Merciless

He nodded and slipped into the darkness.

12

Dawson and Lex weren’t home, which was probably a good thing. Sadness had lodged itself deep in my gut at what I’d witnessed today. Violent death. Grief. Hatred. Suspicion. Family rivalries. Add in my questions about Rollie’s guilt… and my brain was fried.

A five-mile run followed by a full hour of yoga would be the healthiest way to push my body into the same exhausted state as my brain.

So why had I headed straight for the liquor cabinet?

I knocked back two generous slugs of Wild Turkey before I put away my gun, or even took off my coat. I carried the third glass with me into the bedroom. Once I’d stripped to nothing, I took it into the bathroom, draining the whiskey before I climbed in the shower.

Steam, water, heat, and a slight buzz took some of the edge off. But didn’t stop the images from flashing in my mind. Verline’s body. Rollie’s tender farewell kiss. The Dupris family’s angry accusations. Junior’s tears. Junior’s accusations. Junior’s stubbornness.

Wet hair braided, lotion applied, I left the bathroom stark naked and heard the kitchen door open. I ducked inside my bedroom. I needed to get into the habit of wearing a robe so Lex wasn’t traumatized by my naked body. I pressed my back into the bedroom door. Had it been only this morning Lex had walked in on us? Seemed like that’d happened a week ago.

As much as I fantasized about crawling into bed with a bottle, I dressed and joined father and son in the kitchen.

Two pizza boxes sat on the table. “I thought we were having antelope?”

“We were starved, and it’d be at least another hour to cook the steaks after we got home, so we’ll save those for another night when we’re not so rushed.”

Mason walked to me and curled his hand around my face, locking his gaze to mine. “So it’s Wild Turkey therapy, not yoga, for your rough day?”

I nodded, appreciating he didn’t pass judgment.

He pressed his mouth to mine, giving me a sweet kiss as his thumb gently stroked my cheekbone. He pulled back and murmured, “I believe I’ll join you in that drink.”

I noticed Dawson had bought spinach salad as a side dish. The man had healthy eating habits, much to Lex’s dismay. I wondered if the kid had ever tasted a fresh vegetable before coming to live with us.

After we dished up, I asked, “So the school project supplies are purchased?”

“Yep, Lex can start on it tomorrow after school.”

“What’s the subject?” I asked Lex.

He gave me a look like he couldn’t believe I cared, but I needed something to take my mind off murder and lies.

Lex launched into an explanation. It was encouraging that he was taking an interest in his classes, given he’d been pulling straight Ds at his previous school. His cell phone vibrated on the table. He ignored it.

Mason picked it up and slid it next to the pizza boxes. “It’s your mother.”

Lex scowled. “I don’t wanna talk to her.”

“We’ve had this discussion, Lex. You can’t just blow her off. She cares about what’s going on with you.”

“Only so she can use it against me. And use it against you.”

“I don’t follow.”

“If she finds out I like living here, she’ll make me go back to Colorado. I just know it.”

“Son, that won’t happen.”

“You don’t know her like I do, Dad. She’s already mad I’m using your last name. She’s said when I go see her for Christmas that maybe she won’t let me come back here. I don’t understand why I have to spend Christmas with her. I’ve never gotten to spend Christmas with you. She doesn’t care about me. She just doesn’t want me to like you better than her.”

Dawson was agitated; Lex was miserable. And the phone kept ringing. I picked it up. “Hello?”

“Who’s this?” Mona demanded. “Why are you answering my son’s phone?”

“Hey, Mona, it’s Mercy. I see Lex left his phone on the counter again.”

“Where is he?”

I looked at Lex. “He and his father went to town for supplies for a school project. They should be back in a couple hours. Would you like me to give Mason a message?”

“No, but tell that kid to call me tomorrow since I’m on my way to work.” She hung up.

“Crisis averted.” I slid the phone to Lex. “You’re supposed to call her after school tomorrow. Let’s hope she’s in a better mood. Now finish your spinach so your dad will let us have cookies.”

Dawson had Lex clean up the kitchen. I’d just poured myself another drink when the house phone rang. “Gunderson.”

“Mercy? Is it true? About Verline?”

“Hope, hang on a second.” I took the cordless phone into the office away from Lex’s curious ears. “I’m sorry to say it is true.”

“That’s so horrible. Who’s taking care of those poor babies? Rollie?”

“No. Verline’s mother.”

“Oh.” I heard her juggle the receiver. “Joy is just Little Miss Grabby Hands. Jake, take her for a sec.” More phone-clunking noises, then a sigh. “Now we can talk.”

“About what?”

“Sophie.”

I was not in the frame of mind to hear Hope complain or whine. “What about her?”

“She… wants to quit.”

Okay, not what I expected. Good thing I was sitting down. “Really? Why?”

“Penny is being difficult, I guess.”

“So Penny’s gotten worse?”