Chapter Twenty
Dallas
I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting to find when I’d walked downstairs after carefully extricating myself from Nolan’s hold so he could sleep a bit longer.
It certainly hadn’t been to see a little kid sitting on the floor of my living room playing with a whole bunch of little Matchbox cars. And I most definitely had no clue how to react when Newt smiled up at me and said, “You wanna play?”
I’d already known Nolan had invited Isaac to spend the night, because he’d sent a text to my phone at some point the night before, presumably in case I’d ended up waking before him. Even in his text, I could tell Nolan had been nervous, because he’d gone on and on explaining how Isaac and Newt were brothers and he thought they were on the run from something and that something had also happened between Isaac and Maddox. There’d been a second message about needing to give me a message from Maddox, but that he’d do it in the morning.
It had been information overload, but luckily, I’d been feeling clearheaded enough to process it. I’d been tempted to stay in bed with Nolan until he woke up, but I was too on edge about what had happened the night before. My concern for Loki was ruling most of my thoughts. I knew the claim that he’d attacked someone was bogus, but it wouldn’t take much for people to believe whatever story the sheriff and his dickish relatives had concocted. I was less concerned about the future of the center, because I had quite a few things on my side.
Money, for one.
Which meant I could afford to hire a kick-ass attorney.
And I had connections that the sheriff and his small-town mind couldn’t fathom. I’d call on every single one of them if that was what it took.
I gave Newt a quick nod, then held up my finger to indicate I’d just be a minute.
“’Kay,” he said brightly. He was wearing pajamas with cars all over them.
I grabbed myself a cup of coffee and then went to sit down next to the little boy. He began lining the cars up in front of me. “Which ones do you want?”
There were more than a dozen faded cars to choose from. I pointed at him, then me. The sharp little boy quickly picked up on what I was saying. “Sure, I’ll pick for you.” He told me things about each car that he picked for me, then did the same for the cars he kept for himself. I almost missed it when he said, “You can’t talk, huh?”
I shook my head.
“Is that ‘cause you got hurt?” he asked, pointing to my bandaged throat.
I nodded.
“That’s okay, I can make the sounds for you,” he said as he motioned toward the cars. “Let’s race, ‘kay?”
I stifled a smile and nodded. As we began moving the cars around an imaginary racetrack, Newt made all sorts of sputtering sounds. I’d lost track of how many times we went around the “track” when Newt suddenly threw his hands in the air and his eyes went wide. “You won!” he exclaimed. “You won!”
I laughed, even though it made my throat hurt. I was so preoccupied that it wasn’t until arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind that I realized we weren’t alone anymore.
“Morning,” Nolan said softly as he kissed my cheek.
I turned to look at him and felt that familiar sensation deep in my belly. God, how I loved this man. I kissed him chastely on the mouth.
“Morning, Newt.”
“Good morning. Wanna play?”
Nolan laughed. “Maybe in a minute. Where’s your brother?”
“Fixin’ the car. We gotta hit the road,” Newt said absently.
“Something’s wrong with your car?” Nolan asked.
Newt nodded. “Isaac says it’s a piece of sh-junk.”
I smiled at Newt’s combining of the swear word Isaac had clearly caught himself saying before correcting himself with the more kid-friendly term.
“Son of a biscuit-eater!” came a shout from behind us just as the kitchen door opened and a burst of cold wind and snow flew into the house before Isaac jammed the door shut. I noticed he wasn’t wearing a coat again. It made me wonder if he had one. I was reminded of when Nolan had first started working at the center.
“Problem?” Nolan asked, smiling at Isaac’s quasi-swear word.
Isaac seemed surprised to see us both. “Um, sorry. Yeah, my car won’t start.”
I climbed to my feet and motioned to myself, then outside. “Thanks,” Isaac said. I pulled on my coat and boots, but when he made a move to follow me, I motioned for him to stay put. Bitter cold greeted me as I stepped outside. I hurried to the sedan and made quick work of examining the engine. It took less than a minute to diagnose the problem. What I was seeing didn’t make sense, so I hurried into the house to ask Isaac about it. It was just Nolan in the kitchen when I got inside.
“Isaac took Newt upstairs to get him changed,” Nolan said before I even asked. “Hey,” he said. “What is this?” he asked as he held out his hand. I furrowed my brow and took out my phone.
Sparkplugs.
“Sparkplugs?” Nolan asked, clearly confused.
Yeah. They’re probably from Isaac’s car since he’s missing two. Where did you find them?
“Um, that’s the thing. They were in the fridge. In the butter dish,” Nolan responded as he motioned to the now-empty butter dish.
I shook my head and then typed one word.
Maddox.
“Maddox? You think he put them there?”
I know he did. It was something we used to do when we were teenagers. When our parents were too drunk to drive, we’d remove the sparkplugs from their cars and hide them in the butter dish, since we figured they’d never look there. We’d put them back in the cars as soon as they sobered up. I just don’t understand why he removed them from Isaac’s car.
Even as I typed the words, my thoughts drifted to Maddox. We’d always had to work so hard to keep our parents from endangering themselves and others when they’d been intoxicated, that we’d sworn to each other that we’d never drink and drive. As much as I hated to admit it, his anger made sense. I couldn’t say I wouldn’t have been just as enraged if the situation had been reversed. It would have felt like a personal betrayal of epic proportions if I’d learned he’d ever driven drunk. And if he’d killed a loved one while doing it…
“He mentioned something last night about how we shouldn’t let Isaac leave – that he was in trouble.”
Do you think that’s true? I asked.
Nolan nodded. “He’s definitely running from something.”
I wasn’t sure what to say to that. Before I could dwell on it too much, Nolan said, “Maddox asked me to give you a message.”
I nodded as I remembered Nolan saying that in his text.
“He said…he said he has your back.”
I stiffened at that.
“It means something, doesn’t it?” Nolan asked.
I nodded, then typed, Growing up with our parents was tough. The pressure sometimes got to be too much and I’d have these moments where I’d just want to give up. Not play ball anymore, not go back to school…it got so bad at times that I talked about running away. I just needed a break from it all, you know?
Nolan nodded as he read my message.
Maddox would always talk me down. But he didn’t tell me not to do something. He’d always say he had my back no matter what I decided to do. If I wanted to quit ball, he said he’d fix it with my parents so they were okay with it. Even when I said I wanted to run away, he told me that if I really meant it, he’d come with me. He’d buy the bus tickets, he’d sneak us out of the house, he’d do whatever it took to make it happen. To fix it.
My throat felt tight, but I knew this time, it had nothing to do with my condition.
I don’t know why he said it now.
Nolan rubbed my arms, then he was hugging me. “We’re going to figure it all out, okay, Dallas? We’re going to get Loki back and we’re going to get the town off our backs once and for all.”
I nodded, but he must have seen something
in my face. “And we’re going to talk about what’s going on in that head of yours every time you look at me. Like you’re surprised I’m still here.”
I sighed because I should have known better than to think I could hide anything from him. I nodded again.
I have some calls to make about the meeting tonight.
“Okay, I’m going to go feed the animals. What do we do about this?” he asked as he held out the sparkplugs.
I looked at them for a moment, then grabbed them and put them back in the butter dish. I returned the dish to the fridge and stuck it all the way in back where it wasn’t visible.
I might have still been pissed at Maddox, but I also knew he was onto something with Isaac and Newt. But if there was any chance at figuring out what it was, we needed them to stick around for a bit.
Nolan smiled, brushed his mouth over mine, told me he loved me and then went upstairs to get dressed.
The small conference room in Pelican Bay’s town hall was packed with people when Nolan and I entered. I ignored the hushed whispers that followed us as we made our way down the narrow aisle. We’d purposely waited outside the room until our case had been called, so we wouldn’t have to deal with all the stares. But it wouldn’t have mattered. There was no reason to suspect the majority of the people were there for any other reason than to watch Pelican Bay’s former-golden-boy-turned-freak and the town-reject-turned-famous-and-very-much-vindicated-violinist fight to save a group of animals not one of them gave two shits about. The fact that we were holding hands just caused the audience to titter even louder as we made our way to the small podium in front of a long table with five people sitting on the other side. Sheriff Tulley stood off to one side. Of the town council members, I only recognized Doc Cleary.
I glanced over my shoulder to make sure Isaac and Newt had found a place to stand off to the side of the room. Surprisingly, they’d ended up along the wall near where Nolan’s mother was sitting on one of the many folding chairs that took up most of the small space. Nolan and I had told Isaac he didn’t need to come, but Newt had actually been the one to take the decision away from his brother. He hadn’t thrown a temper tantrum or anything when Isaac had said they’d be staying at the house. He’d merely looked his brother in the eye and said that Loki needed him because he could tell the mean people who’d taken Loki what a nice dog he was. I’d seen a spark of pride go through Isaac as he’d studied his little brother, then he’d nodded and told Newt he was absolutely right – that Loki did need Newt to tell the truth about him.
“The room will come to order,” the man in the middle of the table said as he used a small gavel to get everyone’s attention. The crowd immediately fell silent. “We’re here to discuss the matter of the Lake Hills County Wildlife Rescue and Sanctuary owned and operated by Dallas Kent. We’ve received a petition to ascertain whether or not this business continues to serve the best interests of our community. Mr. Kent, do you have something you’d like to say before we open the discussion to the floor?”
I’d already typed my remarks out on my computer at home so I nodded to Nolan so he could read them, but before he could speak, Doc Cleary said, “Just a minute, son.” He turned his attention to the head of the committee. “Jeb, if I’m not mistaken, Mr. Kent’s business doesn’t reside within the city limits of Pelican Bay, so even if what that petition is alleging is true, this committee and the town of Pelican Bay have no jurisdiction.”
“Well,” the man began, but Doc Cleary held up his hand. “Furthermore, I’m greatly bothered by the fact that Sheriff Tulley has not provided the names of the actual complainant or complainants that inspired this so-called order.”
“As I’ve said, my office is still pulling together that paperwork,” Sheriff Tulley interjected.
“Of course you are,” Doc Cleary said. “Just like you’re supposedly still investigating the attack on Mr. Kent’s property. Need I remind you that while this town has no jurisdiction in civil matters, our reciprocity agreement with our sister towns means you work for the residents of all of those communities, including Mr. Kent? I also find it interesting that you didn’t think it prudent to recuse yourself from the case when a member of your own family was identified as one of the assailants in the attack on Mr. Kent, Mr. Grainger, and two of the animals that call the center home.”
The crowd behind us broke into hushed whispers. Sheriff Tulley’s face went red. “How I do my job is none of your concern,” he muttered.
“It is when you cover up crimes.”
The entire crowd went silent and there was a collective shifting as everyone turned in their chair to see who the voice belonged to.
I didn’t need to check, because I knew that voice.
Had known it all my life.
Tears stung my eyes as I realized what was happening.
Maddox had come…and he was having my back.
I felt Nolan’s fingers squeeze my hand. He nodded at me and sent me an encouraging smile.
“Lieutenant Kent,” the committee head said in surprise. “This is a surprise and an honor.”
I forced myself to turn around so I could see my brother. He was standing just inside the doorway. He looked stern and forbidding, but I was surprised to see a line of sweat dotting his brow.
Was he nervous?
Maddox didn’t get nervous.
He had nerves of steel.
“Wish I could say the same,” Maddox said. Then he reached behind him and opened the door. He gave someone outside a brief nod, then all of a sudden Loki came trotting into the room. People gasped and several people along the aisle pulled back a bit when Loki padded toward me.
“What the hell?” the sheriff shouted, but I only had eyes for my pet.
“Don’t even think about it, Sheriff,” I heard another voice say. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that the sheriff had his hand on the butt of his gun. The new voice belonged to the sheriff’s own deputy who was standing next to my brother.
“What is going on here?” the committee head yelled.
I dropped to my knees and wrapped my arms around Loki. He licked my face, then he was moving to Nolan to greet him.
“I think you want to hear this, Jeb,” the deputy said. His eyes shifted to the sheriff. “All of it.”
“Fine, come forward,” he said with a wave of his hand.
I watched my brother approach, followed by the deputy. Right behind them was Sawyer.
What the hell was happening?
As my brother stepped past me, he patted my shoulder. He sent me a small smile, but I didn’t miss how tense he actually was. He was definitely sweating and I could see that he was struggling to regulate his breathing.
“Floor’s yours, Lieutenant,” Jeb said. Maddox nodded, then called Loki’s name. The wolf hybrid trotted right over to him and sat in front of him. Maddox’s eyes scanned the room before settling on Newt.
“Newt, do you think you can help me with something?”
All eyes turned to Newt and his brother. Isaac flinched at the scrutiny, but Newt didn’t seem to even notice.”
“Are you still mad, Mad?” he asked as he eyed my brother.
Several people laughed as Maddox stood stock-still for a moment before his lips pulled into a slight smile. “No, I’m not.”
Newt nodded, then turned to his brother. “I gotta go help Loki, ‘kay?”
Isaac smiled and ruffled his brother’s hair. “’Go get ‘em, kiddo.”
Despite all the eyes watching him, Newt walked without hesitation to my brother, then proceeded to throw his arms around Loki. A few people in the audience tittered, but otherwise the room was silent.
“Deputy Miller, can you explain why this animal was removed from my brother’s property last night?” Maddox asked.
“Sheriff Tulley received a complaint that he bit someone who was walking past your brother’s property.”
“Do you think Loki bit this person?”
“Yes, I do.”
More gasps fil
tered through the crowd. I felt my stomach drop out at the deputy’s words. Nolan’s fingers bit into mine.
“Three weeks ago when the man helped Jimmy Cornell and another man break into the center and attack a bear that lives on the property.”
“That’s a lie,” the sheriff snapped. “Deputy Miller, I expect your resignation on my desk in the morning. Now leave this room before I have you arrested.”
“Deputy Miller, you will ignore that order,” Jeb said. “I think we’d all like to hear this. Do you have proof of what you’re claiming?”
“Yes, the suspect confessed this morning. He said he was pressured into filing the complaint and submitting to having pictures of the bite marks on his arm taken.”
“Pressured by whom?” Doc Cleary asked, though it was clear he already knew the answer.
“Sheriff Tulley and Jimmy Cornell.”
“That’s a lie!” Sheriff Tulley shouted again.
“Sheriff, if you interrupt one more time, I’ll direct Deputy Miller to arrest you and have you forcibly removed from the room,” Jeb warned.
Maddox motioned to Sawyer to step forward. “Can you tell everyone who you are, please?”
“My name is Sawyer Brower. I’m a vet specializing in the care of large animals and wildlife. I treated Gentry, the bear who lives on Dallas’s property, after he was shot repeatedly with a BB gun and burned with cattle prods.”
Another round of hushed gasps went through the crowd.
“You’ve been working around Loki, right?”
“I have. For a couple of weeks now.”
By this time, Loki was lying on the floor and Newt was playing with his ears.
“Is Loki pure wolf?” my brother asked.
“No, he’s a wolf hybrid. That means he’s a mix between a wolf and a domesticated dog. You can tell by the shape of his muzzle and his larger build.”
Maddox looked at Doc Cleary. “Do you agree, Doc?”
The vet nodded. “I do.”
“Sawyer, you’ve worked around wolves before, right?” Maddox continued.
“I have. I’ve participated in studies on them in Canada and in several national parks in the Rockies.”
Locked in Silence_Pelican Bay [Book 1] Page 23
