Page 48 of Viktor

Gabe promised to go look for anything that might have been used to hold the ketamine. It could be a dart, or it could have been a needle if Roger had snuck up on his brother. Hard to do, considering the kid had to be on constant alert growing up so he didn’t get ambushed by his brothers. If they could find the delivery mechanism, it might have the bastard’s fingerprints on it, but again, he held little hope of that.

The next call he made was to the Virginia State Police headquarters two counties over. He asked for Sheriff Peter Grimes.

“Sheriff Grimes.”

“Hey, Uncle Pete.”

“Viktor?” The old man’s tone warmed up as soon as he heard Viktor’s voice. “How you been, boy?”

Pete Grimes wasn’t his uncle, per se. He was his Aunt Ethel’s brother, and the boys had grown so fond of him, they called him Uncle Pete.

“I’ve been better,” he confessed.

“What’s wrong?”

“Everything, and there’s not a fucking thing I can do about it.”

“Quit talking around the problem and spit it out.” The curt command made Viktor smile. His uncle was never one to beat around the bush. He explained to him about Sara’s ex and how he suspected he was the one who’d felled Mason.

“Son of a bitch,” the old man swore. “How the hell did he get out of jail so easily?”

“He’s got family here in the local PD who spoke up for him. I can go to them about this, but without proof…”

“It’s hearsay and those pricks won’t do a damn thing,” his uncle finished. He could hear him muttering but couldn’t quite make it out.

“If I can catch him breaking the restraining order, it will at least get him tossed in jail. How much time is he looking at if convicted of domestic violence?”

The old man sighed. “Here in Virginia, it’s a misdemeanor with a max of twelve months. It only qualifies as a felony if he’s been convicted at least three times over the course of ten years.”

“That’s fucking stupid.”

“It’s the law, son.”

Viktor wanted to hit something, but the little girl cuddled against his chest kept him under control. He wouldn’t scare her after she’d given him her trust.

“Was he charged with domestic violence, or were there other charges attached to it?”

“He’s also charged with assault and battery against Delia. Fucker hit her so hard, it knocked one of her front teeth out.”

“Delia?”

“Sara’s daughter. She’s six.”

“He laid hands on his own daughter?” Pete’s anger rolled through the phone lines. “No fucking way should they have let him out that easily on that little amount of bond. Family or no family.”

“He’s friends with most of the cops around here. It’s why I’m so worried even if I do find proof, they’ll somehow manage to get around it. I haven’t voiced my concerns to Sara. I don’t want her more worried than she needs to be.”

“Tell you what. I’ll give ol’ Jim Parker a call. He’s the sheriff of the state police out by you. I’ll see if I can convince him to start showing more of a presence in town, making sure a car runs by her place a couple times a day.”

“You sure Roger doesn’t have him in his back pocket too?”

“I’ve known him for nigh on thirty years. I’d bet my retirement on it.”

“Whatever you can do to help, Uncle Pete, I’d appreciate it.”

“Anything you need, Viktor, you have it. I’ll be by as soon as I get off shift to check on Mason.”

“Thanks, Uncle Pete.” Viktor said his goodbyes and hung up. He checked his watch. She’d been gone a good fifteen minutes. That woman was going to be the death of him yet.

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