Page 13 of The Silencer

I close my eyes, picturing the park she described, with the lake and the ducks.Maybe, just maybe, things will be okay.Not perfect, not like before, but okay.And for now, that's enough.

As I drift off to sleep, I find myself hoping that tomorrow comes quickly.I want to see Tammy again, to hear more about her life, her cat, her baking.It's a small thing, but it feels like the first step toward something new.Something that might, someday, feel like home.

SEVEN

emmanuel

The textfrom Jer comes through just as I'm finishing breakfast:

Clodagh O'Rourke is being released from hospital today.Thought you'd want to know.

My heart races as I read the message.I've been following her case closely, scouring every news article for updates.The guilt I have for what happened to her and her family is immense.I know it’s not my fault, but I can’t help but feel partly responsible.I should have taken my father out long before he could hurt her.Now she’s leaving the hospital after being kept in for weeks.This is big.

Without really thinking it through, I grab my jacket and head out.I know which hospital she's been staying at—it's not far.As I drive, my mind races.What am I even doing?It's not like I can talk to her, tell her who I am.But I need to see her, to make sure she's okay.She’s a kid, for fuck’s sake, one that’s been through hell at the hands of my father.I just need to ensure that she’s okay.

I park across the street from the hospital, slouching down in my seat to avoid being noticed.After about an hour, I see movement at the entrance.A small figure emerges, flanked by what must be social workers.Clodagh.

Even from this distance, I can see how fragile she looks.Her shoulders are hunched, her steps hesitant.My chest tightens with a mixture of guilt and anger.This is what my father did to her.

They lead her to a waiting car.As it pulls away, I start my engine, following at a safe enough distance not to be seen.We wind through the city, eventually pulling up outside a modest house in a quiet neighborhood.

A woman comes out to greet them.She's a kind-looking woman who has dark hair with a white streak through it.She must be the foster mother.I watch as she gently ushers Clodagh inside, the social workers following.

I sit there for a long time after they've gone in, just staring at the house.Finally, I pull out my phone and call Jer.

"I need you to run a background check on someone," I say when he picks up.

"The foster mother?"Jer asks, not sounding surprised at all.

"Yeah.How did you?—"

"Because I know you, lad.Send me the address.I'll have my people look into her."

I relay the information then hang up.As I drive home, I try to process what I'm feeling.Relief that Clodagh's out of the hospital?Anger at what she's been through?Or something else entirely?

A few hours later, Jer calls back.

"Foster mother checks out," he says."Tammy Whelan, thirty-eight, clean record, good references.She seems like a decent sort.Clodagh isn’t her first foster child, but she’s going to be the only one she has in the house."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding."Good.That's...that's good."

There's a pause on the other end of the line."Emmanuel," Jer says finally, his voice gentle, "you know you can't fix this, right?What your father did...it's not on you to make it right."

I clench my jaw."I know.I just...I needed to make sure she was safe."

"I understand," Jer says."But be careful.Don't let this consume you.”

"I know," I say, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice."I just...I feel responsible, you know?If I had taken care of my father sooner, none of this would have happened to her."

Jer sighs heavily."Emmanuel, listen to me.You are not responsible for your father's actions.You were a child yourself when all this started.Technically you still are.The only person to blame here is Jacob Dellinger."

I know he's right, but it doesn't ease the knot in my stomach."Yeah, I guess," I mutter.

"Look," Jer continues, his voice softening."I get it.You want to help.But the best thing you can do for that girl right now is to let her heal.Let the professionals handle it."

I nod, even though he can't see me."Okay.You're right."

"That said," Jer adds, "I'll keep an eye on things.Make sure she's safe and well taken care of.If anything seems off, we'll step in.Deal?"

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