Chapter 7
SEVEN
STELLA
“As of right now, we don’t need your testimony. We have your statement and the hospital records. He’s in enough trouble with his employer.”
I nodded, even though the detective from Ohio on the other end of the line couldn’t see me, as I sat on my mother’s couch, hoping to end the conversation before she came out of the kitchen.
I wouldn’t hide anything from her, but seeing my first reactions to whatever he was about to tell me would only worry her even more.
“He stole from work too? My God,” I said, rubbing at my temple.
“Yes, he seemed to get sloppy toward the end. Happens when you’re in over your head and borrow from the wrong people. You’re lucky you found out when you did.”
“Yes, lucky is one way to look at it.”
I didn’t feel lucky at all, even though I could have lost a lot more than cash and jewelry.
I scoured my credit report for any cards and charges that I didn’t recognize, thankful I hadn’t kept paper bills around the apartment for him to find.
Still, he could have gone through my purse and grabbed a card out of my wallet without my knowing, but it seemed like he hadn’t resorted to that before I’d caught him.
“Borrow from the wrong people?” I straightened against the cushions when what the detective had said sank in.
“Well, when you’re involved in illegal gambling rings, you get caught up with the criminals who prey on guys like your ex. So desperate to keep playing and win, they help them fall deeper and deeper into debt. I’m sure the police are the least of his worries right now.”
My mind went to Rodney, the guy who’d stopped by the apartment looking for Zach and had given me the creeps. Not only had I not realized any of this had been going on, I’d had no clue how deep and dangerous it was.
“There was a man who stopped by while I was moving out of our apartment. He said his name was Rodney. I’d never met him before, and he asked me if I knew where Zach kept things.
He left when I told him I had no idea and I was leaving, but I felt like he would have pressed more had the police not been there watching.
I thought he was just a friend Zach may have screwed over or maybe was stealing with him, but now I’m wondering if it was more than that. ”
“Was he stocky? Bald with a long beard and tattoos on his fingers?”
“Yes. Like I said, I’d never met him before, and I knew most of Zach’s friends.”
I just didn’t know Zach.
“Rodney was one of the guys who ran the sports betting ring. So you’d be right, Ms. Parker. Had the police not been there, he probably wouldn’t have left so easily.”
I scrubbed a hand down my face as my stomach plummeted to my knees. I looked up and found my mother studying me from the kitchen table.
“Thank you for the update, Detective. Be honest with me—should I be worried?”
“I don’t think so, but I’ve learned not to put anything past anyone. Stay alert, and let me know if Rodney or anyone connected to Zach tries to contact you.”
“I will. Thank you,” I said, ending the call and finally turning to meet my mother’s worried gaze.
“Did they let him out?” A frown pulled at her mouth as she padded over to me.
“No, but he was borrowing from loan sharks to cover his debt. The detective told me the police are the least of his problems now.”
“Hopefully one of them teaches him a lesson in jail. A painful one.”
“That would be nice,” was all I said. If I had just broken up with Zach when it was time, I wouldn’t be a part of this mess. I had nothing to do with anything Zach did, but the bad guys he’d fallen in with might not be so easy to convince.
Hopefully, I was out of sight and out of mind. Whatever they ended up doing to Zach, in or out of jail, I didn’t have an ounce of sympathy for him. I just wanted to be left alone so I could move on. I hoped the detective was right and I didn’t have anything more to worry about.
“He said not to be worried.” I held up my phone. “But be aware. I’m going to try to forget him and everything that happened, and you should join me.” I flashed her a grin.
“When someone hurts your baby, you’ll see how hard it is to forget and move on.”
I smiled at the murder in my mother’s eyes.
“You can totally hate him and hope for the worst for him, but don’t worry about me,” I said, pushing off the couch. “Or try not to.” I kissed her cheek.
“That’s not so easy either.” She pinched my chin as a smile twitched at the corner of her mouth. “What time did Lee say he was dropping his mother off?”
“He said they were dropping her off this morning to allow her time to settle in.” I checked my watch. “They should be almost done by now.”
“His sister moves soon, right?”
“Tomorrow. That’s why I’m moving in on Sunday.”
“Right,” Mom frowned again.
“How about—” I draped my arm across her shoulders “—we head downstairs for some lunch and sit outside. Shelve all our worries for a couple of hours.”
She huffed before giving me a slow nod.
“Who knew that you and your brother would give me most of my gray hair as adults?” She breathed out a sigh as she grabbed her cane.
I tried not to be so concerned when my brother went on missions without contact. He was smart and good at what he did, but I could only imagine what it felt like to not really know what your son was doing or where he was for long periods of time.
Then I’d shown up at her door with a face full of bruises, looking for a place to hide out and get my life together.
I still hadn’t, but I’d try to be the kid who didn’t keep my mother up at night from now on.
“Stella!”
I turned my head to find Bennie charging at me.
“Hey, kiddo.” I bent to give her a hug.
“I knew it was you because your hair is so long,” she said, beaming at me from where she clutched my thighs like a vise.
This tiny kid was a big ball of love and, as Lee had told me, didn’t know a stranger.
I’d only spent one evening with her, but she greeted me as if she’d known me all of her seven years.
I never remembered having such an open heart, even when I was that little. Time and disappointment had only made it snap tighter over the years.
“This is my mom,” I told her. “I’m sure Daddy told you she lives here too.”
“I can’t believe how grown up you are from the last time I saw a picture of you,” Mom said, bending to meet Bennie’s gaze.
“I’m seven now,” Bennie said, craning her neck to where Lee and his mother and sister were coming up behind her.
“Yes, you’ve gotten so big,” Mom said, cupping her chin.
“I’m the smallest person in my class,” Bennie said, her lips curving down.
“Oh, that’ll change,” Mom said, waving a hand. “I was the smallest person in my class too.”
I bit back a smile, not wanting to say that that probably didn’t make Bennie feel any better since my mother was still a little bit of a thing. Gary and I had taken after our father, who hadn’t been that tall but was above Mom’s five feet.
“Remember, small doesn’t mean anything, like I told you,” Lee’s mother said, smiling down at her granddaughter as she made a slow approach toward us. “What’s in here—” she tapped her head “—and in here—” she pointed to Bennie’s chest “—are what matters. And you have plenty.”
Her eyes were glossy as she lifted her head.
“Hi, Stella. And nice to see you, Paula. Think you can show me the ropes when my kids finally leave me alone here?” She swiveled her head toward Lee and Debbie.
“Yes, I know you’re in a rush to get rid of us, Mom,” Lee quipped, stepping toward my mother. “Nice to see you, Mrs. P.” Lee bent to give her a hello hug.
“For goodness’ sake, Lee.” Mom swatted his shoulder as she pulled away. “You’re over thirty with a kid of your own. Can’t you call me Paula?”
Lee crinkled his nose at Mom.
“I don’t think I can.”
Mom let out an audible sigh.
“You raised a good kid, Dottie.”
“Two good kids.” Mrs. Orrico hooked her arm through Debbie’s elbow. “They moved me in, unpacked, and now want to watch me while I eat lunch.”
“And then Aunt Deb is taking me on a girls’ day!” Bennie said, pulling on my arm. “Daddy said I could get my nails painted as long as it’s light enough so no one can tell, but I can get any color on my toes.”
“Yep, we’re pushing the boundaries today.” Debbie smiled down at Bennie before her gaze drifted to their mother. Mrs. Orrico seemed pretty content for her first day in a new place, but her son and daughter eyed her as if she would break.
Or maybe they would. It had been tough for Gary and me to drop Mom off here on that first day, but we hadn’t all lived together for a long time. It was the symbolism of moving her into an assisted living facility that had gotten to us, not the dissolution of a daily family dynamic.
“I was about to get some lunch,” Mom said, holding out her hand to Dottie. “Come with me. I’ll introduce you to some good people while our kids fend for themselves for an afternoon.”
“Well, I guess I know when we’re not wanted,” Debbie quipped and took Bennie’s hand. “We’ll come back after we’re done since Tom and I head out early tomorrow.”
“Sounds good,” Mrs. Orrico said, crouching down to meet Bennie’s gaze. “Go have fun, and I’ll see you later.” Mom took Mrs. Orrico by the arm as they both headed toward the dining hall.
“I guess I’m moving out in time,” I said, motioning to where our mothers headed away from us. “I’m seriously cramping her style.”
“I guess we are too,” Debbie said with a laugh. “I’ll see you at home, once I’m done spoiling my niece and loading her up with sugar.”
I smiled as Bennie bounced next to her.
“Good to see you again, Stella.”
“You too. Have a safe trip to Chicago,” I said, returning the wave Bennie gave me over her shoulder as she followed her aunt.
“I guess I’ll go home,” Lee said, his chest rumbling with a sad laugh.
“You don’t have to. I just got dumped too.” I chuckled. “We could have lunch or coffee or whatever you’re in the mood for.”
“Are you sure?” He quirked a brow. “You’re going to have to deal with a lot of me and my kid soon.”