Final Mend
Page 19
“I believe the police had enough evidence to arrest him, but I don’t believe it’s my right to say whether or not he’s guilty.”
• • •
“Who are those people, Jake?” Amy, eyes wide, looked out the truck at the newshounds. Jake counted six of them, so there weren’t as many as he’d originally thought, but it was enough to piss him off.
Winona had wanted Jake to take Amy home, but Jake didn’t feel right leaving her to deal with this alone. He at least needed to wait and drive her home so she didn’t have to walk, but he wasn’t about to leave Amy alone in the truck.
“They’re news people, Amy.”
“The news?”
“Yes.”
“Mommy—I mean, Lilly says the news is bad.”
Jake shrugged. He wasn’t going to insult any profession, but he didn’t like how this particular news crowd dealt with his situation. Then he realized what Amy had said. “Lilly?” he repeated. “Is that what you call your mother?”
“Mom gets mad when I call her Mom. She says it makes her feel old.”
Jake hadn’t thought it possible to hate Lillian more than he already did.
“What are they doing to Winona?” Amy asked.
“Asking her questions.”
“About what?”
“Just … nothing that should concern you, okay, babe?” Jake’s phone belted Garret’s tune, and Amy jumped. He patted her on the leg. “Why don’t you climb to the backseat now and put on your seatbelt so we can go, okay? I need to answer this. It’s Garret. Hello?” he said into the phone.
“Jake? A friend called me to tell me you and Amy and Winona are being assaulted by news media.”
“I wouldn’t say assaulted. But yes, we were met outside the movie theater. Winona is talking to them now.” He admired her for not batting an eye at the questions they threw at her, and he felt like a jackass for leaving her out there to deal with it by herself.
“Do you need me to do anything?”
“Like what?”
“I can get the cops to go break them up. Make them leave you alone.”
“That’s not good PR.”
Garret’s harsh chuckle reverberated through the phone. “Okay, so we should play their game and let them keep bothering you?”
“It’s the first time they’ve bothered us. Winona is walking to the truck now.” He didn’t mention that three of the media continued to follow her, practically at her heels as they snapped out more questions.
“Jake.”
“We’re fine, Garret.”
• • •
“Fucking newshounds.” Jake sat outside with a glass of Amy’s lemonade. Amy had finally gone to sleep after everyone had promised what happened today wasn’t a bad thing. They sat on the porch, under the stars, the sliding door open in case Amy woke.
Winona’s stomach knotted as she sat beside Reagan and listened to her read an article on the Internet. She saw pictures of them all at the bowling alley today and a picture of him standing outside with Air Dog in the background, with a caption suggesting Jake might have gone on a bender.
Jake cut Reagan off as she read, but Winona continued to read the article over Reagan’s shoulder.
“I don’t want to hear their lies,” Jake said. “They’ve obviously been following us. Snapping pictures. Fuck, we haven’t even been to Air Dog since my first night here.”
“Well, and the day Amy was found,” Winona reminded him.
“You could threaten them with a lawsuit,” Garret said.
“No. That’ll only make it worse. I’m sorry you had to deal with that today.” He took her hand and squeezed, then brought her fingers up to his lips before drawing them into his lap.
“It’s okay,” Winona assured him, still feeling cold from her ordeal with them.
“I wanted to go tell them all to go to hell, but I wasn’t about to leave Amy alone.”
“It’s okay. It’s not my first experience.”
“My cop friend told them we were trying to keep Amy safe, and they’d be arrested for stalking if they didn’t leave you alone,” Garret said.
“What?” Jake exclaimed.
“Sorry.”
“I told you to stay out of it.”
“It wasn’t my doing. A lot of people saw what happened today. Most of the people leaving the theater at the same time you were leaving stuck around and saw everything. Someone called the cops. This town stands together, for the most part, and they didn’t like what they saw. What would you have them do? Let the news continue to follow you?”
Jake dropped Winona’s hand and stood. “No. I don’t want anyone to have more reason to pursue us. Sometimes stating the obvious draws more interest than just letting the interest die.”
“You don’t have time to wait for the interest to die,” Garret said.
“I don’t have time to get caught up in any of this. I damn sure don’t have time to have my reputation questioned because some cops got in the middle of this ordeal. I can handle this bullshit. I have before.”
“You just said you wanted to tell them all to go to hell.”
“But I didn’t.”
“Because you didn’t want to leave Amy in the truck. The cops didn’t do it to protect you. They did it to protect their town.”
“I don’t need you or the cops or anyone else worrying about your town any longer. I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“Why are you leaving tomorrow?” Garret asked. “You think that’s going to help things?”
Winona’s stomach clenched, hurt swelling into her toes and erupting in her chest. He was leaving, and this was how he planned to tell her? God, no wonder her little brother had acted so mean when Naomi had up and left him many months ago before their relationship blossomed.
“I have to take Amy back, and I thought I’d use the rest of this week to drive up there, slowly. Make some stops along the way, visit a few spots. Take her to some state and national parks or something. There’s a lot to do between here and there.”
They discussed things a bit longer, but Winona could no longer keep up. She caught Reagan’s eye several times through the dark shadows of the night, and sensed Reagan’s compassion.
She stood. “Look, it’s time for me to call it a night. I’ve got to get home, check on Snowbound.”
“Why don’t you stay here tonight?” Reagan asked. “It’s late.”
“I need to check on the cat. Do you mind if I take your Jeep home for the night?” she asked Garret. Jake had picked her up today, but she wasn’t about to ask Jake to drive her home.
“I’ll take you,” Jake said.
“No, that’s okay. Stay here.”
“I’ll take you.”
“Stay here. Amy needs you right now.”
Jake looked at Reagan. “Do you mind if I stay with Winona for the night, and leave Amy here? I promise to be back before she wakes up.”
• • •
No media followed or awaited them as Jake drove Winona home. She didn’t speak to him on the short drive and swallowed the arguments she wanted to throw at him. Words like, you’d better not think you can just drive me home and get some before leaving tomorrow. And, is that why’re you’re insistent you drive me home and stay with me tonight? One last lay before you take off with Amy and I never see you again?
Instead, he cuddled with her on the bed and made everything worse for her. It’d be easier to hate him, let him go, if he was a jerk.
“I’m sorry,” Jake said. “Sorry you had to deal with that, and sorry you thought I would leave tomorrow without saying goodbye.”
Her heart thumped thumped thumped hard in her chest. Her eyes burned. Thank God her back was to him.
“Well, I hope I get to tell Amy bye before you leave.”
“I hoped you would come with us.”
Her pulse dropped, ears rang. “Come with you?”
“I was going to ask you if you’d take the road trip with us.”
“I can’t leave S
nowbound.”
“Reagan would watch her. It’s only a week. I want you to come with us.”
She clenched her eyes shut, thankful for the dark. Another week to spend with Jake and Amy before Jake left Tanyon for good? What kind of punishment was she willing to put herself through?
“I’d love to,” she whispered before turning to him.
• • •
Jake and Winona made it to Reagan’s before Amy woke, and they sat outside to talk and drink coffee with Garret and Reagan. Reagan agreed to watch Snowbound and they discussed their arrangements. Last night, Winona and Jake had discussed their idea, but made no solid plans for their road trip. They’d stop when they were ready. They only knew when they had to have Amy home, but didn’t know what they’d do between now and then, only knew a few sights they wanted to stop at along the way.
As Winona stepped inside to fix another cup of coffee, Amy pattered down the hall, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” Winona cooed. “You okay?”
Amy nodded. “I feel like having cereal today.”
“I think Reagan has some. Let me check. Jake and the others are outside.”
“I feel like watching cartoons this morning.”
“Okay. Go ahead. I’ll bring you a bowl of cereal. Do you need help with the TV?”
“No. Reagan showed me how to operate it. Where are the kittens?”
“I think they’re in their bed in the living room.”
“Okay.”
Amy slipped into the living room as Winona peeked out the door. “Amy is awake. I’m going to fix her some cereal. Is it okay if she eats cereal in your living room?” she asked Reagan.
“Of course.”
Reagan started to stand, but Winona held up her palm. “I’ve got it.”
“Do you need help with anything?” Jake asked.
“No, I’ve got it. Anyone need more coffee?”
“Nope,” they all declined.
“Be right back.”
She heard the television click on, and Amy barely looked up when Winona brought her cereal. “Thank you.”
“Anything else?”
Amy shook her head and shoved cereal into her mouth. She reminded Winona of herself before her morning cup of coffee.
Winona made a stop at the bathroom. Jake was opening the door as she was walking out. She ambled into the kitchen to meet him when she heard Amy’s voice in the next room.
“That doesn’t look like the man who took me.”
Winona halted, her eyes crashing into Jake’s hard gaze. He scowled, and they both stormed into the living room. Amy brandished her spoon at the television. Winona cringed when she noticed Amy watching the news about her dad and the man who killed him.
Jake grabbed the remote. Eyes wide, Winona stared at him as he clicked off the news. He glared at her before turning to Amy.
“Amy?”
“Yes, Uncle Jake?”
“You shouldn’t be watching that.”
“I know. My mom tells me not to watch any of the news. Ever. The news said that mean man kidnapped me and hurt my daddy. But he didn’t kidnap me.”
“He didn’t?”
“No. The man who took me wanted to play games with me. And he took me swimming, but he doesn’t swim like you. He said we’d wait for Mommy and Daddy. And he had longer hair.”
“Maybe he cut his hair.”
“No, I don’t think so.” Amy continued to eat her cereal, and Jake eyed Winona before returning his attention to Amy.
“Did your mommy or daddy ever come see you when you were with this man?”
“No. But I wasn’t with that man. The news said that man killed my daddy. What does that mean?”
Jake’s hard gasp cut through the silence.
“Did your mom give you to this man?” Winona asked, ignoring her question.
“No. I was with my daddy. And I was taking a nap. And when I woke up, I was with a man. I was kind of scared at first, but he gave me a stuffed doll and a piece of chocolate, and told me my mommy didn’t want me to be afraid.”
“Have you told your mom this?” Winona asked.
“She gets mad at me when I talk about it.”
“Have you told the police this?”
Amy shivered. “I don’t want to talk to no policeman. They’re all mean, anyway.”
“Who says that?”
Amy shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Does your mom say that?” Jake asked.
Amy nodded and chewed on her lip.
It was the first time Winona had seen Amy act like a child. She seemed to shrivel under Jake’s piercing gaze.
“Do you remember the name of the man who you were with?” Jake asked.
Amy shook her head. “No. I don’t remember nothing. I told the police all I know. I don’t want to talk to them again.”
Winona patted her leg. She didn’t want to traumatize the girl by asking her questions. “It’s okay, darling. You don’t have to talk about it anymore.”
“What about Dillon? Do you know Dillon?” Jake asked.
“I … I know Dillon. But I wasn’t with him, either.”
Jake paced away, still clenching the remote.
“Can I watch cartoons now?”
• • •
Jake turned on the TV and switched it to the Nickelodeon channel. He turned it up, probably so he could hear if the news came on, and kept the remote as he stormed into the kitchen.
Winona followed. Jake’s body tensed and he whirled to face her, as if ready to pounce on her when she walked in.
“I told you. I told you that wasn’t the guy.”
“Jake. Calm down. I’ll call the police and talk to them. See what we can do.”
“I can’t take her home. Not now.”
The door squealed open, and Garret stepped in. “Everything okay?”
“No. Winona let Amy see the news. They had Matthew Carter on, and news about him killing Brandon. She said that guy wasn’t the man who kidnapped her. And her mom doesn’t allow her to watch the news and she’s scared of the police.”
“I didn’t let her watch the news, Jake.”
Jake ignored her as he continued to talk with Garret. Winona grabbed her phone and ducked outside to call Lieutenant Litton. She explained to him what Amy said and though he promised Amy would be questioned, he urged her to make sure Jake took Amy home.
“Jake Inman has no rights to her. She’s visiting, and as soon as that visitation is over, if she’s not home, Lillian could file kidnapping charges. She could probably try now if she really wanted to.”
Winona paced the length of the yard as she listened. “But you have to admit this is a strange situation.”
“Of course it’s strange. All custody battles are strange. And all deaths where there’s a separation or custody battle is strange. We’re investigating it to the full extent of the law, and the district attorney’s office is involved in all aspects of this case.”
When she stepped inside, Jake whirled on her again. “How could you let her see that?”
“I had no idea. I thought she was watching cartoons.”
“Calm down, Jake,” Garret said. “Do you really want to frighten Amy?”
“As if that news didn’t frighten her enough,” he fired.
“Why don’t I take Amy to her room and help her pack?” Reagan asked.
“She’s not packing. I’m not taking her home.”
“You have to, Jake. I just spoke with the lieutenant. If you don’t take her home, Lillian could file charges against you. You’d be arrested.”
“So I’m supposed to just give Amy over to her psychotic mother?”
“Okay, I’m taking Amy to her room now.” Reagan clapped her hands as if to warn them to drop the subject until Amy was out of hearing range. “Amy, baby, are you finished with your cereal? Do you need anything else?”
“I’m full now.” Amy carried her bowl into the kitchen and set it in the sink.
Amy looked up at Jake. “Where am I going?”
Jake looked ready to snap. His lips tightened, brow furrowed, and he clenched his hands together.
“Jake has to take you home,” Reagan answered.
Amy’s shoulders fell, but she straightened and grabbed Reagan’s hand. “Oh. We better go pack up then.”
Jake opened the door outside and nodded at Winona to follow him. Thank God he had chosen not to continue this argument inside, with little ears listening.
“Lillian is her mother, Jake.” Winona said as she stepped outside behind him and shut the door. “There’s nothing you can do—nothing legal, anyway.”
Jake clenched his fist and paced.
“Would you stop? You’ll tear up Reagan’s yard. And you’ll stress Amy worse than she’s already stressed. Let’s just make the best of this situation.”
Jake stopped, turned, and pointed a finger into her face. “There is no good in this situation.”
Winona stood her ground. “You can’t risk being arrested. If you think something is wrong, being in jail isn’t going to help.”
“You told Litton Amy said that wasn’t the man who kidnapped her.”
“Yes.”
“And you told him about my suspicions about Lillian.”
“Yes, Jake. I told him everything. He’s looking into it. Plans on talking to Lillian, making an appointment to have her bring Amy in. They’re doing everything they can. But he specifically said you need to take Amy home.”
“I can’t believe you let her see the news.”
“I didn’t exactly let her see the news, Jake. But you know, if she hadn’t seen that, we still wouldn’t know Matthew Carter wasn’t the man who had her.”
“I knew that all along. You should have listened to me.”
“She said she was asleep when she was taken. It could be that he took her and gave her to someone else.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“You’re not willing to believe anything other than Lillian killed her own husband, kidnapped her daughter, and gave her to some man, probably to make it look like a murder and kidnapping, and this guy was willing to do this for her, willing to go to prison for her if he was ever caught, and now Amy has been found safe and all is well. And they framed some other guy, who happens to have been burglarizing homes in the neighborhood.”