“That’s three questions,” I smartly reply.
“Stop fussing at her, Jackie.”
“I had to get to Davian,” I explain. “That’s all I know. I had to get to him.”
“You were almost killed…again.”
“Jackie,” I say, looking around the room, making sure that we were the only ones in there. I continue in a whisper, “I thought Davian was responsible for his own kidnapping, and I was trying to protect him.”
“You thought what?” she asks with astonishment.
“I found another phone in his room. Allison James called him last week. He knew her. I was trying to protect him from the police. I went in over there thinking that I could…fix it, I guess.” I let out an air of exhaustion. Honestly, I had no idea what I was thinking. I was winging it.
“That’s not like him,” my mom says. “Dave wouldn’t set up his own kidnapping. Are you serious, Joslyn?”
“The cell phone I found in his room showed that Allison James and Owen Cooper called him days before he was taken. I figured since they talked for a few minutes, he knew them.”
“But what would be the purpose of him setting up his own kidnapping?” Jackie asks. “I bet they tricked him.”
“I really don’t know,” I answer. “Honestly, Jackie, I thought the worst and went with the worst. I thought since I found the phone in Davian’s room, and he never told me about the phone in the first place that he planned it.”
“Joslyn, that’s not good if you think like that about your son,” my mom points out.
“Innocent until proven guilty, Sis,” Jackie remarks. “A basic rule of law.”
I sigh. I’m so disappointed in myself. To believe that Davian would do such a bad thing, isn’t like me at all, but at the same time, if I hadn’t thought like that, I wouldn’t have found him. But still, it doesn’t make what I thought right. He deserved my doubt in this matter.
“I’d appreciate if you two keep this conversation between us,” I reply.
“You know I won’t say a word,” my mom says.
“Same here.”
“So, what about the two guys?” I ask.
“Owen Cooper and Blake Burney are dead,” Jackie says.
“Blake Burney is Big Boy, right?”
Jackie nods.
“What happened?” I ask.
“Owen Cooper got his hand shot during the fight in the house, and Blake Burney got him out of there before the police showed up. Dave gave an excellent description of their car, and the police caught up with them south of Midway. They got into an accident. Blake Burney tried to make a run for it. Owen Cooper shot him in the back. The police shot Owen Cooper.”
“Really?” I say with surprise. “What about Terrence?”
“What about him,” Jackie says curiously.
“Have you seen him?”
Jackie shakes her head as an answer. “Earlier, but he’s not here now. Why are you asking about him?”
I decide not to answer her question. She doesn’t know about Terrence’s involvement, and I’m going to keep it that way until the time is right. I can’t think about this anymore. At least, Davian is safe. Harlan is safe. My family is intact once again. At this point, Terrence is a moot point. But I know one thing, I better not ever see him again.
Chapter Forty-Two
Harlan arrives with all the kids. I greet each one with love and with tears in my eyes, but my heart really goes out to Davian. I hold my oldest son a little longer than the others. My way of ensuring he’s real, tangible, that he’s not a dream.
I’m not sure if I’m worthy after all the muck I started up in the past, all the trouble I’ve caused for those that didn’t deserve it. God is good. How can I be so blessed? This is my second chance, and I plan on doing it right this time in all aspects of my life.
“I was worried about you, Mom.”
“Davian, I was worried about you. You’ve been away too long.” I touch his face. His ears. His neck. My son is here with me once again.
“Couldn’t help it,” he remarks. “Sorry about that.”
“No, no, no, baby, don’t apologize. You had no control.”
He lowers his head. I can’t stand to see him in pain, and I lift his chin so our eyes will meet.
“I love you, Davian.”
“Love you, Mom.”
We hug again. Lord, my sweet child, I don’t think I’ll ever let him go again, not by choice or force. It’ll take a crowbar to pry my son out of my life again.
“Kids,” Harlan says, “wait outside for a minute while I speak to your mom and Dave privately.”
Kristina gives me a hug and kiss on the cheek. The twins do the same. My heart swells from their attention, and the tears fall so easily. I watch them as they walk out the door.
When it’s completely shut, Harlan says to Davian, “You need to tell her.”
“Tell me what?” I ask, looking from one to the other.
Davian gets up from the bed, trying to walk away from me, but I hold on to his hands. “Sit back down. Whatever it is you have to tell me, I’ll listen.”
“You’ll be mad,” he says.
I look at Harlan. His eyes emit a seriousness that makes me real nervous.
“Davian, I’ve always said you can tell me anything. No matter how bad or wrong it is.”
He sits back down and looks me right in the eyes. “I agreed to do it.”
“To do what?” I ask unsteadily. “To be kidnapped?”
“Yes.”
Again, I look at Harlan. He has moved to the window, arms crossed over his chest, back to me, but still listening.
“Why?” I ask.
“To help Uncle T.”
“How does you getting kidnapped help him?” I ask with an attitude.
“He owed money on a gambling debt, and he said that he had to pay up soon. Some guys were going to kill him if he didn’t. Uncle T also said that he went to Dad, asked him for the money, but he wouldn’t give it to him. So, he came up with the kidnapping idea. He figured you guys would offer a reward eventually. Uncle T would have Big Boy call in a tip, since he wasn’t there during the kidnapping, and when the cops finally found me, Big Boy would be able to collect for Uncle T. He’d pay those guys back with the money, and that’s it. I’d be back home in no time.”
“What in the HELL!” I’m absolutely livid. I know I didn’t hear this shit right!
“Mom, Uncle T was broke,” Davian sobs, “and he was in big trouble.”
“I don’t care!” I try to yell at a normal level, but it’s not working. “You don’t get into his business, boy! You don’t let him drag you into his crap…EVER!”
I could just slap that kid for being so stupid! Silence overcomes the room. I’m trying my best to find a peace of mind.
“If I had the strength, I would beat your ass right now, Davian Montgomery!” The heat is cooking my neck and ears. “Why would you let Terrence talk you into that foolishness?”
“I was just trying to help him,” he mumbles. “We’re family. I thought that’s what we did for each other.”
“That’s not how you do it,” I reply. I look away, trying to get that anger out of me. My head is hurting again, and I feel like I’m going to be sick. “You should have come to us. You. Should. Have. Come. To. Us.”
“I know, Mom, and I’m real sorry. It’s just that he made it seem like no one would get hurt. He said his plan was foolproof.”
“He lied to you, son,” I reply with surprise calm. “Your father got hurt. I got hurt. Allison James got raped! Two boys are dead! A woman is in prison because I was trying to find your ass! And did he do that to your face? Did he give you those bruises and the black eye?”
He wipes his cheeks with the back of his hands and nods.
Oh my God! Terrence Montgomery is a monster! I shake my head, trying to stop my tears. I want to ask Davian if he heard or seen the rape, but I don’t think I can handle the answer if he said yes. My heart is nowhere strong enough t
o deal. I remark, “No more stupid shit, Davian. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says with shame.
“Joslyn,” Harlan says with absolute calm, “there’s something else.”
“Really? I don’t even think I can take anything else.”
Harlan continues anyway, “The police wants to question Dave. He’s scheduled to speak to them tomorrow.” Harlan comes to the other side of the bed and sits. “I was thinking-” He eyes Davian, then turns his attention completely to me. “I was thinking that we leave Terrence out of it.”
“No,” I reply with astonishment.
“Hear me out.” He takes my hand.
I snatch right out of his grip. “HELL NO! Terrence doesn’t get a pass in this!”
“He’s family, Joslyn.”
“Look what he did to your son! Look at his face, Harlan! And he raped that girl! He does not get a pass!”
Harlan’s serious eyes beg me to reconsider, but I won’t do it. I can’t.
“There’s no need to drag this family in the mud any more than it already has. We’ve been through enough.”
“Davian will be giving his statement about what happened in that house, and your brother is going to prison. I’m not going to protect him and neither will Davian.”
Harlan stands and says, “Son, give us a minute. Wait outside with your brother and sisters.”
Davian is up and out in a flash, but I never take my eyes off of Harlan.
“Joslyn, do you understand the ramifications this will have on this family. Dave is not the only victim. You and I are not the only ones that will suffer. We can’t let this get out about Terrence. It’ll destroy us all.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I just can’t fathom the words that are reaching my ears. Is this the same husband that I married? Does he not have loyalty to this family anymore? Who is this imposter? Where is my real husband?
“Terrence needs to be in jail,” I firmly state.
“My mom would be hurt, Joslyn. This will literally kill her. Is that what you want to happen?”
“Don’t you dare put her in this!” I seethe and point in his face. “Don’t you dare!”
“I’m telling you right now, Joslyn! If the truth gets out, she won’t see another sun rise. This shit goes no farther than this room. You hear me? No farther.”
I look straight ahead. I hate to even look at him right now.
“He was not involved,” Harlan pointedly says. “We will not bring up his name at all when asked by the police.”
“And what happens if I do say something?” I ask, not looking at him.
“You won’t,” Harlan says confidently. “If you know better, you won’t.”
I won’t even give him the satisfaction of eye contact. I can truly say this is the first time I feel hate for my husband. I never thought it was possible.
“I’m serious, Joslyn. Not a word.” Harlan grabs my chin. I try to push his hand away, but he grips mine hard and squeezes. I try to snatch away, but I only hurt my hands more. “Look at me, Joslyn!”
I do as he says, making sure he sees how much I despise him. Harlan bends over and kisses me. I want to scratch his eyeballs out. I want to bite his lips until they bleed. But I don’t because it’s like he said. I know better. I know better about a lot of things when it comes to him.
Harlan straightens up and walks over to the door to let the kids in. They come to my bed, and I try to smile, like there’s nothing wrong. Davian knows and feels the heaviness in the room, and he stays beside the door. Harlan stands at the foot of the bed. Kristina and the twins shower me with their attention, and in that moment, I pretend that everything is perfect once again.
Chapter Forty-Three
The next morning, we’re all back in my sister’s house. Davian is trying to be happy. Kristina and the twins are definitely in a good mood. Harlan is acting like nothing is wrong. Not me. I’m sizzling from keeping the truth tucked deep within. I hate that Terrence was selfishly trying to steal money from us, and the real messed up thing about it all, Harlan was in the hospital for days because of him. He could have died, but no, he’s taking up for his brother like being loyal to Terrence is a life or death choice. I feel like I’m being consumed, but I won’t change anything. I’ll keep my mouth shut. I won’t be the one to dismantle this family.
The doorbell rings, indicating our expected visitors have arrived. Harlan, Davian, and I will be talking to the police with Jackie representing us in the great hall. Kristina and the twins are in the back yard, forbidden from coming inside until the detectives are gone. Jackie doesn’t know the truth about Terrence. Harlan won’t let me tell her, and I won’t. I haven’t even tried because in my husband’s most threatening voice, I know better.
Harlan greets Detective Richardson and Detective Sawyer in the foyer and leads them to the great hall, where I’m standing beside Jackie waiting to greet them, as well. All of us shake hands, including Davian, and we all take a seat. The detectives take up the loveseat. Jackie sits with Davian on the large sofa. I take the armchair with Harlan standing behind me. He makes my skin crawl. Jackie offers the detectives drinks, but they decline in unison.
“How is everyone feeling today?” Detective Richardson says while opening his notepad.
“We’re good,” Harlan answers. “Everyone is glad to be home.”
“Excellent,” he says. “Let’s begin with you, Dave. Do you mind if I call you Dave?”
“No, sir.” Davian sits straight up, ready for the questions.
“Dave, what happened after you were taken from your parents on Monday, July 3rd?”
“A girl and a guy took me to a house in Savannah.”
“Have you met them before?” Detective Richardson makes eye contact with Davian.
“No,” he answers solidly.
Detective Richardson glances at Harlan, but then he looks down and starts writing. “What happened after you got to their house?”
“They told me that I better not try to leave, or they’d find my mom. They’d kill her.”
“Did you try to escape?”
“No, sir.” Davian quickly answers.
“Did you try to call your parents or your aunt or grandparents?”
“No, sir. The guy meant what he said. He beat me up just to show how serious he was.”
My heart races. I don’t know how Davian can remain so calm telling the cops lies, but he’s pulling it off. I’m holding my breath.
“What happened while you were in that house?”
“Nothing really. I was tied up in a room at night. Allison stayed there with me sometimes. During the day, I was allowed to sit in the living room and watch television.”
“And you never tried to run at all?” Detective Sawyer asks with astonishment.
Jackie intercedes, “The boy answered the question. Move on.”
Detective Richardson scribbles on the notepad. After a moment, he looks up and says, “Mrs. Montgomery, how did you find Dave?”
“I really didn’t find him. Blake Burney found me.”
Jackie lowers her head, slyly cutting her eyes at me. She doesn’t approve of the lie I told. She knows about Davian’s second phone and how I made the connection to Blake Burney. She also knows I followed him from the Courts to his house. But that’s about all she knows when it comes to the truth, except for the fight at Blake Burney’s house.
“How did he find you?” Detective Richardson asks.
“I was on my way to the hospital to pick up Harlan, but I made a quick stop at a store. Before I could go in, Blake Burney grabbed me in the parking lot. He had a gun, and he made me get back in the car. He drove me to his house.”
“Which store did he grab you from?”
“The small convenience store, down the street from the hospital.”
“Where was Owen Cooper at the time?”
“He was with Blake Burney. He drove their car back.”
“Dave, where were you?”
“I stayed at the house,” he answers.
“That was your chance to leave,” Detective Sawyer says. “Why didn’t you?”
“Detective,” Jackie responds with irritation. “What did I say?”
Davian yells, “For the last time, I didn’t leave because they threatened to kill my mom! They knew where we lived! They knew which room my dad was in at the hospital! I did whatever they said to save my parents. I wasn’t going to do otherwise.”
Detective Sawyer backs down, lowering her head.
“Okay, Dave. I would have done the same thing,” Detective Richardson remarks softly. “Um, so did they tell you they were going to get your mom and bring her back to the house?”
“No, they didn’t. I was surprised when she showed up. I thought they brought her there to kill her.”
Detective Richardson takes in each one of us. I’m not sure if he believes Davian’s statement. Honestly, I just want them gone at this point. There’s nothing that will come of this, anyway. Harlan is getting his way. Terrence will be free and clear, and Davian and I will have to live with the lies.
“Mrs. Montgomery, what happened when you got to Owen Cooper’s house?” Detective Richardson asks.
“He said that he wanted the reward money,” I answer. “I told him that I couldn’t get it right away. He didn’t believe me. Owen Cooper threatened to kill Davian. At that point, I started pleading for my son’s life.”
“And then what?”
“I must have appealed to his brother. Blake Burney wanted to let us go, and he wanted to leave town. Owen wasn’t having it. They started arguing and fighting. I fell and was knocked out.”
“Dave,” Detective Richardson says, “after Owen got shot, what did they do?”
“They took off,” he answers. “I called the police.”
Detective Richardson nods and continues writing.
“Is there anything else you want to add?” he asks.
Davian doesn’t answer. I’m quiet, as well. Harlan looms over me, a constant reminder to stay on point.
“Well, then I guess that’s it,” Detective Richardson says, closing his notepad. “If you guys think of anything else, you have my number. You have Detective Sawyer’s number, as well.”
Joslyn (Women of Privilege Book 3) Page 19