Chapter 8 #2
“It’s just as well. I don’t know what I’m going to find when I get there.
” She had not thought of him being sick when he saw a body.
Or perhaps that’s not what he meant. Either way, she was going to remember that for the future.
“If you’d go over to Audon’s home and get his mail around one, I’d appreciate it.
He has a lot of equipment in his shed, and I don’t know that someone might get into it and steal some things.
That’s why he has me picking up his mail. ”
“I’ll get it for him.” She ate her bowl of cereal and decided that she didn’t care for it.
It was too plain, and there wasn’t enough sugar on it.
If she had to eat it, she wanted it to put her in a sugar coma afterwards.
She was going to be a terrible influence on her children; she had only just realized.
After Penrod left, she did take a hot bath.
Her body was sore in strange places, and she wasn’t sure she liked having to limp everywhere.
But she’d do it again and again if she could.
Penrod had made her feel like she was a woman, and she’d never felt that way before.
Her new cell phone was ringing when she got out of the tub.
“Why am I still in jail? If anyone should be in jail, it should be you.” Her mother. “I want you to come down here and demand that they let me out. I have things to do, and they’re not getting done with you having me locked up like I’m some sort of criminal.”
“You are a criminal. And I didn’t put you in jail.
From what I’ve heard, the neighbor demanded that the officer arrest you.
” She told her that was a lie. “Whatever. I don’t care anymore what you do.
I’m going to come to your hearing and see what kind of other things I can get you to stay in there with. ”
“You’ll come with bail money is what you’re going to do.
I’ve had enough of you fucking around with me.
I will tell you what you’re going to be doing, even if I have to buy myself a gun and use it on you.
” She’d wondered if she realized that the conversations were recorded and asked her about that.
“They’d better not be recording my conversations with you.
I have to get out of here so that I can stop you from doing something stupid. How much money do you have?”
“I married into money, so I’m rich as I can be.
” She told her to be serious. “I am. I won’t tell you how easy it was to keep it from you.
But I’m a very wealthy woman.” She told her to bring her checkbook because it was going to cost her to get her out of her hair.
“I have a better plan. And don’t call me again, mother.
I’m sick of having to take care of you when you should have been taking care of me all this time. ”
“We’ll see about that.” She simply closed the connection and put her phone on her dresser.
She knew that she’d not be able to call her back because she was only allowed one phone call a day.
And she’d used hers up on calling her. Calling the stationhouse, she told them not to allow her to call her again or she’d be taking names.
She had no idea what that meant, but they seemed to understand that she was serious.
They told her that she’d not be calling the house again, nor her cell phone.
If nothing else came out of this, she knew that she’d not be getting phone calls from her mother anymore. It was bad enough that she had to threaten the police department over her calls, but she didn’t want to have to sue someone to keep her out of her way.
~*~
Penrod was on duty for fourteen hours when there was a confession.
It had been twice in a row now, and he didn’t think they would hold out for a third time.
The woman had killed her husband by tossing him out of their car, then torching his body with gasoline.
She’d found out that he’d been having an affair with his secretary and decided that his death was better than a divorce.
“This one is for the books. Why didn’t she just tell him that she wasn’t going to put up with him having an affair?
It sure would have made our jobs easier.
” He told Joey they’d be out of work if things were that easy.
“I guess so. I heard tell that the girlfriend has been beaten to shit. You think she did that, too?”
“She didn’t mention it, but I’d have no doubt believing that she’d done her some harm too.
All those lives are ruined just because some shit couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.
” He laughed a little. “I must be really tired if I’m making jokes like that.
I’m headed home. I have to get up in the morning and finish the paperwork on this one. ”
“Don’t forget that your mother-in-law’s court hearing is tomorrow afternoon. I know that you and your new missus want to be there.” He said he’d forgotten about that. “I’m glad to remind you then. I’ll see you when I see you.”
“All right.” Going home, he was dragging.
As soon as he got in the door, he put his gun in the safe and headed up to bed.
He was so tired that he wasn’t even hungry.
Going to bed, he was glad that Lori hadn’t waited up for him and had gone to bed on time.
He could tell that she’d been crying and held her in his arms. She was the most precious thing in the world to him, and he couldn’t get enough of her. Sleep came easy for him.
Getting up when Lori did, he took his shower and got dressed.
He was going in his uniform today. Normally, he’d be dressed in a suit, but he wanted to show Lorena that he meant to keep things normal.
Or as normal as he could make them. Putting his gun in the holster, he was ready to go when Lori was.
She looked nervous, and he didn’t blame her.
“I’ve read over the contract that is for my mom.
It’s perfect. I’m sure she’s going to find all kinds of fault with it, but at this point, I don’t care.
She’ll take it or leave it, and I’m not going to lose any sleep over what she thinks I owe her.
” He told her that he was proud of her. “Now, if I can keep from throwing up, I might look a little more professional when I’m there. ”
He held her in his arms. “It’s going to be all right.
Axel is going to take care of things, and that will be the end of her for a while.
Did I tell you that I read the transcript of the phone call she had yesterday with you?
She threatened you with finding a gun. I’m hoping that comes up in the courtroom today. ”
“My luck it won’t.” She lifted her head to look at him. “I’m sorry this is going on right now. I had hoped that we could have some free time now that the house is finished. I guess we’ll have to take it when we can get it.”
He told her about the trip with Audon next time he has to go overseas.
“That’s if you can get off work.” She said she’d quit before she let anyone take away her fun time.
“You’ll have to get a passport, too. I have one already.
Also, we’ll have to make sure that all your shots are up to date.
I don’t want you getting sick while we’re out and about having fun. ”
“Gladly.” They made their way to the car and got inside.
It had been raining for the last couple of days, and he was glad to see that it had stopped today.
The sun was shining, and because of the rain, it was no longer as humid as it had been.
“Just keep your chin up. She can’t hurt you while I’m there.
And if she tries to verbally attack you, the judge will put a stop to it.
Just breathe, honey, and things will turn out well for us. ”
Her mother didn’t have an attorney. She knew that waiting to depend on her to do something that she’d been told was going to be a bust. The judge told the bailiff to get someone from the hallways, and she was set to go.
He had needed a few minutes to read over the contract before talking to her about it.
“After reading this over, I’m going to suggest highly that my client take the deal before her.
I’m hoping that she’ll do it. It’s about the best contract that I’ve ever read, and she will be a fool not to take it.
” Lorena told him that she wasn’t a fool.
“Good. Then sign on the line there, and I can go back to my client.”
“I’m not signing anything. You tell me what it says, then I’ll decide.
However, if it doesn’t have to do with me getting money when I want it, then the deal is off.
I have to have her money before she spends it all.
She’s too stupid to know how to have a good time.
” He started explaining what it said, but was interrupted again by Lorena.
“Just get to the part where I get her money. I’m sick of being on a budget all the time, and I need her to realize that. ”
“It says that she’s going to pay your rent for the rest of your life.
” She said she liked that. “And your utilities. You’ll have to maintain a job is the only stipulation.
You’ll need to pay for your own groceries as well as any entertainment you might want to have.
It says here that all your bills will be paid directly by a fund that you won’t be able to get to. ”
“I don’t want to work. She’ll have to pay for everything.
Though I don’t know why she’s bothering me with details like that.
She and I will be living together for the rest of her life.
” The attorney said that they wouldn’t be living together at all.
“So says she. I know my rights. As her mother, she should have to take care of me.”