Out Of Focus: An Adams Grove Novel Part 37

Kasey tried Scott's cell phone but it went to voice mail, she left him a message then scribbled a note on a slip of paper and handed it to the gal at the desk. "Can you see that he gets this if he comes back?"

"Sure."

Kasey thanked her and left for Scott's house.

Not five minutes later, Von and Scott returned to the station.

A young officer sat at the front desk. "You just missed a visitor. She left a note."

"She?" Scott reached for the piece of paper. "We just missed Kasey," he said to Von. "She's at my place."

"Go get her," Von said. "I'll work with the deputy to get the rest of the address from Libby, and coordinate how we can get Jake home."

Scott nodded. "Great. I have my phone. Call me if you need me. I'll bring her up to date and meet you back here."

"Good luck. She's not going to want to believe that Jeremy betrayed her. He's like family to her. Go easy."

Chapter Thirty-Eight.

Kasey's cell phone rang just as she pulled next to the curb in front of Scott's house. She answered and Scott was already talking before she could say h.e.l.lo.

"Got your message," Scott said. "Where are you?" His voice sounded tight, his words clipped.

"I'm sitting in my car right in front of your house. Is everything okay?"

"There's a key to the side door, on top of the bird feeder. I've got news."

"Your voice sounds funny." Her stomach swirled with dread. "The news. It's not bad is it?"

"No. Not bad. I promise. I'll explain when I get there."

"When-" But he'd already hung up. She found the key easily and went to the side door. It took a minute to get the key in the right way, but finally it slipped in the lock and she opened the door.

Inside the house, the room was dark. She patted the wall looking for a light switch, but something brushed against her as she did. She instantly thought of Turtle Mike, but then whatever it was grabbed wrist, pulling her away from the open door. The fear of imminent danger pulsed through her veins, gripping her so tight she couldn't make a noise.

Kasey scrambled to keep her balance, tugging hard. She slapped and kicked and was able to free her arm, but the door slammed behind her, trapping her inside.

In the darkness of the room, she felt something pa.s.s in front of her face, but her eyes hadn't adjusted and it was too dark to see. A strong hand clamped around her arm. She bent forward and bit down until the intruder screamed, but he didn't let go. Instead, cool metal settled on her temple.

Her body went rigid. Afraid to move, her temple pulsed under the pressure of the barrel.

She heard a slap on the wall next to her, and the lights came on.

"Kasey?"

"Jeremy?"

They stared at each other for a stunned moment, then she breathed a sigh of relief and stepped away from the gun. "You scared me to death. I thought I was a goner. What are you doing here?"

His jaw moved, but he didn't respond.

"Jeremy. Why are you here?" She stepped toward him. "Why do you have a gun? What's going on?"

He stepped back. "This isn't...." Jeremy's voice drifted. Sweat dampened his forehead. "You shouldn't be here."

"Why are you here?"

"It's not how it seems." All the color had drained from his face. "He's got to pay for this."

"Who's got to pay? Scott?" She blinked, shaking her head. "You don't think Scott had something to do with Jake's disappearance?"

Jeremy straightened.

"That can't be. He's helping me find Jake."

He scratched his head with the barrel of the gun. "He's not helping you. He just wants you."

"Wait. This doesn't make sense. Did Scott...?" She took a step back. Scott had said he was there at the accident site. Could I be so wrong about him? "Do you think Scott did something to Jake?"

"I'm here to make everything right," Jeremy said. "Don't worry. I'm going to take care of Calvin and then I'm going to take you to Jake."

"You found Jake?"

"Yes. I'd do anything for you and Jake. You know that."

"Of course, you're like family. Let's go," Kasey said and turned to the door.

Jeremy waved the gun and it went off, scaring them both.

"Careful with that thing. Just put it down."

"Wait! I have to stop Scott first."

"Why? Is Jake with Scott?"

Jeremy shook his head.

"Then take me to Jake. I just want my baby." Kasey's voice became loud and impatient. "Quit standing there. Let's go. We can let the police take care of Scott."

"But he is the police."

"Von will know what to do. Come on."

The side door swung open and Scott steadied his gun on Jeremy. "Hold it right there."

Kasey stepped between them. "How could you? I thought you were my friend."

"Kasey, get out of the way."

She didn't budge. "He told me you took Jake."

Scott scoffed and looked at Kasey. "And you believe that? Kasey, Jeremy was behind your son's disappearance. Nick's death, too." He nodded to Jeremy. "Isn't that right?"

Kasey turned to Jeremy.

"I'd have been a good Dad to Jake. Before Nick. You know. I would've married you and taken care of Jake. Raised him like my own. Like Nick did. I'd have been there for you. Nick's gone. But I'm not. You know I love, Jake. Right?"

Jeremy raised his gun towards Scott.

Scott steadied his aim. "Don't do anything stupid."

"Go sit down, Kasey." Jeremy's hand shook.

She stepped out of range. "What's going on? Who is taking me to Jake?"

"Sit!" Jeremy yelled. "Now!"

She dropped to the floor right where she was.

"No!" He shouted, then waved the gun at her. "In there." He motioned her toward the living room.

She walked backward, afraid to turn her back on him.

His voice rose. "This isn't how I planned it."

She backed into the living room. "Planned what? Jeremy. Tell me you didn't take Jake."

He rocked from side to side. "He's going to tell you, but it's not how it looks." Jeremy blew out several small breaths in a row, then c.o.c.ked the hammer.

"Whoa!" She took a step back. "No. Wait. You don't want to do this. We're like family, and whatever you think Scott has done.... You killing him isn't going to better for anyone."

"Drop it," Scott ordered.

"Don't. Both of y'all, stop!" Kasey screamed.

"Family," Jeremy said, nodding his head, and then he began to cry. "Jake should've been mine."

"He's not your child. You know that."

"He wasn't Nick's but you let him be. I've always loved you, Kasey. Nick had already taken you from me. Then he...he wanted to take you away." His hand shook.

"Put the gun down." Scott commanded.

"Whatever you did, it can't be as bad as you think." She glanced at the end table. There wasn't much on it-a magazine, an old horseshoe and a coaster. She dipped and wrapped her fingers around the rusty antique horseshoe. It was heavy in her hand.

Jeremy wiped the sweat from his eyes. "I never meant to hurt you. I love you." His eyes turned dark. He raised the gun towards his own head. It shook in his hand. "The pictures. I sent them."

"Kasey, let me handle this," Scott said. She raised a hand and gave Scott a begging look. He nodded.

"A woman sent the pictures." Kasey paused, trying to regain control of her emotions and voice. Smooth and soothing-stay calm and he will.

"Me." Pain twisted in Jeremy's face. "I set that up. You said you wanted to know Jake was alive. I wanted you to...." He wiped his face with his sleeve-the gun flailed. "You needed to feel hope. I wanted you to have hope. I never meant this to go so wrong. All I ever wanted was to be in your life."

She squeezed the horseshoe, praying she wouldn't drop it.

He leveled his gaze on Kasey. "I didn't want him to move you away. I only meant to scare him."

A loud clunk came from down the hall. Jeremy spun toward the noise. Kasey hurled the horseshoe. It flew across the room like a Frisbee. She dove behind the couch and crouched low to the floor.

Jeremy turned just as the horseshoe made contact with his face. He yowled, and a string of expletives followed.

Kasey peered over the couch. Blood dripped down his arms. She must've hit him square in the nose. Even with his hands to his face, there was a lot of blood already.

Jeremy stumbled toward her, and the gun went off again.

Chapter Thirty-Nine.

Jeremy spun to face Scott. Blood gushed from his nose and mouth, but the gun remained steady in his grip.

"Drop the gun." Scott said as he stepped closer. He reached up and keyed the mic at his collar. "This is Calvin. I need EMTs on the scene, and backup."

Jeremy wavered. He looked over his shoulder at Kasey. She saw the confusion on his face. The darkness in his eyes. He swallowed and turned back to Scott.

Her heart pounded in her throat. "No, Jeremy. Drop it." Her feet wouldn't move. She sank back against the wall, her mouth and eyes wide. "Don't do it."

Jeremy spun her way.

"No!" Kasey held her hands out defensively. "Please. Listen to me."

The gun dropped to the floor.

Jeremy ran his sleeve across his face. Blood stained his skin and clothes, and droplets splattered on the floor.

"Kick it my way," Scott said.

Jeremy kicked his foot forward, but the blood from his sleeve impaired his vision and he missed, staggering backwards.