The Chaplain's Daughter by K.T. Hastings

cheek and headed for her car at 3:35 p.m.  She didn’t make it to her car directly, though.  Just as she walked off the porch the same police car from this morning pulled up in front of the house, coincidentally in the exact same place that Spike’s Camaro had occupied earlier in the week.  Detectives Langley and Munroe got out and walked toward the front door.  Alyssa did an about face and followed them.  Detective Langley knocked on the door.  DeeDee Boylan answered the knock.
     
    “Hello Ms. Boylan,” Detective Langley said.  “May we come in?”
     
    “Certainly,” DeeDee said, stepping back.  Alyssa followed the two detectives in the door.
     
    Without preamble Detective Langley said, “Is Mr. Jacks here?”
     
    John went to Toby’s room and summoned him into the living room for the second time that day.  Toby walked cautiously into the living room.
     
    “Mr. Jacks is it okay to speak to you without an attorney present?
     
    Toby nodded assent.
     
    Detective Langley continued on, “We want you to know that we checked with Harbor Lights and found out who Scott is.  He told us that you were, in fact at his house the night of the criminal activity in Tenino.  He told us that he had dropped you off at Nick’s Bike and Chain on his way to work the next day and that you worked a double shift at the restaurant.”
     
    Detective Munroe took over from there.  “Officers from the Washington State Patrol stopped Richard Knapp Jr. and Spike Farrot in Mr. Farrot’s Chevrolet Camaro just this side of Castle Rock.  An examination of the trunk of the car revealed two .45 caliber pistols as well as a hunting rifle.  Forensics believes that they can prove that the two pistols were used in the robbery/murder scene in Tenino.  You’re in the clear son.  We’re sorry about your loss where your friend Amos was concerned.  It appears that he was killed while attempting to rob the store.”
     
    The two detectives put their caps back on and walked out without another word.  Toby sat down on the chair with a thump.  John and DeeDee walked over to him.  DeeDee put her arms around him in a mother’s own hug.  John said, “We are sorry too, Toby.  About your friend, I mean.  You don’t know, though, how relieved we are that you were telling the truth and that you weren’t with them.  We care a lot about you, and we hope that you know that we are rooting for you.”
     
    Toby’s eyes could no longer hold in the tears that they had been trying to shed.  They ran down his cheeks as he held on to DeeDee Boylan.  He allowed her to rock him back and forth as no one ever had before, at least as far as he knew.  John took off his glasses and wiped his own eyes.  Toby looked up and met John’s eyes. 
     
    John smiled, “Allergies, you know.”
     
    “I know,” Toby said.
     
    Just then Toby heard a sound from the other side of the room.  Alyssa Boylan was sniffing and trying to control her own tears.  Her nose was running, her eyes were red and her hair, which she had carefully styled for work, was hanging in ringlets as she cried.  She looked a mess, but not to Toby.  He thought that she looked very nice indeed.
     
    John looked at DeeDee and inclined his head toward the kitchen.  The two older folks disappeared, leaving the living room to Toby and Alyssa.  The young adults looked at each other, waiting for the other to speak.  Finally Alyssa gulped and spoke.
     
    “I’m sorry Toby.  I’m so sorry.  I heard what I heard and saw what I saw and jumped to a conclusion that was wrong, and I’m sorry.  I know that I should have believed you.  I should have believed IN you, and I didn’t.  I’ve never been one to believe the best in others I guess.  No, I know that I haven’t believed the best in others until they prove themselves to me.  Me, like I’m God Almighty or something!  Well I’m proud to know that you’re innocent of what the police believed and I’m…”
     
    Just