Chapter 29 #2
“They found alcohol in his system,” Charlotte broke the news. “The two combined can turn into a lethal combination if administered incorrectly. I’m sorry to have to tell you this.”
Shaking her head, Leslie denied it. “No. I’m telling you, Jeremiah never drank a drop of alcohol after he met Tucker. I’d stake my life on it,” she insisted as she saw the doubt and disappointment in the men’s eyes.
“Recovering alcoholics sometimes lapse,” Charlotte’s friend stated. “She mentioned he stopped drinking when he met Tucker.”
“No. He stopped drinking in prison. Tucker and Conner gave him a second chance at life,” Leslie argued. “He didn’t drink.”
“They’re good at hiding it. If Tucker’s nine, it means Jeremiah's chances of drinking again lowered to less than fifteen percent,” the friend stated.
“I don’t care what your numbers show. Jeremiah cared about us. He didn’t want to repeat his mistakes,” she vehemently denied.
“Let’s face it. Dad’s no saint,” Wyatt said, leaning back in his chair.
Leslie launched herself at him, feeling outraged his sons didn’t believe her.
Owen’s arm wrapped around her waist as he pulled her back.
“You,” she seethed, pointing at the Wolfe men.
“Have absolutely no right to judge him. He tried to get you back. Jeremiah turned his life around to bring you back to the mountain. He helped you behind the scenes to keep you going, and you turn on him like a pack of starved…wolves. Don’t you recall the loyalty, the friendship, and the deep bond you once shared? ”
Owen tried to calm her down, but fury filled her.
“You sit here on your pedestals and point your finger because he made one grievous mistake, and therefore, he doesn’t get credit for everything he’s done.
Without Jeremiah, I might’ve put Tucker up for adoption because I didn’t think I could hack it as a mother.
He made sure we ate good food and brought me back to life when I became depressed over losing you and my mother.
He forced me to walk these mountains for my own mental sanity as he watched the boys.
He wasn’t perfect, but neither are any of you,” she shouted and stormed from the room.
Owen scratched the scruff along his jaw and peered at his brothers. Although Jeremiah drank, he did spend time teaching them about the Wolfe family legacy and how to depend on each other. How easily they forgot the good times with their father.
Charlotte cleared her throat. “I’m sorry to have caused this.
We can only tell you our findings. We ran our own tests, but we suspect they’ll return with the first test results.
I don’t think they meant to kill him. It appears to be an accidental overdose.
” She pulled a file from under her shirt.
“Elias can confirm the original documents and the doctored ones. We’ll disappear for a while until this settles down. I’ll check in once a month.”
“What about your classes?” Dillon asked.
“I can’t take them if I’m dead,” she said. “I’ll keep an ear out, and if you need me, I’ll find out.”
Dillon took out his wallet and handed her cash and a bank card. “Use these if you need anything. This way, I can track you.”
“Thank you, Dillon,” she murmured. “Can someone drive us down the mountain? I’ll have a trusted friend pick us up and take us to the next town. We’ll catch a bus from there.”
“No,” Dillon said. “I’ll take you. The fewer people who know, the better.”
“Let’s finish the security systems,” Gunny said, rising from his seat. “We’ll stay the night and leave in the morning. If we need to stay longer, we can.”
“You’ve already kept your place closed long enough,” Owen said. “We’ll get the cameras up around the house, and then we can do the rest.”
“I’ll take some things down to Max,” Cade offered. “You might want to speak with Leslie.”
Owen headed upstairs and knocked gently on the door to his parents’ old room. When she didn’t answer, he poked his head inside. Hearing her sniffle from the bathroom, Owen entered and sat beside her, leaning back against the tub.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized.
“We agreed to remain honest. You believe he gave in to his demons. I’m telling you, Jeremiah worked too hard trying to get you back to the mountain, all of you.
There’s no way he fell off the wagon,” she said heatedly.
“You haven’t seen him in ten years. He changed, Owen.
He became the father he wished he was with all of you. ”
“I guess I can’t imagine him any other way,” Owen admitted.
Leslie stood and went inside the closet. When she returned, she held a journal. “This one’s for you,” she said, handing it to him. “In my letter from your dad, he asked that I give this to you at the appropriate time.”
Opening the leather-bound book, he noticed his father’s handwriting.
Owen,
You returned home from Germany today. Gunny kept me posted on your progress.
He gave me your address and I debated whether to announce myself or watch you from afar.
I drove to your cabin and sat in the woods, waiting to see you recuperated for myself.
Two hours later, you drove up, grabbed your crutches, and made your way in the snow to the door.
You fell a few times because of the ice.
You swore, ranted to the sky, and pushed yourself to get back up.
You don’t know how many times I wanted to rush and help you to your feet, but I knew you’d scoff at me and push me away.
I don’t blame you. But when you finally made it to the door, you smiled.
I knew no matter what, you’d find a way or die trying.
You no longer needed me. You’re a leader of men, and I’m proud of you.
Love,
Dad
His dad watched him return home? Tears threatened as he continued to flip the pages, reading sections of old memories.
Owen,
I wish you’d return for your own sake. Leslie misses you.
She refuses to speak your name. It’s not healthy.
Tucker scared us when he got sick. We took him to Denver's children’s hospital.
Leslie cried in her sleep, begging for you to come.
I’m asking Gunny to reach out to you. She needs you more than you’ll ever know and more than she’ll ever admit.
Come home, son. I didn’t change because of Tucker and Conner.
They give me the will to stay sober. You and your brothers became my strength.
I need to make this right. It’s my greatest wish to have my boys back here together.
Love,
Dad
“See? Does this sound like a man who’d take a single drink?” she demanded.
Owen turned and peered at her. Anger flashed in her gaze as she tried to convince him.
“I believe he tried his damndest,” he admitted honestly, still not completely convinced.
“Come back downstairs. We must get the cameras set up and go through the files. I want you to review the legal paperwork and tell me if you see anything odd or something which might contradict what my father told you.” Helping her to her feet, Owen led her back downstairs.
As they stepped into the kitchen, Rucker turned and asked, “Did you tell him what you told us about the capsule?”
Sighing, she shook her head. “I forgot.”
“What capsule?” Mason asked.
Leslie explained the story about Conner’s assignment.
“Mrs. Johnson made us do the same thing,” Cade said, laughing. “I dug Owen’s up and turned it in again.”
Wyatt scowled. “You might’ve said something. I dug it up, too. She gave me a zero on the assignment.”
The men chuckled and then grew serious.
“Do you know where Conner buried it?” Owen asked.
“Yes, we took it up the trail together,” she explained. “I’m sure there must be something inside it.”
“We need to finish the cameras. Tomorrow morning, we’ll go for the capsule,” Owen told his brothers. Everyone filed out to work on the security system while Leslie and JoJo started dinner. Rucker went to help the men since Dillon left, and Max guarded the cave.
When they finished, Elias crossed off the areas on the map, and they discussed where to place them on the mountain.
“Tomorrow morning, we’ll make the trek up to the capsule. Maybe it’ll give us an idea of who’s involved,” Owen said, twirling spaghetti on his fork.
“We have six days to decide what we’re doing,” Cade announced. “What if we don’t figure this out?”
“We’ll take another vote,” Owen said solemnly, thinking about the journal.
“We’ll clean up since you made dinner,” Dillon offered. “Charlotte and her friends are safe.”
“Good,” Owen said, reaching for another piece of garlic bread.
“I have to return to work tonight,” Leslie informed Owen.
“Can’t you tell them you need more bereavement time?” he asked.
“I took my remaining vacation days because Conner took it hard. I can’t afford to lose my job and benefits,” she explained.
“I’ll go with you,” Owen offered. “My brothers can watch over the boys, and I’ll stay inside the office while you work.”
“No one’s allowed back. I sometimes have cash lying around,” she admitted.
“You’ll have to make a choice,” Owen said firmly. “Either I go with you, or you call in and tell them you need more time. If you lose the job, we’ll find a way to compensate you. Tucker can be added to my medical insurance, and I can ask about Conner.”
“I’ll call,” she said, giving in to his reasoning. Partially because the day scared her, and she didn’t want to leave Conner and Tucker after the fire.
Dialing her boss’ number, she waited for him to answer.
“Hello, Leslie. I can’t wait for you to return. This place has turned into a madhouse without you,” he said.
“I’m sorry, Bobby. I need to take some more time off, without pay. Conner’s struggling with his father’s death, and someone almost ran me off the mountain today. The accident has shaken me up. I don’t think I can concentrate on the job,” she told him regretfully.
“Oh, geez. I’m sorry to hear it,” he said sympathetically. “I can give you three more nights. I’m afraid I can’t do much more,” he said.
“I understand. I’ll call you in a couple of days,” she said before disconnecting the call.
“What did he say?” Owen asked.
“He gave me three days,” she replied. “I can’t afford to lose my insurance.”
“We’ll figure it out,” he assured her. “We’ll finish up, and then I’ll help get the boys ready for bed.”
“They’re eight and nine,” she laughed. “They do it themselves. I only have to check Conner’s teeth. He hates brushing.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Owen said, grinning.
He returned to help with the cameras all the while thinking about what to do about his dad and the mountain.
With six days left, how will he convince his brothers they needed the mountain as much as it needed them to discover the mystery of his father’s death?