Chapter 40
CHAPTER 40
FORD
Ed was more lucid today. His eyes tracked between Bree and me, his expression shrewd despite the lingering effects of medication. “So, I didn’t dream that. You two are speakin’ again.”
One corner of Bree’s mouth hooked up. “Yeah, we are.”
His gaze shifted to me. “Reckon since you’re here with my girl again, you two finally got your heads straight and are doin’ more than speakin’.”
Bree’s cheeks flushed scarlet. “Pop!”
I was still trying to find some kind of response.
“What? I’m old, not blind.” He shifted in the hospital bed, wincing. “Been watching you dance around each other since you were kids.”
Deciding the best defense was a good offense, I tugged Bree closer, sliding an arm around her waist. “To be fair, sir, that was mostly my fault. Took me way too long to realize what was right in front of me. But I promise you, I’m done being an idiot. Your granddaughter is my priority now, and I’m going to spend however long it takes proving that to both of you.”
Ed’s eyes narrowed, studying me with the same intensity I’d seen him use when staring down belligerent drunks at the tavern. “About damn time.” He looked at Bree. “This what you want, baby girl?”
Cheeks fading from fire engine red to a pretty pink, she leaned into my side, her warmth seeping through my shirt. “Always has been.”
“Well, alright then.” He settled back against the pillows. “Just remember I’ve got a shotgun if you mess this up again.”
“Pop!” Bree’s face flamed again.
I tightened my hold on her. “Message received, sir. But you won’t need it. I learned my lesson the hard way. I’m not letting her go again.”
Ed nodded, apparently satisfied. “Good.” His eyes began drifting closed again, and I wondered if he’d worn himself out already. Then they snapped wide again. He struggled to sit up. “The map. Where’s the map? Shit, I left it and all my notes at the Brewhouse when I fell out.”
Bree gently pressed him back. “We have it. It’s fine.”
His gnarled hand gripped hers with strange urgency. “You have to keep everything safe. Hidden.”
Frowning, Bree glanced at me.
I shrugged. Did he think it was a real treasure map instead of a souvenir? That they’d legitimately found something someone would want? Maybe he was still confused because of the coma.
“Nobody else has the map, Pop. It’s fine.”
“There’s an irregularity in the map,” he insisted.
“Peyton found it.” Surely that would calm Ed down. “She gathered up all your notes when they took you to the hospital.”
His fingers tightened on Bree’s hand. “Keep her safe. If anybody finds out, they’ll come after her.”
My spine stiffened. I’d had about enough of vague threats to my daughter. “Who’ll come after her?”
But Ed’s eyes were glazing over again, medication or exhaustion pulling him under again.
“Pop, what are you talking about?” Bree smoothed his hair back. “Who’s going to come after Peyton?”
His head lolled. “Keep… safe.” The words slurred together as he drifted off.
I exchanged a look with Bree. “You don’t think…”
She shook her head. “It’s just a souvenir map. Something fun for tourists.”
“But he seems really worried about it.” And about my kid. The one I was this close to putting in a bubble until the world quit losing its collective mind. “And someone did break into his place.”
Not that we’d told Ed that. The doctor had been clear he didn’t need to get overexcited or exert himself.
“Crime of opportunity, like Chris said.” But she didn’t sound convinced.
“You said yourself that nothing was taken, though.” I ran a hand through my hair. “What if there’s something to this treasure hunt of theirs? It’s been ages since there’s been a find of any significance, but we’ve both heard the stories. Treasure hunters are still a cutthroat lot.”
“You think there’s any chance they’ve found something for real?”
“I don’t know. But Ed seemed pretty adamant about keeping Peyton safe. And he’s not usually the type to get worked up over nothing.”
Bree chewed her lip. “No, he’s not.”
I looked down at Ed’s sleeping form. What did he know that had him so worried? And more importantly, was my daughter in danger because of it?
Probably not. And yet I couldn’t shake a lingering sense of unease, probably just because I hadn’t actually seen my kid today.
“I’m gonna go check in with Sawyer.” I stroked a hand down Bree’s ponytail. “Be back in a bit.”
Out of respect for the other folks on the floor, I took the elevator down to the cafeteria level and found a quiet corner.
Sawyer picked up on the second ring. “Hey man. How’s Ed?”
I gave Sawyer the rundown on his improved condition. “He’s definitely more with it today. Recognized both of us. Knew what was going on.”
“That’s great news.”
“Yeah. And he definitely cottoned to the change in my relationship with Bree.”
“Oh, yeah?” Sawyer’s amusement carried through the phone. “How’d that go over?”
“Seems pleased. He offered the expected reminder that he can still kick my ass if I fuck it up again.”
“Well, that all seems about right.” There was a pause. “How are you and Bree?”
I leaned against the wall, watching people drift in and out of the cafeteria. “We’re good. I mean, we’ve hardly had a chance to figure out what we are, with everything going on with Ed, but we’re a we. And right now, that feels like a damned miracle.”
“I’m happy for you, man. I know what she means to you.”
My throat tightened. “I just wish it hadn’t taken me fucking up for so long to figure that out myself.”
“Better late than never.”
“How’s my girl? Was she a good guest?”
“She’s great. She and Willa had a grand old time with the dogs. Which, for the record, is where she’d have preferred to spend the day. But I delivered her to the school doors myself first thing this morning.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Thanks, man. I really appreciate you and Willa taking her.”
“Anytime. You know that. And there’s been no sign of either of those guys Dax warned you about. Willa’s notified all the ferry staff company wide, so if they board anywhere, we’ll hear about it. Everything’s good here, brother.”
My shoulders loosened another fraction. Peyton was safe. That was the important thing. “Thanks for keeping an eye out.”
“You know we’ve all got your back. Willa’s picking her up after last bell.”
I glanced at my watch. Two more hours until school let out. “You’re no doubt in the middle of a job and do not have time to indulge my over-protective parenting.”
“No worries. You’ve had a lot on your plate. Let us know how Ed progresses and what your plans are. We’re good with keeping Peyton as long as you need. Although I expect your moms are gonna want some more grandma time.”
I’d no doubt have an earful from them when they found out everything I hadn’t told them when I’d left the island yesterday. But that was a problem for Future Ford. “Will do. I think we’ll have a better idea by end of today or maybe tomorrow. We’ll keep you posted.”
I hung up the phone and stared out the window at a patch of green space with winter-bare trees. I knew Ed was far from going home, but now that he was out of the worst danger, I felt better about the idea of leaving Bree for a little while if I needed to. Which I probably would soon. There was only so much of my work I could do without the secure internet connection of my home network, and I was woefully behind. My superiors would be on my ass soon enough if I didn’t catch up. And that didn’t cover my duty to Peyton.
More than a little tired, I dropped my brow to the glass. I really needed life to stop coming at me like a bullet train so I could catch my breath. Thank God for my friends and family. I didn’t have any idea how I’d be able to do all this without help.
The call with Sawyer should have put me back at ease. There was nothing to be worried about. And yet I couldn’t shake the sense that something was wrong. Or maybe it was my own guilt for having to split my time between Bree and Peyton. Either way, I was still tweaked.
I could call the school. Not to talk to Peyton. That would be ridiculous. But just… to be absolutely sure she was where she was supposed to be.
Feeling ridiculously over the top, I looked up the number and dialed.
“Sutter’s Ferry Middle School.”
“This is Ford Donoghue. I’m calling about my daughter, Peyton Walsh.”
“Oh yes, of course.” The secretary’s tone warmed with recognition. News traveled fast on Hatterwick. “Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine. I just…” God, this felt ridiculous. “Could you check that she’s in class? I don’t need to speak to her. Just want to make sure she’s where she’s supposed to be.”
“Certainly, Mr. Donoghue. We can send someone to check.” A pause. “Would you like us to call you back?”
Too late, it occurred to me how this must sound—like I thought my kid was skipping or getting into trouble. Which wasn’t it at all. But explaining my paranoia about shadowy corporate threats would probably make me sound certifiable.
“That’d be great, thanks.” I rattled off my cell number, already planning my retreat to Ed’s room. “I appreciate it.”
“Not at all. We’ll call you right back.”
I hung up, feeling both relieved and slightly foolish. Peyton was fine. She was exactly where she was supposed to be, probably bored out of her mind in whatever class she had this period. And here I was, acting like one of those helicopter parents I’d always secretly judged.
But Ed’s words kept echoing in my head. Keep her safe.
Shaking it off, I headed for the elevator. Time to get back to Bree and see if Ed had woken up again with any more cryptic warnings.
But he was still sleeping when I made it back.
Bree rose and joined me in the hall, sliding her arms around me. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. It’s fine. I’m being ridiculously paranoid.”
“Understandably.”
“I called the school to check on her.” I winced. “Is that terrible?”
“Under the circumstances, no. What did they say?”
“They’re checking to see she’s properly in class and supposed to call me back.”
It took a lot longer for the call to come than I expected. A full twenty minutes had passed, and I was wondering if I ought to call back, when my phone finally began to vibrate.
“Hello.”
The voice on the other end sucked in a breath, and in that moment of silence, I knew the news wasn’t good.
“Mr. Donoghue. This is Principal Carpenter. Your daughter isn’t in class. Neither is her friend Madison Daniels. They haven’t responded to hails over the intercom, and no one has seen them. Is there any viable reason for her absence? Does she have a history of skipping at her old school?”
I had no idea. But everything in me shouted that something was wrong, wrong, wrong. “No. Call the police. I’m on my way.”