Page 35 of I’ll Be Watching You

“This is really sudden. I mean, you’re never spontaneous.”

Jack considered that, realized it was probably true.

“The case I’m working may get a bit dicey. Since your mom had plans this weekend, and I might not be able to spend much time with you, I thought it would be better for you and the Barretts to spend a long weekend at Logan’s.”

Austin stopped packing, looked at him. “Why? I mean, I could have just stayed with Pops and Abuela, right?”

He wanted to lie because he didn’t want Austin to be scared that something might happen to him, but honesty was always better than lying.

He sat on the edge of Austin’s bed. “It’s about Grandpa’s case. New information has come out and we’re all working to prove that he didn’t hurt anyone.”

“You mean kill Dr. Klein.”

“Who told you?” Jack said, taken aback by Austin’s blunt statement.

“Dad, um, it’s on the internet. And you and Aunt Margo talk about it a lot. I’m not, like, um, deaf, you know?” Austin looked sheepish. “I googled it last year. He pled guilty and went to prison. But I’ve overheard enough to know that no one in the family thinks he did it. I just didn’t want to ask you because it makes you so sad.”

Jack rubbed his eyes. They burned. “I’m sorry, Austin. I should have told you exactly what was going on, but you weren’t even eight when Grandpa went to prison, and I didn’t want to burden you.”

“It’s okay. I understand.” Austin hugged him. “Does this mean Grandpa is getting out? That he’ll be home for Christmas?” His eyes sparkled with hope.

“Pray for that outcome,” Jack said. “I don’t know, but for the first time, I think it’s a possibility.”

While proving his dad’s innocence might be more difficult than Margo thought, Jack thought it was possible. Yet, he was acutely aware of the danger they all faced. That, he knew, he would not tell his son. Austin had known when Jack was a cop that his job was dangerous, and if he still believed that, fine. Jack didn’t want to add an additional burden on his son.

Jack drove Austin to Logan’s house in an exclusive neighborhood called The Boulders in Cave Creek, north of Phoenix. They’d become friends after Jack and Margo helped him in May, and then closer when Jack started dating his sister, Laura. Logan was nothing like Jack expected him to be.

Cody took Austin immediately up to the room they would be sharing, and Laura gave Jack a hug. Her dogs had come with them to Logan’s, but Laura would be going back to her small farm—with a bodyguard—to tend to her horses and other animals. Just as a precaution, he’d told her over the phone.

I don’t believe you, Sydney, and Cody are in danger, he’d told her earlier, but Austin was threatened, and it’s possible whoever is behind framing my dad could go after him. I just can’t take the risk.

She had been so understanding and supportive that she uprooted her life for the next few days. She was the best thing that had happened to him since Austin was born.

“You must be so worried,” she said. “Logan said he’s going to work from home, and he’s already brought in two bodyguards.”

“I met them outside,” Jack said. “I didn’t tell Austin that there was a possible threat against him, just that I was working on my dad’s case and things were dicey.”

“I understand,” she said. “He’s safe here, and we’ll have fun.”

“Make sure he does his homework.”

She laughed softly, touched his cheek. “They will all get it done before any television or video games, I promise.”

Jack hugged her tightly. “I love you, Laura.” She stiffened in his arms and he leaned back. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ve known I’ve loved you almost from the beginning. But I shouldn’t have just dumped it on you.”

She kissed him softly. “And I’ve just been waiting for you to say it,” she said lightly. “So I can say, I love you too, Jack Angelhart.”

He leaned forward, his forehead against hers, and said, “We’re going to make this work.”

“Yes we will,” she said.

Jack double-checked the security, then said goodbye to Austin and gave Laura another kiss. Did he have a right to be so happy right now when everything around him was falling apart?

Yes, he figured, he did. It had been a long time coming. And if they could prove that his dad didn’t kill Dr. Klein and get him released from prison, they would really have something to be thankful for at the end of November.

Five minutes later, he headed to Anthem, where Sheriff’s Deputy Clive Otter—or Otto, as he was known to his friends—lived. Earlier, Jack had talked to Otto about the shooting and asked for more information. While Maricopa County Sheriffs didn’t have jurisdiction, Jack had heard from his contacts that Peoria PD had requested assistance from the sheriff’s department.

Otto answered the door himself. “Jack, come on in.”