The officer's there needed to get the siblings under control, corralling them to the far side of their vehicles trying to calm their screaming and shouting. Trying to reason with them without forcing them into a police car...but the one sister, Doris' twin, Dott was not cooperating. She refused to calm down. Refused to cease her verbal abuse about Jake, calling him and the police every vile name she'd ever heard through her life, to the point that the police forced her around and handcuffed her, forcing her into their cruiser until she stopped her loud and crazy behavior. Because of that, they let Kathy Ann go for the moment. But she would be facing a few fines herself when things were said and done. The siblings were hysterical to go in the mobile home to see Doris, still stretched out on her back in her bedroom with the coroner inside taking pictures of the scene. Carefully collecting what lay around her, lifting the gun and putting it into a plastic bag.
Chapter 90
Crystal parked at the corner down the block from Victor's family home. She made her way down the sidewalk and with quiet stealth eased around to the back of the house, carefully peering into the windows, looking into the living room first and then she moved along to the dining room. There sitting at the table, was her husband, and some little brunette, chit chatting away as if nothing out of the ordinary was going on. Narrowing her eyes, Crystal pressed her ear to the small crack where the window was slightly open. All she could make out was the brunette's Pigeon like coo laughter, as she reached over and pat Victor's hand that lay on the table beside her. "Yeah... cute... I don't think so! I ain't havin' this shit! He must have lost his goddamn mind!" She muttered to herself, watching them closely, especially Victor... trying to see the look on his face as he sat socializing. Suddenly his mother entered the room, saying something to the two of them. Probably offering them some kind of refreshments. Crystal's gaze burned through the thin veil lace curtains to Natalie Prescott, Victor's mother. The lady did not like her. Had never liked her. She'd been polite to her, but always in a condescending way. As if she were some type of animal that needed to be tolerated and handled carefully, but never for a moment had she looked at Crystal as an equal. Certainly no one she felt worthy of her son. No doubt, now, as things were between them, she was in heaven.
Crystal stood watching her, the way she was with this girl that sat across from Victor. She was so open, animated and full of that look that said... "Please feel welcome in my home, you're just what he needs!" No the words had not come from his mother, but her body language and behavior said it loud and clear. Crystal was no fool. She could see the difference in the way she'd always been treated compared to what she saw now. Their laughter was getting on her nerves, she turned from the window. Tromped back through the yard to the front and down the block. Growing angry, resentful and hurt with every step until she made it back to the SUV. Climbing in, she started it and drove it around the corner, pulling up in front of their home, then stepped out and walked up to the front door, and rang the door bell. She waited in preparation of seeing Natalie, she knew that if anyone answered, it would be her.
Sure enough, she looked up at the small door window to see Natalie looking out at her with wide eyes.
"Yeah - em hm... it's me alright... your worse goddamn nightmare." Crystal murmured to herself. A moment passed as obviously, Natalie was struggling with the best way to deal with her, and then perhaps coming to some conclusion in her mind, she finally opened the door and stepped outside pulling it to behind her.
"Crystal? What are you doing here?" She asked quietly.
"My husband is here. Can you tell him I'm out here, I'd like to speak with him."
"This is not a good time, he's busy right now. Is there something you need?"
"I need - to speak - with my husband! Whatever he is busy doing, can wait." She returned not about to be turned away, keeping the same low tone as his mother.
"Look it's late, I can have him phone you first thing in the morning." She advised.
"I am not concerned about what time it is, neither should you be. As long as I am his wife, I have a right to request his attention. I did not come here to see you, nor inconvenience you - now if you would please... tell him I'm out here. Because I'm not going anywhere."
"Well that's a shame... you know - there's a reason he's come home, and that's to get away from you. You and your domineering - aggressive behavior. Had you been a better person, a better wife to him, he would be at home with you, and not here, trying to get away from you. As for you being his wife... that will soon be remedied, as most all ailments and diseases."
Crystal stood staring and fighting down a reaction that was closer to how she wanted to deal with it. Hurt, humiliated and feeling degraded, because she knew she'd put herself in that light by her past actions, because she hated being made to feel she was not good enough. That she was lacking because of her race. She was ashamed because she'd given this woman solid material for the basis of which she viewed her. She swallowed back moisture gathering in her throat, fighting back feeling choked up not because she was afraid, but because she was trying to alter her reaction and not make a fool of herself.
"Look... until those papers are signed, and we are truly divorced... which we are not yet... he is still my husband. Whether you like that or not. Now, you can either get him, or I will alert him to my presence, one way or another... the choice is yours."
Natalie stood seething in anger. She would love to call the police and have her escorted from her door, but she didn't care for that type of attention, nor wish to escalate the matter by trying to keep her away from her son.
"Fine... I'll get him... but know this... there will be a divorce... and once it is final... stay away from me, stay away from my home, and stay the hell away from my son." She turned and went back inside.
Crystal turned slowly and walked back to the SUV waiting at the curb. She was tempted to climb in and drive off. But half way there, she heard Victor calling her as he closed the front door coming out to her. She stood at the door on the drivers side, and gave herself a moment before she turned back to him. Using her right hand, she quickly wiped at her tears before he reached her side.
"Hey... what's going on? Why are you here?"
"I don't know why I'm here." She answered still facing the door.
"What's wrong? Turn around." He asked standing at the vehicle next to her.
Crystal hesitated. She suddenly felt more humiliation rush over her. Shame engulfed her. If her mother knew she'd crept up, peaked inside their home at him, and then came here like this, she would have a fit. She suddenly didn't know what to do.
"Crystal? What's going on? Why are you here?"
She finally turned around and looked up at him. The street light was shining from over head down on them. She searched her husband's face and felt her chest tighten. She missed him. She missed him so much it hurt. He had the face of the all around American dream white boy. Blonde, strong, good looks. Square wide jaw off of a short chin. Straight nose, nice lips and the bluest eyes. Sky blue, with long tan blonde lashes. His hair was short now. It had been longer when with her, she wondered who cut it? She'd always cut it.
"Crystal?" He called her name again.
"Your mother said you were busy... doing what?"
"Oh - uh... nothing much... just uh... watching t.v."
"Oh... watching t.v. What were you watching?"
"What was I watching?" He answered with a question, caught off guard.
"Yeah... on t.v."
"Oh... just uh... some documentary..."
"About what?"
"Look - it's late... what did you need?"
Crystal's mind screamed in agony, 'I NEED YOU TO COME HOME!!! I NEED YOU!!!'unable to admit that, she said instead. "Are you seeing someone?"
"What?" He asked, gulping.
"You heard... are you seeing someone? Isaac came home telling me that you took him to the zoo, that you took a pretty girl along with you. Someone who saw you there confirmed that as well. So... tell me...
what's going on? Have I given you free access to what you've probably wanted all along. To be done with me, so you can have your nice little, pretty brunette? Is that what you want?" She was going to start crying and couldn't stop it. "You can tell me you know. It won't be the first time a marriage and commitment means more to one of the partners than the other. Just be honest... just tell me... the truth. Oh dear mother will truly be pleased if you would just give her want she wants... and that's to be done with me! Is that what you want too?!" She wiped angrily at her tears, hating that she couldn't hold them back.
Victor felt his heart pounding in his chest. Something about seeing her like that, stirred him. Right then and there, he desired her. He felt himself stir and would love to move closer, to grab her, hold her and kiss her. Because of the problem they had, he knew it would not be wise to do that, no matter how he wanted to. While he was indeed enjoying Jeanine's company, with her ready smile, pleasant mildness and consideration. She didn't fire him from within the way he felt his flames growing at the moment. There was a sexual energy that could not be ignored between him and Crystal. Yet... he couldn't locate why? Why - after all she'd done to him - he still wanted to lay her down, climb between her thighs and ride her like a man gone mad. That's what she made him feel. When they made love, it was almost always uncontrollable. Fierce, frantic, noisy and explosive! Shattering them both until they lay weak and shaking.
"Crystal... I don't know what I want right now. Have you made any appointments to see anyone... any anger management at all?"
"There hasn't been any time! My mother was just married; we just settled into the house across from her. I've had to alter things to take care of the boys... it's only been a few days Victor! Yet... you're already seeing someone else! The question is... why should I even bother?!" She cried out, snatched the SUV door open, jumped inside, started it and pulled off leaving him standing there.
Victor stood longer than necessary. He had company and knew that he was being rude to make her wait. While he hadn't really done anything wrong... not yet that is, he couldn't help but wonder what was it that made him wish to go back to his wife? Was it love... or lust? Even if for just a night, to sooth him from the stirring her presence had caused. He wondered, 'Is it just the sex? Is that what it is? Was that all it was from the very beginning?' He wasn't sure. Part of him felt guilty for sitting and spending the time that he did with Jeanine... he and Crystal were still married after all. He was excusing himself because his parents wanted this. They wanted him to give someone else a try just to see if he might not discover that all he ever had with Crystal was lust. They hadn't come out and said it... but he knew what they were thinking. Very similar to the term used most often now, Jungle Fever. They thought that's all there was between the two of them. No other reason could there be for him to desire her, a black young woman, whom they considered wild and exciting, tempting him and confusing him with what they shared in bed. His mother swore that that was all it was. That was all they had. In no time, it would wear off and he would be stuck and unhappy. Now, Victor wondered if it might not be true. Because most certainly, sexually speaking... he wanted Crystal. If the opportunity presented itself, he would have taken her to bed. Then what? Would he then desire to leave her?
His mother was standing in the doorway.
Victor turned and headed back into the house. Crystal still heavy on his mind. His sons, heavy on his mind. He stepped into the dinning room, and there was Jeanine, patiently waiting for him, with a smile.
"Is everything okay?" She asked.
"Yeah."
"Your ex-wife? What did she want?"
"Not yet she's not... not yet."
"Well let's not get into that... lets plan something to do for this weekend." She smiled.
* * * * *
Panicking, Kathy Ann had gone all over the hospital looking for her brother. With no one knowing which department he'd been sent to and because it was so late in the evening with the emergency room jammed with children and other emergencies, no one really wanted to take the time to listen to her and direct her to where she needed to go. Finally a nurse took mercy on her, stopped, looking her in the face and listened to what she was saying.
"My brother was brought in by the police, to have pictures taken of him, and to have his body and hands tested after a woman he knew shot herself! Where - would - they take him?!"
"Take the elevator downstairs... he'd be taken down the hall from the morgue, to the forensic examiners office. They have a room set up for what they'd be doing to him. There will be police down there, so you won't get far before they stop you."
Kathy Ann wanted to faint, it was getting worse and worse, she couldn't believe where they'd taken him, of all places right now. She turned and searched down the halls for the elevator. Finding one finally, she laid on the down arrow button, as if that would hurry it along. One finally made it there, she rushed in and hit the button actually marked, "Morgue" and shivered. The elevator stopped and she stepped out to hear officers talking. As soon as they noticed her, one made his way to meet her.
"Is my brother here? Jacob Patrick McPherson? Jake... is he here?!"
"Yes he is, but it will be a while. No sense in you waiting here for him, we'll be taking him to the police station when we're done."
"To the police station for what? He hasn't done anything!"
"We don't know that yet do we?"
"She - shot - herself!"
"Well, hopefully when all is said and done... and the forensics returns in his favor, he'll be free to go, until then, we have to hold him."
"That's bullshit! My brother's been through enough! He should not have to spend a night in jail because she ended her own life!" Kathy Ann began crying, not knowing what to do. She couldn't stand the thought of leaving Jake in their hands for him to end up in jail.
"I understand you're upset, but someone has died. Until we know beyond a shadow of a doubt how it happened, he's in our custody."
Kathy Ann had her mouth covered trying not to cry out. Tears were rolling as she stood not knowing what to do. "Can I see him, please?"
"No you cannot... not until he's taken to the police station later."
"Can you tell him that I'm here... that he's not here by himself... can you tell him please?"
"Ma'am, you'd be wasting your time by staying here. You will not get to see him tonight! As it is, you cannot stay down here, you're not allowed. Now I'm going to have to ask you to get back into the elevator and go home until he calls you."
"Nooo... I don't wanna leave him... nooo..." She cried with her hands shifting from the top of her head as she walked in circles. "I promise I won't make a sound, if you let me stay, I'll be quiet."
"Ma'am... let's not make this any more difficult. I'm asking you to leave for the last time."
For lack of any other choice, Kathy Ann turned and rushed back to the elevator, hitting the up arrow button as she glared with tear filled eyes at the officer who stood watching to make sure she boarded the elevator. Once she left it she went to the waiting room and pulled out her mobile phone. Looking at her watch, it was nine-twenty-five. Sniffing and trying to keep calm, she quickly dialled Derrick.
"Hello?" It was Meribel.
"Meribel... oh my go - o - od.... put Derrick on the phone quick!" She sobbed out.
"Kathy Ann?"
"Ye - a - ah!" She wailed.
"What's wrong! Why are you crying?!" Meribel knew something was seriously wrong. Kathy Ann was not a crier, and she'd never heard her sobbing, this was serious.
Her broken whimpering cries was the only answer for the moment as Kathy Ann felt her anxiety increase now that she was forced to turn to her older brother, she could hear Meribel rushing through the house yelling, "DERRICK... Something's happened, Kathy Ann is just about hysterical!"
"What's going on?" She heard him ask.
"I don't know, she's on the phone... quick!"
"Kathy Ann?" Derrick called out her name.
Sh
e was crying again, "Der - rick... Doris killed herself tonight! They have Jake! They won't let me see'im!"
"Ah Jesus Christ! You gotta be kidding me!? When? Oh my God! Where are you?!"
"I - I'm at the hospital! They have him... him - down stairs, in the - the forensics... testing him - he didn't do it. They think he shot her... he didn't do it Derrick... you know he would never do - do anything like that!"
"Listen to me Kathy Ann... first calm down and stop crying. They're following normal procedure, there's nothing we can do about that! Does dad know?"
"NO! I haven't called anyone but - but you."
"Don't... whatever you do... do not call him! Go home and I will be there as soon as I can get my clothes on and hit the highway! Understand?"
"Yeah... hurry though... please hurry."
"I will...now calm down and go home."
Jake sat rocking with his arms folded into his stomach, unable to sit up straight with tears streaming down his face. He'd been photographed, his hands sprayed, his hair plucked and dusted, his skin and mouth swabbed, his blood taken and finally after they'd left him just short of probing his rectum, he was allowed to shower as they collected his jeans as part of the evidence. They gave him a pair of white forensic overalls to wear as they questioned him to within a millisecond of the shooting.
"How did you know Doris Foster?"
"We've been seeing each other for years."
"How many years?"
"Six more or less."
"Were you in love with each other?"
Jake sat a moment reluctant to answer, and sniffed, wiping at his tears.
"I said... were you in love with each other?"
"She was in love with me... so she said."
BOMAW 4-6 Page 24
