TJ's Journey to Parenthood - 6. Chapter 6

“TJ, what did you see?” Emma said standing next to me and Rylan’s body

“I saw Margaret shoot Rylan and say she drugged Bob.” I replied

“Is that all you saw?” Emma asked

“Yes” I replied

“Ok TJ, time to watch again but play closer attention” Emma said snapping her fingers and things began to rewind.

I saw the whole argument and then it paused.

“TJ look over by Margaret’s car.” Emma said

“Holy crap it’s someone else.” I said

“Yes, now pay close attention” Emma said and things started to happen again. This time I noticed it wasn’t Margaret who fired the shots but the unidentified person with her.

“Margaret distracted Rylan while the unknown person got out of the car and shot him” I said

“Yes, now let’s go for a ride shall we” Emma said. We were in the car and it was speeding away from where Rylan lie dying.

“I am so glad to get rid of the son of a bitch.” Margaret said

“He thought he was invincible and I can’t believe he turned your brother gay” I froze at the voice as I recognized it but it sounded younger.

“Yes, TJ you know this man” Emma said

“It can’t be.” I said

“It is and he’s buried the truth for years.” Emma said

“Why did he start dating Bob then?” I asked

“Ahhh… an important question; Let’s go get that answer, shall we” Emma said and we were gone again. This time we were in a very nice house and I saw Margaret standing by the fire place

“What do you mean you’re in love with Bobby?” Margaret admonished

“I’ve spent so much time with him during the investigation I’ve kind of fallen for him” Randy said

“Randy, I can’t believe you. You were supposed to make him feel devastated to the point he takes his own life. I can’t run for President having a gay brother.” Margaret said

“Listen Margaret, it’s 2020 and you more support if you were LGBTQI ally. Frankly, your track record in the Senate is worse than you having a gay brother. I’ve helped you as much as I can but the train stops here.” Randy said

“Do you think you’d be where you are without me?” Margaret fumed

“I know I wouldn’t but you’d risk your own reputation to get my fired” Randy smirked

“You fucker… you set me up” Margaret said

“You bet your ass I did.” Randy said

“Hey Aunt Margaret” a young CC said coming into the room

“Hello Caroline; how was the first semester of medical school?” Margaret said with fake sincerity

“Oh it is quite fun and interesting” CC said and smiled

“Hello Caroline” Randy said

“Hi Randall, nice to see you again; thanks for the help with the ticket” CC said

“Anything for you” Randy said and winked

“Do not flirt with my niece. It’s bad enough my brother wanted her and the boys.” Margaret said

Watching this whole conversation was really enlightening but I still didn’t understand.

“Why are we here Emma?” I asked

“You see Margaret was involved in killing Rylan but so was Randy” Emma said

“CC learned about her brothers here” I said

“Yes but Margaret deflects that later saying they died as infants.” Emma said

“I have one fucked up family” I said

“That we do TJ. One last thing to see” Emma replied and it felt like we were in fast forward mode.

I watch Randy pouring two cups of Brandy except he poured something else into one cup and gave it a stir and walked out.

“Ah here we go, A brandy for you Margaret and one for you CC.” Randy said

“Congratulations on Graduation and being the top of your class” Margaret said

“I second that.” Randy said and everyone took a drink.

“Now I am going to lie down and then tonight we will have a nice party.” Margaret said

“I am going to see Richard” CC said

“Margaret, don’t forget you owe me.” Randy said

“I owe you nothing; I lost my re-election killing my presidential run and you got my fag of a brother.” Margaret said walking up the stairs.

A few hours later:

“Margaret is never late to dinner” CC said looking at her watch

“Maybe she over slept?” Richard asked

“Not like her at all” CC said pulling out her phone and dialing but didn’t get an answer.

“You want to go check on her or eat and hope she shows” Richard said

“After was we did today, I think I’d rather eat.” CC said and blushed

Emma did her fast forward moment and Margaret never showed at dinner and I didn’t see Randy either; I wonder if he was due to show up. Back at the house we found Randy taking both brandy glasses and placing them in a bag. He went upstairs and we saw Margaret to appear to be asleep

“You’re going to get a hell of a funeral. Have a nice dirt nap you bitch” Randy said and walked downstairs and went out the back door; just as CC and Richard came in the front door.

“She must still be asleep” CC said

“Want to check on her?” Richard asked

“Yes, I need to make sure she is ok” CC replied

They walked up the stairs and CC knocked on Margaret’s door. Since she didn’t get an answer she opened the door and went in. She saw Margaret’s sleeping pills on the table and couldn’t rouse her but she didn’t seem worried. She checked that she was breathing and closed the door. Somewhere during the night Margaret died as the poison had slowed everything down and suffocated. CC found her the next morning and called 911 to report she was unresponsive. She had tried CPR which the medics took over once they arrived. They were unable to revive her and her death was ruled an accident, she had alcohol and the pills in her system. Whatever Randy had slipped into her drink was not on the toxicology report.

“So TJ, you see how screwed up Rylan’s death was” Emma asked

“Yes it was very screwed up; Randy loved Bob and got rid of Rylan under the pretense of helping Margaret. Margaret lost her Senate re-election and was killed to cover all the tracks” I said

“Randy is deceiving people but we need to be careful because of Bob.” Emma said

“What do we do?” I asked

“We need Randy to confess.” Emma said

“Are you telling me I need to convince him? He could kill me.” I said worried

“Well dear TJ, these are his memories we are in. He isn’t like us so we can visit him in his dreams.” Emma said

“So we can haunt him?” I question

“Precisely” Emma said

“So is this why I am here?” I asked

“I hate to say this but yes, I made sure you got pregnant. I needed a partner in crime and you my dear are the best choice” Emma said smiling

“I am?” I said

“TJ, you and I have a lot more in common that people realize and know. You don’t even know what you are capable of but I do. Why do you think Tristan calls you his brudder?” Emma said

“Because he loves me.” I said

“That is true but you guys come from the same DNA.” Emma said

“What?” I said shocked

“You are genetically related, while Bob and Kevin are his grandfather and father, you are his true family.” Emma said

“I don’t understand.” I said puzzled

“In time you will come to understand everything. We must get back now I know Bob he’s worried about you and I need a drink.” Emma said and smiled

“Where have you two been? I was worried sick” Bob said pacing

“I had to help Emma.” I said

“Bobby, please you need to calm down. You get so excited these days.” Emma said walking to her chair and sitting down

“You can’t just take off without telling people” Bob said angrily

“First of all Bobby, you wouldn’t understand why it is like to be me. Secondly, young TJ is my replacement.” Emma said and Bob got this look on his face

“Emma what replacement?” Rusty said

“You mean he’s the one?” Mary said

“No way Emma, I would know.” Bob said

“Bobby, you’ve been so worried and I told you eventually I would need someone to acclimate to this life and TJ is the chosen one.” Emma said

“Bob, I think you need a drink” Mary said pouring him some whisky.

“Emma, are you sure it’s TJ?” CC said

“I am positive. Look how close he and Tristan are, his children and just weeks old and well advanced. What more proof could you ask for?” Emma said

“This can’t be true Emma” Bob said

“He and I disappeared at the same time without touching hands and we were at the same place. Bob you can’t explain and control everything.” Emma said

“God damn it Emma, I’ve known for a while and have been unable to protect him. Did you know his mother has tried to kill him since he was a toddler?” Bob challenged

“Yes I do; why do you think she was so unsuccessful? The amount of “medicine” she gave him he should have been dead a long time ago but he is still standing right here.” Emma said

At that moment there was a knock at the door and I saw a dark cloud forming around the inside of the door.