frankie winked at Johanna who was busily refilling coffee cups with a fresh pot. She caught Frankie's eye, winked back, and then began clearing away the empty pie plates. Frankie stretched as she waited for the audio recording to finish. George, Trey, and Will were listening intently. Her eyes drifted around, lingering for a few seconds on each as she took in their varied reactions to what they were listening to. Johanna rejoined her where she had settled on one side of the large island with George and Will across from her. Trey had taken a seat at the breakfast nook with Will's back to him. Frankie knew it was difficult for Trey to even be in the same room with Will right now, but she had insisted he listen to the recording. It wasn't that she was defending Will, but she wanted all of them to hear what Bobby had been subjected to.

  After the tape was finished, no one said a word as they all absorbed what they had just heard and processed it. Frankie sensed that Bobby's powerful words had penetrated them. If not, then none of them were the men she had thought them to be. Trey's forehead creased and anger flashed in his eyes. George's shoulders tightened and his jaw hardened. He gripped the handle of his coffee cup tighter than necessary. Will had paled and beads of perspiration broke out on his forehead. He looked physically ill.

  George finally broke the silence and he turned his head and fixed his eyes on Will. “Your thoughts, Will?”

  Will's fingers trembled as he toyed with his coffee cup. “Kyle Martin isn't the same person I knew in high school. He's changed.”

  “That's it?” George asked gruffly. “That's all you have to say?”

  He shrugged. “What do you want me to say, George? It's clear Bobby has been through hell. I can't change that.”

  Frankie studied Will. He looked like he was ready to pass out. She knew it was because of the heavy weight he carried on his shoulders. He was beaten down and instead of letting his friends carry some of that burden, for reasons known only to him, he chose to ignore their offers of help.

  “He's been through hell alright, and he definitely doesn't deserve to go through any more. He's not your son, Will, but show some damned compassion.”

  “I'm pissed what they did to him.” Will ran his hand through his hair. “But the DNA test proves that he is my son no matter what he's been told by his grandparents. I saw the results. I can't dispute what I saw with my own eyes.”

  “When did you send the sample, Will?” Johanna asked quietly.

  His eyebrows drew together as he considered her question. “About six months ago, I think.”

  Johanna frowned. “And you never told Trey?”

  He shrugged. “No. I figured there would be nothing to it.” Since I'd never been with a woman…at least I thought I hadn't.”

  Frankie glanced at Trey whose face had darkened. He opened his mouth with what she thought would be some harsh words for the man he'd loved, but he abruptly closed it. His eyes shot daggers at Will's back.

  “It seems to me that something of that magnitude you would share with your partner,” Johanna persisted.

  “And it seems to me that you of all people, Johanna, shouldn't fault me or render advice,” he said coldly. “You have no room to judge anyone.”

  “Our situation was different,” Frankie said sharply. “We worked through it together.”

  “Sorry,” Will said.

  Frankie looked at Johanna, but Johanna didn't acknowledge Will's apology. She didn't blame her, but right now she needed to get back to the topic at hand. She suddenly snapped her fingers instantly gaining everyone's attention. “It falls into place.” She tilted her head and looked at Johanna. “Know what I mean?”

  “Hakon West DNA Lab,” Johanna replied excitedly.

  “That's where I sent the sample,” Will said. “So? We already know that Brenna works there. She admitted it on the tape. What difference does it make?”

  “We talked to the office manager,” Johanna informed him. “Remember?” She looked at George.

  George grew pensive. “I remember. Where are you going with this?”

  “Brenna told us her co-worker completed Will's test. How do we know the results weren't tampered with?”

  “You think Brenna Martin might have changed the results?” George asked, intrigued. He lifted an eyebrow as he looked across the counter at her.

  Frankie was well aware by the way he met her eyes that he grasped their implication about Blake Roman possibly having a hand in it. Will was unaware of Brenna's brother's involvement and it was better to keep it that way, at least for now.

  “We do,” Johanna replied as she squeezed Frankie's hand. “It makes perfect sense.”

  “That tape had volumes of information that we have to break down,” George said as he pulled on his chin. “What we definitely know is Kyle has been lying to you, Will, from the minute he made contact with you.”

  Will blew his breath out. “Yeah, I get that. Tell me something I don't know.”

  “Why don't you tell us?” George prodded. “What's really going on, Will?”

  Will sat silently, not saying another word. In fact, no one said anything. She was pissed. They had to break him. “That's it, Will? A man you haven't seen in years contacts you and feeds you a line of bullshit and you believe everything he says. The tapes prove Kyle Martin is a liar. What is the matter with you, Will? Dammit, what is he holding over your head?” Frankie shouted, finally losing her temper with the man.

  Johanna placed a steady hand on her arm. “Obviously, he has no compassion for what Bobby and his grandparents have been through and continue to go through.”

  “Or a
nyone who once cared about him,” Trey said coldly, finally breaking his silence.

  “I do care about you, Trey,” Will said turning around and staring at him. “I'm trying to protect you.”

  Trey threw his head back and laughed hollowly. “Protect me? That's a laugh. I'll never believe another word you say,” he retorted. “You have no compassion for anyone, including that boy.” He shook his head in disgust. “You believe he's still yours even after what he said? Then protect him. Hell, I want to protect him and he's not even mine.”

  Will blew his breath out as he turned back around. “I choose to believe the report I saw. It states he is my son and I won't dispute it.”

  “Do you even care that he's being abused, Will?” Frankie asked.

  His eyes clouded. “Of course, I care. It sickens me. What the hell am I supposed to do? I tried to talk to him before you showed up at the house. He pushed me away and only seemed interested in playing games on his cell phone. I don't know how to reach him.”

  “He doesn't trust anyone who is a friend to Kyle and Brenna. Can you blame him?” Frankie asked.

  “Of course not.” His jaw hardened. “I'm not the enemy here.”

  “Could have fooled me,” Trey said in an icy tone.

  Will jumped to his feet. “You don't understand! None of you do!” he shouted. “Now if you'll excuse me, I'm out of here.” He pulled his truck keys out of his pocket.

  “Sit your ass down!” George bellowed.

  Frankie was shocked as she cast her eyes on George's face, which was beat red with anger. He wagged a finger at Will as his body shook with rage. She'd never seen George lose his temper to this extent before and it startled her. He'd reached his breaking point.

  “We have a lot to discuss! What the hell are you hiding, Will?” George demanded.

  Will looked like someone had just punched him in the stomach. He looked at George for a minute and then sat back down. “Look. I need time to figure things out. Everything is getting dumped on me from all directions,” he mumbled as he ran his hands through his hair. “I can't even think straight.”

  “You're a real piece of work, Will. I can't believe I ever trusted you,” Trey said through gritted teeth. “You don't give a damn about anyone. You’re a selfish bastard.”

  Will's face crumpled. Trey’s words had hurt. “I never meant to hurt you, Trey. I swear.”

  “You can never undo what you did,” Trey retorted bitterly. “Right now, I think we can all agree after listening to the tape that this whole thing is a set up. That kid was used as a pawn in a sick plan that Kyle, and it looks like you, Will, cooked up.”

  “I'm not any part of a plan,” Will shouted back. “I don't know what the hell is going on.”

  “What’s in your past that could cause you to go to prison? What are you hiding?” Trey persisted.

  Will ran his hand over his face and wearily exhaled. “I'm done talking and I'm tired. I want to go home and get some sleep.”

  “I don't know how you can live with yourself, but I hope you sleep well in my house, Will,” Trey said sarcastically.

  “There's a lot more to this. It's getting late.” George looked directly at Frankie and Johanna. He stretched leisurely. “It's been a long day.”

  Frankie knew George was trying to diffuse what he feared was going to escalate into a war of words. She was grateful that he was attempting to put an end to it, but she had to admit the day had exhausted her mentally and emotionally. All she wanted was a glass of wine and then to climb into bed and sleep undisturbed.

  “Can you two be available first thing in the morning for a meeting in my office?” George asked.

  “Of course,” Frankie answered while Johanna nodded. She wondered why George wanted them alone. Maybe he'd come up with something they'd missed and wanted to run it by them privately. Then it suddenly hit her. He didn't trust Will at all and he was worried that Will would relay whatever plans they made to Kyle and Brenna. As much as she was pissed at Will, she didn't honestly believe he’d betray them, but then again, why take the chance? Right now, her focus was to keep the promise she and Johanna had made to Bobby. No matter what it took, they would not renege on it.

  “George, Johanna and I promised Bobby that he could stay here in our house with us until this is settled. He's terrified to be with Brenna. I'm sorry, Will,” she said, “but he will never trust you or anyone he perceives to be in cahoots with Kyle and Brenna.” She lifted her eyebrows. “And I don't blame him.”

  George considered her request. “It could work with your help, Will,” he finally said.

  Will stared suspiciously at Frankie. “Wait a minute. You were determined to have me retested because you don't believe I'm Bobby's father. Now after what he told you on the tape about Randall Corbin being his biological father, and which I sincerely disbelieve, you want me to say I really am his father? Do you for some unknown reason now believe that I am?” his mouth turned down at the corners and his eyes were like daggers. “Come on, Frankie. What game are you playing?”

  “Dammit, Will! I'm not playing a game. I still stand by what I said: I don't believe you’re his father, but this is the only way we can keep him out of Brenna's clutches. I'm trying to give the kid a break…maybe save his life. You heard what he said she's done to him.”

  “Brenna will never allow it,” Will stated flatly.

  “Will, you can make that decision,” Johanna interjected. “It's up to you.”

  Will looked confused. “How is it up to me?”

  “Think about it, Will.” George said exasperated. “Quit playing dumb with us.”

  “Okay. I get it.” He ran a hand over his face. “Even though you think the DNA test is fake you want me to exert my biological authority.”

  “Yes,” George replied. “That's exactly what we want you to do.”

  His eyes narrowed. “She could still say no because she and Kyle have custody of Bobby. They have a court order proving it.”

  George shook his head. “No. She brought you into the mix. If she refuses your request, then you could threaten her with legal action. Make her believe you accept that you are Bobby's father.”

  He rolled his eyes. “I don't have to make believe. I know I am his father contrary to what nonsense his grandparents have told him.”

  “Okay…whatever,” Frankie said impatiently. “Will you do it?”

  Will was pensive for a few minutes. “You two don't mind taking care of him?”

  “No. He's a good kid,” Frankie said. “He deserves some peace.”

  Will nodded. “Okay, then. I'll do it for Bobby's sake.”

  “Good,” George replied. “Why don't you ladies ride over with me and I'll bring you two back with Bobby.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Frankie said with a big smile as she squeezed Johanna's hand.

  “I don't look forward to Brenna's reaction,” Will admitted. “She's not going to agree so readily.”

  “If she's smart, she'll agree. But her guard will definitely be up. As Bobby's alleged father you are exerting your parental rights,” Frankie reminded him.

  “For the last time, I really do believe I'm Bobby's father. I think your idea that Brenna somehow tampered with the test is some farfetched conspiracy theory.” Will threw his hands up in exasperation.

  Frankie rolled her eyes at him. “Whatever, Will.”

  “Fine, Will, as long as you insist on believing that, then it won't be an issue,” George said. “But I think Brenna's going to push you for information. She'll want the details of what we discussed here tonight.”

  “Which wasn't much,” Will answered.

  “Has listening to the tapes made any impact on you at all, Will?” George asked scrutinizing him. “Unbelievable!”

  “Look, I'm tired. It's been a long day. Let's discuss this later…or not,” he said defiantly. “I just want to get home if you don't mind.”

  Frankie bit her tongue to keep from making a retort back at him. What the hell did Kyle and Bren
na have on him to make him act this way? Whatever it was had to be explosive. Maybe it was time to start digging deeper into Will’s background. They'd find his deep, dark secret and he'd have a lot of explaining to do. When she and Johanna put their heads together, anything was possible. And George had resources they didn't have, so Will had to know that the three of them would find out sooner than later. He was living on borrowed time with his secret…along with Kyle, Brenna, and possibly Brenna's brother, Blake.

  “Doesn't the fact that the discrepancies in almost everything Kyle said to you and Brenna said to us make you question their truthfulness?” Johanna asked. “The length of their marriage or social media among a dozen other things. None of that changes your opinion even though one or both are obviously lying?”

  Will rubbed his eyes shrugging Johanna's question off. “Are we done?” he asked George.

  “Go. We'll be right behind you.”

  Will slammed out of the house. “Well, if you two ladies are ready we'd better get going. Bobby will be thrilled,” George said with a smile. “We'll be back as quickly as we can, Trey.”

  He nodded. “I can't believe Will was so rude,” Trey said disgustedly. “Not even a goodbye.”

  “He definitely is not the Will we know,” Johanna said. “I hope it won't be uncomfortable for you, Trey, with Bobby staying here.”

  He smiled. “Not at all. In fact, I'll keep him company tomorrow while you two meet with George. I can work from home. Being the boss has its advantages.”

  Chapter 17

  Brenna stood with her hands on her hips in a defiant stance as she faced George. “He's not leaving this house…especially with those two so called police detectives,” she said jutting her chin out.

  “We're not police detectives,” Frankie reminded her. “We're private investigators.” She paused. “Since we are both standing right here, you can address us to our faces if you have a problem with us.”

  She whipped around. “I shouldn't have let you talk to Bobby in the first place. He's been difficult ever since he talked to you two. What ideas did you put into his head to poison him against me?”