Page 78 of Nowhere to Hide
It was just as they had suspected, but to hear it put into words soured Sandra’s gut. What horror Ryan and his mother had been through at the hands of someone they should have been able to trust. For Susan, her boss. For a son, his father.
“That’s a strong allegation to make,” Emilia said, playing investigative reporter. “Can you back up such a claim?”
“He had my mother killed, and he tried to kill me too. Thirty-three years ago, she died in a fatal car crash. He must have paid off the police, and the truth has been buried all these years. But it’s time the truth surfaced.”
At least this wasn’t a real broadcast, or Sandra would be catching shit for the derogatory comment hurled at the MPD. As Sandra listened to Ryan talk, she was seeking any wedge thatwould allow her to move in and apprehend him. She wouldn’t be the only one contemplating the same thing. But as long as Brayden remained tucked into Ryan’s side, there was no way anyone was making a move.
“Do you have proof of these allegations for our viewers?”
“The police have proof.” Ryan gestured at Sandra, catching her off guard.
The undercover officer swung the camera toward her, and Emilia faced her. “Is that right?”
“The investigation into Susan Crawford’s accident has been reopened, and several things have flagged for the detective working the case.”
“Just tell her,” Ryan shouted.
“There appears to have been a cover-up. Officers looked the other way, and eyewitness testimonies were tampered with. The evidence is leading back to Timothy Hanson’s door.” By the time she finished speaking, Ryan was nodding. His shoulders had lowered. The weight he’d been carrying had melted away.
“Wow, that is incredible. Ryan, who is that young man with you?”
“My name is Brayden Hanson,” the boy said on his own behalf.
Ryan tugged him tighter. “Timothy’s DNA is in his blood, in his father’s. This boy will only follow in the examples of those who came before him. How could he know any better?”
Sandra had an inkling that question reflected Ryan’s life situation. He’d been raised by an alcoholic aunt and had become one himself. He had to also realize that the blood of the man he despised, that triggered today’s events, was running in his veins too.
“Yes, while I like to think we all choose for ourselves who or what we’re going to be,” Emilia said. “And what do you want to be, young man?”
Brayden was staring at Ryan’s profile and started wheezing. He batted Ryan away as he tried to tighten his hold on him.
“Oh, my, is he all right?” Emilia asked, continuing to put on an admirable performance.
“He’s fine. He’s just having a?—”
“He won’t be fine unless he gets his puffer, Ryan,” Sandra cut through. “You can prove yourself the better person here.”
Seconds ticked off before Ryan reached into a pocket. “I’m just getting his puffer.” He kept his movements slow and came out with the inhaler and handed it to Brayden.
During the exchange, Brayden drew away from Ryan, putting several feet between them. The distance would allow space for him to be snatched away by an officer.
“Stop right there!” Ryan pulled a gun.
Several officers did the same. All but Sandra. She kept hers holstered.
Time passed slowly as she stood there peering into Ryan’s eyes. Just by holding the space, she hoped to calm his nerves, let him feel safe. His shoulders loosened.
“Everyone, stand down,” she called out.
To their credit, the undercover officers never broke form.
“What you just did right now, Ryan, was a kind thing. Noble,” Sandra told him.
“He wasn’t supposed to run off,” he sneered, glancing over at the boy.
He was being seen into the back of an ambulance.
“Well, now he’s getting the help he needs,” Sandra told him. “You’re here to break the mold.”
