At Their Own Game (12 page)

Helen and I remained silent.
 

After that, the pastor said a lot of things about life and death.  He said fewer things about Helen’s mother.  I sat and pretended to listen. I could feel the stifling presence of Helen’s father to my right. A tingle on the back of my neck buzzed throughout the sermon. I was sure that somewhere in the assembled crowd sat Kyle Falkner.  My stomach was tight with anticipation, while at the same time, anger brewed in my chest.
 

Another song.  Something about eagle’s wings.
 

To my left, Helen sat perfectly still.  There were no hitches or silent sobs.
 

Eventually, the pastor got around to asking if anyone wanted to share a memory of Helen’s mother. This began a parade to the microphone and a litany of banal recollections about what a wonderful woman Helen’s mother was. A small shudder went through Helen’s shoulders.
 

After a while the tide of memories ebbed and eventually subsided.  The pastor reminded everyone once more about the undying love of Jesus and the reception in the basement.
 

“Get me out of here,” Helen whispered to me. “Please.”
 

I stood, and helped her stand. She seemed a little shaky on her feet, so I kept my hand at her elbow. We took a step for the aisle.
 

Peter Trammell appeared in front of us. “You’re not leaving, are you?”
 

I started to nod but Helen gave a short shake of her head.
 

“Good!” Peter gave us both a broad grin. “Come on. Let's get you something to eat.”
 

He turned and headed down the center aisle. I glanced at Helen but couldn’t read her expression. Her words from yesterday -
some things you just do
– rang in my ears.
 

She followed her father down the aisle with me at her elbow. At the entryway to the church we took a set of stairs down to the basement. A dozen round tables were scattered around the room. Containers of potluck items filled the counter at the front of the room.
 

Peter took a table near the center of the room. Helen reluctantly followed. I leaned in and whispered in her ear.
 

“We don’t have to stay for food,” I said. “You did your part. You came. Now let me get you out of here.”
 

She shook her head. “I can’t let him think I ran from him. I won’t give him that.”
 

I nodded as if I understood, but my head was spinning. Helen seemed all over the map. First she’s fragile and wanting to flee then suddenly she wants to stand up to this guy?
 

And what about Falkner? I knew he was here. When was he going to make his appearance?
 

Helen selected the chair furthest from her father. I sat next to her. Peter was busy accepting condolences from one of the gray hairs, a gracious smile plastered across his face. His expression screamed sincerity on the surface but to my eyes it was all bullshit. He was one of those guys, though, who could schmooze the masses.
 

I asked Helen if she wanted some coffee or water. She shook her head. “Just stay with me.”
 

I sat.
 

When the woman was finished with the condolences, Peter turned toward us. “It’s been a long time, Helen.”
 

Helen didn’t reply.
 

Peter gave Helen an appraising look. “You look well, sweetheart.”
 

Helen didn’t reply.
 

Peter waited a moment, then turned his attention to me. “I didn’t catch your name, pal.”
 

“I’m not your pal,” I bristled.
 

Peter raised his hands to placate me. “Easy. I’m not trying to offend you here. That’s just the way I talk.”
 

“Yeah, well you talk like a used car salesman.”
 

He smiled at me, but I could see the danger riding underneath that grin. “New cars, actually. And I don’t sell many anymore. I just own the business.”
 

I opened my mouth to snap something back at him. Helen’s fingers dug into my thigh. Reluctantly, I closed my mouth and settled for a glare.
 

Peter acted as if he’d just won a round. His smile remained but his eyes were flat and cold. “Anyway, let’s keep things civil. We need to remember why we’re here.”
 

Helen’s grip on my thigh tightened further.
 

Peter glanced around the room. “A good turnout, don’t you think?”
 

Neither of us answered.
 

When Peter looked back at us, his eyes were even harder than before. “Why do you suppose so many people are here?”
 

“Free food,” I said quietly.
 

Peter shook his head. “No, it’s much simpler than that. These people liked her. Hell, some of them probably even
loved
her. And you know why?”
 

I held my tongue.
 

“I’ll tell you why,” Peter said. “Because she spent time with them. Because she gave them a friend. She noticed them. She validated them. That’s what people want. That’s what they
need
.”
 

“Is that how you sell cars?” I asked. “By slinging around philosophical bullshit?”
 

Peter didn’t flinch. He leaned back in his chair and regarded me for a moment before he said, “Boy, you can’t seem to decide whether you’re gonna be the strong silent type or a smart ass, can you?”
 

Helen let go of my leg. “Stop it.”
 

I didn’t know if she was talking to me or him. I watched and waited.
 

Peter turn his attention back to Helen. “Who is this man you’re with, sweetheart?”
 

“Don’t call me that.” Helen’s voice was tight and laced with anger.
 

Peter pressed his lips together in mild frustration. “Are we really going to do this? Here, on this day?”
 

“Why are you even here?” Helen asked. “You didn’t love her.”
 

“Don’t pretend you know things about your mother and me.” Peter caught someone’s eye from across the room and gave a small wave. “Our relationship was much more complicated than you realize.”
 

“There is nothing complicated about what went on in our house,” Helen said in a low voice.
 

Peter dropped his hand dismissively. “Everyone thinks their family is so unique. The reality is that most of those aren’t very special at all, and neither was our family.”
 

I imagined this smug son of a bitch slipping into Helen’s bedroom at night, full of justifications. My fist clenched involuntarily.
 

Peter looked away from us both. He smiled broadly and stood to welcome someone. I didn’t have to follow his gaze to guess who it was.
 

“Kyle!” Peter boomed, holding out his hand. “Thanks so much for coming.”
 

Detective Kyle Falkner appeared at the table. He reached out and shook Peter’s hand vigorously. “I wouldn’t miss it, Dad. It’s a matter of respect.”
 

“You always understood respect, son.” Peter flicked his gaze toward Helen for a brief moment then back to Falkner. “I always liked that about you.”
 

Falkner smiled benevolently at Peter. “Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”
 

I almost puked right there.
 

Falkner turned his attention to Helen, ignoring me. “Hello, Helen. It’s been awhile.”
 

Helen stared at him from behind her veil but said nothing.
 

Finally, Falkner looked at me. This guy swept over me with contempt. “What are you doing here, Stank?”
 

Peter gave Falkner confused look. “Stank?”
 

Falkner nodded. “It’s an old nickname for your friend here. Back before he was a piece of shit.” He cocked his head slightly. “Wait. Was there ever a time when you weren’t a piece of shit?”
 

I angrily pushed back my chair to get up.
 

Helen beat me to the punch. She stood quickly and said, “Kyle, you’re not supposed to be anywhere near me. And you know it.”
 

Falkner shrugged. “You mean that bullshit no contact order?”
 

“You know exactly what I mean. Now, leave or I will call the police.”
 

“Helen!” Peter chided. “That’s no way to be.”
 

Falkner only smiled indulgently at Helen. “Who exactly do you think will show up when you call the police, Helen? Huh? I’ll tell you who. People I work with every day. People who will know that I’m telling the truth when I said I didn’t know you would be here. So there’s no violation.”
 

“That’s ridiculous,” Helen said.
 

“It’s the law,” Falkner said.
 

“It’s my mother’s funeral, for Christ’s sake. How could you think I wouldn’t be here?”
 

“You two have been estranged for years, haven’t you?” His smile became condescending. “And you’ve been who knows where for what? Ten years?”
 

“Now, now,” Peter said soothingly. “Let’s not have a scene.”
 

“Don’t worry,” Helen told him. “The scene is all yours.”
 

With that, she spun around and stalked out of the room.
 

I watched her go for a moment before deciding that it would be best to just follow her without a word. Then Falkner said, “You better get along, little puppy, don’t you think?”
 

I glared at him. “Stay the fuck away from her,” I growled.
 

Falkner returned my glare. Next to him, Peter’s eyes glinted mischievously.
 

“And stay away from me while you’re at it,” I added.
 

“Wouldn’t you just love that?” Falkner said. He shook his head. “That isn’t going to happen, though.”
 

“You’ve been warned,” I told him.
 

“Yes,” he replied. He motioned toward Peter. “And in front of a witness, even.”
 

I gave him one last dark look, and then turned to follow Helen.
 

I caught up to her just outside the side door in the church parking lot. She was walking purposefully toward my car.
 

“Hey,” I said. “Wait up.”
 

She didn’t break stride.
 

“Helen, wait.”
 

She shook her head and kept walking. “Let’s get out of here, Jake.”
 

“We are, but –“
 

“Helen!” The sharp voice cut through the air.
 

Helen jumped slightly, and came to a standstill. She looked tentatively over her shoulder and past me. I turned to see Peter coming toward us. Falkner trailed behind.
 

“You wait right there!” he commanded, pointing at Helen.
 

I took my car keys from my pocket and handed them to Helen. “Get in,” I told her. “I’ll take care of this.”
 

She took the keys and moved quickly toward my car.
 

“I said, wait right there!” Peter repeated.
 

I stepped directly into his path. “Leave her alone,
pal
.”
 

He gave me a condescending look. “Who do you think you are? Get out of my way.”
 

“You need to turn around and walk away,” I told him.
 

“Don’t you presume to tell me what to do, you little shit,” he barked. “I’m her father. You’re a goddamn distraction. Now, move.”
 

I shook my head. “I’m the distraction that is taking her out of here, pops. And you are going to back the fuck off so I can do that.”
 

Peter’s jaw clenched. “Did you just threaten me?”
 

“Back off,” I repeated.
 

“To hell with you,” he snapped. He stepped forward, reaching out with one arm to brush me aside.
 

Without thinking, I took hold of his wrist and elbow. Then I stepped with him and used his momentum to send him sprawling face first onto the asphalt.
 

He didn’t move for a moment. I thought maybe the fall killed him somehow, but then he groaned and pushed himself to his knees.
 

Falkner appeared at my side, reaching out for my arm. I gave him a double-palmed push in the chest and sent him reeling backward.
 

“Get off of me,” I told him.
 

His response was to reach under his jacket to the small of his back and pull out his service pistol. “Don’t move,” he commanded, pointing his gun at me. “You’re under arrest.”
 

“Really?” I said, cocking my head. “For what?”
 

He motioned toward Peter, who was up onto one knee now. “Assault.”
 

I shook my head. “He came at me. Self-defense.”
 

“That’s for a jury to decide. Besides, you assaulted me, too.”
 

“Same story,” I said. “Self-defense.”
 

“We’ll see.”
 

“Yeah,” I told him. “We will. When all the cops show up, we’ll see. When a sergeant comes on scene and finds out about your no contact order, we’ll see.”
 

Falkner hesitated, then shook his head. “I already explained that. I had no idea she’d be here.”
 

“That’s a crock of shit,” I said. “But that’d be for a jury to decide. What’s a whole lot less clear is why you didn’t immediately leave when you saw that she was here. Or is your no contact order some kind of special one that doesn’t say you have to do that?”
 

He stared at me, saying nothing.