Page 96 of Call It Home

There was some shuffling of papers. One of the women looked over her glasses at Trey. “But currently, that work has not started?”

“No, ma’am. We thought he’d have more time to get it up and running. But we believe it won’t take long.”

“And why is that?”

“His work has been featured on the TV showRenovation Station. He’s already sold the plans for some of his designs to be built.” As he’d been instructed, he kept his answer simple, but I heard the note of pride in his voice.

“I see,” she said. “That’s all well and good, but it doesn’t show a business up and running. There’s no guarantee this will be successful if there are no further orders.”

Christian stood at that moment. “If I may, I just received a new contract for several commissioned pieces.”

My eyes snapped to Christian.When had that happened?

“Oh? By whom?”

“Halcyon Hotels.”

That caught their attention.

“I also have affidavits by several people who are willing to hire Mr. Caldwell while their business gets up and running.” He walked to the table and handed out several packets to them. While they shuffled the papers and murmured to each other, Trey snuck a peek over his shoulder at me, his brow furrowed in question. I shook my head and shrugged. I had no idea what was going on.

Finally, one of the board members looked at Trey. “Do you know these companies?”

Before he could answer, Christian stood again. “Mr. Caldwell does not know them personally because of serving his time, but I assure you they are extremely reputable companies who have taken an interest in my client. For the benefit of everyone, I’d like to acknowledge them out loud as I just received them last night and haven’t had an opportunity to advise him of them.”

I watched with wide eyes as Christian pulled the first paper from his file. Who could they be talking about?

“This is from Cameron Allen, owner of Sterling Construction.”

Cameron? What was going on?

“Ms. Allen testifies that her company will be employed for a minimum of the next two years by Halcyon Hotels,” Christian continued. “She anticipates the need for even more custom builds. She also states that, with that, she’ll be in need of several additional skilled workers for both the Halcyon project as well as several others because her company is currently expanding to accommodate a sharp increase in business due to her recent success onRenovation Station.She assured there will be plenty of work for which Mr. Caldwell is extremely qualified, and he’d be overseen by one of her field supervisors who report directly to her.”

Christian picked up another paper. “This is provided by Mr. Chase Allen, owner of Silver Creek Farms. He says,I have a large plant and shrub farm which constantly needs repairs and new things built. I would welcome the skill that Mr. Caldwell has. He can share in the bunkroom we have for other employees, and he’d have several of his meals provided for him. It’s a great place that has been in my family for generations, and I think he’d find it peaceful should he choose that option.”

Was this a dream?

“From Bristol Braxton.I own an auto repair shop. I realize that’s not Mr. Caldwell’s expertise, but I recently joined a program that helps people get back on their feet with a new skill. He would have to go to school and then apprentice under me, but if Mr. Caldwell would like to try something different, he has options.”

Fuck.I’d learned as a child to mask my emotions to the point it became easy to remain stoic. But lately, it seemed I was always fighting waves of feelings, especially the kind of sentiments that were warm and fuzzy, full of love and gratitude. Right now was one of those times where I struggled not to choke on the lump that had formed in my throat at the show of support for my brother.

One of the men looked down at the papers, then back up. “But according to these affidavits, they are all from Tennessee. You realize parole would release Mr. Caldwell into the custody of a Virginia community.”

“Regarding that, I request permission to allow someone who can explain an alternative solution,” Christian said.

The board members looked confused as they conferred with each other. Finally, the chairman spoke. “It’s highly unusual, but not unheard of, for the offender to have a witness. We’ll grant it this time.” He nodded to the prison official, who walked to the door again and opened it. My jaw dropped open when in walked Reid, wearing his sheriff’s uniform, and some other man who looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place him. The older man stayed in the back, but Reid moved to stand beside Christian.

Reid took a step forward. “I’m Reid Braxton, Sheriff of Sterling Mill, Tennessee. I’ve done some research regarding where parole has to be served. Fortunately, The Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision was enacted to track parolees should they need to travel across state lines. It not only tracks them for public safety, but it also allows for the transference of parole to another state. Both Virginia and Tennessee take part in this, and both allow for the transference of parole between the states. There is a process to go through, but pending the outcome of this hearing, I already have the necessary paperwork filled out to have his supervision transferred directly to me. I’m happy to supervise his parole, or I can appoint one of my deputies, but I’m a firm believer in second chances and strongly support this appeal.”

Reid looked at me, then held Trey’s eyes. “If someone hadn’t helped me onto a different path and given me a new chance, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now. I’d probably be in a similar situation as Mr. Caldwell is in now, but I guarantee it would have been for something far worse than a terrible accident.”

He shifted his attention back to the table. “You see, we don’t have to know Trey Caldwell directly to believe in him. We know what he did to protect his brother while they were growing up. He made sure Mac”—Reid tipped his head toward me—“finished school, had food, and was safe. Was it traditional? No. Yet these boys never had any criminal record prior to what happened five years ago. I’m more than willing to accept responsibility for his parole. I’m certain it will be one of the easiest jobs I have.”

I stared at Reid. He was the member of the group I knew the least, mostly because I hadn’t taken the time, so I knew nothing of his past other than about his first wife being killed in a robbery. And yet, here he was, willing and able to support my brother. And because of him and his research, if Trey could win this appeal and was willing, I could have both my brotherandCameron. For the first time in a long time, I could see a possible light at the end of the tunnel. I owed that man a beer, probably for the rest of his life. If only the board agreed.

Helena rose to her feet. “This is ridiculous,” she cried. She pointed at Trey. “He’s never met Trey Caldwell, the man who maliciously punched my husband and killed him. Do you know how much I’ve suffered? I lost my income. I had to move. I had to get a job and work. There’s no way the monster responsible for that should be allowed to go free. He didn’t even have to serve the maximum sentence as it was.”

Fuck me, what had I ever seen in her? Trey and I probably cared more that Duane was dead than she apparently did.

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