“We’ll talk to everyone but her,” Jace said standing. “I think she’s projecting something from her past onto Chief. This whole thing is too tight… too many coincidences. I can’t shake the feeling someone’s coaching her.”
“I hope you’re wrong. Because I can’t defend him against an enemy I can’t see or find,” Nick said.
Chapter Thirteen
Helen rolled over to stop the ringing in her ears. The sound came from a distance echoing in her head when it stopped. Her throat was on fire, it hurt to move her head or any part of her body. One minute she was hot, the next cold, and couldn’t keep anything on her stomach. If not for that sweet boy lying in the bed next to her, she was sure she’d be dead already. Jason gave her a reason to keep going.
Jason? She frowned. Jason was dead. He died thirty? Forty years ago. He was a cute boy, so full of life, always running and playing around the house. She frowned. Some things weren’t meant to be played with. Like cars and trucks. She squeezed her eyes tight, shutting out dark memories that would chain her to the past. The past died, just like Jason. Things changed, she had a new son, and a new chance to make things right.
“Ow…” His voice sounded so tiny, tears of frustration rolled down her cheek.
Clearing her throat, she struggled to speak, to sound calm and reassuring. “It’s time for your medicine, Jas… Kevin. Roll over and take the plastic cup, and then drink it all like a big boy.” Her vision blurred as she twisted to the side to see if he followed her instructions. Everything she read online about meningitis pointed to him having the viral infection, not the deadly bacterial one. For that she gave God thanks and accepted it as another gift of His favor and approval of what she was doing.
“I can’t,” Kevin whimpered and started crying. Helen tried to reach the table and couldn’t. His tears tore at her heart. The noise sent a shaft of pain to her head. Pushing against the bed, she rose with a groan and half screamed at the pain.
Wide-eyed, Kevin stopped crying and looked at her. Rivulets of sweat ran down her face, soaking her light cotton gown. Her stomach clenched and she feared the dry heaves would return. It hurt to breathe and to move. “One second baby, mommy’s coming,” she whispered as she tested the strength in her legs.
He started whimpering. If his pain was anything like hers he had a right to scream. She wanted to scream at the unfairness of life. Why did she have to run and hide with her son? Carin gave Kevin to her. Money had changed hands as well as their identities. If only Max would see she was the best parent for Kevin, everything would be okay. Instead, her baby had been exposed to germs that made him sick. Max had a lot to answer for.
“I’m coming.” She stood slowly. He cried and twitched. The rash on his skin looked better, didn’t it? Maybe not, she couldn’t remember. Bending forward, she clutched onto his bed for support and to stop the room from spinning. “One second Kevin, let me get my …” She toppled over and landed on top of him.
Kevin screamed. The piercing sound hit like a sharp nail digging into her mind. She covered her ear and tried to move. Every joint protested. Tiny hands pushed against her, demanding she move. Pushing against the mattress she moved up and over a bit, but not enough. He continued to push against her until she grabbed his hands.
“Stop.”
“No, you stop. Get off me,” he screamed, his feet kicked out, hitting her in the chest.
Helen yanked his hands and yelled. “Stop it right now, Jason.”
Kevin froze, and then started crying again.
“Where’s the medicine. He needs his medicine.” She looked at the table, and miracle of miracles, the plastic cup with the pain reliever remained in place. “Kevin, mommy needs you to take your medicine, baby.”
“No.” He turned his head and pushed out his lips.
Helen closed her eyes. The throbbing behind her eyes increased. She needed to take her pain meds now. “Mommy wants you to feel better so take your medicine. Don’t you want to feel better?”
He looked at her and shook his head. “I’m not Jason.”
“What? Of course not, why would you say that?”
“You said it.” He pointed at her.
She couldn’t remember calling him Jason. “I’m sorry Kevin, sorry. My tummy doesn’t feel too good, and I get mixed up sometimes.”
His eyes widened. “Your tummy hurts too?”
Unable to give much of a nod, she tried to smile. “Yes, it does. That’s why I fell and hurt you. I’m sorry.”
His little fingers stroked her chin. “It’s okay mommy. It didn’t hurt a whole lot, you’re heavy.”
She bit back a smile. “Take your medicine so I can fix my tummy.”
He nodded and drank the purple liquid. “All gone,” he whispered.
“Good boy, lay back and let the medicine make you all better.” She ran the palm of her hand across his forehead. He was still hot, not as hot as before, or was he? Lord help her, she didn’t remember.
The ringing started again.
“Phone.”
Helen looked down at Kevin, he pointed toward her cell phone on the table. “Thank you.” She picked it up and before she could speak, her cousin Vincente spoke. “Are you out of your mind? You don’t disappear like that without me knowing where you and the boy are. Someone is supposed to be with you at all times,” he snapped.
“One second.” She pushed up and reached for her bed. Exhausted, a few moments later she spoke. “I… no, we have meningitis. Your wife and children will thank me for staying away from you and anyone who comes in contact with you. Before I was hit so hard I stocked up on food and medicine, so we’re okay. This should be over in two weeks.”
“Oh… still we’re family, you should’ve told me. When you are stronger I am sending the two of you to a doctor in Virginia for a full check up. You’re too important to me to fool around with this. Give me the address so I can have men stationed outside to ensure your safety.”
Such a sweet boy, always had been. “Okay.” She gave him the address and thanked him.
“You don’t thank me for taking care of you. When nobody gave a damn whether I had food, clothes, or a place to stay, you took me in and cared for me. Never asked for nothing. Right or wrong didn’t matter, you always had my back. Now I got yours.”
Coughing, she tried to tell him how much it meant that he'd helped her these past few months. Once Carin disappeared and got herself killed, Helen had been at a loss for places to stay. Max would’ve found her had it not been for Vincente and she would’ve lost her little boy. Pain, worse than the meningitis, slammed into her at the thought of losing Kevin.
“Are you alright?” Vincente sounded worried.
“Yes, just a little cough. Need to take medicine.” She coughed a little more and grabbed the pills and water bottle. He waited until she finished.
“Better?”
“Yeah, some. It makes me drowsy.” She glanced at Kevin, who was asleep.
“That’s a good thing. Take care and someone will be outside in an hour. If things get worse call me and we’ll get you some help. Promise me.”
“I can’t take him anywhere, Max will find him,” she said, hating she’d made that mistake already.
“Don’t worry, I’m taking care of that. You’re what’s important. Promise me if you get worse you’ll contact me.”
“I promise.” Every part of her hurt, her eyelids weighed a ton.
“And you’ll answer your phone so I can talk to you.”
“I promise,” she said, her voice just above a whisper.
“Good, love you Helen. I’ve got your back just like you always had mine.”
Chapter Fourteen
Adele pulled into the parking lot of Reclamation, looked behind her and smiled. Her attorney had sent his handsome associate, Devon Gwyers, to come along with her to explain things to Max. Vince had been right, her attorney thought she had a case. The odds of her winning were slim, but it would buy her some time and that’s all she needed.
Vince claimed to be almost done with Max.
She waited for Devon to open her door and stepped out. “Thank you.” After a quick look around the parking lot, she exhaled. “I don’t see his car, but that doesn’t mean he’s not here.”
Devon nodded. “I suggested that we make an appointment with Mr. Delgado to discuss this matter.” He looked at her for a moment.
“No, this works best. I need to start work right away. Talk to Andy, he’ll explain why this is the best way.” Aggravated that he wasn’t as easy to manipulate as the other one, she turned and headed to the door. The sooner she got this over with the better.
Mark wasn’t at the door, some new guy she’d seen a few times stood with a cowboy hat and his thumbs in the pocket. He didn’t move.
“Excuse me, I’m here to see Max,” she said in a sweet syrupy tone.
“Understand that Ma’am, Chief’s not here right now.” He nodded to Gwyers, who remained silent behind her.
“I can wait if you’d like to call him. This is important, my attorney has a few things he’d like to share with him.” She didn’t bother looking at Gwyers, he wouldn’t approve of her stretching the truth.
“Well, I’m afraid I can’t do that. He’s busy and asked not to be disturbed.” The infuriating man crossed his arms over his chest, displaying his weapon. Seeing the rifle strapped on his back didn’t bother her, rifles and knives were allowed and common in the club.
“What if I call him, we’re partners, he’d talk to me.” The look on the cowboy’s face called her a liar even though he didn’t say it aloud.
“Call him then.” He motioned her aside as a man and woman stepped into the checkpoint area. “How you folks doing today? Welcome to Club Reclamation, are you familiar with the rules?” He pointed to the huge board hanging on the wall with bullet pointed information.
“Yes, we come down every other week from Charlottesville, Virginia to hang with old friends.” He handed over his veteran’s identification card and the woman did as well.
“Well, we’re glad you made it down, there’s a card game going on in the back, and somebody’s firing up a karaoke machine for later. Grubs good in the restaurant, so make sure you check it out before you leave.”
“We always do. Part of the reason we come is for Charlie’s, I mean Charlene’s, good cooking.”
Adele wanted to hurl at the ridiculous comment. Charlene could only cook basic meals, nothing fancy like you’d get from a real restaurant. When she got back in that kitchen, she’d make some changes to help the bottom line.
“Look, I need to talk to Max about the restaurant –”
“Charlene’s running the restaurant and Brock’s in charge of the club while the Chief’s out. Talk to one of them. You’re in the way, I need to check IDs.” He waved his hand in a shooing motion.
Her face burned in humiliation. After he allowed the next person to enter, she stepped forward again. He stood in front of her.
“Ma’am?”
“I’m going to the restaurant,” she said, pulling on her last dregs of patience.
“Sorry, can’t let you walk through here. You’ll need to go to the other entrance off the street.” His voice sounded anything but sorry.
Gritting her teeth, she stared at him a few seconds, spun, and walked around the corner without waiting for Gwyers. The man proved useless. Not once did he speak and explain she had every right to be on the property. When she returned home, she’d be sure to let his boss know what happened.
Adele snatched open the glass doors of the restaurant, paused and caught her breath to calm down. Gwyers entered behind her but didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. The frown on his face screamed disapproval of her manner.
She didn’t care, she needed to get back to work here or Vince would follow through on his promise to pay her a visit. With his last visit six months ago firmly entrenched on her mind, she walked through the next set of doors and stood in front of the hostess stand.
That had been her idea. At least they hadn’t thrown out everything she'd implemented.
“How many?” the perky hostess asked while picking up menus.
“I need to speak with Charlene please.”
The young woman looked surprised. “Charlene? The boss?”
Smile in place to hide the anger churning in her stomach, Adele nodded. “Yes. I’d like to speak with her.”
“One moment.” She turned and walked to the back. Adele looked around, the place was full, for some reason people came from all over to eat here. Although she didn’t understand why, she appreciated what it meant in terms of her share of the profits.
The hostess returned with a forced smile. “She said she’d be out in a while and for you to wait outside.”
“What?” Adele couldn’t believe Charlene said that.
Gwyer slid past Adele and handed the hostess an envelope. “Would you be so kind and give that to your boss. If she has any questions, have her contact the attorney who signed off on the notice. I appreciate it.”
The young twit appeared star struck as she accepted the envelope. “Yes, Sir. I’ll take this to her. But she still has to wait outside. I’m supposed to call security if she refuses.”
“I’m leaving now, so just give the letter to your boss. She can contact the office if she has any questions.” He backed up with a smile, glanced at Adele, turned and left her standing in front of the hostess desk.
“Ma’am?”
Adele stared at the young girl, glanced at the patrons watching the interaction and knew with certainty that she’d lose ground if she pressed. “Tell her I’ll be waiting outside.”
* * * *
Tamara hung up the phone from Charlene and shook her head. She hadn’t met Adele, but both Charlene and Crystal had nothing but bad things to say about her. The most telling about the woman’s personality was Max’s refusal to talk about her at all. Which would make delivering the message from Charlene more difficult, especially since she waited for an answer.
When she stepped into the room, Max looked up from the laptop and smiled. “Everything okay?”
“I’m not sure. Adele’s attorney dropped off a notice to the restaurant, she’s suing you for breach of contract, there’s some type form stating she can work until the hearing, which is in a week. Charlene wants to know what she should do.”
Max snorted. “Tell her to give the notices to Brock, he’ll check to see if they’re legit. If they are, I’ll let her return as a janitor part-time.” He chuckled and she could see he enjoyed the image of Adele cleaning the place. “Tell Charlene to offer her a janitorial position until the court date. I still want Brock to look into that paperwork, it all sounds bogus.”
Tamara agreed but law wasn’t her thing. “Okay.” She turned to leave.
“Where are you going?”
“To call Charlene, Adele is at the restaurant, waiting outside.”
Max frowned. “That don’t sound right. Something’s wrong, she’s not that type person.” He picked up his cell and made a call. “Brock, check this out or put one of the guys on this.” He repeated what Tamara told him.
“I know, that’s not like her. For some reason she wants back in, it makes no sense.”
Tamara sat nearby in case he needed her. Playing nursemaid had its perks. Whenever she did something for him, genuine appreciation shone was in his eyes. She couldn’t walk by without a soft touch or firm grope to some part of her body. Even incapacitated, he managed to make her knees weak with desire. Lord help her, she didn’t want to fall for this man and then have him walk or not be into her as much as she was into him. That would be terrible.
A hand passed in front of her face.
“Where were you?” Max asked, sounding concerned. “You had this look on your face, like you were going to cry. Is this too much for you? I appreciate your help and everything, but –”
“What? No…no, it’s nothing. I was thinking about something…”
“Something disturbing? Something t
hat’ll help the case? You looked out of it for a minute.”
Swallowing her concerns, she smiled. “No, it’s okay. What did you decide about Adele?” Never in a million years would she admit the thought of loving him scared her as much as him not loving her. She’d be on her guard to make sure not to go overboard. His hand squeezed hers and she released a sigh. How far overboard was taking off from work for the first time in years, handing over possible clients to other staff, just to fetch and take care of a new boyfriend? Hmm, seemed like she’d been overboard for a while.
“Brock’s going to get the legal papers and set her to work in an area where she can’t see much. Neither of us understands why she wants to work there, she hated the place when Jose was alive. Since Jose died I could count the number of times she’s visited.”
He pulled her closer on the bed until her head rested on his shoulder. “I took a pain pill while talking to Brock. Stay with me until it kicks in.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead.
Tamara’s eyelids drooped as he rained kisses all over her face. Ah… the sweet side benefits of being a nursemaid to your man.
Chapter Fifteen
Tamara parked the car in front of the older brick home and looked down the street.
“This it?” Charlene asked from the passenger side.
“Yes, at least it’s the address from my research.” She craned her neck to see the side of the building. “Let’s go, I told her we’d be here around this time.” Tamara turned to open the door. Charlene grabbed her wrist.
“Wait… one more time. Who are we again?”
Tamara sighed, looked at her watch, this explanation needed to be the quick version. “We’re from the We Care For You Organization. Remember, she lost her child five years ago and was in therapy up until six months ago. She’s agreed to talk with us to help with our research and for a gift donation.”
Lies in the Morgue Page 7