Chapter 7
This is Cindy Louis reporting for WXYZ news. Today there was an accident involving the Mayor and his head of security, Officer Lalena Swan. Ms. Swan is reported in critical condition and in intensive care at the hospital. Anyone witnessing the hit and run accident today is requested to please call the police.
Jake had stopped his car as he listened to the report on the radio. “Oh shit, Lalena.” He said.
He was still angry about her having kissed the mayor, but he would never want her hurt. He wondered if his Uncle had anything to do with this accident. But it didn’t make any sense Uncle Ray’s plans were all something completely different. He wanted to blow up the mayor or shot him, or anything violent.
Still there was a nagging in the back of his mind about this accident. “A hit and run?” He thought and wondered if his Uncle was capable of doing this. The report hadn’t said anything about the mayor’s condition.
Jake turned his car towards the hospital and called his work. “Hey Josh, I’m heading up to the hospital, Lalena is up there, she was in an accident. No, she’s not okay; they say she’s in critical condition. Right I’ll let you know. Sorry about such quick notice on this. Yeah thanks man.” He hung up the phone and thought about Lalena.
He parked his car in the parking lot of the hospital. Jake didn’t even think whether or not the mayor would be there, he just wanted to see if she was okay.
“Yeah I was wondering where Lalena Swan’s room was.” He questioned the girl at the front desk.
“She’s in room 3a. You can’t stay very long though, I’m sorry.” The girl said.
“Okay.” Jake said and walked towards the elevator.
He walked into the room and looked over at Rico. Jake could tell that the mayor had been crying the streaks were still showing on his face.
“Did they say if she was going to be okay?” Jake asked Rico.
“It’s touch and go right now. It’s just a waiting game to see if she wakes up or not.” Rico stated. “Look, I’m really sorry. I could never apologize enough to make it up to you. But she’s really special to me.” Rico explained to Jake.
“You’re a playboy how could she be special to you? Couldn’t you be happy with all the other women you’re always linked too?” Jake asked. He was angry at Rico, but more worried about Lalena.
“I know it’s hard to imagine that I could fall for someone. But honestly I love her.” He admitted.
“Does she know this?” Jake asked. His eyes softened a bit and his anger dissipated a little bit.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell her those exact words. I just told her she was really special to me. I wish I would have said them though. I don’t know what I’ll do if she doesn’t make it. The one time I’ve fallen in love with a woman and I lose her. I guess that would be karma paying me back.
“Do you always go after other guys girls?” Jake asked.
“No, I usually have my secretary check them out. The kiss yesterday with Lalena was out of anger and frustration. Come on I know you’re going to be out of this town one day soon, and you’ll leave her here. I didn’t mean to move in on her. But you don’t understand it was just a feeling between us, a strong pulling towards her. Before I knew what I had done I was kissing her. When I realized what I had done I left. I am so sorry; I know that doesn’t make up for it.” Rico explained.
“So what happened between you and my Aunt Shelly then? Was it the same way?” Jake asked.
“Aunt Shelly? Do you mean Raymond Stock’s wife? She’s your aunt, how is that?” Rico asked.
“Yeah she was my aunt. Uncle Ray said that you dated her when they were just getting a divorce and ruined it for him.” Jake asked, his anger coming back a bit.
Rico shook his head. “It was nothing like that at all. You know your Uncle was abusing her right? He used to beat her and leave her bleeding on the floor in their house. I didn’t date her, but tried to help her find a safe house to move too. We were in the process of having it set up when she disappeared. Raymond was questioned about it and said she had moved to Florida. A few months later I got an email from her, it said she had found someone to help her. She thanked me for everything. No one ever heard the story though. She didn’t want to charge him and without her testimony he would win. He’s a rich man and has a lot of influence in the county. I hate to say it, but my hands were kind of tied when it came to dealing with him. When he approached me in my office with that loaded gun, I laid it on the line with him. I was never physically involved with your aunt. She was a very scared woman who wanted to get lost and quickly.” Rico explained.
“What? Shit.” Jake thought back to all those times he had gone over as a child to visit his uncle and aunt. He had often heard them fighting and her crying, but had never seen anything. When he’d gotten older and seen bruises on her, she had said she’d run into something, or something fell on her. He had never even noticed that she was crying out for help. He had always thought of her as a whiner in fact. Now he felt like a complete idiot.
“Do you know what the car looked like that hit yours?” Jake asked.
“No it was dark out.” Rico said.
“I’ve got to go to the police station. I have some information they need to know.” Jake left quickly.
Rico stared out the door as Jake left and wondered what that was all about. It was true he had never told anyone the real story of Shelly Stock. She had been embarrassed and didn’t want a soul to know in town. Even Sally didn’t know the real story about Shelly.