In the morning, Annie makes uspapaya and eggs, and then we take Stinky for a walk together.Thankfully, Annie fills the conversation. She talks about thedifferent kinds of flowers at her work and then talks about thelocal people she’s been meeting. All I can think about is if shelied to me or not.
Finally, it’s time for her to goto work, and I can hardly wait. She’s only working half a daytoday, so I’ll have to make sure I use my time aloneeffectively.
We kiss goodbye and she petsStinky before getting in her car. Stinky and I watch as she leavesthe yard. I take a few minutes to let the dog pee before we headback into the house.
I make a tea, give Stinky achewy bone, then I head straight for the bedroom. Putting my tea onthe nightstand, I get down on all fours and look under the dresser.Sonofabitch. It’s gone.
I quickly search the room, indrawers, between the mattresses and underneath the stereo. Damn.Did she hide it somewhere else knowing somehow that I’d read it, ordid she take it to work with her? Shit!
I go into the living room andsearch there—I even make Stinky move off the couch so I can checkunder the cushions. Still I can’t find it. After a good hour oflooking, I slump down in a chair, feeling defeated. I have to findit. If I don’t, I’ll go out of my mind.
Just as I get another burst ofenergy and get up, my phone rings. Slipping it out of my pocket, Isit back down and answer without looking at whose calling.“What?”
“Jade, it’s Denny. Are youalone?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I’m in big trouble. I need toask you something important.” I can hear the panic in hisvoice.
“You have to calm down, Denny.Relax. Just take a deep breath and tell me what’s going on.”
“Fuck relaxing, Jade. If youknew the shit storm that I’ve been going through—”
“Okay, okay. Tell me.”
“First, I’ve got to ask yousomething and I don’t want you to get all uppity and freak out whenyou hear it.”
His call is literally the lastthing I need right now. Annie is due home soon and I still haven’tfound her stupid journal. “Fine. What?”
“Do you think Annie put Robbie’swallet in the back of my truck the other night?”
His question completely confusesme. He doesn’t sound stoned or drunk, so I’m doubly confused.“Denny, what the hell are you talking about?”
“The cops found Robbie’s walletin the back of my truck. They came to the house at like 5 AM androoted through my truck. Then, they told me to get dressed and comedowntown with them. I lost it, Jade. I acted really calm and askedthem if I could get changed first. A rookie cop stood outside thebathroom door when I put on my sweats. Then I locked the door andclimbed through the window, onto the roof.”
“Fuck, Denny.”
He ignores me. “I jumped ontothe big tree and climbed down and ran like hell until I got to oneof my friends. I’m still at his place but he’s freaking out andwants me gone tomorrow.”
“You fled the cops? Are youfucking crazy?” I quickly note the irony of my question. “You’vegot to go back to the cops. By running, you look guilty as hell.”Then, I remember his original question. “And why would Annie putthe wallet in your truck? Why would she even have it?”
“How the hell would I know? Isure as hell didn’t put it there! I’m scared shitless, Jade, and Idon’t know what to do.”
I can tell right now thatthere’s no way I’m talking him into going to the cop shop. He’s notrational. Not that he usually is, but this is the most freaked outI’ve ever heard him.
“Annie didn’t and wouldn’t havedone that,” I say firmly. My mind flashes to the journal. I pushthe thought away.
“Well, someone is trying toframe me. I’m innocent, Jade. You’ve got to believe me.”
“Dammit, Denny, I believe you.But you’re guilty to some degree. This whole mess is a result ofyour decision to bring Robbie here in the beginning.”
“How could I have known thatthis shit storm would happen? I brought a friend for a boat ride tothe cottage—how is that a fucking crime?”
“Can’t you go to yourlawyer?”
“Yeah right. The guy is so slow,he’s useless. I don’t know how Dad ever tolerated him.”
“You should still try. I canhelp you.”
“Can I stay with you?”
I open my mouth, but no wordscome out.
“Please?” He’s speaking quickly.“I need to get my head straight. I can’t think until I’m safe, andI feel safe with you.”
“Denny.” I rub my forehead. “Howwould that work? Annie thinks you were part of the whole plan tohurt her. She’d never allow it. And that detective has been aroundthree times now. Gabriola is the last place you’ll be safe.”
“Jade. You are literally theonly person I can trust right now. I need you. Please don’t leaveme alone to go through all of this. I swear, if I’m by myself, Idon’t know what I’ll do.”
I know what he’s insinuating,and I feel a mixture of fear and anger. I feel like I’m beingblackmailed. Then I hear him let out a soft sob, and I remember whohe is. My brother. My only brother.
“You can’t stay here, Denny.But…but I can still try and help you. Tell me what I can do.”
He lets out a sigh; I can’t tellif it’s from frustration or relief. “Pick me up at the Gabriolaferry tomorrow at 10 AM. I’ll have a plan on where to stay bythen.”
“What about anotherB&B?”
“Forget it, Jade. If an ownergets a sniff of me being wanted by the cops, they won’t think twiceabout throwing me under the bus.”
I agree to pick up Denny in themorning. Annie will have gone to work, so I’ll have the free time.I just hope he knows what he’s doing and has a plan. I’m sopreoccupied by Denny that the journal is pushed from my mind.
* * *
Annie and I have dinner at themarina. She’s in good spirits because she loves
