You Can't Hide by Theresa Sneed (uplifting novels TXT) 📕

He wasn’t allowed to have friends, but it didn’t take much to see what other kids had—real dads. Merrick wasn’t a father at all—just a mean-spirited, vindictive man. If Ricky had any dreams, they were quickly squelched, and he was often left to wonder who he was, and what he’d become.

He remembered the wrath his father had the first time someone called him Ricky. It was at the grocery store. Merrick waited until they were back home and then shoved him into the door. “Ricky, eh?” The beating he got kept him from going out for several days.

Unfortunately, it was summer, or maybe, someone would’ve stepped up to help. Maybe. He’d lost hope in people, and as the years went by, he found himself slipping deeper into Merrick’s awful demands.

The only time he’d ever been away from his firm hold, was when Merrick left for Taunton to visit his twin brother Malcolm, a brother no one even knew existed.

Yeah, he’d heard all about that. At least for a short while he’d been somewhat free of Merrick, and for the first time in his life, he spent time searching for himself, who he was without Merrick’s cruel, tyrannical reign.

When Merrick was arrested for his brother’s murder, he felt a tremendous relief. But even in prison, Merrick had his ways. Ricky was very much aware that someone else was working for Merrick. Ricky hadn’t set the fire at the cabin, and he strongly suspected that Marvin’s death had been no accident.

Merrick didn’t like it when things didn’t go his way. If you dared cross him, then you’d better be prepared. He’d find a way to get you. It was all about the hunt with Merrick, a cruel game he played with his pawns. And he never forgot if you faltered in his expectations of you. Never.

Some things Merrick made him do, had hurt people he’d cared about. Guilt built inside him until he couldn’t take it anymore. He beat his fists against the wall, and then leaned against it in tears.

He gathered his wits. It was crazy. Everyone knew the kid was dead, but Merrick apparently thought differently. He’d said something about a blue fairy and a switch. Ricky drew in a deep breath. And now, he had to investigate the corpse of another of Merrick’s victims, Nancy Snyder. Merrick was a sick, sick man, but Ricky had to wonder, was he as sick to obey him?

The viewing was at a Catholic Church. Ricky shuddered. He wasn’t religious and going inside any church made him uncomfortable. Pulling his lapel up close to his face, he stepped through the doors. There weren’t many people there, and he wondered how many friends she had had, apparently, not many. Just see the body and leave.

A few people stood around, some glancing at the coffin, most, obvious from their light laughter, seemed to not be aware they were the same room with a dead person. He made his way effortlessly to the casket, pulled out an old photo, and compared it with the body.

“She was a beauty, eh?” a voice said, coming up behind him. “My sister was a beauty.” He placed his large hand on Ricky’s shoulder. “I’m her brother, Edward,” he said, wiping his thick fingers across tears streaming down his face.

“Uh, yeah, she was a beauty,” Ricky said, slipping the photo back in his pocket. She seemed too pretty to be dead, he thought, and took another look. Her pale, white skin was convincing enough, but her restful appearance perplexed him. Still, all he needed was a snapshot. That would appease Merrick, and then he’d be off the hook. That’s all he ever wanted—to be off Merrick’s radar.

He waited for the small crowd to leave the room and pulled the camera from his pocket. A quick snap of its lens, and he pushed it back into his pocket.

Edward came back into the room. “Say, how did you know my sister?”

Ricky had worried someone would ask him that, and he already had a plan in place. “I didn’t.”

Edward’s eyes narrowed. “Then,” he snapped, his voice booming. “What business do you have here?”

“I, um, haven’t been to church in years and felt the need to come here today. I guess my timing wasn’t all that good though. Sorry, mister.” He slipped past him and out the door, his heart pounding.

Merrick had never met Edward and had no idea how big the guy was. He hoped he was done with the whole family, now that the only lead left to Sally and Elle was gone.

Ricky looked back over his shoulder at the church. Edward loomed in front of its opened door, appearing large and ominous. Just get the proof to Merrick and get back to your life, he thought. He gave the perplexed man a slight wave and hoped he’d never see him again.

Seventeen

‘Til Death Do We Part

Sally fidgeted as she sat near the window. “When will she be here?” She had asked that question so many times that Elle almost wished they hadn’t told her that her birthmother would arrive sometime that day. She smiled. No. This was so worth it—to see the gleeful apprehension on little Sally’s face.

Suddenly, Sally shot up and slapped her hands against the windowsill. “She’s here!” She jumped up and down and clapped her hands together. No one could’ve stopped her from racing to the door, and neither did they try, but eagerly followed Sally through the door.

Nancy appeared to struggle opening up the door fast enough. They were fully prepared to see her, but Elle imagined that it was quite a different reunion for Nancy, who had until recently, believed they were all dead. Once out of the car, Nancy fell to her knees, and Sally nearly toppled her over in her exuberance.

Elle lingered at the door. It was the way it should be—mother and daughter reunited.

“Mommy,” Sally yelled, gesturing wildly to Elle. “Mommy, come see Mother.”

Elle grinned, always happy to