Chapter 19

Lily and Evie were curled up on the couch watching the third princess movie for the evening. Grace had gone to bed at her normal time which was a relief, and it looked like Lily and Evie weren’t going to be awake much longer. He was surprised that Sandy hadn’t come by since she had told him she would be by to help.

I can’t handle any more princesses.

He sent the text hoping she’d text him back and let him know she was on the way. He waited but nothing. Something was wrong, and he could feel it in the pit of his stomach. That feeling he always got when something was going to send him running to the bathroom.

He glanced over at the two little girls. Both were asleep, and he didn’t have the heart to move them. They were curled up on opposite ends of the couch covered with a blanket. He turned off the television and quietly left the living room.

In the kitchen, he poured a cup of hot chocolate and sat at the table. His life had changed so much over the last few weeks, and it was a shock to find out he was a father, but he was enjoying every minute of it. His relationship with Sandy was going well, but he felt terrible they hadn’t had an official date. He needed to do that as soon as things settled down.

His phone buzzed, and he pulled it out of his pocket. At first, he thought it might be Sandy, but Keith’s name was on the screen.

“Hey bro, what’s up?” Ian answered.

“It’s not Keith. It’s me.” Sandy’s voice sounded strange.

“Hey, did you get lost on your way to my house?” He joked.

“I’m on my way over now.”

“Why are you using Keith’s phone?” Not that it mattered.

“Smash has to put some new software on mine.” She sighed. “I’ll explain when I come over.”

While he waited for her to arrive, he checked on the girls. Then, he checked on Grace and couldn’t help but smile when the baby giggled in her sleep. It was weird how he couldn’t relax for the night unless he checked on them. It had become the norm so fast that he didn’t even realize it.

When he walked out of the room Sandy was standing in the foyer with Keith behind her. Ian didn’t like the stress lines across his brother’s forehead and the tense set of his jaw. His gaze moved to Sandy, and his stomach flipped. Her face was pale, and her eyes had lost that twinkle.

“What’s wrong?” Ian felt that bubble in his stomach that always threatened to lurch when he was expecting bad news. He followed his brother and Sandy into the kitchen where she placed her laptop on top of the table and opened it.

“I know you’re a doctor and probably have seen a lot worse than these pictures, but you need to prepare yourself. They're kind of gruesome.” Keith said as Sandy clicked on the keys opening several files.

“Okay.” Was all Ian could say because he was expecting the worst at this point. Sandy turned her laptop toward him, and the images of two bloodied bodies filled the screen. Keith was right he’d seen some pretty severe injuries in his life, and some were just as bad as what he was seeing in front of him.

“They were murdered over three weeks ago,” it was the first time Sandy had spoken since she’d walked into the house.

“Am I supposed to know these women?” Ian hoped not.

“No, but here’s what they looked like before that.” Sandy clicked on a few more keys and pictures of two attractive women popped up on the screen. The thing that made him tense was their resemblance to Sandy. It made his stomach lurch.

“Do you need a glass of water, bro?” Keith was familiar with Ian’s reactions.

“Yeah.” Ian sat down and plowed his hands through his hair. Keith placed a glass in front of him, and Ian sipped it slowly.

“You ready to listen to all this?” Keith asked. Ian nodded, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to know.

“We’re pretty sure Scott Coates is responsible for this, and it’s a message to Sandy that he’s coming for her.” Keith started to pace.

“Keith, for the love of God. Can’t you be a little less dramatic.” Sandy sighed. Ian didn’t think his brother was being dramatic at all.

“Sandy, I’m telling him the facts. He needs to know, and we’ve got to put a plan together to make sure you and anyone you care about is safe. That includes him and the girls.” That statement had Ian covering his mouth and holding up his hand as he hurried out of the kitchen. He got in the bathroom, but he managed to keep everything down by splashing water on his face and taking several deep breaths.

“You okay, Doc?” Sandy asked when he entered the kitchen a few minutes later. He nodded because he wasn’t sure it was safe to speak at that point.

“This is the plan, bro. One, you and the girls either stay with me or at Sandy’s place. Our security is much better than yours, and there’ll always be at least two of my guys close. Two, I want you carrying at all times.” Keith braced his fisted hands on the table in front of him. “I know you can shoot, but it’s no good if you don’t have it close.”

“I don’t need a gun, Keith. I can protect myself and the girls.” Ian didn’t want to carry a gun all the time.

“You can’t block a bullet with your hands or a kick,” Keith growled.

“I’m not carrying a gun.” Ian stood up and faced his brother.

“Bring up the picture of that bastard,” Keith told Sandy, but he kept his eyes trained on Ian.

Ian heard Sandy click on the computer keys again and turn the laptop toward him again.

“Look at that picture. Memorize that face. That’s the asshole who’s out to kill Sandy. He wants to do what he did to those girls, to the woman you love but he’s a sly bastard. So, if you don’t realize it’s him then he could get to her before you get a chance to drop kick his ass.” Keith pointed to the smiling man on the screen, and at first glance, the man looked harmless. Like someone, he could probably be friends with, but Ian knew the truth, and the smile suddenly looked sinister and taunting.

“Do you know where he is?” Ian met Sandy’s gaze. She shook her head, and he walked around his brother and crouched down in front of her. “Do you want me to carry a gun?” Ian didn’t give a fuck what Keith said. She’d asked him not long ago if he knew how to shoot.

“I’d feel better if you did.” She cupped his cheek, and he covered his hand with hers and kissed her palm.

“Then I will. For you and the girls.”

“Hi, Uncle Keith.” Lily’s sleepy voice had them all turning toward the kitchen door.

“Hi, Lily.” Keith closed the laptop even though the only picture on there was Scott.

“Did you want something, sweetheart.” Ian quickly went to her and lifted her in his arms.

“I’m thirsty.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled at Sandy.

Ian carried her while he pulled a juice box out of the fridge. Lily took it and sipped it like she hadn’t had anything to drink in days. She reached out to Sandy and Ian placed her on Sandy’s lap.

“Are you sleeping over tonight, too?” Lily asked when she finally put down her empty juice box.

“I think so.” Sandy glanced back and forth between Keith and Ian.

“Of course, she is.” Ian glared at Keith daring him to disagree, but his brother just crossed his arms over his chest.

“You sleeping over too, Uncle Keith?” Lily asked, and Ian chuckled at Keith’s expression. He seemed to have a nervousness around the girls.

“I’ve got some things to do at home. I won’t be staying tonight.” Keith answered.

“Why were you looking at a picture of Carter?” Lily pointed at the laptop. “He’s in heaven with mommy.”

“That wasn’t Carter, honey that was someone we are trying to find,” Sandy explained, and Lily must be confused.

“That was Carter, but he had longer hair in that picture.” Ian tensed, and Keith stood up straight. Sandy’s eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her head.

“Are you sure that’s Carter, Lily?” Keith asked, and the little girl nodded. Keith opened the laptop and pointed to the picture still on the screen. “This man was the man married to your mom?”

“Yes, didn’t you hear me a second ago?” Lily shook her head and looked at Sandy. “I think he might have something wrong with his ears.”

“My ears work fine. Lily, you need to be sure.” Keith bent down to Lily’s level, and Ian was worried his overgrown brother was going to frighten her.

“You can be really cranky sometimes, you need to eat more fiber.” Lily leaned toward her uncle and Ian had to try to hold back his laughter. “But if you don’t believe me, I can show you.” With that statement, she jumped down from Sandy’s lap and ran out of the kitchen. Ian was about to follow her, but she returned a few minutes later holding a wooden box that looked like an old chest. Stickers and colorful beads covered the top and sides.

Lily put the box on the floor and used a small key to open it. Ian watched her as she searched through the little chest. His daughter seemed to be having trouble finding something. She sat down and pulled it between her legs as she took everything out one by one and placed it carefully next to her side. Ian glanced at Sandy. She was watching Lily like the little girl was about to pull out the best treasure in the world. Keith didn’t look as impressed, but that was his brother.

“I know it’s in here. Mommy gave me the picture and told me to keep it with the rest of my treasures.” Lily seemed to be speaking mostly to herself.

“Do you want me to help you, Lily?” Ian asked.

“Oh no, Daddy. These are my secret treasures.” Lily’s eyes went wide as she explained how her mom told her only the two of them could look in the chest and Grace when she was older.

For what seemed like forever Lily pulled one thing after the other out of the box. It was starting to look as if the thing had no bottom. Ian sat back against the wall and pulled his hands down over his face. Sandy leaned over with her arms resting on her knees and her hands clasped together. Keith sat on the chair and rested his chin on his fist looking as impatient as ever.

“Here it is.” Lily squealed and held up a folded photo waving it in the air. Keith jumped up and almost yanked it out of the little girl’s hand.

“That was rude.” Lily furrowed her brows and glared at Keith.

“Sorry, kiddo. This is really important.” Keith seemed genuinely apologetic.

“I’m Lily and just ask next time.” Lily shook her head as she carefully put everything back in the chest.

Keith opened the picture and studied it. Ian glanced over his brother’s shoulder to get a glimpse of the photo. It showed a smiling Colleen holding Lily’s hand and her other hand on a very pregnant belly. Four men stood next to her one was Gerald. The other two Ian didn’t know, but the man with his arm wrapped around Colleen gave him chills. Lily was right.

“Lily, come here and tell me who all these people are in the picture.” Keith crouched down on the floor. Ian was puzzled because Keith seemed to know some of them.

“You have really bad manners.” Lily closed her box and stood up.

“I’m sorry.” Keith sighed. “Could you please come here and tell me who all these people are?”

Lily stood next to Keith and looked down at the picture. She pointed to everyone and called each of them by name.

“That’s Mommy, that’s me, that’s Uncle Gerry, That’s Carter, That’s Carter’s friend, I don’t know his name. He smelled really yucky. That’s the man that did the wedding.” Lily looked up at Keith.

“Thanks, Lily.” Keith had apparently learned Lily was waiting for him to use his manners. “Can I keep this picture for a few days?” Lily looked up at Ian, and the panic in her eyes made his heart hurt.

“I don’t have any more pictures of mommy.” Lily’s eyes were filling with tears, and before Ian had a chance to comfort her, Sandy was on her knees and taking Lily’s hands in hers.

“I promise you I’ll make sure Uncle Keith brings that picture back to you,” Sandy said.

“You promise?” The sadness in Lily's voice made Ian's chest hurt.

“I promise.” Sandy crossed her heart with her finger.

“Okay, Uncle Keith.” Lily looked up at Keith and gave a weak smile.

“I think it’s time to go back to sleep.” Ian didn’t want the little girl hearing anything that Keith and Sandy were about to say. Lily nodded, and Ian picked her up and brought her back to the living room where Evie was still sleeping soundly.

“Daddy, is everything okay?” Lily whispered when Ian tucked her in.

“Everything will be okay, honey. Don’t you worry.” Ian kissed her on the top of the head, and her eyes fluttered closed.

Ian stood and stared down at her for a moment. Was everything going to be okay? Did Colleen know what kind of man she married? What had she been involved in and had that got her killed? If anyone could find out, it was his brother.