* * *
Ralph stood by Mitchell and admires the baby girl. She is little and couldn't breathe on her own yet. The baby is screaming she is letting everyone know she's in the world and attends to stay. Mitchell had told the judge of Ralph and his wife Gloria intended to adopt the baby the judge carefully reviews the Morgan's life.
He didn't care for Ralph being a jazz musician. He did find a lot of evidence of them being responsible people, and they had affidavits from people considered important that supported them. They had a solid financial position. They were black too like Miriam, and that's unusual for an adoption for a minority baby.
They were church going family. They knew the unseemly history to baby Westbrook and didn't care. They had already started working out a private adoption with Mitchell. Honestly, the judge saw this as an easy solution to a complicated situation. He would allow the Morgan's to adopt Miriam regardless of the paternity test results.
* * *
Ralph got to hold baby Westbrook. He fell more in love with her. She has the sweetest little face. She is quiet while he holds her. They both look at each other. Mitchell felt confident that Ralph would take good care of his granddaughter.
Gloria had miscarried a third time and didn't want to try for another baby. Ralph needed baby Westbrook in his wife's arms. Seeing this beautiful baby would only help his wife's broken heart heal. Ralph is allowed to hold the baby for an hour. She settles down after being held by Ralph. Mitchell takes that as a good sign.
* * *
A few days later Ralph brings Gloria with him to the hospital. She places her hand over her heart and tears swell in her eyes. Ralph knew regardless of her initial hesitations her reaction spoke volumes. It is love at first sight for her as well. Gloria felt compassion for the baby, neither of her birth parents ever held her. The mother refused to hold her, and the father is a paternity test away from rejecting her.
* * *
"We never tell her." Gloria started, "We never tell her that her mother is a pervert and her father is 15 years older than her. Never." Gloria said.
* * *
"Why would she need to know that?" Ralph said.
* * *
When the Morgan's first took the baby now named Camryn home. They were not too concerned about Alison's reactions. Everyone told them it was normal for the other child to be jealous of the baby and in time she would come around.
Eugene wished he hadn't chosen FDR Drive. They have covered Larry's body well and even with the bed cover on the truck he is worried. Alison wonders how many vehicles passing them had a body in the back. She and Eugene covered the walls and ceiling with paint remover. Claudia got more Jameson to keep Martha busy. The traffic accident is finally clearing Eugene got them to the park in 55 minutes. It took another hour to reach the designated location.
* * *
It is a quiet day. The light drizzle of rain made the day seem relaxing to Alison. She sits in the truck in case it needed to be moved while Eugene digs the grave. The park closes around 6 pm. Alison is cautious about moving the truck she didn't want it stuck in mud. Eugene cut opened one bag of lime. He and Alison unwrap Larry, and he rolls into the grave. Eugene pours lye over him. He had gotten ten pounds of it from three places. He had a lot of "soap" to make. He tosses a few layers of earth over Larry and then pours more lime.
* * *
Eugene changes his clothes. Alison helps him wash the truck. They wash their cloths before cutting them up and throwing away the items. Alison went over her list. She is satisfied with the progress. They even washed the shovel and conveniently left it at the car wash location knowing someone would take the item with them. If Martha had an attack of conscious, there wasn't any real evidence.
* * *
Alison discovers that Claudia had been a busy girl. The carpet had been removed and rolled into the kitchen. All the paint off the walls and ceiling and all the wood trim removed when Alison and Eugene returned.
"The paint remover works well. “Claudia said. Claudia notices Alison looking at the missing wood trimming around the room. "The wood trimming was easier to remove than I thought. Plus, I got a few quotes off line for painting. And I already got new wood trim at the store. I think we should paint the entire place." Claudia said.
* * *
"How do we explain why this room is so different?" Eugene said.
* * *
"We don't. If someone asks we tell them the truth. We're having Martha's room redecorated. They probably won't ask. Questions only happen if the payment doesn't clear." Alison stated.
* * *
Alison had Eugene dig ten feet instead of six feet and even with the rain...he’s beyond exhaustion. Eugene sits on the couch.
* * *
"Any blood on the carpet or padding?" Alison said.
* * *
"It's been removed," Claudia said.
* * *
"Eugene double check it as precaution... Eugene." He’s asleep. "Ok, in the morning you and Eugene go drop it off at the recycling center in Jersey," Alison said.
* * *
"Jersey!" Claudia said.
* * *
"Yes, Jersey. Eugene is a hardcore New Yorker that never leaves the island, but he should have thought about that before committing murder with no clean-up plan. There's a recycling center I found online it takes the carpet stuff, but it has to be dropped off. Martha still past out?" Alison said.
* * *
"Yes, she'll be out until around 9 or 10 in the morning," Claudia stated. "Ungrateful cow. Eugene takes care of all the bills when her stipend comes in." Claudia said.
* * *
"Stipend?" Alison said.
* * *
"I'm surprised I forgot to tell you. Remember I told you she had a stroke from taking cocaine?" She said.
* * *
"Yes," Alison said.
* * *
"Well, when she had the stroke she was in a Chicago jail. The other inmates keep yelling at the guards that she needed to go to a hospital and they kept ignoring the inmates. They finally got her to a hospital but she almost died so enters a smart attorney, and she gets a payout. Eugene being the most responsible person has the power of attorney. The trust sends a monthly stipend, and he pays her bills from it. Martha was mad about it at first, but since she can't stay sober longer than three days, she hasn't been able to do anything about the situation." Claudia said.
“Are you sure Eugene hasn’t spent the money?” Alison asked.
“Eugene wouldn’t do that,” Claudia said.
“Not even to pay for college?” Alison said.
Claudia blinks while considering Alison’s suggestion. “Maybe for that but its six million even college can’t cost that much.” She said.
“Six million?" Alison asked.
* * *
"Yea. I'm starving. You want Chinese?" Claudia said.
* * *
Sure." Alison said. Alison smiles.
7
Decision
THE MOTEL DEFINITELY is not a five-star hotel. Liz told her the hotels wouldn't be fancy. Camryn committed to meditating first thing in the morning. She has challenges already with the commitment. Some mornings she wants to sleep in and other mornings ...Wesley’s morning wood.
Wesley's gone off and on for a month driving for the tours. He had his first five figure affiliate month so this season will probably be his last driving the tours.
She misses his energy and hearing his movements around the apartment. Years ago a coworker stated she couldn't sleep well when her husband was gone. Back then she had no way to relate now she gets it.
* * *
He, Kevin and Tobias are training for a triathlon his dedication to training making her step up to her exercise days. She and Wesley experienced some minor disagreements so far nothing major.
He discovered she talks to herself. Yes, conversations with herself, it helps her figure things out.
She discovered he arranges food in the cabinet and
the refrigerator. Must milk always be on the right side--- OCD much?
She prefers to read books on a tablet or listen to audio books. Wesley likes to touch the book. He also uses reading glasses. He looks like a hot intellectual wearing them.
* * *
He's a better cook than her, but she is better at grilling steak and seafood than he is. They talked about money and selected a few places but no final destination for this year's vacation.
Wedding planning.
Plus she, Shelby, Katrina, and Miyu will attend the financial seminar after she gets back from the tour. Camryn’s not sure about Katrina yet; she appears to be making an effort with Shelby.
* * *
Camryn plugs in headphones on her phone and locates the meditation music online. After a few moments, she didn't hear the instructions on the guided meditation.
She sees huge dark storm clouds rolling across the sky. The clouds were filled with lightning flashes and thunderclaps. She sees Andrew's body contorted and twisted while flames from his head and his feet raced towards each other and burst into one giant ball of flames. He is gone.
* * *
Camryn wakes the instructor is counting to come out of the mediation and to be alert and awake. It is 4 am. She lay still and listens to the rain lightly tap against the window.
She learned to fear this ability. But now she realizes to fear is to worry herself. It is a big decision to work with someone. Camryn is anxious about moving forward.
"Hello Zeina, this is Camryn Morgan. I'm sorry it's taken me so long. I want to set up some time with you when I come back from the storm chasing tour I'm on. Yes, I said storm chasing tour. I'm also going to send you an email so if you could give me some times for appointments. Thank you."
* * *
Camryn wonders if Wesley is awake.
Sandra, Malik, and Naomi climb into the town car and the driver turns on I-66 West going to Fairfax, Virginia. It is the annual dinner with Grandpa Mitchell the grand kids are attending.
* * *
The driver glances at the empty passenger seat.
Zeina sits on the passenger seat she smiles. The driver had an awareness about things she wonders if he recognizes his sensitivity to the supernatural or if he would talk himself out of the sixth sense he's having.
* * *
Zeina observes Kara Westbrook's children are they assets or people to be removed?
* * *
"Maybe the old bastard will finally do something interesting," Sandra said.
* * *
"The five million stipend is hardly worth the old coot viewing," Naomi said.
* * *
"I like seeing Grandpa," Malik said. He and his sisters burst into laughter. "I like seeing how much closer to the grave he is," Malik said. They all laughed more.
* * *
Zeina smiles. Useless. She figures the only child of Kara Westbrook worth anything is Camryn. None had the unmistakable energy of an Ayiti member. It's unusual in a family legacy for all the children to be blessed with gifts. But for Kara, the only remarkable child she had is the one she lost.
Zeina decides the gift came from Gabriel. Everyone always presumed the gifts were passed from female to female... but since when are gifts so specific? Fucking Sandoval's if they had been doing their job there would be fewer questions and more answers.
* * *
Kara Westbrook gave her children her last name. One reason to embarrass her father and the Westbrook name is like royalty in this area.
* * *
Zeina wasn't sure how Camryn would react when she meets Mitchell. He was unwilling to take in an infant. He had the means to hire nannies to take care of her but opted to let the Morgan's adopted her. He's keeping tabs on her. He's never attempted to interact with Camryn.
* * *
Camryn's three million is like three dollars compared to Minerva's wealth. Mitchell's estate is vast. Zeina's come up with a plan to ensure Camryn's future.
Camryn didn't need three useless siblings snapping around her heels using the court system to prevent her getting an inheritance. The few million she will siphon would go unnoticed.
Rosemary is frustrated. She keeps her cleavage in Wesley's eye line. So far he's ignoring her. She saw him kissing on some fat black girl. 'Oh!' Rosemary thought. 'He's one of those.' She said to herself.
* * *
"You ever been on a tornado tour?" Rosemary asked Camryn.
* * *
Camryn smiles. "No first time. I'm excited and nervous." She said.
* * *
Rosemary figures it's been a long time since Camryn had any firsts. "It's my first time as well...oh gosh!" Rosemary inhaled. "What are they Muslims...? I can't believe they let them on this tour. This is why being politically correct is a bad idea." She said.
* * *
Camryn walks away to speak to Miyu. "Rosemary discovered Delia and George Khan, and she thinks their terrorist." Camryn rolls her eyes.
* * *
"Camryn give the woman a break. Terrorist make it obvious what they're up to. It's our lame ass police officers that can't catch them." Miyu remarks. She rolls her eyes.
* * *
"Hello, beautiful ladies!" Devon said. "I'm glad Jeremy went over safety and road rules at tonight's meeting instead of trying to do it in the morning before we leave. Camryn... Jeremy said you're documenting the first timers experience." He smiled.
* * *
Miyu thinks Camryn is too nice! Devon is a dork. He's been doing lame flirting all evening.
* * *
"I am. And you're the experienced tourist documenting." Camryn said.
* * *
Manny is happy to escape the tourist and help Wesley with last minute inspection of Hugo and Monster the tour vehicles.
"Your girlfriend is sweet," Manny said.
* * *
Wesley smiles. "Yes. She is." Camryn is his fiancée, but they decided not to share with his employers at this time. He thought about the women he's dated over his life. Camryn relaxes into his embrace. He can look at her sweet face without her getting weird about it. She tells a dirty joke while being elegant.
* * *
"So how do you think Jeremy will handle being away from Liz?" Wesley asked.
* * *
"Yeah, he doesn't function well without her. The worse I'm thinking will happen, he'll be overly cautious causing us to miss some tornadoes." Manny said.
* * *
"He is complaining about Kathy being here. He believes she's spying on him." Wesley chuckles.
* * *
"Kathy's hot. Liz told me she's dating some asshole in New York. Well, she's here in Texas." Manny smiled.
* * *
"Is it possible for you to chase a woman, not in a relationship?" Wesley asked.
* * *
"I don't only date married women anymore,” Manny said. "I think Rosemary's hot." He said.
* * *
"Yeah, she thinks she's hot too," Wesley said.
* * *
"She keeps sticking her tits in your face. I want to squeeze them." Manny said.
* * *
"If you do care, they may pop." Wesley jokes.
* * *
"You think their fake cans?" Manny asked. "They can't all have a body like Camryn," Manny said.
* * *
"You're going to shut up now," Wesley said.
* * *
"I'm shutting up." Manny grins. Manny thinks Camryn is cute. She’s a little fat still cute.
He disappeared. None of his accounts used, nothing unusual on his credit report, no social media activity, nothing it's as if Andrew never existed.
* * *
Jensen knocks on Zoey's desk. "Hey, superstar." He smiles.
* * *
“Detective Superstar to you." She smiled. Detective Starr is new to the force.
* * *
"The Commissioner is asking us to follow up on the Andrew Farr case," Jensen said.
&nb
sp; * * *
Zoey could care less what the Police Commissioner wanted. She wants actor Richard Armitage naked in her sheets, but that's not happening.
IF: Nowhere To Run (Camryn Morgan Series Book 1) Page 18