by Andrew Grey
“But from a legal point of view, each member is now an accomplice to murder.” That only upped the pressure that could be put on them once the groups were rounded up. It also showed Evan that he needed to get a move on. The longer he took to get inside one of these groups, the more people were going to get hurt. “I’ll get word to you once I’m in.”
“Do you think there’s a chance?”
“I think so. With missing members, they’re going to need replacements to fill the ranks, and I think I might have been able to plant a seed. I’ll make myself available, and I’ll let you know as soon as I do.” Evan ended the call and then placed one to the sheriff.
“What the hell is going on?” Briggs asked without his usual gruffness.
“I’m getting there. I was inside the house where the shoot-out took place, and I have one of the family members staying with me. I also think I have an in with one of the members, so I’m just waiting to see if that pays off,” Evan explained. “I can’t rush this.”
“But something had better happen soon. There is no way in hell that every department in the area isn’t going to be taking heat over this one. Carlisle is going to get it first, but there’s going to be plenty headed our way. We need to find out who is behind all this, and we need to find out fast and get the entire group. It’s a big order, but I’m counting on you.” The sheriff was a fair man, but he was right. The mounting pressure was going to shoot through the roof with a gun battle right in town.
“I’m doing everything I can.” Evan hoped it was enough, but there was little more he could do. “Tomorrow I’ll see if I can’t hurry things along.”
“You’re going to have to. I have everyone I can spare working with the Carlisle Police to try to get to the bottom of this. We have six fatalities, and most of them are people we aren’t familiar with. So someone has been bringing in muscle from out of town.” Clearly Sheriff Briggs was more than a little concerned.
“Okay. As I said, I think I have an in. I’m going to have to see if I can’t press it so I can make faster progress. There is a chance that it could backfire and close that door completely, but I think I have to try.”
The sheriff was quiet for a few seconds. “Do what you need to do, but don’t put yourself in any undue danger. Yes, I’d like to bring these groups to their knees, but not at the cost of one of my deputies.” That was exactly what Evan would expect him to say. The sheriff was a good man, and that was why Evan always gave as much as he could. His efforts were appreciated.
“I’ll call tomorrow night and report any progress.”
“Do that.” Briggs ended the call.
Evan set his phone aside as Wes came down the stairs in a T-shirt and pair of shorts. He looked drawn and worried. Even then he was stunning, and Evan had a tough time taking his gaze off him. Not that now was a good time for those kinds of thoughts, but they came unbidden regardless.
“Do you want something to drink?” Evan asked. “I have juice… or something stronger?”
“Maybe a vodka tonic or something.” Wes flopped down on the sofa, and Evan got up to make the drink. “I don’t want to get drunk or anything, but this is uncharted territory and I don’t know what to do. Mom and Dad will need to find another place to live, and I suppose I should try to get a place of my own with Greyson. Plus I have to replace all his baby stuff.”
Evan poured them each a drink, returned to Wes, and set the glasses on the coffee table. “You don’t need to make any decisions this very minute. There’s way too much up in the air for you to decide what you want. I know of three or four homes for sale in the borough that are nice and should be about in the price range for the home your folks lost. The insurance company will come up with a settlement, and if it doesn’t seem fair, I know a few lawyers who will get involved to help them see the light.” Evan reached for his glass and drank, the alcohol burning its way down and then warmth spreading in his gut. Wes did the same and then yawned. “You need to get some rest.”
Wes nodded and closed his eyes. Evan sat back as well, and Wes leaned against his shoulder, sighing softly but not saying anything for a long time. Evan was keenly aware of every place Wes touched him, his attention zeroing in, right there. He didn’t dare move in case Wes did, so Evan sat still and enjoyed the closeness he hadn’t felt in quite a while.
“I’m afraid to go to bed.”
“Why?” Evan whispered, still not moving.
“What if something happens and I’m asleep? I keep wondering what could have happened if the house had caught fire when we were there or if the bullet that hit the gas line… what if it had gone through the walls to the bathroom?” Wes shivered.
Evan had heard this sort of thing a lot. “I know it sounds like a pat answer, but you can’t let your mind run you in circles like that. None of that happened. Greyson is safe upstairs, and your mom and dad are safe in the hotel. I checked with Red, and as far as we know, your brother wasn’t involved in the shoot-out.” There was no need to go into the other possibilities. In the morning he was going to find Trey and put some pressure on him. But that was hours away, and now, at this moment, he had something and someone much more important to take care of. “So, if you can, allow yourself to take a deep breath and try to relax. Greyson is going to need you rested, and you’re going to need to try to go into work.”
“I know. Life goes on and all that shit.” Wes still didn’t move, and finally Evan let himself relax a little and put an arm around him. Wes settled closer, one hand sliding around his belly. A sigh, a little lean, and the quiet surrounding them must have been what Wes needed, because soon enough his breathing evened out, and he even snored a little.
Evan smiled and sighed to himself before shifting and helping Wes to his feet. He guided Wes up the stairs to the guest room, and Wes slid into bed as Evan left the room. Evan couldn’t watch Wes slip between his sheets and get comfortable. He’d always had a vivid imagination, and it was on overdrive at the moment, wondering what Wes’s legs would feel like wrapped around him and how his pale skin would slide against his. He went to his own room, chastising himself for those thoughts at a time like this. Wes was having difficulty figuring out where he was going to live and what was happening with his family, and all Evan could think about was how adorable he was and how badly he wanted him.
He cleaned up, got ready for bed, and slid under the covers. But sleep didn’t come, and he kept rolling from side to side.
EVAN FINALLY fell to sleep, only to wake in the middle of the night. It was still dark, but he sat up, listening hard as he tried to figure out what woke him. A soft whimper pulled his attention, and Evan got out of bed. He followed the sound to where Greyson stood in the Pack ’n Play, trying with no success to climb out. Evan lifted him and cradled Greyson in his arms. “Are you okay?” Evan sniffed but didn’t smell that Greyson needed a change. “Do you need to eat?” He carried him out of the room and down the stairs so Wes could sleep. Evan found a bottle in the refrigerator, warmed it up, and sat on the sofa, giving it to Greyson, who took it easily and already had his eyes closed.
Greyson was asleep in his arms when Wes raced down the stairs, his hair all askew. He stopped when he saw the two of them. “He was gone and—”
“I didn’t want to wake you.” Evan took the bottle and set it on the table, then slowly got to his feet and carried Greyson up the stairs, with Wes behind him. Evan put him in the Pack ’n Play, and Wes fussed, making sure everything was how he wanted it. Then Evan said good night and returned to his room, listening as Wes settled in his bed.
The house grew quiet once again and Evan closed his eyes, but half an hour later, he got up to use the bathroom. He did his best to be quiet, opening the bathroom door and reaching to turn out the dimmed light. The crescent from the partially open door extended into Wes’s room, where he lay on his side, his eyes closed. Evan couldn’t help pausing a minute just to look at him, lips parted slightly, face calm and relaxed. Wes was beautiful, and after a few seconds, Evan co
ntinued on to his room.
He sighed as he slipped under the covers. Evan loved his job, but he knew that some of the things he was going to have to do were likely to put him at odds with the adorable man in the next bedroom. Evan was going to do his best to try to thread the needle. He just hoped his stitching was up to the challenge.
Chapter 6
IT TOOK Wes a few minutes to remember where he was, and then everything from the day before flooded back to him. He closed his eyes and wished he could hide under the covers and not deal with all of this, but Greyson was up in his Pack ’n Play, bouncing and singing in the other room. Wes got out of bed, lifted Greyson, and headed to the bathroom, where he changed him and got him cleaned up and dressed.
“Wes,” Evan said from outside the bathroom door, and Wes pulled it open. Greyson bounced and stretched in his arms when Evan reached for him. “I bet you’re hungry. How about we go downstairs and let Wes get dressed, and we can watch TV.”
“I’ll make him some cereal,” Wes said.
“I got it.” Evan smiled at him, and then he and Greyson were gone, to giggles that grew softer as they got farther away.
Wes hurried to get dressed and needn’t have bothered. By the time he got downstairs, Evan was feeding Greyson, who was happy and smiley. There was coffee ready, and even bagels set to be toasted. “You’re going to spoil us,” Wes said as he poured coffee into the mug Evan had left for him.
“I figured you would need to get going, and I was already up.” Evan gave Greyson another spoonful of cereal, and he ate it ravenously.
“What are you feeding him? I usually have to coax him to eat.” Wes sat across the table.
“I added a little mashed banana to it. He really seems to like it. I remember my mom saying it was the only way she could get me to eat when I was a baby. Apparently I nearly drove her crazy.” He paused a second. “I probably should have asked in case he was allergic.”
“Greyson doesn’t have any allergies as far as I know, and seeing him eat like that….” It was so heartening. He took his bottle easily, but the rest…. There were times when Wes truly wondered if he was still going to be playing the spoon choo-choo train when Greyson was ready to go off to college. Here Evan had him eating like a champ right off the bat.
“All gone,” Evan said, showing Greyson the bowl with a huge smile. Greyson pounded the tray, grinning right back.
Wes could so get used to this. His mom and dad were great with Greyson and helped him out a lot, but to have a partner, someone who loved him and Greyson, would be almost too much to hope for. But then the possibility was right in front of him… and it had to show up when his life was in complete upheaval and he was as unsure of himself as he had ever been.
“Greyson and I need to go if I’m going to get him to day care in time for me to get to work.” Wes cleaned up Greyson and got him out of the improvised high chair. “I’ll arrange to get my things after work, and then I can figure out what I’m going to do from there.”
“Don’t worry about it. You can use the room for a few days. I like having the two of you here. It makes this house feel like a home.” Evan put his empty mug in the sink and gave Greyson a tickle. “This house has never felt like that to me.” He flashed a quick smile and pulled open one of the drawers in the kitchen. “Here’s an extra key. I don’t know when I’ll be home, but you can let yourself in once you’ve picked him up.” Evan paused like he was going to say something else and then stopped himself. “I’ll text you when I know how late I’m going to be.”
“Thank you,” Wes said, more grateful than he could express. Maybe it was true that sometimes you had to rely on the kindness of strangers. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll figure out something for me and Greyson.”
Evan sighed. “Just worry about your family and what you’re going to do long-term. You have a place here for a few days. Like I said, it will be nice to have you here.” He closed the drawer and rinsed off the dishes.
Wes got Greyson ready and his bag packed. He thanked Evan once again and went out to his car, put Greyson in his car seat, and headed to the day care center.
When he went into the college office to update them on his work, everyone knew what had happened from the news, and each person he passed expressed their concern and told him to just ask if there was anything they could do. Wes thanked them all and barely made it out of the day care with enough time to get over to the data center and to his desk. Everyone in the office stopped by at some point during the day to express their support. Wes had never realized how many friends he had until the offers of assistance came in. By the afternoon, a box of clothes for Greyson, as well as replacement things for him, began appearing at his desk, and by the end of the day, there was a new stroller, clothes, diapers—enough to fill the back of his car.
“I can’t believe it,” Wes said when he finally was able to get through to his brother that afternoon. “Everyone has been so nice.” He wiped the tears out of the corners of his eyes for like the fifth time that day.
“I have people that are going to help too,” Trey said, as though it were a competition. “My friend Calvin is taking up a collection.”
“Why would he do that?” Wes had never met this Calvin, and he was instantly on guard. He also thought he might be able to get some information to help Evan. Wes was still hoping that Trey wasn’t involved in anything that had happened.
Trey hesitated, and Wes figured he was cooking up his lie. “He’s a good friend.”
“Trey….” Wes used his best warning tone. “What have you been up to?” It was time to put some of his cards on the table. “I’ve seen you with some of these friends, and I’m not a fool. I know their behavior and I’ve heard things.” Okay, he was bluffing a little….
“I wasn’t involved in anything that went down by the house,” Trey said quickly—too quickly.
“But you are in with them,” Wes pressed. “Don’t try to cover up or bullshit me.” He lowered his voice so the others around him wouldn’t hear.
“You don’t want to know. Just keep your questions and your nose to yourself. That’s the best thing for you and for Greyson. Mom and Dad don’t want to know, and neither do you. This is a score that I have to settle.” The edge to his voice was different from anything he’d heard from Trey before. “This is personal now.”
“But you said you weren’t there. Mom, Dad, and Greyson are fine. So am I. The house was insured, and I have a friend who is going to help them find a new one.” Wes needed to get Evan into this conversation somehow.
“Is that the guy I met?” Trey asked. “He seemed really cool. Better than most of your friends.”
Wes let the insult go. If he was going to do Evan any good, he needed to stay on topic.
“Do you know how to get in touch with him? I’d like to talk to him… man to man.” Trey sounded deadly serious.
While Wes spoke on his extension at work, he texted Evan to ask which number he should give to Trey. He got a quick response followed by a frowny face along with the number. What are you doing? Evan sent, though Wes ignored it and passed on the number to Trey.
“You need to get yourself out of this and forget whatever ideas you have about revenge. Mom and Dad deserve better than that.” And they certainly didn’t deserve Trey ending up dead to avenge the loss of a house. “Please, just let it go.” He was pretty sure his brother wasn’t going to listen to him, but he had to try.
“I’ll talk to you later,” Trey said, and ended the call.
Wes glared at his phone and then his computer screen before calling Evan. “I gave Trey your number.” He was afraid. “You gotta do anything you can to get him the hell out of this mess. Please. He’s bent on getting even, and that is only going to end badly.” Wes whispered as he tried to work so no one would know what he was talking about. “He’s probably going to call you.”
Evan paused. “I’ll do what I can, but I can’t make him listen.”
Wes knew that was true, but he hope
d Trey listened to someone before he was in way over his head.
“And you need to stay away and not get involved. I don’t want you to get yourself pulled into this.”
Wes growled. “I had him on the phone, and he thought you were cool and asked how he could get in touch with you. I just passed on your number. Nothing more. And I tried to talk him out of whatever he’s planning, to no effect.” He hated the thought of Trey getting into the kind of trouble that no one could get him out of. Evan though he could be a huge pain in the butt, Trey was his brother.
“I take it he has no idea who I really am,” Evan said.
“Nope. I wasn’t going to tell him,” Wes said. “I wouldn’t do that, and Trey would only warn his friends, and then we’d be no closer to getting those gunfighting people off the streets. Like I said, just do what you can to keep Trey out of trouble.” That was all he could ask. The rest was Evan doing his job, and Wes was going to have to step back and let him do that.
“I will,” Evan agreed, and Wes ended the call when Evan said he had a call coming in.
There was nothing more Wes could do, and part of him felt strange for being mixed up in this at all. But Trey or not, brother or not, he had gotten a good look at what could happen when drugs were allowed to run rampant. And if Trey was involved with those kinds of people, then part of Wes said he deserved what he got. This entire situation was a lesson in conflict, and Wes kept telling himself he was doing what he could to help Trey.
Wes finished the tasks he could and then got ready to pick up Greyson at day care. He called his mom before leaving to find out the latest news, but ended up leaving a voicemail, and then loaded the trunk with all the gifts from his coworkers.
