by L A Walton
Laci could feel tears forcing themselves out of her eyes as she watched her brother's face crumple in the sadness of his memories. "I hated them Laci! I really hated them. I was glad when the cops busted them for drugs. I never wanted to see them again. All they ever taught me was pain. The ins and outs of it. I know it well. I practically have a doctorates in it. You treat me like I'm some kind of kid and it bugs the heck out of me Laci because I haven't been a kid since I was old enough to walk."
Laci heard him take a deep breath, "I'm sorry Declan."
He raised his head and looked at her, "For what? It wasn't you that made me go hungry or kneel on broken beer bottles because I asked for a cake on my seventh birthday."
Laci wanted to hug Declan but she knew if she did, he would reject her affection. Instead she said, "It must have been very different coming from that world to being adopted here. Mom and dad were amazing and loving."
Declan gave a bitter laugh, "Different? Try alien. I used to wonder when they were going to show their true colors. It took me two years to finally trust them."
Laci nodded quietly, "Declan?"
"What?"
"I love you. You know that right?"
Declan nodded, "I know that Laci. Deep in my heart I know it. I know I joke around a lot Laci but please don't ask about my past anymore. It's not something I like to think about."
"I understand, Declan."
"Would you stop saying that? You don't understand Laci. You could have a million psychology degrees but unless you've lived through what I've been through, No amount of empathy is going to make you understand. I'm scarred for life! Can you get that through your head?" Declan took a deep breath and cursed. "I'm sorry Laci. I'm sorry."
Laci could see the tears he was trying to wipe away, "It's okay. I know that was difficult for you but you shared it anyway. Thank you Declan."
He didn't respond so she grabbed his mug and poured some cocoa in it. She then put a small mountain of marshmallows in his cocoa. "Cheer up brother. I'm here for you."
Declan was about to speak when the doorbell rang.
"Was your boyfriend coming by?" Declan asked, his voice gruff with left-over emotion.
"No," Laci murmured.
"Ah ha! You didn't deny it so you admit he's your boyfriend!" Declan was trying to lighten the atmosphere and Laci went along with it.
She laughed, "I plead the fifth."
"You can't plead the fifth!" Nichols cried.
Laci stuck her tongue at him and replied, "Says who?"
She walked over to the front door and opened it. Outside was not one but two handsome men. "Andrew! Robert!" Laci said in surprise.
Declan walked up from behind and greeted his friend. They all stared down at the overnight bag, "What's going on Robert?"
"My girlfriend and I broke up again. Do you mind if I spend a few nights here?"
Declan looked at Laci who gave a slight smile, "Not at all. Mi casa es su casa."
"Thanks guys," Robert stepped forward and followed Declan to the living room.
Andrew waited in the doorway, "How are you doing?"
"I'm holding up," Laci answered.
"Your eyes are all red. Have you been crying?" Andrew asked.
Laci nodded, "Yes but not for the reason you're thinking."
"What reason am I thinking?" Andrew asked playfully.
"That I'm crying because I lost another friend."
"Actually," Andrew corrected her, "I was thinking your eyes were red because of allergies."
Laci genuinely laughed and allowed him to come in. Neither of them noticed Declan and Robert, quietly watching them from the kitchen. Both were wearing a frown.
CHAPTER 27
"Do you mind getting a room?" Declan yelled from the kitchen. Robert chuckled as his best friend scowled at Andrew and Laci, "It's one thing to date my sister outside but in this home...I don't want to see it."
"Declan!" Laci cried, embarrassed.
"What? He's rich. He should be able to take you to some fancy hotel to paw you."
Andrew laughed, "It sounds like someone is jealous."
Declan pretended to pout, "Maybe I am."
"Fine," Robert interjected, "I'll hug you." He reached for Declan and grabbed him in a bear hug.
Declan struggled to free himself as Laci and Andrew laughed.
"I love you Declan," Robert said in a high-pitched voice.
"Dang Robert. You'll never keep a girl if you're this clingy," Declan joked as he pushed his friend away.
Robert backed away and said in a monotone voice, "That was cold-hearted Declan."
"He's just joking Robert," Laci said stepping towards them.
"Yeah I'm just joking. We know the reason you and your girlfriend fought was because you probably cheated," Declan mumbled.
"Declan!" Laci couldn't believe her brother was joking when Robert was probably feeling hurt right now.
"What Laci? Some women just don't understand that you have to hate the other woman not the game."
"You did not just say that," Laci told her brother. She looked up to the ceiling, "Please tell me my brother did not just say that."
"He said it," Andrew laughed.
Declan winked at her and Robert actually started laughing, "I did not cheat on my girlfriend. We just realized we weren't mean to be."
"I'm sorry Robert," Laci said. "There are worst things that could be happening."
Robert knew her friend had just passed away and he sighed, "I'm sorry. I know you've been through a lot Laci. You shouldn't have to put up with me staying in the house too."
"No, it's fine. The more people in the house, the faster I'll feel better. I love having all the extra noise around," Laci smiled.
"Well I just stopped by to see if you wanted to have dinner but maybe it's not such a good idea. You look tired," Andrew whispered to her.
Laci looked at Andrew and smiled, "Thanks Andrew. If you want, we can order in some Chinese."
"Did you say Chinese?" Declan bellowed from the kitchen.
"Do you mind not eavesdropping like an obnoxious brother?" Laci bellowed back.
"Sorry but I'm hungry," Declan turned to Robert, "C'mon man they want to be alone. I'll show you the guest room."
Laci and Andrew watched them leave, "Be honest. You're tired."
"Is that a question or a statement?" Laci asked.
"Whichever," Andrew said, pulling her into his embrace. Laci wasn't sure how she felt about this but she did need some physical comfort. After finding about Kay, arguing with Amber, being suspended from work, and hearing about Declan' past, she needed some comfort.
"Laci?"
"Yes Andrew."
"I know things are really chaotic and you probably aren't in any condition to start a relationship with me right now but I want you to know something."
"Hmm?" Laci was snuggled up against his chest, her eyes closed.
"I'll wait for you."
Officer Tracy Stewart was looking at the photograph she had been given by Dr. Laci Cummings. It was of Dr. Cummings in her underwear and a sports bra. Scrawled on the back of the picture was a message that read, "Nice panties."
Officer Stewart sighed in frustration. She felt bad for Dr. Cummings. She looked across her desk at Officer Joe Bishop. He had been a jerk to Dr. Cummings and completely unprofessional. He was eating a tuna sandwich while looking at some files.
Officer Stewart curled her lip in disgust. "Hey Bishop!"
Joe looked up and Tracy could see the food in his mouth as he asked, "What's up?"
"You stink!"
He was taken aback, "I stink? No I don't I'm eating tuna."
Tracy got up and walked away from her desk. As she passed Officer Bishop, she whacked him over the head with a case file.
"Hey what did I do?"
"You've been a total prick to Dr. Cummings on her case. It needs to stop. If you can't be professional then I'll be more than happy to let the captain know."
"What gives? Why
are you giving me a hard time all of a sudden because of Dr. Cummings?"
"Because she's a victim! She's going through a lot right now and I'm pretty sure it's more serious than whatever reason you've concocted in your mind to think she deserves your belittlement."
"Cut it out Stewart," Bishop shouted as she tried hitting him again with her manila folder.
"You've been warned," Stewart said pointing the folder in his direction leaving him to pick up the tuna sandwich he had dropped while she had been hitting him.
"Hey Laci, thanks for letting Robert stay here," Declan said as she was making a grocery list.
"It's not a problem. I actually feel safer with him in the house."
Declan laughed, "What are you trying to say?"
"Oops sorry Declan. I didn't mean to say you weren't man enough to protect the house or anything. I just meant, he'd be here as someone who knows security. That's all."
Declan shrugged, "It's okay. I understand. Anyway, I'm glad you let him stay. He's been through a lot."
"I thought him and his girlfriend just broke up. Was there more?" Laci asked.
Declan exhaled, "You know how I told you about my past?"
"Yeah," Laci said putting down her grocery list.
"Well Robert has been through something similar."
"Please don't tell me you two are secretly biological brothers!" Laci gasped.
"What? Stop acting like you're on a Spanish novella. No we weren't brothers but it's the reason we both became friends. Best friends."
Laci nodded, "Good."
"Good?"
"Yes, good. I'm glad you two found each other. I'm glad you two have each other to talk to."
"Anyway, thanks. That's all I wanted to say." Declan gave Laci a quick hug and went back upstairs. Laci finished making her grocery list. She wanted to keep her mind occupied since today was the day Kay was being buried. She would respect the wishes of Kay's parents. She wouldn't be selfish and upset them even more on a devastating day. She was going to make roast beef and eat dinner with Robert and Declan tonight. She grabbed her purse and headed out the door to go to the local grocery store, Publix.
Andrew was on his lunch break when George came up to him, "Are you still mad at me?"
Andrew sighed, "I'm not mad. I'm disappointed."
"Why do I feel like that's worse?"
Andrew wasn't sure what to say to George. He thought the entire situation towards Laci was handled inappropriately.
"Did you have something to say George?"
"I was just going to tell you that I talked to the bosses and they're okay with bringing Laci back onto the show as long as we can prove that she didn't send that photo."
"I should hope so, otherwise the station might get his with an unlawful termination lawsuit," Andrew muttered.
George blushed a little and cleared his throat, "Anyway, I'm hoping things get cleared up pretty soon." He was about to walk away when he turned around and said, "Oh yeah, there's a woman waiting for you down in the lobby. Security called up to tell me."
"Do you know who it is?"
George shook his head, "No, they didn't say. Just that she was upset."
Andrew didn't feel like being in his office without Laci so he took the elevator down to the lobby. He was greeted by an irate woman dressed in black, carrying a box that said, "Robert's crap."
"Can I help you?" Andrew asked.
"Robert told me that he moved in with Laci and Declan so I'm bringing you his crap," the woman shoved the box in Andrew's arms.
"I'm sorry. You are?"
"The name is Amber. I'm late for a funeral. Tell him I never want to speak with him again."
"I'm sorry. Amber was it? Why don't you take the box to him?" Andrew asked.
She gave him a bewildered look, "Are you kidding? So he can kill me?"
This threw Andrew off guard, "What?"
"Wow you're good looking, but you're pretty slow on the uptake aren't you doc?" Amber asked.
"Excuse me?"
Amber sighed, "Listen. I brought Robert's stuff here since I know you're dating Laci."
"You know Laci?" Andrew asked.
"Of course. We've been friends for a while. Anyway, that's Robert's junk. I was going to burn it but he got all crazy with me last night so I'm just returning it."
"What do you mean crazy?"
Amber lifted the long sleeve of her black dress and showed him a bruised wrist, "You see that? It's courtesy of Robert. I'm still pissed at Laci but tell her to be careful. He's a ticking time bomb."
Andrew watched the woman named Amber walk away and he looked at the contents of the box. Old photographs, books, and random items. Andrew was going to give it to a security guard to hold until he got out of work when a he accidentally dropped the box. He began picking up the items which included an old photobook. Some of the pictures had spilled out and he picked them up. As he picked up the last photograph, he caught a glimpse of the woman in the picture and cursed.
"You okay Dr. Brett?" the security guard asked.
Andrew stood up and shouted as he ran towards the exit, "I gotta go. Let George know it was an emergency!"
Laci was looking at the carrots when someone called out to her, "Dr. Cummings?"
Laci turned around to see Veronica Watson Johnson, "Veronica?"
"I thought it was you. It's a small world," Veronica said softly.
"Hey I'm really sorry about the wedding. Declan told me everything. I didn't know. I'm so sorry."
"He told you everything?"
"Yeah. If I had known I would never have taken him along," Laci gave her an apologetic smile.
"How do you know Declan? Are you dating him?" Veronica asked.
"Eeew no. He's my brother."
"This is such a small world," Veronica repeated. "You said Declan told you everything?"
Laci wasn't following her but she was starting to feel a bit apprehensive, "Yeah. He told me how you two dated and then you dated his friend Robert. None of it worked out so it was probably really uncomfortable to see him at the wedding."
Veronica stared at Laci and asked, "Is that all he told you?"
"Yes. Is there more?"
Veronica grimaced, "I can't believe this. So you don't know?"
"Know what?" Laci was starting to get upset.
Veronica opened her mouth and in the middle of the vegetable aisle, she began whispering to Laci exactly why she was upset during her wedding reception.
CHAPTER 28
Laci was having trouble breathing as she pulled into her driveway. She looked at her house and took another unsteady breath as she exited her car. She was trying to process everything that Veronica had told her. She noticed her hand shaking as she unlocked her front door.
“Declan?” she called out. No one answered. She tried again, “Robert? Anybody home?”
The house remained quiet. Laci looked at the staircase that led to all the bedrooms and began climbing the stairs.
She thought of Veronica’s parting words, “I’m not lying to you Dr. Cummings. Be careful who you trust.”
Laci trusted many people. Andrew, Declan, Robert, Amber, and George. How could she think the worst of any of them?
She opened the door to the bedroom and peered in. It was empty so she stepped inside and looked around. The bedroom looked exactly as she had remembered it. A green and white comforter on the bed, a couple of boxes in the corner, and an empty bookshelf. She noticed a suitcase in the corner.
She looked around and rubbed her clammy palms on her pants before stepping over to it. She quickly unzipped it and saw…nothing.
“Why the heck am I listening to her anyway?” Laci asked herself.
She looked over to the closet. It was a walk-in closet with double doors. She opened one of the doors and saw clothing on the floor.
“Messy,” she whispered to herself and was about to leave, when she noticed a small pink box in the corner. She thought it was odd and decided to take a look at it. She carried
it to the bed and opened it.
She could feel herself shaking in fear as she lifted the contents out of the box. An instruction manual for a high-tech baby monitor, gold envelopes, and pictures. Pictures of Laci taken from the baby monitor.
“Impossible,” she whispered. “I don’t believe it.”
“Why are you looking though my things?” a familiar voice asked from the doorway.
Laci spun around, “Declan!”
He looked past her to the pink box and frowned, “Who told you to go through my stuff Laci?”
She seemed taken aback, “Don’t you know what I found Declan?”
He shrugged, “Pictures of me and my old girlfriends?”
“Yeah right. I found this!” she held up the manual for the baby monitor.
“Why are you showing me that?” he asked, a confused expression on her face.
“I found it in your box Declan. Tell me why it was there!”
“I don’t know what you’re even talking about!” Declan shouted back.
“You’re my brother Declan! How could you do this to me?”
“Do what to you?”
Laci was near tears, “How could you do this to me and my friends? Marie Ann and Kay!” It was at that moment that she realized she didn’t have her cellphone.
“Laci, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Declan said, his hands in front of him defensively.
“Stop lying to me Declan! I met Veronica at the grocery store!”
Declan stopped moving forward, “Veronica? You met her? What did she tell you?”
“That you’re a liar,” Laci hissed.
“What?”
“You heard me. I know everything Declan. She told me that you were her abusive boyfriend. You!”
“And you believed her?” Declan asked, incredulously.
“Who else am I supposed to believe? You? My brother with a secret stash of stalker crap hidden in his closet?” Laci asked bitterly, tears seeping from her eyes.
“I’m not stalking you Laci! How could you even think that?” Declan ran a hand through his hair and sighed, “You shouldn’t believe Veronica. She’s a nut-job. She used to tell Robert I cheated on her and then she’d tell me Robert hit her. I almost stopped being friends with him because of her.”