Chapter 26 by Matt Wall
Van’s chest heaved as his anger seeped from deep down inside him. He clenched his fists as he stared at Brody. As he began to storm into the room, he felt a strong hand on his chest.
“Van, you know I can’t let you in there,” Deputy Andy said.
Van knocked Andy’s hand away and said, “You can and you will.” He scoffed, then added, “I promise not to hurt the bastard.”
Andy stood up straight. “I am going to have to ask you to back up.”
Rage filled Van’s eyes. “With one call to my father, I could have you filing papers in the basement for the rest of your career. Do you really want to push me?”
“It’s all right, Deputy. You can let him in,” Brody said from his hospital bed, breaking up the confrontation.
“Are you sure?” Andy asked.
“Yeah, there’s nothing that Van can do to hurt me anymore.”
Van smirked and his eyes became dead like a shark’s. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” He walked by Andy and into the room. “The balls on you…”
“Just stop, Van. I’m not afraid of you. You can’t hide behind your daddy forever.”
“I don’t hide behind anyone!”
“Except your father,” Brody said. “It’s fine. It’s over. I told them everything and as soon as Ciri is physically able, she will spill the beans as well, about how you have been abusing her all this time.”
Van’s red face turned white. “It’s not true.” Van trailed off, thinking about the validity of the words Brody spoke. “My father is the Chief of Police.”
“I don’t think that matters when it comes to attempted murder charges.”
Van was taken aback. “What are you talking about?”
“We both know that you are the one that put Ciri in the hospital. I went to meet her so that she could finally get away from you. I think you knew that and wanted to put a stop to it.”
“Lies!” Van shouted. “You are the one who nearly killed the love of my life!”
Brody chuckled. “Keep telling yourself that. If you are finished, could you please leave? I have a jail cell to get back to.”
Van stood there, frozen. He couldn’t speak. He kept trying to, but the words wouldn’t come out. He didn’t even flinch at Andy, when he put his hand on his shoulder.
“Come on, Van. Let’s leave Brody alone for now.”
