From the Ashes by Patricia H. Rushford

Author:Patricia H. Rushford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Published: 2015-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

13

“The skinheads want you to release Jared?” Jennie finally managed to say. “But you don’t have him, do you?”

“No. Like I told you, we questioned him and let him go.” The scar on Dad’s face twitched as he spoke.

“Well, at least now we know for sure Jared wasn’t the guy I saw in the car.”

“Not likely. Officer Carey thinks you may have seen his older brother. Carey has dealt with some of these guys before. Rich Reinhardt is the group’s leader.”

“No wonder Jared has had trouble leaving the group.” Jennie jumped up and paced across the floor. “I still don’t understand. Why would they think you still had Jared?”

“I have no idea.”

“Unless Jared told them that … Dad, suppose Jared is telling the truth and he really does want to leave the gang. He could be hiding somewhere to keep from going back. Maybe he’s afraid of what they might do to him.”

“Then I guess we’ll just have to find him.”

Dad stood and stretched. “In the meantime you’d best get ready for bed.” He glanced around the room, his expression changing from one of concern to annoyance. “I hope you plan on cleaning this mess up soon.”

An all-too-familiar resentment surged through her again. You have no business criticizing how I keep my room. Mom never did—hardly ever. Of course, Jennie usually didn’t let it get this bad. She clenched her fists and clamped her jaw shut to keep from making the caustic remark. “I’ll get to it,” she said through clenched teeth.

“Good. It’s important to have order in your life, princess. Especially when the world outside is a mess.”

Tight-lipped, Jennie nodded. Her anger dissipated some. Dad had a point, but she didn’t feel like acknowledging it right now. You’re being defensive, McGrady. Let it go. Relations between her and her father had been nearly perfect since he’d come home, but in the last few days she’d had feelings of almost wishing he hadn’t come back. She didn’t want to feel that way.

Jennie shoved the thought aside. “I love you, Dad,” she said aloud to reassure herself more than him.

“I love you too, princess.” He kissed her cheek and started to leave. At the door he turned back around. “By the way, I stopped by the hospital tonight to see your mother.”

“You did?”

“Hmm.” The expression on his face indicated the visit hadn’t gone well.

Jennie told herself that he might just be tired. “How’s Michael?” What she really wanted to ask was: Did you work everything out? Is everything okay between you two? But she was afraid to ask that. Afraid the answer might be no.

“No change.” Dad hesitated a moment, then said, “I’ll be gone by the time you get up in the morning. Have an early breakfast appointment. Your mom said she’d call you around nine.”

Jennie nodded and told him about her plan to take Carlos and Nick to Kate’s. “Lisa and I have some stuff we need to do.”

“Good. Your mother could use the rest.” He frowned, looking like he wanted to say more but didn’t.

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