Conklin's Corruption

by Brooke Page

“You’re not fucking him, that’s why you haven’t seen him in awhile,” he bit.

  My jaw dropped along with my arms. How dare he say that!

  “No, I’m not fucking anyone lately,” I said harshly.

  His eyes grew narrow, and I instantly regretted what I had just said.

  “Actually, I fucked you pretty hard yesterday if that mark on your shoulder isn’t enough of a reminder. The world doesn’t revolve around you, Becca! I have to uphold this goddamn business for my grand…,” his voice faded. “I can’t let this business fall through the cracks. You want that nice car? You want to get your hair and nails done? Have everything waxed? Have that house with lakefront acreage? Well, it doesn’t come cheap.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “I don’t need you to take care of me,” I said through gritted teeth. “That’s not why I fell in love with you! Although lately, it sure doesn’t feel mutual!”

  He stared at me, his jaw slacking this time. “Don’t fucking say that, not to me, Becca. Everything I’m doing is because of you, for you!”

  “What exactly are you doing? Because like I said, I don’t need your money, Tyler. I won’t ever need it!”

  He rolled his eyes and walked away from me throwing his head back. “Oh, that’s right, you have a daddy who can give you everything.”

  “Who are you?” I asked harshly. “You know I don’t care about money.”

  He turned to face me again, but this time he looked defeated. I stood there, waiting for him to correct himself, to say he was sorry and tired and didn’t know what he was talking about. But he didn’t. He didn’t move a muscle as though he were waiting for me to speak.

  “I don’t know how much longer I can take you acting like this,” I whispered. He was still silent, but now he wouldn’t look at me.

  Even though my voice was strong and my shoulders were squared to him, my lip started to quiver. I wasn’t one to argue and fight or point fingers. We always talked through our problems, but I was going to take the easy way out this time. I turned and walked out of his office, not saying a word.

  ***

  Tears poured down my face like rain my entire drive home. Tyler’s hurtful words were burned into my memory and kept replaying in my mind. Was this who he was going to be the rest of our lives? A cold hearted jerk who couldn’t handle his emotions? A man who would do anything possible to not open up to me? And the secrets… I thought we were past that. How could he not realize one of the most important ways to keep me safe was by keeping me involved? Filling me in on anything suspicious. Shouldn’t I know what to watch for?

  Everything pointed to that slimy Lee Chino. I processed my thoughts, trying to calculate what I knew that was a threat.

  Lee was into narcotics.

  Lee had subdivisions and warehouses built by Conklin.

  A very drunk Tyler insinuated something very illegal was happening with his grandfather and the company by talking about going to jail.

  I shook my head, feeling dizzy from trying to put the pieces together.

  When I got home, I methodically made dinner, not bothering to make something for Tyler. We hadn’t eaten dinner together the past two weeks. I was losing faith in him coming home. He kept telling me he just needed time, but the nightmare of him being gone just as my father had been kept creeping in my mind. I didn’t want that. I wanted him, all of him. No secrets, no traveling, just normal hours, dinners, and nightly love making. Was that too much to ask for?

  I decided to call Jamie after I ate. She always made me feel better. Maybe she would be willing to make a trip out to see me since she was in town.

  “Did you have another rough day? You sound beat up about something,” she asked after our traditional greetings.

  “I’m flustered and worried about Tyler. I never see him anymore, and he hasn’t talked to me.”

  “I know you’re sick of hearing this, but he lost his dad, Becca. Yeah, they didn’t have the best relationship, but sometimes that can make losing someone harder. It’s not easy hearing good things about a person at their funeral when you really couldn’t stand being around them. He’s probably feeling guilty for thinking his dad was such an asshole.”

  I knew he was guilty. Whatever he found out about the other night proved that. Remorse was written all over his face, even through his drunken state.

  “I think you’re right. I don’t like how he’s pushing me away.”

  “Time, Becca. If he doesn’t shape up, then you bring in the gauntlet. Threaten to leave.”

  I gasped as my knees went weak, my hand catching my balance on the kitchen counter. My chest tightened and my breath caught in my throat. Leaving Tyler… I couldn’t imagine.

  “Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that,” I said shakily.

  Jamie laughed. “I doubt it will. I booked my flight from Miami to Chicago today for dress shopping!” she said excitedly. I was thankful for the subject change and enjoyed catching up on details about the wedding for the next hour.

  “I’m SO glad I get to walk down the aisle with Nathan and not Mitch. That man is driving me bonkers! He keeps texting me!” Jamie exaggerated.

  I laughed. “What is he texting you?”

  “He’s the king of sexual innuendos and cheesy pick up lines. UGH. He won’t take the hint!”

  I laughed even harder. Mitch was fun, at least I thought so, but I could see where his lack of smoothness could be irritating if you weren’t interested. Mitch was very persistent though, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he had any idea what was going on in the Conklin building.

  After I hung up with Jamie, I hopped in the shower, feeling better about everything that was going through my mind. I was going to give Tyler until the wedding shower in Chicago to shape up, then as Jamie said, I would throw down the gauntlet, but not as harshly. He needed help, and if he wasn’t going to open up to me, then he needed to go see someone who could peel back his layers. I frowned to myself, disappointed that I might not be that person.

  Once I was cozy in bed, I reached for my phone. Tyler and I hadn’t been sending each other many cheesy text messages lately. Maybe that would help us to get back into our normal routine? Still slightly mad at him for being so harsh earlier today, I opened up my messages.

  I’m sorry I took the car to Gage. -Becca

  I tapped my phone as I waited for a reply to come through. Feeling impatient, I sent another text.

  I miss you, Ty. I want to cuddle tonight. -Becca

  Still no answer.

  Please hold me when you get home tonight. I need to feel like you love me. I need to know we are going make it through whatever is going on in your head. I love you. -Becca

  I hugged my phone and screwed my eyes shut, hoping sleep would make him answer my texts or come home and show me his love.

  A large thud jolted me from my sleep. Glancing over at the clock, I saw it was 11:30 p.m. Another loud noise came from the kitchen, and I rolled my eyes.

  Tyler must have come home drunk again. I got that he wanted to drown in his sorrows, at least for the time being, but he never answered me if he drove home the other night, and that was something I wouldn’t tolerate. If he were worried to go to jail for illegal working activities, he should be just as worried to go to jail for drinking and driving.

  I swung my legs from the bed, reaching for my robe. Not sure why I felt the need to cover my silk nighty, but I wasn’t exactly in the mood for a drunken Tyler to get grabby.

  Tying the sash tightly, I took a deep breath, prepared to face another drunken fight and possible breakdown from Tyler.

  My heart nearly stopped with what I saw when I reached the living room.

  I covered my mouth so my breathing couldn’t be heard, but it was too late. Searching, bloodshot eyes on yellow, taunt skin found me as I stood in the hallway.

  The man was fidgety, his long greasy hair sticking to the sides of his face. His fingers were constantly moving along with his eyes. They sped up and down my body as his mouth ticked opened
and closed.

  I stood frozen, scared to move or speak. I was pissed off at myself for not remembering to turn the alarm back on once I locked the door for the night.

  “Magic bricks. Where are the magic bricks?” he stuttered, his eyes moving rapidly around the room then settling back on me.

  I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

  “Bricks… Bricks… Bricks…,” he repeated over and over. He started to pace, his long sleeve shirt was covered in dirt along with his ripped and faded blue jeans.

  My brain was scattered, trying to complete a rational thought. I couldn’t freak out because this guy was already high strung and on edge. If I lost it, the chance of him doing something even more irrational than breaking into my house would be more possible.

  Finally, I remembered about the safe buttons. The closest one was in the kitchen. I needed to figure out a way to pass him and make it to that button. It was my only option. Who knew where the hell Tyler was. He could be pissed still about Gage and staying at the condo downtown.

  “I need the bricks,” he said in confusion.

  I gulped and took three slow steps towards the kitchen, my eyes never leaving him. “What bricks?” I asked calmly.

  “He said there were bricks. Magic bricks. I need what’s in those magic bricks.”

  I stared at him in confusion. In a brick? Bricks were solid concrete.

  “I don’t have any magic bricks,” I said as best I could without my voice trembling. “Maybe I could call someone who could help you find them?”

  I took three more steps but halted as he rapidly moved in my direction; my breath catching once he abruptly but clumsily stopped two feet from my face.

  “He said they’d be here. In the house on the water through the trees. I need them,” his voice was deep and scratchy. One eye went lazy and looked back towards my bedroom. He was close enough that I could see his lips were cracked and chapped, along with under his nostrils. His odor was unforgettable, and I held my breath trying not to gag.

  I took another low breath, stepping two more steps towards the kitchen.

  “What’s your name?” I asked, my voice cracking. “Can I make you something to eat?”

  His lazy eye circled again then came back to focus with the other. His eyes were deep in his head, and his cheekbones were scarily hollow. This guy looked like he could be on Dateline.

  Not waiting for him to reply, I back peddled until I felt the tile of the kitchen floor, my body relaxing fractionally. Only 5 more steps around the island. How long did Tyler say it would take for the police to show up once the button was pushed?

  “I don’t want food; I want bricks!” he shouted then began pacing the room again. He was muttering under his breath, his head nodding in all directions.

  Fear was taking hold of my body, terrified and searching for the right thing to say to help stall him from doing something scarring.

  “I was going to make some tea. Can I make you some?” I moved to the kitchen drawers, letting out a small breath as I pushed the tiny button on the inside of the drawer. I glanced down, noticing the light turning from green to red, and the seconds started to tick by in my head.

  “NO!” he shouted even louder, a howling screech followed. He gripped his hair tight and then found one of the floor lamps, grabbing it and chucking it across the room.

  I covered my mouth, stepping back towards the refrigerator. Pleading with myself to not break down and be a victim. I hadn’t watched too many crime shows, but I knew the weak ones never made it.

  “Who told you about the magic bricks?” I bravely asked, desperate to calm him down and stall long enough for the police to get here.

  His eyes still moved rapidly around. This guy must have been on some heavy medication, or he was having some really bad withdrawal symptoms.

  “The builder. The big builder. He met me here once… but there weren’t any lights,” his voice shook with anxiousness.

  I swallowed hard. Was he talking about Mitch?

  “Did he have the magic bricks?” I asked slowly, my eyes bouncing from him to the clock on the microwave.

  His head moved achingly slow until our eyes met. They were more focused now, and he took a step towards me. I held my breath again, wrapping my arms around my chest.

  A slow nod came from him, and his head cocked to the side as he moved at an agonizingly slow pace from the living room towards me. It was like he was a snake, slithering his way towards his prey. The closer he came to me, the more steps I took back until I was backed against the sink. He finally stopped when he was two feet from me.

  I was unable to breath now, my face pinned to the side, my arms trembling as my knuckles were white from holding the silk robe so tightly. Why did I wear so little to bed again? I didn’t even put any panties on, and the thought of him touching me brought an entirely new fear to my brain.

  “Who. Are. You..?” he asked cautiously, studying the side of my face.

  He was intrigued with me now, his mind taken off whatever the magic bricks were. “I live here,” I whispered, trying not to cringe as I felt his hand touch my arm.

  No no no no no!

  “Let’s find your bricks,” I choked, desperate to not be pinned by this disgusting human being.

  His lips curled, and I saw rotted teeth and black moldy gums. His breath was foul as he spoke. “What do I have to do for them?”

  My eyes went wide as his other hand landed on the counter, caging me between his awful stench and the counter. That wasn’t what I meant at all. My body shook, and I knew now was the time to be brave, to wrack through my brain about any type of self defense I had seen or learned in the past. The one target that my mother had always told me to hit was wide open, but I had to do it hard enough for him to fall to his knees so I could make a run for it… but where would I run? The two miles to the town in my bare feet and nighty?

  He leaned his head down towards my neck, and I squirmed.

  “You smell pretty,” he said sadistically. “Don’t be nervous, sweetheart.”

  A tear fell as he went to touch my hair as I continued to squirm, wondering why I walked myself back into the corner of the counter top in the first place.

  My thoughts flashed to Tyler.

  My heart was filled with sorrow as I thought about how I left Tyler this afternoon, not hugging him or kissing him, leaving mad and angry with him. I loved him, and if something happened to me tonight where we couldn’t be together anymore, I’d be devastated.

  Breathe, Becca. You can do this. Find your strength, just like a kickboxing class.

  I needed to think quickly. I could lock myself in the closet. Yes, that’s what I would do. I took a deep breath, trying not to vomit from the smell of body odor.

  I slowly set my hands on his forearms, needing something to brace myself to make the impact. I had to do it gently, so he didn’t think I was up to something. It killed me to touch his dirty shirt, but seeing his pleasing, rotting grin gave me all the courage I needed to get the hell away from him.

  I looked towards him and gave him the best smile I could as I gripped his forearms tighter then rammed my knee into his groin as hard as I could.

  A strangled moan escaped his mouth as he fell to the ground. “YOU LITTLE BITCH!” he groaned.

  I jumped past him, but he caught my ankle with one hand while he held himself with the other. “I need my fix… I need my fix… NOW! If I can’t insert it into my arm, I’m going to take it out on you!” he screamed.

  I kicked my feet, desperate to break free from his greasy hands, finally nailing him in the head with the heel of my foot.

  His groaning subsided as I scrambled to my feet, thanking God as I saw the flashing red and blue lights traveling the length of my driveway. I rushed to the front door, realizing it was open from the intruder as I shoved it completely open, running out in the front yard, the bite of the summer night feeling like freedom on my skin.

  Chapter 14

  Tyler

  I
sat staring at my computer screen, not sure what I was more upset about—the fact that Becca went to see that punk Gage¸ or how I was a complete asshole to her.

  I shouldn’t have said the things I said. I’m not even sure where my outburst came from. I was having so much trouble containing my frustrations that I said the first thing that popped into my head, not even meaning half of it. Yet when she gave me the chance to say something to fix it, I just stood there like an immature moron.

  Even though I was pissed she went to see Gage, I was more fueled by what she told me he found in her car. It was nearly impossible for me to keep my cool and act like I was the one who put the tracking device in her car. I had no clue who did it, and the thought of someone watching Becca’s every move made me uneasy. I wanted that tracking device out of her car as soon as possible, but didn’t want to push the subject to the point where she would realize something was wrong.

  At least I knew she’d be safe in our home. I made sure the most up-to-date security system was installed. As long as she remembered to turn it back on, no one would touch her. There were even safe buttons all over the house if, for whatever reason, the police needed to be called for an emergency. The buttons would alert each of our phones, in addition to her parents. She demanded that part more than me. After the incident at the Valentine’s Day fundraiser, I wasn’t about to take any risks, not when it came to my Becca’s safety. With Chino being crazy as fuck lately, the top of the line security system helped ease my nerves, especially since I had been going out of town more.

  I sighed as I aimlessly scrolled through the spreadsheet of numbers on my screen. Everything I had to accomplish was possible to finish in Grand Rapids, there was no real reason for me to go to Chicago. A shiver went down my spine as I thought of the bitemark on Becca’s shoulder. I had to go to Chicago. Soon the numbness would settle in like always, and I could go back to being happy.

  It was almost 11:30 p.m., and I was stalling going home. I didn’t know what to say to Becca, and I was terrified she would be waiting up for me. She knew how to bring out that damn emotion, and I hated the thought of shedding any more tears in front of her. I’m sure the last thing she wanted was to marry a pussy. I thought about going to the condo for the night, but I wanted to see her. The safest time was when she was sleeping, and I felt peace watching her. I might steal a touch here and there but nothing more.