Reunion (A Psychological Suspense with Murder, Mystery and the Paranormal) (12 page)

Tanner dropped his head and picked up the pace. “Just a friend from high school. That’s all.”

Tanner heard Mike stop dead in his tracks. The camera kit mounted on his chest bounced with the sudden halt.

“Just a friend from high school? Are you serious?”

“Yeah! Just a friend.” Tanner lifted his hands expressing his sarcasm.

“Come on, Tanner! You don’t just fall off the face of the earth and suddenly get a call from a classmate, who happened to survive of one of the worst school shootings in the history of the United States, and shrug it off as just another call!”

Tanner turned around to face Mike and began walking backward. “You better get up here if you want to hear about it, because I’m not going to keep screaming at you like this.” He turned back, facing forward and continued his frenzied pace.

Mike jogged forward until he caught up.

Tanner grinned. He loved making Mike work.

“So, what is it? Why all the secrecy?”

“Apparently, we’re having a reunion.” Tanner kept his pace.

“You’ve got to be kidding me? After twenty years?”

“Yup! I wasn’t going to say anything until I knew it was a done deal.”

Tanner couldn’t help but grin as he broke the rest of the news to his friend. “And, I think we should have it at the school.”

Mike laughed. “You think you should, huh? Why’s that?”

Tanner stopped walking. He allowed himself to take a short break every couple of hours.

As he wiped sweat from his forehead, he explained. “Well, first of all, it might help some of us to finally get over our fears.” He then rested his hands on his knees, and took a few deep breaths. “Secondly, it could be exciting!”

Tanner paused and looked up at Mike. “What do you think?”

“I think it’ll be a hard sell. Not everyone’s quite as eccentric as you, Tan.”

“What can I say? One of my old classmates calls me from out of the blue, leaves a message and asks me what I think about having a reunion. Well, that’s what I think. I figure if we’re going to attempt this damn thing, we might as well get a bang for our buck, you know what I mean?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Anyway, I suppose I’ll call her back sometime after I break this damn record.”

“Who is it you’re calling?”

“Maria, our valedictorian.”

“That’s probably a good idea. But you better get your ass moving if you’re going to set any records today.”

Tanner stood up, eased back into his pace and shouted, “God, you’re a slave driver!”

K
ate’s body jolted when Bryan turned the key and abruptly started the vehicle.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“I’m taking you to the station!” The car jetted forward.

“Why?” Her eyes popped open.

“Two things: One, we’re going to get you cleaned up. And two, you’re going to press charges.”

Mentally startled, Kate replied, “What? Are you serious? I can’t do that! He’s never hit me before!” She turned her body toward Bryan. “Shouldn’t I give him a second chance or something?” She turned back and covered her face with her hands. “Oh, God, please just hold on a minute, Bryan. I’m not ready for that.”

Bryan hit the brakes and pulled over. Kate’s seat belt locked up.

“What do you want, Kate? Do you want Nick and that life back there, or do you want me?”

“I don’t kn—”

“Because I’m telling you right now, whatever you decide will determine the course of the rest of your life. And if he’s hit you once, it proves that hitting you is in his arsenal and he’ll likely use that weapon again.”

Kate sat there silently, arms crossed.

Bryan’s voice escalated.

“So are you going to let him beat you up when things get hard? Is that what you’re going to do? Or are you going to take advantage of his abuse as a way out?”

Her thoughts grew heavy with confusion.

“Think about it, Kate. You can do this in good conscience! He’s given you a chance to escape on a silver platter! So, are you going to take it? Because it’s either me or him!”

Kate cared about Bryan, but her feelings for Nick were still in limbo. The emotional ups and downs of living with Nick all those years had created an addictive, melodramatic lifestyle, just as habit forming as Nick’s drinking.

How can I choose? she wondered. The pull to continue shielding Nick from the many consequences he deserved overwhelmed her.

She turned toward Bryan. His face looked stone cold. Kate wiped her tears and spoke with a weak and broken voice.

“I’ll…do it.”

• • •

Minutes after they arrived at the sheriff’s department, Kate officially pressed charges against her husband of nineteen years. Two of Bryan’s coworkers were dispatched to arrest Nick at his home. A female deputy helped Kate clean up. When Kate had finished writing her statement, Bryan walked her to his car and drove her to his apartment for the night. By pressing charges, Kate made her intentions clear. Bryan planned to be just as explicit.

• • •

Two sheriff’s deputies pulled up to the Tooley residence and casually walked up the driveway. Surprised to find the door wide open, they walked in and announced their presence. They saw furniture turned over, broken lamps and shattered glass spread all over the floor. A typical domestic-violence scene, the two men took notes and pictures of their surroundings.

“Sheriff’s Department! Anyone home?”

Silence.

“Hello! Sheriff’s Department!”

Nothing.

The two deputies cautiously pulled out their weapons and made hand signals that indicated they would split up. One went into the kitchen that adjoined the living room, while the other walked down the main hallway of the ranch home.

The first deputy didn’t see anyone in the living room or dining room. He turned the corner into the kitchen and pulled his gun close to his chest in preparation for the worst. The smell of beer filled his nostrils. His feet crunched the small pieces of glass and debris spread across the carpet.

“Kitchen clear!”

Walking amidst the fragmented home decor, the other deputy entered the shadows of the hallway until he came to a half-bath. He quickly turned into the bathroom with his gun facing forward.

“Half-bath clear!”

He continued down the hall and charged into the next room. Vacant. He walked farther down the hall, entered the master bedroom, and found Nick lying naked, face up and stretched out across the bed. Amused by Nick’s unsightly figure, the deputy called for his partner.

“Hey! Come look at this! I found him! He’s back here!”

The other deputy entered the room armed and ready, but quickly realized that force was not necessary. The men chuckled as they considered the fun they could have with their captive.

“Nick Tooley!” called one of the deputies.

“Wake up!” shouted the other.

The first deputy put his shoe on Nick’s thigh and started pushing rhythmically as he continued shouting.

“Hey, Nick!”

Nick’s body jiggled.

“Wake up!”

Nick started to rouse. His eyes slowly opened. When he saw the two men, he panicked. Suddenly aware of his nakedness, he sat up and clung to the headboard.

“Mr. Tooley, just stay calm. We’re not going to hurt you.” The deputy’s palms cautiously faced up and open in an attempt to calm Nick down. The two deputies inched closer to Nick and read him his rights.

“I’m Deputy Burns and this is Deputy McMahon, and you’re under arrest for battery and attempted battery.”

Nick attempted to escape. They added resisting arrest to the charges.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you—”

• • •

Bryan led Kate into his apartment. They were both nervous. He offered her a drink.

“Wine?”

“Please!”

“I’m gonna take a shower if you don’t mind,” he said. He grabbed a beer from the refrigerator and headed down the hallway.

Kate nodded and smiled. She wandered around his apartment and investigated his ability to keep house.

Not bad, she thought to herself. Kate didn’t know the real Bryan. She knew the imaginary Bryan—the Bryan she hoped he’d be. Their plans for the future, however, had come unexpectedly. Fate hurled them into the middle of what she had always hoped for. But what that actually looked like scared the hell out of her. Nonetheless, she drank her wine and continued the tour of his bachelor pad. Everything looked good. He passed the first test.

After Bryan showered, he walked into the living room, arms outstretched.

“So, do you approve?”

“Yes, I do. You have a very nice place here Mr. Jacobs. I’m surprised”

“Surprised? Why?”

“Well, I guess I assumed all bachelors were slobs.”

They laughed.

“Not this chevalier!”

“Oh, so you’re saying you’re chivalrous?”

“I try to be.” Bryan bowed before Kate.

“Oh, my!” Kate grinned. “If you’re so chivalrous, why haven’t you asked me if I’ll have another drink?” She handed him an empty wine glass.

He bowed. “So sorry, Madame.” Bryan hurried off to the wine chiller. Kate made herself at home and plopped down on a black leather futon, and he quickly returned with another glass of wine. Bryan’s cat rubbed against Kate’s leg and purred, leaving traces of grey hair on her jeans.

“I’m sorry. That’s Kitten. She’s my roommate. She loves everybody.”

“Well, she’s very sweet.” Kate rubbed her fur. Kitten raised her back.

Kate lifted her legs and sat cross-legged on the couch, then snuggled into one of the pillows to her right. Bryan sat next to her holding a beer. Kitten jumped on the couch and joined them.

“Listen, Kate. I just want you to relax and feel at home here. After all you’ve been through, you need to clear your head and just think about what you’re going to do. But you need to know that I’m here for you too. Okay?”

Kate nodded and took a deep breath. Bryan put his hand on her thigh. She kept her head on the pillow and looked away from him.

“I’m not ready for that yet. You have to promise me that you’ll see this through, because if I leave him, I’ll be on my own, with nothing. You get that, right?”

“I know, Kate. I won’t leave you. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. I’ve waited twenty years for crying out loud! Do you think I’m going to blow my chance now?”

Kate fought back a smile and released a tearful grin instead. She moved to lay her head in his lap and they talked late into the night. They used the time to get to know who they really were. He caressed her hair and shoulders until she fell asleep. Bryan put a pillow under her head, covered her with a red throw-blanket and went to his own bedroom.

• • •

Maria drove the rental car to her mother’s house, three blocks from Crescent Falls High School. When the car stopped, her hands started to shake. She questioned if she had made the right decision in coming back. Although she phoned every week, she hadn’t ever been back to visit her mother. Sitting in the driveway reminded her of Darrin and the intimate moments they had shared in that same location all those years before. The kissing and whispers had felt so real, so promising. Yet the pain of life’s unexpected twists and turns now churned her memories into disappointing dreams. Without a picture nearby, Maria had a difficult time remembering what Darrin looked like and that really bothered her. Accordingly, she packed his picture and his letter whenever she traveled. Until she unpacked, she could only fantasize to satisfy her thirst for him.

While Maria sat still daydreaming in the car, her mother came out and knocked on the window.

“Hola, Bebe! Come out of there and give me a big kiss!”

Maria’s heart pounded. She opened the door, stepped outside and hugged her mother. Miss Vasquez squeezed Maria and cried.

Maria closed her eyes and tried to push back her thoughts, but the memories pursued her with full force. They always came in phases: a visit, an embrace, tears, the ambulance, screaming, blood, and then Darrin.

She remembered how he had squeezed her body, dedicating the last few moments of his life to protect her. He didn’t know that his provision would leave Maria hurting and bitter in the future. She had crouched down behind the table. Half of his body remained covered; the other half was still vulnerable.

“What’s he doing?” Maria whispered.

“Shhh!” Darrin covered her mouth. “He’ll hear—”

Bang!

Maria felt a heaviness pressing down on her. Her arm felt a tug. The strong covering that Darrin provided seemed to crash down all at once. His head collapsed on the back of her neck. His body rolled toward the side, pulling Maria with him. He landed on the floor with a thud, trapping her arm under his body.

“Darrin?”

He said nothing.

She grabbed his face, unaware of his wound.

“Darrin! Get up!” She tried to maneuver her arm out of the twisted mess, but his dead weight pressed down, forcing her to remain within inches of his face. That’s when she saw the hole in his forehead. Like the earth absorbing an asteroid, the slug had disappeared. The only evidence remaining: a tiny drop of blood. Then her hand felt the warm wetness. She managed to gather enough force to tug her arm away, causing Darrin’s body to roll over, exposing the massive cavity in the back of his head where the bullet had exited. She stared, unbelieving, at the pool of bright red fluid that streamed out of his skull and looked down at her blood-soaked hands. Unwilling to accept his death, she cried out his name.

“Darrin! Darrin!” His lifeless body rolled as she yanked at his clothes. In shock, she continued.

“Come on, Darrin! We have to go! You have to get up!”

She reacted as if she had no idea there was a gaping hole in his head. She wouldn’t let go voluntarily. The paramedics had to forcibly take her away from him.

“Darrin! No! No! Nooooooooo!” She screamed and sobbed as they wrapped her fighting body in a blanket and gently carried her away from him. It wasn’t until she let go that the reality of what had happened soaked in. Shock ensued. Her breathing became erratic as the paramedics sat her down near their ambulance. She lay crumpled on the grass and cried until her mother arrived an hour later.