Chapter 14
Fourteen
Blaise
NOW
I’m awakened from an unusually sound sleep by a dog barking in the yard.
It takes a second for me to recall where I am and why.
The events of the last two days come flooding back to me.
I told Houston what I saw. He’s contacted the AG about reopening the case against Ryder, and he’s working to locate Neisy.
I wait for my stomach to turn at the thought of people finding out about what I’ve done, but the only thing I feel is resolve and relief.
I want everyone to know what he did, and I want him to pay for it.
I don’t care anymore who might hate me for coming forward.
I have to live with myself, and it’s a lot easier now that I’ve taken the first step toward making this right.
My phone buzzes with a text—the eighth of the day from my boss.
I ignore the texts. Whatever he wants can wait while I start my day.
I use the Keurig in the kitchen to brew a cup of coffee that I take with me when I go outside to see what’s going on.
Jack is throwing the ball for a gorgeous Golden Retriever. The dog sees me and loses interest in the ball as she charges over to greet me.
“Watch out for the lethal tongue from hell,” Jack says.
I sit on the stairs and find he wasn’t kidding as I’m bathed in dog spit, which makes me laugh for the first time in longer than I can remember. It takes about two seconds to be completely covered in dog hair and spit.
Jack rushes over to rescue me. “I’m sorry. I keep thinking she’ll grow out of her puppy behavior, but she’s three.”
“She’s beautiful. Where was she yesterday?”
“Having her teeth cleaned at the vet.”
“What’s your name, gorgeous?”
“Fenway.”
“I love that. A tip of the hat to the Red Sox.”
“Yep. Are you a fan?”
“Of course. And let me tell you, that’s not an easy thing to be in New York City.”
“I’ll bet it’s not.” He tosses a tennis ball that has the dog sprinting toward the main house. “Did she get hair in your coffee?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Sorry if we disturbed you.”
“You didn’t.”
The dog comes back with the ball, which she drops at his feet. She waits expectantly for him to throw it again.
“How many times do you have to throw it for her?”
“Two to three hundred a day?”
I laugh at his grimace. “My brother has a bat he uses to wear out his dog faster.” I know this because I’ve seen video of Arlo playing with his dog, not because I’ve ever met the dog.
“That’s a great idea. I need to get out my Little League slugger.”
I sip my coffee as I watch them play while wondering what he does for work.
He’s good with the dog, laughing at her antics and praising her for rare seconds of good behavior.
Though I hardly ever give much thought to men or dating or any of the baggage that comes with such things, I can’t deny that Jack is truly adorable and sexy in a rugged sort of way.
His faded jeans fit him just right, and his flannel shirt is mostly unbuttoned, revealing a muscular chest and abdomen, as he wanders the yard barefooted.
I want to ask if his feet get cold, but he speaks before I can.
He throws the ball for what must be the hundredth time. “How long are you in town?”
“I’m not sure.”
He waggles his brows at me. “You’re a woman of mystery.”
“Not so much.”
“We don’t get a lot of visitors around here who aren’t vacationers, and we don’t get much of those this time of year.”
I know that because I grew up across the river. The area is quieter in the fall, winter and spring before the busy summer season kicks in.
“How long have you lived here?” I ask, hoping to put the focus on him rather than me since I have no idea how to answer questions about what I’m doing here.
“All my life. This was my parents’ place. They passed a while back and left it to me. I added the cottages to help pay the taxes, which are substantial.”
“I’m sorry about your parents.”
“Thanks.”
“Were they sick?”
He nods as he throws the ball again. “Both had cancer and died six weeks apart. That was two years ago.”
“Oh God, Jack. I’m so sorry. That must’ve been awful.”
“It was pretty shitty. I was their only child, so it was a lot.”
Hearing his story makes me see how everyone is dealing with something heavy.
I’ve carried around my own heavy load for so long that sometimes I forget that.
For the first time in fourteen years I feel less burdened.
Houston knows what I witnessed, and he’s doing what he can with the information I gave him.
Whatever happens from here is not up to me, and there’s relief in that.
My phone rings, and Houston’s name pops up on my screen.
I take the call and go inside with a wave to Jack. “Hi.”
“Hey. How’s it going?”
“All right. You?”
“I have a few updates for you. First, I went to Virginia yesterday to see Neisy, who now goes by Denise. I told her a witness has come forward who can corroborate her story and that the AG is considering reopening the case. She’s not interested in revisiting it.”
I feel strangely deflated at hearing that. But what did I expect? “Oh. Well… I can understand that.”
“As can I. However, we may not need her to proceed. I’m talking to the AG’s office this afternoon to go over the particulars. Your testimony may be enough added to Denise’s sworn statement from when the charges were originally filed.”
The thought of being the sole reason for the case being sent forward is daunting, but I’m undeterred. “Whatever’s needed, I’ll do it.”
“I’m sure the AG will want a statement from you, taken under oath, before they decide whether to go forward.”
My mouth goes dry at the thought of having to relive the excruciating details of that night, but I’m determined to do whatever it takes to make this right. “That’s fine.”
“I know I keep saying this, but I want you to be ready for a firestorm.”
“I appreciate your concern, and I’m as prepared as I can be.” As I say that, I notice my hands are trembling and my mouth has gone dry. Deep inside, that intimidated seventeen-year-old is still there and still afraid of people hating her.
“I think you should tell Jack what’s going on.”
“Why?”
“I want to make sure you’re safe. If and when the case is reopened, I’ll increase patrols around his place.”
His concerns about my safety send my anxiety into the red zone. “How long do I have before people will know?”
“That depends on what the AG decides. I’ll get back in touch after our meeting. It’s a different proposition without Denise’s testimony.”
“Did you tell her who’d come forward?”
“I did. She wasn’t sure she remembered you, but she knew Arlo.”
“She must’ve been angry.”
“She was confused and disappointed.”
“I hope you told her I hated myself then and now for not doing the right thing.”
“I told her. I’ll get back to you after I talk to the AG’s office.”
“Do you think I should give my family a heads up about what’s going on?”
“You might want to wait until after the meeting today. If the AG decides not to pursue it, there’d be no need to tell anyone.”
“I understand. Thank you, Houston. I appreciate all you’re doing.”
“Just doing my job.”
After he signs off, I sit for a long time thinking about what he said and how I should handle my mother, who wants to see me today.
I decide I’ll tell her—and only her—what’s going on. I text to ask if I can come by.
She responds right away. Of course. I’ll make lunch. Can’t wait to see you.
Be there soon.
Denise
NOW
I spend the morning in bed with coffee Kane brought me, listening to him deal with getting Charlotte and Levi to the bus stop and the twins down for their morning nap.
I giggle more than once at the frustrated tone of Kane’s voice as he deals with Levi.
He comes into our room, crawls onto the bed and lands face down. “I want to go back to sea.”
Laughing, I stroke a hand over his dark hair, which is prickly from being cut to military standards.
He turns his head so he can see me. “How do you do this day after day and not kill one of them?”
“I never think about killing them.”
“I know,” he says with a big grin. “You think about killing me for gifting you with four little angels.”
“You weren’t supposed to know that!”
“Ah-ha! While I’m off protecting our country, you’re having homicidal thoughts about me.”
“Every day, and yet, I still can’t wait for you to get home.”
He puts his arm around me and snuggles in close, resting his head on my chest. “I couldn’t wait either. I miss you all so much when I’m away.”
I wrap my arms around him, giving thanks as I do every day for him and our life together.
I give him full credit for putting me back together after that traumatic summer with his steadfast love.
We were just kids, but he knew exactly what I needed and how to provide it.
I’ll never forget that. We got married right after we graduated from high school with only our parents in attendance.
No one at UVA knew we were married, and we liked it that way. It was our little secret.
“Dee?”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve been thinking.”
“About?”
“Houston’s visit.”
Every muscle in my body goes tense. The news Houston brought overshadowed the usual thrill of Kane’s homecoming. “What about it?”
“I keep thinking about that son of a bitch out there living his life like nothing ever happened and running for Congress like the arrogant asshole he is with no fear of his past coming back to haunt him. He has no idea the full extent of what you endured because of him. And now there’s a chance to make him pay for it.
” He raises his head off my chest and gazes at me imploringly. “I want him to pay.”
“It’s all I can think about.”
He cups my face and compels me to look at him. “I can’t even imagine what you must be feeling. To have your nightmare resurrected after all these years, to learn there was a witness who didn’t come forward at the time… It’s the worst kind of betrayal.”
“I want him to pay for it, too, but I’m afraid.”
“Of what, honey?”