Page 7 of Two Hearts' Accidental Heroes

“Also, a former FBI special agent,” Mom replied.

Rick’s eyes went wide.

Mom hesitated before continuing, “I suppose I’d better tell you that Michelle Ashford’s father was found dead in his home office.”

“No.” Rick was horrified. He hadn’t known Mr. Ashford well, but he’d always seemed like such a nice guy. Mrs. Ashford was just the opposite. “When did it happen? His daughter, Michelle, and her boyfriend, Jeff Barton, are two of Brian’s closest friends.”

“Earlier today. Tom Ashford visited our office this morning, and he was found dead later this afternoon, before these men showed up at the real estate office, so Jake thinks everything is connected. They’re investigating Tom’s death as a murder, so no one else can know about this Rick, except you and me and your father. Okay?”

As stunned as he was about what he was hearing, he was still curious. This was a lot of information to reveal to someone like him, who was still considered a kid.

“Mom? Why are you really telling me all of this? What makes you think that I’m going to be able to keep things quiet. Heck, I’m only fifteen.”

“You’re only a few weeks away from being sixteen,” she replied, holding his gaze intently. “You could never really hide it from me and your father, you know.”

“What’s that?” he asked, grimacing.

She snorted. “You know, at first, your dad and I thought you were blowing your allowance on candy and video games, like Brian and Eric would have done. So, when a woman from the community shelter over in Eau Claire made a point of coming up to me at the real estate office and thanking me on behalf of my son, I didn’t have a clue about what she was talking about. I guess one of your teachers sent her there when she wanted to thank you for all your donations.”

Rick hung his head.

“And then there was the call from the superintendent about your high IQ score, which was something your father and I decided not to tell you about, because you’ve always been such a happy kid. They suggested we send you to a more prestigious school, but I’ve always kind of sensed that you were already aware of your skill sets.”

“School’s always come easy for me, Mom,” he admitted. He’d even downplayed answers on tests, just so he wouldn’t be singled out.

“We kind of figured that. Brian always had trouble concentrating on any subject while Eric was bored with math,” she said, giving him a wry smile. “We never had to worry about you at all, which was kind of strange when you think about it. I’m surprised we never figured it out before we got that call from the superintendent, back when you were still in eighth grade.” Mom looked around the room sadly. “I’d better finish packing. Hopefully, your dad will be able to keep himself together with your help. I have no idea how long Aaron and I will have to go into hiding. We’ll be splitting up, of course, so that we have less chance of being tracked.”

When Rick stood, Mom approached, hugging him tightly one more time.

“I love you, Rick, just as I love Brian and Eric. Hopefully, they won’t think poorly of me when I’m not around.”

“I’ll do what I can, Mom, to remind them about the good things,” he whispered, tears in his eyes.

“I know you will,” she replied, beginning to cry. “Goodbye, dear. It’s better if I don’t say goodbye to Brian or Eric. They’re going to be angry for a long while, I’m sure.”

“Goodbye, Mom. I love you too,” he answered, rushing from the room.

Reaching the staircase, he climbed the stairs quickly, heading into his bedroom, falling onto the bed in tears.

Chapter Three

Dad was on the phone again when Rick finally made his way downstairs forty-five minutes later. Through his window, he’d seen Mr. Mitchum pull up in his SUV. Dad had assisted Mom with loading her luggage and had seemed to be reassuring when he’d stepped out of view momentarily behind the vehicle with Mom, probably so they could say their goodbyes.

Dad looked at Rick with encouragement when he appeared at the kitchen entrance, motioning him into the seat beside him at the table. Judging by Dad’s reassurance, he and Mom must have made a mutual decision to let Rick in on what was happening, Rick realized as he sat down.

Eric walked into the house with Brian at about nine forty-five, just as Dad hung up the phone after talking with Jake Loughlin to let him know that Mr. Mitchum had stopped by to pick up Mom.

“What is it, Dad?” Brian asked. “I can tell by the look on your face that something worse is going on.”

“We need to talk, boys,” Dad said, appearing shaken as he quickly reached out, squeezing Rick’s hand, more than likely as a reminder to watch what he said. “How about at breakfast? Mom’s running late because she had to go back to the office this evening.”

Standing, Rick looked at Eric and Brian, motioning them towards the staircase. “How about we get out of Dad’s way? I’ve been home for a while, and the phone’s been ringing all night.”

After the three of them were settled downstairs in front of the TV, Brian looked at Rick. “What’s been happening tonight?”

“When I got home around eight or eight-thirty, Mom was packing a suitcase,” Rick replied, sighing. “And no one is saying anything to us about what’s going on.”

Staring at Brian, Eric was obviously giving him a warning to be cautious. Brian looked at Rick with concern. “Maybe she has to go on a work-related trip?”

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