Family Sins(29)

Before Bowie Youngblood had knocked on her door, Talia’s future had been a blank. She didn’t know how the timing of her father’s imminent passing and the murder of Bowie’s father played out in the universe, but she believed everything happened for a reason. The fact that they were both losing their fathers and regaining their relationship felt orchestrated by a higher power. All she knew was that she no longer felt dead inside. Knowing he still cared for her gave her the strength she needed to finish this journey.

A loud clap of thunder rattled the dishes in the china cabinet behind her. She set her glass aside and got up to check on her dad. His lips were moving slightly, like he was talking, but no sounds were coming out. She wondered what he was seeing and who he was with. Were there angels standing around his bed waiting to take him home? She needed to believe there were.

As soon as she was certain the thunder hadn’t disturbed him, she carried her glass back into the kitchen and put it in the dishwasher. It was almost eight o’clock. She wondered what was happening at the Youngblood house, then wondered how people coped when death came as murder.

She was thinking about Bowie and the sadness she’d seen in his eyes when her phone rang. She slipped it out of her pocket and, when she saw Bowie’s name on caller ID, answered eagerly.

“Hello,” she said.

“Hey, honey, it’s me,” Bowie said.

“I’m so glad you called.”

“Is everything okay?”

She heard exhaustion in his voice, and she heard sadness.

“Nothing’s changed, if that’s what you mean. You sound like you’ve had a rough day,” she said.

Bowie leaned back against the headboard of his bed and closed his eyes, enveloped in peace at the sound of her voice.

“I’ve had better,” he said.

“I’m so sorry,” she said.

He nodded.

Silence lay between them, as uncomfortable as the truth of what was happening.

Tears rolled down Talia’s face as she stared at a water spot on the ceiling. “Erin said Dad’s time is short.”

Bowie heard the resignation in her voice.

“Are you okay? Do you need anything?” he asked.

“I am at peace, Bowie. You gave that to me today. I don’t have the words to explain how much it meant.”

He rubbed his finger between the frown lines above his nose, trying to rub away a headache.

“It was a healing time for me, as well.”

“Then we were both blessed today,” Talia said. “So that was the good part of the day. What else aren’t you saying? There’s something, because I hear it in your voice.”

“The authorities have yet to question a single member of the Wayne family.”

She gasped. “You aren’t serious!”

“I wish I wasn’t,” he said. “When I found out, I left Chief Clayton and Constable Riordan with their ears ringing.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“So am I.”

“It’s because of who they are, isn’t it? Is there anything you can do to force their hand?” she asked.

“I called my brothers. We’ll be in Eden tomorrow morning to see if the constable shows up at the Wayne estate. If it’s okay, I’d like to come by and see you later before I leave town. I know you’re overwhelmed with responsibilities, but knowing there’s still an ‘us’ doesn’t feel real yet. I’d be happy with a hug and a kiss, and then I’ll leave without complaint.”

Her heart fluttered. Knowing there was an “us” was a big deal for her, too.

“I would love to see you. Come whenever you can. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Try to get some rest. I wish I was there to hold you.”

Talia shivered. “I wish you were, too. One day soon. Good night, Bowie.”

“Good night, Talia. Love you, baby.”

Her eyes welled.

“I love you, too, Bowie. I always have.”

She disconnected just as another clap of thunder sounded, followed by a bright flash of lightning. She jumped when she heard the crack and ran to the window to look out. Since she didn’t see anything on fire, she went back to the living room to her father’s bed.

She leaned over to stroke the side of his face and then gently patted his shoulder beneath the sheets.

“It’s raining, Dad. Lots of thunder and lightning, but that’s all. Everything is okay. I’m going to turn on TV for a bit, but I’ll keep it low. I just want to keep an eye on the weather reports.”

She turned on the TV at the other end of the room, then sat back down in the rocker. If there was a weather bulletin of any kind, she would hear when they signaled the warning. But she was so tired, and it had been a relief to hear Bowie’s voice again so soon. She closed her eyes for just a moment during a commercial and fell asleep.

*

Jack Wayne had stewed all day about the dark cloud over the family name. Never in their history had they been faced with anything this vile. It wasn’t to say that none of their ancestors had ever done anything like this, but they’d never been caught.

As soon as the cook served dessert and coffee, he pushed his aside. He slapped the table with the flat of his hand, rattling china and silver, and startling them all.