“Kristy, we can’t jump the gun here.” Sophia snapped.
“Are you kidding me? We need the police to check the room for any evidence.” Kristy didn’t appreciate Sophia’s tone.
“Evidence is probably compromised.” Dean’s voice cracked.
“Why?” Kristy turned, and the tears in his eyes almost broke her.
“They called a code blue. There were at least ten people in and out of that room.” Dean tipped back his head, and she saw his Adam’s apple move up and down.
“There still could be something there,” Kristy didn’t care who watched, she grabbed his hands and squeezed them. “I know I’m right, Dean.”
“Fine but I’m not letting anyone do this. I want your cousins and your dad out here.” Dean looked down, and she met his gaze.
“We have local police, Mr. Flynn.” Sophia sounded as if she’d been insulted.
“I trust the police from Hopedale. I’m sure Kurt can get authority from the local department to have them do this investigation.” Dean looked over her shoulder at Sophia.
“Honestly, I know the family too, and maybe you’re right.” Sophia sighed. “Do you want to call, or will I?”
“Before I call them, I’ve got to be honest with you.” Dean glanced at Kristy, and she nodded.
She didn’t know the whole story herself, but she did know that Dean’s last name wasn’t Flynn. She also wondered why he picked that moment to reveal his secret.
“Why do I get the feeling we are about to be thrown a curve ball.” Graham plopped down in the armchair next to the desk.
“First of all, my niece’s name is not Peyton Flynn.” Dean pulled his wallet from his pocket and removed something from the inside.
“What’s her name?” Sophia sighed.
“Peyton Decker-Humphrey.” Dean dropped an identification card on the desk in front of Sophia.
“Why does that name sound familiar?” Graham squinted his eyes as if it would help him remember.
“Her father was Ivan Humphrey, and her mother is Hannah Decker-Humphrey.” Dean glanced at Kristy and back to Sophia.
The names sounded familiar to her, but she couldn’t figure out why. Another thing bothered her was the fact that Dean’s sister had a different last name then Dean.
“Maybe this will help, my given name is Augustus Dean Decker. My father was Aiden Decker.” Dean glanced at her.
Kristy knew the name Aiden Decker very well. The man was a billionaire and very well-known businessman and philanthropist. She remembered the tragic news of his death all over the news and the bad press since his death. It was a shock to her to know Dean was the man’s son.
“Oh dear. Now I remember. Your sister’s been accused of killing her husband.” Sophia closed her eyes and then took a deep breath before opening them again. “Can I ask the reason for the dishonesty?”
Kristy noticed him wince. If there was one thing she’d learned about him, it was he didn’t like to be called a liar.
“I needed keep her out of the media and hide her location from her father’s brother.” Dean’s jaw clenched.
“I’m sure there’s a reason to keep him away from your niece, but you’ve put us in a complicated situation.” Graham stood up.
“I understand, but I assure you that it was for Pey’s best interest.” Dean met the man’s gaze.
“How much of this does Kurt know about?” Sophia glanced at Kristy and Dean.
“Nobody outside of myself, my sister and Pey knew about any of this. Well, Keith knows most of it as well.” Dean stood with his hands clasped in front of him.
Kristy pulled out her phone and hit Facetime for her father. He was about to be pissed. Dean didn’t ask for help, and she knew her father thought a lot of Dean.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Her father’s smiling face filled her screen.
“Hey, dad.” Kristy tried to force a smile.
“Kristy, what’s wrong?” His smile disappeared, and concern filled his expression. “Are you okay?”
“Dad, I’m fine, but there’s a problem here that we need your help with.” Kristy didn’t get a chance to explain when Dean took the phone from her hand.
“Bull, what the hell are you doing with my daughter?” Her father sounded like a bear about to attack, and Kristy rolled her eyes.
“Kurt, I need your help.”
Chapter 7
By the rage in Kurt’s eyes, Dean would be lucky if the man didn’t shoot him as soon as they were face to face. Kristy’s father had warned Dean not to play with Kristy’s heart and if he did Kurt would make him sorry he was ever born.
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell us about this? Does Keith know?” Kurt shouted, and Dean glanced up at Kristy.
She rolled her eyes again because it was typical of her father to shout and roar when he was worried. He could be a bear but with a heart the size of Newfoundland.
“He knows some but not all. I didn’t want to involve any of you in this.” Dean certainly didn’t want Kristy anywhere near any of this.
“Well, now that worked out great, didn’t it?” Kurt snapped and then took a huge breath “I don’t know anything about this guy but is he capable of hurting his own niece? What about his parents?” Dean could only see Kurt’s profile, and he heard the rapid clicks of a keyboard.
“Lucy and Henry are both deceased. Ivan didn’t trust Eric and said he could be a mean son of a bitch. Ivan never trusted him.” Dean remembered one conversation in particular with his late brother-in-law.
Eight years ago….
Dean entered his father’s den for the first time since the funeral. His father was dead and in such an unnecessary way. Dean was furious with his dad for his stupidity, but he had nowhere to direct his anger.
“The last of the caters just left.” Dean looked up from behind his father’s old oak desk. Ivan stood inside the door with his hand shoved into his front pockets. His brother-in-law had been a rock for Hannah through the whole thing.
“Have they been paid?” Dean motioned to the chair across from him.
“Yes, I’ve got the invoice right here.” Ivan reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope.
“Ivan, I want you to deal with all this. Dad knew I had no interest in his company.” Dean motioned around the room where his father did all his business “He groomed you for all this because he knew I wanted nothing to do with it.”
“Dean, you know the will divides everything between you and Hannah. I was only your father’s lawyer and assistant.” Ivan leaned back in the chair and rested his ankle on top of his other leg.
“Ivan, you might have been dad’s lawyer, but you know about all this crap. It’s not something I want, and I know Hannah doesn’t.” Dean rested his elbows on the desk.
“You know what everyone’s gonna say.” Ivan sighed and linked his hands behind his head.
“I don’t give a fuck what anyone says. I know you married my sister because you love her. I also know you treat her like a queen and you worship Peyton.” Dean never for a moment thought Ivan was after his sister for her money.
“My brother told me I stuck my dick in a gold mine and he wished Hannah had a sister.” Ivan’s jaw clenched, and it was obvious the man disliked his brother.
There’d been trouble with Ivan’s brother ever since they moved to St. John’s. The police were called more than once to have him removed from the Decker property.
“I am happy to believe that your dick has gone nowhere near my sister and immaculate conception conceived Peyton.” Dean chuckled, but Ivan’s expression remained serious.
“I love Hannah with all my heart, and I’d do anything to keep her happy. I don’t give a fuck about money or position, Dean, but my brother, he worries me. Things he says makes me wonder what the man is capable of.” Ivan stood up and pulled his hands down over his face. “Look, I’ll manage everything, but no decisions will be made without you or Hannah. Okay?”
“That’s fine with me.” As long as he d
idn’t have to be the one dealing with CEO’s and business meetings, Dean didn't give a shit.
“I need you to do one thing for me?” Ivan rested his fists on the desk and met Dean’s gaze.
“What?”
“Help me keep my crazy brother away from my family. My mom and dad are probably not going to be around much longer. I mean they’re in their eighties. Dad’s on borrowed time, and mom doesn’t know she’s in the world or out. I’m worried when they’re gone; Eric will get desperate.” Ivan swallowed hard. “I don’t trust him. I know it’s a terrible thing to say about my own brother, but he’s hated me for years, and I don’t know why. He says I get what I want whether it was mine or not. I’m sure if he could find a way to do away with me he’d do it with a smile on his face.”
The memory of the conversation caused more pain then he wanted to admit. Now, Ivan was dead, and Hannah in jail for his death. Eric had to be involved, but Dean didn’t know how.
“You don’t believe your sister killed her husband.” Kurt must have seen something in Dean’s expression.
“No, but there’s no way to explain away the evidence.” Dean hated how vulnerable he felt with everyone’s eyes focused on him.
“I really should kick your fucking arse for not trusting us to help, but right now we’ll deal with what happened with your niece and then work on your sister’s case after that. Then you’ve got a real shit knocking coming to you.” Kurt’s forehead wrinkled as he leaned into the screen. “Do you want me to call Keith or do you want to do that. I’m gonna send the coroner and forensics unit from St. John’s.”
“I’d feel more comfortable with you guys …” Kurt stopped him.
“They’re the best.” Kurt’s expression softened. “I wouldn’t send them otherwise, Bull.”
“Thanks, Kurt.” Dean did appreciate it more than he could ever say.
“You’re family, no thanks necessary but don’t think that gets you out of my bad books.” Kurt’s lips quirked. “We’ll get this figured out, son.”
The screen went black, but the last word Kurt said hit Dean straight in the heart. It was stupid but to have a man he idolized call him, son, gave him hope that everything would be okay.
“I’ll call Keith and make sure he has Noah in his arms. That way he won’t yell.” Kristy smiled as she took her phone from his hand.
“Rusty’s yelling doesn’t bother me.” Dean referred to Keith by the nickname they used for him at work.
“Me either but it will bother him when he can’t.” Kristy tapped the screen, and he heard the ring go through.
“Hey, cuz.” Keith’s voice echoed.
“Where’s baby Noah?” Kristy glanced over the top of the phone at Dean.
“He’s right here.” Emily’s laugh made him smile.
“You should let Keith hold him while we talk.” Kristy pressed her lips together.
“Why?” Keith knew something was up by his tone.
“Just do it.” Kristy sighed.
There was a rustle, and Kristy turned the phone so that he could see Keith and Emily. If it weren't such a fucked up situation, the couple’s expressions would have been laughable.
“What the f… What are you doing there?” So, Keith did censor his language around the baby. This call was about to get interesting.
“Remember you can’t yell with Noah in your arms and don't pretend you didn't know Dean was here with his niece. I'm not stupid.” Kristy leaned her head against Dean’s shoulder and then pulled away.
“Bull, what the fudge cake is going on?” Dean couldn’t help but chuckle at the child appropriate language Keith used.
“See, babe. It’s so easy to use other words.” Emily grinned and then turned back to the camera. “What are you doing there with Kristy?”
Dean was sure there was smoke about to come out of Keith’s ears as he told his friend everything. Emily looked annoyed as well, and she was another one Dean didn’t want to piss off.
“Bull, I can’t use the type of words I want to use right now or tell you what I’m going to do when I get my hands on you but trust me in about an hour you better be wearing earplugs and body armor.” Keith sounded so idiotic with the soft tone of voice he used.
“Get in line because your uncle already gave me a list of hurt he’s going to rain down on me.” Dean snapped.
“How could you keep this from us? You’re family for heaven’s sake.” Emily looked about ready to burst into tears.
“I’m sorry and please don’t cry.” Dean hated to hurt any of these people.
“You aren’t making me cry it’s the darn hormones, but I can’t believe you wouldn’t ask for help. Especially after all the help you’ve given this family.” Emily shook her head and pulled Noah from Keith’s arms.
“That’s why. You guys have been through hell and…” Dean got stopped again when Keith’s face filled the screen.
“Bull, are you kidding me right now? If one of us needed you tomorrow wouldn’t you drop everything and be here?” Keith growled.
“Yeah, but…”
“So why the hell would you think we would do anything else? I knew you weren’t telling me everything. If you had, I could have told you where Kristy was going to work, and my cousin wouldn’t be involved.” Keith’s face wasn’t as red, but he was hurt.
“Keith, will you stop being a bum. He’s a big dummy we know, but now he needs us, and it's none of your business how I'm involved. I can take care of myself.” Kristy snatched the phone from Dean.
“I know you can but … never mind. How much of this did you know about?” Keith snapped at her, and that didn’t sit well with Dean.
"Not as much as you, apparently." Kristy’s snarky response made her cousin wince.
“She didn’t know anything.” Dean stepped behind her and Keith was quiet for a moment.
“Uncle Kurt has help on the way?” Keith glanced behind him at Emily.
“Yes,” Kristy answered.
“Bull, I’ll be there as soon as I can, and I’m sure I won’t be alone.” Keith stopped and sighed. “Hang in there, brother.”
Dean raised his arms and linked his fingers behind his head as he turned toward the window. The last thing he wanted was to involve this family in any more drama.
“Dean, it’ll be okay.” Kristy touched his arm, and he spun around.
Her blue eyes always mesmerized him because they were like a mirror to her beautiful soul. She was kind and thoughtful, but when he gazed into her eyes, he felt at peace. Nobody had ever been able to make him feel that way.
“Dean, I don’t know what kind of connections Kurt has, but the police and coroner are here.” He’d almost forgotten Sophia and Graham were in the room.
“I guess when the Chief of police of Newfoundland calls, everyone jumps.” Graham glanced out through the window.
“I’ll have them come in here to talk to you.” Sophia opened the door. “I’ll also show them to the suite.”
“Thanks, Sophia.” Dean nodded.
“If I haven’t already said it, I’m very sorry for your loss.” Sophia and Graham walked out of the office, and he was left alone with Kristy.
“Do you really believe Pey, didn’t do this herself?” Dean took Kristy’s hand and linked his fingers with hers.
“It’s a gut feeling, but no I don’t think she would do it. I know I’ve only known her a few days, but she kept talking about the future.” Kristy took his other hand and held it the same way.
“I don’t know how. Without a transplant, Pey didn’t have a chance.” Dean pressed his forehead against hers. “Not the best first week of a new job for you, is it?”
“Dean, I don’t give a shit about this job right now. I do care about you. More than you know.” Kristy pulled back and stared into his eyes.
“I know, Kitten. I’m so sorry for hurting you.” Dean released her hands and cupped her face.
“You did hurt me, but it didn’t change how I feel.” Kristy turned her head and press
ed her lips to his wrist.
“I need to tell you before your family comes and probably kills me. Kristy, I…” The door of the office opened, and he dropped his hands.
Dean recognized the man that entered as one of the officers who helped when Mike’s wife was on a human trafficking list.
“Steve?” Kristy pushed back from Dean.
“Hey, Kristy.” Steve Parker smiled at her and it irritated Dean.
“I didn’t realize you were coming,” Dean tried not to snap at the police officer, but it was hard.
“I was out this way to interview a witness for a case.” He reached out to shake Dean’s hand.
“Thanks.” Kristy smiled.
“Hey, the Chief calls we jump.” Steve motioned for them to sit.
“I appreciate it.” Dean practically fell into the armchair and waited for the interrogation.
It was standard procedure for Steve to ask another officer to take Kristy out of the room, but Dean wanted to punch him. Of course, the constant questions about why he hid their identity not only from Comfort Life Care and his friends made him feel about three inches tall.
“I’ll need her phone.” Steve held out an evidence bag.
“I’ve touched it and so did Kristy.” Dean pulled it from his pocket and dropped it in the bag.
“It’s okay, we’ve got both of your prints on file.” Steve zipped up the bag and handed it to the officer he called into the room.
Since Dean owned and worked with a security firm his fingerprints were on record, and he assumed because Kristy worked with the hospitals they would have done the same to her as well.
Two hours later Dean watched through the window as a man pushed a covered gurney out to the awaiting ambulance. It was déjà vu. He’d observed that day someone wheeled Ivan out of his sister’s home in the same way.
Four months ago ….
Dean couldn’t believe his eyes. Hannah handcuffed and shoved into the back of a police cruiser and his brother-in-law, dead, in a body bag.
What the hell happened? Hannah wouldn’t hurt a fly how the hell could she kill the man she loved more than life itself. She seemed to stagger when the police led her out of the house. Then again, she was probably in shock.
Hidden Betrayal (O'Connor Girls Book 1) Page 7
