2. Tripp
Small townsreally chapped my ass.
Last thing I wanted today was to be stopped for speeding. To be fair, I knew it was a chance I was taking when I got off the main highway and headed toward Burke itself. I’d been doing good, ignoring the signs, my mind focused on getting here. My good luck apparently ran out at the outskirts of town.
“You’re in a mighty big hurry today.”
“Yeah, I know I was speeding, so can we make this quick?”
“License, registration, and proof of insurance, please.”
I handed over the paperwork and my license. Thankfully, the deputy didn’t take six weeks to do his job. I had a ticket for $180. Fuck small towns and their greed. It’s not like I was out here committing major criminal offenses.
All right, it was my fault; I knew better, but this was just highway robbery to my wallet. Not to mention the two points against my license.
Cursing, I made my way through town, looking at my speedometer this time. I made sure to keep it between twenty-five and thirty.
When I saw the sign for the Sheriff’s Office, relief washed over me. I pulled into the lot and parked. Scanning the area, I got out. I was pretty sure every part of my body cracked in sync. It felt good to be standing. That drive from Vegas to here was brutal on my old bones. Especially sleeping in the back of the Jeep, in the small space available.
Hotels just cost too much. What’s the old saying, ‘no pain, no gain?’ For me, it was a case of no money spent now meant more money in my pocket. Fine. Fine. Judge all you want, I’d freely admit it right now; I’m a cheap bastard. Sue me.
Looking back into the Jeep before I shut the door, I saw the white piece of paper looking back at me from the seat. I grabbed the ticket; might as well see about paying it while I was here. I couldn’t believe my luck today. With a grumble, I shut the Jeep up, locked the doors, and headed inside.
According to the signs outside of the main entrance, the Sheriff’s Office shared this building with the Burke PD. Talk about all of your eggs in one basket. I guess that was sensible in a way. Small town life.
I followed the signs to a set of double doors. Pushing my way in, I looked around. The room itself was large. Desks filled the middle. There was a large desk just inside the door, I would assume that was where the secretary or office admin sat. There were doors leading to other rooms on two sides and a wall of windows that had tint to them. I could see out, but I’d not been able to see in as I’d made my way to the front door. That made sense.
I caught sight of a familiar face and called out, “Dani Lynn?”
“Uncle Tripp? Holy crap. I’ve not seen you in forever. How are you, old man?” She walked over and hugged me tight.
“Uncle? How many uncles do we have?”
“Kid, in a small town like this, everyone’s your fuc—freaking uncle.”
“Dani Lynn!”
“Don’t start with me, old man. I’m not in the mood.” She grinned at me, hugging my neck again.
“Nice to see nothing changes around here.” I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“He can’t help himself.” She shrugged.
“She tests my nerves daily.” I heard Gabe’s chuckle this time. “She is her mother’s daughter,” he said, coming out of a big door on the left of where I stood. The sign next to the jamb said ‘Sheriff.’
Dani Lynn smirked. “He forgets himself sometimes. Some people in town say I’m just like him.” She took a step back, bringing her full attention back to me. “I’m sorry we missed you the last time you were in town.”
“You were popping out a baby the last couple times he’s skirted through here. He never stays long, so there was no way to get him to the house,” Gabe remarked, giving my outstretched hand a shake before pulling me into a big bear hug. “Nice to see your ugly mug, man. What brings you back down this way?”
“I’m sorry I missed y’all too. It was probably for the best. I’ve not always been in the right headspace when I’m here. It’s usually my unwind and recover time. Some of these people—I guess y’all get it.”
“Yeah, no need to explain. We’ve all been through some shit the last few years.” Dani Lynn looked at her dad, his features dimmed.
I met his gaze, assessing his mood, then looked around as I spoke. “I was coming to see my boy. And I don’t stay long because a man has to make money. I got bills to pay.” I took a step back, giving everyone their space. That wasn’t the full truth though. I did come for those reasons I’d said, but I didn’t stay long because seeing Casey, and knowing I’d fucked up—hurt.
“That’s fair,” Dani Lynn replied, smiling. “You’re here now. Everything okay though?” she asked, her voice lowering an octave.
“Yeah, just a little catch-up time with Phoenix. Or that was my intent. On the way here, I got a call from a friend that his sister might be missing.”
Gabe gave me a sharp look. Before either of us could say anything else, there was a rustle of doors opening behind me.
“Okay, we’re here, what happened?”
I turned to see who was coming in.
“About fucking time, Jesus.” Dani Lynn turned to the two men.
“Derek, my boy, can you pull the footage from the street cams? I’m looking for anyone leaving the bar, big blue pick-up. Asshole skipped out on a $10 bar tab. They were said to be headed to the motel, but they’ve just up and disappeared. Charlie’s out on patrol looking for them.”
“Sure thing. I can get that—do you need it now or can it wait about two hours?”
“A couple of hours is fine. They’re just getting a ticket. Brayden isn’t pressing charges or anything. If we can find a tag, we will mail it to them.”
“Okay, got it.”
I scowled when I got a good look at the men. The one who’d given me a ticket was coming in behind the one talking to Derek. I did a double-take.
“Am I going nuts or are there two of them?” I shook my head. Maybe I was a lot more tired than I thought.
Dani Lynn snorted out a laugh. “If I didn’t have things going on, I’d say there was only one of them. See how far we could take this joke.”
I gave her a look. “Don’t sass me.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She waved at me dismissively. “This is my husband Drew, and this one is his brother Jackson. Landry brothers, this is Dad’s old Army buddy, Tripp Cavannagh.”
“We’ve met,” the one she’d called Jackson said.
“Yeah, I got his autograph and all,” I added, pulling the ticket from my pocket.
“There are speed limit signs for a reason,” Dani Lynn stated, her eyes narrowing in on the ticket. “Musta been going a good clip ’cause that one isn’t as strict as the others are.”
Gabe, the asshole, chuckled, taking the ticket from me. “We’ll sort this out later.”
“Yeah, well, someone is missing, remember? I was in a hurry to get here.”
“You said that less than a minute ago. I’m not that old.”
“Dani Lynn?” Drew stepped closer to her, ignoring our exchange. “What was so urgent? Are you okay? The kids?”
“Oh, um… Well, you see, your daughter?—”
“Wait, why are you saying it like that? Which daughter?”
“Ty knocked some little as—turd on the head with a book during reading time, when he wouldn’t leave her alone. She got sent home for bullying. She’s in Gramp’s office,” the younger man said from behind a computer screen.
“Derek is working on getting the video now. I plan to go have a talk with that teacher and the new principal.” Her face tightened.
“Not alone you’re not,” Drew said. “The last time you talked to a principal, you threatened to beat her ass.”
“Ah shit…” Jackson’s face hardened. “Who’s messing with my niece?”
“Some little boy. She wouldn’t tell me who. He was poking her?—”
“Is Ty okay?” the men asked in unison.
Dani Lynn smiled softly, holding up a hand. “Yeah, she’s quite proud of herself.”
“Got it! Gramps, you might wanna?—”
The doors opened, and a big man came in, a tiny girl in his arms. “Scooter!” I moved to give him a hug. “Any news since you called me?”
“No. Still radio silence.” He looked around, stopping when he got a look at Gabe. “This isn’t like her, man. Something is wrong; I know my sister.”
“Scooter, I didn’t know you were in town,” Gabe commented, coming closer. Gabe left Dani Lynn and her husband to talk. “It’s been—damn since we left Killeen?”
“I didn’t know you were—” He waved a big hand at the uniform.
“Yep. Been Sheriff since I got out of the Army. Settled down, got married, had a kid. You doing all right? Who is this you have with you?”
“Yeah. Just helping my sister out. We live over in Diboll. I’ve only been here for a couple years. Keep to myself. Got a job working at a garage there part time. The lady that owns it?—”
“You’re working for AJ?”
“Yes. She’s nice and lets me work at my own pace when I can. I can’t work when my sister is gone because of this little one.”
I bumped my elbow against Scooter’s. “See, I told you we could trust the people here.”
“Yeah, you?—”
“Daddy!” A child’s shriek had my eye twitching. I turned to see what was happening.
“Tyler, come tell me about this boy you hit.”
She ran to him. “Can I say it, Daddy? Can I? Please?”
He nodded as he sat and she climbed up into his lap.
“He’s a shithead.”
Gabe’s face turned beat red at the word ‘shithead,’ Dani Lynn scowled at her husband, and the man just threw his head back and laughed.
I admit it, I chuckled too.
“Tyler Katherine Landry,” Gabe chastised, his voice low and controlled. I knew that tone.
“Daddy said I could say it.” The little girl started to cry.
“Gabe, don’t.”
“Hey, Ty, can you tell us what happened today?” Jackson got on his knees and hugged his niece. “Uncle Jacks will go have a talk with him.”
“I had to beat him away today. He doesn’t stop poking me. I don’t like it. I told him to stop. Teacher didn’t do anything. She said to stay away from him. It wasn’t my fault.”
“For fuck sake.”
“Baby, take a deep breath.”
“No. I’m going to the damn school right now. If anyone wants to come along so I don’t end up in a cell, now’s your chance. Tyler, you stay with Gramps and Day Day, okay? Mommy is going to see about this little boy bothering you.”
“Mommy, don’t hit nobody. You don’t want to be in trouble too.”
“I make no promises, baby.” Dani Lynn kissed her head. “No matter what, you know we have your back. You have a right to defend yourself. Always.”
“Should I kick him in the nuts next time? Auntie Stella?—”
“We’ll talk about how to handle it if there’s a next time, later, okay?”
“Ma?” I watched the kid and Dani Lynn. he’d called her Ma. Then I remembered they’d adopted an older boy. One that was a part of saving Dani Lynn years ago. He is so grown up now. Damn I felt old.
“I’m heading over to pick up Noelle from Robert, then going to get Lana and take them home. Gramma had lunch going. I’ll take Rambo here with me; this isn’t the best place for her anyway. We can talk about school bullies on the way.”
“Okay. We’ll meet you back at the house.”
“Day Day, you proud too? I did okay?”
He walked over and scooped up the girl. “I’m so proud of you. But there’s other ways to handle it first. Okay? Trust me. Ma helped me with bullies, so now I’ll help you out.”
“Hey,” Dani Lynn called out. “Supper is at six. Don’t be late. Any of you.” She stopped before me. “Uncle Tripp, if you and your friend wanna join us, you can. There’s plenty of kids for the little one to play with; and there’s going to be plenty of food on hand.”
“I’ll see how things go, but for now, I need to talk to your dad and find Phoenix. Thanks for the invite.”
“He’s probably out on a job site.” Gabe looked at his watch. “I’ll call Wayne and see for sure. Come on, let’s go talk in my office, then we’ll do what needs doing. Derek?”
“Yeah, Gramps?”
“Tell your grandma I’m not making it home for lunch; y’all just eat without me.”
“Why am I the bearer of bad news?”
“Because she won’t yell at you,” Dani Lynn stated, laughing as she walked out the door.
“I’ll fix you a plate. Uncle Jacks, you need anything? I’ll be gone for about two hours.”
“Nah, kid, I’m good. Your Aunt Kris made my lunch this morning. Thanks, though.”
“This place always this busy?” I asked, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Today’s a slow day,” Gabe answered, walking toward the back. We followed. Time to get to it. I needed answers and to find my—Casey.