Page 46 of Anchored to the Storm

Sebastian was struggling with all the Blue questions at school. I heard him speaking to Harmony about it in the kitchen. “They all want answers. Everyone seems angry that the police have no suspects. Somehow, even strangers knew how special she was.”

I couldn’t imagine being missed as she was. I couldn’t imagine anyone thinking so highly of me.

Maybe it was the devil playing with us because misery was being stirred back into our lives. Because of the community’s unrest and need for answers, the city started making noise for justice. The pastor had to do something. So, he did. He held a news conference. And the interview went viral.

Can you imagine? Blue’s murderer demanding answers.

I pressed the play button on the screen and listened to the male news anchor talk about the story of a young girl’s death. “Her attack had been brutal… She died from her injuries…”

My upper lip lifted in a snarl as I remembered her in that hospital bed.

I turned up the volume when the pastor filled the screen. He was standing beside a reporter with a microphone. When asked how he felt about the ongoing investigation, he produced fucking tears. Tears. Like he’d ever shed a tear for Blue or thought of her feelings. “An innocent child was found in a field nearby our church. A godly place! I’m devastated. Our entire community has been shocked by this young girl’s death.” The murdering pastor sniffled, pausing for dramatic effect, and it made me want to vomit. “We don’t accept these types of crimes in our church community. We look out for one another.”

“Bullshit,” I groaned.

His atrocious, fake rambling wasn’t fooling me, but I could tell by the look on the reporter’s face that others were accepting his lies. People would believe him.

“I only hope they can find the individual who did this. Our community needs closure.”

The reporter asked him about the recent police briefing.

“I’m trusting the police to do their job and cover all the bases.” He looked right into the camera. “Justice will be served.”

Now I understood Johnny. I understood how he could do it.

Taking a deep breath, thinking of precious Blue, I knew I could kill for her. However, as Dale warned, I couldn’t let my fellow fosters go down for it.

“We’re a community that welcomes strangers into our flock. Our doors are always open. Tomorrow night, we’re holding both a vigil and lighting ceremony. We are taking a stand against violence and praying for closure in the community.”

Was he serious?

“We welcome everyone to come to our house of worship at eight o’clock tonight for a gathering of prayer, hope, and a lighting ceremony. We’ll be releasing dozens of lanterns in memory of our community’s loss.”

I tasted bile and fought the urge to retch. He was so fucking abominable I wanted to reach through the phone and choke him.

The reporter said a few more words and then handed over coverage to the news anchor. The anchor confirmed Blue’s case was currently open and being investigated, and police were asking for any information from the public. A toll-free number flashed across the screen.

No sooner had I finished the video—the same link was texted to me—before someone was racing up my stairs. Preparing for deserved rage to be delivered, I waited.

As soon as Gage appeared at the top of the stairs, I could see how spooked he was. “It’s Seb. About to blow, man.”

I gave a tired nod and said, “Gazebo time.”

Gage immediately texted our group, then ran back down the stairs.

By the time I had the gazebo in my sight, Seb was already pacing. He appeared like a powder keg ready to explode. This was too much for him. As much as I missed Blue, I hadn’t just lost the love of my life… then one of my foster brothers so soon after. There wasn’t a damn thing in this world that would bring back Blue, but dealing with the pastor would give Seb an outlet for his fury.

As soon as he saw me, he said, “They believe him! He’s going to get away with this shit, isn’t he?”

Misfits filed into the gazebo and took seats. Gage remained standing. He leaned against a pillar and kept watch in case Dale decided to sneak up on us. I wasn’t the only one noticing he was watching us all closely, worried we’d do any number of stupid things that teenagers do.

Not that we would be charged as teenagers if we were caught acting out wanted revenge. Not even Sarah was in the clear of being charged as an adult if I couldn’t talk everyone out of this retaliation.

Gage ticked his chin toward Ethan. “Coast is clear. No Dale.”

From inside the house, we could barely hear Harmony singing as she baked. She really loved The Eagles. “Hotel California” was playing and would keep her occupied long enough for us to have our meeting.

We all watched as Sebastian kept pacing. He simply couldn’t contain his horror. “How the hell did he cover up the fact that he beat a young girl to death? How could he hide his DNA on her? His DNA in her fucking blood? Didn’t the police do their fucking job at all?” He seethed, “He’s fucking loving this attention. Did you see his fucking smile? His fake-ass tears?”