"Mrs. Wherrington, despite your accusations against me, I'm doing what I was hired to do. To protect your daughter and her interest."
"My daughter doesn't need protection from us, we're her family! We didn't hire you!"
"But her representative did. Until we know what's going on-..."
"Have you not been watching the news!? SHE WAS SHOT - IN A GANG ATTACK!!!"
"So it's assumed." Jeremiah responded, not at all bothered by her yelling. She'd been yelling at him for the last day every time she saw him. If not her, then her husband, he wasn't bothered. He had a job to do... and he would be thorough, making sure all was done accordingly so that nothing was missed and Deidre remained safe. He relieved Terra so that she could rest, when she returned, he would take a break.
"I can't talk to you! There's no reason why I should have to. Our lawyers will be here shortly... when this is all over and done with, you'll be sorry you ever bothered the Wherrington's!" She turned her back to him, facing Shawn again.
"Where are you staying? You know you're more than welcome to come to our home? Times like this, family must pull together."
"You must be joking?! We're not family, and when Deidre and I were married - we weren't family. Let's get something clear right now Mrs. Wherrington, I'm here so that my daughter can see her mother. So that I can see Deidre and know that she's okay -or- not. I have a life of my own, with my own family. We are in need of nothing from you, however, thank you for the offer."
Georgiana stood steaming as she stared at Shawn, conversely there was nothing she could do about him for the time being. She hated that so many were about, standing watching them. She needed to be alone with him, she needed time to persuade him to her side. He'd changed some, he wore his hair differently, which made him look even more desirable in her opinion. He had the perfect height, build and shaped head for that cut, making him all that much more masculine, alluring. Something about the cut, the earring now in his ear, his well shaped beard and dress sent shivers through her from head to foot. At his most disdainful, she would want him. She couldn't wait for her dates of consultations to begin for her plastic surgery. She only needed a few nips and tucks - here and there and once she recovered from that - she'd be ready to rain down on him her full plan to have him.
Georgiana looked beyond Shawn at Angela and then the older woman she sat next to, as well the young woman with her. Her eyes narrowed on Shanna, wondering who she was. "Who is this?" Georgiana asked walking around Shawn towards Angela. Shawn turned, "My mother, Gertrude Eleanora McPherson, my sister, Shanna."
"Your sister?" Georgiana said it with a smile. Again, Gert didn't miss a thing. Georgiana turned back to them, "I'm Georgiana Wherrington. Deidre's mother. Nice to meet you. Angela, no hug for your grandmother?"
"No." She answered sitting back. She'd never hugged her before, no sense in starting now. Georgiana glared at her a moment, then turned back to Shawn's mother.
"How long will you all be here?"
"Until my son is ready to leave. We must get back to check on his wife... she's not feeling well, being with child is a bit uncomfortable for her right now, the flight would have made her sick, otherwise she would be here... his wife... that is." Gert lied, testing Georgiana. She failed the test miserably. Her eyes grew wide and she turned back to Shawn.
"You - you married her... that... woman from the courthouse?" Georgiana asked stunned and breathless.
"This was to be our honeymoon. Yes I did... we're married now, this time around, I did it right." Shawn stated.
The police officer walked up to them and handed Shawn his license.
"He's clear."
"Good... if you would, Mr. McPherson, you and your family can follow me." Jeremiah invited.
"You're going to let them in to visit my daughter when I haven't even seen her yet?!" Georgina challenged in disbelief.
Patiently, Jeremiah turned back to her and answered, "Yes... yes I am." He then turned to Shawn's mother, "Mrs. McPherson, this way please." Jeremiah indicated with his arm extended in the direction they would be walking, he gathered her, Shanna and Angela before him, as the officer lead the way with Shawn falling in beside him. No one gave Georgiana another thought.
Jeremiah stood outside to give them some privacy while visiting Deidre, he wanted to question Shawn, but he promised the investigation team that he would let them conduct it as long as he could be present when he requested to be. He'd called them as soon as Shawn and his family entered her room. He turned pacing and thinking. He knew that something was going on with Oscar T. Wherrington. The man seemed a bit beyond the norm for a father concerned about the medical welfare of his daughter. He'd raged and blustered a great deal about not being able to see her. While that indeed was normal - what was not, was his insistence and interference with the physicians and demanding his own doctors attend her. Pushing so it seemed to have her transferred out of this hospital when he and Terra both explained that he, nor his wife had any jurisdiction, right of decision, or power to move her or decide upon her medical care. They'd had to go so far as to ban him from the floor he became so belligerent. The man was almost foaming at the mouth with desperation.
Thus far, Jeremiah was happy with the way things were going with the investigation. There was quite the surprise expressed when three dead white bodies were pulled from some of the vehicles driven in the shooting. The vehicles used were stolen, vin numbers scratched from the plates. Mock registration plates that were dead and useless. There were survivors that got away, leaving only the dead behind. But they were enough evidence to show, this so called, "gang war" - was not what it had been reported to be. Because he had pushed and pushed, and stood by with a sharp critical eye daring them to make one false move, the tide was turning.
His brother had been released and charges against those from his neighborhood frozen while the whole incident was under investigation.
The young woman responsible for helping save Deidre's life, Chaka - had already been questioned and was now under police protection until further notice, she might possibly be used as a witness of what took place that night. As it were, she'd already told the investigators, that Deidre's screaming was that of someone who knew they were being hunted down to be killed. It was more than just being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time - she had known that whomever chased them, were there to make sure she was dead.
The detectives, Johnson and Gleason did not want to hear that. That meant, this was going to be long, drawn out and even possibly get ugly. No one had wanted to say it, so Jeremiah said it for them, "This was no gang war... this was a plot... and I get a feeling, one that went terribly wrong. Either way, money is behind it. So seems to me, until its been proven beyond a doubt, you're going to have to release those that were arrested. They saved her life."
Shawn stood at the head of the bed looking down at Deidre, and could not believe what he was seeing. That she was actually laying in a induced coma in order to aid in her recovery. Police guards stood outside of her door. All he could do was look at her laying there and wonder what had happened to bring them both to this place and time of such unhappiness and horror. She'd been shot six times. Two in the pelvic area, one in the thigh, another had hit her in the large intestine, through her shoulder, and another just inches from her spinal column at the very base of her neck as it went into her collar bone area. She'd lost a great deal of blood they said, and if she could make it through the next 48 hours, her odds were good.
He couldn't believe it. It was all like some strange and crazy nightmare. He stroked the hair from her brow, unable to prevent the memories of them together from rushing through his mind. While he knew they were never quite suited to one another, he had loved her. He just hadn't been truly in love with her. As he was with his missing wife. No matter how bad things had become between him and Deidre... this is something he would have never wished on her. In fact he would have done anything to protect her from it. Angela stood beside him holding her mother's hand.
He looked over at his daughter and lifted his hand palming her head and pulling her into his side.
His mother and Shanna stood on the other side of the bed looking down at her, observing all of the wires and tubes coming out of her. All the machines connected to them, making regular beeps and ticks in regular intervals.
"My God... the poor thing... she's as pale as a ghost." Gert murmured softly.
"What exactly happened?" Shanna asked.
"I don't really know... I'm going to go out and talk to her lawyer. I'll be right back you guys." He turned to his daughter, "You stay here... I need to find out what happened okay?" Angela nodded moving in the place he evacuated, taking up stroking her mother's hair from her forehead.
"I need to know what's going on here? Why the police? All the security? Keeping her parents from her?" Shawn asked Jeremiah as they stepped outside on the visitors deck.
Jeremiah was leaning back against the rail facing Shawn, both of them stood with their arms crossed over their chest as Jeremiah shared what he dared to. "It's been reported that Deidre was caught up in a gang war when her taxi driver made a wrong turn. I know contrary. Her best friend, Terra - knows better. You see... Deidre's been fearing for her life. She had a power of attorney made out with Terra Conway as her legal executor for all matters pertaining to her in case of an emergency, or... in case of an accident. Her exact words to Terra was, "If anything should happen to me, don't let them get me." meaning... her family... her parents. Next thing we know, she doesn't show up for an important event Friday, an awards ceremony for Terra. Because of the things Terra knew, she panicked and together we went looking for Deidre, her car was still sitting at her place. For some reason, she took a taxi. We've collected her vehicle and it is now being checked over. We won't know what will be found until next week sometime."
"Are you standing here telling me... that her parents might be responsible for this? That they tried to kill their own daughter?!" Once again Shawn stood stunned at what he was hearing.
"What I'm telling you is this... she was not an innocent victim of a gang war. They saved her life... this gang whom someone has framed to take the wrap. There are vehicles peppered with serious gun fire, especially the vehicles where Deidre was carried in. So... whatever the circumstances are, leading to that night, she was not to live through it. Thus... the police, the security and the need to keep her parents away from her until she recovers. Right now while she is in critical condition, it is the perfect time for someone to slip in and finish the job. For that reason, no one goes near her. Only one doctor... only one nurse. Should she recover... regain consciousness, it would be too late then to try and kill her, because then it would be obvious. Now... no - she would be too easy to kill were the wrong person allowed into her room. Under the circumstance, we need to play it safe. If she recovers, wakes up, and proves to be out of dangerous waters, we will let her parents visit her - escorted."
Shawn stood staring lost for words.
"Look... you all must be tired after flying in from Wisconsin. Get back to your rooms, rest... and I'll give you a call should anything change. Also, prepare yourself for a bit of questioning."
"Yeah... sure...okay." Shawn turned away to collect his mother, sister and daughter.
They left the hospital and went grocery shopping, and then returned to the condo. Taking advantage of their time there, Angela, Shanna and Gert donned swimming suits to enjoy some sun and swimming. Shawn sent them on to enjoy themselves, saying that he would cook. It was six thirty, Shawn stood in the kitchen seasoning the orange roughy fish they bought, he would broil it, make a salad, and steam potatoes with butter and fresh chives. He stood watching the clock aware that it was two hours ahead in Wisconsin. He stood fighting grabbing the phone as long as he could. Finally unable to hold back, he picked up the receiver and dialled the number that had been haunting him for the last couple of hours.
"Hello?" Derrick answered.
There was silence, it lingered a moment and then finally Shawn spoke. "It's me."
"Oh... hi... so you guys made it there safely... good."
"Derrick... I need-..."
"No... no Shawn... I can't."
"She's - my - wife! Please!" Again silence, "Please Derrick... I'm going nuts man... I need to know-..."
"I gave her my word Shawn. I gave her my word. She's safe. I just spoke with her as a matter of fact, she's doing as I asked, checking in on time."
"How can you keep her location from me!? I'm your fucking brother man! She's my wife! I wanna know where she is!" Shawn demanded.
"I gave her my word. Whether you believe me or not... I am doing this for you... my brother."
"I just - I just wanna hear her voice... I just wanna hear her... just... I need to talk to her man... I need to just hear her... I'll call... I won't say anything... I just want to hear her answer the phone... I promise."
"Shawn... you're gonna have to wait it out. You're going to have to give her this time-..."
"THAT'S FUCKING EASY FOR YOU TO SAY!!! YOU'VE GOT YOUR GODDAMN FAMILY RIGHT THERE - RIGHT FUCKING THE-E-ERE!!! NOW - TELL ME - WHERE - IS MY WIFE?!!"
{{ Click }}
Shawn held the phone in his hand so tightly, he wanted to crumble it into a million pieces. He braced his hands against the kitchen counter, pushing at it and grinding his teeth so tight and hard his head shook as tears gathered in his eyes.
Angry he walked to his desktop, clicked it on, waited for it to power up. Signed in, and then went to his email account, he clicked on the small icon for writing an email.
He added his wife's two email addresses in the To: and CC: slots and in the Subject line he wrote... "You are killing me! Wrecking me from the inside out!" And sent it, knowing she would not open it, but she had no choice but to see the subject line.
Chapter 83
That Sunday Morning in Chicago...
Someone was laying on her doorbell.
Vivian's eyes blinked open, hearing the intrusive sound, for a moment she couldn't help but wonder what was going on, having been in a deep sleep. She looked over at the clock on her bedside table. It was 8:30am. She sat up rubbeing her eyes, yawning, stretching, sitting. The doorbell rang again. Suddenly a thought occurred to her, JAKE! Grinning she leapt from her bed and dashed to her window to look down and see who it was. Her heart sank.
Laek Chan was at her door.
She couldn't believe it; after all she said to him, there he was - still!
She opened her window, leaned out, "What do you want?!"
He backed up and looked up at her, his eyes narrowed. "You alone?" He asked right away.
Vivian was steaming. She was slowly beginning to regret getting involved with him. He had been such a charming man. She'd met him at the bank, when she had been one of the front window clerks. He'd charmed her daily until he finally got her to accept his invitation out to dinner. When he picked her up, she'd been wearing her red dress. As their relationship progressed, so had her job as she had been promoted quickly from teller because she had been so professional in her conduct, work ethic and procedures. Everything with her had always been exact, unwilling to cheat with her breaks or lunches. At work, she was in full blown Northern Trust mode. She was always impeccably dressed. She made eye contact with her fellow employees and the clients that came into the bank and her managers. In no time at all, she was given more and more responsibility, and promoted via; pay as well as position. Now, she was the Senior Desk Analyst - providing technical phone support to their clientele. Any account problem with their services, she was called upon to discuss with them and fix. Even further, she coordinated partner and client projects, implementing plans, resources and status reports. Additionally, she did interviews for hiring and training new tellers.
While not very tall, Laek Chan was good looking, a Japanese/Chinese mix. His father; Chinese, his mother; Japanese, the reason for his name Chan. He had a carriage and confidence about him that could not be denied. Standing 5'9, he was fit. Very sleek, t
one and vivacious in manner when they were together. He had a thick head of jet black hair that was stunning. Vivian had loved it. His skin, was an unreal smooth, olive and clear. His eyes very dark and small, but strangely enough, his features worked to make him quite attractive. Another thing that could not be denied, he had been an incredible lover when she finally gave herself over to him. Shocked in disbelief that she had been a virgin still at 23. Vivian had had many opportunities to give up her virginity when she was younger. She hadn't because the few attempts with the boys, when she could get away from the protection of Sheila, or her sisters were rare and hurried and awkward. It hadn't been right and she had been disdainful of their fumbling efforts to the point where she decided to skip that all together and come back to it when she had more time. School and work took prominence in her life and she just didn't have the time to give for a relationship and wasn't about to have sex for the sake of getting rid of her virginity. Her virginity hadn't done anything to her, why get rid of it? It was a silent attribute that made her feel good about herself, so -there was no need to lose it. When finally she did accept dates, from professional men, they hadn't clicked. Leaving her to wonder why she'd accepted the date in the first place. The few professional black men she'd dated, wanted sex with her, period. Nothing else. A couple had gone so far as to be distracted when a pretty white woman crossed their path; or a light skinned sister. That did it for her, she kept her virginity and steered clear of dating again for a while.
Thus she'd met Laek Chan, who had been stunned by it all, and with reverence had taken her virginity from her as if he had been blessed by the Gods. Yet, as time went on, he slipped into making excuses for standing her up at times, not being able to do this or that. Six months into the relationship, Vivian found herself in love with him, only to find out he had a wife and two children. Discovered by seeing them out in public together shopping. She hadn't been able to believe her eyes. He hadn't seen her and for that, she'd been glad. Later on in the week she'd confronted him. He broke down and confessed it then. Vivian tried to break it off, but he hung on and hung on until she gave in finally and took him back, feeling guilty the entire time. At first she tried the method of just having him as her lover, and she would be free to live her life and do what she wanted with it. In exchange, he bought her things. Expensive things. Had in fact helped her get her home. Trying to think smart and ahead, she made sure that only her name was on the paperwork, her mama hadn't raised a complete fool. He'd also given her a card to shop with. Three years into the relationship... Vivian began feeling exactly what she was.
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