She apologized and said, “I wasn’t trying to be rude. I’m just a little surprised to see you here.”
That didn’t sound much better, and I wanted to just walk away.
“Angela, can I pull you away for a minute?” Helen looked worried.
I looked back at Terrell and he said, “I’ll be right here.”
Seeing Helen again really brought back memories of Olivia. Helen would come over to the apartment and pick her up. She’d take her out to lunch or over to her house to get her away from me and Andrea. Helen was Olivia’s best friend, but she treated Olivia like a sister.
“How have you been?” She asked once we were on the patio.
“Good,” I answered. “And you?”
“I’ve been okay. I miss Olivia a lot. I wanted to say I’m sorry about your sister and to give my condolences.”
“Thank you, Helen, and the same to you.”
Helen smiled and looked away. Something else was on her mind.
I asked hoping she’d open up, “By the way, how is your family?”
“Everyone is great. They’re here with me.”
“You have a date planned for the wedding?”
“December 12th is the day, and it’ll be in Montgomery.” Helen spoke proudly. “It’s going to be a big event.”
“I’m happy for you.” I really meant that.
A worried look replaced her smile. She wanted to tell me something else, but she was having a difficult time trying to get it out. “Angela, I wanted to talk to you about Alex.”
My smile faded. I did not want to talk about him, not today, not at that moment, not ever.
“They buried Alex on June 15th. I thought you were going to be there.”
“What made you think that? I never told you I was.” I said angrily.
“You and him used to date, right? That’s what you told me.”
“No, Helen, we never dated. It was a stupid fantasy that I had.”
“His family-”
“Why are we talking about him?” I had to cut her off. I didn’t want to hear about Alex Westing or anyone else in that family.
“Angela, I’m just trying to understand.”
“There is nothing for you to understand.”
“Sherrie thinks you were involved in Alex’s death.” She blurted.
I stared at her. “Why would she think that?”
“You dated Jason, and he’s dead. Now, your sister is dead.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I had to stop because this wasn’t the place for me to go off. I got closer to Helen and whispered, “You stay the hell away from me.”
I left her on the patio before she could get one word out. I shifted my way through the crowd trying to stop my tears. She had some damn nerve trying to confront me about what that damn Sherrie Westing said. All of them can rot in hell as far as I was concerned.
I ran directly into Tony, and he asked, “Angela, are you okay?”
“I’m doing okay. How about you?”
“I’m trying to hang in there. Do you want to ride in the family car with me and Abigail? You’re more than welcome to join us.”
“Ah, sure,” I said as I tried to muster a smile.
“Alright, we’re about to leave right now. Have you seen Helen?”
“I left her on your patio, Tony.”
“I think she wants to ride in the family car, as well.”
“Well, if she wants to, I’ll just ride with Terrell.” I was irritated with Helen. I hated her even more now. She managed to talk her way into a place she didn’t fucking belong. I was heated, but I tried to keep my temper in my belly.
“Angela, you have to ride with us. There’s plenty of room.”
“Tony, that’s not the problem.” I exhaled knowing I was being foolish again. That crazy stubbornness that occurs when I’m pissed off was setting in, and I needed to take a deep breath. I said in a calm tone, “I’ll ride in the car with you.”
“Great,” he remarked. “I’ll be out in a minute. I have to find Abigail and Helen.”
The house began to empty out, and I followed the crowd. The hearse was in front of the house, and I could see a gleaming white casket in the back. My heart sunk. Now, it was real right in front of me. Olivia was gone. The world was insignificant without her. Everyone went around me as I stood looking at the hearse. I lost all sense of where I was, feeling that deep rooted loss of family. My baby sister was taken away, and it wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right.
Terrell showed up at my side, and he walked with me to the limousine. I wasn’t ready to accept that my sister was about to be buried forever. This was going to be harder than I ever imagined.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The church was filled to the max. Olivia’s casket was brought in by men in black suits and white gloves. Her casket was closed. Her picture set in the front of the church, and there were flowers all over. It was so quiet, and I couldn’t stand it.
I wanted to hug Olivia and tell her that I loved her. I wanted to tell her that I was sorry for fighting her and treating her so badly. The chance was far out of my reach now. I would never hear her voice again, never touch her, or never smell her. She was so good, and she deserved so much better.
The eulogy was beautiful. They spoke about her accomplishments, and how the heavens were brighter with her there. I cried the entire time. A piece of my heart was broken and gone forever with my baby sister. Why didn’t I do the right thing when I had the chance? What was wrong with me?
When it was over, Olivia’s casket led the way out of the church by the same pallbearers. They walked with respectful pride with the casket high. I walked beside Tony, and he held my hand tight. We exited the church following Olivia’s body to the hearse, and we all proceeded to the gravesite.
It was a beautiful day. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was warm, but I was ice cold and miserable. The life was seeping out of my body. The very essence of my happiness was being buried right in front of me, and it was too late to get her back.
I didn’t hear any of the last words. I simply stared ahead at nothing, at nobody. I stood when everyone else did, and I moved forward to rest one single white rose on Olivia’s white casket. I wish I could have given her more when she was alive.
“I’m sorry. I hope you forgive me. I will miss you, and I love you, Olivia.” I touched the coffin and stepped back.
When I looked up, the crowd was mostly gone. But I saw a familiar face, a face I wasn’t expecting to see. She was standing across the field, looking right at me. Was it Tanie? It was her! Oh my God, my best friend in the world was right there with me!
We met halfway, and I hugged her. I couldn’t believe Tanie was there. She made it to my side, at the lowest point in my life. I stepped back to get a good look at her. She was beautiful, a wonderful light in the dark.
“Tanie, it’s so good to see you again.” I couldn’t stop smiling at her, but she seemed so distant. Tanie wasn’t as happy as I was, and I tried to overlook that. Perhaps it was the moment, the fact we were at my sister’s funeral.
She asked, “How are you doing?”
“I guess I can’t complain. Can you believe this? It’s just crazy.”
Terrell came from behind me and said, “I’ll wait for you in the car.”
I thanked him, and he kept going without speaking to Tanie.
“You landed on your feet.” Tanie remarked. Something was wrong with her.
I tried to her read expression, but I couldn’t figure it out. I said, “I’ve had a few stumbles on the way.”
Tanie was pulling away from me mentally and emotionally. She swallowed and said right out of the blue, “Roscoe wants me to bring you back to Colum.”
So, that’s why she seemed so distant. I shook my head and said, “I’m not going, Tanie. I know he’s pissed off because I didn’t stick around, but he can’t control me. I won’t let him.”
Tanie nodded with an anger that burned in her eyes. She said, “You really m
essed me up when you left, Angela. Roscoe wanted to kill me and my family.”
I tried to sound cheerful, “And you’re still here. I told you he wasn’t going to hurt you.”
Tanie backed away. I was losing her. It was quite clear our relationship wasn’t the same.
“Wait, Tanie, where are you going? We can go out to lunch and catch up.”
“No, Angela. We don’t need to catch up on anything. You have a good life.” Tanie went towards her car without saying good-bye. When she got there, I saw Janea. I stared at them both. Why was Tanie so distant? Did I do something wrong? I do realize I left town without telling her where I was going, but that didn’t mean our friendship had to end.
They started arguing. I wasn’t about to go over there. I headed for Terrell’s car and hurriedly got inside. It was quite clear what was going on with Tanie and Janea. They were supposed to bring me back to Colum, and Janea was pissed because I wasn’t going. Tanie could handle her with no problem, I bet. She could handle anything.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The atmosphere in Tony’s house wasn’t so heavy after the funeral. Everyone seemed a little more jovial. Sadness was still underneath it all. Olivia presence was sorely missed.
I stayed in the living room. Terrell remained at my side the entire time. I spoke to no one. Helen seemed to be more comfortable. She made her rounds like she owned the house. I tried to ignore her. She was trying to be the center of attention. I couldn’t stand her.
Tony came to me and said, “Angela, I wanted to show you something.”
“Okay,” I remarked.
I followed him through the house, and I made sure Terrell was right with me. We went up the stairs, and he opened a door at the end of the hallway to Olivia’s room. It was gorgeous. It had pink and purple paper butterflies hanging on strings from the ceiling. The wallpaper was light pink with lavender polka dots. There was a canopy bed with dolls and bears. She had a huge dollhouse near the big bay window, and it was fully furnished. I went over to it, with tears in my eyes. Her wish came true. She had a room that was made of her hopes and dreams, her fantasies and her love. I could smell her in that room. I could see her living, smiling, enjoying the best things in life.
I turned to get a full view and stopped when I saw Tony holding a small blue and white vase in hands.
He said, “Angela, these are your mother’s remains.”
Did I hear him right? Did he say my mother’s remains?
“How did you get them?” I asked.
“Olivia brought it with her from Alabama when she moved up here.” He handed it to me.
My hands were shaking, and my arms were weak. This was miraculous to me. I thought Andrea got rid of her remains in Birmingham somewhere, but I guess Olivia had them all the time.
“Thank you, Tony.” I hugged the urn. I was never letting it go. Finally, I had something left of my family. The remains of my mother, the woman who gave birth to Andrea, me, and Olivia. It was the one thing that connected us all, the once center of our world.
Tony and Terrell left me alone in Olivia’s room. I found her diary and read pieces of it. Olivia and her dad travelled for the little while they were together. He took her to see the sites in Washington DC. She went to museums and the theatre. She went bike riding and went to a professional baseball game. She went to craft shows and historic sites. My baby sister lived it up like she was supposed to.
I sat down in front of the dollhouse, and I moved the tiny figurines around. I picked up the tiny chairs and tables. I couldn’t help but to smile. She was so happy. She made it, even if it was just for a small moment in time.
I straightened the dollhouse before standing back up. I made up her bed and made sure everything was organized on the dresser. She was awful at making her bed. Olivia always had better things to do with her time. I laughed and flicked the butterflies. They swung and twirled on the strings. I picked up the urn and looked at Olivia’s room one last time. My broken heart would never recover.
I had to leave. I didn’t see the point of sitting around Tony’s house. It made me way too sad. Olivia wasn’t coming back, and I wasn’t going to be able to reconcile with her. It was a fact I had to live with for the rest of my life. The pain at this point was unbearable. I headed for Terrell’s car. I was going to sit there until he figured out I wasn’t in the house, but when I opened the passenger door, Terrell was in the driver’s seat. I was glad to see him.
We went back to the hotel, and I locked myself in my room. I curled up in bed and cried myself to sleep. What an absolutely horrible day.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Terrell took me out to dinner that evening. I really didn’t want to be out in public with the way I was feeling, but I was hungry. We walked to a restaurant. The summer air was just right. The sun was set, and downtown Fredericksburg was lit up. It was a small town feel, reminding me of the good things that Colum had.
“How old was your sister?” Terrell asked as we strolled towards the entrance of the restaurant.
“She was 18 years old. She just graduated from high school.”
“She was a pretty girl.”
“Yes, she was.”
“How many sisters do you have?”
“I had two. I guess Kenia is the last one, unless my dad has others he hasn’t told anyone about.” I answered. I was fighting an internal emotional battle, and it sure felt like I was going to break down.
“I’m impressed with you, Angela.”
“Why?” I asked with confusion. I know I didn’t do anything amazing.
“You’ve been through a hell of a lot of shit, and you’re still standing.” Terrell said as he opened the door.
I never thought of myself being strong, maybe stupid as hell, but never nothing like that in the face of turmoil. I thanked him for the compliment. I needed that little boost.
We were seated beside a window that revealed a darkened river faintly and partially lit by the glare of lights from inside the restaurant. We ordered our drinks and food. It was a small place, kind of homely with cheap tablecloths, but I liked it. Our food arrived after a few minutes, and it smelled really good.
“I was wondering if the FBI told you who they thought were responsible for your sister’s death.”
“No and I didn’t ask.”
“They were looking for you after the funeral.”
“How do you know?”
“I heard them ask the woman you spoke to earlier.”
“Helen,” I asked.
“Yeah, she had no idea where you were. They were going to ask me, but I was purposely hard to find.”
I laughed and shook my head.
Terrell asked, “Do you think they’ll try to blame you?”
I answered, “No, I wasn’t around, and they’ll prove I wasn’t.”
“You think they’re on your side? You’ll be surprised what they’re capable of, Angela. If they want to blame you for your sister’s death, they’ll find a way. That’s why you never speak to the police without a lawyer.”
“I’m not really worried about it, Terrell. I didn’t do it.”
“Do you know who did?”
I didn’t see the harm in telling him. So I said, “I think Roscoe Madison took my sister, and I think he killed her.”
“Who,” Terrell looked at me like I said something crazy. “Repeat that name one more time.”
“I said Roscoe Madison.”
Terrell stared at me. He had an expression I didn’t understand.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Terrell shifted in his seat.
I continued, “He’s actually a drug kingpin in Colum. The girl I was talking to in the cemetery, do you remember her?”
“Barely,” he admitted.
“She works for him. Her name was Tanie. She transports drugs and money. I don’t know the real deal behind his operation, but he’s like filthy rich. I used to work for him, too.”
“For real,” Terrell said as he
stared at me in amazement.
“I left town, and I didn’t tell him.”
Terrell nodded and said, “And he probably got pissed off and came after your sister to get to you.”
“I think so, and Tanie showed up at the funeral today hoping to bring me back to Alabama.”
“If this guy sent Tanie for you, he meant for her to bring you back. Your girl might be in trouble if she shows up without you.”
“He won’t hurt her.”
“If he’s a drug king like you say he is, he won’t be happy to see her return empty handed. I’m telling you, your girl is in trouble.”
“Well, you don’t know the situation, and I’m just guessing here. I don’t really know for sure if he killed my sister. How would he find her? He doesn’t know who she is. He didn’t know her dad.”
“I found her dad real easy on the internet, and I’m sure he wouldn’t have any problems finding him, either. If he’s rich like you say, then he has resources. He has connections, and he can probably find anyone he wants.”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. It’s making me nervous.” I dived into my food and tried to shut down my fear.
Terrell changed the subject to a more simple conversation. We spoke about our favorite music and favorite foods. He told me about the books he liked to read, and I didn’t like reading too much. So, he carried that part of the conversation. He had an intelligence that went beyond the streets. I could see why Poppy took him in, and I could see why Kenia was crazy about him.
We walked back to the hotel after dinner. I was glad he took me out. I needed the fresh air and the friendly conversation.
I said, “Terrell, thanks for hanging out with me today.”
“You’re welcome.” He grabbed his door card and continued, “Look, we’ll be leaving in the late part of the morning. I have to take care of some business before we set off for PA.”
“What time tomorrow morning?
“No later than eleven. That’s checkout.” He said as he went to his door. “You want me to bring you back breakfast? It’ll be on the go. We won’t be able to sit.”
The Ex Killer Series Page 54