‘Call me if you need me okay,’ Axel said.
I hugged him before hurrying to Rebel’s minivan.
Rebel curled into a ball in the front seat of her car. I glanced at the houses and saw Angry Betty peeping through her window.
‘Rebel?’ I placed my hand on her shoulder.
She sobbed slightly, her frame tremble with every sniffle.
‘What happened? Please say something.’
‘Can we go somewhere else?’ She bobbed her head up.
‘Yeah, but I’m driving.’
We swapped seats and I drove to the only place people went when they needed privacy in this town. Uncle Stu's
Rebel sat across from me, the construction behind her loud and lively. Her vibrant red hair was a pile of frizz and knots, I was sure it didn’t look that way earlier. She pressed her arms into her body and sat on her hands, nervously biting her lip.
‘I can’t eat Addie, it’s eating me.’
I shook my head, ‘It’s okay Rebel. Everything will be fine… try to let it out.’
I ordered a drink so they wouldn’t kick us out. There was one man sat by the counter reading a newspaper and a lady drinking a beer. I turned and gave Rebel my full attention.
‘I… I don’t know what to do Addie, he took everything from me.’
‘Who? Holden? Is that why you’re so nervous around him?’
‘Oh no. Rodger.’
My shoulders fell and my heart sank. What did he do?
‘He… he kicked you out of the business?’
She shook her head and dried a rouge tear. ‘I’ve never told anyone this... ‘
I held out my hand, willing her to trust me. She looked at it before setting her trembling palm in my hand.
‘I was only a little girl when Rodger first… first touched me. I was ten and My Dad knew about it.’ Her hands flew to her face.
My hand went to my burning throat. Heat rushed to my face. All these years it’d been eating her up inside.
‘Rodger told me never to tell anyone. I was a kid I thought he’d hurt me or my siblings. When I found out my Dad knew I thought he’d stop it then I found out he let Rodger do it. Dad told me it was all a game and I had to play along.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ I shook my head. What a bastard. The both of them.
‘It never stopped Addie. He raped me when I twelve, it just never stopped. I remember wanting to tell my Mom when I was fifteen. Then Dad sat me down told me the whole reason we ate dinner and didn’t live under a bridge was because of Rodger. He lent Dad a lot money to keep our family afloat. He told me if I opened my big mouth I’d be the reason my little brothers landed in foster care and we would have lost everything.’
She sniffled, her body rattled with each sob that escaped her. I rummaged my bag for a tissue and handed it to her.
‘I’m sorry Rebel, he’s a monster a real two faced monster.’
‘No, Addie. I’m the fool. I had all the chances to tell my mother then I thought no one would believe me. Dad would deny it and well you know how Rodger is with people who’d believe he ever raped anyone? Then I let him into my business.’
‘Rebel it’s not too late you can still put him in jail. Heavens knows he deserves it.’
She shook her head, ‘He controls me too much Addie. You don’t understand the hold he has around my neck.
I searched for a tissue too and blew my nose. I never liked him. Now I hated him with my entire being.
‘What happened today?’
She looked up and sighed. ‘Holden’s the only other man I’ve ever been with. Rodger knows that. I remember the beating I got when he found out Holden and I were sleeping together.’ She shut her eyes, reliving a horrid memory.
‘He said I betrayed him. I remember him mentioning my sister and I just caved. I’d never wish this bondage on anyone else Addie. Rodger hated seeing Holden, I saw it when he spoke. He tried to rape me again after Holden left… to teach me a lesson. This time I fought back Addie.’
‘Good for you Rebel, you’re a fighter. You’re going to keep fighting.’
‘No, no Addie he’s going to take everything I’ve built away. He owns over fifty percent of the bakery. Not to mention my mother… goodness, my mother. I’ll be breaking her marriage, her whole life.’
‘Your Dad made his choices Rebel and they hurt you. No father should do that. Your Mama won’t hate you. Rebel he can’t take the business away from you if he goes to jail. Axel can help us heck I’ll beg Matthias if I have to, but that bastard is going to jail.’
‘Addie I don’t even have a shred of evidence.’
‘That doesn’t matter. I won’t leave you alone in this. I promise, you won’t have to be strong alone and we can fall apart together.’
‘I don’t know if I have the strength to do this.’
‘That’s okay, just take the step Rebel. If you don’t his hand around your neck might turn into a rope. I can’t lose you either.’
***
I took Rebel home after our talk. She was still trembling, but she told me she felt a weight on her shoulder evaporate. I went home with Axel shaking myself. I’d been in the same room as a monster. I couldn’t tell my boyfriend what we spoke about, but he naturally assumed it wasn’t good.
‘I can help her Addie, I will.’ Axel said.
We were in his bed, tangled in the sheets. He stroked my hair while he semi-leaned on me.
‘I told her that. She… has to find her courage. I don’t want to let her go back to work.’
I’d be there before the sun rose if I had to just to make sure she didn’t go in. Let Rebel Ways crash and burn in Rodger's face if it had to. The bastard deserves it.
Axel rolled on his back and I cozied on his chest. Soon his fingers massaged the back of my head. Rebel shouldn’t have to go through it and for so long. I wanted her to take the step and report Rodger. I was tempted to come up with fake charges to have him arrested so Rebel wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore. I snuggled into Axel's chest and drifted off to sleep.
***
The next day I went around town looking at paint samples for Holden’s truck. I also visited Carl’s shop to see when he could take it in. I’d changed almost everything expect the engine that was coming in a couple of weeks and new tires. I went to Rebel Ways not as early as I’d assumed I would, but Rebel wasn’t there. The place was open, but the back of the counter was empty. I breathed a sigh of relief. I tried calling but it only went to voicemail. I’d left texts and made a plan to go to her house after I ate at the little Greek restaurant I’d fallen in love with.
I scanned the samples I’d gotten while I waited for my food. The restaurant had a few people a particular man in a black hoodie made my heart speed up. It couldn’t be him. I brushed it off as any ordinary man. I went back to the samples.
The chair in front of me dragged against the floor and my heart slammed forward. It could be… I looked up.
The man in front of me ripped off his sunglasses and tossed his hat on the table.
‘Oh give me a break what do you want Matthias?’
‘You’ve been avoiding me,’ he barked.
‘Why don’t you take care of your girlfriend? Or help her plan your wedding.’
‘Is that it? You’re jealous of Amber?’
I gasped, ‘I have no reason to be. I have a boyfriend.’
He laughed.
‘What?’ I asked.
He folded his arms, his chest popping out. ‘It won’t last.’
‘How dare— Why are you even here?’
How many times did he need me to tell him we have nothing to talk about?
‘I needed to make sure you’re okay. You’re all over the show Adele.’
‘So, you’re going to protect me? Like you did three years ago? You only hurt me Matthias.’ I exhaled, and stared at the customers.
Matthias ran a hand through his hair. He knew exactly what I was talking about.
‘You don’t understand I did it to protect you. I—’
‘I get it. All I want is for you to leave me alone.’
‘It’s too dangerous—’
‘My boyfriend's a cop.’ I smiled.
He rolled his eyes, ‘You want to move on fine, but I’m not letting anything happen to you.’ He stood. ‘All I’ve ever wanted is to keep you safe.’ He picked up his glasses and cap and left.
‘Why did this man do this to me?’
I took up my food to go. I borrowed Comrade's truck. It needed a little ride around. I spent the next few hours with Holden discussing and getting under the truck for touch ups. To my surprise Holden asked about Rebel he was worried about her. No thanks to Matthias I forgot to go see her. Holden said he couldn’t get a hold of her it made me worried. By the time I left the Hampton Home it was dark the dashboard clock read nine thirty four.
‘Oh no…’ I slammed my palm on the horn. The car ahead of me blasted me back.
Two cars block the cars ahead of me. I was only five minutes from home. A black SUV had broken down or something and the one ahead of it was trying to jump start it. I groaned. If it hadn’t started then it was a big problem.
I dialed Rebel. Please pick up.
‘Addie…’
‘Ugh, Rebel where are you? You’ve had us worried.’
‘Uhh… I’m at work. I’ve got a lot of customers right now Ad.’
‘What? At work with Rodger! Rebel…’
‘I’m not going to leave my business in his hands Addie, he won’t win! He wants to drive me away.’
‘No, Rebel he could hurt you please don’t be there. I’ll come get you myself I can turn around.’
She exhaled, ‘No. This is my dream and he won’t steal it. I’m fine Addie. Don’t bother coming over it’s a busy night.’ She ended our call.
The cars ahead of me started moving. The SUV roared to life and zoomed into the night. I was tempted to turn around and find Rebel instead I drove home. I had a feeling she’d only get mad at me.
Comrade was probably asleep.
‘Comrade?’ I said.
The TV was still playing, split coffee on the table in the living room. I turned the TV off and started down the hall. I stopped by my door when I noticed the door to Comrade’s room was jar.
‘You awake Comrade?’
No response, the light was on. He must have been really tired to leave the TV and lights on in his bedroom.
I pushed the door open and popped my head in.
‘Comrade?’ I whispered.
My heart slammed forward and my legs turned to mush. Spread out on the bed, eyes staring into space, blood oozing out of his chest.
‘Co-comrade… don’t do this to me.’
The black revolver he’d given me sat beside him. I pressed my fingers to his wrist, blood touching my overalls.
‘No, Comrade.’
His skin was so cold, his pale. It didn’t feel like him. Sirens blared and I screamed, trembling I slid down the wall. I jumped up and shook his chest.
‘Wake up Grandpa, please you can’t leave me.’ I sobbed.
The sirens grew louder and soon red and blue eyes reflected on the window. I looked at the body spread on before me. Someone killed my Grandpa. Seeing the blood on my hands made my vision blur.
The front door burst open and heavy footsteps rattled the house.
‘What do I do?’ I whispered.
Shouting and orders filled my house.
‘Addie… move away from the body.’ Axel ordered.
‘Axel, he’s dead.’
‘Addie move away from the body please.’
I trembled. Any second I felt Comrade would start blinking but his eyes remained staring at the ceiling.
‘Hands where I can see them!’ A policeman ordered, pointing his gun at me.
My legs nearly gave way at the site of another gun. I stumbled and hit the wall. Axel made him put the gun away.
‘Addie, come here let us handle this.’
‘He’s dead… I can’t.’
Axel approached me like a wounded animal. I hugged myself and half slid down the wall. The only man that really loved me was dead. Killed with a gun he gave me. Then it smacked me. I was so screwed. Before I hit the ground Axel grabbed me and dragged me out the room.
***
From blaring siren noises, blasting cops on the radio to silence in a cold empty interrogation room. I’d been in there for hours. My arms turned to ice on the metal table, trembling and waiting for someone to come in. I held out hope that the bullet hadn’t killed him. It couldn’t have.
It was the raiders who else would want him dead? He never hurt anyone.
‘My Comrade.’ My head fell on top of my folded arms. Sobs invaded my body.
‘I didn’t even get to say goodbye.’ The heirlooms weren’t worth it, weren’t worth his life. I’d give it all up if I could, but that would disappoint Comrade. He had so much faith in me.
The door burst open, ‘Can it Addie. You’ve gone too far this time.’ Swine slammed his fist on the table.
I straightened. Axel lingered in the door way. He hadn’t said much on the way here. He didn’t believe me.
‘I didn’t do it Swine. I promise. He was gone when I got there.’
‘You wanna know whose finger prints we found on the gun?’
‘He gave it to me! But I didn’t use it.’
‘Stop Addie, stop talking!’ Axel barked and I bit my tongue.
‘She’s a real good con artist Chambers. Yes, she is. Wanted poor Comrade's insurance money? Bet it wasn’t much.’
‘I’d never hurt him…’ My voice cracked.
Axel frowned and pressed his palms against the mirror.
‘Axel—’
‘Be quiet Addie I don’t want to hear it.’
‘I’m innocent.’
Swine laughed. ‘Shall I tell her about the cellphone tower?’
‘What cellphone tower?’ I asked.
‘Turns out you have no alibi for the day Lexa was murdered. Your ex boy toy was miles away before going to the cemetery. Leaving you alone for a good three hours before he arrived.’
‘Darn it check my phone records!’
‘Who knows where you ditched your phone while you bludgeoned your sister in law to death.’ He smirked.
I leaned back in my chair. It was just what they wanted. Now I was caged in without a way out.
‘Detective Chambers, the FBI's here.’ An officer said.
Axel dragged his eyes away from me and marched out. Didn’t take Swine long to close the distance between us.
‘Now's your chance babe, we’ll be married in less than two hours, on a plane in the morning and sipping on cocktails by lunch all you have to do say the word.’
‘You set me up,’ I snapped.
He shrugged, ‘I can make this all disappear, what do you say?’
‘Go to hell!’ My saliva trickled down his face.
He chuckled and wiped it off his nose. ‘You’ll look good in orange.’
There was commotion at the door. A man in a dark blue jacket appeared by the door and a man in a black suit marched into the room and stood beside me.
‘This is the FBI's case.’ The man in the dark blue suit said.
‘Hell, who invited you guys!’ Swine growled.
‘My client and I are leaving. Your evidence is substantial and as I understand it she isn’t under arrest.’
‘Your client?’ I stated at the man with a briefcase.
He picked me up by the arm and whispered in my ear. ‘I hope you didn’t give them anything.’
‘I’m not sure.’
The lawyer guided me to the waiting room where Matthias fidgeted. He wore the same FBI jacket as the man in the interrogation room.
‘I’ve only bought you a few hours Matthias. They’ll want her back.’
Matthias pulled me under his arm. He nodded and shook the lawyers hand.
His arm tightened around my shoulders. With the world crashing down on me I couldn’t pull away. Axel appeared in front of us as Matthias lead me to the door. He wasn’t the man he was before. He glared at me as if I were the scum of the earth or a… a murderer.
‘Axel—’
‘If you did this Adele, I’ll find out and you won’t get away with this.’
‘I’d never hurt my Grandfather please believe me. It’s me, Addie!’
He looked away, ‘I don’t know anymore.’
‘Let’s go,’ Matthias urged me forward.
‘I’m coming after you too Hadley.’ Axel stated.
‘You’ll find me, Chambers.’
Matthias loaded my trembling body into his car. He climbed in and the engine yelled as he zoomed out of the parking lot.
‘I didn’t do it Matthias I swear. Someone else killed Comrade.’ My eyes stung from all the tears. My cheeks felt puffy and my throat hurt.
‘I know you don’t have to convince me.’
‘Swine, said they found my finger prints on the gun—’
‘Lies, they haven’t even tested the thing yet. They were trying to bait you.’
I may have taken the bait. Now more than ever I wished I’d never set foot back in Chester Springs, maybe my family wouldn’t have been murdered.