Ch. 05 Portends
Marlene sat on the couch in her former residence of the motel, looking around at the walls and the floor. Even with the stains gone, she could still see where the old man had lain dead. With a heavy sigh, she turned and looked at the bedroom, the bed now gone, along with anything associated with the event.
The event. It had been demoted to being called the event by the police and the news reporters, everyone calling it that. It was more than just an event to her, far more. It was a pivotal moment for her, one that was life altering in every way. The girls finished packing all her clothes and belongings into suitcases and dragged them out to her. Suzy and Azure sat on either side of her and held her hands.
"That's everything in there packed up, is there anything else you want to take?"
"No, the less from here, the better."
"Yeah, maybe you're right. I guess we should get going then."
"Yes, Suzy, it's time to get going. I don't want to spend another second in here. Give me a hand girls and let's get this show on the road."
Suzy and Azure helped Marlene up from the couch and then took a suitcase each and followed her outside, Wayne Unser was assigned to be with her at all times and opened the trunk of his cruiser, when they came out. The girls put the cases in, while Wayne helped Marlene into the back seat. The girls got in the back with her and Wayne headed off into Charming, to the Holiday Inn. Marlene stared at the office as they backed out, a thousand memories of Jake and her, flooding her mind. So much love between them, so much shared right there in that room. It was hard not to shed tears, knowing one good thing in her life was over and never to be felt again. She realized how love, was far more important than the money she had desired for happiness. She had all the money she had ever wanted and more and not one dollar of it made her feel as good, as the feeling of loving Jake.
The girls helped Marlene get settled in the room, while Unser went about securing the hallway and the stairways. A comfortable chair was brought out for him and he started taking his watch shift outside the room. Not a thing would enter or leave, without him knowing about it and what it was. Until there was a break and they had an idea of who it could be, Marlene was in danger from anyone and he was charged with keeping her safe, until she could identify the shooter and bring him to trial.
Suzy and Azure helped Marlene get undressed, to get changed into lounging clothes that were more comfortable for her to rest in. They gave her a quick sponge bath to freshen her body and made sure she was still beautiful to them, kissing her all over, as they dressed her. Marlene was appreciative of everything they did, kissing them both lovingly, a hint of lust added to show she was still of a mind to want to be with them, at a later time.
"So what should we talk about, or would you like to do something instead, Marlene."
"I'm not much for talking right now, Suzy. I don't have a clue what to talk about anyway."
"Want to talk about free love some more?"
Marlene perked up at the mention of it and looked at them both, a smile growing on her lips.
"Yeah, tell me more about free love and what you are doing, it sounds interesting."
"Okay. I think I told you that every girl has been with every guy, right? Well, we've been with every girl, too. All the things you taught us, we've done those things and tons more."
Marlene sat back and put her feet up, holding the girl's hands, as they excitedly told her everything they had done with all the guys and girls so far. Being Marlene, she was in her element, as she heard what they had done sexually.
JT and the guys were down in Palm Springs, looking every bit as normal as they could. Their cuts were left back at the clubhouse, along with their bikes. They drove around the back roads that gave a view of Brock's place. Using Marlene's Riviera was taking a risk of being spotted, but seeing numerous similar models being driven through the neighbourhood, Marlene's shouldn't bring too much notice to it.
They brought out the binoculars and focused on the back of the property, the higher ground affording them a clear view of everything, but the front. Clive was entertaining some friends on the patio and they didn't seem to be there for a social visit. Without the aid of sound, they could only guess at what they were saying. The look on one man as he spoke to Clive, definitely said he wasn't happy with him for some reason. Clive was trying to apologize, or pleading with him. The man wasn't accepting whatever Clive was saying and stormed away, out of the yard.
They saw a car pulling away and it was a black Cadillac Coupe de Ville. That made them begin to wonder if Clive was the shooter, then Lenny seemed to be putting it together in a different focus.
"No, no, I don't think that guy shot Marlene. JT said she was positive it was Clive that did it, so I'm guessing buddy in the Caddy, is pissed at Brock, because the fucker used his car and now it's wanted in connection to the shootings."
"Shit Lenny, I bet you're right, brother. Makes sense to me. Brock didn't want to use a car that Marlene, or even Jake recognized. He took that guy's car and did it and probably didn't tell him. I bet those guys are mob guys down there and our friend Clive is in shit with them. I wonder."
JT went back to looking at the patio and their subject of interest. Clive was definitely trying to calm down the other two men that stayed and they weren't buying whatever Clive was trying to sell them. Clive looked like he was close to begging them to accept it and then they relented and gave in to him. Clive was extremely thankful for whatever they gave him and even through the lenses, he was sweating bullets enough, to stain his shirt with it.
"What are you wondering about, JT?"
"Just something that I was thinking about, considering what I see and what that guy was pissed about. Here's my take on all of this. Let me know if I'm way off on this, but I think we might be looking for a meeting."
"With who, JT?"
"Those mob guys down there."
"Are you fucking nuts, or what? Why the hell would we want to talk to those guys for?"
"Just listen, Piney and you'll see where I'm going with this."
JT explained his thoughts on the mob guys not being happy with Clive and how it might be to their benefit, to let them know they want Clive dead and if they'd be open to the idea of them killing him. There was objection to it and acceptance of it. One side argued their point and the other argued theirs, both feeling they were right in their thinking. JT let it go on for a while, in part to see if they could work it out themselves, but mostly to see where everyone stood.
"Guys, guys, hold up. Stop already!"
The argumentative debates ended abruptly and they looked at JT.
"Both of you are right in what you're saying, but what makes me lean towards having the meeting, is what you're missing the point of. Clive fucked up right? He obviously used that guy's car without telling him, or he wouldn't have left so pissed off. The other guys were grilling our friend hard enough afterwards, that he was sweating like a pig and that I saw. Now, why do I think it's a good idea? Here's why. Marlene is still alive and she's under protective custody. If she turns evidence about Clive doing it, it's going to lead back to those guys eventually and that's why he's shitting himself right now."
Things started making more sense to those opposing, understanding now, that the mob was faced with the situation they were in, but from a different perspective. Getting rid of Clive, solved a great many problems for both sides. Knowing Marlene had information that was damaging to them, put her at risk, but knowing Clive was out of the picture completely, might keep their relationship one of mutual assurances.
The six hour drive back to Charming, had heads getting into the idea of talking to the mob and another drive east to the city of sin. JT wanted to see Marlene and talk to her about everything, so he was going to get dropped off at the Holiday Inn and see what she thought of the idea. As good as they thought it was, unless Marlene was of the same mind, it was just useless thinking. JT knew in his heart, he had a way with her and she would accept it, once he had a chance to explain it all. He kept telling himself that, every step he took, until he was ready to knock on the door. He took a deep breath after being cleared by Wayne and knocked. Suzy opened the door and was ecstatic with happiness at seeing him.
He came in and Suzy closed the door, hugging him tightly and kissing him passionately. JT was happy to feel that love for him, grounding him with someone and something. They walked into the suite, to see Azure completely naked, sitting beside Marlene, who was quite enjoying having her beside her in that condition.
"Hi JT, we were explaining free love to Marlene."
