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Dad claps, clearly done with our stroll down memory lane. That’s fine by me. The sooner I wrap this up, the faster I can return to Gemma’s side.
“You got a name for me?”
“Uh, yeah.” Dad steeples his fingers, spinning his thumbs around. “Check for a Mike Johnson in the area. Records should show that his car was taken into a shop the day after your girl’s accident.”
A humorless chuckle scrapes from me. “Wow, couldn’t choose something more unique?”
His glare is a warning. “What’re you implying?”
“If you put a bit more effort into the story, it might be believable.” My shrug is unbothered. “But that wouldn’t make a difference for me. I haven’t trusted a word you’ve said since I was ten.”
“Hey, you little shit.” He points a meaty finger at me. “I did my part. Give us the money.”
“A deal is a deal,” I say.
If I had any doubts about my involvement in what comes next, Mom’s presence obliterated them. I dig my phone from my pocket and redial Byron’s number. He answers on the first ring.
“How’s the reunion?”
My stare moves from one deadbeat to the other. “Guess what? They’re both here.”
Dad’s eyes widen. “Who are you talking to?”
But I ignore him, listening to Byron’s response.
“No shit. Mom showed up?” He’s rarely shocked, but he sure sounds like it. “Here we come.”
The barn door behind me slides open and twenty heavily-armed officers pour out. At the front of the pack is Jax, Frankie’s former partner in crime who turned out to be an undercover cop. Frankie was very selective with what she shared about their history. I didn’t pry. If he wanted to make my dad pay for his crimes, that was good enough for me. And now Jax is getting my mom as a bonus.
Byron and his wife appear from behind the wall of authorities. My older brother grabs my shoulder, patting me on the back. We’ve rarely seen eye-to-eye since we’re very different people. But in this moment, we’re finally on equal ground.
Gratitude shines from his stoic expression. “You handled that better than I could’ve. I speak for the entire family when I say you’ve made us proud. Uncle Dennis will be by shortly to thank you personally.”
I dip my head. “Means a lot.”
“Traitors!” Dad yells.
We glance over, barely giving him the attention he demands. The officers have swarmed around them, creating a barrier. My dad whips out a gun from inside his suit jacket. He aims it at one of the cops, but the pistol is shot out of his hand before he can pull the trigger.
“Dammit!” He wails like a baby and clutches his bleeding palm.
My mother screams and tries to make a run for it. I guess old habits die hard for that one.
Jax yells, “Get down on the ground! Hands behind your head!”
“I’m innocent,” Dad bellows while being shoved to his knees.
“Get your hands off me!” Mom wails as an officer zip ties her wrists behind her back.
“This is fantastic,” Frankie cheers. “Almost makes me want to be a cop.”
“You don’t need a badge to slap cuffs on me, menace.” Byron spanks her leather-clad ass. I tune them out, watching as my parents are loaded into the back of two separate squad cars that just showed up. Dad is hollering about his rights. Mom’s entire body is shaking from her gut-wrenching sobs. It’s more gratifying than I could have anticipated.
“Hey, Chance. I’m Jax.” The officer with a mysterious backstory extends a hand toward me. “Appreciate the heads-up on Jimmy. We’ve been trying to track him down, but your dad is a tricky one. Guess that’s what makes him a good criminal. Your mom entered the picture last year. Not sure what we’ll pin on her yet, but that’s not your problem to worry about. We’ll take it from here.”
“Great.” The pressure eases off me and I grin. “Let me know if you need anything else from me.”
“I’m going to escort these two to the station. An officer will grab a statement from you. It can be tough turning in a family member. Parents and children are the worst. But don’t let guilt get you down. You did the right thing.”
