“We’ll take another vote,” Owen said solemnly, thinking about the journal.
“We’ll clean up since you made dinner,” Dillon offered. “Charlotte and her friends are safe.”
“Good,” Owen said, reaching for another piece of garlic bread.
“I have to return to work tonight,” Leslie informed Owen.
“Can’t you tell them you need more bereavement time?” he asked.
“I took my remaining vacation days because Conner took it hard. I can’t afford to lose my job and benefits,” she explained.
“I’ll go with you,” Owen offered. “My brothers can watch over the boys, and I’ll stay inside the office while you work.”
“No one’s allowed back. I sometimes have cash lying around,” she admitted.
“You’ll have to make a choice,” Owen said firmly. “Either I go with you, or you call in and tell them you need more time. If you lose the job, we’ll find a way to compensate you. Tucker can be added to my medical insurance, and I can ask about Conner.”
“I’ll call,” she said, giving in to his reasoning. Partially because the day scared her, and she didn’t want to leave Conner and Tucker after the fire.
Dialing her boss’ number, she waited for him to answer.
“Hello, Leslie. I can’t wait for you to return. This place has turned into a madhouse without you,” he said.
“I’m sorry, Bobby. I need to take some more time off, without pay. Conner’s struggling with his father’s death, and someone almost ran me off the mountain today. The accident has shaken me up. I don’t think I can concentrate on the job,” she told him regretfully.
“Oh, geez. I’m sorry to hear it,” he said sympathetically. “I can give you three more nights. I’m afraid I can’t do much more,” he said.
“I understand. I’ll call you in a couple of days,” she said before disconnecting the call.
“What did he say?” Owen asked.
“He gave me three days,” she replied. “I can’t afford to lose my insurance.”
“We’ll figure it out,” he assured her. “We’ll finish up, and then I’ll help get the boys ready for bed.”
“They’re eight and nine,” she laughed. “They do it themselves. I only have to check Conner’s teeth. He hates brushing.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Owen said, grinning. He returned to help with the cameras all the while thinking about what to do about his dad and the mountain. With six days left, how will he convince his brothers they needed the mountain as much as it needed them to discover the mystery of his father’s death?
CHAPTER 30
Leslie dressedin her hiking boots and waited at the door for Owen and Cade to accompany her on the mountain. Elias watched the cameras while Mason and Dillon guarded the house.
“Let me go first,” Owen said. “Cade will take the back.”
“All right,” she said. “What will Gunny do with those men?”
“He’ll drop them off at a friend who has FBI contacts. If they find out anything, they’ll call us,” Owen told her as they started up the path.
“Mason needs to do something about the kids,” Cade grumbled as he scanned the mountain. “I caught one of them chewing my toothbrush this morning like a feral dog. It’s disgusting.”
“Mason’s mourning his wife. He needs professional help,” Leslie said. “The boys don’t do basicmotor skills and have no boundaries. He even lets them pick food off of everyone’s plate because it’s easier than listening to Nathan’s tantrums.”
“I tried talking to Mason. He doesn’t want to hear it,” Owen said as they reached the first peak.
“He needs a professional who knows how to handle grief. I’m thinking of putting Conner in a kids’ group. He hasn’t slept much since we found Jeremiah, and he gets teased at school for not having a mom.”
“Maybe they need homeschooling,” Cade suggested.
