Jason gave me a look of total bewilderment, which quickly turned to anger when he heard Neil’s voice coming from the radio.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome back to my nightly music montage. As usual we have received hundreds of requests but the first one I want to play is for an old school chum of mine and a really great girl, Theresa Jones who is now Theresa Preston after marrying our illustrious Renwick High School quarterback, Jason Preston. Here’s that great song by Whitney Houston I Will Always Love You and I hope your anniversary is a very special one for both of you.”
Jason didn’t hear much of what Neil said. When he heard Neil mention my name he went off his rocker.
“I told you not to listen to that dog and now you are two timing with him. I’ll fix him up good and proper. When I’m finished with him he won’t even be able to look at another woman let alone cheat with one like he is with you. I’m going down to that radio station right now and I’m going to smash Mr Big Celebrity so bad his own mother won’t recognise him and then I’m coming back for you, you two timing cheating bitch.”
“But Jason just listen to what he is saying about us.” I implored but Jason wasn’t listening.
“I know what he’s saying. He’s saying that it’s all over you bitch.”
Jason swung his arm across the table and the dishes and decorations went flying around the room, food splattered on the walls and dishes smashed on the floor. Just as Whitney Houston started belting out the chorus with the words ‘I will always love you’ Jason slapped me across the face. The irony was not lost on me but I doubt whether Jason even knew what song was on.
I reeled back, stunned and my head was spinning. Jason started yelling at me.
“Don’t worry you bitch there’ll be more of that when I get back from beating up your lover boy you fucking slut.”
Jason picked up his jacket before walking out and slamming the door shut behind him. My face was stinging from where he had hit me. I went into the bathroom to check my face. There was a red mark where Jason’s hand landed on my cheek and my eyes were watering.
Strangely though I was calm and I didn’t cry. After soothing myself with a cold damp flannel I went into the dining area and started cleaning up.
Jason’s slap had woken me up to the truth. He will never change, he wanted to possess me and use me how he wanted. For him it wasn’t about love it was about power, manipulation and control. As part of this Jason had continually blamed me for all the wrongs he had done, for the lack of success he was getting and for the boozing that he did nearly every night.
Jason’s slap had also done something else; it had destroyed the love that I thought I had for Jason. It was like his physical harm had snapped the invisible chains that had bound me to him. I was free so now I could think clearly and I now I could act freely. Just as Jason was my jailor he was now my liberator.
This was why I didn’t cry. I was happy and as I calmly tidied up the mess that Jason had left I started thinking about what I would do next. I knew I could always go back and stay at my parent’s house but I did not want to move from one controlled space to another. However I may have to swallow my pride and do this for a few weeks until I sorted myself out. I had a job so I had some degree of financial independence so all I had to do was pack my stuff and go. There wasn’t much to pack since Jason didn’t buy me anything because most of his money went on booze.
As I thought through everything I realised that I was feeling happier than I had in months.
“This must be how newly released prisoners feel,” I thought to myself.
Comparing my marriage to a prison sentence was quite appropriate now that I thought about it. At least now I was getting time off for good behaviour and I’ve been released from a lifetime sentence. I was starting to get bitter that I had wasted the last two years trying to keep together a relationship that was never going to get better and in fact was doomed within months of it starting.
However I decided that I must no longer dwell on the past and I must look forward to the future with enthusiasm and hope. It surely can’t be any worse than the recent past.
Part Four
While I cleaned up the mess created by Jason I carried on listening to Neil Finn’s radio show. It was then that I started to worry about what Jason might do. When he was drunk he was even more violent than normal. I feared that Jason would go and drink again and then carry out his threats against Neil.
As if on cue the radio show became a nightmare.
“Is that you JP, what are you doing here, how did you get in past the security guards?”
“So you think you can sleep around with my wife do you Finn? Well I’m here to teach you a lesson. You were a nerd at school and you still are a nerd. I was the most popular student at school and I am the one who got to pick whichever girl I wanted. And what did you get Neil Finn? All you could do was hang out with your nerdy gay mates you dick!”
“You’re drunk JP. I haven’t slept around with your wife, I just dedicated a song she requested for your wedding anniversary though I have no idea why she bothered for such a fool like you.”
“Shut up you piece of shit. You can’t lie to me. I’m here to teach you a lesson and a lesson is what you are going to get!”
Jason’s words were followed by a lot of shouting as other people obviously arrived in the studio, presumably the security guards.
What I heard next made my blood run cold. It was Neil’s voice.
“Watch out he’s got a gun,” then there was a gunshot and then only static coming from the radio.
I screamed and jumped up to get my coat. I had to get down to the radio station to make sure Neil was all right. I was not concerned about Jason, only Neil. I ordered a cab and I was there in fifteen minutes although it felt like it took a lot longer.
By the time I got there the streets were crowded. Because the drama played out over the city’s radio station it was obvious why everyone had rushed to the radio station. The police had put up roadblocks and kept people well back from the building.
People were yelling out questions to the police.
“Has Neil Finn been shot?” “Is he okay?” “What’s happened to the shooter?” “Has anybody been shot?” “Is anyone dead or wounded?”
However the police were saying nothing. I summoned up the courage to yell out to one of the police officers.
“I am Jason Preston’s wife and I demand to be let through to see what has happened to my husband.”
The crowd went silent and parted like the Red Sea. I could feel their eyes piercing me as I walked towards the barricades. A police officer came over to me and I repeated what I had said.
“Do you have any ID ma’am that proves you are the suspect’s wife?”
I showed him my driver’s license.
“Excuse me Mrs Preston but although this proves you are married to a Preston it doesn’t prove that you are married to the suspect.”
“Oh well in that case ignore me. I’m sure your superiors won’t mind that you have not let the suspect’s wife through to see them and maybe aid their investigation.”
A second police officer stepped forward.
“Hey Mark I will escort this lady to the captain and let him decide if she is who she is because if she is the suspect’s wife then she will be very helpful.”
The officer then moved the barricade and let me through.
“Thank you officer please take me to whoever is in charge.”
“Follow me Mrs Preston.”
We walked in silence until we reached a police van positioned opposite the entrance to the radio station. The helpful officer ushered me in.
“Excuse me Captain but this lady says she is the shooter’s wife and her ID does say she is Mrs Preston so I thought it would be a good idea to bring her straight to you.”
“Great a young policeman with initiative. Back to your post and I will speak to you later. Well done.”
“Yes sir.”
�
�Now young lady I am Captain Blake and I’m in charge of this operation. If you are who you say you are then you may be of great help to us. Please tell me what may have set this train of events off.”
So I did tell him; the surprise wedding anniversary celebration, Jason’s problem drinking, the song request, his anger when he heard Neil Finn’s voice on the radio, how he accused me of having an affair with Neil, how he hit me and stormed out, everything that had happened until this moment. By the end of it I was in tears from the stress and the worry. My voice was starting to crack but I needed to know.
“Please Captain Blake can you tell me what has happened to Neil and to Jason? I am so afraid.”
Captain Blake motioned to someone behind me and a female officer came forward.
“This is Officer Kathy Parker. She is going to take you to a quiet place where you can sit down and have a coffee and she will brief you on the events so far. Kathy take her to the shelter and explain what’s happened.”
“Yes sir. Come on Mrs Preston come with me.”
I felt gentle hands on my shoulders and then I was led slowly out of the police van. We went into a café that the police had commandeered.
“How do you like your coffee Mrs Preston?”
“Black, strong and no sugar.”
“I won’t be long, you just make yourself comfortable.”
When the officer returned she had two steaming mugs of coffee.
“Here you go Mrs Preston I’m sure drinking this will help because I make the best coffee in the squad.”
Officer Parker tried to give me a reassuring smile but it had no effect on me.
“Please tell me right now what has happened.”
“I can only tell you what I have been briefed on so far. We know that two people are down. We also know that their injuries are serious and that they have both been rushed to hospital. The injuries were a result of gunfire exchanged between the suspect and a security guard. Officers are interviewing witnesses and scanning the crime scene for evidence. That is all I can tell you at this stage.”
“Can’t you tell me who the people are who have been rushed to the hospital?”
“I’m sorry Mrs Preston but I don’t want to give you names when they haven’t been confirmed. If I’m wrong I will only make the situation worse for you and I don’t want to do that.”
“How can they situation be worse than it already is?”
“I understand how you are feeling but I’ve dealt with many situations like this before and believe me things can get worse but you shouldn’t be dwelling on that. You should just hope for the best that your husband is all right.”
What Officer Parker didn’t know was that I wasn’t hoping that Jason was all right; I was hoping that Neil was all right. I know this sounds bad but I was hoping that Jason was dead. The thing I was dreading the most was that Jason would survive and Neil would die. If this happened I didn’t know what I would do.
“Mrs Preston the Captain has asked me to go back to the command vehicle. He has also asked that you stay here until I get back. Can you do that?”
“Yes I can.”
“Would you like me to send another officer to sit with you?”
“No I would prefer to sit on my own. I need time to take in everything that has happened tonight.”
“Of course you do Mrs Preston. What I’ve done is I’ve asked Officer Craig to remain over there at the door. If you need anything just see her. I promise I won’t be long.”
I just nodded in her direction and turned my head to stare into my coffee. I must have stayed like this for a while because I did not notice Officer Parker return until she sat down opposite me and my half filled cup of coffee, which was now cold.
Officer Parker looked at the unfinished coffee.
“It looks like I exaggerated my coffee making abilities.”
“No, no there’s nothing wrong with your coffee it’s just that I’m not really in the mood.”
“It’s all right Mrs Preston that was just my lame attempt at humor. The Captain has asked me to take you to the hospital. I’m afraid your husband is one of the two with serious gunshot wounds.”
I wanted to ask her if the other victim was Neil but I knew it would look bad if I showed more concern for Neil than my husband so I just nodded and followed Officer Parker to the waiting police car.
The drive to the hospital wasn’t far, which I was glad for because I didn’t feel like talking. Officer Parker respected my need for silence but she did make one comment.
“I heard you telling your story about what happened this evening to Captain Blake Mrs Preston and I have to say how sorry I was to hear how abusive your husband could be. I’ve also noticed that you have a bit of swelling and bruising around your left cheek. Since we’re going to the hospital you might want to get it checked out.”
I nodded my head in agreement and then gingerly felt my cheek. Because of all the excitement that had happened over the last two or three hours I had completely forgotten about my injury. Now that Officer Parker had brought it back to my attention I started feeling the pain from my throbbing cheekbone. Officer Parker was right; I better get it checked out at the hospital.
When we arrived at the hospital the entrance was surrounded by the media; reporters, vans and cameras were all over the place. Officer Parker drove around the back into a restricted area and I was ushered into the hospital chapel where a sombre looking priest met me.
Officer Parker left me with him.
“Hello my dear my name is Father Horan. Please take a seat because I’m afraid I have bad news for you. The hospital has asked me to convey their deepest sympathies to you but your husband past away shortly after arriving on the ambulance. He died of traumatic gunshot wounds to the chest. I can stay with you child and help you find solace in God if you so desire.”
“No thank you Father I would prefer to be alone.”
“I understand my child but if you do want my help in any way I am only on the other side of the door.”
“Actually Father there is one thing you can help me with.”
“What is that my child?”
“Can you tell me who the other gunshot victim is and if they are going to be okay? I need to know because I’m feeling so ashamed of what my husband has done and I would not be able to forgive myself if someone has died because of my husband’s actions.”
“Of course my child but you should not feel shame. You are your own person and so is your husband. God will judge him for his actions. You however should just concern yourself with the grieving process and then look towards the road of recovery and God and I can help there, you only have to ask.”
“Thank you Father for your wise words but I really do need to know who the other person is and if they will be okay for my own peace of mind and to help me through the grieving process. I don’t want to be grieving for two people if I don’t have to so please Father can you help clear my conscience and find the road to recovery?”
“Of course you are right my child. From what I have been told the second victim is Neil Finn and he is in a serious but stable condition. The doctors have told me that they are confident that he will make a full recovery but the healing process may take some time.”
“Thank God. Do you know what his injuries are Father?”
“I’m sorry my child but that is something that the doctors have not shared with me. I will leave now and let you find solace with God. Bless you my child.”
After Father Horan had left I couldn’t help but smile. Tears of relief rolled down my cheeks and even though I am not deeply religious I thanked the Almighty for leaving the right man on Earth. I knew I would be facing scrutiny from the public but I also knew that once the media lost interest I would be able to get on with a new life without the threat of further abuse from my now dead husband.
Part Five
Neil did indeed make a full recovery from his injuries. Jason had shot him in the shoulder close to the neck, which was why the inj
ury was so serious. I followed Officer Parker’s suggestion and got my cheek checked out. It turned out to have a hairline fracture so I had to take it easy for a few weeks.
An inquest was convened six months later and it was found that the security guard who had shot Jason was also the one that let him into the building. His name was Tom Watson and he and Jason were old friends from High School. Jason had convinced him that he was there to give Neil a surprise gift. Because they were old friends Tom had let him in. When he heard the commotion he rushed up to the studio.
Neil confirmed this and also added that after he was shot he remembered Jason standing over him and pointing the gun at him while he lay on the floor. He thought he was going to die when he heard two shots ring out. But those shots weren’t from Jason’s gun; they were from Tom Watson’s gun. Jason dropped down next to Neil. That was the last thing Neil remembered because he passed out.
Second Chance Bride (Rapid Romance Short Stories) Page 2