Sins of the Father

by Winter Austin

  “How are we going to get out of here?” Sarah asked.

  “Let’s see if the pervert preacher left his things in the house and a car nearby.”

  They navigated the debris littering the floor in the kitchen. Other than mouse droppings and fallen plaster, it was empty. Creeping around the corner, Jolie found an enclosed stairwell. Unlike the kitchen, the steps looked like someone had disturbed the dust and litter. She beckoned Sarah to follow, and they cautiously climbed the steps. For the most part, the wood seemed solid, but there were a few places where the stairs would creak and pop, threatening to give under their weight.

  Halfway up, Jolie heard rustling and then a muffled voice. Abandoning her caution, she stomped up the steps in a hurry. Once she hit the landing, she was faced with three closed doors. She tried the one closest to her and hit pay dirt.

  “Mom! Dad!”

  Her parents were gagged and tied to an ancient metal bed with no mattress. Her father’s pallor worried Jolie. She removed the gags.

  “What did he do to you?”

  “Jolie, what is all over you?” Mom demanded.

  “You don’t want to know.” She started working on the knots on the ropes tying her parents up. “Damn it, they’re too tight.”

  “Maybe these will help?” Sarah held up a pair of old shears.

  “Maybe.” Jolie took them and began working one blade in between a knot.

  “Jolie.”

  She glanced at her father. “Yeah?”

  He didn’t say anything, which stilled her hands. She really looked at him this time.

  “I’m sorry, Joles. I’m sorry I never believed you, that I never believed your brother, that I let some freaking asshole turn me against my own family. I can’t believe I never saw him for who he really was. I was a sheriff, and I never saw it.”

  “Dad, it’s okay. He fooled everyone. A master manipulator.”

  “It’s no excuse. Ian saw it, and you caught a hint of it, but I let my fear and anger over everything going on around me cloud my judgment. A man like Richards should never have slipped past my defenses. He’s the reason I gave up on Grace Maddox. If I hadn’t, she might be alive.”

  “How do you know she’s dead?”

  “He told me. Bragged that I was so easy to manipulate.”

  “Did he tell you how he did it?”

  Dad shook his head. “Even if tried to tell me, I didn’t want to know.” His gaze bore into hers. “That sick bastard threatened to rape you and your mother in front of me.”

  A building fury rose up in Jolie until she saw red. “I should stab his eyes out and castrate him.”

  “Jolie, no,” Mom said, “that makes you as bad as him. You’re a cop; you never stoop to their level.”

  Daylight appeared in the knot, and Jolie worked it free, releasing her mother. Then she got to work on the ropes restraining her father.

  “I won’t, Mom. I’ll let the right people at the right time give him the kind of justice he deserves.”

  “Jolie, I love you, honey, but you smell awful.”

  She smiled at her mother.

  “Look what I found,” Sarah said.

  Jolie turned to her and beamed. “Well, they’re not the nicest looking dresses, but they’re ten times better than what we have on.”

  • • •

  Xavier hopped out of the sheriff’s truck when Cadno stopped two miles past the county line. Panting, the German shepherd lay on the grass, staring at an overgrown lane that looked to have been traveled recently.

  “Looks like whoever took them went this way,” he said to Hamilton.

  “Good dog. ’Atta boy, Cadno.” As he was about to pet the dog’s head, Cadno bolted down the lane. Xavier hollered after the dog, but he ignored the commands.

  “Damn it.”

  Awkwardly, Xavier took off after him. Halfway down the lane, he spotted figures coming up it. Cadno gave a joyous bark and danced around the people.

  “Jolie!”

  Her head jerked up. A glorious smile broke out on her face, and she ran to meet him. Catching her, he crushed her body to his.

  “You’re a’right.” He held her back and frowned at the getup she was wearing, like she’d gone back to the ’40s to find the most god-awful dress to put on. “What on God’s green earth is that thing you’re wearing? And you smell.”

  “Forget the smell. Believe me, if I were still in my uniform, it’d be worse. How did you get out of jail?”

  “Con sent me and Cadno to find you and your parents.”

  “Well, look no farther.”

  Behind Jolie, her parents approached, and behind them, with her hand wrapped in Cadno’s fur, trailed a teenage girl. Like Jolie, she was wearing a dress from the past.

  “Sarah?” he asked.

  Jolie nodded and then jerked out of his arms as voices reached them.

  “Sheriff!”

  “Thank God, Murdoch!” Hamilton shouted. “You took ten years off my life. What happened to you?”

  “Drive down the road and go into the cellar. You’ll find the perverted bastard who kidnapped Sarah and murdered Grace. He’s chained up so he can’t get away. And just a fair warning: he smells like shit, literally.”

  “Who is it, Murdoch?”

  “Josiah Richards.”

  Xavier felt like someone had slipped past his defenses and punched him in the chest. And by the equally shocked look on Hamilton’s face, he felt the same way.

  “He did all of this?” Hamilton asked.

  “Unfortunately, yes, he did.” Eli stepped forward. “Shane, I’m sorry for all the grief I’ve been giving you. Apparently, I’m not the best judge of character. After this, I’ll be staying out of your hair.”

  Xavier leaned close to Jolie’s ear, wrinkling his nose as he got a whiff of her hair. “Did I just hear your pop right? He’s apologizing?”

  The corner of her mouth tilted up. “Yeah, shocked me, too, when he did the same thing to me.”

  “We’ll just forget about it, Eli,” Hamilton said. “You’ve been through a lot of stress. No worries on my end.”

  Yeah, Xavier had been around marines long enough to know bullshit when he heard it, but how best to handle Eli and his past behavior was the sheriff’s call. Then Eli’s attention zeroed in on Xavier. Tensing, Xavier glanced around. If the man made the wrong move or said the wrong thing, Xavier would land back in jail.

  “Son.” Eli cleared his throat. “Xavier. I’m real sorry about … assaulting you. I wasn’t in my right mind. That’s not like me.”

  “Um, yeah.” Xavier peeked at Jolie, who was looking up at him with her eyebrows raised. “It sounds like none of us were thinking right for a few days.”

  Jolie beamed. Xavier had no idea why he didn’t exactly accept the man’s apology, but if there was to be any future with Jolie, that meant there’d be a future with her father. Well, there was time to work through it.

  With Ginny Murdoch’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, Sarah came forward, keeping her eyes on the ground.

  “Sheriff, this young lady is going to need a lot of help,” Ginny said. “And after the hell she’s been through, I’d advise that all steps from here on out be taken with dignity.”

  “I’ll alert all personnel involved.” Hamilton turned to his deputies. “Gentlemen, let’s go clean up the trash.”

  “Sheriff, I recommend you take that sicko’s car to haul him off to jail,” Jolie said. “I don’t think you’re going to want to put him in any of our vehicles.”

  Hamilton nodded. “Hartmann, with me, and bring Cadno. I’d bet that dog wouldn’t mind a chance to put the fear of God into the ex-pastor.”

  Damn it. He’d finally got a chance to hold Jolie, and he’d been put on duty.

  “Wait!” Jolie snagged her boss’s arm. “Did you guys ever figure out who actually killed Clint Kruger?”

  Blank stares met her question. Jolie’s face began to fall.

  “It was that man back there,” Sarah piped up.<
br />
  “Richards killed your father?” Hamilton asked.

  “Yes. Dad was trying to get me away from Anthony. That m—… he came up behind Dad, and just … pop.” Sarah burst into tears.

  Ginny pulled the girl into her arms. The men averted their gazes, directing their attention to Xavier.

  “I told you I’d get the truth and prove you were innocent,” Jolie said, rubbing his arm. “Richards probably came up behind you and hit you with something. It’s what he did to me in my parents’ house.”

  “Well, now that we have that settled, Hartmann, you’re cleared,” Hamilton declared. “Let’s wrap this shit up. I want that bastard locked up, as in last week.” With that, he took off.

  Xavier looked at Jolie, wishing he could go with her. She smiled at him, then rolled up onto her tiptoes and gave him a peck on the lips.

  “We’ll talk later, when I don’t smell like sewage.”

  Damn right they would.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Once Jolie had cleaned up and written a report on what had taken place between her and Josiah Richards, it was late. As she drove past the fairgrounds on her way to the hospital to check on Sarah, Jolie could see the fireworks display that officially closed the fair.

  Upon arriving at the girl’s room, Jolie was practically mowed over by Wendi’s hug.

  “Thank you for finding her.”

  “I didn’t really ... ” Jolie stared into the woman’s elated face. “You know what? You’re welcome. Can I see her?”

  “The doctor gave her something to help her sleep. He also warned me that she’ll probably need the sedatives for a while.”

  “Wendi, she’s not going to be the same girl she was before all of this happened. She was traumatized and saw her father murdered, but she’ll come back. And let’s pray she’s stronger from it.”

  Giving Jolie a weak smile, Wendi moved back toward the room. “When she wakes up I’ll let her know you stopped by to see her.”

  “I’ll try to visit her as much as I can when she gets out.”

  “That would be nice,” Wendi said and slipped inside the darkened room.

  Jolie had one more stop to make before going home to her own bed. She was still running on an adrenaline high. It had felt awesome to kick Richards’s ass. It hadn’t quite sunk in what he’d planned to do with her or what he was going to do to her parents. Once she sat down and really thought it over, would she be as traumatized as Sarah? Would she have post-traumatic stress? How far would Richards’s depravity reach?

  They might never learn the full extent of his operation, but the sheriff was able to identify Richards and the mysterious P-Man as one and the same. A full search of the man’s home had exposed a box of those same cards that Jennings had found in Anthony Maddox’s car, along with information on contacts with men all over the world. The sick bastard had been kidnapping, raping, and selling girls to child predators, and at some point had brought Anthony into his side job. They’d never know how many lives Richards had ruined, but he would be locked away for the rest of his life on just the murder charges of three people alone.

  Jolie didn’t know what her brother had done to save her from Richards’s clutches; maybe one day she’d stop by the prison and ask, and maybe Ian would be in a giving mood and tell her.

  Arriving at her destination, she parked along the street and smiled at the scene in the yard. With the aid of the porch light, she saw Cadno dancing around Xavier’s legs, trying to make a grab for something in the big man’s hands. Pulling back, Xavier let the thing fly, and Cadno tore off across the yard. For a retired MWD, that dog sure hadn’t lost his speed and agility.

  Jolie exited her car and meandered up the drive. Mimicking her slow gait, Xavier joined her at the juncture where yard met pavement. They stared at each other; neither spoke. Cadno wiggled his way between them and then sat on Xavier’s feet, looking up at him with a red rubber Kong in his mouth.

  “Con hasn’t been here to get his dog?” she asked.

  “No. I got word they managed to defuse the crisis in the funeral home with Grace’s parents. Nic had her hands full with the kids, so she asked me to watch Cadno until Con could get him.”

  “Sheriff told me he had to go talk down Grace’s dad.” Jolie sighed. “I’m just glad it didn’t end in more bloodshed; we’ve had enough for the week.”

  Their silence returned, which seemed to drive Cadno nuts. He squeezed out from between them, jogged a circle behind them, and then flopped down on the grass to gnaw on his toy.

  “You said something kind of crazy today,” Jolie said.

  The shadows made things murky, but fudgesicles, Xavier gave her a sheepish look. Maybe.

  “Yeah, I did.”

  “Did you mean it?”

  “That I love you?” He reached up, cradling her head in his thick hands—hands that were capable of inflicting damage yet still gentle enough to hold her and make love to her. “Took me by surprise, too. I know it’s been only a few days since we were thrown together, and well … I can’t deny what I’m feeling.”

  “I don’t think a few days is all that bad.” She smiled. “My parents met and declared to their families they were getting married after only two days. And they’re still going, twenty-nine years later.”

  “Astounding.”

  Before she could respond, he leaned forward and kissed her. Jolie sank into him.

  He broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. “Damn, I wanted to do that when I saw you coming down the lane, but with the way you smelled … ”

  She laughed. “Sorry, that couldn’t be helped.”

  His fingers traced the bruises on her neck. “I never want to see something like this on you again.”

  “That is not something you can prevent. If I have a run-in with another criminal who fights back, I’m going to get bruised.”

  “Not if I can help it.”

  “You know, you’re getting off-track. I came here so we could talk about what you said. And to make my own confession.”

  “Confession to what?”

  “I love you, too.”

  This time he smiled. “Now, that is a confession.”

  “But I have to know just one thing, Xavier Rivers Hartmann: where are you going to live? Because, believe me, I’m not leaving McIntire County. As much as these people drive me batshit crazy at times, it’s still my home and they’re still my people. And I really like my job too much to leave it.”

  “I had plenty of time to think on that while I was lounging in jail. Before you came to take me in, William paid me a visit.” Xavier sighed. “I want to know my real father, and my sisters. And that means I don’t want to go back to Australia, unless it’s to visit my family.”

  “Where does that leave me?”

  “Right here, getting to know me, and me getting to know you. I’m not declaring marriage, yet, but I’m not about to chalk this up as a fling. I firmly believe you’re the right woman for me, Jolie Murdoch. I truly and utterly love you. You made me live again.” He kissed her again, more deeply, passionately.

  She fell into him, heart and soul. He’d balanced her, given her a drive and purpose she’d been lacking and fearing most of her life. This was one decisive decision she’d never regret.

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, always, to The LORD, my God, who’s been my Rock and Foundation. You will always be Adonai. Soli Deo Gloria.

  Many hours go into writing a book. And an author is sometimes left with making some hard choices. I had to make a lot of hard choices while writing Sins of the Father, and one of those choices was to juggle a new full-time job while being a full-time wife, mother, and author. But for all the steps I took, my family took them with me.

  My heart and soul might belong to God, but every other part of me belongs to my husband, Shawn. He still might not get why I want to be an author so much, but he gets that I’m not a functioning human being if I don’t write. He’s seen some pretty ugly cries when it
comes to this dirty business of being an author, and he’s still here. Must be that intestinal fortitude. ;) Love you!

  It scares the crap out of me to realize I’m the mother of two—yes, two—seniors. It was after the birth of my twins that I made the decision that I wasn’t just going to talk and dream about being an author; I was going to BE an author. And now I’m about to send them off into the big, scary world. They are probably two of the finest young men out there—yes, I’m biased—but I did my damnedest to raise them right. Believe me, they both had to pull their weight with cooking and cleaning while Mom was on deadline and working. Thanks, boys.

  As for the two youngest, well, I think it worries me that my own daughter is showing signs of being as weird as her mother. (Shhh, don’t tell her that.) And my baby gets to hang around and tag-team with his father in terrorizing me for a few more years.

  While in the process of learning who Xavier Hartmann was as a wounded veteran, I had the great privilege of meeting Matt Amos, a double amputee marine who is such a great guy, I was floored by his humor and great nature. You’d never know this man was blown up twice. If you’d like to learn more about Matt you can read his story here: http://www.onemarinesview.com/one_marines_view/2015/07/matt-amos-a-new-mission-admirals-pennant.html

  Then check out his awesome product, Admiral’s Pennant Beard Oil, at http://admiralspennant.com/.

  Thanks a ton to my agent, Marisa Corvisiero. She’s a rock and probably the best freaking agent I could have. There are just some things you can’t do alone in this business and to have Marisa as my wingwoman is a great honor.

  Well, Rachel, this is book number seven for me. It took us four years to get together in person, but it marks the start of us making a trip to see each other every year from here on out. We’ve both come a long way. Here’s to seven more books in four years.

  This book would not have the proper character motivation if it weren’t for my talented editor with the red pen. A million thanks, Julie Sturgeon. I’ve got the pin to prove I have survived your edits for four years now.

  To Tara and the whole production team behind each book, I’m ever grateful for your perfect eye in finding the right cover for each book in this series. It’s hard work to get a book out for the readers on a short production schedule, but the team at Crimson Romance does an outstanding job. Thanks to all!