Page 50 of Shadow of Deceit
Ryan opened his mouth to remind her that tomorrow’s session could have a better outcome, but she hurried inside before he could speak.
In the kitchen, she looked over her shoulder. “I’ll just grab some Tylenol while you check the place out and get back to the kids.”
He would do as she asked, but when he finished he would find a way to stay with her until her mood had improved. How, he didn’t know and he only had the time it would take to clear the rooms to figure it out.
14
Mia released Bandit from his crate then poured a glass of water and found Tylenol in the cabinet where Uncle Wally had always kept it. She took two tablets and sat on the barstool.
She looked at her computer on the counter. She should open it and start to document Eddie’s brief session while it was fresh in her mind, but she just couldn’t officially record her failure with the boy yet. He’d slouched in the chair across from her, a sullen expression firmly lodged on his face, his tattooed arms tightly crossed. Occasionally, he’d offered a sarcastic response to her probing questions but said nothing to give her insight into his true feelings.
She could certainly identify with his actions. She’d behaved the same way after her mother died and her father retreated into his own world. Then why couldn’t she find a way to help the teen? He definitely needed it or he was headed down a one-way street of self-destruction, and she wanted to help him.
She rolled her neck, stretching stiff muscles strained when rescuing Jessie from the fire. The fire. That was something she didn’t want to think about either. Especially the terrifying minutes ticking by while trapped in the blazing barn, her thoughts consumed by her imminent death. Thoughts that continued to hover near the surface.
She’d been lucky. She had stiff muscles, a few gashes on her abdomen, and a cut on her cheek, but she was alive. Alive and embracing all of her old habits exactly like Ryan had said.
She wanted to control everyone and everything around her.
So what? It had served her well. It was the only way she’d endured the pain and turmoil life continued to throw at her. Sure, after surviving a tragedy many people experienced a rebirth or change in priorities, and she hadn’t, but that didn’t mean anything. Right?
Maybe she didn’t feel like a survivor yet and wouldn’t until the lunatic terrifying her was caught and put in jail. If he was caught.
No. Don’t think that way.He would be located. Russ was a determined guy. Once he stopped concentrating on her as a suspect, he would keep digging until he arrested the creep before he tried something else.
Ryan returned and came to lean on the counter. “Can I make you a cup of tea?”
“I’d love some tea, but I’m not very good company right now.”
“That doesn’t matter to me.” He went to the electric tea kettle on the counter and held it up to confirm it held water then plugged it in. He turned back to her. “Did you want to talk about Eddie?”
She’d first wished Ryan would go, but he was being so kind and caring and she had to admit it felt good she wanted him to stay for a while. “I just have to find a way to connect with him. Do you have any idea what he might be interested in?”
Ryan shook his head. “He’s pretty much been devoting himself to getting into trouble and that’s all I know.”
Oh, man. She knew those days. In high school, she didn’t have time for much else outside of classes except partying and hanging with Ryan. “Perhaps I can get him to tell me what he used to do before his mother died.”
“I hope so. And I hope my warning about going back to juvie is the jumpstart he needs.”
The kettle whistled.
“Earl Gray still your favorite?” he asked.
She smiled at him, and her heart warmed over him remembering her tea preference. “It is but I think I’ll have chamomile. It’s calming.”
A boom sounded outside. Bandit wailed. The door splintered and something whizzed behind Ryan.
“Gunfire!” Ryan lurched across the counter, grabbed her in his arms, and took her to the floor.
He landed on his shoulder, holding her tight and taking the brunt of fall.
Her breath left her body. She dragged air in, her mind awash with fear and questions. “What’s going on?”
Bandit lifted his head and howled.
Ryan held her tightly in his arms. “Someone’s firing at the lodge.”
“A gun? Someone’s firing a gun. At us?”
