The Homecoming (Thunder Point #6)(84)

“Only if you want to. I really wanted to have a word with you, but—”

But Sid walked away.

Seth looked around. It was a very nicely decorated house for Thunder Point. Like so many others, it wasn’t large, but it was homey and roomy. There wasn’t a sound in the house, not even the distant sound of a television. The house was very tidy; there were no toys or gadgets scattered around. The enticing aroma of dinner filled the air. Seth could see that Sid Davis had been sitting in a chair in the living room, his laptop on the coffee table.

Where are the kids? he wondered.

Sid returned with his son. They were equal in height though Brett was a little broader in the shoulders. They didn’t resemble each other too strongly—Sid had a long, pointy nose—but they both seemed to have generous smiles and a nice crop of hair. Brett had a nasty bruise on one cheek—a little puffy and red, giving way to purple.

“Deputy,” Brett said politely.

“Hi, Brett.”

“We know why you’re here, Deputy,” Sid said, still smiling that welcoming smile. “We were visited yesterday afternoon by a couple of child welfare workers from the county. We have all the details. Shocking. I had to come home from work early to meet with them. They insisted it be my wife, myself and Brett. Apparently they have rules about that and the penalty for not following the rules, even if your job is important, is a court order to immediately remove your children.”

“Seriously?” Seth asked. Seth doubted that was true. He would expect DHS to try to schedule a meeting that accommodated all involved. “Wow, that’s very rigid. I had no idea. Hopefully, they also provide an excuse from the court or something so your boss doesn’t get his knickers in a knot.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Sid said.

“I’m sorry? You have me at a loss. What do you do?”

“I’m in charge of a legal aid office for the county. Public defenders.”

“Ah. I didn’t realize you were a lawyer,” Seth said. Sid didn’t clarify. Interesting, Seth thought.

“Now what was it you wanted?”

“Oh, I just wanted to find out where we all stand on this investigation the county is doing for their case. Suspected dating abuse, right? Something like that?”

“Tell the deputy what you told the women who were here, Brett.”

Brett’s eyes narrowed slightly. “She made it up, I guess. We were dating, but I never once did anything to hurt her. I don’t know why she said that.”

Seth reached his hand toward Brett’s face and the kid backed away instinctively. “What happened here, son?” Seth asked. “You walk into a wall?”

“I wrestle,” he said. “I don’t know exactly what happened, but I think it was a foot.”

“You don’t wear helmets? I thought the team wore helmets. I love wrestling. Look forward to taking in a few matches this winter.”

“Look, seriously, I don’t have any idea what’s up with Rachel. I don’t know why she’d make me look bad like that. It makes no sense. I’m real good to her. I’m—”

“Well, sometimes you’re pretty demanding,” Seth said, cutting him off. “I had a look at just a few of your texts to her from... Gee, was it yesterday?” Seth asked, rubbing the back of his neck. “Her dad confiscated her phone and showed me. You were telling her to get to the parking lot by three-fifteen and when she said she couldn’t, you threatened her, told her she was pushing you, warned her you might get mad. It was very demanding, very angry and insistent. That didn’t seem like her making you look bad. That seems like—”

“She had notes for me! I needed them! It was from a class I missed and she said she’d get ’em to me by three-fifteen! It’s all out of context, it’s—”

“She had to get those notes to the parking lot?” Seth asked. “I’m sorry, I’m a little confused. Why couldn’t you meet at her locker to get those notes? I mean, there were a lot of texts back and forth about you insisting she get to the parking lot and I just wonder why that was so important.”

“Exactly what’s the question, Deputy?” Sid asked.

“There’s no question, Mr. Davis,” Seth said. “It sounded threatening to me and I’m very concerned about the possible violent nature of the relationship between Brett and Rachel. I want them safe, after all. So I thought I’d come by, put in my two cents and see where we stand.” He looked at Brett. “I take it you and Rachel have decided to cool things? As Rachel’s parents requested?”

“Rachel’s parents have no need to request anything of us,” Sid said. “Brett, of his own accord, broke it off with her immediately. Obviously she’s a little off balance. We don’t need this kind of aggravation. Brett certainly doesn’t. He’s a gentleman, athlete, straight-A student and life is too short to put up with this kind of defamation.”

Seth smiled. “Good decision. Sorry that romance didn’t work out, but really, staying away from the girl right now is an excellent decision.” He sniffed the air. “My God, that smells good! What’s cooking tonight, Mr. Davis?”

Sid smirked. “I believe that’s chicken and rice. Nothing special.”

“But you got the table all set there. You having company tonight?”