Trent
The second hand slowly makes it around the dial of my watch. Seven-fifty-eight. I can go identify my dad in two minutes. I want to get this over with. I hope and pray it’s not him, but deep down I know it is.
I didn’t sleep a wink last night. I kept replaying our last conversations over and over, looking for some sort of sign that this was coming, searching for answers to his strange behavior. Unfortunately, I’m nowhere near resolving this puzzle. Then there was the issue with my mom. I called the cruise ship and there was no answer in her room. I’ve called her cell phone several times this morning to no avail. It’s as though she fell off the planet.
My phone vibrates. Beth is calling. I can’t answer the phone right now. I don’t want to talk to anyone until this is over with. I let it go to voicemail.
A clerk unlocks the doors to the coroner’s office and I proceed through. My phone vibrates again, but this time it’s a text from Beth.
Beth: I’m here in New York City. I came to be with you.
What. The. Fuck? How did she get here? I look at the door to the coroner’s office and then back at my phone. She’s seventeen years old alone in a big city. I’m not sure she’s ever been here before.
Me: Where are you?
Beth: Penn Station. Is there someplace we can meet?
Me: I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.
I hightail it back down to the subway and head to Penn Station. I imagine her standing in the middle of the platform with sleazy guys trying to hit on her. I certainly wasn’t looking for something else to deal with, but now that Beth is here, I’m glad to have the support. Doing this alone is awful. I had hoped to have Penelope here by now, but it looks as though she’s on a rendezvous with another man. My dad’s best friend. Perhaps that’s what he was trying to warn me about.
I text Beth when I arrive in Penn Station. It’s a big place and I don’t feel like walking around searching for her. She responds immediately and we agree to meet under the large clock. It’s easy to find and Beth will definitely stand out.
I rush to our meeting point and slow down once I eye her. She’s turning around, studying her surroundings. She’s absolutely beautiful in her wedge heels, cropped jeans, and button down shirt with the sleeves slightly rolled up. No man in their right mind would ever suspect she’s as young as she is. And right now, her age means nothing to me. I pick her up into my arms and swirl around. It’s a scene straight out of a movie. I kiss her deeply before putting her down. I didn’t realize until this very moment how much I’ve missed her and how happy I am she’s here with me. It’s only been a couple of days since we’ve been apart, but it might as well have been an eternity.
She appears equally as excited to see me. “Why are you here?” I ask.
“You told me you were coming alone. I wanted to be with you.” She smiles. “Are you happy to see me?”
I wipe a lock of hair from her face and kiss the tip of her nose. “More than you know.”
“Are you here on business? What does your schedule look like?”
The smile disappears from my face and my heart again becomes heavy. “You didn’t talk to Parker?”
“No. I just texted her I was busy with a school project and wouldn’t be able to watch the boys for a few days. Why? What’s going on?”
“It’s my father. He’s dead. I have to go identify his body and make arrangements to move his body back to Boston.”
Speechless, Beth freezes in place trying to make sense out of what I said.
I put my hands on her shoulders. “Hey, it’s okay.”
“I’m so sorry.” Tears trickle down her cheeks. “I came here thinking we could spend some time together alone. I’m so selfish. God, what an idiot I am. I’m so sorry about your father. Is there anything I can do for you?”
Her eyes glisten like tiny gold saucers. I wipe the tears from her eyes. “You being here is good. I had just gotten to the coroner's office when you texted me. It was almost a relief to know that I won’t have to do this alone. Thank you for coming.”
Beth nods.
“How did you get here?”
Beth laughs and looks around the station. “Obviously by train.”
“No, I mean what about school and your mom?”
“Don’t worry. It’s all taken care of.”
“Beth, school is important. I don’t want you to miss out on account of me. Plus, if your mom ever found out you were here with me, it could be the end for both of us.”
“It’s taken care of. Now let’s go focus on what you need to get done.”
On the way I call the coroner and let her know I should be there shortly. What I really want is to climb under a rock and pretend none of this is happening right now. My life is completely upside down and I don’t know which way is up.
We sign the paperwork in the log book. The coroner has informed me that because of confidentiality purposes, I’m the only one allowed back. After I’ve identified my father, Beth is welcome to come in.
I’m ushered to a room that’s cold, full of fluorescent lights, and multiple refrigerated boxes line the walls. Chills go down my spine as the creeps settle in.
I’m greeted by a tall, attractive woman in a lab coat. The nametag reads Heidi Peterson, Coroner. She’s not what I expected she’d look like and I wonder how and why she would get into the profession. She’s slender with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and her makeup is flawless. She could be a model for crying out loud.
“Mr. Davis?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
She extends her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. If you’ll follow me?” She guides me into a smaller room where an obvious body is lying on a table with a sheet covering it.
My heart races, my hands shake. My knees become weak, and for a brief moment I think I’m going to pass out. I swallow hard, wanting so desperately to maintain my composure and be able to do this without crumpling to the floor in a heap.
She shuts the door behind me and closes the blinds. “You may want to sit down for this.” She points to a chair in the corner.
I nod and follow her instructions. This is one of the very few occasions in my life in which I actually can’t speak. As a lawyer, I’m always at the ready. Not this time. There is nothing to say.
She pulls back the sheet, only exposing my dad’s face. Even though I’m a few feet away and not at the best angle, I can see it’s him.
The air in my lungs gets stuck and I can’t exhale. Pressure develops in my chest and I start to get lightheaded.
Heidi comes to my side and puts her hand on my shoulder. “You need to breathe.”
I shake my head. I can’t breathe. I can’t even fucking move. I’m paralyzed. The life is being sucked out of me. I put my head between my legs and focus on pulling air into my lungs.
After a couple of minutes, I’m able to regain my composure and slightly function.
“Is that your father, Mr. Davis?”
I nod.
“Now this next part is going to be the hardest. I’m going to need you to try and remain calm. Remember, there are other people around. We don’t want to disturb them. Do you understand?”
Again, I nod.
“Go ahead, Jonathan.”
The sheet moves and my father sits up.
I jump to my feet and throw my back against the wall. “What the fuck?”
My father swings his legs to the side and steps over to me. I’m frozen in the corner, not sure if my mind's playing tricks on me or if this is really happening.
“Trent, I need you to settle down. I can explain everything.” In a panic, I move out of the corner and try to get as far away from him as possible. I rub my eyes, trying to decipher if this is real or part of my imagination.
Heidi grabs on to me and prevents me from going any further.
“Son, it’s me. I’m not dead. I need you to settle down so I can explain what’s going on.”
“Wh-what kind of sick and twisted game is this? What the hell are you doing here?” My freaking out is quickly changing to anger. I’ve had enough of my father’s shenanigans.
“Heidi, if you’ll excuse us?” The coroner, or whoever she is, smiles politely and leaves the room.
“Trent, sit back down and I’ll explain what I know.”
I’m reluctant. I don’t know if I should just walk on out of here and run as far away as possible or slug my dad for dragging me into his drama. I want so badly to get out of this cold cinderblock cell and pretend this day never happened. I ponder my options and realize the end goal is to find out the truth.
I move back to the corner with the chair and take a seat. “You’ve got five minutes and then I’m walking.”
“The stuff I’m about to tell you won’t be easy. Try to refrain from judging me before you hear the entire story.”
I nod, although I’m skeptical about what he has to say.
“As you’re aware, Edward and I have been friends since the day we were born. We were best friends. We shared everything, played all the same sports, and had the same friends. We’ve been inseparable.”
“Yeah until recently when you pulled out of the company you founded.”
Jonathan stares at me expressionlessly. “Are you going to let me finish?”
I remain silent and stare at him hard. My dad continues. “A few days before Edward and Sharon got married, we were all out at a bar having drinks. Your mom didn’t feel well and took a cab home early. Come to find out later, she was pregnant with you and was experiencing some sickness. Edward had something with his dad that he had to tend to, leaving just me and Sharon. We kept drinking. When we decided to call it a night, we called a cab. One thing led to another, and let’s just say we did some things we shouldn’t have. We both made up excuses as to where we were and no one was the wiser.
“Sharon and Edward went on to get married. She found out very shortly after that she was pregnant, presumably from their honeymoon. Sharon and your mother were excited about having children at the same time. They had become good friends and it seemed like the four of us were living in a happy bubble. It wasn’t until after Porter was born that Sharon and I started to suspect…”
I stand up, not wanting to believe the inconceivable. “Are you saying that Porter is my brother? Are you his father?”
Jonathan looks down, obviously ashamed. “Sharon and I agreed to keep it a secret and let Edward continue to believe Porter was his. In no way did we want to destroy our families. Porter still has no idea.”
“Does Edward know?”
Jonathan nods. “That’s how this whole crazy thing started. Edward has been having some health issues. Porter donated some blood for a transfusion Edward needed, and after running some tests, Edward found out they weren’t related. He confronted Sharon and she confessed.
“For the last two years, Edward has known. He hasn’t said anything to me specifically, but Sharon let me know. I should have gone to Edward as soon as he found out, but I thought it would be better if he stewed on it for a while and worked it out in his head. I was wrong. He got back at me by turning Porter against me. I’m not sure he knows that I’m his father. All I know is he’s doing his damndest to destroy me and everything I love.
“Is that why Mom is with him on that cruise?”
Jonathan pauses as though contemplating his next words. “Your mother isn’t on that boat. She’s somewhere safe.”
“Where is she and why isn’t she answering her phone?”
Jonathan looks to the floor. “I can’t tell you right now.”
I throw the chair across the room. Anger surges through my body like white hot electricity. “God damn it! Enough of the secrets and games. People’s lives are at stake here.”
“I wish I could give you the answers you’re looking for. Unfortunately, it’s for your own good that you don’t know.”
“My own good. My own good? I don’t think you know what that is. My entire world is being turned upside down. I have a brother I didn’t know I had, my marriage is a hot mess, my mother has disappeared, and up until about five minutes ago I thought you were dead. So tell me, what part of this is in my best interest?
“Tell me about you and Parker. What’s going on there?”
“What the hell does it matter?” I punch the wall, causing pain to shoot through my knuckles and up through my arm.
“Because this all could be a part of Edward's plan. Maybe he’s trying to destroy you too. I think he’s trying to hurt everyone close to me. Please, son. I need to know everything that’s going on. It’s the only chance we have to save ourselves.”
I’ve never seen such fear in my father’s eyes. He’s always been so strong and stoic. It concerns me there might be something more going on. “Dad, are you being completely honest with me?”
“Yes, son. Now tell me what’s going on with you and Parker.”
I sigh heavily, contemplating whether or not I want to talk about this. I haven’t opened up to anyone about it. Beth knows a little, but not everything. “It’s been about a year now. Parker started to become distant, withdrawing. She got more active in her charities and social events. Her time with the boys became less frequent. Our intimacy decreased significantly to the point we haven’t had sex in almost a year. I’ve begged her to stay home, but she says this is what she needs to feel good about herself. I just don’t get it. Why can’t she feel good about herself by taking care of our family? She can go shop or hang out with her friends. She doesn’t need to be gone all the time. Lately she’s been a little more engaged in the family. She’s trying to make dinners more often and she hasn’t been gone as much.”
“When did she start becoming more involved?”
I think back over the past few weeks. “I don’t know. I guess it was not too long after Mom left.”
“Who watches the kids when you two are gone?”
“Um, well…we have a nanny.”
Jonathon eyes me suspiciously. “Do tell.”
Fuck! This is the last thing I want to confess to.
“Trent, is there something I should know?”
“I’ve kind of had…relations with her.” I look to the floor in embarrassment.
“What does that mean?”
“We’ve been intimate. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“Does Parker know?”
“I don’t think so. She may have suspicions but there’s nothing she can prove.” I think about Beth waiting in the next room. I need to get her back to Boston. “Anything else going on?”
I debate whether or not to tell him about Beth. He’s going to be ashamed of me. Hell, I’m ashamed of myself. Even though she’s not too far away from turning eighteen, I feel like a child predator. “There’s something else I should tell you.”
Jonathon raises his eyebrow in suspicion.
“Beth, she’s the nanny…”
“Go on.”
“She’s seventeen.”
Jonathon nods. “This is what I was afraid of.”
Now I’m the one puzzled. My father doesn’t look the least bit surprised or even disappointed.
“You can bet your ass Parker knows about the two of you. It wouldn’t surprise me if this Beth was hand selected to come into your house to entice you into having an affair. They’re trying to get something on you. Perhaps blackmail you, I don’t know. The way I see it, you’ve got a couple choices here. You can leave the country and disappear for a while or you can go home and be a perfect husband to your wife. Either way, you’re screwed. Most importantly, you have to stay away from that nanny. She’s only going to bring you more trouble than you’re already in.”
“Why would they do that? Why would Parker want to destroy us? Our family? What motive would she have? We’ve been married for years. We’ve been friends since we were young. I just can’t believe it.”
Jonathon pulls his hand through his silver hair. “Son, it may not be up to her. Edward is a very powerful man. He may be trying to get back at me through you. I don’t know. What I do know is that you have to watch your back and be careful of every move you make. Your life depends on it.”
“When you say he’s powerful, what do you mean? What are you insinuating?”
“The mob. He’s got ties to the mob. That’s part of the reason why I pulled out of our business. They were lurking around. That’s also why as far as everyone is concerned, I’m dead right now.”
I pull my hand down my face and begin to pace the room. “The mob? Jesus! What the hell have you gotten this family into?”
“I made the mistake of not keeping my dick in my pants all those years ago. I held onto the secret and now they want me to pay. Edward wants me to pay.”
“So what do we do now? Are my children in jeopardy?”
“They could be, but I doubt it. Those kids are Edward’s blood too. You need to clean out your trust fund and put it in an offshore account. I booked you a flight to Geneva and chartered you a private plane to the Grand Caymans. Here’s a passport. You are now Justin Demetriato as far as anyone knows. This is what you will register the account under. It can’t be in your name. You leave at noon. You don’t have a lot of time. When that’s done you need to go back to Boston immediately. You have to hold a funeral. An empty casket will be sealed and sent to a funeral home in Boston. I’ll arrange everything and send you the details. Here’s a new burner phone. Don’t lose this. And whatever you do, don’t tell Parker any of this. Tell her you’re going to be tied up for a couple of days making arrangements.”
I can barely make sense out of what he’s telling me. It’s all happening so fast. I feel like I’m being sucked into some kind of vortex that is suffocating me and I can’t get out. The only thing I can think of is Beth.
“Dad, there’s one problem. Beth is here with me. I can’t just leave her here in the city and I can’t let her travel back to Boston by herself.”
“Shit! This definitely throws a damper into the plan. Let me think.” Jonathon puts his hands on his head and paces around the room, thinking. “Okay, I’ll have someone meet you at the airport. His name is Raul. I’ll have a passport and a plane ticket waiting for her. It’s going to be short notice, so I don’t know what her name will end up being. Son, once you get back home, you have to stop the relationship you have with her. It’s got to end.”
So much is swirling through my mind. All of this sounds very illegal. My wife has been betraying me and perhaps Beth was brought into my life to tempt me. And how does my father have access to passports and fake names? Jesus, what has happened to my proper southern family?
“Where are you going to go? How will I reach you?”
“My number is programed into your burner phone. Try not to get hysterical about this. I know you’re going to have a lot more questions. Try to think about them while you’re on that plane. I’ll connect with you when you get to the Grand Caymans. Now I need you to go to the bank and remove all the assets from your trust fund before Parker finds a way to get to it. Go on, get out of here.”
I do a double take, wondering if my father is going to be okay. A few minutes ago I thought he was dead. I don’t want to relive those feelings anytime soon. I lean in and hug him, not something I usually do. We’ve never been all that close, but for some reason I feel a connection to him that I didn’t before.
“I’ll talk to you soon.”
I open the door to the morgue and move swiftly to the lobby where Beth is waiting. When she sees me, her eyes grow wide and she runs to me. “Oh my God. Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. Come on, we’ve got to get out of here.”
I grab her hand and pull her through the door onto the street. “What’s going on? You’re acting strange.”
“We have to keep moving.” I pull her down the street, hailing a cab.
“Trent, you’re scaring me. Where are we going?”
“I’ll explain everything shortly. Just trust me. We’ve got to get the bank. I need to withdraw some funds.”
She stops dead in her tracks. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on.”
I so badly want to throw her over my shoulder and carry her down the street but the suitcase she’s dragging behind her makes it almost impossible. “My trust fund is in jeopardy. We’re talking a lot of money. I need to get to the bank now and withdraw it all. Speaking of which, is there anything in that suitcase that has sentimental value?”
She looks at me, puzzled. “Not really. Why?”
“Because you need to throw all your stuff into a trashcan. I’m going to need to put the money in there.” I spot a wastebasket on the corner in front of the Starbucks and I rush to it with the suitcase.
“Wait, I paid good money for those things. They’re some of my best clothes.”
“I’ll get you some new ones. I’ll take you on a shopping trip you’ve never imagined.” I empty all of the contents of her suitcase into the trashcan. Passersby’ look at me like I’m crazy. I’m sure we’re going to make a homeless person very happy.
I see a cab coming our direction. I step into the street and wave it down. It stops promptly. I help Beth inside and put the suitcase in the trunk before getting in. “Bank of the World. Fast please.”
“Does this have anything to do with your father?” Beth whispers.
“Sort of. I’ll explain it all later.” I nod my head toward the driver, indicating I don’t want to talk in front of him.
I stare out the window in silence, rehashing the conversation with Jonathon. He’s not dead but I have to pretend he is. I have a best friend I just found out is my brother, who is now out to get me for God knows what. I wonder if he even knows why. To top it all off, my wife and my confidant could have possibly set me up and are trying to destroy me, take my children, and my trust fund. All of this seems so surreal. “Tell me something…” I study Beth to see if she’s lying.
“Anything.”
“Why did you come to work for us?”
She looks out the window before answering. “My mom and I aren’t very well off. She works a few different jobs to make ends meet. I’ve always been the poor girl in school who’s never been able to afford even one nice outfit. I was home alone every day after school. Sometimes my mom wouldn’t come home until after I went to bed. When my mom told me about this opportunity, I couldn’t pass it up. The chance to go work for a rich family and not be alone all the time was so appealing. I’ve never asked anything from you, but you’ve given me a car, spending money to buy nice things…” Beth turns and looks at me. “Most importantly, you gave me your trust and love. It’s been far more than I could’ve ever asked for.”
“Did Parker try to set you up with me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did Parker ask you to seduce me?”
Tears flow from the corners of her eyes causing them to sparkle like a freshly polished gold coins. “Why would you ask me that?”
“Just answer the question.”
“No, of course not. I came to work for you for the opportunity to better my life, to not be alone all the time.”
“Does bettering your life include seducing me and blackmailing me for money?”
Her forehead cringes and she almost doubles over in pain. “Of course not! I love you. I’d never do anything to hurt you. If I was trying to blackmail you, I could’ve done it a long time ago. Trent, I’ve stood by your side when Parker has neglected you. I’ve waited patiently while you work through this and decide who you want to be with. I’m the one who is here with you right now supporting you while you grieve over your father. Where is she?”
I put my arm around her shoulder and pull her in close to me. Beth is genuine. There are no lies. No agenda. I feel guilty for throwing out her clothes. I tossed them away as if they were nothing. To her, they were months of work caring for my kids. When did I stop appreciating the struggles of those less fortunate? When did I become this guy? I’ve tried all my life to prevent it, to appreciate the small things and not rely on the money. Unfortunately, I’m still the privileged guy I was raised as. “I’m sorry. I just had to know the truth.”
“It’s okay. I’m sure you have a reason for it.”
That right there is the difference between Beth and Parker. She loves me for me. Doesn’t care why I’m doing something and will wait until I’m ready to talk about that. Parker has never been that way. If I don’t give her answers right away, she gives me the silent treatment for a week.
The car comes to a stop in front of the bank. I hand a hundred to the driver. “Wait here with the lady. I’ll be back shortly and then we’ll need to get to JFK.” I squeeze Beth’s hand when she looks at me questioningly. “It’s going to be okay.”
I rush out of the car and grab the suitcase from the trunk, mentally preparing . for a long visit. Banks don’t take kindly to it when you pull a large sum of money out. Most don’t carry huge amounts. However, this bank is a major hub and happens to have an underground vault holding up to a billion dollars at any given time.
I walk in and am immediately greeted by a lady standing next to two security guards at the door.
“Hello, sir. How may I help you?”
“I need to speak with the bank manager. I need to withdraw a large sum of money.”
“Right this way, sir.” She leads me to a leather chair in an isolated part of the bank.
It doesn’t take long before a heavyset balding man approaches me. His suit is crisp and he walks with an air of confidence. “Mr. Davis, I’ve been expecting you.”
The man extends his hand. I stand up to shake it. I don’t recognize him. “I’m sorry. I don’t believe we met.”
“No, sir. We haven’t. I’m Arnold Jacoby, the new bank manager. Nathaniel retired a couple of months ago. Anyway, please come with me. I have a few forms for you to sign before we can release the cash to you. I see you have an adequate carrying case.”
Something tells me my father is behind this also. I silently follow the man to his desk and sit down.
“I’m glad you’ve chosen not to completely shut down your account,” he says. “I hope you’ll consider us for your banking needs in the future.”
“Yes, sir. Your bank has been very accommodating. I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
“I’ve taken the liberty to highlight where you need to sign. If you wouldn’t mind, I need to see your identification.”
I pull the driver’s license out of my wallet before signing the multiple lines. When I finish, he reviews the documents.
“Everything looks adequate. Please follow me to the secure room.”
I get up from my chair and grab Beth’s suitcase, every move I make mechanical. I feel like a robot. We reach a steel door. Arnold uses his fingerprint and enters a code to open the door. After it shuts behind us he nods at the camera in front of us. I glance around and note six others. Another door opens and we move into a smaller room, also filled with cameras. There’s a window with metal bars and what I assume is bulletproof glass. A man appears behind it. He has a cart with stacks of one-hundred dollar bills. He takes them off the cart and pushes them through a small slot. Arnold counts the money as he does so.
Counting fifty million dollars doesn’t take as long as I would expect. My suitcase couldn’t hold it all, so Arnold produced another.
“That must be one heck of an island you’re buying,” he remarks.
When I look at him puzzled, he explains, “Your father said you were buying an island. Do you plan to live there?”
“Uh, no. I want to develop it into a resort,” I lie.
“You’re definitely living the dream.”
“Yes, I am. Thank you for your time.”
If only he knew. I head out of the room and out through the steel doors. There’s a guard waiting for me.
“Mr. Shetfield will escort you to your car. It was a pleasure doing business with you.” I shake Arnold’s hand before following the guard out of the bank.
Once outside, I move swiftly toward the cab. I’m relieved it’s still waiting with Beth inside. Just as I’m about to load the suitcases in the trunk, I hear a voice calling a name I vaguely recognize.
“Mr. Demetriato?”
It’s a very tall, stout man in a black suit approaching me. “Mr. Demetriato, I’ve been instructed to take you to the airport.”
I hesitate a moment. Did my father arrange this? Or is it someone else? My father is the only one who knows about this passport besides the person who made it. I decide to put my trust in him. He hasn’t led me wrong this far. I nod and open the door for Beth.
“Come with me.” She complies and I hand another couple hundred dollars to the driver. “Thank you for waiting. I no longer need your services.”
I instruct Beth to roll her suitcase to the car and I take the other. The driver opens the trunk, I place them inside, and Beth and I get into the back.
“We need to go to JFK,” I announce as the tall man pulls away from the curb.
He glances at me through the rearview mirror. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ve been instructed to take you elsewhere.”