Repentance (The Darkness Series Book 4) Read Free Page B

Dane accused, crossing his arms across his chest in a full-on pout.  It was moments like this one that it was so easy to see his mother in him.  The complaining and pouting to get his way was one of Mila’s trademarks and it had been passed down to her son flawlessly.  Finding out that he was not in fact Dane’s biological father changed nothing for Brady.  When all the horror of what Mila had done came to light all those years ago, her child being a part of her deception, Brady had secretly hoped that Dane was his.  Their looks were so similar and the timing was such that it was quite possible that he could have been Dane’s father.
    After Mila died, he and Gwyn had taken Dane in and he’d finally got the paternity test he’d been promised.  The truth had crushed him, but it didn’t stop his firm belief that Dane needed a family more than any child.  Gwyn being Gwyn, was behind him one hundred percent and together they went through the lengthy process of adopting him legally.
    “After lunch, son.  I have a few reports to work on this morning and some follow-up phone calls to make.  Tell you what, why don’t you take that camera there,” he nodded in the direction of the station’s professional Canon hanging from the strap on the back of a chair, “and take some snapshots of the pen.  Could get some great ones for your scrapbook,” he suggested.
    A flash of anger splayed across Dane’s face.  “It’s a portfolio .  And I’m over photography.  This sucks.  You should have let me stay home to play video games like I wanted to,” he snapped.
    His tone raised Brady’s own temper and he had to take a few moments to ensure he didn’t snap back at him.  Dane’s anger issues were becoming more and more prominent the older he got, a fact that worried Gwyn on a regular basis.  Lately, she’d been pushing Brady to consider getting him some sort of counselling, but so far he’d been able to put it off.  But with Dane’s behavior, he might not be able to convince himself for very much longer that he didn’t need to speak to someone.
    “Dane—” he cut off when a hard knock sounded on his office door and the handle turned.  Looking up, he hid his shock when Sam Ridley entered and then stopped, standing awkwardly in the doorway as his eyes darted between him and Dane.
    “Uh, sorry.  I can come back if you’re occupied,” he eyed Dane curiously for a few seconds, his eyes widening when he finally recognized him.  Dane too was sizing Sam up and Brady wondered if he had any memories of him from the time they all spent together.
    “No, it’s fine.  Come in, Sam.” Brady picked up a roll of crime scene tape and walked over to his son.  “Dane, I need to talk to Mr. Ridley privately.  Why don’t you go practice setting up the crime scene tape like we’ve talked about.  Interview Room A should be free.”  Dane had a fascination with the law and all the ins and outs of it.  It was Brady’s hope that in the future he’d join the department and one day take over for him as Sheriff.  A sense of pride filled him as he once again entertained the idea of working alongside his son.
    Dane’s eyes lit up as he grabbed the tape.  “Sure, Dad!  Thanks,” his attitude completely changed, his excitement evident as he dashed out the door.
    Strained silence filled the air as the two men faced each other.  A lifetime of ghosts, disappointments, sadness and resentment flowed between them.  Sam had to fight hard to push down the irrational anger he still felt towards Brady that he’d gotten his happy ending while Sam had lost everything.  Logically, he knew Hailey’s death was not on Brady’s head, but it didn’t stop the bitterness he felt towards him from rearing its ugly head more than he’d like.
    “So you’re out.  I heard that they were considering you for early parole.  I’m happy it worked out for you, man,” Brady said and he meant it.  He may not agree even in the