Page 20 of The Sinner's Son
Once they were alone, Royce switched the conversation to the dishwasher. He’d already taken the bottom rack and the rotating sprayer out and identified the problem by the time Jason returned. A metal rivet from a steak knife had come loose and jammed up the circulation pump housing, causing the mechanism to burn up. “Easy fix. I just need to grab some replacement parts from the hardware store tomorrow.” He looked at Jason. “Any news?”
His nephew shook his head. “I left a voicemail on his phone and tried to reach him on the socials. He’ll get back to me as soon as he gets my messages.”
“There’s got to be more we can do,” Cayden said.
“Have you put the information out on social media?” Royce asked.
Cayden shook his head. “Dane would be so pissed.”
“Cay,” Jason softly chided. “We can’t afford to worry about that right now. Not if we hope to find him alive.” Jason shot Royce a pleading look that begged him to promise it wasn’t too late. While it was possible Dane was still alive, the odds weren’t in his favor, and Royce wouldn’t give his nephew or Cayden false hope.
“You start on the social media posts while Jason and I clean the kitchen,” Royce instructed.
“Yes, sir.”
It took almost two hours to wash and dry the dishes, empty the refrigerator of expired leftovers, and take out the trash. It was after eleven by the time Royce and Jason climbed back into the SUV.
“I wish we could’ve done more,” Jason said. “This is so frustrating.”
“Missing person cases are tough, especially when we don’t even know where to start.”
“What’s next?” Jason asked.
“I’m going to make sure someone at the precinct starts an official missing person investigation for Dane.” But Royce knew that wouldn’t be nearly enough to help the family in crisis. “My classes don’t start until Tuesday afternoon, so I’m going to take tomorrow off to handle Cayden and Nina’s most pressing needs. Then we take things day by day.” But how much time did Nina have left? And what would happen to Cayden?
“Dane’s dead, isn’t he?” Jason whispered.
The question hadn’t caught Royce off guard because his nephew had always been mature for his age. Jason expected honesty from Royce, and he wouldn’t let the kid down now. “I don’t know.”
“But you think so,” Jason pushed.
Royce swallowed hard and met his nephew’s wounded gaze. “It’s the most common outcome in cases like these, but let’s not lose hope.”
Jason lowered his head and cried. Royce wished he could do or say something to make him feel better. When Jason was little, a trip to the ice cream parlor could fix most things. Two scoops of Cookie Monster ice cream on a sugar cone couldn’t mend this kind of hurt. He blew out a shaky breath. “Thanks for being honest with me.”
“Always.” Royce glanced over at him before starting the vehicle. “I want you to feel safe to come to me with anything. I’m always going to be here for you.”
“I know.” Jason sniffled. “I love you, Uncle Ro.”
Dru had done an amazing job of raising her sons, and Jason’s willingness to express his emotions and show vulnerability was the greatest testament to that. She’d been the first to break the Locke mold and had done so at an early age because she had little people depending on her. It had taken Royce twice as long and required Sawyer’s influence before he’d fully broken the chains holding him back.
“Love you too, kid.”
Royce pulled away from the curb and headed home. The silence enveloping the vehicle was a palpable passenger with its own pulse. If what Jason said about Cayden’s circumstances was correct, the kid was staring down a double barrel of heartbreak that Royce couldn’t fathom. If someone didn’t step up for Cay, he could end up in the foster system, and that didn’t always work out so well for juveniles. Royce halted his catastrophizing beforeit turned into a downward spiral. There was no need to get ahead of himself. Get the facts first and then freak the fuck out.
“What’s going to happen to Cay?” Jason asked when Royce pulled into his driveway. “You know, when this is all over.”
“I don’t have all the answers right now, Jaybird, but I promise he will not get lost in an overwhelmed system.”
Jason’s brows drew together. “How can you say that?”
“Because I will flex whatever clout I have to ensure it doesn’t happen.” Royce shut off the SUV and faced his nephew. “I’ve got Cayden from here on out.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you good?” Royce asked. “You’re more than welcome to stay here tonight.”
Jason’s mouth quirked into a wry smile. “I think I’ve already crashed your plans enough for one night.” He shook his head. “And I might be permanently scarred by what I saw.” Jason’s reference to Royce’s Beastie and the Boys seemed like it happened a hundred years ago instead of a few hours. “But that is a sweet setup you have by the pool.”