Hawk was up early on Wednesday morning. He got a cup of coffee and went out on the front porch and sat in the swing and just listened to the sounds of nature that seemed to come alive before sunrise. He hadn’t slept much but spent most of the night talking to God. He had laid his heart bare. Now he was ready to talk to the sheriff.
Elliot had called the courthouse yesterday afternoon and arranged for the sheriff to meet with Hawk and Dennis at ten o’clock. Hawk had texted Dennis with that information but hadn’t heard back yet. He could just imagine the stress Dennis was under, trying to hold up his aunt and uncle while trying not to collapse under the pressure of being a potential target.
Abby came outside and stood at the railing. “Jay stayed here with Wolf last night, but he left about thirty minutes ago to work on an assignment that’s due by four o’clock this afternoon.”
“Jesse told me last night that he was staying over, and why. Jay’s a great guy, Abby. I’m glad you two are getting married.”
“About that,” Abby said. “I’m sorry for being hateful the other day. I was shocked and mad that you and Laura Lynn broke up. I acted like a spoiled brat.”
“Understandable.”
“I did call Laura Lynn,” Abby said, “and told her that the affair might be mentioned in the news, but that I couldn’t talk about the reason. She’s still so numb she didn’t react.”
“Well, thanks for making the call. I doubt that anything will soften the blow, but at least she won’t be caught off guard.”
Abby glanced at her watch, then turned around and looked at Hawk. “I’ve got to go. I open this morning. I just want you to know that I’m praying. I’m really sorry for all you’re going through. Despite the affair, you didn’t deserve this.”
“Thanks, Abby.”
She bent down and hugged him. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He held her a little longer than he normally would and blinked the stinging from his eyes.
“Bye,” Abby said. “I’ll see you when I see you.”
Hawk smiled. “Not if I see you first.”
Abby hurried down the steps, and Hawk noticed that Dennis had answered his text: Brody’s funeral was nice, but sad. The only thing worse was my aunt and uncle’s reaction when I told them I thought he’d been murdered and planned to tell the sheriff this morning. I know what you mean about the twilight zone. None of it seems real. I’ll meet you at the courthouse at ten.
Hawk replied: Ditto. I’ll be there.
Jesse came outside, dressed in khaki shorts and the blue-and-yellow Angel View staff T-shirt he was so proud to wear.
“You going over to Flutter’s to entertain the guests?” Hawk said.
“I’m just the voice. The hummingbirds are the entertainers. Did you sleep?”
“So-so,” Hawk said. “I did a lot of reflecting and talking to God. I should be a nervous wreck, but I’m not. I got up early, had a cup of coffee, and watched the sunrise.”
A smile spread across Jesse’s face. “Man, I’m good!” He laughed. “Just kidding.”
“I’m not kidding,” Hawk said. “Thanks for reminding me that I only need mustard seed faith to let God tackle this giant problem.”
Jesse put his hand on Hawk’s shoulder. “I know you’re going to do great today. Just tell the truth. That way you don’t have to remember what you said.”
“That’s kind of profound, Jesse. Did you just make that up?”
“No. Someone I really admire said it to me when I was a kid, and it stuck.”
“Who?”
Jesse smiled. “You.”
Hawk pulled Jesse into a headlock, evoking laughter that was a full octave lower than in months past, reminding Hawk that his little brother was growing up. “How do you always know just what I need to hear?”
Jesse shrugged and just kept laughing.
“You’d better get going.” Hawk turned loose of him and brushed the hair out of his eyes. “The guests await.”
“Actually, it’s the hummers that await,” Jesse said. “I’ve got eighteen feeders that need to be filled before the guests can enjoy the entertainment.”
“Okay, better get crackin’. Love you, buddy.”
“Love you too.”
Hawk sat quietly humbled, trying to get his heart around Jesse’s words. “Someone I really admire said it to me …” Could it be true that his brother hadn’t lost respect for him despite his failing? Jesse was old enough to understand what Hawk had done, but he had essentially separated the sin from the sinner. Something Hawk frequently struggled with.
Lord, thanks for letting me receive a touch from You through Jesse. I know You love me more than anyone else can, but he’s a great encourager. Be with Dennis and me today as we articulate what we know for Sheriff Granger. Let the truth set us free.
At five minutes to ten, Hawk walked up the steps of the courthouse, Elliot on his heels. When he got to the top, he spotted Dennis, who was wearing khaki pants and a navy polo shirt and leaning against one of the white columns.
Hawk walked over to him. “Hey, man. You ready to roll?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Dennis said.
Hawk took a step back and introduced Dennis and Elliot, and the two shook hands.
“I’m truly sorry about your cousin,” Elliot said.
Dennis nodded. “Thank you, sir. Me too.”
“I’m going to leave you two young men to do what you came to do,” Elliot said. “I’m just going to hang around the courthouse and do some work on my laptop. I’ll be here if you need me. Otherwise, I’ll see you when you’re done.” Elliot looked at Hawk. “I’m proud of you. I know this is tough.”
Hawk and Elliot did their elaborate handshake and exchanged a quick hug. “Thanks,” Hawk said. “I’ll call you when we’re done.”
Hawk followed Dennis into the courthouse, and the two found Sheriff Virgil Granger standing in the lobby, talking on the phone. Virgil put his cell phone in his pocket and walked over to them. Hawk made the introductions.
“Follow me,” Virgil said.
They followed the sheriff through the wood-and-glass door of the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department. Hawk and Dennis passed through the metal detector, and then the three continued walking down a long shiny corridor.
Deputy Hobbs, who had worked the case when Hawk’s father and sister were missing, walked up to the sheriff. “Interview rooms one and two are ready, sir.”
“Thanks, Jason,” Virgil said. “Would you get Mr. Armison and Mr. Cummings situated as we discussed?”
“Certainly.” The deputy gave Hawk a nod of acknowledgment and then said, “Gentlemen, come this way, please.”