Celeste Chapter 17
Yesterday, the club had no one backing out of being Capri’s dates.
They appeared affronted that it was even suggested they might.
After that was settled, she and I left the men to finish their meeting without us.
We conferred with Eliana to determine what was left on the holiday checklist. We had to stay busy.
When Hulk returned to the house, he told us that everything had been put in place.
Before any of us women were allowed to leave, we had to coordinate with the guys to ensure someone could accompany us.
They knew it was a pain in the ass, but we agreed to do it.
The hope was that it wouldn’t last for long.
At six o’clock last evening, Capri left on her double date.
Yes, somehow both twins had earned the opportunity to take her out, and Soren and Thoryn decided to do it together.
Hulk kept the exact way they earned it vague.
I agreed with her going with both because it was double protection for her.
And that wasn’t all. Nitro and Hazard had insisted they go along as their shadows to ensure no one snuck up on them.
They’d remain unseen unless her rapist made a move on them.
When they left, I knew they were packing a lot of firepower and blades with them. I knew this because I watched them get suited up. And to complete the picture, Capri carried her own gun. She was nervous about having one, but she was competent with a gun.
After they left, the tension mounted as we waited for her to return. I was too distracted to cook dinner, so Hulk did the honors. After he did, I made myself sit and eat with him. I was pleasantly surprised that it turned out so well, though I should know by now that Hulk could do anything.
It was nine o’clock when they arrived back home and were safely behind the fence.
They reported no problems. Hazard and Nitro said they hadn’t seen anyone suspicious lurking around the restaurant or following them there and back.
I felt two ways about their report. One was relieved that she was safe and not exposed to anything.
The other was upset he hadn’t made a move, so we could have our hands on him and were in the process of making him pay.
We’d gone to bed by eleven, but I tossed and turned all night.
I tried to get up to go to sleep in one of the other rooms so I wouldn’t disturb Hulk, but the man refused to let me sleep apart from him.
Today, he was off on club business. Capri was over at Aliya’s again.
While they did that, I made a phone call.
It was one that I had been thinking of for a couple of weeks.
It was time to make it and get the ball rolling.
I was put through to Judge Fontana. It had been three weeks since our last talk.
“Hello Celeste, it’s good to hear your voice. We’ve missed you. Happy holidays to you and your niece. How is she? How are you?” he asked soberly.
“Hello Judge Fontana, it’s good to hear your voice as well.
And happy holidays to you and your family.
I hope everyone is doing well. Capri is doing okay.
She’s still having some nightmares, and I’ve got her seeing a counselor.
As for me, I’m fine other than wishing the person responsible was caught. ”
“I’m damn sorry that he hasn’t been. I spoke with Lucia, and she informed me that no suspects have been identified.
The police aren’t getting anywhere with their investigation.
I wish there was some way to find the bastard and make him pay for what he did to her.
She’s the sweetest soul, and thinking of what he did to her infuriates me,” his voice held anger.
“You and I both. She tries to hide it, but she’s afraid to leave our home. Thank you for your concern. I called because I wanted to speak to you about my leave.”
“Celeste, you take as much time as you need.”
“Sir, I can’t thank you enough for allowing the time I’ve had and for being willing to extend it. I believe I have a month of leave left on the books. I plan to take it. However, I wanted to make you aware that you should place an ad for a new court reporter.”
“I don’t understand. Why?”
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity you gave me and the years I’ve worked for you.
I respect you on so many levels. And one of those is how you can keep doing what you do.
As for myself, I find myself at a crossroads.
It’s been coming on for a while. I no longer feel able to do the job to the best of my ability.
Truthfully, hearing the testimonies and then watching how people are treated, the victims, and then watching people who should be behind bars get off on stupid technicalities or only spend a tiny amount of time in prison has jaded me.
I’m not impartial, and to be a recorder or a judge, you have to remain that way.
I’m sorry, but I’m rendering my resignation. It’s been an honor to work with you.”
It was hard for me to get through it. I really did respect him, and he was the one thing that made the job tolerable. I heard him sigh.
“Celeste, I wish there was something I could say or do that would change your mind, but I do understand. It’s getting harder for me, as well.
I’m thinking that it’s time for me to retire.
The ones I have to watch walk away, or I can’t help, for whatever reason, haunt me.
They always have, but there have been so many more and for asinine reasons.
So, while I’ll miss you terribly, I won’t ask you to stay.
However, no matter where you end up, please use me as a reference.
I know that regardless of what you end up doing, you’ll do amazing at it. ”
“I can’t thank you enough. And I’ll miss you, even if I don’t miss the BS. I’ll be in before the end of my time to clear out my desk and tell everyone goodbye. And whether you retire soon or later, the legal system will be losing one of its best,” I told him.
We stayed on to chat about what had been happening around the courthouse with various people before we ended the call, wishing each other a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
After hanging up with him, I called his daughter.
I knew if she had any news, Lucia would’ve already called.
It was more of a social catch-up and a way to let her know I was leaving her dad’s employ.
I wanted to thank her for recommending me in the first place.
By the time we called it quits and hung up, I’d occupied an hour.
With no one back and our Christmas celebration preparations at a standstill for a couple more days, I chose to surf online for possible jobs that not only interested me but that I might qualify for.
That led me to do mindless social media.
I rarely post, but I liked a few people enough to follow them.
It wasn’t any worse than watching mindless television.
I was startled by the door opening. I glanced up, thinking it was Capri, but it was Hulk. I happily got up from my laptop. I went to him for our standard hug and kiss. When it was over, he spoke before I did.
“Did you get your call done?”
“I did, and it went really well. He understood and told me he thinks it’s time for him to retire.
That’ll be such a loss, but I totally get it.
He sees the same things I do, and he’s frustrated by them.
Then, I called Lucia. No news, of course, but we had a good talk.
She understands why I’m leaving. I had to thank her for recommending me to her dad years ago. Did you get your work finished?”
“I’m glad it went so well. Yeah, I’m done. I wanted to know if you would want to come with me?”
“Come with you where?”
“To see Agony and get my property tat that you and I want.”
I gasped, “Oh my God, yes, I want to! Is he at the shop?”
“No, he’s here. I ran into him, and he asked. Said he had time to do it and that if you want yours too, he can do it now. Or if you prefer to wait, that’s fine. I guess he’s been toying with designs.”
I pushed on him. He didn’t budge.
“What’re you doing?” Hulk asked.
“Trying to get your ass moving. What’re you waiting for? Let’s go get inked.”
His laughter at my antics lasted until I got on my shoes and checked that I was half-put together.
Strolling over to the clubhouse was filled with his teasing and my threats of where I’d ask Agony to place his tat.
We found him in his studio, as I thought of it.
He had some designs hanging on the wall.
The chair like the ones used in a tattoo shop, and bottles of bright ink on small shelves on the wall.
I took it all in. I’d seen enough on television to know what the internal setup was of an ink shop.
When Agony saw us, he grinned and stood up. He rubbed his hands together.
“Damn, you’re that excited to slap more ink on me, brother?” Hulk asked.
“Fuck you, I’m tired of your ass and skin. I’m hoping Celeste will let me take her tattoo cherry today. Nothing excites an ink slinger more than being the first and seeing our canvas’s first reaction to what we create.” The excitement throbbed in his voice. Agony loves what he does.
“I came to watch Hulk get his, but I’m seriously thinking of going ahead and getting mine, too. He said you’ve been playing around with ideas. May I see them?” I asked.
“You may. Here are the ones for both. You can skim those because, as I said, he’s boring.” Agony’s grin was full of instigation.
Laughing, I held out my hand. Agony handed me a sketchbook. “The first four are for him. The next ten are yours.”