Misty Lake: Book One in the Misty Lake Series (18 page)

“Has Sam ever talked to you about Danny?” Kyle began.

“Her brother? Yes, she’s talked about him several times. I can tell they were close and that losing him was almost more than Sam could bear.”

“She’s never told you how he died?”

Jake was suddenly on edge, afraid of what he was going to hear from Kyle. Should he have pressed Sam harder for details? Was there something he needed to know in order to help her? He looked at Kyle and shook his head no.

Kyle took a deep breath, glanced in the house to be sure Sam and Susan weren’t on their way out, and began. “Danny was a drug addict. It’s not easy for me to say the words. We all tried, for a long time, to deny it and we all tried, for a very long time, to help him. Sam more than anyone.”

It wasn’t what he had expected to hear but it explained so much. Of course Sam would try to help the kids from Project Strong Start. She was trying to do for them what she had been unable to do for her brother.

Kyle continued. “He went through treatment programs. He’d be better for a while then relapse. Sam tried so hard, tried to get him to work in the shop with her, tried to get him interested in school. She even got Rigi hoping that having a puppy to care for would help him. I think Danny tried too, but he just couldn’t kick it.”

“I’ve seen what drugs can do to kids, to anyone. We may be a small town but we aren’t immune to the problem. Addiction is ugly, there’s no other way to describe it.”

“Danny had his share of run-ins with the police. Sam and our grandfather had to bail him out on more than one occasion. There were times when the police showed up at their door looking for Danny. It was hard for Sam to realize they were doing what they had to do and not just blaming Danny based on his past.”

Jake washed a hand over his face. He wished Sam had told him, he would have tried to be more sensitive, more understanding. He had never intended to hurt her.

“The night Danny died he was at a party with some guys who were nothing but trouble. He had promised Sam he wasn’t hanging out with them anymore but apparently that was a lie. The police showed up, there were drugs everywhere. Danny panicked, I guess. He jumped into a car that wasn’t his and took off. The police followed. Danny was in no condition to be driving. He headed to the highway, hit the median, and flipped the car. He was killed instantly.”

Kyle’s face was stony as he stared into the night. Jake could tell it wasn’t an easy story for him to share. So much tragedy in one family. Jake realized, not for the first time, just how lucky he was.

Before they had a chance to discuss anything more, Sam and Susan returned loaded down with drinks and snacks. Susan was grinning from ear to ear while Sam eyed her warily.

The four talked and joked and it was Jake’s turn to hear old stories about Sam. Eventually the conversation turned to Jake’s interview with Zach. He hadn’t really said much of anything, Jake told them. He denied any involvement, said the only times he’d been any where near Sam’s place were during class.

“I’m inclined to believe him,” Jake said, “Marc had the same feeling. But, we agree he’s hiding something. I tried to explain to him that if he’s innocent, telling us what he was up to when he left with the car would be in his best interest. He wouldn’t budge.”

“What do you want me to do tomorrow when he comes back to class?” Sam asked. “Talk to him about what happened? Ignore the situation?” She seemed tense, as if she had been afraid of what she’d hear about Zach.

“Don’t bring it up. I’ll handle everything with Zach. If he says anything about our interview just let him talk. It’s possible he’ll tell you more than he was willing to tell us. But I don’t want you in the middle of anything, Sam. If you start to feel uncomfortable or as if you’re in any sort of danger, please call me right away.”

“I’m not going to be afraid or feel like I’m in danger with those kids, Jake,” she said, clearly exasperated.

“Okay. Good.” Jake let the subject drop, not wanting to do any more to upset Sam. A short time later he said his goodbyes and headed home knowing a great deal more about Sam than when he had arrived.

He sat and planned, his anger and hatred close to the surface. It was frustrating when he was unable to watch her, to know what she was doing. He would have to make his move soon before the cop figured things out. He wrapped his hand tightly around a knife he had been holding, his eyes becoming nothing more than slits as he plotted. She would pay, in more ways than one, he told himself as he violently swung his arm downward, driving the blade deep into the scarred wood.

16

The week was going by quickly with Sam enjoying the mornings with her students and the afternoons and evenings with her cousins. The kids seemed refreshed after their week away. Jimmy was full of camping stories he was just bursting to share, something that didn’t surprise Sam. What did, however, was how often the other kids chimed in with their own comments. That never would have happened a few weeks ago.

The atmosphere was a little different without Katie but Sam had already heard from her and her happiness was apparent even via email. She had her dad, her brothers, and her beloved cat together again and it sounded as though everything was going well. Sam was pleased she had followed through on her promise to keep in touch.

Zach was still quiet, usually speaking only when spoken to, and he hadn’t mentioned anything about his visit with Jake and Marc. Sam was happy to avoid the topic.

So on Thursday morning when Sam heard the door to the shop open and turned to see a young man with red hair mostly hidden under a dirty cap, a face with freckles and scars competing for space, and wearing stained, ripped jeans, she was startled and caught completely off guard. When Jimmy looked up and gave a muffled yell, Sam quickly put two and two together and determined the man barging into her shop was Jimmy’s older brother, Blade.

Sam’s first thought was to protect Jimmy who had jumped off his stool and moved away from the door. Sam made her way toward the man, willing her knees not to shake.

“Is there something I can help you with?” she asked, sounding much calmer than she felt.

Blade’s eyes darted around the room and finally back to Sam. “Just looking for my brother,” he snarled.

Blade was wearing a leather jacket even though the temperature had to be in the eighties. When he reached inside the pocket, Sam spread out her arms in an attempt to shield the kids.

Blade laughed cruelly. “What do ya think, lady, I’m gonna shoot? I told ya, I just want to talk to my brother.”

“I’m afraid you can’t do that right now. If you want to talk to your brother, you’re going to have to go to the office at Project Strong Start and try to arrange things with someone there. Right now, I’d like you to leave.”

Sam knew her voice was beginning to waver. She was trying to figure out how to get to her phone without Blade realizing what she was doing. She couldn’t see a way to manage it. All of a sudden, she realized the rest of the kids in class had left their seats and were standing beside her.

Jackson was the first to speak, his voice low and menacing. “The lady asked you to leave. I think you’d better do it.”

Davis, for as much as he liked to antagonize Jimmy, was clearly ready to protect him. “Yeah, man, get lost. Jimmy doesn’t want to talk to you.”

Mario was inching closer to Blade and Sam started to panic. Blade was going to hurt one of them.

“Sit back down, everyone. Everything is fine,” Sam looked from one to the other, pleading with her eyes for them to back away. When her eyes met Zach’s she caught a quick flash of fury in them before he quickly reached his hand into his pocket and turned to Blade.

“Miss Taylor said get out so get the hell out,” he hissed. Sam froze, certain Zach must have pulled a knife, and was terrified of what was going to happen, but before Blade had a chance to react, a large arm reached out from behind and grabbed him, pinning him against the wall.

Sam didn’t know where Kyle had come from but her relief was so great, she collapsed onto the nearest stool. She was on her feet again in a moment, though, remembering Zach and afraid he would still be going at Blade with a knife. When she looked and realized it wasn’t a knife but a cell phone he had pulled from his pocket, she allowed herself to fall back onto the stool.

Marc was the first to arrive, having been closer he beat Jake by a few minutes. Kyle still had Blade restrained in the shop while Sam had taken the kids outside. Marc quickly handcuffed Blade and Kyle joined Sam and the kids. While Marc stayed with Blade, Jake got the rundown on what had happened, asking questions of the kids as well as Sam. 

“We’ll take him in and question him at the station. Are you sure you and the kids are all right? I can call an ambulance, have everyone checked out,” Jake said.

“I don’t think that’s necessary. He never touched anyone, except Kyle, and it was Kyle who did most of the touching. But he’s fine. I think he wishes Blade would have fought back a little harder so he could have knocked him around some.”

“How about the kids? How’s Jimmy?”

Sam looked over to the yard where Jimmy sat in the grass with the rest of the kids and Susan, who had joined them. “He’s scared, really scared. When Blade walked in the shop he went white and almost ran to the other side of the room.”

“I can have someone come out and talk to him, we have people on call to help in situations like these.”

“I already called Project Strong Start and talked to Tom Lindahl. He’s on his way with a van to pick up the kids himself. He knows some of the details and said he’ll have someone ready to work with Jimmy. Jimmy’s been quiet, hasn’t really said much of anything since his brother showed up.”

A few minutes later Tom arrived and after a short conversation with Sam and Jake, loaded the kids in the van and headed back to camp.

“I need to get him to the station,” Jake said, indicating Blade who was handcuffed in the back of Marc’s patrol car. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Of course, don’t worry. Besides, Susan and Kyle are here, I won’t be alone.”

“Okay. I’ll call you later this afternoon. If you need anything or think of anything you want to add to your statement, just call.” He moved closer and kissed her, holding on for an extra hug before he headed to his car and drove off following Marc.

Sam watched until they were out of sight then turned and made her way to the front porch where Kyle and Susan were waiting.

“Doing okay, cuz?” Kyle asked, his eyes betraying him and showing much more concern than his voice.

“I’m fine. I’m just glad you got there when you did.” She gave a little shudder thinking about what could have happened. “If he had hurt one of those kids…”

“Or you!” Susan chimed in. “He could have hurt you, too.”

“Well, he didn’t and now, hopefully, he’ll find himself back in jail and Jimmy won’t have to worry about him for a long time. Jake said he had a gun in his jacket. I guess it wasn’t loaded but since he’s on probation that should still be enough to put him away for a while.” Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the porch railing.

“Do you think the kids will be back tomorrow?” Susan asked. “I heard the camp director mentioning special group sessions tomorrow to talk about what happened.”

“Actually, they never come on Fridays, it’s just Monday through Thursday. I assume they will be back on Monday, though. I’ll check in with the director tomorrow and see how things are going. I sure hope they come back,” Sam said, clearly worried.

Later that afternoon, once Sam had finally convinced Susan and Kyle she was fine, they left for their planned outing into Misty Lake to get some groceries and to look around a little more. Sam wanted some time in the shop, she hadn’t put many hours in on the china hutch since her cousins had arrived.

When she heard a car door slam her heart gave a quick start before she heard a voice call out loudly, “Sam? It’s Sean McCabe.”

Sam opened the door that her cousins had insisted she lock to find Jake’s father standing in her driveway, smiling. “I hope I didn’t startle you. Jake told me you had a scare out here today.”

“Mr. McCabe, how nice to see you. Jake told you about that, did he?” Sam had an image of Jake calling his dad and giving him a report on what went on earlier and the two of them deciding it would be good for the former sheriff to stop by, make sure things were okay. It was sweet.

“Oh, well, once a cop, always a cop, I guess,” he blushed. “I like to stay on top of what’s going on around here. Everything okay?” he asked, becoming more serious.

“Everything is fine. I’ll admit it was frightening for a while this morning but things are back to normal,” she answered, smiling and doing her best to convince him.

“I’m glad. From what I hear, that kid is nothing but trouble. I hope they can lock him up for a while.”

“Me too. Would you like to come in, have a cup of coffee, take a look around? I hear there’s been quite a lot of curiosity surrounding my house.”

“I don’t want to trouble you, Sam. I actually came to discuss some business with you.”

“Oh?”

“Well, Anna and I are going to be celebrating our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary this fall and I’d like to get her something special.”

“Congratulations! Come inside and let’s talk,” Sam said, leading him to the shop. “Do you have something in mind or are we going to brainstorm?”

“I’ve been thinking about that, she’s hinted around a few times about…” As they entered the shop, Sean stopped in his tracks and stared.

“Mr. McCabe?” Sam looked at him questioningly.

“That’s it. How did you know? Oh, I guess you couldn’t have known but it’s exactly what I was picturing.” He was looking at the hutch as if it were the answer he had long been seeking.

“This? The china cabinet? You were thinking something like this for Mrs. McCabe?”

“Well, yes. It’s just what I was thinking. Oh, but you must be making it for someone else, of course. Maybe we can come up with something similar?”

Sam thought for a moment then smiled. “Do you know what, Mr. McCabe? I think I was making it for you.”

“What do you mean, making it for me? We’ve never talked about anything like this.”

Sam’s voice took on a far away tone. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about building for years. My grandfather used to talk about building a special cabinet for my grandmother but he never had the chance. It was always in the back of my mind and lately it’s become something I just needed to do. The process has been therapeutic, if that makes sense,” she said as she ran her hand over the smooth wood, a motion that always served to soothe her.

“But surely you want to keep it for yourself. It obviously has a very special meaning to you.”

“No…” then firmer, “No. I really don’t need to keep it, I just needed to build it. If you think it’s something Mrs. McCabe would like then it’s yours. I can do the rest of the work to your specifications.” Sam suddenly felt as if a huge weight had been lifted and she was beaming at Sean.

“Are you sure, Sam?” Sean looked again at the cabinet. “Anna would love it. I love it. If you’re certain that you want to part with it, I certainly want to buy it.”

“I’m certain. Let’s talk details.”

“Only if you start calling me Sean,” he warned as he settled onto a stool next to Sam and began planning the finishing touches on Anna’s anniversary gift.