“Fair or not, it’s the way it is. Look, if the shit really hits the fan and it looks like I might get sent back to prison over this, then I might ask you to step up, okay? Meanwhile, let’s just see how everything unfolds.”
She nodded, pleased that we were in this together, our little secret. I’d known she’d like that. But I still wondered at her motives. Was she really doing the right thing or just trying to get back at her mother for something?
There was another knock on the door.
Both Ashley and I jerked back. Captain started barking, his hackles up.
I motioned for Ashley to stay still, called out, “Who’s there?”
“It’s Shauna. Open the door, please. I know my daughter’s in there.”
Ashley’s eyes widened. We stood up at the same time. I held Captain back by his collar as I opened the door. Then we stepped out and I closed the door behind us, blocking Captain, who’d started growling the minute he glimpsed Shauna.
“I thought we had an agreement, Toni.” Her voice was icy calm, polite. “You were going to stay away from my daughter.”
“Your daughter’s leaving. I suggest you do the same.”
“Come on, Mom, let’s get out of here.” Ashley tugged on her mother’s arm. Shauna ignored her, her face still composed.
“Toni and I need to talk about a couple of things,” she said. “Get in my car. I’ll be up in a minute.” But Ashley wasn’t backing down that easily.
“I’m sixteen—you can’t order me around like that.”
“Unfortunately for you, you’re still a minor and living under my roof.” Shauna’s voice was level, but I could tell by her stiff shoulders, her tight grip on her keys, that she was fighting to keep her cool.
“That doesn’t mean you own me.” Ashley’s face was now red.
“I saw your car in the parking lot. You only have your learner’s. What were you thinking?”
I hadn’t thought about how Ashley had gotten to the marina. Now I saw real concern under Shauna’s anger.
“I’m going to have to take away your keys for this stunt,” she said.
“I’m sick of you running my life and all your stupid threats,” Ashley said, her faced twisted in rage. “I know what you did to Toni—”
“Just go, Ashley. I’m fine.” The last thing I wanted was her to accuse her mom of the theft and get herself—and me—in more shit.
Shauna turned around, her face livid, but her voice was still calm as she said, “Thank you, Toni, but I can handle my own daughter.”
Ashley was still standing on the dock, watching us.
“She came to my boat, Shauna. I didn’t show up at your house. Maybe you need to get better control of her.”
Inside, Captain was going nuts, sounded like he was taking the wall apart. Shauna got a calculating look, then her expression changed to fake concern.
“Toni, I’m worried about you. Rescue dogs like that have been known to snap. Are you sure you’re safe? Are you sure he’s safe?”
I caught my breath as I registered the threat underneath her words. “What the fuck are you getting at, Shauna? You think you can just threaten me like this?”
“I’m giving you some friendly advice. You’ve always taken on the hardest cases, rescuing damaged creatures no one else wants.…” She paused, letting it sink in, waiting for me to get what she was really saying. And I did.
She was talking about Ryan. The wharf tilted as a tugboat cruised by, sending waves in our direction. I focused on it for a moment, gathering my thoughts, trying to find my balance. I couldn’t let her throw me.
“But there’s a reason no one wants them,” she said, “why someone else let them go. You just never know when they might turn on their owner.”
Now I was really pissed. “If you have something to say, Shauna, then—”
“If I were you, I’d stay away from Ryan Walker,” she said. “He’s no good for you, Toni. Look what happened last time.”
I tried to hide my panic, tried to keep my face neutral. Did she know? Had someone seen us talking one night? Was she threatening to turn us in?
“You need to stay the fuck away from me, Shauna. You come here again, I’m calling the cops.”
“No, you won’t.” She turned to her daughter. “Come on, Ashley.”
They left. At the top of the dock Ashley turned back, tried to mouth, I’m sorry, but her mother grabbed her arm.
I went inside and held Captain, my body shaking. I kept hearing Shauna’s words over and over again in my head.
Look what happened last time.…
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CAMPBELL RIVER
JUNE 2013