Page 79 of Secret Sins

My family had met and got along. That meant the world to me, because I had chosen who to let into my life and who stayed there.

The mystery guy didn't matter. I'd learned not to run anymore, but to face whatever came my way. With Bailey by my side, I didn't need to run. She was the lighthouse when I was lost at sea. My life raft, something solid to cling to. With her in my arms, I would never drown.

Lastly, this town was where I was meant to be. Here, I felt whole again. Able to breathe fully, to take a deep lungful of air and know I'm free. My past no longer defined me, and that was mostly Bailey's doing. But it was also the gentle acceptance of the townies who never once turned their backs on me, even if I might have deserved it. Each and every one of them judged me by my actions now, not by what I might have done before.

Hell, even the woman I'd helped in the park . . .

"Bailey?"

Interrupting their discussion, I turned from the doorway to find her paused in the act of sipping coffee.

"What is it?"

"I know who the guy is."

They all frowned at me, but I suddenly saw it clearly.

"How?" Beth asked. I'd told her about the guy, mostly so they'd keep an eye out for anyone lurking while they were here.

"Do you remember when I first moved here and I helped that woman, Andrea, in the park?"

I could tell the moment it dawned on Bailey who I meant. "He looks similar, but Larry is in jail awaiting his trial."

"He looks so much like him, that's why Kay and Eric said he's familiar, but they can't place him." Because he was somehow related to Larry. That had to be it.

"Do you think Larry has a brother?" Bailey asked.

"I'll call Kay."

Somehow, in the time I'd spent at the station and speaking with them afterward, I no longer felt intimidated by Officer White. Somehow, even that part of me had relaxed.

"Hey, it's Van Davies," I said when she answered her office phone. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Beth make a weird face at the sound of my new name. "I know who the guy is, at least in theory."

"You do?" she asked.

"He has to be related to Larry. That's why he looks so familiar."

"Oh, crap." She was silent for a minute, and I heard her typing. "You're right, Van. Larry has a younger brother."

I knew it. Like an epiphany, it was suddenly there in my head. "Same build, similar coloring?"

"Only a year-and-a-half younger."

"That's gotta be him."

"Hold on. Hmm, looks like the younger Mr. Barber also has a record out of Kingston. That'll make things easier."

Feeling lighter than I had in weeks, I beamed at Bailey. Kay said she'd get back to me, so we hung up. "I was right. Larry has a brother."

"He must think he can intimidate you into not testifying against Larry." Throwing her arms around my neck, Bailey kissed my cheek. "I'm so relieved to have it resolved."

"Well, not entirely, but enough to stop worrying over him."

"She said he lives in Kingston, so they'll find him soon, and then he won't be able to hang around and act stupid anymore. Apparently, he also has a record."

Beth said, "It's illegal to threaten witnesses."

"Imagine trying to get your wife-beating brother out of jail by harassing the person who saved the woman he was beating." Mike shook his head. "That's a loser family right there."