Chapter 61 Secrets of the Past and Debts of the Present
The next day Paul was having his coffee and reading the newspaper when he saw a news story that chilled him to the bone.
“Doug! Look at this!” Paul said, handing the newspaper to Doug.
Doug was shocked to see the report that three men had been found dead in an isolated lot not far from there. The men didn’t have clean records—they had complaints of abuse and assaults. The group was even suspected of killing two gay teenagers over a year ago.
“Paul, do you think Jonathan did this?”
“Honey, do you have any doubts?” Paul asked.
Soon after, the doorbell rang. It was Jonathan’s therapy day. He walked calmly through the door and threw himself on the couch.
“If you’re not feeling well, I’ll leave and come back next Thursday,” Jonathan said, already lying down.
“I’m fine! Jonathan, if I call you lazy, are you going to kill me?” Doug asked.
Jonathan burst out laughing at the question and then shook his head.
“Great! Then get your feet off my couch, you lazy bastard!” Doug shouted, and Jonathan sat up. “So this is the real Jonathan?” Doug asked, showing him the newspaper.
“My uncle and I have business that requires a firm hand. I guarantee no one dies for free. Not after the sessions with you—before, I’d kill first and ask questions later. Now I’ve switched the order…”
“Jonathan, I’m serious! Someone with your temper carrying a gun is very dangerous.”
“Doug, I don’t go around killing people because they stepped on my foot or scratched my car. My weak spot is Elizabeth. Yes, I feel like killing anyone just for looking at her.”
“But you can’t! Looking doesn’t hurt!”
“But I burn with jealousy! My luck is that Elizabeth has no idea how beautiful and sensual she is… If she ever realizes that, I’m truly screwed!”
“Jonathan… I know Elizabeth has scars all over her body. Haven’t you suggested surgery so she could start wearing more sensual and revealing clothes? Are you trying to keep Elizabeth only for your eyes?”
“Doug, what kind of shitty man do you think I am? I’ve always told Elizabeth she’s beautiful and perfect. But if she wants, I’ll pay for the surgery. She’s afraid—if something goes wrong, it’ll be worse… The decision is hers alone!”
“Sorry! Truth is, she already told me that!”
“I’m leaving… Take care, man! I don’t want to have to find another therapist.”
Jonathan left and went to the office. There he found James—they had debts to collect. With the focus on the marriage and Lays, Jonathan and James had let business slide a bit.
“These contracts are a mess!” James said while looking at a pile of papers.
“My father-in-law’s doing. I told you Nathan is inefficient! If he let Dave take over, it would be a little better…”
“Jonathan, your brother-in-law isn’t as good as his father, so the change wouldn’t make much difference. Send these two to Adam—let him handle the collection!”
“At least one man in that family is worth something!” Jonathan said.
“Can I tell you a secret about Adam?”
“Will this mess up what I have with Elizabeth?”
“Of course not! One thing has nothing to do with the other.”
“Then tell me!”
“Adam isn’t Nathan’s son! He’s the son of the man Stephanie had an affair with after she separated from Nathan.”
Jonathan was standing and sat down stunned. He saw the clear difference between Adam and his siblings but hadn’t thought that was the reason.
“Fuck, uncle—what a bomb! Does Elizabeth know?”
“No, and she can’t know! Nathan killed Adam’s father when he was still a baby. Elizabeth was too young to remember that detail. When Stephanie died, I wanted to kill Nathan.”
“Let me guess—my grandfather intervened!”
“Exactly. My father wouldn’t let me kill him. He said if Stephanie had another man, Nathan had the right to kill her and the guy.”
“That other man—he died too?”
“No. You’re talking to him. Nathan saw us together. The only chance I had after Stephanie divorced him was what caused her death.”
James got serious. Sweet memories of Stephanie flooded his mind. He wished he’d had time to love her as they both deserved.
“Well, now you know! Go talk to Adam. Take the debtors to the lot he uses. We’ll hear from him soon.”
Adam’s reputation was spreading in the organization. The boy who had just come of age was known for being cruel in his tortures. Some partners sought him out to handle debts and enemies.
Jonathan tried to hide the comments from Elizabeth. She was against her brother’s position and even more against him changing his personality—becoming cold and distant.
Jonathan visited Adam, explained the job, and left. He easily picked up the debtors and left them tied in the lot. As soon as Adam arrived, the men trembled in fear. One of them pissed himself just thinking about going through Adam’s hands.
“Brother-in-law, need help?” Jonathan said.
“No. Actually, I’d rather you not see what I’m going to do…”
Adam approached the men and took a good look at them.
“Jonathan, do you want them back alive or dead?” Adam asked.
“For now, alive… My uncle wants what’s owed.”
“Fine! Gentlemen, your lives will be preserved—no matter how much you beg to die! And you can be sure—you will beg!”
Meanwhile, James stayed in the office. It was inevitable—the memories invaded his mind, and longing tightened in his chest.
.
JAMES LARSON’S MEMORY
.
Around Adam’s birth, Elizabeth lived with mother. Nathan showed up unexpectedly to see Dave, his 5-year-old successor.
“Stephanie, taking my son out…”
“Good morning to you too!”
Stephanie let him in. He headed to boy’s room—Dave playing games, Adam sleeping in crib, newborn.
“Come on, son!”
Passing living room, Elizabeth clung to his legs.
“Daddy…”
“Leaving, Elizabeth. Not now.”
Stephanie picked her up.
“Take her too. Never with daughter.”
“No patience for girls…”
Leaving with Dave, he asked about baby.
“Whose in crib?”
Stephanie worried—divorced but unsure of reaction.
“Adam’s son of a guard. Here short time.”
Not full lie—Adam newborn, father a guard. Omitted mother was her.
Outing pleasant. Heading back.
“When baby arrive?”
“Adam just born… Didn’t like brother—he cries nights.”
“Brother? Adam your brother?”
“Yes. Mom’s belly grew. She left, returned with him.”
Separated over year—no way his. Nathan thought of organization talk about ex-wife’s child with another.
Arrived. Dave ran to kitchen.
“What fuck you doing, Stephanie? Son with another!”
“Separated—yes! With someone.”
“You, bastard, little bastard—no daylight. Talk to Boss Larson—no pass betrayal.”
Stephanie didn’t cower—cousin James knew.
Nathan called American boss.
“Mr. Larson, betrayal. Stephanie dies!”
“No! No three kids motherless.”
“Deserves punishment. Suggest?”
“Cut financial support. Take everything! If relationship, let man pay.”
Nathan accepted. Stopped supporting. Calm nearly three years.
Adam three—Nathan saw birthday photos. Partner invited; felt humiliated.
“Nathan, youngest fine boy. Nice family. Why not live with wife?”
“Ex! Left long ago!”
“Thought seeing things with guard—but she has another, you alone.” Man laughed.
Nathan drank heavily. Wanted punish. Out control—rage, alcohol. Drove to Stephanie’s.
“Nathan, here this hour?”
“My woman. Kids here. Come when please!”
“Nothing yours! Leave!” Tried close door—Nathan pushed.
“Why do this? Betray?”
“Crazy!”
Noise woke man with Stephanie.
“Wolf, out! Kids wake.”
“Bastard—dare sleep another’s wife?”
“Love each other. No insults.”
“Larson forbade killing her—nothing about you.”
Nathan drew gun, shot man. Stephanie ran to help. He pointed at her.
“Want my son!”
Stephanie cried. Wanted help love—Nathan there.
“Can’t take kids!”
Elizabeth appeared—six.
“Daddy, I’ll go—but don’t hurt Mommy!”
“Don’t want you, meddler!” Slapped hard, knocked down. Entered room, dragged Dave. 8-year-old followed father.
Stephanie called boss—cousin only help.
“James! Nathan crazy. Killed husband, left with Dave. Might hurt boy.”
James went after Nathan personally, sent team for body of man beloved Stephanie loved.