Chapter 17
Gray
After the four Stump men are read their rights and taken away by the sheriff’s deputies for booking, Clay follows Tawny and I to go see Joey.
He looks rough but the doctor assures us he should make a full recovery. The kidneys will take the longest to heal but should still be fully functional.
Tawny hugs him then breaks into tears at his bruised and swollen face.
“I’m alive, Tawny. I can heal and the best medicine is that its over for us. We’re finally free.” He glances at the sheriff. “Right?”
“I always want more concrete evidence, but we should be good. We’re having specialist go over the autopsy reports and photos for your two mothers to see if we can prove if the previous corner really did their job or was paid off.”
Joey holds Tawny’s gaze. “Tawny, go look in my backpack. Take everything out and the bottom should lift. There’re a couple books hidden underneath. Give them to the sheriff.”
She fans one before handing them off.
“When Mom and I came to live with the Stumps, I use to like to make up my own stories. I wanted to write books someday. Mom had already started giving me notebooks to journal in for my birthday so I could write down my ideas and not forget. Instead, I started documenting the abuse. After he murdered her, it became even more important in case I ever got free and he could be prosecuted. Everything in those journals is true and I’m willing to testify.
Tawny will probably remember some as well. ”
“The day he dislocated your shoulder and made you wait a week to get treatment. Your mom was murdered. Our favorite dog. My mom’s death.”
He nods. “The night I caught Vic trying to pick the lock to your room. When I found the camera in the shower and then the videos of you bathing that they took. Sheriff, there’s a cubby hidden behind paneling where the TV is mounted.
Two feet from the left corner where the two walls meet.
Just start pressing and it will pop open.
Some are labeled some aren’t. You’ll understand. ”
“Why didn’t you report all of this?”
“If I did, who would have been there to protect Tawny? I had evidence that the police chief was on the take. There was no one I knew that I could trust. Not then.”
The sheriff carefully clasps Joey’s shoulder. “You did good, son.”
“What happens now? That house, it’s not ours. Can we at least get our stuff out of it.”
“You’ll have to wait a bit, but I’ll talk to the judge and make sure they know that both of you have personal items you’d like to retrieve.”
“Know any halfway houses? I don’t have much money.”
I cut in, “When the doctor releases you, you’ll be coming home with Tawny and I. We have a place for you.”
Her eyes fill with hope. I nod to show the truth of my promise.
“You may be on the couch for a couple weeks, but we were expanding the cabin anyway to add a couple more rooms and a larger porch. You will always have a home with us, with family.”
Once we’re in the truck and headed home, Tawny turns to me. ‘You always mean what you say, and you always keep your word.”
Once again, I’m reminded that family is chosen. The love and support of ours will just keep growing.
I cover her hand with mine. “Every time, love. Every time.”
Thank you so much for reading The Mountain Man’s Hunted Bride.