Submerged

With a small wave to Carol, Marcus headed back to his desk. Leo was right behind him.

“The man has a radar for anything remotely like fun,” Marcus said.

“Maybe he’s bugged the break room.”

“Your inner mobster is showing again, Leo.”

The phone rang and they went back to work.

The early evening crept by with fewer than normal calls. Marcus handled a store fire and one suspicious call that turned out to be a crank call by a couple of bored teens. The police were on the way to their home, and Marcus could only imagine the parents’ reactions when they discovered what their sweet little boys had been up to. The officers would give them a warning. Maybe the parents would ground the boys. Who knew in today’s age of parenting?

He wondered if Ryan would’ve been so mischievous had he lived. Marcus had missed out on time with his son. Work had gotten in the way at first. And then the drugs. One thing he could always say: he had never used around Ryan. Usually he snuck out into the garage late at night. Or right before his shift. Not too responsible.

But he’d hidden that box where no one would find it. Especially Ryan.

Stop it! Don’t think about that damn box. He clenched his fists. Focus!

The report swam in front of him. He blinked. Then he double-checked the facts, recorded the date and signed his name.

He rose from the chair, grabbed the form and headed to the copy room, where he made a copy of the report. Back at his desk, he shoved the copy into a folder in his briefcase. He’d be damned if he’d allow Shipley to set him up again.

Of course, he had no proof his supervisor had changed the dates on the other forms, but that didn’t matter. Who else would have done it? Leo? Carol? Hell, even with her pinched expression and disapproving eyes, Carol was professional. He couldn’t say the same about Pete Shipley.

I’ve got my eye on you, Shipley. Make a fool of me once, shame on you. Make a fool of me twice and you’ll regret it.

Chapter Ten

Highway to Cadomin, AB – Friday, June 14, 2013 – 6:57 PM

It was almost seven o’clock by the time she pulled out of Edmonton and veered onto the highway heading toward Cadomin.

The kids pouted in the backseat. Ella was tired of the long wait, and Colton was upset because Rebecca refused to leave the house until he’d completed the last page of homework. Since math wasn’t his strong suit, it took longer than either of them had thought. Then he’d insisted on bringing his hockey stick and duffel bag with all his gear, except for skates, which she’d made him leave behind.

He held the stick across his lap, while the bag lay wedged between his feet. “Stop kicking my stick, Ella.”

“Mommy, Colton’s being mean,” Ella said.

“You’re such a baby,” Colton snapped.

“Colton!” Rebecca admonished.

From the back seat a small voice said, “Mommy, am I being a baby?”

“No, honey. Why don’t you have a nap?”

“I’m not sleepy.”

“Want to read my Kindle? I downloaded some books for you.”

“All right.”

Rebecca kept one hand on the steering wheel while she rummaged around in her purse on the passenger seat. “Here.” She held the eReader behind her seat and released it when she felt Ella grab hold. “There’s a night light if it gets too dark. Colton can show you how to turn—”

“How long until we get there, Mom?” Colton interrupted.

“Not long. We’ll be there before you know it.”

With her mouth firmly set and both hands clenching the steering wheel, Rebecca concentrated on the road ahead. Every now and then she flexed her fingers, trying to ignore the nagging feeling that she’d forgotten something.

She hated night driving, especially when the highway was busy or it was raining. Tonight it was both.

She turned on the radio. Glancing in the rearview mirror, she was relieved when she saw Ella’s eyes drift shut. Colton was playing with his iPod. Probably Angry Birds.

Oh, to be an innocent child with no worries other than which game to play.

She longed for a time when she could relax and enjoy her children, instead of working long shifts and shipping them off to a sitter. Kelly often babysat for her when she worked the later shifts. At least she had that. But being a single parent wasn’t an easy feat.

She tried to focus on their family vacation. Though it hadn’t started out that way, she was now enjoying the thought of sharing her adventures in Cadomin with her kids. It might be their last truly happy time together for a while.

Because when we get back, I have to tell them about the divorce.