Black Bears of Independence: Dylan and Caleb: Black Bears of Independence, #5

By K. R. Hall

Past and Present

 

With the war against Pickens and his mercenary army over, the Black Bears of Independence are slowly starting to rebuild their lives again. After losing so many of their friends and family they focus on building again and repairing what was lost.

 

Dylan Birnbaum is a legendary sphynx shifter and Beta of the Hurst Family Clan. Life has been challenging for him, and the war against Pickens was no different. With his black bear shifter mate, Caleb Richburg by his side though, he knows he can get through it, as they have everything else. Together.

 

A tragic accident brings Dylan's past to greet them in the most horrific of ways. His best friends die in a terrible car accident, leaving behind his biological daughter for whom he donated sperm. With her parents gone, she was sent to a foster home while the courts worked out where she would live. When Dylan finds out she is being abused he has her moved to a shifter home to keep her safe. That is until he makes the hard decision to raise her as his own, something he had never planned for and something he had never told Caleb.

 

Now that the past is their present, will the two be able to overcome this as they had everything else? Be the parents Olivia needs them to be? Or will it tear them apart forever?

 

***Warning***
This book contains some scenes that may be triggering to some people. One of the main storylines is the death of both of Olivia's mothers and her PTSD issues surrounding it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. R. Hall
• Release date: Nov 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9798610287416

Book preview

image-placeholder

Chapter 1

Today (May)

This just in, I70 is shut down in both directions due to a multiple-vehicle crash. Several vehicles are on fire. Avoid area. I70 is expected to be closed for several hours. State Patrol is assisting the local police, A news reporter said, breaking in on the current show that was on the television.

Oh, that’s horrible! Caleb said.

Those poor people. I can’t believe it, Dylan replied.

News helicopters flew over the scene, which showed several vehicles on fire, including a semi that was hauling lumber. That wood fueled the fire, along with a semi hauling mattresses. Firefighters remain on scene as hotspots remain. 

Several agencies responded to the fire, including West Metro Fire Rescue, the Colorado State Patrol, and Lakewood police. There were several vehicles burned beyond recognition mixed in the debris of the lumber that spilled from another semi. Because of the closure, drivers are urged to plan an alternate route since that portion of I70 will remain closed into the Friday morning hours, the reporter continued.

Caleb and Dylan were glued to the tv, watching all of the updates on the fire. Later that evening, investigators said there were twenty-eight vehicles and four semis involved in the crash and fire. 

Investigators are looking closer at the semi that collided into traffic that was stopped due to an earlier accident, which started the fire. Those who died in the fire and crash haven’t yet been identified. There were several people injured in the crash. One of those injured is a West Metro Firefighter, who is in stable condition. It is unclear the ages of those injured. Thick, black smoke rising from the crash could be seen for miles across the Denver metro area, the news anchor for the ten o’clock news reported.

The next morning’s news updated the accident. 

A major crash killed at least four people and started a large fire on I70 along the western edge of Denver on Thursday, in a disaster that police say was triggered by a truck that slammed into a group of cars that were stopped in traffic. The truck driver either couldn’t or wouldn’t stop his semi — ramming it into multiple vehicles that were backed up due to another accident farther down the highway. The police department and the coroner’s office are still working to identify those who were killed, The news reporter said.

Images from the accident showed an expanding cloud of black smoke rising above the road. With the struggles to get water to the crash site to fight the flames, some nearby residents helped the firefighters carry a long fire hose to a hydrant in a nearby apartment complex.

I’m surprised and relieved that only four people lost their lives. It’s still such a tragedy, Caleb said while eating breakfast.

Yes, I agree.

A little girl was rescued from a vehicle where two women were killed. Officers are trying to track down her family. The vehicle has California plates. If you are near the tv, please take a look at this photo of the girl. She hasn’t talked, and doctors believe it’s due to the shock of what she witnessed. She appears to be eight years old with blond hair and blue eyes. If you know her, please contact the state police, the reporter said.

Poor kid. Ya know, Dylan, she looks a little bit like you, Caleb said.

Yes, she does. That’s strange, Dylan said.

Well, I need to head out to work. I love you, Caleb said as he leaned in for a quick kiss.

I love you too. I’ll grill some steaks for dinner, Dylan said as he watched Caleb leave for work.

Dylan’s sphynx was drawn to the image of the girl. She did look a lot like him. The more he thought about the little girl, the more he felt she could be his daughter. He pulled out his cell phone and pulled up Callie’s number and clicked call. When it went to voicemail, he hung up and called Veronica, but that went to voicemail too.

Hey, Vonnie, it’s me, Dylan. I know it’s been forever since we talked, I just wanted to see how you and Callie were. Call me.

Then he called the state police.

Um, hi. My name is Dylan Birnbaum. I want to talk to someone about the little girl that survived the accident.

That would be Lieutenant Murphy. One moment please, the officer said.

This is Lieutenant Murphy; how may I help you?

My name is Dylan Birnbaum. I’m calling about the girl that survived the accident. I think I might be her father, Dylan said.

What makes you think you are the father mister Birnbaum?

Nine years ago, I donated my sperm to my friends in California. I saw the photo, and she looks like me. I called my friends, but the calls went to their voicemail. It seems like too much of a coincidence for me just to ignore it, Dylan explained.

Most genetic tests take 24-72 hours. Why don’t you meet me here, and I will take you over to the hospital?

Okay, Lieutenant, I can be there in an hour.

After he hung up, he called Galena.

Galena, this is Dylan. I need help. Can I come over?

Sure, Dylan.

Dylan quickly locked up and drove over to Galena’s office. Galena answered after he knocked, and she ushered him into her office. Galena was the clan healer.

Galena, I need to take a paternity test. I’m worried that evidence of my shifter DNA will show up.

I won’t ask why, but do you know where? 

The little girl on the news that survived the crash yesterday might be my daughter. I’m not sure what hospital she is at.

I know that case. The doctor is a friend of mine and a shifter. Doctor Nora Wendell has Olivia at Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz. Yes, your DNA could show your shifter genes, but she will keep the secret.

That’s a relief.

Good luck Dylan, Galena said as he left her office.

Dylan got back into his Jeep Wrangler and headed to the headquarters of the State Patrol in Lakewood. Dylan turned up the radio as if the music could beat back the worry, letting the tires eat up the distance between home and the police headquarters. The sky was clear enough to follow the road with its many switchbacks and curves traversing the mountain below him, a black line clinging to the side of the cliff like a pencil drawing. 

He took highway 36 down the mountain that passed through Lyons, Boulder, and many other towns on his way to Lakewood. He hurried the Jeep as fast as he dared on the windy road. 

Thoughts raced through Dylan’s mind. He never told Caleb about Callie and Veronica. When he moved back to Estes Park after graduating from college, he decided to put his past behind him. He thought about the girls every now and then but thought it best not to contact them. He didn’t know what he wanted. When Olivia turned eight earlier this year, Callie sent him a text asking to come to visit. He was surprised at first, then scared. How could he explain things to Caleb? 

Dylan thought if he ignored the text, the girls wouldn’t come. If he were lucky, Olivia would be a human, not a shifter. Then last week Veronica sent him a text stating that Olivia had never been sick a day in her life and now she was starting to act strange. There wasn’t any information anywhere that humans could go to, to get information about shifters. Veronica said they needed his help. They wanted to have Olivia understand what was happening to her and all about shifters.

Dylan knew he should have told Caleb, but after nine years, what was he supposed to say? Maybe he should have talked to his mother, Kylie. She could suggest how to talk to Caleb and what to do about Olivia. Well, now it was too late. Shit was about to hit the fan, and he had no idea how to soften the blow. He was so screwed.

Hi, my name is Dylan Birnbaum, and I’m here to see Lieutenant Murphy. He’s expecting me.

One moment, please, said the receptionist. He will be with you in a minute, please have a seat.

Dylan took a seat in the waiting area. His right leg bounced rapidly as he waited, a sure sign of his nervousness.

Mister Birnbaum? an officer asked.

Dylan looked up and saw that the name tag read Murphy.

Please call me Dylan, Lieutenant Murphy, he said, rising and extending his hand for a greeting handshake.

Thank you, Dylan. Please call me Elias, he said as he shook hands.

Elias turned and headed towards his office.

Please follow me, Dylan. I’d like to go over a few things before we head over to Children's Hospital.

What kind of things?

I’d prefer not to discuss them in the hallway where just anyone can hear us.

Okay.

The walk to the lieutenant’s office felt almost non-existent as Dylan’s mind filled with the million possibilities of what Elias had to say. A bulb hanging from the ceiling bathed the windowless corridor with ivory yellow light. As they approached the slightly open door of the room from which white light was pouring out through the crack, he found himself biting hard on his bottom lip. He forced himself to stop before filling his mouth with the metallic taste of blood.

The office was impressive but not elegant, a navy-blue carpet that covered the whole room. Two upright padded seats in complementary brown sat in front of the oak desk. The walls were painted a neutral tan color and had prints of country landscapes hanging on two of the walls. Dylan caught a glimpse of the wall clock out of the corner of his eye. He was surprised that it was noon. His stomach chose that time to rumble, reminding him of how long it had been since he last ate.

Sitting on the edge of the chair, Dylan placed his hands on his knees, intending to stop them from bouncing every five seconds. He watched as Elias sat and pulled out a file.

Dylan, after our talk this morning, I called the local police department in Encino to do a welfare check on Veronica and Callie. Ten minutes ago, I received a call back from him. According to Veronica’s employer, she and Callie left with their daughter Olivia to travel to Estes Park. I also did some checking on your background. You went to college at the same time the ladies did. As you probably know, I can’t get the information about the in-vitro fertilization without a court order. Based on what I’ve been able to find, I believe that you could be Olivia’s biological father, Elias said.

Damn, I was afraid of that. What do we do now?

We will head out to Children's Hospital and proceeded with the DNA test. There is a test we could do that is the newest on the market and will give us results in twenty-four hours. The Department of Children’s Services, however, wants the standard test, which takes about two weeks for results.

At that moment, the phone on Elias’ desk rang.

One moment please, Elias said to Dylan. Hello, yes, this is Lieutenant Murphy. You do? Before you email me the results, would you tell me if the women have been identified as Veronica Linwood and Callie Reinhardt? Okay then. Thank you. Yes, email it right away. Goodbye.

That was the coroner’s office. They’ve been able to identify the victims through dental records. After I talked to the Encino police, we had probable cause, and we were able to get their dental records. I’m sorry to tell you, but you probably already knew, the women have been officially identified as Veronica Linwood and Callie Reinhardt.

Oh, God. I’m not as prepared as I thought I would be. We drifted apart over the years. We were still connected through Olivia. I thought that keeping my distance was the best thing for them.

We still need to have a DNA test for legal purposes. Olivia will be placed in a receiving foster home while we go through the legal process. You will want to get an attorney.

Okay. I will contact an attorney. Can I see Olivia?

Let’s go get the DNA testing started. I will talk to the doctor in charge of Olivia’s care to see if it’s advisable. She doesn’t know you. I don’t know if it will be okay or not.

I’d like to at least let her know that she is not alone.

I can understand that. I’d hate to think about what I would do if I were in the same situation.

Dylan’s mind was going in so many different directions. He needed to find an attorney. He wanted to have Olivia moved closer to him. He knew nothing about foster care. Was there a foster family in the clan or Estes Park? He couldn’t let someone adopt his daughter. Did Callie and Veronica have parents or siblings that might fight him for custody? Did they have a will that said what would happen to Olivia? 

How was he going to tell Caleb? He had waited too long to tell Caleb. How would he react? Yes, they were true mates, but that didn’t mean that he could hurt him. He thought he would have more time. He shouldn’t have put things off. Was he responsible for Callie and Veronica’s deaths? Oh, God.

He remembered the saying his nana had said to him as a child many times. Oh, what a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive. This was a massive web of deceit that he needed to fix.

Dylan? We need to get going, Elias said, interrupting his thoughts.

Oh, sorry. I got lost in my thoughts. I will follow you in my Jeep if that’s okay.

Sure thing. I know you have at least an hour's drive ahead of you to get back to Estes Park.

Yes, Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora is an hour and a half from Estes Park.

Dylan followed Elias as they drove to Children's Hospital. He parked next to Elias’ unmarked police car. They walked together into the hospital.

Doctor Nora Wendell, Olivia’s doctor, will meet us at the nurse’s station on the second floor. She will update us on Olivia’s condition and explain what will happen next. She has contacted someone at Children’s Services as she is supposed to by law. If doctor Wendell says it’s okay, you can visit with Olivia for a few minutes before you go to the lab for the DNA test, Elias explained.

Thank you, Elias. I will do what’s best for Olivia. I don’t want to cause her any more stress. The poor kid has been through so much in such a short time.

They rode the elevator in silence. Dylan followed Elias out of the elevator as the doors opened on the second floor. He had never been to Children's Hospital as shifters don’t get sick, and they had healers who took care of injuries. 

The hospital was four stories tall and had a fantastic blend of art, design, and state-of-the-art technology. Every detail – from layout to patient flow, design to decor, landscaping to color schemes – was built to help kids heal faster based on data from evidence-based design. Everything was brightly colored, and the nurses were smiling. The pictures on the walls were prints of uplifting scenes with animals, children holding balloons, and some offer children markers to draw on the walls. There were little play areas set up with different themes such as the night sky or under the sea. With its many windows and skylights, it was bright and airy. 

Hi, I’m Lieutenant Elias Murphy, and this is Dylan Birnbaum. We’re here to see Doctor Nora Wendell, Elias said to a nurse at the counter.

Just a moment and I will page her.

Hi, I’m Nora, she said less than a minute later.

Hi, I’m Lieutenant Elias Murphy, and this is Dylan Birnbaum, he said, extending his hand to shake hers.

Nice to meet you, Dylan said as he took his turn to shake her hand.

Let’s move over to one of the consult rooms so we can have some privacy.

Dylan and Elias followed her down the hallway past a few unmarked rooms. Nora stopped at the fourth door and held the door open so they could enter. They all took a seat in the small room.

Okay, now. Olivia has not talked since she arrived here yesterday. She has no injuries, which is incredible considering, Nora explained.

Dylan here is possibly her biological father. He will be having a paternity test once we are done here, Elias explained.

Can I see her?

I don’t see why not. It may be helpful for her to see a familiar face.

I’ve never met her. Her mothers had a photo of me that they said they showed her. I thought it was best to stay away as long as I could to not interfere with her upbringing. I’m regretting that decision, Dylan explained.

I think it will be okay. I need to let you know that by law, I have contacted Child Services. Olivia will remain here until they find a suitable receiving foster home. Receiving homes are short term stays. They can be anywhere from one day to three months.

Elias explained a little bit about that to me. I will be contacting an attorney to find out the exact process and to help me along the way.

Good luck. Let’s go see Olivia.

They followed Nora out of the room and down a different hallway to room 248. 

Olivia had just passed her eighth birthday a couple of months ago, and she was as tiny as a doll, pale with slender limbs. She was playing with a doll, a gift that she was able to pick out. Children’s Hospital had many toys from various fundraisers throughout the year. They would bring an assortment of toys that were age-appropriate to each child that came into the hospital for an overnight stay. Olivia spied the doctor and two strange men as they came in, and let the doll fall to her bed, her eyes shining brighter when she recognized the man who came in last. Her mommies had shown her a photo of him.

Doctor Nora entered the room. At the end of Olivia’s bed, she paused to check the chart and then allowed her face to crack into a wide grin as she greeted her. Olivia visibly relaxed, and her face broke into a rare smile, one almost large enough to mirror