Page 8 of Homecoming

“Grandmothers are required to have TV trays,” Bertha said. “It’s in the manual.”

Dan smiled at her witty reply. “Can I help with anything?”

“Not at all. You’re my guest. You have to let me take care of you.”

“If you insist,” he said, still grinning the way people often did in Bertha’s presence.

“I insist,” she said over her shoulder as she returned to the kitchen.

“Have I mentioned that I adore her?”

“And vice versa. She doesn’t wait on just anyone.”

Dan’s phone lit up with a text.

Kara glanced at the screen and saw her mother’s name.

He turned the phone so she couldn’t see the message. “I got this, sweetheart. Don’t give it a thought.”

“It’s kind of hard to think about anything else when two of my brothers are in jail facing murder charges.”

“There’s no way Kirby had anything to do with it.” Bertha returned, carrying two plates that she put on the trays. She pulled silverware from her back pocket. “Whatever happened, Keith must’ve dragged him into it.”

“That’s what I think, too. Kirby must be freaking out.”

“Put it out of your mind for now, sweetheart,” Bertha said. “There’s nothing you can do tonight. We’ll know more in the morning when Dan gets to talk to them.”

“Should I try to see them tonight?” he asked.

“It’s best to wait until the morning when the police chief is there. Rushton White is a good man. I don’t know any of the other current officers, but he’s been with the department for decades and can be trusted.”

“That’s good to know.”

“I wouldn’t go anywhere near that place unless he’s there.”

“I won’t. I may be running some other names past you for background as this goes forward. Is that okay?”

“Whatever you need. Many of my grandsons have a wild streak that’s gotten them in trouble over the years, but I can’t see any of them going so far as to murder a young woman.”

“Definitely not Kirby, but who knows with Keith,” Kara said.

Bertha’s deep sigh said it all.

Chapter

Three

Bertha’sthird bedroom had a queen-sized bed and not much room for anything else, which was fine with Dan. As long as Kara could get some rest, that was all he cared about. That and keeping her far,faraway from the unfolding nightmare within her notorious family. He snuck out of bed at first light and went to the living room to retrieve running clothes from the suitcase they’d left there the night before.

He was heading for the front door when Bertha appeared in the kitchen.

“You’re off to an early start,” she said as she turned on the coffee she’d prepared the night before.

“Gotta keep running so I don’t have a dad bod by the time the little one shows up.”

She grunted out a laugh. “You don’t have an extra pound on you.”

“I make sure of it.”

---