Resolutions Part 2
Chapter 7
Helen easily detected from the awkward periods of silence and evasive manner that her younger brother was attempting to hide something.
"Davis, what's going on with you? Is it something to do with Amy Fleming? Is there something going on with you two that I should know?"
"What do you mean Helen? Nothing's going on."
"It doesn't seem that way. I think your feelings for her have moved beyond our agenda to something more. Should I be concerned?"
"No…no, of course not Helen. I'm just playing my part well as I can; trying to do what you asked."
Critically studying her brother, Helen continued. "Davis, don't forget what she and her husband did to me; what they're responsible for."
"I haven't Helen. I'm with you."
"Good! Things are beginning to fall into place. They've discovered the cows and have gone to the police."
"Helen, are you sure killing the cows was a good idea? Especially how you did it? What if you're caught? This may be too dangerous."
"Everything is under control. I told you, it's part of the plan to keep their attention divided while inflicting pain on the family where we can for what they did to us."
"Yea, but killing cows is a capital offense in this area. Was it really necessary?"
"I'm not going to be caught; stop worrying. You always do this. When things begin to get serious, you start whining. We've never been caught before have we? Haven't my plans always worked out?"
"Yes, yes; of course Helen, Maxwell quickly agreed. You're right."
I need to keep a careful eye on him. What a spineless idiot he is at times. I think he's beginning to fall for that bitch. He's always been so weak. She has to pay for what she's done. She and that treacherous husband of hers! At least she appears to have dumped him. They'll pay; they both will pay!
"Hi Bob; how are you?"
"I'm good Lisa; thanks."
"Find anything on the spouses?"
"Some, but there's still a lot of missing pieces. There are a couple of interesting items."
"What are they Bob?...wait, start from the beginning. Tell me everything you found out."
"As I previously mentioned, Maxwell's wife's was Melanie Hastings."
Born 1987
Raised in Calgary
Loved horses
Met Maxwell at a horse auction
"From all accounts, a very well liked girl."
"She and Maxwell married almost four years ago. Nothing unusual until her death earlier this year. Car accident. Apparently, her brakes failed. She was coming up to an intersection, tried to stop at a red light, brakes failed, flew into the intersection and was broadsided on the driver's side. Died a few hours later in the hospital. Maxwell seemed to be genuinely broken up by it."
"You said the other day that there was some suspicion her accident wasn't an accident at all. Why? What caused the police to think it might not have been an accident?"
"Well, this is where one of the interesting things comes in. Normally with something like this, unless given a reason not to, the police wouldn't have considered it anything other than a tragic accident. But during the interviews with the husband, it came out that repairs had been done on the car including brakes only a few weeks earlier. The police checked into that and there was no evidence to indicate the repairs weren't done properly. But they did find something else however to arouse their suspicion. There was evidence of fraying of the brake lines likely after the car left the repair shop. And some thought it might be deliberate."
"This is getting scary Bob. Did the police suspect anyone in particular?"
"Maxwell's sister, Helen was a person of interest."
"Why; why did they think she might have been involved?"
"From what I could gather Lisa, it was mostly circumstantial and intuition. They did extensive interviews with both Maxwell and his sister and the belief with some was that she was too calculating and evasive in her responses. Plus, she had borrowed Maxwell's wife's car only a couple of days before. The problem was, they couldn't come up with any firm evidence against her so charges weren't filed."
"My God Bob; what the hell is going on with these people?
"I honestly don't know Lisa, but with everything that's happened – all the suspicious deaths, I want you to be very careful who you share any of this information with."
"Bob, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying I want you to take extra precaution Lisa. I don't want anything getting back to Maxwell or his sister than you've been prying into their lives."
"You think I could be in danger?"
"I don't know Lisa but I don't want to chance it."
"I'll be careful Bob. The same goes for you. You watch your back as well."
"I will Lisa."
"What about the sister's husband's death?"
Name Jordan Hewitt
Born 1985
Married Helen Maxwell in 2014
"There doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary where his death is concerned. He was thrown from a horse in a show and broke his neck and died a little over a year ago."
"There is one odd thing though."
"What," asked Lisa in hushed tones?
"I can't seem to find any information on him prior to 2014. It's as though he didn't exist; a ghost."
"That's strange; any pictures?"
"None that I could find yet. I'm still digging though."
"This is bizarre Bob."
"I agree."
"I'd like you to keep looking if you don't mind."
"Of course Lisa; anything for you considering all you've done for me."
"It was nothing Bob. Get back to me as soon as you can. Thanks again."
"Welcome Lisa. Talk to you soon."
Heartland
Sitting at the kitchen table as was her usual practice when working on the books for Maggie's, Lou was interrupted by the ding of an incoming email. Toggling to her Gmail account, Lou noticed it was from Ty.
Lou, I told you a couple of weeks ago I would send you something to tell Amy. When you think the time is right, please pass on what I've written below. I just don't have it in me right now to speak to her after all that's happened and knowing what she thinks of me. I was afraid if I sent it to her, she would delete it without opening it knowing how she feels about me.
How is she Lou? Did the doctor get all the cancer? How is she recovering?
Please know that I'll always love you as a sister for the way you accepted me and took me in.
Tears began to form as Lou read the remainder of the email. Ty was special to her and she was heartbroken over what he must be going through.
Well, I know some of what he must be feeling after what happened with Peter and me. Ty, I'm so sorry. I'm going to give Amy a few days before I give this to her. Give her more recovery time and hopefully she'll begin to get back to the old Amy and see what she will lose if she doesn't fix things with Ty.
Heartland, 2 weeks later
Sitting in the recliner she had bought Ty in what seemed ages ago, Amy basked in the morning sunlight streaming through the large loft windows over the bed. The pain from her surgery had largely subsided though she still had to be careful to avoid certain movements. She also was aware of a gradual change taking place with her mental state. She was no longer conflicted inside; she was thinking more clearly; her anger had largely retreated and she felt calmer than she had in weeks. Her sleep was also improving and her headaches were only an unpleasant memory.
"Amy, can I come up for a minute?"
"Sure Lou, come on up!"
"How are you feeling this morning?"
"Better every day; and Lou, I feel like I'm getting back to myself…in other ways too."
Observing the change in Amy's countenance at the reference of her mental condition, Lou indicated agreement with Amy's meaning with a smile. A look of both relief and fear washed over Amy's however.
"Amy, what's wrong? Quizzed Lou hoping her question would encourage Amy to open up about her out- of-character behavior leading up to the surgery."
"I'm beginning to understand now what I did to Ty, and how wrong I was," Amy whispered on the verge of tears.
"But, I also have these feelings for Davis that I can't ignore", Amy choked. But I miss Ty…Lou what should I do?"
"Oh Amy, I'd do anything to help you and please don't misunderstand what I'm about to say, but I can't answer that question for you. It's something you're going to have to figure out and decide on your own. I'll be here to listen and support you, but I won't tell you what to do."
Amy could only nod her head in acknowledgment and wipe away the tears now flowing freely down her face.
"I'm responsible for this mess, I guess only I can fix it. I just hope it's not too late."
"Just follow your heart."
"Amy, there's another reason why I came to see you this morning other than to check on you. I have something for you."
Amy remained silent allowing Lou to continue.
"It's from Ty."
The sisters stared at each other in silence before Amy was able to speak.
"From Ty…what is it?"
"A couple of weeks ago; and please don't be mad at me for not telling you sooner, Ty sent me an email asking me to give it to you."
"Why have you waited?" responded Amy with a hint of irritation in her voice.
"You can fault me for it, but I decided it would be best to wait until you were mostly healed and…back to normal. I'm sorry Amy, but I thought I was doing the right thing."
Studying her sister for several seconds, Amy instinctively knew Lou's heart was in the right place – the place of love one sister has for another.
"There's nothing to apologize for Lou. You did the right thing." And as she spoke, Amy rose from her chair to embrace her big sister who had always looked out for her.
"Oh Amy, I'm so happy your back," said Lou as her tears mingled with her sisters.
"Can I have it Lou?"
Lou handed Amy the folded sheets of paper. "I'm here for you if you need to talk." Without a further word, Lou turned and left the loft allowing her sister to face what Ty had written in his letter.
Amy quickly read through the first part but paused when she got to:
I've decided to leave Heartland and Hudson for good. I'm going to tell Scott that my time away from the clinic will be permanent.
I can't stay here.
Amy's made it clear she no longer wants me in her life and based on what I heard outside of her hospital room, she and Maxwell have feelings for each other so I doubt if my leaving will be of any real concern to her.
To stay in Hudson, so close to all the memories we shared would be too painful. I'm asking you to tell her something though.
Tell her I love her
Tell her she saved my life
Tell her I'd be nothing without her
Tell her she's the most amazing person I've ever known
Tell her I want her to be happy even though she's chosen to no longer share that happiness with me
Tell her I'll always love her
Tell her she'll always have my heart even though it will never completely heal
Upon finishing the last sentence, Amy fingers involuntarily opened allowing the letter to flutter to the floor. She remained still, stared blankly into the room for a few agonizing seconds before burying her face in her hands and sobbing uncontrollably.
What have I done? I've thrown away the purest love and person I'll ever know. All the joy and happiness we experienced together. How could I have blamed him for Spartan?
He built the jumping course for me
He took the fall and went to jail for me when Spartan was stolen
He bet all the money he had; his school money, just to buy back Dexter for me
He showed me over and over again he'd do anything for me
He never gave up on me…on us, when I lost my sight
He's was always there to pick me up and encourage me when I was down
We were building a life together
How could I have let this happen?
That night, Ty was telling me of all the little things he loved about me. Those things that made him feel loved. One of the most special moments we ever shared. He made me feel so loved!
What am I going to do?
I've got to find him.
I'm going to tell him how wrong I was; how sorry I am; that I need him; that I love him!
I'm going to get him back!