“He’s still in Ella’s hometown of Dunston, hasn’t moved. Missing Persons File is still active and I have it on good authority that he hired a new P.I twelve months ago, I’m still digging to see if that search is ongoing.” I rubbed my pounding head as I absorbed the news. He was still looking for her.
“We need to make the missing person file disappear.” It was easy enough to do; the file could be made inactive if the person was to be found not missing.
“Not a problem. Ella might have to make an appearance with local P.D to confirm her identity,” Dillon confirmed.
“It needs to be somewhere else. Fairmont has friends in the force and I don’t want any reports leading anyone back to Claymont,” I thought out loud.
“It can be done anywhere. Just take a road trip to Elkington, it’s a solid nine hour drive. Police there will be able to get a copy of Ella’s missing person file and confirm her identity. She’s over eighteen, so if she wishes to maintain anonymity it won’t be a problem.”
“Thanks Dillon, not the greatest news, but it’s better than what I could have hoped for.” Dillon sighed and it was a sound that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. He wasn’t done.
“You have something else for me?” I asked.
“There was a reason he put a fresh P.I on the case. I’m assuming since Ella is doing her damndest to avoid her family, she isn’t aware that her mother died almost a year ago?” And there was our ‘oh shit’ moment. My mouth was so dry I could barely speak.
“How?”
“Suicide, got the report here.” At the sound of paper rustling and Dillon’s muttered curse just beyond the phone my stomach twisted into knots of nervous apprehension. I knew exactly what the report was going to say.
“Don’t tell me she cut her wrists.” Dillon paused at my words.
“Yeah, she did. Not a common suicide method, messy and most people hate the thought of cutting themselves. Drugs are preferred these days. How’d you know?” Fuck. Marcus had killed Ella’s mother.
“Was there anything to suggest foul play?”
“Not really, she had a heavy dose of sleeping pills in her system, made me wonder just how she was able to make the incisions when she should have been passed out, but she had a small window of opportunity before the drugs took effect. Suzanna Fairmont had been in therapy for some time, apparently she harbored some pretty major guilt issues over her mothering skills and she still struggled with her former husband’s death, according to one, hold on,” more papers rustled, “Dr. Theo Stojanovic. Apparently Ella’s father, Mr. Riley Munroe died of a heart attack on November 25th, 2004, Thanksgiving Day, he was forty-one years old. Suzanna killed herself on the ninth anniversary of his death. Not to be a pessimist and not to refute the good doctors ability, but from what I was able to garner, Suzanna Fairmont was your classic spoiled bitch who barely mourned her first husbands passing. In fact all evidence suggests she was already sleeping with Fairmont when Riley died. She liked money, a lot and it crossed my mind that she might have had something to do with his death, but I’ve checked out the autopsy report, seems a clean cut heart attack and there was no massive insurance payout to give her a real motive. Anyway, I dug a little and found a former friend of Suzanna’s who was willing to discreetly talk. She claims Suzanna had changed over the last twelve months prior to her death. Stopped all travel, became less social, less shopping, generally withdrawn. What bothered me most though was this friend saw bruising on Suzanna. Said she hid it well but she saw marks on her arms and neck, seemed odd and Suzanna apparently didn’t take well to being questioned about it.”
“Fuck,” I muttered.
“I’ve already emailed you copies of the reports,” continued Dillon.
I scrambled from my chair and made my way into the small room at the back of the house where my home office was set up. Sitting down at the computer I quickly fired it up.
“I’m going to send you some stuff too. I’ve made up a file for Ella, consider it classified Dillon. No one lays eyes on it except for you.” The moment I decided to make Ella mine, I made notes on everything she had told me. Tried to memorize dates and create a time line. I don’t know why exactly, it just seemed important to somehow document what she had been through.
“This Ella,” Dillon paused, “she’s special right?” I had only told Dillon the bare essentials where Ella was concerned and it wasn’t the first time I had him help out a girl from Mercy’s shelter, but Dillon was observant. He was the best at what he did because he had some sort of inexplicable sixth sense.
“Let me put it this way, if the fucker is able to still threaten her I will gladly take up arms again.” Dillon chuckled.
“Shit, sounds like love Sarge.” I couldn’t help but smile. I wasn’t about to admit that to Dillon, but he was pretty much spot on.
“Files are on their way now. Call me anytime, middle of the night if you have to. Let me know what you need in terms of money and I’ll get it to you.” Dillon scoffed at the suggestion.
“Don’t be a dick I don’t need your money. You can build me a rocking chair or something.” I couldn’t help but laugh at the image of Dillon in a rocking chair.
“For my nan you asshole!” He growled.
“Whatever you say,” I chuckled. “Dillon, just be sure those files stay private and keep this quiet. If Fairmont catches wind that we are digging around, the shit will hit the fan.” I ended my call to Dillon and stared at the computer a moment longer, briefly skimming the notes Dillon had sent me. I leaned back in my chair considering everything I learned in just fifteen short minutes. Ella’s father had died in the holidays, Thanksgiving Day of all days, no wonder she wasn’t into Christmas. Marcus Fairmont was a bigger threat than I first perceived. He was definitely capable of murder and he had hired a new P.I only twelve months ago in an attempt to find Ella. She had done a damn good job of staying hidden. All that running and living under the radar had paid off. For Ella to finally have her freedom I was going to have to take Marcus Fairmont out. If enough evidence could be compiled, I had no doubt we could take this to court. A man like Marcus Fairmont had shit in his closet, a truck load of it. He was well financed and a pro at hiding it, but nobody could bury their entire past. Dillon just needed to do what he did best, dig in deep and latch on. Dillon was like a bloodhound and once he caught wind of something there was no stopping him.
Abandoning the computer and heading out to pick up Ella, I tried to find the excitement I was savoring a short time ago, though I couldn’t deny the heavy shadow that had fallen over my heart. I had no idea how I was going to tell Ella her mother had died, especially the way with which she died. Not tonight, I couldn’t tell her tonight. Tonight was about making good memories. I rubbed at the knot in my neck and pushed the trouble away. Nothing could be done about it this minute, Dillon was working the case and I would do whatever necessary to keep Ella safe and happy.
Chapter 22
Ella
Eli bounced about excitedly in Annie’s lap as we navigated the icy streets to the center of town. Annie seemed just as excited and she looked beautiful. She wore a vibrant red coat and matching hat and scarf. I glanced down at my own dark grey coat and the ratty old black skull cap that I twisted nervously in my hands. I looked ordinary, I looked less than ordinary, I looked homeless. Jax had been bugging me for days to come out to this town celebration with him. I, of course, was more than reluctant. Christmas just reminded me of my father’s death and being in that frame of mind along with the embarrassment over my clothes and the fact that I was about to be tossed in with a large crowd, it was all making me feel a little ill. In fact, I was sure if I looked in the mirror I would be green. Oh god. I grabbed my stomach and twisted the center mirror away from Jax to look at my pale face. It wasn’t green, but I definitely didn’t have the cheerful glow and relaxed look like Annie.
“You look beautiful angel,” Jax murmured.
“She’s scared,” Eli piped up. Damn kid didn’t have
an off switch. He was like beacon of truth which usually meant embarrassment for either one or all of the people surrounding him.
“From the mouths of babes,” chuckled Annie.
“I feel sick. Do I look green?” I asked nobody in particular, pinching my cheeks in an effort to put some color into them. Jax pulled the mirror away from me and shook his head.
“You’re not green angel.”
“Come on Ella, if I can do this you can do it.” I so easily forgot Annie’s nightmares were still so fresh for her. She ran from the violence of her husband only four months ago. Four short months and she managed to hold her head high and mask her face with an air of strength and resilience. I knew she did it for Eli, she was as good for him as he was for her. Annie and I shared our nightmares only two nights ago. I told her my father died, but did not go into specifics. It was the wrong time of the year to be opening that wound. I told her about Marcus, the beatings, the cutting and when I finally escaped. In exchange for the imparting of my demons, she told me about hers. Annie’s husband Phillip was diagnosed with schizophrenia nearly five years ago and was refusing to take his medication. During episodes he became disorganized and frantic and eventually violent. It was hard for Annie to leave her husband because she loved him very much, but the degeneration of his behavior eventually began to wear their relationship thin. When Phillip began hitting Annie, she felt betrayed in the worst possible way. Annie had no family and their circle of friends had disappeared when Phillip’s illness appeared. Looking over at her now, she looked so comfortable, so carefree. She hid her fear well, unlike me who felt like a fragile ice sculpture ready to fracture.
Jax had trouble finding somewhere to park his pickup and we ended up right outside Benny’s. I looked longingly through the windows. It looked warm and quiet in there.
“Maybe I can just wait for you guys here,” I suggested. Jax grabbed my hand and all but dragged me down the two blocks into town. As we drew closer, the crowds became thicker and my anxiety grew worse. I concentrated on Jax’s big hand in mine. It was a lifeline that kept me connected to some resemblance of sanity. Large outdoor heaters scattered the footpaths of the short strip mall, along with country fair hot food stalls. Music played from a make shift stage set up beside the very obvious and beautiful Christmas tree. It was enormous and the leaves were scattered with light flecks of snow. Another dump of the white stuff like they had had the night I arrived in Claymont and the entire thing would disappear under it. Large gaudy decorations had been hung and on top sat a large gold star. I shivered as I stood and took it all in. It wasn’t the cold that chilled me though, it was the memories that Christmas decorations bought with it. I tried to tell myself I hated them, but I didn’t. I had always loved Christmas, the decorations, the music and goodwill that came with that time of the year. It just made me miss my dad more.
“Ahhhhh finally, I’ve been looking everywhere for you two,” exclaimed Rebecca. I couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped from my lips. Her hair and makeup was styled in her usual pinup girl façade, her legs encased in skin tight black lycra pants with a pair of sexy knee high boots. However in a total contradiction to Rebecca’s usual style she was wearing the most hideous green knitted jersey with giant fluffy antlers attached to the front. A pair of gaudy dangling Santa earrings that flashed at regular intervals finished the ensemble. She shook her finger at me.
“Don’t you dare laugh. I have one of these babies sitting at home with your name on it.” She pointed at the sweater and I shook my head in mock horror.
“Over my dead body.” Rebecca glanced at Jax who seemed as horrified as I was by Rebecca’s festive attire.
“So Jax,” she sung. “Bet you’ve been wondering about my Clitoria.” Jax shook his head and laughed.
“Not even once.”
I was nudged sideways by a rowdy teen who appeared more than a little tanked. Jax pulled me in to the safety of his warm hard body. This is where I wanted to be, if I could live here I would. This is where I felt no fear, where my body responded to his in a most natural way. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and kiss him until the outside world disappeared. I wanted, no, I needed him to kiss me again and touch me the way a woman was meant to be touched by a man and the fact that since the kiss on Annie’s couch he had handled me far too virtuously made me want to scream with frustration. I knew he was trying to do the honorable thing and take it slow, but something inside my body had been ignited by that kiss. Something inside me had been awakened and I suddenly felt like a starved woman craving a thirst for a tall, silver eyed blonde.
“Jesus Christ Rebecca, what the fuck are you wearing?” Charlie slapped Jax on the back and gave me a cheeky wink as he turned to take in Rebecca’s loud outfit. Rebecca scowled and I was intrigued. Rebecca wasn’t the type to care what others thought of her wardrobe, but the look she gave Charlie now could only be described as unfriendly, in fact it bordered on icy. “I wonder if you’ve got those sexy little red panties on under that. You know, the one’s with the little bows on the sides?” Charlie seemed to wonder out loud as his scorching gaze ran a path up and down Rebecca’s body. A furious blush settled on Rebecca’s cheeks and I was officially gob smacked. Jax’s curious glance from Charlie to Rebecca confirmed he was just as surprised.
“Well, you’ll just have to keep wondering because there is no way in hell you will ever get another sample.” Rebecca said dismissively. Charlie grinned.
“Sample? Betty Boop I did a whole lot more than sample.” Rebecca’s fists curled, her scowl deepened and Jax moved to intercede.
“You know kids, I’m not sure Annie’s going to be able to comfortably explain this conversation to Eli and as intrigued as I am, perhaps now is not the time or the place.” Rebecca cast Eli a quick glance. His innocent little eyes watched her thoughtfully but then moved to something else happening over by the tree, dismissing the entire scene as easy as that.
“Well, that was unexpected.” Jax chuckled as he moved back to my side while Rebecca and Charlie did their best to ignore each other.
“Hey, I need to find a bathroom for Eli,” whispered Annie.
“Ohhhh, me too. You guys made me leave in such a hurry I didn’t get a chance to go before we left.” I was suddenly jumping around uncomfortably.
“If we didn’t get you out the door that minute you would never had left. You would have ended up locking yourself in the bathroom.” Annie murmured. Yeah, she was right.
“I’ll get the key to Bouquets, I’m sure Rebecca won’t mind if we sneak in there.” Jax was reluctant to let me go on my own, but at that moment I felt it was something I needed to do. No one else was out here having a panic attack about being in a crowd and I certainly didn’t want to have to hold Jax’s hand every time I needed to use a bathroom.
“It’s nice in here,” said Annie, inhaling the floral scent. “Warm.”
“I think I could sleep in here,” I admitted. I kept expecting Annie to ask me about Jax. We may have talked about our past, but for some reason I felt hesitant discussing my present and future. Annie had easily adapted to the general rule of the street, your problems are your own and asking questions was a no no. People talked when they were ready and I was glad for Annie’s lack of questions and prying. We knew what we needed to know about each other, outside that we were just happy to have each other’s friendship. Annie was sweet, kind and generous, a perfect mother. In that moment I found myself wishing my mother had of been more like her. I wondered how mom was doing, no doubt living the life she had always dreamed, money, diamonds, pretty clothes, first class flights to the most exotic locations. She had it all, but I wondered if she was truly happy.
“That blonde Barbie who was at the shelter a few weeks back is out there,” murmured Annie from the window of the shop as I came out of the bathroom. I tiptoed my way through the dimly lit shop and glanced out the window, easily spotting Selena. She was of course the perfectly groomed, animated bombshell with a ridiculous entourage of friends follo
wing her around like lost sheep.
“She is the reason I hated school so much,” Annie muttered. I quietly chuckled, observing Selena as she laughed her way amongst the crowd, completely carefree. School for me was like a vague blur. I know there were cliques, the jocks, the cheerleaders, the geeks, the drama club and the list went on. If anything I probably floated between the stoners and the depressed emo crowd. I hated school too, but likely for different reasons then Annie. I was constantly hiding bruises and one very fragile heart. My stomach dropped when Selena seemed to turn and settle her ugly hostile eyes on me before glancing toward Jax who strolled with purpose towards Bouquets, Rebecca and Charlie at his back. Her snide and discreet smile in my direction confirmed she obviously remembered me from the shelter. It was like a car wreck that I just couldn’t bring myself to look away from. Selena sang his name as she approached him and ran her hands up his arms in a familiar gesture that had my heart racing and stomach rolling. Annie cast me a nervous glance then scooped to pick Eli up.
“Come on, let’s get out there.” Annie suggested. I couldn’t move though. I watched Jax like a hawk might watch its prey. Watching for every subtle movement, his hands, the tilt of his head. Most of all I watched his eyes. Charlie and Rebecca looked nervous as they watched me watching him from outside the window. Jax took a hand from his pocket and rubbed his neck in agitation. He looked uncomfortable and pissed, I could deal with that. He shook his head a couple of times and Selena seemed to be pleading with him, her hands rubbing his arms and eventually sitting restfully on his chest. Jax didn’t try to move them and that fueled the jealousy that currently burned through my body. Jax shook his head again, irritated and then something changed. Selena’s eyes were beseeching, her lips in a perfect ruby red pout, she mumbled a few more words and Jax listened. The change was immediate, acceptance and understanding bled through Jax’s eyes, followed by a reluctant but firm nod. Selena reached up on her toes and he leaned forward allowing her to place a quick chaste kiss to his lips, it could have been a passionate affair of the tongues as far as I was concerned, jealousy had reared its ugly head and was flowing through my veins with unexpected vehemence. Jax had leaned into this kiss, he had accepted her affection right in front of me, right in front of my friends. This I couldn’t deal with, I was suddenly feeling ill again, but for a whole different reason.
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