He walked in and closed the door. “Well, it’s a good thing you’re here. I was about to call you.”
“Good to know my personal fucking comes after your own.” I leaned back in my father’s chair and crossed my arms behind my head.
“Very funny.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. Not a denial.
“So, what was so urgent you had to stop at one nut?” The remark earned me a glare as he took the chair across from me.
“It’s time to get serious, Aiden. The Pattersons’ new evidence is a video recovered from Shawn’s cellphone that puts your father in the pilot’s seat when the crash occurred. It was recovered along with what was left of his body. Apparently, the phone was damaged, but still worked well enough to transfer the file. They hired an investigator since the black box evidence was… Well, it was unattainable.”
“Why was it unattainable? It should be available for both sides-”
The look on his face was proof enough that he’d had something to do with that. “You knew?”
“I didn’t know there was going to be other evidence. I was trying to protect your family and ensure that there wouldn’t be any issues that could close us down.”
“Dammit, Layne, you should have considered that could backfire.”
“I didn’t withhold anything; I just asked to draw out the process for obtaining. I had no idea there was going to be a fucking cellphone video.”
“What exactly does it have? I want to see it. See if you can keep your dick in your pants long enough to find that fucking tape.”
“I’m already working on it.” He held up a hand as if it would make his argument stronger, but I sank back in my chair wondering what the fuck my father was doing flying that plane with passengers — with our family on board — and wondering if it were possible it was his arrogance that had killed my mother and sister.
My stomach turned as Layne kept talking. Suddenly, he was all about his job. My dad had trusted the man, but I didn’t trust my father. As I thought of all the days Layne knew my father might be responsible for the crash and didn’t tell me, it pissed me off more.
But I was more angry with myself. I’d let things go, left my responsibilities with Layne instead of dealing with them myself. The guy had done what he thought was best, the way my father would have done them.
But that was the problem. I wasn’t my father. I took responsibility for my actions. Didn’t I?
I thought of all the months I’d been out of it, angry at the world for taking away my family, so angry that I’d zoned out and let myself and my responsibilities go. I was as much to blame as Layne, if not more.
That time was over. I was waking up to a mess, but at least I was awake. Mourning time was over. Grieving to the point of incapacitation was no longer an option, and with Lexa in my life, I had something to look forward to, even if everything else went to shit. Even if I lost Olde House in the process, I’d find my home with her.
“We’ve got a week until the hearing. I’ll make sure you get the tape before then. I won’t let you walk in blind. And, I’ll see about the black box recording. You might be able to make out more from that than I could.
“I really thought I was doing the right thing, Aiden. I know you think I’m an asshole, but I’m the closest thing to family you’ve had in a while. That isn’t lost on me. I’ve tried to do my best for the both of us because I knew you were going through hell.” I couldn’t argue with him. He had kept things together when I hadn’t.
“I know. I’m sorry I put you in that position. It won’t happen again. But tell me, is there anything else I should know. Anything else you’ve done to protect the firm?” I believed him when he shook his head. “Then let me know when it’s in. I’m going to hang around another hour or two. I guess it’s time I get a job.”
“Your father would be glad to hear that.” He stood and reached across my desk to put a hand on my shoulder when I huffed. “All he ever wanted was for you to follow in his footsteps.”
“No offense, but I couldn’t give a shit right now about what he wanted. The only two people who matter now are my mother and sister. I’ll make them proud.” Layne nodded his head and then without another word, left the room.
I glanced at the family pictures my dad had across the room on the table near the window and caught a glimpse of my mother and Ally at Ally’s graduation. There was another of Ally and me as children playing on the beach, with our father buried up to his neck in the sand. My mother had taken the picture, and I remembered the sun had been so warm. If I closed my eyes, I could still feel the breeze across my face.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lexa
Work had been hectic, but I managed to keep my head in the game. Considering I was on thin ice with Dr. Rob, it was a good thing. He hadn’t mentioned going out again since Aiden’s call, and I was still kicking myself for the response I’d given him and Aiden’s reaction.
I’d only been on break for five minutes when the next emergency came in, and since we were short-handed, I had to go back to work. This was after already missing break once before, but patients don’t wait to see if you’re all done with your power bar before having a problem.
So far, I’d dealt with a fishhook removal, two severed limbs, and a man that had been jolted with enough electricity to cook one of his fingers
. I’d had the usual patients, the type we get every day, too — men passing kidney stones and women in premature labor, or the panicked mother bringing her baby in for a simple cough. There had been three heart attacks and many bumps and bruises, and finally, when it was time to catch a moment, more trouble walked through the door.
“Flowers for a special lady.” It was Aiden. He’d found me on my way from the break room carrying a bright bouquet of roses. My heart sank. I didn’t know whether to run into his arms or run the other way.