Twenty-one Year Rule Read online

“Oh,” Grace’s eyes narrowed. Bash couldn’t look away. He felt as if she was examining his soul. She added softly, “Were you in jail?”

  “No,” Bash smiled, he couldn’t help it. She was fearless. “I was on parole.”

  Grace smiled and rolled her eyes, “So you’re a bad guy?”

  “Not really,” Bash tried to stop smiling.

  Grace laughed, “That’ what they all say.”

  Bash chuckled and added, “So now you know my secret, what’s yours?”

  Grace snuggled against him and whispered in his ear, “I’m a virgin.” Then she pulled back, flashed a brilliant smile, and added, “That’s what they all say.”

  Bash laughed and wrapped his arm around her. “Grace, you’re my kind of girl.”

  Music began to play, and the party erupted.

  Chapter Five

  Bash rolled over and clutched his head. Emma’s cries were drilling a hole in his skull. He pulled the covers up and stuffed the pillow on top of his head. His mind went back to last night. How did he get home? Shit! He jumped up from the bed and dashed to the window.

  Pulling back the curtains, he squinted through the torturous morning light. Amy’s car was safely in the driveway. He released a sigh of relief and turned to head back to bed, but stopped short when he saw Amy standing in the doorway holding Emma in her arms.

  “You need a shower.” Amy said with a wrinkled nose and a raised eyebrow.

  Bash glanced down completely oblivious to the fact he was standing before her in his boxers. His t-shirt was torn and covered in mud. A pair of muddy jeans lay in a heap on the floor next to his muddy sneakers and wet socks. Bash looked up at Amy and said innocently, “I went to a party last night up at the lake.”

  Amy grinned and said, “Judging by your clothes you had a great time.” She bent down, picked up his muddy shoes and added, “Randy is coming home today. Why don’t you take a shower? I’ll leave your breakfast in the microwave and throw your jeans in the washer. Do you have any other clothes?”

  Bash scooped his clothes off the floor and pulled off his t-shirt. Handing them to her, he answered, “I’ve got a couple of t-shirts in my back pack, but that’s my only pair of jeans. You don’t have to wash them, I can do my own laundry.”

  Amy nodded and spun to leave calling over her shoulder. “I’ll pick you up another pair of jeans and a couple of shirts when I get to Ogden. In the meantime, toss your clothes in the dryer when you finish with breakfast. I’ll see you when we get back.”

  Bash headed for the hall bathroom as his mind went back to last night. He remembered getting tossed into the lake. Everyone ended up in the lake at some point. He remembered standing next to Amy’s car and kissing Grace. Yes, he definitely kissed Grace, but that was it.

  Emmett was her brother, and he wasn’t about to let Grace get in his car. Therefore, a good night kiss was the end of it. Bash shrugged at his image in the mirror and turned on the shower. It could have been worse; at least she wasn’t scared by his past. In fact, she wasn’t fazed by it at all.

  Most of the girls he’d met the last couple of years couldn’t get far enough away from him once they learned of his past. The ones willing to stick around usually had too much baggage of their own or ended up getting him in more trouble than they were worth.

  Bash rinsed the soap from his hair and turned off the water. He glanced at his reflection again. He looked much better. Snatching up a comb, he ran it through his hair and glanced around for a razor. Suddenly, his head snapped up, and he dashed out of the bathroom and down the stairs.

  He ran to the small laundry room just off the kitchen and yanked the washer’s lid open. “Crap!” He yelled as he gazed at his jeans sitting in the soapy water. He pulled the jeans out of the water and searched the pockets. Pulling a small piece of paper out he tossed the jeans back and closed the lid. “Mother puss bucket,” He growled and sat the paper on the counter in the kitchen.

  He stood staring at the wet paper considering his options. Let it dry or try to pry it open now.

  The phone on the wall next to the refrigerator rang. Bash frowned at it and turned back to the paper. It rang again. He growled and went to answer it.

  “Yeah?” He snapped into the phone.

  “Bash?” A familiar voice answered.

  Bash froze. Shit! Why hadn’t he checked the screen?

  The voice continued, “Bash, its Pete I heard what happened. We need to talk.”

  “No,” Bash answered sharply, “I’m out of this, I’m done.”

  “Nobody’s done.” Pete answered in a dark tone. “If you won’t meet me today, I’ll come find you tomorrow and it won’t be pretty.”

  “That’s hilarious, I live with a cop.” Bash sneered.

  Pete didn’t hesitate, “I’ll finish what Joel started with your whole family if you cross me.”

  An icy fist dug into Bash’s stomach. “I can’t meet now. Where are you?”

  “Ogden.” Pete answered.

  Bash glanced toward the front door and said, “Meet me where Chet dropped me off at ten o’clock tonight.”

  **********

  Joanne lived in one half of a small duplex located a block off the main road not far from the Sheriff’s office. The cluster of two bedroom duplexes was nestled in the center of rural downtown, which consisted of a few bars, gas station with a small market, a strip mall that housed the Sheriff’s office and a farmer’s supply.

  Josh pulled up in front and grabbed Molly and Jake’s overnight bags as the kids headed to the door. Joanne appeared and opened the screen door. She gave the kids a hug and ushered them inside. Blocking the doorway with her body she smiled at Josh, “I’ll have Jake up and ready at 7 o’clock for your fishing trip.” She took the bags from him and stepped back inside.

  Josh shrugged and headed back to his car. Her abrupt attitude was actually a blessing. She usually talked his ear off.

  **********

  Bash hated lying to Amy, but the last thing she needed right now was the truth. She was tickled to think he was stealing away to see a girl. She’d never know the difference if things went well tonight. The night was so dark in Utah. Bash’s eyes darted from side to side as he drove just waiting for a deer or coyote to dash out in front of him.

  As the lights of Ogden appeared before him, he relaxed. City lights, cars buzzing about, now that was his kind of atmosphere. He pulled into the old union station that was now a series of stores and restaurants. The train tracks still ran behind the building. That was where Pete would be waiting in the dark solitude of anonymity.

  A strange sensation rushed through Bash. He fought the urge to return to Amy’s car and search for a gun. He had his knife, but that would be little defense against a gun. No, this was not going to go wrong. He would take it slow and hold his ground.

  Moving around the side of the building, Bash glanced down the tracks. A lone figure stood in the center of the tracks near the platform. Bash caught the hint of movement in the shadows of the platform’s pillars. Pete was not alone.

  Moving slowly but with confident purpose, Bash walked toward the platform. Pete was shorter than he remembered. He shared the same olive skin and jet black hair with the two men lingering in the shadows. Bash stared into Pete’s coal black eyes and said, “Your friends seem a bit intimidated by me.”

  Pete flashed a tobacco-stained smile and said, “We didn’t want to crowd you.”

  “What do you want, Pete?” Bash got right to the point. He didn’t want this to last any longer than necessary.

  “I need the product your buddy stole from me.” Pete sneered, and he slid his hand into the front pocket of his baggy jeans.

  Bash wanted to laugh at Pete’s verbiage. He was a punk trying to act like an exec, product are you kidding me? “It was the State Police that confiscated it. I don’t even know who they are or where they took your product. If you want a scapegoat blame Chet. The idiot was drunk off his ass as usual, they all were.” Bash’s eyes narrowed, “It’s
gone, and I had nothing to do with it.”

  Pete moved closer, “Your cop brother killed Joel.”

  Bash’s face broke into a wicked smile, “He’s not my brother, and the idiots were asking for it. They attacked a cop. If Joel and Dave stayed out of Chet's arrest for drunk driving that would have been the end of it. Instead, they stepped in and then couldn’t even kill the cop. Dave was drunk and rolled the car as he was trying to escape, fuckin’ morons, all of them.”

  “Joel hated cops. It was only a matter of time before he tried to kill one. He let his hatred take control He got what he deserved. I don’t give a crap. What I do care about is that I’m hearing the cops didn’t get all of the meth.” Pete closed the distance between them. “You need to get your ass in to see Dave and Chet. Find out where they stashed the rest of the meth. I have a deadline to meet.”

  Bash leaned down so close to Pete’s face he could smell the stink of meth on his clothes. “I said, I’m out. That was the deal. You said you’d cut me loose if I helped you make a connection in Cleveland. I hooked you up with Chet who could give a direct route to the Cleveland market so I’m done.”

  The shadows moved quickly heading toward them. Pete lifted his hand, and they stopped a few feet away. Pete locked eyes with Bash and said, “This is your mess, your boys screwed it up. You said they could do the job. You swore to me they would make the connection in Cleveland for me. As far as I’m concerned, this plan of yours is fucked up. So this is what you’re gonna do. You’re gonna find my product and deliver it back to Cleveland. The family reunion is over. Kiss your sister’s ass goodbye and finish what you started.”

  Bash felt his face turn red; he took a slow deep breath to stay calm. “I will find your meth but I’m not going back to Cleveland. I’ll make some calls and get one of Dave’s boys to head out here but if you want to make your deadline you’ll have to meet him halfway.”

  Pete’s expression softened to a mild sneer, “Let me know when you’ve got the product.”

  Bash stood his ground, watching as Pete and his henchmen disappeared around the side of the building. He should never have mentioned Amy to that asshole. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the folded paper with Grace’s phone number. Grabbing his phone from his pocket, he punched in her number as he headed back to Amy’s car.

  **********

  Randy leaned back into the pillows and waited for the painkillers to take effect. Dr. Lund didn’t like releasing him so soon after the surgery but understood Randy’s reasons. He had a family to protect. Kilo lay on the floor next to the bed sleeping while Amy flittered around the room. She sat a chair from the kitchen next to the bed so Randy could reach his meds and water without straining. He grinned at his beautiful wife. Her long, golden hair flowed down her back from a high ponytail. The tiny t-shirt and short shorts hugged her petite curves causing his libido to fight against the relaxing effects of the painkillers.

  Her post baby figure was actually more desirable than before. Her hips were more rounded which accented her tiny waist. Randy loved the way her enlarged breasts overflowed her shirts.

  “Amy,” He said urgently, causing her to spin and rush to his side. He reached up to caress her shoulder and said, “When is the last time you kissed me?”

  Her face released all the tension of the day, and she leaned closer, “It’s been so long I can’t remember.” She whispered and kissed him gently.

  Randy wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him, ignoring the pain. “A knife to the gut is the only thing that could ever keep me away from your luscious lips.”

  Amy sat on the bed next to him, “Well don’t do it again, ever.” She admonished him with a sad smile.

  “I’m fine, baby.” He whispered, “How are you doing with all this?”

  Emma began to fuss in the next room. Amy pulled the covers up over Randy’s stomach and said, “I’m okay, Ed did the right thing calling Josh first. I would never have made it to the hospital on my own. However, in the future, Ed needs to call me as soon as something happens. I don’t want nor like, being the last to know.”

  “I understand,” Randy agreed, “Why don’t you bring Emma in here and I’ll watch her while you take a bath and relax.”

  Amy brought in Emma and laid her on the bed next to Randy. He smiled and tickled his daughter’s tummy. Heading back to Emma’s room Amy grabbed the pile of dirty clothes from her dresser and went into Bash’s room to look for the towel he used after his shower. The towel was on the end of his bed. She picked it up and grabbed the dirty clothes from the floor. She stumbled over his pack that lay partially under the foot of his bed.

  She picked up the backpack and tossed it on the bed. A pair of dirty socks fell out. Amy opened the backpack and looked inside for more dirty laundry. She pulled out a couple of wrinkled t-shirts and another pair of dirty socks. Amy smiled and flipped the backpack upside down emptying the contents onto the bed. Half a dozen small bundles of cash fell out onto the bed. Amy gasped and slowly picked up the nearest bundle. It was all hundred-dollar bills.

  She counted the bundle. It held ten thousand dollars. “Bash, what have you done?” Amy whispered. Amy quickly stuffed everything back into the backpack and dropped it on the floor beside the bed.

  She stood staring down at the backpack unable to move. How did her life get so out of control? She’d put all of this behind her. She thought it was behind Bash, as well. She was wrong. She was so stupid and naive. How could she believe Bash would walk out of juvy still an innocent? How could she believe that he would turn into a model citizen…just because? Amy knew she’d failed Bash. She’d failed her little brother. She failed as a big sister.

  Amy scowled at the backpack and kicked it hard. No more, she was going to get Bash on the straight and narrow if it killed her. She snatched up the backpack and pulled the money out, then tossed the pack back under the bed.

  *********

  Pulling into the same parking lot as the night before, Bash glanced around at the line of vehicles for Grace’s car. He rolled his eyes and parked the car. He had no idea what her car looked like or if even she had one. There was no music or firelight coming from the party spot. Bash glanced around, not seeing Grace he decided to head there anyway.

  Glancing up, Bash was amazed at the amount of stars. They were so concentrated it was as if the Milky Way floated directly over the Utah Mountains. Bash reached the open area near the water. A small light appeared in the distance across the water. Bash watched as it grew closer. The roar of a boat engine drifted across the water. A small speedboat approached the shore slowing as it neared. Bash’s face broke into a pleased smile when Grace waved to him from the driver’s seat.

  He stepped onto the sandy landing area and took hold of the bow. Grace killed the engine and hopped off the front. She tossed a small anchor behind a fallen log and turned to face him. “I was just about to give up and have a boring Friday night at my parent’s home when you called.”

  Reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from her cheek, Bash said, “I’m sorry I called so late. I didn’t think I was going to get out tonight.”

  “I’m glad you did.” Grace took hold of his hand and led him to the fallen log they sat on the previous night. “How’s the Sheriff doing?”

  Bash frowned; that’s not what he wanted to talk about. “He’s fine, he came home today. My sister was fussing over him when I left.”

  Grace stared at him intently and asked, “You don’t like him, do you?”

  “It’s not that,” Bash admitted, “he seems like a nice guy and as long as he’s good to Amy, I’ve got no problem with him.”

  Grace squeezed his hand, “But you don’t like him.”

  Bash laughed, “It’s hard to like a cop when you’ve been on the other side. It doesn’t feel right.”

  Grace nodded and stared out across the lake. The night air had a cooling touch as it rushed gently over them. Bash watched as the breeze pushed Grace’s long, golden hair across her fac
e to caress her cheek. His eyes trailed down her cheek to her bare silky shoulders. She wore a red bikini top and a tiny pair of blue jean shorts. His eyes lingered on her breasts then moved down to her long shapely legs.

  “I killed my dad.” Bash whispered wanting to tell her everything, hoping she would accept him for who he truly was. “He was abusive when he drank. I came home from school one day and heard him screaming. When I walked in the door, everything suddenly went silent. I ran to the kitchen. He was standing over Amy, strangling her. The rage on his face was terrifying. I knew he wasn’t going to stop. I was thirteen years old. He was a big man. I knew I couldn’t pull him off her. Amy’s lips were turning blue. She was going to die. I had no choice. I got the shotgun out from under his bed, and I shot him.”

  Grace turned to stare at him, her eyes filled with tears. “Bash, I’m so sorry.” She whispered and hugged him tightly wrapping her arms around his neck. “That must have been so frightening, but you had no choice, you had to save her.”

  Bash clung to her. He hadn’t said that out loud anyone since the trial. Not even to his friends in juvy. He wasn’t sure he’d ever say it aloud again. “It haunts me, every day. I can still see the blood. There was so much blood.” Bash answered pulling her tight against him and taking in the musky scent of her perfume.

  “Is that why you were in prison?” Grace pulled back just enough to gaze into his eyes.

  “I intentionally killed a man,” Bash answered, “You don’t walk away from something like that. No matter how old you are.”

  “My dad is in prison.” Grace whispered, “He embezzled money from his work. All of us kids are working to help my mom pay the bills. My dad won’t tell anyone where the money is, so mom has to pay it back. I’m a ski instructor at Snow Basin in the winter and I work at the Dock Bar and Grill during the summer. I want to open my own ski outfitting shop someday. I could sell snow ski equipment and lessons in the winter. Then waterski equipment and lessons in the summer. I finally saved up enough money to get my own place. I help mom make her mortgage payment, but I’ve still got enough to live.”