“How, Nathan? How was he mean?”
“He put a pillow over her face and held it down. I could hear her yelling ‘Nathan’, but I didn’t know if she was yelling my name or my dad’s. I just stood there. I watched her legs kicking, and she was trying to fight. But my Dad was stronger.”
As I witness this, my fear for Nathan is replaced with shock and anger.
“Take a deep breath and tell me if your saw your mom stop fighting,” Dr. Fields asks.
“Yes, she stopped. She lay very still, like she was sleeping. My dad smashed up some pills and put them in her mouth. I didn’t think she wanted them since she was already asleep.”
“Was she really sleeping, Nathan?”
“No, not really. I don’t think she was sleeping.” Tears run down his childlike face.
“I need you to be brave and tell me what happened next. Remember, you’re safe with us.”
Minutes pass as he wipes the tears away with his palms and uses his coat sleeve to wipe his nose. Watching him fall apart, is killing me and every part of my body screams to run to him, but I wait.
“My dad was running around the room and I was scared he would see me, so I went back and climbed in my bed, I still felt funny after that yucky medicine, I was so tired I fell asleep.”
“Nathan, you’re doing a great job of remembering.”
“Yeah, I know.” He takes a deep breath. “I woke up when I heard the sirens but I didn’t know why. It was almost light out. It was Sunday. I hate Sundays. Uncle Mac was there. He’s my buddy. But he left after he had a fight with my dad. Then my father told me.”
“What did he tell you?”
“That my mom wanted to go to heaven, so she did. I cried, even though I was almost a man.”
“Did you remember what happened the night before?” The Doctor asked.
“No.”
Watching this unfold, I’m stunned into silence and my heart is breaking. I cry for him, for the child that witnessed this horrific crime, for the child who lost his mother.
His father is a monster. How can any child, even a grown man, handle this?
“Nathan, we’re going to bring you back slowly,” Dr. Fields says.
I watch as the doctor goes through his steps to safely bring Nathan back. It takes only minutes.
“Nathan, how do you feel?”
“Fine” He shrugs.
“This was a very successful session. What do you remember about it?” The doctor rewinds his tape recorder.
“After relaxing, not much.” He looks to me. He frowns when he realizes I’ve been crying. “What’s wrong, baby?”
I move to the couch and hold his hand. “Dr. Fields, will you be replaying the session now?” My shaky voice gives me away, and Nathan looks into my eyes for answers.
“Yes. Nathan needs to know exactly what he said.”
I nod, while Nathan looks at me worried, and he should be.
“We have uncovered some memories from your childhood that you may find disturbing. I want to prepare you for what you’re about to hear,” Dr. Fields says.
Nathan takes a breath and lets it out slowly.
“I believe these are real memories of age regression that are directly linked to your nightmares.”
Nathan nods. Then the doctor presses the play button, and I take his hand in mine and hold my breath. I watch as Nathan’s life changes before my eyes. I’m helpless to do anything to soften the blow of this forgotten truth.
Nathan never utters one word. He listens intently, now leaning over with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. I rub his back as he shakes his head no, but he still listens. When the tape comes to an end, tears consume him.
“Baby, I’m here,” I say, knowing words of comfort won’t help.
“I don’t understand?” he says.
“This is a serious revelation, Nathan,” the doctor says. “I have to tell you that once a revelation crossing the line to an alleged crime, the confidentiality agreement, is abolished, I’ll be contacting the police.” Looking almost apologetic.
“I recommend you take a day to absorb this. You could be in shock. I’ve seen it happen.”
“I need to know more.” Rising up from the couch, Nathan panics. “I have to talk to Uncle Mac.”
“Okay, but maybe waiting a day would be in your best interest.” I try desperately to say the right thing, but he’s not listening. He needs to act, as if this will be the only way he can come to terms with the truth.
“I think he knows something, Bryer.” Nathan says.
“I’ll go with you. Anything you need. I’m not convinced diving in head first is wise, though.”
Dr. Fields stands. “I have to agree, Nathan. You may want to schedule another appointment if you’re doubting anything that happened today.”
He hands Nathan the tape. Oh God. The truth, the evidence.
“I heard the tape. It’s fucking embedded in my brain, but if I’m to believe my father is a murderer, my whole life is a lie.”
Chapter Twenty-One
NATHAN LOOKS TERRIBLE when we leave the doctor’s office. He’s grown pale.
“Look at me,” I say, worried out of my mind. “Are you sure you want to do this today?”
“Bryer, I’m calling Uncle Mac and meeting with him. Do you want to leave your car here and ride with me?”
“I’ll meet you at your house as soon as I grab my work files, and a bag for tonight, I’ll need my car anyway. I promise I won’t be long.”
“Let me walk you to your car.”
“Call me and let me know when you find Mac, or when you get home.”
“I’m losing my shit.” Turmoil is written on his face.
“Nobody in their right mind...” He shakes his head. “Can anyone survive news like this?”
“You’re in shock Nathan, please don’t do anything till I get back to you.”
I make it home without knowing how I got there, and I feel like I’m walking in a nightmare. I can’t imagine Mac knowing anything. Maybe we should call the police?
I reach my apartment and park in the garage, after shutting the door, I feel an arm around my waist. My first thought is Nathan, but no. The arm picks me up and throws me into an open van. A horrible, sharp pain jolts through my head.
“Fuck, what the hell are you doing!?” A needle pricks my arm and the light fades to darkness.
***
~Nathan~
“WHY ISN’T BRYER answering her phone?”
Uncle Mac is on his way. My nerves are shot, and I feel sick. I played the tape again on my way home, just to prove to myself that this was real.
Am I insane? Is he? That devil took everything from me: my mother, my childhood. As if it were nothing.
Oh God, the nightmares. The fucking nightmares.
One agonizing minute after another, I wait for Uncle Mac to arrive, to shed some light on all this. I still cannot believe my own words. A huge part of me rejects that it’s the truth.
I text Bryer: Where are you baby? I need you.
Where is she? I’m getting worried. Gen--maybe she’s with her. I call Clayton while I have a few minutes.
“What’s up?” he answers.
“I can’t get a hold of Bryer.”
“Oh, and why’s that?”
“I don’t know. Do you have Gen’s number on file at the gym?” I grind my teeth.
“I have it in my phone.” That statement alone creates questions, but I won’t address them tonight.
“Okay. Give it to me. Clayton, I need a favor. Drive by Bryer’s apartment and see if she’s home. I have my uncle coming over any minute.”
“Sure. Anything, Nathan.” He rattles off her number. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ll fill you in later.” I hang up and immediately dial Gen.
“Hello?” Gen answers.
“Is Bryer with you?”
“No, if she’s not working, she’s with you. Why?”
This doesn’t make sense.
“She could be at the store or something.” Her explanation doesn’t comfort me.
The doorbell rings.
“I’ve got to go, but have her call me if you see her.”
“Wait, tell me what’s going on?”
But I’ve hung up before I can answer, and I rush for the door.
“Uncle Max, I’m so glad you’re here. This is serious. I need your help.”
“Anything, Nathan. What the hell’s going on? You’re panicking.” Concern etched in his eyes.
“Sit.” I point to the couch. “I want you to hear something, then you’ll understand.”
He nods.
“I’ve been seeing a hypnotherapist due to the nightmares I’ve been having.” I hold the tape in a death grip as I explain.
Then I insert it into the sound system and hit play. My eyes remain fixed on my uncle, but I’m reliving every second of my own words. We both sit in silence as he shakes his head. The tape finishes and dead air plays on. I break out of my trance and press stop.
“God, no” he says. “This confirms my worst fears. I knew it was only a matter of time.” He buries his head in his hands and sheds tears.
“Uncle Mac, tell me. It’s time I know.” He lifts his head and I see a broken, ill man with deep sadness in his eyes. It makes me rethink this plan. He might be too fragile to help.
“We were in love, Nathan.” He says in despair, not meeting my eyes.
I sit across from him and let it sink in.
“In love? My mother and you?” The blows keep coming.
“For years. I wanted her to leave your father, but she was worried about you. She knew how powerful Nathan Sr. was and how unforgiving a bastard he could be. He had to control everything and everyone. He would never have let her leave with you, so she stayed, even though she hated the man.” His body shakes.
“I was suspicious of my brother all along. We had a huge argument at the funeral. I accused him of hurting her and it got out of hand. I stayed away from him, from her, and unfortunately from you. I thought I was doing the right thing, keeping you safe.” His voice is whisper-thin. He’s a man on the edge of breaking.
“He knew, Nathan. He knew about the affair. I don’t know how or when he found out, but he knew.” Pain is evident in his voice. Watching tears rolling down this shattered man’s face, my heart bleeds for him. He loved a woman he could never have, and he was forced to leave her with someone he didn’t trust.
“You’ve lived your life alone?”
“Yes, loving only her.”
“How did you survive it, Mac?”
“I didn’t.”
I stare into the eyes of a man who has given up so much. At the end of his story, he is without his love and battling for his life. Fuck. I can’t even imagine how strong this man is. I watch him, knowing this is the kind of man I want to be.
My phone rings. It’s Clayton.
“Did you find her?”
“Nathan, this doesn’t look good. Her car’s here, but no one answered the door. I found the Super and explained the situation. He let me in, but there’s no sign of her.”
I’m about to go ballistic. “Something is fucking wrong.”
“What’s going on?” Clayton asks.
“Come over.” I hang up then I turn to Uncle Mac. “Bryer is missing.”
“Does your father know you and Bryer know the truth?”
“My father... You think he’s involved?”
“Nathan, he killed the woman I loved. Your Mother. He’s capable of anything.”
“Fuck. I have no idea if he knows. We only learned about this today. How could he know?” Then, I remember. “Wait. Bryer knew something after my first hypnosis. She had details before I did. Fuck, I even mentioned that I was going to a hypnotherapist at dinner to my father. He must think she’s the threat. Not me.” Guilt rises up in my soul.
“Dear God, not her.”
Clayton flies through the door. “Fuckin’ tell me what’s going on?”
I put the tape in as an answer. Struggling, I listen to it once more.
“What? Your father’s a killer?”
“It’s worse.” I say to Clayton. “He’s got her. I know it. We have to move now.” I turn to my uncle. “Would he touch her Mac?”
“He’s not sane, Nathan.”
No, baby, God, no. I’ll kill him if he hurts her.
“Do you want me to go along, Nathan?” Uncle Mac asks.
“How selfish would I be if I said yes?”
He nods.
“I’ve got your six,” Clayton says.
“I’ll pull the SUV around.”
I embrace this skeleton of a man and I know Uncle Mac is my hero, no matter what has happen in the past. My mother loved him, and he’s an even better man than I gave him credit for.
All three of us get in to my SUV.
“He has a large storage facility he no longer uses, it’s off the grid.” I drive fast, daring any yellow light to turn red. “Keep her safe,” I say to any higher power who’s listening.
***
~Bryer~
WAKING UP TO unknown surroundings, my head is about to explode from the pain. My eyes won’t focus, but I can clearly see blood on my shirt. I hear voices, male voices. I start to struggle, but my hands are tied behind my back and secured to a wooden chair I’m sitting on. Where am I? Who would do this?
That’s when he slowly comes into focus.
Nathan’s father stands with two unknown men, I heard he had body guards, but these men are thugs. His arms are crossed as he stares at me. “Are you awake, Bryer?”
“What’s going on? Why am I here?”
“I thought you were a smart girl. We spoke at dinner about keeping the past in the past, but you didn’t listen. I don’t want Nathan digging into the past. It’s up to you to stop him, Bryer. He must never know.”
That’s when the pieces come together. He doesn’t realize that Nathan knows. He’s fucking delusional.
Nathan Sr. paces. “I didn’t think my men would hurt you. That was never my intention.” He shakes his head in, what? Regret? “I only wanted to warn you of the gravity of the situation.”
“And how is tying me up going to make sure I know the gravity?”
“That’s unfortunate, but necessary. What do you think you know, Bryer?”
“The truth.”
He approaches and my fear escalates. I know what he’s capable of. Once you commit murder, you have no boundaries any more. He’s a narcissist.
“I feel sick.”
“You’ll be fine, once I know everything.”
My wrists sting beneath the rope, as do my bound ankles. He means business.
“Answer me,” he yells.
“I know you had something to do with your wife’s suicide.”
“That’s right, Bryer. Suicide.”
“We both know that’s a lie.”
One of his thugs approaches and lifts his arm to hit me, but Nathan Sr. catches it before it meets its target.
“Not until I find out what she knows,” he commands.
***
~Nathan~
“FUCK!” I SNAP, losing my mind.
“We’ve searched everywhere. She’s not here. Never was.” Clayton hangs his head.
We scan the old, dirty storage facility one more time. Despair grips me, and I need to fucking smash something. Recklessly, I take a chair and throw it through the window, watching glass shatter. I don’t feel any better.
“What’s next?” Clayton and Uncle Max both look to me.
“His house.”
Standing outside my father’s house, I pound on the door. Mary Ann answers, but I can see the fear in her eyes.
“I didn’t mean to scare you, Mary Ann. Where’s my father?”
“He’s home. I just don’t know where.” She’s still uncertain about my demeanor.
Uncle Mac and Clayton follow me as I barge past her. No words are exchanged.
“Bryer.�
� I yell as I run through the house. I search his office, the gym, the basement, and his bedroom, while both Clayton and Uncle Mac follow close behind me. There’s no sign of him, but then it hits me.
“The pool house. He goes there when he wants privacy.”
“We’ll find her,” Uncle Mac says.
We reach the impressive pool house that is more like a second home. The shake siding has faded over the years. I notice lights, and my body goes on high alert. I Approach the door in silence, turning the handle, I find it’s locked.
“What the fuck.”
I pound on the door then kick it in.
Everything comes to a halt. The scene before me almost brings me to my knees. “Jesus.”
Uncle Mac and Clayton yell, but I don’t absorb a word.
Bryer’s tied to a chair. Blood stains her face, and my father is just feet away. Two unknown men hover close.
“Nathan!” Bryer screams and I start to race in her direction.
I’m stopped by the two men protecting my father. I punch guy number one in the jaw, as Clayton punches the other then shakes out the pain in his hand. But it doesn’t keep him down the guy takes off, slamming into my Uncle Mac with great force, causing him to slide down the door.
Guy two takes a swing and misses. Fucktard. Doesn’t he know who he’s dealing with? With one solid punch, he’s out. I nod to Clayton.
As he walks towards my wounded uncle.
My father is a foot away from me. “What the fuck have you done, you bastard? I should fucking kill you with my bare hands.”
“Nathan,” he shouts. “I was only protecting you.”
I look at him like he’s insane.
“How crazy are you to believe that?” I glance behind me and tell Clayton to call 911.
I run to Bryer and untie her. She’s going in and out and she looks drugged. Fuck. So I lay her on a rug and go after my father.
“You son of a bitch! You murdered my mother. And kidnapped the woman I love? Why?” I yell in his face with eighteen years of anger behind my words.
Forgotten Truth (The Forgotten Series Book 1) Page 19