Page 121 of Solid as Steele
Fair point. “Did you report any of the times he hit you?”
“No. He threatened me each time with a worse beating if I did. When I had visible bruises, I made sure not to go anywhere anyone would recognize me outside of work. I got to be a makeup master, covering everything with concealer.”
Owen held onto his knees to keep from punching something. The pain Cassie had caused him and his parents by running away could have been prevented. The pain she endured could’ve been prevented. “You know I wouldn’t have been on Keith’s side. Never. No matter the brotherhood.”
“I know. But you couldn’t have stopped him either. Admit it.” She fired a challenging gaze at him. “No one would believe me except my family and that sure wouldn’t stop the guy.”
Owen sat back, his mind racing with questions, his body tense with emotions. How had he not known she’d suffered abuse for years? “You could’ve come to stay with us instead of taking off.”
“And put you all in danger? No. I wouldn’t do that to Mom and Dad for sure. And you? You could handle yourself with Keith. No doubt. But you might’ve snapped and killed him. I couldn’t risk any of it. And I couldn’t risk any of you knowing where I was. Keith had to believe I’d been abducted or murdered. That would make taking on Polly’s name a whole lot easier.”
“I should have known the minute I saw the nameplate that you could pull that off.” He explained about seeing Polly’s name at OffGrid Outfitters. “As Polly’s executor, you had access to all of her files and paperwork. And with the dyed hair, you look enough like her that you could get away with using her photo IDs.”
Cassie nodded.
And now here she was. Alive and well. “We found a woman’s remains in the desert this week. We thought it was you.”
“Oh, Owen, I’m so sorry. I heard about it, of course. Everybody in the area is talking about it, but they didn’t share any details.” Cassie tilted her head, giving him the quizzical look she’d used since she was a toddler. “What about her made you think it was me?”
“The victim wore the clothes and necklace you were had on when you disappeared. The necklace with the infinity heart that Mom and Dad gave you on your eighteenth birthday. Her name was Grace Gale. Did you give them to her?”
Cassie shook her head. “I changed clothes at a rest area and threw them in the trash. I had to get rid of the necklace too. I hated to do it, but I knew it could identify me, and I couldn’t risk anyone seeing it. And if Keith did hunt me down, I would take off again, but I couldn’t risk him finding it if I had to leave it behind. So best to get rid of it right up front.”
“Grace must’ve gotten your things from the trash then,” Mackenzie said.
“Sounds like it.” Cassie nibbled on her bottom lip, then suddenly sat up straight. “If you found me, so can Keith. He said he owns me, and he’ll never quit searching for me.”
Owen sat forward. “He’s not looking anymore.”
Cassie’s eyes lit with hope. “How do you know?”
“He was killed in a foggy pileup on I-5 early this morning.”
“Really?” Her posture lifted. “You’re sure?”
“I haven’t seen his body if that’s what you’re asking, but yes. My lieutenant called to report Keith’s death.”
“Then I’m free. Really free. I can come home.” Cassie smiled and clapped a hand over her mouth. “I shouldn’t be so happy. Especially that Keith died, but I have to admit to wanting to be with you all again, and his death makes that possible.”
“Yeah.” Owen leaned down to Cassie and took her hands again. “You can come home. Should we call Mom and Dad now or head to Vancouver to surprise them?”
“Surprise them.” Cassie jumped to her feet. “Let me change and pack a few things, then we can leave right now. That is if you want to take me.”
“Want to take you? Are you kidding? Just try to stop me.” Owen laughed, feeling lighter and more optimistic about life than he had in years.
“Be right back.” Grinning, Cassie bolted from the room.
The weight that had been bearing down on Owen for so long disappeared. Lifted. Released. He was free from the bonds he’d imposed on himself. His sister had a new start, and so did he. He wouldn’t waste a minute of his new life.
He looked at Mackenzie. “Will you come with us?”
She arched an eyebrow. “It’s such a personal family moment. Are you sure you want me there?”
He took her hands in his. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Without your help, I would never have found Cassie, and my parents will want to meet you. But not as much as I want them to meet the woman I hope will soon become a very big part of my life.”
Near ten o’clock, Mackenzie hung back as they walked up to the Greer house and Owen rang the doorbell. The moon hung bright in the clear skies and a frosty wind whipped in from the west. She tightened her coat and hunched into the collar. Cassie stood behind Owen to hide from her parents when they opened the door and make the surprise even greater. Both siblings were practically vibrating with excitement, and the contagious emotion saturated the air.
The door opened, and a shorter woman with silvery hair answered the door. She blinked hard. “Owen? Forget your key?”
