Chapter 30
Logan was beyond confused as the men and women in the cars pulled up, quickly identifying themselves as FBI agents. There was at least a dozen of them, some with guns drawn, but thankfully they were all aimed at Harry.
Harry stood with his arms up in the air, the look of pure horror on his face. He was blubbering, tears running down his cheeks. “I didn't do anything! It was Brice who set him up,” he cried out as two men wearing blue windbreakers, the gold letting on the back with the initials ‘F.B.I.’ on them, moved to him and pulled his hands behind his back and handcuffing him. If Logan had not been so shocked, he would have noticed how they had to use two sets of handcuffs to get Harry’s hands bound behind him.
“Harry Parker, you are under arrest for the…” Logan heard them say as Harry was led off. Looking over at Brice, Logan saw that he was crying as well. And then there was that smile, that smile that had warmed Logan's heart so many times, doing its magic once again. But it was short-lived as a man and woman came up to Brice and led him away.
“Logan, my name is Special Agent Kim Summers,” a woman with short blond hair said as she walked up to him. She had a smile on her face, and holding a key in her hand, she looked at the three of them.
“We’re not in trouble I take it?”
She smiled as she walked behind him. “No, far from it.”
Soon he and Bree were free from their handcuffs, and Logan pulled her and Maddy into his arms, tears flowing down his cheeks. The night’s events had been emotional. He had gone from thinking he may never see them again to having this funny feeling all was going to be just fine.
“Let’s go inside,” Kim said. “We need to talk.” With his arms around both Bree and Maddy, they headed up the stairs and back into their home.
***
For the last hour, Logan had been in the kitchen conducting an interview with Kim over what had happened that evening. He wanted to ask her about Brice and how this all had unfolded, but for now he answered her questions. Hearing a sob, he looked over towards the living room. Maddy was crying, but as always Bree was there, her arm around her comforting her.
“The things Harry has done to her are far worse than he ever did to me. I hope he goes away for a long time,” Logan said.
Kim nodded. Besides her and the two agents with the girls, the rest had pretty much cleared out. “We know, Logan. Trust me, we have built a case so strong against him, he will never see the light of day again.”
Logan nodded, hoping she was right. But it was hard to believe it could be true after all that had happened.
His skepticism must have shown on his face because Kim asked, “You don't believe me?”
“Nothing against you personally, but my family's experience with law enforcement hasn't been the greatest. I still have my doubts.”
“Even after tonight?”
Logan nodded.
Kim folded the file in front of her, put her pen away and leaned back in her chair to take a sip from the coffee Logan had offered her. “In the next few days we will have the three of you down to the local station to conduct more interviews about your experiences with Harry and the department. It shouldn't come to it, but if need be, would you be willing to testify?”
“Damn straight I would. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that man is not behind a badge again.”
Kim smiled, then stood up.
Logan pursed his lips. “Before you go I have a question.”
“Sure, what is it?”
He stood up and then pushed his chair in. “Brice. How did he get hold of you? Where is he now? And I guess is he in trouble?”
Kim smiled. “We were already working with someone else local. We approached Brice and he promised to help on one condition.”
“What was that?” Logan asked, his heart racing.
“That we relook into what happened to your sister and you. I know the man who was accused is now dead, but Brice believes that if fault was admitted by the department in covering it up, it may help heal her.”
Logan nodded, feeling the tears well up in his eyes. His sweet Brice, selfless as ever. “And Brice? What is going to happen to him?”
“I wouldn't worry too much. I mean, he did supposedly date the man he was supervising on parole. But I don't like listening to rumors, do you?” Kim said, a smile to her face.
“No ma’am, I suppose I don't.”
“I’ll be calling you in a few days. Rest up and try to relax. You’re not going to prison, your life will get back to normal soon enough.”
Logan smiled, shook her hand, and then walked with her into the living room. The man and woman agents stood up, then each gave a nod to Kim.
Kim reached her hand out to Logan. “You three keep looking after each other. We’ll talk soon.”
A minute later they were at the door watching the agents drive away. Logan turned around and looked at both Maddy and Bree standing there. A million memories rushed through his mind. Memories of happiness and love in this home. Two teenage girls asking for a ride into town. Bree crying, wondering why her parents were never there. Then it was heartache, pain and so many other things that Harry had brought to them over the last month.
“It’s over,” he said, the realization hitting him.
“I can’t believe it,” Maddy said, and then the three embraced once again. Holding each other tight, Logan knew that their life was going to be fine for once. No more Harry hovering over them and making them wonder what he was going to do next. Now there was someone he wanted to thank and ask what had happened.
***
“The way you slapped him for me. God, I love you,” Maddy said, giving Bree a hug. The trio had been drinking coffee in the living room for the last two hours, all of them too excited about the night’s events to sleep, though emotionally they were all drained.
“I love you too. Even you, Logan,” Bree said, a smile on her face.
“Annoying as you are, I have to admit, you surprised me tonight. I’ve never seen you so angry. And you too, Maddy, the way you stood up for yourself, staying strong. I have never been prouder.”
For another hour they talked, but not about what had happened tonight, but of the future. And as they talked about it, Logan kept thinking about Brice.
***
The girls had gone to bed almost an hour ago, and Logan sat in the living room, another cup of coffee in hand. So much pain and hurt had been released, but there was some still inside him. He stared at the flames in the fireplace, his mind drifting, when a light tap at the door made him jump. Setting his mug down, he went to answer it. When he opened the door, his heart soared.
“Brice?”
“Can I come in?”
His brown eyes looked worried, his hands wringing in front of him. Without thinking, Logan threw his arms around him and pulled him into an embrace.
“Logan, I’m so sorry for everything,” Brice said, crying into Logan’s shoulder. “I had to, to protect all of you.”
“I figured as much after thinking about it over the last few hours, but there is still so much I don’t know.” Releasing Brice, Logan smiled, moving his hand to Brice's face. “I’ve missed you so much. Come on, let’s go inside.” He took Brice's hand and the familiar feeling he had missed came back. Then he led him to the living room and Brice took a seat.
“Coffee?”
“Yes, please, I'm exhausted. I would love some.”
Logan nodded, then taking his own mug, hurried into the kitchen. Both fear and love ran through him at the same time as he poured the coffee. He had so many questions and he hoped Brice would be willing to answer them. He returned to the living room, handed a mug to Brice, and then sat beside him. He went to speak but saw both Maddy and Bree standing in the hallway still in their pink fluffy bathrobes.
“We’d like to listen and find out what happened,” Maddy said, walking over with Bree as they both went to the other couch.
“That’s fine,” Logan said, and Brice nodded then sipped at his coffee. The man’s eyes were bloodshot and had dark circles under them, and reaching over, Logan rubbed his back in encouragement. “You know, we can talk about this later if you want.”
Brice shook his head. “No. I’d rather tell you all now. And there is a lot to tell.”
“Take your time,” Maddy said.
Logan smiled at her, then looked back at Brice.
Brice took a deep breath. “The day we broke up was the worse timing possible,” he said. “I went back to work, and Harry had gathered evidence against me. About us two.”
Logan nodded but remained quiet.
“Not only you, but Carol at work. He threatened to ruin all of you, make your lives hell and send you back to prison. So I went along with it, trying to figure out how to bring him down.” He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, and Logan could tell he was holding back a bunch of emotions. “The things we did to your store, the words said as I stood by or joined in with, I hope you believe me when I say I did it to try to protect all of you.”
“But what about tonight? Did you know the FBI agents were watching?” Bree asked as Maddy came back with the coffee pot and poured everyone another cup.
“I did. You see, Carol had gone to visit her sick mother. Well, at least that is what she told me. And this flower pin,” —he pointed at the flower on his coat— “it’s a camera.”
“So, how did you get the camera?” Bree asked, nodding towards it.
“Carol gave it to me. She said it was for supporting her mother’s illness. Well, then one night she shows up at my place, hitting on me. She tells me she has a hotel room for us. Then before I can say a word, she whispers in my ear that everything—my car, my phone, my home—was bugged, just like I suspected.”
“That’s why you never responded to my texts,” Logan said.
Brice took a drink from his cup. “Exactly. So then…”
For the next hour, Logan listened intently, as Brice finished his story. They all asked a few questions as the truth was revealed, and Brice answered all of them. The whole time as Brice spoke, Logan smiled, thankful for all that Brice had done.
“I guess the last thing is I'm so sorry for what you had to go through. I knew you all hated me, but I hope you see why I had to do what I did.”
Logan wiped at his eye. “I sure do. Thank you for helping us.”
“Of course. I care for you, all of you. Though I didn't know you two,” he nodded towards the girls, “I knew how much Logan loved you, and that was enough for me to care about you as well.”
It was quiet for a moment, then Bree spoke up. “Brice, I did think you were a pile of shit. But not anymore. Thank you.”
Logan smiled, then looked over at Maddy, a woman hurt more ways than one by the same uniform Brice was wearing. And then his heart sunk as she stood up and adjusted her robe. After all this, she still could not look past anyone associated with the sheriff’s department for what they had done.
“When I found out you and my brother had a thing going on, I lashed out at him in anger,” Maddy said, her voice choking. “I thought you were no good. Then when you and Harry came around to the store and here, I thought my feelings were justified. But they are not. Thank you. You’re a good person and I owe you big time.”
Brice stood up. “I understand why you felt the way you did. You owe me nothing,” he said, his eyes misted.
Then Maddy hurried over, her arms going around Brice. “Thank you,” she cried.
“You are most welcome. I'm glad you are all safe now.”
A moment later, Bree joined in the hug.
With a smile, Logan stood. “Oh hell, why not?”
More tears were shed, and words of thanks and apologies went around in that circle. Words of hope and forgiveness. And when the hug broke, and the girls returned to bed, Logan turned, a smile on his face.
“I missed you so much.”
“You have no idea. Logan, I…”
Logan, put his hand on Brice's face, loving the feeling of his soft skin and the way the brown eyes looked at him. “I love you, Brice.” he said, finally, truly opening his heart.
“Logan, I…I love you,” Brice replied. Then he leaned in and their lips met, the kiss by far the greatest Logan had ever experienced. And though he was not one for words, he only knew that a kiss in love was far better than ones that were not. The kiss broke and both men looked at each other in silence for a few moments.
Then Logan stepped up and put his arms around Brice. Pulling Brice into him, Logan brought his lips to Brice's once again, the soft gentle lips bringing about the same feelings in his heart. Feelings of comfort, peace and love. And during the kiss Logan was happy, not for the feelings going through him, but for realizing that after all they had gone through, they were still there all along, having never left.