A Treacherous Mix Read online

  “Don’t be so sure.”

  “It might be too late in your timing,” Elliot said. “But never in God’s.”

  Two hours later, Hawk sat in the living room with his mother, Elliot, Grandpa Buck, Abby, and Jesse and finished telling everything he knew about Kennedy’s mysterious disappearance and Brody’s death.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner”—Hawk looked over at Elliot—“but I was confused and scared. It wasn’t until Dennis told me what Brody saw the day of the sailboat races that I realized what had happened to me. Before I’d had time to process that, Dennis called and told me Brody was dead. I about freaked out. I realized we were in over our heads and had to go to the sheriff. At least now I can fill in some of the blanks for him.” Hawk glanced up at Kate. “I’m sorry, Mama. The last thing I wanted was to embarrass Laura Lynn and each of you by having my affair with Kennedy talked about in the news. I guess I can’t stop it now.”

  Kate sat back in her chair and exhaled. “That’s the least of our worries. Your safety has to be our first concern. The whole thing scares me to death, but the drone attack is terrifying. You need to see about those headaches, right after you go talk to Virgil. He needs to hear everything you told us.”

  Hawk nodded. “I know. We’ll do it in the morning. Dennis and I agreed to wait until after Brody’s funeral. He wanted to spare his aunt and uncle the media intrusion.”

  “Speaking of the media,” Grandpa said, “somebody oughta give Laura Lynn a heads-up before this gets out.”

  Kate arched her eyebrows. “Virgil isn’t going to allow us to discuss any details of what happened to Hawk, Kennedy, or Brody. But she needs to know that Hawk’s affair will likely be mentioned in the news. That’s about all we can say.”

  “I’d call her,” Hawk said. “But she wouldn’t pick up.”

  “I’ll do it. She’ll talk to me.” Abby sat with her arms folded across her chest. “Is it okay with everyone if I ask Jay to bring Wolf over for the night? I think we’d all feel safer with a German shepherd in the house.”

  Hawk went to bed early but couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t just the headache that was keeping him awake. After tomorrow his life would be changed forever, not to mention his reputation. What started out as an innocent hug to comfort a lonely woman exploded into a passionate affair with repercussions beyond anything he could have ever imagined. It hurt him to think that Kennedy might be in serious trouble or dead. Or even worse, that his failure to report her strange disappearance might be the reason.

  “Hawk, are you awake?” Jesse whispered.

  Hawk rolled over on his back. “Wide awake.”

  “Me too.”

  Hawk sat up, his back resting on the headboard. “What’s up?”

  Jesse sat on the side of the bed. “I feel really bad about everything you’re going through. I don’t exactly know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything. And don’t feel sorry for me. It’s my own fault.”

  “The affair part is,” Jesse said, “but not the other stuff.”

  “I think the jury’s still out on that. Did Jay bring Wolf over?”

  “Yes, but Jay stayed too. He insisted on sleeping on the couch. He said you saved his life once, and the least he could do is help watch out for yours.”

  Hawk smiled. “He’s a great guy. So what happened to the kitten?”

  “I’m letting him sleep with Abby tonight,” Jesse said, “in case he meows. I don’t want him to keep you up.”

  “That was awfully considerate of you. Did you and Mama decide on a name?”

  Jesse shook his head. “We decided we need to get to know him first.” Jesse drew circles on the blanket with his index finger. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you believe the Lord can get you out of this mess?”

  Hawk exhaled. “I want to believe it, but I sure don’t see how.”

  “You’re not supposed to see how. That’s why you have to trust Him. He can do it, Hawk. Look how He helped me. I almost got shot twice, but He brought me home safe.”

  “Jesse, the sheriff said you had enough faith to make an apostle jealous. I don’t.”

  “All you need is the faith of a mustard seed. I know you have that.”

  Hawk half smiled. “Yeah, I suppose I do.” He reached over with his hand and messed up Jesse’s hair. “Are you sure you’re not a preacher disguised as a thirteen-year-old?”

  “I’m sure.” Jesse laughed and pointed to his braces. “Believe me, this hardware is for real.” He looked at the clock on Hawk’s nightstand. “And so’s the time. We’d better get some rest. G’night.”

  “Good night, Jess.” Hawk slid down in the bed and fluffed his pillow.

  Lord, I do have the faith of a mustard seed. I need Your help. Your Word says the truth will set us free. And You’re the only one who knows the truth of what happened. Help me to find answers. Be with Dennis and me tomorrow when we talk to the sheriff. Help us to be strong. And please protect us from whoever killed Brody.

  Chapter 7

  Hawk was up early on Wednesday morning. He got a cup of coffee and went out on the front porch and sat in the swing and just listened to the sounds of nature that seemed to come alive before sunrise. He hadn’t slept much but spent most of the night talking to God. He had laid his heart bare. Now he was ready to talk to the sheriff.

  Elliot had called the courthouse yesterday afternoon and arranged for the sheriff to meet with Hawk and Dennis at ten o’clock. Hawk had texted Dennis with that information but hadn’t heard back yet. He could just imagine the stress Dennis was under, trying to hold up his aunt and uncle while trying not to collapse under the pressure of being a potential target.

  Abby came outside and stood at the railing. “Jay stayed here with Wolf last night, but he left about thirty minutes ago to work on an assignment that’s due by four o’clock this afternoon.”

  “Jesse told me last night that he was staying over, and why. Jay’s a great guy, Abby. I’m glad you two are getting married.”

  “About that,” Abby said. “I’m sorry for being hateful the other day. I was shocked and mad that you and Laura Lynn broke up. I acted like a spoiled brat.”

  “Understandable.”

  “I did call Laura Lynn,” Abby said, “and told her that the affair might be mentioned in the news, but that I couldn’t talk about the reason. She’s still so numb she didn’t react.”

  “Well, thanks for making the call. I doubt that anything will soften the blow, but at least she won’t be caught off guard.”

  Abby glanced at her watch, then turned around and looked at Hawk. “I’ve got to go. I open this morning. I just want you to know that I’m praying. I’m really sorry for all you’re going through. Despite the affair, you didn’t deserve this.”

  “Thanks, Abby.”

  She bent down and hugged him. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” He held her a little longer than he normally would and blinked the stinging from his eyes.

  “Bye,” Abby said. “I’ll see you when I see you.”

  Hawk smiled. “Not if I see you first.”

  Abby hurried down the steps, and Hawk noticed that Dennis had answered his text: Brody’s funeral was nice, but sad. The only thing worse was my aunt and uncle’s reaction when I told them I thought he’d been murdered and planned to tell the sheriff this morning. I know what you mean about the twilight zone. None of it seems real. I’ll meet you at the courthouse at ten.

  Hawk replied: Ditto. I’ll be there.

  Jesse came outside, dressed in khaki shorts and the blue-and-yellow Angel View staff T-shirt he was so proud to wear.

  “You going over to Flutter’s to entertain the guests?” Hawk said.

  “I’m just the voice. The hummingbirds are the entertainers. Did you sleep?” />
  “So-so,” Hawk said. “I did a lot of reflecting and talking to God. I should be a nervous wreck, but I’m not. I got up early, had a cup of coffee, and watched the sunrise.”

  A smile spread across Jesse’s face. “Man, I’m good!” He laughed. “Just kidding.”

  “I’m not kidding,” Hawk said. “Thanks for reminding me that I only need mustard seed faith to let God tackle this giant problem.”

  Jesse put his hand on Hawk’s shoulder. “I know you’re going to do great today. Just tell the truth. That way you don’t have to remember what you said.”

  “That’s kind of profound, Jesse. Did you just make that up?”

  “No. Someone I really admire said it to me when I was a kid, and it stuck.”

  “Who?”

  Jesse smiled. “You.”

  Hawk pulled Jesse into a headlock, evoking laughter that was a full octave lower than in months past, reminding Hawk that his little brother was growing up. “How do you always know just what I need to hear?”

  Jesse shrugged and just kept laughing.

  “You’d better get going.” Hawk turned loose of him and brushed the hair out of his eyes. “The guests await.”

  “Actually, it’s the hummers that await,” Jesse said. “I’ve got eighteen feeders that need to be filled before the guests can enjoy the entertainment.”

  “Okay, better get crackin’. Love you, buddy.”

  “Love you too.”

  Hawk sat quietly humbled, trying to get his heart around Jesse’s words. “Someone I really admire said it to me …” Could it be true that his brother hadn’t lost respect for him despite his failing? Jesse was old enough to understand what Hawk had done, but he had essentially separated the sin from the sinner. Something Hawk frequently struggled with.

  Lord, thanks for letting me receive a touch from You through Jesse. I know You love me more than anyone else can, but he’s a great encourager. Be with Dennis and me today as we articulate what we know for Sheriff Granger. Let the truth set us free.

  t

  At five minutes to ten, Hawk walked up the steps of the courthouse, Elliot on his heels. When he got to the top, he spotted Dennis, who was wearing khaki pants and a navy polo shirt and leaning against one of the white columns.

  Hawk walked over to him. “Hey, man. You ready to roll?”

  “Ready as I’ll ever be,” Dennis said.

  Hawk took a step back and introduced Dennis and Elliot, and the two shook hands.

  “I’m truly sorry about your cousin,” Elliot said.

  Dennis nodded. “Thank you, sir. Me too.”

  “I’m going to leave you two young men to do what you came to do,” Elliot said. “I’m just going to hang around the courthouse and do some work on my laptop. I’ll be here if you need me. Otherwise, I’ll see you when you’re done.” Elliot looked at Hawk. “I’m proud of you. I know this is tough.”

  Hawk and Elliot did their elaborate handshake and exchanged a quick hug. “Thanks,” Hawk said. “I’ll call you when we’re done.”

  Hawk followed Dennis into the courthouse, and the two found Sheriff Virgil Granger standing in the lobby, talking on the phone. Virgil put his cell phone in his pocket and walked over to them. Hawk made the introductions.

  “Follow me,” Virgil said.

  They followed the sheriff through the wood-and-glass door of the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department. Hawk and Dennis passed through the metal detector, and then the three continued walking down a long shiny corridor.

  Deputy Hobbs, who had worked the case when Hawk’s father and sister were missing, walked up to the sheriff. “Interview rooms one and two are ready, sir.”

  “Thanks, Jason,” Virgil said. “Would you get Mr. Armison and Mr. Cummings situated as we discussed?”

  “Certainly.” The deputy gave Hawk a nod of acknowledgment and then said, “Gentlemen, come this way, please.”

  Chapter 8

  Sheriff Virgil Granger went in his office where Chief Deputy Kevin Mann was waiting for him at the conference table.

  “They’re here,” Virgil said. “My curiosity’s on tilt. Kate Cummings called and asked me to hear them out, no matter how farfetched their story may sound. You and I will interview Hawk Cummings. Duncan and Hobbs will interview Dennis Armison. Ready?”

  “Chomping at the bit.” Kevin ran a comb through his wavy red hair as he rose to his feet. “I’m as curious as you are.”

  Virgil walked with Kevin down the hall and into the first interview room. The sheriff sat across the table from Hawk Cummings. Kevin took the seat next to Virgil’s.

  “Hawk, you remember my chief deputy, Kevin Mann.”

  “Yes, sir,” Hawk said. “Good to see you again.”

  “If you don’t mind,” Virgil said, “I’d like to record this interview to help us keep the facts straight.”

  Hawk nodded. “I’m fine with that.”

  Virgil took the recorder out of his pocket, laid it on the table, and pushed the on button. “This is Sheriff Virgil Granger. It’s ten thirteen a.m. on Wednesday, June 7. I’m interviewing Hawk Cummings, who is here to report alleged crimes that occurred on Saturday, June 3. This interview is taking place at the Raleigh County Courthouse in the presence of Chief Deputy Kevin Mann.” Virgil looked over at Hawk. “State your full name, age, and address.”

  “John Hawk Cummings, I’m twenty-four years old. My address is 100 Angel View Road, Foggy Ridge.”

  “And are you giving this statement of your own free will?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You’re here to report two crimes. Is that correct?”

  “Yes it is.”

  “And what is the nature of those crimes?”

  “Kidnapping and attempted murder.”

  “Where did these alleged crimes take place?”

  “At the home of a twenty-three-year-old woman named Kennedy Taylor. The address is 101 Mountain View Court in Raleigh County. The mailing address is Foggy Ridge.”

  “And how do you know these alleged crimes took place?”

  Hawk leaned forward, his elbows folded on the table. “Because I was there. And I believe someone tried to kill me.”

  Virgil listened intently as Hawk told his story. He studied Hawk’s demeanor. His facial expressions. His eyes. Voice inflection. As far as he could tell, Hawk believed what he was saying. Virgil understood why Kate had called to give him a heads-up. Hawk’s story sounded more like a movie than a crime that took place in Foggy Ridge.

  “What else can you tell us about Kennedy Taylor,” Virgil said, “other than she was gorgeous?”

  Hawk shrugged. “I already told you what I know. She obviously lied about inheriting a fortune and buying that house. She said she was twenty-three, but who knows if that’s even true? She didn’t tell me anything else about herself.”

  Virgil leaned forward on his elbows. “You want us to believe you were together for six weeks and she never told you anything else about herself? Her favorite color? Her favorite food? Places she’s been? Nothing?”

  “I can’t remember,” Hawk said. “We didn’t talk that much.”

  Kevin smirked. “That’s right. You found you a hot chick and talking was optional.”

  “Don’t refer to Kennedy that way,” Hawk said, his voice an octave higher. “Believe it or not, she was a real lady. She didn’t know about Laura Lynn. We didn’t intend to get involved—it just happened.”

  “I’m not judging you,” Kevin said. “I’m looking for any clue that might help us figure out who she was.”

  “I doubt if this is a clue to anything, but she liked love stories and tear-jerker movies on Netflix,” Hawk said. “She hated any kind of drama that had violence and wouldn’t watch them. She’d always fall asleep.” Hawk was quiet for a moment, then he said, “Once when we were just lying there to
gether, she talked about a dream she’d had over and over since she was a little girl, that she grew wings and could fly wherever she wanted and look for her real home. Something like that. I couldn’t relate to what she was saying, but I felt her loneliness. Does that help?”

  “It might.” Virgil looked over at Kevin. “Let’s move on.”

  “Hawk, you never actually saw this hexacopter drone, is that correct?” Kevin said.

  “No, sir. I think I did see it, but whatever mind-altering chemical it dusted us with caused me to hallucinate. I saw it as giant black spider that spewed venom. Weird. But I distinctly remember being dusted with some kind of substance that made me cough and choke until I passed out. I thought I was going to die.”

  “Did you go to the doctor to get checked out?” Virgil said.

  “No. I’ve been having killer headaches, but I didn’t want to explain to a doctor why I was having them. They’re becoming less frequent now.”

  “Let’s go back to the drone for a minute.” Kevin glanced at his notes. “You stated you think you saw it. And that Brody Armison, now deceased, claimed to have witnessed the drone attack. But the fact is, there’s no supporting evidence that this drone exists, or that it dusted you and Kennedy Taylor with a chemical.”

  “I have supporting evidence,” Hawk said. “I saved the clothes I was wearing and my sunglasses, and put them in a trash bag in case I needed them for proof.”

  Virgil nodded. “Good thinking. We need to get those from you and have the chemical analyzed.”

  Kevin stared at Hawk without saying anything—his usual intimidation tactic. Hawk didn’t flinch. Didn’t seem nervous.

  “All right, for the sake of argument,” Kevin said, “let’s say you were attacked by a drone and dusted with a chemical, and Kennedy Taylor disappeared just as you said. Why did you wait this long to report it?”

  Hawk folded his hands on the table. “I guess because my understanding of what happened evolved. At first, I was dazed. I woke up at sunset completely disoriented. Kennedy was gone. Everything in her house was gone. I thought maybe she dumped me. But that didn’t make sense. Why would she ask me to spend the day with her if she planned to skip out? Especially since we were getting along so well. So I started to wonder if she was involved in something criminal—or was a victim herself—and I realized how little I knew about her. I wasn’t even sure whether Kennedy Taylor was her real name. I didn’t know what to report. I also worried that if Kennedy was involved in organized crime or drugs or something, I might be guilty by association. I wrestled with it the rest of the weekend. But on Monday, after Dennis told me what Brody told him, a light came on. It finally made sense.”