West Four #2
Maybe it was the devil playing with us because misery was being stirred back into our lives. Because of the community’s unrest and need for answers, the city started making noise for justice. The pastor had to do something. So, he did. He held a news conference. And the interview went viral.
Can you imagine? Blue’s murderer demanding answers.
I pressed the play button on the screen and listened to the male news anchor talk about the story of a young girl’s death. “Her attack had been brutal… She died from her injuries…”
My upper lip lifted in a snarl as I remembered her in that hospital bed.
I turned up the volume when the pastor filled the screen.
He was standing beside a reporter with a microphone.
When asked how he felt about the ongoing investigation, he produced fucking tears.
Tears. Like he’d ever shed a tear for Blue or thought of her feelings.
“An innocent child was found in a field nearby our church. A godly place! I’m devastated.
Our entire community has been shocked by this young girl’s death.
” The murdering pastor sniffled, pausing for dramatic effect, and it made me want to vomit.
“We don’t accept these types of crimes in our church community. We look out for one another.”
“Bullshit,” I groaned.
His atrocious, fake rambling wasn’t fooling me, but I could tell by the look on the reporter’s face that others were accepting his lies. People would believe him.
“I only hope they can find the individual who did this. Our community needs closure.”
The reporter asked him about the recent police briefing.
“I’m trusting the police to do their job and cover all the bases.” He looked right into the camera. “Justice will be served.”
Now I understood Johnny. I understood how he could do it.
Taking a deep breath, thinking of precious Blue, I knew I could kill for her. However, as Dale warned, I couldn’t let my fellow fosters go down for it.
“We’re a community that welcomes strangers into our flock. Our doors are always open. Tomorrow night, we’re holding both a vigil and lighting ceremony. We are taking a stand against violence and praying for closure in the community.”
Was he serious?
“We welcome everyone to come to our house of worship at eight o’clock tonight for a gathering of prayer, hope, and a lighting ceremony. We’ll be releasing dozens of lanterns in memory of our community’s loss.”
I tasted bile and fought the urge to retch. He was so fucking abominable I wanted to reach through the phone and choke him.
The reporter said a few more words and then handed over coverage to the news anchor. The anchor confirmed Blue’s case was currently open and being investigated, and police were asking for any information from the public. A toll-free number flashed across the screen.
No sooner had I finished the video—the same link was texted to me—before someone was racing up my stairs. Preparing for deserved rage to be delivered, I waited.
As soon as Gage appeared at the top of the stairs, I could see how spooked he was. “It’s Seb. About to blow, man.”
I gave a tired nod and said, “Gazebo time.”
Gage immediately texted our group, then ran back down the stairs.
By the time I had the gazebo in my sight, Seb was already pacing.
He appeared like a powder keg ready to explode.
This was too much for him. As much as I missed Blue, I hadn’t just lost the love of my life…
then one of my foster brothers so soon after.
There wasn’t a damn thing in this world that would bring back Blue, but dealing with the pastor would give Seb an outlet for his fury.
As soon as he saw me, he said, “They believe him! He’s going to get away with this shit, isn’t he?”
Misfits filed into the gazebo and took seats. Gage remained standing. He leaned against a pillar and kept watch in case Dale decided to sneak up on us. I wasn’t the only one noticing he was watching us all closely, worried we’d do any number of stupid things that teenagers do.
Not that we would be charged as teenagers if we were caught acting out wanted revenge. Not even Sarah was in the clear of being charged as an adult if I couldn’t talk everyone out of this retaliation.
Gage ticked his chin toward Ethan. “Coast is clear. No Dale.”
From inside the house, we could barely hear Harmony singing as she baked. She really loved The Eagles. “Hotel California” was playing and would keep her occupied long enough for us to have our meeting.
We all watched as Sebastian kept pacing.
He simply couldn’t contain his horror. “How the hell did he cover up the fact that he beat a young girl to death? How could he hide his DNA on her? His DNA in her fucking blood? Didn’t the police do their fucking job at all?
” He seethed, “He’s fucking loving this attention.
Did you see his fucking smile? His fake-ass tears? ”
Sarah sniffled. “He’s a monster.”
Ethan’s one eye not covered by his hair twitched. “The cocksucker is gonna walk. Free.”
“Not if we get to him first,” Gage replied. He sounded diabolical.
I’m not going to be able to hold anyone back. I have to do what Johnny did to spare them all the chance of prison time.
Shockingly, the only one seeming to have doubts like me was Sarah. Her hands wrung, over and over. “Don’t you all feel like we have something else to be doing right now?”
Seb eyed her like she was losing her mind. “What else is there other than taking care of Blue?”
She stood and began pacing also. Holding her stomach, she uttered, lost in thought. “I have to get something done.”
With her face twisted with confusion and worry, Sarah started to spook me. “You okay?”
“What?” Ethan stood, now watching her as if nothing else mattered.
When she turned to pace in another direction and saw him in her path, she jolted. Looked at his neck—where she had nibbled—then turned away to pace elsewhere.
Ethan rushed to get in front of her. “I’m fine, but you’re not. What’s going on?”
“I’ll tell you what is going on!” yelled Sebastian.
Gage got up and went to him. “My brother, breathe. We are all on your side. Complicated shit. Okay?” He held up his blood oath palm.
Staring at it, Seb yanked on his hair, hard. “But what about her blood? She’s alone out there!”
What? I stood, too. “Seb, alone out where?”
“At sea!”
Er… I shook my head, praying he could hear me. “No. Seb. No sea. She’s in Heaven’s gracious hands now.”
Standing in a land of confusion, he covered his face, but I could hear crying in his voice. “I don’t know what I’m doing, but that man has to die.”
I grabbed him into a hug. Never would have done that before with him, but it felt right. He leaned into me and let out a sob, saying, “Help me.”
Tightening my hold, I vowed, “I will. Just be smart about it. Let’s keep Dale off our course, and let’s be sure we don’t get caught.”
A scared expression—one that reminded me of the old Sebastian—the one who used to stutter—looked to me. “We will do this, right?”
I swore, hard. “That man’s days are numbered.”
The old Sebastian faded away as a livid man took his place once again. “And I get to do it.”
Fuck.
I hope you forgive me for taking that from you.
Once this shit with the pastor was done, I was going to hunt Johnny down in hopes he could cover my tracks and keep me from going to prison. But at least Seb could become sane again knowing that man was in Hell where he belonged.
Heading up my attic stairs, I turned back to see Sarah following me. “Sorry,” she said, but she didn’t stop. In my—Johnny’s—room, she asked, “Got a minute?”
As she stared at Johnny’s bed behind me, I asked, “Have you changed your mind about me being in here?” Everyone had approved, but if it is too much, I’d go back to my cold, lonely room. Here, I felt Johnny was with me.
“No.” Sarah shook her head. “I totally get it.” She lifted her chin, changing the subject. “I’m here to ask you for help.”
I couldn’t understand why that made me happy, but my chest puffed. “Anything.”
She exhaled with a little smile as if I couldn’t have answered better. “I have to find Johnny.”
Yes! Me too!
Sarah added, “I don’t know why, but I’m sure we have to stop them from killing the pastor.”
Agreed. I’m doing it.
She said, “I think Kristen may be the key.”
Smart. “Let’s go to her. Too many ears here.”
She gawked, happily. “That’s why I’m here. I can’t drive a stick.”
Without another word, we rushed down the stairs.
Racing through the kitchen, I said, “Harmony, Sarah forgot something at school. I’m going to run her over there real quick.”
My sneakers squeaked on the tile as I came to a halt to snatch a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie from the cooling rack. Harmony smiled, forever pleased that her baked goods never went to waste.
I winked at Sarah, then we both headed to the front door.
“Wait.”
We both froze, thinking the jig was up.
“But it’s Saturday.”
Shit!
“Band practice,” Sarah chimed in while stealing my cookie. “In the parking lot, so the building I need is unlocked.”
“Of course.” Harmony tossed me another cookie, then waved a wooden spoon in the air. “Pot roast for dinner. Don’t be late!”
I saluted her with a huge smile. We are going to find Johnny.