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CJ SAT ON THE EDGE of Tom’s bed and stared out the window at the ocean. “We need to find the Windwalker.” He turned his gaze toward his brother.
Tom nodded and started to sign that Uncle Steve would find him.
“They suspended Steve because they found Dad’s tapes in the attic. They think he knew about Dad and made him sign over all our money before he died.”
“Bu hi,” Tom said.
“I know. There’s a shit storm coming on all fronts and it isn’t going to be pretty.”
We knew someday...Tom started and dropped his hands. He didn’t want to finish the sentence and silence settled between the two of them.
“Yeah,” CJ finally whispered. The weight of his father’s sins bore down on him and he closed his eyes. “At least you’ve got a father you can be proud of,” he added, glancing at the Oscar sitting on the shelf.
Without Dad, neither of us would be here, Tom signed. He made us possible.
CJ laughed. “Still doesn’t make this any easier. I’ve got his blood in my veins and sometimes, I swear I can feel it burning the good out of me, like some crazy demon seed just waiting for the right moment to take over my life.” He inhaled and slowly released the lungful of air. “I can’t stand by and watch while they cart you away, Tom. You’re all I’ve got left.”
That’s not true. You and Sandy have been together since Dad died.
CJ closed his eyes, drifting back to that day and Sandy’s innocent kiss on his cheek, making him feel special even in the midst of the loss crushing him. Less than two weeks later, she had been instrumental in keeping him together when his mother’s coffin settled in the ground next to their father. Sandy had held his hand tight, her bright eyes shining with tears and her boundless energy kept under wraps just for him. Since then, there had been no one else that moved him, or made him laugh harder than she did, and it sucked that she lived in Connecticut. “Yeah, but she’s not around most of the time. Besides, you’re the only family I’ve got left.”
Don’t worry about me. They aren’t going to convict me for something I didn’t do.
CJ raised an eyebrow at Tom, keeping his skepticism in check. He knew from Steve’s silent assessment that they were building a strong case against Tom, even if it was all circumstantial. Tom’s faith was misplaced, and CJ decided it was up to him to protect his brother, even if it meant he’d have to take the fall.
“Don’t worry Tom, this will all go away when I find that bastard.” He flashed a grin that his mother would have recognized in an instant. It matched his father’s sadistic angel of death smile.
You know you look like a crazy fuck when you grin like that. Tom signed and sent a smirk his way.
“Aye-up,” CJ said and stood. “Steve might not be able to find this guy, but it’s now my life’s mission.” He walked out of the room and headed down to the kitchen where Steve sat going over the case file for the millionth time.
“I want to help find the Windwalker.”
Steve looked up from the papers. “The last time I enlisted your help on a case your brother almost died.”
CJ took a seat on the opposite side of the table. “I know, but this is different. I’m almost eighteen and you know damn well I’m smarter than my old man ever was.” The scoff from the great beyond silenced him. His father was listening and while he couldn’t hear or see him directly, Steve channeled him just as clearly as if he was standing in the room. “I am,” he challenged the air. “And I’m on the right side of the law, which was something that escaped you most of your life.”
“I wouldn’t piss off your father like that,” Steve said, gaining his attention and CJ saw the fleeting smile of approval before it disappeared from his lips.
“Tom had it right the other day. Angel or not, he’s got no right to preach to us about what’s right or wrong, especially with his past.”
Steve had always been good at hiding his feelings, and now was no different. “He tried to raise you boys with a moral compass despite his past, and I think he did a pretty good job.”
CJ crossed his arms. “My mother did a good job.”
“CJ, cut him some slack.”
“Do you know how many lives he ruined?”
Steve raised an eyebrow. “I know. Believe me, I know more about your father and his life than I ever wanted to, so cut the preaching.” He folded the case file and pushed it aside.
CJ glanced at the closed file. “You know, I’ve done some reading up on the psychological profile of serial killers...”
Steve cut him off. “CJ, I know you’re smart and motivated, but searching on Google isn’t the same...”
Irritation snaked over his skin in a hot prickly path and CJ framed a glare in Steve’s direction. “Don’t belittle my intelligence. You know I’ve got more behind this than just a genius IQ. I’ve got as much insight into this psycho as you do, especially with Jennifer’s visions. There’s an arrogance underlying his actions. An absolute certainty he will never get caught. He thinks he is as elusive as the wind and takes great pride in that. If we dangle the right carrot in front of him, we can make him step out of his pattern. We can make him screw up.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Isn’t part of a serial killer’s profile the need for the attention?”
“Yes.”
“If we take the media attention away from him, wouldn’t that piss him off?”
Steve leaned back, studying CJ in a way that made him shift under his stare. “What are you suggesting?”
He spread his arms out. “Let’s give the world the Windwalker.”
“Tom already has enough...”
“I’m not talking about Tom. I’m talking about me. Ty Ryan’s son. A living, breathing monster, just like his father.” Even CJ heard the bitterness in his tone and he kept eye contact with Steve, watching his expression morph into one of open-mouthed horror.
“Why would you even contemplate that?”
“Tom didn’t do this, but he doesn’t have an alibi. Let’s give them something else. A sensation that the media will pounce on and we both know that will piss off the real killer.”
“CJ, I don’t think you understand the ramifications of what you’re suggesting.”
“I’ll confess.”
Steve’s lips thinned, and his eyes narrowed. “No.”
“I know as much of the details as you do.”
“Lying will backfire.”
“How do you know?”
“Because it always does,” he said. “What happens if you’re wrong and it doesn’t draw the killer out? What if he just fades into the woodwork and you’re left sitting on death row with a taped confession?”
The smack of flesh against wood pulled their attention to the living room. Tom stood in the entry to the kitchen, his face red with anger and his palm firmly planted on the wall. “No,” he said clearly and with such force that CJ dropped his gaze to the floor.
Just because you’re supercharged, doesn’t mean you should always step in to protect me. I can hold my own and if anyone is going to be bait, it’s me.
Tom’s thoughts intruded into CJ’s mind, leaving his ears ringing at the volume and he raised his gaze to meet his brother’s fiery glare.
For a fucking genius, you can be such a stupid ass.
“I’m just...”
Stop. Just stop, okay?
“I can catch him,” CJ said.
“That is just as arrogant as the killer thinking he’ll never get caught,” Steve said. “And the price of thinking like that is way too high.” His gaze traveled to Tom and back. “Arrogance isn’t something we can afford right now. Neither is lying.”
“But...”
“No,” Steve cut him off. “I can’t condone you lying to draw the killer out.”
CJ snapped his teeth together against the derogatory comment that filled his mind.
“The press is already going to have a field day once word of Tom’s arrest leaks out and right now, my primary goal is to make sure they don’t convict him.” He drew in a breath. “We’ve got a month before the next new moon and if nothing changes between now and then, that tracking device on Tom’s ankle will clear him when the psycho kills again. In the meantime, we’ve got to get his defense ready.” Steve turned his gaze from CJ to Tom. “Your lawyer will be here tomorrow at ten. Make sure you’re up and ready to talk.”
Tom nodded and sent a warning glare to CJ, his thoughts echoing the look. Don’t do anything stupid.