Family Sins(74)

Through the window, the looming darkness of the mountain against the night sky seemed almost ominous, but he knew it as home. As he was looking up, a bit of heaven fell from the sky, burning across his line of vision before it hit Earth’s atmosphere and flamed out. He often saw shooting stars on the rigs at night, but they seemed more special at home. He was still watching the stars when he heard a soft moan and something rattling against the bed rail. He spun toward the sound just as Talia lifted her arm.

“I’m here, baby, I’m here,” he said, and raced to her bedside.

Her eyelids were fluttering again. He could tell she was trying so hard to wake up. He took her hand, and when her fingers curled around his just as they had when he’d pulled her out of the wreck, he lost it.

And that was what Talia saw when she opened her eyes, the tears rolling down Bowie’s cheeks.

“Alive,” she whispered.

“Yes, thank God, you’re alive,” he said.

“Brakes,” she said, just as she had earlier.

“Yes, I know. That’s something for another conversation.”

She squeezed his fingers to indicate understanding, and then licked her lower lip. “So dry,” she said.

“You can have ice chips. Do you want one?” he asked.

She nodded, then winced.

He scooped one tiny sliver up into the spoon. She opened her mouth like a baby bird so he could place it on her tongue.

As soon as it was gone, she opened her mouth again.

He fed her a good dozen ice chips before she quit, and when she tried to move her head, she moaned instead.

“Hurts...”

“I’ll ring the nurse,” he said. “Just rest. I’ve got your back on this. I won’t leave you alone.”

She squeezed his fingers again.

“...you forever,” she whispered, and then closed her eyes.

Bowie felt the words all the way to his soul as he watched her drifting back to sleep. She would heal, and then they would leave here to heal some more, and he would never leave her behind again.

*

Constable Riordan was pleased and not entirely unsurprised when the news about Justin Wayne’s arrest spread through Eden like wildfire. People were in greater shock that the arrest had actually happened than learning what he’d done to cause it. In their eyes, that family had lived above the law for as long as they’d been here. It was about time someone finally paid.

*

Back in Chicago, William Frazier received a text from Leigh Youngblood that only added fuel to the fire his story was going to cause.

Justin Wayne arrested for attempted murders of my son Bowie and Talia Champion. Investigation continuing re: whether he’ll be charged for Stanton’s murder as well.

He responded with a message of his own.

Investigation building. Don’t worry. Stay safe.

*

Dinner was over. Dessert had been served and eaten as if the earlier events had never even occurred.

Jack Wayne set down his empty coffee cup and pushed away from the table.

“I’m going out onto the terrace for a cigar. Anyone care to join me?” he asked.

“I have some work to do,” Blake said.

“I’m going out,” Charles said, and headed upstairs to change from his dress clothes to something more casual.

Fiona left without speaking to anyone, leaving Andrew and Nita on their own.

“I’m sorry tonight was so stressful after the wonderful afternoon we shared,” Andrew said.

Nita gave his hand a quick squeeze.

“Thank you, darling. I’m going to indulge in a hot soaking bath before bed.”

“Sounds perfect,” he said, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “You run on up to your room. I’ll let myself out.”

Nita patted his cheek, and when he helped her up, she slid a wad of bills into his hand and walked away.

Andrew followed her to the staircase, blew her a kiss after she reached the top, and then counted the hundred dollar bills on the way out of the house.

He was just about to get into his car when Charles came running out behind him. Charles aimed the remote at his own car, which automatically turned on the lights as it unlocked the door. Then he impulsively threw his arms around Andrew’s neck, gave him a hard, lingering kiss and shouted, “Race you!”

A little taken aback, Andrew glanced up toward the second floor, but the windows were all dark. At that point, he grinned.

“Last one to the lake house is the last one to get a blow job, but no speeding,” he said.

Charles laughed again, and then jumped into his car and sped up the driveway.

Andrew followed, because winning wasn’t the point when you were getting paid either way.

*

Nita was standing naked at the window, lights off for a better view, watching Andrew leave and thinking of what a fabulous afternoon they’d had before all that unpleasantness with Justin.

She was just about to turn away when she saw someone running up behind him. Charles. Curious, she leaned closer to the glass. And when she saw Charles throw his arms around Andrew’s neck and kiss him with unmistakable passion, she pressed a hand to the window in disbelief. Charles was gay? And when it dawned on her that Andrew had two Wayne clients instead of one, rage rolled through her in waves. When she saw that they were talking she dropped to her knees and opened the window just enough so she could hear what they were saying. The conversation was brief, but it rocked her back on her heels.