Protecting You (The Boston irkpatricks #1) (11 page)

Chapter Eighteen

Brendan

While Joella made her phone call, I decided to take a shower. I have so many questions going through my mind about my family and this kid. The one thing I’m sure about is Joella. For some reason, I feel like I need to protect her. The note that she received is fresh on my mind, even though she’s acting like it’s no big deal. I keep getting a bad feeling about tonight. I’m thinking maybe
she shouldn’t go to the club. I know it won’t go over well with her, but it’s worth a shot.

I washed really quick and got dressed. I went downstairs to the kitchen where Joella was talking on the phone drinking a cup of coffee. She put the person on hold.

“Baby, I need your fax number. She’s sending me all the information.”

“Sure,” I said as I gave her the number and kissed the top of her head.

She ended the conversation by thanking the person on the other line.

“What’s going on?” I asked her.

“My contact is going to fax me over all the documents she can find on Callie. She said I’ll have everything within the hour.”

I started pacing the kitchen. I didn’t know if I was ready to find out information on this child. If it was Billy’s, why was he keeping her from the family? It didn’t make any sense. My aunt would love to know she had a granddaughter. My family would accept this child and love her so much. It just hurts that he didn’t trust us enough to tell us. I guess drugs can make a person do a lot of things they don’t want to.

“What’s this going to prove from a cop’s perspective?”

She put her hand on my shoulder. “Listen, I know you’re worried, but I need to do this. It’s going to give me some answers, maybe even a motive to the drug issues.”

“Oh, I trust you...”

I just don’t trust the other people
, I said under my breath.

“Why don’t we take a walk while we wait for the documents to be faxed over? It’s really nice out. It feels like summer today.”

“Okay, sweetie. I’ll put my kicks on and meet you on the stoop.”

“Sounds like a date.”

I sat on the stoop taking in the nice morning. I have a feeling that this woman is the one for me. She came outside looking sexy as can be in a tank top and shorts. I grabbed her hand and we walked down the street together.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure,” she said looking at me skeptically.

“I know this is sudden and totally off the wall crazy, but would you move in with me?”

“Brendan…”

“Before you respond… think about what it’s like when you wake up next to me and what
it’s like to be intimate with me. I don’t know if I can be without you… now that I had you.”

I stopped to kiss her. I took her face in my hands. “If you say no, I will be sad, thinking of this beautiful face every day.” I gave her puppy dog eyes. “Would you want me to be sad?”

“You’re such a con artist. Who can say no to that handsome face?”

“So is that a yes?”

“How do I explain this to Jeremy? I have to call him when I get back. I’m also going to pull out of this case depending on what information I find out. I have enough to arrest Billy and bring him in. I have him with drugs in hand. I have him making drug deals. I also have him threatening to kill me all on video. I just need to tie up loose ends and figure the rest out. If I arrest him, I can question him and get more information.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, yet. It could be dangerous.”

“That’s why I need to talk to Jeremy.”

“I need you to be careful. This business is important to me, but you have come to be important as well. I will also be there for you every step of the way.”

“Thanks baby, but I got this.”

I don’t know if this is a good idea. If Billy gets wind of this, he could try something horrible. He somehow found out who she is and he is probably pissed already. Here goes nothing.

“Sweetie, I’ve been thinking. Maybe you don’t have to go back to the club. Just go back to work at the station and take him down from there. I’ll talk to Jeremy about it.”

“No you will not. I can handle myself and I’m going to the club because I need to finish this out the right way.”

I ran my fingers through my hair. I was so frustrated. I don’t want to argue with her, but she can be so stubborn sometimes.

“Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?”

“I’ll deny whatever he says to me. He may not even say anything. It would be stupid if he did. That would mean he sent the note.”

“Let’s just talk to Jeremy.”

“Fine.”

“Don’t get mad. I just want you safe.”

“I know, that’s what makes this hard.”

“Well I’m hard,” I said trying to change the subject and lighten the mood.

“You’re always hard.”

“Oh, yes I am.”

“Let’s start back to the house. I want to get to work. I need to make a chart.”

We walked back together peacefully. I am starting to understand her and how and when to push her buttons. I’m learning when to stop before a fight pursues and how far I can take things. I definitely see a future on the horizon.

***

Back at the house the fax machine was buzzing in the office. Joella decided she needed to review the information first before
she talked to me about it. She decided it was for the best. She said she didn’t know what information was on there and she wanted to monitor it. I completely agreed with her, but made her promise to tell me everything. She said she would and I truly believe her. She went up to the room she was using on the third floor as her office. I sat downstairs and played my video games patiently and had a lager too during the process. I really think I need a shot instead.

Chapter Nineteen

Joella

I needed to review the documents alone. This wouldn’t be good for Brendan. I pulled them out of the folder that I shoved them in. The cover sheet said: Joella, This case has been closed. Cynthia.

Why the fuck would it be closed? I turned to the first page. It was for a paternity test. Was Roxy cheating on precious Billy?

What the fuck? I’m speechless. I can’t move. The test is between two men: Billy and Connor. I never even thought this could be possible. Roxy was sleeping with both of them. I don’t know why I’m surprised. Just yesterday she was trying to hit on the third Kirkpatrick. They must have some good family genes. If Billy has a kid with her, why would he let her suck another man’s cock… drugs?

I don’t want to turn the page. I don’t want to know the results. This could destroy Brendan. I put the papers down and started pacing. I had to think. Connor’s gone. If this is his kid, he can’t even defend himself. Was he a good father? Did he want to be a father? I’ll never know. I just need to see the results and figure it out.

I turned the page. I had my eyes covered. I had to be strong. Brendan was going to need me no matter what the results were. I read the results. They were completed at a local lab. The results showed that Billy was not the father and Connor was. As I read further, I found out that Connor was paying child support on a weekly basis to Roxanne Aston.

So this means that Connor and Roxy were not together and she was sleeping with Billy. Maybe Billy took her from Connor. Why would Connor kill himself if he knew he had a kid and why wouldn’t he tell anyone else? The kid has his name. Oh, my God. Brendan has a niece and his mother has a granddaughter. Oh boy, he’s not going to expect this news.

Wait, what the hell is this? A police report? There was a domestic dispute on February 24, 2007. It says that the child’s father, Connor Kirkpatrick, went to the residence and demanded to see his daughter. The mother, Roxanne Aston, refused to let him. The mother’s boyfriend, William Kirkpatrick, who happens to be the cousin of the father, attacked him in a fit of rage. The
boyfriend seemed to be high on drugs. The father called the police and filed the report.

So, Billy attacked Connor and he was high. Connor wanted to see his kid and Billy was angry. Was he jealous of Connor? Brendan said they were best friends. I need to ask him about this. I put all the papers together in a folder neatly. I hated to do this to Brendan. My heart was hurting. I didn’t want to have him relive his brother’s death again, but I needed answers.

I made my way down the stairs to the living room.

“Do you want to play Grand Theft Auto with me?” he laughed.

“Oh, yeah that makes for great station talk. What did you do this weekend? Oh, I played Grand Theft Auto with my… whatever you are.”

“Your hot live-in lover.”

“Yeah, that. Listen, I need to talk to you. It’s serious.”

“Are you okay? Are you leaving again?”

“No,” I said, giving him a sideways glance. “Shut this shit off.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll pause it.”

I walk over to the sofa and put my folder on the coffee table. I only want to use the file if necessary.

“I want to start by saying, I’m here for you no matter how you feel about what I’m about to say. Your reactions are understandable. I’m not going to let you do anything stupid. Are you sure you’re ready?”

“Yes. Sweetie, just tell me.”

“I read over the documents.”

“Is she Billy’s kid?”

“Not exactly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Apparently there was a question of it because there was a paternity test done and Billy wasn’t the father.”

“Who was?”

“It was Connor.”

“What? Connor? He can’t be… He would have told me… We were close.”

“Well he was paying child support, too. I’m not sure if Connor and Roxy were boyfriend and girlfriend but there was a dispute on February 24, 2007.”

“That’s the day that Connor passed away.”

“What? Well Connor went to Roxy’s house demanding to see Callie. She wouldn’t let him, and Billy was there. He was described as her boyfriend in the report. He attacked
Connor and Connor called the cops. I thought you said they were best friends.”

“They were. This is news to me. When I was called about Connor’s death, I was told that Billy found him. Why would Billy be there if they just fought? None of this shit was ever brought to my attention.”

“I don’t know. Either he went to apologize or he went to kill him.”

“Billy wouldn’t kill Connor. There’s no way. He may be a dick, but he’s not like that.”

“Ha… A man will do anything over a woman… even kill. Plus if drugs were involved he may not have been in his right frame of mind.”

Brendan is clearly in denial right now.

“I can’t grasp this. I may have a niece and my cousin may have killed my brother.”

“We don’t know that yet.”

“Where does Carmen fit in?”

“He’s probably Billy’s dealer or Billy’s probably working for him. I’ll know more when I eventually arrest Billy. I need more information. We need to go to the club tonight.”

“Um, I don’t think so. Not happening.”

“I’m going with or without you.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Brendan, you’re either going to back me up or stay home.”

I knew he wanted to be protective, but I was doing this for him. I think he needs closure.

“This is going to kill my mother and aunt.”

“You can’t tell her until we confirm and I arrest.”

I reach over and hug him. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m here for you.”

“I just miss him so much,” he said with tears in his eyes.

“I know you do. It’s going to be okay. Just think, now you have a part of him that exists out there. He would want you to be happy.”

“I’m happy now that you’re in my life.”

I’m going to find out the truth for Connor. That little piece of shit, Billy and his slut girlfriend are going down.

Chapter Twenty

Brendan

When I walked in the door, Billy started ranting and raving about the beer delivery guy. He seemed like a crazy man.

“Bill, its only beer. As long as we have enough for tonight, we’re okay.”

I was trying not to put my hands around his throat. I promised Joella I wouldn’t do anything to him. She wasn’t here yet and I was on complete edge. I had a bad feeling about tonight and she didn’t want to listen to me.

When Joella walked in, I felt some relief. I also felt my heart flutter at the sight of her. My plan is to lurk the floor tonight to watch over her. I was not letting her out of my sight. Billy had her scheduled for mingling and if it was up to me I would be her only option.

She said hi to everyone and went in the back to change. Carmen was at the bar and had his eye on her. This really heated me up.

“Another night,
Fenner? Is this becoming a habit? I don’t see you then all of a sudden you’re always here.”

“Calm down. You’re blood pressure’s going to spike. I’m taking Tiffany up to the private room tonight. I’m not taking no for an answer,” he said winking at Billy.

I was biting my tongue and it was pretty noticeable. I felt like they were testing me to see my reaction. Mike was looking at me waiting to see if I made a move.

“Here’s a Lager for you,” He said.

“Thanks,” I said taking it from his hand.

I looked at Carmen straight in the eye. “You’re pretty confident.”

“Oh, yes I am.”

Joella came from the back room just in time because I was about to throw my fist in his face. The club was starting to get packed. I didn’t want to leave Billy or Carmen out of my sites. Whoever sent that letter was in this club right now.

Some guy cornered Joella and started talking to her. I had to sit back and take it. Every move Carmen and Billy made, I was ready. Whatever Joella said to the guy made him walk away. I knew she could handle herself, but I was still being overprotective. She walked up to the bar to get a glass of wine.

“Hey guys”

“Hey Tiff,” Carmen said. “I’m thinking I want to take you up to the private room. Are you down with it?”

Who talks like that? She looked over at me. I knew this was her opportunity to get information out of Carmen, I just didn’t trust him.

“Sure, just dancing though.”

Is she fucking serious? She’s really going to go through with this.

“Yeah, that’s okay,” Carmen said.

“Hold on a second,” I blurted out. “I need to talk to Tiffany for a minute.”

“This is my time with her.” Carmen said.

“I’ll be okay,” she said to me.

I didn’t believe that. She walked away from me with Carmen. My blood pressure
was
now
rising. Is she safe? I am now pacing the floor. I have to do something, anything. I called Jeremy and explained the situation to him. He said he would send plain clothes Police Officers so no one would suspect anything. He also said he was coming too, just in case he was needed. That didn’t sound promising.