Waves of Reckoning (The Montclair Brothers) (6 page)

He made his way to the airport and bought a ticket to Metro Airport. Tyler knew he had some phone calls to make, and he wasn’t looking forward to any of them. His brothers would probably yell at him, but then they’d welcome him home with open arms. Renee and Brian, on the other hand, would choke him. He walked over to a quiet corner and called Vincent.

“Tell me you’re okay, Tyler, that’s all I need to hear.” Vincent’s voice began to crack. “You do whatever it is you need to do, but I have to have my brother back in one piece. I love you.”

Tyler closed his eyes. He could only imagine how much he’d worried everyone. Guilt was rearing its ugly head. “I’m catching a flight home, and it leaves in a couple of hours. Can you pick me up from Metro? I’ll text you my flight info.”

“Yes, of course.” he quickly replied.

“Renee and Brian…are they okay?” He sat down in a nearby chair and ran his hand through his hair.

“They’re both fine, just worried about you. We’re still waiting on the verdict, so we’ve been sticking close by one another. I highly doubt the jury will reach a decision at this hour.”

“I’ll see you soon, Vin, and thanks for everything. I love you guys, too.”

Tyler sat there for a moment before making his next phone call. He had no idea how Renee was going to respond since he’d taken off without a word to her. He wasn’t proud of himself, that’s for sure, but he couldn’t risk having her try to stop him. Renee would have been successful, and Tyler would have stayed, and then nothing would have gotten resolved.

“Tyler?!” she cried.

“Yes, Baby, it’s me. I’m on my way home. Is everything okay with you, Brian, and the baby?” Tyler prayed they were.

“We’re fine, Sweetheart. We just want you home.” Renee let out a small sob.

“Are you guys angry with me? I don’t blame you if you are.”
How could I hurt a woman like this
, thought Tyler.

“No one is upset with you. We all love you more than you’ll ever know. Did you find what you were looking for?” She asked, her voice full of compassion.

“Renee, I had to find out some truths, so I could be free to love my family with all of me. My mother and father and their ugly past has weighed so heavily on my shoulders and in my mind. I had to face them both. I’m free, Renee. The truth I found is that neither one of them are who or what I thought they were. Sebastian and Natalie Montclair were two of the most selfish people I know. I never have to be like them.” Tyler breathed a sigh of relief.

“Like I said before, Honey, you’re going to make a wonderful father. Brian’s here and he’d like to speak to you.” He heard her passing him the phone.

“Dad? Are you okay?!”

It was then, that Tyler finally broke down.

Chapter 6

V
incent was already
awake and getting dressed when the phone rang. He grabbed his cell phone, hoping for the news that a verdict had been reached, so they could all finally move on. He quickly answered it.

“Vincent Montclair.” He was out of breath from racing to the living room.

“Hi, Vincent, this is Carrie Oliver. I was wondering if you wanted to have that coffee date?” she asked with a small laugh.

“Of course I do. Are you still in town?” Vincent hoped she was.

“No, but I reported into work this morning just to be told the department was being cut back. I got laid off.” Carrie’s mood seemed to take a nose dive.

“Oh wow. I’m really sorry to hear that.” This shocked Vincent. He knew firsthand what a good cop she was.

“I called the precinct in Southfield, and they said I could come in for an interview. I’ll be in town tomorrow morning, looking around for a place to stay.” Vincent had plenty of room, but he didn’t want to sound too forward.

“I’d like to help you look at some places, but we’re still waiting on a verdict in the Preston trial. I’m afraid I can’t be too far away from the court house until that comes in. I’m hoping I’ll get a call from the prosecutor soon, so we can put this all behind us.” If not, he’d definitely be calling Furrow.

“Then I’d better not keep you. I’ll talk to you in the morning, Vincent. Thanks so much.”

Carrie quickly hung up the phone, and Vincent found himself wanting to talk to her more. Images of the pretty cop made him smile. With a spring in his step, Vincent walked back to his bedroom to finish getting dressed. Getting to know her better would definitely be fun, but he also knew he made a lousy boyfriend.

As he was walking out the door, his phone rang again. It was Tyler, just the man he needed to speak with.

“It’s about time you got up,” answered Vincent.

Tyler laughed. “I barely slept. Renee was up worrying all night. I can’t wait to be finished with Robert Preston. Have you heard anything yet?”

“Nothing about the verdict, but I received a new trial date for Brian’s parents. It’s in two months. When you can, I need to meet with you, Renee, and Brian. This isn’t going to be easy for the kid.” Vincent hated to add more stress into their lives, but he couldn’t avoid it.

“Let’s shoot for Friday. His teacher leaves the house around 2:30 in the afternoon. I’d rather not have him miss school. Plus, that’ll give him the weekend to process everything.” Vincent could tell that Tyler wasn’t looking forward to putting Brian through this.

“Sounds good. I’ll call you when a verdict’s in. You’ll need to be close by. They won’t wait for you.” Vincent had seen many times where the victims weren’t able to be present.

“I’m taking Renee and Brian to the diner for breakfast. Sean, Jacob, and Emma, are going to meet us there. Can you join us?”

“Not this morning, Ty. I need to get to the courthouse. I’ll talk to you soon I hope.” Vincent hung up and headed out the door. When he reached the courthouse, he seemed to notice police officers more these days, and couldn’t help but think of Carrie when he saw them. His palms began to sweat. He shook the thoughts from his head and walked over to the wall to read the cases on the docket for the day. There was another murder trial starting, and Vincent instantly felt sorry for the families and all the grief they were about to go through. He picked up a crumpled newspaper off the bench and sat down to wait for news from the prosecutor’s office. Just as he opened up to the sports page, he heard people hurrying in the door. His cell phone vibrated in his pocket, and he saw Furrow rushing towards him.

“I was just calling you. The jury’s reached a verdict. Get your family here now!” Furrow headed down the hall with his assistants.

Vincent called Tyler. “There’s a verdict.”

“We’re across the street. Be right there, Vinnie.”

Vincent waited in the lobby for his brothers. He saw everyone run across the street. Renee’s face looked as white as a sheet. Once inside, he led everyone into the courtroom. The proceedings hadn’t yet begun. Vincent felt instant relief that they were all there. Renee wanted to sit in the front row, and he knew it was so she’d have a clear view of Robert. He couldn’t blame her. If anyone deserved justice, it was Renee.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Robert sat in the holding tank of the Stupid Jail, hating the place more and more each second. If he was back at the prison, he could at least find out whether or not they’d hired him to work in the kitchen. Then he could pile extra food on his plate and stop having to eat like a damn bird. But
noooo
! Being stuck in this Stupid Cell was pissing him off. For dinner last night, Robert was given a dry bologna sandwich with fake cheese, a carton of warm milk, and a damn soft apple.
Where’d they get this shit
?
A dumpster
? He pictured himself throwing Idiot Renee into the trash,
right where she belongs.
Robert laughed at his thoughts. For breakfast he had a little container of cereal, another carton of warm milk, a squishy banana and a cup of stale decaf. If he wasn’t starving, he would have thrown it at everyone who looked at him.

Robert waved his arms towards the guard station. If one of them would just get off their Lazy Asses, he could maybe get himself a pencil. Finally one of the thin ones got up and walked over.

“What’s the matter, Preston?” asked Skinny Guard with a bad attitude.

“I’d like to have a pen or pencil, please.” Robert knew a pen would be out of the question.

“You’re not getting shit, Robert. Both of those things can be turned into a weapon. You’re only here to await the path to your future. I’m sure it’ll be blissful.” Skinny Ass strolled off laughing.

Robert walked the few steps back to the wooden bench and sat down. He wanted a pencil to carve his name in the wood too, so people would know that someone famous,
Robert the King
, once graced this cell. He began to read what other people had written and started to laugh.
Who calls themselves Beans Burran
? Robert wanted to write ‘Stinky Ass’ underneath it, but Skinny Guard wouldn’t give him something to write with.

He wished he had something to do other than watch the Stupid Jerks at the desk or the damn clock. But
noooo
! He was being caged like an animal just to humor Waddles Weddle. He didn’t care what that Can of Lard thought. The jury hated Robert the King, and so he scowled at them as much as he could in court. ‘Eat Shit’ is what he wished he could yell, but instead, Robert began to make up a song for the jury. Maybe he’d even sing it to them while they read the verdict. “Twelve Freaks, sitting in a row, I hate you too, let the record show…” he began loudly.

“Shut your pie hole, Preston!” yelled Hillbilly Guard. “Get up!”

“For what?” Robert was just getting ready to think of the next line when The Hillbilly startled him. He must be proud of that Stupid Puke-Colored green uniform. He looked just like a green bean.
Beans. Beans Burran
. Robert began laughing hard.

“You’re about to hear your verdict, Robert. When you get life in prison, I’m sure you’ll find that funny too. Hopefully they’ll throw away the key.”

Damn
, thought Robert
. I didn’t even get to finish my song.

“Back up to the cell door!” Skinny Ass came over to join in on the fun.

Robert waited quietly while they cuffed and shackled him. He made as much noise with the chains as he possibly could. The guards shoved him, which made Robert want to bust them in their faces.

“Hey, don’t I get a suit or something?” He wanted to look nice for everyone.

“Move!” Skinny Ass yelled.

They loaded Robert into the back of a police transport van. There weren’t even any windows. That pissed him off too. The least they could do was let him walk outside and get some fresh air. But
noooo
! They drove him down a secured tunnel and then through the lower level of the courthouse. His attorney met him in a private area outside of the courtroom.

“How are ya holding up, Robert?” Knowles asked with a stupid grin on his bony face.

“I’m just dandy Dumb Ass. How about you close your trap. The first chance I get, I’m gonna snap that gooseneck of yours.” Robert couldn’t help but try and scare the Freakin’ Creep.

“I’ll see you inside. The judge has ruled that you’re to remain shackled and cuffed today, due to all these threats, Robert.” His Useless Lawyer hurried off. That was okay by him. The guy was a Joke
. Knowles doesn’t Know anything.
He laughed hard as he was being escorted inside.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Renee was so happy that Tyler had come home safe and sound, and that he was sitting next to her right now. She wasn’t naïve enough to believe she’d be all better once Robert was convicted of all the crimes he’d committed. But at least she could finally begin the process of healing, knowing he was no longer an immediate threat. Renee had been very worried that the monster would escape the local jail. Once he was sent back to Marquette, behind twenty feet of concrete, razor wire, and gun towers, she’d allow herself to breathe again. Putting this nightmare ‘behind her’ wasn’t something she had faith would ever happen.

On one hand, Renee wouldn’t trade the events that had occurred in a million years or she wouldn’t have met those who had become the center of her world. On the other hand, she didn’t know if she could ever forgive herself for making everyone else pay the price for her freedom.

No matter how many catastrophes Renee had brought into the lives of this group, they loved her anyway. It sickened her to know that she hadn’t been with Tyler during some of the most painful moments of his life. When his brother lay dying, she couldn’t be there to hold him, and when he confronted his father, she’d been miles away. But Renee didn’t have a choice in either of those situations. She had no idea what she’d ever done to deserve the friendship and love she now experienced daily. What she did know was that this child growing inside of her would be the luckiest person alive.

As the other victims’ families began to file into the courtroom, her gut wrenched. They deserved justice, but they shouldn’t have had to be here in the first place. No matter how much time passed, she would never forget their faces. Renee knew she wasn’t responsible for Robert’s actions, nor had she believed he was capable of this degree of violence. But she’d unwittingly started the ball rolling the day she walked out. There were plenty of occasions when she’d slump into a dark place, knowing she could have gone back to him and saved everyone a lot of pain, a lot of loss.
Memories can open old wounds faster than a knife
, Renee thought.

She didn’t know there were tears on her face until Tyler leaned over and wiped them off with his thumbs. Renee looked up at him, then over at her friends. They too had painful looks on their faces while staring at Robert. She could clearly see the damage, as if they were each wearing signs that pointed to where it hurt. Renee felt so many emotions all at once. As she let her eyes roam over the other faces in the courtroom, she saw nothing but victims sitting side by side. They were wearing buttons or t-shirts with the face of their loved one whom Robert had murdered. Some were holding hands in prayer, while others were damning Robert to hell with their eyes. Renee’s head began to spin.

She felt Tyler’s hand on her damp arm. “Baby, let’s go home.”

But his words sounded as if she were in a tunnel. Her eyes were glued on Robert’s as he smiled at her. His face showed no remorse, no evidence that he had even one grain of decency. Nothing. He slightly lifted his hand, holding it in a shooting motion. His evil smile broadened.

Emma was kneeling down by her feet, holding her hands. Renee didn’t know when she’d come over, nor how long she’d been there.

“Sweetie, come with me. I’ll take you outside to get some fresh air.” Emma’s voice sounded so far away.

Someone was fanning her face but Renee wasn’t able to take her eyes off of the monster. Maybe he had a plan to grab one of the guns from the bailiffs. Everyone was sitting ducks. If she stood up, there’d be no way he could miss. She’d have to make herself a clear target to protect them. Yes, she’d stand up just in case. But the crowd of people around her were blocking Robert’s line of sight. One of them would get hit instead. Renee had to push them out of the way.
Get down
! she yelled, but no sounds came from her mouth. She was going to vomit, and there was no way she would allow Robert to see even one ounce of weakness.

Renee pushed people aside and ran towards the bathroom. The floor seemed to be tilting, but still she ran. Bursting through the stall door, she began vomiting as if she’d drank poison. The pain in her stomach was gripping, the shakes were uncontrollable. A man’s arms reached around her…
Robert.
The pain intensified as she tried to fight him off. He’d killed everyone and escaped the bailiffs. Now she was cornered. The stickiness on her legs…people were yelling…Robert’s arms grew tighter around her and she felt herself being pulled away to her death.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

“Call an ambulance, Emma!” yelled Tyler as he wrapped his arms around Renee, trying to remove her from the small stall. She was fighting him with everything she had. Seeing the spot of blood on the back of her skirt, he enveloped her and dragged her backwards from the stall. Once he got her near the sink, he felt her body go limp. Tyler scooped her up in his arms and hurried outside of the bathroom. As he ran with her to the courthouse doors, he could hear the ambulance sirens. Not knowing if they were coming to help Renee or not, he burst through the doors and out to the street. He started to take off towards his car when Vincent stopped him.