They crossed a square of asphalt to the car. He opened the passenger door, and Brooke climbed in. She picked at a fingernail. He knew that look. She was thinking about something he wasn’t going to like. He got behind the wheel and waited.
She dropped her hand and checked her phone. “Do you mind making a stop?”
Bingo. “Where do you want to go?”
“I have an hour before I’m due at school. I know Joe’s wife. Their oldest is on Haley’s field hockey team. I want to stop over and see her. Maybe she’ll talk to me. I need to know if I have something to worry about. Was he just drunk and confused about where Wade is? Or does he include me in his crazy conspiracy?”
“All good questions we should probably leave to the police to answer. It isn’t safe for you to poke your nose into Joe’s business.”
“But the police don’t know Lisa. How much is she going to tell them?” Brooke shook her head. “I think I can safely talk to another mom. Besides, for her own safety she should know what happened last night.”
Unfortunately, Luke couldn’t think of a refuting argument. The heavy ball of unease in his gut was too vague to verbalize, but that didn’t make it any less valid.
“If you have somewhere you have to be, I can always pick up my car and go by myself,” Brooke said.
Not happening. Luke put the key in the ignition. Brooke wasn’t going anywhere alone.
But will she talk to me? Brooke and Lisa were friendly, but they weren’t exactly BFFs. Most of their conversations had revolved around coordinating fund-raisers and snacks for the field hockey team. Brooke had learned about the separation from Haley.
“Where does she live?” Luke asked.
The edge in his voice sent a small wave of guilt through Brooke. Her blatant manipulation was inexcusable, but she meant every word. If Luke didn’t take her to see Lisa, she’d go by herself. Her reasons for wanting to talk to Lisa were twofold. She wanted info on Joe, sure, but she also want to make sure Lisa knew the full scoop. Estranged wives were common outlets for spousal fury. Brooke knew too well that female homicide victims were often murdered by their current or ex-partners. If anyone was at risk of injury from an enraged Joe, it was Lisa.
“She’s staying with her mom. It’s just a few blocks from here. Take a left at the stop sign.” She directed Luke to a quiet street of modest homes on narrow lots. “Slow down. I’ve only been here once when it was my turn to carpool.” Which house was it? “There it is. White house, black shutters.”
Luke pulled up to the curb in front of a neat saltbox. Like most of the houses on the block, it wasn’t anything fancy but was meticulously maintained. No weeds, fresh mulch, recently painted shutters. The flowerboxes under the windows were empty. Ornamental cabbages unfurled purple leaves in the flower beds that flanked the front door. Lisa’s minivan was parked in the drive.
Brooke got out and walked up to the front stoop. She rang the bell. Lisa opened the door, her blue eyes cloudy with exhaustion and mild confusion. The morning light wasn’t kind to her paler-than-pale Irish complexion or the bottle dye job that tinted her hair a dark shade of red nature hadn’t considered. She squinted. Lines fanned out from her eyes. “Brooke?”
“I’m sorry for bothering you.” Brooke had forgotten Lisa was a nurse and worked nights. “Did I wake you?”
“No. I haven’t gone to bed yet.” Lisa stepped back. “Come on in.”
Brooke stepped over the threshold. The front door opened into a living room decorated in 1980s country style, heavy on the country blue and oak.
Lisa closed the door. “I get home just in time to send the kids off to school. Then I try to unwind a while before going to bed.”
“Where’s your mom?”
“Work. She gets home at five. We all have dinner together before I leave.” Lisa’s forefinger traced a square on the tablecloth. “It’s actually working out better than I expected.”
A square of hardwood the size of a parking space separated the foyer from the creamy carpet of the living room. Lisa led the way back to the kitchen. The country blue and oak motif carried over. A steaming mug sat on a pedestal table. “Want coffee? Sorry, it’s decaf.”
“No, thanks. I won’t stay long.” Brooke took a seat facing a window that overlooked a chain-linked yard barely twenty feet deep. The rear neighbor wasn’t as tidy. Hedges planted to screen the view weren’t tall enough to block the sight of a rusted metal shed.
Lisa set a mug on the vinyl tablecloth and sat opposite Brooke. “I heard what Joe did last night.”
“News travels fast in this town.”
“Always.” Lisa wrapped her hands around her cup and sighed with as much defeat as exhaustion. “Why are you here, Brooke?”
Brooke hadn’t really thought about how she’d broach such a delicate topic. Probably best to be vague and see what Lisa wanted to tell her. “I wanted to make sure you knew what happened last night. Did Joe talk to you about what happened with Wade?”
“No.” Lisa gave her head a hard shake. “Joe and I haven’t spoken since the day I left him.”
Oh. Guilt tapped on Brooke’s shoulder. Lisa didn’t need more stress. “Wade didn’t want to lay him off. He even tried to find him a job, but I know Joe was upset, and it was hard on your marriage.”
Lisa froze. “Why would you think the layoff caused our split?”
“That’s what Joe said.”
“Of course he did.” Lisa set her mug down hard. Coffee sloshed over the rim. “I did not leave him because he lost his job.” She pulled up her sleeve. Fading bruises encircled her forearm. “I left him because he hurt me.”
Words eluded Brooke. She stared at the mottled yellows and greens on Lisa’s skin. “I’m sorry.”
“We’d been fighting a lot the last couple of years. The last three contractors he worked for went out of business. He’s been out of work three times. He’s been drinking more and more. But this is the first time he ever laid a hand on me. I can’t believe anyone would believe that I left him because he got laid off. What kind of person would leave their spouse because of the economy or a job?” Lisa yanked her sleeve down. “That’s what I get for trying to keep our personal problems private.”
“I had no idea,” Brooke stammered. She should have considered the possibility of domestic abuse.
“He’s probably telling everyone I’m a moneygrubbing bitch that took off when the gravy train pulled out.” Lisa’s eyes filled. A tear rolled down her face. “And obviously everyone believes him”
“Lisa—”
“Well, here’s some news for everyone. I’ve made more money than Joe for the last five years, and he’s the one who can’t deal with it. Joe and his damned macho male ego.” Lisa swiped a hand across her cheek. “I’m sorry. I need to sleep. I’m working again tonight.”
“I’m so sorry.” Brooke paused, debating whether or not to invade Lisa’s privacy any more. Fear for her own kids made her plow ahead. “Did you file charges against him?”
Lisa stared out the window. “No.”
“You should think about it.” Brooke pointed at Lisa’s arm. “Before those fade any more. Has he come here?”
Lisa shivered and picked up her coffee. Her knuckles whitened. “He sat in the driveway one night and watched the house.”
A chill crept into Brooke’s belly. Two women and three kids didn’t stand a chance against a guy as strong and aggressive as Joe. “Have you seen him today?”
“No.”
“He’s out on bail.”
“Thanks for the warning.” Deflated, Lisa slumped over her mug. “Joe has parents in town and two sisters who are pretty close.”
“You should think about a restraining order too. For your kids’ sake.”
Lisa sniffed and straightened her shoulders. “Maybe I will.”
“I’ll let you get some rest,” Brooke said. Though she doubted Lisa would be getting the sleep she needed, not after Brooke had rehashed all her marital problems.
Lisa w
alked Brooke to the foyer. Light streamed in through glass panes in the front door. It would take seconds for a burglar, or Joe, to break in through this door.
She turned to Lisa. “You should have a steel door with no glass. All he has to do is break a pane and stick his hand through to unlock the deadbolt.”
Lisa’s mouth tightened. “The way Joe’s acted lately, if he wants to get in, he’s coming in. No steel door or piece of paper will keep Joe out if he’s mad.”
Luke’s car was cold when Brooke slid into the passenger seat. He started the engine, and she burrowed into the heated leather.
“She hasn’t seen him.” She summed up her conversation with Lisa.
“That’s not encouraging news.” Luke pulled away from the curb.
“No, it isn’t. Joe is out there, and he’s angry.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Luke parked in front of Brooke’s house and the family trooped inside. Tired from school, the kids and Brooke shed backpacks and purses as they walked. Luke itched to put everything away, except he suspected the closets were as disorganized as the rest of the house. “I fixed your windows while you were at school.”
“Oh, thank you. I appreciate everything you’ve done for us.” Brooke flashed him a grateful smile that made it all worthwhile. She headed for the stairs. “I’m going to change.”
The slight limp didn’t affect the sway of her hips or the way his blood heated as he watched her go up. He wanted to follow her up to her bedroom and watch her undress. Better yet, help her. The more his protective instincts kicked in, the more he ached to be with her.
Instead he went back to the kitchen, filled a glass with ice water, and drank half of it. It did little to cool his blood.
Brooke walked into the kitchen in a pair of slim jeans and a sweater. Yikes. The faded denim hugged her curves even more. Luke gulped more cold water. “Have you heard from Wade?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. He’ll e-mail as soon as he gets settled. Last time he was deployed, it took a few days.”
Her cell buzzed. She glanced at the display. “Excuse me.” She answered the call, “Hello.” A man’s voice responded.
A thin wisp of jealousy swirled in Luke’s belly. Which was ridiculous. Brooke could see anyone she wanted. One kiss was hardly a commitment, and he was purposefully not getting involved with her. But why did the thought of another man calling her fan that wisp into a spark of jealousy?
“Who called you?” Brooke’s voice rose. “Well, I think it’s relevant.”
She ducked into the den and closed the door. Guess she wanted privacy. Luke strained to hear her voice through the doorway. He couldn’t understand the words, but her tone was plenty pissed off.
She walked back into the kitchen. “That was my ex-husband, Ian.”
She paced across the room, turned, and strode back. Shoving a straggling piece of hair out of her face, she dropped into a chair. Her head fell into her hands.
“What’s wrong?” Wanting to touch her, Luke put a hand on her shoulder. Her muscles were tight and knotted under his fingers.
“Someone called Ian and told him about Joe coming here last night.”
Luke circled his thumb at the base of her neck.
“The kids are supposed to be here this weekend. But he’s insisting they go to his place. They have a teacher in-service day off on Monday. Maybe by Monday night, the business with Joe will be sorted out.”
“But you don’t want them to go.”
She rubbed her forehead. “He has a point. If Joe comes back, they’ll be safer with Ian.” Brooke rolled her neck.
Luke put both hands to work kneading the tense muscles of her shoulders. “What’s the problem?”
“Haley’s going to be heartbroken.” Brooke’s hand dropped to the table. “She’s been looking forward to the Halloween dance for ages.”
“There’ll be other dances.”
“That’s what Ian said.” Her tone disagreed with both of them. Luke wasn’t thrilled with the comparison with her ex-husband.
“The dance is her first date with this new boy. We’ve been working on her costume for weeks.” Brooke closed her eyes. “Trust me. As far as Haley’s concerned, this is the most important night of her life.”
“Can’t you just say no to Ian?”
“It’s complicated. Our custody agreement actually gives him much more time with the kids than he takes. If I say no, he threatened to take me back to court. His bank account is bigger than mine. He can do that over and over and he knows it.”
“That’s not right.”
“Anyone who says the court system is fair hasn’t spent any time in it.”
“Wouldn’t a judge let Chris and Haley choose where they want to live? They’re hardly little kids.”
“Maybe.” Brooke rubbed her forehead. “Unless Ian convinced the judge that their safety was at stake.”
“Good point.”
“It doesn’t really matter.” Brooke straightened her spine. “I won’t put my kids in the position of having to choose between me and Ian if it’s avoidable. It wouldn’t be fair to them. Besides, I know he isn’t really being a bastard. He’s not perfect, but he’s worried about the kids and trying to do what’s best for them. He’s never yanked any of the custody agreement strings before. And what if Joe does come back? What if he does something more violent than toss a brick through my window? Ian’s right. I have to put their safety first no matter how much it’s going to break my daughter’s heart.”
Luke gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. “There will be other dances.”
“I’m not the one who has to be convinced.” Brooke stood. Dread weighted her steps as she turned around. “I might as well tell her now. On the bright side, it gives me four days to figure out what’s going on with Maddie.”
Wait a minute.
“Don’t you mean four days for the police to figure things out?” Luke took a step back to give her room to pass.
“Right. Isn’t that what I said?”
“Not exactly.”
She walked down the hall to the foyer and called up the stairs, “Haley? Chris? Would you come downstairs, please?” The kids appeared a few seconds later and she filled them in on the decision.
“I can’t go to Dad’s tonight,” Haley protested. Shock shifted to comprehension. Panic edged in, and her voice rose. “I’ll miss school tomorrow, and the dance is tomorrow night.”
“I’m so sorry, honey.” Brooke’s voice was heavy with sympathy. “You can miss one day of school, and you’re going to have to miss the dance. There are too many things going on around here. Your dad and I have decided you’ll be safer at his apartment.”
Brooke could’ve tossed the blame on her ex, but she didn’t.
Haley’s face reddened. “But that’s not fair—”
“I know.” Brooke sighed, her eyes misting. Luke had no doubt she felt every ounce of her daughter’s pain.
Tear welled in Haley’s eyes. “I’m not going.”
“This is not up for discussion.” Brooke’s voice was level and firm. “Go get your things together.”
“What about you?” Haley argued. “If it isn’t safe here for us, it isn’t safe for you.”
“It’ll be much easier for Luke to look after just me rather than all three of us.”
“This was Dad’s idea, wasn’t it?”
“Your father and I made the decision together.”
“This is all him. I know it. He barely wants to see us, but he still has to be in control.” Haley’s face reddened. “Why do you always stand up for him? He left you too.”
Brooke pulled back. “I don’t want your relationship with your father to suffer because of the divorce.”
“What relationship?” Haley said. “He put more than a hundred miles between us. He sees us on his terms. Twice a month. No more. Only at his apartment. He never comes here. He has no interest in any of my friends. He’s never even seen me play field hockey.”
Brooke had no defense for Ian’s behavior. She’d always thought she was doing the right thing by sticking up for him. Now she wasn’t sure. Ian loved his kids. He’d just never been able to show it.
Every tear that welled from Haley’s eyes cracked Brooke’s heart. Haley ran upstairs.
Brooke put a hand to the ache in her chest, where her daughter’s pain was amplified. Haley will be safer with Ian. For all his faults, he wouldn’t let anything happen to his kids.
She turned to her suspiciously quiet son. “No argument from you?”
“Nope.” Chris grinned. “I’ll have a long weekend to finish my English paper.”
Brooke’s face sharpened. “When’s it due?”
He waved a casual hand. “Tomorrow.”
“When were you going to finish it?” Brooke crossed her arms.
“Tonight.” Chris patted her on the shoulder. “It’s all good, Mom. If I get to miss school tomorrow, I gain a couple of extra days.”
She stabbed the air with a finger in his direction. “You cannot leave long-term assignments until the last minute!”
“It all worked out. It always does.” Chris turned to Luke. “You swear you won’t leave her alone?”
Luke held a hand in front of him Boy Scout–style. “Swear.”
“I’m holding you to that.” Chris sauntered off. “I’ll go grab my stuff.”
Brooke pinched the bridge of her nose. “How can they both be made from the same genetic material?”
Luke assumed the question was rhetorical. “There’s no chance he’d bring her back for the dance tomorrow night?”
“I already tried that. Ian refused to drive her back, and when I offered to come and get her just for the dance, he said he doesn’t want the kids anywhere near Westbury for the next few days.”
“Where does he live?”
“Philadelphia. Usually I’m annoyed that he moved so far away. It makes things difficult. But tonight I’m relieved. I’ll feel a lot better when they’re away from Westbury—and me.”
Luke hugged her shoulders.
She leaned on his arm. “My knee is better. You don’t have to drive us if you don’t want to. It’s a long trip.”
She Can Scream Page 16
