Autumn Leaves (22 page)

Rationally, she knew she’d probably been on Weller’s radar from the first time she refused to cater to his entitled misogynistic self. It wasn’t helping her now. Rebecca wanted to help. Without wanting to, she was complicating things for Callie. Maybe to be happy for three days was really too much to ask for.

“I see you’ve settled in.”

Craig Lowman closed the door softly behind him. Callie flinched at the sound. He made her uncomfortable, but she knew she had to finish this, or Weller and his accomplice would never be held responsible. She couldn’t let that happen.

“Can we get this done, then?”

Callie just wanted to sleep and forget about the reason why she was here.

“I’ll bring your statement tomorrow for you to sign. Your clothes will be taken to our lab.”

“Sure. When you’re done, just get rid of them, please. I don’t want them.”

He nodded. “Ms. Bryan. I know it’s your decision, but you should take a moment to think about which direction you want to take with this.”

“Weller and his friend tried to rape me,” Callie said sharply. It was very clear to her though she still felt she was talking about someone else. For the moment, that would pull her through. “I think there’s only one way this can go.”

“Their defense lawyers might challenge that. I’m not saying they should be let off the hook just like that, but there are some things to consider. It was dark. You were under a lot of stress.”

“I saw his face clearly. So did the witness.”

She was calm on the outside, no sign of the fear starting to set in. She just couldn’t walk around in Autumn Leaves knowing that Weller and his friend could show up at every corner. She had fled the city because of Nicole’s jealousy and growing penchant to violence. Callie knew she just didn’t have the strength to do it another time.

“Yeah, that witness. Sonia.”

“What about her?”

“You know, Sonia’s husband died two years ago. She’s had some problems, living all on her own except for that dog. Ms. Bryan, she says the other guy was Tim Beckett.”

“So?” Callie couldn’t understand what he was talking about. Most of all, she was exhausted.

“The son of Carl Beckett, our mayor?”

“Look, I don’t care, okay? I just want them to leave me alone, and filing charges, to me, still seems like my best bet. So go ahead with this.”

“Okay. If that’s what you want.” Lowman held up his hands in mock defense. “Don’t say nobody warned you.” He went to leave. Callie took a deep breath, but at the door, he turned to look at her speculatively.

“Is there anything else?” She just wanted him to leave her alone.

“Did you sleep with Maria too? No hard feelings. I just want to know.”

Callie just stared at him for long moments, wondering if her mind was now playing tricks on her. She couldn’t believe he’d really said that.

“You’re out of line, Sheriff. I believe this had nothing to do with the assault I reported to you.”

“Get some rest, Ms. Bryan,” he said. “You’re going to need it.”

* * * *

Rebecca had always known there was something simmering between her and Craig, just barely under the surface, ready to burst out at any moment. Tonight, she couldn’t hold back any longer. She’d never liked him much anyway, but she thought that keeping her distance would suffice. It wasn’t enough anymore.

She paced the hallway nervously, hating that no one was telling her anything, that she couldn’t stay with Callie as she’d promised. Failing her, again. She was determined to make it right, whatever the costs.

Stepping outside the hospital, Rebecca picked up her cell phone, only to realize that David had tried to call her three times. She dialed the landline and got Dina.

“Hey, sweetie,” she said tiredly. “Daddy’s already gone?”

“Yeah. We’ve had dinner though.”

“Okay. Dina...Could you get Maggie ready for school and make breakfast tomorrow morning?”

“Of course I can. We’re not babies anymore, you know. Mom...Where are you?” She sounded worried.

“At the hospital,” Rebecca explained. “Callie was...hassled by some guys.” She was probably naive, but she didn’t want to use the words assault and attempted rape with her daughter. At least not now.

“Who?” Dina asked, sounding shocked. “Is she okay?”

“I think she’s going to be,” Rebecca said vaguely. “Matt Weller.”

“Right. They’ve been beating up Charlie all the time. He’s such an asshole,” Dina swore.

Rebecca wasn’t going to argue, even if she didn’t appreciate that kind of language from Dina, or anyone in her house. It was mild when used for Weller. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around this. Then another, even more horrible thought sprang to mind.

“You know him? Did he ever say anything to you or…”

“No,” Dina said firmly, and Rebecca’s knees went weak with relief. “He doesn’t dare because of Uncle Craig.”

So her brother-in-law was at least good for something.

“Speaking of which, why were he and Daddy yelling on the phone?” She didn’t know. Rebecca didn’t want to know, but realization was dawning that she would have to face the music. Soon.

“I don’t know, honey. You and Maggie will be all right? Really?”

“It’s going to be okay,” Dina promised. “You’re going to stay all night?” she asked, somewhat unsure. What to make of it. What to ask, what not to ask. Craig must have been busy if he’d managed to start raising hell already. It didn’t matter if he got Weller and Beckett junior into custody.

“I’ve got to go, Dina. I’ve got to see if they’ll let me sit with Callie now.”

“Okay. Tell her to hang in there.”

“I will, thanks.”

Rebecca walked back into the hospital building with determination. She wouldn’t let anybody send her away another time. Those were the advantages living in a small town. Everybody knew somebody. There was a doctor she remembered that was with Maria and Callie in the church choir too. If all else failed, she wouldn’t hesitate to use what little leverage that could possibly give her.

Fortunately, no one tried to stop her when she went back into Callie’s room.

“You’re still here.”

Callie’s voice sounded small, but she seemed to be relieved. Rebecca pulled herself a chair and sat beside her, reaching for her hand. “Of course I am.” There were many things she wanted to say, but none of them were appropriate or even important at the moment. The silence grew and expanded, pressing in on her like an actual force.

“I’m sorry,” Callie said with the same small voice. “I’m just tired.”

“That’s okay. I just wanted to tell you that Craig’s doing what he’s supposed to do, and the doctor will allow me to stay. I might have pissed a few people off, but that was worth it.”

“Language,” Callie murmured, making her smile, if only for a moment.

“I mean it, Callie. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Until tomorrow.”

“Not just until tomorrow.”

“Rebecca, this is not a good moment.”

“I think it’s a moment as good as any, but we don’t have to discuss this now. You should get some sleep if you can. I’m...” God, she still didn’t know if she had the courage to do this, but what was it really in comparison? “I’ll be here. If you want me to. All else can wait.”

Callie tried to smile, but was failing miserably.

Rebecca got up and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. “I guess that means yes. You’re stuck with me now. Goodnight, baby,” she said after a moment of hesitation.

Callie’s eyes widened, but she didn’t comment on the endearment. Not entirely understanding, afraid to question. Just like Rebecca herself.

Surprisingly, Callie slept through the night. Exhaustion. The nightmares would creep in later. Rebecca, on the other hand, felt like her back was about to break in two after folding herself into the visitor’s chair. She figured she shouldn’t complain about that. A hot shower and some fresh clothes would take care of that. Mostly thoughts had kept her awake, the question of how to bring this mess into some semblance of an order again.

Callie accepted her offer to drive her home after she was discharged, but she refused to move into the guest room for a few days like Rebecca had imagined.

“I appreciate that, really, and your girls are great and all, but I’ve got my own house. I need to be by myself for a while.”

Rebecca frowned. She didn’t actually agree, but there was nothing she could do about it. She wondered if Callie remembered yesterday’s conversation, and if she cared to, at the moment, or at all.

“Is it okay if I come over to check on you later?” she asked anxiously.

Callie had caught on her tone, giving her a thoughtful look. “You’re always welcome, Rebecca. I just think you shouldn’t rush anything.”

So she did remember after all.

“I would have come back.”

“Sure you would have. Probably to bring me some pie of the season.”

“Callie, you don’t have to…”

“What, to be a bitch? You know my feelings haven’t changed. That doesn’t mean I’m not feeling lousy, and whatever you have to tell me, or do, I can’t deal with it right now. I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay.” It wasn’t. It was far from okay, because on this road never imagined to be taken, Rebecca had always trusted Callie to be the one who could give her direction. Of course she knew her own comfortable little life inside out, but she’d veered off the straight and narrow some time ago. At the moment, Callie was in no condition to deal with Rebecca’s worries.

“Let’s go home first.”

What would come after that, she had no idea.

* * * *

She honestly hadn’t meant to behave like a spoiled child, but her emotions were all over the place. At least Rebecca seemed mostly okay with that, but something was going on, a change that Callie hadn’t really thought possible. Maybe it was just a joint delusion they fell for. Whatever Rebecca wanted, whatever conclusion she was coming to, it didn’t count anymore. Callie didn’t want sympathy. Pity would be the worst.

She walked into her bedroom slowly, the bed unmade just like she left it only yesterday. Her face hurt. Somewhere in the house was a small noise that made her jump. Callie couldn’t stand to be alone, but she couldn’t stand to be around Rebecca who was trying so hard either. After the confrontation with the fact that life was short and horrible things happened. Once the bruises on her face had faded and the incident was yesterday’s news, what would it still be worth?

The tears were streaming down her face as she once again lay down under the covers with her clothes on. Pain, inside and out, making her flash to the cold rainy night she had spent in her car, after fleeing from the apartment she and Nicole had shared, with nowhere to go. What was the point in trying when it always ended in the same way?

She tried to outrun her fears but they caught up with her.

* * * *

“Hello, anybody home?” There shouldn’t have been except if one of the girls had a later class, but when Rebecca entered the house, what she heard was agitated male voices.

“David! I thought you were on the way to—”

“I cancelled,” he said, his tone icy. “There are some things we need to talk about as it seems.”

Rebecca looked from her husband to his brother. “I agree, but would you mind if I took a shower first? I spent all night at the hospital.”

“So I heard.”

“Okay...Is there something I should know?” she asked, shooting Craig an irritated glance.

“No, but maybe it’s time David realized that he’s married to a slut.”

Rebecca gasped, the slur seeming unreal as if she was watching a movie, just as David swiftly punched his brother.

“That doesn’t make it go away, David!” Craig said breathlessly once he’d stumbled to his feet again. “Go on. Ask her why she spends the night by a neighbor’s hospital bed. Ask her what happened in the week you took the girls to Disneyland.”

“This is none of your business,” Rebecca told him after she’d found her speech again. “Get out of my house. Now!”

“Actually it’s the house that you paid for with a big loan from Mom. David, you can deny it all you want. That’s not going to make it go away.”

“Let me care about that, will you? I think Rebecca and I have some things to talk about now.”

That shower was now obviously out of the question. All of a sudden, Rebecca was in a panic. She couldn’t do this now, not after a night with nearly no sleep and the smell of hospital on her. Not when she was worried sick about Callie.

“Just tell me this isn’t true,” David said when they were alone.

“David...” She couldn’t look at him. He’d know. As it was, her body language gave her away just the same.

“Christ, Rebecca!”

Finally, she held his gaze. If he demanded an explanation, Rebecca wasn’t sure she could give him any. An apology was complicated. She was sorry for hurting him, not for what she felt. She had to take responsibility. No one else was going to do it for her.

“Tell me why,” he said. “I think you owe me that much.”