Faith, Honor & Freedom by Shannon Callahan Page A

are you doing tonight?” I ask Lana, as I pull out of her parents’ driveway. Her mom’s cooking was excellent, as always, and the conversation that flowed was light. Violet called during dinner and said that Gavin wouldn’t take a bottle, so she had to stay with him for the night. Lana felt absolutely horrid. Violet hasn’t been sleeping very well, and I guess Lana had wanted to help her out. Lana and her mom drove up to the hospital to bring them supper while Steve and I watched the end of the game.
    “Well, I am still thinking of going up and staying with Violet—maybe I can help somehow.”
    “I’m not sure there will be any room on the single cot Vi and Jack already share,” I joke.
    “I know. I just feel terrible. She doesn’t deserve this. She looked so sad when we stopped by.”
    “No, you’re right; she doesn’t deserve that, and neither does he,” I say, pulling onto her street. “Look, why don’t you grab some clothes and come over. I don’t like the idea of you in that house alone. Not when that psychopath is still out there.” While that’s the main reason I want her at my house, fuck me, but the thought of her in my bed again makes me a happy man.
    “I don’t know,” she says, staring out the window as we drive past Jenny’s house.
    “You know Rhett would have my head if I didn’t make sure you were safe.” I know it’s a low blow, but it’s the truth. Rhett would probably have her on a plane to Canada by now.
    “All right, just let me grab my stuff,” she says, as I pull into her drive.
    “Take your time, Sunshine. I’ve got a few calls I need to make.”
    She nods and jumps out of the truck. I grab my cell and call Parker.
    “Parker,” he answers.
    “Did we get any lab results back yet?”
    “Everything so far has come back inconclusive or negative. We’ve got dick all.”
    “Fuck! Anyone recognize any of the offenders in the area?”
    “One might have seen Harrison Lewis, but the description of the car he was in didn’t match. I sent Jones and Perez over to check him out anyway, but I’m not hopeful.”
    “All right, call me if you get anything at all. I’ll be in tomorrow.”
    “Sounds good,” he says and hangs up the phone.
    Shit. We’ve been working this guy for a long time now. He finally slipped up, and I thought for sure we would find something, anything at all. These families need closure, but I can’t make something out of nothing. I’m following every lead possible, and have even sent in the information we have to be aired on one of the big crime shows soon. Hopefully we’re chosen, and it leads to a tip we can use.
    I look back up at Lana’s house, but see no sign of her, so I decide to call my aunt Patti. Ever since Mom and Dad died five years ago, she’s kind of taken on the parent role. She moved to Florida a year ago, and I’ve only gotten out to see her once. Still hoping she comes back to visit me someday, but for now, we try and keep in touch over the phone.
    “Weston, finally! I hear the Carters got you for dinner, I was hoping I’d at least get a phone call,” she says in the tone she uses to make me feel like a guilty prick. Or maybe I just am one. Thanks, Tanya, for ratting me out.
    “I’m sorry, Patti. I’m working a big case, and she caught me off guard when she asked.” More like she offered up chili and cornbread.
    “What’s it going to take to get you to come visit us? Lana too. Your uncle and I sure do miss you both.”
    “I’ll try, I promise. Things are just a bit hectic here.”
    “All right, all right,” she sulks. I watch as Lana emerges from her house and locks her front door.
    “I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know.”
    “Have a good night Weston. I love you.”
    “Love you too, Patti,” I say as I hang up the phone. Lana throws her overnight bag into the backseat.
    “Who was that?” she asks.
    “Patti.”
    “Let me guess, she’s jealous,” she says with a smile.
    “Yeah, she wants you to come