Hidden Witness

by Posey Parks

  She shrugged her shoulders. “Doesn’t bother me.”

  “Alright, we will walk through the side of the building that is complete, so you won’t mess up your hair with a hard hat.”

  “Ok.”

  After getting out of the truck, I unlocked the door to the building, then we walked inside.

  “It’s huge!”

  “Yeah, everything is state of the art too.”

  “How did you become great in construction?”

  Sierra has a way with getting me to talk about back home.

  “Construction is what my family was built on. My grandfather made me and my brother go to the construction site every day after school when I was fourteen.”

  Flashback

  Probably shouldn’t mention the bodies I watched my uncle Mickey dump into the ground at one of our construction sites. I watched the cement cover them.

  “Uncle Mickey, what did they do.”

  He turned to me. “Stole from the Magarelli’s. Rule #1 is what?”

  “Never steal from the Magarelli’s,” I said.

  Present

  “That’s how I learned all the ins and outs.”

  “Do you miss it?”

  “What?”

  “Jersey,” she said as we walked down the hall.

  “Of course. I miss it. I miss eating the best meatball sandwich in Newark.”

  I smiled. Sierra smiled back.

  “Do you ever miss home?”

  “Yes and no. My father was controlling and my mother didn’t stand up for me.”

  “Do you ever go home to visit?”

  “No. While I was married my parents visited us. Mainly, because they could sit in the skybox and watch the games. My father loved Jeremy. He could do no wrong.”

  “What did your father say when you told him you were getting a divorce?”

  “He told me I didn’t take my vows seriously. I vowed to for better or worse. Needless, to say, I’m not interested in talking to my father. I don’t care about the glitz and glammer. I couldn’t stand by and let him cheat on me. One of the women called the house, then sent pictures proving my husband was with her. I had to leave! If that means I operate my business and get by the best I can, then that is how it will be. I will not go through that ever again.”

  I pulled Sierra into my arms. I wanted to punch her ex-husband in the face. Fucking piece of shit.

  Sierra has an amazing spirit. She’s shown me she’s not afraid to get down and dirty. Some men feel they need to have several women, not me.

  On the way to Sierras house, I stopped by the store, and bought her favorite ice cream. I climbed back into my truck.

  I opened the bag. “Did I get the right flavor?”

  Sierra peeked into the bag. “You remembered. Extreme Moose Tracks, it’s my favorite!”

  She leaned over kissing my lips. “Thank you, Jeff.”

  “You’re welcome.” I drove out of the parking lot toward her house.

  “The wine should arrive Tuesday,” I said as I pulled into her driveway then throwing my truck into park.

  “Great, thanks again for a wonderful date. I will never forget it. Do you want to come in?”

  “No. How about you get some rest after eating a little ice cream tonight.” I gave a half smile.

  “I’d much rather relax with you.”

  “Baby, we both know where things will lead.”

  “What’s wrong with that? We are both adults.”

  “I’ll walk you inside.”

  Sierra didn’t make eye contact, as I walked her inside.

  “Ok Jeff, I’ve turned off the alarm. I’m all set. Thanks again for today.”

  I placed the container of ice cream in the freezer. Grabbing her hand, I led Sierra back to the side door. “I’ll call you later, ok.”

  “Sure.”

  I pulled Sierra closer. “Look at me.”

  Sierra was being stubborn. I pulled her chin up until our eyes met. “I want you to know. We will have sex. There is no question in my mind it will be spectacular.”

  “Whatever you say Jeff. Who knows the next time we will get a weekend like this without the kids.”

  Snaking my arms around her waist, I devoured her lips. Her fingers clenched the back of my neck. “Sierra, you are making it hard for me to leave.”

  She flashed her gorgeous gray eyes at me. I wanted nothing more than to drop to my knees, take her lower lips and give her an earth-shattering orgasm. However, I want the relationship between Sierra and I to last a lifetime. I will not let sex cloud my judgement ever again.

  “I need to talk to you.” Pulling her hand, I sat on the couch. Sierra sat next to me.

  I turned my attention to her. “Sierra, I like you a lot. I want us to wait a little while longer before we have sex. Baby, there is a reason I haven’t had sex in a year. I wanted more. Maybe you don’t want more. I probably should have asked you what you want for us. I know what I want.”

  “Jeff, do you think I was searching for a booty call in the supermarket? If I wanted that I could have gone out to the night club a few times and got that. I think you are over thinking us. We both are divorced. Our ex’s cheated on us. I know what I want. I want and need a good man in my corner. Someone like you. Jeff, in one week you’ve cared about my family’s safety. You insisted on sending your men over to install a state of the art security system. Today those women flirted with you.”

  My eyebrows rose.

  “Yeah, you didn’t think I saw that. What was your response, you kissed me back and you never stopped me from touching you. I’m blessed, I know I got it right this time. That being said. I will step back. Give you as much time as you need. I need you to be sure about us.”

  Sierra stood. “Not sure what you have planned for the evening, but I’m going to take a relaxing bubble bath with my carton of ice cream.”

  Sierra left me speechless. I followed her to the side door.

  I leaned over kissing Sierra on her cheek. “Thank you, for being you. You have no idea how much you have brightened my life in one week. I will call you later.”

  “Ok.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  JEFF

  I was exhausted when I stepped in the door Saturday evening. After a hot shower, I laid down and didn’t wake up until 3 a.m. Grabbing my cell off the nightstand, I checked my missed calls. My kids called at 8 p.m. before bedtime to say good night. Sierra didn’t call probably because I told her I would call her. My eyelids lowered, then lowered again, I was out of there.

  Sunday, I was in the gym for two hours. Sierra’s words played in my head on repeat. I wondered. Did she think we made a good match because our ex’s cheated on us?

  I returned home lounging around doing nothing. I sent a text to Sierra around 6 p.m.

  Hello Sierra. How are you doing? Sorry, I didn’t call last night. I fell to sleep.

  Sitting on the couch, I ate popcorn and drank a beer. Sierra didn’t respond. I glanced at my cell after the Sea Hawks won the game. Still no response from Sierra. Either she was busy or a little bitter.

  Monday evening rolled around, still no response from Sierra. I began to get worried. She usually responds by the next morning.

  I agreed to pick up the kids Monday through Wednesday this week. Lindsay was in a partying mood. If I have to drive my kids to school and pick them up every day I will. I don’t want to have a conversation with Lindsay, but I will. She needs to stop running the streets.

  ~

  “Dillon, Lily, have a good day at school today. Dillon, take your sister’s hand,” I yelled from behind the steering wheel in the car pool lane.

  Dillon nodded his head at me, grabbing Lily’s hand as they walked into the school. Luckily, the school has a day care program for Lily. I like the kids being in the same building every day.

  My crew leader was running point, since I was running late. I fed the kids this morning and forgot to feed myself. Pulling into the fast food parking lot, I jumped out, shuff
ling inside to grab a breakfast biscuit and coffee.

  Upon pulling into the construction site, I saw two of my workers arguing, getting into each other’ s faces.

  Jumping out of my truck, I ran toward them. “Break it up! We have a job to do.” I pushed them apart.

  “Walk it off!” I yelled at Ray and Joe.

  Swiftly, I ran back over to my truck retrieving my cell, shoving it into my back pocket. I glanced up at the gray sky.

  “Shit, it’s going to rain.”

  Eva was sitting at her desk working diligently. “Morning boss.”

  “Good morning.” I took a sip of my coffee then grabbed the luke warm chicken biscuit from the bag, taking a large bite, as I fell into my chair. I glanced at my screen saver of Sierra. I realized I desperately missed her.

  Dating sucks, I thought.

  I just want to call her however many times it takes until she answers, so I know she is ok.

  “Boss! Boss! Come in.”

  I grabbed my walkie. “Yeah, what’s up?”

  “It just started raining. We can’t work on the other wing of the building today.”

  “Alright. I’ll be up.”

  That bite I took of my sandwich was going to be it for eight hours. All I did was put out fires. Sierra called me that morning, but I never got a chance to call her back. The rain put the kids in a funky mood. They argued with one another while I was attempting to prepare them for bed.

  “Dillon and Lily that is enough.” I kneeled down between them.

  “Listen, you both need to calm down. You shouldn’t be fighting over a soccer ball you can’t play with in the house. It’s time for bed right after your baths.”

  Wednesday, I left work early. I wanted to make sure Lily’s Ballerina costume was ready for her recital that evening.

  My mother-in-law Marsha met me at the house. She curled Lily’s hair then brushed it up into a pony tail. Her red curls rested perfectly on top of her head. Lily looked perfect in her costume. I kissed her on her cheek as I kneeled before her. “Daddy will be in the front row. You are going to be great!”

  Lily smiled, throwing her arms around my neck. “I love you daddy.”

  My eyes closed briefly. That is what I live for, hearing my children tell me they love me, makes my shitty week so much better.

  After the recital was over, I called Lindsay, to let her know I was bringing the kids home. She didn’t answer. I brought the kids home with me. Once the kids were in bed a sleep, I walked out into the cool air pacing in the drive way under the night sky. I kept calling Lindsay, but she wouldn’t answer. I decided to leave her a message.

  “Lindsay, if this is what you want to do, run the streets, that’s fine. I can raise the kids myself! They will stay with me for the rest of the week.” I disconnected the call.

  Clenching my cell in my fist, I almost crushed it. I was pissed at her. What if one of the kids was sick and I couldn’t get a hold of her. I stood on the side of the house with my arms resting on the top of my head. In and out, I took deep breaths. Around 11 p.m. I texted Sierra.

  Sorry, we keep missing each other. It’s been a tough week. I miss you. Good night.

  Thursday morning, I ate a slice of toast. While the kids ate their oatmeal, Dillon told his famous jokes.

  “Dad what did the hot dog say to the bun?”

  “I don’t know. What?”

  “Don’t bun me!”

  We all laughed. “Good one Dillon.”

  ∞

  At work later, that morning things felt back to normal.

  My morning walk-through went well. The guys were progressing on the last wing of the building. When I stepped into the trailer. I noticed a man sitting at my desk. His back was to me and his feet were propped up on my desk.

  “May I help you?” I roared.

  “Sorry boss. The guy said he knows you.”

  “Its fine Eva. Take an early lunch.”

  “Alright.”

  The guy didn’t say a word. I continued to take slow steady steps.

  My heart began beating a million miles a minute. What if Filippo found me. My gun is in the bottom drawer of my desk.

  Shit, I thought.

  Plopping down in my seat, I sighed.

  “Jesus Christ Tony! What the fuck? You scared the shit out of me.”

  We stood at the same time. I stepped over to him giving him a hug.

  “Long time no see!”

  “You don’t ever see me. But I see you Dillon. It’s my job to watch over you from a distance.”

  “How have you been Tony?”

  “Great, I love Cali!”

  “How bouts you?”

  “Everything is good. The kids are growing like weeds.”

  “I love it.”

  I sat back down behind my desk. Tony sat on the edge of his seat. “Dillon, they found Uncle Mickey.”

  I slouched in my seat. “Word on the street, Sergio will not rest until he has someone’s head on a stick for his brother’s murder.”

  I glanced over at him. “How do you know?”

  “Kurt hired a couple of guys to keep their ears to the street for us. Some kids went camping around Draper Lookout. It began raining heavily. The girl and her boyfriend decided to leave. The guy said he backed his car closer to their camp site, so they could load the car easier. His rear wheels got stuck when he was trying to drive off. He used a shovel to dig himself out. Low and behold he said he saw part of a leather jacket. He forgot about the car and kept digging. He found a man’s skeletal remains. Coroner's examined the teeth learning it was Uncle Mickey.”

  I ran my hands over my hair. “Shit! When I heard them say Draper Look out, I thought they would have handled it differently.”

  “Yeah, when Sergio finds out who murdered Mick, there won’t be no stopping a war from breaking out.”

  “That is what we went underground to prevent.”

  “I understand Dillon. All we can do now is watch it play out from a distance.”

  “Or I can go there and take care of Filippo once and for all. Take him out, bury him with the fishes,” I whispered.

  “Dillon, don’t be rash! I will be in and out of town for a while. I just want to make sure everything stays the way it is.”

  “Do you think my mother will break?”

  “What and tell your father what really happened to us? No, she won’t.”

  “Good.”

  “Dillon, I’ll let you get back to work.” Tony rose pulling his baseball cap down over his eyes.

  “I’ll see you again soon.”

  “Bye Tony.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  JEFF

  I sat back in my chair, pondering on my situation. My father may kill the wrong person. I’m the only person who knows what happened. Fourteen years later, this shit has resurfaced. I stroked my beard. I miss my mother so much sometimes. I want her to know her grandchildren. Fuck, what do I do?

  “Jeff, Jeff, Jeff!”’

  “Huh.” I glanced up into Lindsay’s angry eyes.

  I sat up back straight. “Well, what brings you here? You never voluntarily come to one of my job sites, so it must be an emergency.”

  Planting her hands on the desk, she leaned in. “Never threaten to take my kids!”

  I shot out of my seat. “I have several pictures of you cheating during our marriage and of you partying. I can hire a private eye just like that to get more! The judge will grant me custody so fast, you’ll be asking yourself what happened. I’m the wrong fucking one!” I pointed at my chest.

  “All I ask is that you have the common decency to show up for your child’s recital and answer my calls!”

  Lindsay clutched her arms. “I will do better. I’m sorry.”

  “Lindsay, if you need my help, just ask. I’m not out to take our kids from their mother. Just a little heads up that you want to hang out with your friends,” I stated calmly.

  “Ok.”

  My peripheral caught a glimpse of someo
ne standing at the door. My eyes met hers.

  A wide smile took my lips. “Sierra, it’s good to see you.”

  “I brought you lunch. I’ll leave it. You can call me later.”

  “No, have a seat.”

  Lindsay glanced back at Sierra.

  “Lindsay?”

  “Sierra, it’s been a long time. You’re dating my ex-husband?”

  Her eyes widened. “I didn’t know you were his ex-wife.”

  “Didn’t you notice us in school together?”

  “No, I told Jeff I didn’t even know he went to OU. I probably was too caught up with Jeremy at the time,” she smirked rubbing the back of her neck.”

  “Jeff never smiles. But his face lit up when you walked in.” Lindsay smiled.

  I’m sure I turned a hue of deep red. This was getting uncomfortable quick. Sierra was wearing a short gray dress stopping a little above her knees with black stilettos.

  “Wait. it makes since now. Dillon said his daddy was on the phone a lot when they were over.” She pointed toward Sierra.

  “Jeff, was talking to you.”

  Sierra smiled. “Yes, I think.” Her cute eyebrows wrinkled.

  “Yes, I was talking to Sierra. She’s the only woman, I’m seeing.”

  “But we are taking things slow. Very slow,” Sierra confirmed.

  This couldn’t get any worse.

  “Well, I will let you go.”

  Lindsay rubbed Sierras arm. “Good seeing you again, tell Emoni I said hello.”

  “I will. Bye Lindsay.”

  Sierra sat in one of the two chairs at my desk.

  I walked Lindsay to the door. “The kids can stay with me for the rest of the week, since it’s my weekend anyways. Maybe it will allow you some time to rest.”

  “Thanks Jeff, that’s very thoughtful of you. See you Sunday.”

  “Alright, bye.” I locked the door behind her.

  I took a deep breath before stepping back over to Sierra.

  I pulled Sierra out of the chair, into my embrace. “Baby, I’m so sorry this week has been crazy. Fuck, I missed you. I know it may not seem like it. Murphy’s law has been working against me.”

  Sierra pulled back. “It’s been crazy for me to. Jeremy asked to keep the kids until yesterday. I’ve been working a lot. Today, I left work early, ran home, showered, and slid into a dress. You said you missed me, I was hoping that was the truth.”