Page 5 of Galen's Redemption
“Okay. Thank you for telling me. Now here’s what’s going to happen. I’ve got to contact the police, becauseif Mike did it here, he could be doing it anywhere. They’re going to want to talk to you, and I need you to be honest with them. I’ll tell them you came clean, but I can’t say they won’t be angry with you. If they are, I’ll be there with you, okay?”
“Yes.” Her voice was more like a small child than a teenage girl. “I’m sorry.”
“I know you are, but we’ll get through this together. Why don’t yougo into the bathroom and clean up? Splash some water on your face, or take a shower if you want. I’ll be in the office when you’re done.” He stood and pinned her with a stare. “Don’t disappoint me, Bree. I expect you’re not going to run.”
She nibbled on her trembling lower lip. “I won’t.”
The man beckoned Galen to follow him as he walked through a maze of hallways and into a dingy office. Hegestured toward one of the chairs. “Have a seat. I’m going to take a shower and change.” He glanced down at his shirt and shook his head. “And it was almost new.”
Galen resisted the urge to pull out his handkerchief and wipe down everything. “I’ll stand, thank you.”
He shrugged, then turned and strode out of the room. About ten minutes later, he came back into the office, his hair an unrulymess. He smelled of antiseptic soap, not the pleasing fragrance of a good bodywash.
He took a seat behind the battered desk and steepled his fingers. “What can I do for you, Mr.…?”
“Merriweather. Galen Merriweather.”
He smiled, though it wasn’t at all genuine. “I’ve been expecting you. Well, not you, per se. Someone. I’m Robert Kotke, the director here. And you’re Lincoln’s brother. I assumeyou’re here about the check Noel gave me.” He opened a desk drawer and withdrew the check, then slid it across in front of Galen. “Here you go.”
Galen drew back in shock. “You’re not going to insist on keeping it?” Hell, he was surprised it wasn’t already cashed and spent.
“No. When Noel brought it to me, he told me to use the money for the shelter. That much would go a long way, but it’s notmine to take. I knew Noel didn’t have two nickels to rub together, so I insisted he tell me where he got it. He hedged, assuring me it was all legal, but I persisted. Finally, he told me the story about how your father had offered it to him to leave Lincoln. I gotta say, that’s a total dick move. Anyway, I tried to refuse. He kept on assuring me that he’d followed your father’s edict to the letterand that everything was fine. We didn’t agree on it, but eventually I took it and stored it here, because I knew someone would be by for it.” He swept a hand in Galen’s direction. “And here you are.” He gestured to a machine in the corner. “Can I offer you a cup of coffee?”
Ignoring the question, Galen pinned Robert with a harsh glare. “What was going on with that girl? Bree?”
Robert cockedhis head. “Excuse me?”
“When I came in, she was throwing up and crying.”
“And now she’s going to be heading to the hospital, where she’ll probably end up getting her stomach pumped.”
“Why would you let her throw up on you?”
Robert’s shockingly deep brown eyes narrowed. “And what would you suggest I do, Mr. Merriweather? Call the maid to handle it? I’m not sure what you think this place is,but there isn’t a butler or housekeeping. When Noel left—and I’m so damn glad he got out of here—I was it. Chief cook and bottle washer, plus pretty much every other job there is. Oh, we have some volunteers come in and help in the kitchen or talk with our people, but beyond that, it’s all me. From morning until night, I’m the one who comes in here, scrabbles to find money to keep these people witha roof over their head and food in their stomachs. I’m the one who stands between them and living on the streets. I clean up after them. I hold them when they’re sick, or when….” He stood. “It doesn’t matter. You have your check, so you can leave now.”
Galen sneered at him. Who did this guy think he was? “You listen to me,Mr. Kotke. I—”
Robert waved a dismissive hand. “Thank you for your helpwith the towels. I appreciate it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do. Not all of us have life handed to them on a silver platter.” He turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him, leaving Galen standing there, gaping like a fish.
“What the hell just happened?”
ROBERT SLUMPEDagainst the door, already exhausted, even though his day had scarcely begun. He reachedup and rubbed his temples, hoping to stave off the pounding headache. They’d taken Bree to the hospital, and now he had to figure out how he was going to deal with the situation as best he could. The police would be coming to talk with him soon, and he needed to be on top of his game. Why did Galen have to come in now? Robert truly didn’t need another helping of shit added to his sandwich.
“Robert?”
Forcing himself to take a deep, cleansing breath, Robert looked up to see Brady, one of the volunteers, giving him a sympathetic smile.
“Hey, glad you could help out today. Let’s go over what needs to be done.”
“Are you okay?”
That was a question Robert didn’t want to dwell on right now. Unless he could find a way to help Bree, she’d end up in jail or worse. This wasn’t her first go-aroundwith drugs, but it was the worst one. Robert hoped whichever officer came, they would be willing to cut a deal with him. He’d give them Mike’s name and let them know the cops had dealt with him on more than one occasion for selling drugs to minors, and hopefully they’d let him get Bree into a treatment facility again.
“I will be.” Robert slung an arm over Brady’s shoulder. “So, today we’re goingto be serving—”
“Mr. Kotke?”
Robert stifled a groan. He hadn’t been expecting them to show up already.
