A New Chapter

A firm knock on the door broke Lincoln’s contemplation and he looked up from his computer screen. With a sigh, he pushed away from the desk. It wasn’t like he was getting anywhere with outlining his next book. He had time, some time, but pretty soon Saul, his agent, would be calling for an update and the publisher would give him a firm due date. He still didn’t want to write another book in the Shadows of the Realm series, but if he didn’t find something soon; he might have to.

For now, he headed towards the door since it didn’t appear he’d get anything done today until he answered the door though because the knocker was quite insistent. Opening the door, he was surprised to find a police officer standing on his porch. “Can I help you?” he asked.

“Mr. Lincoln Stone?” the officer asked.

He studied her for a minute. She was petite, brown hair pulled back in a tight braid and coiled at the base of her neck. “I am. What can I do for you?”

“I’m sorry, sir. I was sent to notify you that Jackson Stone was killed in a car accident two months ago.”

Lincoln blinked. “Two… Brooklyn. Where’s Brooklyn? Who’s had her?”

“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know where she is. I was told to notify you and give you this phone number.” She handed over a sticky note. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Lincoln fingered the note as she turned and walked down the steps. He didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t spoken to his father in five years, not since Lincoln quit his job to write full time. His father had told him not to do it, that he’d run out of money long before he sold a book, but he wanted to chase the dream while he could. His small inheritance from his mother kept him going until he’d sold The Two Kings and that advance had given him enough to live on until he was actually selling books. He’d sent birthday cards to both Brooklyn and his father and gifts to Brooklyn for both her birthdays and Christmas, but he’d never heard back. Now Brooklyn was probably all alone and he had no idea what was happening to her.

Shutting the door, he moved back into the house. He’d left his phone in the kitchen, not wanting to be distracted by it. Now though, he wanted to call the number and find out what he needed to do to get Brooklyn or to make sure she was safe.

Of course, when he reached the kitchen, he couldn’t remember where he put the phone. He searched frantically, almost ripping drawers out in his haste to find it. Finally, he located it sitting on top of the microwave. Grabbing it, he dropped into the kitchen chair. For a moment, he considered whether he should actually call or not. He wasn’t even sure if Brooklyn would remember him. She’d been five going on six the last time he saw her and he wasn’t sure if she’d have any idea who he was. But he couldn’t just leave her with strangers if she wanted to be with him.

Dialing the phone, he put it on speaker and set it on the table. Reaching across to grab the notebook and pen he kept on the table, he tapped the pen against the table until an operator answered the phone. “Um, yes, I need to speak to Janice Rogers?” he said.

“Please hold,” the soothing voice replied before being replaced by elevator music.

He spun the pen in his fingers before beginning to tap it again. “Janice Rogers,” a crisp voice answered. “May I help you?”

“Um, hi,” Lincoln replied. “My name is Lincoln Stone. I was told to call you about Brooklyn Stone?”

“Hello. Yes. Is there any chance you can come here? I can’t give you information over the phone until we’ve verified who you are,” he answered.

“I’d be happy to come there,” he answered. “Where’s there?” When there was silence, he said, “I have their last address, but I don’t know if Brooklyn is still there or if she’s elsewhere.”

“Were you not in contact with your father?” she asked.

Lincoln rubbed his forehead as he tried to figure out how to explain. “About five years ago, my father and I had a disagreement. At that point in time, he told me that Brooklyn wasn’t my concern. I still sent cards and gifts, but I haven’t heard from them since then.”

“From what I understand, you are her only living relative so if you don’t take custody of her, she will remain in foster care.”

“Okay. I. Yeah. Where are you? I’ll get there as soon as I can.”

“Our office is in Lyons, New York. How long do you think the trip will be?”

“If I leave within the hour, I can be there tonight. I can meet you tomorrow? Ummm.”

“Would ten am work for you?” She cut him off.

“Yeah. Yes. I’ll…”

“If you give me your email, I can send directions,” she said.

“Yes. Okay.” Lincoln ratted off the address, pausing to make sure that she had it before exchanging good-byes and disconnecting.

For a moment, he stood stock still in his kitchen trying to absorb the shock. Then he burst into motion, hurrying through the house to start packing. While he moved, he dialed his dog sitter, asking her to stop in to take care of Ilyon and Raia. He didn’t want to attempt to pack the dogs up and take them since he had no idea what the accommodations would be like. He also wanted to focus on Brooklyn and not have to worry about the dogs.

It took him about an hour to pack everything up and write down directions for Sarah. She knew to call him if she had a question, but he felt confident leaving Ilyon and Raia in her hands for however long he was gone. Another hour was spent packing up what he might need for working while he was gone and messaging Saul and his publisher so they were both aware of where he was going and what was happening. He tried not to get involved in a long conversation with Saul, but the agent had plenty of questions, many of which Lincoln couldn’t answer.

His mind was already churning over logistics if Brooklyn wanted to come home with him. He wasn’t going to force her, but he’d give her the option. His apartment really wasn’t set up for another person to live in full time. Although he had a guest room, it was tiny and just barely big enough for the full-sized bed he’d squeezed in. Bringing her home would mean renting a new place or buying a house. And he wasn’t sure about how he felt about raising her in the city. He knew it had been a while since he’d seen Brooklyn and that she was growing up, but bringing her from the country to the city might not be the best.

Putting the questions and thoughts aside for the moment, there was no use worrying about it until he found out if Brooklyn even wanted to live with him, so he carried the bags out to his car and dropped them in the trunk. Deciding it would be easier to eat on the road, he whistled to call the dogs to him. Roughly he rubbed their heads and scratched their backs. “I’ll see you two in a few days. Sarah will take good care of you.” Standing back up, he pointed towards their beds and ordered, “Sitz.” The two dogs immediately dropped their haunches, sitting in front of him. “Pass Auf. Only admit Sarah.” He was never sure if they understood exactly, but they seemed to follow what he was saying, or at least the house was in good shape whenever he returned.

A minute later, the house was locked up and he was heading out.

Onward to Part Two