by Terri Marie
"He got our witness?" Tyler sat up straight in his chair.
"No, but when I told him the full name of the other person we're looking for, he told me a few things, which you should hear. I'll be there in ten."
Tyler listened as the call ended. Now what? He called Emma and asked her to bring a tray of coffee in and to get ready for the meeting. He could tell he had awoken her again.
Tyler paced the floor until Vincent and Frank arrived. Emma walked in behind them with the coffee tray.
"Thank you, Emma. I'll have a cup with two sugars please," recited Vincent.
"She's hasn't had much sleep, Vinnie, get your own coffee." Tyler laughed at his brother. "While you're pouring, explain what's happened."
"I called Frank this morning to give him the heads up to start looking for Renee. Frank, let Tyler know what you told me."
"There's a man I play poker with. He's sort of a big idiot, but tolerating him one night a week isn't so bad. He told me his wife stole his truck and he needed it back. I felt bad for the guy, because he had no other transportation. I got a tow truck buddy of mine to keep his eyes open, and if he saw the pickup to tow it to the impound lot."
"Oh God…" said Tyler.
"Yeah," continued Frank. "So Vinnie calls me to help find this Renee woman. When I found out that her last name is Preston, it all went downhill from there. Basically, I stole her truck. I'm having it returned to the parking structure where I found it right now. The woman you're looking for isn't just difficult to find, she's hiding. She has every reason to do so, trust me. Robert Preston is out for blood." Frank leaned back in his chair, ready for whatever Tyler Montclair had to say to him.
"We need to find her," said Vincent, "before her husband does. Frank said he had it towed back to where it was, and Robert was made aware of the location. Frank's going to the parking structure to make sure Robert doesn't touch the truck or Renee, should she return to where it was parked. She may or may not know that it was towed in the first place."
"One more thing," began Frank. "Robert said he threw out all of her belongings, and tried to get me to tow the pickup down to the lake so he could sink it. I didn't discover the vehicle wasn't his, until after I had it pulled to the impound lot. He lied. I shouldn't have believed him in the first place. Normally I would have run the plate, but I didn't. I screwed up, and I'm sorry."
Tyler could see that Frank meant every word he said. To be a cop and admit what he'd done, showed a good conscious. He stood up and shook Frank's hand. It was better to have the cop as an ally, as opposed to an enemy in Robert's corner.
"Let's go find her," said Tyler as he turned to grab his jacket.
"Do you want me to come with you?" asked Emma.
"No I don't think so. Keep trying to call Renee. If you can get her to the office or to meet you somewhere, let me know immediately and I'll get to that location." Tyler didn't know what he'd do without Emma having his back.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Robert was already pissed off. What should be a celebratory event was being ruined because he had to take the bus all the way to Fourth Street, and then walk the remaining one and a half miles to the parking structure. He was beyond pissed. He wished Frank had told him the exact location of the hunk of shit. Now he had to walk around like an idiot to find the damn thing. He took the grimy elevator to the third level. The structure was big, and Robert was already breathless before reaching the end of the third tier. He was grateful that he hadn't chosen to skip the elevator ride. It was far easier to move his large frame downhill. While turning the corner on the second level, he spotted a tow truck driving away. His eyes lit up. It didn't take him long to spot his useless wife's pickup.
He approached the truck with caution and sat his box down on the ground. Robert looked around for nosy losers who had nothing better to do with their time than to spy on him. So far the coast was clear. He pulled out the big kitchen knife and then proceeded to cut all four of the truck's tires. After opening the gas tank, Robert stuck the funnel in. With a devious smile on his face, he emptied the entire bag of sugar into the tank. He wanted to stick around and rejoice in his handiwork, but he couldn't risk getting caught and giving his stupid wife the pleasure of seeing him get locked up. Robert fled to the elevator, going faster than his body had moved in years. His large belly shook from laughter as he made his way back to the bus stop.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Tyler drove Vincent to the parking structure while Frank followed them in his squad car. When they reached the second level, Frank jumped out of his car and cursed.
"Damn!"
"Well it looks like Robert beat us here." Vincent walked around the truck. "The tires have been slashed."
"I swear to God, if he harms her…" Tyler began looking around. "He can't be very far. Let's go, Vinnie."
"No," said Frank. "You two stay here and wait for Renee to show up. I'll go take care of Rob."
As Frank drove off in his patrol car, Vincent walked over to the side of the truck.
"Ty, look at this." Vincent reached down to the cement floor and picked up some granules, which had made a small pile on the ground.
"That piece of shit put sugar in her tank?" Tyler walked back to his car in a rage and retrieved a pair of winter gloves so he wouldn't leave his finger prints. He returned to the truck and opened up the gas lid. Granules of sugar were visible.
"Are you sure it's sugar?" asked Vincent.
"If I die, donate my body to science," said Tyler as he removed a glove and dipped a finger into the pile on the ground, and then stuck it on his tongue. "Yep, it's definitely sugar." Tyler began to run back to his car.
"Ty, let Frank handle this. If you go kick this freak's ass, you'll definitely go back to lockup. Instantly. They'll revoke your bond and there will be nothing I can do to get you out." Vinnie took the keys from Tyler's hand. "Let's park your car where we can see if Renee shows up. We need to stay focused."
Tyler sat in the passenger seat while Vincent moved the car. He got his phone out and called Emma. He spoke only two words because he was so pissed off.
"Find her."
Chapter 13
Throughout the morning, Emma had sat in her office, repeatedly calling Renee. She was getting worried, especially when Tyler told her about the slashed truck tires and the sugar in the gas tank. She feared Renee's husband had gotten his hands on her. Grabbing the sweater on the back of her chair, she walked out of Montclair Pharmaceuticals and headed across the street to the park to think. Right before Emma sat down at a picnic table, she looked around. She could hardly believe her luck.
"Renee! Over here!" she called. She quickly began waving her arms. Why was she going into the trees? She watched as Renee smiled and headed towards her. Emma spotted the duffle bag and the large take-out order from the diner. She could smell the bacon.
"Hey, Emma," said Renee as she gave her a hug.
"Long time no hear from! Where have you been and why aren't you returning my calls?" Emma asked with worry clear on her face.
"My phone died. I only have a car charger, because I didn't have time to pack the other one. Unfortunately, I think my truck got towed." Renee reached inside her duffle bag and placed the dead phone in front of Emma.
"Let me run this to my car and plug it in—"
"No, I'm going to go to the electronics store up the street and buy a cheap refurbished one. Well, hopefully they're cheap. I'll have a charger then!" Renee laughed.
"Honey, don't buy a new phone, I have a spare at my apartment. I'll give it to you. It works really well and nothing's wrong with it. Tyler got me a new phone for my birthday." Emma pointed to the take-out bag. "Go ahead and eat, Renee, don't let me stop you." She could clearly see the containers through the plastic bag. "I must say, that looks like a lot of food!" She tried to laugh but it was forced. She couldn't help noticing the bags underneath Renee's eyes or how stressed she seemed. Emma debated over telling her about her truck to avoid adding to Renee's worries, but kn
ew she'd have to. Tyler had reminded her of how important it was to keep this woman safe.
"I was meeting a friend but she didn't show up. Are you hungry?" Renee asked as she pulled both containers out of the bag.
"No, I had a big breakfast, but thank you." There was an awkward silence. "Listen Renee, I don't know how to tell you this without it stinging, so I'm just going to blurt it out." Emma tried to offer a reassuring smile.
"Okay. I hope I didn't do anything wrong at the last event."
"Your husband, Robert, had your truck towed by his cop buddy. When the cop found out the truck belonged to you and not Robert, he returned it to the parking structure. Before Tyler and his brother could get to Ridgeway to protect you, Robert beat them there. They were afraid he'd do something, and he did. Robert slashed all four tires and poured sugar down the gas tank. Renee, I know you said you don't want my help, but please, come back to the office and I'll take you to my apartment. You'll be safe there." Emma looked at her shocked expression.
Renee sat silently for a bit, and then put the unopened containers back into the bag. She began blinking rapidly, but the tears welled up and spilled over anyways.
"I don't think you should be out in the open in this park. He made verbal threats to physically harm you. Let's go. I'll help you carry everything, Renee." Emma stood up and lifted the duffle bag.
"No. I'll be okay. I know he's the biggest creep, and doing all of those things to my truck is pretty low, even for him, but I don't think he'll harm me, especially if I'm out in public." Renee dried her face with a napkin. She took her bag from Emma's hand and sat it back down in the grass.
Emma stared at her face for a few minutes. She had a feeling Renee had no idea of the depths to which Robert would sink.
"Listen!" Emma couldn't help but raise her voice out of concern. "Even you seemed surprised by the vandalism of your truck, and it was in a public place, too! I can't let you walk into harm's way, and that's what you're doing." Emma reached over and picked up the duffle bag again and stood up. "I'm sorry, but I can't leave you alone out here. Come on. Besides, Tyler will kick my butt if I don't get you to safety."
"What does Tyler have to do with this? I mean, I appreciate all he's done, but it's not necessary for him to be running around trying to protect me." Renee rested her face in her palms. "This has gotten blown way out of proportion." She had to minimalize her situation if she was going to keep people from intervening and getting hurt.
"Sweetie, you obviously don't know Tyler. He'll turn this city upside down to find you and keep you safe." Emma pulled slightly on Renee's arm to get her to come with her.
Renee pulled her arm back. "Look, tell him I appreciate his concern and all, but I can handle myself." Renee took her duffle bag, the food and beverages, and began to walk out of the park.
Emma stared at her in disbelief.
Around the corner, Renee hid. When she saw Emma cross the street and disappear into Montclair Pharmaceuticals, she ran as fast as she could while carrying all the things she had in her hands. She hurried and stepped into the trees at the park.
"Brian!" She called out in a loud whisper. There was silence. Slowly she began walking through the woods, trying to find the entrance to the old drain pipe. It was certainly hidden well. Just when she thought she'd found it, there was nothing but more brush and trees.
"Brian! It's safe!" She called out a little bit louder. Suddenly she felt an arm wrap around her from behind, and a hand slid over her mouth. Renee let out a muffled scream.
"Ya know, you're pretty crappy at this." Brian smiled and took his hands off of her.
"Why'd you do that?!" Renee was trying not to yell at the kid.
"For two reasons; first, I can't let you go into the camp alone, and secondly, I knew you'd get startled if I spoke. You can't just wander alone out here, especially this close to the camp." Brian looked down at the takeout bag and licked his lips.
"Well, you're forgiven. Let's go someplace and eat," said Renee as she lifted the bag to show him that she did indeed have food.
Brian walked deeper into the woods, and led her to a small clearing, where he used to sit for hours and play his guitar, or take naps in the sun. He turned this way and that to prevent a path from being worn in the grass.
Renee tried to make a map in her mind of exactly where they were, but soon she found herself twisted around and completely lost.
When they finally stopped, she sat on the ground and gave Brian a container. She looked in the bag to get the plastic ware and napkins, but Brian was already shoving the food in his mouth with his fingers. It was obvious he was starving. She took a couple of bites of a pancake, and told him she was full. Renee held out her container to Brian. He ate it just as fast as the first one.
"Here you go. I got you some orange juice, and I have coffee. Cheers!" she said as she smiled and handed him the large, white Styrofoam cup. Renee watched Brian remove the lid and down over half the cup. He let out a belch.
"Wow, thank you. It's been a bit since I had a fresh meal."
"I'm going to start feeding you. You're too thin, Brian." It was breaking her heart to see him like this.
"What did that woman want? The one who was yelling for you," he asked suspiciously.
"That's Emma. It seems my husband is after me, and she wants me to go to her apartment where I'll be safe, but I don't want to involve anyone else. He's a monster."
"Then you should go there, Renee. I see all kinds of crime, and if you have someone after you, you should be in a safe place," he pleaded.
"No. I'm not going to go. Robert has many contacts, especially in the police department. He'll easily track me, just like he did my truck. No matter where I go, I'll be found." Renee began picking up the empty containers.
"You're going, and I'm not asking you," said Brian.
"No, I'm not," said Renee adamantly.
Brian stood up to leave. "Being homeless isn't a game, and it's not fun. It's definitely not fun when it's cold outside. You don't belong here." He began to walk off.
As soon as he took a few steps, Renee grabbed the back of his hoodie. "Wait! I'll go, but only if you come with me," she blurted, without even thinking.
Chapter 14
Emma found Tyler doing pushups in his office. He didn't even look up when she knocked and opened the door. Sweat was beading all over his face, and his t-shirt was soaked. Her first thought was to slowly back out of the office. Emma had seen him like this before, but Tyler normally exercised in the employee gym located in the basement. Doing pushups for this long, Emma knew, meant her boss was beyond pissed. Every vessel and muscle was bulging, and she could tell his teeth were clenched.
"Excuse me, Tyler, can I have a moment?" Emma softly asked.
"What now?" he grumbled.
Emma took a deep breath. She hated to give Tyler more bad news, and she knew, she was going to add to his bad mood.
"It's about Renee." Emma almost stuttered. She took a step back when Tyler jumped to his feet with great speed.
Tyler wiped his face off with the front of his shirt, and then stared at her.
"Did you find her?" he quickly asked with a sense of urgency in his voice.
"She refused to come with me, Ty, I can't kidnap her…"
"For God sakes, Emma! Did you tell Renee, her crazy husband is going to kill her?" he yelled.
"Okay, stop yelling at me, I'm the good guy. I know you want to protect her, but no one can force her to do anything." Emma wished he'd calm down.
"Where is she?" Tyler lowered his voice and slowly exhaled.
"I found her at the park. Something has me worried and I may be wrong, but she doesn't look good. I think Renee—" Emma stopped herself, not wanting to say the words out loud.
"Spill it, Emma!" Tyler's patience was gone.
"I think she didn't give me her address, because she doesn't have one. When I saw her at the park, she was heading into the woods. She was carrying a duffle bag and didn't even know her truc
k had been returned from where it was towed." Emma wished more than anything, that she was wrong.
"I have to find her. I can't believe this!" Tyler hurried to the closet to grab his jeans and a clean t-shirt.
"I encouraged her to come and stay at my apartment. For whatever reason, probably fear and pride, she won't take me up on my offer."
Tyler stepped into his bathroom and changed his clothes. With sweat still gleaming off his face, he briskly walked past Emma and out of the office.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Renee asked Brian to wait for her while she walked to the gas station and cleaned herself up, and to the electronics store to look at the cell phones. Hopefully that would give him enough time to think about whether or not he'd come with her, and hopefully Emma would agree to it. Running her fingers through her tangled hair, she wished she'd have kept a brush in her purse. After rolling her eyes and shaking her head at her reflection in the dirty mirror, she stepped back outside, with hopes of finding a cell phone which wouldn't cost her an arm and a leg.
Renee walked inside the air-conditioned store. She rubbed her arms and couldn't wait to get back out in the warm sun. A salesman spotted her and approached with a glued-on smile.
"Can I help you find something?" the older man asked.
"I'm just looking," said Renee, as she walked over to the glass counter. The section labeled "Refurbished" was way out of her price range. How can they charge this much for a used phone? She shook her head and walked back into the sun. Part of her wanted to go in the direction of the parking structure to check on her truck, but if it was true that Robert had caused such damage, she would need to avoid the area. It was bad enough trying to walk down the street while frequently checking out her surroundings.
When Renee finally made her way back by the park, she had to muster up as much courage as she could, to walk into Montclair Pharmaceuticals. She didn't think Emma would judge her when she disclosed that she was homeless, but it didn't mean Tyler wouldn't. Finally she came up with an idea. She'd ask the guard to contact Emma for her, that way, she could avoid going inside the building.
