I will be adding these corrected and revised chapters every day or two. I have been able to edit them from the original version to rid them of considerable errors. But, as I am blind in one eye, and am often editing at night (instead of sleeping!) I don't always catch every error. But it will be a considerably easier read than the original story. Also I will probably add more than one chapter at a time. So, if you are reading along, be sure you check that you didn't skip any. Or simply hit the follow button and the system will let you know when each chapter updates. With any luck, in under two weeks it should all be updated and you will start seeing the new chapters which mark the start of part 2. That part will not be as long as the first. The story just needed more finality and I am doing this to give that resolution to the various parties who had PMd over time asking when that might be. Obviously, I am still working on the other active story, Beyond Here Lies Nothin'.
Thanks to those who PMd. Feel free to review if you like!
-Carly
Chapter 8
"Hi Chet. Hi Tony, we are ready to go." Iola said. Tony shot Chet a glance.
"Chet, are you nuts? You invited them to come?" Chet sidestepped the question.
"Well, Tony, I wouldn't really say invite..." he started. Callie broke in.
"In all fairness to Chet, Tony. We more or less invited ourselves and made Chet realize objecting was not in his best interest." Tony looked to Chet.
"How did they do that?" he asked. Chet shrugged.
"Well...Iola gave me that look, man. You know the one I mean." Apparently Tony did because he mellowed on Chet. He looked back to the girls.
"Are you aware how dangerous the area is that we are going into?" he asked them sternly. Iola stepped up and looked firmly back at him.
"Tony, we are going, face it!" she said flatly. Tony took a breath and sighed slowly. He looked into the eyes of the girls. Iola's bore heavy determination. Undoubtedly to see her Joe. Callie's expression was more of indifference. One that suggested she was being true to her best friend but may have not been all that concerned with seeing Frank. Tony half smiled.
"Ok. Sounds like a plan. I was just worried about the two of you. But I often forget you two are hardly fragile ladies and have been on many a case before and do have formal training." Iola smiled to him.
"A man with common sense." Tong gave a half smile back.
"To what avail it will do me in the eyes of Frank and Joe will be another question." he said. Iola rolled her eyes.
"Let us worry about them. We can take care of them." Callie nodded firmly.
"This much is true. Take it easy guys, we will take the heat." she said. She was aware what this would probably do to Frank. The two of them had been on the way out for several months now. Occasionally, Frank would lead her back on, but it served nothing more than to salt the wound and piss Callie off. She wasn't sure if she had the ability to end it herself. But she knew it was over. It just wasn't really public knowledge yet. Not even to her dearest friend standing beside her. Though Callie was sure Iola had at least an inclination. She smiled at Chet.
"I like your boat, Chet." Chet smiled back.
"Thanks Cal. Probably didn't need to go this overboard, but it just happened." Callie giggled slightly.
"Nothing wrong with being spontaneous." she said as the group got in. Chet checked the boat over to make sure all was in order. A moment later he turned the motors over. He slowly pulled out of the boathouse. Once clear, he burst into Barmet Bay at a quarter throttle. Tony sat in front beside Chet. He looked at him briefly.
"You know Frank and Joe are going to kill us for this, don't you?" He whispered softly. Chet shot a look back at him.
"You should know by now that Iola is as stubborn as I am hungry. If we hadn't let them go they would have just followed us." Tony shrugged.
"It's true enough, but Frank and Joe are still going to kick our ass." he said. Chet shrugged himself.
"Good lord. It isn't like they haven't had formal training in criminal apprehension. Wasn't it last year that Iola saved both Frank and Joe's butts from that deranged guy who kidnaped them?" Tony nodded with a smile.
"Very true." he said. Callie cleared her throat in an exaggerated manner.
"Are you guys talking about us up there?" she asked seeming to already know the answer. Tony threw up his hands in mock surprise.
"Ok, you caught us. We were just discussing the manner in which Frank and Joe would kill us." Callie gave them a somewhat irritated expression.
"Don't worry about Frank. If he gives you trouble, I will be happy to fix his wagon." she said firmly.
"And I will take care of Joe." Iola chimed in. Chet gave a hearty laugh.
"That's exactly what I am gonna let you do, sis" he said. Tony turned to Chet.
"Don't suppose you have any small weaponry for these ladies. I didn't see them bring theirs." Iola gave a peevish look.
"I didn't bring any from home because I didn't want mom to give me the third degree." Chet raised an eyebrow.
"I figure she'd be happy to see you armed after you told her you were going on a case with us with murderers around and such." Iola smiled weakly.
"Well, I didn't exactly tell her about meeting up with killers and kidnappers. I told her we were going on a camping trip." Chet's eyes rolled.
"Slight exaggeration, sis. I hope she doesn't have reason to call Mrs. Hardy. Because she will set mom straight." He then looked to Tony. "I predicted this little eventuality. Look in that black sack. You should find a pair of Walther PPK .380s for them." Tony smiled and removed the nickel plated PPKs and handed each one. The ladies were well familiar and trained with firearms. They checked the safety on their weapons and put them away.
A while later Chet had the craft speeding down the Atlantic. Tony lit a cigarette. Chet looked over at him with a smile.
"Can ya take a back seat while you pollute your lungs? That stuff gets into my system and I get drained just breathing the second hand." Tony smiled and nodded. He had no issues doing this as he respected his friends wishes regarding smoking. He walked over to the rear seat to finish his smoke. A moment later Callie came up and sat next to Chet.
"Hi Chet. What's the ETA?" she asked. Chet looked down at the GPS and looked up.
"Be after midnight since we got out a little later that I thought. If the weather cooperates." he said. She smiled and put an arm around him.
"You still aren't mad about taking us, are you?" Chet shook his head.
"I know you can handle yourselves. But Frank and Joe tend to have their perspective. Which is not always on target as they can be overprotective. They will be pissed, but I'll live." Callie smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Thanks, Chet. You know how important Joe is to Iola. They haven't seen each other in some time." Chet gave Callie a sideways glance.
"Wasn't there something missing there? About Frank... and... you?" Callie's gaze shifted away from him. She turned back towards him and flashed a somewhat forced smile, then returned to her seat beside Iola. Chet was perplexed. He had not been all that privileged to any data that would suggest that Callie and Frank were anything but still dating if not still exclusive. Though he thought Iola had mentioned something many months back about the two agreeing to see other people. He shrugged it off as they were having a tiff.
The evening wore on as Chet guided the craft down the Atlantic at a good clip. The weather started to cool. Chet read the electronic weather monitor which suggested the possibility of heavy rains in their area. Tony and Chet put on jackets they had brought. The girls were already wearing heavy sweaters though if the rain came they might not offer much protection from the elements. By ten Chet had finally steered the craft onto the river that would take them west. The winds had picked up considerably. The temperature was down to fifty-one. Chet looked over to Tony.
"Sure wish we had a top for this thing." He said. Tony nodded his agreement as he felt a bit chilled. Chet himself felt a chill as a stiff head wind caught him off guard. Iola came up and put an arm around her brother.
"I will keep you warm." Iola said with a smile. Chet grinned.
"Aw, cut it out. You're my sister."
"You can keep me warm, Iola." Tony smiled giving an exaggerated chill. Iola wrapped her arms around him in a mock exaggerated display of affection.
The weather was not to hold out, as they learned a few minutes later. A torrent of rain came and came on strong. Within ten more minutes they were in the middle of a fierce thunderstorm. Chet turned on the pumps and looked back to the girls. Chet gave a hearty laugh. Tony looked and saw what he was laughing at. Callie and Iola looked like two drowned cats. Chet slapped Tony on the back.
"Did you know that earlier today they went and paid big bucks on those fancy hairstyles they were sporting." Tony gave a smile.
"At least these new rain induced hairstyles didn't cost them anything." he said with a laugh.
"Well, you two don't look so hot." Iola said looking at them. Chet smiled back to his sister.
"Well, I don't have to go meet my significant other in a matter of hours either." he needled. Iola and Callie attempted to fix their hair. Tony laughed while watching this occur. A few moments later they realized the futility of trying to style their hair in a thunderstorm.
Chet turned on his flashers for use in the rain.
"Fun, fun, fun." Tony muttered as the rain poured down upon them. Waves crashed against the boat without mercy. Chet cut the power down. For he knew that high power against crashing waves, intense rain and limited sight would only lead to doom.
"Better add another hour to that ETA." Chet called back. The girls groaned. Chet smiled in spite of things.
"Well I could put the throttle full out and we'd get maybe a hundred yards before we hit some huge wake and crash into a thousand pieces." he said. The girls had known they asked for it. Though Callie, as faithful as she was to her best friend was questioning her motivation for being there. Once upon a time she would have walked on fire to be with Frank. Now, a mere thunderstorm was making her wonder if it was worth it. She had gone mostly to appease Iola. Though Iola was not totally privy to her current status with Frank, she should still have deducted enough to have not assumed to include her in this little trip. She looked peevishly off the side into the blackness. Chet had turned the boat on to the smaller river which would actually lead them into Black hollow. A short time later, the weather abated somewhat. Chet looked down at the GPS.
"Be about another ninety minutes or so. We are almost at Treeport." Tony could not resist poking fun at Chet.
"Hey Chet. When we get to Treeport do you want to stop off at Ed's Tavern and Motel? We could go by and see that lady who invited you into her room." Chet shot him a sideways glare. Iola and Callie became immediately interested. They moved up towards the front of the boat.
"So," Iola started "you were looking for a little extra activity up here, huh?" she asked with a grin. Callie put an arm around Chet as he blushed at what Tony had disclosed.
"What ever will Tiffany Blake say?" She asked coyly. As it was known, Tiffany Blake was Chet's girlfriend. Or so most thought since they were often seen together. Chet had been undecided himself. Tiffany was a pretty lady, but her personality didn't always mesh well with Chet's. She had been very interested in him for many months. Though recently Chet noticed that Tiffany was not quite as persistent or clingy with him. Chet had often put her off, and never really considered the relationship exclusive.
"Aw, cut it our Cal. You'd act like we are some big and exclusive item about town."
"And you're not?" Iola asked with a laugh. Still finding Chet's embarrassment amusing. Chet shrugged.
"I'd rather not talk about it." he said without elaborating.
They passed through Treeport, which at the hour of the evening there were nothing more than some public lighting on along the docks and a few street lights visible. They continued on for a while silently. Chet hear the monitor give a bleep. He looked down at it and smiled.
"We are inside the one-hour marker for their signal. So, it is now a matter of minutes." Iola looked overjoyed. Callie less so. Tony took out a cigarette and made his way back to the rear seats. Callie, who was also not fond of the smoke came up and sat beside Chet.
"Hey. Does this wonder boat have any musical ability?" she asked. Chet looked over with a smile.
"Just as long as it's CD, MP3 or memory stick. If you have a cassette your out of luck. Oh, and it also has broadcast radio. But God knows what kind of music they transmit in these parts." Callie smiled and took out a CD. He looked down at it. A Sarah McLachlan disc. Chet smiled.
"Cool!" Callie was relieved to hear Chet liked her. He put the disc in. The weather had abated totally by this point and they cruised along on the cool evening. The song Angel came on. Callie, who was still sitting next to Chet had an empty, perhaps slightly fearful look on her face. Chet noticed her expression and glanced over with concern.
"What's wrong, Cal?" he asked. She shook her head blankly. Tears welling in her eyes. She looked at him with a pleading expression.
"I don't want to see him." she said without elaborating. Chet looked perplexed.
"Who? Frank?... why? Are you guys having problems?" he asked somewhat struck by her admission. She looked over her shoulder to Iola who was talking quietly with Tony in the rear. She looked back to Chet. She sighed deeply.
"I think it's well beyond that, Chet." she whispered with a sigh. Chet looked wide eyed.
"It's that bad? Really?" he asked quietly. Callie gave a wiry smile in spite of the subject at hand.
"Yeah. It's that bad. But you want to know the strange thing?" she asked. Chet nodded slowly. She looked at him with a blank, apathetic expression.
"I don't really care. I haven't loved him in any real way that two people in a relationship should love each other. And not unreasonably so. He has been drifting for several months now. It's hanging by a thread. I suspect when he initiated the plan to see other people it was more to his advantage than mine. I never did. But I suspect he has been shopping."
"Is he just a dumb ass!?" Chet exclaimed in amazement. Callie looked at him somewhat confused.
"Why would you say that?" she asked, unsure of why Chet would make such a poignant remark about one of his best friends. Chet stammered a bit. Then he cleared his throat and shrugged.
"Well, it just would seem to me if you already have the best, why mess with that?" he said not really believing he had uttered those words. Callie smiled at this. She kissed him on the cheek.
"You are sweet, Chet. Even if you're just trying to make me feel better. I suspect Frank will figure it out one way or the other." She smiled briefly and returned to her other seat. Chet sat there in thought for a while. He had never really thought that Callie and Frank were doing anything but relatively good. They had dated for such a long time. He was more inclined to still think they were having just a tiff. Frank had not shared anything with him that suggested he was preparing to dump Callie for some other woman. Frank had never mentioned any other woman. But Chet still disapproved of how Frank was apparently upsetting Callie.
Tony made his way to the front and took his seat next to Chet. He smiled to him.
"Everything ok? Callie looked a little upset from the back. Plus, you're paying this chick music." Chet smiled and shrugged.
"I don't know, man." he shook his head. Since the two ladies were seated in the seats behind them he didn't wish to go into detail about what Callie had said. He looked over his shoulder. He had to do a double take. Callie was leaning back. This normally would catch any man's attention. Callie was somewhat blessed in certain areas physically. But the wet sweater clinging to her breasts as she arched her back was a bit much for Chet to just make a passing glace at. Tony also had noticed. Of course he had noticed Iola, who was not quite as blessed at Callie but Tony had made no secret of the fact that if Iola and Joe ever broke up he would not have an issue with asking Iola out. The unfortunate problem in this picture was that in Tony and Chet's concentration to be typical males, at least for the moment, neither were aware that the boat was heading straight for the bank. They had just enough time to divert their gaze when the two ladies sat back up. Chet looked ahead wide eyed! He had just enough time to see he was seconds from crashing!
"Whoa!" he yelled, twisting the wheel violently. Callie and Iola were tossed from their seats to the side of the boat. The boat was corrected and straightened out, returning to its course. Tony muffled a laugh when he realized what Chet had almost done.
"Chet!" Iola screamed without mercy, "What the hell are you doing? You almost threw Callie and I from the boat with that last turn! What were you doing? Sleeping?" Chet searched for word.
"Well, I, uh...mmm, I just kind of..." he looked over his shoulder to see his sister staring peevishly off to the side. Callie however, despite her emotional state, had realized what Chet did. She became conscious of it only after realizing how the rain affected the appearance of her top. She smiled to him. Somewhat flattered that he would even have looked. Chet turned quickly and concentrated on guiding the craft up the channel. Tony smirked at him.
"Good going. You almost wrapped up a fifty thousand dollar boat because you were checking out hooters." Chet shot Tony a sideways glance.
"Where were your eyes, my good friend? Checking out my sister?" He smiled.
"What are you guys talking about up there?" Iola asked peevishly. Chet cleared his throat.
"Was just telling Tony we are almost there according to the GPS. We are in the hollow now. Not that you could tell all that much. When daylight comes you will see how dark it stays." He said.
They traveled along for another twenty minutes. Chet looked about.
"We should hit the cove shortly." he said. "I assume wherever they found themselves after the search it was near water. Or at least that was Frank's plan so we could find them more easily." Tony nodded.
"He had intended to make a sweep to the west and circle back around to the north and meet up by the river." Chet nodded.
"That makes sense since we have passed the area where we were previously camping. Should be a few more minutes." Iola made her best attempt to renew her look after being rained on. Callie made no attempt aside from brushing her hair.
Chet slowed the boat considerably as the signal on the GPS indicated they should be on top of the Hardy's camp. Tony pointed to an area to the right which appeared to open into a cove. Chet guided the boat slowly in. Chet pulled in right behind the boat that Joe had earlier taken command of from Jake Steed. Chet shut the motors down and looked at his watch. The time was 2:11AM.
"Wow, that storm cost us a couple hours." The group alighted. They walked along a narrow trail and came upon a camp. A small fire was still burning. Chet and Tony took a seat before it. Callie and Iola sat down across from them. Chet leaned over and opened the flap of the nearby tent. He leaned in. Then turned back to the group.
"They are asleep. Shall I wake them?" Tony smiled wearily.
"Might as well get the little speech over with." he said. Chet smiled and nodded. He cleared his throat.
"You know, it's so unlike Frank, Joe and Bill to let people sneak up on their camp. We could be killers." He said in an overly loud tone. A moment later a head popped out of the tent. It was Joe.
"Hey Chet, Tony. You made it ba..." his words faded as he looked across the fire and saw Iola and Callie. "Ah, whoa. Hey ladies." he turned his head back into the tent. "Hey Frank, Bill. They are back..." Joe came out and immediately walked over to Iola and sat down next to her. A moment later Frank and Bill walked out looking quite sleepy.
"Hi Chet... Tony, you make it back though that..." he looked across the fire and saw the girls before finishing, "storm." he said blankly.
"Iola, Cal. Uhm, hi. What exactly are you doing here?" he asked sounding groggy and unpleasant. Callie took a deep breath.
"We came along with Tony and Chet." she said flatly.
"I can see that." he said growing more upset. He turned to Chet and Tony.
"Are you guys out of your damn minds?! What on earth motivated you to bring them along? Do you think this is a picnic? We sent you back to turn in a prisoner. Not to bring back girls. This is an area that has killers wondering about, if you hadn't forgotten. You complete idiots!" Callie stood up and got into his face.
"Hey, Frank! They didn't want to bring us. Take it easy on them and chill out!" Joe turned to Iola.
"I am actually glad to see you. I wish it were under more pleasant circumstances. But I know you can handle yourself." He looked up to Frank.
"Frank, mellow, dude. Iola can be one insistent lady. Take it easy on Chet and Tony." Frank turned and shook his head. Bill stepped up with a smile.
"Hey guys. It's good to see you. There are killers here. But I know you have been around some pretty desperate criminals before. Just watch your backs, huh?" Frank turned to face them again. Then he looked at Callie.
"They have to go back. They can't stay here!" Callie took on a rather irritated look.
"Frank, I didn't just come through a damn storm with Iola just to have to turn around because you can't handle seeing me. Quit trying to push it off as we are some fragile women who can't handle ourselves. We have already proven countless times in the past that we are capable." she paused for a moment. "We need to talk. Is there a place?" she asked. Frank nodded.
"The rest of you take a load off. Have a drink." he motioned for Callie to follow him down to the river. Bill passed around the cooler. Tony looked at Joe who was presently nuzzling Iola's ear.
"Say Joe. What's with Frank? We expected a nagging reprimand at best for not consulting him before bringing them. But he blew a gasket." Joe looked up slowly.
"Well, aside from being a stickler for procedure, Frank and Callie have been having a lot of differences lately. As some of you may have surmised, they don't see as much of each other as they used to. I mean they are friends and all, but,, ah,,"
"Spill it Joe!" Chet prodded. Joe reluctantly continued.
"Well, I recently learned that Frank has been seeing this other girl. And even though Callie and he agreed to see other people some time back... Callie hasn't seen anyone else. What I am trying to say is that for at least the last six to eight months, their relationship has been strictly platonic. The romantic aspects of their relationship have ended. Frank has recently informed me that this new woman does something for him that he can't exactly explain or at least wouldn't explain to me. But, I suspect Frank has fallen full out for this woman. But from what I know he hasn't officially cut Callie loose or at least not had the guts to tell her."
"Who is she?" Bill asked. "Or has Frank not let you in on that one?" Joe looked up slowly.
"Well, I did learn her name... rather recently. He confided in me. I am hesitant though to..." Chet looked impetuous.
"Joe. Why are you hesitant? Tell us who Frank has been seeing at the cost of Callie's dignity." Joe closed his eyes slowly.
"It's Tiffany, Chet. Tiffany Blake." Chet looked stunned for a moment, then he relaxed his expression. He took a breath and even forced a smile. Joe looked down with a sorrowful expression.
"Well, not like I didn't tell her to go find a new playmate. Joe, it's ok. Tiffany and I weren't ever exclusive. Much as that may shock some people who assumed we were." Joe relaxed a little.
"Well, if it helps they have only been seeing each other a couple months or so, to my knowledge." Chet nodded.
"I knew she acted a bit different. But I had openly suggested for several weeks that she go find someone else. You see, Tiffany and I didn't really get along half the time. She was wanting to date me a whole lot more than I wanted to date her. Simply put, I was never in love with her. So, this new information doesn't really upset me. I am a bit upset that Frank couldn't own up to it, but I guess he was confused or something." Iola came over to him and put an arm around her brother.
"Are you sure you're ok?" she asked with concern. Chet nodded.
"Yeah, sis. Tiffany is no huge loss as far as I am concerned. I should even thank Frank for his involvement. Does Callie know about this?" Joe shook his head.
"She may suspect he is seeing someone, but he has never told her." Chet looked down in the direction of the river.
"Well, we can hope he is doing so now."
Down by the river, Callie and Frank were sitting on a fallen tree. Callie looked pissed.
"Ok, Frank.. What's this crap about sending us back and why did you bite Chet and Tony's heads off?" Frank looked at her sheepishly, then averted his gaze.
"I'm sorry Callie. I didn't mean it. But I am sure it probably isn't a shock to you..." He paused, taking a deep breath. "But, I have started seeing someone else." Callie looked to him, then down at the water flowing against the soft light from the moon.
"Well, I figured as much. What I guess I didn't figure on was that I knew it was probably happening, but it didn't seem to bother me. Or motivate me to question you sooner about it... or even act like a jealous woman. I guess I just didn't really care. I hope that doesn't sound bad. But we have been drifting apart for months, if not over a whole year. And before you ask, no I am not seeing anyone else." Frank took a breath. He hadn't expected Callie to have this position. He shrugged.
"Then I guess there isn't much left to do but..." Callie looked over at him.
"Save the congenial dump, Frank. I dumped you in my mind for all romantic purposes a long time ago. I did respect you as a friend and someone I could trust. But you drop this on me like it's supposed to be a bomb. May I ask who you are seeing?" she asked. Frank, again was taken aback, took a breath.
"I am seeing Tiffany Blake, Cal." Callie's eyebrows raised.
"You are seeing Chet's girlfriend? Isn't that a bit slimy of you?" she asked somewhat taken back herself. Frank shook his head.
"They were never exclusive. That was an assumption and more based in rumor. Tiffany was quite smitten with Chet, but Chet would generally keep her at arm's length most of the time if not outright encourage her to go looking for men elsewhere." Callie looked perplexed, but nodded.
"I know they weren't madly in love, but I thought there was more to it. So, I suppose I figured wrong. Which I guess will make it easier on him when he knows. You're quite the card though, Frank. Dating a woman that many consider to be connected with another man." Frank threw his hands up.
"I am not saying I did any of this right. We just happened to have met once and..."
"She needed a shoulder to cry on because Chet wasn't falling hook, line and sinker for her little routine. You know, batting the eyes and sticking those silicone guns out like they were a national treasure. She is a superficial woman, Frank. Chet apparently knew it. But she comes to see you and before ya know it she is turning the waterworks on. And you were happy to pat her on the back while she sobbed." Frank looked down at her.
"You speak like a jealous ex." Callie snorted at this.
"Don't confuse jealous with my concern for Chet, who apparently got the shaft. I can only thank God he wasn't in love with her. Or I guess I should say more accurately I hope he isn't in love with her. Who is to really say? Until I hear from the horse's mouth, I am not sure. But I am not jealous of her. I really wanted to end this thing with you in a mature manner because you seemed to be dragging it out just on the off chance that you and she didn't work out. I didn't care about that. I just wanted out. Even if you hadn't been dating another woman." She took a breath and looked up towards the sky. She calmed herself. "Once upon a time I was very much in love with you. And those things don't pass lightly. Not in my world. It took most of this last year for me to get over our romance. It lasted a long time, but it's over and I am content with that. I do wish you the best, Frank. I am ready to move on and not just hang around so you can throw more curve balls or to feel that I am unworthy of anyone else. Because you know what, Frank? You did make me feel that way. I still feel that way. Unworthy. I don't know, maybe it's just that every other man in our little clique over the years has had enough respect for you not to approach me. Who knows? But I have gone through a lot of inner searching the last year. My mind and my eyes have wondered well beyond the realm that you would have probably preferred." Frank cleared his throat. His now former love had found her voice. This meek, once librarian type of girl he met so many years ago had turned into a woman of some determination. Frank had not really noticed that in her before. Perhaps he didn't want to. As much as it hurt him to admit that he thought it true.
"Well, Cal... I guess this is it then. I am in my place. I respect your words and your position. All I can really do is hope we can be friends and wish you the best." he said. Frank had thought all along that he would be the one that would have initiated any dump between the two. He was indeed surprised that Callie had made the move to do so. And had apparently been preparing herself to do it for some time. Callie gave him a half smile.
"You are a good man, Frank. I just don't think that we are a good couple any longer. We want different things. I want a child and to be married. Joe and Iola are on the verge of marriage and haven't been afraid to approach that issue. You seem to want to roam the globe on your never-ending job and have a woman who will stay at home and surrender her inner being for you. I didn't go to college and major in criminology just to be with you. It was something I believed in. I want to be a wife and a mother but I also want a career. The very fact that you still think a woman in an environment like this is out of her place is so backdated it isn't even funny. You are basically admitting you find women inferior in this type of situation. Despite the fact I have proven myself worthy of being respected in this field. The point is Frank, that I never felt equal to you. You often made me feel like I was a lessor person who shouldn't have such goal in life other than cranking out babies and making dinner for my man. Not that the role of the average wife and homemaker isn't worthy of respect. It's simply that many women these days want more. And they deserve it. If they want to be housewives that is great. I admire any woman who wants that. I want more than that. If I want to go trot the globe on a case, I am going to do that. But you wouldn't have liked that. I mean not for your significant other, would you?" she asked. Her eyes cut through him with precision as he knew he couldn't evade the answer. Frank slowly shook his head.
"Probably not. I couldn't stand to see a loved one in harm's way so much..."
"Stop that crap, Frank. There is something wrong with that theory. One, your dad and your brother are constantly matching wits with some of the true scum of earth. On what grounds do you base your choice to allow the beloved males in your family and not the female members to be involved with criminals? Even your own father has more of an open mind, Frank. But this is not the only reason I have found it necessary to finally use my words and express how I really feel. I want out Frank. I don't want to screw around with a failing relationship anymore. And I certainly don't want to sit around and wait for you to come crawling back after you find that even Tiffany wants a life. Maybe she will. Maybe she won't. All I know is I have been building up to this for nearly a year and now is the time. I want more out of my life and a relationship. A relationship that I will find respect in all areas." She sat and looked down to the ground. Frank took a breath.
"Well. I guess that puts the lid on it. If you ever need to talk or anything in the future, I hope you know you can come to me. I do consider you a friend." Callie nodded slowly.
"Thanks. I appreciate that. Good luck to you. I mean that." she said softly. She had prepared herself for so long for this moment. It came but yet she still felt a bit of emptiness over it. Perhaps apprehension of the future. The unknown. Frank got up.
"Guess I will set matters straight with the others. I'd hate any other misinformation to spread about." Callie nodded. Frank walked slowly back up towards camp. He walked over to the fire to find all eyes focused on him. He sat down and poured some coffee. Everyone still kept their eyes glued to him. Frank cleared his throat.
"Well, for any of you who may not have suspected it, Callie and I have officially parted ways. We have been separated in many aspects for some time. But, it is now officially over." Iola got up.
"I'd better go check on her." she said rushing down towards the river. Frank looked awkwardly at Chet.
"Uhm, Chet. I do need to tell you something..." Chet held up a hand.
"No need Frank. I have been apprised about you and Tiffany. I am hoping you and she will be happy. I honestly have no regrets. No anger." he said with a good deal of indifference. Frank looked up slowly to him.
"Still friends?" he asked. Chet rolled his eyes.
"Stupid question, Frank. Which reminds me of the case at hand. The guy we turned in was named Jake Steed. Previous convictions for hijacking down in Florida. Our computer spit out a zero on him, but your dad's computer brings him up under a secure code blue file." The last three words made Frank and Joe immediately alert.