Chapter 74 Chapter 74
Tessa
When I finished, I walked to the closet and opened the hidden panel I had made. The money was still there, and all the papers I had gotten from him, all the evidence and reports of what had been done to me, and their identities. I sat down in the living room and laid out all the papers before me on the floor. I had Caroline’s Details, and Claytons. I brought the report that Joe had brought stating Mark and Alex weren't really twins.
I spread and grabbed Caroline’s report. Two kids, a boy and a girl. The kids have nothing to do with this, but I remembered something. I flipped the page, there.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND & LIFESTYLE
Substance Abuse: Documented history of opioid and stimulant use. Known to frequent high-stakes underground "pill mills."
Illegal Gambling: Caroline has racked up significant debts with non-traditional lenders. She is often seen at unlicensed card rooms in the city's outskirts.
Intel suggests Caroline was fully aware of the "Twin Rotation" involving Mark and Alex, likely receiving financial kickbacks or drug supplies to keep the secret and maintain the "happy family" facade for the public.
CPS INTERVENTION & CUSTODY STATUS
Summary of Case #2024-CPS-442: The Rusland children, Leo and Mia, were removed from the primary residence following a midnight police raid that discovered a "dangerous environment" unsuitable for minors. The house was being used for high-stakes gambling and drug distribution.
The Current Arrangement: The children are currently residing with Caroline’s parents (the maternal grandparents) under a strict court-mandated protection order. The children were taken due to chronic child neglect, exposure to narcotics, and a volatile, dangerous home environment fueled by the parents' criminal associations. Per the court order, Caroline has zero contact with Leo and Mia. Her parents have been granted full temporary guardianship and have stated they will testify against her to ensure the children never return to her or Mark's custody.
She was all alone. She didn't have the kids so they wouldn't be hurt in the process. She knew exactly what they did; that was why she showed up. Wait, how did she find my house in the first place?. She either had access to police records, or she followed the detective.
I didn't want her to go to jail; I had other plans for her. I had her address and the places she visits often. She was my first target. I needed a bike, and I would head to Fredericksburg to start, but I needed some sleep first.
I woke up the next morning at nine. I sat up and listened, and it was quiet. I got up and grabbed a shower and treated my wounds, then had a coffee and went to get dressed. I walked into the closet and opened the panel. I pulled what I needed and locked it. It took me almost one hour to get dressed. I stood in front of the mirror looking at myself.
I walked out and headed straight to the restaurant. I needed to speak with Paige and Savannah. I walked into the restaurant and was greeted by Brooks just like any other customer. I took a seat and ordered. I was halfway through when I saw Paige walk in. When he looked around, he saw me, and I waved him over.
"Well, howdy there, ma'am! What can I do for you today?" she asked.
“Just listen to me,” I said.
"Good Lord, Tessa, is that really you?” She whispered quietly.
“Yes, I need you and Savannah to meet me tonight; I’ll come to your place. “At eleven,” I said.
"Alrighty, I'll pass the word along that we'll be fixing to wait on her." She replied, then turned around and walked away. After I finished eating, I paid and left a large tip and headed downtown. I needed a bike, cash, and secondhand. No registration in my name. I walked around and asked and listened until I found a chop shop. When I walked in, I found a guy covered in grease dismantling a wrecked bike.
"Well howdy there, little lady. Now what's a gorgeous thing like you doing kicking up dust in a neck of the woods like this?" he said, and I just stared at him.
“That’s tacky for a Texan. I need a bike, something to blend in, and don’t try me. I don't have the patience for flattery and flirting today,” I said.
"Well, I'll be. It looks like you’re a straight-shooter, and being a Texan, I sure as heck appreciate and respect a lady who doesn't beat around the bush. Tell you what, let’s go get you that bike," he said with a smile.
I left that shop with a GS500. The seat was cracked; it was a matte black paint job. As I kicked the GS500 into gear, it felt exactly like what I needed: nothing. No flash, no roar, just a dull, mechanical thrum that would get lost in the white noise of the city. I pulled the beat-up helmet on, clicking the visor down, and rolled out of the oil-stained garage into the Texas heat. As I merged into the afternoon traffic, I watched a cruiser roll right past me without the cop even glancing my way. I was just another rider on a rattle-can special, another blur in the rearview mirror of a world that didn't give a damn. It wasn't pretty, and it sure as hell wasn't fast, but it was exactly what I needed.
I rode around for most of the day and then headed back to my apartment. After a shower and dinner, I went over my plans in detail. I killed time in my apartment. I left home at ten forty-five and rode over to Paige’s place.
When I got there, I parked the bike but didn't take the helmet off. I knocked on the door, and it was thrown open instantly, and Paige was standing there. I lifted the visor, and she yanked me into the apartment, slamming the door shut. I pulled the helmet off and looked at them.
"Tessa, what's really going on? And don't you dare give me that 'nothing much' routine." Paige said,
"Honey, talk to us," Savannah said. She reached out, resting a hand on my shoulder. "We’ll help you, whatever it is. Books, Colt, all of us... we're your people, Tessa. You’re our friend, and we don't let our own go through the briars alone. Now spill it before I have to get mean," she said.
I let out a sigh and told them. I told them the whole story, everything except about Kai. After I finished, they just sat there looking at me. I didn't know what to expect from them. They rushed over and hugged me.
"We gotcha, sugar; you got us now, and nobody is ever going to lay a finger on you again." Paige said,
"What do you need us to do for you? Just spit it out. You let us know, and we'll divvy up the work between the rest of the bunch." Savannah said.