Playboy Ever After

by Chance Carter

  “Of course I can.”

  He rose to his feet and ruffled her hair with his hand.

  “I’ll just have to dig out the fishing poles.”

  “Oh, great!” Isabelle exclaimed.

  Jenny smiled warmly. She had never seen the girl so happy.

  “Do you think I will catch anything out there?”

  “There are fish in that lake, so why the heck not?”

  Jenny regarded the interaction between Roy and her niece. This would be the perfect home to raise Isabelle. It was secluded and there was plenty of land around to explore. A child could grow up here capable of conquering anything and with confidence in herself and her abilities. Jenny wondered how she and Joey would have turned out if they’d had a chance to grow up in such idyllic surroundings.

  “Are you going to come too, Jenny?” Isabelle asked eagerly.

  “I think I’m going to skip this one,” Jenny told her gently. “But you guys have fun. I just have to head out for a bit, but then I'll be back to see what you caught. Promise.”

  “Okay.”

  Isabelle looked a little unsure. Jenny couldn't blame her. She would be insecure about people leaving if she had been through the hell that little girl had endured over the past week.

  “Come home soon then.”

  Jenny was touched that the little girl had referred to the cabin as home, even if it wasn’t.

  “You go on ahead,” Roy told Isabelle, “and keep that dog from eating anything in the bait box, will you?”

  With Isabelle out of sight, he turned to Jenny.

  “ Hey, where are you headed? You sure you should be going out alone?”

  “It's something I should have done a long time ago,” Jenny told him softly. “I’m going to see Joey.”

  Chapter 16

  Jenny drove her silver Neon back into town and towards the Ombrea police station, an anxious feeling in her tummy. She was nervous, but she had to push through it.

  The townspeople had obviously heard about the fire and turned to stare as she passed them in the streets. Neither she nor Roy had been back into town since the incident.

  Roy had mentioned to her that the fire chief was an old friend. He agreed to give Roy a call when the results of his investigation came in. Roy had told him flat out that it was arson and his friend did not disagree, but there was procedure to follow. When the investigation was complete, they could start to come up with a plan for how to proceed.

  When the Ombrea police station came into view, Jenny look a long, deep breath. It felt as if she were heading into enemy territory. She didn't know what she would do if she saw Chief Cartright there. She wasn’t up for another unpleasant confrontation.

  She found a spot in the lot and locked her vehicle. She tried to appear confident as she strode up the front steps and through the two sets of double doors. It was a large, modern building, quite impressive for a town with such a low crime rate.

  The same desk clerk was on duty as when she first arrived in town. If the woman recognized Jenny, she didn't show it.

  “Can I help you, ma'am?”

  “I'm here to see Joey Dale.”

  The woman studied Jenny carefully.

  “May I ask why?”

  “Do I need to have a reason to see him?” Jenny asked her. “He is still here, right? He hasn't been transported elsewhere?”

  “There won't be a prisoner transfer until closer to the court date,” the woman said officiously. “If you want to speak to him before then, I am going to have to clear it with the Chief”

  Damn it, Jenny thought. How would she get around this. The desk clerk wasn't going to let her through . Jenny would have to play by the rules if she were going to get anywhere.

  “Okay, call him then.” Jenny nodded toward the phone on the woman’s left. “I'm assuming he is in his office.”

  “He could be out on a call. I'd have to check,” she said, pointing in the direction of the blue plastic chairs lining the opposite wall. “Take a seat while I find may have to page him.”

  “I have all the time in the world.”

  Jenny forced a polite smile. She took a seat, placing her handbag on the chair beside her.

  This wasn't going to be easy. Chief Cartright was going to give her the run-around. He may even send her away entirely, she considered as she waited. With any luck at all he would just have the clerk pass on his message. It would be better if she didn't have to face him.

  Twenty minutes later, she was still waiting. The clerk had placed the phone back down ten minutes earlier, but had yet to raise her head from her paperwork to tell Jenny what was going on. Jenny placed a hand on the handle of her handbag, but willed herself to hold on for just a few more minutes. If he were playing a game with her, she couldn’t crack too early. She could wait.

  Suddenly, the clerk stood from her seat and waved her over impatiently.

  “Chief Cartright is a very busy man, but he agreed to see you now. Try not to take up too much of his time. You can go in now.”

  Just as he had done the first time she had come to his office, Chief Cartright stood from behind the desk when Jenny entered. She left the door open, deciding it was safer to do so.

  The bruise over his right eye was beginning to fade, but it was still rather noticeable. She made a mental note the last time she saw him to check Roy's hands to see if he was the one who had delivered the blow, but apart from a few callouses they were undamaged. Who it was that hit Chief Cartright was a mystery.

  “Miss Dale,” he said, directing her to the chair in front of his desk, “take a seat, please.”

  Jenny sat down and placed her bag on the floor.

  “I have a lot of work to do.”

  “I know. Your secretary made a point of telling me four times.”

  He smiled briefly.

  “She is good like that. I'd offer you a beverage of some kind, but I honestly can't have you in my office for too long. I've got important police work to do today.”

  Jenny almost burst out laughing. His untroubled attitude was an obvious show, and she could see right through it.

  “I want to see my brother.”

  Now she had his attention.

  Chief Cartright folded his hands together and leaned forward over his desk.

  “Whatever could you want to see him about?”

  “Like I said,” Jenny responded calmly. “He's my little brother.”

  “I'll remind you that your little brother is under arrest for second degree murder.”

  “I want to see him, and I am well within my rights to do so.”

  Chief Cartright sat back in his seat.

  “And what exactly do you plan to discuss?”

  “I was thinking I would update him on how the Lakers are doing this season. Maybe I’ll fill him in on what’s happening on Days of Our Lives. They don’t have TV in jail, do they?” Jenny didn't know where her new-found sense of confidence came from, but she liked it. “So, can I go through, or do you have something against the Lakers?”

  “Visiting hours are by appointment only”

  “Then , please, get out your appointment book and pencil me in.”

  He shook his head. For a minute, she thought he was really going to send her away. She was certain that her sarcastic attitude wasn’t gaining her any points.

  To Jenny’s surprise, Cartright reached for his desk phone instead. He called over to the desk clerk.

  “Jenny Dale is here to see her brother Joey. Please escort her to the holding cells.”

  When he hung up the phone, he looked directly into Jenny’s eyes, his stare meant to intimidated her.

  “You have one hour. Make sure you save some time to say good bye. Your brother is going away for a long time.

  “Thanks, Chief. You’ve been so helpful.”

  Jenny rose to her feet as the desk clerk stepped inside the office to show her to Joey’s cell.

  The desk clerk removed a heavy set of metal keys from a chain on her belt. She s
huffled through them until she found the correct one and slid it into the keyhole of the heavy, steel door before them.

  Jenny glanced back at Chief Cartright's open office door. She see him there watching her, but he had remained at his desk, probably in an attempt to show it wasn’t getting to him. Jenny wondered to herself if Chief Cartright was the one who started the fire yesterday. He had been angry and lashed out at her at Norma’s house, but still she couldn't imagine him throwing a Molotov cocktail through her front window. He was a man in a position of authority. He had too much to lose.

  “Are you coming or not?” the desk clerk asked, her hand holding open the heavy door.

  “I'm coming. Right behind you.”

  Jenny followed her through, wincing when the steel door slammed shut behind them.

  Chapter 17

  The desk clerk's heels click-clacked down the hall at a fast pace. Jenny had to rush to catch up with her. She kept a careful eye on her surroundings, taking in the offices and conference rooms to each side of the hallway. What an elaborate facility she thought to herself. Seems like overkill. There were never going to be enough officers in this small town to fill a station like this.

  “The holding cells are just up ahead. You will have to keep your hands and belongings to yourself. You aren't allowed to give him anything. Nothing at all. If you do, I could have you charged.”

  Jenny doubted the validity of the claim, but chose not to say so.

  “I'll let you in and leave you to it. I'll return for you in one hour. Don't do anything stupid. I have a camera at my desk and will be monitoring your every move.”

  “Creepy,” Jenny murmured under her breath.

  “What was that?”

  The desk clerk raised a critical eyebrow at her.

  “Nothing,” Jenny shook her head. “I didn't say a word.”

  The desk clerk was unconvinced. As they approached another door, she extracted her set of keys again and selected one of the older ones. She placed it into the lock and turned, the metal catching on the other side. The door was part of the original station.

  Jenny held her breath as the door swung inward. The room beyond was small and dimly lit . Apart from the small window looking out onto the street at one end, the only other right came from a low hanging, fluorescent bulb that flickered every few seconds as if it were about to die.

  All of the jail cells were empty, except for one. Joey was in the cell at the end, closest to the window. Jenny barely recognized him when she entered the depressing room.

  He wore a simple, white T-shirt and a pair of faded blue jeans. She noticed that his shirt had dried blood on one side. A few days’ worth of stubble covered his chin. She had never seen Joey with facial hair, but she thought it looked kind of good on him. His blonde hair was cut short on the back but the front hung haphazardly over his eyes. He stood and brushed it to one side before doing a double take. She was the last person he expected to see.

  “This is it. One hour and counting.”

  The desk clerk left the room, closing the door firmly behind her. Jenny waited until she could hear the key turning in the lock before she approached her brother.

  He stared out at her through the iron bars. He looked worried, almost frightened to see her standing in front of him. Why had she come?

  Sensing his fear, Jenny spoke.

  “I’m not here to yell at you if that's what you think.”

  “I don't know what I think.”

  Jenny nodded. She touched her hands to the bars, feeling the cold of the metal beneath her skin.

  “You look like hell,” she told him honestly.

  His face changed into the same old Joey she knew as a kid.

  “Well, I’m in the economy suite. You have to pay extra for the salon treatment.”

  Again, Joey ran a hand back through his shaggy, blonde hair. This time, she noticed bruising on the knuckles of his right hand. Could Joey have been the one to give Chief Cartright his black eye? Jenny smiled at the thought.

  “So you're happy to see me in here? Is that what you’re smiling about?”

  He shook his head as he dropped back down onto his wooden bunk.

  “Same old Jenny. You gotta be the best. Only happy when I’m fucking up. Don't worry, Jenny, I'll be the black sheep forever. Whatever makes you look good.”

  “Hold on, now!”

  She held up her hand to stop his angry tirade.

  “Is that what you think I came here for? You think I want to give you hell for getting yourself into this mess? You think I want to rub salt in your wounds?”

  When he said nothing, she continued.

  “I came here to tell you something. I came to tell you that I'm working on getting you out of here.”

  Joey’s jaw dropped.

  “What the hell? Are you serious?”

  “Do I look like I’m kidding?”

  “I don't know, Jenny. I hardly know you? How do I know what kidding looks like”

  “I'm your sister, idiot.”

  But she knew that he was right.

  “Listen, I had my doubts at first.”

  “You assumed I was guilty from the start. I get it, Jen.”

  “You’re right. I did, but, someone you know changed my mind. I'll admit it took a bit of convincing.”

  “Who?”

  “Roy Peters.”

  “Of course! Roy!”

  Joey let out a sigh of relief. He brought his hands to his face and sank down onto the bed. She couldn't recall ever seeing him look so grateful.

  “It’s going to be okay, Joey, ” Jenny said.

  She didn't know if that were true, but she wanted to comfort him. She realized with a pang of guilt that she had never said those simple words to him. Even after her parents had died. He needed support and comforting and she had run from him as fast and as far as she could.

  “How is Isabelle doing?” he asked, a distressed look washing over his face. “I heard about the house fire from one of the officers here. Is she okay? Was she hurt?”

  Jenny shook her head.

  “No one was hurt. I was home alone at the time, and Roy got me out of there just in the nick of time. It could have been much worse.”

  She paused before adding, “And it was not an accident.”

  She watched as his face changed to one of horror.

  “You have to tell me everything, Jenny.”

  “I heard a smash from the living room before the fire really got underway. I saw a broken, blue bottle with a wet rag in it lying on the carpet in the living room. Next thing I know, the whole house is in flames.”

  Joey sat silently, a serious expression on his face.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  Her hands grasped the cold metal bars even tighter.

  “You look like you know something.”

  “You said that the bottle you saw in the living room was blue?”

  Joey stood up from his bunk and stepped up to the bars, only inches from his big sister. “Are you sure it was blue and not dark green or black?”

  “No, it was definitely a blue wine bottle. Light blue. I remembered because it looked just like the one Chloe had in the fridge.”

  She paused, her mind suddenly racing. It was definitely blue. It had been just like the bottle of expensive wine she had opened days earlier. It was odd that Chloe had it in her collection with its hefty price tag. She couldn't believe that she had not made that connection until now.

  Roy had said the word around town was that Chloe was involved with another man. Entertaining a lover would be reason enough to splurge on a good bottle of wine, but still, Chloe was frugal, and Jenny still couldn't see Chloe making the purchase.

  The wine had to have been bought by her lover.

  “Joey, did you know Chloe was seeing someone else?” she asked gently.

  Joey nodded his head sadly. His eyes were closed.

  “Do you know who it was?”

  Joey's eyes flashed open.

 
“If I knew who it was, I would have taken him down. I didn't know who the bastard was, but I definitely knew he existed.”

  He slammed the bars with his palms out in anger.

  “At first it was the little things. She started dressing nicer and wearing more perfume. Then it was the wine. I knew it wasn't what she usually picked up from the wine store. I checked our joint checking account, but I couldn't find any proof that she purchased it. I figured that meant he brought it with him when he came over to fuck my wife in our marital bed.”

  Jenny nodded glumly. She still couldn't believe her best friend had been leading this secret life. Chloe had never said a word to her about another man. It wasn’t that unusual though. She was her husband’s sister after all. Even the best people make mistakes, their grandmother always said.

  “If he came while you were at work, then he must be a local man.”

  Jenny reached for her purse and dug through its contents until she found a pad of paper and a pen.

  “Maybe he bought the wine locally, too. I can check the wine store on my way home and see what I can find out.”

  “Home?” Joey asked, raising his brow.

  “You’re still staying at the house, then?”

  “No, someplace else.”

  Joey looked at her, confused.

  “At Roy's cabin. He kindly offered to put us up for a while. We've been waiting for the fire chief to call and let us know when we can do something about your house.”

  Joey blew out a low whistle.

  “Is that so?”

  “Your daughter is staying there too. It's nothing like that,” she lied. “It’s purely platonic, don’t worry.”

  “Sounds pretty cozy to me.”

  He gave her a quick, half smile before returning to a frown.

  “Check out the wine store and see what you can find out about that blue bottle. If you remember the store at all, you know it’s only a tiny place. If the wine has ever been in stock there, Lawrence, who owns it now, will be able to tell you exactly who bought it. And thank him for me”

  “Will do.”

  Jenny looked up at the sound of the holding cell door being unlocked. She put her hand through the cell bars and took her younger brother's hand tightly within her own.