Dark Water

by Talty, Jen

  Lacy’s body pressed into his and he could feel her heart hammer against his chest. She wrapped her arms tight around his waist. He wanted to tell her what he knew, what he suspected. “I want to help,” he whispered against her temple, feeling the slight tremble in her body. He liked holding her.

  She stepped back from him and wiped her face. Her soft hair flowed in the breeze as the first few drops of rain began to fall. “Why?” She stared at him, adjusting her hair and acting as if she hadn’t just fallen apart in his arms. “Why would you want to do that?”

  “Hannah.”

  “You didn’t even know her,” she said suspiciously.

  The wind swirled. Tree branches flapped and snapped in the gusting wind. “We should go inside.” It wasn’t just the weather he wanted cover from. How long could he continue to lie to her?

  Lacy pushed her hand hard against his chest. “Did you know my sister?”

  Yeah, I knew her. She’s dead because I couldn’t do anything to help her. “No.” He tried to rid his mind of the memories of the dark water surrounding him. Being a part of the Scuba Squad had been a dream come true. His dream when he’d joined the New York State Police Department, and now he couldn’t even go under without panicking.

  He’d seen his share of dead bodies over the years. It was all a part of the training. But no one could prepare you for the first time you found a young woman’s body tangled in seaweed at the bottom of the lake. Her eyes open, still full of fear. Her skin pale, almost ghostly. Her mouth gaping open, as if to scream. The vision still haunted his dreams.

  “I…I—”

  “Hey, Lacy?” Andy called. “I’m hungry. When are we going to eat.”

  The sound of Andy’s voice snapped him out of the darkness that had begun to take over. Thunder rolled at the same time the lightning lit up the sky and the rain fell like a watering hose, drenching them in seconds. Frank took her hand and yanked her under the tarp. “Wow.” His feet already squished in his shoes. “I think we just got an inch in a matter of seconds.”

  “Doesn’t help my stomach,” Andy said. “I’m starved. Can I have two burgers?”

  “Sure,” she said glancing at Frank. “You’re welcome to stay. It’s not much, but I can guarantee it will be good.”

  “I’d love to. Besides, I still have one more thing for Andy.” Frank smiled, looking at the rain coming down. “I think you’ll have to wait, kid. Not going to my truck in this.”

  “Can I watch TV?” Andy asked.

  Lacy nodded. “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll get you a beer.”

  “Sounds good.” Frank settled down at the table near the kitchen. There wasn’t much privacy with the other trailers nestled in close. Not many trees to block out your neighbors, either. He understood lack of privacy, being the oldest of five boys. Heck, the moment he’d gotten his high school diploma, he’d hit the road.

  He studied her while she made the patties. She was probably his age, give or take a year. He had to admire her determination to do right by her nephew. He doubted anyone would blame her if she walked. He thought about his brothers. Would he be able to take care of them? Yeah, he’d pretty much been doing it for years. He loved them, but resented being the oldest half the time, and being a father didn’t appeal too much because of it. At least not at this point in his life.

  “Can I start the grill?” he asked.

  “Oh shit, I forgot.” She smiled, blowing a stray hair from her face. “Do you mind?”

  “Nope.” He sipped his beer before setting it on the table. The screen door screeched. He pushed and pulled, seeing where it just needed a new hinge. He’d have to check his toolkit, or maybe come back another day. That stray thought left him wondering why he was so drawn to Andy and Lacy. It had to be Hannah.

  Despite his doubts, the grill started on the first try. A few raindrops hit the hot metal and caused steam to rise to the dark sky. He could barely see the other trailer fifteen feet away.

  His family had moved to Bolton Landing when his father had retired from the military. Frank had been seventeen, and it had been a hard adjustment, even though both sides of the family lived here. He’d felt like a young man, but hadn’t been given the chance to sow his oats, so to speak. He’d always had to be the one to set a good example.

  Growing up they moved from Marine base to Marine base in the states and in five different countries. They’d lived in military housing, which was always cramped. Somehow, Lacy’s small trailer seemed huge in comparison, without the noise of siblings.

  He scrubbed the grill, and realized part of him missed the chaos of his childhood. There was always stuff going on and his mother handled it with true military efficiency. His father was strict, but looking back, he knew it was out of love and compassion. Maybe Andy would enjoy being around Brent and Jake, his two brothers still at home.

  The door sprung open and then slapped back into place as Lacy stepped outside with a plate in her hands. “Thank you for the window.”

  “You’re welcome.” He took the plate and tossed the burgers on the grill. They sizzled, kicking up the fire. “I love hamburgers.” He took a long, slow sniff.

  “Must be a guy thing.”

  “You don’t?” He glanced over his shoulder. She’d sat down at the small, half rotted picnic table and ran her fingers through her hair. He wondered if she knew what a natural beauty she was.

  “Burgers are fine, but I prefer chicken.”

  “Must be a woman thing.” He smiled at her. “What were you doing before your sister died?”

  She looked to the sky, as if to gather her thoughts. “I lived in Vegas and worked in one of the hotels there.”

  Gently, he closed the rusted grill. The rain still came down relentlessly. “You want to go back?”

  “Right now, the only thing I can focus on is getting through this custody hearing and keeping Andy away from his father,” she said softly, looking toward the trailer. “I like the restaurant business, and wouldn’t mind owning a small diner or something some day.”

  “That’s nice.” He opened the lid and started flipping the burgers. His stomach growled. “You know there’s an old restaurant for sale up the road near Ticonderoga.”

  She chuckled, and for the first time really smiled at him. “Do you always have the answers to everything?”

  “Hey, I’m a man, remember?”

  The thunder rumbled in the distance and the wind began to die down. The worst of the storm had passed, but as Frank looked out across the yard, he didn’t think he’d make it five feet driving in this crap. He glanced back to Lacy, whose smile had quickly turned sullen.

  “I was trying to be funny,” he said.

  “Did you always want to be a cop?”

  He laughed as he patted the burgers. “When I was a kid I wanted to be Tarzan.”

  “Why did you become a cop?” she asked again.

  “I wanted to serve my country, just not overseas.”

  “Why not?”

  He didn’t like being on the other side of all the questions, especially when it came to his decision not to follow in his father’s footsteps. Still a sore subject with the old man. “You want the truth?”

  She nodded.

  “I wanted stability with all the honor that comes with being in the military. I didn’t want to have to go from country to country and possibly serve during wartime. I wanted to live in one place, but still wear a uniform I could be proud of.”

  “Makes sense I guess.”

  “I take it you wanted to see the world.”

  “Other than Vegas, I haven’t been anywhere.”

  “I’ve been all over the globe, and as Dorothy says, there’s no place like home.” Frank smiled and she smiled back. He wished he could keep that look on her face forever.

  “They done yet?” Andy asked, standing at the screen door.

  “Yep.” Frank wondered what horrors lurked behind Andy’s eyes. Last night he’d re-read everything he could find on file about Andy�
�s father and mother. He’d read the complaints, the restraining orders, and went over his own reports, but no one ever did anything to help Hannah or Andy, including him.

  Well, that was about to change.

  * * * * *

  A few hours later, Lacy took the popcorn Frank offered and followed Andy into the movie theatre. She’d wanted to do something fun with Andy, but she hadn’t expected Frank to tag along, or pay for it. He kept reminding her that fake dating a cop would help her show the courts she had good judgment. Actually, going along with it just proved she was stupid.

  The movie previews had started. She tried to maneuver herself so that Andy would be in the middle, but it seemed Frank had other plans. She settled down and decided to try to enjoy the movie. During the first half hour, all she could think about was the man sitting next to her. His leg would bump hers. His fingers would rub against her hand when he reached for the popcorn at the same time. His smell was stronger than the popcorn. It was a combination of raw sexuality and soap. He’d turn and smile at her every so often, which didn’t help.

  “Lacy, I’ve got to go to the bathroom,” Andy whispered.

  “Come right back.” She shifted, letting him pass. Her bare leg pressed against Frank’s skin.

  “Here.” Frank reached in his pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Get me some peanut M & M’s, would you?”

  “Sure,” Andy said.

  She swallowed, keeping her focus on the big screen. Frank’s arm rested on the back of her chair, his hand pressing against her shoulder. She stiffened and held her breath.

  “Relax,” he said into her ear. “You’re so tense.” His hand applied pressure on her neck, sending warm chills down her spine.

  She turned to face Frank, looking him square in the eye. “This idea of yours is stupid.”

  “If we didn’t even like each other, it would be stupid.” He had the nerve to bat her nose. And this was all in public.

  “I’m supposed to be setting a good example for him, not showing him how to have a good time.” She shrugged his hand off her shoulder.

  “Fine.” He turned his attention to the movie. He didn’t say anything else the entire time. After the movie was over and they were on their way back up Route 8, he spoke with Andy, but only him.

  Lacy stared out into the night as they drove up the shore. Lake George was a beautiful sight with its rich water, lush greenery, and breath-taking mountaintops. No other place she’d seen had ever come close.

  “Can I go?” Andy asked, pulling her out of her daydream.

  “Go where?” She didn’t bother to pretend she’d been listening. Hell, she hadn’t even been included.

  “Fishing on Saturday with Frank while you work. Break in the new pole he got for me.”

  She turned and eyed Frank. He couldn’t still be thinking that he’d be able to get her in bed through Andy. “I’m sure Frank has better things to do.”

  “Actually,” Frank said. “I’m taking my little brothers. I thought it would be fun for Andy to meet them.” Frank made the turn into the trailer park. Water sloshed as the truck rolled to a stop in front of her trailer; Frank shifted the gear into park.

  “Come on, Lacy. You have to work all day and I’m, like, grounded for life.”

  “Go inside, I’d like a word with Frank alone.”

  “Whatever.” Andy sighed and then leaped from the truck, slamming the door and muttering to himself as he stomped to the trailer.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Sometimes the troopers mentor kids in need.”

  “That’s low.”

  “Look.” Frank leaned closer. His eyes narrow, lips slightly parted. He didn’t touch her, but he definitely invaded her personal space. “I’ve checked into your sister’s case and I think there are some inconsistencies.”

  “Really? You’re not bullshitting me?”

  “I like you, but I’m not that desperate. I think Andy is hiding something; besides, I have to take what he said about the hit man seriously, even if I haven’t reported it.”

  She felt her lungs constrict, holding all the air inside them. She couldn’t swallow or form words. Her pulse raced. “Why would he do that?”

  “That’s what I need to find out, but I can’t do that from a distance. Understand?”

  She nodded. Even though Taylor was a total loser, she’d never forgive herself if anything bad happened to him because of some punk kid’s lamebrain ideas. “Those boys that Andy hangs out with sometimes, Billy and Ricky, they are bad news.”

  “I’ve pulled the Ricky kid over before, but Billy Santo seems to have a clean record.”

  “How do you know?” She shouldn’t be shocked that he’d looked into the kids’ backgrounds since he’d just told her he’d done some checking into her sister’s death. In a weird way, it made her feel good. It was almost as if someone gave a damn.

  “I ran his plate number. The truck is registered in his dad’s name. I did a check on both. Clean.”

  “Wow,” she said. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” He smiled that sweet smile of his. “So, he can go fishing with me and my brothers? Brent and Jake are fifteen and twelve. They’re good kids, the kind of kids that might be able to help Andy get and stay on the right track.”

  She wanted to believe him. Trust that he was being sincere. Everything he’d said so far made sense. “What time should I tell him to be ready?” She caved. No point in arguing because there was nothing wrong with going fishing with some new friends.

  “Have him meet me at the launch at seven.”

  “Thanks for the movie,” she said and shut the door.

  “Anytime.”

  She laughed and watched him drive away. The man was certainly persistent.

  “So, are you going to let me go?” Andy met her at the door a few moments later. “He’s a cop. I’d think you’d prefer me hanging around him and his brothers.”

  She lowered her chin. “Don’t try and manipulate the situation, but yes, you can go.”

  “Thanks, Aunt Lacy!” He hugged her quickly and then ducked into his room and closed the door.

  Aunt Lacy and a hug. Maybe things were looking up.

  * * * * *

  Frank sifted through the paperwork on his desk the following morning, but nothing made sense. He glanced across the room. Five desks, including his, were set in the middle of the station house. Nothing special, just your typical white walls, drop ceiling, and boring off-white tile floor. It wasn’t bad because most of the time he was either patrolling the lake or in his car.

  He picked up the phone and punched in Brad’s number. Reese assured Frank that Brad was the best private eye in the business—discretion his middle name. And if there were something to be dug up on Taylor, then Brad would find it.

  “Brad here.”

  “This is Frank Harmon, Reese’s friend.”

  “I know who you are. Reese filled me in.”

  “What do you know so far?”

  “Nothing. Everything about his business is on the up and up. Everyone I’ve talked to so far says he’s a decent sort.”

  “Remember, you report to me, but you work for Lacy.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I get it. Give me a day or two. I’m sure I can find something. I’ll be in touch.”

  Frank set the phone down and rubbed his temples. Hiring someone wasn’t illegal by any means, but it would cause a raised eyebrow or two if anyone found out. There was only so much Frank could do while he carried a badge. Sometimes his job actually prevented him from upholding the law, at least in his eyes. So many procedures. So many ways to screw up an investigation, letting the guilty party walk.

  “What’s got your attention?” Jared Blake, his superior, asked as he stood in the doorway. “You’ve been awfully quiet these last couple of days. I’m not used to it.”

  Frank looked up from his stack. “The DeGeorgio case.”

  Jared sat down at the empty desk in the main room. Frank didn’t really mind havin
g everyone share the same space, but today he was grateful for the peace and quiet. “Shrink says you’ve made a lot of progress and just might clear you soon.”

  Frank shook his head. “I’m fine,” he lied. The last time he tried to dive, he panicked five feet from the surface, but he was determined to get over it. He’d learned over the years that whatever you feared wasn’t so bad when you faced it. The problem was figuring out what he was afraid of, because it wasn’t the water.

  “Just remember who gets the reports. And you have to pass the physical again.” Jared ran a hand across his head. “I know you’re tough, but that was one hell of a dive, and you just haven’t been the same since.”

  “I haven’t had a bad dream in over two weeks,” Frank pointed out.

  “You’re obsessed with the case.”

  “Yeah, well, not too long ago I seem to remember a case you were obsessed with.” Frank held Jared’s stare, although he knew he’d just crossed the line. Jared had always liked Frank, and even took him on as partner, but knew to never bring up a sore subject with the man. Not unless you wanted to go two rounds and lose.

  “That’s different, unless you’re going to tell me you’re in love with someone related to this case.” Jared leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms across his chest. “And then, I’d have to pull you off.”

  “I’m concerned about Hannah’s kid.”

  “And?”

  “He’s in trouble. The kind of trouble that changes a kid’s life for the worse.” Frank watched the pupils in Jared’s eyes widen. A sure sign the man’s curiosity had been piqued. Jared had a soft spot when it came to kids, and Frank intended on using that.

  “What kind of trouble?”

  “The list is actually quite long. Basically, his biological father and his aunt are fighting for custody. He seems to hate his father, even took money from someone to hire a hit man.” Telling Jared about the man for hire was a risk, but since he doubted Andy had really done anything other than smack talk, it was a risk he was willing to take.

  “A hit man? For real?”