She Belongs to Me

by Carmen DeSousa

  He wanted to capture Ronny himself and bring him in, but he knew he couldn’t. He had to stay with Jaynee, keep her secure, and he knew if he did get Ronny alone, he would probably kill him with his bare hands. He couldn’t do that to Jaynee or Rachael. What would Rachael even think? Would she believe that Ronny was even capable of such atrocities? “Len, I need you to go to my office and get my laptop, and then I’ll be able to tell you exactly where Ronny is.”

  “Tell me you have a tracking device on your company vehicles please.”

  “Yep…something my car saleswoman suggested. I can tell you where all of my vehicles are located, where they stop and how long they’ve been there. And it was one of the only things I didn’t share with any of my employees or partners.” He hung up the phone.

  The last thing he wanted was to wait for Len to get his laptop and come to the hospital, but he wasn’t leaving Jaynee’s side for anything.

  He needed to make a couple more calls before returning to Jaynee’s room. He just hoped they wouldn’t ask a lot of questions. He could see the room from where he stood, so he knew Jaynee was safe.

  “Yeah?” his sister answered, sounding out of breath as if she’d been running or upset.

  “Hi, Rachael.”

  “Jordan? Is everything all right? Mom told me Jaynee was coming outta the coma. Is she okay?”

  Her genuine concern surprised him. She never was close to Jaynee or even him for that matter, but he knew she loved him. She was just spoilt, always had been. Nothing was ever enough. Not that that was any excuse for what Ronny did. “Rachael, I can’t talk but a second, but yes, Jaynee seems to be doing better. She’s awake and talking, though very weak. But the reason I called is not about Jaynee; I need you to do something.”

  “Anything, Jordan,” she said.

  Again, this was all new to him. She was being extremely altruistic. “I need you to go over to Melissa’s house, and whatever you do,” he paused, knowing she wouldn’t just comply without questioning him, “do not answer if Ronny calls or comes by, but I doubt he will.”

  “What the heck are you talking about?”

  That sounded more like the sister he knew. “Rachael, for once in your life, will you trust me? Have I ever let you down?” he asked, truly upset now. He gave her everything, and she gave him nothing but heartache, and now her husband—

  “No…”

  “Then for the love of all that is holy, would you just do what I request for once?”

  “Okay, Jordan.”

  He hung up the phone and called Bobby. Bobby needed no explanation. Jordan told him to get home, keep Ronny away and most importantly protect the women. Bobby didn’t hesitate, just said, “Whatever you say, Jordan.”

  His final call was to John. Somehow, John managed to answer the phone on the first ring. “Hey, Lorraine.”

  “John, it’s—”

  “Jordan, I’m sorry, man, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it.”

  Why was John apologizing? Had he gotten it wrong? It couldn’t be—not John. Jordan waited without saying anything, not wanting to tip his hand. The person who talked first always lost. He knew this with a business deal or a confession. He utilized the same techniques to close a sale as he did to elicit a confession.

  “Ronny called you, didn’t he?” John blurted the question. “You have to know, Jordan, I would have never acted on anything. I just wanted to talk to Jaynee while she was unconscious. I thought if I could get it off my chest it would help somehow.”

  Jordan squeezed the phone in his hand. “Talk to her? You almost murdered her!” He couldn’t contain himself and was suddenly ashamed for assuming it was Ronny. How could he have been so wrong, how could John? He had known him practically his entire life. He had been more of a brother to him than Ronny ever was. “Where are you, you no good—”

  “Whoa…wait…what? I would never—I love Jaynee. I could never hurt her.”

  “But you just said you would have never acted and you were trying to get it off your chest while she was unconscious.”

  “What exactly did Ronny tell you?”

  “Ronny didn’t tell me anything. You did. You were there the night Jaynee was shot, weren’t you? And then—did Ronny stop you from finishing the job today, John?” His voice seethed with emotion. It was a good thing he wasn’t in front of John. He didn’t know if he could keep himself from killing him.

  “So Ronny hasn’t spoken with you?”

  “No he hasn’t.” Jordan couldn’t believe he was having this conversation when he only wanted to slaughter him.

  “Crap! If I’m not the largest moron, I don’t know who is.” He could hear John exhale through the phone. “Ronny walked in on me talking to Jaynee. Admitting to her why I am always so cold to her. I might as well tell you, because Ronny will anyway. I love her, Jordan. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’ve loved her from the first moment I saw her. I’m sorry, and I swear, man, I would never have come on to her. I just wanted to talk to her. And I would never try to murder her.”

  As ridiculous as it sounded, Jordan was relieved. He always knew how John was, he knew he would step over his dead body to get to Jaynee, he’d even told her once. He also knew John didn’t love Jaynee; he only wanted whatever Jordan had. Just like when they were kids.

  A chuckle actually slipped out over the thought of his friend’s libido. “You are a moron, but not a murderer. I knew better. You and I will deal with this later. Right now there are other more important issues.” Jordan wondered how many more men he would have to battle for his wife. She seemed to bring out the worst in men. He thought about Brian’s defeated look and a smile washed over his face. Jaynee didn’t want any of them; she loved him.

  Jordan explained to John what happened with Ronny.

  “Wow,” John said, understanding the confusion. “I’m sure thankful I wasn’t standing in front of you when I made my stupid confession. You would have certainly killed me.”

  Jordan sighed. No doubt there. Later, he thought to himself. There was more important business to discuss now. “John, I need a favor.”

  “Anything. Name it.”

  “I need you to go stay with Lorraine. She’s at the hospital in Concord. Ronny may end up there trying to finish what he started. He knows I won’t let Jaynee out of my sight. I tipped my hat earlier when I had Brian throw him out of Jaynee’s room.”

  “Brian? Who’s Brian?”

  “Long story…get to Lorraine now.” Jordan paused before hanging up. “Oh, and, John…I’m gonna kick the everlasting crap out of you when I see you again.”

  “I know…I deserve it,” he said, hanging up.

  Of course, it couldn’t have worked out that both women would be at the same hospital. Lorraine was in Concord whereas Jaynee was in Pineville, and it wasn’t very convenient at the moment. Jordan had done everything he could. Now, he just had to wait for Len and his computer. Anxious for every minute now, he rushed back to Jaynee’s room.

  When he walked back inside the room, Jaynee was still asleep. His mother stood up, offering him the seat beside his wife.

  “Mom, why don’t you go home? I’m not going anywhere else today.”

  “Are you sure, honey? What has been going on, and why did Brian leave? He looked devastated. I thought maybe something had happened to Jaynee when I saw his face, but then I heard your announcement.”

  “It’s a long story, Mom.” He rested his hands on her shoulders. “There is just one thing you need to know, and I know it’s going to sound strange, but you have to trust me.”

  Her face was serious, worried at once, but she reined it in. “Of course.”

  It went without saying; he knew she trusted him completely. “Do not let Ronny anywhere near your house or speak to him. If he shows up, get your gun, and then call 911.”

  Her eyes revealed that she clearly didn’t understand, but she would trust him he knew. “Okay, Jordan. Please call me if anything changes with Jaynee. I’ll be back tomorrow mornin
g.” She kissed him goodbye and left the room.

  Jordan sat down and took Jaynee’s free hand in both his. As much as he wanted to talk to her, he knew she needed to sleep, especially if she might be pregnant. He wondered how long it would be before they would know. He hoped the fact she’d been medicated wouldn’t have any effect on a baby that was days old.

  He chastised himself. How could he feel so much joy at a time when there was so much pain? But then he remembered, Lorraine was going to be okay. Jaynee had been awake several times, each time stronger than the last. He was going to be a father, if not now, someday. But more than anything, Jaynee’s love had him wanting to jump for joy. His life had felt over when he thought for even a moment that she could have wanted Brian.

  Brian. He felt bad for him. He probably saved her life. Who knows what Ronny would have talked his mother into if she had come alone? He would have to find a way to thank him. But not today. He wasn’t ready to leave Jaynee’s side again. The hospital walls would have to be falling down first, and even then, he wouldn’t leave without her. He wouldn’t leave until he could talk to her again, thank her and apologize for his assumption. He felt like a schmuck.

  Thinking back over the last two months with renewed eyes, he realized she hadn’t been cold. She just did everything she could to keep them from having sex. But not one time had she ever uttered a cruel word. She smiled at him constantly, made his favorite meals and socialized with the family. How could he have misjudged this? Even when she said, ‘This is almost over’. He should have known she had meant school or something else. He would never doubt her again. It wasn’t fair for him to have jumped to a conclusion when she had never done anything to deserve it. Of course, it wasn’t as if he didn’t trust her. He had never once before this time thought she would have ever been up to anything. Even when he was jealous, he never blamed her. It wasn’t her fault she looked so darned good. She didn’t even dress to elicit attention. Rachael dressed like a teenager, always wearing clothes that were low-cut and too short, another thing Ronny used to complain about but didn’t even bother mentioning anymore.

  The phone in his pocket buzzed, bringing him out of his thoughts. He pulled it out and looked at the number, John again. He hesitated, not sure if he wanted to answer it. It wasn’t long enough that he could have even got out of the house, let alone retrieved anything new about Lorraine. He must be trying to apologize again. Jordan vacillated, then decided what the heck he’d let him beg for mercy a little—not that it was going to change anything—he was gonna kick the everlasting crap out of him when this was over. The grief must be eating him up. He clicked the green button and waited for the pleading to begin.

  ***

  John had been pulling on his shoes and jacket when he heard the rap on the front door.

  He didn’t bother looking to see who it was; he was in a hurry to get to Lorraine, frantic in his need to see her and make certain she was safe. Opening the door, he saw Ronny standing there, a strange look on his face.

  He concealed his shock and opened the door wider. “Hey, what’s up?” He made a conscious effort to smile.

  “Business,” Ronny said solemnly, stepping into John’s house.

  John closed the door, shoved his hands in his jacket pocket and curled his hand around his cell phone. Nothing good could come of Ronny showing up here. His fingers deftly found the recall button. He knew where it was, had practiced many times. He hit the send button knowing it would call the last number called or received—which would be Jordan.

  He raised his chin at Ronny, who just stood in his foyer, his hands also in his jacket pockets. “Did something go wrong today?”

  “Everything,” Ronny muttered in an irritated voice.

  Ronny’s one word answers were starting to unnerve John. He wished he’d already grabbed his gun. It was resting behind him on the credenza. He wondered if he should make an advance for it.

  “But, I think I can make it right,” Ronny continued.

  “What are you talking about, Ronny? I was just leaving. Can we talk about this later?” John’s voice elevated an octave, exposing his frustration.

  “No!” The one word was menacing and sounded foreign coming out of Ronny’s mouth.

  John stepped back within inches of his gun; unfortunately, a second too late, Ronny already had his pistol drawn.

  Ronny sneered. “Don’t bother, John. Step away or I’ll shoot you standing right there. I may not be a cop, they never accepted me at the academy, but you know I’m a crack shot.”

  John did know this; they had gone to the range and hunted together many times over the years. He also now understood why the academy didn’t accept him into law enforcement. His psyche profile must have indicated instability. “Why are you doing this, Ronny?”

  A mocking smile lifted his face. “Whatever do you mean, John? I’m not doing anything…this is you and Lorraine. Lorraine has been pining over Jordan for years, and you are in love with Jaynee. You both recognize they will never leave each other, and you have a gambling problem.” With the gun, Ronny motioned for John to sit at the table. “While consoling each other, you have fallen in love and concocted the perfect scheme to get rid of them, Jaynee by suicide and Jordan by an accidental police shooting. But everything went awry, and your treachery revealed itself. So Lorraine committed suicide and now so will you—just like Romeo and Juliet, how romantic.”

  John watched as Ronny’s face transformed into a fierce scowl. He pulled out a prescription bottle with his gloved hand; the label was missing. A wild smirk crossed his face at the look of confusion in John’s eyes.

  “Rachael’s sleeping pills. I’ve been heisting a few out of the bottle for months. Of course, they call them sleeping pills, but they’re actually numb pills. You won’t feel a thing…heck you’ll probably even pull the trigger yourself. Amazing stuff really. My wife,” he spat the words, “will even have sex with me when she’s on them. Obviously, she never remembers and thinks she’s still holding out. Her power trip over me, as if breaking me financially wasn’t enough. She had to take everything. It’s not as if I can’t get sex elsewhere, but it’s sort of fun taking advantage of her when she doesn’t know—a little payback for all the misery.”

  John shook his head in disbelief. “You’re sick, Ronny, but it’s not too late.” He questioned whether he should tell him Lorraine was still alive. He figured it was the only way. He hoped Jordan was listening and hadn’t just let the call go to voicemail. “Listen, Ronny, it’s not too late. No one is dead; you can still get out of this with minimal jail time. Jaynee’s awake, and Lorraine has pulled through. They’ll both know it was you. You won’t be able to get to them before Jordan takes you down.”

  A half-laugh half-huff burst out of Ronny’s mouth. “They won’t consider me a suspect. Everyone knows it’s you, John. Don’t you remember Jaynee’s face as you confessed your feelings?”

  John winced at the memory, but he knew Jordan knew differently.

  Ronny’s lips were in a straight line as he shook his head. “And you call me sick? You’re supposed to be his best friend, and yet, you coveted his wife and tried to get him drunk and make him believe she was cheating on him. If that didn’t beat all…calling Lorraine and letting her know he was drunk and telling her to call him. And you say I’m sick?”

  John’s chin dropped to his chest; he was sick. What had he been thinking? How could he have done that to Jordan? Now he wondered if he did want him to be listening. Jordan hadn’t realized he was the one who told Lorraine to call after he’d got him drunk.

  “You’re right, Ronny, I am sick, more like delusional, both of us are. Jordan has been nothing but generous to both of us, and I coveted his wife and you tried to murder her. I don’t need your help…I should want to kill myself. Do you mind if I have a drink? I don’t need Ambien.”

  Ronny smiled at this revelation. “No, go ahead. I’ll have one too if you don’t mind.”

  How amiable they were discussing murder and
suicide over a drink. John just hoped it would be enough time. He knew Ronny would want him to use his own gun. If he could talk Ronny into letting him get drunk first, maybe he could buy some time until Jordan could send help.

  63

  Carmen DeSousa

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Jordan heard nothing but silence on the other line.

  John must have hit the recall button by accident. This should be interesting. It would give him something to do while he waited for Jaynee to wakeup. He hoped John talked to himself, as he did when he was in the car sometimes.

  It was hard to make out anything from John’s line, mostly just muffled sounds of John’s voice, but then he realized there were two voices. He turned up the cell phone volume the highest it would go and heard Ronny’s voice, “No, have a seat, John!”

  Jordan burst out of his chair, sprinting from the room to the waiting area with the courtesy phone. He didn’t know Len’s number. He had been connected to him on the first call, and though Len returned his call, he wasn’t about to hang up and redial. He pressed the mute button on the cell phone, picked up the courtesy phone and dialed 911. He had to argue with the operator this time that not only did she need to send police to John’s house, but she also needed to connect him with Detective Powe. Jordan gave her his badge number and position as before and held the line for what seemed like forever. He heard Ronny’s confession, how he planned to take care of everything.

  Finally, Len came on the line. “What’s up, Jordan? I just got to your office. No one was here, so I—”

  “He’s at John’s place,” Jordan burst out, interrupting him. “I only heard part of what was going on, but Ronny said something about John would want to pull the trigger himself. I wasn’t thinking straight, Len. I told the dispatcher to send black and whites; no telling what’ll do if he hears ’em.”