“None of it makes sense,” Nick said. He looked down. “Helen and Carin created a case against you; they’ve been building this for a long time. You don’t gain this type of loyalty overnight. I’d say the same bastards who beat her, beat Helen, possibly Carin, for pictures. Pictures she showed certain people who’d sympathize with her.”
“Women who experienced similar types of abuse… they formed a bond,” Tamara said, amazed. “What I don’t understand is why doesn’t Helen leave and go to Idaho or North Dakota or New York and get lost. Why stay in North Carolina?”
“I think Nick hit the reason on the head. Carin didn’t expect to die, they set this whole thing up so that I would lose custody of Kevin. Imagine those pictures, plus Helen and Carin’s testimony against me. I could lose everything, or at least I think that was a part of their plan,” Max said.
“This is ridiculous,” Tamara said. “Why doesn’t she adopt? Or take a foster kid? Why go through all of this? Why Kevin? It still doesn’t make sense.” She couldn’t wrap her mind around the lengths Helen went through to keep Kevin from Max.
No one spoke. They continued to watch Loils and Green talk about the abuse the woman suffered over the years at the hands of her ex-husband. The man was still in the military and was about to remarry. He’d threatened Sasha on numerous occasions, until she found the courage to leave and divorce him. For years she’d feared he’d come after her, but he never did.
“I met her at our support group. There’s ten of us who come together and talk or listen or just hang around others who understand what we’ve been through. The military favors those who serve, sometimes spouses get a bad deal.”
“I’ve heard stories of abuse and high divorce rates,” Green said, sounding sympathetic.
“Most civilians don’t understand. It’s different when your man’s in the service, they have a brotherhood of sorts, they protect each other even when… even when things are wrong sometimes. There’s a code, you can’t just talk to anybody about it.”
“So you met the woman at a support group and she told everyone what happened?”
Sasha nodded. “Yeah. They gave her a hard time at first, claimed it didn’t sound right. But after she showed the pictures and bought in her boy, they believed. I believed her right away, didn’t need to see the pictures.”
“So she came to your local support group and you became friends?”
“Yeah, she had to drive a little ways but said it was worth it.”
“Sasha, who do you think hit you?”
Tamara watched Max text support groups to Brock. His head flew up at the last question.
Sasha opened her mouth and then closed it. “I was blindfolded and have no idea if it wasn’t Delgado. I thought it was him. Really, I did.”
Green nodded. “Do you want us to search for the man or men who attacked you?” She held out her hand when Loils nodded. “Even if it means talking to the woman who set Officer Delgado up?”
“No. Absolutely not.” Loils slid back and stood so fast the chair hit the floor. “No way.”
“Okay, the reason I asked is she had to know something, or someone, who could set this whole thing in motion. Officer Delgado is not a small man, yet he was pushed into your home and attacked by three men while you were blindfolded in the back. They beat him and then beat you. Your friend suggested you blame Officer Delgado, instead of trying to find out the real perpetrators of this crime. Think on that, because like I said before, the bruises on your face are real.”
Sasha’s hand flew to her face, and then she removed it slowly. “I have nothing else to say to you.”
Green nodded and stood. “Are you sure? I just want to help you.”
Loils didn’t respond as she headed toward the door.
“Okay, thank you for coming in. Be careful.”
Loils stared a moment longer, tightened her grip on her bag and strode from the room.
Chapter Eighteen
Brock pulled up at the same warehouse Max had used to ask Eugene Page, Tamara’s ex-husband, questions last month. He smiled at the idea of Adele sitting inside waiting for him with Jace and Skinny as company. Neither man thought highly of her despite her stunning good looks.
He stepped inside and saw Skinny standing in front of a door. The man gave him a ghost of a smile before nodding and walking off. Brock had two men watching the building who would contact him if Vincente or his men came snooping around.
Brock glanced at his watch and wondered how Max, Tamara and Nick were doing at the District Attorney’s office. Since he hadn’t heard anything yet, he assumed Nick’s plan was on target. Now, to pull this loose string and see where it took them.
“Hello, Adele,” Brock said, opening the door.
“Oh hell,” she said, rolling her eyes and turning aside in the chair. “You sent your goons to pick me up instead of just coming to my house and talking to me? How low are you guys gonna go? After this stunt, you don’t have that much further to hit rock bottom.”
Brock glanced at Jace and nodded.
Jace pulled out his phone, and after a few clicks started reading. “June 5th 2009, subject left DT Hotel with H. J. Simmons, embraced and kissed before subject drove off. June 12th, subject meets H. J. Simmons at RL Restaurant on Hargett Street, afterward subject and Simmons walk a few blocks to Simmons' condo. Subject leaves the next morning.”
Brock watched Adele’s face morph from surprise to horror to disdain as Jace read the proof of her infidelity to Jose. After five minutes she threw up her hand. Brock was surprised it took her that long.
“What the hell is going on? You want to talk about something that happened five years ago? That’s old news.”
“Jose didn’t know.” Brock watched her mouth open and then snap shut.
“He… we were having…”
Brock shook his head. “No… no you weren’t. Jose had just taken out a loan to buy you that Mercedes. All this happened days after we deployed. You drove the new car he bought you to meet your lover.”
She jumped up. “I’m leaving.”
Jace stood and placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Not yet. Not until I explain a few things to you.”
“I don’t want to hear anything… don’t touch me,” she snapped at Jace as he pushed her down into the chair.
Brock placed his foot on top of a wooden crate and met her narrowed gaze. “Jose was my brother. And Max’s brother. The three of us were going to start a business when we got out the military. You knew this, I was with him when he told you. Of course you lied, claimed to support his dream until after you got married. Then you changed.”
“I don’t see what discussing my marriage –”
“You talked him into spending his money, buying that car, a house, and a new wardrobe.”
“I was his wife. He was supposed to take care of me first. Not some dream. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“No. But you used my brother. We promised to protect you and provide for you after his death, but you violated the rules. Betrayed our trust. This meeting is to inform you that you’re no longer family. No longer under our protection and will no longer be provided for.”
Her face fell. “Because I cheated on him? That happened years before he died. We made up and were planning a family.” She looked at him, then Jace, and then him again. “What does this mean?”
Brock stared at her but remained silent.
“Answer me, Brock. What does this mean, I’m not in the family? What family? I don’t know about any family.”
“You know Jose didn’t have any money to invest in the business, yet Max gave you a percentage so you’d be taken care of. Jose didn’t have any insurance, but your car and home were paid off. Every month, you receive a check in addition to whatever you get from the military or the restaurant. That’s family, we’ve been taking care of you because of Jose, my brother. That’s over.” He put his foot on the ground and turned. In his mind he started counting.
�
�Brock, wait,” Adele yelled before he reached the door.
With his back turned to her, he smiled. He hadn’t counted to three before she caved. “What?”
“What did I do? I mean… you said I violated the rules. Is it the changes I made at the restaurant, because Max canceled those. I’m cleaning toilets, sweeping floors, picking up trash, and you say I violated some rule. What rule?”
Brock faced her and crossed his arms over his chest. “Why are you doing those things, Adele? Why do you need to be in the restaurant so bad that you are willing to clean toilets and sweep the floor?”
The color drained from her face and she looked away.
“Why would you help someone hurt my brother? A man who takes care of you and the rest of the family? Why?”
She shook her head and didn’t answer.
“Difference between Max and me, is this. He’d send you packing and tell you to never show your face around the place again.”
She dropped her face into her hands.
“But I’d make sure you never came back. He’s a real humanitarian. I’m not. Family’s all I got. I watch out for my brothers and their families. You fucked up.” He took a step forward and she scooted back in her chair.
“Family is family,” Jace said looking down at her.
“Wait, wait … wait!” She held her hand out toward Brock. “It’s not what you think. I just wore a device, that’s all. I don’t know what it’s for and don’t care. But I didn’t hurt anybody.”
Jace opened his palm and showed Brock the small gadget. “I did a quick scan when I picked her up, and took it before we brought her here.”
Brock took and looked at it. “Hmm. This makes a lot of sense.”
“What? What is it?” Adele asked.
“Nothing. You didn’t answer my question.” He returned the device to Jace.
“I didn’t do anything other than wear the device, I swear. I don’t know what he did with the information he received.”
“Who are you talking about? Who paid you to betray the people who took care of you and made sure you were safe?”
“Safe? What are you talking about?”
“Answer the question or I walk out of here and let shit happen.”
“What question?”
“Who’s the asshole you sold Max out to?” he yelled.
She looked at him, licked her lips a few times, and then closed her eyes. “Vince. Vince Barreti,” she said in a low voice.
“Who is he to you?”
“Nobody. An old boyfriend. Just someone who used to help me out now and then.”
“How’d he get you involved in this?”
“He called in a favor. I owed him from way back. He sent me a ticket, set things up for me to walk into the restaurant, and you know the rest. It was just money, no one was supposed to get hurt.”
“Kevin’s been missing for over eight months, this bastard used you to stay a step ahead of Max.”
She leaned forward and pointed at him. “Don’t blame that on me, I haven’t been here that long. If Vince is after Max and using his son, I don’t have anything to do with that.”
“What’s the connection between Vincente and Helen Grant?”
“Who? The old lady? The babysitter? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Why is Vince involved? Max didn’t know he existed until I told him about your connection. They don’t have any history. That leaves Helen, the kidnapper. There has to be something.”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head, mumbling.
“Where is Vince from?” Jace asked.
“Memphis. I met him after high school.”
“Is that his real name?”
She chuckled. “No, of course not. We don’t use our real names. Names tie us to our real pasts, and no one wants to remember that bullshit.”
Brock’s brow rose but he remained silent while Jace questioned her.
“What’s his real name?”
“Vince. Vince Stevenson.”
“Is his family still there?”
“No. Yes. I don’t know. He never talked about his family. Something happened and he moved to North Carolina to stay with a relative. I ran into him years later in New York, and kept in touch online.”
Jace glanced at Brock and continued questioning Adele. Brock turned away and typed in the name Vince Stevens to start a remote search. He’d make a few calls when he got to his office, and by the end of the day, they should uncover the connection between Helen and Vince.
Brock looked over his shoulder at Adele, who was in the middle of a break-down. Frowning, he looked at Jace who shrugged.
“What’s wrong with you, Adele?”
“I just wanted to make enough money so I could leave town and start over, but when Vince finds out I talked to you, he’ll come after me.”
Brock met Jace’s mocking gaze. “You’re worried about the wrong person coming after you.”
She lifted her eyes and stared at him. “What?”
“Did you hear me say Max has been without his son, his four-year-old child, for eight months, and you helped those bastards? How do you think he’s going to feel? What would you do if someone did that to you?”
“B-b-but… I didn’t know. I mean I don’t like Max, but I wouldn’t do anything like that.”
For the first time since he entered the room Brock sensed she finally understood the gravity of her mistake.
“Seriously, Brock. I didn’t have anything to do with Kevin. Tell Max, tell him that I didn’t.”
Brock just looked at her.
“Please, he gets crazy over his kid. I swear to you I did not know anything about Vince and Kevin. I wouldn’t do that. No, I wouldn’t.” She held her hands toward him as tears ran unchecked down her face.
“Have you told us everything you know about this guy, Vince?” Brock spat his name.
“Yes. Well, no. I answered his questions.” She looked behind at Jace and then turned a pleading gaze to Brock.
“Take her to the house, keep her there just in case those punks come looking for her.” He looked at Adele. “Consider this your last family meal, protection until Kevin is returned. After that everything is over.”
“Brock, I’m sorry.” She stood and waited for Jace who handed Brock a small recorder.
“You’ll need to convince Max of that. I’m sure he’ll want to talk to you later.”
Chapter Nineteen
Helen rolled over and looked at Kevin. He lay so still, so peaceful. She pushed up and stared. The child was too still.
“Kevin?” Concerned, she leaned over and touched his forehead. It was hotter than before. “Kevin? Kevin honey, wake up.” She stood slowly, every joint complained as she moved toward him. “Kevin?” She placed both palms on his cheeks and moved his face.
He grimaced but didn’t wake up. Her heart slammed against her chest, she staggered and grabbed hold of the arm of the chair to keep from falling. “Kevin, wake up,” she said louder, and pushed his small shoulder.
There was no response. Fear choked her. She tried to swallow and couldn’t. “Oh Lord, he’s sick, worse than before. What to do?” She stared down at her boy. Her beautiful, sweet child, and traced a finger down his face. “You’re hot. You need a doctor,” she whispered, and then grabbed the bottle of liquid medicine. Holding his head up from the bed, she poured a little in his mouth and then massaged his throat to get it down. He coughed and bucked.
“Please just drink this for mommy,” she said, while trying to get him to drink more. He swallowed a little more and then pursed his lips together.
“Okay… that’s enough. Good boy.” She placed a kiss on his forehead and held him a little longer. He was too hot. She looked around for her keys. Her gaze landed on her phone and she remembered her promise to Vince.
Thank God for Vince, he’d know what to do. Heart racing, she grabbed the phone and punched in his number. He answered on the second ring.
“You okay?”
“No. Kevin’s hot, hotter than before. He won’t wake up. I … I can’t wake him. He needs a doctor. Please… I can’t wake him.”
“Alright. My men are outside. I’ll have them come and take him to the hospital, what about you? Are you feeling okay?”
Her head spun with all the movement and she saw spots. “Yes, yes I’m fine. I’m much better. It’s Kevin, he’s too small, he needs help.”
“Okay.”
She took the cup of lukewarm water from the table, dipped her fingers inside and sprinkled water across his forehead. “Mommy’s going get her baby to the hospital so you can get all better,” she whispered.
The front door opened and she spun around, shielding Kevin. The man in front held up his hands, palms facing front.
“Vince sent us to take the boy to the hospital.”
She exhaled and looked around. “Where’s my purse?” Seeing it in the corner, she moved as quickly as she could, grabbed it, and headed toward the door behind the guy holding Kevin.
Two men blocked the door as she approached. “Ma’am, Vince said for you to stay here.”
“No.” She kept walking and bumped into him.
“Ma’am, he doesn’t want you to go with the boy. It’s safer for you to stay here.”
“No. I’m going. You tell Vince if my son leaves without me, I will never speak to him again. He knows how I feel about my children. Now move out of my way.” She pushed and shoved, gaining little ground. The two men easily held her in place.
“Move out of my way,” she screamed. “Don’t you dare take my baby anywhere without me.”
“Move. Vince says to take her along. He’s going to meet us,” the guy holding Kevin said. They locked the door and walked to the car.
Out of breath, Helen teetered while gasping for air. She tried to raise her finger and it fell to her side. “Tell him…” she gasped to bring more air into her lungs. “Tell him don’t play with me like… like that.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll tell him. We need to get moving.” He moved over so she could sit next to him and Kevin while the two other men sat up front. She smoothed the hair on his small head with a trembling hand.
Lies in the Morgue Page 10