Condemned (15 page)

“Absolutely,” Andie agreed quickly. “Thank you for trusting
me with this. I won’t ever repeat any of it.”

“So what are you gonna do about Uncle Brett? Jesse said he
did something really stupid and hurt your feelings.”

“He did but it wasn’t entirely his fault. I could have
forced him to listen to me. I thought I was doing the right thing by letting
him, ah, do things to make himself feel better. He didn’t understand why I was
trying to help him and he left before I could explain it all to him.”

“You gonna go talk to him now? Jesse said he was taking
Uncle Brett to get rid of that Tish woman but Uncle Jordan has a key. We could
hang out there and wait for him to get back. I’ll stick with you.”

“Thank you, Flynn.” Andie hugged him. “I appreciate your
offer but I need some time before I talk to him again. He does too.”

“Jesse says he might have screwed up bad enough that you
won’t ever talk to him again. He said he probably blew his shot with you. Does
that mean you and Uncle Brett were gonna get married like Mom and Dad but now
you’re not?”

Andie’s shoulders slumped. “I honestly don’t know, Flynn.
Yesterday I would have told you that I loved him enough to get through
anything. I don’t know any more.”

“But if you loved him then don’t you still love him now?”

“I just don’t know. He said some things I may not be able to
forget.”

“He was mean to me too. But Jesse said he is so messed up he
doesn’t want anybody around him and he’s trying to chase us all away. Jesse
said that’s why Uncle Jordan and Dad don’t know any of this stuff. I don’t
think they’d ever stop being Uncle Brett’s friends, no matter what he did.”

“Me either but Brett seems to have forgotten that. What did
he say to you?”

“Stuff about how I’m not a normal kid and I’m lying to
everybody by pretending I am. He said he wasn’t gonna waste any more time on me
and how I got to f— ah, mess up my life and got a new one. He said most people
don’t get that and are stuck with what they get the first time.”

“You know he was only trying to hurt you so you wouldn’t see
how bad things were with him, right?” Andie said as her mind screamed questions
of how Brett could try to damage this boy with all he had already been through
in his life.

“Yeah. I used to do that to Dad and the grandparents before
I started to believe they were being straight with me.”

“I guess it was hard for you to trust them in the
beginning.”

“I kept thinking they’d start acting like my other mom and
dad did.” Flynn explained how his parents had deserted him. First his mother
left and wound up in a life of prostitution and drugs. His father found a new
family and excluded Flynn. He was sent to his paternal grandparents who abused
him until he ran away to find his mother. When she tried to force him give his
body for her drugs, he ran again, only to wind up with the gang.

“I don’t know what to say.” Andie was heartbroken for him.

Flynn shrugged. “Worked out good in the end. Uncle Brett was
right about the second chance I got when Dad took me home with him. I got Mom
and Charlie too so I figure it was worth it.”

“You are an amazing young man. I never would have guessed
you’d been through all this. I knew you were very aware of things but I had no
idea.”

“Yeah, well.” He was uncomfortable with her praise. “So, you
gonna come give Charlie lessons? We got a piano and she bangs on it all the
time. You gotta come teach her to play real songs.”

“I’ll call your mom soon and set something up. Even though I
want to, I know I can’t hide forever. You went through much more than I did and
look at you. I can get back to my life too.”

“Think Uncle Brett will?”

“Yes, if he decides he wants to. Flynn, I have no right to
ask this of you, but when he tries to talk to you about what he said earlier—”

“Jesse already made me promise to let him and go easy. We’ll
be okay. Jesse thinks he’s gonna ask how he can make it up to me. Would it be
bad if I had him work on the tree house with me and Joey? There’s some stuff we
can’t reach. Uncle Brett said he would help but he never did.”

“I think that’s a great idea. You’d only be asking for
something that he’d already offered to do. Brett could probably use some time
with you and your friend without having to be entirely grown up. Did you ever
bring him here with you?”

“Nope. I showed Dad once so he wouldn’t worry when I said I
was hanging out here but you’re the only other person I brought.”

“I think Brett would really like to come here with you.”
Andie could already picture the kind of sketches he’d do if Flynn shared this
spot with him.

“He’d draw stuff here,” Flynn concluded. “Maybe I’ll bring
him sometime. Or you can when you’re ready to talk to him. It’s real private.”

“Well, I, uh…” She was flustered. “I’ll think about it.
Ready to go?”

“I guess.” He looked at her closely. “You okay?”

“I will be. Jesse was right. My feelings are very hurt. And
I’m still angry with him too but I’m reasonable again. I’m not going to do
something stupid driving home so you don’t have to worry.”

“Jesse said I should stick with you.”

“I’m sure he meant only until I was calmed down. I promise I
am. You did a great job taking care of me, Flynn. I’m glad you hid in the car
like you did even if I did yell at you when you first sat up. I can call you
when I get home if you want me to.”

“Really?” He seemed amazed.

“Sure,” she answered. “You gave up your whole morning for
me. The least I can do is let you know I got home safely. Friends do that sort
of thing for each other. Now that we know each other so well, I hope we’ll keep
on being friends.”

“Cool,” Flynn decided. “I don’t have any other friends who
are girls. Mom and Aunt Kiley don’t count, since they’re family. Can I ask you
stuff sometimes, about girls I mean?”

“Of course you can. As long as I get to ask you about guy
stuff too.”

“As if.” He rolled his eyes. “What would I know?”

“Don’t doubt yourself. You are already more of a man than
some I’ve met who are a lot older.”

“Grandpa says I have an old soul.” He snickered.

“He’s right. You’re very wise too.” Andie laughed with him.
“I’m going to enjoy watching you grow up. I hope I’m around to see it.”

“I think you will be. If I gotta give Uncle Brett a break,
shouldn’t you too? Maybe he’ll do good enough that you come live here with him.
That would be so cool.”

“I can’t make you any promises about that but I will speak
with him at some point. After he gets past all this other stuff and figures out
what he really wants in his life. Want me to drop you off at home?”

“Can I go to Joey’s instead? I was going over there this
morning.”

“All right, but you have to call your parents and let them
know where you are.”

“Oh. I forgot. You said you’d call me too.”

“I’ll call them when I get to town and you at supper time.
How’s that?”

Flynn agreed as they drove to his friend’s house.

Chapter Nineteen

Tish breezed into the building where Brett’s office was. He
sounded so different when he called her, excited almost. He had asked her to
meet him there, saying he had a surprise for her. Though she had tried, she
couldn’t get him to reveal anything more.

“Hello, Tish.” Brett stood as soon as he saw her in his
doorway. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you coming here like this.” He
had the biggest smile on his face.

“Goodness, Brett. You act like I wouldn’t come to you if you
asked me to. We’re about to be married. If you were going to be in the city,
I’d probably make a nuisance of myself, dropping by just to say hi.” She used
her most pleasant tone and gave him an innocent smile.

“How sweet,” Brett muttered, taking her arm. “Ready for your
surprise?”

“Yes.” She laughed. “Where do we have to go for it?”

“Not far.” He stopped by a door down the hall from his
office. “It’s just in here.” He motioned for her to enter first and followed
her in. Jesse closed the door behind them and stood in front of it, blocking
her if she tried to leave.

“Sit down,” Brett ordered as he watched the color drain from
her face. “You already know Jesse and Craig. This is Mark Grendle, the owner of
this agency. Now that you’re here, we can get started,” Brett paused but she
remained silent. “If you would all open the packets in front of you.” He
gestured. “It seems that you’ve been less than honest with me, Tish.”

“Brett—”

“I wasn’t done speaking,” Brett silenced her. “You failed to
mention your roommate in all the times we spoke of you being a woman on your
own. I guess you preferred to let me think that. If you’ll look inside, you’ll
find a copy of the lease that includes both your names and was initiated six
years ago. Next, you’ll see the insurance papers for your regular STD tests as
well as pharmacy receipts that indicate your ongoing usage of birth control.”
Tish remained silent, not meeting his eyes. “Fine. If you’ll all indulge me
just a few more minutes, I’d like to play something for you. If you turn the
page, you can follow along on the transcript.” Brett played the recording of
the conversation from the restaurant. When it was done, he continued, “The rest
of the folder is a pictorial account of your poker game, Craig. Mark, please
take note of the other players. I’m sure one will be of interest to you.” Brett
was referring to Mark’s nephew, Walt, who was also employed at the agency.

“Can I ask you to all remain here?” The older man was openly
furious. Without waiting for a response, he called his nephew and asked him to
come to the conference room.

“Hey,” Walt said, looking around the table. “What’s up?”

“I understand you’re already acquainted with this young
woman.” Mark waited for his nephew to nod. “I would like you to tell me who she
is, if you don’t mind.”

“Oh, well, all right. She’s Tish.”

“And what else can you tell me about her?”

“Ah, she’s been seeing Brett. I think I might have heard
that they’re, um, getting married or something like that.”

“I see. And that’s all you know of her?”

“Uh, yeah, that’s about it.”

Mark threw the folder on the table in front of Walt, opened
to the picture of him with Tish the night before. “Clear your desk and get out.
You too, Sands. I find all three of you despicable. I’m shocked by the things
I’ve learned today. I’m appalled that you would attempt such a thing. You
should all be ashamed of yourselves. That includes you, young lady. How you
could use a man’s decency against him to steal from him is unforgivable.

“Brett, being part of this agency gave them the opportunity
to enact this scheme. I know that is the extent of my involvement but I still
feel responsible for being so blind to the true character of my employees and
that of my own family. I’m horrified to acknowledge our relationship. I won’t
speak to your mother of this immediately, Walt. I suggest you find a way to
explain to her why you no longer work for me as soon as possible. I’ll give you
one week.

“Sands, you might want to consider relocating because I
assure you there isn’t another agency in this city which will touch you after I
make the calls I intend this afternoon. And Tish, I know your stepfather quite
well. I will be speaking to him too. Brett, unless there’s something else you’d
like to add?” Brett shook his head. “I’ve already informed security. They are
waiting at your desks. You have fifteen minutes and will not be permitted to
touch your computers. Everything you plan on taking out of here will be
inspected so I urge you to only take that which is truly yours.”

Mark glared until the three left the room before he sank
into a chair. “Brett, I don’t know what to say.”

“There’s nothing for you to say. You’ve treated me very
fairly in the time I spent here. I’m sorry but I’m sure you can understand why
I need to leave today.”

“Of course, of course. If I hadn’t insisted on you easing
away gradually this may have never happened to you.”

“Don’t blame yourself, Mark. I let them do this to me. I
should have known better but I was too wrapped up in other things to pay
attention to my own life. Fortunately,” he looked toward Jesse, “I have some
very good friends who are watching out for me. I’m sorry your nephew was
involved. I hoped he was only taking advantage of what went on at those games.”

“Yes, me too. If he had said he knew Tish through Sands I
may have kept him on here. He’ll never do anything remotely close to your
quality but he’s not totally without talent. My sister is going to be shocked
but I think she should know. Walt wasn’t raised to lie like that. He should
have walked away from them once he learned of their plans.”

“Yes, but who knows what they promised for his silence,”
Jesse added. “Finding another game like theirs can’t be the easiest thing to
do. I’m sure there are plenty out there but he was already in. He might not
have wanted to give up his access to what they were offering.”

“I’m probably showing my age if I admit I find the whole
thing disgusting. Sharing a woman like that, encouraging her to be with other
men. I would have fought a man who even suggested such a thing with my wife,
still would.”

“Me too,” Brett agreed sadly. “Age has nothing to do with
it. Everybody has to live the way that’s best for them but I’d need the woman I
marry to commit to a mutually exclusive relationship. Not that I’m criticizing
anyone who wants something different but I couldn’t be like Craig is. I was
relieved to see they all used condoms at least.”

“I never even thought of that,” Mark groaned. “I know you
don’t want this but I simply must repeat how sorry I am. I wish you nothing but
the best, Brett. I hope you can find a woman who can make you forget all of
this.”

“He already has if he can find a way to get her to forgive
his own behavior,” Jesse muttered.

“Not now, Jess,” Brett warned. “Mark, I’ll just grab my
things from my office and shove off. I still want to hire a mover to pack up
the rest of the house here before Jesse takes me home.” He offered Mark his
hand. “I’m sorry this ended the way it has but I’ll never forget all you did
for me.”

“Nonsense.” Mark accepted his gesture. “You did more for
this agency than I ever imagined possible. Jordan was right when he said I’d be
a fool to pass you by. If you ever decide to get back into it and don’t want to
go out on your own, there will always be a place for you here.”

“Thanks but don’t expect me. I think the station will
provide plenty of challenges to keep me busy. If it doesn’t, I’m sure Jordan
and I will come up with something new for us to do.”

“Undoubtedly.” Mark walked them to Brett’s office. “You’re
quite a team. I’m sure you’ll both continue to be very successful at whatever
you choose.”