Tangle of Strings

by Ashley Farley

  “Goddamnit, Thea! Look what you made me do.” Tyrone went to the kitchen and returned with a rag and a bag of frozen peas. “This ain’t like when we were little. We ain’t playing games here. Willie and I are in big trouble. We need to figure a way out of this mess. And you need to stay out of our way while we doing it.”

  Holding the rag to her nose, Thea said, “Then why aren’t you talking to them?” She aimed a thumb at the front of the house. “You should be negotiating with the police instead of snorting that crap up your nose.”

  “We ain’t ready to negotiate yet. They gonna sit out there and stew for a while, get good and worried about what’s going on in here, before we tell them what we want.”

  “What do you want?” Annie asked in a meek voice.

  Tyrone walked over to Annie and knelt down in front of her. He lifted her chin. “I want Eli to pay for ruining me. I had a good business going out at the farmhouse. All those fancy doctors and lawyers paying me the big bucks to get high and get them some pussy. I’m screwed, and it’s all his fault.”

  Annie forced herself to meet his cold, hard eyes. “Whatever Eli did to you, he did because of his job. Please don’t hurt him. He’s a good police officer. He’ll help you leave town if you let him.”

  “The only place he’s gonna help me is into a maximum security prison. Come here, angel.” He took Annie by the arm and helped her to her feet. He led her over to the sofa and pushed her gently down next to Thea. “Leave this nasty b’ness to me. If the two of you sit here together like good little girls, I won’t have to hurt you.”

  “Can I go see Mama?” Thea asked.

  “Nah, Thea. How many times I gotta tell ya? You can’t go back there. Ain’t nuttin for you to see, anyway. Mama’s sleeping right now. We don’t want to wake her up.”

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Eli

  The FBI hostage negotiator and his team arrived from Charleston in their mobile command center fifty minutes later. Logan Pomeroy’s authoritative manner and intense green eyes studying him from behind thick lenses immediately set Eli at ease.

  “I spoke with Chief Andrews on my way down,” Pomeroy explained. “He has the utmost faith in your ability. Together, we will bring this situation to a close.”

  Eli nodded. The chief had flown to New Orleans that morning for his niece’s wedding. He wasn’t expected back until late the following evening. “You’re in charge, sir. Just tell me what to do.”

  “Why don’t we step into my office and I’ll introduce you to my team.” Pomeroy led Eli inside and introduced him to his second and third in command, whose names Eli didn’t catch, stationed at a bank of controls that occupied one whole wall of the mobile unit.

  “This is some setup you have,” Eli said, impressed by the high tech systems in place.

  “We’re proud of it.” Pomeroy gestured to a small worktable and two chairs. “Why don’t we sit down and you can tell us what you know.”

  Eli waited until Pomeroy was settled across from him. “As best we can tell, there are two suspects and three hostages inside the home.” He told Pomeroy and his team about the Bell brothers’ criminal history—including their alleged involvement in the prostitution and drug ring and the previous day’s bust—and he explained his relationship with Annie and her friendship with the suspect’s sister. “Although it has yet to be confirmed, we have reason to believe that Flora Bell, the suspects’ mother, is also inside the house. She’s in poor health. Diabetes.”

  “That complicates the situation for sure.” Pomeroy took off his glasses and set them on the table. “All right, then. Let’s start by interrupting their cell service. Get the local carriers on the line. Suspend service for everyone inside that house who owns a cell phone.”

  “We’re on it, Chief,” Second in Command said, swiveling around in his chair to face the computers.

  Pomeroy rubbed his eyes and slipped his glasses back on. “While we’re waiting, I’d like to get acquainted with the property.” He produced a laptop and slid it across the table to Eli. Together they studied the Bells’ lot and surrounding areas through both the county’s website and Google Earth.

  “Sir.” Command Three spun around in his chair. “We’ve identified the carrier and suspended all cell service. Our men are in position. Are we prepared to proceed?”

  “Affirmative.”

  Pomeroy and Eli left the table and went to stand behind Two and Three at command central. Two handed them headsets and they slipped them on. “I’ll let you do the introductions,” Pomeroy said. “We’ll use the loudspeaker to make one last stab at getting our suspects to come out voluntarily.”

  Three nodded at Eli. “You’re good to go.”

  All eyes focused on a large computer monitor that displayed a black-and-white image of the front of the house.

  “Tyrone, Willie, it’s Eli again. I hope you can hear me in there. I have someone here that would like to talk to you.”

  Pomeroy paused for a few seconds before he said, “Good evening, gentlemen.”

  Eli cringed at his choice of salutations. Then reminded himself that Pomeroy was the professional. He was merely trying to make nice.

  “I’m Agent Logan Pomeroy with the FBI. Let’s see if we can work this situation out so that everybody wins. But I need to know what it is you want so I can make that happen. Hold tight. We’re bringing you a phone that will allow us to communicate.”

  On the monitor, they watched a cluster of armed and shielded agents creep up to the house, toss the phone through the window, shattering it, and back quickly away. Command Three made the connection and Eli heard the line ringing through his headset.

  “The phone won’t stop ringing until someone answers it,” Pomeroy explained. “It takes awhile sometimes, but it eventually drives them nuts.”

  Five or six minutes passed before one of the Bell brothers accepted the call. “Let me speak to Eli.”

  Eli mouthed, “Tyrone,” to Pomeroy.

  “Tyrone, this is Agent Pomeroy, but I want you to call me Logan. Eli’s standing right next to me. He’s on the line with us.”

  “I’m here, Tyrone,” Eli said.

  “What’d you bring in the feds for?” Tyrone said in a gruff voice. “And what happened to my cell service?”

  “We suspended the service,” Pomeroy said. “You can have it back if you’re willing to cooperate.”

  Tyrone let out a snort, then said, “Cooperate how?”

  “By telling me what it is you want.”

  “Well… let’s see. You can start by bringing me some Jack and coke. Throw in some cigs too. I’m down to my last one.”

  Pomeroy lifted his hand to his headset. “Come now, Tyrone. Work with me here. You know we can’t bring you any booze or drugs. Are you okay on food? Do you need any medical supplies?”

  “Nah, man. We done had supper. Go on home to your old lady and leave us alone.”

  “Can I speak to Willie?” Pomeroy asked.

  “Willie’s busy.”

  Pomeroy paused. “Does anyone need any medical attention in there?”

  “Nope. Everybody’s just dandy.”

  “How about your mother? She feeling okay? I understand she has a medical condition.”

  “Last time I checked, she was sleeping. I tried to wake her up, but she was conked out. She must be real tired.”

  Pomeroy’s green eyes sought out Eli’s. “Will you let my rescue crew come in for her? Just one stretcher and two men. I promise nobody else.”

  “No can do, G-man. My mama’s just fine. She still breathing at least. The party is just getting started in here, and I ain’t ready to negotiate yet. But I’ll be sure to call you when I am. Not.” They heard a cackle of laughter followed by the click of the call being disconnected.

  The foursome watched the monitor in dismay as a black object, which could only be the phone, was tossed back through the broken window.

  Pomeroy snatched off his headset. “Have our men surround the house. We’re dealing
with a psychopath. If he’s willing to let his mother die, everyone else in there is in grave danger.”

  THIRTY-FIVE

  Faith

  Mike was the first to arrive, bearing a deli tray from Harris Teeter and two loaves of bread—one wheat, one white. Faith relieved him of the tray. She had no sooner kicked the door shut behind him when the doorbell rang again. “I’ll get it,” Sam said, seeing that Faith’s hands were full.

  Heidi held out a wicker picnic basket, what Sam referred to as her tasty box. “I had some leftovers from an event I catered last night. I hope it’s okay that I’m here.”

  Sam took the basket from her. “We wouldn’t have asked you to come if we didn’t want you here.”

  “Are you sure?” Her eyes were on Faith, who was still standing beside Sam.

  Faith nodded. “Of course. Your place is here with us.”

  They heard the crunch of gravel and Bill’s Mercedes with the vanity plates DRHART came into view. “Looks like we’ll be feeding a crowd,” Sam said. “Good thing you all brought food.”

  Bill and Sean greeted Sam and Faith with hugs. “Jackie’s not feeling well,” Bill said.

  “I guess not, after her performance this afternoon,” Sam mumbled.

  Faith nudged her sister with her elbow. “We’re just glad the two of you are here. Come on in. Cooper is in the kitchen.”

  They broke into small groups and migrated to the kitchen.

  Considering the outcome of the afternoon’s meeting, Faith thought it just as well Jackie stayed at home. But when she saw the disappointment that crossed Cooper’s face, she understood just how hard the situation had been on him. He needed his mother’s love and support now more than ever. Faith said a silent prayer—one of many offered to the Lord during the past few hours—that Jackie would realize the terrible mistake she was making before she ruined her relationship with her son.

  Faith set the deli tray on the counter and removed the plastic lid. Then she retrieved condiments from the refrigerator and located paper plates, napkins, and forks from the pantry while Sam helped Heidi unpack her tasty box.

  Sam clapped her hands and spoke to the crowd gathered in her kitchen. “Last we heard from Eli, they were waiting for the hostage team to arrive from Charleston. “Since there’s not much else to do, we might as well eat. Thanks to Mike and Heidi we have plenty of food here.” She gestured at the buffet spread out on the kitchen island.

  They all loaded up a plate, but no one had much of an appetite. Mostly, they just picked at their food. Cooper and Sean sat at the table with Bill and Mike, the men’s corner, while the women perched themselves on bar stools at the kitchen counter. Frequent glances at the clock on the stove and the watches on their wrists didn’t make the time pass any quicker. They took turns pacing the floor, the movement offering a moment’s relief from their restlessness. Sam brought out decks of cards and her favorite board games—Monopoly and Scrabble—but no one could concentrate enough to play.

  When the doorbell rang around eight o’clock, Sam and Faith raced each other to answer it. Jackie stood in the doorway with a box of coffee in each hand and a stack of disposable cups tucked under her arm. “I thought you could use some caffeine. I understand if I’m not welcome here.”

  Sam took one of the boxes of coffee from Jackie. “You are always welcome in my home. You know that.”

  “I know one young man who will be thrilled to see you,” Faith added.

  Jackie’s face lit up. “Do you think so, really? I’m not so sure.”

  Faith smiled. “Well, I have no doubt.”

  She looped an arm through each of her sister’s and the threesome entered the kitchen together. Jackie’s presence rendered the crowd momentarily silent.

  “Caffeine, just what I need,” Mike said when he spotted the coffee in her hand. “Jackie, you’re my hero. Here, let me assist you with that.” He stood and walked over to help her set up the coffee station on the counter beside the stove.

  Once everyone had a steaming cup in hand, Jackie whistled for everyone’s attention. “I know what you’re all thinking, and I’m here to tell you that you’re right. This nightmare is my fault. I don’t know how to express my remorse for my behavior over the past few days. Saying I’m sorry seems inadequate. The one I owe the biggest apology to isn’t here. Annie is a precious girl and I love her like my own child. I make no excuses except to say that I let my concern for my son’s future cloud my judgment.

  “It’s hard to relinquish control of our children’s lives. I guess we’re all just beginning to learn that. But Cooper proved to me today that he is the compassionate and honorable young man we’ve raised him to be.” She searched the crowd for her son’s face. “I’m proud of you, son. Whatever you and Annie decide about the baby, I’m behind you a hundred percent.” Her hazel eyes glassed over with unshed tears. “I only hope this situation comes to a rapid conclusion, so I can tell Annie myself how much she means to me. And to this family.”

  Faith went to stand beside her sister. “You’re not the only one at fault here. You were right about me, Jackie. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on that baby. I let my own desire to have another child get in the way of helping Annie make the decision that was right for her.”

  Mike coughed to clear his throat. “We are also to blame for not taking the threat from the Bell brothers seriously enough.”

  Sam stepped forward. “If anyone is responsible for putting Annie in danger, it’s Eli. But I don’t blame him. He risks his life every day to make the streets of Prospect a better place so friends like Annie and Thea can be safe when they visit each other’s home.”

  “Amen to that,” Faith said.

  Sam continued. “Families disagree. It happens all the time. Lord knows we’ve had our share of arguments. But I know families who fuss and fight and hold grudges, folks who haven’t spoken to their own siblings in decades. Not us. We’re Sweeneys. Because we love each other, we forgive one another. We kiss and make up and move on. The important thing is, we’re all here tonight, together, presenting a united front for Annie.”

  “And for Eli,” Cooper added.

  Sam nodded. “And for Eli.”

  “If I may…” Heidi raised her hand, her hot-pink fingernail pointing at the sky. “I’d just like to say… I’m certainly in no position to talk about parenting or family relationships. But I, too, have been selfish when it comes to Annie. Without regard for her feelings, I showed up out of the blue and demanded to be a part of her life,”—she tossed her hands out in front of her—“this life she’d worked so hard to create on her own. Annie has plenty of reasons to never see me again. And if that’s what she wants, I will honor her wishes. But only because I know she’s in good hands with you. It’s clear to me how much you all love Annie. You’ve done so much for her—taken her into your homes, treated her like she’s part of your family. And for that, I will always be grateful.”

  THIRTY-SIX

  Annie

  Annie slept sitting straight up on the sofa. Rather, she pretended to sleep, hoping Tyrone would forget she was there. She took frequent peeks at him, monitoring his movements as he chain-smoked cigarettes, drank Jack Daniels straight from the bottle, and snorted his way through a mound of cocaine. She had no idea where this reserve stash had come from since Thea had dumped his previous supply on the floor.

  Thea lay stretched out with her head in Annie’s lap, her face now swollen and bruised. Willie had stopped partying hours ago. He sat in an upright chair in the corner watching a basketball game on TV. The roar of the crowd cheering, the squeak of rubber shoes against the court, and the excited voices of the anchormen commenting on each play could be heard throughout the house. The Tar Heels were beating the Wolfpack by six points with less than five minutes to go in the game. Whoever the Tar Heels and the Wolfpack were.

  Annie had come to terms with her predicament. She understood the stakes. She’d mentally prepared herself, as best she could, to do whatever it took to survive, t
o protect the life of her unborn baby. Even if that meant letting Tyrone have his way with her. She saw how he’d treated Thea, his own sister. Annie couldn’t bring herself to think about what he’d done to their mother.

  It wouldn’t be long now. He’d stubbed out his last cigarette, drained the last drops of whiskey, and snorted his last line of cocaine. Soon he would be looking for a different form of pleasure. She sensed his restlessness. He was all hyped up from the coke. Flicking his Bic lighter. Tapping his shoe on the floor. Reclining the chair, then bringing it upright, over and over again. When the time came, she would close her eyes and clear her mind of all thoughts except those of Cooper and their baby. She’d never wanted an abortion. What a pity she had to put the baby’s life in danger for her to realize that.

  At least two hours had passed since the hostage negotiator had tried to communicate with Tyrone. Annie had faith in Eli. She knew she could count on him to see the crisis through to the end. She imagined him pacing up and down the street out front, running his fingers through his dark curls, unable to get to Annie despite his close proximity to the house.

  The buzzer on the TV sounded. The game had ended. The Tar Heels had won by two points.

  “Keep an eye on Thea, will ya?” Tyrone said to Willie. “I’m gonna take angel girl to the back bedroom, and we gonna do our thing.”

  The recliner creaked and feet hit the floor. Tyrone tapped her lightly on the cheek. “Come on, Sleeping Beauty. Time to wake up now.”

  Annie opened her eyes and quickly shut them again at the sight of his menacing grin. The baby, Annie. You must protect the baby at all cost. She took a deep breath, but when she tried to get up, the sudden movement startled Thea from her sleep.