The Thief Redeemer (21 page)

Both of them are worried sick, and she has been so
distraught, she hasn’t noticed. Claire walks into the den and sits next to him.
“Dad?” she quietly asks as he turns his head in acknowledgement. His eyes are
bloodshot and his blond hair is a mess.

“Claire, where have you been?”

“I’ve been out. I attended Marcus’s burial at noon and then
I needed to clear my head afterwards, so…I went out.” She repeats herself
because her dad is scaring her. He looks terrible. How is she just now
realizing this? The guilt runs through her veins as she watches her dad run his
fingers through his hair.

“Tell me what I can do, Claire? Tell me what to do to make
this better and to fix you?”

Her broken heart breaks more as she grabs her dad’s hands.
He is literally worried sick. Claire had thought he was staying home from work
to help her, but now she sees it was because he is such a mess. He couldn’t go
to work if he tried.

“Dad, I’m okay. Really,” she says as he brings his identical
blue eyes to hers. Everyone always said they were a mirror image of each other,
but the only similarities Claire had ever noticed were their piercing blue
eyes. “Well, okay, so I wasn’t good,” she admits, “but now I am. I did some
thinking this afternoon and I’m better. I can even speak with Officer Spenser
now.”

Relief washes over his face as he pulls Claire in for a hug.
“What happened to clear your mind?”

Should she tell him about the twins? Should she tell him
everything? The internal battle raging inside her head tells her yes. “Dad, do
you have a minute? Can I tell you the entire story?”

He nods and shifts on the couch to make himself more
comfortable. “Claire, you have my undivided attention. Please, please tell me
everything. I just want to know that you’re okay.”

Guilt floods though her again as she realizes what she has
done to her parents. They are probably both only a few steps away from having a
stroke, with the toll of the last three months lying heavily on their chests.
Claire decides to start her story at the beginning.

She tells him how she met Brandon at the law office while
Brandon was there posing as an intern. She tells her Dad how charming and sweet
Brandon was, and how they went to lunch. How he blew her off and she went home
dejected and alone. She plays up Brandon’s good qualities, explaining the
reason he rejected her that day at the Cheesecake Factory.

She explains how, days later, she was walking in the parking
garage at school, when the van appeared out of nowhere and took her. How she
was roughly thrown into the back with a sackcloth thrown over her head. Once
inside, she realized another body was with her. She didn’t know Sarah was the
other body until the sackcloths were removed at the warehouse.

She tells her dad how angry Brandon became when he realized
she was the one kidnapped and how he had no idea that Claire was Birch’s
daughter. She speaks about how he protected her and how sweet and caring he was
to her while she was kidnapped. She even tells her dad about what she did to
find the twins. She expects her dad to be angry and lash out, but he doesn’t.
He silently sits and lets her finish her story.

“That’s everything that happened, Dad. That’s the full
story. And this afternoon, I was visiting with the twins. They attended the
burial with me.”

Her dad pauses for a minute before grabbing her hand. Once
again, she thinks he is going to be seriously upset with her, but when he
speaks, his voice is low. “Then why were you so sad? Why were you so upset when
you arrived back home?”

Now it is Claire’s turn to pause because she hadn’t told her
dad the complete truth. Once again, she decides to hold nothing back. She owes
it to her father to explain everything.

“Because I fell in love with Brandon, Dad.” She feels his
body deflate as if she has told him the worst possible sin of her life. “Dad,
please, don’t think less of me. You don’t know Brandon. He’s not the monster
you think he is. I had to have this exact same conversation with him. You both
think the other one is a monster, when the truth is, you’re both great men.”

“I think he brainwashed you, Claire,” her father says
stiffly. “You were the victim in all of this. I don’t like him, and there’s a
reason those files remained sealed. He’s dangerous. You have no idea what that
man is capable of.”

“Dad,” she places her hand on his arm, “Brandon will prove
to us that he will make the right decisions. I’m confident of this. I was with
him almost every day for the past three months. He’s not the monster the news
is making him out to be. I know he will make the right decisions from this
point forward.”

Her dad shakes his head and pulls away from her touch.
“Claire…” he pauses before looking back to her. “You’re my daughter, and you’ve
always had your head on straight. If Brandon does the ‘right thing,’ I will
personally help him. I’ll bend over backwards to help the boy…if he ever makes
the right choice. I’m just glad you’re back. I’m glad he returned you safely.”

He reaches over and grabs her in a huge embrace. She hangs
onto her dad with every ounce of energy she can muster, because she knows he is
telling her the truth.

Like she has known all along, Brandon and her dad are both
good men.

THE WEEKS PASS and the depression
takes over my body. This is exactly how I responded to the deaths of my
parents, grandparents, and the loss of my brothers. The death of Marcus and the
loss of Claire are almost too much for me. I am stuck in Tim’s apartment, never
able to leave, and I think I might be going crazy. I notice Tim and Tommy
exchanging glances, but the ability in me to be angry has vanished.

Most mornings, I find it impossible to get out of bed, as
the painful reminder of what happened consumes me. I should be in despair that
I lost my business, but I’m not. A small part of me is angry about that, but
only a very small part. I’m more upset about Marcus and Claire. I’m mad at life
and God. Why do I always lose those I love? Why am I left all alone in the
world with no one who loves me?

I think back to my brothers. They love me, but I never made
good on my promise to see them again. Now I will be heading to Mexico soon, and
my opportunity to see them will be forever lost.

I’ll be heading to Mexico alone.

My life has gone from bad to worse. I can probably hook up
with all sorts of Spanish speaking women and have mindless sex. I’m thinking
these thoughts to help my depression, but who am I kidding? After sex with
Claire, I can never return to the mindless kind. And I know I will probably
meet some Spanish people and develop friendships, but how do you replace a
friendship you’ve had since high school? The answer is you can’t.

I’m lost and I don’t know the way out. My life is at a dead
end, and I don’t see any potential for hope or light. I sink back into sleep to
numb the pain. I hear my phone beep for the hundredth time, but I ignore the
call. There isn’t anyone on the other line I care to speak with anyway.

“DUDE. GET YOUR ass out of bed.”
Tommy’s voice is rough, and I open my eyes to see him and Sally. It’s light
outside and I have no idea what day or time it is.

“No.” I say as I lie back down and close my eyes. I hear
Tommy sigh and I feel Sally’s hand on my arm.

“Brandon, neither Marcus nor Claire would have wanted you to
be this way. They would have wanted you to live your life and to carry on.”
Sally’s voice is soft and I know why Tommy has brought her. She’s like a mother
to all of us, and he’s brought her to work her charm.

“I have no life to carry on with, Sally,” I say keeping my
eyes closed.

I hear her sigh and feel her rub my arm. “Brandon, that’s
not true. If your life was supposed to have ended, it would have ended that
night. But it didn’t. That means there’s something else out there for you. You
can’t give up. For Marcus and Claire, you can’t give up.”

I open my eyes and see a worried expression on both their
faces. I run my hand down my face and stare at the ceiling. What does she mean,
I can’t give up? I have nothing to live for, isn’t that obvious to everyone?

“But they’re both gone.” I say the sentence to the ceiling
and expect tears to fall, but they don’t. My tears have been so numerous, in
and out of sleep, that I have depleted my supply. I’m officially a husk of a
man.

“Please, Brandon. Get up and eat. Move around some and get
out of this bed. I made your favorite meal. Please, for Tommy and I. Please?”
She’s begging me now, and even though I don’t feel like eating or moving, I
can’t turn down Sally. I nod and sit up, taking in a deep breath.

The world seems different now: plainer, simpler, darker. My
feet touch the ground, and I stand. Except to pee, I haven’t left this bed in
days, maybe weeks, and I stumble out of the room behind Sally. I think maybe
I’ve eaten some food at some point, but I really don’t remember. We walk to the
table and Sally happily starts filling up my plate. She continues to help Amy
set the table while Tommy and Tim join us. The aroma of food overpowers the
room, but I still have no appetite.

I glance at the others talking and carrying on conversation.
Their mouths move but I don’t comprehend what they’re saying. Their lips move
and I hear noise, but that’s what all is: noise. My mind starts to wander, and
I see Marcus lying dead on the floor. Then I see Claire’s face and remember the
argument we had in the alley.

I haven’t been awake long enough to relive the memories, and
thinking about them now causes me to cringe. I start breathing heavier, and
then tears I didn’t know I had start to fall. The death of a loved one always
hits me a couple of days later, never in the moment. I start to shake, convulse,
and scream.

I pick up objects in Tim’s home and start throwing them, my
rage once again consuming me. I’m angry with God and life and I feel like I
might explode. I don’t notice the others, as I allow my emotions to take over
my body. I scream and throw, punch and kick until I have no energy left to
fight.

Then I crumble on the ground in a heap and let the sobs
consume me. I curl into the fetal position and let the misery flow outward. I
continue to release the anger and misery, allowing it to leave my body.

That’s when I notice I’m feeling emotions again. I’ve been
so numb these past couple of weeks. I was never angry, sad or upset; only
depressed. I will live through this. I don’t know how, but I’ll survive. I’ve
survived all the other deaths and losses, and I’ll survive this. Somehow, some
way, I’ll survive. I take a deep breath and pick myself up off the floor. I
don’t look around to survey the damage as I walk back to the table. The eyes of
the others are round and fearful as I sit down in my spot. Thank goodness I
didn’t throw my food because for the first time in weeks, I’m actually hungry.

“How long have I been in the bed?” I ask, directing my
question to Tommy.

“Three weeks.”

I pick up the chicken and take a bite. The taste consumes my
body and I recognize true hunger. The others slowly pick up their silverware
and start eating as well. I don’t join in the conversation. I stare at the wall
and think. I need a plan and one starts to formulate in my head.

This is a daring plan with a daring ending. A plan that has
no choice but to work, with no room for failure. I hear the voices of the
others as I map out my mission step-by-step. Once satisfied with the outcome, I
smile a devilish grin. This will be my final act, the last display of fireworks
Brandon Wilson will show.

I decide to keep my plan a secret. No one would agree with
me on this. In fact, they would call me crazy and beg me to reconsider. But I
know what I must do. It will be the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but
the best one as well. I can’t continue to live my life like this. I’ve always
known something would have to give. The day has come that I have finally
reached the tip of the iceberg.

I ASK TOMMY and Sally to visit for
breakfast the next morning. I want to see them one last time before I put my
plan to action. Yesterday was a turning point in my depression. After dinner, I
headed to the hallway bathroom and showered for the first time in weeks. I
shaved and had Amy cut my hair. It was starting to become shaggy, but I had
enjoyed the feeling of Claire’s fingers grabbing my hair during the best
moments of my life. Now that she’s gone, there’s no need to keep it long. I
might as well buzz it off, but Amy said a simple cut would be best.

Thinking of Claire doesn’t hurt as much now, simply because
I’m about to make a life-altering decision. I head to the kitchen and see
breakfast on the table. Tommy and Sally are already there and we sit and talk.
For the first time in weeks, I participate in the conversation. I learn that
the warehouse has been raided, that Richard came by and took care of business,
and that Simon went to jail. I’ve missed a lot of news while being cocooned in
my bed.

“I’m going to need a car today. Do any of you have one that
can’t be traced?” They look at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I keep a poker
face.

“Boss, do you realize what happens if you’re caught? If
someone sees you? You’re going to jail. Immediately. No questions asked,” Tommy
says, his eyebrows raised.

“Yeah. I’m aware of that. That’s why I need a vehicle that
can’t be traced back to either of you. I need to get out of here. I’m going
crazy. I need fresh air and I’m willing to take the chance of getting caught.”

Everyone glances around the table like I’m a mental patient,
and I lose it. “I need a vehicle! Who’s going to give me what I need?” My voice
rises, and I slam my fist on the table. Tim and Amy jump, but Tommy and Sally
stay put. They’ve seen and experienced my temper countless times.

“I’ve got something you can use, but I think this is a
terrible idea. Isn’t Richard trying to hook you up on a trip to Mexico?” Tommy
asks, stuffing food in his mouth.

I nod, my anger exiting my body. They have no idea what I’m
about to do, and how I need a car to complete my task. And yes, Richard’s called
me almost every day to tell me about the Mexico set up. He’s got me ready to
go. I only need to tell him when.

“Thanks, man. Can I get the car soon?”

“Just take the one Sally and I came in, and we can walk
home. It’s only a couple of blocks.” He hands me the keys and I grasp his hand
and pull him into a hug. I’ve never hugged Tommy before. I’ve never hugged any
of my employees before, but I want him to realize my true appreciation.

I pull away and put my hands in my pockets. “I just want to
tell you and Sally thank you for everything. I wouldn’t have made it these past
few years if it weren’t for you. You’re a true friend and I wanted to say
thanks.”

Tommy looks at me incredulously and mutters out a thanks of
his own. I had better stop with the hugs and sugary speech before my plan is
discovered. If they only knew, they would stop me in my tracks. I tell them
good-bye and let Tim know I’ll be gone most of the day. No one thinks it’s a
good idea, but no one can stop me. I’m a grown man.

I return to my room and grab my family picture sitting on my
nightstand. It’s propped up against the lamp. I don’t even remember placing it
there. I remember Claire running copies of this picture for the twins. I hope
they keep their copies and can remember the good times.

I stuff the picture into my pocket and feel Marcus’s
necklace around my neck. I look in the mirror and see a shaved, clean, new man.
I swallow and grab the car keys. I purposefully leave my cell phone on the
table.

I walk out of the apartment into the garage and close the
door behind me. I step into the Toyota Camry and once again, am thankful for
the thick window tint. I put the garage up and back out the car. It feels
amazing to be leaving the apartment and to be in the sunshine. I roll the
windows down just an inch to let in the cool air, and turn up the radio. I take
deep breaths and realize I want to make a stop before my final destination.

After a fifteen-minute drive, I pull up to the downtown
Catholic Church. This church is massive and I know they allow visitors in at
any time for prayer. I grab a hat to accompany my glasses, and I leave the
confines of the car. I guess if the police arrest me in the church that will be
a good place to go, but hopefully there won’t be a crowd. I open the ancient
wooden doors and walk inside the foyer. I remove my glasses and hat as I walk
into the sanctuary.