Without Mercy (Mercy 1)

Shay shrugged. “Then it should be no problem.”

“We’ll work on it.” Jules said, still not wholly convinced. That was the problem with Shay; she thought if she believed something strongly enough, she could make it happen by the sheer force of her will. “Why don’t you get something to eat until all the paperwork’s ready?” When she saw Shay about to argue, Jules said, “You know the drill. Everything takes time.”

“Fine.” Shay rolled her eyes. “But I’m not hungry. I’ll just get something to drink and take it back to the dorm. I really want to pack and get out of here.”

“Wait a sec. Are there any special forms that need to be signed, so that you can leave with me? Since I’m not your mother.”

“Hammersley said you have to go prove who you are. That you’re my sister, or something like that. She said that the secretary, Ms. King, has all the release forms.” She turned her eyes on Father Jake. “And then someone in authority has to sign them.”

“We’ll see,” Father Jake said.

“Without a judge’s release, or your parents’ say so?” Jules asked. “The school will let you out of here?” Boy, Shay was pushing it!

“Of course not, but we’ll get that, right? Since the phones are working, we can call Edie and Max and the attorney can find the judge and convince him. Right? I asked Detective Baines during my interview.”

Jules glanced at Father Jake.

He nodded, though he didn’t crack a smile. “That’s basically how it works and everything’s amped up because families are clamoring to get their kids out of Blue Rock.”

Jules wasn’t convinced. “I don’t know, Shay, you’ve been through a lot and—”

“And I’m fine!” Shay rolled her eyes as if Jules were thick-headed and couldn’t see the obvious. “Really. Everything’s okay!”

Jules still had trouble with the concept that everything could easily be forgotten and swept under the rug, but maybe this was Shay’s way of dealing with trauma. She was also dead tired and didn’t want to argue. “All right. But whatever Dr. Hammersley advises and whatever the judge orders, you’ll do, right? Promise.”

“Scout’s honor!” Shay said, “Yeah, okay, ‘I promise.’”

“I’ll hold you to it.” Jules wasn’t going to be buffaloed.

Shay was smiling. “I know, I know. Okay?”

Jules gave in. “Then I’ll meet you in your room in a little bit and we’ll wade through the paperwork together,” she said.

“Just hurry. I am soooo outta here,” Shay said, then was off to snag a can of Coke from the cooler before heading outside.

As if nothing had happened.

Weird.

But that was Shay. Unpredictable.

Jules turned to Father Jake. “Does this really sound legit to you? It seems all too easy somehow.” She glanced at Trent whose gaze was fastened to Shaylee as the doors shut behind her.

Father Jake said, “It’s a little fast but we’re not exactly on real time, not after everything that’s happened. Everyone on staff knows that a lot of kids will be leaving as soon as the Sheriff’s Department gives its okay. There’ll be a mass exodus, I assume, because of the murders.” His eyes clouded a bit. “Parents and judges alike won’t make the kids stay here. It’s too traumatic, would do more harm than good. Lawyers are probably already making noise to get the students released to other, safer institutions and I can’t say as I blame them.” He looked at the group of students gathered at tables, some somber, a few others talking and joking loudly, as if nothing had happened.

They, like Shay, seemed to have developed a thick shell, a guard against letting any of the horror of the last few days touch them.

Trent asked, “What’s the update on Spurrier?”

“In a coma.” Father Jake rolled his lips in on themselves. “Life flight’s on its way, but no one thinks he’ll pull through.”

“Hell is too good for him,” Trent said.

“Agreed.” Father Jake nodded.

“What about Roberto Ortega?” Trent was still looking at the door, then turned his attention to the preacher.

“He has a chance, but it’s slim. A pity about the kids.” Father Jake looked at his watch, sighed, then rapped on the table with his knuckles. “Thanks for everything. Without the two of you, I’m not sure Spurrier would have been flushed out. Duty calls. I’d better attend to it.” He stood abruptly, kicking his chair back, then moving swiftly through the surrounding tables, his footsteps taking him out the very door through which Shay had exited only minutes before.