Shattered Justice (33 page)

Swinging her legs to the floor, she barely missed knocking against Kodi, who sat in front of her.
What’s wrong?
her amber eyes seemed to ask.

Annie leaned forward. “I’m fine, Kode. Relax. I’m fine.”

Kodi was so tuned in to Annie, it was unsettling at times. But that was one reason they did so well in search and rescue. When they were working, they operated almost as a single unit rather than human and dog.

Kodi scooted closer and laid her snout on Annie’s leg. Clearly, she didn’t believe Annie’s assurances. It figured. Annie was still shaking from … from …

She frowned. From what? A dream? She stood, picked up her now-empty mug, and went to set it in the sink. Kodi followed, leaning her shoulder into Annie as she walked. Annie shoved back with a knee.

“Stop it, you worrywart. I’m fine.”

It had taken major effort for Annie to break the shepherd of those herding instincts when they worked. But when they were at home, it was a lost cause. When Kodi was excited or worried, she tended to throw body blocks. Annie had to watch
herself, because Kodi didn’t realize her own bulk—or strength. She’d sent Annie flying a couple of times.

She smiled. It was a small price to pay for a dog like Kodi.

Another nudge, this time from Kodi’s snout, told Annie the dog was still uneasy. Crouching in front of the sink, Annie framed the dog’s face with her hands. “You’re something else, you know that?”

Kodi sat, staring at her mistress, the question still very evident:
What’s wrong?

Annie didn’t deny it this time. She stroked Kodi’s long black snout. “I don’t know. Something woke me. Somebody was talking to me. Telling me something … important. I think.”

She shook off the odd feeling trying to settle over her and stood. “Maybe I just need more sleep.”

The ringing of the phone made both Annie and Kodi jump. Annie grabbed the receiver. “Hello?”

“Annie? It’s Shelby. Shelby Wilson. I … I’m sorry to call again. I tried Dan’s cell phone and work phone, but … well, either he’s not getting my calls, or he’s just not retur—” She stopped and took a deep breath. “Never mind. Is he there?”

Annie glanced at the clock. One-thirty? It was later than she’d realized. Dan should be home by now for lunch, but Kodi would have awakened her if he’d come in. Why hadn’t he called?

“No, Shelby, he’s not here. But he should be soon.”

She was silent for a moment then let out a long breath. “Listen, Jayce is in trouble. Jayce Dalton, the boy—”

“I know who Jayce is.” Shannon had talked of little else those last few months of her life.

“Oh. Anyway, he’s in trouble, and Dan is the only one who can help.”

As Shelby spoke, Annie felt something stirring inside her. An odd sense of excitement. “Would you mind filling me in?”

As Shelby did so, certainty settled over Annie like a warm woolen cloak. Dan was supposed to save Jayce Dalton.

How, Annie didn’t have a clue. Considering that Dan had cut the boy off even more completely than anyone else. But that didn’t matter. God had the
how
well in hand. All Annie had to do was her part.

“Shelby, listen, when do you need to know Dan’s answer?”

“The sooner, the better.”

“Tomorrow?”

“That’d be great.” Surprise mixed with relief in Shelby’s response.

“Dan will call you tomorrow.”

Hanging up, Annie stood there, hand resting on the phone. Time to call in the cavalry. Lifting the receiver, she dialed her sister’s number.

Kyla spoke before Annie had the chance even to say hello. “I wondered when I’d hear from you.”

“Oh? Why is that? No, wait, first tell me how you knew it was me.”

She chuckled. “Caller ID, silly.”

Annie smiled. “Yes, but it’s
Dan
’s number showing.”

“And Avidan is working. So knowing you’re still there …”

“Fine. Now, why have you been wondering when I’d call?”

“Well, I’ve been up since about five-thirty this morning, praying. I woke up with this feeling hanging over me that something was going on, and I figured it had to be about Avidan.”

Annie explained Shelby’s phone call and request. Kyla didn’t hesitate. “I’ve got a friend with a plane. He told me he’d fly me down anytime it was necessary.”

“It’s necessary.”

“I’ll be there in a few hours.”

“See you soon.” Annie set the receiver back in the cradle. “Well, this should be interesting, huh, Kodi-odio? Dan’s being called to help Jayce. But I think it’s more than that. I think he’s going to save Jayce. And you know what?”

Kodi cocked her head, ears perked.

“If Dan does this, if he listens to his heart and does what’s right, I have a feeling Jayce may very well turn around and save Dan.” Annie smiled. “Wouldn’t that be something?” She clapped her hands. “And wouldn’t Shannon be tickled?”

Kodi’s bark voiced her exuberant agreement.

DAN KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP THE MINUTE HE GOT
home.

For one thing, Kyla was there. Not that she couldn’t visit, but coming all the way from Portland without telling him first … well, that didn’t bode well. Besides, with the demands of overseeing the family construction business their father started, Kyla didn’t usually take time off on the spur of the moment.

Not unless something was wrong.

For another thing, his sisters’ expressions. He could tell when they’d been “plotting.” He’d seen those looks far too many times in his life.

Like the time Annie decided he should start dating a girl from next door, so she enlisted her older sister’s help and arranged a meeting by sending him and the girl notes, supposedly from each other—“MUST talk with you. Urgent! Matter of
life and death!” Once he discovered what was going on, the only lives at risk that day were those of his beloved sisters.

Then there was the time Kyla had been a senior in high school and wanted to borrow the car he’d saved a year to buy, then spent the next year restoring. Dan was clear: not in this lifetime. He should have known his sister’s capitulation came too readily. Sure enough, she got Annie to talk him into going for a walk with her. When they got home, his car was gone. Of course, Kyla returned it—with a dent in the front bumper.

More times than he could count—or even remember—these two had conspired together to convince, sway, influence, or motivate him as they saw fit.

From the looks on their too-angelic faces, they were at it again. Even the dog, lying next to Annie’s feet, looked like she had something up her furry sleeve.

He planted his feet, crossed his arms, and fixed them with a stare. “Okay, what’s going on?”

They scooched apart, making room for him on the couch between them. Annie patted the cushion. “Have a seat, big brother.”

Dan pressed his lips together. Whatever they were up to, it had to be big. “I’d rather stand, if you don’t mind.”

Kyla stood, Kodi following at her side, and came to take his arm. “As a matter of fact, Avidan, I do mind. Please, come sit down.”

He resisted for a moment, then with a sigh gave in. Might as well hear what they wanted. The faster they told him about it, the faster he could say no. He let Kyla lead him to the couch. No sooner had he settled on the cushion than Kodi came to plop down on top of his feet.

Dan wiggled his feet beneath the beast. So much for a quick escape. “Okay—” he looked from one sister to the other—“let’s hear it.”

Annie jumped in. “Shelby Wilson called.”

Dan stiffened. What was this? Annie knew he didn’t want to talk about Shelby.

“Dan? Did you hear me?”

“Yeah. Shelby called. What did she want?”

“To talk with you.”

He waited.

“About Jayce Dalton.”

At the name, emotions flooded Dan. Shame. Resentment. Frustration. Embarrassment. Regret. But he pushed them all way, keeping his stare bland. Noncommittal.

Empty.

“What about him?”

Kyla joined in. “Jayce is in trouble, Avidan. He’s been picked up by the police. A gang of boys broke into the store at the Union Creek Lodge. Jayce was the only one they caught. He won’t say who broke in or what they were doing.”

“He told the police he was just out walking and heard the glass break in the windows. Went to see what was happening. But the police believe he was standing watch.”

A flash of concern burned through Dan, but that, too, was consigned to the edges of his awareness.
Don’t look interested. Don’t let them think they’ve caught your attention
.

When he didn’t say anything, Annie went on. “Would you like to know what was stolen?”

“Does it matter?”

“I think it does.”

Against his better judgment, he inclined his head.

“They cleaned out the shelves of cold medicines. Diet pills.” Annie scrutinized his face as she listed each item. “Drain opener. Epsom salts. Rubbing alcohol. Matches. Duct tape …”

Dan’s interest was piqued, in spite of himself. “Supplies for a meth lab.”

At Annie’s nod, rage smoldered deep in Dan’s chest. Was Jayce mixed up with Brumby somehow? Had he been involved in the meth lab behind Brumby’s home?

Had he been involved …?

Dan stopped breathing. Every sense focused on the question now slamming into his mind, his heart.

Had Jayce been involved in the shootings?

Dan almost came off the couch. Almost roared out a denial that it could be possible. But he didn’t move. Didn’t give any sign that he was being torn apart inside.

Kyla laid a hand on his arm. “Avidan, Shelby called because Jayce needs your help.”

He froze. “My …” His throat closed, choking off the word. When he could speak again, his voice was rough. “Why me?”

“You
know
why, Danny. Because of your relationship with Jayce. Because you know he’s not a bad kid.”

Enough. Dan shoved at Kodi, sending her scampering off his feet, then stood, walking away. But his sisters didn’t let go that easily. Quick footsteps behind him warned they were right on his heels. Through the kitchen. Out the sliding glass doors. Onto the patio.

Annie closed the sliding doors, keeping Kodi inside. The dog sat, staring. Clearly of the opinion she should be out there with the rest of her pack.

Trade you places
, Dan thought.

Kyla stepped in front of him. “Avidan, you have to talk with us about this.”

“Why? Because Sister-Mommy says so?”

She ignored his sarcasm. “You told us yourself you were called to help Jayce.”

“That boy is
not
my problem.”

“How can you say that?”

He glared at Annie. “
Leave
it! This doesn’t concern you!” Then he aimed his glare at Kyla. “Either one of you. It’s none of your business!”

“Yes, it is!” Kyla sounded as heated as he. “It’s about
you
. Doing what’s right. And that concerns us because we love you!”

He pulled back. “Then leave me alone. If you love me so much, leave me be!”

“Why?” Annie took a step closer. “So you can bury yourself in your anger, your grief? So you can shrivel up inside until there’s nothing left?”

“Avidan, please. This boy’s own family has let him down all his life. You know how he feels about you. How he looks on you like a fath—”

“No!”

The denial exploded from him, fueled by a desperation so intense it hurt. His chest ached, burned—like someone was shoving a molten spear right through him. “I’m not that boy’s father. He isn’t my child!”

His trembling hands gripped the rail, digging into the wood, his voice raising as he spat out each hateful word. “My children are
dead
! Or had you
forgotten
that?”

Annie didn’t turn away. She faced him head on.

When Dan and the girls were kids, they used to fight all the time. Their parents often despaired of their reaching adulthood without doing one another in. But they did so, and discovered siblings made the best of friends. Since that auspicious discovery, they seldom exchanged angry words. In fact, Dan couldn’t remember the last time either of his sisters got truly mad at him.

Well, he wouldn’t have trouble remembering this.

Annie wasn’t just angry. She was furious. Hurt. Devastated. All these emotions played on her features as she stood there, mute, shaking like someone coming out of hypothermia. Tears slipped from her glaring eyes, ran down her usually smiling face, but she didn’t seem to notice. Didn’t rub them away.

Dan had a flash of the look on Shelby’s face at the funeral. Was he going to alienate everyone who cared about him?

Regret pierced him.