Page 28 of Falcon

Half an hour later I was following them to the hospital with Jayes sitting next to me. He’d shrunk away from Cates and had cried silently. It was eerie watching a kid sob without making a sound. In the end, I scooped him up, stopped all the arguing, and carried him in with me.

While Myka was rushed off, I accompanied Jayes to X-ray, where it was confirmed that he’d badly sprained his ankle. The doctors were not amused that Myka hadn’t sought medical attention for him. Because there was still so much swelling, they put his ankle in a removable soft cast. That took three hours, and I met Cates outside in the waiting room. She was pacing back and forth, showing her worry.

“Any updates?” I asked, placing Jayes in a chair away from her and speaking quietly.

“Myka’s critical. They’ve a list of injuries, and they’re surprised Myka’s alive. The next twenty-four hours are touch and go, as she’s basically circling the drain.”

“Jesus. And she’s been there several days?”

“Yes. Mrs Hanigan left four days ago, according to a neighbour. Nobody thought anything of not seeing Myka because they didn’t, anyway. And they’ve seen Jayes wander around but haven’t called it in. Total fuckin’ neglect and ignorance.”

“So, Myka’s in no fit state to look after Jayes?

Cates shook her head. “No. Unfortunately, I’ve no doubt Dawson was behind this, but unless Myka recovers and makes a statement, I can’t stop the Beauregards from taking him.

“What?” I exclaimed.

“The whole family is like Dawson. All the men are wife-beating scum, but Lawson, Dawson, and Rawson are the worst. Without evidence, my hands are tied. Naturally, I’ll have Myka swabbed for DNA and get a rush put on it, but until then…” Cates shook her head.

“Jayes hasn’t seen his father since that night. Surely that counts as neglect?”

“Yeah, it does. But again, I’ve gotta get child services involved. That will take a few days.”

No, that wasn’t acceptable. Not by a long shot. “And if Jayes isn’t here?”

Cates narrowed her eyes and looked at me. “Be careful with your next words.”

“What if I found Jayes, took him for a meal, and brought him home? And while there, Myka regained consciousness briefly and told both of us she wanted me to have Jayes?”

Cates bit her lip and held my gaze. “Then it’s a good thing that I arrived as she said it.”

“Guess it’s too much of a push to state Myka claimed Dawson did this?”

“Did you hear that, Falcon?”

I paused. This would be a lie, and if Dawson hadn’t done it… No. Everything screamed he was guilty.

“Yes.”

“Then, I’ve gotta put an APB out on Dawson, as a person of interest,” Cates drawled. She held my gaze. “Be sure of this.”

“Sheriff, I’m positive. Is it okay to leave? I’ve got a dog and pups to pick up.”

Cates nodded. “Yeah, I can find you at the clubhouse for your statement later.”

I hurried upstairs before anyone else arrived and beckoned to Jayes. “We’re going for a ride,” I said, and Jayes nodded. Once more he blindly followed me to my truck, and I drove off. This wasn’t technically kidnapping a kid, right?

Rosie brought the bitch and pups out to me when I texted her there was a problem. She listened to my explanation around Jayes and began texting furiously.

“Grace and Penny are going to meet you at the clubhouse. Jayes needs clothing and toys,” she said. I nodded. There was no way I was dressing Jayes in the hand-me-downs he was currently dressed in.

Despite his bad ankle, Jayes nearly climbed over me to see the puppies. The dogs settled, leaving Star to rest in the back.

“Jayes, Star is scared, so let’s settle down, okay? We don’t want her to bite you thinking you’re going to hurt her,” I warned.

I prepared an argument, then Jayes turned around and sat down, stunning me. He didn’t argue, sulk, or backchat. Just sat calmly. Jesus, what had Jayes seen and experienced? I was trying hard not to judge Myka, but why the fuck hadn’t she got out of there? Cates’s words ran back through his mind. The last time she’d tried to escape, she’d ended up in hospital—much like now.

I drove back to the clubhouse in silence. Jayes never spoke a word unless spoken to, something I was fast coming to realise.