Finding Stone (The Stone Brothers Series) (Volume 1) (24 page)

Six months later.

Out of the blue, a week ago, Kerrigan called me and asked me to meet her at the corner deli. I haven't seen or heard from her since my wedding celebration. I had Missy watch Landon. Then decided to call Maddox and let him know what was going on. I knew she was in trouble and Maddox being a cop, I thought he was the best one to call. Maybe he can help her out better than me. I want her to know that she's not alone. She has friends and we care. I've seen the way Maddox has looked at her in the past. I think he cares more than he lets on. Maddox told me he was glad that I called him but he would be late getting there because of work. He'd meet up with us as soon as he could.

Walking into the deli, I immediately spot Kerrigan. She looks so nervous and scared. She's lost weight. She's got an old bruise under one eye. She doesn't look like the same girl I met when I first moved here. I take a deep breath and calm my nerves.

"Kerrigan? I’ve missed you so much. Where have you been? Are you alright?"

She instantly tears up and grabs my hand. "I'm leaving Aaron. I just want someone to know. I've finally had enough."

"Does anyone else know? Have you talked to Lani? Have you called the cops about Aaron?" I touch her under her eye where the bruise is fading.

"Are you kidding me? Call the cops. Aaron is a cop and all of his cop friends are bastards too. I don't have anyone to help me, that's why I'm telling you. No one else knows. I was able to borrow a phone when Aaron let me out to go to the grocery store. I immediately thought of you. I want someone to know in case something happens. Aaron has gotten so bad. I don't understand how I let it get this bad. What's wrong with me?"

“What can I do? I knew something was going on. I’ve wanted to do something for months. I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to help. Will you talk to me? Why did you stay?”

“I’ve never been good enough for anyone. Aaron is successful. He was proud to have me on his arm. I stayed at first because I thought he would get help. I kept staying because leaving him meant I’d go back to being alone. Also, because he made sure I’d isolated myself from all my friends and family. I was ashamed to reach out to the friends I’d left behind.” She is near hysterics when she finishes.

I grab her hand in an attempt to calm her down. "Please don’t feel bad about that. We are here for you. Where will you go?"

"If I make it, far away from here." She looks down at her watch and stands up, panicking, "Oh God. I'm going to be late. I need to go. He thinks I'm at a doctor appointment."

"I can help you. I can give you some money. I have a place you can stay. Let me help you get away. He won't find you in Kentucky. My parents will help you, too. Please Kerrigan, let me help you."

"I'll let you know. Thank you for being such a good friend, even when I haven't been." She says as she gets up.

I look up and see Maddox standing behind her. I didn't realize he was even there. By the look on his face, he must have heard some of our conversation.

She turns around to leave and walks straight into Maddox's chest. He grabs her by both arms and I hear him say, "Tell me what the fuck is going on?" Kerrigan flinches and Maddox immediately lets her go.

"I'm not going to hurt you Kerrigan. I want to help."

She gets angry. "That's what Aaron said too. ‘ I'm not going to hurt you baby or I'm sorry baby. I didn't mean to do that, I just love you so much.' Look at me, Maddox! He hurt me! YOU hurt me! You're just like all the other guys out there. Hurt is hurt no matter how it's delivered. I can't trust you. Goodbye, Maddox."

"Kerrigan, please stop. I'm sorry for everything. Let me help. Come with me right now. I will fix this."

"I can't. I'm sure he's watching or has someone watching me. He always knows what I'm doing. If he finds out I was near you, he'll kill me," and with that she runs off.

Maddox tries to chase her. He comes back a few minutes later to say she'd gotten into a cab. He looks devastated. I'm glad she's getting out. I hope she takes me up on my offer. Kentucky would be the perfect place for her. Aaron won't find her there.

“Can you do anything now that she admitted that Aaron is abusing her?”

“Still no, not until she presses charges or files a complaint. Until then, it’s just talk.”

“I feel bad for why she stayed. Kerrigan is beautiful. When I first met her, I thought she was a confident girl. I had no idea.”

“Why did she stay?”

“She said she’d never been good enough for anyone. He was proud to be seen with her.”

“I’m sorry Molly. I need to go.” I’m not sure, but I think Maddox is about to start crying.

It's my last day working in the E.R. I hated leaving Landon. Noah suggested I stay home, but I kept telling him no. I have struggled with what to do. I worked so hard to get my nursing degree. I work so hard as a mother. I feel guilty either way. I know it's crazy. I did cut my hours down to part time in the E.R., so that helped. Still I couldn't stand to leave my son. Finally, a few weeks ago I had help making my decision.

I should have known immediately when I felt unusually tired. Landon had been teething and not sleeping very well, so I chalked it up to that. Then, the morning sickness started. Yep, I had an appointment with Dr. Chaney yesterday. He confirmed it; I'm pregnant. In less than nine months, I will have two babies under the age of two. God help me.

I'm still going to work a couple of days a week until the baby is born. Of all places, Dr. Chaney was looking for someone to help out in his office for the next few months until his regular nurse comes back. It all works out. He knows my plan to become a stay at home mom when this new baby arrives. It will help put my mind at ease being so close to my doctor as well. I know what happened with Landon couldn't be predicted, but it makes me feel better being near Dr. Chaney.

I'm going to miss everyone here. I have become friends with most everyone here. Missy is still helping me navigate motherhood. She never laughs at me even when I have feel like my mommy questions are dumb. She's such a great friend. Brayden and I still talk and hang out. He told me he's sad that he won't have his lunch partner anymore. I've tried to assure him even though I won't be working here anymore doesn't mean I will stop eating. I have told him time and time again, we will still hang out. I've even become friends with Katherine. I think she just likes me because Noah is so different at work, more personable, more approachable. Hey, I'll take it though. Sarah and I talk on occasion. I can never thank her enough for saving Landon's life that night. She seems happy. She is dating another doctor. I think he works in orthopedics.

Avery doesn't work here anymore. Noah told me he talked to Avery and let her know his plans to go to human resources if she didn’t stop her behavior. She put her notice in. Finally. All in all, I have made some great memories here and even greater friends. I will always remember my time here.

A call came in to let us know we have an unidentified female, multiple injuries, head trauma, and possible sexual assault. I'm standing in the ambulance bay waiting. I hear the sirens in the distance. Molly comes out to wait with me. She smiles at me. I can't help but be a little sad that this is our last day working together. She's a great nurse. She is an incredible mother. It makes me happy knowing Landon will have the best care and more access to his parents. Molly working part-time gives her the best of both worlds. The ambulance pulls up and we meet the medic when he swings open the door.

"What do we have?"

"White female, possible domestic violence attack. The neighbors called it in. She took a beating.” I grab my penlight to look at her pupils.

Molly is on the other side, taking her pulse. Molly looks at the patient's wrist, and then looks at her face and screams, "NO. PLEASE. NO. WHAT DID HE DO TO YOU?"

"Molly, what is it? Do you know who this is?"

"Noah, it's Kerrigan. This tattoo on her wrist, I saw it once. This is Kerrigan. Aaron must have done this." Shit. This isn't good.

Molly told me about what happened at the deli. Maddox has had a hard time lately worrying about her. As I start to assess her, I call for Katherine and Brayden.

"Katherine, I need you to take over for Molly. Brayden, get her out of here. Molly, I'll take care of her. I need you to call Maddox. Can you do that for me? For Kerrigan?”

Molly is crying, she shakes her head yes and the others do as they're told. My God, Kerrigan is a mess. Her eyes are swollen shut; her jaw looks dislocated. She has cuts and scrapes everywhere. Her nails are broken. It looks like she tried to fight back. There's bruising around her neck and wrists. I cut her clothes off of her and she moans. This is one of the worst beatings I've seen. I have never seen a body with this much bruising. I order blood work, x-rays, scans and a rape kit.

Brayden got me out of the room. I told him I needed to get some fresh air. I need to call Maddox. It feels like I'm dying inside. What did Aaron do to her? She looks terrible.

"Hey, my nephew baby momma. What's up?"

"Oh God, Maddox. Help her."

"Molly, calm down. Help who?"

"It's Kerrigan."

"What about her?"

"Just get to the E.R now. I will explain later. I want to go back to help."

"Molly, fucking tell me now."

"I think Aaron beat the shit out of her. She looks bad. She is unconscious and...." the phone went dead.

I go back into the hospital. I need to know how she's doing. Noah won't let me in. I understand. It wouldn't be good for me to try to be a nurse for her. I'm too invested. I feel too guilty that I didn't do more. I heard that they are prepping her for the O.R. I decide to take a breather and head back outside. Guilt is all I can feel. I can't stop the tears from falling.

"Well, well. Just the person I'm looking for," Aaron slurs.

"I think the police are looking for you."

"Tell me something, Molly. Do you know I can hide evidence? It is my job."

"You can't hide your witness. You can't hide what you did to her! You nearly killed her! You bastard!"

"Kerrigan? She's not going to say anything. She knows better than that. I only taught her a lesson. She tried to leave me. She was stupid thinking that I would allow that. She should have known better."

I look past Aaron and notice Maddox approaching. He is in uniform. He's alone. Aaron sees me looking behind him. As Aaron turns around, Maddox punches him in the face, then grabs him and pushes him against the wall. Then he punches him a few times in the kidneys and Aaron drops to his knees. I hear Maddox say, "How's it feel dickhead? Do you think you deserve it?" He handcuffs him.

"What are you talking about? Deserve what? I didn't lay a hand on the bitch."

I see a couple more cops coming in behind Maddox.

"Aaron. We are going to need to take you to the station. We've got some questions."

Another cop says, “I hope you get what's coming to you. I hope you rot in jail, you sick psychopath!"

"Feisty. I like that Molly. I've never paid you back for breaking my nose. I'll collect on that later. For now, I'll head down to the station. Don't worry slut, I'll be out before long. I’ve got friends in high places and all. I'll be seeing you soon."

"Are you threatening my sister-in-law in front of me, man?" Maddox steps nose to nose with him.

"Nope. It's not a threat, just a friendly reminder."

"Molly, go inside. Now. Call Evan. Tell him about Kerrigan. She's going to need a lawyer."

"Okay. Be careful, Maddox."

I start crying when they walk away. I'm scared for Kerrigan, for me. What if Maddox hadn't shown up when he did? I need to stop. The only person I need to worry about is Kerrigan right now. I pull my phone out and call Evan.

I watch as Sarah takes Kerrigan to the O.R. We all knew something was going on with Kerrigan. We didn't know what, though. She didn't tell anyone. The one thing I've learned about domestic violence is the abusers usually hide in plain sight. Again and again, Aaron has shown his true colors. Not one of us could do anything. As hard as this is on Molly and me, I know Maddox is torturing himself. I know he cares for her. I need to let him know she's stable for right now. I go talk with the police and explain some of her injuries. Afterwards, I go looking for Molly. I see her crying, just out of the doorway. I run to her.

"It's going to be okay. They've just taken Kerrigan to surgery."

"It's not just that, Noah. I was so scared. Aaron was here, outside."

"WHAT? Where?"

"I was outside getting some air. I needed to calm down. He came up to me. He sounded drunk and started running his mouth about Kerrigan. He was awful. Maddox came and took him to the police station."

"Are you okay? Did he do anything to you?"

"No. He didn't hurt me. He made a few threats, though."

"Don't worry. I will talk to Maddox. I'm sure he'll take care of it. If he can’t, I will."

"Noah, I was waiting for the right time to tell you. But after today, I realize how quickly things can change."

"Molly, you're scaring me."

“Sorry, I don’t mean to. I just wanted to tell you that I had an appointment the other day."

"I don't understand. What kind of appointment? Are you sure that you're ok? What aren't you telling me?" I can see that I didn't start this conversation out right. He looks panicked.

I smile at him, trying to let him know it's nothing bad. "I'm pregnant."

"Wait. Huh?"

"I'm pregnant."

"How?

I couldn't resist, "Well you see when a mommy and daddy love each other..."

He stops me and hugs me. "Alright smartass, I mean I thought you were on the shot."

"Yeah, about that... The last time mom and dad came to visit; I had to cancel my appointment. I guess it slipped my mind and I forgot to reschedule. Um...SURPRISE!"