“Yeah, Jesus Christ is right.” Aidan released Brandon so suddenly he fell back onto the bed. “I want you to listen to me, because I’m only going to say this once. The only reason you’re not sitting in a jail cell right now is because you’re sick. You have until five o’clock this afternoon to check yourself into a program—nothing less than thirty days. If I hear you so much as lip off to those people while you’re there, I’ll see to it she presses charges, and I’ll happily testify against you. Am I clear?”

“Yeah,” Brandon said in a strangled voice as tears filled his eyes. “I’m sorry, Aid.”

“So am I. She’s the first woman who’s meant anything to me since Sarah died. Hell of a way to initiate her into the family.”

Brandon shook with sobs. “I’m so sorry.”

As tears coursed down his brother’s bruised, bloodied face, Aidan felt himself soften but only slightly. “Get some help, Brandon. This isn’t an idle threat I’m making.”

“I’ll get him there,” Colin said. “I know of a place.”

Surprised, Aidan glanced at him.

“I’ve been looking into it.”

Aidan turned back to Brandon, who was crying on the bed. “Since Da’s fine, I’m taking Clare and getting out of here today. But I’ll be checking to make sure you do what I’ve said. I won’t hesitate to call the cops.”

“You won’t have to,” Brandon said.

After a quick stop at the hospital to see Dennis, Aidan and Clare left Chatham.

“He looks much better,” Clare said on the way out of town. “Your mother was delighted that he’s coming home later today.”

Aidan grunted in agreement.

“Are we back to that?”

That got his attention. “What?”

“Grunting.”

“Did I grunt?”

She nodded. “Are you okay?”

“I will be. I’m sorry. This whole thing with Brandon has me really upset. I hope you’ll come back here again.”

“Of course I will. He needs help, and you’re making sure he gets it. It’s over and done with. Can we move on? Please?”

“I guess if you can, I can.”

“I was wondering, are you in a big rush to get back to Stowe?”

“I need to get back to work on your brother’s house, but otherwise, no. Why?”

“Well, since we’re this close, would you mind if we went to Newport for a day or two? I’d like to see Maggie.”

He looked over at her. “You know what? I’d love to go to Newport.”

Part IV: About Face

A one-hundred-and-eighty-degree change in direction.

Chapter 28