Chapter Eighteen
Holden
S omething seemed off the whole morning. Filling in the report was fine and easy, although I made sure I was extra certain to report exactly what I’d seen and heard.
Then I emailed it to Detective Reeves before calling her.
“Reeves,” she answered, her tone a bit distant. I couldn’t blame her.
“Hey, it’s Deputy Drumm. I wanted to let you know I just emailed you my report from last night’s events.”
“That’s great. Thank you, Deputy,” she said, her tone alert again.
“I was wondering, is it okay to visit Deputy Fischer?” I wanted to cross my fingers, because I thought Mikayla needed all the support she could get.
“I don’t see why not. She’s given her statement and everything is rolling on the way things tend to do in these situations. She needs a lot of help and support. I made sure she has the resources to get help, but seeing a friendly face would likely be really good for her.”
I let out a breath, relieved. “Okay, that’s… that’s great. She’s still so new and….”
“And you never get used to the violence. I hear you, Deputy.” She sighed and then continued, “You were right, the perp’s father is trying to be difficult, but Deputy Fischer said there are several documented cases of domestic violence.”
“There are, and we’ve been driving past the house more lately as well. You should interview the neighbors, especially Robbie Urban. I wouldn’t be surprised if he'd be able to help you piece together some sort of a timeline. Young people are always on their phones so he might’ve messaged someone about what he saw and all that.” I cleared my throat, feeling awkward suddenly, “Sorry, I’m not trying to do your job for you, Detective.”
She chuckled. “No, I appreciate it. It’s a small town which is a blessing and a curse. In this case I’m going to go with a blessing, because people notice things in places like this.”
“Do you happen to know if Valerie Hall and the children have been released from the hospital yet?”
“Yes, they have. They’re currently in temporary housing in Warren.”
I frowned. “Their house seemed to be as good as gone.”
“That’s what the fire chief said, too. They will likely have someone not so heavily pregnant go through their belongings and see if there’s anything at all salvageable once Mrs. Hall feels like doing that. But it’s a fire hazard as is, so they need to get it done ASAP.”
“I was just thinking the same. At least it’s a trailer home so they might be able to move it somewhere safe to be demolished or burned down first.”
“Exactly. I can give you the address for her and the kids…?”
“Yes, please. I’m sure people will rush to help them out as soon as I tell my receptionist the situation.”
Snorting softly, Detective Reeves said, “We need more people like your receptionist. Penny, right? She seems efficient and so incredibly kind.”
“Oh she is. And takes nobody’s bullshit, pardon my French.”
She laughed and then gave me the address. “I’ll be in touch if needed. Good luck, Deputy Drumm.”
“Same to you, Detective.”
P enny was ahead of us by the time I made it to the front of the office on my way to check on Mikayla and the Halls.
“There’s a toy and clothing drive at the community center, and we’re doing everything—”
I cut her off and gave her the address. “There. You’ll need this.”
Her eyes lit up and she was this close to cheering, I was pretty sure. “Thank you! Oh, we’re also thinking of doing something nice for poor Mikayla.”
“Sounds great. Let’s keep that one low key, though,” I said gently.
“Yes, of course. Can you tell her we’re thinking of her?”
“Will do. I’ll stop by to check on Val and the kids, too and give her a heads up that they’re going to be swarmed.”
“Oh no, I’m sure Barb and Sheila won’t let it get that far.”
“Can you call ahead to the diner in Warren and ask them to make something for the Halls? Pickup in an hour if possible?”
“Will do. Where are you off to?”
“I need new boots. And a jacket.” Before she could ask, he lifted a hand. “I called in and they have my size in Warren.”
“That’s good.”
“I’ll go get my clothes, then grab the food from the diner, and then go see Val and the kids.”
“Tell her I’m sure the ladies will be organizing something for either this evening or first thing tomorrow.”
“Will do. I’ll drop back in on my way home—”
“Or not. We have enough staff. You can take the rest of today off and Sheriff Gerrell is going to call you soon anyway so be prepared for that, in case he gives you any trouble.”
“Will do, Ma’am!” I snarked, then made my way out of the building.
A bout five hours later, I was finally driving to Mikayla’s house where she lived with her grandpa.
“Deputy Drumm,” I answered the phone, as if I hadn’t seen it was Sheriff Gerrell.
“Drumm, I’ve been dealing with your staff changes. Fischer is on paid leave for three weeks to begin with, so I’ve gotten you a couple of reinforcements….”
And off it went. By the time I made it to Mikayla’s driveway, Gerrell was still talking.
“I’m pulling in at Deputy Fischer’s house now. I also went to check up on Val Hall and the children.”
“Good, that’s good.”
“I am going to take tomorrow off. I know the timing isn’t great, but—”
“That’s understandable. You can take more than that. I checked and you have plenty of vacation days to use if needed.”
I frowned, lucky he couldn’t see me. “True. I just took a couple of days for a trip I had to make, but I’ll keep that in mind if I feel like I need it.”
“Absolutely. I know you’re good at taking care of the Luxton station, but you need to take care of yourself as well.”
This was getting ridiculous now. Not once had this man talked to me in this kind of way. Not for a moment did I believe he was being genuine.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I repeated. “Thank you, sir.”
“Of course. Now tell Deputy Fischer to take care of herself, okay?”
“Will do. Talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
Still reeling from whatever the good sheriff was plotting now, I got out of the cruiser and walked up the path to the front porch. I had picked up her and her grandpa some food from the diner and some easy to put together type meals with her favorite candy from the grocery store.
She opened the door to see me there with my arms laden with bags and her eyes filled with tears.
“Holden,” she choked out and then backed up to let me in.
She directed me into the kitchen, where I put down everything, then turned around to give her a hug.
“How you holding up, kiddo?” I asked, unable to be her boss in that moment.
“I’m… not good. But the emergency therapy helped. So did the Valium.” She pulled away and wiped at her cheeks. “What’s all this?” she asked, changing the subject immediately which didn’t surprise me at all.
“This is the prelude of things to come,” I deadpanned and showed her all I’d bought.
“This is… this is a lot, Holden,” she said, using my name again. I wasn’t sure if she ever had outside of the picnics we held every summer with the local fire and rescue.
“Well Penny is going to try and hold back the masses, but you know how it is in this town.”
She nodded, clearly trying to keep her emotions in check as she started to put the groceries away.
The back door creaked and I would’ve recognized the sound of an old man’s gait and a walking stick anywhere.
“Did I hear a car?” he asked, then noticed me and said, “Oh, Sheriff Drumm,” he said happily. “You came to visit our girl?”
I smiled as I unpacked the diner containers. “I did indeed. I brought you two some groceries, and here’s some of your favorites from the diner. The brothers said it’s on the house and to call if you need anything delivered.”
“Oh, that’s very nice of you,” Mr. Fischer came to see what I’d bought. “What do I owe—”
“Absolutely nothing. This is my contribution, and I’m pretty sure there will be ladies with casseroles incoming any time now.”
“Grandpa, why don’t you go sit in your chair and I’ll bring you some food?” Mikayla sounded a bit choked up, still organizing the fridge with her back to us.
Mr. Fischer caught her mood and walked past her, patting her on the shoulder. “Yes, dear.”
He gave me a sad smile as he toddled off toward the living room.
She took a deep breath and held it, then I watched as her shoulders lowered with an exhale.
“What’s the situation?” I asked quietly. “Some paid time off and then?”
“Can we not…?”
“Of course. Let’s get your food plated and I’m sure you need time to get to the mindset to deal with whomever will come calling.”
She sighed again and came to give me a side hug. “This is why you’re my favorite.”
I chuckled. “Good to know. Now let’s get you fed and then I’ll leave. There’s a mini-disaster at home as well, so….”
“Oh?” For the first time, her eyes lit up a little bit.
For a few seconds I hesitated, then lowered my voice. “Can you keep a really big secret? Like an actual probably global scale secret?”
Her eyes widened comically. “What the fuck, Holden?”
“You know the band, I think they’re called Kaiju?”
She nodded, clearly confused.
“You should probably check the gossip sites, there’s some news. But mine is that the singer, Luca? He’s Rian’s friend and he’s coming to stay at the pack house for a while.”
Mikayla looked at me as if someone turned her brain off. Then she shook herself out of her shock and closed her mouth.
“Well, that’s certainly something I would’ve never guessed, but okay!”
“Yeah. So there’s that.” I grinned.
She looked a bit stunned still, but I knew she was glad to have something completely different to think about for a change.
A s I left them about an hour later, after having mostly chatted with Mr. Fischer while they ate, I texted the pack’s group chat.
I’m heading home. Do we need anything at the house?
It took a few moments, then Brodie answered.
We’ve done a grocery run today. Rian’s getting Luca from the airport in my truck. They managed to get permission to fly the private jet to a smaller airport whose name I forgot already. I think they’ll be home right after you.
Private jets. Jesus. Sometimes I forgot the kind of money Rian, and probably Luca as well, had. Not that I knew what kind of money a band such as Luca’s would make.
Okay. See you in a bit.
I wasn’t technically working, but I told the dispatch I was off anyway, then turned off my police radio. I turned the car radio on and of course, the rock station I liked was talking about Kaiju.
“…it’s hard to say where this’ll leave the band. They had to cut their tour short and now with this happening, who knows if we’re seeing Kaiju again.”
“True. It’s a shame when a young life is cut short as it was in this case. There’s also been rumors that other members of the band have been carted off to rehab.”
“Right, and we all know the issues Luca has had with his singing voice. There have been stories about the decline and fans have been worried as they’ve built these elaborate timelines—”
I turned the radio off. Jesus Christ. It had to be horrible to be in the public eye and having your every move scrutinized this way.
The fact that Rian had been worried about his friend for a while now was one thing. It didn’t really matter to me who the friend was. I knew Rian well enough that as soon as he got whatever call he had gotten this morning, he would’ve asked Luca what he could do immediately. That was just how Rian operated.
I wondered if I should surrender my room to Luca, or if he’d be staying with Rian in Rian’s room. It didn’t really make me feel any sort of way, because Rian had told me they’d hooked up a couple of times in the past when they’d first met a handful of years ago, but had since realized they were better as friends.
He’d also told me Luca had had a tumultuous relationship with someone who ended up cheating on him and it had put Luca off relationships completely.
I also knew that while Luca was a human, if he wanted it, there would be a lot of TLC from the pack coming his way. They were all very touchy-feely types, and it was balm to a hurt soul. I couldn’t frankly see a world where Luca wouldn’t be broken right now, after losing his bandmate so horribly and suddenly.
Then there was whatever was going on with his health. It worried me. The way Rian was upset whenever he talked about it made me think this wouldn’t be a simple case of the flu, but something really bad.
Whatever would happen, I was glad Luca was coming to stay with us at the house. It would be fine. A small, niggling thought in the back of my head reminded me that I still had my own place if I needed to give up my room for him.
I didn’t need to stick to Rian like glue. Cindy and I had a home of our own.
The more I thought of it, the more it made me feel squirmy on the inside. It took me a moment to realize my wolf side hated the idea of leaving what it probably considered the pack’s den.
My human side understood the situation a bit better, but I also didn’t want to go. I was sure there would be space on the couch if nowhere else. Not that I thought Rian would kick me out of his bed even if Luca was also there, let alone if he wasn’t.
I hated my anxious brain by the time I made it to the pack house. Never had I been this wrapped up in people and relationships in my life. For sixty years, I’d been fine, and then this pack had wrecking-balled its way into my life and here we were.
“Why do you look pissed off?” Max asked when I walked up the porch stairs.
He was bundled up and sitting on the swing Brodie and Lina had installed a while ago.
“Why are you sitting here alone?” I asked.
“Answer mine first.”
“I realized how much simpler my life was before y’all burst your way into it.”
Max snickered. “Don’t pout. You love us.”
I rolled my eyes and leaned to the porch post next to the swing. “Now you.”
“I’m nervous about meeting one of my biggest idols. I get that he’s one of Rian’s best friends as much as Rian downplays it.”
“He downplays a lot of his relationships to people outside of Brodie.”
“Yeah. But like… I’ve never met anyone famous before, let alone a guy who….” He trailed off.
I went to sit next to him, and he pressed himself against my side the way he did every time he needed comfort and one of us was close.
“His music kept me alive through some very dark times,” Max whispered.
Well that certainly brought things up a notch.
“He’s just a man. Someone who needs friends and a soft, safe place to land. He just lost someone he was close with and his band might not survive.”
Max took in a shuddering breath, then he hugged my arm and very quietly said, “I heard him cough on while he was on the phone with Rian. I… It sounded so bad. It sounded like dying , Holden.”
Shit. “We need to keep an extra eye on Rian, too. He’s already lost someone important to him. Well, several people during his lifetime I’m sure, but I don’t think there’s been anyone who was super close to him the way my brother was and how Luca seems to be since Hunter died.”
“Right. I forgot about that. Crap. ”
At least right now, I didn’t need to think about my own feelings about my work issues. I had Rian and everyone else to concentrate on. I’d been doing my job for a long time and I’d be fine. Time healed a lot of things, and after Hunter’s death, I was pretty sure it also healed guilt. Because I should’ve been the one who went to confront Levi Hall, not Mikayla.
Max and I heard Brodie’s truck at the same time.
“Crap, I need to go.”
I watched as he dashed inside and waited for the door to close behind him before getting up from the swing. I walked down the stairs to meet the truck.
When I saw Rian’s eyes as he parked the vehicle, I could tell his heart was already breaking, and mine throbbed violently in response.