Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
River goes rigid. I can tell by looking at him that his jaw is clenched and he’s grinding his teeth into stubs. He’s very protective of his parents, especially since his uncle passed away.
“I should have been there,” he says.
“River,” Monica says, “even if you had been home, this could have still happened. You don’t live at this house anymore.”
“Monica.” I clear my throat. “I have a question for you, and I don’t want to upset you.”
“You could never upset me, Brett.”
I can’t help a grin. Monica has always loved me. Parents love me. I used to charm my way into anything I wanted when I was a kid. Hell, I still do. When I focus, I get what I want.
Except for once.
“I’ll try not to. But Riv and I are both wondering why Jaelynn had to go with you to pick up medical supplies. Why couldn’t you go by yourself or have them delivered?”
River nods, giving me a silent thank you. This is why I’m here.
“We were picking up a new compact neuromuscular stimulation device. I wanted Jaelynn there because she knows exactly what muscles of Dad’s will benefit from the therapy. It’s a new technology that looks really promising, according to Dr. Levin.”
“Then why not send Jaelynn alone?” I ask.
“Because I needed to be there, Brett. I wanted to hear the instructions as well.” Monica’s tone is somewhat indignant.
“Of course,” I say in an appeasing tone. “I completely understand.”
Except that I don’t understand. Any kind of stimulation device would need to be tested on the patient with a physician present. Surely Monica knows this. This smells all kinds of wrong.
“We all want Dad to have the best technology available,” River adds. “I’d like to hear more about this new device and how it can benefit him, but before we get to that, did anyone other than Jaelynn know you left the house?”
“Only your father.”
“And whoever you were meeting to pick up the device,” I say.
“Why would he care?”
“He?” River says.
“Yeah. He. We picked it up from an independent distributor who has specialized training in how to use the device.”
“And where was he located?” I ask. “At a hospital or rehabilitation center? Maybe a physician’s office?”
“No. He has his own office in Billings. We went there.”
I meet River’s gaze. His eyes are narrowed. Yeah, something’s fishy here, and it isn’t the shrimp and lobster we had for dinner.
River rubs his forehead. “And Dr. Levin prescribed this device and therapy?”
“Yes, he did. You know I wouldn’t do anything without Dr. Levin’s okay.”
“Of course,” River says. “Did Dr. Levin suggest that you take Jaelynn along when you picked up the device and learned how to use it?”
“No, that was—what was his name? I swear my mind hasn’t been right since this happened.” She pauses a moment. “Jared. Jared Jennings. That was his name. Jared said Jaelynn should come along because she had some medical training.”
River breathes in deeply. I can tell he’s trying to calm himself. “Mom, I think it’s best if I come home.”
I widen my eyes.
“Don’t be silly, River,” Monica says. “We’re fine. And I’m keeping the security system armed twenty-four-seven now, which is a big pain because I have to disarm and arm it every time I leave the house.”
“I know it’s a pain, Monica, but we want you and Duke safe at all times,” I say.
“I know, Brett. Now you and River get back to your vacation. We’re fine here. This place is a fortress when that system is armed. We’ll be just fine.”
“I think you should fire Jaelynn,” River says.
“What?” Monica gasps. “She’s a gem.”
“She should have stayed with Dad.”
“I asked her to come along,” Monica says.
“I don’t care. Fire her. I’ll call Darlene at my office and have her find someone else for Dad within twenty-four hours. I want Jaelynn out of your house.”
“River…”
“I mean it, Mom. She should have known better than to leave Dad alone, no matter what you said.”
A pause. Then, “Fine. I’ll let her go. I think you’re overreacting. Whoever broke in didn’t even take anything. Just made a mess of your room.”
River’s brow is furrowed. “Don’t worry about my room. I’ll take care of all that when I get back. You and Dad just stay safe. I’ll have a new home healthcare worker for you sometime tomorrow.”
“If you think it’s best, River.”
“I do.”
“So do I,” I offer. “Riv will find someone more than qualified.”
“All right. I love you, boys.”
“Love you too, Mom,” River says. “I’ll check in with you tomorrow. But you say the word, and I’m on the next flight.”
“No,” Monica says again. “You two stay where you are. Have a good time. We’re fine here.”
“Give Duke my love,” I say.
“I will. Goodbye, boys.”
River sets the receiver back on the cradle. “Whoever did this won’t return.”
I raise my eyebrows. “How can you be so— Oh my God, you know what they were looking—”