Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
Ryan slowed down as he approached Kevin’s home, and sighed in relief when he saw Kevin standing in the driveway. He followed where Kevin pointed, turned off his truck, and slowly opened the door.
“She’s home,” Kevin said on a heavy sigh. His reaction had Ryan thinking that Kevin wasn’t happy to see that his wife was home. He pointed to the garage with the open door. “That’s her SUV. Caleb’s home for the weekend, that’s his car at the curb. I had you park behind me so she can have a clear shot out of here when I tell her about the divorce.”
“You’re really going to do that now?”
“Probably, because it will stem on how she reacts to you being here.” He looked up when he saw a patrol car drive by. He gave them a small wave, and looked in the other direction. Ryan noted that there was a black and white on each end of the street. He shook his head before he grabbed his cane and slowly climbed out of the truck.
“I’m only here long enough to pick up the items I have stored in your basement. Twenty minutes tops. You don’t have to ruin your marriage because of me.”
“It was ruined years ago,” Kevin said sadly. “Why do you think I’m always on call at work. I don’t know if you know this, but the crime rate has almost doubled since the pandemic locked the city down a few years ago.”
“Exactly what type of detective are you?”
Kevin looked at him with a grin, “Homicide.”
Ryan looked at him with raised brows, but didn’t say anything as leaned on his cane. As he turned to face Kevin, he shook his head. “I’m going to warn you right now, Kev. If she tries to attack me, I will defend myself any way possible. You saw what happened when you hugged me. I don’t know if you got a good look at my body beneath this shirt, but I won’t be responsible for what I do to protect myself.”
“I understand, and I will be there to hold her back.” Kevin shook his head sadly, then reached out to stop Ryan. “I need to warn you.”
“About?”
“As soon as we were informed that you were taken, Karen’s been unreasonable.”
“More than normal?”
“Yes, she started harassing the Navy to see when she would be issued your death benefits. She never gave any thought or hope that you would be rescued and survive. She was more interested in your benefits.”
“But she wouldn’t have received anything.”
“No?” Kevin asked in a shocked voice. “She is your sister, and your next of kin.”
“Yes, but I get to pick who receives my benefits. I probably should have said something, but ever since Caleb turned sixteen, I made him my beneficiary, with you in charge of everything until he turned eighteen. I knew he got his smarts and ethics from you. I’m not being cruel by saying this, but if he’d turned out like Karen in any way, I would have made my best friend my beneficiary. According to all my paperwork with the Navy, Karen is not entitled to anything I owned. Before Mom and Dad passed, they would have gotten everything. Thankfully, Caleb was close to sixteen then and I wasn’t deployed.” He shook his head as he registered the shock of his statement on his brother-in-law’s face. After he gingerly shrugged, he shook his head. “Sorry, maybe I should have said something.”
“No, if I would have known, I would probably have said something to her during one of our many arguments.” Kevin shook his head sadly. “Please, do not think for one minute that you being here is breaking up my marriage. It’s been over for a long time. For the last two years of high school for Caleb, we were only going through the motions for him. Since he left for college, Karen and I have been living more like roommates than husband and wife. Now that Caleb will be graduating college at the end of this semester, it’s time to clean house.”
“I know I have no right to ask, but is there someone else for you?”
“No. I’ve never had an affair, I never had any inkling to cheat on my wife. I can’t say the same for her though, but I still do love her, but not enough to put up with her entitlement any longer. It’s more of the fact that I only love her because she is the mother of my son. Other than that, I really don’t love her. It’s time to clean house.”
“Okay, let me know if I can do anything.”
“You’ll be doing it when you walk in that door behind me. It’s time she faced reality.” Kevin turned on his heel and headed toward the front door. It was a pretty nice day, and Ryan took his time following the other man. He walked in behind him and stared at his sister from across the room. From this distance, he didn’t see any changes in her except maybe her hair was dyed. He couldn’t ever remember her being a blonde. He quickly tuned into what Kevin was asking his wife.
“What’s all this?” Kevin asked scornfully when he saw all the decorating books and samples scattered over the kitchen island.
“When the Navy finally gives me the money I’m entitled to, I’m going to redo this house.”
“Redo how?”
“Redecorate,” Karen turned to her husband and looked at him like he’d grown several sets of horns.
“You redecorated last year. I’m still paying the fucking bills from that. I’m going to have to put my foot down on this, Karen. We are not redecorating.”
Karen waved her hand dismissively at him. “Luckily, I don’t need your permission to do what I want to in my house.”
Ryan stared at his sister in shock. He knew immediately that she hadn’t changed. Not wanting to bring any unwanted attention to himself, he stood just to the inside of the door to try and blend into his surroundings. It must have worked because she didn’t even look in his direction.
“Technically, this is my house, and I won’t allow you to redecorate again, Karen.” Kevin shook his head at her. “What did you mean about the money you’re entitled to?”
“From the Navy, you idiot. Since that worthless piece of shit of a brother of mine was stupid enough to get caught, then I’m entitled to his benefits. I’m his only living relative, and for that alone, I’m entitled to his death benefits.”
“What if he’s not dead?” Kevin asked as he turned to look at Ryan. Karen never saw his actions, or if she did, she didn’t pay any attention to her husband.
“Oh, he’s dead. As I said, if he’s stupid enough to get caught, he’s too dumb to get rescued. I just have to wait the allotted time to collect the money owed me.”
“I’m not dead, Karen,” Ryan said through gritted teeth as he walked forward to stand next to Kevin.
Karen looked up and gave a little scream. “Who the fuck are you? What are you doing in my house? Kevin, arrest this stranger.”
“It’s me, Karen,” Ryan said. “Your stupid and dumb brother. I’m back from the dead, so you won’t be getting any benefits from the Navy. Besides, if I really had died while serving my country, all my benefits would have gone to Caleb.”
“Cool,” a voice said from behind Karen, and then a younger version of Kevin rushed forward. “Uncle Ry!” Before the younger man reached Ryan, Kevin stopped him.
“Careful, he’s still injured.”
Ryan was grateful for the warning, and it stopped Caleb in his tracks from plowing into Ryan, which he was grateful for. He didn’t know how much longer he could stand on his own. His respect for his nephew rose several degrees when the other man held his hand out to shake. After they shook, he turned and stood on the other side of Ryan as they turned to face Karen. It was a united front of three against one.
“You fucking son of a bitch!” Karen exploded as she launched herself out of the stool she’d been sitting in and before anyone could do anything, she reached Ryan and slapped him across the face, screaming that he should be dead because she deserved his benefits from the military. Ryan stood there and took the slap, but when she started pounding on his chest, he stepped back, but she kept coming at him. He raised his cane to ward her off, and it was Kevin that wrapped his arms around his wife and looked at his son.
“Go outside and flag the patrol cars on either end of the street to come.” He had his hands full trying to get his wife off her brother.
Ryan was breathing through his nose, trying not to pass out from the pain of where Karen had attacked him. In the past, he could have stood his ground and brushed it off, however, since he was still healing from his ordeal, he was having a hard time catching his breath from the blows she’d landed.
“You okay, Uncle Ry?” Caleb asked in concern when he returned.
Ryan couldn’t answer because he started seeing stars. Before he knew it, he was forced into a sitting position with his head between his knees. When the black dots stopped swimming in his vision, he saw four sets of legs dressed in dark blue. It took a few extra seconds for the words flying around the room to register. He tapped the arm that was holding his head down, and sighed in relief when he was released. He looked up at Caleb.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. After we deal with the drama queen we can discuss it.”
Ryan continued to sit where he was and looked up when a male patrol officer turned to him. “Sir, did she inflict those scratches on your face?”
Ryan reached up in shock. He started to say no, but when his fingers came away bloody, he scowled at his sister, then at the officer.
“I’m not being difficult, but I’d have to look in a mirror first.”
“I’ll take you,” Caleb said as he helped Ryan to his feet.
“Do not let that fucking son of a bitch in my house!” Karen screamed, but everyone ignored her, and Caleb led Ryan down the hall.
In the bathroom, Ryan looked at his face and sighed heavily as he shook his head. “As if I need any more fucking scars.” He leaned into the mirror and saw four scratch marks that had drawn blood. He took the cloth handed to him, ran cold water over it, then held it to his face. With it still there, he went back to the officers.
“Yes, Officer, she scratched me.” Ryan brought the cloth away from his face and turned it so the police could see the scratches. “Only the ones bleeding, the others I got from my captors.”
“You were kidnapped?” One of the other officers asked in shock and pulled out a notepad. She clicked the pen she’d also withdrawn.
“You fucking cunt bitch,” Karen called the office scornfully. “He was too stupid to do his job, so he was taken. Don’t write anything down, he’s too stupid to waste your ink on.”
“Ma’am, I suggest you remain quiet until we get to you. We can all clearly see the damage you inflicted on this gentleman. Someone’s going to jail for that.”
“I can hit him if I want to.”
“No, ma’am, you can’t. We need to know what’s going on.”
“I’ll tell you what’s going on,” Karen screamed. “This fucking son of a bitch is my worthless shit for brains brother. Because he’s standing here, he robbed me of my money! I want him arrested!”
Kevin sighed heavily and shook his head. “Officers, you know who I am, correct?”
“Yes, you’re Detective Kevin Lassiter, Homicide division. This is your wife, Karen Lassiter.” The officer who’d pulled her pad of paper out flipped through several pages. She looked up and said matter-of-factly, “Officers have responded thirteen times this month alone to complaints issued by Mrs. Lassiter.” She looked around the room and shook her head. “She had been warned the next time she caused a disturbance, she would be taken in, not issued a warning.”
“Shut up, bitch. You have no right to talk about me in my own home.”
Everyone ignored Karen, and the female officer turned to Ryan. “Could I please get your name?”
“Ryan Carter.” Ryan answered their questions, and ignored Karen’s rant on the other side of the room. Ryan noticed at one point that Kevin stood several feet away from her, but was there to grab her if she went on the physical attack. After what seemed like hours, but was only about ten minutes, the officer asked her next question.
“Sir, would you like to press charges against Mrs. Lassiter.”
Ryan looked between Kevin, Caleb, and Karen, but before he could answer, she jumped to her feet and slipped through the two men who tried to stop her. She barreled into Ryan, causing him to trip on the stool behind him, and they crashed to the floor. Karen’s hands were flying and she got in a few good digs before she was hauled off him by the two female police officers and had her hands brought behind her back. Karen got away, but when one of the officers reached for her, she was clocked in the chin by Karen’s elbow.
“STOP!” Kevin screamed at the top of his lungs. He walked over and gripped Karen’s chin in his fingers. He wrenched her head around so she was looking at him. “Stop, Karen, just fucking stop. You’re being arrested because you attacked Ryan, unprovoked I might add, and you’re resisting arrest. Make things better for yourself and just stop.” While he’d been talking to her, the cops had been able to cuff her, and brought her to her feet.
Kevin looked over and saw the male cops and Caleb over at Ryan. “You okay?”
“For now, but I’ll need the first aid kit again.”
“You got it, let’s take this trash out, and we can get you bandaged up again.” Kevin stood and glared down at his wife. When she opened her mouth, he looked at her and shook his head. “Shut it. I have a few things to say to you, then these fine officers will take you down to the station and book you for disorderly contact, assault on your brother, assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest.” He made sure he looked at her directly as he continued, not paying any attention to her fake tears and pleading voice.
“I’m filing for divorce, Karen. The papers are already drawn up. When you leave here, my lawyer will serve you in jail. I will pack up your things and whatever doesn’t fit in your SUV I will put in a storage unit. When you get out, I will give you the key. You will not be allowed back into this house.”
“This is my house, you can’t do this to me.”
“No, this is my house, it’s been in my family since my grandfather built it. Your name isn’t now, nor has it ever been on any legal documents regarding this house. If you recall, you also signed a prenuptial agreement stating that you would never get your hands on my house. The only thing I’ll give you at this time are your clothes and your vehicle. However, you can’t get them until after you deal with why you’re being arrested now. I’m done, Karen, your entitlement is exhausting, and to be frank, rather disgusting.” Kevin stood there and Ryan saw the disappointment on his face.
“I’ve had enough, Karen. Your own brother was kidnapped by the enemy while he served his country and all you can think of is getting money from his ordeal. It’s disgusting that you couldn’t even be happy that he is home safe and sound.”
“That fucking son of a bitch owes me.”
“How?” Kevin, Ryan, and Caleb all asked as one.
“He’s made my life hell since the day he was born!” She screamed at everyone. “I’m thirty-nine years old, and he’s been nothing but a pain in my ass every day.”
Ryan threw his head back and laughed. When the others looked at him, he shook his head. “I’m thirty-five, and Karen was twelve when I was born. Which makes her forty-seven years old.”
“Shut your fucking mouth!” she screamed, and tried to lunge at him, but one of the female officer’s stopped her short by shoving her cuffed hands up the center of her back. She looked around wildly and screamed again. “I want him arrested.”
“For what?” Kevin asked tiredly as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“He stole from me!”
“Really, what did I steal?” Ryan had gotten his breath back and he was getting pissed. It took a lot to set him off, but when he did lose it, it was usually epic. He had learned at a young age it was better to use his words and not get physical with his sister.
“My money!”
“What money?”
“The money you stole from me when you killed Mom and Dad!”
Ryan hung his head and gently pinched the bridge of his nose. When he looked up, he shook his head and looked at her sadly. In a low voice that everyone had to strain to hear, he asked, “Do you mean the life insurance money that Mom and Dad left me after they died of a heart attack and a stroke, respectively?” He turned to make sure the officers knew what he was saying.
“Yes, that was supposed to be all mine because I was the oldest. I had to put up with you since the day you were born. You owe me your half since you’ve been nothing but a pain in my ass since they brought you home from the hospital. Then you fucking stole the money entitled to me from the Navy.”
“Since I didn’t die, you’ll never be getting your hands on that. As I told Kevin a few minutes ago, you never would have gotten it anyway. I made sure Caleb was my sole heir, with Kevin acting as an overseer until Caleb was eighteen.” Ryan shook his head, and continued, “You’ve been nothing but an entitled back-stabbing bitch since I could remember. If things didn’t revolve around you, you acted like you do now. I spent the last fourteen years as a Navy SEAL protecting bitches like you. Do I get any thanks? Even from my own sister, no. I’m done with you. After today, you’ll never see me again.”
“Good, because you’re disgusting to look at!” Karen screamed at her. “And take that fucking eye patch off, it makes you look even more disgusting.”
Ryan had had enough, he strode forward as best his could without using his cane, and when he was still four feet away, he reached up and whipped the offending eye patch off. “There!” Ryan seethed. “See what I did for our country? I was tortured and because I wouldn’t spill any fucking tea about our defense system, they took my eye! I don’t give a fuck if this disgusts you. You disgust me with your entitlement. Karen, you’re no better than anyone else on this earth. Why you think you can do what you do and get away with it is beyond me.” He stood to his full height of six foot six, replaced the patch, then turned to the officers. “I’d like to press charges for her assault against me,” he said as he pointed to the scratches on his face. The next fifteen minutes were a blur of Karen fighting the officers, screaming profanities at everyone, and her ended up being dragged from the house in both hand and ankle shackles with a spit bag over her head.
In the sudden silence after her departure, Ryan looked at his brother-in-law and nephew. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Kevin said.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Caleb said in agreement.
Ryan stood there with his hands on his cane, and shook his head slowly. He looked at Kevin and asked quietly as he slumped in a chair at the island. “Can I have that first aid kit now?”
“Absolutely,” Kevin said, and turned on his heel to hurry away.
Ryan looked at Caleb. “Do you get squeamish at scars?”
“No, I don’t know if you know this, but when I graduate, then take my exams, I’ll be a certified physical therapist. My goal is to get a job at a VA hospital. I want to give back to the men and women that have protected me and every other American citizen over the years. I figured being a physical therapist could help a little bit.”
“I did not know that, and thank you. Now, could you please help me off with my shirt?”
The two of them were able to remove Ryan’s shirt, and by the time Kevin returned, he stopped in his tracks. “Holy fuck.” He spoke as he got a better look at the torture done to Ryan while he had been held captive. No one said a word as the two Lassiter men rebandaged Ryan’s wounds. Some were healing, and some were still raw. When they finished, Ryan looked at Kevin sadly.
“I spoke truthfully when I said that I won’t be returning here. I’d like the stuff I have stored in your basement if that’s possible?”
“It is, but now that she’s gone, why don’t we have dinner, you get a good night’s sleep, and you can head out to wherever you’re going in the morning.”
“Only if you can guarantee me that she’s not coming home tonight.”
“She’s not,” Kevin said with confidence.
“How can you say that, Dad? We have one hell of a lawyer.”
“Yes, yes we do, however he’s my lawyer and not your mother’s. He’s also representing me in the divorce, and if she contacts him about bail, he will refuse to represent her because it would be a conflict of interest. Besides the charges she’s facing, she won’t be able to go before the judge until the morning. She will definitely be spending the night in jail.”
“Christ, Dad, how long have you been planning this?”
“About six months. I was going to tell her last year, but we got the call that Ryan was captured. I decided to wait until he came home.”
“They didn’t tell you I was rescued?”
“No.” Kevin looked at him with a frown, then sighed heavily. “ I wasn’t told. Who knows if the Navy called Karen and she kept the information to herself.” He shrugged as he shook his head sadly.
Ryan shook his head and they remained silent for a few minutes before Ryan looked up with a grin. “Can we have burgers for supper. Since coming home, I can’t seem to get enough of them.” He walked over to the door, picked up his pack, and brought out a foil wrapped item. He opened it with a grin, and took a gigantic bite. “This should hold me over until dinner.”
They all shared a laugh and Kevin took Ryan on a tour of the house, while Caleb did an inventory of their food supply. Karen had been on a kick for the last couple of months that she wouldn’t purchase or cook any meat. With a list in hand, Caleb called out that he was going to the store.
After the two older men returned to the kitchen, Ryan asked quietly, “Do I have to stick around if I press charges against Karen?”
“No, I’ll talk it over with my lawyer and see what we can do. Her actions are on the officers’ body cameras and before they entered, I have nanny cams around the house. It is all documented. I only ask that you leave me a phone number where I can get ahold of you. With your permission, I’ll make sure my lawyer has your contact information, and he can take it from there.”
They exchanged numbers and after Caleb returned, father and son cooked dinner for the three of them. By nine that night, Ryan was sound asleep in a comfortable bed, but it wasn’t long before the nightmares reared their ugly head and he spent the rest of the night tossing and turning.
The next day, he was on the road before eight in the morning with his six boxes of items he’d stored with his sister for years. A sad amount of possessions for someone who had lived for thirty-five years. With a wave, a toot of his horn, and a promise to stay in touch, Ryan left his sister’s home with the intention of never returning. At the gas station on the way out of town, he programmed an address he’d committed to memory in his truck’s GPS, and headed to his destination with the hope that this next stage of his life would be better than the end of the last chapter of the book of his military career. He made sure he had plenty of water, and grabbed a cup of coffee for the road. Once settled behind the wheel, he looked out the windshield, and whispered, “Goodbye, Seattle, I hope to never see you again.” He dropped the truck in gear and slowly eased out into traffic. The further away from the city he got, the freer he felt.