The Tyrant's Trophy

Quinn.

Chad would never know this but I do have fears; I fear for him and Maybell as well as myself. Just because we have the evidence we need against Phil, doesn’t mean there will be a happy ever after. This whole situation we find ourselves in - I don’t see a silver lining.

Maybell will still carry the scars Phil left; internally and externally. Then she’ll hate Chad WHEN she finds out about her baby. My brother will be crushed but still follow her to the end of the earth. I don’t see Phil going to jail either.

The man is too slimy; he’ll find a way to evade justice. I know it. He has long arms in the underworld - more than what Chad thinks. Thinking back to the time Abijah and I talked with him in the cafe - I felt chills.

His words weren’t praises; they came off more as a permanent ‘goodbye.’ As he walked away, I couldn’t help but think to myself ‘He knows.’

Since then, I couldn’t bring myself to sleep fully. There’s this knot in my stomach and it's continually tightening. Something’s going to happen soon. There’s going to be a war of some sort and I’m afraid…I don’t think I’m going to live to see this case through.

I hung up both relieved and irritated. I expected Chad to bring Maybell back to the hospital when they left the club. Maybell wasn’t doing so well; her hair was twitching and it seemed whoever that ‘call’ girl was - Maybell didn’t like one bit. With Phil having some dangerous ties, my fear was someone would see my brother and her and go after them. Chad’s been less aware of his surroundings because of Maybell.

He should have gone straight to my hospital when they left but I’m glad they’re safe. I think my nerves are shot. I had fun last night; it was nice to unwind even a little but going home brought all my anxieties back.

I would have left with Abijah but she was still with Kelly having a much-needed conversation. I didn’t want to disturb her. Luckily, I ran into an old colleague. He was celebrating a relative’s birthday and we happened to sing a song together. Always the gentleman, he escorted me home.

It eased my anxieties a little but just a little. It did nothing to lift the loneliness in my heart. I hate being alone. Usually, I’m surrounded by people who need me in some way so I don’t acknowledge the distasteful feelings that sprew at times. I was raised like Chad: if I don’t like something - too bad. Suck it up, buttercup, because life isn’t fair.

Reminding myself of that, I chugged my coffee and turned on my laptop. On top of all the research and evidence I’ve been gathering, I saved it on my personal laptop. It was a precaution in case Phil sent anyone to sneak in and tamper with my tech. Now though, it just made sense to take the extra step and save these to my drive.

As I did that, I mentally checked off the other things I’ve been busy with. Ben has been recovering remarkably - soon, I won’t need to check on him. It’s a little saddening since I’ve grown to like our banters. Daphnie is close to popping any day now: I spent months badgering her husband to bring her closer to the city so I can keep surveillance on her pregnancy. Didn’t work but fortunately, they should be back this month.

Abija went to have a ‘talk’ with her husband who somehow got my number and kept blowing up my office phone to beg me to tell him where she was. The chief of police needs the files back and they have some more autopsies files for me to go through which means more sleepless nights.

After finishing downloading all the information, I put the flash drive in the secret pocket I had inside my coat where I hid candy. If worse comes to worse and we can’t nail Dr. Sweetheart with the law, we can use this to expose him to the public. From there, his career will be dragged down the gutter and he’ll lose business even if the courts deem him innocent.

The morning went on as usual and by the time Chad and Maybell got here, I wanted to just drop on a bed and catch up on more sleep. However, it was time for Maybell’s session and there seemed to be something on her mind. She was eerily…blank faced - quite a drastic change from the expressions she often has. It also bothered me that Chad didn’t pick up on it - he held her hand and spoke soothingly to her that our session would be okay and that he’d be there when she got back.

The ends of her hair curled slightly but aside from that, no expression. Hypervigilant of these things, I led her to our usual room and allowed her to sit first. I made sure to remove my coat and lock it in my drawer before taking my own seat.

“How are you doing today, Maybell?” I began, taking my clipboard and pen. I didn’t think my stomach could drop any deeper than it did. Maybell was detached today and the atmosphere felt frigid. It was as if we were in Antarctica on some iceberg. Clearing my throat a little, I unwillingly prodded. “Last time we touched on the topic of your baby. You couldn’t bring yourself to say her name.”

Maybell dug her fingers into the chair, tearing the furniture. “My baby…” My throat dried at the murderous tone. Her pupils dilated and her breathing became unsteady; something I learned was not a good thing. She was dangerous. “I found out about my baby this morning.”

Her gaze turned on me, pinning me in place. “I knew Phil killed her. He injected me with something that led her to suffocate in me. She got buried and I wasn’t allowed anywhere close to the funeral. I couldn’t kiss her goodbye or hold her for the first and last time. Phil stole those condolences from me. I know that and I wanted to visit her grave…but Chad stole that from me didn’t he?”

It felt as if she was choking me even though she didn’t lay a finger or hair on me. “I wanted to know what happened to her; what Phil did to me that killed her…I hoped to visit her grave if I could just find out where it was. I cried about it - unable to sleep or eat or live. When Chad came into my life I actually began to HOPE again only to have that ripped from me AGAIN!”

Crap. She found out…and I’m not going to act clueless.

“How you find out.” At once, her hair pinned me to my seat.

“You knew…” I grimaced as her hair squeezed me, some strands cutting me. “Chad knew and he said nothing.” Maybell grabbed my shirt and pulled me close. Her eyes were wild. “You knew too? Did Abijah know and Adam?! You guys knew she was never buried - her organs were taken and shipped to sick politicians and Phil kept the body locked away in some vase for his SCIENCE.”

Painfully, I nodded. With her grip, there was no chance of getting a sedative. I steeled myself for the worst. Surely, she would beat me to death.

However, she wasn’t done questioning. “Why did Chad lie to me.” She murmured. “Why did no one tell me the truth? Why didn’t you tell me the truth, Quinn?”

“Because I was afraid.” I breathed, returning her stare.

“Afraid?”

“Look at what you’re doing right now.” She listened, taking a long look at how she held me hostage. Her humane side surfaced, loosening her grip on me a bit. Breathing better, I continued answering her honestly. “Chad was supposed to tell you but he didn’t. I didn’t know he lied until after. I wanted to tell you but you’re unbalanced, Maybell. You attacked that man, me, and Abijah. The damage was already done and I feared you hurting my brother.”

Her eyes widened. “I…” She couldn’t answer back.

“You’re angry and rightfully so, but if I would have told you - what would you have done? Listen to me with Chad telling you otherwise? Would you have had him pinned and murderously suffocating him like this? Do what you want with me, but I’ll die protecting my brother.”

Her hands were shaking, clenching, and unclenching the fabric of my shirt. She was definitely weighing my words and soaking it all in until forcefully relinquished her hold. Her hair cut me alright, but luckily they were shallow cuts.

“I…” Maybell grabs her face, scratching at it harshly. “Chad was my angel…the reason for a future but now…he’s just like my husband. Why do I have to consider their feelings? They’re the monsters - not ME!” Her eyes implored me madly. “I want to hurt them, Quinn. I’m so ANGRY - they hurt me…why can’t I do the same to them?”

“By all means, kick my brother in the crotch, May, but I BEG of you,” Throwing my own pride to the wind, I kneeled before the broken woman. “Don’t kill my brother. He’s all I got.”

It was true. Our parents were still alive but Chad was the one I was closest to.

I cared for the brat our entire lives. I love him and I won’t forgive myself if May kills him.

Reasonably upset with that but seeming to heed my words, Maybell conceded. “I won’t…kill him.” I nodded, grateful. “But I don’t want to be here anymore and I want to see the documents on my husband.”

“That’s fair.” Getting to my feet, I got my phone. “Abijah has them and she’ll be more than enthusiastic about sharing them with you.