On Monday morning Renee took one look at Martin's face at the local funeral home and opted for the cremation that was offered. You could tell they pealed his face away to remove his brain and the bruises from the beating were still evident even with the pasty gray skin. The mortician didn't want her to see him, but Renee was hardheaded, and it was difficult to say NO to her request. As the gray skin came into view, she began to rethink her demand. Sure, she had seen dead people, but they had makeup on them. Holding the handkerchief to the chest that Brodie handed her. She stood at the metal table thinking about her life with him and the fool she had been. She turned away with Dusty and Brodie flanking her.
They assured her that his ashes would be ready to go on Wednesday for the funeral. She picked a nice vase that must be lined in Gold, it cost so much, to hold the remains she complained as she passed them her credit card.
Dusty went over all the papers Renee provided him. Then he went to the dealership and spoke to the person in charge of the financial things but he also was the HR person. Finding the business life insurance policy taking it along with his stack of death certificates he sent off requests for payments on his different insurance policy.
The Trust left it all to Renee and Brodie found an investment group who was interested in purchasing the dealership if she decided to sell. Renee was waiting for a report from a business consultant of his appraisal. She knows what they paid for the rundown site six years ago. The whole area has built up with their presence.
New stores moved into the area and the exit from the freeway was improved. All in deference to the amount of money they were paying the city coffers. The Mayor, Governor, and Attorney General all came to the payoff party. She wondered if they would be at the funeral or has someone told them the truth about their acquaintance. She couldn't call them friends he didn't have any. Maybe his life's interest was the reason why he shied away from making friends. Unless they were perverts like Rich and Trey his eye-rolling losers, he didn't have anyone but her.
They all climbed into a loner car. Dusty's car was older than hers, so Bradley insisted they take a more dependable vehicle for all the running around they were doing. Renee sat in the back listening to the banter between the brothers about how nice the car was. She decided to give it to Dusty as a parting gift for all his help. Paid or not paid he has been here for her above and beyond the call of duty.
As far as she is concerned, she is set with the insurance and the house is to be paid off with the loan insurance policy. If she gets what she wants for the dealership she will be a millionaire many times over. Sitting in the back seat she has to decide what she wants to do with her life. The realtor is set to put the sign out on Thursday to sell the house. That was one of the main things she has been looking forward to doing is selling the damn place.
Getting rid of this house is her goal. She is not naïve enough to believe that the pain will be gone when she leaves this house. She knew it would help to not look around and wonder if that skanky girl touched that or used her shower. She wonders if he enjoyed sex with the little girls better than her. That plagued her also. What if she is bad in bed and that is why his attention wandered? But he was the one who taught her about sex. So, if she sucks it is his fault. But what if Agent Parker thinks she is bad too? Oh Lord, how is she to know it's not like she was a porn watcher.
Martin isn't around to ask the whys and when. The tears started again she wished she could control them, but she needed help. Should she sell the business to move to Timbuktu where no one knows her? Twisting a tissue in her hand she looked up and Brodie was looking back at her. He shared her sad look extending his hand to hers he squeezed.
"You don't have to do everything today Renee. Just slow down and relax it will be all there tomorrow," Brodie told her.
"Didn't you ever just want to get away from something so badly? That is my ultimate goal to get the hell out of that house."
"Then rent a house or apartment and rent furniture too. Your house may take a while to sell," Brodie offered.
She knew they didn't know the housing market in Austin, and it could sell that day. The realtor was excited at the prospect indicating she had someone in mind as they spoke.
*
The funeral home was packed shocking Renee. She was thankful the real reason he was in jail hadn't hit the news yet. Agent Parker indicated they would try to keep it in-house. Following the leads with the other two men and leaving Martin out of the discussion if possible. Finding e-mail addresses on his computer has helped. Martin was no computer whiz so deleted files were easy to find.
Brodie let Renee out of the back seat as Dusty came around and helped escort her into the building. Others were waiting by the door for her to come and go in. Monica and her kids were among the first to greet her. Receiving many hugs her tears kept flowing as Monica took her arm and walked her into the viewing room.
Someone had blown up pictures of him and tastefully displayed them on a stand. His happy smiling face greeted everyone as they entered. The urn was sitting on a platform surrounded by flowers. It looked so peaceful she thought as she entered the building.
Renee sat in the front row after shaking hands with dozens of people who stood as she walked by. They hadn't heard she was divorcing his ass. She was genuinely upset at his death but some of those tears were gratitude that his actions weren't dragging her into the toilet with him. She could have had her life ruined by his actions. She would not accept that any of this was her fault. He screwed up royally.
A number of his employees spoke about him, and the Mayor spoke about his business in a friendly manner. All Renee could think was if they only knew and thank God they don't. The rest of the day was a blur until Dusty opened the door to her house. That was when she came back to reality. She had heard that people could lose time but thought that was an excuse for screwing up. But she only remembers Monica patting her hand and everything else was a blur.
She could hear the brothers in her kitchen in whispered conversation she assumed they were concerned about her. Brodie stepped into the living room with a glass of wine smiling slightly at her as he approached.
"Here sweetheart I think you need to relax," he offered passing her the glass.
She could hear the apprehension in his voice.
"I haven't gone crazy Brodie so relax. I think I'm just a little overwhelmed right now. Maybe I need to take a break for a little while. Everyone keeps telling me to relax. I think I'm going to take their advice," she said taking a deep sip of the wine and relaxing back in the chair. "I'm going to let Bradley do what he does best run the dealership and I'm going on vacation. Maybe somewhere warm and sunny with a nice white sandy beach would be nice"
"That does sound nice," Dusty says as he comes into the living room and passes a beer to Brodie. "I'm glad to hear you have been thinking about yourself. So far it has all been about the dealership, so this is a step in the right direction." He took a seat and relaxed back also. This had been a trying day for them all.
"You're right but that has been my life for the past ten years. Ever since I met Martin the conversation has been about acquiring the dealership. Once we had it then the conversation went to making it successful," she told them, "I'm going to go and hide for a while. Bradley has been running the place for a long time while Martin was out playing with little girls."
"You have to watch out what you say around other people if you don't want that to come out," Dusty reminded her.
"I know but you're well aware what a jerk he was. But I do know how to mind my manners so don't worry. I'm going to fly away from here where no one knows my name. Where no one knows anything about me, and I hope I don't have to show my driver's license every time I want a drink. I have taken to wine quite readily," she said lifting her glass to the guys sitting on the couch.
"Sounds good do you have a passport?"
"No."
"Well, that will limit your travels. There are some nice places in the states or US-held islands," Dusty offered.
"Oh, I hadn't thought about that. Maybe I should go to a travel agent and see what they have to offer. I wouldn't know where to go at this time of year. It is just now cooling down around here so where do you go and when are the quieter times at those places?
"I don't mind people being around I just don't want to go during spring break. You know," she said and took another drink of her wine. "I'm hoping you guys will stay the night and take me to the dealership tomorrow so I can deal with that loner," she asked.
She has the deal worked out with Bradley already. He will have the paperwork waiting for them when they arrive. She plans a quick kiss for them both handing him the paperwork and key then she is going to escape. Bradley was to work it out as cost and depreciation, so the car wouldn't be that expensive for her. So, once it is in his name, he has to take the car and Brodie can drive the old one home. Renee smiled contently she could do something to enhance his life. They have done so much for her.
He could have not taken her case, or he could have stayed in Houston, and she would have never known about all Martin's dalliances. She would have just divorced him, and he would have continued messing with little girls spreading his STDs. The thought gave her the chills. Then she realized she should get a reward for turning in those two perverts. Then she realized she should get a reward for turning in those three perverts. Then she realized she may have drunk too much. Shifting from her chair she announced, "I'm going to bed. Make yourselves at home there is a bunch of menus in the drawer by the fridge of places that deliver. I'll see you in the morning," she told them and made her escape.
"Boy, she is a lightweight," Brodie said watching her climb the stairs.
"She is so don't encourage her to drink," Dusty told his brother mister filling her glass to the top man.
"She needed to relax."
"Well, she did right to bed way too early," Dusty smarted back.
Renee chuckled listening to them argue. "Brothers," she whispered and closed her door. Agent Parker hugged her at the end of the funeral she remembered that. He told her to call him if she needed to talk to someone. She had been a crying mess the whole time. No amount of condolences helped calm her. She didn't want pity she just wanted out of there.
Monica was trying to talk her way into coming home with her, but she begged out not wanting to deal with her. Of all nights she didn't have the energy to deal with her lectures about how God will take care of her. He didn't do a very good job for her, or the girls Martin got a hold of. Will they ever find those poor girls he turned over to the sexual deviants? Had they used his charms and good looks to lure them away from their homes to be used by perverts? She didn't know they found that apartment complex full of children to be used by the deviants of the Austin area.
She washed her face slipped an oversized t-shirt on took her phone and crawled into bed. She had programmed David Parker's number in her phone as she sat in the back seat. Checking the time, she found the number and called. He had told her his first name as he hugged her at the funeral.
"Yes hello," Renee called out to be heard over the loud music.
"Renee is that you?" David asked it sounded like he was in a bar or restaurant.
"Yeah, it is me. You sound like you're busy."
"No just grabbing a bite to eat with friends. Can I call you back when I'm in a quieter place? This place has great ribs but is noisy," he complained sounding disappointed he was busy the first time she called him for something more than to arrest someone.
"Sure, I'll wait for your call. And thanks for being so nice to me today," Renee said loudly to make sure he heard.
"No problem I'll talk to you soon," he said, and as he was hanging up, she could hear him say, "I'm coming."
She wished she was saying that to him. But it sounds like he was just being seated so it will be a while. It was also nice to hear he has friends that he sees. Martin was not friendly with many people. Maybe if he had been more sociable people could have figured out, that he was not what he seemed. She turned on the local channel to see if they covered the funeral or anything else about Martin.
Growling in frustration she was so tired of worrying about when his sickness would be found out. In the second segment of the newscast, they just said that he was buried, and he will be missed.
"By whom?" Renee questioned.
The news was over, so she scanned the menu for something on. She heard the doorbell ring and knew the brothers had ordered something. She also knew in a matter of seconds she should be able to smell what it was. Finding an episode of House Hunters International she relaxed back and watched a young family try to find a house in Wales. It looked like a dreary place to live to her, but she was just wasting time waiting for David to call her back.
Thinking about his name she thought he did look like a David. She envisioned the statue and thought he could give that thing a run for its money with his build. Drawing her attention back to the TV was a house with a tiny kitchen and the bedrooms were the size of her closet. She wondered how they could live like that. Her mind went to the living conditions when she grew up remembering their tiny two-bedroom mobile home and knew it could be done. The smell of pizza wafted into her room and her stomach growled. Contemplating begging for a piece the phone rang and she grabbed it seeing private she knew it was him.
"Hello."
"Hi, I hope it is not too late."
"No not at all. I was just watching TV and relaxing."
"That's good it was a trying day for you," David commiserated to her.
"It was, I'm just glad it is over, and I can move on," Renee offered sounding down. "I think I'm going to take a vacation and get out of here for a while. Maybe things will settle down without me around."
"Sounds good where are you interested in going?" he asked just to keep her talking.
"Well, that is a good question. I don't have a Pass Port so it has to be US held my attorney told me."
"He is right. We had a case in the Houston area, and it led us to a nice hotel in the US Virgin Islands. We were all trying to be one of the Agents to be stationed there, but we solved the case too quickly for me to go."
"You sound disappointed."
"I was they say it was beautiful even in the dead of winter. I can only imagine how nice it would be in the summer. Hurricane season is almost over and lucky them they were missed by the bad ones."
"Lucky them, I hadn't thought about storms. I figured I would call a Travel Agent and see what they think is a good deal this time of year."
"Good idea," he said, and she heard his car door close. She was not sure if he was getting in his car or out of his car. The jingle of his keys sounds like he is outside.
"Are you just getting home?" She asked.
"I am but if you want me to come over, I will be glad to," he told her soft and sexy and her body buzzed with want.
"I'm sure you would but Dusty and Brodie are here."
"So, you already have company?" he clarified.
"Ha, Ha yes they are here. Tomorrow the For-Sale sign goes up on the house so I think if I leave it would be easier for everyone. With any luck it will sell while I'm gone." She told him and heard him drop his keys into a bowl and visualized his apartment to be on the second floor because it took him some time to get indoors. He has a side table by the door for his keys wallet and change. She heard it all go into the same bowl. He was a man of habit. He had his routine and stuck to it. He has a bachelor pad with black foe leather furniture and a sexy black recliner he would kick back in and watch the games when he was home.
When he was home there was her biggest problem with him and the job he has. As she understands FBI men are married to their job. Gone day and night for weeks on end is their life of fighting crime.
"Well, it sounds like your home, so I'll let you go and relax yourself," Renee told him, he was not what she needed, and to ask him to walk away from his job was too much.
"OH, really I was looking forward to talking to you for a while. Are you sure," he asked sounding disappointed.
"Yeah, it is late, and I have another busy day tomorrow. I also have to kick Dusty out of my life now that I don't need a divorce lawyer anymore. But they have been a God sent to me."
"Yeah, for the case too, they just opened it all up," David offered.
"They did; Dusty told me at our first meeting he was a cheater and like them young. I outgrew him, so he was after younger meat," she said sounding as crude as she meant to be.
"The man was stupid. You're amazing and as usual, they don't know what they have until it is gone."
"He knew I was gone during our last visit. Anyways he is gone too," She said matter of factly. She wanted this call to end but not to upset David.
"So how long do you plan to be gone?"
"I'm not sure I haven't even talked to anyone yet. I just want out of here and I have money so why not."
"No, I agree, yeah go have fun and come back and call me."
"You want me to come back in a better mood?" Renee asked sounding sexy.
"I would. But I understand you're sad. I would love to be around a happy Renee."
"So, would I. I haven't been happy for many years so it would be interesting to be happy. So where is the hotel you were talking about?"
"It's the Paradise Hotel US Virgin Islands is all I know. Look it up on the computer. I have heard it is a great singles place with a beautiful setting. It is safe to go there the case had nothing to do with the hotel and the bad guys have been captured. They were from Texas, but they are all dead or in jail."
"That is good to know. So, it is nice and in a good location?"
"Yes, as far as I know. Are you going alone?" David asked.
"That is a good question. I hadn't thought about asking anyone to go with me. It would kind of defeat the getting away from everything plan."
He laughed and said, "True but you sure you want to go somewhere far away all alone?"
"The thought hadn't bothered me until now; but yes, I would. I'm a big girl and I should be able to handle being by myself. I'm looking forward to being on my own," she told him. She has been under Martin's thumb all her adult life now finally I can be who I am not what he wanted me to be. The need to go shopping for casual clothes hit her hard as David told her what he was told about the hotel. It all sounded good so she will check it out after the brothers leave and her life settles down.
The house goes up for sale tomorrow her life may never settle down. She was back to needing to let him go. She had to make sure before they left in the morning that the beds were made, and the dishes were done. She needs to call Blanca and tell her that she is selling the house and how clean it needs to be until it sells.
"David, I need to let you go my mind is beginning to reel with all I have to do. Thanks for the tip on a vacation place."
"I noticed I was just blabbering with no response from you," he teased.
"Sorry life is dragging me back, so I'll talk to you later," she said and hung up.
*
Morning came way too soon; but to her surprise, the boys had cleaned up after themselves, beds were made, and all was clean. They must not realize she has a maid for that.
"I need to have you two stay with me more often," she teased as Brodie presented her with a cup of coffee. He was who she needed to marry; he would always be home, and he wouldn't know if she was lousy in bed or not, she thought as she smiled up at him. No, he was not a muscled man, but he was cute, sweet, and very helpful. All he needs is a place to put his computers and he would be set according to what she understands. She was pretty sure she could entice him away from his computer for a little hanky panky for years to come. She wondered if he wanted children. Shaking her head, she needed to get out of there she was about to come on to Brodie just for some attention. Oh, and he is leaving town today she reminded herself. It looks like Dusty would be lost without him too.
Making a quick survey of the house she was pleased with the cleanliness and if the lookers aren't, they can bite her, she decided. She picked up her purse and was ready to go. Dusty drove the new car as Brodie followed them to the dealership. Bradley met them at the front door papers and keys in hand.
Renee quickly hugged them both and made her escape. She was not taking no for an answer. As she looked back, she saw Dusty trying to pass the keys back to Bradley as he passed the other set to Brodie and handed Dusty a pen to sign the papers. He needed his address to send the new tags to when they come in. She watched as they searched the building with their eyes, but she was hidden behind a dusty fake fichus plant. She needed to get someone to clean that nasty thing or toss it and buy a new one. She ducks further back in case they continue to look for her. Walking to the side entrance to the repair area she smiled and waved as the mechanics looked at her.
She watched from a side door as the brothers laughed, sand miled, patting each other on the back. They played rock, paper, and scissors to decide who drove it home she guessed. It appears that Brodie won he slipped in the front seat with the biggest smile on his face. Poor Dusty was not so happy, but it was his car in the long run he would be driving it the most. She wondered if they both still live at home.
Her phone rang seconds later. It was Dusty she knew the number well.
"Hello."
"You're sneaky," Dusty whined.
"You wouldn't have taken it if I had just suggested it," she pointed out.
"No, but thanks for the gift and you shouldn't have done this,"
"I shouldn't do a lot of things I do, but it made me feel good to see your smiles. Give Brodie my love and I owe you my life, so it is way too cheap to express my gratitude to you. So, enjoy and if you need anything call me. Thank you Dusty you are the best," she said and canceled the call she had nothing else to say.