Joslyn (Women of Privilege Book 3)

by Bridget Bundy

  I’m a little taken aback by his kindness, but his concerned expression confirms he really meant what he said.

  “My name is Sheriff Ben Gantt.”

  “Am I under arrest?”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “Then why was I brought here?”

  “A concerned neighbor called and said a strange person was sitting outside of Lucy Davis’s house. They have a small drug problem in that neighborhood. It’s a good thing for the both of you that my deputies weren’t too far away. Well, good thing for you, that is. Why did you go over there in the first place?”

  “I was trying to find out if she knew the people that took my son.”

  “Did she answer your question?”

  “No, she got pissed off fairly quickly and threw me out of her house.”

  “How well do you know Lucy Davis?”

  “I don’t know her at all,” I remark.

  “Did you go over there thinking that woman was just going to own up to knowing the people that kidnapped your boy?”

  “I was hoping, Sheriff Gantt, that Lucy Davis would understand and help me.”

  “Why would she help you? Didn’t your husband kill her son?”

  Does every law enforcement in Georgia know about that? I answer uncomfortably, “Yes, he did, but in self-defense.”

  “You think that matters to her? Bottom line, her son was killed by someone in your family. That was a bad idea for you to go by there.”

  “I did what I had to do.”

  “And you almost got killed in the process. Did you know that she has a criminal record?”

  I shake my head slowly, shocked by the question.

  “She was arrested for murder when she was in her twenties. Killed a woman who she claimed was sexually abusing her son. She served fifteen years of a twenty-five year sentence in the South Carolina state penitentiary. There were reports of her beating her cellmates, drug use, and possible murder while she was in. She’s been out for close to a year on probation now, and we think she was central to the drug problem in her neighborhood. What I’m trying to convey to you, Mrs. Montgomery, is that Lucy Davis is a dangerous woman, and she has a temper that can go off on a hair trigger. You were damn lucky today we got there when we did. She would have killed you, and she wouldn’t have cared one bit.”

  Chills go up my back. I didn’t realize she was that dangerous.

  “I understand what you were trying to do, Mrs. Montgomery, but you shouldn’t have gone to that woman’s house.” He rises from his chair. “You have to wait in here. Make yourself comfortable. Do you want something to drink?”

  “No. I just want to know when I can leave.”

  He walks out without answering. Now, I’m ticked. If I’m not under arrest, why do I have to wait?

  Seconds turn into minutes, and I’m sure an hour goes by. I try the doorknob a few times while I wait. It remains locked the whole time. Finally, the door opens. Jackie walks in, fuming. Instantly, I feel like a two year old in big trouble, like I’ve done something so horrendous that it can’t be undone.

  “Let’s go,” she says coldly. “We’re leaving out the back to avoid the reporters.”

  We make a quick exit. I never do see Lucy Davis, and I still wonder where she is. Within minutes we’re on the road, heading back to Meldrim to get my car.

  I look over at Jackie as she makes the turn out of the parking lot. She’s highly pissed off at me. I’m not going to say a word because I already know she’s going to wear me out if I do. Hopefully, I can make it back to my car without a lashing. I turn on the radio, thinking it’ll ease the tension between us. It doesn’t at all.

  She pushes the button, turning off the radio, and says, “Did you find Dave?”

  “What?” I ask with confusion.

  “Did you find Dave?”

  “Obviously not.” Does she not see I don’t have my son?

  “Did Ms. Davis tell you where to find him or who has him?”

  “No.”

  “Really? Because I just knew you were on the right track, Joslyn. You being the master detective and all.”

  She’s being real nasty and smart right now, and I don’t appreciate it. I turn to look out the passenger window.

  “I just don’t get it,” she huffs. “Why did you go over there? Why?”

  “I was desperate. Davian is not where he belongs, and it’s killing me.”

  “Desperation doesn’t mean you lose your damn mind. Do you know she almost shot you? Do you even realize that?”

  “Yes, believe me, I was well aware.” Shotgun in my face. Rain blinding me. I remember so well.

  “Just so you know, Lucy Davis is going back to prison thanks to you.”

  “Why?” I ask with confusion.

  “She wasn’t supposed to have a firearm, and of course, because you went over there, she was caught with one.”

  “I was not threatening her, Jackie. She attacked me, and if she’s going to prison-”

  “There is no if, Joslyn. She is going to prison.”

  I sigh heavily, shaking my head. That wasn’t my intention.

  “I hope you’re happy with yourself.”

  “Stop it, Jackie. This all began when Joshua Davis and Gia Briggs entered my home and tried to kill my family.”

  “But that doesn’t give you the right to go at their parents with accusations of kidnapping. That’s all you’re doing is making it hard for yourself.”

  She’s right. I don’t even have a comeback or an explanation.

  “Despite all of your effort, Joslyn, Davian is still missing. Harlan is still in a coma, and the only progress you’ve made is getting yourself in trouble with the law and almost getting killed. Is that what you were aiming for?”

  “No, Jackie,” I whisper, wiping warm tears.

  “And just so you know, the police has gotten much farther than you. They have a suspect.”

  In disbelief, I ask, “Who?”

  “Detective Sawyer didn’t have time to go into details with me. She’s working some kind of angle right now, but she’s going to call really soon.”

  “I can’t wait for her to call. Get her on the phone.”

  “Oh, now you’re all interested in talking to her.”

  “She found a suspect. Of course, I’m interested. Get on your phone and call her.”

  “Detective Sawyer said that she will contact us when she’s done. You have to wait.”

  “Jackie, are you kidding me?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “Give me your phone!”

  She gives me a sideways-I-dare-you-to-touch-me look instead and returns her attention back to the road. I look in the back seat for her purse. I don’t see it. She doesn’t have it in her lap or on the floor near my feet, either.

  “Stop looking,” she says.

  “Fine!” If she wants to be stupid, then she can be that way. I’ll find a way to get in touch with Detective Sawyer without her help.

  We get back to my car, and I rush to get out of hers. But before I can close the door, Jackie yells at me, “You need to call your kids. You wouldn’t want them to think you forgot about them.”

  God, have mercy on me. Kristina and the twins. I did forget about them. I hope they didn’t see me getting arrested or that woman pointing a shotgun to my head. What have I done?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Mom, where are the kids? Have they been watching television?”

  “No,” she answers nonchalantly. “We’re at the big place with the arcades and games and that laser tag. Been here for most of the day.”

  Thank goodness! I start the car and start driving. I was about to go over to her house, hoping to stop them from watching television. The last thing they need is to see me about to get my brains blown out. I can’t imagine explaining that to my kids.

  “They were moping around,” my mom continues. “I thought they could use some fun.”

  “When will you go back home?”

  “M
aybe, in an hour,” she answers.

  “Okay, so when you go home, make sure they don’t watch television tonight.”

  “Joslyn, why do you keep telling me that? What the hell?”

  “I got into a…um…Look, just no TV. Absolutely none, okay?”

  “I heard you,” she answers, clearly annoyed.

  “Have fun. Tell the kids I love them.”

  She hangs up. I want to call her back, but she’ll really start going off because I’m bothering her. At least now I don’t have to worry about the news filling my kids’ heads with their spin on what they think happened today.

  When I get back to Jackie’s house, the vultures have grown exponentially. I suppose my visit to Lucy Davis has warrant a lot more attention. Getting back into the driveway proves to be near impossible, but I manage to get through them and inside the garage. I walk inside, heading directly for the shower. I ignore the police officer in the library and two more that’s in the living room. Jackie walks by me as she comes out of the kitchen. We don’t even speak.

  All I want to do is clean all the grime that I’ve earned off of my body and start over fresh. I want today’s events to be behind me, and I want to concentrate solely on Harlan and whatever the police needs me to do to help them find Davian. I’m done playing Inspector Gadjet.

  The hot water beats down on my shoulders with precision and unfaltering heat. This is what I need, but even as I stand, naked and sore, it’s not enough. It’ll never be until everyone has come home, until we are all where we should be. I get out of the shower, tears mixed with spray from the water, feeling utterly empty and alone.

  After drying off and putting on clothes, I pick out the splinter from my hand and put antibiotic on the wound on my forearm. Then I sit on the bed, feeling exhausted and emotionally drained. I wish I could rest, find some solace in this moment, but I can’t even begin to indulge. My hopelessness is winning.

  Jackie walks in. I look up at her, fighting all the emotions that threatens to break me completely. She comes in and puts her arms around me. I collapse into her embrace. I let go what little bit is left. When I find my calm once again, we hold hands.

  “I’m sorry,” I say to her.

  “No need. We’re going to get through this, Joslyn.”

  “Sure doesn’t seem like it.”

  “We will.” She pats my hand. “Detective Parker is downstairs. He wants to talk to you.”

  “Does he have news about the suspect?”

  “I’m not sure. He just got here.”

  “Has Detective Sawyer called?”

  Jackie shakes her head as an answer.

  “I need to know what’s going on.” I walk out. Jackie is right on my heels.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Detective Parker is standing at the patio window with his hands in his pockets. The glow from the setting sun shines around him. His shadow casts backwards into the house. I don’t think Detective Parker realizes Jackie and I have walked into the room. He’s deep into the darkening scenery in front of him. Jackie clears her throat, and he looks over his shoulder, chewing gum, instantly driving me crazy. I don’t even let my kids or Harlan chew gum in the house, and here he is, working every part of my nerve.

  “Mrs. Montgomery,” Detective Parker says with a smirk. I guess he’s tickled over the fact I nearly got my head blown off. “How are you doing this evening?”

  “I’m fine,” I answer tightly. “How can I help you, Detective?”

  “Do you know her?” He hands me a picture.

  In the photograph, there’s an African American woman with long eyelashes, glowing cheeks, and a pretty smile. She has long blonde hair past her shoulders, and she’s wearing a tight denim dress that hugs every voluptuous curve. I take a closer look, and that’s when I recognize the woman. She had jet black hair yesterday, but still, that is the same woman who was with Dreadlocks. I’m in shock. They really did find her.

  I show the picture to Jackie. “She’s the one that took Davian. Detective, have you arrested her?”

  “No,” he says. “Are you sure you don’t know her?”

  “She never told me her name, and I’ve never seen her before up until yesterday morning.”

  “Okay.” Detective Parker reaches for the picture, but I don’t want to give it up. It’s like the only link I have to Davian.

  “Where does she live?” I ask.

  “You don’t need to know that.” He puts the picture into a pocket in his jacket.

  “Well, what’s her name?”

  “Do you plan on looking up her parents’ address and paying them a visit?”

  “No, I won’t.” I guess I deserve that.

  “I’ll let Detective Sawyer tell you everything. It’s her case, and I don’t have all the details. Don’t want to tell you the wrong thing and get you all excited over nothing.”

  “Where is Detective Sawyer? I really need to know what’s going on.”

  “Be patient, Mrs. Montgomery. I’m sure you’ll hear from her soon.”

  I’m anxious. All I want to know is that they found the woman and my son, and that he’s alive and well.

  “Mrs. Montgomery, I came by to speak to you on another matter. Remember, you and Mr. Montgomery were supposed to come by the station yesterday morning. Thought we could talk now.”

  “Okay.”

  “Let’s sit down.” He motions to the sofa, and I take a seat. He sits, as well, leaving room between us. Jackie remains standing.

  “So, what did you want to talk about?” I ask.

  “Motive.”

  I glance up at Jackie, and she shrugs her shoulders.

  “I asked you about Gia’s motives for trying to kill your family at the beginning of the investigation. Do you remember what you told me?”

  “Yes, I remember. I said that she was out to get me; that she was insane and out of control.”

  “Gia told me something different.”

  I fold my arms. “She did, huh? And you believe that criminal over me?”

  “She said that you harassed her for days.”

  “What harassment are you talking about?” Jackie chimes in.

  “She said that Mrs. Montgomery penalized her close to a thousand dollars for her home and yard violations. She also said that your sister and Charli Love had a party at the same time she had hers, and that Mrs. Montgomery came over and rubbed it in her face that very same night.”

  I cover my mouth, feeling ashamed. I already knew what set Gia off. Many times I’ve gone over the details in my mind, but to hear it out loud is different. I hate what I did to her, considering the consequences to my family.

  “When we looked over the evidence from Gia’s home, I found several notifications that back up her story. All of them were given to her within two to four days of each other. Your name, Mrs. Montgomery, was signed on every single notice. With her being new to the neighborhood, I would think you’d be more lenient until she learned all of your rules.”

  “It wasn’t my idea, Detective Parker.”

  “Whose idea was it?” he asks.

  “Charli wanted me to keep an eye on her and to continue to penalize her every time I found something wrong on her property. I thought, at the time, it was a good idea.”

  “Why in the hell would you think that?” Jackie asks with an attitude.

  “Because Gia embarrassed me at a meeting for the Ladies of Tudor, and I thought that was a good way to get back at her.”

  “You do realize she was reacting to your harassment,” Detective Parker says.

  “Yes, I realize that. It hasn’t gotten past me at all.”

  “I told you that Charli was nothing but a conniving, lowdown ass bi-” Jackie shakes her head and glares at me with disbelief. “Why would you listen to her in the first place?”

  “Like I said, Gia embarrassed me. She pissed me off.” I blow out in frustration. Nothing I say can fix or change what I did to her at this point. My family is feeling the results of her revenge to thi
s day, and I regret ever signing a single notification. I knew it wasn’t right when I did it, but I was trying to put Gia in her place; show her that she had no power and no friends in this neighborhood. Plus, I was showing off in front of Charli. Got me nowhere and added unneeded problems in my uncomplicated life.

  “Don’t be too hard on yourself, Mrs. Montgomery. Bottom line, Joshua and Gia made their choice. They could have turned the other cheek, but they choose to break the law.”

  “I could have choose to turn the other cheek, too. I could have stood up to Charli and gave Gia a break. Now, everyone is suffering because of my pettiness. And I feel horrible about it.”

  I cross my arms, feeling like an absolute heel. I have to let my obsessive behavior go when it comes to Gia and Joshua from this point on. I’m not going to sing that same old song about their families knowing the kidnappers anymore. I have learned my lesson. As far as I’m concerned, and I hope it’s truly the case, Gia nor Joshua is involved in Davian’s kidnapping. Nor are they responsible for Harlan getting hurt.

  All out of words, I stand and go to the kitchen. I just want peace. I want family. I want normalcy.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Detective Parker leaves thirty minutes before Detectives Sawyer and Richardson arrives. Both of them are quiet, as if bad news have sealed their lips. I’m afraid to hear what I think they’re going to say, but I’m trying my best to be brave, to show them I can handle whatever it is they have to say. But that fear of my son being dead sits in my stomach and is making me sick. I say a silent prayer as both take a seat in the great hall with me and Jackie. The two uniformed officers go into the library with the third, giving us privacy.

  My nerves are on end. My head is swimming. If I even begin to hear what I think they’re going to say, I’m just going to faint.

  Detective Sawyer begins, “Did Detective Parker showed you a picture of a woman?”

  “Yes, he did.” I look to both of them, waiting for the bad news.

  “We identified her from off the fingerprints on your cell phone,” she says.

  “Oh,” I remark, remembering the woman that took Davian did touch my phone. She tossed it out of the car as she drove off.