Transcending Queen (11 page)

When he acknowledged, “You don’t have to make
excuses. It doesn’t matter if it makes sense or not. I can retire
and we can get a fresh start.”

“Is that what you want?”

“I can stay in Barrington.” He
acknowledged.

“You didn’t answer me.”

“We could be together.”

“Is that what you really want?” I asked.

“We’d work it out.”

“You’re avoiding the question.”

“I want you.” He took a seat on my bed
tapping the mattress waiting for me to join him. I reluctantly
obliged which eventually ended in us cuddling. No more excuses came
as I lay quietly in his arms. Max came to mind, I thought about my
battle to change him remembering how it exploded in my face.

“Hey, you ok? You look tired.”

I gave him half a grin as I buried my head in
his chest and told myself, “Say nothing.”

Chapter 16 – We Are One

Father Clayton struggled as his day was jam
packed with appointments, not to mention the usual run by the
warehouse. He stopped by the coffee shop, and then to the church
for yet more appointments. He refused to fathom anything ruining
his mood today, not now.

By the time he arrived at the warehouse,
exhausted was an understatement. Rich and Angus were there taking
care of business as usual.

“Back so soon?” Rich asked smiling.

“Yea fellas, what’d you have for me?”

“The usual, you’re retirement fund.”

“Right, doesn’t that sound grand?”

“What are you talking about?” Rich questioned
not believing his ears.

“A permanent vacation, tap into the old
retirement fund.”

“You retire, I won’t believe it. You’ll die
doing this.”

“No boys, I’m starting to have a change of
heart.”

“Who would take over?”

“People are getting too close these days.
It’s getting too risky, my priorities are changing.”

“So, what would happen to us?”

“Probably shut it down, I guess.”

“That’s it, we don’t have a say in this?”
Rich asked.

“Have you ever?” Father reminded him.

“We’d be out of work, no financial flow.”
Rich stated watching Father Clayton’s reaction.

“I understand it’s a little sudden, why don’t
you go ahead and keep this money. I don’t want it. Consider it to
buy your silence; you both can keep this operation running until
they shut it down. If the warehouse gets raided, let Tony take the
fall.”

“Alright boss, it was good while it
lasted.”

“No comment, as far as I’m concerned this
business venture never existed.”

Back in his car, he watched the view of the
warehouse become smaller in the rearview mirror as each mile passed
he knew he’d never return. Just like that with a snap of his
fingers that mess was over. Now on to the coffee shop for another
type a fix, a caffeine jolt for the second time that day to calm
his nerves.

Jack had been camped out spending most of his
time drowning his sorrows in coffee with one ear firmly planted to
the ground diligently waiting for a break in the case. He cleared
his throat before taking another sip of lukewarm mocha when he
heard a voice beckon that made him cringe.

“Hello Jack.”

“Holy shit Father. Where’d you come
from?”

“Same place as you, I suppose. Just came in
to get a caffeine jolt with extra kicks of espresso. It seems like
you could use some of mine, death has come a knocking by the looks
of you.”

“No thanks, all this coffee is getting to me,
should give it up for lent.” He said and forced a smile. Jack
suddenly felt sick and more tired than usual. If it hadn’t been for
Melissa he might’ve quit pursuing a while ago. That particular
thought made Jack even more frustrated.

“What are you doing here, Jack? What are you
really doing here in these towns? I seem to be your main
concern.”

“Melissa is my main concern. I came with her
to help, taking a break from the big city.

But it does sound like you’re letting a
little paranoia set in.”

“Well now, you can go back to Barrington.
She’s getting all the help she needs. I’ll take it from here.” He
confirmed with a wink.

Jack fantasized about tearing him apart limb
from limb. Alas, he held firm keeping his poker face uneasy about
the card Clayton would pull next. It’s as if Clayton could see the
whole picture while Jack still scrambled to piece the puzzle
together. Was it the way he carried himself or the words that
rolled out of his mouth, like God himself fed him the answers.
“Good to know, but I think I’ll stay.”

Clayton took it upon himself to lean over the
table and whisper, “Do you honestly believe anyone will talk if I
don’t want them to? What little you do know is because I’ve allowed
you to find out.”

Those words made Jack’s skin crawl and his
temper spiked as he sat still clenching his teeth while gripping
his coffee cup. What he could do to this man if given half the
chance.

“It seems as if you have some rage issues
boiling beneath the surface, I’d hate to be in your shoes up
against a man like myself.” Clayton proclaimed.

“Well, nice seeing you again Father, I’m sure
you need to get running off to inspire others with your words of
wisdom.”

“Oh yes, those words of wisdom come in handy
where Melissa is concerned. She’s a sweet little thing, so young
and innocent like plucking juicy supple fruit from a maturing
tree.”

“You son of a bitch…” he swung to connect and
cracked Clayton’s jaw to take that slimy grin of his face, but the
minute he connected it registered as a colossal mistake. In slow
motion, he spectated as Father Clayton threw himself into the trash
can to provide dramatic effect that got everyone’s attention.
People gasped horrified at the calamity.

Two barista makers rushed to his side helping
him regain dignity after witnessing a clear attack on their beloved
local savior. Of course, Jack got asked to leave and told to never
to return after this shocking turn of events. He didn’t even fight
it knowing a losing battle when he saw one before leaving to find
his car in the parking lot, but Clayton couldn’t leave well enough
alone.

“Jack…”

“Leave me alone, Father. Nice acting in there
by the way.”

“No Jack, wait. I hope you and God can make
peace. It takes a lot for a man like you to punch a man like me.
You need to cut your losses sometimes, you understand?”

“Go fuck yourself.”

“Seriously Jack, come on, I’m a losing battle
to you.”

“Yea, I got it, but let me just say that you
my friend are no man of God. You’re not even close, so that means
you can be broken and exposed for who you truly are.”

“Are you sure about that? Lots of people
would beg to differ.”

Jack got into his car and slammed the door to
shut him out, “How could this guy get under my skin so much? He
hides behind that uniform brainwashing people. Crap, I just
answered my own question.”

Father Clayton high tailed it back to Melissa
before Jack could get to her. He went on a hunt to track her down
when she was sitting in a pew at his church the whole time right
under his nose. He made a seat for himself beside her. She glanced
to immediately notice his chin red and swollen.

“What happened?”

“Can we go into the confessional? I need to
talk to you in private.” He said under his breath and glanced back
at the doors secretly waiting for Jack to bust through.

“Yes, of course.”

We made our way into the confessional and
took seats in front of each other knees touching, “I’m the bearer
of bad news, Jack did this to me.”

“Wait…what? Jack? Where’d you even find
him?”

“At the coffee shop, he found out we’re
together. He punched me.”

“What? Why? Hold on, this doesn’t make any
sense.”

“I know and I’m just as shocked as you. But I
must tell you, he doesn’t look good.”

“Did you hit him back?”

“No, of course not, people were shocked and
confused. They banned him from that place.”

I put my thumb to my mouth as I started
anxiously chewing on the nail. I needed time to think about this
new turn of events. I hadn’t seen Jack in weeks myself and then to
hear this story. It didn’t make any sense and the fact that there
were witnesses made it even worse.

“Come here”, he said reaching out. I gave in
not knowing right from left as my mind spun out. “You’re shaking
like a leaf.” He took off his jacket, removed his clerical collar
and undone a couple of buttons down his shirt before placing his
jacket over my shoulders to help stop the shaking. It didn’t
working because I wasn’t cold. He threw his jacket on the ground
and rubbed my arms, but that didn’t help either. He leaned in for a
kiss as I yanked away. “Don’t pull away from me again.”

“Please stop, I need some time.”

“Time for what, you don’t believe me?”

“That’s not what I said.” I assured starting
to reverse my direction away from him.

“You’re scared of me.” He didn’t waste any
movement before shoving me up against the confessional gripping my
throat. “Don’t you trust me?” he questioned quietly as my eyes
started to bulge and my face turned red. “I should be the one you
have faith in, not Jack.” He whispered knowing he had my life in
his hands and in complete control of what would happen next. I felt
like a helpless, defenseless animal in his clutches, not knowing
whether he’d snap my weak neck or what he had in store for me next.
He released his grip from around my throat and shoved his hand over
my mouth to keep me silent. “I’m going to ask you again, do you
trust me?” he questioned taking his hand slowly off my mouth
waiting for a response.

“Yes, I do.” I said in a calming tone
although my voice sounded shaky.

“I feel as if I need to bring a lawsuit
against Jack.” He said with a stone cold stare insistent on
crowding my personal space.

I kept an eye on him expecting to hear more,
but there was nothing. “I don’t know if that’s necessary?”

“He shouldn’t go around hitting people,
especially someone like me.”

Confused, I rubbed my forehead in a stall
tactic trying to pick an answer out of thin air. “I think he’s
learned his lesson.”

“You’re taking his side?”

“No, I mean, I know Jack and he’s not one to
start a mess without provocation.” That bold statement flew out of
my mouth and I regretted it immensely.

He didn’t answer back. I couldn’t tell what
he was thinking, but held still not sure what terror would reign
next. I had to try and talk him out of pursuing Jack, that’s the
last thing any of us needed right now.

“People are coming soon for a class.” He
mumbled while motioning for me to move.

“I believe you, but taking Jack to court is
not the answer.”

“Just leave, you’re not supporting me. Whose
side are you on anyway?”

“I could ask the same of you. Can you leave
everyone behind if you retire? The adoring congregation and the
people who look up to you, it’s a drink you’ve been sipping on for
a good, long while.”

He listened and then asked, “Are you
done?”

“Is your ego?” I asked afraid.

He silently walked away letting me go as I
secretly expelled a cleansing breath, although it didn’t cleanse
anything.

Chapter 17 – Roses Have Thorns

Jack made a break in the case when he
overheard the woman he’d been forced to hang out with proclaim to
another that Clayton was involved and a part of this prostitution
ring. Now, he just had to find a way to prove it. The last couple
of weeks have been more than a little chaotic while being involved
within this inner circle, but not a lot of information came forth.
It did allow for him to blow off some steam, but even in the throes
of passion they weren’t about to cross their meal ticket. He
hurried to the office hoping for some more information from someone
outside the loop.

“Hey Jack, long time, where have you been?”
Luann asked enthusiastically.

“Hi Luann, I need your help.”

“Why is this constantly happening these
days?”

“Sorry, I really do apologize, but we trust
you.”

“What’s the question.” She said
begrudgingly.

“Father Clayton, what trouble does he have
himself in?”

“Again with this question, aren’t you
supposed to be finding this stuff out during this thorough
investigation of yours?”

“I’ve run across a prostitution ring. I’ve
been there and I need to know who’s running it, I think Clayton’s
involved.”

“I’ve only heard rumors, probably for the
best. Ignorance as they say…”

“Right, I got it. You know more than you’re
letting on. Please, you’ve lived here your whole life. You have to
know, help me take the bastard down.”

“I can lead you to a guy who will be more
helpful. You’ve met him before, it’s Tony. The bar attracts some
ladies on special nights. That’s all the information I have. I
don’t know if they’re part of a prostitution ring or not, but you
can ask him.”

“Thanks Luann, if I wasn’t such a gentleman
I’d kiss you!”

“By all means, but don’t thank me yet until
you talk to Tony.”

Father Clayton a couple of blocks away
brought Joseph in to reveal his plans, “Nice to see you again.”

“So, what’s this meeting about?”

“I’m retiring, leaving town.” He announced
not sure how Joseph would react.

“What are you saying?”

“Melissa and I are leaving.”

“This is awkward. I could’ve sworn you said
this wouldn’t happen and I begged you not to let her get under your
skin.”

“I can’t explain it. I just want a normal
life.”

“Have you told her this? I mean, just the
other day you said you could only love yourself.”

“We’ve discussed leaving so both of us can
get a fresh start.”

“She’s a kid, Colin. She deserves better.”
Joseph insisted knowing full well what was really on his mind.