Page 72 of Once Removed (Blackhawk Security)

“Let me put Brett’s truck back where it belongs, and then we’ll tell you all about it,” Brody said, maneuvering around a pothole in the driveway.

Lainey felt Phoebe tense beside her, and she laid her hand over the girl’s clenched fist. “Everything’s okay,” she murmured. “But let’s let Brody navigate this driveway first.”

When they all climbed out of the truck, Phoebe turned to get her stuff, which she’d put in the bed of the pickup. Lainey touched her arm. “Leave it for now. Let’s sit under that tree behind the barn and talk.”

Phoebe tucked her hands into her armpits and hunched her shoulders. “It’s bad, isn’t it?” she said in a low voice.

“Why do you think it’s bad?” Lainey asked.

“Body language.” Phoebe swallowed. “I got real good at reading body language when my mom was sick. And after.”

Lainey took the girl’s hand. “It’s serious,” she said. “And yes, bad. But not for you. Not for me or Brody, either.”

Phoebe studied her face. Straightened, as if what she’d seen had reassured her. “Okay.”

Once they were all sitting beneath the huge maple tree, Phoebe between her and Brody, Lainey glanced at Brody. He lifted his chin at her, telling her to go ahead. Tell Phoebe what had happened.

“Your father was arrested today,” Lainey said, figuring it was best to get that information out there right away. “He’s the one who killed my ex-husband and burned down the mess hall.” She hesitated, reluctant to tell Phoebe about the photos. She’d find out eventually, but Lainey wanted to ease her into the knowledge of her father’s crimes.

“He’s in jail?” Phoebe asked carefully.

“Yes. He is,” Brody said. “Lainey and I were there when he was arrested.”

“Is that why there’s something wrong with your truck?” Phoebe asked.

Lainey sucked in a deep breath. “I guess that’s what happens when you have a smart kid,” she said. “She connects the dots at the speed of light.”

At the phrase ‘when you have a smart kid’, Phoebe jerked her head toward Lainey. Stared at her. “What does that mean?” she finally asked.

“Just what it sounds like. You’re smart. You figured it out immediately.”

Phoebe scowled at the toe of her green chucks, and Lainey glanced at Brody. His glance said give her a moment.

“Are you gonna tell me exactly what happened?” Phoebe said, lifting her head and looking from Lainey to Brody.

“We were driving into town to get you,” Lainey began. “We saw an SUV parked outside the compound, and we had no idea who it belonged to. I stayed in Brody’s truck, and he went in to take a look.”

She nodded to Brody, and he picked up the story. “I’d seen a woman in the compound the same day as the fire. The sheriff considered her a suspect in the case, because she was interested in buying the place. He thought she might have torched it to get a better price.”

Phoebe’s head was on a swivel as she looked from one of them to the other. “But she didn’t, right? My dad did that.”

“Yes. This woman had nothing to do with the fire.”

“So what happened to Brody’s truck?” Phoebe asked.

They gave her an abbreviated version. “He blew out the windshield of Brody’s truck with a shotgun,” Lainey said. “Tried to drag me away. But Brody used to be a calf-roper in the rodeo. He lassoed your father and kept him tied up until the sheriff arrived.”

Phoebe frowned. “Why would he want to drag you away? Was it because I’m living with you?”

“Not at all.” Lainey swallowed and studied her hands. Would that make Phoebe feel better or worse? Finally looked at Phoebe. “I have some photos he wants. My guess? He was going to hold me hostage for the photos.”

Staring down at her shoes, Phoebe said, “How long is my dad going to be in jail?”

“For a very long time,” Lainey said. “He won’t get out before his trial -- Brody and I will go to his bail hearing to make sure he doesn’t get bail -- and there’s more than enough evidence to convict him. He’s going to prison, probably for life.”

Phoebe took a deep breath. Leaned her head against the tree and closed her eyes. Tears leaked out, leaving shiny tracks on her cheeks.

“I’m so sorry,” Lainey said, putting her arm around Phoebe’s shoulders. “There was no easy way to tell you that.”

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