by Terri Marie
"Earth to Emma…" Tyler said while laughing.
"What? I'm sorry, I stayed up late last night watching a movie and I'm kind of out of it today." She hoped her excuse would be good enough.
"What movie?" he asked without skipping a beat, and leaving her no time to think.
Crap. "It was a chick flick. Nothing you'd be interested in." Emma turned her face towards the passenger window.
"What channel was it on? I may have seen it. Denise used to make me watch stuff like that."
Emma could feel his eyes on her. To prevent anymore lies from being told, she knew she'd have to change the topic. If he sensed she was being deceptive, he'd know something was up, which would just create another story she'd have to tell. Hopefully breakfast wouldn't last too long, and they could go back to the office so she could get busy with work. Tyler rarely interrupted her when he knew she was busy at her desk, unless it was urgent.
Finally they reached the restaurant, and Emma was grateful that Tyler had something else to do besides ask her questions.
"This is delicious," he said as he crammed a slice of bacon in his mouth.
Emma smiled at Tyler's plate full with a little bit of everything. "These eggs are nice and fresh," Emma responded. She worried that the small talk would end, and he'd ask about Renee.
"You seem distracted, Emma. What's going on?" Tyler sat his fork down and picked up his coffee.
"Nothing really. I'm just tired and still recouping after being sick." She was already regretting this get-together.
"Have you talked to Renee?" Tyler asked as he sipped his coffee.
"We're having such a great break from work. Let's not talk about anything serious." Emma looked at him fondly, but her mind was screaming at him to put food in his mouth.
"Well I have a confession to make," began Tyler in a matter-of-fact voice which abruptly became serious. "I was in the parking lot when Renee approached the guard station yesterday. After she took off, I asked David what she wanted. He told me he made a phone call to you for her. What's that about?"
There was an awkward silence as Emma tried to think fast. She knew she'd have to come up with something satisfactory to Tyler, or she risked being cornered. "She just wanted to know how I was doing," she replied as she motioned with her hand to wave it off.
"I'm not buying it. I've known you for too long not to recognize when you're hiding something, and I have every reason to believe that it has to do with Renee." Tyler removed his plate from in front of him and sat it on the edge of the table. His food was only half eaten.
Emma knew she was busted. Do I tell him all of it? If she only told him a little bit, then stretched the truth with the rest of the story, maybe that would satisfy him.
"Renee asked me to meet with her at the park and I did. I had to re-write the check in her name, instead of Sugar and Spice Catering, so Robert wouldn't get his hands on the money." Satisfied with her answer, Emma took another bite of food.
"Look, my life is completely upside down at the moment. I'm facing prison, I'm now facing harassment charges from Robert, for going to see him, and I can't find my witness or Renee. After all these years, I'd appreciate if you don't add to it, Emma. You're a horrible liar. I know you have her best interest at heart, but it wouldn't take much for you to get in way over your head in this. The closer you get to Renee, the more you're setting yourself up to be attacked by Robert. Please, be honest with me."
At this moment, Emma knew her days of secrecy had ended. She certainly never expected to break her promise to Renee, especially after only one day. She'll never trust me again, she thought. She pictured Brian back out on the streets getting beaten up, and Renee leaving right behind him. Before she knew it, tears spilled from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
Tyler took his napkin and patted Emma's face dry. "You know you can tell me anything. Between us, we can work it out, okay? But you have to trust that I'll do the right thing. I trust you, you trust me. That's how it has to work." He picked up both of Emma's hands and held them.
"First, you have to promise me, Tyler, that you won't act on the first thought which comes into your head. You're going to be very angry and disappointed in me, but I hope you understand that I only did what I did to help her." Her tears flowed again, and she wished more than anything that she wasn't sitting in a public restaurant.
"Start from the very beginning, from when you first called Renee to help with the event. When you're done, I have a story to share with you too. But first, where is she?" he asked with a very calm voice.
"She's at my apartment…with Brian." Emma took a deep breath and then let out a small sob. "You can't get up from this table, Tyler. I promised her I wouldn't tell, so you have to promise me you won't go ballistic." Emma felt like she had no right making anyone promise her anything. She'd just broken a very important one, and she definitely didn't get the response she was expecting.
"That's the safest place for her right now, Emma. Keep her there." Tyler's face relaxed.
"I expected all hell to break loose when I told you that, Tyler, because I had kept it from you." Emma's relief was short lived.
Tyler downed the rest of his coffee and waved the waiter over for the bill. He tucked his credit card in the black leather binder, and then waited patiently until his card and the receipt were returned. He took Emma's hand softly and led her outside, and helped her get in the car. He gave her a big smile as he closed the door. When he climbed in behind the wheel and started the car, he turned his body to face her.
"Who's, Brian?" Tyler's attempt at making his voice sound calm, failed.
Damn thought Emma. She might as well let every single cat out of the bag. Here goes nothing…
Chapter 17
Tyler wasn't totally sure that Emma knew more than she was letting on when they left the office, but how she was acting during breakfast, and over the last few weeks, helped him to put the pieces together. She'd been avoiding him for the most part, had stopped coming to his office for morning chats, and combined with the business at the guard station, had led him to believe that Emma held the answers. Luckily she had finally done the right thing and confided in him.
"Tyler, where are you going?!" Emma looked panicked when he turned the car and drove past the office.
"We're going to your apartment." Tyler expected her to freak out a little bit, but he didn't have a choice. Yes, he needed to get Brian to testify, but he had to do his part to keep Renee safe. Vincent would help out with her divorce, while Tyler relocated her to a safe place. If she decided she wanted him to leave her alone after that, he would. As far as Brian was concerned, his parents were probably sick with worry. Whatever caused the teen to run away couldn't be bad enough to render him homeless. Tyler would do everything he could to keep the kid off the streets, so he'd find out who Brian's folks were and pay them a visit. Usually, the parents were older and set rules their child didn't want to follow. He'd figure it out.
"She's going to hate me. Heck, they're both going to hate me and probably take off running! Are you going to my apartment just so you can see Renee?!" Emma pulled a tissue from her purse and dabbed her water-filled eyes.
Tyler pulled over on the side of the road, unbuckled his seatbelt and faced her. He brushed the hair out of her face and lifted her chin.
"Emma, listen to me. The kiss I shared with her in the park wasn't just an ordinary kiss. Sure I'm attracted to her, what guy wouldn't be? But when she told me what was going on in her life, I felt bad for her. Renee was desperate that night. She wanted and needed to be saved, and our kiss was the only way she could communicate it to me. Trust me, I enjoyed it more than you know, but I got her message loud and clear. My heart plunged because she's such a good person. I really care about what happens to her. She'll probably hate me too, because I'm sure she knows by now, that I'm a Montclair and didn't tell her upfront, but I'll risk it. Let me ask you something. Would you rather her hate you, yet be safe, or like you and be at risk for harm? And don't for
get, you could be harmed too and I'll be damned if I'll let either of those things happen. But I can't protect anyone without knowing all of the details."
Emma blew her nose and then shook her head. "I'd rather them both hate me, but be safe. Brian was beaten up and had his guitar stolen right before they came to my apartment to hide. He's such a sweet kid! I don't want him to run again." She began to fall apart all over again.
"Here's the plan, Emma. You have to contain your emotions when we go in there. If they see you upset, they'll think me being there is unsafe. You have to keep your composure. You go inside, and then I'll step in behind you and close the door. I'll stay right there, so if they decide to bolt, they'll have to go through me first. I have to have a chance to explain." Tyler put his seatbelt back on and pulled out into traffic as soon as he saw Emma nod.
As they drove to the apartment, Tyler and Emma kept their eyes wide open. Tyler looked for signs of being followed by Robert or one of his 'buddies', while Emma checked the sidewalk and store fronts for Renee, Brian, and the crazy man.
"They might even still be sleeping, Tyler. If that's the case, you're going to scare the daylights out of them." Emma kept her eyes glued to her surroundings.
"Like I said, any reaction they have is worth it to keep them safe." Tyler knew he'd really upset Emma, and that he needed this encounter to go well or he risked having her distrust and be mad at him forever, which wasn't something he ever wanted.
Tyler pulled up in the parking lot at the far end. Emma started to open her door, but he stopped her and shook his head. He carefully scanned the parking lot. His eyes landed on an unmarked police car. It was the same kind of sedan that was used to patrol events the Montclairs threw. Tyler always requested unmarked cars so the cops wouldn't scare off any homeless people who happened to have warrants out. There in the front seat was an overweight cop with big jowls and in the passenger seat, was Robert.
"There's Robert," said Tyler as he tried to keep his body low.
"Where?" asked Emma as she strained her neck to look in that direction.
"Get down. See the burgundy sedan? Robert's in the passenger seat."
"Oh my God, Tyler, I didn't even know what he looked like. He could have easily gotten close and I wouldn't have known it was him!" Emma's breath quickened.
"Exactly. Stay down until they're gone. I'll take care of it." Tyler got out his phone and called Vincent. Within the hour, a private pavement striping company showed up and began to spray over the lines in the parking lot, close to the cop car. Tyler saw the sedan window slide down, and then heard some swearing from the cop before they drove away. Once Robert and his thug were out of sight, Emma and Tyler made a beeline for the door. Emma, who was out of breath from running, stepped inside the apartment, and Tyler came in behind her and closed the door, locking it.
"Hi Emma! You're home early," greeted Renee, but her face turned cold as ice as soon as she saw Emma's expression and Tyler's presence.
"Hey Emma, thanks for the bed. I slept like a rock," laughed Brian until he looked up.
Tyler could tell by the kid's expression that he was going to make a run for it. He watched him quickly grab Renee's hand and run straight at him. He hit Tyler hard, knocking him into the door. With both feet firmly planted, he was able to stop Brian from getting at the lock. With as much speed as he could, he got the kid around the arms and pulled him to the floor and kept him pinned down with his weight.
"Brian, it's okay, man. I'm not going to bring you harm or turn you into the cops. But you and Renee aren't safe here. Robert is stalking this apartment to get at her. If you don't let me help the both of you, Renee, and probably you, will get hurt. If Robert had it his way, Renee would be dead already. I'm going to get up now, but you can't run, okay?"
"Robert's here?" asked Renee with pure terror in her eyes.
"Yes," said Emma. "He was outside in an unmarked car. He's after you, Renee. Somehow he figured out where you're staying. My guess is he spotted us talking at the park or at the diner, and followed me. I'm sure that anyone he thinks is connected to you is being followed. I'm not sorry for telling Tyler everything. I trust him with my life, and now you two have to trust him with yours." Emma spoke firmly and maintained her composure.
Renee let her body slump on the couch, and then looked at Tyler. "Let him go, he won't run. Brian, get up and come sit by me. We need all the help we can get right now. Robert will go through you, and anyone else, to get to me." She watched as Tyler's grip loosened.
"Seriously," warned Tyler. "Don't try to go out the door. You'll get us all killed. Regardless of how fast you think you are, you can't outrun a bullet." Tyler got to his feet.
Brian got up and walked to the couch and sat next to Renee. Tyler could see that they both looked way too thin. The boy had obviously been trying to take care of himself, but was failing. The kid looked much wiser than his age right now, with fire in his eyes. Brian was clearly battered on the outside, but Tyler had no idea how damaged he was on the inside. He stood back in front of the door, not completely convinced that they wouldn't try to take off.
"I'm not going back to my parents. If you turn me into the cops, they'll take me back there." Brian's eyes pleaded with him.
Tyler's heart was melting. "Let's lay everything out on the table. First things first, Emma told me you know who I am. You testifying for me would be great, but I don't think that now is the time. You'll be risking arrest and risking your life by being visible. I have to move you guys. Emma, this includes you. Everyone gather your things." As Tyler relaxed some, his phone rang. It was Vincent.
"You're welcome and you owe me a thousand bucks. Are they gone?" Vincent asked.
"Yeah, thanks Vin. I really appreciate it, but I don't think the apartment complex will," laughed Tyler.
"Probably not. They only had time to paint half a line, so they'll have to reschedule," said Vincent sarcastically.
"How'd you manage this one?" Tyler was quite impressed.
"They were just finishing up painting the lines at the courthouse before all the employees showed up for work. I happened to be outside in my car while they were packing up to head to another job when you called. It's amazing what a grand can buy you, Ty." Vincent beeped his horn at someone.
"I'll pay you back, but first I need you to do something else for me." Tyler knew he was asking a lot.
"Please tell me this has nothing to do with Robert or Renee…" Vincent sighed heavily into the phone.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Renee had no choice but to trust the guy. It's not like she had to explain her circumstances to him, he knew all about her marriage from their meeting at the park. Tyler seen firsthand what Robert was capable of after seeing her damaged pickup truck. She thought the man she'd met in the kitchen that night was a really nice guy, which had been confirmed by Emma. Truth be told, Renee should have allowed her friend to bring Tyler into the situation sooner, but she had feared that Robert would harm him. After learning of her husband's appearance in the parking lot with another cop in his pocket, she knew every one of her fears was justified.
She packed the few outfits she had in the dryer, and gave Brian his clothes. Emma washed them once, and then Renee had to restart the cycle and wash Brian's things two more times to get most of the dirt out. His hoodie was stiff with dirt and blood when they'd arrived at Emma's, and his clothes were threadbare and filthy, but it was all the kid had. At least they smelled clean now.
Renee felt Brian tug on her arm and lead her to his bedroom. He twisted the knob while pulling the door closed, obviously trying not to make any noise. Even though there was a window, Renee knew he wouldn't run.
Brian stared down at the carpeted floor for a minute and then looked at her. "You know I should jet, don't you?" Brian asked seriously.
"No, not this time. We have to stop running, and I said 'we' because I'm sticking with you. You're not alone anymore."
"Is this Tyler guy for real? I mean, he's looking at some serious ti
me if I don't testify. You think he's going to let me stay out of it? I don't think so, Renee…" Brian shook his head and then walked over to the window.
She could tell what Brian was thinking. "If you go through that window, or run in any way, shape, or form, I will follow you, and I won't stop searching until I find you. Understand what I'm saying, Brian. We're done running. The street is no place for me, and it's definitely no place for you." Renee walked over, turned Brian to face her, and then hugged him close. He began to cry.
"Honey, I know you've been abused by the adults who were supposed to protect you, and that your faith in us isn't very strong. Tyler's a stranger to you, and I totally understand your fears, but I trust him and right now, that has to be good enough. I haven't turned you in, or put you in harm's way, because I care about you, Brian. I care about what happens to you. If I feel like you're in danger of being sent back to your parents, I'll let you know, and then we'll both get out of dodge, okay? Will you trust me?"
Renee squeezed Brian close and then stepped back a little to look at him. His tear-streaked face made her want to cry. She had a feeling that he'd only shared with her a fragment of what he'd gone through in his young life. She looked at Brian until he met her gaze and agreed.
"I trust you, Renee, but I can't trust anyone else right now. Emma's nice and all, but she brought Tyler here after we told her not to tell anyone. But I'll do what you ask." Brian smiled, but the fear in his eyes was plain to see.
"Thank you. Now let's help Emma pack and get out of here before the monster comes back." Renee had no doubt that Robert would return, and as soon as he saw the parking lines weren't completed, he'd connect the dots, especially if he spotted Tyler. Robert would unleash his wrath upon him. Her husband, when enraged, should never be underestimated.
When Renee and Brian walked back into the living room, Emma was handing Tyler her things, and he was putting them inside of a suitcase. After she quickly packed the items in her bathroom she'd need, she double checked the rooms.