Chapter 37
“Figured you’d be awake,” says Judd. “It’s time for a catch-up and strategy session.”
“Yeah, sure,” says Clay. “Come on in. Just made coffee.”
Zoey follows Judd into Clay’s home and says, “Good morning, sir.” She’s wearing her uniform, tips her cap, and says, “Hey, nice place you got here.”
They gather around the kitchen table with coffee, fritters, bear claws, and croissants.
“Mike sent the catalytic converters up to the lab in Rochester to see if they can find any prints or hair or DNA on the damn things,” says Judd. “But the forensics lab is all backed up with a murder case. I don’t expect results anytime soon.”
“Is Wags still in custody?”
“Yep. My guess is he doesn’t have the money for a lawyer. He’ll meet with a public defender today, but with his record, they’ll probably cop a plea for the drunk driving and deal with the theft charges when they come. Mike’s talking to the DA later this morning. We’ll know more after that.”
“You should have seen the old man in action,” says Zoey. “Hasn’t lost a step.”
“The old man?” says Judd. “I’m sitting right here. Still young enough to hear what you’re saying. Maybe you should call me something else.”
Judd doesn’t have a smile on his face but Clay can hear a playfulness in his voice.
That’s not something Judd ever fakes. He likes Zoey.
Probably always has. It’s just been hard to tell when he’s armored up in bitterness and resentment.
Maybe Clay and Judd have not one woman trying to bridge their relationship but two. Mei and Zoey.
“Old pro,” says Zoey. “How about that, Judd?”
“I’ll take it,” says Judd. “Thank you. Now. I think we need to go back over everyone we’ve talked to.
Everyone. The Lindelof boy at Kwik-Trip who sold Teddy the gloves.
The three boys who took Teddy’s earring and tried to extort forty-five grand from me.
Wags, who we have in custody. Deb because maybe she hasn’t told us something she thinks is too trivial.
Ash because Teddy owes him money and that sawzall came from his pole barn.
The guys who play pool at Knut’s. Because my old pro sense is that someone knows something they’re not telling us. Or they’ve been lying to us.”
“My money is on those three boys,” says Zoey. “And/or Wags. Something’s off there.”
“I bet everyone lied.” This from Braedon as he walks into the kitchen with one eye still half closed from sleep.
He wears joggers and a Dorset-Cornwall T-shirt.
He helps himself to a bear claw and says, “Because people are liars. All of ’em.
” He takes a bite of pastry and turns toward Clay.
“Even the people who aren’t supposed to lie.
They’re just liars and don’t care about other people’s feelings.
Or the truth. ’Cause they’re lying liars.
” Braedon opens the refrigerator, grabs a carton of milk, exits the kitchen, and heads down the hall that leads to his bedroom.
“What the hell was that about?” says Judd.
Now it’s Judd and Zoey who stare at Clay.
“Shit,” says Clay. “I have a pretty good guess. I’ll go talk to him. Make yourselves comfortable. If this takes a while and you want to leave, we’ll catch up later.”
“Was that all the milk?” says Zoey. “You got any creamer or anything?”
Clay can’t help but smile. “There’s more of both in the fridge.”
“Thanks. And good luck in there.”
Braedon sits on his bed, arms folded, knees up. He hears a knock on his bedroom door and his father say, “Can I come in?” Braedon wants to freeze out his father but he also wants to have this conversation. Otherwise he wouldn’t have said what he said in the kitchen.
“I guess,” is all he can manage. He watches the doorknob turn and the door open. Clay enters the room, grabs the chair from Braedon’s desk, and pulls it toward the bed. He sits, takes a breath, and says, “Did you contact her?”
Braedon stares at his feet and shakes his head.
“But you think I’ve known all along where she is and what she’s been up to.”
Braedon stares at his feet and nods his head.
“What makes you think that?”
“Because…” Braedon turns to look at Clay. “You’re smart. If I figured it out, and I’m only twelve, than you must have figured it out a long time ago. But you didn’t tell me, which is a lie by omission. Which means, you’ve been lying to me.”
Clay interlocks his fingers and rests his hands on his lap. “Well, Brae, you’re pretty smart yourself because everything you’re saying is correct.”
Braedon tries not to look surprised. Or happy with himself.
He had no proof that his father knew where his mother is and that she has a family.
It was a bluff. Emily suggested the tactic and it worked.
He’s in no mood to give Emily the credit right now.
Right now he’ll take that credit for himself. He shrugs and says, “I know.”
Clay sighs. “You want to hear the truth?”
Braedon nods.
“Do you feel you’re ready for it? You’re old enough?”
Another head nod.
“Okay.” Clay shifts in his chair and says, “When your mother showed up at my door and handed you to me, I figured she’d return any minute to take you back.
When that didn’t happen, I figured it would be the next day.
And then the next week. And the next month …
I was sure she would change her mind. After a few months of me being wrong, I hired a private investigator to find out more about your mother.
She found out your mother’s last name and where she lived.
I held on to that information, still thinking she’d contact me and want to be in your life.
But she didn’t. When you were five, I went back to the private investigator and asked for an update.
That’s when I found out she’s married, living in London, and has two kids.
“My heart broke for you, Brae. But I knew it wasn’t about you.
She didn’t even know you. It was about her.
Something in her life or personality, I don’t know what because I only knew your mom for about eight hours, but something made it impossible for her to be your mother.
Maybe she was too young. Maybe her family disapproved of me.
Maybe she didn’t like me. But I can tell you two things.
I wanted to make it work, the three of us, being a family.
I asked her to stay and give it a go. She declined.
“And the other thing I know is that giving you to me was not easy for her. I saw a profound pain in her eyes. It was like she had pulled out her own heart to give you away. I promise you, Brae, that is the absolute truth.”
Braedon sniffles. “Then why did she do it?”
“I don’t know. But maybe you can ask her someday.
” Clay reaches out and puts a hand on Braedon’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. When I first learned the truth, you were too young to understand.
You’ve been old enough for a while, but I was so concerned about our move to the States and how you’d handle it that I didn’t want to add another hard thing for you.
And then this past year, you’ve been doing so great, making friends already, plus you and Grandpa Judd getting along the way you do, it’s really a beautiful thing to see …
I didn’t want to wreck that by telling you that your mother has another family. ”
“But you should have told me,” says Braedon.
“Yeah,” says Clay. “I should have. And I’m very sorry I did not. I made a mistake. I should have known better.”
Braedon loves hearing this but he doesn’t want to show it.
He’s learning how to become a man, and not gloating seems like part of the deal.
He’s not sure why but he never sees his father or his grandpa Judd gloat.
Gloating is for those idiots on TV, whether they’re talking on a news program or in a post-game interview.
It’s always better to play it cool, like you expected to win and each victory is just another ho-hum day.
Braedon keeps his arms folded and his jaw tight and says, “Anything else you want to tell me?”
Clay thought this question might be coming and he’s prepared for it. “Yes,” he says. “There is one more thing.”