Chapter 38
That kid was keeping something from him. Bryan was sure of it. She’d been secretive for a few days now, ever since John had been at the house. He was just hoping his brother hadn’t said something to upset Asa, too. It was bad enough he’d upset Cass.
Then again, all of the kids were a bit overprotective over their mother.
But B.J. had chased John off, and Asa had seemed fine, after that.
Cass had dropped Asa off at Bryan’s mother for a few hours the next morning.
Asa hadn’t been acting right since. Almost secretive.
His kid wasn’t like that. Asa was usually an open book.
It wasn't fine.
He didn’t want her bothering the woman when she was doing her job.
But they were really just waiting for Asher and that Knight guy—he could drive Asa home in the meantime, but…
she wasn’t hurting anything. And Asa had a fascination with two things: all things crime, and all things skateboarding.
He didn’t see where a few minutes’ conversation would hurt.
Maybe the woman would tell Asa she had to really get good grades to get into the FBI or something. Every bit could help.
Bryan tightened his coat and headed outside.
The door to the garage—it always had been a problem.
No matter how many times he’d fixed it for Derek all those years ago.
The two of them had spent several hours messing around with it one day.
Aimee had brought them tea and sandwiches.
It had been hot out. Her kids had been playing in a splash pool at the time.
He muscled the overhead door open—and cursed. He hadn’t expected anyone to be standing there. In the blowing snow, he couldn’t really see who it was. Until he recognized the old green army coat his brother always wore. “John? What in the hell are you doing here today?”
John was supposed to be there in a few days, after the snow stopped. And after Bryan decided what he was going to do with the Gibsons’ possessions.
His brother stepped closer. “Why the hell did you keep their fucking things, Bryan? Why did you keep them?”
“Why does it matter to you?”
“You should have gotten rid of this shit years ago,” John almost yelled it.
“Keep your damned voice down. Neighbors don’t need to hear you. And Asa is inside with the woman from the FBI.”
“What in the hell? Why would you let her go in there? Why would you do that? You are supposed to protect her from that kind of shit!”
Bryan just looked at his brother. John had finally completely lost it. He just had. “Just get out of here, John. I don’t want you coming around me or the kids or my family ever again. I’m done taking care of you all the time. Go.”
John did something, raised his hand or something. And then…Bryan felt it before he heard it.
And then he was falling.