Page 53 of Cannon
“Tell them we’re less than ten minutes out,” Remi said.
War texted the group.
Code Chandler t-ten.
Cannon reached to hold her hand. His foot was tapping nervously, and he was scanning as they drove. He seemed hyper aware, and she couldn’t blame him. In minutes, he’d be in front of his greatest nightmare. She decided her only job was to keep Cannon from killing his father. Not because she thought he should be saved but because Cannon didn’t need the guilt on his conscience.
Bootstrap texted that there seemed to be drug paraphernalia on the picnic table at the site. Jesse only hoped the little boy was okay. Well, as okay as he could be with an abusive father who was a psychopath.
“T-five. Tell Bootstrap to go now.” Remi said.
War relayed the message, and Jesse leaned against Cannon. “Whatever we find, we’ll deal with together.”
Cannon nodded. “I know.”
“Two minutes out. Everybody get ready.” Remi warned.
The vehicle swerved as Remi took the turn to the campsite. She didn’t slow down. Jesse glanced over and saw Remi was going forty-five. Jesse didn’t worry about Remi taking the dirt road too fast. Locks had had them all learn defensive driving. As the camper came into view, Remi slammed on the brakes,turning the wheel and sliding into the space behind the guys’ bikes. Brew and Bootstrap had Cannon’s father held down in his chair.
Cannon flicked his belt and was out of the vehicle, running toward the camper. Jesse followed with Remi and War. Cannon had the back open and Jesse fought to not reel back from the stench. Old food was mixed with what Jesse could only assume was dirty diapers. Cannon hadn’t flinched but had crawled into the camper.
“Hey little buddy, I’m your brother. Do you want to come outside and get a cookie and some milk?” Cannon asked in the same soft voice he used with their girls.
Jesse tried to see around Cannon, but it was too dark in the back.
“Oh buddy, we can take your wet shirt off. My friend has a clean shirt and a teddy bear you can cuddle.”
Cannon held his hand back behind him and Flick put the clothing he’d brought with him along with a clean diaper.
“Is your leg hurt? Do you want me to lift you?”
Jesse tamped her anger down at Cannon’s words. She moved back as Cannon scooted to the edge of the camper. She knew how big three-year-olds should be and this boy was undernourished. Cannon sat on the bed of the camper.
“Buddy, these are my friends. Let’s clean off your hands and then you can drink some milk and eat the cookie while my friend looks at your owie.”
Jesse grabbed the wipes they’d brought and cleaned his hands, trying not to scare him. His hair looked dark like Cannon’s, but it could be the grime making his hair darker. From the smell and his looks, it had been ages since he’d had a bath. Flick walked over and handed the boy the cookie and set the sippy cup of milk beside him.
“Hi, buddy. Can you point to where it hurts?” Flick asked.
Jesse waited to see where he pointed. He took a tentative bite of the cookie and then pointed at his thigh. Flick had his penlight as he always did, though she wasn’t sure why. Flick ran his gloved finger lightly over where the boy indicated.
“It looks like you got a bruise. Anywhere else hurt?”
The boy rubbed his tummy. Flick slowly reached and lifted his shirt. His little belly was so skinny. Flick ran his hands along his tummy, touching different places, but the little boy didn’t flinch. Then put his stethoscope in his ear and listened to the boy’s belly.
“Does your tummy hurt because you’re hungry?” Flick asked.
The boy nodded.
“We can fix that,” Cannon said. Cannon glanced at her and she could see the fury in his eyes.
“Cannon, do you want to introduce me to your buddy so I could hold him? I didn’t know if you needed to speak with anyone else?”
She waited for Cannon to decide, then he nodded.
“Not for anything besides closure. Buddy, can my friend hold you for a second?”
The boy nodded. She held her hands out and Cannon handed him to her. “We’re going to go sit in the car for a little bit. You let me know if you need me.”