CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE

SHONDRA:

Present day…

Axel threw a bag on the bed. He stuffed a pair of jeans, a couple of T-shirts, some socks and underwear into it. The sound of the zipper closing, got me moving. That terrazzo tore a hole big enough through my grief to stop Axel in what would be the biggest mistake of his life.

I snatched the bag form the bed, crossing my arms around it, stepping back until I reached the door.

Axel looked startled for a moment. But just for a moment. "Stop playing games, Sho, and give me the bag."

"Don't do it, Axel. Don't go to the island." After we'd both cried a river of tears, I told him what happened. I told him how his half-brother had pushed me down the steps because of his misguided sense of justice. I told him how his father and I buried his child in his mother's grave. I told him how I'd written Jacob's name in the Hammerstein family bible, giving his short life substance and meaning. He had existed. He was real.

Axel had sat silent through it all, the tears flowing from his eyes and onto his bare chest, doing nothing to stave the flow or wipe them away. When I was done, my voice was hoarse with grief. Axel had gotten up, calm as you please, and started to pack.

I knew where he was going. I knew what he was set to do.

He was going to kill William. A poor sick bastard, who according to Paul, had reverted to a child-like state. He was much like Vee's daddy with Alzheimer's— a blank canvas in a dark room.

"That's not what I'm going to do. Now, give me the bag." He was so reasonable, so eerily calm, that I believed him and handed it over.

He disappeared into his closet to get dressed. We headed out when he was done. Him in the lead and me following behind.

As we headed to the parking garage, something—a niggling doubt—made me ask, just to make sure, "If you aren't going to the island, where are you going?"

He didn't answer. His jaw was clenched too hard to do so. I made another effort when we got to his car, a sleek Maserati with a custom paint job that matched his eyes.

"Axel, tell me. Where are you going?"

He opened the door and tossed his bag in the back seat. He then looked at me over the low roof. "I'm going to Vermont. I'm going to confront my father, then sever all ties. And then I'm going to the island to kill the bastard that killed my son. We can talk when I get back."

Without a word, I opened the passenger door and slipped inside.

I didn't consider my business. I didn't consider Vee. I didn't consider taking any luggage or toiletries. And Tony? I'd deal with him when I came back.

Axel needed me, and I wasn't going to let him down.

"Okay," I said. "Let's go." It would take a strong mind and will to haul Axel away from revenge, and I that I didn't have, but I could at least do my best to stop him from ruining his life.

Axel stared at me a moment before a slight smile graced his lips. "That's why love you, Sho."

He got in, started the engine, and putting his foot to the pedal, we drove away into the night.

***

Vermont was even prettier than I thought it would be. The trees were breathtaking in their fall colors. The abscission of the leaves was almost over, but what remained on the trees was nonetheless striking.

Axel drove the rental car at a grandfatherly pace. It seemed he was in no hurry to rush into a confrontation with his father... or view the place where his son was buried.

We didn't talk...much. Same as when we spent the night in the hotel near the airport in Vermont before driving out early this morning. Axel didn't say a word, just lay on one of the full-sized beds and turned his back to me. I lay on the other. In the morning, I woke to find Axel wrapped around me like a blanket. His arm on top of my breasts and one leg over both of mine. I eased from his embrace and went to the nearest Cal-Mart to buy what I needed. A far cry from my labels at home, but they would do. 

And I was happy I could fit into the sizes they carried. That was all the joy I experienced for the entire trip. 

Last night, when we'd gotten to O'Hara, we were able to catch the last flight out. However, there was only one business class ticket left. Axel insisted I take it, claiming he was happy to sit in coach. When he'd left me to walk to the back, I made a few calls.

The first was to Debra, telling her I was leaving town for a few days. She knew what was on the burners and would put fires out when needed.

Then I called Vee. She answered on third ring. Her voice was different, lighter than air and breezier than the wind on the Lake Shore. 

It seemed through the darkness of the night, at least some light had shone through.

Jae and she must have worked things out.

I damn sure hated to disturb them, but Axel needed his friend...

And Jae could get hold of a jet.

***

He was there waiting for us when we arrived.

The ancient butler was coming around the corner, followed by Jae. Axel didn't see him at first as he was busy setting his bag down but when he looked, there wasn't a friendly greeting in his eyes. In fact, those chips of blue grew steely as they registered his friend. He didn't greet Jae, but turned to me instead.

"Sho—"

I shook my head to warn him off. Murder was a private conversation. The last time I was here, it seemed like there was a staff member for every room, and although they'd probably signed a non-disclosure agreement, something could always slip out. "Not here, Axel. Let's go somewhere we can talk privately."

He dipped his head and whispered, "Then take me to him."

Axel walked slightly ahead while Jae and I shot worried glances at each other. The sorrow which trickled up from the soles of my feet to rest in my chest was nearly overwhelming. What kept me from caving, was Axel. He had just lost his son. To be there for him like he needed me to be, I had to compartmentalized my grief in the face of his. 

***

The grave site had changed. 

Paul had put a small plaque in the middle of Marjorie's grave. Jacob's name, date of birth, and death date were recorded on a slab of pure white stone. There were no guarantees that Axel would come here and visit his mother's grave, but if he had, which he now was, he would know or quickly guess something was different. Amiss.

I guessed Paul was ready to tell him the story if he asked, but I had beat him to the punch.

Jae and I stood on either side, ready to catch him if he fell. However, Axel chose to express his emotions, we were ready to support him— within reason.

It was about to get unreasonable.

Paul came out, his face a flushed red. Little puffs of wheezed air escaped from his mouth. Paul and I talked at least once a week, but I hadn't seen him in well over two years and he looked like he had found the weight I had lost.

I knew all about emotional eating, and I, in him, recognized a fellow banger. He had to be. Paul was always a big man, but seeing him, with his belly as wide as he was tall, shocked me. 

"Axel," Paul wheezed, coming to stand in between me and his son. "I wanted—"

He never got to finish what he was about to say.

"Save it, Dad. Just save it. This time is for me and my son."

And with that, Paul wisely left him alone.