Top Dog

“Emails.”

“Yep. From people in the community. They were worried about Dad. Said he was being a recluse and slacking in his business. Sitting in restaurants and staring off. I moved back to keep an eye on him. Which is good, because I’m keeping an eye on Ike, too.”

“And Ike is?”

“Oh, shit. Yeah. Ike’s Theresa’s bullshit boyfriend. He’s an asshole, that one.”

There we go. That was what I needed to focus on. I remembered him from Laura’s funeral, but I couldn’t let Hollis know I already knew who this Ike guy was.

“You don’t like the guy or something?” I asked.

“I don’t. He’s nice enough when he’s around other people, but I know it’s all an act. He was a nerdy little shit in high school, but the past couple of years, he really thinks he’s hot stuff. I see the way he treats my sister when he thinks no one is looking, and it’s all I can do not to beat the shit out of him on the front lawn.”

“Does he put his hands on her?” I asked. I felt my blood boiling at the mere idea of someone putting their hands on Theresa .

“You think he’d still be breathing if he did?” Hollis asked.

I nodded in understanding. “Have you told her how you feel about this guy?” I tried.

“I did, and she didn’t take it well. She—”

My brow ticked with confusion as Hollis gathered his words.

“She went through a real rebellious phase. Her senior year was rough, and then it ran smack dab into Mom dying. I brought it up to her, and it made her even angrier, and we didn’t talk for a while. That’s why I took a job on the other end of the state. Until I started getting those damn emails.”

“So you came back to look out for your father and started looking out for Theresa.”

“Yep. She’d be pissed if she found out, though. So I told her I moved back to look out for Dad and seek out better opportunities at the department.”

I shook my head and chuckled. “I still can’t believe you’re a cop, dude. After all the shit you and I did growing up?”

Hollis laughed too. “I know, right? After Mom died, I figured I should get my shit together. I actually love being a cop.”

“Glad to hear it, man. I sure wouldn’t want to be on the other end of your baton though,” I laughed. “So, what do you suppose to do about this douchebag Ike?”

“That fucker makes one wrong move again, and I’ll slap him in some damn cuffs so fast he won’t know what’s happening.”

I nodded and took another swig of my beer. “Well, speaking of Theresa, what is she doing these days?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Ah, she’s Dad’s receptionist.”

“She’s what?” I asked.

“I know, right? I keep telling her to branch out and get another damn job. The girl went to school and got a fucking business degree, and she’s hunched over a computer scheduling people’s teeth cleanings for the old man.”

“I always wondered what she was going to be when she grew up. You said a business degree?” I asked.

“Oh yeah. Was hell-bent on starting her own online thing or whatever. But Mom died, and she studied hard to graduate early. Dad offered her the job, so she took it. She said it was to pay off her student loans, but I think that was just an excuse because she was afraid she’d fail at what she really wanted to do. I don’t think it’s healthy for either of them.”

I thought back to the anonymous email I’d gotten that had brought me back. If Hollis knew someone had sent me that email, he’d be livid that I was in town to watch his sister, too. He had always been protective of her, but it seemed like he had only gotten more so over the years.

I could still see those words in the email.

Theresa needs you. She’s in trouble. Please come home and help her.

“Why isn’t it healthy for them?” I asked.

“He’s clung to her a lot ever since Mom died. Like tonight. She’s Dad’s ‘plus one’ for some banquet. They’ll dance and eat and drink, and he’ll say it’s a father-daughter night, but I think it’s because he doesn’t want to go by himself and he’s trying to ward off any interest from other available women.”