Drama in the Church Saga (52 page)

“We want half a million dollars,” Colin blurted out.

Mrs. Baxter slowly looked up from her checkbook and turned her head in amazement.

“Lady, don't act like you don't have it. We just left a banquet where the brotherhood received millions of dollars.”

“Yes, but that money isn't ours.” Mrs. Baxter cried.

“And I know for a fact that your husband stole thousand of dollars from the church in contributions for the judge's defense fund. You have the money, and if you don't, then call your friends and borrow it.”

“It's not that easy.”

“But it was easy and brave for Olivia to give up her husband's organs to save your husband's life.”

Mrs. Baxter swung her eyes from Colin to Judge West. “Fine. I'll get you the money, but it's gonna take me a while.”

“The longer you wait, the longer it will be before my granddaughter signs any papers to save the good Reverend Baxter.”

“Excuse me.” The nurse came in with a clipboard. “Mrs. West, if I can get your signature, then we can go ahead and harvest your husband's organs.”

Judge West took the clipboard out of the nurse's hands. “We need to make sure she reads these over thoroughly before she signs anything.”

“Of course,” the nurse replied before walking away.

Mrs. Baxter realized the longer she procrastinated, the greater her chances of losing her husband. “I'll make a few phone calls.” Mrs. Baxter left the intensive care unit to gather the money she needed.

Within thirty minutes she returned. “I'll have the money to you by the end of business today, but you have to promise me that you will never tell my husband where he received the organs from.”

“Why?” Judge West questioned. “Because Dean is a black man?”

The judge already knew the answer. He handed Olivia the clipboard. “Now you can sign.”

Olivia signed the forms and went to go search for the nurse.

The whistle blew and the coach yelled, “Max, what's wrong with you? You never allow your opponent to lock your leg. That's why he pinned you. That's a basic move. What's wrong with you today?”

The guy released Max from off the mat and they both got up. “Sorry, Coach.” He glanced up at the clock through the corner of his eye. “Can I go to my locker?”

The coach thought his request was odd. “You have to go now?”

Max nodded his head yes.

Frustrated, the coach exhaled before letting him go. “Don't be all day, or I'll have you running laps for the remainder of practice.”

Max jogged out of the gymnasium and around to the side entrance to let Val and Cole in.

“Your sister is already up there,” he said to Cole. “I told her I had to go collect the money from the guys.”

They took long strides through the corridor. Val and Cole did a slow jog trying to keep up with him.

“Listen, you can't be long. If you get caught inside the school, there are going to be a lot of questions.” He stopped at the end of the hallway and pointed to the last classroom on the right. “I left her in there.”

Again, Cole gave him another hundred-dollar bill. “Thanks, and I promise after today, you will never hear from us again.”

Max took the bill. “I got to get back to practice before my coach comes looking for me.” Max took off back down the hall and down the stairs.

“Are you sure you're going to be all right?” Cole wanted to be sure Val was okay with the change he made to the original plan. On the way over to the school he thought it would be better if she confronted Caitlyn. Their volatile relationship could be essential in provoking Caitlyn into confessing. “If you need any help I'll be right outside the door listening. You have the tape recorder on you, right?”

Val pulled it out.

“Instigate. Start something. Push her buttons. She'll get so mad, she'll end up telling on herself. My sister doesn't handle pressure well. Get her to confess about the steroids. Once we have her on tape, we'll threaten her to either leave Hope or go to jail.” Cole pushed the button to record and slipped it in Val's pocket.

Val took a deep breath before taking the short journey down the hall toward the coach's office. When she stepped inside, Caitlyn spun around.

“What are you doing here?” Caitlyn stuttered. Her eyes blinked rapidly. She couldn't believe Val had found her. “Did you follow me?”

“I'm the one who requested this meeting,” Val said.

“I don't know what this is about”—She gave Val a high and mighty look as if she didn't belong—“but I'm leaving.” She tried to walk away, but Val wouldn't allow her to pass.

“Sorry.” Val folded her arms. “I can't let you do that.”

Caitlyn laughed. “What?” She took a step back. “Do you want your man back?” She swung her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Well, you can't have him.”

“How do you think he'll react once he finds out you're a drug dealer?”

Caitlyn acted as if she didn't know what Val was talking about.

“I know all about the steroids you've been selling to those kids, and I would bet my life that you had something to do with Julian and the scandal surrounding his steroid use.”

“You have no proof.”

“No, I don't, but those same kids who bought the drugs from you are the same ones who told me everything. They would give you up before they sacrifice themselves.” Val was trying her hardest to goad her into a confession. “Caitlyn, it's over. Let's go down to the authorities and you can turn yourself in.”

Desperation filled Caitlyn's eyes. She felt trapped. A letter opener lying on the desk called out to her. She wrapped her bony fingers tightly around the handle and held it like a weapon. “Move!” she demanded.

Val was careful not to make any sudden moves. She wasn't scared, but she knew Caitlyn wouldn't hesitate to stab her and say it was in self-defense. After all, Caitlyn was the one with the restraining order.

“Now!” Caitlyn screamed.

Val couldn't figure out a way to get that letter opener away from her without getting stabbed, so she slowly slid away from the door.

The first chance Caitlyn got she attempted to dash past Val, but Val rammed her tiny body into the blackboard. The two struggled over the letter opener and they fell back against the desk. Papers, books and pens fell to the floor. Caitlyn landed on top of Val. Caitlyn had the upper hand and used all her strength to push the sharp object into Val's heart, but Val wouldn't let her win. She fought back.

“Cole!” Val screamed.

Seconds later, he rushed into the office and lifted Caitlyn up off of Val. Caitlyn didn't hesitate to go after her brother. She jabbed toward his gut, and he easily took the weapon right out of her hands. Caitlyn was no match for her brother.

Realizing she was outnumbered and without protection, she ran out of the room and down the back stairwell.

Val and Cole rushed after her.

“What do we do now?” Val tried to catch her breath.

He pointed in the opposite direction using the letter opener. “You go that way and get the car.” He gave her his car keys.

“She won't try anything, but we have to keep a close eye on her. I'm going to make sure Max is all right.”

They went their separate ways. Val took off one way, and Cole raced off in the opposite direction.

Cole pushed open the heavy steel door that led to the stairwell and sped through. As he crossed over the threshold he wasn't aware that his sister was standing on the other side.

Once he passed through, Caitlyn stuck out her foot. Cole stumbled and flipped head first down the stairs. His body tumbled over itself until he stopped on the landing in-between floors. The letter opener she tried to stab him with was now lodged in his side. Blood poured out of the wound. Caitlyn glared down on her brother from the floor above.

“Help me.” Blood spilled from the corner of Cole's mouth.

Caitlyn stepped down the stairs one at a time. “Help you? What would you like me to do?” She pulled out her cell phone. “Do you want me to call 9-1-1?” She pushed the number nine on her phone. Her brother watched with wide eyes wondering why she was being so slow.

Then she hit the one. She looked at her brother, gave a wicked grin and slammed her cell phone shut.

“What are you doing?” he whispered in agony.

“I'm helping you. The same way you helped me.” She stooped down next to him and gazed into his eyes. “How could you team up with Val? You know she's the enemy.” Caitlyn took off one of her high-heeled shoes and hammered the letter opener deeper into his side. He cried out in pain. His breathing became labored and more blood gushed out of his mouth, then his head dropped down front of him.

“Big brother, you always said I would be nothing. Watch how I capitalize off your demise. You have no idea how many times I've prayed to be the oldest grandchild.” She kissed Cole lightly on the side of his cheek. “Who says that prayer doesn't work?” She stood straight up and brushed herself off. Then she sang, “I'm rich!” as she descended the stairwell.

Val sat in the car waiting for either Cole or Caitlyn to emerge from the school. Ten minutes passed. Then another five. Suddenly, a shiver crept through her body, leaving her with a gut-wrenching feeling that something was wrong. She got out of the car and ran back into the building. Careful not to get caught aimlessly wandering the halls, Val ducked into the same stairwell she last saw Cole enter. She climbed a few stairs that led her straight to Cole. His body sprawled out across the landing. She ran to his side. “Cole!” She shook him and lifted his hand, but it went limp. Pressing her fingers to his neck she couldn't find a pulse.

Unsure of what to do Val got up and tried to drag his body, but he was too heavy. She didn't want to leave him, but then she heard voices coming their way and she had no choice. She dashed up the stairs and exited the school through a different exit and drove away as fast as she could.

 

 

Val slammed the back door behind her. She charged into her kitchen and pulled down the expensive bottle of vintage cognac from the top shelf. Her hands shook as she twisted the cap and broke open the seal. Skipping ice, she poured herself a drink and swallowed the brown liquor whole. The burning sensation hurt her throat and made her yell. After she inhaled deeply to cool her throat she took another drink.

“I know Caitlyn had something to do with her brother's accident.” Val paced her kitchen floor. Different scenarios charged through her mind. The most logical explanation was that his sister pushed him down the stairs. Now Val regretted not going with him.

She thought about Jonah. He needed to know about what Caitlyn did. She picked up the phone and placed it back down, realizing he didn't have a cell phone. She had no way of getting in touch with him. It was too late for her to call him at work.

Double vision took over. Two identical cognac bottles moved around her kitchen table. She rubbed her eyes and held out her hand to steady herself. Her head felt woozy. The alcohol was taking control. Val became paranoid and started hearing strange noises in the house. She stumbled around the house, checking to make sure all her doors and windows were locked.
Caitlyn is a lunatic. She could be on her way over here to finish me off.

Val poured herself another drink. The aroma drifted past her nose. “Oh! This stuff is strong.” Drunk, she staggered into the living room before passing out.

The following morning, Val was jolted out of a sound sleep by the telephone ringing loudly in her ear. She clutched her head to try and stop the pain, but every time the phone rang, the throbbing beat a little bit harder. She had to stop the pain. The cordless phone sat on her coffee table. She answered.

“Val, it's Mr. Lawson.”

“Uh-huh.” Her mouth wasn't fully functioning yet.

“Where's Jonah? The judge has called us into court for late this afternoon.”

“This afternoon?” Val sat straight up.

“Yes, the courts just alerted my office. The judge has called an emergency meeting. I need you and Jonah down at the courthouse at three o'clock. Don't be late.”

Val looked at the clock. It wasn't even ten o'clock yet. “Mr. Lawson, Jonah's not here. Maybe you can catch him at work.”

“All right. I'll give him a call and I'll you see at the courthouse.”

Jonah mopped the corridor floor just off the main hospital entrance. This was one part of the hospital that didn't get a lot of traffic. It was times like this, when he was all alone at work, that he talked with God. “Father, I know a lot of times I stray so far away from You that it may seem like I don't even know who You are, but here I am again. Like the prodigal son, I've come home and I'm begging for Your help.”

“Fortunately, God doesn't condemn us for our transgressions.”

Jonah turned around and found Mrs. McCormick standing a few feet away.

“Isn't it a blessing to have a Father who doesn't hold a grudge?”

She walked up closer. “I hope I'm not intruding, but I remember meeting you and your daughter with Val in front of the museum. I was on my way to visit with a few members from my church and I thought you looked familiar.”

He quickly remembered her face.

“I didn't know you worked at the hospital.”

“I haven't been working here for long,” Jonah replied.

“Well, can you tell me how Val is doing? I haven't heard from her since I saw the two of you together.”

“I really haven't seen too much of her lately.”

“Oh!” Mrs. McCormick sounded disappointed. “I hope everything is all right between the two of you.”

Jonah rubbed his face, unsure of what to say.

“When I saw the three of you at the museum together, that was the first in a long time I saw Val with a genuine smile on her face. I could tell she was happy. I don't know if she told you, but at one point Val was engaged to my son.”

“Yes, she told me.” He dipped the mop he was holding back in the bucket. “I'm sorry about your loss.”

“Don't be. My son did more in his lifetime than most people who live to be sixty years old. He went to college, played in the NBA, and most importantly he knew what it felt like to be loved.”

She noticed Jonah's eyes fall to the floor. She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Val is such a remarkable woman. She reminds me of myself. That girl will do whatever necessary to protect those she loves. She's a good person to have in your corner. You know, when I saw you with her I was surprised, but I'm glad to see she found such a nice young man to hang out with. I'm not going to say it doesn't feel a little odd to see her with someone besides my son, but you look like you have a good head on your shoulders and you have that beautiful little girl. Val is like a daughter to me, and I want to see her happy, and it looks like you make her happy.”

Jonah smiled a bit.

“See, I knew I could get you to smile.”

Mrs. McCormick waved good-bye, and Jonah thought about what she said about Val. He had to admit that since Val walked into his life, she had been a steady rock, always there when he needed her most. She saved him from the beating, gave him clothes, food, a roof over his head, not to mention the lawyer she hired on his behalf.

He slammed the mop down on the floor and it broke. “How could I be so stupid?”

“Reynolds.” He turned around to face his supervisor. “A Mr. Lawson called and left this number for you to call him back. He said it was important.” He handed Jonah the slip and walked away.

Val arrived at the courthouse early. Instead of going straight inside, she chose to sit on the benches outside the courthouse. She didn't want to miss either Jonah or Mr. Lawson when they arrived. She was still unsure of how Jonah would react when he saw her, but she had to speak with him.

Val pulled her sunglasses down over her eyes. The excruciating headache from her hangover prompted her to pull out a bottle of aspirin.

“Do you have a headache?” Caitlyn stood over Val. “Does your head hurt because you feel responsible for my brother's death, or is it because you in some way feel responsible for Jonah losing Hope?”

“What happened to Cole?” Val pushed the aspirin bottle back down into her purse.

“How would I know?” Caitlyn acted innocent. She pulled a cigarette out of her purse and lit it up. She blew cigarette smoke out her mouth and walked closer to Val. “Stay out of my way. Hooking up with my brother was the biggest mistake you could have ever made. If you're not careful, you could take an accidental fall.” She chuckled.

Val pointed her finger in Caitlyn's face and squared her lips to rattle off a list of four-letter words when Jonah walked up.

“Caitlyn?” He was happy to see Val, but he didn't want to talk with her in front of Caitlyn. “I got a call from my lawyer that you requested this hearing. What is this about?” He took her by the elbow and guided her away from Val so they could talk in private. “You were gone all day yesterday. When I got up this morning you were already gone. We need to talk.”

“Jonah,” Mr. Lawson interrupted, “the hearing is about to begin, and I need to speak with you and Val.”

Jonah looked torn. It was important for him to speak with Caitlyn. He was having second thoughts about them getting married. He prayed that wasn't the reason she initiated this meeting.

Mr. Lawson gestured for Jonah and Val to follow him. Caitlyn and her lawyers followed behind them.

“Do either of you have any idea what this is about?” Mr. Lawson asked. “It must be important for the judge to grant an emergency hearing.”

Jonah mulled over telling them about him and Caitlyn getting married.

“Well, it doesn't matter now because we're about to find out.” He nodded toward the judge entering the courtroom.

Everyone stood to their feet, and the judge didn't procrastinate on starting the proceedings. “Ms. Haas, I would like for us to get straight to the point, since you insisted I cut my lunch short in order to get you on my calendar this afternoon.”

Caitlyn stood to her feet, “Your Honor, I know that you were about to rule on the custody case for my daughter, but after much consideration I have decided to withdraw my request.”

Judge Cohen was surprised. “What made you change your mind?”

“Jonah is an awesome father. He is so good to my daughter. He is both a mother and father to Hope, and right now I'm not ready to be the kind of mother she needs. Plus, with the news that I received this morning concerning my brother, I feel like now is not the time.”

“Ms. Haas, I heard about your brother's accident, and I'm sorry to hear about his passing.”

She nodded her head thank you.

“So, if it pleases the court and Jonah agrees, I would like to sign away my parental rights, and I will not stand in the way of him officially adopting Hope.”

“Is this arrangement all right with you?”

Jonah was in a daze and didn't realize the judge was talking to him.

“Mr. Reynolds, is this a good deal for you?”

Jonah stood to his feet. “Yes, Your Honor.”

“Good. I will have Mrs. Chambers contact you about getting the adoption process started. Just to inform everyone, the blood test results came back. Hope is undeniably Ms. Haas's daughter, and I would have ruled in her favor.”

Caitlyn acknowledged his remarks by a nod of her head. Judge Cohen adjourned court and slammed his gavel down.

“Well, this is definitely a miracle.” Mr. Lawson patted Jonah on his back. “Somebody must have been praying for you.”

Jonah looked over at Val. “I've been meaning to call you. I really need to—”

Caitlyn interrupted them by calling out to him.

He got up from his seat. “Stay right here. I'll be right back.” He went to her with open arms. “Caitlyn, I really appreciate this. You won't regret this decision.”

“I know I won't.” She gave him another hug, and from over his shoulder she winked her eye at Val.

Then Mr. Lawson called Jonah. While Jonah finished up his business with Mr. Lawson, Caitlyn sashayed over to the table where Val was sitting.

“I can tell by the confused look on your face that you're surprised at what happened here today.”

“I guess I am.”

“Let me take you out of your suspense. Now that my brother is dead, I'm rich. The inheritance that was entitled for my brother is now mine.”

“So you no longer need Hope.” Val was repulsed by the mere sight of Caitlyn.

“Exactly.” She pulled her coat tightly around herself and left.

Anger boiled through Val's veins. She was furious that Caitlyn would again get away with the wrong she had done. Val was ready to tell the whole world how Caitlyn was responsible for her brother's death. She would love nothing more than to see her rot behind bars, but then her eyes rested on Jonah. He was finally happy. He and Hope would finally be reunited forever, and if she told what she knew that could jeopardize his happiness.

For now she would have to swallow her pride and allow Caitlyn to bask in her triumph. Val prayed that today would be the last time she ever laid eyes on Caitlyn. Hopefully, she would be walking out of their lives forever.

Jonah shook hands with Mr. Lawson before returning back to Val. “Mr. Lawson said if I wait here they'll bring Hope to me.”

“Are you still upset with me?” Val asked.

“No. I apologize for acting like a fool.” He took her hand in his. “I overreacted, and I wouldn't blame you if you didn't accept my apology.” Then he bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips.

“I think I can accept your apology.” She smiled.

Later that evening Hope, Jonah and Val stood on Mrs. McCormick's doorstep. “Are you sure you're ready to do this?” She held her finger inches away from Mrs. McCormick's doorbell.

“Yes, I think it's time for Mrs. McCormick to meet her granddaughter.” Jonah kissed Hope on the cheek, then turned and also gave Val a kiss.

She nervously pushed the doorbell. This reminded her of the first time Julian brought her home to meet his parents.

When Mrs. McCormick answered the door, she was so happy to see Val, Jonah and Hope together that she insisted they stay for dinner. Mrs. McCormick loved to cook and she made enough to feed the entire neighborhood.

After she served dessert and everyone was chatting around the table, Jonah gave a subtle nod to Val that he was ready to tell them.

“Mr. and Mrs. McCormick, we have some startling news to tell you and we don't want you to get alarmed.”

Mrs. McCormick braced herself for the worst.

“Hope.” She nodded toward the little girl who was licking the vanilla ice cream from her fingers. “She's adopted.”

Mrs. McCormick laughed. “Oh! Is that all? Val, that isn't startling news.” Relief showed over her face.

“Yes, but”—Val suddenly wished she didn't have to tell her this—“what you don't know is that Hope is your grandchild.”

Mrs. McCormick looked at her strangely.

“I know this may be hard for you to understand, but Julian might have fathered a child before he died.”

Speechless, Mrs. McCormick dropped the butter knife she was holding on her plate. She looked toward her husband then she looked at Hope. The little girl was so absorbed in eating her ice cream, she had no idea what was going on around her. Mrs. McCormick got up and walked around to Hope's chair. When Hope saw her, she smiled at her grandmother before pushing another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth.

“This is my grandbaby?” Mrs. McCormick ran her fingers over Hope's hair. “She's really Julian's daughter? How could this be?”

After Val explained Caitlyn's pregnancy and the DNA tests that were performed by the courts, Mrs. McCormick cried tears of joy and hugged her grandchild close to her.

“You don't know how badly I've wanted a granddaughter. I loved Julian and I always will, but to have a second chance with his daughter is a blessing. The Lord took my son, but He kept his promise to give me a grandchild.” Then she got up and hugged Jonah. “Thank you! Thank you so much for taking care of this child and enduring everything you had to go through. You had to risk your life, and I love you for that.” Tears fell from her eyes. “And I want you to know that I would never try to take her away from you. Since Val recommended we do a DNA test I will contact my lawyer sometime this week, but I would never try to disrupt Hope's life with you.”

Hope's new grandparents wasted no time in spoiling Hope. They started making plans for Disney World and private school.

With so much movement in the house and everyone making such a big fuss over Hope, Val slipped away into the living room for a moment by herself.

It was hard being back in Julian's parents' house. Memories filled the room. Mrs. McCormick still had the room full of his pictures. She remembered the day they got engaged. Julian asked her to marry him in the same spot she was standing in.

“Are you happy?” Jonah scared her.

“Very. No more secrets and no more lies.”

“You how know important it is for me to give Hope a family,” Jonah said, “and with her grandparents being a part of her life, the only thing missing is a mother.”

Val closed her eyes a moment, and when she opened them again he was down on one knee.

“Marry me?” Jonah popped the question.

Val was unsure how to react. They were in her ex-fiancé's parents' house.

“Valencia.”

The sound of her name brought back memories of Julian. He was the only one who called her Valencia. She looked around the room, and it was Hope calling out for her.

Hope walked over to Val and opened up her arms for a hug.

“I told you she would warm up to you,” Jonah reminded her.

Val picked her up and hugged her so tight that she cried.