Chapter Six. #2
While Myka was rushed off, I accompanied Jayes to X-ray, where it was confirmed that he’d badly sprained his ankle.
The doctors were not amused that Myka hadn’t sought medical attention for him.
Because there was still so much swelling, they put his ankle in a removable soft cast. That took three hours, and I met Cates outside in the waiting room.
She was pacing back and forth, showing her worry.
“Any updates?” I asked, placing Jayes in a chair away from her and speaking quietly.
“Myka’s critical. They’ve a list of injuries, and they’re surprised Myka’s alive. The next twenty-four hours are touch and go, as she’s basically circling the drain.”
“Jesus. And she’s been there several days?”
“Yes. Mrs Hanigan left four days ago, according to a neighbour. Nobody thought anything of not seeing Myka because they didn’t, anyway. And they’ve seen Jayes wander around but haven’t called it in. Total fuckin’ neglect and ignorance.”
“So, Myka’s in no fit state to look after Jayes?
Cates shook her head. “No. Unfortunately, I’ve no doubt Dawson was behind this, but unless Myka recovers and makes a statement, I can’t stop the Beauregards from taking him.
“What?” I exclaimed.
“The whole family is like Dawson. All the men are wife-beating scum, but Lawson, Dawson, and Rawson are the worst. Without evidence, my hands are tied. Naturally, I’ll have Myka swabbed for DNA and get a rush put on it, but until then…” Cates shook her head.
“Jayes hasn’t seen his father since that night. Surely that counts as neglect?”
“Yeah, it does. But again, I’ve gotta get child services involved. That will take a few days.”
No, that wasn’t acceptable. Not by a long shot. “And if Jayes isn’t here?”
Cates narrowed her eyes and looked at me. “Be careful with your next words.”
“What if I found Jayes, took him for a meal, and brought him home? And while there, Myka regained consciousness briefly and told both of us she wanted me to have Jayes?”
Cates bit her lip and held my gaze. “Then it’s a good thing that I arrived as she said it.”
“Guess it’s too much of a push to state Myka claimed Dawson did this?”
“Did you hear that, Falcon?”
I paused. This would be a lie, and if Dawson hadn’t done it… No. Everything screamed he was guilty.
“Yes.”
“Then, I’ve gotta put an APB out on Dawson, as a person of interest,” Cates drawled. She held my gaze. “Be sure of this.”
“Sheriff, I’m positive. Is it okay to leave? I’ve got a dog and pups to pick up.”
Cates nodded. “Yeah, I can find you at the clubhouse for your statement later.”
I hurried upstairs before anyone else arrived and beckoned to Jayes. “We’re going for a ride,” I said, and Jayes nodded. Once more he blindly followed me to my truck, and I drove off. This wasn’t technically kidnapping a kid, right?
Rosie brought the bitch and pups out to me when I texted her there was a problem. She listened to my explanation around Jayes and began texting furiously.
“Grace and Penny are going to meet you at the clubhouse. Jayes needs clothing and toys,” she said. I nodded. There was no way I was dressing Jayes in the hand-me-downs he was currently dressed in.
Despite his bad ankle, Jayes nearly climbed over me to see the puppies. The dogs settled, leaving Star to rest in the back.
“Jayes, Star is scared, so let’s settle down, okay? We don’t want her to bite you thinking you’re going to hurt her,” I warned.
I prepared an argument, then Jayes turned around and sat down, stunning me.
He didn’t argue, sulk, or backchat. Just sat calmly.
Jesus, what had Jayes seen and experienced?
I was trying hard not to judge Myka, but why the fuck hadn’t she got out of there?
Cates’s words ran back through his mind.
The last time she’d tried to escape, she’d ended up in hospital—much like now.
I drove back to the clubhouse in silence. Jayes never spoke a word unless spoken to, something I was fast coming to realise.
Two days later, Penny exchanged a worried glance with me.
Jayes had become my shadow while his mom was in a coma.
Jayes was beyond shy; however, he always replied politely but never started a conversation.
He watched the other children currently running riot with a confused expression.
Every time one of them was noisy or shrieked, Jayes flinched.
Finally, leaning away from Penny, Jayes tugged my cut.
“What’s up, buddy?” I asked.
“Why aren’t their daddies smacking them?”
Penny hissed in a breath.
“What for?” I kept calm.
“For being loud, making noises, and running about,” Jayes replied.
“Because that’s what kids do.”
“No. We’re meant to be small and quiet, and not upset our daddy.”
I barely stopped myself from grinding my teeth.
Struggling to stay relaxed, I faced Jayes.
“I don’t know how your dad did shit, but here, children are allowed to play, shriek, and have fun.
Sometimes we tell them to shut up, especially if we’re trying to talk and they scream over us, but other than that, they’re being normal children. ”
“What does that mean?” Jayes demanded.
I caught Penny’s gaze as I searched for an answer.
“It means that if you want to play with them, you can,” Penny said.
“But I don’t know how. Mommy and I have fun,” Jayes replied.
“What do you do with your mom?” I asked.
“Cars and tanks. We do counting and spelling, and Mommy makes animal noises, and I have to name them. Mommy and I guess the colours, and we play army too and hide-and-seek. I don’t like that game,” Jayes said sadly.
“Why not?” I pressed gently.
“Because it means Mommy will get hurt looking for me. Daddy doesn’t, and Daddy is angry that Mommy fell when she was playing with me. He tells me not to hide anymore and to stay with him. But Mommy always makes me hide before Daddy knows.” Jayes wiped a tear from his cheek.
I heaved in a couple of breaths. Myka had protected Jayes while Dawson had wanted to expose his son to him abusing Myka. What the fuck was wrong with that asshole? Who the hell taught a kid how to beat his mother?
Penny reddened, struggling to contain her anger.
“Jayes, your Mommy didn’t get hurt because of you,” I finally had enough control to say.
“But…”
“No. Put that thought out of your head. Mommy tripped and fell, but it wasn’t your fault.” No, Dawson was to blame.
“I don’t want to go home. Daddy is always angry.
And he’s mean, meaner than the Grinch. He forces Mommy to take my dinner away if I’ve been bad, and then Mommy sneaks me her bread to eat, and Daddy starts shouting.
Then Mommy makes me play hide-and-seek. When is Mommy coming back? I kept her secret,” Jayes said.
“What secret?” I asked, and Jayes shook his head, but he looked at the bag he’d brought with him. Jayes was hiding something in that backpack. I believed they were toys, but it was more. Penny caught my glance, and I nodded. She’d seen that too.
“How about we go get some fresh air, and you can play in the sandpit?” I suggested.
“Falcon, his cast! If sand gets in that, the poor kid will know about it!” Penny exclaimed. Shit, I hadn’t thought of that, although it could be removed.
“How about I take him, and he can do some finger painting with Malachi, Trick, and Erin?” Penny offered as an alternative.
“Yeah, would you like to, Jayes?”
Jayes burrowed into my side and sent Penny a suspicious glare. “You’re a stranger; I shouldn’t go with you.”
Hold on for one moment. He’d not known me, but Jayes had come with me. “Jayes, I wasn’t a friend, but you let me carry you home.”
“Because you’re an angel. Angels aren’t mean.”
“Huh?” How had Jayes figured that out?
“You chased off Jed and the nasty boys and then told Daddy off. Angels do that, Mommy says,” Jayes explained. I certainly didn’t expect that. Myka had taught Jayes stranger-danger.
“If I say Penny is safe, will you go?” I asked Jayes.
He nodded, huge eyes filled with trust.
“Penny’s a mom, and she makes cookies and cakes. Huh, I bet she’ll feed you and let you paint!” I exclaimed, and Jayes’s eyes went wide.
“Mommy bakes! She made me snickerdoodles on my birthday.”
“Wow. I bet mine won’t be as good as your mom’s,” Penny teased.
“No, but that’s okay. If you did your best, then that’s all that matters.”
I smirked at the look on Penny’s face, but she nodded graciously. “Thank you for being kind. Can I pick you up?”
“Yes. As long as he says yes.”
“His name is Falcon. And as a kid, he was a demon.” Penny stifled a giggle. I snorted with amusement. Penny grinned as I agreed, and they headed to the kitchen.
As soon as they left the clubhouse, I made a beeline for the backpack. Inside it, I found two large A4 envelopes. When I looked at the first one, I saw it had birth certificates, Myka’s driver’s licence, and other legal papers.
I opened the second and discovered cash—a thousand bucks—and some instructions, and a phone number. Lips pursed, I dialled and waited; the line rang for a good minute before it was picked up.
“Falcon,” a man said, and I frowned. Who the hell was this?