Truths Unveiled - By Kimberly Alan Page 0,82
about it. These new pictures don’t add up to the written investigation reports. And they were missing. Next, Carl Tedford says Ryan Collins wasn’t drunk, though he may have been high on pot. Then you recall hearing two voices at the scene that we can’t identify. And one of them specifically blames you. Right?”
Pam and Eddie glanced at each other and nodded.
Tom nodded, too. “Add all of that to someone seeming awfully bothered about you moving back down here. What do you think?”
Pam looked from Tom to Eddie, then at the photographs. “Did someone tamper with the investigation?”
“It certainly looks that way,” Tom said.
Eddie nodded. “Yeah, it sure does.”
Truths Unveiled
Truths Unveiled
Chapter Forty-Nine
Pam set the vanilla cake, shaped like a large dog bone, in the middle of the table and lit the candles.
“Look at that!” A.J. marveled to Rusty. He patted the retriever’s head and allowed him to lick his face. “De-licious! Can you see it?”
Mark hugged Delilah. “Don’t worry, Dilly, Your birthday’s coming soon. And Rusty will share his cake.”
Pam caught Tom’s wink as he took another photograph. Yes, they were having a birthday party for the dog. And she loved every minute of it. Her three guys had missed more than enough celebrations together.
Thankfully, Susan had responded well to the surgery and spent five days in the hospital. The boys split their time between Tom and Pam, his parents, and Jennifer, Susan’s sister. Now that Susan was home, she had agreed to the boys spending more time with Tom and his family on a regular basis.
When Tom and Pam took Rusty and Delilah to the vet for checkups the previous day, Rusty’s birth date was mentioned. Knowing the boys were coming for their first full weekend, Pam seized the opportunity. Now they all sat around the dining room table, complete with Scooby Doo plates, cups and hats, to pay tribute to the eldest four-legged member of the family.
“Rusty is thirty-six years old in dog life,” Mark calculated.
“Great multiplication skills there, Block Head.”
“Zit Face,” Mark responded, elbowing his older brother.
Pam eyed Tom and bit back a smile, watching A.J. return an elbow shot. “You handle it,” her look told him.
The carefree jibes and physical blows continued for the remainder of the short party. Afterward, cleaning up, Tom’s radio went off. The emergency band scanner followed.
“Medic One on the air for the 911.”
“Dad’s got to go,” Mark announced, standing up.
“I do. But I’ll be back as soon as I can. Okay?”
Accepting it well, both boys nodded. “You two have fun with Pam. Don’t give her a hard time.” He kissed them on the head, then looked to Pam.
She caught the disappointment in his eyes. But she also found the sense of purpose there that made him the man she loved. She gave him an encouraging smile and held out his jacket and keys. “This is our life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” After a quick kiss, he left.
“Want to play Nintendo?”
“Sure do,” Pam replied, joining the kids in the living room.
“Can we listen to Dad on the scanner?”
Pam nodded. “Let’s turn it up.” They’d caught the fever. Just like their father. Just like her. If you weren’t on the rescue call itself, listening to it was the next best thing.
Turning up the volume, she pictured Tom en route to the scene. He mesmerized her. She’d felt that way since the first time she saw him, yelling plays at the high school football players. She hadn’t known him well then. She just knew she liked him.
That feeling persisted. Yes, after the accident, she suppressed it. Her mental well being made it a necessity. But the feelings came rushing back the instant she saw him at the factory explosion just a few weeks ago.
“Medic One is on,” Tom answered.
“That’s Dad!” A.J. cried out, grinning at her.
“You’re right.” She grinned back.
“Medic One, respond to Interstate 518 Northbound in the vicinity of Exit 54 for the motor vehicle accident. Several vehicles involved. Be advised, the fire department is also being dispatched to that location.”
“Roger, Dispatch. I’ll be en route.”
Pam loved hearing his voice. Then her thoughts switched to his touch. She felt the heat rise to her cheeks. Her stomach jumped. Stop that! she mentally scolded. There are children in the room.
“Medic One to dispatch.”
“Go ahead, Medic One.”
“I’m on the scene. I have multiple cars and two tractor trailers engulfed in flames. Get three helicopters to the scene and all available ambulances. I’ll be out of my vehicle on the portable.”
Pam and the boys