Hidden Betrayal (O'Connor Girls Book 1)

by Rhonda Brewer

  Chapter 18

  Kristy managed to wash her scrubs, so they were ready for her three night shifts. The last thing she wanted to do after twelve hours was drive home and do laundry.

  She received a few texts from the family that were at the pub during her tantrum. She did feel kind of childish for acting so foolish, but after waiting for so long to be with Dean, she didn’t want to end up with a man that tried to order her around.

  Kristy should have realized that he was concerned about her safety, but the truth was she wanted to go back to see if she could get any information. She’d figured out a long time ago that people will talk more when police aren’t around, but Dean didn’t need to know she would be doing her own little investigation.

  Kristy had finished getting dressed when her phone beeped, and someone knocked on the door almost simultaneously. She grabbed her phone and hurried to the front door. There was a text from Jess and as she opened it she pulled open the front door.

  “Are you out of your mind, young lady?” Her father growled as he stormed into the door and slammed it behind him.

  Kristy glanced down at the text on her phone and inwardly groaned. Jess had sent a text to warn her that her father was on his way and he was pissed.

  “Hi, Dad. It’s nice to see you too.” Kristy smiled but quickly lost it when he glared at her.

  “You’re not going back to that place.” He snapped.

  “Dad, I love you. I really do, and I didn’t complain when you moved me out of the apartment without even getting my opinion, but I’m putting my foot down with this. I’m going back to work tomorrow.” Her father’s face started to turn red, and if he’d been a cartoon character at that moment, his head would have exploded.

  “Bull is letting you do this. This is his idea of not letting you get hurt.” Her father flailed his hands in the air.

  “Dad, first, Dean doesn’t tell me what to do. We just started seeing each other, and even if we were together for years, he wouldn’t be able to tell me what to do no more than you can tell mom what to do.” Kristy knew her mother’s independent attitude frustrated her father every day.

  “Do you see all this grey hair? I swear the older you girls get, the more shows up.” Her father paced back and forth the foyer.

  “I think that’s called getting old, Dad.” Kristy chuckled.

  “Between you girls and Sean’s boys, I’m gonna end up in a mental hospital.” He stopped and blew out a huge breath.

  “Nah, we wouldn’t let that happen to you.” Kristy wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his cheek.

  “I worry about you. You’re my baby girl.” Her dad kissed the top of her head and hugged her.

  “I know, but I had the best father in the world who taught his daughters that they are strong enough to make their way in the world and protect themselves from all the creeps out there.” Kristy tipped her head back and looked up at the man that had raised her. He’d always been her hero and still was.

  “That’s not fair.” He finally smiled.

  “I’m sorry, Dad. You raised us.” She hugged him again.

  “I did, and I’m so proud of all three of you.” He squeezed her a little hard, but she didn’t mind.

  “So, since you’re rampage is subsided, do you want a cup of coffee or something?” She laughed when he rolled his eyes.

  “You know, you and your mother are so much alike it’s scary.” He chuckled. “As hard as it is to see you fall in love, I almost feel bad for Bull because your mother probably gave me most of these grey hairs. Don’t tell her that though.” He warned.

  “I can’t promise I won’t tell her. I might use that as future leverage.” Kristy moved into the kitchen laughing.

  While her father complained about how he wished her mother would start taking some days off from the pub, Kristy reminded him he hadn’t taken a vacation for a long time either. She laughed when he narrowed his eyes and was about to respond, but he was interrupted by the phone.

  “I’m not done with this conversation, little girl. Hello.” He smiled as he answered but that smile vanished when he jumped up and ran to the living room.

  Kristy followed in time to see him turn on the television and change the channel to the local news. Her heart dropped when a picture of Hannah flashed on the screen. Her father turned up the volume.

  “Reports say that Hannah Decker-Humphrey fired her previous lawyer Trevor Poole and hired the firm of Stewart Michaels. She was released from custody yesterday after her new lawyer Jason Brenton, had her released on her own recognizance. He also got special permission for her to leave the city to stay with her brother in Hopedale.” The pretty reporter continued.

  “Well the arse is gone right out of er’,” Her father grumbled the old Newfoundland expression meaning things were now a whole lot worse.

  “There has been no other information received from the family of Mrs. Decker-Humphrey, but we did have a chance to speak with her brother-in-law, Eric Humphrey.” The video of a man Kristy didn’t recognize appeared on the screen.

  “What is your thoughts on the release of your sister-in-law, Mr. Humphrey?” The reporter asked the man.

  “Please call me Eric, I’m shocked that our justice system would allow a person to be released who committed such a horrific murder.” The man stopped and dropped his head as if he was trying to compose himself. “Especially, since I found out that my niece, my brother’s child also passed away. The worst thing is they suspect murder.” He dropped his head again.

  Kristy couldn’t hear the reporter’s response over her father’s cursing and anger.

  “How the fuck did he find out about that? It was supposed to be kept under wraps until we knew for sure.” Kristy glanced at him to answer but realized he was talking to someone on the phone.

  “They didn’t even bother to contact me to let me know she’d passed.” Eric sniffed and wiped his finger under his eye as if he were crying but she didn’t see any tears.

  “I’m so sorry for your loss, Eric.” The report turned back to the camera. “Up to the time we went on the air, requests for a statement from the Newfoundland Police Department, Stewart Michaels, Jason Brenton or the Decker family went unanswered.” The reporter continued, but her father had muted the television as he paced and ranted to someone on the phone.

  Kristy ran to the kitchen to grab her phone from the counter. She got to it as it began to ring. Dean’s picture popped on her screen.

  “Hey, I saw it.” Kristy held the phone to her ear.

  “Hopedale is about to get a lot smaller.” Dean groaned.

  “What do you mean?” Kristy couldn’t see how the town could get any smaller.

  “Reporters, Kitten. They are going to swarm here now.” He sighed.

  “They aren’t going to get inside Keith’s compound.” Kristy knew her cousin would never let them inside his property.

  “Sweetheart, they will camp out and follow anyone that comes out of there.” He cursed.

  “I’m coming over.” Kristy headed toward the door but stopped when her father grabbed her arm.

  “You can’t go over there, honey.” He told her as he shoved his phone into his jacket pocket.

  “Dad, I’m going to be with Dean and his sister.” Kristy yanked her arm from his grasp.

  “There’s no point arguing with you is it?” He sighed.

  “No,” She already had the door opened.

  “Fine, I’m driving you.” Her dad followed, and they practically ran to his truck.

  It had been a total of fifteen minutes since the report aired, and already there was a line up of reporters in front of Keith’s gate. They did move to the side when her father drove up to the gate.

  Many of them were shouting questions at her father, but he ignored them as Crunch and Trunk stood outside the gate to allow her father to drive through and make sure none of the reporters got through the entrance.

  “Fucking vultures.” Her father grumbled.

  “T
his is going to get worse, isn’t it?” Kristy wasn’t asking.

  “You’ve got no idea. I don’t know if you remember when Mr. Decker died but it was all over the news for months. That family couldn’t fart without something showing up on the news. I can honestly understand why Bull wanted to separate himself from the family name.” Her father made his way past Keith’s house to the bunkhouses.

  Dean was on the couch as Hannah sobbed in his arms. Although, the sounds coming from her sounded more like a wail. The poor woman was in a terrible hell that Kristy wasn’t sure anyone could ever come back from it.

  “Han, it will be ok,” Dean whispered, but when Kristy caught his gaze, nothing about his expression said he believed that.

  “How… he…” Hannah gasped. “He… can’t believe this.”

  “He’s looking for publicity.” Her father interjected.

  “He… hates me.” Hannah took a deep inhale of air and started to wail again.

  “Nobody that knows and loves you would believe a word he says.” Kristy crouched in front of her.

  “Thank you, but people still believe my dad killed himself because he made some corrupt investments.” She said through tears.

  “People will believe the worst of others because it makes them feel good about themselves.” Kristy took Hannah’s hands. “We believe you.”

  “You don’t know me.” Hannah stared at her.

  “Dean does, and I trust him.” Kristy smiled.

  “My daughter is a smart cookie. I trust her judgment too.” Her father placed his hand on her shoulder.

  An hour later Dean’s place was busting at the seams. The entire O’Connor family had congregated with support and of course tons of food. Emily, Marina, and Stephanie had taken all the kids to Keith’s house, so they wouldn’t be in the way or catch something they didn’t need to hear.

  “Keithy, if yar gonna have yar by’s livin’ here, maybe ya should build houses big enough fer everyone to visit.” Nanny Betty scurried around the kitchen making due with the tiny room.

  “Nan, these weren't exactly built for our family to be squeezed into them.” Keith rolled his eyes as he squeezed by Kristy and Jess.

  “Bull, ya need to get a bigger house.” She called from where she stirred a pot of soup on the stove.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t help but be awed by your family.” Hannah had stopped crying when everyone started to file into the area.

  “They are great.” Kristy smiled as she glanced around the house.

  Aaron wasn’t there or Mike because they were at work. Her mother was still at the pub and Isabelle was at her restaurant. The rest of the family showed up as supportive as ever. Most of the security staff of Newfoundland Security Services were away on jobs except Trunk, Rex, and Crunch. Rex stood outside as if he was on guard and the other two were still at the gate.

  “Are you okay?” Kristy found Dean on the front of the house leaning against one of the trucks.

  “This was why I didn’t want to involve your family.” Dean linked his hands and rested them on the top of his head.

  Kristy stood in front of him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He was tense, and every bit of him was trembling. As long as she’d known Dean, it was the first time he seemed terrified.

  “It’s your family too.” She stood on her toes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “I think they’ll disown me after all this.” He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly against him.

  It seemed to calm him a little, but she could hear his heart thud as she rested her head against his chest. If it weren’t such a crazy situation, it would have been romantic to be so close to him.

  “Bull,” Kristy turned as John joined them.

  “What now?” Dean groaned.

  “We were talking inside, and we agree, we should get Jason to make a statement. At least it will give them the bone their digging for.” John glanced at Kristy and then back to Dean.

  It was a good idea, but she’d seen enough news programs to know that the media could put their own spin on things.

  “No, if anyone is going to make a statement…” Dean paused. “I’ll do it.”

  “Bull, it’s better…” Dean stopped John before he could continue.

  “I’ve been staying below the radar with my family for far too long. I need to let people see I’m not hiding from being one of them. The Humphreys may not be as well known as the Deckers, but they do have pull. Eric is the only one of them left, and he declared war on my family.” Dean stood up to his full height.

  “Well, let us at least prep you for this.” John motioned for them to go inside. “Uncle Kurt is an old pro at handling the media.”

  John slapped his hand on Dean’s back as Kristy followed behind them. She wasn’t sure this was such a great plan but what other alternative did they have. She was starting to regret the thought of going back to work the next day when the proverbial shit was about to hit the fan.

  Chapter 19

  Kristy adjusted his tie as he buttoned his jacket. He hated wearing suits and hadn’t done it in a long time. He was starting to doubt his decision, but he knew he had to.

  “Jason will be outside when you go out there. He will shut down questions that pertain to the case. We’ve told the vultures out there that you will be making a statement at three so that will give them enough time to call more of their friends.” Kurt held up a couple of sheets of paper. “Stick to this.”

  “I’m not supposed to answer any questions or only the ones that have to do with the cases?” Dean turned but kept his arm wrapped around Kristy because at that moment she was the only thing keeping him calm.

  “Trust me, all the questions they throw at you will be about the case. Anyway, they are going to refer to you by Augustus Decker.” Kurt informed him.

  “Why?” Dean couldn’t understand why he had to go by his given name.

  “How do you think it will look when Dean Nash talks to the press? The first thing they’ll say is you’re trying to distance yourself from the Decker name.” Kurt glanced at his watch and then back up to Dean.

  Dean gave Kristy a quick kiss and followed Kurt out of his bedroom. Most of the family had left to go home or to crowd in front of the gate for support. Nanny Betty, Kathleen, and Jess stayed at the bunkhouse with Hannah.

  He’d tried to convince Kristy to stay with them, but she told him she was going to be there with him for support. He didn’t argue because the truth was he was glad she would be close.

  As soon as he walked through the gate, Jason stood next to him on one side while Kurt stood on the other. John, Kristy, Trunk, and Crunch were behind him. He also noticed Aaron, Nick, and James at the back of the crowd with some other uniformed police officers. Keith, Sandy, and Ian were to the side of the group.

  Before he even got a chance to speak, questions came at him from all sides of the reporters. Kurt told him to read straight from the paper and ignore anything they asked.

  “If you could all settle down, Mr. Decker will make his statement,” Kurt shouted.

  It wasn’t completely hushed; he was able to start. After a quick glance back at Kristy he turned back to the reporters and began.

  “Thank you for being here today. Although I can’t give you any information about the cases of my sister or niece, I will let you know that the Newfoundland Police Department is running a full investigation.” He tried to continue, but a voice from the back of the crowd interrupted.

  “Is it true your niece was murdered as well?” The female voice shouted.

  “Please let Mr. Decker continue,” Kurt warned.

  Dean took another deep breath and continued.

  “I can not comment on that. I ask for some privacy for our family while we grieve her. She had been ill for a long time and although it is difficult for us…” Dean paused to swallow the lump in his throat. “she’s not suffering anymore.”

  Kristy’s hand touched his back, and it gave him the strength to fi
nish his statement before he lost it but a voice from the crowd had him tense.

  “She wouldn’t have suffered if her mother hadn’t murdered her father.” Eric pushed through the crowd and stood in front of the reporters.

  “This isn’t the time or place, Eric.” Dean tried to keep his voice calm.

  “When is the time? She lied to me, and the fucking Deckers kept me from family and the people I loved. What did I do to deserve it? I didn’t even get a choice to see the child grow up.” He shouted as reporters recorded and clicked pictures.

  “I was told by your brother that you were a danger to my sister and niece. I did what he wanted.” Dean raised his voice but still tried to keep his composure.

  “Liar,” Eric shouted but it got lost in the sound of a loud pop, and Eric’s eyes grew wide as he dropped to the ground.

  “Gun,” Dean didn’t know who called out the warning, but the crowd ducked, and Dean turned to cover Kristy with his body.

  He raised his head enough to see most people laying on the ground except Aaron, Nick and a man with his head covered by a hooded sweatshirt.

  “Drop it now,” Nick shouted.

  “Stay down,” Dean whispered to Kristy as he started to rise off of her.

  “I had to do it.” The familiar voice shouted from where Nick and Aaron, stood with their weapons drawn on the man.

  “Drop the gun, and we can talk about it.” Dean hadn’t noticed James off to the side of the man.

  “Talk about what, I’m ruined. My life, my career its all over.” Dean finally recognized the voice.

  “Trevor,” The man spun around and pointed his gun at Dean.

  “Drop it now,” Aaron shouted.

  “It’s okay, A.J. I know this guy.” Dean stepped toward the man that once represented his sister.

  “It’s all his fault. He made me do this.” Trevor shouted.

  “Your job was to defend my sister not to listen to the man that was convinced she killed his brother.” Dean took another step forward.

  “Don’t come any closer.” Trevor shook the gun at Dean.

  “Bull,” James' voice was calm with a hint of warning. One that said he was walking a thin line.