A WOMAN APART: Chapter 17 - IN SEARCH OF DEMONS

by tarskeewee08

The sun was blinding him. He pulled down the visor and got some relief. John drove into the Philadelphia on Interstate 95 dazed.

Wess told him that at 17 years of age Dennis Hunt picked up his fathers hunting rifle stuck it in his mouth and pulled the trigger. His mother still lived at their original residence or at least that was the last known address for her. The idea of a teenager committing suicide wasn't that shocking with all that he'd seen in his career. But the news of this hit him in the chest hard. He felt a part of Evangeline's pain.

He was on his way to find out what would make Dennis do something like this. If he was Evangeline's boyfriend at the time he had a greater understanding of what might have caused her emotional retreat inward. This had to be the most traumatic thing anyone could live through.

He looked at his cell phone and considered calling her but changed his mind. When he saw her again they would resolve these issues once and for all.

Evangeline sat in her office and stared at the phone. Maybe she should call him just to make sure he's okay. She was tired yesterday and although she felt it best that they end it, she tossed and turned all night wishing he was next to her. She tried to shake the urge to see him and reached in the drawer for her purse.

Earlier she'd spoken with Davis and it was time to get the show on the road. She needed to see the Barkers and resign as their attorney today. Prosecutor Davis wanted her to get out of attorney privilege and get closer to Eugene but Evangeline didn't know if she could stomach it. She would quit and see what their next move was. Either way it was a better distraction than pining away for John.

Layla walked into Capricorn. She'd spent most of they morning checking out Llanview and shopping with Lisa. She was excited when her mom said she wanted to nap before they saw Van later today. A drink and nice lunch by herself was too tempting to pass up.

The man with the dreads from last night was at the bar talking to a sexy looking Italian man. They both turned and looked at her. The intensity of their stare made her blush. She walked over to the hostess and let her lead her to a table. She looked back to see them still watching her. Maybe Llanview wasn't so bad. Before she decided whether to give them a welcoming look Antonio appeared at her table.
"We just keep running into each other" he said smiling down at her.
Layla smiled back "Officer Vega, hello"
"Eating alone?" he asked looking around to see if her mom was with her.
"Yep, care to join me?"

Antonio sat down at the table and stared at her "So Layla, what's on the menu today?"
Layla smiled "What you got a taste for?" she said leaning into him
Antonio shook his head. Looks like lunch was going to be interesting.

John pulled up to 298 Weatley Street, the house that Wes said Dennis Hunt grew up in. The grass was overgrown and white paint was chipping from the walls.

He saw the FOR SALE sign before getting out of the car and was disappointed. Closing his car door he walked up to the fence and stared at the house. "So this is where you grew up" he said to himself.

He looked up the street and saw a neighbor outside working in her yard. She looked to be in her early 60's and John thought it was a good start. Wes was unable to give him any relatives or friends to look up for information on Dennis. The older lady looked up as John approached her gate and smiled.

"Excuse me" he said
The lady smiled at John "Hello"
"Hi, do you know the Hunts that lived down this street?"
The lady leaned on her rake and looked at the house and frowned "Sure did, it was just Patricia Hunt though and she died several months ago."
John looked back at the house and felt sadden by the news. "Did she have any kids?"

The lady nodded "She did, very sad, a son who killed himself years ago. Ripped that family apart. Her husband left her shortly after that"

John put his hands in his pockets and thought about it. "Any friends or relatives around that could tell me more about this son?"

The lady looked at John suspiciously "Why so much concern over this family young man, what did you say your name was?"

He smiled at her "I'm sorry, my name is Detective John McBain" he said pulling out his badge and showing it to her. "I'm doing an investigation into what happened to that young man and would really appreciate it if you could help."

The lady nodded "Of course, my niece went to high school with him. Her name is Candace Frazier, she lives in North Philly. If you wait a moment I'll get her number for you."

John agreed. Maybe this Candace could help him.

Evangeline got out of the car and walked into 'Divas'. As usual the girls were swinging from the poles and the men were leering. She walked through the bar and could swear someone brushed against her behind as she passed. She ignored it and kept going.

This time Fred was sitting at his favorite table in the corner of the bar. She marveled at how he was able to squeeze into the booth and rolled her eyes at the two large pizza pies he was eating. Dear lord did anyone ever tell this man that gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins?

Fred looked up at her with grease and cheese hanging from his chin and waved her over. She walked over and smiled.

"Hi Freddie how are you?" she said taking a seat in the opposite side of the booth. Due to his girth the table was pushed further away from him making it hard for her maneuver into the booth. He pulled it somewhat toward him but not much.

"To what do I owe the pleasure" he said wiping at his face with his hands.

Evangeline recoiled at his lack of etiquette and tried not to stare at the food hanging from his chin. "We need to talk, it's about my services"

Fred looked at her concerned "I spoke to Eugene, he had nothing to do with what happened to your sister"

Evangeline looked at him and half smiled "I'm not so sure. And for that reason I can't work for you any longer"

Fred slammed his fist on the table making Evangeline jump "Look! I heard that you got her off. We can work with this out" he seethed.

Evangeline looked at him bravely taking her stand "I don't think so. I've been professional and loyal to you both, but invading my life is where I draw the line. I have several attorneys I can refer you too"

Fred glared at her "Listen you cunt, I will let you know when your services are no longer needed. We are done when I say we so!"

Evangeline smiled "Don't you threaten me! I don't owe you a damn thing. And you don't frighten me!" she hissed surprised at her courage an anger in the face of this dangerous man.

Fred laughed "That's why I like you Evangeline, your balls are bigger than mine. I will give you some time to rethink this. I advise you take it!"

Evangeline maneuvered her way out of the booth. She looked back at him with disgust "I'm done" she said before turning to leave. "And tell your brother to stay away from my sister."

Fredrick Barker glared at her as she left. She was the best attorney in town and Eugene had fucked it up with his ever growing hard on he had for her. She was right, Eugene did do this and his reasoning didn't wash with him. He had to get a handle on this situation.

John followed the directions to Candace house. When he spoke to her on the phone she seemed anxious to meet with him. He didn't tell her about Evangeline but he sensed that she would be able to tell him more about the woman he loved.

Turning into her driveway he hesitated before turning the car off. What he was about to do was an extreme betrayal of trust. Investigating her past could push her further away from him. Unfortunately he was so desperate to have her he couldn't let this go. He had to know what held her back from him.

A short attractive black woman came out of the front door looking at the car. She looked to be about six months pregnant. Her hair was cut really low in a natural curly style and dyed a blondish color. Her skin tone was more like a pecan brown color and her make up was heavier than Evangeline wore hers. She had multiple earrings in both lobes and one in her nose. He could tell in her youth she was a knock out. Wearing a friendly smile she gestured for him to come in.

John got out of the car and walked toward her "Are you Candace Frazier"
"Sure am!" she said grinning. "So you're with the FBI?"
John frowned. "No what made you think that?"
Candace grinned "The unmarked police car. It's obvious you aren't from around here and you're doing some cold case files investigation. I watch A&E and I know the drill"

John shook his head and smiled. This woman was a hoot. "No, Candace I'm not with the FBI, is it okay that I come in and talk"

Candace opened the door and held it for him "Sure thang, lets get this party started" she said smiling and waiting for him to enter.

Her home was modest and very nice. Pictures lined the walls and were everywhere. Her living room was decorated with afro centric artwork that he found appealing. She noticed the way he looked around "Do you approve?" she said laughing "Haven't been in many black peoples houses hunh?"

John blushed and didn't know how to respond "Your place is very nice" he said taking a seat.

She walked over and pulled over a box. "I went and got this out of the attic before you came to give you some pictures of Dennis" she said.

John tried to rise in time to help her but she already had the box in front of him before he knew it. He pulled out the yearbook and loose pictures, noticing the clippings of the all-star varsity player Dennis Hunt. Candace leaned over and looked at the newspaper clipping John held "Pretty good too, until Lisa Williamson killed that dream" she said shaking her head.

John looked up at her surprised to hear her speak Evangeline's mother name. "Why did she do that?"

Candace reached in the box and pulled out another picture that John hadn't picked up. He took a look at it and smiled "It was Evangeline in the arms of Dennis on the side of the bleachers. She was wearing his letterman jacket and smiling. Her hair was up in a ponytail and she was beautiful. He ran his finger across her smile. The girl in this picture seemed so different from Evangeline. Of course he knew of her warmth and tenderness but he'd never seen her this happy and vibrant. He couldn't stop staring into her face.

Candace looked at his face and frowned "You know Vangie?" she asked suspiciously

John tried to recover. "No, it's just a nice picture" he said trying to cover.
Candace stared at him "Yes you do, you can bullshit a bullshitter" she said laughing. "That's what this visit is about. You aren't doing some cold case investigation"

John couldn't understand how Candace had pulled the rug from under him so smoothly.
He looked back at the picture with Vangie and Dennis and wondered what could make their world fall apart. As if Candace read his mind she leaned back in her chair and smiled rubbing her belly "That's one fucking hell of a story those two…a black Romeo and Juliet" she said shaking her head.

"Were you friends with her?" he asked still staring at the picture
"Hell yeah, that was my girl! We were best friends!" she said proudly.
John looked at her "Are you still friends?"
Candace face darkened and her mood changed "Evangeline changed after Dennis died. She wouldn't have a friend like me. I couldn't fit into her world."

John didn't understand the comment or the judgment coming from her. He heard it from Layla too. They talk about his Vangie as if she is some stuck up snob and that couldn't be further from the truth.

Candace looked back at him "Don't get me wrong. I love that girl but what she did to Dennis to please that snotty mother of hers was down right cruel"

"What did she do?" he asked
Candace sat up and looked at him. "To understand what happened you have to understand Evangeline and Dennis. How much time you got?"

John smiled "All the time in the world" he said pulling off his jacket.

Candace struggled lifting herself out of the chair "Well let me get you something to drink, it's a long story." She said walking in the kitchen. "Besides we need to wrap this up before my old man gets home. He aint to found of cops"

John watched her go into the kitchen and then looked back at the picture. He hoped what he learned helped him help her. He wanted to know the girl in the picture before her world was turned upside down.