He didn’t remember closing his eyes, but he woke up crumpled up on one side of the couch. He managed to work the kinks out of his neck and back when he stood up and reached his arms above his head. He glanced toward his bedroom. The open door made his heart race. He hurried to the room to see the bed made and no Gerald.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Ian plowed his hands through his hair and grabbed his keys off the hook. He knew he probably looked like a bag of shit, but needed to get to Kurt’s place to let him know Gerald was gone. He yanked open the front door. Gerald was sat on the front step sipping from a cup and staring off into space. He didn’t seem to hear Ian open the door and jumped when Ian spoke.
“Gerry, you should’ve woke me,” Ian felt terrible for thinking the worst.
“I guess the keys in your hand mean you thought I took off?” The hurt was evident in his eyes.
“Sorry.” Ian sighed. “Why don’t you come in and we’ll get a bite to eat before we go see Kurt.” Gerald dropped his head and let out a ragged breath.
“I’m gonna be locked up. Ain’t I?” The tension was apparent in the way he held his shoulders, and Ian was tempted to tell him the truth.
“I don’t know, bud. Maybe the police found any USB’s when they checked Colleen’s place.” Gerald didn’t move, and Ian rested his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“I miss her so fucking much.” Gerald’s voice trembled. “I never got to say goodbye to her. At least we were able to have a funeral for Luke. I don’t even know what they did with her remains.” Gerald sobbed.
“My family’s having her, and her husband’s bodies brought to Newfoundland. We’re going to have a service for them.” Ian promised his daughter she could say goodbye to her mother. It seemed Gerald needed the closure as well because when he stood up, he grabbed Ian’s hand and shook it vigorously.
The whole drive to the station, Gerald stared through the side window. His hands were resting on his legs, and one leg was shaking. Gerald was scared. Was there more to what Gerald knew?
Ian paced the lobby of the police station for what seemed like days. He’d asked Stephanie to keep the girls with her until he called and she asked if everything was okay, but he didn’t know the answer to that question.
He’d seen at least three other officers enter the room where Kurt brought Gerald. One of them didn’t look familiar. He was either from the St. John’s division or the Manitoba police.
For what seemed like the hundredth time the door opened, and someone walked out. The man glanced at Ian and then put his phone to his ear. It was one Ian didn’t know. What made his heart pound was when the man shoved his phone back into a pocket and headed toward Ian.
“Dr. O’Connor, I’m Staff, Sergeant Isaac Hunt. I’m investigating the deaths of Colleen and Carter Taft.” He held out his hand, and for a moment, Ian almost seemed to forget what the gesture meant. Just hearing him say he was looking into the deaths of Colleen and her husband suddenly made it real.
“Call me Ian, please.” Ian shook his hand, but he wanted to give the man his opinion before he started shooting questions at Ian.
“I don’t know how much Gerry has told you. We’re aware he was working to find out what happened to his brother and we warned him it was dangerous. Lefty and his boss are very dangerous, but he didn’t listen.” Isaac motioned to the row of chairs against the wall. Ian sat, and Isaac sat next to him.
“So, you knew he was looking for evidence on this guy Lefty?” Ian asked.
“Yes, and I thought he’d been convinced to let the authorities handle it, but with his sister's murder, we knew he didn't stop, and all this is only because Gerry got to close to the truth about Luke.” Isaac looked like he was taking all this a little too personally.
“So, killing Colleen and her husband was a warning to shut up Gerry?” It made sense to Ian.
“Yes, but the other victim wasn't Colleen's husband,” Isaac explained.
“I’m confused. The man murdered wasn’t Carter Taft” Ian asked.
“Oh, it was Carter Taft.” Isaac turned his head to look at Ian.
“Carter Taft was married to Colleen.” Ian knew that for sure.
“Colleen thought the man she married was Carter Taft. The truth is the man she married was Lefty’s boss, and we don’t have any information on him. He’d stolen Mr. Taft’s identity. The real Mr. Taft was a drug addict. We think Lefty and his boss kept Taft supplied with meth and when Gerry started to figure things out they killed his sister. They had to kill the real Taft because they must have known we’d check fingerprints. He’s a smart bastard too because he took every photo of himself. Every picture frame was empty. We only know him by the description Gerry just gave us.” Isaac said.
“They killed the real Carter and put him in the house with Colleen?” It was like something out of a spy movie.
“You got it. The man’s face was in such bad shape that the only way to identify him was by his fingerprints.” Isaac said.
“What happens with Gerry now?” Ian was worried about his old friend.
“We wanted to put him in protective custody, but he said he’s not leaving Newfoundland again,” Isaac explained. “Right now, we’re trying to find a place here in Hopedale where he can stay. Your Uncle mentioned your brother has a security company. Gerry agreed to stay with him. I’m waiting for approval.” Isaac said.
“I don’t know if Keith would accept money for watching out for Gerry. We all grew up together.” Ian said.
“I know, and your uncle said the same thing, but I’m gonna do my best to get it approved,” Isaac said as he stood up. “You know I’ve met some of your family since I’ve been here the past week. They made me feel at home.”
“That’s the Newfie way, b’y.” Ian didn’t use the word b’y very often, but it was a one Newfoundlanders used. Like most Canadians used eh.
“So I’ve been told.” Isaac chuckled. “Your uncle warned me if I don’t show up to your parents’ for Sunday dinner, your grandmother will come looking for me.”
“Jesus Christ, you don’t want that. You’d better be there.” Ian stood up.
“She was here yesterday, and I have to say, she’s certainly entertaining.” Isaac held out his hand.
“That she is. By the way, thanks for helping Gerry.” Ian shook Isaac’s hand. “I just hope you get the bastards that did this.”
Not long after Isaac disappeared into the room again, Keith showed up with one of his guys. They were immediately told to go into the room by one of the other officers and Ian knew at that point, he could leave and get his girls. Knowing what was going on made him want to keep them close so they would be safe.
Chapter 16
Trunk was driving the car, and stayed close behind the moving truck Crash was driving. Evie was bouncing in her booster seat as they turned into Hopedale and Sandy was bouncing for a different reason. She still hadn’t talked to Ian and getting closer to her house was making her heart thunder in her chest. Ruby was quiet which was fine because Sandy was too nervous to talk.
“Your place is so cute.” Evie squealed as she pointed toward the ocean. It wasn’t like the child hadn’t seen the ocean before, but they lived in the city. The beauty of Hopedale was all new to the little girl.
“You’ll love it here, princess.” Trunk pulled into the driveway.
“I’m so excited, Trunk.” She giggled as Ruby unbuckled the seatbelts.
Sandy looked toward Ian’s house. It was early, but she was sure the girls were probably up, and she tried to stop her shaking hands. Evie was in the front yard spinning around while Sandy unlocked the door. When she turned to tell Evie to come inside, she couldn’t help but laugh.
“Evie, it’s April, not July. The ground still has frost. Put on your shoes.” Ruby shook her head when Evie skipped through the grass toward her.
“We never had grass like this by our apartment.” Evie sat on the ground and slipped on her shoes.
“That’s because we lived in the city,�
�� Ruby said.
“Well, the city sucks.” The little girl stood up and ran up the steps toward Sandy.
“I can’t say I disagree with that statement.” Sandy chuckled.
Sandy’s living room looked like a storage locker. Ruby left most of her furniture except for the bedroom sets and personal belongings. Apparently, there was a lot of personal things belonging to Evie. Ruby complained about Keith spoiling Evie with the constant gifts he sent to the little girl. Sandy knew it was because Keith was trying to compensate for his guilt. Like Sandy, Keith blamed himself for Tessa’s death.
“So we’ve got the beds set up in the rooms upstairs.” Crash jogged down the stairs. “What I’m trying to figure out is why a single woman needs a house with seven bedrooms.”
“Maybe she plans on having lots of kids,” Evie said, and Sandy had to swallow the lump in her throat. Evie didn’t know.
“Or maybe she just likes lots of room,” Ruby knew about Sandy’s inability to have children.
“Will Crash and I take the bedrooms down here?” Trunk asked, and Sandy’s head snapped up.
“You’re staying here?” She didn’t remember agreeing to have them stay with her.
“Rusty’s orders.” Crash walked by with a box of Evie’s toys.
“I can toss a rock and hit Keith’s front door. I don’t think it’s necessary for you guys to stay in the house.” Sandy pulled out her phone and tapped Keith’s number.
“No arguments. They’re staying until we find the fucker.” It didn’t surprise her Keith knew why she would be calling him.
“I do work for you too. I’m trained.” Sandy snapped.
“Yep. You do, and you are.” Keith said.
“Why do the guys need to be here, too?” Sandy was fighting a losing battle, but she wasn’t backing down easy.
“Because I said so,” Keith said.
“Really? That’s your answer?” Sandy rolled her eyes when Trunk glanced down at his phone and chuckled. He held it up for her to read.
Don’t leave that house without my okay.
“That’s my answer. By the way, have you talked to Ian?” The asshole had to bring that up.
“None of your business.” Sandy snapped and ended the call. Her phone buzzed a couple of seconds later.
Which means, no. CALL MY BROTHER!!!!
“I miss the days when you could hang up on someone, and that was the end of the conversation.” She read the text and sighed.
Trunk and Ruby laughed as she tossed her phone on the table in her living room. She was going to call Ian when she was alone. She didn’t want everyone to see her apologize for overreacting. Then again if they were going to be together, he would have to get used to that little flaw of hers.
She sat back on the couch, closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. She’d had a very long day, and the constant reminders for her to call Ian coming from Keith were getting on her last nerve.
“You know he keeps looking over here.” Sandy opened one eye. Crash was peeking out through the window that looked out at Ian’s house.
“Et tu, Crash?” Sandy groaned.
“Hey, I’m the last person to give advice on relationships but from what I’ve heard Keith’s brother is a good man and he loves you.” Crash took a sip of the coffee and turned toward her. “Call the man or better yet, go over there and work things out.”
“Is Keith harassing you too?” Sandy smiled at him.
“Yes, but that’s not why I’m saying this. Being alone is the shits, trust me. If you can find a happily ever after, do it.” With that statement, he walked over to where she sat and crouched down. “Call him.” He stood up and left the room.
Evie was sleeping, and Ruby had gone to bed as well. Crash and Trunk were watching a hockey game which gave her the opportunity to do what she’d wanted to do since she got home. Go next door and see the only man that made her feel like everything would be okay. That was if he forgave her for being a jerk.
Chapter 17
Lily was finally asleep again, but Ian didn’t know for how long. She’d woken up twice crying since she went to bed and would ask where Sandy was because she wanted her to sing the song about bad dreams. Lily remembered the song, and he sang it with her, but it seemed his daughter had fallen in love with Sandy after just one night knowing her. Like father, like daughter.
His heart hurt. He’d seen Sandy pull up with her friend and the little girl earlier that day. He’d hoped she’d call or come over to introduce the little girl, but Sandy hadn’t left the house. Then there were the two large apes going in and out of her house. Of course, Keith made a point to let him know the guys were there for security, but he didn't feel any better. Especially when every time Ian looked over at the house one of them caught him.
He’d called Keith to find out how things were going with Gerald, but only half listened to the conversation. He was worried about his old friend, but he felt lost not knowing if or when Sandy would talk to him again.
He’d grabbed yet another cup of coffee and entered the living room. He heard Lily sobbing again and hurried into the bedroom. He found her sat up in the bed clinging to her bunny.
“Lily, did you have another bad dream?” Ian lifted her into his arms and left the bedroom just in case Grace woke. That was the last thing he needed.
“I need Sandy to sing the song.” Lily sobbed and rested her head on his shoulder.
“I don’t know when Sandy will be home, sweetheart.” He lied.
“Is she mad at you?” Lily lifted her head and stared into his face.
“I’m not really sure but how about we lay on the couch and find a movie to watch.” Ian hoped the distraction would work, but his daughter wasn’t buying it.
“I heard Aunt Stephanie say you were being a man again,” Lily tucked her head under his arm on the couch.
“Did she now?” As much as he loved his sister-in-law, her being mad was the least of his worries.
“I’m not sure, but it sounds like you’re in trouble.” Lily wiped her eyes with her fists, and he pulled the blanket up over her. He prayed she’d fall asleep again.
“Everything’s fine, Lily. How about we watch this movie?” He pointed to the screen where he’d brought up one of the many Disney movies that he watched over the last few days. He was relieved when Lily nodded her head and snuggled into his side.
“Will Sandy ever come over again?” Lily yawned. Ian was about to answer when he heard a soft voice from the doorway.
“Of course.” Ian looked up, and his heart melted.
“Sandy.” Lily jumped off the couch and ran, right into Sandy’s arms. “I had bad dreams, and Daddy helped me sing the song, but the dreams didn’t go away.”
“Did you want me to sing it to you?” Sandy asked. Lily nodded and glanced at Ian.
“Goodnight Daddy.” Lily smiled, but Sandy didn’t move toward the girl's room. She met his gaze, and he smiled.
“Is it alright with you if I put her to bed?” Sandy asked.
“It’s more than alright,” Ian smiled.
He stood next to the patio door staring out at the fog rolling in over the water. Another evening of rain, drizzle, and fog. It was kind of fitting considering how he’d been feeling. Sandy seemed to be in the room with Lily for what seemed like an hour. Seeing her in his doorway was the best thing he’d ever seen in a long time. Ian worried she would end things and had all kinds of scenarios running through his head. He was ready to go in and drag her out of the bedroom, but he saw her reflection behind him through the window.
“She’s out like a light,” Sandy said.
Ian turned around and braced his hands on the windowsill. She stood there nervously playing with the edge of her T-shirt and doing everything to avoid his eyes.
“For some reason, the song only works when you sing it,” Ian pushed himself away from the window and walked toward her.
“I think she just misses having a woman around.” Sandy shoved her hands into her pockets and g
lanced at the television.
“She’s been with the women in my family all week. It’s you.” Ian stood in front of her but didn’t touch her.
“Maybe it’s because she knows my mom died too.” Sandy lowered her head and wouldn’t meet his eyes.
“It’s you.” Ian lifted her chin with his finger, so she had to look at him. “It’s only you.” This time he wasn’t talking about Lily.
“Ian…,” Sandy whispered just before his lips brushed against hers.
“I love you, Sandy and I’ll stand by you whatever you want to do.” Ian cupped her face in his hands, and her hands covered his.
“I need to keep her safe, Ian.” Sandy’s eyes filled with tears. “I feel responsible.”
“I know. I see why you and Keith are so close now. You both feel the need to protect everyone you love.” Ian smiled and used his thumb to wipe away a tear that was slowly sliding down her cheek.
“I love you,” Sandy whispered.
“I want to be the one to protect you.” Ian looked deep into Sandy’s eyes. “I want you to feel safe in my arms and know I’ll do anything to keep you and those you love safe.”
“I don’t want to put you and your girls in danger.” She touched his cheek.
“I know I’m not Keith or his tribe of apes, but I can keep you and Evie safe too.” Ian pulled her into his arms. “Just don’t shut me out.”
“Do you know how to use a gun?” She asked, and Ian furrowed his brows.
“Uncle Kurt made sure all of us knew how to use guns,” Ian explained. Although he hadn’t been to the range in a long while, he could handle a gun if he needed.
“Good.” Sandy pressed her hands against his chest and stared at them. “This guy is crazy, and we’ve had a sighting of him in Moncton.”
“He’s coming for Evie, isn’t he?” Ian thought he knew the answer to the question.
“No. Scott’s coming for me. Evie was just the way he was going to get to me.” Sandy looked up and met his eyes.
Dangerous Secrets (O'Connor Brothers Book 3) Page 15
