Chapter 59

I started to stir but stopped when I felt a weight on my chest. I opened my eyes and looked down.

CJ was sprawled on top of me. Her leg around mine and her arm over my chest. She had her head on my shoulder and she looked like she was dead to the world.

It pained me to get up, but I wanted to see what they had found out if any of the tapes we had received had gotten us closer to finding Jake's mom or CJ's stalkers.

I looked over to the clock on the nightstand and it said 3:00. I had slept a good amount and started to move slowly not wanting to wake her but my desire to find answers for her was motivating me to get up.

She whimpered and it woke the Beast. I shook my head and whispered to him to sit.

He looked and debated and waited. I finally got her to put her head on my pillow and put another one under her arm and leg. She stirred but went back to sleep. I stood by the bed and pulled the covers over her. She had a habit of kicking them off and always complaining she was cold in the morning. Beast had made his way to my side and before I gave him the okay he jumped into the bed and got as close as he could to CJ and laid down to sleep.

"Keep an eye on her for me buddy, I'm going downstairs to see what's going on okay? I'll leave the door a little open if you get hungry or need us to take you outside to take care of your business."

I went out of the room and made my way downstairs. Uncle Roy and Momma G were in the kitchen having tea and some pie.

"Sleep well?"

I nodded and smiled, "I needed that, but I'm ready to get into finding out who wants to harm my girl and hopefully a lead on Jake's mom."

Will was on the couch asleep on Maureen's lap. She was out herself and I looked at Uncle Roy.

"When did this start?"

"At the office but I think a little before that, she always asked about him but never really let her feelings show until today. You should have seen her today on the phone getting things done, Will was in awe and then with the questions for the interview, Will was there to support her and it's like they had always been a team. Almost like you and CJ. I am thanking your Aunt Flo up in Heaven. I know she's had a hand in this and to see him receptive to trying again after that last incident I couldn't be happier. Maureen is exactly what he needs. You should have seen his face when CJ screamed. The first thing that came out of his mouth was her name. It's got to mean something right son."

"I'm all for Will and Maureen finding each other. Let's just hope they take it slow. But not too slow."

Momma asked if I wanted tea and shook my head. "I am going to need some coffee. I am ready to tackle those tapes. Have they found anything?"

Uncle Roy shook his head, "No but we wrote up what everyone's assignment for tomorrow. Go on down, I'll bring you a cup of coffee once it's done brewing."

I thanked him and walked down the steps. Tiny was looking at one monitor as was Luca and Popeye. I asked if they'd find anything.

"Yeah I found out that I'm going to have to cut Boyd's hands off for hurting Star. She must have some bruising on her upper arms, if I had just come out a few minutes earlier I would have seen him. He got away with the minimum of an ass kicking. Yeah I'm mad and I am telling you right now if any of you find him before me just knock him out I want him to see who's going to end him."

"It happened at my place Luca so sorry I can't guarantee that, he hurt my Sweet Pea and I can't let that go. Sorry Cowboy but this one is between me and Luca I won't budge on this. No one hurts those under my protection."

"Then I'm not going to show you this tape. Popeye he tried to assault Sarah and I think Jane a couple of days ago after we closed. Why didn't they tell us he was such a creep?"

"Sorry Luca, I love you like a brother but he's mine. Show me the tape Tiny now!"

We went to stand behind Tiny and sure enough there was Boyd hiding waiting to see who was coming out. Luca had left with a girl and Momma with Tiny came out next heading off to their car. A girl came out not paying attention and he grabbed her from behind and dragged her to the other side of the bar. She kneed him and he grabbed her and ripped her shirt. She struggled and grabbed her bag of what looked like books and used it to hit him into letting her go. He fell to the floor and she ran out of camera's range. The next girl was going the opposite way and he came behind her and she struggled with him and he thought she wasn't going to fight? He was mistaken, she elbowed him and then grabbed his head and with her knee brought him down. She kicked him before running away.

"Mother…." Popeye threw his cup of coffee against the wall and wanted to hit something else and looked at me.

"You want to hit something. I have a gym right through that door knock yourself out."

He turned around and kicked the door open and I could hear him punching the bag in there and cursing Boyd.

"Thanks Houston, when he gets like this it's either me or Tiny that have to get this out of his system. Tiny, we are going to need to get one of those bags for his office. Did Momma and Roy tell you about the assignments here if you want to look them over?"

"Wait where Too Mean did he leave?"

Tiny looked up, "Yeah he got a lead I was going to go with him but he said having two big guys come up on a new informant would probably spook him so I stayed behind. These tapes are starting to look all the same."

I put my hand on his wide shoulder and looked at the list. It had everyone's name on it. Next to everyone's name had their assignment

Carol said work and Luca said protect my future wife and check out the home security system and ask Houston about a safe room.

Popeye Momma G Uncle Roy and Tiny assignment was going through the tapes and cataloging them of what was on each tape and what day it was monitoring. An asterisk next to it stating office

Chris, Maureen and Will's assignment was to work on custody for Star and Jake, Call Farmer's Market for vendors that attended Friday.

Too Mean was to finish the security at CJ's and to go to the other ladies' homes to review their security and to draw out plans for updates or new systems for all of them.

My name and CJ's had a meeting with Ms. Bloom, talked to Hoyt and nothing.

"Why do we only have our meeting with Ms. Bloom and talk to Hoyt? We can do more."

"Your Uncle said you would want to do more so we just left that on so feel free to jump in to help with any of us."

I nodded at them and started to watch tapes with them and Luca said Uncle Roy had given them names of people he wanted us to do a check on. He handed me the pad with the assignments and on the second page had the names of people I had a hand in putting away and had threatened to get back at me for my part. Also a list of names that CJ had helped me put away.

It was a long list.

I rubbed my face. Which one of these assholes had abducted her? Who was still stalking her and why?

It had gone quiet in the gym. "Luca, I think your pal's done. Do you want to tell him he can use the sauna or the shower that's right next door? He might be a little sore."

"You have a sauna? Damn I wish I had been nosey like I usually am, forget him can I use it? The ideal of a nice steaming would relieve this tension I've had since we met up with you by the ice cream truck."

"You are welcome to use it, all of you. It's the least I can do for all the help you guys have given us."

"Hey Cowboy, thanks for lending me your gym." Popeye looked like he had gone 15 rounds with Muhamad Ali but more calm then when he had gone in.

"I overheard you have a sauna? I'll take you up on that but first I need a rundown on each of those people on that list what they did and why they would want to hurt both of you."

I agreed and sat down to tell them the details on each name. By the middle of the list it looked like Popeye was about to go back to the gym to let off some steam again but Momma and Uncle Roy had come down with sandwiches and coffee.

"What's going on Devin there looks like he's about to hit someone and Luca is cracking his knuckles and I just offered my boy a sandwich and he passed, so what's up?"

I explained what we had been doing and how the more I thought back on it the more I realized what a dangerous job we had. I had my reasons for doing what I did, my kidnapping and wanting to help people. But not CJ. She had sacrificed so much for me. She was an asset to our investigations but at what cost? Not to even add on having to deal with my many distractions and being put in the middle of my love and leaving them. I had a lot to make up for.

"I can't believe you let her get involved in this type of work, what does being a lawyer have to do with private investigation?"

I got up when Momma started to chastise Popeye and walked over to the table that had the tapes on it.

"I know that look Mattlock. Stop overthinking it or better yet just spill it and don't keep it inside."

I looked at him, "Why does she do this with me Uncle Roy? Why does she put her life on the line anytime I ask her too?"

He looked at me and shook his head, "You have to ask? Really Mattlock. She would follow you anywhere and do what you ask her to do no questions asked. She believes in you son. That is something you should be grateful for. Not many would stand by you and defend you with their last breath. That's why she's still here and does what she does."

"Hey Cowboy, I'm going to go use your sauna. Do you have an extra pair of trunks or I can go au natural if you'd prefer?"

I brought him to the sauna and showed him where the towels and extra trunks were. Luca said he was going to crash on the couch and get some shut eye. I said that it was taken by Will and Maureen but I did happen to know that Carol was alone in the guest bedroom.

"What! You should have said that in the first place. I thought we were buds. Houston my lady was alone and I could have been with her all this time? Excuse me. Tiny will wake me at 8:00 if I'm not up. I just need a couple of hours and Houston we will need to finish this list later. It looks like you two have had a lot to deal with, maybe this isn't a field I want to get into. So good night I will be with my future wife."

I grabbed his arm, "this might be all fun and games Luca but she's part of my family and we take care of our own. This isn't an act right? She looks like she is receptive to your attention and well you did save her from those clowns and Carol has this carefree demeanor but deep down she is as fragile as any woman. Tread lightly and if this is just a fling for you, take my advice don't pursue this be her friend because you will have 2 very angry sisters after you. I'd fear them more than us. Fair warning."

Luca looked at me. "I appreciate you looking out for her but you have nothing to worry about Houston, this isn't a game for me. Seeing her at the bar talking to her and the fear I felt when I heard her scream wasn't an act. I'll take it slow and I hope we are on the same page. She's something special. I felt it the first time I saw her. So put your worries to bed, and yes I am aware I'd probably be hogtied, tarred and feathered by her sisters. So see you in a couple of hours, Tiny don't forget."

He went up the stairs and it was me Tiny Uncle Roy and Momma G.

"Uncle Roy, what do you think our chances of us getting to take care of Jake again? I'm worried, we have no ties to him other than CJ rescuing him from certain death. Do you think they will bar us from assisting with his care? I don't know if CJ would be able to deal with this."

"Houston, your Uncle told me the story of how Jake came into your life. He is a very lucky boy and I'm sure once everything is settled they will let you help with his care. I used to volunteer down at the community center with homeless and domestic abuse cases. I worked for a lawyer's office when I was younger and knew a lot about the law. I was going to become a paralegal but life and children got in the way but I was always fascinated by the law. I know a lot of people in Children Family Services, if the baby was abandoned the mother might not have as many rights for leaving him in that trash can that's child endangerment. But if the baby was taken there is a mother out there looking for her child. The only thing not sitting well with me is if that is true why hasn't she come forward to the police? Or I don't even want to entertain this but what if she can't."

I had the same thoughts as Momma. What if someone had taken Jake by force? That was something I didn't even want to entertain. But it was looking more and more that this could be a reason why no one had come forward.

I rubbed my forehead. "I'm still hoping that she was hurt or she placed him there hoping someone would walk by and hear him and take him in. Uncle Roy, did Chris call all the hospitals? Did Hoyt's team follow that lead? could she be in the ER or admitted into a hospital unconscious not knowing her baby was not with her?"

"She did and I called Hoyt. He was sorry for missing dinner but he had to take care of some business. I also called your father and Vince and explained to them what's been going on. Your daddy wants you to call him later today and Vince said he will call you tomorrow and to answer or else."

I yawned and sat in front of a monitor, these tapes were not going to view themselves so I started and Uncle Roy sat at the next empty chair and did the same. Tiny asked if he could crash out on the recliner that was upstairs. I said he didn't have to ask that this was his home.

He bid everyone good morning and asked Momma to wake him at 745.

We went back to catalog the tapes we saw and Popeye came out. He must have showered too since his hair looked like it was wet.

"I need to get one of those for the bar, I feel so much better. Thanks Cowboy and I'm sorry for putting you on the spot. What I've learned in the little time I've known Ms. Parson's is nobody can tell her what to do. She does as she pleases and you two have had a very colorful life."

When he said stuff like this I couldn't hate the man, but then again he was too comfortable with my girl but what if she had met him before I decided to get my head out of my butt? Would I feel the same way or would I be happy for her?

"Ah Cowboy, if you don't want our help just say so."

Uncle Roy nudged me and I looked at Popeye, "Sorry did you say something I got lost in thought."

He smiled, "I asked you about beautiful, why has it taken you so long to finally commit and you closed your eyes. I thought we were going to have a tussle and right now I am too tired to fight you and was just going to leave. I would hate to explain to everyone why you were at the ER and me in jail."

I chuckled and said I had spaced out and it was late. Maybe we could all try and get some sleep. I told him he could go down to the boat that had a bed and some smaller bunks if he wanted to get some shut eye.

"That sounds like a good Ideal Mattlock."

"What sounds like a good ideal?"

We looked up and saw CJ walking down the stairs. She had my sweater on that fit her too big but I knew she loved it. She had a cup of coffee in her hand, and Beast followed her.

I got up and came to her. She pulled her coffee cup to me and I took a sip, "Why are you up? It's still early, why don't you go back to bed."

She rolled her eyes, "You didn't hear the commotion upstairs? I guess Luca thought it was cute to sneak up on Carol and well she let out a scream and I think Luca owes you a lamp because it sounded like she threw it at him but then whispers, then giggles and well other sounds."

Momma sighed, "I am sorry I did have a talk with that boy but he is smitten and well it looks like she is too. If you don't mind I will use your room to nap as soon as I hit the pillow I will be dead to the world no outside noise will bother me."

"Go Momma, Houston I will be taking you up on the boat but maybe you can show me the way beautiful since I don't know my way."

She looked at me and smiled, "I'm not tired anymore. I took my nap. It's easy to find it's in berth 42. Uncle Roy, have you slept?"

"No and I think it's a good idea, sorry Popeye you're going to have to settle for me as a bunk mate."

They made their way to the door Houston handed them the keys and said no taking off on the boat to fish we had work to do. They left and it was just us two.

"Did you find anything?"

I caught her up on what we had done and showed her the lists. She examined it and asked the same question I had, and I gave her the answer and she nodded. She looked at the second page and I could see her shiver. I came close and took the list from her.

"Are you okay, you sure you don't want to sleep?"

She shook her head. She hadn't looked up something was wrong.

I pulled up her chin, "What's wrong?"

She shrugged and closed her eyes and started to tell me that she had a nightmare.

"I remembered that night vividly. I almost made it to safety and someone grabbed me from behind by my hair and slammed me into a wall and the next time I woke up it was blindfolded, my hands were tied and I was in the trunk of a car it seemed like I was in there forever. Then hands were all over me and I felt a prick on my neck and then it all went to black."

She was shaking. I took her into my arms and brought her to the small couch and sat her in my lap and pulled her to me. She continued to tell me that she woke up still blind folded and this time her arms were restrained as was her legs. She heard voices.

"Houston, how many men were taken into custody for my abduction?"

She did not look at me but continued to hold me tight. I rubbed her back and whispered 3. She nodded and started to shake again.

"CJ why do you ask?"

She pushed away from me and ran to the bathroom where she threw up.

I grabbed a rag and was rubbing her back, what was going on? What had she remembered? She looked up at me and said, "There were 4 voices Houston. There is still one out there."