Page 76 of A First Sight

“My friend Drake told me he ran into Dale two days ago. Twenty minutes later, his car was vandalized. Then, yesterday, his building had a bomb threat called in. It turned out to be false, but we believe Dale might have something to do with that, too.”

“What’s your friend’s full name?” the detective asked.

“Drake Mac Gilleain.”

“And you said your ex’s name is Dale Leighton?”

I nodded. “There’s one more thing. Again, no proof, but I doubt it’s a coincidence. Friday night, before my performance, I received a box of dead flowers and a note referencing finding better security.”

Carson spat a few harsh words. “Killing that fucker wouldn’t even get you justice.”

“How bad?” London asked, her voice soft. “How bad did he hurt you?”

I shook my head, pressing my lips together and praying the tears burning against my eyelids didn’t spill over.

“I’ll take that to mean the sidewalk incident wasn’t the first time.” Carson sighed.

“It wasn’t,” I hunched my shoulders to protect myself against the judgment of my vague confession.

“Oh, Maggie.” London engulfed me in a hug, and Carson’s strong arms wrapped around both of us.

“I’m so sorry,” he said hoarsely. “I should have protected you.”

“No one knew,” I said, struggling to hold back the sobs. If I started crying now, that wouldn’t do anyone any good.

The detective cleared his throat, and I remembered we weren’t alone.

“You filed a police report?” The detective’s face held no pity, for which I was grateful.

“I did.”

As we walked to the door, I was angry. More than angry; I was pissed. How dare he go after my little sister.

No more reacting to whatever Dale threw my way. It was time for me to be proactive. It was time to be one step ahead of that asshole and fight back.

FIFTY-FIVE

DRAKE

My father wasUncle Ben’s older brother by a little over sixteen years, and although today was Da’s eighty-seventh birthday, he barely looked to be in his late sixties. And it wasn’t just his appearance either. He was still as mentally sharp today as when I was growing up. If I were even close to that when I was his age, I’d consider myself lucky.

“Evenin’, Da.” I smiled as his face appeared on my screen. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

“The family’s all gone home.” Da settled more into his chair, dark gray eyes sparkling. “It was quite a gathering. All the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.”

“I’m surprised they all fit in the house.” I chuckled.

“Aye, it was a tight squeeze.” He laughed too. “Richard said he would’ve had it at the big house, but I was glad to have it here.”

“Lots of memories,” I said.

“Aye. Enough about me,” Da said. “How is the transition between you and Ben going?”

I filled him in on the latest, taking care not to mention any of the time I took off those few days I spent with Maggie.

Uncle Ben hadn’t told Da about Maggie, and I was grateful for that. Maggie would have been the first thing he asked about, and I would've had to tell him it was over. Da would’ve been disappointed for me. He always hoped that I would find love again.

As always when I spoke with my family in Scotland, I felt a wave of wistfulness, a longing to be a part of it rather than hearing about it. I didn’t think I would ever move back, but perhaps it was time for a visit. It had been a few years. Maybe everything going on with Dale and how things ended with Maggie were signs I should take some time away.

---