Nocturne 040 – Scions 02 - Patrice Michelle - Insurrection (24 page)

Kaitlyn stopped and looked her way. “Yes?”

The older woman gave her a sympathetic smile. “I just wanted to let you know your mother had a rough day earlier. She’s awake now, but she may not be up for a long visit.”

Kaitlyn clutched the folder and wooden box against her chest, disappointment setting in. “Do you think I should come back tomorrow?”

The nurse shook her head and shooed her on. “Of course not, dear. Go visit your mom. She really looks forward to your visits.”

Kaitlyn thanked her for the update before heading down the hall to her mother’s room.

“Ah, my second visitor of the day,” Sharon said with a pleased yet tired sigh as Kaitlyn walked in.

Kaitlyn tried not to notice the deep circles under her mother’s eyes or the drawn look on her face as she approached the bed. Kissing her mother on the cheek, she pulled back and teased, “Technically, you’re getting the same visitor, but one who has a lot more rest, a bath and some food under her belt.”

Her mother gave a soft laugh as Kaitlyn pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down. “While I agree you do look much better, Kaitie, I was referring to the nice man who paid me a visit earlier today.”

Kaitlyn jerked her gaze to her mother’s, worry gripping her chest. Thoughts of demanding twenty-four-hour security for her mother flashed through her mind. “What man?”

“A friend of yours and very handsome I might add.” Her mother gave her a knowing smile and raised her eyebrow expectantly.

Kaitlyn leaned forward, crushing the folder in her hands. “Who, Mom?”

“He said his name was Landon Rourke and he worked with you on a case recently.” Her mother frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d been promoted to detective? Your father would be so proud, sweetie.”

Kaitlyn didn’t know how she felt about Landon visiting her mother. She hoped he hadn’t told her mom about the case and that’s why her day hadn’t gone so well. “What did he say?”

“He just said you helped crack a case and that I should be very proud of you.”

Relief rushed through Kaitlyn, relaxing her tense shoulders. “Is that all he said?”

Sharon nodded. “In so many words, but…” her mother stared at the wall, her expression far away as she finished, “…the way he talked about you, the pride in his voice and the look on his face. It reminded me of the way your father used to look when he talked about me.” Her mother’s pleased tone faded and her eyes closed. “Well, many moons ago, back in the early days. I’m suddenly feeling very tired.”

Kaitlyn reached for her mom’s hand. “Mom, don’t talk such nonsense. Dad has always loved you. Wanna know how much?”

Her mother’s eyes fluttered open. “What do you mean?”

Kaitlyn pushed the wooden box into her mother’s other hand, then flipped open the folder. “I found that keepsake in Dad’s stuff I brought back from Hank’s the other day.”

Her mother sighed as she stared at the box. “Hank’s place was where your dad took off to when he needed time alone. I swear he spent more time there than Hank did.”

“Hank lives in the mountains full-time now.”

Her mother closed her eyes again. “Thank you for the box, Kaitie.”

Kaitlyn felt her mother’s interest waning. “No, Mom, that wasn’t the main thing I brought.” Squeezing her mother’s hand, she picked up a letter and said, “Just listen.”

My dearest Sharon,

Have I told you how much I love you? How much I cherish the moment you said, “I do”? From the day you walked into my life, I finally felt like a whole person, like the other half of me was complete. I know we went through some rough times in the past. Trying for a child for years and years without success took a toll on both of us. And then Kaitie came into our lives and brightened our days and nights with her constant chatter and childlike view of the world. Her evanescence was infectious, renewing the vigor in our family, but you know…as much as I love our Kaitie and couldn’t imagine life without her, if we hadn’t had her, my love for you would still be as strong as it is today. I know I don’t say it often enough. I guess I’ve kept things to myself a lot. It’s just my nature. But I do love you with every fiber of my being, Sharon. I love the way your eyes sparkle when you’re teasing and the way you laugh. I always find myself smiling, too. And your sweet touch, aaah, my love, nothing compares. You’re everything to me and always will be.

Your loving husband,

James

She glanced up at her mother to see her eyes were still closed, but tears were streaking down her temples. Her mother sniffled, then whispered, “That’s the best present I’ve ever received.”

Emotions clogged Kaitlyn’s throat and she squeezed her mother’s hand. Finally, she found the words. “There are tons of letters and poems from Dad in this folder. Would you like me to read more?”

Her mother slowly nodded but kept her eyes closed. “Yes, please. That would be wonderful.”

Kaitlyn read through every single letter and poem. When she finished, she looked up. Her mother’s eyes were lightly shut and she had the most peaceful expression on her face.

“Mom?” Instinctively, Kaitlyn felt for the pulse on her wrist. There wasn’t even a tiny flutter.

The letters and folder scattered across the floor as she jumped up and pressed her ear to her mother’s chest. Sharon McKinney’s heartbeat was peacefully silent.

Kaitlyn hugged her mother and sobbed until her head hurt. Sitting up, she touched her mother’s soft cheek. “I love you, and I’ll miss you, Mom. At least now you’re not in any more pain. Tell Dad I love him.”

A couple hours later, Kaitlyn drove up to her house, feeling achy and exhausted, as if she hadn’t slept or eaten in days. She parked beside Abby’s car, wondering how she was going to tell her friend she wasn’t in the mood to chat.

Abby got out of her car and met Kaitlyn as she got out of hers. Kaitlyn eyed the brown paper bag in Abby’s arms, then squinted at Ab’s face in the darkness. “What’s in the bag?”

Abby lifted the top of a bottle of wine out of the bag.

Kaitlyn shook her head. “I’m not in the mood to celebrate anything, Ab. I’m sorry.”

Abby pulled the bottle all the way out of the bag, a somber look on her face. “It’s merlot. A wine for chilling and talking. I brought some cheese and crackers, too.”

Kaitlyn realized her friend was a lot more subdued than normal. “You know about my mom, don’t you?”

Slipping the bottle of wine back into the bag, Abby wrapped her arm around Kaitlyn’s shoulders and steered her toward the front door.

“Landon called me.”

Kaitlyn stiffened and halted. “Landon?”

Abby nodded, tears glittering in her eyes. “He called me an hour ago and said I should probably come see you tonight. That you would need a friend to talk to.” She squeezed Kaitlyn’s shoulders. “I’m so sorry about your mom.”

Landon’s thoughtfulness tore at her heart. “Thanks, Ab. I could use a few glasses of wine and a friend’s shoulder.”

Abby leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “My shoulder’s right here, girl.”

“I’ve got so much to do over the next few days, with arrangements and such.” Kaitlyn sniffled. “I don’t want to disappoint the ‘Hall’ kids. You and those teens are all I’ve got now, Ab.”

“Don’t worry about Handleburg. I’ve got you covered until you’re ready. Come on, let’s get inside. It’s chilly out here.”

Abby turned out to be a lifesaver. That night she got Kaitlyn to tell her what she wanted, and then she took care of all the funeral arrangements.

Two days later, the day after she’d attended Ron and Wayne’s funerals, Kaitlyn returned from her mother’s early morning funeral, feeling numb all over. On that crisp fall morning, with the sun shining brightly, her mother had been lain to rest beside her father. The funeral had been crowded with the entire precinct as well as several retired cops who’d worked with her father. The overwhelming turnout was heartwarming, even during such a sad event.

Kaitlyn had given the eulogy. She’d talked about finding her father’s letters to her mother and then had read one of her father’s poems. She’d ended by saying, “My father loved my mother deeply and I’m happy she died knowing just how much. True love will endure the obstacles life throws at you. When you go home, give your loved ones a hug and tell them how much they mean to you.”

The congregation had given a standing ovation when she’d finished. Kaitlyn had thanked them on behalf of her father and her mother and let them know how much she appreciated their support.

Standing in front of her house now, she picked up the bouquet of flowers that were sitting on her front porch and read the card. Know that my thoughts are with you, Kaitie.

Yours,

Landon

That afternoon, while Kaitlyn was cleaning the house to ward away thoughts of being alone, the doorbell rang. She answered it still wearing her bright yellow rubber gloves.

Caine glanced at her ratty red tank top and a pair of holey gray sweat pants. “Nice outfit.”

Was something wrong with Landon? Even as her stomach tensed, she adopted a nonchalant pose and blew a piece of her hair, that had fallen from her clip, out of her eyes. “What can I do for you, Caine?”

“Can I come in?” he asked at the same time he stepped past her into the foyer.

Kaitlyn mumbled, “Be my guest,” as she shut the door behind him. Chilly air rushed in, cooling down her sweaty body.

Caine shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and rocked back on his heels.

“I just wanted to say how sorry I am about your mom. Landon and I attended the funeral.”

“You did? I didn’t see you.”

He nodded. “Landon thought it best if we stayed back. He didn’t want to upset you.”

“Why would you two attending my mom’s funeral upset me?”

Caine’s dark eyebrows rose over his hazel eyes. “Well, because of your dad.”

Kaitlyn stiffened at his comment. Bending, she picked up the bucket of cleaning supplies she’d set in the hall to answer the door. “It’s done and over with. Let it go.”

“That’s kind of what I wanted to discuss with you.”

She arched her eyebrow, then turned and started to walk up the stairs.

“If you want to talk, you’ll have to follow me while I clean. I’m on a mission this afternoon.”

“I see that,” he mumbled from directly behind her as she turned into her bedroom.

Kaitlyn flipped on the bathroom light, then squirted bathroom cleaner in the sink and across the countertop. While she waited for the liquid to do its job, she picked up a sponge. “What’s on your mind?”

Caine leaned his back casually against the doorjamb for a second. Then he stood upright as if he’d seen a ghost. He stared at something in her bedroom.

“What’s wrong?”

He nodded toward the wall near her door. “Who painted the wolf on your wall?”

She sighed and shook her head. “You Lupreda all think alike. Like I told Landon, my father had a local artist paint it to his specifications.”

“Ah.” He nodded and resumed his relaxed pose against the doorway. “I’m here to ask for forgiveness for Landon.”

Her lips tightened. “Shouldn’t he be asking for that himself?”

Caine shook his head. “He’d kill me if he knew I came here. He believes he deserves your anger.”

“Well, that makes two of us. He killed my father, Caine. He might’ve saved my mother’s life, but that doesn’t change the fact he took my father’s.”

“He has regretted what happened ever since. Did you know that all these years he’s watched over you?”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“Landon has always been there in the background, making sure you were okay. He even set up the college fund so you could go to the college of your choice.”

She frowned, shaking her head. “My scholarship was for children of police officers who’d been killed.”

Caine raised his eyebrow. “Set up by an anonymous donor.”

She nodded slowly as the realization sank in.

“Landon tried his best to make up for taking your father from you. He did what he could to compensate for that.”

Why didn’t Landon tell me all this? Then again, it would be like him not to, she thought with a mental snort. Stubborn man. While she was processing Landon’s sheer dedication, she started to scrub the sink in slow swirling movements.

Caine continued, “I’m not asking you to forgive what happened, just to place the blame on the right party.”

Glancing up, she paused. “What are you talking about? Landon was the one who mauled my father.”

Caine lifted his hands in the air. “He was only acting to protect me.”

Kaitlyn just stared at him, her heart thudding in her chest. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

After Caine relayed the whole story of what happened in Morningside Park, she felt a little sick to her stomach. The details were more than she’d bargained for…on all counts.

“Landon was acting as he always does—as Alpha to protect a pack mate from attack. My guess is that your father saw our female Lupreda running through the woods screaming and me in Musk form chasing after her and came to the wrong conclusion.”

“My father would’ve done what any cop worth his mettle would do. Protect the innocent,” she whispered as some of the puzzle pieces clicked together in her mind.

Caine moved to stand next to her, his voice going softer. “If you want to hate someone, then hate me, Kaitlyn. Landon is the true Alpha of our pack. I believe one of the reasons he hasn’t fought for the official role is because of what he did to your father eighteen years ago. He blames himself and wears that bullet slug to keep him from shifting.”

She frowned in confusion. “How does the bullet keep him from shifting?”

“The silver in your father’s bullets almost killed me. If it weren’t for Landon, I never would’ve survived. The bullet is just a reminder, but the silver chain he chooses to wear around his neck is what keeps him from shifting to either his Musk form or a full wolf form during the full moon’s cycle. It’s a carryover from the silver collars the vampires made our kind wear to keep us from shifting until they wanted us to.”