‘Addie,’ he sniffed my ear.
‘Swine!’ I curled my hands into fists. I didn’t need to go to jail for slapping a cop.
‘Yeah, you keep those hands to yourself.’ He laughed.
I growled, it was what he wanted.
‘Let me go Swine. You know that lady was exaggerating. Call Kenny or Holden, they’ll tell you.’
Swine hooted then leaned back. I blinked. I was locked in an interrogation room with a mad man. I needed to get a lawyer or Swine would lock me up every week.
‘Screwing with the Hampton men now are you? Darn girls work quickly. No wonder Ada was pissed.’
I recoiled, ‘I said I was working.’
He bobbed his head, ‘I’m sure you gave them a real service. Give ‘em a discount for two.’
I gasped, leaning against the chair. The sick grin on his face grew.
‘Real shame Addie, you never looked at me that way. Nah you wanted the big fish. Always have, haven’t you?’
‘You? Heck, why would I?’ I didn’t know anyone in town who’d messed with Swine and made it public.
He bolted off his seat the chair falling back. I brought my hands to my chest. Hell, Swine had lost it and the door was locked. He walked behind me then brought his mouth to my cheek. I flinched.
‘I can think of a couple reasons. Remember that murder weapon?’
‘I’m innocent and you know it.’
‘What do I care? I can make evidence go away Ad or I can make it appear. You know I tried to be a magician?’
I learned away half of my butt remained on the seat. Swine pestered me because of an underlying crush? Why’d he have to have the power to lock me up? Still even just thinking about Swine putting his pink lips on my skin made me recoil.
‘Look Swine, I’m sure you’re a catch… in some women’s eyes. I just… I’m taking a break from dating. You remember the last time ended in disaster.’ I chuckled, if I moved any further I’d find my ass on the floor.
‘Oh nah babe, I’m talking about marriage skip the formalities. Then we can enjoy that family fortune of yours. What do y’all call them? Heirlooms, yeah just you and I in the Bahamas and not in jail.’
Swine's cold hands pulled me to his chest. The blood in my face drained, I saw the color in my hands disappear before my eyes. I was screwed. Totally finished now. Swine smirked and I couldn’t bring my body to move.
‘What do you say sweet pea?’ His breath touched my skin and pee threatened to fall.
The door rattled open and the pee had to be grasped not to shatter. The metal door burst open. Axel stormed in frowning at us. Swine jumped back. I could only look at Axel's accusing face.
‘Don’t you knock Chambers?’ Swine barked.
‘This is an interrogation room not a brothel.’
‘No thanks to you,’ Swine grumbled.
My eyes widened. I needed a prier to unstick my arms from my body. This wasn’t the end of it.
‘Get the hell out both of you,’ Axel blasted.
I flinched at least it sparked me to life. Swine grumbled and marched out the door. Axel’s icy stare scrutinized me as I picked my bag off the floor. My arms trembling and my legs numb. The door slammed shut and I jumped. Not again.
‘What did he do?’ Axel demanded.
I shook my head and hauled myself off the chair. Gosh my legs were sweaty and the armpits of my dress were drenched.
‘Adele,’ he stepped in front of me.
‘I should go Axel.’ I whispered, eyes glued to his shoes.
His warm hands landed on my trembling shoulders. The sudden touch made me flinch. Did I have to worry about Swine calling, showing up at the house now? What’s to say if I moved he wouldn’t follow me?
‘You can tell me if Swine… what are you doing here anyway?’
I swallowed, ‘He said… Ada complained—’
‘Bastard. That’s not enough to bring you in.’
I sighed, and adjusted my bag. I brought my eyes to meet his expression. His brows burrowed, his hands still on my shoulders.
‘Addie, I won’t let him keep harassing you. Whatever he did he won’t get away with it you can tell me.’
Swine found out about precious family heirlooms that might have magical powers that my family has kept hidden from the world and evil raiders who probably killed my sister in law. Uh huh hello insane asylum.
‘I just want him to stop bothering me. He jumps at any chance to pick on me.’
Axel exhaled, he’s a cop I knew he likely didn’t buy it. Though, Axel knew Swine had it out for me.
‘He won’t bother you again, I’ll make sure of that.’
I nodded. Swine wouldn’t stop that easily now that he knew about the heirlooms. How’d I explain it to Comrade. I hadn’t told anyone. Other than my Mom and she already knew. Goodness what if my phone was tapped.
I walked out of the station with Axel ahead of me. The lot was quiet, Axel led me to his car. I didn’t see Swine’s squad car anywhere thank goodness I didn’t want to see his face again after today.
‘Do you want me to take you home?’ He asked.
‘No, Comrade's hosting a men’s society meeting tonight. A bunch of old men running away from their wives.’
He chuckled, ‘Wanna grab a bite to eat?’
I could eat anything. Unlike Swine’s squad car Axel drove a black leather seated SUV. It smelled like mist and pine. The car roared to life and the AC kicked in.
It would be a while since I bought my own car. A part of me didn’t want to drive it in Chester Springs.
I pulled out my phone to check up on Comrade, his meeting was probably well in by down. I found a message from Matthias. I suppressed a growl.
Why don’t you pick up the damned phone Adele? Why we’re you arrested again?
How’d he find out. Oh the precious Chester Springs gossip mill. Amber Rayne told him, he should be worried about her not me. I knew this man he wouldn’t stop until I responded.
I’m fine Matthias I wasn’t arrested. Goodbye.
I held off on calling Comrade. Axel drove passed Uncle Jay’s.
‘Where are we eating?’
He parked outside the Women’s Society building.
I frowned, ‘You want us to eat at their restaurant?’
‘I didn’t know they had one.’ He hopped out.
I unbuckled and followed out. Axel led me to a box like restaurant with the Mexico flag flashing above of the door.
I had no idea Chester Springs got it’s first Mexican restaurant. Before I left I’d been waiting on an Italian one, I’m sure they haven’t opened yet.
‘I hope you don’t mind take away,’ he smiled.
I shrugged. The little place didn’t have tables just a cute boxed floor and counter. It felt to cramped for people to sit in.
The girl behind the counter smiled at us and took our order. I may have gotten of myself by ordering two items on the menu. I knew myself well enough to know I wouldn’t touch the tacos. Axel insisted on paying.
‘Ever had dinner in a bachelor pad?’ Axel smirked.
I actually hadn’t, ‘Hope it’s not too messy.’
He chuckled and brought the car to life.
Axel’s pad was in a new building in town. Didn’t realize the little place changed so much. Axel’s lounge was decorated with paintings of women in the nude. I hoped he hadn’t dated any of these women. He furnished with black leather couches, a fluffy white rug. I’d only dreamed of having my own place.
He pushed the coffee table aside. We sat on the rug. A display of tacos, nachos and spaghetti in front of us. The conversation was light to the point Axel pulled out a bottle of wine.
‘Why’d you move here Axel?’ I leaned against the couch.
‘I needed a change and the offer was good.’
‘What about your family?’
He traced the rim of his glass. ‘Didn’t know much of them. I thought I’d start my own out here.’
‘I’d always envisioned starting a family out here.’
‘With Matthias?’
I shook my head, ‘That dream's dead now.’ I felt less bitter than I sounded.
‘There’s isn’t a chance of you too getting back together?’ He asked.
‘I want to move on Axel.’
‘Good,’ his hand landed where mine rested on my thigh.
***
I didn’t know what was there, but when Axel looked up and me and smiled I saw a man who wanted to be with me despite my scandals and flaws. The biggest obstacle was myself more than anything. Axel drove me home, I pondered the possibility of us the entire time. It didn’t sound so bad. A step to moving on.
We had a date planned by the time he drove away. The house was quiet, spotted a couple cans of beer on the grass. Comrade was busy stuffing plastic plates into a bin bag.
I tilted my head and smiled. The house smelt of beer and cigarette smoke.
‘I thought I’d help with the clean up,’ he said.
‘Looks like y’all had fun,’ I replied.
‘And sum. I’m assuming you did too, who dropped you off?’ He pointed at the door.
‘Axel, the detective who helped us when you fell.’
He nodded, ‘Good kid.’
I sat on the couch and was poked by a can of ginger beer.
‘Comrade something happened and I don’t know how.’ I cupped my cheeks.
Comrade put the bag down and I explained everything that happened with Swine. Maybe Swine was a raider and found out my family were heirloom keepers.
Comrade rubbed his chin and paced the room. I bit my lip, worried he blamed me. He regretted telling me I could feel it. I should have told him about my suspicions of the police tapping my phone.
‘It’s the raiders Addie, they got to Sam and they’re using him to get to you.’
‘Are you sure Comrade?’
‘Sure as help, those bastards are sure our family are heirloom keepers. The others have to be careful too.’
‘Others? Comrade who are the others?’ I stood.
He paused, ‘You have to be strong Addie. They’re going to try everything to make you give up the secrets.’
‘Isn’t there anything we can do? The police?’
He sighed, ‘There’s something I have to show you, but not right now. Be ready by four we’ll need darkness to protect us.’
Ask me if I even shut my eyes. If I did my mind came up with its own scenarios of where Comrade was taking me. Three thirty rolled around and I was snooping through my clothes for something to wear.
Comrade came into the living room and found me cradling myself.
‘Couldn’t sleep huh? Come on kid.’
I followed Comrade into the star covered night. We got into his truck that looked a tad younger than Holden’s.
He wouldn’t tell me where we were going. To find answers was all he said. We drove thirty minutes and the sun started to wake, summoning the birds from their sleep. The last time I saw Chester Springs so sleepy was when I was a teenager locked out after sneaking out with Matthias. There was no way I’d let him leave me at home so we drove around until we got tired and slept in his car.
We passed the empty streets and watched as the familiar parts of Chester Springs blended into its past. Uncle Stu's appeared quiet and empty, the bulldozers and cranes slumbers in the land unsettled.
Finally the truck stuttered to a halt. Outside a hill of dirt covered with moss and white flowers.
‘This is where we stop for now,’ he killed the engine.
I stepped out into the chilly morning breeze. I tightened the coat around myself.
‘This place was much better undisturbed.’ He muttered.
‘The little town’s changing it was only a matter of time before this place developed.’
‘Not when one of our own are trying to unsettle the dust after centuries of hiding.’
‘What are you talking about? They’re here? The heirloom are buried here?’ I swallowed, construction was only a few miles away from where we were.
‘Holden Hampton came back wanting to develop the town. The boy knows damn well you don’t go digging in Chester Springs.’
My eyes went wide, ‘Comrade, Holden’s an heirloom keeper?’
‘No, Kevin’s kid Adora is. A few of our heirlooms are here, but with this going on you’ll have to move them eventually.’
‘Me?’ I frowned, how would I move them without people thinking I was digging up a body?
‘Yes, the baton's yours now. It became yours when your Daddy died.’ He smiled.
I kicked the dirt with the toe of my boot. Couldn’t back out now. The stars said goodbye above us which meant our time was almost gone.
‘There’s something else—’
‘What I have magical powers too?’ I tossed my hands up.
‘This might be worse than that.’ He grumbled. ‘When you were accused of theft in the Hadley home…’
‘What Comrade? What? Don’t tell me the raiders had something to do with it?!’
‘No, no not all of it. The item found in your possession was a real heirloom I can remember what it was. That’s why Sharon made a big fuss she thought she you were a raider. It was planted there kid.’
I clutched my head and stumbled backwards. I knew I was step up after all these years.
‘By who?’ Why would they do that to me.
Comrade scratched the top of his head.
‘By Matthias—’
‘Matthias— He set me up? Why would he do that I thought he loved me?’
‘He does kid,’ Comrade started.
‘No, no he never did. You don’t hurt people you love Comrade.’ Tears rolled down my cheeks.
He set it all up. He packed my bags for me he played the innocent heartbroken man and let me grow devil horns in the eyes of the town.
‘I can’t believe him…’ Now he regretted it. After all that he still sleeps with my ex best friend!
‘He did it to protect you Addie. I wasn’t happy when he told me he could have handled if better honestly. He knew you’d go running to your Mama. All he wanted was your safety.’
‘Like you said he could have handled it better.’ My broken voice echoed through the field.
‘I think you kids should have this conversation yourselves.’ Comrade muttered.
‘Protect me from what?’ I sobbed.
‘You see Matthias is the heirloom keeper in his family. Like I said it’s better if he tells you.’
‘I’m never talking to him again Comrade.’ Months and months of learning to forgive and let go washed down the freaking drain.
I’d be lucky if I didn’t break his head in. All that humiliation because of something he planned and never did Matthias lift a damn finger. The sun rose with possibilities and like I’d been told new chances at forgiveness. Instead I’d take my chance and grab happiness. Matthias needed to go forever.