The Belial Stone (The Belial Series #1)(27)

Laney paused at a break between the walls of the church and the school. “This is the courtyard.”

He thought the term might be a bit generous. The three walls enclosing the area consisted of the elementary school on one side, the rectory in the middle, and the church on the right. And in between, more parking lot.

“What’s with the basketball hoop?” Jake asked spying it on the opposite side of the courtyard.

“Uncle Patrick had it erected for the neighborhood kids.”

Jake caught a glimpse of a smile on her face. “And what’s with the smile?”

Laney turned, her smile lighting up her face. Jake caught his breath. She really was stunning.

“During the summer, we’d catch fireflies and drink ice tea on the porch. This place might look unimpressive to some, but to a child, it’s magical. Some of my best memories happened here.”

They walked up the steps and Laney fished out her key from her pocket. Unlocking the door, she flipped on the light switch by the door, heading for the small kitchen. She set about brewing the tea and setting up some snacks.

Jake smiled at the ease of her movements. She obviously felt at home here. Her shoulders had lost some of their rigidity. She’d even started humming a little tune under her breath.

Jake’s head whipped around as he heard a footfall on the porch outside. His hand went to his holster as the door opened.

Laney appeared next to him, her hand on his arm. “It’s okay. It’s my uncle.”

A man stood poised in the doorway. In his mind, Jake had envisioned Patrick Delaney as a frail old priest with a shuffling walk. The man who strode through the door was anything but. He was the picture of vitality.

Jake felt Patrick size him up as he crossed the room. He restrained the urge to straighten his spine to match the older man’s posture. Although he was dressed in full priestly black, complete with the white collar, his eyes were that of a different kind of father when they came to rest on Laney.

Patrick smiled and walked over to her with his arms outstretched. She walked into them without hesitation.

A shudder ran through her as his arms closed around her, and then her shoulders dropped with relief.

Jake glanced away from the comfort he saw in that hug, feeling as if he was an intruding.

“Ah, my dear. Thank God you're all right.

“It’s okay. I’m fine,” she said pulling away

Patrick tilted up her chin. “That bruise on your cheek would suggest otherwise. And if you were fine, I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be going into hiding.

“Well, I didn’t say I was perfect.” She glanced over at Jake and smiled. “Uncle Patrick, this is Jake Rogan from the Chandler Group.

Patrick turned to shake Jake’s hand. Jake always thought a handshake said a lot about a man. Patrick’s firm handshake said he was a straight shooter. Good

Patrick followed Laney to the kitchen. “I cleared my schedule with the diocese after I got the call from Rocky. I have an extended leave of absence.” He paused. Jake could hear the concern in his tone. “Are you sure you're okay?”

She nodded. “I am. I’ll be even better once we’re out of here and I know you’re safe.”

Laney gestured for Jake to take a seat as she grabbed the whistling kettle and poured steaming water into each of the mugs. She handed them to the two men, before turning to Patrick. “Is your computer and printer still set up?”

“Yes. It’s in my bedroom. Why?”

“I need to borrow it for a minute. I’ll be right back,” she said before disappearing down the dark hallway.

Jake watched Laney leave and turned to find her uncle staring at him. He restrained the urge to squirm.

“So, Mr. Rogan, Laney tells me we are placing our safety in your hands.”

“It’s Jake, and yes. Chandler HQ has state-of-the-art security. You’ll be safe there.”

Patrick pierced him with his eyes. “Jake, that young woman means the world to me. When my sister died, I promised I’d protect her from the evils of this world. She hasn’t had it easy growing up without her parents and with me as her guardian.”

Jake interrupted. “How exactly did that happen? A Catholic priest getting custody?”

Patrick took a sip of tea. “Not easily. Laney’s parents were killed in a car accident. She was only eight. Her father’s stepbrother and wife originally agreed to take custody of her. I was heading up a dig in Africa at the time and I thought a normal life with a mother and a father was what was best for her.”

He shook his head. “It wasn't. They were…” Patrick paused, seeming to search for the right word. “Unkind. Laney hadn’t written me in a while and I became concerned. I made a surprise trip home. When I arrived, she was at the hospital with a broken arm. Her uncle was responsible. There were a rash of old bruises covering her as well. I petitioned for custody that day. I told the church they either supported my petition or I would leave them. I knew I was critical to their archaeological missions, so they threw their weight behind my petition.”

Jake felt anger build at the image in his head: a little girl, with huge green eyes, being used as punching bag.

“We’ve been a family ever since. So you need to understand, that when I say I won’t let anything happen to her, I mean it. Do we understand each other?”