Page 42 of Road to Absolution

John’s pale skin was now turning green. He may have needed a chair, too, but wouldn’t have sat. This father’s vibe was exhibiting desperation to know what was going on.

Diesel, with heavy shoulders sagging, started to explain, “The day Kenny died, before it happened, Viola had reached out for help…”

Even though it was my wife he was speaking of, I felt like a fly on a wall, seeing things I shouldn’t. Like Tucker’s face, changing as he stared at his wife, thoughts raced madly through his mind. The details about to be described were going to have so many lost puzzle pieces finding their way home.

“She was scared, the two of them trapped with… Kenny.”

Inhale…

“She quickly dialed…”

Exhale…

“When V didn’t respond, even though she had called him—”

Who?

“—Art listened to what was happening in the background of the call. He was desperately trying to learn where the girls were so he could get us to them. There was confusion because we were just rolling back into town.” Diesel looked to the floor. “Trust me when I say sparing you what Art heard is the kindest thing I can do.” He exhaled, daring to peer up again. “Then the phone went dead. Kenny had—”

“You said it was you,” Tucker told Viola. “You broke your cell phone.”

Viola didn’t say a word, just sat there staring at him while holding my wife to her.

Diesel glared at Tuck. “She wasn’t the only one lying about phones. You didn’t bother to answer yours, Little Man.”

Little Man? Tuck was as big as his father, a big I’ve-been-in-construction-my-whole-life man. The double meaning was lost on me, but not on Tuck. He leaned his head back against the wall. “I had just gotten home… Kenny was so upset when I got there. Then… he left.”

As if remembering how young Tuck was back then, Diesel sounded remorseful. “Fair enough.” He rubbed his forehead, carrying on with the story. “That’s when Art came across Delilah’s car. Kenny was driving it like a bat out of Hell. He was combative, of course, once my boys got their hands on him.” He looked to John. “You know me. And what I would do—order to have done after knowing he hurt our girl—your daughter.”

Mr. Ward’s mouth fell open.

Diesel was speaking of murder.

Everyone was so entranced with his side of the story; I don’t think any of us were breathing.

No questions being asked, Diesel continued, “After I finally found the kids,” he gestured to Tuck, Lilah, and V while running his other ringed fingers through his unruly hair, “and learned there were so many fucking more details I hadn’t known about, I tried to call it off.” He went quiet. “Too late.”

After a silence that had my ears aching, Tucker asked, “So… he is dead?”

Diesel’s shoulders lifted, then fell. “No. He was pulled from the car.”

Gasps from the girls echoed in the room.

Stalking toward Diesel, John angrily said, “But… there was a body.”

Diesel didn’t back away from the man ready to inflict pain. “A body. Yes.”

Wham! A fist crashed into Diesel’s chin. His head twisting to his left, he stumbled two steps but caught himself. Without an ounce of blame for the strike, he faced John again, who was growling, “You should’ve told me.”

Diesel gave a nod, agreeing, but said, “I have my boys mixed up in this mess. You know I would never roll on them. One of the only reasons I’m speaking now is to beg you not to involve them with whatever you decide to do. Take only me down.”

“With what?” yelled John. “I’m still not even sure what’s happening!”

Diesel stood strong, taking responsibility for his actions. “I shipped Kenny to my brother.”

John practically recoiled. “Kenny has been in Austin this whole time?”

Diesel held his ground. “For me, they took him in. He’s a Stallion now.”