Chapter Twenty
Jolene
B ang! Bang! Bang!
"Come on, Calli. Open up!" My impatience is showing as I reach my hand up to bang on the door again, but Calli swings the door open before I can hit it.
"Jeez, Jolene. Where's the fire?"
"We've got the son of bitch, but we need your help."
"That's great. I'll do anything. What's up?"
"Carter's ex went to the police once she found out he was under investigation and handed over a pile of evidence of years of abuse. Her accounts alone are enough to put him away for a while, but if Tansy can corroborate what she's saying, then he won't be a free man for a long time."
"Damn, that is great news. I take it you need me to convince Tansy to talk to the cops."
"Yep. Beau's helping out, so you can tell her she'll be in good hands and you trust him to do right by her."
"I'll try. It does make me feel better knowin' Beau's going to be there. You think your mama will watch Hank for me?"
"You know she will. She's already on her way. I called her while I was headed over."
"Perfect. Let me throw something a little more presentable on and say bye to Hank, and then I'll be ready. Come on in."
I follow Calli inside and am impressed with how much work she's done to the place in such a short amount of time. The cabin is small with a mostly open floor plan. The only room is the bathroom off the kitchen. Calli hung beautiful drapes that block off the bed and add privacy for her in the space.
Hank is lying on the floor while a show plays in the background. He doesn't even notice me until my boots are a few inches away from where he's playing with horses.
"Jo!" His chubby little cheeks light up as he scrambles to his feet and launches himself at me.
I laugh as I scoop him up and place kisses all over him, making him squeal with delight.
I never really thought about kids for myself, but I think I could want my own one day.
I know a large part of the shift in mind has to do with being with Beau, but it also has to do with having Hank in my life.
His innocence and sweet vulnerability make it impossible not to love him.
Add in the fact that he's cute as fuck, and he's got me wrapped around his little fingers.
That said, I'm in no rush to start popping out tiny semen demons.
I love Beau and want a few years to settle into our lives together.
I can't believe we're getting married. Scratch that.
I can believe we're getting married, but not that I basically stole his thunder and told him I would marry him without even giving him a chance to ask me.
I've got a snuggly Hank in my arms when I'm startled by Mama coming in the door and Calli coming out from behind the curtain.
"Well, don't you two look picture perfect," Mama coos as she makes her way over to me and Hank.
"Hi, Mama."
"Mimi!" Hank lunges into Mama's waiting arms as soon as she's close, but she's ready for the little wiggle worm.
"How's my sweet boy? I missed you today."
"I is good, Mimi. I misseded you." Hank gives her a big, sloppy kiss.
"Alright, if y'all are all set, we really need to go." I'm starting to get antsy again.
Mama can tell and starts shooing us out the door. "We're all set. Be careful, ya hear?"
"We will be. Love ya, Mama."
"Love you girls too."
"God, your mom is a saint." Calli sighs as she buckles in, and I fly down the dirt road.
"She's the best. She loves you both so much. She's gonna be crushed if you guys decide to move along at some point."
"Thanks for the guilt trip," Calli huffs.
"Ha, sorry. I've learned from the best. But in all honesty, I didn't mean to guilt trip ya.
Mama really does love you guys. She has a way of collecting lost souls and claiming them as her kids.
She did that with Thatcher, and Sol, and now it looks like she's claimed you and Hank.
It gives her purpose in life to have someone to fuss over. "
"We're so grateful to have all of you. Even if we do move away from the farm someday, you better believe we'll be around a lot."
"That's good. I'm pretty partial to the both of you too."
We fall into a comfortable silence as I fly along the back roads. As we get closer to Whispering Pines, I pull out my phone to call Boomer.
"Have you talked to Beau?" I demand as soon as he answers.
"Well, hello to you too, Jo-Jo." Boomer’s ever-teasing nature shining through is pushing my buttons right now.
"Sorry, but have you?" I huff out.
"No, what's up?" Boomer’s voice grows serious, picking up on the intensity in my own.
"We've got him. Apparently, his ex heard about the investigation and came forward. She has years’ worth of evidence against him that she's been holding on to. She moved away to get away from him but is ready to take back her life."
"Good for her. So, what's our move?"
I love that Boomer knows that our job isn't done yet.
"I've got Calli right now. We're on our way to Whispering Pines to see if we can convince Tansy to head into the station to make a statement. Beau should be there by now. An officer was taking the ex back to her rental, and others are out looking for Carter to bring him in."
"So, where do you need me? You want me with you or to check on the ex?"
I think it over for a minute. I don't know if Boomer would be helpful or scare Tansy.
"Why don't you call Beau. My gut is saying to check on the ex and make sure she's covered. If he finds out she's in town and has talked to the cops, she'll most likely be the bigger target. Once everything checks out there, head to Tansy's but lay low. I'm afraid you might spook her."
"Hmm, you might be right about me scaring her off. I'll fill Beau in on the game plan, but I agree with your assessment. I'm already on the road, so I should make it to Whispering Pines in about fifteen. I'll get her address from Beau, make sure everything checks out, then head your way."
"Alright. Be careful. Keep your phone handy."
"You too. Actually, you still got the comm I gave you?"
"What kind of question is that, Boomer? Of fucking course I've got it."
"Good. Whispering Pines is small enough that our comms should still work even if they're on opposite sides of town. Suit up and use our usual channels."
"Will do. We're pulling up to Tansy's now. I'll check in once I'm situated."
I park my jeep on the side of the road a few houses down from Tansy's.
There are several other cars parked on the street, so my jeep won't look out of place.
The houses are far enough apart, with decent yards, so that we shouldn't attract any nosy neighbors if Tansy gets worked up over our tough conversation.
I pull my gear bag out from behind the seat and sift through it while Calli watches with wide eyes.
I smirk at her before grabbing a couple of knives and hiding them away on my body.
I also throw on one of my tactical shirts and take my comms out.
I do a test check and smile when I hear Boomer on the other end.
Even though I'm used to working alone, it doesn't hurt to have him in my ear.
"Damn, Jo. You look like a fucking badass right now."
I laugh at Calli's awed expression. "Cal, you've seen me in my full gear. This is nothing compared to that."
"I know, but I literally just watched you transform in front of my eyes. Do you think all of that is necessary?"
"Nope, I don't. I'd rather be prepared for shit to go sideways, though.
I have the skills for hand-to-hand combat, but I also need to protect you and Tansy.
A gun would be preferable, but I can't explain several gunshots with expert precision, whereas a stab wound is a little easier to explain away. "
"Whatever you say. I'm just glad you're on our side."
"Me too. You ready to go?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
We make our way to Tansy's cute house. The entire time, I'm scanning the area on high alert. As far as I know, they still haven't obtained Carter. Beau would've let me know if they had.
Calli knocks on the door several times, getting more frustrated the longer we stand there. She seems like she's about to give up when I see the curtain off to the side flicker.
"Tansy, I can see you inside. Please open the door. We're here to help you. I promise we won't hurt you. You're gonna wanna hear what we have to say."
I wait patiently, which is damn hard for me, and am relieved when the door unlocks.
Tansy opens it as she motions us in, but she hides behind the door so we can't see her. There’s a living room on the left, with a dining room on the right and what looks like the kitchen behind it.
Within seconds, I've got the lay of the house and am assessing any weak points.
It isn't until Tansy shuts the door that I realize the entire right side of her face is bruised. Calli's gasp has Tansy flinching away.
"Oh my God. I'm going to fucking kill that bastard." The venom in Calli's voice is impressive but does nothing to calm Tansy's panic.
She's shaking her head and wringing her hands. I guide them both into the living room to sit on the couch.
"Y-you can't, Calli. You have no idea how dangerous he is."
"I know probably better than anyone. They might not be the same person, but I lived through my own hell, Tans, and I'm living proof that you can get out and thrive again."
"He has so much power here, though. Nobody's going to believe me," Tansy cries.
"That's part of the news we have. I'm Jo DuVall, by the way.
" I reach out a hand to Tansy, who shakes it tentatively.
"I know I'm a stranger, but I promise I've been doing everything I can to help you get out of this situation since Calli first had her suspicions.
My fiancé is the chief of police in Aspen Hollow.
He's been working with the chief here to make a case against Carter, which I'm sure you're aware of by now.