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“It’s neither of your faults,” Asa said. “You made the wiser decision to stay safe. This man has already laid out his plans regardless of any of our choices. If anything, you’ve put a chink in his armor by letting him know he’s not calling the shots.”
“But what if it’s Ahnah? I won’t forgive myself.” Bexley set her cup on the counter. “I’m going too. I have to.” She darted for the other room before Ty could protest.
“You know she shouldn’t be there,” Asa said.
“I know but...”
Asa nodded. “What about Josiah?”
“He won’t be up until noon with school canceled for weather now—if I had to guess. I don’t want him seeing this.”
Asa frowned. “Not really your call, is it?”
Technically? Yes. But Ty had been keeping that doozey from him. No way was he being kicked off the investigation. “I don’t see Bexley letting him, but she won’t want him to be alone either.”
Bexley returned, her curls up in a clip, straggling hair sticking out. No makeup and a pair of jeans and solid V-neck T-shirt. “Let’s go.”
“What about Josiah?”
“I woke him and told him I had an emergency. He assumed work and I didn’t tell him different. Drew is coming by the beach house to pick him up in twenty minutes. I’ll have him wait outside since you have sensitive material in here—not that Drew would ever divulge it to anyone.”
“Now, let’s go.” Asa and Fiona headed to the first level and Ty followed, Bexley in step with him.
“Who is Drew?” Ty asked.
“Drew is a friend, my therapist and a good man. I trust him.”
Ty’s heart pumped with green ooze. “How long you known this guy?”
“Two years. But we’ve worked closely together. Josiah will be fine.”
“Does he know about Josiah and me?”
“Of course.”
Ty made a note to have Selah do a check on the therapist. She followed Ty to the SUV and paused. “I need to take my car. You’ll be there longer, I imagine.”
“You want me to drive?” He glanced at her shaking hands. “I know it’s only a ten-minute trip, but...”
“Would you?”
He saluted the team and jumped in the driver’s side of Bexley’s car. “Listen to me. When we arrive, you promise to stay outside the perimeter? Let me assess the scene—you can’t be on the premises anyway. You don’t need to see anything. I’ll let you know if...”
“If I got my sister killed.” She covered her face. “I never seem to make the right decisions and it always causes someone anguish.”
“Bex.” He took her hand and clasped it in his. “We’ll get through it. Together. We’re gonna get through all of this together.”
“You forgive me?”
“I understand somewhat, but I lost seventeen—almost eighteen—years of my son’s life. I need more time to sort through those emotions. I’d think you’d know that.” Right now he was sorting through the fact that he hadn’t been sharp enough to catch this guy. Someone else was dead. More people were going to die, and it was like playing Russian roulette. It could be anyone. He’d let these women down. Let himself down.
Ty backed into a spot downtown, and from here they’d walk to the lighthouse. As they exited the car, Bexley grabbed his hand and began praying. He wasn’t sure if he should pray too or say an amen or simply let her prayer make her feel stronger. If God was real and he prayed to Him, would He even listen to someone who didn’t believe? Would He hear anyone’s cries or just those who confessed Him as Lord? Ty was versed in scripture for his job, but it had never penetrated his heart.
But now, in this moment, a verse struck him with hurricane force, and yet it was gentle. How could something be both? Powerful and yet tender?
“...the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.” From the book of Job. If anyone had been in a mess that couldn’t be controlled, it had been Job. Everything wiped out from under him within moments, then horrible affliction. That’s how Ty felt—everything was being ripped away. But did God hear the cry of the afflicted? All? Any? Would He answer? How would He answer? How would Ty even know?
Stop acting stupid. You’re following your friends like a dumb sheep. Prayer cannot help you. Only you can help yourself. Quit walking blindly.
