The Pain Of Silence
Chapter 7
Con Riley shook his head as he read Brooke's diary. "I can't believe all that stuff she went through. We'll have to wait to hear back from the local police, Fenton."
Fenton sat across from Riley. "I understand. We just want to know his whereabouts, in case he makes his way up here. I know the one big problem we face is that he didn't commit the crimes here."
Riley scratched his dark-graying hair. "Exactly. I hope he hasn't left town yet and they'll be able to prosecute him down south. Or else this is gonna be one big mess if he shows up."
"If he does and tries anything against Morgan or their daughter, we'll have reason to arrest him. These photos are proof right here. All we need to do is catch him. I am considering having them stay with someone we know in case he shows up," Fenton explained. "I am thinking that way, if he does, he won't know where to look. I'm sure he'll check every hotel or motel he can find. What are your thoughts on that?"
"Who did you have in mind? I would say check with your sons' friends or maybe someone you or Laura know?" Con suggested.
"I'll talk with my boys when they come home tonight. Maybe they can talk to their girlfriends first thing in the morning. I don't think we have time to search around for someone. They're always willing to help."
Ring ring
"Excuse me." Riley picked up the telephone. "Bayport Police, Con Riley speaking." He paused to listen and a few seconds later he pressed the speaker button on his phone.
"We are at their home and no one's here. We'll check back first thing in the morning. I'd make sure they're out of harm's way. We can't be certain if he's left or not."
"Thanks Bill. I appreciate it."
"May I add something sir?"
"Sure, go ahead." Riley grabbed a pen and a pad of paper.
"I just wanted to let you know an officer informed me he knows Scott very well. I guess he did some construction work on his house and would be shocked if what you said happened were actually true. He can't picture Scott harming someone. He also said he's been friends ever since…"
"Bill, I understand that, but let me assure you that everyone here would have never believed he would harm anyone, but the photos and diary say otherwise," Riley informed him.
"I know, Riley, but something doesn't seem right. Why all of a sudden would she just be saying something now? Why not two years ago? My officers are making valid points."
"Riley, Morgan said he was friends with some police down there and that's why she didn't speak to them first." Fenton whispered.
Riley nodded. "Bill, I have no idea why she waited so long. From the sounds of it, it seems like he threatened her. We'll talk more in the morning about this. Let me know if you find him. Okay?"
"You bet. Good night Riley."
Riley said goodbye and they heard a soft click.
"I really don't believe Morgan or Brooke would make this up. I bet you Scott had everyone wrapped around his finger down there in case something like this happened." Fenton was getting angry. "I'm going to head home and talk to my wife. I'm sure Morgan's gone back to the hotel by now."
"Fenton, you may want to bring her in tomorrow so we can take her statement. At least get the entire story. I am going to keep the photos and diary here for evidence." Riley sighed. "This is a shot in the dark right now. I am being honest with you, I wish they had said something down south because being so far from their home and where all this happened is making it harder for us." He stood up to walk Fenton to the door.
"I know what you mean. I agree with you but they didn't feel comfortable down there. At least they're with folks they can trust now. Have a good night, Riley, I'll see you in the morning."
Both men said their goodbyes and Fenton made his way home.
"We'll have to get together tomorrow after school!" Vanessa said to Brooke and the others. "This was a blast. Are you all free tomorrow?"
"I'd love to!" Brooke exclaimed, waiting for everyone's answers.
"I'm busy tomorrow after school, sorry." Chet frowned.
"It's all right! Some other time then," Brooke smiled at him. "I'm glad you were here tonight! I've missed this so much!"
"We don't have any plans for tomorrow. Callie?" Frank said.
"Sounds good. I'm pretty sure I don't have anything going on. I'll let you know in the morning, Frank. I just want to double check with my parents."
"Tony?" Frank asked.
"I have the night off from work. That sounds…"
Ring ring
Frank pulled his cell phone from his pocket and noticed it was his father calling. "One sec, guys. Hi Dad."
"Frank, is Brooke still with you?" "Yes she is. Why, is something wrong?""Um, not really. It's a long story. I just wanted to make sure all of you were all right."
"Of course we are. Dad, what's going on?" Frank was concerned. He knew his father wouldn't call unless it was important.
"I'll explain to you when you get home. Is there any chance that Vanessa and Callie can swing by before you drop them off?"
"What for?" Frank asked.
"Son, can you ask them? I'll explain when you get here."
Frank looked from Callie to Vanessa. "Can you both stop by our house before we take you home? My dad wants to talk to you about something."
"Sure, I have time," Vanessa answered and Callie nodded in agreement.
"I just don't want to be to late. I have some homework to finish before I go to bed," Callie informed him.
"Yes Dad, we'll be home in a little bit," Frank told him.
"Thanks, son. See you in a bit."
"Bye, Dad," and he hung the phone up.
"What was that about?" Joe asked.
"I have no idea…"
Beep beep
Everyone looked for the source of the noise, and saw Mr. Morton pull up in his truck.
"Hello kids!"Everyone greeted him as he parked. "Chet, I just got out of work. Do you want a ride home?" he offered.
"Sounds good. I'll talk to you guys later. It was good to see you Brooke!" Chet gave her a hug goodbye.
"Thanks Chet. See you soon!" she said and waved goodbye as he got inside the vehicle.
"Well, what's gonna happen now?" Tony asked.
"We better head home. I'm assuming if Dad wants to talk to us it must be something important." Frank gave Brooke a hug. "See you tomorrow."
Everyone said their goodbyes and soon Tony and Brooke were left in the parking lot. "Well, shall we…" Tony wasn't sure what to suggest.
"Want to get some ice cream or…?" Brooke was trying to think of something for them to do.
"How about Unos? They have a good dessert menu."
"I'd like that." Brooke smiled and got into Tony's car.
Minutes later they were sitting across from each other in a booth at Uno's. "I'll have the brownie bowl please. With vanilla ice cream," Brooke ordered.
"That sounds good actually. I'll have the same." Tony handed the waitress their menus.
"Would you like a drink while you wait?" the waitress offered.
"I'll have a coke," Tony said.
"Make that two."
"I'll be right back with those." The waitress departed to get their drinks.
"Did you have fun tonight?" Tony asked.
"I had a blast! I haven't been out with anyone in…well, it feels like forever."
After a few minutes their desserts arrived and they started to eat, chatting about everything that had gone on over the past two years. As they became reacquainted, Tony began to feel as if she'd never left.
"Oh! I want to show you something. Do you mind if I sit next to you?" Brooke asked.
Tony shook his head. "Not at all." When she sat beside him, he began to realize how much he still cared about her. During the movie he hadn't been able to sit next to her because Callie and Vanessa had been on either side of her.
"Look at these." She showed him some pictures she'd had in her purse. "I kept them with me all the time."
Tony looked through the photos and came across one of him and Brooke sitting side by side at Joe's birthday party. Tony had taken a party hat and put it on her head and Brooke had been rolling her eyes. He knew it was one of her favorite candid moments of them together. "That's awesome. Didn't Joe's mom take that?"
Brooke nodded. "Yeah, that was a fun time. No one was using them so you picked one up and tried to scare me!" She took a bite of her ice cream and brownie.
"I just wish we didn't miss two years." Tony's eyes saddened.
"I'm here now. We have all the time in the world to make up for it! Wait! You don't have a girlfriend do you?!" Brooke realized she'd never asked him that.
Tony shook his head. "Nope, I never had one after you left."
"Really?" Brooke was surprised; she'd always thought him one of the most handsome boys she'd ever met. "You can't tell me that someone didn't try and win that heart of yours?"
"Well, a couple tried. I never gave in though."
"Why?" she asked.
"Because after my seventeenth birthday it dawned on me. There was only one person who meant a lot to me." He smiled meaningfully at her.
Brooke blushed. "Really?"He nodded. "Yeah. I had wanted to ask you out, but you were gone. I was hoping to hear from you but never did."
She frowned. "I'm sorry. I didn't have a choice, Tony."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I don't want to ruin our night. I'll tell you later. Go on with what you were saying." She wanted to know how he felt about her. All the years she had known him, and as they grew older, she wanted to go out with him. She just never had the courage to ask and decided to drop subtle hints instead.
"Well, I didn't really focus on looking for a relationship. No one ever caught my eye. Only you did."
"Oh Tony!" Her face turned a deeper shade of pink, almost red.
"I know it's only been a day, but I want to be honest with you. It feels like, now, that you've never left." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "There's something I've wanted to do ever since that day you kissed me," he said and she just starred at him. He leaned close, and softly kissed her lips. He held her chin with his other hand and continued to kiss her. When he pulled away Brooke had a huge smile on her face.
She rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm so glad to be home." She couldn't believe he just kissed her. "This has got to be the best night I've had in a long time. Thank you, Tony." She gave him a kiss and looked at their desserts. "The ice cream's almost melted. Why don't we finish up and I'll call my mom and she can come get me."
"Okay. Why don't you call your mom and tell her I'll drop you off."
"All right. I will when we leave."
They both finished their desserts and paid the bill; Brooke called her mom as they left their restaurant.
"She said thank you," she announced.
"So, did you want to tell me about what happened? Since we have time," Tony suggested as they both got into his car.
"Actually, let me talk to my mom first. It's honestly a very long story, Tony. It's not easy to talk about," she admitted.
"Oh! I'm sorry – I didn't mean to pry. Whenever you want to tell me is fine."
"It's okay. I promise I'll tell you. Maybe tomorrow," she said.
"Sounds good."
The remainder of the drive went by quickly as they arrived at the Comfort Inn.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Tony. Thanks so much for a wonderful evening." She kissed his cheek and said goodbye.
"Good night. I'll call you tomorrow."
She got out of his car and waved him off. She couldn't wait to tell her mom about her night.
"So, did you have fun?" Morgan asked her daughter.
"I had a ton of fun! Tony kissed me!" Brooke exclaimed.
"Aw! Take it easy, honey. We've only been back a couple days!""I know, Mom, but I've wanted that for the past two years! I missed him so much!" she said. "Oh, how did the talk with Mr. Hardy go? Or haven't you done that yet?"
"It went well. He took your diary and photos to the authorities. They are checking to see if your father is still down south or not. Fenton told me he's going to have us stay with someone they know. He doesn't want your father showing up and looking for us at hotels."
Relief swept over Brooke. "Thank goodness."
"Don't worry, honey. We're going to make sure he can't hurt you again." Morgan reached over and placed a reassuring hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I couldn't bear to see you get hurt again."
Brooke gave her mom a reassuring smile. "Hopefully the police will find him before he finds us."
"I'm sure with help from the Hardys and other friends you'll be safe, honey."
Brooke hoped her mother was right. The last time they tried to leave, they didn't get far and her father had nearly killed her. As brave as she appeared, deep down Brooke was terrified.