As promised, here's part four. Let me know what you think and in the meantime, I'm going to keep writing. Time between stories and chapters for me is random. I do apologize, but life (toddler) gets in the way.
Take care
Average Joe.
*****
It was a little after breakfast. Johnny had already left for his shift at the station. Carly was studiously trying to keep a straight face while the three of them ate scrambled eggs.
"So, you gonna see him again?" Josie asked with a mischievous grin.
Now Carly couldn't hold back the grin. "Maybe, just don't tell daddy. These hills of yours are a testament to how much empty land out here there is to hide a body."
Josie just laughed, "I'll keep that... Wait... Hills?"
Carly just rolled her eyes, "you've lived here for two years, and you've never bothered reading the deed?" Josie just shook her head slowly. "Josie, remember when I told you the rocks in the hills made it impossible to build, making it useless to developers?" This time Josie nodded, "That's because the hills were part of the sale. You own almost one hundred and fifty acres."
"Josie," Charlie suddenly cut in. "When do you have classes next?"
"Not until Wednesday, why what's up?"
"Do... Do you think we can go for a walk today? Or tomorrow?"
"Sure Charlie, anything for you," Josie said, leaning over and kissing her porcelain lover.
Carly just smiled. She might have felt a small flutter of jealousy, but she couldn't help but remember the feeling of Johnny's lips as they made love just a couple hours earlier. Josie and Charlie could have their moment. She'd have her's later.
When their meal was finished, the three of them set about doing the dishes. Charlie started washing what was available, Josie dried and Carly collected everything and put them away. She'd been coming round often enough she knew where everything belonged by now. When that was finished, they retreated to separate bathrooms. Carly taking the main bathroom on the ground floor. Josie and Charlie went upstairs to the en suite. It wasn't something they'd spoken about, but Josie knew that it was in respect for Johnny. And she herself could respect that greatly. It would be a little sad not knowing Carly in a more physical manner in the future, but her friendship was more important.
The shower itself was quick and hot. Although, that didn't stop Charlie from insisting on 'checking Josie's shave job.' Checking was done via her tongue and the only spot she checked was Josie's clitoris. Soon enough, they were both clean and dry. Dressing in comfortable clothing, they went downstairs to meet with Carly. She was already waiting for them, sitting on the lounge with a mug of coffee. Before Josie could ask, two more were carried out on Charlie's black appendages. This wasn't going to be an easy morning for any of them.
"They're gonna ask about your black eye," Josie said softly.
"Yeah, I know. Daddy's gonna be pissed."
"He seems like a good father," Charlie said softly.
The conversation just stopped as both ladies looked at her. Josie knew there was more to that statement, but she knew now wasn't the time. With a quick 'look' and a hug, they postponed their conversation for later. With their coffees finished, the three of them deposited their mugs in the sink and headed for the front door. Josie still couldn't help giving the door a quick kiss as she closed it. Charlie smiled anyway.
"I'll follow you, Carly," Josie called out.
She didn't get a response as she climbed into the driver's seat. A moment later she was joined by Charlie. They buckled themselves in and Josie started the engine. The driveway was shaped in a ring at the front of the house, making it easy for multiple vehicles to move out. But it was only a few moments before Carly started pulling away. To Josie's great embarrassment, she actually lived on the same road as the local police station. She'd never technically driven past, as it was one intersection down than she usually turned off to go to her classes, but it wasn't off by much. It also explained the speed of their response when Carly sent out her message. Josie made a mental note not to speed on her little road. She wasn't quite sure where it was considered private land and where was public, but a ticket and loss of licence wasn't worth it.
Pulling up out the front of the police station, Jose, holding Charlie's hand, accompanied Carly inside. The receptionist recognised Carly immediately, picking up the phone and dialling a number.
"Officer Carpenter, your daughter is here," she said quickly before hanging up. "Hi Carly, we all heard about what happened at your friend's place. Don't worry, we're getting him without bail until the hearing, we've already got an interim order. Well, once the hospital releases him anyway."
"Thanks, Clara," Carly smiled.
Before the conversation could continue, a door opened behind them and Al stepped out. "Come on ladies, you'll be interviewed separately for legalities, but you should all be done in an hour or so."
Josie gave Charlie's hand a quick squeeze before following Carly through the door. They were lead to individual rooms for the questioning. Charlie was with Al, Josie with Johnny and Carly with the receptionist. Sure enough, an hour later, Josie and Charlie were waiting in reception for Carly to finish up her statement. Her's had taken a little longer because her phone recorded the audio of the entire event. Unless she wanted to surrender her entire phone, they needed a copy then and there. Of course, it was a no brainer for her. The phone she needed for work and the recording app she used was designed for ease of use. It was only about another ten minutes before Carly joined the others in reception, with Al following behind.
"Don't worry ladies. He's not likely to get away with any of this. Also, I'll swing round tonight and pick up the SD card from the camera that filmed him shoot the door." He said with a gentle smile. "I'm just glad you're all safe."
"Thank you, Sir," Josie smiled. "Can you let Al know that we'll be at Barbara's in a few minutes, please?"
Al just smiled and nodded his head. The three ladies waved goodbye and went outside to their cars.
"You coming, Carly?" Josie asked her friend.
Carly just sighed, "no, I think I'll pass this time. I might end up taking another day off I think."
"Okay, if you're sure," Josie said, pulling the taller woman into a hug.
Charlie followed up straight away with a hug of her own. There weren't any hard feelings between them. Their evening was ruined by the actions of one person, and one person alone. Piling into their cars, Carly pulled away first and headed for home. Josie was just behind her and made her way to her favourite coffee shop. This made her nervous if she was being honest. She knew how Barbara had reacted last time, but last time her brother wasn't hospitalised and looking at jail time. So it wasn't much of a surprise when they pulled up in the parking lot to find the coffee shop closed. But, Josie had a responsibility to keep her word, so she waited in the carpark for Al. A few minutes later, he came strolling in from the direction of the hardware store.
Josie and Charlie climbed out of the car and approached the older man. "Hey Al, doesn't look like it's open today, is there somewhere else I can take you for a drink?"
Al just smiled grimly and gestured for them to follow. They marched in confusion as he approached the front door of the coffee shop and produced a key. He unlocked the front door and held it open for the two of them. Under normal circumstances, Josie would have been nervous. But Al was trusted by Al the cop and she had Charlie with her, she didn't even hesitate. Stepping inside the store, the first thing she noticed was the sound of someone crying.
"I figured she'd be like this," Al said sadly. "I helped raise those kids after their mother died. They grew real close after Barbara got hurt. Those two were damned near inseparable. So finding out he's guilty of it himself... " Al just sighed, "you two take a seat. I'll go wrangle Barbara out of bed."
Josie and Charlie found a couple of seats where they waited. The muffled sounds of crying suddenly got louder as Al opened a door in the back. Her choked sound of surprise gave way to cries of despair that were suddenly muffled as Al must have closed the door. A few minutes later, they could hear her calm down, and a few more after that, Al appeared with Barbara in tow. She obviously wasn't dressed for work, wearing purple jammies with baked goods printed on them. Her hair was a mess and her makeup was smudged. She'd clearly not been expecting company today. And seeing who was standing in her shop, she stopped cold.
"I... I-I'm sorry," she said softly as her lip began to quiver. "I didn't raise him like this, I-I-I don't know where I went wrong..."
Her tears hit the floor, a bare moment before she was enveloped in the arms of her two customers. None of them realised Al had quietly let himself out. Let alone that he locked the door behind him as he left. After a few minutes of crying and quiet apologies, they'd finally steered Barbara into the kitchen. Barbara was shaking too badly to be of much use, so Josie was getting some hands-on experience making professional coffees. It took her a couple goes and she only burned the milk once. But soon enough, she had three passable flat whites. Sending them via Charlie over to a table, Josie found a few pieces of chocolate mud cake in the cabinet and got them out too. By the time the coffee's were finished and the cake just about gone, Barbara had just about collected herself.
