Page 15 of Having HIs Back

“That didn’t get us very far,” Janine said.

“Actually, it did help. It confirmed that the genetic material on the dog is from the attacker, and we got a number of samples. So, if we can get good results, we will have something definite.” But other than that, there wasn’t a lot that they could use.

“Okay. But the kid didn’t give us anything to help confirm or rule anyone out.” She seemed as frustrated as Brian felt. But that was how things went sometimes. This job was rarely easy.

“It’s okay. We’ll get the recordings from Kerry and go over them again in case there was something we missed. Every little bit helps.”

“Okay,” she said. “I’m going to head back to the station unless you need me here.”

“Go on. I’ll be back just as soon as I finish up here and make sure that Henry is okay.” He went back inside, a little surprised to find Kerry and Henry still talking. He returned to his place, but Kerry was reassuring Henry that he wasn’t in trouble and neither was Pebbles. They were both safe and that he wasn’t going to let the bad man hurt him. When Brian peeked into the room, Kerry met his gaze, his eyes filled with rage for a few seconds.

“Can I have a cookie?” Henry asked. “Pebbles wants one too.” Henry sniffled.

“How about we give Pebbles a dog biscuit and you a cookie?” he asked. “I’ll go get both.” Kerry left the bedroom, and Brian joined him in the kitchen. Kerry set an iPad on the counter, sweat beading on his forehead. “I’m sorry there wasn’t more I could get you. I know Henry got a good look at him, but everything is all wrapped up in his fear and worry. So the descriptions are all emotional. It makes sense.”

“It was good. It confirmed that what we got from the dog was from the attacker. Once the DNA comes back from the lab, we’ll know one way or another.”

“That’s true.” Kerry reached for the counter and began to shake. “I hate this part of my job. Working directly with the kids who have been hurt like this is why I got into this field, but it always makes me feel like my legs have been knocked out from under me.” He stared out the window for a while.

“You did really well, and so did Henry. It would have been a shock if he’d have had a full description.”

“True. But he did pick out who attacked his mother.” Kerry slowly turned around. “I heard you and your fellow officer leave, and I thought you were going to come back. I went through a number of Caroline’s photo albums, as well as her iPad. The pictures are shared with her phone. Anyway.” His hands shook, and when he turned, Brian found himself pulled closer, and Kerry clutched onto him tightly. Brian knew it was most likely just the stress of the moment, but damn, he liked the fact that Kerry wanted his comfort.

“Uncle Kerry?” Henry called, and Kerry backed away.

“I need to get his cookie.” He rummaged in one of the cupboards to find the Oreos and Greenies. Kerry left and then returned.

“I take it I missed something important?” Brian said.

“It’s all on the tape. But I went through Caroline’s pictures from the past few years to see if there were pictures of her with anyone she might have dated. And I showed those to Henry and Pebbles.” Kerry picked up the iPad and opened it. “This is the image he recognized.” He turned the picture to Brian.

He blinked and sighed. It was an image of a man leaning over a picnic table, probably taken in a park. The man’s face was turned toward Caroline. “Henry was right—he does have bad-looking eyes.”

“Yeah. And that is the man who showed up at the viewing the other day. This is Phillip’s father. The one who just filed for custody… and the man who cannot have him under any circumstances.” He paled, and Brian caught him before he could hit the floor.

“Hey, it’sokay,” Brian said as he helped Kerry up and then got him out of the kitchen and over to the sofa. He helped him down and then hurried back to the kitchen to get Kerry a glass of water. He handed it to Kerry, and he drank some.

“Wow. That’s never happened before.”

Brian hadn’t realized how worried he was until Kerry began talking again. His heart raced, and he closed his eyes, trying to slow it. Jesus, what the hell was wrong with him? He was supposed to be professional, a little distant. But he was finding that harder and harder to do. “It’s okay. That’s to be expected when you come face to face with the person who killed your sister. And it’s worse when it’s through Henry.”

Kerry nodded and drank some more water before setting the glass on the coffee table. “What do we do?” Kerry took his hands, and Brian looked at where they touched, knowing he should pull away, but not wanting to.

“Send me the exact picture that Henry identified. At least we have confirmation that we’re on the right track. Now, I just have to tie everything to him without involving Henry.” There was no way in hell anyone was going to put a six-year-old on the stand in a murder trial. It just wouldn’t work, and he didn’t want to involve him anyway. Not like this.

“He’s been through so much.”

“I know, and this has to be the end of it for him. His mother is an angel mommy now. He knows that. The rest of this hasto be something that we try to keep away from the kids if at all possible.”

Kerry put his face in his hands. “I know.” His shoulders bounced, and Brian gathered Kerry in his arms before he could give it too much thought about what a bad idea this was. “I hated putting him through that.”

“But it’s over, and we got everything we could need. Now, we just have to catch this guy.”

“And nail his ass so hard that he never sees the light of day again,” Kerry added, and Brian found himself smiling as he rocked Kerry slowly.

ChapterSeven

Kerry feltlike a fool and yet cared for in a way that seemed foreign. The kind of guys he attracted tended to be the strong, silent, asshole type, and they didn’t believe in anything as tender as comforting. They were into other, more active aspects of relationships. “Is it really going to be okay?”

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