When the Heart Lies

Chapter 13





Jackson glanced at the clock. Six a.m. Lying flat on his back, he stared at the ceiling of Olivia’s living room with his hands resting beneath his head. Olivia was sound asleep and still wasn’t awake when he finished showering. She definitely wasn’t a morning person, but she did think ahead. When he went to the kitchen to make coffee, the pot was full, hot, and ready. After taking a cautious sip, he looked at the cup and smiled. Olivia couldn’t cook, but she made good coffee. He glanced at his watch and then the phone, anxious to call and find out what went on at Wayde’s the previous night.

Sipping his coffee, he explored around out of habit. One of the bookshelves in the dining area held knickknacks and a few pictures. One was of Xavier and Olivia standing on a yacht. Xavier stood behind her, his face next to hers. His arms hugged her waist. They appeared happy. He replaced the picture and went to get his phone to call the sub. It only rang once before the sub picked up.

“Good morning, Percy. How did things go last night?”

“Things were quiet. Just a lot of drinking, card playing, that sort of thing.”

“That’s all? Nothing they said seemed peculiar to you? It’s hard to believe we haven’t gotten anything relevant since the audio was put in.”

“That was about all until they went to bed. Then things got private. Once he told her to get on her knees and blow him, I cut the feed, only for about a half hour, it was quiet when I turned it on again. I’m a respectable man. Someone’s sex life is none of my business. Besides, there wasn’t any trouble last night. Seemed pretty boring if you ask me.”

“What the hell are you talking about! Who told you that you could cut the feed? Jackson turned in circles, his hands raking at his hair. “I’d like to reach through this phone and …” Instead, he threw a fastball with his coffee cup into the kitchen sink, smashing it. “What are you picking up now?”

Olivia came rushing through the bedroom door while tying her robe. When she saw the broken coffee mug in the sink, she stared at him. “What the hell is going on out here, Jackson? Have you lost your mind?”

“I’ll turn the feed back on,” Percy said.

Jackson snapped his phone closed at the sound of Percy’s voice. “Where did you find this guy? He cut the God damn feed.”

“Why?”

“Why! What do you mean why?” His face tensed. He could feel the heat of his anger rising and stealing its way up his neck and cheeks. He turned from her, taking some time before turning back. “Wayde told her to get on her knees and blow him. Percy didn’t think he should be listening to someone else’s sex life. Christ, any of the guys I know would be dying to listen. This might have been the one time we actually got information.”

“Why are you so overwrought? It’s not like you haven’t made similar statements.”

He stepped forward, and his eyes shot daggers as he swatted down the air between them, attempting to wipe away her comment. “You eat that shit up! The last thing you want when you hit the bedroom is to be in charge.” His fist slammed down onto the counter.

Instinctively, she backed away from the harshness of his voice. When she did, he grimaced, turned from her, and leaned against the wall, propping himself with his outstretched arm. It didn’t matter who the woman was. Seeing one back away because of his anger stabbed him.

Glaring at him, she threw her hands up. “Believe me I’ll find out why he did something so stupid, but why are you making this about us?”

His head fell back, and he slid both hands down his face and over his mouth as he exhaled. “It’s not about us. There is no ‘us’.” He dropped his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t… you know I didn’t mean it like it came out. She hates the guy, damn it. I know we could’ve heard something.”

“No, this is not about ‘us’, and there is no ‘us’. I get it. You don’t have to beat the subject to death. I’ve known that for a long time. It’s about her. It’s always about her.”

~ ~ ~

Xavier and Angela were enjoying a quiet Sunday morning and talking about their schedule for the week ahead. Angela’s phone rang, startling her. She glanced at it. It rang again. When it rang a third time, Xavier lowered his newspaper and looked at her in an inquisitive way. “Aren’t you going to answer your phone?”

She reached into her purse, retrieved the phone, and took a quick glance at the caller ID. “It’s Carolyn. She’ll gab all day. I’ll let you read your paper in peace.” She grabbed a sweater and went out to the patio.

He nodded and went back to his paper.

Once she was far enough beyond the house, unable to be heard, she answered, but said nothing and waited.

“You’re lucky I’m calling you and not your husband.”

At the sound of Wayde’s voice, her hand went to her open mouth suppressing a yelp, and she held the back of the chair. “What are you talking about? Why would you say such a thing?” She rounded the chair and fell listless into the seat.

“I’ve had enough of this bitch, and I been thinkin’. Who are you to tell me when we’re going to talk about money? How would you like your lifelong secrets to be revealed to your rich husband and your precious Nick?”

Money, he wanted money. Wayde wasn’t the kind of man you wanted to deal with for any length of time, preferably not at all. “Okay, I guess you’ve done all you can for me. I’ll give you another fifty-thousand for your trouble, and I’ll come and visit you. I promise.” She closed her eyes and appeared to be praying.

“Things change. They might not be comin’ home ‘til I get a half million dollars. If you call the police, you won’t see either of them again.”

“Why? What’s changed? You haven’t done anything wrong. Just threats. You said you don’t want any trouble. Now you’re talking about kidnapping and maybe murder?” Speaking too fast, her breathing became thick and short. The palm of her hand pressed hard against her forehead, and she swayed. Her hands began trembling. “I’ll take care of it. Money like that will be noticed. It’s a lot. Don’t hurt them, either of them. That isn’t supposed to happen. I need a little time.”

Just as Xavier came out onto the patio, the phone dropped from her hands, and she fell from the chair reaching for it.

He ran to her. “Angela!”

Trying to choke out words, she gasped. Her fingers bent and curled, the only movement from the arm that had been reaching for the phone. Madness shone in her eyes as she tried to speak, and then they closed.

“Jonathan! Jonathan!” Xavier bent over her, rolling her from her side to her back. Her breathing became shallow. He turned in the direction of Jonathan’s footsteps. “Call 911! It’s Angela. I think she’s had a stroke. Don’t try to talk Angela. I’m here. You’re going to be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” Sitting on the concrete with her in his arms, he rocked to soothe her.