Hidden Betrayal (O'Connor Girls Book 1)

by Rhonda Brewer

  “Okay, why did you listen to him? Tell me and why kill him now?” Dean didn’t move any closer, and he did keep a close eye on Trevor’s trigger finger.

  “He helped me. He was like a father to me, but I didn’t have a choice. He needed to die. Love sucks.” Trevor glanced around as if he saw for the first time his situation. “She… God what have I done.”

  Before anybody could move Trevor put the gun in his mouth and then there was a loud pop. Dean watched his body flop to the ground, and the guy skittered across the road.

  “Dean,” Kristy shouted from behind him, and he spun around to stop her before she could see the man on the ground with his hood soaked in blood.

  “Kitten, stop.” He stood in front of her.

  “For God’s sake Dean, I’m a nurse.” She tried to move around him, but he wouldn’t let her.

  “It’s too late for him.” Dean turned her and walked her away from the body.

  “Eric's dead.” Kristy motioned to where Crunch covered the other body.

  “That was a huge cluster fuck,” Kurt growled.

  “I’ll get the scene secured,” James had his phone to his ear while the other officers helped the reporters to leave the area that was being closed off.

  “What was he talking about?” Kurt asked.

  “I’ve no idea. All I know was when Hannah got arrested, he showed up hired by Decker Corp.” Dean squeezed through the gate his arm tightly around Kristy.

  “This is a whole lot more fucked up now.” Kurt sighed. “You two go back to the house because the chances are that went live, and your sister just watched what happened.”

  Keith pulled up next to them in his jeep and threw open the door. It wasn’t that far to his bunkhouse, but Kristy trembled next to him. He helped her in and hopped in next to her.

  “That didn’t exactly go well,” Kristy mumbled probably to herself.

  “I wonder if that bullet was meant for you.” Keith looked at him but before Dean could respond Kristy slapped her cousin across the arm.

  “Really? Did you have to put that thought in my head?” Kristy snapped.

  “Kitten, calm down. He was thinking out loud.” Dean pulled her to his side and kissed the top of her head.

  “He should learn to keep his stupid thoughts to himself.” Kristy sighed and turned her face into his chest.

  Kurt wasn’t wrong. As they pulled up in front of the bunkhouse, the door flew open, and Hannah ran through the door followed by Kathleen and Nanny Betty.

  “Dean, my God. Are you okay?” Hannah almost bowled him over as he stepped out of the jeep. She wrapped her arms around him and held tight.

  “I’m fine, Han but Eric…” Dean took a deep breath.

  “I know we saw it on the news.” She hugged him tightly.

  “Did they get the shooter?” Kathleen asked.

  “Yes,” Dean nodded as they made their way into the bunkhouse.

  “Who was it?” Kathleen sat next to Kristy on the couch.

  “Trevor Poole.” Dean glanced down at Hannah.

  Her body stiffened, and she slowly tipped her head back to look up at him. Her hazel eyes were as wide as saucers, and the color had drained from her face.

  “My old lawyer?” It was as if she didn’t have enough air to get the words out.

  “Yes.” Dean grabbed her before her legs gave out and helped her to a chair.

  “I don’t understand.” She shook her head.

  Hannah wasn’t the only one that didn’t get it. Eric and Trevor both died with the reason all this happened. What the hell were they supposed to do because right now they had no way to prove that Eric had something to do with the start of all this.

  After a night of hell, Dean managed to get less than an hour of sleep. Kristy didn’t get much either as she slept next to him. She clung to him all night. He was glad he didn’t have to be concerned with Hannah being up all night because Ian dropped by and gave her something to help her relax and get some rest. It was the only way she settled down.

  Dean pulled on a pair of track pants and tiptoed out of the bedroom. Kristy was asleep, and he didn’t want to wake her. He walked by the couch where Hannah was turned into the back of it still resting.

  He walked into the kitchen and jumped back when he saw Kurt and Keith sat at the table. Keith nodded toward the coffee pot as they sat in silence.

  “When did you get here?” Dean asked as he sat at the table.

  “About an hour ago.” Kurt yawned. “Not that I slept at all.”

  “Me either,” Dean admitted.

  “Emily spent the night clinging to me with Noah tucked between us.” Keith sighed. “She didn’t want to be separated from either of us.”

  “How did Kristy sleep?” Kurt looked him straight in the eyes.

  “Not much,” Dean didn’t look away, but it felt weird to talk with him about sleeping next to his daughter.

  “Is she still going back to work today?” Keith asked.

  “As far as I know but I wish she wouldn’t.” Dean sighed.

  “You don’t have to worry about that now.” Kristy appeared in the doorway.

  “You changed your mind?” Keith turned around to look at her.

  “Sophia called me. They’ve had to move all the patients to other facilities.” Kristy sat in the chair next to her father.

  “Why?” Dean could see something was wrong.

  “Someone broke in last night and set the place on fire.” Kristy took a deep breath. “They were barely able to get the residents out before the place went up. There are also a couple of staff missing.”

  “Who?” Dean didn’t like the sound of this.

  “Leah and Gemma.” Kristy’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Jesus,” Dean growled.

  “When did this happen?” Kurt seemed to be in the same mindset as Dean.

  “It was after two in the morning.” Kristy pulled up the news report on her phone and showed Dean.

  “Why would Leah be there at that hour? Wasn’t she on your rotation?” Dean glanced through the news story.

  “That’s what I’m wondering, and Gemma shouldn’t be there at night. She works all days. She’s management.” Kristy reminded him.

  “It obviously wasn’t Eric or even Trevor that started it.” Keith reminded them.

  “So, either one has nothing to do with the other, or there is someone else involved with all this. I don’t get the reason to burn down that facility.” Kurt plowed his fingers through his grey hair.

  “But if they are connected, who the hell is doing this?” Dean sighed.

  “Considering the rumors that I’ve heard about your dad’s business practices before he died. It could be anyone that he may have screwed over.” Keith shrugged.

  “Seriously, Keith. Could you be any more heartless?” Kristy snapped.

  “No, Kitten. He’s right. Ivan, Vince or I have never been able to find anything on what the media reported about dad undercutting people on the property, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.” Dean hated to believe his father would ever do something illegal.

  Chapter 20

  Kristy spent the next three days checking in with Sophia for any news on Leah or Gemma. Her heart went out to the woman because not only did she lose the business she and her husband built from the ground up, but two of her employees vanished.

  As much of a bitch as Gemma was, Kristy found it hard to believe that the girl would set fire to the building. She definitely didn’t strike her as that crazy.

  Leah didn’t either, but something had her stressed the last time Kristy spoke with her outside of Comfort Life Care. She said something about needing money which was why she worked extra hours.

  “The fire chief said that as soon as all the hot spots are gone, they can investigate and search for any…” Sofia’s voice cracked.

  “Don’t think like that, Sophia. We have to stay positive.” Even as she said it Kristy knew it was a stupid thing to say.

  “It’s
been three days. Both their phones are off, and neither of them has gone home.” Sophia sighed. “I’ve got a sick feeling they got stuck inside the building and couldn’t get out.”

  “I pray they didn't.” Kristy's stomach turned every time Leah or Gemma entered her thoughts. “Keep in touch please and call if you hear anything. Dean's going to talk to my cousin because the coroner report on Peyton is back.”

  “Oh dear, please let me know the outcome.” Sophia didn't have that quiet confidence that Kristy first admired about the woman. Who could blame her?

  “I will. Take care, Sophia and give my best to Graham.” Kristy ended the call and snatched her purse off the table.

  She headed out through the door in time to see Dean pull up in front of the house. He’d dropped her off earlier, so she could get a change of clothes while he and Hannah grabbed a bite to eat.

  “Hey,” Kristy kissed his cheek as he met her at the passenger side to open her door.

  “Hi,” He looked exhausted, and Kristy hadn't missed his tossing and turning the previous night.

  Kristy got in, and Hannah gave her a weak smile from the back seat of the truck. The woman had gotten extremely quiet over the last couple of days, and Kristy was worried she was sinking into a depression.

  “I just got off the phone with Sophia.” Kristy told them as she pulled on her seatbelt.

  “Still no word on the girls?” Dean pulled out onto the road and made a quick U-turn.

  “No, and she thinks they got stuck inside.” Kristy watched the houses as they drove toward the police department.

  “It’s got to be connected.” Dean whispered but mostly to himself.

  “Sandy’s looking into any potential links, but I don’t think she’s come up with anything.” Kristy reached across and rested her hand on his leg. “We’ll get this figured out.”

  “I know, Kitten.” He covered her hand with his.

  “Why do you call her Kitten?” Hannah spoke as they pulled into the parking lot in front of the station.

  “I can’t remember him ever calling me anything else.” Kristy smiled back at her.

  “Keith told me to watch out for you because you would scratch my eyes out if I pissed you off.” Dean chuckled when her mouth dropped open in shock.

  “He’s such an ass.” Kristy opened the door and hopped out of the truck. “When this is all over, remind me to scratch his eyes out.”

  “As long as I can watch.” Dean took her hand as soon as he turned the front of the truck.

  Hannah walked next to him on the other side and the closer they got to the door the slower she moved.

  “I’m not sure I want to know.” Hannah’s voice cracked.

  “Yes, you do, Han. We both need to know.” Dean wrapped his free arm around her shoulders, and they entered the building.

  John was waiting in his office for them with Kurt and Aaron. From their grim appearances, things were about to get a whole lot worse.

  Aaron closed the door as they all entered, and John motioned for them to sit. Dean helped Hannah into a chair, and he sat next to her. Kristy stood behind them with her hands on both his and Hannah’s shoulders. Hannah grabbed her hand and held it tightly.

  “So, thanks for coming in.” John began and glanced up from the papers on his desk.

  Dean nodded but didn’t say anything. He glanced at Kurt and then back to John. Hannah squeezed Kristy’s hand.

  “We have the coroner report on Peyton.” John glanced up at them and then back to the paper. “He said she had a high amount of Propofol in her system.”

  “What’s that?” Dean sat up straight.

  “It’s a drug they use for general anesthesia,” Kristy answered his question.

  “The same as they use for surgery?” Dean glanced at her, and she nodded.

  “I understand she hasn’t had any recent surgical procedures.” John continued.

  “No, she wouldn’t have made it through surgery in her condition.” Kristy cringed when she realized she blurted that out so matter of fact.

  “That’s what killed her?” Dean’s body slouched in the chair.

  “Not exactly,” John glanced at Kristy.

  “What do you mean?” Hannah’s voice cracked.

  “The coroner believes the medication was used to put her to sleep, but there were fibers in her nose and throat.” John handed the report to Dean.

  “Someone smothered her.” Dean’s body trembled, and Hannah gasped as she started to sob.

  “Yes,” John folded his hands in front of him and steepled his index fingers. “I’m so sorry, Bull, but it appears to be a homicide.”

  “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck,” Dean growled and jumped to his feet.

  “We’ll figure out who did this.” It was the first time her father spoke since they’d entered the room.

  “How are you going to do that? You still can’t figure out who killed my husband.” Hannah shouted. “Someone is slowly killing off my family and getting away with it.”

  “John, someone is knocking people off left and right. Han is right. To make it worse, the one I thought did all this shit is dead.” Dean had his fists pressed against the window next to John’s desk.

  “You mean Eric Humphrey?” Aaron met Kristy’s eyes.

  “He was the only person we knew that hated me enough to set me up for Ivan’s….” Hannah couldn’t continue as she started to hyperventilate.

  Kristy pushed her head down between her legs and urged Hannah to take slow breaths. It was hard to see because Kristy knew if she was in the same situation she’d probably be freaking out too.

  “Where do we go from here?” Dean sighed as he sat next to his sister.

  “Sandy found some information on Trevor Poole and that nurse Leah.” Aaron handed a paper to Dean.

  “They were both in foster care,” Dean said after he’d glanced through the paper.

  “Yeah, but that’s not it. Eric was involved in the big brother program for years. Trevor was one of the kids he mentored.”

  “You’re saying Leah had something to do with Peyton’s death?” Kristy spun around.

  “She’s the only one from that place that's connected to Eric and Trevor.” John looked almost apologetic.

  “I know I only knew her a couple of weeks, but she’s been there for years,” Kristy remembered the conversation she had with the girl about her years working at Comfort Life Care.

  “We know, but right now that’s all we have to go on.” John sat back in his chair.

  “No, I don’t believe Leah did that.” Kristy shook her head.

  “I don’t either.” Dean shook his head. “That girl is sweet, and Sophia thinks the world of her.”

  “That doesn’t explain what happened to my husband either.” Hannah pulled her head up from her legs and wiped her face with her hands. “I didn’t kill him. I couldn’t, but someone did.”

  “That’s the other thing we wanted to talk about.” Her father dropped a folder he had under his arm.

  Her father explained that the folder contained all the notes on the investigation into Ivan’s death. By the furrowed brows and the straight line of his lips, her dad didn’t like what he’d read.

  “I don’t need to look at that to know the fucking thing got screwed from the beginning.” Dean didn’t bother to touch it.

  “You’re right.” Her father’s voice was firm. “The thing is, that house has been closed off since that night, correct?”

  Dean nodded.

  “I wanted to send forensics over there to go over that room again,” John explained, but there was something in the expression on his face that told her something else was about to go wrong.

  “So, do that.” Dean appeared to be ready to lose his patience.

  “It’s been four months, Bull.” Aaron glanced at her again.

  “Nobody has been in that house since this happened. I couldn’t go in there.” Dean sat back in the chair.

  “Someone was,” John told him.

  �
�I'm sorry? What?” Dean leaned forward.

  “Nothing appears to be taken, but we wouldn’t know that. You’d have to check that out.” John stood up.

  “Then why do you think someone was in there?” Dean didn’t move from the chair.

  “The police seal was broken. They checked it out but didn’t find anyone inside.” Her father turned toward the door. “We have a team on the way there now to go through it with a fine-tooth comb.”

  “So, more waiting.” Hannah sighed as she stood up.

  “I’m sorry, Hannah but I promise you, my nephews and I will not rest until we know what happened.” Kristy couldn’t help but smile at her father when he wrapped his arm around Hannah’s shoulder.

  “Thank you.” Hannah nodded, but the look on her face said she didn’t believe any of this would be solved.

  The short drive back to Dean’s bunkhouse was quiet except for the soft sniffle from Hannah in the back seat. Dean’s hands clamped on the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles were white. The worst thing was Kristy felt useless. There was nothing she could do to help either of them.

  “Do you want to pick up some supper before we go back to the compound?” Dean asked as they stopped at the one stop light in Hopedale.

  “I’m not feeling very hungry. I want to go to the other bunkhouse and lay down.” Hannah’s quiet voice cracked several times as she spoke.

  “Kitten?” Dean glanced at her.

  “I’ll make something at your place.” Kristy wasn’t that hungry either.

  As they pulled onto Main Road, Dean spat out a string of curse words. The media set up camp in front of the entrance to Keith’s property.

  “They’ll give up eventually.” Kristy tried to sound positive but just because they were in Newfoundland didn’t mean that the local reporters couldn’t be as aggressive as the national media.

  “Well, I don’t give a fuck what they do. They better not step in front of this jeep, or I’ll knock them the fuck over.” Dean growled as he turned into the driveway.

  Like a swarm of bees, men and women ran toward the truck holding out recorders as they shouted questions. They did seem to know it wasn’t a good idea to step in front of Dean’s vehicle. There were four security guards stationed in front of the gate only two of which Kristy recognized.