Beverly Barton - Silent Killer

Ruth Ann wrapped her arm around Charity’s shoulder. “This is not your fault, and I don’t want you to worry that we blame you in any way.”

Felicity raised her head, pulled out of her father’s embrace and faced her parents. “It’s all my fault. I’m the one who talked Missy into going. I told her Neal and Lacey were going to meet up with Ricky and wouldn’t it be fun if we went, too. I’m sorry. I’m such an idiot.”

“You certainly acted foolishly tonight,” John Earl said.

“What are they going to do to me?” Felicity asked, a note of fear in her trembling voice.

“I don’t know, honey,” Ruth Ann said. “You’re seventeen and were caught drinking beer and smoking marijuana.”

Felicity burst into tears again.

Cathy walked over to Seth where he stood beside a subdued Missy Hovater, her head bowed, her gaze fixed on the floor. When he saw his mother, Seth stared directly at her, a silent plea for understanding in his blue eyes.

“I’m sorry about this, Mom.”

“Are you all right?” she asked.

He nodded.

“What about you, Missy?”

When the girl lifted her head, Cathy saw tears in her eyes and remorse in her expression.

“Seth didn’t do anything wrong. He tried to convince me not to go, but I wouldn’t listen to him. He just went with me to make sure…” Her voice broke.

Cathy could tell from the imploring look in Seth’s eyes that he wanted her to comfort Missy. She laid her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “We all make mistakes. You’ve learned a valuable lesson tonight, and we’re fortunate that Sheriff Birkett is trying his best to sort through the facts and keep most of you from winding up in juvenile court.”

“I wish my father would see it that way. You’re being so nice, and so are Felicity and Charity’s parents.” Tears streamed down Missy’s face.

Cathy gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I’m sure your father will be disappointed in your actions, but I have no doubt that he’ll be glad things didn’t turn out much worse.”

A voice called out from across the room. “Where’s my daughter?” All heads turned to locate the source of the booming voice.

Donnie Hovater, in rumpled dress slacks and a white T-shirt, scanned the sheriff’s department.

Cathy watched the play of emotions that crossed Missy’s face, and she noted something that truly bothered her: terror. Not just plain fear, which was understandable, but genuine terror. Why would this sweet girl be so horribly afraid of her father?

Donnie made his way straight to Missy, who took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and faced him. Her hands trembled. Her face went chalk white. Cathy’s first instinct was to stand between the preacher and his daughter, to protect the child from her own father.

Instead, she spoke to him in a calm voice. “She’s all right. And Sheriff Birkett knows that, like Jack said, she’s a good kid who got caught up in a bad situation.”

“How could you have done this?” Donnie demanded. “What possessed you?” He glared at Seth. “Did someone talk you into-?”

“No, Daddy.” Her voice trembled. “It’s my fault, not Seth’s. He…he didn’t want to leave the rally.” She dropped her head and swallowed her tears. “I’m sorry. Forgive me. Please…oh, please.”

Cathy whispered to Donnie. “Your daughter needs your understanding right now. Can’t you see she’s scared?”

“Yes, yes, of course. You’re right.” Donnie practically shoved Seth aside as he reached out and wrapped his arms around Missy’s shoulders. She tensed at his touch.

Cathy thought it odd that the girl didn’t immediately turn into her father’s arms to seek comfort.

Mike Birkett called for everyone’s attention, and the room quieted instantly. “Okay, everybody, listen up. We’ve taken statements from all the kids brought in by Deputies Dryer and Gipson. Ricky Baker has been arrested. He provided the beer and the marijuana. Felicity, since you admitted to both drinking and smoking pot, I’m afraid we have no choice but to charge you, but since you’re only seventeen and this is your first offense, I’ll personally recommend a fine and community service.”

“Am I going to jail?” Felicity asked.

“No, I’ll release you into your parents’ custody tonight. A date will be set for you, your parents and your lawyer to appear in juvenile court.”

“What about the others?” John Earl Harper asked.

“Lacey Sims and Neal Prater will also be charged, since they, too, were drinking. And they’ll have to appear in juvenile court. Charity Harper, Missy Hovater and Seth Cantrell will be released to their parents tonight, and no charges will be brought against them since everyone agreed that they were not drinking or smoking pot. But I warn all three of you”-his gaze moved over each of them-“let this be a lesson to y’all not to follow the crowd. You’re getting off light this time.”

Donnie grabbed Missy’s upper arm. “Let’s go, young lady.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

When Seth made a move toward Missy, Cathy clutched his hand. He glared at her. She shook her head.

Cathy wanted to say something, to somehow intervene, just as her son did, but she knew the relationship between Donnie and his daughter was none of her business. She had her hands full dealing with Seth, knowing that she had no choice but to involve his grandparents.

“Are you ready to go?” she asked.

“What’s Brother Hovater going to do to Missy? She was really scared about how he’d react.”

“Just as you’re scared about how your grandfather will react?”

“Sort of, yeah, but the way she was acting, you’d think she believed he was going to beat her or something.”

“She’s a girl, and girls in general usually show their emotions in a way most boys don’t,” Cathy explained. “She’s probably worried about disappointing her father, just as you are about disappointing your grandparents.”

“I disappointed you, too, didn’t I, Mom?”

“You’ll disappoint me only if you don’t learn from this mistake.”

He nodded. “Can I go home with you?”

“Of course you can. But in a few hours, I’ll have to call your grandparents and explain what happened. Then you’ll have to face them.”

“Will you go with me and stay with me while I talk to them?”

It was all Cathy could do to stop herself from hugging Seth the way she had when he’d been a little boy and had skinned a knee or cut a finger. “Of course, I’ll stay with you. As a matter of fact, I’ll ask J.B. and Mona to come to my house to talk. How’s that?”

He swallowed hard. “That’s great, Mom. Thanks.”

As she and her son reached the exit, she glanced back at Jack, who stood nearby. Her gaze locked with his, just for half a second, but long enough for her to sense his concern. She offered him a fragile smile that said “Thank you.”

He marched her straight to her bedroom and shoved her facedown across her bed. She wept and pleaded, but he didn’t listen, didn’t care.

Please, God, help me.

“I’m sorry. I promise I’ll never-”

“Make all the promises you want, but they won’t change what you did tonight, how you embarrassed me. You know I have to punish you.”

She sobbed uncontrollably, knowing what was about to happen. Her body tensed when he reached under her and unzipped her jeans. She held her breath when he yanked her jeans down her hips to her knees, taking her panties down with them. With her bare buttocks exposed, she braced herself for the first blow. She clutched the bedspread.

The whiz of his belt as it came through the belt loops when he removed it from his slacks echoed in the silence. The first stinging hit was usually the worst. She knew he wanted her to cry out, and if she didn’t, he would only inflict more pain with each strike.