Partners

by Kira Chase

  Trey laughed half-heartedly. “Sometimes just when you think you have it all, life kicks you in the ass and sends you sprawling.” He shrugged. “Sometimes I feel like an utter failure…especially where my private life is concerned.”

  “Come on, Trey. I'm not going to let you beat yourself up. “Look at what you've built. You started out doing lawn maintenance, expanded that to include landscaping, and then added an entire construction company.” Frankie frowned. “And none of us have ever had a smooth time of it in our personal lives.”

  “I suppose you're right,” he conceded, “as far as my personal life is concerned. But in my business, I could lose it all.”

  “I will not let Kyle take any of that from you.”

  “Frankie's right,” Johanna said.

  “None of us will let Kyle get the upper hand,” George added. “I know you've never had charges filed against you before, but punching Kyle in the mouth isn't grounds to sue for everything you own. He can file a lawsuit, but believe me, it would be tossed out.”

  Trey swallowed hard. “Thank you. All of you. My business is what I've always dreamed of so it's unnerving to have someone come in and threaten to take it away.”

  “There's no one who has the eye for landscaping design like you,” Johanna said.

  “I also loved designing and building things when I was a kid. I always had the dream in the back of my mind that if I could make a go of the landscaping business, I'd slowly add construction. It went bigger than I thought.” He blushed. “I sound like I'm bragging.”

  “You have a right to. You've provided many jobs and are respected in the community,” George reminded him.

  “Trey, don't you get it?” Frankie asked him. “You are the American Dream. You had a dream and went for it. You started out mowing lawns and now you have a landscaping business and a construction company. You did it by yourself!”

  “Well, not entirely by myself.”

  Frankie frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I had a lot of help from the bank.”

  Frankie laughed. “Didn't we all?” She picked up the bowl of potato salad. “Would anyone like some more?”

  “Don't mind if I do,” George said taking the bowl from her. He heaped a big spoonful onto his plate. “I was just thinking, Trey. I think since you want to go, we should all drive to your house together in your truck.”

  “Okay.” He picked his fork back up and resumed eating.

  “Do you have a plan?” Frankie asked.

  He nodded. “Trey can go to the door. We'll be behind him, but where we can't be seen. I want to see his reaction if Kyle Martin thinks Trey's alone.”

  “You think he might try something?” Johanna asked.

  “He might.” He looked at Johanna. “Why don't you bring your camera? That way if he does do anything, we'll have proof.”

  “And that can be used as leverage for him to drop his charges against Trey,” Frankie said.

  “I'm not promising anything, but he is a hothead and if he thinks Trey is alone, he might try to throw his weight around.”

  Johanna lifted an eyebrow. “If Trey goes in the house, how will I be able to film him?”

  George snapped his fingers. “You go to the door with Trey. Why don't you bring your small camera with audio? You know, the one you can hide in the palm of your hand. If things start to get out of hand, Frankie and I will come in.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Johanna said as she rose from her chair. “Well, would anyone like some coffee and dessert before we head over to Trey's house?”

  “Is it one of your homemade pies?” George smacked his lips together.

  Johanna grinned. “Of course. Would I serve anything less to you, George?”

  * * * *

  Trey rang the doorbell. Johanna stood next to him while Frankie and George stood in the shadows on the other side of the door. Frankie wondered what was going through Trey's mind. Being forced to ring the bell to gain admittance to his own home had to be humiliating. Trey had never been a violent man and in fact was the complete opposite, but he was being pushed further than any mild tempered man could bear. If he did explode, the consequences wouldn't be good for the one on the receiving end.

  “If Will asks why you and Johanna are here, tell him you need to pick up some more personal items,” George whispered.

  “Okay,” Trey whispered back.

  As they stood patiently waiting for the door to be opened, Frankie saw Trey's body stiffen. He was rapidly losing patience and she didn't blame him. She reached over to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Have you decided if you're going to stay with George while he talks to Kyle or do you want to stick with Johanna and me while we question Brenna Martin?” she asked in a low voice.

  “I'll stay with George. I want to hear what that psycho is planning to do.”

  “The lights are on. I wonder where they are,” George said.

  “Could be out back,” Frankie suggested. “It's a nice night.”

  Johanna stepped back and walked backwards a few steps peering at the windows. “Someone's in there. I saw a shadow near a window.”

  “Use your key, Trey. It is your house after all,” George instructed. “You are within your rights. Besides no one instructed you to leave your home in the first place.”

  Trey pulled his key from his pocket, inserted it the lock, took a deep breath, and unlocked the door. “At least they didn't change the locks,” he said to Johanna. “He slowly opened the door and stepped inside. Before Johanna could enter, Kyle Martin suddenly appeared in front of Trey.

  “What they hell do you think you're doing? Get out!” Kyle shouted.

  “Or what?” Trey asked as his jaw clenched. “It's still my house. I have every right to be here.”

  Kyle glanced at Johanna, but appeared disinterested with her presence. He seemed to be focused only on his confrontation with Trey. “This isn't only your house. In the morning Will has agreed to sign his half ownership over to me.” He sneered as he stared Trey down.

  Trey threw his head back and laughed. “Like hell he is.” He pointed a finger in Kyle's face. “It'll never happen. Why would he give you anything? It's time to start answering some questions.”

  “Get your damned finger out of my face before I break it!” Kyle snarled. “It's just me and you here, buddy. And the bitch you brought with you,” he said finally acknowledging her presence.

  Frankie felt her boiling point being reached and drew a deep silent breath. She quietly exhaled. George laid a heavy hand on her arm. She squared her shoulders. It wouldn't take much for her to shut his vile mouth for him. She seethed. She was aware that Johanna could see her from where she stood. If Kyle's remark had any impact on her she didn't show it, but held her palm camera down to her side aimed up to get a perfect shot of Kyle. Frankie admired her for having the fortitude to keep her emotions in check and to hold her tongue against verbal attacks levied at her. Frankie didn't possess the same self-control and usually gave back even better than she got.

  Their opposite reactions to situations made them a formidable team since they knew each other's weaknesses and strengths. But they both agreed that Kyle Martin was a vicious narcissistic man who displayed violent tendencies and in their opinion, if he possessed or could get his hands on a gun, he wouldn't hesitate to use it. She was thankful he didn't display one now, but that didn't mean there wasn't one nearby.

  “I came to pick up some more of my things. Move out of my way.”

  Kyle looked him up and down. “Everything in this house belongs to Will and tomorrow it will all belong to me.”

  “Really?” Trey chuckled. “In your dreams. Will would never do that and if you believe he will, I think you'll be in for a nasty surprise. But even if he tries, it won't be legal.”

  Kyle's eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

  “Will has no authority to sign anything over. There's a clause he must have forgotten to tell you about.”

  Frankie reali
zed that Trey was making it up as he went along, but Kyle didn't know that.

  “You're bluffing. Trying to stall for time.” He looked at Johanna again. “You think that stupid bitch can protect you?”

  Frankie balled her hands. She was rapidly losing her cool. One more comment and she'd punch him in the mouth.

  “Protect me from what?” His eyes narrowed.

  “The police will see that I had a right to defend myself. After all, you already have a charge against you for assaulting me.”

  “Do I look worried?” Trey asked, standing firm.

  “Ah…it looks like a little bead of sweat on your brow,” Kyle taunted.

  “Get the hell out of my way,” Trey said. “I have a right to my personal things.”

  Kyle placed his arms across his chest. “You'll have to go through me! I somehow don't think you're man enough,” he said trying to provoke Trey.

  Trey, unfazed, took a few steps forward. Frankie stiffened and she glanced at George who put a finger to his lips to silence her.

  Kyle immediately uncrossed his arms, took a few steps forward, and then with palms out rushed at Trey connecting with Trey's chest, propelling Trey backwards. “This is my house now. Get your fucking ass out!”

  Trey lost his balance from the unexpected force of Kyle's hands against his chest and he stumbled backwards and crashed to the floor, smashing his head against the doorjamb.

  George burst through the door and grabbed Kyle, who looked stunned to see the Sheriff. George held Kyle's wrists behind the man's back and put the handcuffs on while he read him his rights. Next George grabbed his phone and called for backup.

  “What the hell? I'll sue you for everything you've got,” Kyle snarled at George. “You should arrest that raving lunatic. He attacked me first.”

  George ignored him, but turned his attention to where Frankie and Johanna were helping Trey to his feet. “Are you all right, Trey?” Frankie asked, concerned.

  “Just a bump on the head,” he said rubbing the back of his head. “I'll be fine.”

  “I think you need to get it checked out,” Johanna said.

  “It's nothing,” he answered. “I'm fine.”

  “I'm pressing charges,” Kyle shouted. “I'll also be filing charges for false arrest.”

  “Shut up!” George bellowed. “I'm going to have someone come over to check you out, Trey, just to be on the safe side,” he said.

  “No, I'll be okay. If I develop any problems, I'll get checked out.” He glared at Kyle. “I'll be filing charges against him, George.”

  “Good. I would have myself, if you didn't,” George said with a smug smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

  “It's his word against mine,” Kyle said confidently. “And I doubt any judge will believe him since he already has a charge of assault against me. I was only defending myself.”

  “Really? Self-defense?” Johanna grinned. “I got it all right here,” she said holding up the palm camera.

  Kyle stared at the camera for a few seconds, before exploding. “This is a set up! It's illegal.” His eyes darkened and turned into slits as he stood glaring at them.

  Frankie stood locking eyes with him. “You want to talk about a set up? After everything you've done? You'd better inform your wife that you'll be cooling your heels in a cell tonight. So much for your happy reunion.”

  He shrugged. “She'll bail me out. No problem.”

  “Not tonight she won't,” George stated. “I'm holding you overnight. You need to cool down.”

  “You can't do that!”

  “I can and I will hold you. Where's Will?” he asked.

  Kyle motioned toward the back of the house. “Getting acquainted with his son. Or did you forget he was arriving today?”

  “I'll get him,” Frankie volunteered.

  “My wife can't stay here without me,” Kyle insisted. “She doesn't know anyone.”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” George said calmly. “I think she'll be more comfortable in a hotel.”

  “We don't have money for an extended stay in a hotel,” he insisted. “You have no right to even suggest that.”

  “You should have thought about the consequences of your actions,” George said calmly.

  Frankie smiled. She patted Trey's arm. “At least we'll be able to talk to Brenna without any interference from Kyle. Maybe she'll be more willing to open up to us,” she whispered to Johanna as she passed her on her way to retrieve Will.

  As Frankie moved through the house, she was reminded of the hard work and love Trey had put into every inch of the house. He'd worked long hard painstaking hours to perfect every detail. To think he could lose it sickened her. It further sickened her to think the man Trey loved had brought this pain to his doorstep. She wished there was a way Trey could get Will's name off the house. She might suggest it to Will. If he wanted a chance to regain Trey's trust that would definitely be a step in the right direction.

  When she reached the back of the house, she stood for a few minutes peering through the screen of the sliding door. Bits and pieces of conversation drifted through the night. It sounded like a lot of small talk. A big bonfire was burning in a pit and Will sat with slumped shoulders staring into it. Brenna sat across from him, but Bobby appeared to have distanced himself from them and sat further away on a bench with his back to them. She could tell by the bend of his shoulders and bowed head that he was using a cell phone by the flickering light from it. He obviously didn't want to become acquainted with his alleged father, she assumed as she wondered what the dynamics were between Kyle and Bobby. Questioning Bobby might garner them some useful information, too. Something was definitely off where that boy was concerned.

  She listened for a few more seconds and then slid the door open. Will and Brenna immediately turned, surprised to see her. She assumed they'd expected Kyle to return.

  “Frankie, what are you doing here?” Will asked, rising.

  “George wants to talk to you, Will. Before you ask, Trey is here.” She glanced at Brenna. “You're Kyle's wife, I assume.”

  “Yes,” the woman replied timidly. She bit her bottom lip.

  “I'm Frankie Barker. A good friend of Trey Daniels, the owner of this house.” Frankie watched the look that came over Will's face. She knew she'd hurt him by not acknowledging him as a friend or even as co-owner of the house. He deserved it and she wasn't sorry for her animosity toward him. Now, she didn't see how she'd ever consider him a friend again; every minute the possibility of that dimmed a little more.

  Brenna looked awkwardly toward Will and then stood uncomfortably before moving next to him. “This is Bobby,” she said pointing to the boy who had also risen and sauntered closer to Will and Brenna. “Will's son.”

  Bobby looked at Frankie with a sullen look on his face, but didn't say anything. His eyes instead drifted back down to his cell phone.

  “Did Kyle let you in?” Will asked with a perplexed look on his face.

  “Trey has a key. No one has to let him in. After all it is his house,” she said putting extra emphasis on the last sentence. She looked into Will's eyes. He got the message loud and clear.

  “Where's Kyle?” he asked.

  “In handcuffs waiting to be taken to the Sheriff's Office.”

  “What for?” Brenna asked, alarmed. “Bobby and I just arrived a short time ago.” She began to visibly shake.

  Frankie watched the woman's eyes. Her mother had always taught her that you could tell a lot about a person by looking into their eyes. And right now, Brenna Martin's eyes were filled with fear. Was it fear of being left with strangers or fear that Kyle had been caught in a deception? Frankie didn't know, but the woman was obviously in distress. “Assault on Trey Daniels,” she replied coldly. “He'll be spending the night in jail.”

  Brenna turned to Will. “You have to help him! He can't spend the night in jail,” she screeched. “Please, Will, do something.”

  Will ignored her and focused on Frankie. “Is Tr
ey okay?”

  She heard the concern in his voice, but still didn't trust him. “From Kyle's attack or everything else going on?” She kept the chill in her voice.

  Will's shoulders dropped, but he didn't respond. He walked past her through the open door.

  “Come on, Bobby,” Brenna said laying a hand on Bobby's arm.

  Frankie noted the look of revulsion on the boy's face when Brenna made contact with his flesh. He immediately shook her hand from his arm. If Bobby turned out to be Will's legitimate son, Will would definitely have a problem trying to forge any type of relationship with the boy. Bobby wasn't going to let anyone through the wall he'd built around himself. Hopefully she and Johanna could penetrate it.

  Frankie waited till they walked past her and closed the door. She followed them through the house to where the group still stood in the entry hall.

  Brenna rushed over to Kyle. “What happened, honey?” She turned and with hands on hips, glared at George. “Take these cuffs off my husband!” she demanded. “Right now.”

  “Don't bother trying to get any justice from him,” Kyle sneered. “They're all in this together. It's a smear campaign against me.”

  Frankie and Johanna looked incredulously at each other while Trey stood looking in disbelief at Kyle.

  “Your husband has been arrested for assault,” George answered calmly. “He brought this on himself.”

  Kyle nodded toward Trey. “This is the psycho I told you about, Brenna. But don't worry, he'll get his,” he snarled as he shook his arms.

  “Can't you take the cuffs off?” Brenna asked. “It's not like he's going anywhere.”

  “It's what he might do that I'm concerned about,” George answered flatly. He eyed Kyle. “What did you mean by he'll get his? You're not too bright making a threat like that in front of all these witnesses…and especially in front of me.”

  “My word against yours. My wife and I will file charges for police brutality,” He jutted his chin out defiantly.

  George slowly shook his head back and forth as he took notes on a notepad. “Good luck with that.”