Middle of a Memory

Chapter 12

October 2015

Delilah was sitting in her office going over emails when her phone went off. "Unknown Caller." She hit ignore and went back to her work. Ten minutes later it rang again. "Unknown Caller." She sighed and hit ignore again. She was getting annoyed which caused her to furrow her eyebrows. She normally didn't get irritated by little things. When it rang a third time she swallowed hard. "Hello?" She said a little forcefully.

"Ms. Bryan?"

"It's Swindell now but yes?"

"This is Detective Hawkins from Atlanta PD."

"Ok?"

"I was calling you because there was a note on a file regarding a restraining order against a Ryan Jones?"

"Yes. That is from several years ago, Detective."

"Mrs. Swindell...."

"Lila."

"Lila, the reason I am calling is because something has happened with Mr. Jones and the note stated that you needed to be notified immediately."

"What's this about, Detective?" Her stomach was jumping.

"Lila, Mr. Jones was killed in a fight last night while in lock up."

Delilah felt the air rush out of her. She sat back in her chair. "I'm sorry. What did you just say?"

"Mr. Jones.... he is deceased."

She swallowed hard. "What was he in jail for?"

"Stalking. He violated a restraining order against a Ms. Regan Hall."

"What happened? Please.... I need to know. He.... he stalked me for years. Beat me. Put me in a hospital."

"He and another inmate got in an altercation over a picture. The other inmate stabbed him repeatedly in the stomach and chest. He bled out before EMT's could get to him."

"Thank you for letting me know, Detective...."

"Mrs. Swindell...Lila, there's something else."

"What?"

"The picture that he was stabbed over.... it was of you and I believe your husband. He had cut up the face of the man...."

"Thank you, Detective but I have to go." She hung up and shut down her computer. She needed to see Cole. She needed to get to her husband. She glanced at the clock. It was nearly six. Cole would be headed home from the studio.

She threw her phone into her purse and grabbed her keys. She shoved her arms in her jacket as she walked to the floor. "Ladies, I'm headed out. I'm not gonna be in tomorrow. I'll see you in a few days."

"Anything wrong, Lils?"

"No. Just need to take care of some stuff at home." She lied.

"Ok. Let us know if you need anything."

Delilah backed out of the parking lot and turned her Jeep for home. She broke at least twenty speed limit laws she knew by the time she pulled into the driveway beside Cole's truck. The lights were on. Tears were filling her eyes. She wanted to be in his arms. She took a deep breath and opened the front door.

Cole had just twisted the top off  a beer and taken a pull when the front door opened. His wife stepped through the door. He knew something was wrong when she threw her jacket and purse on the floor.

She flung herself into his arms. Her weight nearly knocked him off balance. He swallows the beer that was in his mouth. "Whoa. What's wrong?"
"Just hold me." She said into his chest.

He held her tight for a few minutes. "Ok. You wanna tell me what's wrong?" He pulled back and eased her into the bar stool. Bailey lifted his head and seemed to sense her mood. He crossed the room and say at her feet. She let her hand ran across his head for comfort. She took a deep breath. "It's over, Cole."

He looked confused"what's over, baby?"
"Ryan. It's over. He's dead." She picked up his bottle and took a pull.
"huh? Baby what are you talkin about? Who told you that?"
She took another pull from his bottle. "A detective from Atlanta called just little bit ago. He said Ryan was killed in jail. He was stalking Regan. Another inmate stabbed him. He bled out before EMTs could get to him."

Cole ran his hand over his face. "Wow."  He walked to the liquor cabinet and pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels. He poured a shot and tossed it back. It burned goin down but he poured another.
"What are you doin?"
"Celebrating." He tossed back a third shot. "I hope that son of a bitch is burning in hell. God forgive me but I do."

Delilah got up from the stool and crossed to her husband. She wrapped her arms around his waist. "Take me upstairs. I just want to be with you."
"Done." He scooped her up in his arms and headed for the stairs.

They made it as far as the third step before his phone rang. "Damn it." He groaned.
"Don't answer it..."
"I have to. It's Kerri." He pecked her mouth and put her on her feet. 

Delilah grinned as he answered the phone. "I'll order dinner."
He nodded and headed for his office.