Page 17 of Having HIs Back
Kerry hurried to the front window. The man he’d seen out from before was across the street. Kerry knew who it was now and called Brian. “Charlie is across the street, watching the house. I half expect him to come over at any time and demand to see Phillip.”
“I have a call with the crime lab, trying to get the results we need. I’m going to ask Janine to stop over. I’ll tell her to use her lights. That should scare him off. If he comes to the house, do not let him in. Don’t let him see the kids, and you can tell him that the police have been called and are on their way.”
“What if he tries to break in?”
“Get the kids to a safe place and call the neighbors. Get them to come out and make themselves known if you can. Janine is already on her way. She left the station while we’ve been on the phone. She’ll be there in less than ten minutes.” He sounded calm, but worried.
“I need to hang up and call Karen.”
“Fine, but text me as soon as you’re off the phone with her.” Brian hung up, and Kerry called Karen, explaining who the man was out front.
“I’ll turn on my lights and call the other neighbors.” Karen got off the phone and turned on every light she had outside. Kerry did the same, and it wasn’t long before others on the streetfollowed suit. Kerry got the kids into Henry’s bedroom, pulled the curtains, and asked if they wanted to play camping. He got them on the floor and used the bed to anchor a blanket over them all as a tent with the boys easily slipping under the bed so they could keep away from the bears.Grrrrr.Apparently, for this game, Kerry was the bear.
A firm knock sounded on the front door. Kerry tensed, but refused to let the kids see any reaction. “I’m going to see who that is. But the bear is going to come back.” He growled again to squeals of laughter before leaving the room.
He checked though the window beside the door. “What do you want?” Kerry asked without unlocking or opening the door.
“I have a right to see my kid. I know you got the papers.” Charlie pounded on the door.
“The police have been called, and they’re on their way. Go away. We want nothing to do with you, and you’re not welcome,” Kerry said as forcefully as possible without yelling so he didn’t disturb the kids. He told himself that this was the man who killed his sister, and there was no way in hell that he was getting anywhere near them.
“Good. They will make you let me see him.” This guy really was delusional.
“Go away. You’ve been told to leave.”
“I have a right.” He pounded again, and Phillip and Henry raced out to Kerry, grabbing hold of his legs.
“Is that the mean man?” Henry asked, clinging to him.
Shit, he had hoped to avoid them having any contact with this all together.
“Go back in the bedroom and pretend the bear is coming. Can you do that for me? I’ll be right in. I promise.” Both boys looked at each other and then hurried away, hopefully to do as he asked.
A siren sounded, and soon lights flashed out front as first a single car and then multiples pulled up out front. “Charles Westerly,” a female voice said firmly.
“Yes. So what?” he snapped.
“You are wanted for questioning in the death of Caroline Sutherland,” Janine said loudly enough that her voice carried well into the house.
“I had nothing to do with that. All I want is to see my son.” He pounded on the door again. “This isn’t over. I know you got the papers from my lawyer. You can’t keep him away from me.” He sounded more and more desperate with each phrase.
“Put your hands where I can see them.”
Kerry peered through the window as two additional officers stood nearby. Janine got the cuffs on him.
“What are you arresting me for?”
Janine paused for a second. “Right now, disturbing the peace. But who knows.” She read him his rights and then led Charlie away, voices growing quieter.
Kerry went to the bedroom and found the two boys in their tent. “It’s okay. Everything is quiet now,” he said. “The bear is all gone.” Both boys came out, and Kerry hugged them tightly. “You were really good. Let’s go get ourselves a snack.” He led them into the kitchen and got the boys seated at the table with their treats, giving Pebbles a Greenies.
Kerry figured someone from the police would stop in before they left, but the knock on the door still made him jump. He checked outside before unlocking the door and pulling it open. “Janine?”
She nodded. “We have him in custody, and I’m going to book him on suspicion. We can hold him for three days, and hopefully by then, the tests will have come back.”
“Will you search his house?” Kerry asked.
Janine smiled and nodded. “Yeah, we will. I’m going to write up the warrant once I get to the station, and then we’ll get a judge to sign it. Brian messaged me to say that he’ll see you as soon as he has anything.”
