“Tommy!” she yelled, startling him and quieting him. “Tommy,” she repeated, only this time her voice sounding soft and gentle and pleading and near tears, “please, listen to me. It’s bad, Tommy. She’s…someone killed her. She’d dead, Tommy. I’m sorry.”
The world spun. This couldn’t be happening. He couldn’t make sense of what she’d said. “What?”
“I’m so sorry, baby,” Nevvie whispered. “I’m so, so sorry.”
He leaned against the wall for support as he looked at Tyler. Dead? He hated Emily’s guts and wouldn’t piss on her if she was on fire, but…dead?
Tyler snatched the phone from his hand and took control. “Nevvie, it’s me, love. What happened?” He listened for a moment, a mask dropping over his features as she broke the news to him. Tom couldn’t do anything but stand there and numbly watch him. He felt himself slide down the wall until he hit the damp concrete floor.
“Right,” Tyler quietly said. “How’s Mom and everyone else doing?” He turned away from Tom and left the room.
Concerned, Kyle and Jacob walked over. Kyle put his hand on Tom’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”
Still in shock, he shook his head.
“What happened?” Jacob asked.
He licked his lips. His mouth suddenly felt like sandpaper. “It’s…my sister. Emily. Someone killed her.”
“Emily?” Jacob frowned. “We haven’t met her, right? Wait, isn’t she the one who…” Realization filled his face. “Oh. Oh, man. I’m so sorry. What can we do?”
Tom felt like he couldn’t focus his eyes. It hurt to breathe, to think. He shook his head. “I don’t know. Ty…” He looked around. Tyler had walked outside. He couldn’t form any thoughts, his brain still trying to wrap itself around Nevvie’s words.
Emily’s dead.
He’d heard and understood what she said. He just couldn’t process it in his brain.
“He’ll be right back,” Kyle said, helping him up and guiding him toward the bedroom door. “Let’s get you outside in the shade. It’s damn hot in here. You don’t look good. We need to get some water in you.”
John met them in the hallway, a grim look on his face. He grabbed Tom’s other arm and helped them get him outside and into a chair on the porch. Tyler stood down by the street, still on the phone, rubbing his forehead with his other hand. One of the men brought Tom a cold bottle of water, opened it, and put it in his hand. He wasn’t sure which man, because he couldn’t take his eyes off Tyler, who paced five feet, turned, and paced back five feet. Over and over. Rubbing his forehead, staring at the ground.
This can’t be happening. It’s a mistake.
John’s stern voice cut through his fog. “Tom, you need to drink. Your color isn’t good. Drink.”
He put the water bottle to his lips and took a few swallows.
Tyler paced…turned…paced.
After a few more minutes, Tyler ended the call and turned to look at them. He walked over to Tom and knelt in front of him. “Are you all right, love?” he quietly asked.
Tom shook his head.
“I told Nevvie we would leave first thing in the morning to come up. She assured me Dad has stepped in and is helping comfort Mom and everyone.”
“We should leave tonight,” Tom said. He thought about it and nodded. “Tonight.”
“No. You’re in no condition. Besides, the roads are too bad anyway. Tomorrow. No arguments.”
“Did she tell you what happened?” Tom asked.
Tyler hesitated.
“Tell me, dammit.”
Tyler’s eyes closed for a moment before he opened them again to look at him. “Emily had an open house yesterday in preparation of selling it. Afterward…apparently someone beat her to death. There’s no signs of forced entry, so the police suspect someone who attended the open house might be the culprit. The real estate agent found her this morning. Based on the evidence, they think it happened around eight last night. Other than cash missing from her purse, they don’t suspect robbery because her credit cards and other valuables weren’t missing.”
“How’s Momma doing?” he hoarsely asked.
He nodded. “She’s upset, but Nevvie said she’s coping.”
“How’s Laurie?” John asked. “Is she okay?”
“Nevvie said she’s been an utter godsend. She’s keeping Adam and Mikey entertained and away from the adults. The little ones are unaware of what’s happened.”
“What about the twins?” Tom asked. “And Clay?”
“Ah, apparently they were at the house this morning when the police showed up to talk to Mom. Mom had them staying with her because the power’s still out at their place. Clay was initially a suspect until they cleared his alibi and saw that his hands were uninjured.”
“Hands?”
Tyler swallowed hard. “Love, do we really—”
“Tell me, goddammit!”
He took a deep breath before answering. “Whoever killed her bludgeoned her with his bare hands. Dad went with Nevvie to the morgue for the positive identification. It was, she said, an exceedingly brutal attack.”
“Was she raped?” Why was he asking this? It was like he’d switched over to autopilot and couldn’t think.
Tyler shook his head. “No.” He gently took Tom’s face in his hands. “Listen to me, love. We’re going to finish up here, and I’m taking you home. You’re going to have a nice long shower and eat dinner for me, and then you’ll take a pain pill and go to bed. I’ll do all the packing for us. Tomorrow, we’re driving to Savannah.”
“I’ll send Kelly with you,” John said. He looked at the house. “There’s nothing she can do here that me and the boys can’t. It’s going to start getting moldy fast, anyway, and I don’t want her in that. She’s allergic to mold. She can help you all out with the kids and stuff.” He looked around the neighborhood. “I’ll drive up after I talk to the claim adjuster.” His eyes settled on Tyler. “I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate this. Everything. Having a family again…” His eyes took on a too-bright shine Tom knew all too well. “We’ll all get through this, son.” He leaned over and hugged Tom.
Tom nodded. “Thanks, Dad,” he quietly said. Then he realized what he said and let out a harsh laugh.
“It’s okay,” John assured him. “I don’t mind if you don’t.” He opened his arms to Tyler, Kyle, and Jacob. “All four of you are like sons to me now. I couldn’t have asked for a better family.”
Chapter Eleven
Despite Tom’s weak protests that he wanted to stay and help, John, Kyle, and Jacob, with Tyler leading the charge, finally overruled him and got him loaded into Tom’s truck. Tyler drove, and they slowly began making their way home.
“We need to get the house generator topped off for them before we leave,” Tom softly said as he stared out the passenger window. “Maybe call around and see if anyone’s delivering propane.”
“I will handle it, love,” Tyler assured him.
“You should stop and get gas somewhere, too, if you see any place that’s open and doesn’t have a mile-long line.”
“Neither option available right now. We have the portable cans we can use. I can siphon gas out of one of the other vehicles, if need be. We should leave this vehicle for Jacob and Kyle to use to help John and take my car.”
Tom finally looked at him, one eyebrow arched.
“Right, well I’m sure you could show me how to siphon gas, couldn’t you? I’m not a total moron.”
Tom slid a hand across the seat and gripped Tyler’s tightly. He didn’t want to lose it now.
If he did, he was afraid he’d never stop crying.
He thought back to when he was maybe eight. Em had been charged with babysitting him and April one night while their parents went out with friends. Cheryl, Katie, and Karen had gone out with their friends from school.
Em had put the TV on a movie, made them popcorn, and helped them build a fort out of blankets in the living room. They’d had a blast.
He looked out the window again. Once she hit high school, her self-righteous streak widened by a mile. By the time he’d graduated high school, he could barely stand her sometimes.
But she was his big sister, and he loved her. If she’d needed his help, he would have been first in line. Even after she wrecked his car and didn’t pay for it.
And up until the incident, he thought that despite her vocally disapproving of his relationship with Tyler, and then with Nevvie, no matter what, she would have been there for him, too.
He never would have turned on her the way she turned on them.
Never would have hurt her the way she hurt him.
At war with those emotions, his guilt that she died without them mending the fence. At least being able to tell her he loved her, even if he despised her.
Or her being able to apologize for what she did. Not that he’d held out any hope of her doing that, but still…
He looked out the window and took a deep, shuddering breath.
“Poor Momma,” he whispered.
Tyler squeezed his hand as he waited to be waved through an intersection by a deputy. The traffic lights were down. “Nevvie and Dad are with her. They’ll be there to support her.”
“I feel bad for Elle and Danny. I know they were mad at her, too, but they loved her. She was their mom.”
“We’ll all rally around them, love. And around you.”
He felt numb. The only thing it compared to was when Alex had attacked Nevvie and he and Tyler sat in the hospital, praying she’d pull through.
He squeezed Tyler’s hand. At least they weren’t at each other’s throats like they had been that day. He looked at his love. “Do you know how much I love you, buddy?”
Tyler smiled, casting a glance at him. “You are my life. You and our angel. Forever.”
They rode the rest of the way home in silence.
* * * *
Kelly was waiting for them when they returned home. She walked outside with a somber expression on her face that Tyler instinctively knew meant John had managed to get a call through to her. Without a word, she enveloped Tom in a hug. Tyler watched as Tom stiffened at first before he then finally relaxed into her embrace.
“It’s all right, Tommy,” she said. “I’m going with you guys. We’ll all be there for you.”
“It’s okay, Mom,” he mumbled against her shoulder. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“I do want to. Selfishly, it’ll take my mind off what little’s left of our house.” She looked up into his face. “I’ll bunk with Laurie if space gets too tight. I’m going to take her stuff up to her anyway. And I have the paperwork we’ll need to get her registered in school.”
Tyler hustled Tom inside to their bathroom. “Shower, love. Kelly and I will unload the truck. Then I want you to take a pain pill and go to bed. I’ll get your dinner ready for you shortly.”
Tom nodded and headed inside without argument.
Tyler sadly watched before opening the garage door.
“Is he going to be okay?” Kelly asked.
“He’s in a bit of shock right now, I believe.”
Kelly started washing Laurie’s clothes first before helping unload the truck. She also started packing things in her car to take up to Georgia. As she surveyed the pile, she ran a hand through her hair. “This feels surreal. Never thought I’d be moving again.”
“There have been a lot of changes in our family lately,” Tyler observed. “Up until today, I would have said all of them positive.” He sadly shook his head. “I never did have a particularly close relationship with Emily, but I never wished such a foul end upon her, either.” He wished for the comforting weight of the holstered gun. He hadn’t felt the need to carry it when they’d gone to help John. Now that they were home, and with the news about how Emily died, it felt like a phantom limb calling to him.
With the truck unloaded, Tyler went in to check on Tom. He found him in the shower.
“Are you all right, love?”
Tom nodded, but turned away. “I just need to be alone for a little while.”
“All right. I’ll go make your dinner.”
When Tyler returned to the bedroom with Tom’s food, he found him in bed and watching storm coverage on TV. From the look in Tom’s eyes, Tyler knew his pain pill had kicked in.
Tyler didn’t speak. He sat on the bed with Tom while he ate. When he finished his meal, he softly said, “Thank you.”
“If you need anything else, please let me know.”
Tom nodded. Tyler leaned in and gently kissed him. “I’ll try not to disturb you while I pack for us.”
“I…I guess I’ll need to take a suit.”
“I’ll take care of everything, love. Please, don’t fret.”
“Might need to take stuff for Nevvie and the kids. I don’t know what she packed.”
He caressed Tom’s cheek. “I will.”
Tom’s eyes slowly swiveled to look at him. He looked close to tears. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
Tyler wrapped his arms around him. “You don’t need to do anything. Let Nevvie and Dad and I take care of you and Mom and everyone else. Please? Just…just be. Lean on us.”
Tyler stayed with him for a few minutes. From the way Tom’s breathing slowed and evened out, Tyler knew he’d fallen asleep.
Without disturbing him, Tyler slowly extricated himself from Tom and took the dishes out to the kitchen. He’d already started a list of things to do. Everything Tom had mentioned, he’d already written at the top of the list.
As he stood there staring at the list, he heard John, Kyle, and Jacob return. Kelly followed him outside. Kelly went to John. He hugged her, and she started crying.
Tyler let them be and helped Kyle and Jacob. With Pete and Eddie home again, the brothers could move into the guest room. It was after midnight by the time Tyler had finished packing everything they’d need, helping Kelly with laundry and her packing, and preparing information for Kyle and Jacob to have ready for the insurance adjuster when they came to look at their roof.
Exhausted, he crawled into bed with Tom. In his sleep Tom instinctively rolled toward Tyler, snuggling against him.
Tyler pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I’m here, love. I’ll always be here for you. Never fear.”
Chapter Twelve
Nevvie couldn’t sit down Monday afternoon. She had to stay busy or she knew she would break down and start screaming. Despite the detective’s assurances to the contrary, she still couldn’t shake the irrational fear that Alex was somehow involved. She bounced from chore to chore, dealing with visitors and other issues without taking time to stop and relax.
After Nevvie reheated leftovers for Mikey and Adam, Laurie fed the boys in their bedroom before putting them down early for the night with a DVD of cartoons playing to keep them quiet. Nevvie started cleaning the kitchen even though it didn’t need it. Followed by the bathrooms.
I have to keep moving.
Maybe she was just avoiding dealing with her emotions, but she didn’t care. If she didn’t keep moving, she knew it would get really ugly really fast.
I wish Tyler was here.
Tyler could always calm her, soothe her nerves.
Laurie rejoined the adults in the living room, self-appointing herself in charge of answering the phone and taking messages for Nevvie and Peggy so they wouldn’t have to be bothered and constantly explain things. She also took charge of keeping the coffeepot full for everyone. Friends of the family and extended relatives trickled in, many bearing food.
As Nevvie tried to make room in the fridge for yet another bowl of potato salad, she couldn’t help mumbling under her breath, “I’m gonna freaking hate potato salad before this is over.”
Laurie, who stood next to her, trying to help between phone calls, smiled. “We’ll all be spuds.”
Nevvie couldn’t help the smile. She finally made the bowl fit and closed the door, then enve
loped the girl in a hug. “You have been such a huge help today. I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate it.”
The girl’s face clouded. “Mom said that Dad told her our house is totally wrecked.”
Nevvie nodded. “I’m sorry. Tyler told me that, too.”
“I asked her if that meant I could stay up here with you.”
“Oh? What’d she say?”
“She said that was up to you and Grandma. That she’d have to talk to you guys. I guess the school I was going to go to next year got hit, too.” She shrugged. “I don’t want to go back there. I’d rather be here with you guys. Grandma and Grandpa are here. You all are here. I’d rather be here.”
Nevvie somehow managed to hold back the emotional tears that wanted to well forth. She sat at the kitchen table and patted the table next to her for Laurie to also pull up a chair. She had to deal with this and not blow the girl off.
“I need to sit down and talk with Mom and Dad,” Nevvie said. “John and Kelly,” she clarified. “I’m not going to promise you anything. But if they want to move up here, and they say it’s okay, of course you can stay with us.”
She didn’t miss how the girl quickly swiped at her eyes, which had turned red. “I’m used to moving,” she said. “Dad promised me we wouldn’t have to move again until I finished high school since he’s retired now, but this isn’t his fault.” She shrugged as she looked around the kitchen. “And it feels like home here.”
“It does, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. A lot. I never had grandparents or cousins before. And I love Mikey and Adam.” She smiled. “I’ll even throw in free babysitting for the twins.”
Another smile curved Nevvie’s lips as she patted her belly. “You might regret that offer.”
Laurie shook her head a little too vigorously. “They’ll keep me busy in a good way.”
A moment of clarity hit Nevvie. The bombshell about Emily had temporarily eclipsed Laurie’s situation in her mind. When she opened her arms to Laurie, the girl leaned into Nevvie’s embrace. “It’s okay,” Nevvie assured her. “We’ll all get through this. Every bit of it.” She kissed Laurie on the top of the head. “How about maybe you and I try to sneak out later tonight after everyone goes to bed? There’s a Walmart a few minutes away that’s open all night. It’s not a lot, but we can have a quick clothes shopping spree. We probably won’t be able to hit the mall again for a few days with everything going on.”