Chasing Secrets

by Lynette Eason

  Haley resurfaced and Steven saw her land the heel of her palm on the guy’s cheek. His head jerked back and he grasped her hair and shoved her back under the water.

  And held her there.

  Steven ripped off the headphones, tossed Quinn his phone, and jumped.

  The impact ripped through him, but he’d landed feet first. He sank for a moment, then kicked his way to the surface. His head broke through and he spun, looking for Haley and the man trying to kill her.

  Both were underwater. Steven dove and opened his eyes. They thrashed just ahead of him. The chopper made the water rough, but he swam toward them. They surfaced once again and so did he. Steven looked up to see Quinn holding on with one hand and leaning out of the chopper, his weapon aimed at the scene below.

  Steven knew what he had to do. He stroked harder toward the fighting duo and saw that Haley was losing. Neither one had noticed him yet. They spun in the water and Steven’s heart nearly stopped. Haley had her hands wrapped around the man’s wrist. A knife hovered just above her chest.

  Steven launched himself at the attacker and wrapped his arm around the man’s throat. Haley’s eyes widened and she gasped. The knife swung Steven’s way as the man stabbed blindly in his direction. Steven managed to dodge the weapon but knew he had to do something or his face was going to be filleted.

  Haley gave a cry, rose in the water, and threw a right punch directly into the man’s nose. He gave a bloodcurdling scream and the knife sank into the water.

  The man went limp in Steven’s grasp.

  “Can you swim?” he yelled at her.

  “I’ll make it,” she gasped. Her breaths came in quick pants and her face held no color.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. We still have two more to round up.”

  She struck out toward shore and Steven followed, his arm still around the unconscious man’s throat. He was tempted to squeeze a little tighter but resisted and continued to stroke toward the shore. His feet found the bottom at the same time Haley’s did. They stood and slogged the rest of the way to shore.

  Haley collapsed and touched her side. Her hand came away with a tinge of red.

  “Broke your stitches open?” he asked while he cuffed the unconscious man.

  “No, this is the other side. He got me with the knife before I could dodge it. It’s not too bad, though, just a graze.” She sucked in another deep breath and stood. “Time to find out about the kids on the bus and to arrest the ladies of the house.”

  The words had no sooner left her lips than the chopper swerved off and law enforcement descended from the front of the home. “We’ve got them!”

  “Hope someone got Peter,” she muttered.

  “The kids and their chaperones are safe. They were freed from the bus moments before I left to come find you.”

  “Oh thank you, God.”

  He thought she might cry, but she simply sniffed and shoved the heels of her hands against her eyes.

  “All right. I’m ready when you are,” she said.

  Steven stood and with Haley’s help managed to hoist the murderer onto his shoulders in a fireman’s carry. Another officer hurried down the slight embankment and took part of the load.

  The three of them and their prisoner headed back up and around the side of the house to find several ambulances, numerous law enforcement vehicles, and the two women in handcuffs.

  Maeve looked bored with the whole process. Janet, however, glared at Haley. “You’re going to pay for this.”

  “No, Janet, you are.” She looked at the officer. “Get her out of my sight.”

  He obliged.

  “I’ve got to get to the hospital to see my grandfather.”

  “I’d take you,” Steven said, “but I don’t have transportation.”

  A car pulled into the drive and Haley smiled. “That’s all right. Katie does.”

  “Perfect timing,” he said.

  “And I’m guessing she’s got a change of clothes in there for me.”

  He studied her. “Is that Maddy’s shirt? The one she brought you in the hospital?”

  She looked down. “Yes.” And groaned. “And it’s got a rip in it from the knife. Rats.” Then shrugged. “Well, she said she wanted it back with no bullet holes. I can do that.”

  Steven laughed and took her hand. Then pulled her into a hug. Haley went still, the feel of his heart beating next to her ear doing strange things to her emotions. Things she’d sworn she wasn’t ever interested in feeling again. Because feeling them meant being vulnerable, opening herself up to someone. To pain. She felt his hand under her chin as he lifted her head to look into his eyes. “Will you go out with me?”

  She blinked. “Like on a date?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh.” She thought about it. Thought about what it would mean to go out with him. To let him know she found him as attractive as he seemed to find her.

  “The pause isn’t doing much for my self-esteem here, Haley. I’ll bring M&Ms. Will that help?”

  She pulled his head down so she could capture his lips with hers. She felt him smile against her lips, and then he kissed her with a gentleness that made her heart soar. A sweet exploration that let her know without a doubt that he was the kind of man she was interested in. And besides, he’d just saved her life at great risk to his own. That counted for a whole lot.

  He lifted his head, and while his eyes were tender, the smoky sweetness stirred her senses. “I’m going to take that as a yes.”

  “Good. That’s another point in your favor.”

  “I didn’t realize I was earning points.” He paused. “What did I just earn a point for?”

  “You’re not only good-looking, you’re smart too. I didn’t have to say a word and you knew I was going to go out with you.”

  “That was a pretty good ‘yes, I’ll go out with you’ kiss.” Another pause. “Let me be sure of one thing, though.”

  “Okay.”

  “You think I’m good-looking?”

  Haley laughed, a real laugh from the depths of her belly. Yes, this was the kind of man she could go for. Then she sobered. “Let’s go see if Katie will take us to the hospital. I really need to see my grandfather.”

  “He woke up.”

  “I figured he did. Janet said he signed the papers on the promise that I wouldn’t be killed.”

  “Let’s go ease his mind.”

  She ran a hand through her wet, tangled mess of hair. “I’d better clean up first.”

  “We can do that on the way to the hospital. I’ll want some dry clothes myself.”

  “Katie!” Haley called.

  Katie looked up from her phone. “Haley! You’re all right.” She ran to her and threw her arms around her in spite of the sopping, slightly bloody clothes.

  Haley hugged her back. “I’m fine.”

  Katie drew back and looked her up and down. “Oh, you’re in one piece. I’m so glad.”

  “Thanks.”

  She eyed the red-stained hole at Haley’s side. “Is that Maddy’s shirt?”

  “Yes.”

  Katie touched the hole and lifted a brow.

  Haley frowned. “It’s not from a bullet. You heard her. She only specified bullets.”

  “Hmm.” Katie hugged Haley again. “As long as you’re in one piece, that’s all that matters. Come on, I’ll take you to see your grandfather.”

  One hour later, after a quick stop at the local mall, Haley and Steven sported dry clothing, new shoes, and for Haley, a light dusting of makeup as they returned to the hospital.

  Haley pushed open her grandfather’s door and stepped into his room. She walked farther in and found him sitting up in bed, eating a banana.

  “Haley!” He set the fruit aside and held out a hand.

  She grasped it and squeezed. “How are you feeling, Daideo?”

  “Better.” His eyes twinkled with gladness at seeing her and the love there seared her. Then he sighed and sadness stared back at
her. “I had no idea my shenanigans would place you in danger.”

  “Shenanigans?”

  He looked away, then at Steven. “For twenty-five years, I had a feeling one of my family members was responsible for the deaths of your parents and John.” He shook his head. “I had no idea the extent of their evil, I promise.”

  “Go on.”

  “When I came to see you and you were being targeted, I knew I had to figure it out. The seizure was simply the tool I used to do so. After I had the seizure, I woke to hear the doctors talking. They were concerned I was still unconscious. And that’s when the idea was born.”

  A smile tugged at her lips. “You faked it.”

  “That I did.”

  “And everyone came over because they were worried about you.”

  “Well, some of them anyway. Peter came in and sat beside me and whispered you would die if I didn’t wake up. He said that he had some papers to sign that would save you, but I had to wake up to sign them.”

  “I don’t understand. Did he think you wouldn’t figure it out? That signing papers to revert to your old will wouldn’t clue you in?”

  He patted her hand. “I don’t think I was supposed to live long enough for them to worry about it.”

  “Yeah.” She sighed and rubbed her eyes. “Where’s Hugh?”

  “I sent him on back to your house. He’s been here nonstop and was exhausted. I had to remind him he wasn’t a young man anymore.”

  “At least he’s safe there now.”

  “Indeed.” He paused. “I know you’re not interested in running the family business, but will you at least come visit me occasionally?”

  Haley leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Every chance I get.”

  Steven marveled at Haley’s strength. She’d almost been killed several times and yet she hadn’t let that slow her down. Her own family had turned on her and she refused to let the anger or hate overtake her.

  They entered another room at the hospital. Micah still lay in the bed, but even Steven had to admit the boy looked better. He actually had some color in his lips and cheeks.

  Zeke sat on the window seat playing a video game on his phone. Laila sat in the chair next to Micah, her feet propped on the side of his bed, eyes shut. They opened at their entrance and she stood. “I’m just going to grab a bite to eat.”

  “Thanks. And you don’t have to come back. The danger’s over.”

  “Cool.” She fist-bumped Zeke and touched Micah’s hair. “I’m glad the danger’s over. Doesn’t mean I’m going to be a stranger to you guys, though, right?”

  “Absolutely,” Zeke said.

  Laila disappeared and Zeke turned his game off. “The danger’s really over?”

  “Yeah, they got the person trying to kill me.”

  Zeke frowned. “I thought that was Richie.”

  “I did too, at first. Turns out it was someone else.” She’d explain it all to him later.

  “Is that why you haven’t been around much?”

  “Yes. I was afraid that someone would try something and you would be hurt.”

  He nodded. “I thought that might be it. That’s what Laila said anyway.”

  “I’m glad she explained it to you.” She sat beside him. “Does he know yet?” she whispered.

  “Yes,” Zeke said. “He kept asking. The doctor told me to go ahead and tell him because he was getting more and more upset that she wasn’t coming in.”

  “Haley?” Micah’s voice whispered across the room to her, and Steven watched her face soften.

  She stood and walked over to him. “Hey, guy, how’re you feeling?”

  “Better. I walked yesterday.”

  “That’s great.”

  He used the power button to lift himself into a sitting position. Haley reached for the cup of water and handed it to him.

  Steven moved to the other side of the bed and sat in the chair. “I’m sorry about your mom, kiddo.”

  Tears leaked onto his cheeks and he swiped them away. “I am too.” He pressed a hand against his chest. “But everyone says she’s always with me.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I get out of here in a few days, you know.”

  “I know.”

  “Are you going to adopt us?”

  Haley drew in a deep breath. “Do you want me to?”

  “My mom wanted you to.”

  “Yeah, but how do you and Zeke feel about that?”

  Steven watched Zeke out of the corner of his eye. The kid couldn’t hide his yearning. But he gave a nonchalant shrug. “I’m okay with it, I guess.” His eyes met Haley’s. “I think you like us.”

  “I do.”

  “And I think you would treat us fair.”

  “I would.”

  “Could we do it on a trial basis?”

  Steven didn’t blame the kid. All of his hard knocks had taught him to trust no one.

  Haley pursed her lips, then nodded. “I think that sounds like a great idea.”

  Steven’s heart thudded. Haley was going to be an instant mother of two kids. One of whom would be on medication for the rest of his life. He had to think about this one.

  Of course, if she had refused to take the kids, he would still be doing some hard thinking.

  But he’d known she wouldn’t refuse.

  Because that’s just the kind of person she was.

  He crossed the room and placed a hand on Zeke’s shoulder. “Want to shoot some hoops later?”

  The teen’s eyes lit up. “You bet.”

  Haley’s gaze met his and Steven swallowed at the look there. It almost looked like love.

  [30]

  ONE WEEK LATER

  Steven pulled in a deep breath, closed his eyes, and decided he really could do this. Maybe.

  Haley placed a hand on his arm. “You can do this.”

  “Right.”

  “I think you have to.”

  “I know.”

  Yes, he had to. Walter Phillips had killed his brother and Steven was going to forgive him if it killed him. Not today, though. Today was just a start.

  According to Haley anyway. All Steven could bring himself to do was to reserve judgment.

  He walked into the prison and followed the protocol that would allow him to face his demons. Personal effects, weapon, et cetera. Haley stayed at his side in silent support.

  Together they followed the guard back into one of the private rooms where lawyers often visited their clients or detectives cajoled a confession.

  Steven stopped at the door and looked through the window. The prisoner was already there, dressed in the standard orange jumpsuit and seated at the table. Steven paused and simply studied the man for a moment. Thirty-one years old. Twelve years of his life spent behind bars.

  And he didn’t look like the monster Steven had been expecting. He was thin, but muscled as though he spent a great deal of time in the yard or the gym. His teenage face had morphed into a square jaw that sported a five-o’clock shadow. He was a good-looking man with blue eyes and blond hair. But prison had obviously hardened him. His jaw looked permanently tight and he had a scar that ran from the corner of his right eye to the base of his right ear.

  The guard opened the door and Steven stepped inside.

  Haley paused. “I can wait out here.”

  “No.” He grabbed her hand. “Please.”

  “Okay.” She followed him in and his pulse slowed a fraction. Now he understood what she’d been feeling the day she’d met her grandfather. Maybe. Her grandfather had never killed anyone.

  Steven let go of her hand and slipped into the chair opposite the man who’d changed his whole life. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” He held Steven’s gaze, but Steven saw his Adam’s apple bounce. “They said you wanted to meet with me.”

  “Yes. Uh . . . thanks for agreeing to.” He wouldn’t hate him. He wouldn’t. He wasn’t going to love him either, though. At least not right now. “You’re up for parole again.”

  “
Yes.” He folded his hands on the table and Steven noted the bitten nails and scars on the knuckles. But no tattoos that he could see. “And you’re going to fight it, aren’t you?” The man’s resignation resonated.

  “Yes. Or I was.”

  Walter’s back snapped straight. “Was?”

  Steven rubbed his eyes. This was even harder than he’d thought. “Tell me why I shouldn’t protest it—and don’t give me the speech you’re working on for the parole board.”

  Walter sat still and stared at the table. “I was stupid. I was nineteen but oh so stupid.”

  “Agreed.”

  Walter flinched, but didn’t stop. “I’d been to a party that night, of course. I was pretty much partying every night. Harder and harder than the one before. It occurred to me that I might kill myself—and I was okay with that for various reasons. It never really crossed my mind that I might kill someone else.”

  Steven stayed silent, his heart pounding, blood rushing. He wanted to shut the man up and encourage him to keep going at the same time.

  Walter drew in a breath and looked at the door as though he’d like to bolt through it. He cleared his throat. “I’ve been seeing a therapist, and I’ve learned a lot about myself over the past ten years. I’ve found God. But everyone in here finds him when it’s time for the parole board to meet, so I won’t go there.”

  Steven was surprised at the statement. “Yes, they seem to, don’t they? How did you find him?”

  “Do you really want to know?”

  “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t.”

  “Your mother forgave me.” Tears surfaced and he blinked. “The mother of the child that I killed forgave me,” he whispered. “That was the only thing that could have convinced me that God could forgive me too.”

  Steven sat stunned. Speechless. Grieving. And, if Steven could believe Walter, in awe of his mother. He cleared his throat and shifted in his chair. “That’s a pretty speech.”

  “I’ll stay in here if it makes you feel better. I deserve it. No one knows that better than I do. I can never undo what I did no matter how much I want to. What I did was unforgivable in a lot of people’s eyes.”

  “I know.” Steven locked eyes on him. “So how do I know you won’t do it again?”