Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
LUKE
“ W ho would want to hurt Matthew?” Mom looks tortured as she scrubs the sink in Erin’s kitchen.
I’m sitting at the table beside Dad and looking at Sheriff Nelson, hoping he’s got some answers.
Dad ain’t with us at all. He’s just staring at the table, blankly.
I’ve never seen him this way before. He looks empty, like there’s a part of him missing now.
“Your family get on well with the Murdochs?” Sheriff Nelson checks, and I know exactly what he’s thinking from the suspicious frown on his face.
“We get on with everyone,” Mom answers, still vigorously scrubbing the porcelain basin despite it being spotless.
“This wasn’t the Murdochs. We got no problem with our neighbors, and even if we did, no one's stupid enough to murder on their own land then leave the body behind,” I point out.
“Don’t talk like that.” Mom tosses the scourer pad at the sink and yells at me. “He’s not just a body, he’s your brother!” She erupts into tears, and knowing I caused ’em is like taking a knife to the chest.
It’s been nearly twelve hours since I broke the news to her that Matthew was gone. Since I got back from riding out to see him with Erin, she’s clearly been keeping herself busy. She’s even baked brownies for the officers investigating the case.
“So, the fact your son was found on their territory isn’t suspicious to you?” Nelson checks with her again, taking a sip of the coffee she made him when he first arrived and trying not to pull a face when he realizes it's stone cold.
“Like I said, he went after a loose steer; he could have ended up anywhere.” I stand up and put my arm around Mom to comfort her. I’ve had enough of all the people who have been coming and going. Wasting time asking stupid questions while there’s a cold-blooded killer out there roaming free.
“I was hoping to speak to your brother’s wife.” Nelson can see how pissed I am, but he doesn’t seem to care. He’s here to do a job, and my irritation ain’t gonna stop him.
“She’s lying down, I’m sure you can appreciate how this is affecting her; they’ve only been married a year.” Mom snuffles.
“Did Matthew have anyone he owed money to? Someone who he’s upset recently? This wasn’t an accidental shooting. Mrs Edwards, all evidence we have suggests your son was targeted.”
“What evidence?” she snaps, clawing at my shirt.
“There were two shots to the head.” Nelson's words have me holding onto her a little tighter. “And they were made from close range.”
“No. My son owed no money. He had no enemies. Matthew was a good man,” she assures him. Drying her eyes and trying to pull herself back together.
“He kept all his important paperwork in the gun cabinet. Maybe you’ll find something there.
” A blank voice comes from the bedroom door, and when I look across and see Erin, the first thing that comes to my mind is how beautiful she’s looking.
Even with all she’s been through and the grief she must be suffering, she still looks perfect.
I’m a sick fuckin’ bastard.
“Come and sit down, dear.” Mom moves toward her, dragging the poor girl to the table and forcing her to sit. “You should eat. I’ve made soup.”
“I’m not hungry.” Erin rests her elbows on the table, then drags her hands through her unruly hair.
“Oh, Erin, you must keep your strength up.” Mom crouches over her, grabbing her face in her hands. “Matthew would worry if he thought you weren’t tak?—”
“Mom, why don’t you go lie down for a while yourself? I’m sure Erin won’t mind you using the spare room,” I suggest when I see how overbearing she’s being. She’s already cleaned this place from top to bottom; she must be exhausted.
“It was going to be a nursery. Matthew couldn’t wait to start a family,” Mom explains to Nelson, and I notice how the lines in Dad’s forehead furrow a little deeper.
“Come on, Mom, you need some time off your feet.” I pull out a chair for her so she’ll at least sit down.
“We’ll find the person who did this,” Nelson assures her, reaching across the table and taking hold of her hand. “I’m not supposed to make those kinda promises, but I can tell you that I will put everything I got into bringing this animal to justice.”
“I just can’t believe he’s gone.” Mom breaks into another sob, and since Dad doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it, I place my hands on her shoulders and let her know I feel her pain.
“You guys don’t have to stay on my account. Maybe you should go home to rest.” Mom looks outraged by Erin’s suggestion. It’s the first thing she’s said since Nelson left, and that seemed like hours ago.
“Leave? Sweetheart, we’re not going to leave you here alone. We’ll stay. All of us. For as long as you need us to.”
“Being honest, Mary, I’d much rather be alone,” Erin admits, looking drained of emotion. She adored my brother, and I hate seeing her hurt.
“It’s not safe,” Dad speaks up for the first time since we got back to the house, and his voice comes out so weak. He’s still sitting at the exact same spot at the table; he hasn’t moved in all this time. “Someone killed Matthew. How do we know that that someone is done?”
“Bryce!” Mom gets up from the chair she’s in to wrap her arm around Erin’s shoulders. “Don’t scare the poor girl.”
“I’m not tryin’ to scare her, Mary, it’s the truth. It ain’t safe, not for any of us.”
I see disappointment on Erin’s face instead of fear. I guess she really does want to be alone, but unfortunately, Dad’s right; until we know who did this, we can’t guarantee her safety or ours.
“You guys should head home, get some sleep. I’ll stay here with Erin.
” It ain’t much that I can do for her, but it’s something.
Soon as Mom and Dad leave, I’ll lock the place up and head to the spare room so Erin can have some downtime.
Though I won’t be getting much sleep tonight, I’ll be too busy trying to figure out who would want my brother dead.
“There, problem solved.” Erin turns to my parents and puts on a brave smile.
“I don’t know.” Mom shakes her head. “You should really be around family at a time like this.” She’s not gonna back down easily.
“Mary, the girl said she wants to be alone. We can come back in the morning.” Dad stands up quickly, placing his hat back on his head and bending down to kiss Erin’s cheek. “You know where we are. Get you some rest,” he whispers before hobbling to the door and holding it open for Mom.
“Are you sure? It really would be no bother for us to stay,” Mom checks again.
“I’m sure.” Erin nods, standing up and seeing Mom to the door. “Luke will take care of me.” She smiles over at me gratefully, and I should go straight to hell for the warmth it puts in my chest. “Thanks for everything.” She looks back to my parents.
“If you need us, CALL .” Mom waggles her finger at her, while Dad continues to usher her out the door, and when Erin finally closes it behind them, she takes a long, deep breath before she turns back around to face me.
I’m expecting her to lose the brave act and burst into tears, but instead she keeps that expressionless look on her face as she makes her way to the kitchen.
“You wanna drink?” she offers.
“Thanks, but I don’t think I could drink another drop of coffee.”
“I meant a proper drink.” She turns around from the kitchen cabinet, holding a bottle of single malt in her hand.
“That's a good one.” I step closer, taking it from her hands so I can examine it. “A real good one.”
“Mayor Carson got it for Matthew as a wedding gift. He was saving it for a special occasion. I guess there won’t be any of those coming.” Snatching it back outta my hand, she pops it open, reaches for a tumbler, and fills it quarter way up.
“Whoa…That's quite the measure, darlin’,” I warn her, feeling my eyebrows raise.
“It’s been a hell of a day.” She takes her first sip before grabbing a glass for me.
“I’ll pour my own.” Taking the bottle from her, I pour myself a more sensible measure.
I'm here to protect her; I need to be alert. “So do you have any idea who might have done this?” I ask, taking a seat at the table and wondering if she lied to Nelson. She may not be mine, but I’ve spent a lot of time studying her over the years, and I can sense she’s hiding something. .
“If I did, don’t you think I would have told Sheriff Nelson?” She shrugs, focusing on spinning the liquid around in her glass.
“Not if you're afraid of something. You were his wife, Erin, you knew him better than anyone. Was Matthew in some kinda trouble?”
Nelson was right, it’s unlikely that this was a random attack.
“I’m not afraid, I’ve already suffered the worst that can happen,” she assures me, and I guess she’s right. To love someone and lose them must be the worst pain imaginable.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I ignore it.
I already know it’ll be Koben wanting an update.
My brother's best friend has been calling all day, and I know I should answer even though I got nothing more to tell him. Koben’s a hot head; he’s gonna be on a one-man mission to find and destroy the person responsible for this.
“Think, Erin, anything could help.” I try to get her brain working.
“Matthew never spoke to me about stuff like that. Maybe you should ask the boys.” I find it hard to believe that Matty wouldn’t confide in her; she was his soul mate after all.
“Erin, there has to be something; even if it seems small, it could help. I need to know that this is over.” I can’t bear the thought of her being in danger.
“Matthew’s dead. It’s over,” she tells me in that same blank tone.
“But what if it’s not? What if that person who killed Matthew comes after you…or my parents?” I don’t want her to live in fear, but it’s important she knows the severity of this situation.
“He’s gone.” She disregards what I’m telling her again, her lips trembling and the hand that's holding the glass, shaking as she takes another sip.
“Hey, come here.” I lean over the table so I can hold her in my arms, and it’s impossible not to inhale her hair and appreciate how good it smells. “He’s really gone,” she repeats, breaking into loud, heavy sobs.
“I’m so sorry, Erin.” I close my eyes, wishing I’da chased after that damn steer so she didn’t have to feel this agony. “I’m sorry,” I tell her again as I keep her tight in my arms. Holding her way beyond the point that her crying stops…It feels too good to let her go.