When Memories Fade (13 page)

She faced him, her eyes looking lost. “I hope you are right. Something is going on, and I can feel myself wanting to let go of the past. There is just one big piece of the puzzle. Maybe you can help me.”

“Sure.”

“I did talk to my dad about my mother. He said that night he came over to try to convince her not to take this record deal. He said he told the police over and over again that instead of concentrating on him, they should look at the guys who ran the record company.”

Wes thought,
Record company. This has come up before.
“Do you remember the name of it?”

“Royal Records.”

“Okay, I will see what I can find for you.”

“Thanks, Wes.” She looked at him and then smiled. “I need to go see my grams. She should be finished with her rehab for the day.”

He shook his head, still looking at her. “Okay, well, I will be in touch.”

After they walked out of the conference room, he watched Angel as she headed down the hallway. She turned and waved at him. He waved back.

“Don't tell me you went and got a girlfriend while I was gone.”

Wes groaned and then turned around. “Serena, I see you are back.”

“Just in time, I see.” Serena peered around him. “So, who's my competition, and why does she look so familiar?”

Wes looked at Serena. “You think you've seen her before?”

“Yes. Who is she?”

Then it dawned on Wes. “Why don't you start by answering some questions?”

Serena crossed her arms. “Kiddo, I asked you a question first.”

“Well, Serena, we have some serious talking to do.”

Wes waited for Serena to answer his question, as they sat across from each other in the conference room. She flipped her hair across her shoulder and gazed back at him. Finally, she pointed her finger at him. “I passed a great story to you. I don't need you trying to get in on this story.”

“I wouldn't do any such thing. Look, I've been in the middle of this since I was a kid. My family knew the Robertses.”

“Okay, fine. Look, I just happened to come upon some interesting connections.”

“Connections?”

Serena sighed. “You have to keep your word that you won't mess with my story.”

“Of course I wouldn't, but if you have something that could point toward Elisa Roberts, please don't sit on it. You have a family who has been waiting decades to find out what happened.”

“Wes, I don't know what happened, but I do have a theory that maybe your grandfather hadn't considered. Do you know about the rapper K-Dawg? You probably were a child when he was killed.”

“Yes, I remember him. He's a Charlotte native, and he only had that one hit song, “We Down With It.” It's a known favorite, right alongside “Electric Slide Boogie.” I didn't think that was your kind of music.”

“What? Please! How old do you think I am?” Serena eyed him. “That was the jam for me.” Serena moved her shoulders as if the song were playing in the room. “I liked the dip to the side.”

Wes smiled. He could imagine Serena was a hoot as a teenager.

Serena continued, “Anyway, K-Dawg's mother came to me a few months ago at this event where I was the speaker. He's been gone twenty years, and she asked if I was interested in pursuing his story, you know, to commemorate him.” Serena sat up and smiled. “So I did some digging. Do you know who sang the background vocals on that song? Probably not.”

“You're right. I have never paid attention to the female's voice.” Wes stared at Serena. Then it dawned on him. “Elisa Roberts?”

“Yes. Apparently, Elisa's vocals on that song led her to getting the record deal at the same company where K-Dawg and a couple other Southern rappers were really blowing up.”

“Let me guess. Royal Records?”

Serena frowned. “How do you know that?”

“Don't worry about that. Tell me what this has to do with Elisa going missing.”

“I'm not sure. Like I told you, I'm pursuing a different story here. Her name came up. I can say my sources thought K-Dawg really liked her. She was a little bit older than him, but they went to the same high school. And it was rumored that a fight broke out that night over a woman, and it carried outside the club, where K-Dawg ultimately was shot.”

Wes shook his head. “I'm still lost. How is Elisa going missing connected?”

“Are you not seeing this? Look at the timing. A few weeks after K-Dawg is killed, Elisa goes missing. What if she went missing because she saw something or, better yet, because she knew who was responsible for the shooting? Suppose she was the woman who was at the center of the fight.”

Wes thought out loud. “Who was the other guy? Who said Elisa was the woman?” He sat up. “I mean, if she was the woman, this could still point back to Angelino Mancini. Pops could never find evidence pointing to Angelino, and he had an alibi for the night Elisa disappeared.”

Serena shrugged. “How airtight was that alibi? Did anyone think to ask him where he was the night K-Dawg was shot?”

Wes tapped his fingers on the table. “So, you think he did it? You went to see Angelino?”

“Yes. No. I went to his house, but the wife wouldn't let me in once I told her who I was.”

Wes said, “Mmm, I wonder why.”

Serena stared daggers at him. “Whatever, kiddo. Look, someone shot K-Dawg that night and got away with murder. All those people outside that club, and nobody saw a thing. Really? I believe one of the witnesses could have been your girlfriend's mother.”

Wes corrected her. “We're just friends. I'm helping her find some closure.”

Serena stood and shook her head. “That may never happen.”

“Aren't you basically trying to pursue a twenty-year-old murder case?” Wes asked. “Who's to say that the mystery behind Elisa's disappearance can't be solved too?”

“You really like her, don't you?”

“What?”

“Do yourself a favor. Separate work from your personal life. You have a young woman who's been missing for two weeks. Concentrate on her. That's your story.”

Wes stared at her. “I am pursuing the story on Melanie. What difference is there in you and me both pursuing old cases?”

“The difference is that when I break my story, there is no emotional involvement for me. I cracked a story. When you bring your girlfriend this quote, closure, unquote, how do you think she will feel about you afterward? Especially if dear old dad did do something to mom.” With that, Serena walked out of the conference room.

After Serena left, Wes held his head in his hand. He didn't want to admit Serena had a point. This had all started with him wanting to find closure for Pops. Now Wes was driven to help Angel find the truth. With Angel reuniting with her father, Wes hoped the truth wouldn't lead to her losing him again. If that was the case, would Angel be able to handle it?

There was another question he had to acknowledge. What was he really after? The story or the girl?

Last night at Bible study, Candace had continued the discussion on forgiveness. This time she'd focused on anger and bitterness. After her morning prayer, Angel read through the verses from the book of Ephesians again.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you
(Ephesians 4:31 New International Version
).

She couldn't help but go back in time. Her past clung to her like an ill-fitting outfit. Walking into that bedroom four years ago had spun her already topsy-turvy world into a new dimension. It had taken her a few seconds to absorb what she had seen.
Kenneth and Denise.
She remembered hurling the nearest object she could find across the room, which happened to be one of Kenneth's coveted basketball trophies. Both Kenneth and Denise screamed and jumped from the bed. She was scared of her anger, and something drove her to leave the room. She peeled the rubber from her car's tires as she sped from the parking space. It was by God's grace that she didn't run over someone or drive off the road in her rage.

Weeks, months, and then well over a year went by before she stopped being the angry chick. That was until she found out that Denise had had a baby boy. Then Angel found herself spiraling back into a sea of anger and self-pity. She must have gained twenty pounds on her petite frame. Grams had tried to talk to her, telling her to let it go, or the bitterness would eat away at her and cause her to make ugly choices.

After the meeting with her father, Angel thought more about her mother. Angel didn't remember too many details, but she was aware of her mother's moods. That seemed to be what she remembered most about her. Angel could recall that the last kiss on her forehead from her mother was hurried, as if she had someplace to be. In the past week, she had heard her father and Jacob both talk about her mother's drive to get her singing career started. Could she have been so angry and bitter about being held back from her dreams that she stepped into a deal that led to her disappearance? There were so many questions. She hoped Wes would come through with some details about the record company.

Angel spent the rest of the morning cleaning the house. As she cleaned, she searched for any evidence that her father had been telling the truth. She still couldn't believe her father had sent her a birthday card a few weeks ago. Angel felt like she was intruding in her grandparents' bedroom as she opened drawers and shifted clothes. Many of Granddad's items were in the dresser. If there was any correspondence from her father, Angel had a feeling Grams wouldn't have thrown it away.

She jerked her hand from inside the drawer of her grams's desk, startled by the piercing ring of the phone on top of the desk. Angel looked at the caller ID, recognizing the phone number. She picked up the phone. “Hello, Jacob.”

“Angel, I don't know if you received my voice mail, but I will be at the house in about thirty minutes.”

“No, I didn't. Why? What's going on? Is something wrong with Grams?”

“No. She's fine. We need to meet at Trinity Home Health Care. I want to talk to them about care for Mom when she comes home from rehab in a few weeks.”

“Okay, well, yeah, I will be ready. Did you just get back in town?”

“Uh . . . yeah. I'm on the move. I will see you in a bit.”

Angel hung up the phone, but it rang immediately. She frowned and picked up the phone again. “Hello, Jacob. Is this you again? Is there something else you forgot to tell me?”

“Angel?”

Angel froze when she heard the female voice. Definitely not Jacob. “Yeah?”

“It's Liz. Do you know where your uncle is?”

“Aunt Liz, I'm sorry. I don't know why I didn't recognize your voice. He will be here in a little while. He just called. I guess he just arrived in Charlotte. “

Liz paused. “Arrived?” she finally said.

Angel said, “He left for New York last Friday. I just heard from him, so I assumed he just arrived back in Charlotte.”

“He was here? In New York?”

Angel frowned. Liz's questions were confusing her. Then she remembered Jacob had moved out of their home. “He told me he had to return to work.” Liz was so quiet, Angel thought she'd hung up. “Liz, are you still there?”

“Angel, your uncle lost his job last year.”

Now Angel was floored. What was up with the family secrets? “I had no idea. Well, didn't you say he moved out? Suppose he found another job?”

“He hasn't. I only asked him to move out a few weeks ago. I don't know what he is doing, but he's not looking for a job.”

“Of course he is. Jacob is, like, lost without working. I heard with the economy, it just takes a while to find what you are looking for.”

“Yes, it's not that easy when you are Jacob's age, but your uncle has not been himself for a while,” Liz revealed. “I can't even begin to explain to you what has happened and when it all began. Even before he lost the job, he was just . . . preoccupied.”

“By what?” Angel inquired.

“I don't know. I just know after he lost his job, which I didn't find out about until I went looking for him one day, he was just not the same Jacob. I told him he needed to get himself together, seek counseling or something.” Liz choked up.

Angel swallowed. She felt bad for Liz. “I'm sorry that Jacob is not acting right. I wish I knew what to tell you.” Now Angel was wondering where Jacob had been all this time. What really alarmed her was how Grams was actually being taken care of. She didn't understand her grandparents' finances. “Liz, when Jacob gets here, I will tell him you called.”

“Thank you, Angel. I still love your uncle. I just wish whatever is going on with him, that he would get some help. I gave him an ultimatum when he left. That he either get some help or this marriage was over. I know he has carried demons for years, and he's never one to talk. It's time. Past time.”

Angel heard the front door open. “Liz, I have to go. Good-bye.”

“Good-bye, Angel.”

Angel hung up the phone and went out into the hallway to see her uncle. He was dressed just like he'd been when she saw him at the hospital a few weeks ago, his clothes rumpled and his beard fully grown in now. She remembered her uncle being such a handsome man. The man who stared at her looked older and beaten down.

Jacob asked, “Are you ready?”

“Liz called,” Angel responded and watched her uncle's face. As usual, he was stoic, his face void of emotion, but she could sense questions in his eyes.

Jacob answered, “What did she want?”

“I guess she was worried about you.”

“Sure she is. Look, we need to go, or we will miss the appointment.”

“Let me grab my bag.”

They had to ride together, and Angel wasn't about to let the drive be in silence. She waited until Jacob backed his BMW, which was visibly unclean, out of the driveway. There were coffee cups on the floor, and she noticed clothes on the backseat. Her uncle was a workaholic, working out business deals even during family events. It wasn't unusual for him to be a walking office. He had worked hard toward having the American dream. He was a proud man. How was he carrying on day to day without his job?

She decided to ask him a question that she felt safe to ask. “How will Grams's medical bills be paid?”

Jacob looked straight ahead, not even giving Angel a glance. Knowing that she had talked to Liz, he probably already knew his secret was out. He cleared his throat. “Medicaid will take care of her bills. We just need to get her care set up for home. It's going to be hard for her, but we—or, rather, you—have been through this with Dad. She will probably be in a wheelchair until she hopefully can walk on her own.”

With Granddad having been an amputee in a wheelchair, the house was pretty set up. There were ramps at the front door and the back door. It had been only three years ago when Angel watched as her grandparents' bedroom and bathroom were transformed to comfortably accommodate her granddad.

“Who knew that Granddad's needs would be suitable for Grams now? How long will she have to continue doing rehab?”

“Not sure how long. It all depends. She will continue to need to see the physical therapists and speech pathologist.” Jacob braked for a light and finally looked at Angel. He said, “It will work out.”

She thought for a split second about her next question and then asked, “Are you and Liz going to work things out?”

Jacob turned away and stared ahead. When the light turned green, he pushed the accelerator a bit too hard, making the car lurch forward. Angel didn't think he would answer, but he finally responded, “I'm concentrating on my mother right now. That's the best I can do.”

With that Angel didn't ask any more questions, but her mind whirred with thoughts about what the future held. Before long they arrived at Trinity Home Health.

Angel and Jacob met with Wilma Houston, the director of Trinity Home Health Care. Ms. Houston was pleasant enough, but a deep sense of sadness fell over Angel like a blanket as she listened to the services offered and nodded. She'd always felt different, but now it seemed she definitely wasn't living the typical life of a twenty-five-year-old. Her conversation with Jacob had left her more uncertain.

After they left the director's office, Angel thought she heard someone calling her name. She turned around to see Wanda Cade coming toward them.

Wanda came up to Angel and hugged her. “Angel, it's good to see you again.” She looked over at Jacob and beamed. “Well, Jake, it's been a long time. You owe me a hug too.”

Angel watched her uncle's face. For the first time in a while, he smiled and reached down to hug his old friend. “Long time no see, Wanda. You look good.”

Wanda waved. “Oh, stop. It's been rough. As I imagine it has been for you. How's your mother? Angel told me about Fredricka's stroke.”

Jacob nodded. “She has a road ahead of her. We were just talking to the director about hiring a nurse.”

“Good plan,” Wanda replied.

Angel asked Wanda, “How's Detective Cade doing?”

Wanda shook her head. “Well, I guess I may be in a similar situation. Wes has been telling me I should get some help. I'm just looking at my options. I'm so used to taking care of him myself, but it's getting hard.”

Jacob and Wanda looked at each other for a minute. It felt like a long minute to Angel. She asked, “So, you two were really close at one time . . . friends, that is?”

Wanda laughed. “We were pretty tight. Jacob could be fun.”

“My uncle?” Angel lifted an eyebrow. “For real?”

Jacob frowned. “Hey, I knew how to have fun.” He smiled again. “Does seem like a long time ago, though.”

Wanda agreed. “You used to be able to make me laugh so hard, my stomach would hurt for hours afterward.”

So what happened to him? Angel wondered as she looked at Jacob. It was like the man who was considered the stable sibling, always taking care of things, was on the verge of falling apart, if he hadn't already. Despite the distance, she had known she could always count on her uncle. Lately, she wasn't sure whom to depend on anymore.