The Defendant (29 page)

“Kind of. Not everything, but…enough. He knows about the cancer and my infertility.”

Josie blinked and tried to take it in. She was surprised and a little taken aback, but she wasn’t mad. How could she be mad? Chase had carried the secret around with him for ten years. She ought to be glad he’d found the courage to talk about it—even if it was with her brother.

“Okay,” she said slowly.

“Are you sure it’s okay? I mean, we promised not to tell anyone about the year we’d had together. I didn’t mean to break your confidence. It was just that…”

“It’s all right, Chase. I promise. I’m okay with it. I’m just a little surprised.”

“Riley won’t tell anyone if we don’t want him too.”

“I know.”

Chase looked at her with searching eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

With a tender smile, she leaned across the table and gave him a soft kiss on the mouth.

“I’m sure.”

* * *

Scott Jones gritted his teeth and completed another push-up off the floor of his cell. Each time he came up on his arms, he lifted his head and stared at the calendar. One more day and he’d be out. One more day and he’d be free of this stink-hole; he’d be on the outside. One more day and he’d be free—free to put his plan into action. Revenge was so close he could taste it.

“This one’s for you, Neil. Rest in peace, mate,” he gasped and finished the last repetition. Every muscle in his body screamed for rest, but he wasn’t finished yet. Flipping onto his back, he started in on the sit-ups. One down, one hundred and ninety-nine to go. Once again, on each upward lift, he pinned his gaze to the calendar.

He’d made some enquires about the town of Watervale. According to most sources, if he got out of prison early enough, he ought to make it to the town just after sunset. It would give him time to locate the woman the paper had identified as Doctor Josie Munro. She’d given evidence for the prosecution. He only hoped she’d done the right thing by Neil.

If she’d recommended the boy stand trial for murder and answer for his crimes, Scott might—just might—let her live. And once he was finished with her, he was going to track down Doctor Leonard Heather. That prick had been paid for by the defense. There was no way he’d given evidence that would support Scott’s mate.

Scott grinned manically through his clenched teeth and forced himself up into another stomach crunch. The asshole who’d sided with the boy who’d murdered Neil had a number on his back. It was only a matter of time before he met his maker. Scott would make sure of it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Daniel kicked at the dirt with the toe of his battered sneaker and watched the puff of dust rise above it. The lunchbreak was almost over and soon he’d return to class. It had been two days since the judge had adjourned the case for deliberation and Daniel had chosen to return to school. His aunt told him it was his decision; that she’d understand if he wanted to stay at home. Daniel needed to do something normal because after tomorrow, being normal might never be his again.

He wasn’t stupid. His barrister had made it clear if he went to trial and pleaded guilty, he’d be heading off to jail. The best they could hope for was a plea bargain that would reduce the charge of murder down to manslaughter. Even so, the likelihood of a custodial sentence was extraordinarily high.

Custodial sentence.
That was a fancy way of saying jail. The ball of dread that had cemented itself way down deep inside him ever since that fateful night now shifted and swelled until he was choking from the weight of it. He gasped and clutched at his belly and bent low at the waist.

“Daniel, are you all right?”

He squinted through the pain and spied the kind face of the school counselor. Miss White was nice. She’d spoken to him when he’d returned to school after the shooting and again when his father was hospitalized.

He had his aunt, of course, and she’d been more than kind, but she was way older than his parents and sometimes he wondered how much she really understood. It had been a long time since she was a kid. He suspected things were different now.

“Would you like to go to the infirmary? Perhaps I should call your aunt?”

He shook his head no, but agreed to go with her. He was fine. He didn’t want to worry his aunt. She worried enough about him already. Besides, nothing and no one could fix him. It was way too late for that.

The best that he could hope for was that his dad would get better and come home and at least be there for Jason. Lately, it seemed his little brother had become a shadow—silent and barely moving. It was like the reality of what had happened, including Daniel’s court case, had finally caught up with him and he was on a downward spiral. Daniel tried to remember the last time he’d heard his brother laugh or even smile and he came up empty.

He knew darn well laughter and even the thought of it had well and truly disappeared from
his
life. Probably for good, but he wanted to think Jason might find his way back there again.

The pain from his stomach subsided, but he let the counselor hand him over to the school nurse. The adults spoke in muted tones, but he understood the gist of their conversation. The concerned looks the two of them turned on him with predictable regularity said it all.

He’d only been back at school two days and already he didn’t know how he was going to cope. The few friends he’d had before the nightmare started had slowly drifted away. They wanted to stick by him, he could tell, but it really was just too hard. Most kids now kept their distance; some of them were even scared of him.

His lawyer had warned him that even if the matter wasn’t committed for trial, it could be weeks before he was sentenced. More psychiatric reports and assessments would be ordered and more statements would be prepared. Incarcerating a child wasn’t done lightly, his lawyer assured him and the court wanted to make sure the punishment fit the crime. Until he came back to the court for sentencing, if that was how things panned out, he’d remain on bail and try to carry on as usual and forget about it.

Daniel scoffed quietly and shook his head. Forget about it.
As if.
There was as much likelihood of that happening as there was of his mother rising from the dead.

* * *

Josie finished typing up the notes on her last patient and saved the file. As they had done with predictable regularity since the night he’d arrived on his Fireblade, her thoughts drifted to Chase. They’d spent both nights since, catching up on old times and on things that had happened while they’d been apart. He’d cooked steaks on the barbeque at his place one night and last night, they’d eaten in at hers. The evenings and the nights spent with him had become the time she looked forward to most and she couldn’t wait until one or the other of them didn’t have to leave to go back home.

Home.

Home was where Chase was, wherever that might be. As much as she loved her cottage, she’d only taken a short-term lease. She wondered whether the owner would be willing to listen to an offer to purchase the place. She wondered what Chase would think.

His two-bedroom condo rubbed shoulders with a dozen other units housed together in a stark, red brick building reminiscent of apartment blocks that had been built in the early seventies. Whilst his unit had been comfortably decorated inside with modern pieces and bold splashes of color, the exterior of the building left a lot to be desired.

It was an understatement to say that style hadn’t been at the top of the architect’s list during the design brief. To add insult to injury, a garden made up mostly of weeds bordered the sidewalk that fronted a busy road. It couldn’t compare to the peace and tranquillity of her little rural cottage.

The thought of putting in an offer on the place took root and began to grow. The surrounding acres could be put to good use. She’d always dreamed of a veggie patch and space for a few animals. A dog or two, maybe even a couple of sheep. And chickens. It would be fun to collect the eggs.

She smiled wryly at her wayward thoughts but couldn’t quite get the idea out of her mind. She’d talk to Chase about it. Sound him out. Hopefully he wasn’t too attached to his place.

The phone at her elbow rang and she picked it up. “Josie Munro.”

“Josie,” Moira replied. “I have Belinda Murphy from Family Services on the line.”

Josie’s heart skipped a beat and then she silently calmed herself. The Logan boys were fine.
Why wouldn’t they be?

“Thank you, Moira. Put her through.” Josie took a deep breath and eased it out.

“Josie, it’s Belinda. The Logan children are fine, but I-I’m afraid I need your help again.”

“Really? What’s happened?”

“Nothing to be worried about. Well, nothing directly affecting the boys. It’s their aunt. Her elderly mother’s taken quite ill. She’s had a stroke and is in the hospital. It’s rather serious, from what I can gather. Their aunt needs to return home immediately.”

“Can’t the boys go with her? I assume you’re talking about their grandmother?”

“You’re right, but from what I’ve been able to gather, the children have never met her. Kelly Logan was somewhat estranged from her family. I haven’t had time to find out why. Besides, the children’s aunt is going to be rather busy with her mother and has asked if the boys can stay here. We’re hoping Trevor Logan might be released from the hospital soon but it’s not going to be today.”

“What do you need me to do, Belinda?”

“I was wondering… That is, would you mind having the boys again for a day or two? I promise it won’t be any longer than that. I spoke to the doctor treating their father only an hour ago. He’s happy with Trevor’s progress and expects to discharge him very soon. The boys will then be allowed to return home with him.”

“Of course, I’m happy to help and don’t worry about how long it takes for Trevor to return. I’m happy to have the boys for as long as they need me.”

“Oh, thank you, Josie,” the woman gushed with relief. “You’re a real lifesaver. Again. You really should think about registering to be a foster carer.”

Josie let the idea settle in her mind. It could be something she’d look into. Right now, she had to look after the Logans. “Maybe one day, I will,” she answered and then added, “Where are the boys now?”

“They’re still in school. Do you need directions?”

“No, I’m good, thanks. I collected them from there the other day.”

“Of course you did. Well, if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m here to help.”

Josie bit back a smile. “Thank you, Belinda. I will. Oh, have you called the schools? Do they need to be told I’ll be collecting the boys?”

“I haven’t yet. I wanted to check with you first. But I’m happy to call them now and let them know you’ll be stopping by. I’ll leave it up to them to tell Daniel and Jason.”

“Okay, well, I guess I’ll talk to you later.”

“As soon as I know when Trevor’s being released, I’ll let you know.”

“That would be great. The boys must be elated to know that their dad will soon be home.”

“Actually, I haven’t had a chance to tell them. I only spoke to the doctor an hour ago. The boys have been in school all day.”

“Of course. Do you want me to mention it to them?” Josie asked.

“If you want to. It might lift their spirits to know things will soon be back to normal.”

Josie refrained from commenting. She was sure when Belinda had a chance to think about what she’d said, she’d realize things would never be normal for the Logan family again.

After bidding each other farewell, Josie ended the call and then sat back in her chair with a sigh. Her last patient was due shortly. With a bit of luck, she’d be finished in time to collect the boys. She was filled with anticipation at the thought of spending a little more time with them, even for just a couple of nights.

* * *

Josie made the all-too-familiar walk to the principal’s office of Watervale High School and waited for Daniel to appear. She’d finished with her client and had only minutes to spare to get to the school on time. She could have called Chase to see if he could collect the boys, but she didn’t want to frighten them unnecessarily by having a police officer arrive at the school.

A few minutes later, Daniel came out of the principal’s office and offered her a tiny smile and an even smaller wave.

“Hi, Daniel. I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. I hope you don’t mind coming home with me?”

He shrugged, but then said, “I don’t even know her. She and Mom weren’t close. Besides, I don’t mind coming home with you. Thanks for coming to get me.”

Josie offered to take his school bag and when he handed it over, she slung it over her shoulder.

“We’re going to have to hurry so we can get to Jason’s school before the bell. I don’t want him to have to wait for us.”

Daniel nodded and followed her out of the office. She was parked a short distance away in her father’s Mustang.

“You own a really cool car,” Daniel murmured and there was a ghost of a smile on his lips.

Josie smiled back at him. “You like it, huh? It belongs to my dad. He restored it from little more than a chassis. It took him like…forever.” She rolled her eyes. “Men and their cars.”