Transcending Queen (13 page)

“You feel like a stranger to me in this
constant confusion, no nix that, in this constant manipulation. How
could you be so cruel? And why do I keep asking these questions
that you refuse answer?” His manifestation of emotionless silence
and manipulation swelled like a tidal wave sweeping me out to sea.
Leaving me treading water alone, unable to breathe and waiting for
me to sink. He secretly took joy in watching me drown. “This is the
very definition of insanity. I can’t let you push me over the edge.
I refuse to cry for you any longer.” I collapsed to the floor onto
my knees hoping he’d buy into the theatrics of it all. I would
rather be beat by his hands daily than endure his constant, cruel
emotional abuse. I had to hear it, waiting for him to speak those
words forcing his hand to admit it. “Say you love me.”

Finally, he spoke.

Chapter 19 – A New Queen Rising

His spoken word didn’t amount to much as he
refused to acknowledge any real feelings which made me feel
insignificant. I felt used in my time of need, but the lines were
long ago blurred for when we came here it was only to be about
business. We were here to take a person down, expose their secrets
and collect a paycheck until I decided to fall for one of them.
People warned me and I ignored them. I have only myself to blame. I
still had some belief at one point he really cared and did want a
life with me, but it was over his head to comprehend as well. I
leapt up to get some fresh air when Jack appeared.

“What the hell?” I yelped as I hopped
back.

“Good to see you too?”

“No, don’t take it the wrong way. It’s very
good to see you.”

“I came to talk. Can we have a meeting?”

“Of course”, I stated as he made his way
in.

“I have answers, are you ready to head back
to Barrington?” Jack asked.

“That’s a loaded question.”

“Are you?”

“I don’t have an answer to that yet.” I
admitted.

“Why is this so tortuous?”

“Go to hell, Jack.” I stated as I punched his
arm as if he was my older brother.

“Stop it, I’m not going to fight a girl!” he
yelled as he backed a clear distance away from me.

“I’m not the enemy!”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” I said as I reached
out for him.

“What’s all this about?”

“I need a friend right now.”

“What’d he do? He didn’t do anything in my
absence, did he?”

“That’s another loaded question.” I
acknowledged.

“Did Clayton hurt you?” Jack questioned.

“Does it really matter? You know what he’s
capable of.”

“That son of a bitch, I’m going to kill
him!”

“No Jack, then you’ll be the one in jail and
all of this would have been for nothing.”

“Remember that woman you saw me with a while
ago?”

“How could I forget?”

“Brace yourself because she’s one of the many
pieces of this intricate scam. The nuns from the convent along with
Tony and Joseph are a part of it too.”

“Ok, we knew people might be stretching their
legitimate business dealings.” I reminded him.

“Yeah, well, we’re talking prostitution
here.” Jack admitted waiting for some backlash.

“Wait, nuns in prostitution?” I mentioned
with a chuckle thinking Jack was setting some elaborate joke.

“Believe me, I’m not kidding.”

“Yeah ok, now tell me the real story.”

“I am.”

“You didn’t mention Colin. He’s in the
clear?”

Jack didn’t know how to break it to her. He
made several facial expressions at a loss.

“Is he in the clear? You didn’t mention his
name.”

“I’m sorry, Melissa…he’s the ring leader of
the whole operation.”

My fears had come to fruition. The old saying
if you fear something long enough it will enter your life. Even
though I was done with him, it was still hard to understand. I
stared at the nasty carpet covering the creaky floor unable to come
up with words to describe how I felt.

“What are you thinking?” Jack asked.

“Nothing, I’m numb.”

“He has too many connections within the court
system to keep people tied up for years. The day he had been
recently cleared of the money skimming charges, he hired others to
figure out who tipped off authorities in the first place. Our main
focus is to get the local authorities involved, Joseph promised to
talk for some immunity and then we hope the rest of them start to
fall like dominos. This whole operation is crumbling around him as
we speak, you need to prepare yourself and get your head
straight.”

“I’ve already cut him off. Its fine, we need
to finish this case.” I was ready to move on although emotionally
it’s still a tricky situation. No matter how badly you want it
over, a person can’t completely shut off how they feel that
quickly. But I knew this was the beginning of the end and it was
time for me to take care of myself instead of always expecting a
man to.

My mind spiraled back, standing on his porch
spotting blood on his shirt he claimed happened while gardening.
Then hit rewind again as I thought about how he carried me to his
home from the bar when I had passed out. And fast forwarding to
when he held me captivated as he revealed our picturesque future
together. Another panic attack stricken as it all built up forcing
a visceral reaction. “Jack, I’m getting dizzy.”

He knew exactly what to do as he grabbed a
paper bag, “Here blow into this, it’s probably another attack.
Relax, I’m here.”

“I can’t catch my breath.”

“Yep, we’re dealing with this, calm down and
breathe slow. You’ve been under a lot lately, stress mixed with
anxiety and grief. C’mon now, just breathe nice and slow.” He held
onto me as I worked to unclench my body. “We need to get you out of
here before this situation hits the fan.”

“I won’t leave. I have to be there for the
train wreck, I have to see it for myself or I’ll never believe
it.”

“Ok, just breathe into the bag. I might have
a pill I can give you to relieve the tension.” Jack said in a
neutral tone.

Joseph entered the church not sure what to
expect but nonetheless he had to find Father Clayton. As he walked
the perimeter, he studied the statues and their stations within the
bible verses and stories. Thoughts of how he got to this point in
his life arose remembering how he sat in this very church as a
child with his parents imagining his life so different. He was
brought back to the church before Father Clayton had started his
work here and wondered what secrets these statues were holding.
What would possess any man to give his life over to the Catholic
Church and take a vow of celibacy? He pondered how many priests
actually kept that vow and which ones could resist temptation
contrary to human nature.

“Joseph, you’re here. What have you got for
me?” Father Clayton asked as his voice thundered throughout the
architecture.

“I have nothing to report, Father.”

“Absolutely nothing, that seems odd.” He said
in a condescending tone.

“Jack is lost trying hard to dig for
something, but people won’t talk. They’re staying loyal to you.
Melissa has been in the motel with no visitors. It’s another
day.”

“Did you know I was at Melissa’s on
Wednesday?”

“I saw, but it was Thursday and you stayed
the night, brave move with so many eyes watching.” Joseph
acknowledged.

“Oh right, yes. What has she done since?”

“Quit testing me Father, I’m on your side.
She’s held up in that room, I think she’s given up. I see Luann
taking food to her. You pushed her too far, nothing but a
child.”

Father Clayton took a moment to ponder that
statement and shook it off, “No, she probably desires some rest.
It’s been a lot for her, losing her husband and all.”

Joseph realized right then and there he could
spin any tale in his favor without regard for anyone. He felt a
cold chill run up his back hearing this egomaniac blame Melissa for
her woes, forcing this scenario as if he didn’t exist in the
picture at all and shirked any responsibility after putting her
through a complete nightmare. He thought, “Truly evil, messing with
a girl’s head after all she had been through.”

Later, Jack and Joseph met outside of town
and glanced around searching for eyes that didn’t belong to them,
“You sure you’re ready for this?”

“I’m in, let’s take this bastard down.”
Joseph proclaimed.

“Follow me to the police station and we’ll
get started.” Jack announced.

Back at the motel, I made my way out of the
shower as Father Clayton came in without knocking.

“How are you today?” he asked as I
dressed.

“Alright I guess, getting some rest.”

“Saw Jack here yesterday?”

“Checking on my progress and he’s hoping to
go back to Barrington soon, but I refused. He thinks a change of
scenery will snap me out of this, I reminded him it didn’t work
when we came here.” I assured.

“I think you’re better off taking things
easy, being here under my care.” He answered with conceit in his
voice. “You know I’m here to take care of you and as soon as you’re
better, we can leave here together.”

“When will that be?”

“Depends on your progress, now doesn’t it.” I
nodded. Jack had come up with the idea to take him down once and
for all. After Father Clayton thought I’d had a mental breakdown
all bets were off as his true self emerged. My world in his eyes
only revolved around him and that fed his ego giving him a weird
satisfaction of always knowing where I was. The darkness opened
wide letting me see firsthand what he kept secret for so long as I
then passed it along to Jack. Clayton felt overly confident that if
I were to turn on him, he’d use my condition and instability
against me. But even with my insight, Jack had a monumental
undertaking with this one. I also suffered, not knowing how much
longer I could hold out being with this madman before encountering
a real breakdown.

“What if I decided to stay?” Clayton
asked.

“Then I’d support you, my love. I’d need
better accommodations and would want to have material items to feel
settled.”

“I wouldn’t expect any less for you, glad to
hear we’re on the same page.”

“I’ve learned there’s no point in going
against you. The power you have over me and others, no one can beat
you at your own game.”

“You give me too much credit, but I
accept.”

Jack exited the police station after handing
over pertinent information to ruin people. Joseph stayed behind to
give facts regarding his time under Clayton’s rule. The plan is a
huge gamble and there was great potential for it to backfire. Jack
sat in his car acknowledging all the ways it could go wrong but
knew too many people were in the thick of things and he just
couldn’t walk away, there’s no turning back now.

Chapter 20 – Finding Essence

Jack strapped the wire on from the
department. They said he needed evidence and Clayton proved too
smart for the usual run around. He didn’t trust giving it to
Melissa worried Clayton would find it and no one could take that
chance. She’s already done more than asked, so Jack took the
responsibility for this one. “Ok, it’s show time.” He mumbled to
himself as he found his way into the bar.

“Tony, give me a beer.” Jack requested.

“You back?” Tony questioned.

“For a beer, I followed you’re lead but
Joseph sent me around on a wild chase. I’ll be leaving town, I
can’t stand it here.” Jack relinquished his authority.

“Sorry to hear that, these parts aren’t for
everyone. It’s a hard life around here, some things are nearly
impossible to penetrate.” Tony preached handing over the beer.

“Just keep those beers coming, will you?”

“No problem, remember your tab when you leave
town.”

“Right, how could I forget?”

“And Melissa’s too, she’s out of commission
so you’ll have to pay for her.” Tony snickered.

“Right, sure.” Jack saw Tony snicker and
wanted to punch his lights out but refrained, he figured he has the
easy job here. Melissa’s the one still spreading her legs for that
piece of shit in charge.

“Are you thinking of taking Melissa with
you?”

“No, she wants to stay here for Clayton,
whatever.”

“Just let it go man, she’ll never get out of
Clayton’s grip unless he tires of her and from what I hear he’s
nowhere close to that.”

Jack’s skin crawled once again as he heard
Tony’s crap.

The cops raided the warehouse and found the
evidence Joseph promised, two main guys were there and got
arrested. “What the fuck is this?” Angus asked as he was put in
handcuffs.

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll take good care
of you.” One of the cops advised.

“No, this blows. We were running a legit
operation here!” Rich piped in.

“Save it. You’ll have all the time in the
world to defend yourselves.” Another cop informed.

Joseph walked in to see who got tagged and if
Father Clayton was present. He soon saw the disappointing sight but
knew if they could keep these maggots quiet, it’d all work out in
the end. The biggest issue was Clayton getting wind of this and
fleeing before they could close in on him, but worse taking Melissa
with him.

Hours later back at the bar, Jack drank too
many beers or so he made people believe. Tony took delight in
watching him spiral down out of control. “Tony, come here, I need
to talk to you.”

“Jack you’ve had a lot to drink, why don’t
you go sleep it off?” Tony asked.

“No, no, no, I need a favor. I’m leaving town
but since I’ve been here I’ve had some company, if you know what I
mean.” He stated slurring his words as he laughs, “C’mon, hook a
brother up. Call one in to help me out.”

“I can’t, only when Clayton says it’s good.”
he confided.

“What the hell! C’mon it’s my last night, I
need servicing.” He stated only to realize Tony let it slip on tape
that Clayton was in fact the head of their operation.