It was then I heard McKenna say, "It was coerced at gunpoint. It can't be valid! I don't care if there are journal entries! You can't seriously be accepting his resignation. I don't care if his confession was notarized. It's bullshit!"
"I want copies of those papers," Jeb and Brian both said at the same time.
~*~
Eighteen hours.
It had taken eighteen hours for them to find them. There was so much dense forest, they weren't making much headway. It was only when Kelly called back and informed us that Brittney Marks, Tiffany Turner’s sister, owned a small piece of land nearby, giving us a lead on where to look. The reason it took so long to find the name Brittney Marks was because Marks was her married name, and she was deceased. It turned out Tiffany had a twin sister named Brittney, and from what Kelly had gathered, Tiffany had assumed her identity to buy the property just before Brittney was killed in an accident that claimed both her and her son's life.
The kicker?
Trent Carrington had been listed as Michael's father, not Brittney's husband, Calvin Marks.
I waited at the emergency room doors of the hospital, pacing back and forth. They were bringing them in by ambulance. Tyler was okay, but Trent had been shot. They didn't say where.
My dad was holding a fussy Katie. She was having a very rough couple of days, since her mommy had been a crying mess. My mother was trying to settle me down, so I could feed her. Roger coaxed me to take care of the baby, promising he and Maylene would stand post at the door like they already were and would let me know as soon as the ambulance turned into the parking lot.
I had just finished feeding Katie, when I heard Roger say, "There's a cop car with lights on coming in."
I passed the baby over to my mother and rushed to the door, just in time to see an officer take Tyler out of the back seat.
Tyler cried and reached for me the moment he laid eyes on me. I was quick to reach them and nearly punched the officer, when he hesitated to hand me my son. Someone behind him must have given him the okay to release him, because he did and then ushered me inside to have him checked out. It was only when we sat down on an exam bed that I saw his little shirt was splattered with blood. "Are you hurt?"
Tyler saw I was looking down at his shirt and started crying for his daddy. A short quiet man walked in with a smile and a teddy bear in his pocket. "Would you like me to give him something to help settle him down? I don't want to traumatize him anymore by examining him. The paramedics did a preliminary check, but said that he was knocked back and hit his head pretty hard. Do you mind if I take a look?"
I cuddled Tyler to me and settled him down enough for Dr. Gregory to poke around Tyler's head and back. The doctor was able to do a full examination on him and deemed him healthy. He gave us an ice pack and a list of what to watch for.
I went back into the waiting area, but only my dad was there with Katie. My mom, Maylene and Roger were gone. "Where is everyone?"
"They brought Trent in. He's in surgery. It's a different waiting room. I'll take you there, but mom suggested I take the kids to Maylene's house. She was worried about little Katie and all the germs."
I didn't want to part with my daughter, but my mother was right. It would only take one unvaccinated sick child to walk through those doors to threaten my daughter's life. She was too young to be protected. I eyed the coughing child who was sitting one row over, waiting to be seen, and I prayed it wasn't whooping cough.
"Take her home and give her a bath. Can you do that?" I realized I'd never asked my dad to bathe one of the kids.
"Yeah, I think I can handle it. Maylene has a basket of baby stuff in the kids' bathroom. I'll just make sure I use that."
He carried Katie, and I carried Tyler. As soon as we stepped into the waiting room, we were swarmed by grandparents, hugging and kissing Tyler. I didn't think I could part with Tyler. He'd had all his shots. I didn't think he'd be able to handle being separated from me, I wasn't sure I could handle it.
When they settled down, I asked about Trent.
"He was shot three times," Roger answered. "They have him in surgery, but we won't know anything for another few hours, when they're done working on him."
I gasped and swayed. How on earth could he survive three gunshot wounds?
My mother ushered me to a seat. I sat, stunned. Tyler stayed curled on my lap. I didn't know how long we were waiting, but it had to have been a while, because my father called and asked if I could come feed Katie.
"Clara, why don't you go to my house and feed the baby and put the children down for a nap. I'm sure you could use a meal and a nap," Maylene suggested, pushing the hair away from my face.
"But Trent-"
"Won't likely be out of surgery for several more hours. He'll be so upset if he finds out you aren't taking care of yourself."
Roger stepped forward and lifted Tyler from my lap. Maylene leaned in and whispered, "It'll be good to get Tyler home and to bed. I'm sure he's exhausted."
I looked up at my little boy curled in Roger's arms. It was obvious he needed to go home. I also knew he wouldn't go without me.
Roger walked us out to his car. I hadn't ever spoken much with him. I think this was the first time we'd been alone.
"I'm sorry, I'm taking you away from the hospital," I apologized.
"It's alright. I'm sure it'll be a while before we hear anything."
I stared out the window; wishing time would speed up and make Trent be safely out of surgery and recovering quickly.
"I want to thank you," Roger said breaking the silence.
"For what?"
He smiled. "For giving my son a second chance and welcoming us all into your life, you've made my wife very happy. That means a lot to me."
I settled into the guestroom at the Carrington's house and had my kids tucked on either side of me. I fed Katie and settled Tyler down to sleep. I was determined to stay awake, so I could go back to the hospital, but that wasn't what happened.
"Sweetheart?" I heard my mother whisper. She tapped my cheek. "Honey," she hissed.
I squinted one eye open at her.
"Trent is expected to be out of surgery within the next half hour."
My eyes popped wide, but she stopped me from moving too fast. She gently scooted Tyler to the far side of the bed and handed me Katie. I was starting to feel like a bottomless milk jug. "Just top her off, and I'll take care of the kids. Dad is going to drop you off at the hospital and then come home and help me. Be sure to keep me updated."
When I arrived at the hospital, I was surprised to see a woman in a suit fighting with Roger, Brian and McKenna.
"He was under duress, his resignation was not valid!"
"All the same, he was removed from the health insurance plan, and you'll need to come up with a payment plan," the woman explained.
"Absolutely not, I'm his lawyer, and he'll be fighting it. He will be covered."
"Sir," she addressed Brian nervously, "I was aware of the situation and went directly to the hospital board for direction, and they confirmed that he was no longer employed and sited that he would not be rehired because of the signed affidavits."
"Again, they were signed under duress!"
"I know, Sir, I'm so sorry, but you'll have to take it up with the hospital board."
A short woman came striding in and handed over a folder. "Here's a copy of the papers Trent signed. I also have a few other documents as well. There are two women filing against him for assault."
"Do they have names, times and dates?" I asked interrupting them.
"Specifics don't matter, we need to discredit the notary and counter the journal entries. He didn't do anything, Clara. I've known Trent for over a decade now, and he'd never-"
"I know, but if the accusations took place while he was in college, I can prove they were willing participants."
"How so?" Brian asked, as he flipped through the papers. I didn't answer right away, because I realized his parents were listening in. "They
do take place during his college years. If you can help, I need to know now."
I looked up the hall, where I imagined Trent was being worked on, and I hoped he'd forgive me for telling them about his video collection. He'd had it for a very long time and had kept it a secret for a reason. "If you have names and dates, I can get you videos."
"Videos?" Maylene asked looking at me curiously. She was probably thinking I was some nasty stalker who had been filming her baby boy's sexual exploits.
"After what happened in Boston…" I looked to Roger for help.
He cleared his throat roughly and nodded. "If Clara thinks she can help him, we need to let her."
I really hoped Trent wouldn't hate me for outing his collection.
Chapter 22 – Incriminating Evidence
The doctor stepped into the waiting room with a tired smile. "The surgeries went well. We weren't able to save the one damaged kidney or his gallbladder, but we were able to repair the damage done to his liver. His arm will be fine. They missed the bone completely, and we were able to repair the damage in both the bicep and forearm. He'll need to not use his arm for the next eight weeks, but I believe he'll have a full recovery."
"I thought you said he was only shot three times?" I asked worried. It sounded like he had been showered in bullets.
"The angle of one of the shots hit three organs. Like I said, he should have a full recovery. They're getting him settled in his room now. I'll have a nurse come get you once he's ready."
"Thank you," Maylene said with cool grace. I was a mess, ready to chase him down the hall until he took me to him.
Once the doctor was out of sight, Brian started asking about the videos and when he could have them.
"Let me ask Trent first. I shouldn't have even told you about them. He only told me because I found them on accident when I was looking for the vacuum."
"If he truly has evidence that can prove they were lying, we can throw them and everyone involved in jail. He'd be able to end things once and for all," Brian pushed, anxious to get his hands on the videos.
A nurse stepped forward, getting our attention. Only two people were allowed back at a time, and Roger kindly gave me his spot, so I could go back with Maylene.
When we walked in, Trent's eyes fluttered, like he was trying to wake up.
"Trent?" his mother called to him.
"Tyler," he gasped.
"He's fine. We have him. He's safe at your parents' house. My mom and dad have him and Katie," I answered quickly, before he could get too upset.
His eyes found me, and he looked so upset. "I'm sorry, Clara, I'm so sorry. I should've stayed away until I knew they wouldn't come after me. I should've-"
"How were you supposed to know they'd come after you? We'd already dealt with them once, and they were in no way violent. You can't put your life on hold, Trent," his mother cut in.
"She's still out there," Trent worried.
"She's dead, honey. The police found the cabin, and as soon as shots were heard, they moved in. She just kept shooting, but had turned on the cops. She was dead when the paramedics arrived."
He reached out to me with his good hand, and I took it, bursting into tears and kissed him. "I was so scared. There was security footage…"
"I'm sorry, I'll understand if you want me to stay away from you and the kids until..."
"No, she's dead, Trent. Tyler needs you. He's been crying for his daddy. We all need you."
I kissed his face all over, dripping tears on him.
"Brittney's dead, but I don't know who else might've been involved, Clara," he worried.
"Brittney? That was Tiffany. Brittney was killed in a car accident with her son."
Trent shook his head no. "That's not what happened. It was Tiffany who died in the accident…with my son. She didn't get an abortion, and she didn't stay at school. She talked her twin into taking her place and holding her classes. Tiffany left school and took over a little office management job that Brittney had been doing." He grimaced and shifted a little. "It was Brittney who was coming after me, trying to get me to take responsibility for my actions against Tiffany. I'd made Brittney's life a living hell, thinking she was Tiffany, and Brittney attempted suicide because of that, not because she was upset about an abortion. I'd really thought she was Tiffany, and I'd just assumed she had the abortion, because she was obviously not pregnant."
Maylene slipped out, when the nurse showed up at the door with Roger. I was thankful they didn't ask me to leave instead. "Have you told him what's going on with the hospital?" he asked.
I shook my head no, and Roger frowned.
"What's going on?" Trent asked.
"The papers Tiffany had you sign were affidavits admitting to rape. The confession was accompanied by journal entries. They pushed through your resignation immediately and are refusing to reinstate your position because of the journal entries."
Trent groaned, sounding more annoyed than upset. "What does Brian have planned?"
"Actually…" Roger started and looked at me.
"The accusations take place during college, you can prove you didn't rape them if you handover the tape with-" I started.
"No, Clara, I can't do that. I'm an OB/GYN. If it got out that I had a huge explicit collection of my sexual encounters, it would ruin me. Who did you tell about it?"
"It was only your mother, Brian, Kelly, and I who were present for the conversation about the videos."
"Just keep your mouths shut about it. I hadn't mentioned it before for a reason."
"But if it could help your case-" I started, but he cut me off.
"I'm sure Brian can handle it without the videos. We're trying to prove there was no sexual misconduct, not that there is! If I truly am fired, then showing them a private homemade porn collection isn't going to make me look any better."
"If the journal entries are based on actual events of that night, giving Brian the video to build his defense might help. He could poke holes in their story. I think you should turn the tapes over to him, even if they aren't being used as evidence. It could be considered your testimony of what happened that night," Roger suggested.
Trent let out a sigh and then looked over at me. "Are you okay with getting that for him?"
"Yes, I'm sorry I told them, but I thought it would help."
"It might, but it can't be used they way you were thinking."
I apologized and kissed him again. Brian came to the door, and I told Trent I'd be in the waiting room. Trent needed to strategize a defense with his dad and lawyer.
When Brian came back into the waiting room, he asked me to come with him to get the videos. I sat nervously silent. I hadn't ever really spoken to him or his wife. When we arrived at Trent's home, I walked over to the closet and pulled out the box of movies. "Can you give me dates? He has these numbered chronologically."
I found the first one easily, but couldn't find the second one. It was then I realized it was on the DVD I was on. The last time I had seen it was when we had watched it together. I tried to think of something I could do to distract Brian, so he wouldn't know I had to go track down the dirty movie of Trent and I, that I had made Trent watch with me.
"Does he not have one for this time span?" Brian asked.
"Yeah…just…give me a minute." I set the box aside and went to the front room. I found the case, but it was empty. I was worried it was mixed up in another CD case, because I knew he'd watched a couple of movies over the week we were apart. I had to find it fast and discreetly. I was opening the cases frantically, knowing Brian would step into the room any minute, wondering what I was up to.
"Did you check the player?" he asked, and I about leapt out of my skin.
"He doesn't watch them," I countered.
"Still…" he suggested with a nod. I wasn't very familiar with Trent's entertainment system, and it showed when I tried to use the remote to turn on the DVD player. The TV came on, and I hit a secondary power button, turning the stereo on, blasting TV static.
I hit the third "power" button and was mortified. Splayed across Trent's fifty-inch TV was Trent and me. He had just finished and was pulling me into his arms, still touching me in places Brian should not see. Thankfully, Brian turned around.
"Well, I guess there's at least one girl he likes to watch," he said with a chuckle.
"Please don't-"
"I promise to only look at the footage needed for my case, Clara."
"I didn't know he was recording. I didn't know he was making a video. I would've never-"
"It's okay, Clara, I understand. I also believed him, when he told me he only made them for security reasons. He was just trying to protect himself, and now I'm going to use them for what they were made for. Everything will be done discreetly. The only other person who'll be looking at this will be my wife, Kelly. She has an excellent eye for details and can catch things others don't. There's no reason for us to go over your footage, though."
"Thank you," I said blushing scarlet and finally turned over the video to him. I really hoped it didn't get out. I was going to have to ask Trent why it was in the player, cued up to where it was. That boy had some explaining to do.
It was ten days later that Trent was released from the hospital. Maylene was very insistent that we all come stay at her house. Apparently, she believed I still needed looking after, since Katie was still so little and Tyler was such a busy body. I protested, but it was Trent's insistence that he'd be fine and could help me without any problem that made me cave. I knew he'd try to help and possibly hurt himself doing so.
I checked the bandages on his arm. He had Katie cradled in the other one as I worked. "Are you sure you're alright holding her?" I asked.
"I'm fine. She's light and far away from my incision, babe. We're fine. I need my cuddle time with my baby girl. If I thought Tyler wouldn't forget about my stitches, I'd hold him, too."
"I was surprised they used stitches, isn't glue and tape all the rage? That's what most kids leave with where I work at Dr. Coust's office."
"Gunshot wounds and exploratory surgery call for stiches. Have you decided to keep your job?" he asked sadly.
A Life Unplanned Page 16