“I’m Taylor, the youngest sibling of this group, and the only daughter. Which makes me the cutest.” She gave a quick hug and went back to her seat.
“I apologize; I should have warned you that my family are huggers.”
“I hope you like burgers and corn on the cob?” his mom asked, rolling her eyes at him.
“Absolutely,” she said and sat in the seat offered to her. With a pat on her leg, Sam came over and sat at her feet. When all else failed, Sam was her faithful companion through thick and thin. With an exaggerated sigh, he plopped down by her feet. With his head on her knees, he gazed at her adoringly. Much the same way that Caleb was currently staring at her.
23
“That is one well trained animal you have there,” Caleb’s father, who wanted her to call him James, said.
“That he is. Samsonite is my guard dog. Since it appears that Ethan hasn’t told you the basic of details, I would assume he hasn’t mentioned my need for a guard dog?” she asked, and continued when everyone shook their head no. If she wanted to have a relationship with Caleb, she was going to have to be honest. With a quick glance around, she made sure the children were not in hearing distance. “I know Caleb isn’t from this area; can I assume the rest of you aren’t, as well?”
“Right, he moved here about eight years ago after Grayson moved here with Ella. Grayson told him the police department was hiring and he applied. He was assigned your brother for a partner because his had just retired. With two of our kids here and Taylor going to school nearby, we decided to move, as well,” his mother said. She also insisted that Kara call her by her first name Evie and not Mrs. Montgomery because that’s her mother-in-law’s name.
“That’s why he didn’t know about my history, either. My parents put a tight lid on things and memories faded. Ethan didn’t talk about it because I didn’t talk about it. But it isn’t healthy to bottle it all in,” Kara said, her eyes falling on Taylor briefly. Kara scanned around to make sure that Ava and Alex were still out of hearing distance.
“There is no easy way to say this.” She paused and took a deep breath. Caleb gently twined his fingers with hers. Kara noticed that his mother caught the gesture and smiled warmly. “Ten years ago, I was abducted, for four days. The sanitized version is that I was raped and tortured until I managed to escape. Until this last week, I never talked about it. Ever. For various, and unfortunate reasons, I have had to share the story. Fortunately, it’s getting somewhat easier to share.”
Caleb squeezed her hand, and his thumb caressed the pulse point on her wrist. His family was amazing and completely welcoming. But Kara knew a survivor of abuse when she saw one, and Taylor definitely was one. Kara had enough experience from volunteering in rape crisis centers to know what to look for, even if she hadn’t experienced a similar trauma. She also knew when to leave things. Taylor would approach her later if she wanted to; Kara just needed to be subtle in her attempt to talk to the woman.
“I’m so sorry you went through that,” Evie said, tears in her eyes. If there was anything Kara hated, it was pity, but Evie’s eyes were not showing pity. They were showing grief; obviously, Evie was aware of Taylor’s assault.
“I wouldn’t be who I am today, if not for those four days. He didn’t break me, he may have bent me a little, but he didn’t break me. In some ways, he helped me to discover what true strength is. I’m not going to say it hasn’t been tough. Hence, the guard dog. But I chose my profession because of two of the doctors who helped me after the assault,” She paused, looking at Taylor before continuing. “And I learned via volunteering at the local rape crisis center that I could do something to make myself feel whole again.”
“The new center in town opened because of Kara,” Caleb said tenderly, hesitating, clearly unsure if she would be okay with him sharing that. She nodded that it was fine. “She raised all the money and told her story in front of a crowd of strangers. It was a sight to behold.”
She found herself blushing—honest to God, blushing—again. This man brought a plethora of feelings out in her that she had never felt before.
“I heard about the center; it’s about time we have something like that here,” James said, covertly looking at Taylor.
That their mom and dad knew about her assault wasn’t a surprise. This family was obviously tight knit. And it was equally obvious Caleb was talking up the center for Taylor’s benefit. Kara now knew the story he had told was about his sister. It was clear to Kara, that in the eyes of Taylor’s family, she needed some help.
“Technically, there was a center here. The person I chose to run the center is an amazing asset to this community, and she just needed the resources to expand the center she’d started out of her own home.”
“I have worked with Quinn before; she is everything Kara says and more. She’s a rape survivor as well,” Taylor whispered. The silence felt heavy as everyone, who had banded together to, not so subtly after all, show support for Taylor, let the words sink in. “Kara, before you leave today, I would like to have a word in private with you.” Kara let out the breath she had been holding.
“Absolutely. Do you—?” Kara was cut off by Ava’s high-pitched squeal.
“Auntie Sa, Auntie Sa!”
Kara turned to see what, or rather who, had gotten Ava so excited and was momentarily speechless when she saw Vanessa standing with her husband in the gate to the backyard. Kara stood up quickly, confused why they would be there.
“Kara?”
“Vanessa?” they said at the same time and laughed.
“I should have realized you’d know each other; after all, you’ll be working at the same hospital,” Caleb said.
“Vanessa is your aunt?” Kara asked, shaking her head to clear it.
“Yep. She’s my mom’s sister. I wasn’t sure if you had a chance to meet her, since she doesn’t work in the ER. She’s a—”
“General Surgeon. Yeah, I know. She’s the one who operated on me all those years ago. She’s the reason I’m here today, one of the many who saved me, but she is one of only two who inspired me to continue with my dream of becoming a doctor. Vanessa and William brought me through it all, and after meeting them, I changed which medicine I would pursue.”
Vanessa and William were what had kept her going. Their kindness, their words, everything they had done had taught Kara to fight. Because of them, Kara did just that. When she wanted to curl up in a ball and give in, their faces floated to the front. When she considered killing herself, she thought of how hard they had worked to save her. William and Vanessa were the closest people she had as friends.
“That answers how we know each other, but how in the world did you happen to meet my family?” Vanessa asked, laughing.
“She’s Uncle Caleb’s girlfriend!” a giggling Ava shouted. “I saw them kissing!”
The situation was absurdly funny. It was the second time the precocious little girl had declared she was Caleb’s girlfriend, and they hadn’t even discussed what they were to each other yet. Girlfriend/boyfriend sounded too premature; after all, they’d just met. But acquaintances wasn’t right, either. Friends? Friends wasn’t right. They were more than that, weren’t they?
“Um, well…” she stammered.
“Ava’s right. Kara’s my girlfriend.” Kara looked at Caleb in shock. “I think I mentioned my partner to you a time or two, but I’m not sure I ever told you his name. My partner is Ethan Vanderbilt, who happens to be her brother.”
“Yes, yes, of course, I remember Ethan! He was so devoted to you; unlike your parents, he doted on you. How is he doing?” Vanessa asked brightly.
“Actually, he was in a really bad car accident a couple nights ago; he almost died. Dr. Vandehei operated. If you couldn’t be there, he would have been my second choice. William was there and he helped save his life later when he coded,” Kara said, her eyes glistening. “Sorry. I…” She blinked furiously. Vanessa understood. Vanessa had never seen her shed one tear in all the time they’d known
each other.
She came quickly to Kara’s side and hugged her, whispering in her ear, for her ears only, “Don’t you apologize for feeling, Kara, don’t you dare.” And then for everyone’s ears, “Come sit down, tell me about the accident.”
A couple hours later, they were getting ready to leave. As they were saying their goodbyes, Kara was trying to find a discreet way to get Taylor alone. She didn’t want to come right out and remind her that she had asked to speak with Kara. As she was struggling to find a way to linger behind, Caleb’s cell phone rang.
“Montgomery.” He glanced at Kara, indicated it was work and walked ahead a bit so the conversation could be more private. His parents were distracted talking to Vanessa and her husband, and Grayson and Ella had already left with their two adorable, but tired children. It was the perfect opportunity to talk to Taylor.
“Walk with me?” Taylor asked, and promptly started to walk toward her car that was parked in the driveway. When she got to the driver side door, she turned toward Kara. “My family wasn’t really very subtle back there, were they?”
“It wouldn’t have mattered. I could tell, just like I bet you could tell about me. Am I right?”
“There were some things I noticed. The guard dog was a definite sign, but you might have only been a survivor of a mugging. I wouldn’t have known it was rape. I could tell from a mile away that he’s a guard dog. I noticed the subtle gestures you made to him.”
“Do you have a guard dog?” Kara asked.
“No, but I’ve researched getting one. I’m not as lost as my parents would have you believe.”
“I think you misunderstand their concern for you as something less than flattering. I can tell you this; I would be over the moon to have your parents. Mine suck.”
“Yeah, no offense, but I didn’t vote for your dad at the last election.” The revelation startled a laugh out of Kara.
“Neither did I. As a matter of fact, I moved out of state and purposely changed my voting residence. Cowardly, but there was no way I was voting for him.”
“He doesn’t care a hell of a lot for victim rights, does he?” Taylor murmured bitterly.
“Not a bit. Listen, if you’re serious about getting a guard dog, I know a person who’s amazing at finding the right one for you. I don’t know what I would do without Sam. He got me through some rough times.”
“I think I’ll take you up on that offer. Listen, I would like to visit your center. It wasn’t all the talk tonight, but I had been looking into it for a while. I went to school for graphic design and I enjoy it, but I’m starting to feel a calling to help others who have gone through what we have.”
“If you would like to volunteer there or even work part time, I can certainly get you a position there.”
“I didn’t bring this up because I thought I could use your relationship with my brother to get me a job there,” Taylor said quickly.
“I didn’t think that was the case at all.”
“I actually was going to call the center tomorrow, now that they’re open. I guess I was telling you, because…”
“I get it. You want me to tell your brother, slip it in that you’re doing better than they think?”
“Do you mind?”
“I don’t mind. If it’s true,” Kara said gently.
“It is. I’ve been clean for four years now. I used to take prescription drugs. At first, it was because I needed them to help with the pain when I was healing from my attack. Then it was just because it dulled everything else, but I got sober, I fought for where I am.”
“I pegged you for one. A fighter knows another fighter. It’s like a secret club. For what it’s worth, I knew you were holding your own before this conversation. You don’t have that hollowed out look I had after it happened to me.”
“I used to. I still do sometimes. Do you?”
“Sometimes, not as much in recent years. Trust me when I say it’ll get better.”
“When did it start getting better for you?”
“A couple days ago...when I met your brother…”
“I can tell, you know.”
“Tell what?” Kara asked, glancing over her shoulder for Sam.
“He’s over by the bushes going to the bathroom. I can tell that you are in love with him.” She paused when Kara sucked in air and held up her hand. “Don’t worry; he is helplessly in love with you, too. He’s never brought a girl home to meet us, by the way.”
“I don’t think he had much choice; he’s on duty watching me.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that. He could have passed you off to another deputy for the afternoon.” She paused and looked at Caleb, worry lines etched in her forehead. “The way he looked at you and found subtle ways to touch you. I think it’s great, by the way. He works too hard. And you are just what he needs.”
With that final statement, she smiled and paused as if considering something, and then hugged Kara before she walked away, leaving Kara stunned and remarkably happy, until she turned and looked at Caleb. The expression on his face was enough to take away any euphoric feeling she had just been experiencing. Taking a calming breath, she walked over to him, reaching him as he disconnected from the call.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, a feeling of trepidation coursing through her. Sudden panic filled her. “Is it Ethan?”
“No, nothing like that.” He paused, clearly wanting to protect her, but knowing she needed to know whatever he had learned. “That was Cathy. Since Ethan was busy at the grand opening and then was hurt, he wasn’t able to dig into old cases. Cathy started digging. She found a few more young women that fit the bill. Each one had a note left in the same exact spot.”
“Where did he leave the notes?” She needed to know the answer, but she didn’t want to know.
“They were all placed inside a Ziploc baggie and inserted into the woman’s vagina.” Kara grimaced at the information. “Upon examination of the bodies, the notes were found. All of the notes have a number assigned.”
“We knew they would find more. That isn’t what has you upset. What has you so upset?”
“Ethan had been at the police station last night and requested some information. Information he shouldn’t have been able to get his hands on. But he called in some favors and got into the personnel files. We don’t know whose file he was after, but he was after something before the accident. The officer who helped him came forward anonymously because he knew that it wasn’t a coincidence.”
There was no way around it; everything was about to hit the fan. She wasn’t trying to protect her parents after all this time. But she had been trying to protect Ethan, and look where that had gotten them. Ethan had almost died. Maybe if she had been open and honest from day one, this could have been avoided. She sighed, resigned to her decision.
“Jenkins and Byrnes.”
“What? I don’t understand,” Caleb said, frowning.
“Ethan is smart; he caught my slip during the confrontation with my father. He was looking for any files with the last names Jenkins and Byrnes. My father was quick on his feet, but not as quick as Ethan was,” Kara said and turned and walked to the car—shoulders slumped, feeling defeated and depleted. The emotional roller coaster of the last 24 hours was too much, and she felt like she was about to crash. “Come on. I will fill you in on the ride to my place.”
Quietly, she climbed into the car and stared off into the distance. It wasn’t until Caleb got in and started the engine that she was shaken from her thoughts. Her history was so fucked up and her family was a colossal mess. If this conversation didn’t have him running for the hills, they just might have a chance. He reached out and caressed her cheek and, as if he could read her mind, he spoke her thoughts.
“No matter what you have to say, it doesn’t change how I feel about you. About us. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, that you are responsible for in this mess.” She leaned into his hand as a tear slid down her cheek. His rough thumb wiped the tear away, and begru
dgingly, he started the car and pulled out of his parents’ driveway.
“You sure about that? My family is pretty fucked up. Sorry for the crude language, but that is the God’s honest truth.”
“There is not a doubt in my mind that you were an innocent bystander in it all. You have survivor’s guilt, splash in some PTSD, but you have not done anything to facilitate this mess.”
A huge weight lifted from her shoulders, because she believed that he would stand by her. And, by God, she trusted him unequivocally.
“I overheard my father paying Officers Jenkins and Byrnes to give him all the information collected and then I watched from the crack in the door as he burned it in our fireplace.”
24
Caleb took a deep breath and looked at Kara. She looked so sad. Completely lost, and just when he thought they were making progress. Down deep, even though she knew better, she had hoped that her brother’s accident had nothing to do with her past. But the information coming in clearly showed it had everything to do with her past.
“I couldn’t figure out why he would do that, other than to protect his own interests. There’s more, but I would really like to tell you the rest with your captain there.” Swallowing audibly, she asked hesitantly, “Do you mind if we go to the hospital after dropping off Samsonite? I want to see Ethan. I would prefer to tell him everything before I make it official, and even though it’s not a good idea to share this with him in his condition, I know he deserves to know, and I think he’s strong enough to hear it. Hell, I think he suspects to some degree. Tomorrow morning, we can go to the station right away. I don’t think what I have to say will necessarily help your case.”
“You don’t have to ask. Kara, I will do whatever you need me to do.”
But by the time they got to her house, Caleb had decided it would be better for her to visit Ethan in the morning. It was late and he was certain that whatever she had to say wasn’t going to affect the case that much. He was equally certain that whatever she was holding onto was devastating to her and would be to Ethan, but that it wasn’t the missing link. Therefore, once they got to her house, Caleb convinced her to call the hospital first to see if Ethan was even awake or up to visitors. It didn’t take a medical professional to figure out from her conversation that he was resting.
In the Night (Darkness Falls Book 1) Page 19
