As The World Turns

Chapter 52

Taylor and Marshall both let Jodie fuss over Taylor; the first thing Jodie did when she came into the room was to take one look at her black eye and pull her best friend into a hug. However, it took a little longer because she had the fumble with her crutches first, but never the less she managed to pull Taylor into a bone-crushing hug. It was after that that Jodie then demanded to know what had happened and specifically said that Taylor couldn't pick her clothes out until she'd given an explanation that Jodie felt was good enough.

So sighing heavily, Taylor took a seat on the sofa next to where Jodie was sat. Marshall decided he was going to perch on the arm of the sofa, however, he soon realised it wasn't the most comfortable position he could have chosen and so settled on the floor instead. It was only when everyone was finally comfortable that Taylor finally started speaking.

''Well, I was working at Mcdonalds right...''

''Wait I thought you were a stripper?'' Marshall questioned cutting her off, ''What?'' He shrugged after both women glared at him.

''The club's not open all day Marshall a lot of us have two jobs,'' Jodie responded, waving to Taylor to carry on which she did.

''So anyway, I was just doing my last order before getting off and someone slid a not over the counter at me and left. It said to meet them in the ally after my shift...''

''And you went,'' Jodie exclaimed wide-eyed, not believing that her friend hadn't been cautious enough in the situation.

''No I didn't, god I'm not that stupid. I through the note away and then hightailed it out of there to my car. Um, I think they knew I wasn't going to meet them in the ally, cause they were stood by my car. At first, I thought it was Joey, ya know wanting updates about whether we'd found who was selling drugs on his turf, but as I got closer I realised it was a guy and girl,'' She paused to take a deep breath before continuing was her story as if she was conflicted between finishing the story and not wanting to at the same time.

''I guy was Terrence and the girl was Sophia,'' the hair stood up on the back of Jodie's neck when the names rolled out of Taylor's mouth. To Marshall, the names meant nothing but the way they seemed to hang in the air as both girls sucked in deep breaths told him they meant something.

''Er... who are they exactly?'' He asked a little sheepishly.

''A couple of years ago Terrence and Sophia tried to get my dad to sell them the club for a big sum of money. He nearly did before a couple of cops came over one night asking if he'd seen a married couple; the couple turned out to be Terrence and Sophia they were wanted for a whole array of crimes, drugs, money laundering, sex trafficking and just horrible things. So my dad told them about the deal they wanted to make and basically, the police used the club as a set up to arrest them,'' Jodie explained to Marshall whose jaw was starting to drop. It astounded him that something like that had happened in his city without him even knowing about it.

''So they out of prison or what?''

''Looks like it,'' Taylor shrugged, ''and they still have interest in the club, they must have done their research and knowing I was a stripper and where I worked during the day. This was a warning I think,'' Taylor added pointing at her puffy black eye.

''I'll go get you some ice and we'll figure out what to do about Terence and Sophia alright,'' Taylor nodded, letting Marshall sort some ice out for her.

''Jo, I really think you should ring your dad and tell him,'' the comment fell on deaf ears and Jodie was already on the phone by the time Taylor had got the sentence out.

''He says he'll inform the police and to tell you to be ready because he's also reported them for assault.''

''I better get home then I don't think Marshall will want police rocking up here. Might draw unwanted attention,'' Taylor suggested as she started going through which of the clothes scattered around the room where hers.

Marshall came back with the ice for Taylor's eye a couple of minutes later and so she sat on the floor with a pack of ice placed on her eye while reflecting through the piles of clothes to find the items she'd ordered.

''I'll work out how much this all was and send you the money Marshall,'' Taylor offered, collecting the buddle of items in her arms, preparing to carry them to the car.

''Nah it alright, you don't have to. You want help with that though?'' Marshall waved off Taylors offer with his own.

''I'm good, I think I've caused enough trouble for now. I'll see you later Jo, bye Marshall,'' with that said Taylor left.

+++

Marshall found Jodie sat on their bed humming as she folded away everything into neat piles and placing them down on the bed. He noticed that the suitcase was open on the floor and realised that she was folding the clothes to fit in the case.

''Why don't you just put your stuff in my closet?'' Marshall asked as he sat down next to her the bed sinking as he did.

''You wouldn't mind I mean it kinda looks like you got a system in there,'' Jodie pointed out nodding her head in the direction of his closet.

''So I'll figure out a new system for us,'' she opened her mouth to object, but Marshall placed a finger on her lips, ''shush, no arguing. I'm not having it,'' he lifted his finger off her mouth, giving her a quick kiss in its place before getting up of the bed.

''You want any help sorting everything out?'' Jodie grabbed his arm lighting to ask, however he just shook his head.

''Just sit and watch the master.''

''If you want me to call you the closet master and think you need to see a psychiatrist,'' Jodie giggle as he gave her the middle finger.