Chapter 10 #2
Everyone turned and looked towards Patrick.
He was breaking his muffin into pieces but didn’t seem to be eating any of it.
He stopped when he realized we were all looking at him.
“I didn’t know it was Drake’s parents. The visions came at me in pieces but sporadically.
I never even went as far back as we did tonight.
When I saw Tracey for the first time, she seemed eerily familiar, but I wasn’t certain why.
All the pieces came together,” he shifted uncomfortably, clearly feeling uneasy under our appraisals.
“When we came to get you on the mission you dropped your pictures, and it all fell into place.”
Victoria reached out and squeezed Patrick’s hand in silent support. “He was having trouble sleeping. Anna overheard Shiloh and I contemplating how we can help him understand his visions. You guys have a lot on your plate, and we were hoping to help him like we’ve been doing for Harry.”
“Excuse me, what?” Jaxson didn’t even seem to notice that a part of his crumb cake had fallen in his lap. “Herman.”
I think I had too many browsers open in my head because there was no way I heard Herman’s name, not once or twice.
Plus, I think a small part of me had realized the dark circles under Patrick’s eyes and his constant fatigue.
I felt guilty realizing I was juggling too many balls in the air and wondering if I was missing any other important things.
Drake wrapped his arm tighter around my waist before leaning forward slightly. I saw that his dad’s murder was still prevalent in his thoughts, but Herman and Anna’s connection had fascinated him.
“Herman has a mark on his left shoulder blade,” Drake commented. “The way it’s shaped I thought it was a scar from an accident.”
“No, it’s the same mark I have on my right butt cheek. Want to see it?” She saucily winked at him.
Unsurprisingly he blushed a deep crimson red while the room erupted in questions and comments.
“How long have you known?”
“Weren’t you dating some musician?”
“Holy Moly! Are you okay with blending your daughter with his daughters?”
“When did you guys start hooking up?”
“Who else knows about this?”
Anna held up her hand before going into the kitchen to grab another cup of coffee.
“We’ve known since we met. We decided to take things slowly and started talking months ago.
We exchanged numbers and our conversations started out casually.
We wanted to get to know each other and see if it was our connection drawing us together or if we could grow to like each other beyond that.
“I broke it off with Stanley when I realized that despite being completely opposites, somehow, Herman and I work. He balances me out and knows how to handle me when I become a brat. He’s immensely patient and encourages me when I doubt myself.
We realized we have a lot of obstacles in front of us, blending our families, but we’re confident that we can do it.
“We’ve talked to Tamara about our connection, but other than that no one else knows. We figured out she had a right to know once we decided to progress our relationship.”
A wistful almost dreamy smile curved her lips as if she got lost in a memory.
“He’s amazing with Hailey. I couldn’t ask for a better dad for her.
He’s stepping up to the plate in all ways, and I plan on being there for him with his girls.
Tamara and I have come to an understanding, and she realizes I will never want to replace her, but I will never treat her daughter differently than my own.
Since Crystal has already signed over her rights for Sammy, she’s trusting Herman to do what’s best for her.
Herman and I discussed me possibly adopting her eventually. ”
I knew Crystal had already moved on and I understood her reasons why, but Tamara’s reaction mystified me. Jaxson looked just as surprised as he said. “Tamara was okay with that? She generally doesn’t get along well with other females. Well, not to those that she finds a threat.”
Kade was the one to surprise us when he spoke up in her defense. “I think what she’s been through has made her grow up. Fast. She’s not the same woman I met a few months ago.”
“We all have to admit she’s gone through a lot lately,” Anna hummed in agreement.
“Herman let her know he was marked after they discovered he was her baby’s father.
Herman’s already shown her what an amazing partner and dad he is, so she feels better about devoting her times to her studies and getting her degree once she graduates high school. ”
“Holy, wow,” Noah shook his head in wonder. “That’s so crazy. I don’t even think I’ve ever seen you and Herman together outside of missions and training.”
Lincoln snorted. “Thanks for letting your best friend know.”
Anna jokingly rolled her eyes. “Boo hoo. Call this payback for how long it took you to tell me you were gifted even though I point blank asked you when I noticed your mark.”
Lincoln looked like he was about to argue before he shook his head and grinned sheepishly. “You have to admit, back then, you were a little gossip. Some of the people you hung out with was gifted and I didn’t want them to know.”
Anna mockingly sniffed. “Blah. Blah. Blah. Anyways, let’s get back to the real reason we’re gathered here.”
By the way Drake stiffened, I realized he still wasn’t ready to discuss our findings. Unfortunately, ready or not we needed to discuss it.
η
The look on Jacob Perry’s face was almost comical when they lit on us.
Darren was able to give us his home address after we couldn’t reach him on his phone or through his job.
Apparently, he had been out on leave after getting shot on duty.
Luckily, he was okay and should make a full recovery after a little physical therapy.
The Jacob Perry that stood before us today didn’t look as world weary as his future self. Even though his left arm was in a sling, due to his recent injury, he still seemed to have an affable and open nature. I was glad to see that none of the jadedness had sunk its claws into him yet.
“You’re not a part of a very lucid dream, are you?” Jacob teasingly inquired as he pulled out the key to his door.
Jacob lived in a townhouse connected to three others. His home was on a corner lot with the entrance obscured by a slated privacy fence and carefully planted landscaping. It gave Lincoln the opportunity to remove his disguise, so he didn’t have to wait in the uncomfortable get up.
“He’s here,” I silently informed Noah, Troy, Drake, Gavin, and Sierra.
“We can see you, honey,” Troy responded.
They volunteered to come with us after we figured out that this visit was necessary in more than one way.
The first was to finally pull Jacob into the fold and let him know who he was.
We had already left him in the dark for far too long in regard to his gift.
The second reason was a bit self-serving—scratch that, it was a lot self-serving.
We had hoped that Jacob could use his connections with the State Police—because great surprise—he was a State Trooper for the state Drake used to live in.
His father was murdered in the same state.
It was the location where all the files pertaining to the case weren’t digital.
The only way we could obtain information in regard to the investigation was probably in a box in a storage room.
Yes, we could have probably broken into the facility undetected, but ultimately, we realized we shouldn’t be pulling any resources away from dismantling Horatio’s operations.
Even though Drake really wanted to bring Tracey to justice he recognized that it didn’t take precedence over our main mission.
Tracey might be a viper, but Horatio was a rabid dog that needed to be taken down.
Lincoln gave a lopsided grin, stood, placed one hand in the pocket of his jeans, and held out his other. “Lincoln Hudgens and this is my woman, Blake.”
Jacob adjusted the sling over his shoulder before taking Lincoln’s preferred hand.
He had a look of total bemusement and disbelief on his face.
“The first time I saw ya’ll I had been up for nearly twenty-four hours.
I thought I hallucinated it all, but then—” he paused before he opened the door and indicated for us to go in.
He gave a faint smile and waved behind. I turned to see who he was acknowledging but didn’t see anyone.
He gave us a wry look at the same time I felt a cold chill travel up my spine.
“Not today, Mrs. H,” he sternly stated before giving us a wry smile.
Lincoln understood what was going on before I did and even looked slightly creeped out as he threw a look over our shoulders. “There’s a spirit here?”
Lincoln took a protective stance behind me as if he could help protect me against an invisible entity.
I loved how safe and comforted I felt at that moment.
I could see how unnerved he was by the thought of a dead person hanging around, yet his first reaction was to pull me in closer.
He splayed a hand over my baby bump and kissed the top of my head in reassurance.
Jacob looked highly amused as he headed toward his kitchen area. “Mrs. H,” he confirmed. “She passed away a little over a year ago. She owned the townhouse next door, so she’s displaced for a bit.
“They’re everywhere. Some of them like to talk to me from time to time.
I’ve seen them since I was twelve or so.
” He opened his fridge and shook his head.
“You’re the only people I’ve been able to discuss this with.
My mom freaked out when I told her that I was seeing spirits.
It wasn’t until my grandmother passed away that she reassured me that I wasn’t crazy, but I shouldn’t tell anyone either. ”
Noah’s voice distracted me from Jacob, momentarily. “Do you think he’ll mind if we come in as well?”