The phone rang.
Lane said, “Hello.” He nodded at Harper. “We’re on our way up.”
Five minutes later, when they stepped inside the living room, both boys were watching TV. Jay waved. Cole was transfixed by what he saw on the screen. He sat with legs crossed and back straight.
Loraine sat at the kitchen table. She was dressed in neutral colours; greys and browns. Next to her was an officer dressed in street blues. Harper sat down across from the officer and said, “Harper.”
“Andrea.” She shook hands with Harper.
“We’re waiting for the news conference,” Loraine said.
“The kid insisted,” Andrea said.
“Jay?” Harper asked.
“No, it was Cole,” Loraine said.
Lane watched the child. Cole didn’t move and blinked only occasionally.
They waited that way for more than ten minutes.
Jay shifted his weight a few times.
Cole blinked.
“This is a V Channel news special,” the announcer said.
Every eye in the room focused on the television.
“The Calgary Chief of Police has called a news conference to explain the decision to place Cole Reddie, son of Bobbie Reddie, in protective custody. We are live.”
Chief Wyatt stood behind a cluster of microphones. She stood erect and stared back at the camera.
“It’s time to release the facts. The tragic deaths of Kaylie and Charles Reddie have resulted in an extremely complex and difficult investigation. Police practices and procedures require that we be as thorough and cautious as possible with this type of crime.
“A number of facts have been uncovered to this point. Kaylie Reddie died of Shaken Baby Syndrome and was dead at least twelve hours before her father. Charles Reddie died from an allergic reaction to penicillin. More recent evidence has come to light and is in the process of being evaluated.
“Both Jay Krocker, Ms. Reddie’s brother, and Cole Reddie, Ms. Reddie’s son, are under protective custody. Since Cole Reddie is a minor, this is as much information as the police department is able to share even though Jay and Cole’s pictures have already been released through the media. It must be made clear to the public that Jay and Cole are being held for their own protection.
“In a related matter, Bobbie Reddie’s lawyer has been contacted. I am requesting that Ms. Reddie submit to a footprinting in order to eliminate her as a suspect in a separate murder investigation. Further details related to the case will be released at a later date. Thank you.”
Chief Wyatt turned away from the microphones, and the camera shifted to a V Channel news reporter.
Jay reached up and switched the television off.
Cole stared at the blank screen.
Harper said, “That’s sure gonna get people talking.” “Mommy said there’d be a fire if I said anything,”
Cole said.
Loraine stood up and waved Lane closer. Then Loraine looked at Harper and Andrea. The glare gave a clear message-leave the room.
Harper went to set his tape recorder on the coffee table.
Loraine shook her head to say no.
Andrea and Harper left the room.
“Cole?” Loraine waited until the child looked at her. “We need to talk. Where would you like to sit?”
“By the window.” Cole walked toward the easy chair near the window and sat.
Lane and Loraine sat on the couch while Jay grabbed a chair from the kitchen and completed a lopsided circle.
Loraine leaned forward.
Cole watched her warily.
“We would like to ask you some questions,”
Loraine said.
“You want to know what happened to Kaylie and my dad,” Cole said.
“Cole’s smart. You have to talk with him like he’s an adult,” Jay said.
Loraine said, “You’re right Cole, that’s what we want to know. Are you able to tell us anything about what happened to your sister or father?”
“Kaylie wanted to go and see my dad. She said she was going to ride her bike to see him,” Cole said.
Lane remembered the pink bicycle sitting in the Reddie front yard.
“What happened then?” Loraine asked.
“My mom took the wheel off of Kaylie’s bike.” Cole stared out the window, reliving the experience.
Loraine waited.
Lane saw tears running down the boy’s cheeks. Cole wiped them away with a sleeve. “I thought my mom and Kaylie were asleep, so I took Eddie to the vet.”
“Eddie?” Loraine asked.
“The dog,” Lane said.
“Can you tell us more about Eddie?” Loraine asked.
“His ear was cut off, and his paw was hurt. He was bleeding,” Cole said.
“Do you know what happened to Eddie?” Loraine asked.
“Yes, Kaylie made my mom mad.” Cole wiped his eyes.
“I don’t understand,” Loraine said.
“Kaylie was bad, so Eddie’s foot was smashed with a hammer. Kaylie still wanted to see my dad, so Eddie lost an ear.” Cole’s voice was beginning to sound disconnected from the experience.
Loraine waited, formulating a careful question.
“Will you tell us more?”
“Punishments and reward.” Cole took a long shuddering breath. “If we were bad, my mom would hurt Eddie. If we were good, she would take Eddie to the vet.”
Loraine looked away, shook her head, then took a breath.
Lane thought, So far, everything he’s said is supported by the vet, Dr. Dent.
“Will you tell us more about that night?” Loraine asked.
“I came home. The lights were on. My mom said I had to get in the car,” Cole said.
“Is there more?” Loraine asked.
“Yes.” Cole began to sob. Tears and mucous created a sheen on his cheeks, lips, and chin.
Loraine waited.
“Will the footprints match?” Cole asked.
Lane said, “We don’t know yet.” This kid has really thought this through, Lane decided. He looked at Jay.
“When will you know?” Cole asked.
“It depends on how hard it is for us to get a footprint from Bobbie Reddie,” Lane said.
“It’s hot in Jamaica. People don’t wear shoes there do they?” Cole asked.
Lane looked at Jay.
Jay shrugged as if to say, ‘I told you.’
“My mom said if I say anything about what happened to my sister or my dad, then someone will burn,”
Cole said.
“Are you afraid she’ll burn you?” Loraine asked.
Cole’s voice was as hollow as a house that hasn’t been lived in for a month when he said, “That’s not how it works.”
Loraine spent a half-hour more talking with Cole.
No more information was forthcoming except when Cole said, “If the footprint does match, then ask. Kaylie is dead. My dad is dead. I don’t want anyone else to be dead.”
Lane said, “Eddie isn’t dead. You saved Eddie.”
Cole looked back with an unfamiliar expression. An emotion that, up to this point, had been out of place on the child’s face. It took till the evening for Lane to understand that he had seen hope in Cole’s eyes.
“Matt wants to hand out candy to the kids tomorrow night,” Arthur said. They stood together at the arena. Martha wore a blue satin scarf to keep her head warm and stood next to her brother. Lane had a few minutes before he had to get changed.
“I forgot all about Halloween,” Lane said.
“I’d be happier if everyone forgot about Halloween.
It’s not very Christian,” Martha said.
“You’ve really had your nose deep in this case,”
Arthur said to Lane as if he hadn’t heard his sister.
“I still do,” Lane said.
“You’re worried about the kid,” Arthur said.
“If we don’t solve this one soon, the boy could go back home,” Lane said.
“Over my dead body! There’s no way on God’s green earth that Matt’s going back to his father!”
Martha said.
“We’re not talking about Matt,” Arthur said.
“Oh,” Martha said.