Page 50 of One Lucky Hero (Men in Uniform 1)

“What kind of concerns?” she asked.

Dean glanced toward Daisy. “Can we speak in private?”

“Um, sure.” Nodding in the direction of the kitchen, she left the room with Daisy on her heels. He could hear them whispering, but it was too quiet to understand.

When Violet came back into the room, Dean turned back to the photographs and noticed that only one of them contained a smiling man with deep creases around his eyes. “You don’t have many pictures of your father.”

“He was never home,” she said impatiently. “I’m sure you’ve read Casey’s file and know why.”

“Yeah, I did. I can’t imagine having to raise my brothers and sisters—”

“I didn’t have to do anything.”

Dean faced Violet, her crossed arms and blazing eyes, and realized he’d said exactly the wrong thing. Again.

“I fought to keep them with me and was lucky I got the right judge. I love them and would do anything for them.”

“I didn’t mean it that way, Violet. I was trying to give you a compliment. What you’re doing is admirable. Not everyone would step up.”

“Obviously, or we wouldn’t have so many kids in foster care.” With a heavy sigh, she uncrossed her arms and spoke calmly. “Look, do you actually have something to tell me about my brother?”

Her attitude rubbed his patience raw. Why was she being so rude to him when he was just trying to help her brother?

“I have reason to believe that your brother is being abused,” he said bluntly.

Violet sucked in her breath sharply. “Why do you think that? Did he say something?”

“Did you know Casey suffered from night terrors?” he asked, ignoring her questions.

“He has nightmares sometimes, yeah, but we haven’t exactly had it easy.”

“I understand that, but one of his bunkmates came to me because Casey said some disturbing things during these nightmares, and it has me concerned.”

“A kid told you all this?” Violet said.

“A young man I trust. It’s enough to make me think Casey should talk to someone.”

Violet sank into one of the worn chairs, her face leached of color. “Oh, God.” She covered her mouth, and Dean saw her eyes well up. “I did this. This is my fault.”

Before he realized what he was doing, he was on his knees in front of her. “Violet, this isn’t your fault. I am not even sure I’m right—”

“He’s changed. Just this last year, he hasn’t been the same. He was always so happy, even after . . . ” She seemed to catch herself and wiped at her eyes. “I’ll look into finding someone.”

“In the meantime, we have counselors at the program. I’d like to set him up with Dr. Linda Stabler. She’s really good, at least from what I’m told.”

Violet nodded her head, and Dean took her hands in his. “I have to ask. Do you know who could have been abusing your brother?”

“No. No, I have no idea,” she said.

Dean hated asking, afraid that she would take it the wrong way, but he couldn’t help himself. “What about a boyfriend?”

Violet’s head jerked up. “I don’t bring men around Casey and Daisy.”

“What about your sister?” Dean didn’t want to analyze the relief her admission brought him. He didn’t think Violet could’ve handled it if she found out someone she brought around had hurt her brother.

Violet tensed up, and Dean could tell she was considering the possibility that someone her sister knew could have hurt her brother.

Violet pulled her hands from his and wiped at her cheek. “I appreciate you coming by, Sergeant Sparks, but I can take it from here.”