Part 10 (1/2)

Y-yes. Chloe hesitated to correct Tanyas a.s.sumption that this visit was about her most recent difficulties.

I bet there are hundreds of stories like mine all over the country, Tanya said, wiping her eyes. That doesnt make mine any easier to accept.

No. Chloe decided to let her talk.

Especially when Frank Hudson has the first nickel he ever made. As Tanya carefully s.h.i.+fted her son in her lap, Wayans pursed his lips and rubbed his eyes, but didnt wake up. I know Frank was laid off, Tanya continued in a lower voice. But with the money hes pinched over the years, he could have retired when he was thirty.

Chloe wasnt interested in Frank Hudson. He was a minor character in this. Neither particularly bad nor good. And far from any real power source. Where will you go? she asked Tanya, instead.

Even though itll be a really tight fit, my sister says sh.e.l.l take us in temporarily. Till I can find work. But any work I can get wont cover the child care Ill need. She inhaled with a shudder. I havent worked since high school. I loved staying home with our kids. Nateloved coming home to us Tell me about Nate, Chloe said, looking at Wayans. Remembering Claire.

A fat tear rolled down Tanyas cheek and onto the head of her sleeping child. G.o.d, he was a good man. He made me laugh. Something I dont do much these days.

Chloe looked down at her own hands. She wasnt in the Living section anymore. This was life. Real and raw. And exposed. The way it had been for her family fourteen years ago.

Tanyas other two children, a boy and a girl, ran up onto the porch, their fine brown hair plastered to their sweaty faces. Mama, were hungry, the girl said, lowering her voice as Tanya put her finger to her lips and nodded at the sleeping toddler on her lap.

And thirsty, the boy added. Can we have the stuff Mack brought over?

You can each have a juice box. And some string cheese or peanut-b.u.t.ter crackers, but no more cookies, yhear?

Yesm, the two mumbled as they dashed into the house.

Growing kids, Tanya commented. They come with hollow legs.

I wouldnt know, Chloe replied in a near whisper, struggling to stay in the present.

If it wasnt for Mack, Tanya continued, stroking Wayanss hair, I dont know what Id do.

Wh-what about Mack?

Hes always bringing food over. And I know he badgers the staff at the department to give up any clothes their kids have outgrown. When hes off duty, h.e.l.l keep an eye on my four so I can catch my breath. He fixes stuff around the house. He even helps with the bills but I didnt tell him about the rent. I know his paycheck runs thin fast, what with him trying to keep his parents farm afloat.

So Macks a knight in s.h.i.+ning armor, Chloe said. Lara Hudson had implied as much, although not kindly.

Tanya offered a wan smile. Mack would hate you saying that, but to me hes been a G.o.dsend, yes. Although Although?

As the mists of the April evening began to rise, a whippoorwills plaintive call trilled in the distance.

Dont get me wrong, Tanya said. I should be the last person to say anything against Mackbut sometimes I worry about his motives.

Chloe leaned forward. How do you mean?

Theres something gnawing at him. Something dark. As friends, he and Nate went back a long way, and Nates death hit him hard. But.i.ts almost as if Mack feels guilty.

Did the army give you any information that would make you think that?

I was told Nate died when an insurgenta suicide bomberentered their tent. Mack was in the shower at the time.

How could an insurgent get that close?

I dont know. And Mack isnt saying.

Survivors guilt is what thats called, Chloe said.

Maybe. b.u.t.this is the bad part. The part that makes me feel guilty. I dont know what I would have done without Macks help, and with him here, theres always a piece of Nate around, buthow can I explain this? Its been a year and a half that Nates been gone, yet somehow Macks brooding keeps me from moving on. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes it nearly suffocates me.

Chloe froze. Years ago shed heard neighbors gossiping. One had claimed that Chloes fixation on her sisters death had nearly destroyed her parents marriage.

I sound like a big ol ingrate, and Im not, Tanya said, waving a gnat away from her sleeping child. But Ive had a lot piled on me today. I guess I needed to unload. Sighing, she ran her fingers through her already tousled hair. On someone who hasnt heard my story over and over.

Chloe rubbed her arms. The nights gone chilly, she said. Id better go.

Her son in her arms, Tanya got up with difficulty. Sometimes I stand in my kids bedroom doorway and watch em sleep. Glad someone can have a worry-free night.

Mama! Hes into the cookies! one of the children called from inside the house.

The young mother sighed. And so it goes.

Chloe held open the screen door for her. The house wasnt much of a shelter, but in ten days Tanya and her family would lose even that.

Just because the process Frank Hudson had followed was legal, did that make it right? And yes, Deputy Whittaker had crossed a line this afternoon, but did that make him wrong?

And what about the concerns Tanya had expressed about Mack, the man?

Chloe had read a lot about post-traumatic stress disorder. Perhaps Mack was suffering from it. Perhaps, too, shed gotten herself in way over her head with this article. Especially since it was dredging up her own past.

Suddenly Chloe didnt want to be alone. Earlier in the day Deputy Hannah Breckinridge had mentioned shed finish her s.h.i.+ft at eleven tonight and had wanted to know if Chloe might like to join her for popcorn and a DVD. Although Chloe had never been one to foster gal pals, she headed for department headquarters. Because she wasnt going to get any sleep tonight.

A FTER AN EVENING OF helping his father gather supplies to repair the barn roof, Mack dragged himself back to headquarters with the single thought of a shower and bed. He didnt need to see Chloe sitting in the staff kitchen, laughing with his coworkers about to punch in for the graveyard s.h.i.+ft. He rubbed his tired eyes to see if she was a mirage.

Deputy Whittaker, she said.

Are you waiting for me?

No. For Hannah. Breckinridge.

What could he say to that? He stood in the middle of the kitchen and scrutinized her as the other deputies pretended they werent watching.

But now that youre here, Chloe said, I do have a couple requests since my time is running out in Applegate.

Three more days would bring them to Sunday. They were past the halfway point. He should feel better about that than he did. Yes?

I understand surveillance begins on a fake lottery ticket No way. Following anonymous phone-in tips, he was to begin the operation tomorrow night with the graveyard. Youre not in on that.

Why not? Sooner asked. Initial surveillance isnt particularly dangerous. Were just checkin this guy out. It may not lead to anything.