Callie's Secret Revelations

by T. Jones

  He was aware that he had gotten a little crazy and gone overboard, slapping his son around like he did, and belittling him continually about what was on the tape. He might have pushed him too hard, but to kill his own father? Johnathan's own Dad had knocked him down more than once, back in the day, and it never hurt him. It certainly never occurred to him to strike back, it was just the way it was back then, you mouthed off, you got hit. He knew a lot of men his age whose fathers acted that way. Maybe not a lot, but some, and they were all doing fine, and their kids were too.

  A month of rehab and a whole lot of expensive therapy seemed to help, but Johnathan Marsh wasn't about to let his guard down, even for family. He had hired a security guard on the pretense that Ozzy could become a target again because of his political aspirations. Really, it was just a way to keep an eye on his son, be sure he wasn't slipping into old habits. The new security cameras were real, no more cheap fakes, high definition covering every inch of the offices. There were a couple in Ozzy's apartment too, something he didn't know about. And twice a week, the cleaning lady got a little bonus for doing some extra snooping. By all appearances, Ozzy had cleaned up his act. Possibly it was genuine, but the change had been overwhelming. It had even extended to his work ethic.

  "So Ozzy, how are you doing with the case? I've scheduled a meeting next week with a firm from Chicago. You're doing great, but they've worked a lot of these insider trading cases, they're experts at negotiating with the Feds."

  "That's probably a good thing, Dad. Don't get mad at me, but it's obvious to everybody that your guilty, you and your contact in the company. The best news is they came down on it so fast, you didn't really make any significant gains on the stock. You might get off with a healthy fine, I think that's the best you could hope for."

  "That bitch from the State Ethics Board turned us in, you know that."

  "Maybe you shouldn't have tried to bribe her." Johnathan Marsh leaned back in his chair suddenly, startling Ozzy, who slid back away from the desk a bit. The elder Marsh took a deep breath, containing his anger.

  "Oz, I'm not going to get crazy, I told you, I'm done with that. I'm sorry that I hit you, ever. My generation, that's just what we did. But we agreed, right? New start for us both?"

  "Yeah." Ozzy nodded. "My main thing is staying clean. I hope we can get things right between us, but it'll take a while for us to trust each other."

  "So, Carl tells me you had a visit from Danielle the other day, said she almost broke a couple of his fingers. He wasn't very happy about it." Ozzy smiled a little.

  "He kind of shoved her, put his hand where he shouldn't have. He's probably lucky that's all she did. She's stronger than most of the men I know."

  "Are you seriously going to see her again? I mean, she did kill Billy."

  "Him or her. Pretty sure she saved your life in the process."

  "I'll give her that, but there's more going on with her than just your normal self-defense nut. She keeps showing up when shit's happening, and I swear she hypnotized me somehow that night. I must have taken that tape out of the safe, but I don't remember doing it. That's not normal. If she wanted the tape, it had to be to blackmail you."

  "Well, the tapes gone, so nobody can blackmail me with it now." He stared at his father, keeping his eyes locked with the older man's.

  "Yeah, I guess I deserve that. Just saying, I'm not sure what she up to, but watch your step around her. Your mother would be happy as shit if she started coming around again, she keeps talking about how great she is. So are you really going to go out with her again?"

  "I haven't called her, yet. But she talked like there may be a chance for us, I have to stay clean and sober first, that's the first thing, then maybe." Johnathan Marsh chuckled and made a rare joke.

  "I don't know who you are or what you did with the Ozzy Marsh I knew three months ago, but I hope I can stay out of jail long enough to get to know you."

  ***

  "You did what?" Callie Fisher sat down on the couch next to Jenny, staring at the tall woman standing in front of them. "You went and saw Ozzy Marsh, after everything? After he killed Natalie, tried to kill his Dad, and almost killed Jenny?" Jenny jumped in.

  "Callie, I was scared that night, but really he didn't hurt me. He even said he didn't want to hurt anybody, he was just whacked out on that Cocaine shit, and wanted that tape."

  "Not helping Jen," Callie shot her a dirty look. "I say it's all an act, all this reformed druggy stuff. I read about him running for congress again, that's just so his Daddy can get richer."

  "Callie, I didn't expect you to be happy about this, but he really has changed a lot. He didn't kill Nat, certainly not intentionally anyway. Like I said, until somebody shoots at you, it's hard to know how you'll respond. You had to have heard him the night he broke down. He really wasn't even sure of what he did, if he pulled her in the way, or if he just ducked behind her, but it haunts him, he regrets it. Teresa was as much to blame as anyone, and she is gone. Ozzy's alive, and he really is trying to make up for what he did. Nothing can ever undo that moment, but would it really be justice to ruin the rest of his life? Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance, Callie?" The blonde glared at her, then smiled ruefully.

  "How many times am I going to hear that? I need to find new friends." Jenny spoke up.

  "Hey, you're not getting rid of me, and I'm not getting rid of her, so you're stuck."

  "Do you really like him? You always said you preferred women."

  "Mostly, I don't know what it is about him. But he hasn't even called yet, so let's not get ahead of ourselves."

  "Easter is this weekend. Want to come home with Jenny and me? My Mom said you're always welcome, she wants to see you anyway."

  "I better pass for now, if that's alright. I should have dinner with Deeann, she's all alone, and it's her first holiday since Terrance passed away." Jenny smiled knowingly. "No Jen, nothing happening there. I keep thinking her and Teri could get together, but she says there's no spark. Who knows, maybe Oz will invite me for family dinner. Old man Marsh must be going out of his mind."

  Chapter Seventeen

  Derrick Blackburn locked his car and walked across the parking ramp to the elevator. It was a short walk through the skyway, then down the stairs and across the street to the offices of Marsh and Associates. He hadn't met Johnathan Marsh, but had communicated with him by phone and email a few times, trying to straighten out some of the details of his mother's estate. His father wanted nothing to do with the finances, content to go south to play golf and leave the matter in Derricks hands. His mother had been a shrewd business woman and she had made sure that he and his brother were both well taken care of, despite the legal problems now facing them. Proving Teresa's complicity would have been difficult, since she was investing through Marsh's company, but since her death, it was a moot point. She had invested a fortune, and retrieving as much of that as possible was a priority, but it wasn't why he had asked for a face to face with Johnathan Marsh. He needed to look him in the eye when he told his story. He sat in the waiting room for a few minutes, paging impatiently through a magazine, until the receptionist showed him into the office.

  Johnathan Marsh stood, stretching out a big hand. "Derrick, glad to meet you finally. I have my son and another lawyer working on things. It's all going to take a while, everything does when the Feds get involved, but we're hoping to come out of this just fine."

  "Actually, Mr. Marsh, I'm not really here about that. I understand that you met with a lawyer from the Ethics Board, not my business perhaps, but bear with me. Was her name Madeline Rice?"

  "Yeah, that bitch set me up. That's one of the problems, getting around her testimony."

  "Well, she isn't my favorite person either. I'm fairly sure she was responsible for my mother's death, indirectly of course, but responsible, none the less."

  "I thought your mother was killed in a car accident, semi ran a light? Sorry, tragic."

  "That is true, but there's more to the sto
ry. What I'm going to tell you is hard to believe, and I'm afraid you might throw me out of here and tell everyone about the crazy kid that came to your office today, but I have to try."

  "I've seen some crazy shit myself lately, Derrick." Johnathan Marsh smiled. "Do tell."

  ***

  "So, what you're saying," Johnathan Marsh rubbed his eyes with the back of his fists. It had been a long story. "All these psychic bitches banded together when your mother was young, and they're running around trying to do good, and save the world. And, of course they don't all get along, your mother makes a few bucks and that pisses off some of the other women. Then this Fisher girl comes along, and stirs them all up. Your mother heads to this girl's home town, for reasons unknown, and gets killed by a semi. But, how does this involve Madeline Rice, oh, and Danielle, the big girl with the mean right hook, she's psychic too, right?" He tried to keep the smile from his face.

  "See, I told you, it's hard to believe, I know. But these girls can see the future, some things anyway. I think Madeline Rice stopped them from knowing that my Mom was going to get hit by that truck, I'd bet on it. There were members in the group that supported my Mom, they should have seen it coming. She told me about all this, the Sister, and the Elders a long time ago. She did things that finally made me believe it, but of course I couldn't say anything."

  "Yeah, good way to end up in the looney bin, kid."

  "I tried to get Jane Macdonald to come with me today, she was my Mom's best friend, but she's afraid something will happen to her. Madeline and Callie have kind of taken over, and Deeann. And then there's Danielle, she's kind of psychic too, but not as strong as the other three. Stronger in the physical sense, obviously. Mom used to send her after people if she wanted someone hurt." Johnathan Marsh stared at Derick then shrugged.

  "I'm sorry, I'll admit, I've had a couple of strange things happen lately, but psychics, real honest to God people who can see the future and shit? You can't expect me to believe this!"

  "No, I really didn't." Derrick sat back in his chair, deflated, then leaned forward again. "But look, at the very least, we have a common enemy. I'm sure it was Madeline Rice that allowed my mother to get killed, I know you don't believe that, but we could work together. I want her to pay for what she did to my Mom, you'd just as soon she couldn't testify, right?"

  "Whoa kid, I'm not about to get involved in what you may or may not be suggesting. This meeting just ended. I hope we can continue working on your financial problems, but I want nothing to do with whatever else you're talking about." Johnathan Marsh stood, extending his hand again. As he shook Derricks hand he smiled again, then winked noticeably. "I'll be in touch."

  "Okay Mr. Marsh, thanks for your time." Derrick nodded slightly, unsure if the wink meant what he hoped it did. The elder Marsh sat back in his chair, laughing at the story he had just heard. Maybe the crazy little bastard would get rid of the Rice woman for him, or maybe he was wearing a wire, like she had been. Either way, the tapes were running, and the security company was keeping a copy, he had to be careful what he said in the office. If the Blackburn kid was crazy enough to actually go after Madeline Rice, he'd probably hear from him again.

  ***

  Jenny was singing softly to the music as they drove up the freeway, heading home for the Easter holiday. Winter had given way to the sun at last, a sun that was still high in the sky. Callie's last class ended early and Jenny had picked her up at school so they could beat the afternoon traffic. Callie was lost in thought. The dream of the man with the blond hair was a weekly event. The content was always the same, she was a small child, happy and laughing, and when she fell into the sand, he was always there to pull her up with a strong, sun-bronzed hand. It made her feel safe, and happy. The thought in turn, made her feel guilty. She should be dreaming about her own father, not this stranger on some beach she had never seen, regardless of the color of his eyes.

  She was determined to talk to her mother about it. Although Callie was sure she could tap into the memory if she desired, her mother would know instantly. She never thought that her mother would have such a secret, but she had always claimed to have done something she wasn't proud of. Could this be it? What did her father know? Was she going to open a can of worms, some Pandora's box that she could never close again? She still hadn't told Jenny what she suspected, and didn't plan to until she knew for sure. The answer was just twenty miles away. She left the freeway, driving in silence for a while. When the flashing amber light came into view, she glanced over at Jenny.

  "This is the intersection where Teresa was killed. She was coming to talk to you that night, at least that's what Jane said. She hated me enough to want to ruin our relationship. She didn't know that you already knew most of what she would have told you anyway."

  "That's sad, isn't it? Hating people never does anyone any good. It ended up getting her killed, just because she wanted you to feel bad, what a waste."

  "If everyone would listen to you Jenny, the world would be a much better place."

  "Are you teasing me?" The redhead laughed.

  "No, I'm perfectly serious. You're about the least complicated, loving person I know, and that's a wonderful thing. Most people have all these hidden agendas, and it causes them all kinds of problems. Someday I'm going to marry you, Jenny Mconvil, if you'll have me." Jennifer's eyes widened.

  "I do, or I will, is that a proposal?"

  "I didn't think I could make you blush, but you are." Callie laughed.

  "You just kind of proposed, I'm pretty damn happy right now."

  "Me too, you always make me that way. But don't start a registry for crying out loud, we need to wait until we're older."

  "We'll see," Jenny put her head on the blonde's shoulder. "But I'm telling my Mom about it just as soon as we get home."

  ***

  Jenny had to be at Walmart at eight the next morning. Callie dropped her off, then drove to the hardware store. She walked into the backroom, which was already filling with the locals, having their free doughnuts and coffee. She waved quickly, then went to find her father. He was just walking in from loading the sidewalk with merchandise. Diane, the checkout smiled and said hi to her, then went into the back, leaving her alone with her father. He stood looking at her quizzically, and she stepped quickly into his hug, holding onto him for a long while.

  "Wow, what's the occasion, Princess?"

  "Just glad you're my Dad, glad it's Spring. Glad Jenny took me back."

  "Relationships are bumpy sometime, Callie. I'm glad it worked out."

  "She forgave me for something stupid I did. I guess you do that for the people you love."

  "Yeah, everybody does something foolish. That's the first time you've said that."

  "Said what, that I did something stupid?" Her dad laughed.

  "Probably that too. But I meant you're finally figuring out that she loves you. You always act like it surprises you that she cares for you."

  "She's too good for me, that's for sure."

  "Well, I always thought that about your Mother too, but we're still together."

  "Anyone would be lucky to have you, Dad." Callie's heart broke a little. "Well, I just wanted to say Hi, I'm going to run over and see Mom."

  "Okay Princess, have a good day." Callie thought about the laughing little girl in her dream, and the silver and blue crown. She had to talk to her Mother.

  ***

  She drove slowly to her parents' house. Much as she wanted to know, she wasn't sure it was going to be worth the conversation she felt was coming. She parked her car, walked in the back door of the kitchen, and kicked her boots off in the usual spot. Her mother, a creature of habit, sat with a coffee cup in her hand, reading the New York Times. Callie helped herself to a cup, grabbed a doughnut from a package sitting on the counter, then sat down facing her mother.

  "Why do you read the New York paper? You hardly ever even go to Minneapolis, much less to New York." Her mother shrugged, peering closer at the section she was analyzi
ng. Callie wanted her full attention. "I asked Jenny if she wanted to get married."

  "What?" Bess Fisher dropped her paper. "Kind of fast. I mean I thought you would someday, but you're still really young."

  "Yeah, not happening anytime soon. I just wanted to drag you away from the news."

  "How are things, then? Anything big happening with the group?"

  "Kind of quiet actually. I know the Sisters have been doing a few things, nothing worth having us meet for though. I'm okay with that, school's enough right now. Oh, Danielle might go out with Ozzy, if you can believe that one. I still can't get past what happened with Nat, but Dani says he's a changed person, now that he's off the drugs. Hope she's right, I think she actually likes the idiot." Her mother smiled at her choice of words. Callie watched her mother's face. "Everybody makes mistakes, right Mom?"

  "We're all human Callie. Only God's perfect." They sat in silence for a couple of minutes and Bess returned to her paper. Callie interrupted her again.

  "So, I need to tell you more about this dream I've been having. It's pretty interesting." Bess took a swallow of her coffee, and Callie noticed her hand trembling slightly.

  "Yeah? I don't have dreams like you, Callie. I don't know if I can help you."

  "Maybe, but I think maybe you can help me with this one." Callie paused, drew a breath, then continued. "I'm on a beach, white sand, beautiful blue ocean, and there's a cruise ship anchored near shore. I don't know why there's a cruise ship, but there always is. Anyway, I'm a little kid, three, maybe four years old, and I'm really happy. I'm running around and spinning circles, the sun is shining, and I feel absolutely content." Her mother glanced up from her coffee, and Callie saw that her eyes were full, tears nearly spilling from them, but she continued. "And I fall down, over and over. But this beautiful, tall, blond man keeps pulling me up, helping me, you know. And he's laughing, and I feel safe because he's there." Callie paused. She heard a car door slam, then the sound of the back door opening and boots being tossed into the pile, but she had to finish. "And at first, I didn't know why I felt so safe, but then I look into his eyes. And guess what, they're exactly the same as mine, Mom. They're exactly the same, and nobody else has eyes like mine, nobody! That's when I usually wake up, because that's when I realize that he's actually my father. That's a crazy dream, huh?"