Chapter 34
M
Did I think things would go so easily? Did I assume Boston would return to his and Lucy’s hometown for the burial? That we could work through his grief and build some sort of close partnership as doctor and patient while he killed again? Yes. But with each hour, each day, nothing had gone as planned. He didn’t rely on me for help at all like I’d become hopeful of. Boston was out of control, making decisions I would have never imagined.
“Tell me again what is going on with my son? Rockford? Why would he bury Lucy there? Why is telling me he’s not leaving?”
Joy couldn’t contain her anger. It was so out of character for her personality, but I knew the events and fears were taking hold. And she had every right to be afraid. Even I wasn’t sure what to think.
“Boston is lost right now. He’s not seeing past his need to see justice for Lucy. I believe he thinks her killer is still in the area. With his condition, I should have expected this. It would be natural for him to hold an attachment to the last place she was alive.”
“But Rockford? I want him home.”
“I know. We both do.”
“He suffered a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic, Doctor, on top of the obsession. Look at him. He never leaves that woman’s side. I can’t help but fear, is she the new Lucy? Am I going to have to worry about him killing her…lover? She’s with the detective. God, if Boston—”
Joy furiously wiped away the tears, looking across Anna’s living room at the guests who were paying their respects in the dining room area. There weren’t many, but after Anna took Boston to church, the stream of support for him seemed never-ending. People came over at odd times. They brought food and offered him prayers. It was so unlike anything I had seen Boston exposed to. And he appeared okay with it. Even embracing their presence at times.
“Traumatic or not, it has nothing to do with his actions. Give him some time. This is the worst thing that could have happened. Time will heal his wounds. When they do, I’ll bring him home.”
“Surely, you’re not staying much longer?”
“I can’t deny I have appointments coming up. I’ve already canceled so many, but I can give it a few more days. After that, I’ll bounce around. I do have a good base in the area, and that helps.”
“Thank you. You’ve done so much for our family.”
“Don’t thank me,” I said, giving her a quick hug. “Boston is like a son to me. You know that.”
“I know. I don’t even want to think where he’d be today without you.”
“Then don’t. And don’t worry over the future either. He has me. He always will. Why don’t we go talk to him? I think a break from everyone would do him good.”
Joy let me lead, and Anna, Braden, and Boston looked over at us as we approached. The dog sitting at Braden’s side stopped wagging his tail as we got closer. I ignored the way the lab watched my every move. I didn’t like animals. Especially long-haired dogs, but I kept my dislike at bay. A couple shook Boston’s hand, and I waited for them to move before I brought us closer. Darkness was permanently etched under Boston’s swollen eyes, and he reached up, rubbing them, as if he could detect my focus.
“Your mom and I were just talking. Why don’t we go for a walk or a drive? It would do you good to get out for a little.”
“I’m okay.”
“Boston.” Anna grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze. “You look tired. It’s been a long day. Fresh air might do you some good.”
Confliction surfaced while his stare stayed rooted to hers.
“Might do you good too.”
Silence played between them, and Braden’s jaw flexed repeatedly. Anna gave us all a smile before pulling Boston off to the side. I couldn’t hear her as she whispered to him, but I had no problems reading their lips.
“Boston, you have to go.”
“I don’t want to leave.”
“Not even if I think it’s best for you? Not even if I want you to?”
“Anna, don’t.”
“We both know what’s happening here. I’m saying no. You have to go. Take a walk, nothing more.”
“He hasn’t been caught yet. You’re not safe.”
“I am. I have Braden. Besides, I’m pretty good at defending myself. I think you’d be surprised if you knew just how good.”
Interest flickered. “Will you show me?”
“Right now? Let’s not scare the normals. They might suspect we’re different.”
Boston smiled, and then laughed—something I hadn’t seen him do since Lucy. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to Anna’s cheek. His eyes were clouded with tears, but he nodded.
“A small walk,” he said, turning to face us. “Just a block or two.”
“Excellent.”
Braden’s narrowed stare followed Boston’s retreat, and I took note, letting my dislike of him fester. I headed into the crisp evening air, moving in next to Joy and Boston as we cut across the yard to the sidewalk. Boston surprisingly kept his pace at a slower speed, breathing in deeply as he scanned the neighboring houses. We made it half a block before Joy’s voice broke the silence.
“Honey, while we’re away from everyone, I was hoping to ask you a few questions.”
Boston kept his attention off his mother, but his face hardened.
“What do you want to know? I thought we already discussed everything. I’m staying.”
“Yes. About that. When you say staying, do you mean long-term? Do you mean you’ll be putting roots here?”
“Roots?” He glanced over, anger and pain flooding through. “My roots are already buried, and not by any choice of mine. So, yeah, I guess you could say so. They’re here, Mother. They’re not leaving.”
“But why?”
“Joy.” I tried not to wince, but she didn’t understand.
“Please. Boston needs to help me. I’m confused. This place was a nightmare for Lucy. This wasn’t her home. Florida, I could understand. But here? Boston, honey, you’re distraught over what happened. Let me make arrangements. There has to be something we could do to move Lucy’s body—”
“No!” Boston jerked to a stop, panting through his anger. “We’re not leaving. Not until… No. I’m not going to have her so far away while I’m here finishing this. She and I, we stay together. Together! That’s forever.”
Tears raced down Joy’s face as Boston stomped away. He tore off the suit jacket, throwing it at the ground. The tie quickly followed. It didn’t have a chance to hit the cement before he took off running.
“Go inside. I’ll take care of him.”
I didn’t wait for her response. I took off in jog, keeping my distance, but not losing sight. Boston rounded the corner, and he just kept going. Air burned my lungs, and cramping took over after a good mile and a half. We weaved deeper into residential areas, continuing until he bent over, heaving in someone’s front yard. I took my time approaching, feeding on his heartbreak. My hand settled on his shoulder, offering a comfort I knew he didn’t want. He was so distant toward me, and I had to correct that.
“I couldn’t even tell her goodbye face-to-face. I lost the only person I’ll ever love, and I had to stare at a fucking casket to make my peace.” He sobbed, lifting as he tried to catch his breath. “What kind of shit is that? A fucking casket is what I confessed my love to.” He shook his head, gripping his hair as a deep roar left him. “When I find him. When I find Daniel—”
“You’ll make him suffer like no one ever has.”
Boston nodded. “Yes.”
“And I’m going to make that happen. If Daniel has one person he thinks he can depend on, that person is me. It’s only a matter of time, Boston. He’ll call, and when he does, you and I will be there to make him pay.”
“But how long is that going to take? I…I need him now. He needs to pay now!”
Warmth trickled into my chest, and I glanced around the unfamiliar location like the hunter I was.
“Daniel can’t pay just yet, but what if I knew someone who deserved to die? Would you be interested?”
“Who?”
“Walk with me.”
Boston followed, staring at me intently as we strolled back in the direction we had come.
“Through my talks with Anna, I’ve discovered a man. One she wants dead more than anything. She’d clearly kill him herself, but each opportunity she has gets botched by one thing or another. I happen to know he just returned to town. Perhaps we can take measures into our own hands? I mean, if anyone deserves to die, it’s the one person who helped Anna’s kidnapper keep her a secret. He lied to the cops, Boston. He knew she was being tortured, and he allowed it to happen.”
Boston came to a stop, his eyes blazing with fury. “Where do we find him?”
I glanced down at my watch. “He’s a night runner. The opportunity is there. If we can catch him at the end of the path, we can make our move. It’s dark there, and the safest spot for an abduction.”
He paused as suspicion crept in. “You’ve thought this over. You’ve already planned it.”
“For Anna,” I stressed.
“Anna. Running. Of course…” Boston closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “I don’t think so. This is Anna’s thing. I wouldn’t want her taking Daniel away from me.”
“I understand that, but Anna’s trying to find herself right now. You heard her. With Braden always there and her confusion on where their life is going, perhaps this wouldn’t be such a bad thing. What if her head isn’t in the game and she gets caught…or worse? Davis takes very good care of himself. He’s always running or working out. He could easily overpower her. Do you want something happening to her? Think about it. You’ve lost Lucy. Can you risk losing Anna too?”
Boston snarled, jerking me an inch from his face. “No one is going to hurt Anna.”
“My thoughts exactly,” I said, breaking free. “She never has to know. It can be our little secret. Let’s finish this for her so she can begin to heal. What do you say?”