Shattered Lives (The Shattered Series Book 1) Read online

  “She’s gone. If you’re referring to her office door, she doesn’t always lock up when she leaves.” Suzette sat in her chair and turned to face Ramona who was drinking a can soda. Ramona quickly tried to think of a way to get Suzette away from her desk to snoop around in Tami's office.

  “Tim never leaves his door opened, even while working. He's very secretive,” Ramona said slinging her almost empty soda can back and forth in her hand. Just then she purposely let the can slip, spilling her cola all over Suzette’s desk and white skirt. Ramona grabbed some tissues and handed it to her. “I'm so sorry.”

  “Oh, It's not coming out,” cried Suzette. “I’ll try to clean it in the restroom. I'll be back.”

  “Once again, I apologize,” she said trying to sound as sincere as possible. She waited until Suzette was down the hall to wander into Tami's office. She started with her desk. There were a few printed emails and reports mostly things she has already seen in Tim's emails. Next, she tried opening the desk drawers, but they were all locked except for the bottom left drawer. Ramona bent down to go through it. Inside there were empty file folders, except for one labeled Emergence Project. She opened the folder, inside was a paper with random numbers written all over it. She snapped a picture of the paper and closed the desk drawer. Suzette still hadn't returned from the ladies room. Ramona left her a note apologizing and offering to pay for any dry cleaning bill. Although, it was purposely done Suzette was one person she had to stay on good terms with. She returned to her desk and completed all the work she promised Tim.

  Ramona placed her earbuds in her ear and pressed the play button on her Ipod. She then began the mundane task of working on the many spreadsheets she had to do before the end of the evening. After two hours passed, she was finished. She shut down her computer and opened the image of the paper from Tami's desk on her phone. The next step was to find anything she could about the Emergence Project then sabotage it.

  On her drive home, while stuck in a never-ending traffic jam her thoughts lingered on the day she was released from juvenile detention. It was the first time she had met her Aunt Melissa, who told her that her father had passed. Her aunt was someone she had never met or heard any mention of. She was a complete stranger. Yet, Ramona had to leave with her because she was family. A family she did not desire.

  ◆◆◆

  She can recall that moment like it happened yesterday. Her aunt had insisted she accompany her to her house, she said everyone would be there to meet her. Ramona wondered who ‘everyone’ was, she did not want to meet anyone new or talk about her dad with people she doesn’t know. The car had arrived at the home an hour later. It was a massive multi-level house at the end of a cul-de-sac, it was the type of home Ramona always dreamed of living in with her parents.

  When she entered, her aunt introduced her to everyone there. Ramona was numb from the hurt and pain she couldn’t respond when each person offered their condolences. She wanted those people who were strangers to her, to stop with the hugs and the promises of helping her now that her father had passed. Once Ramona was alone, she searched the house for anything she could keep for herself in her dad’s memory. She found one picture of her parents together in a drawer. It was an old photo, tattered on the edges. Her parents looked young and happy. Ramona stuffed the picture in her wallet, she couldn’t imagine anyone else who would want it. Later, her Aunt Melissa told her what happened the night her father had died. She said according to the police, sometime between nine and ten o’clock that night a man robbed the clinic of drugs. Although they have yet to apprehend the person who shot her father, there’s a video of the robber entering and exiting the clinic. Melissa was the one who found him hours later when he hadn’t returned home. The one thing that struck Ramona as her aunt spoke, was when she mentioned that her father didn’t plan to be at the clinic that night. He told her he would have the other doctors cover him because he wanted to prepare for Ramona’s release. However, he had a last-minute unscheduled meeting.

  Her father’s funeral was held two days later. The funeral was grander than she imagined. Evidently, her father was more important than she realized. Not only was the funeral attended by family but also friends, politicians, and strangers lives he touched. It was a beautiful ceremony. A choir sang three songs and people who he helped throughout his career told stories of how he offered them medical care when others turned them away. The common theme was with all the money he had, he always gave to the less fortunate.

  That evening Ramona packed her bags. She realized when she arrived that was not where she belonged. Her Aunt Melissa saw her walking towards the front door with her suitcase.

  “Ramona are you leaving?” she asked.

  Ramona placed her suitcase on the floor. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, but I don’t belong here. This is not my home.”

  “This was your father’s home so that makes it your home. If you leave where will you go?”

  “I’m grateful for your help, but I need to leave.”

  “Your mother is nowhere to be found and your grandmother died. I’m all the family you have left.”

  “True, but I have friends. I can stay with them,” said Ramona.

  “Nonsense! You are a Pennington, you will stay here. Where you belong,” she demanded.

  “My father is a Pennington. Doctor Michael Pennington the man who everyone loved. Sitting at the funeral, listening to everyone share how much they loved him and how wonderful he was. He opened a clinic in one of the roughest neighborhoods and offered free medical services. Services they couldn’t get anywhere else without money. Those people looked up to him and I’m his daughter. Me?! What have I done besides time behind bars? I can’t live up to the name and legacy my dad left behind.”

  “You sound like you have your mind made up. You are an adult and I can’t stop you from leaving, but I would like for you to stay.”

  “I can’t. I already called a cab it should be here soon.”.

  “If you insist on leaving at least let me give you some money,” she said reaching for her purse.

  She pulled out five crisp one-hundred-dollar bills and placed them in Ramona’s hands. She hugged her and told her if she ever needed anything to call. Ramona told her she would and left when her cab arrived.

  During her cab ride, Ramona thought about the last phone call she had with her father. He sounded tense and rushed to get off the phone. She had to know exactly what happened the night he was killed. In her mind, there were many questions that needed answers and there’s one person who could help. But first, there was something that had to be done. Ramona had the driver take her to where her grandmother used to live. When she arrived, she saw nothing had changed. It was if time had stood still. Ramona stared at the now vacant home and thoughts of the many hopes and dreams her grandmother had for her flooded her mind. She opened her home and heart to her when her parents were absent from her life. Tears welled up in Ramona’s eyes as she thought of her many regrets. She wished it all was one big mistake. Her father had not died, that he was waiting for her, ready to start their new beginning. But no one was there for her, not her father or grandmother. She’s left standing all alone. Ramona pulled herself together and walked two blocks over to her friend Rhonda's house. They had met in juvenile detention. They weren’t friends right away. Rhonda always seemed a bit nerdy for Ramona's taste. All Rhonda would talk about was computers and hacking. Things Ramona knew nothing about. The other girls would pick fights with Rhonda and bully her. Because Ramona felt bad for her, she would jump in and protect her from the bullies. Soon after, they became friends and have been ever since. Rhonda told Ramona she was arrested several times for fraud, helping people steal other's identity, and how she's able to hack into many big business’s computer databases. She never used what she found, it more of a thrill for her to hack into their systems. Ramona was very surprised to find they only lived two blocks from one another and they never crossed paths. The day Rhonda was released she gave
Ramona her address and told her to stop by. She hoped her friend was home because she needed a place to rest her head and figure out what happened to her father. When she arrived at Rhonda's, she and her mother were outside sitting on the porch together in matching white rocking chairs.

  “Mona, what are you doing here? I didn't know you were out?” Rhonda said as she stood and greeted her friend with a hug.

  “I got out a few days ago. I stopped by what used to be my grandmother's house, just to look at it and reminisce,” Ramona quietly replied.

  “Let me introduce you to my mom,” Ramona and Rhonda walked up the porch stairs.

  “Ma, this is my friend Ramona. The one I told you about,” said Rhonda.

  “How ya doing?” she asked before she gave Ramona a hug.

  Her mother was nothing like Ramona pictured. She was much older, old enough to be her grandmother. Rhonda was only nineteen, so she must have had her late in her life.

  “So, where are you staying?” Rhonda asked interrupting her thoughts.

  “Not sure, yet.”

  “You can stay here with us. There's an extra bedroom.”

  “Thanks,” Ramona replied with a weak smile.

  Rhonda showed Ramona around the small intimate three bedroom home, offering the room with a twin bed to her. Ramona laid down, pulling the quilt above her head. She wanted to hide the tears streaming down her face. She slept for three hours when she woke the aroma of fried chicken invaded her room. Ramona stepped out of the bedroom and found Rhonda helping in the kitchen with dinner.

  As she watched them, she thought about her mother and grandmother. For one split second, Ramona thought about finding her mother. But, deep down she knew that was not a wound she was willing to open.

  “Rhonda, I need your help with something,” whispered Ramona not wanting her mom to hear.

  “Sure, with what?”

  Ramona pulled Rhonda to the side. “I attended my dad’s funeral this morning. We had plans for me to live with him when I got out. Things have obviously changed.”

  “Mona, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you mention it earlier?”

  “I wasn’t ready. I’m mentioning now because I need your help. From what I’ve learned, my dad had an unplanned meeting with someone the night someone killed him. I need to know who.”

  Rhonda placed her hand over her mouth and whispered. “He was murdered?”

  “Yes, in a robbery.”

  “So, you want to find the person who killed him?”

  “No. Only the person he was meeting.”

  “Why that person and not the killer?” asked Rhonda.

  “Because when I spoke with him earlier that day he sounded off. Something wasn’t right. Can you do this for me?”

  “I will do what I can. What’s your father’s name?”

  “Dr. Michael Pennington,” replied Ramona.

  That caught Rhonda’s mom attention, “That’s your father? Dr. Pennington?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “His death has been all over the news. There were reporters outside his funeral. He was an important man who helped many people.”

  Rhonda agreed to help and a few days later she informed Ramona of what she found. She found that Dr. Pennington received plenty of donations to fund his clinic but one particular donor appeared more than others. That donor was Tami Hamilton. She also volunteered and held many fundraisers in his honor. A news report stated the police had spoken with her about meeting with the doctor that night. Tami said she left an hour before the robbery so she didn’t witness anything.

  “That’s all I could find, Mona. The rest you will have to get from your family?”

  “Okay, thank you. I’ll call my Aunt.”

  “Can I ask you a question? Why didn’t your mother give you your father’s last name? I’m just curious.”

  “I know my parents never married, and I didn’t meet my father until after I was locked up. So, I’m not sure why my mother made that choice.”

  Ramona called her Aunt Melissa and three days later they met at a cafe downtown. Her Aunt was happy to see her and was willing to answer any of her questions.

  “What do you know about Tami Hamilton? From what I’ve found she was a big supporter of dad’s. Was there more to their relationship?” asked Ramona.

  “I don’t believe so. I know my brother met Tami through a mutual friend. When he first opened the clinic, she offered to help him any way she could, and she did.” she said.

  “I spoke with him that day. He told me he was in a meeting and he couldn’t talk. Was he with her?” asked Ramona.

  “That night I was at the clinic gathering papers I had forgotten earlier. I returned that evening to retrieve them when Tami came rushing in. I was right outside his office but couldn’t hear what they were saying. They were speaking in hushed tones. A few moments later he asked me to hurry with what I was doing because he wanted to speak with Tami in private. I left and as I sat in my car in the parking lot, I watched them through the window. It appeared they were in a heated discussion. To be honest, it surprised me to see him there. He told me he wanted to spend the day preparing for your release. So, whatever reason he and Tami met, it had to be important. Anyway, after a watching them, I drove off a few minutes later.”

  “Did you ever confront her?” asked Ramona.

  “No, she had nothing to do with the robbery. Why would I question her?”

  “To find out why she was meeting him and why he was upset?”

  “That was none of my business. That’s why I left. Whatever they were discussing was between them.”

  Her aunt’s answers did not satisfy her. She had to find Tami. She was the key to everything that happened that night.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “Damn it, Gordon I thought you were the one person I could count on to come through for me. It's been a month and the only thing you've found is she spent time in juvenile detention and she has a dead grandmother!” Tim yelled through the phone.

  “Tim, calm down. We’ll find something on this girl but it may take time. Everyone has a secret they rather keep from the world.”

  Tim removed the phone from the speaker and placed his bluetooth in his ear. The last thing he needed was for his housekeeper to eavesdrop on his conversation. “Gordon, time is not on our side. I need to shut her down now! Every time I’m near her I want to wrap my hands around her neck and choke the life out of her.”

  “As your attorney, I will pretend I didn't hear that. Listen, I have my most discreet people on this. We’ll get rid of this girl one way or another.”

  “I'm sorry for being irate. I think I’m more upset with myself than anything. When have you ever known me to give up the upper hand?”

  “Never.”

  “That's right! Never! That’s why you need to find something I can use to neutralize her.”

  “Has she explained her connection to Tami?”

  “Revenge. She believes Tami has wronged her somehow. I didn't question it because I'm focused on my own secrets getting out.”

  “I understand. What we need to do is comb through Tami's past and find where their lives intersect.”

  “This girl is so delusional, she probably made up a reason to go after her.”

  “It's worth looking into. What’s Tami’s last name? I need that to get started.”

  “Hamilton.” Tim paused as he recalled a memory between Ramona and Tami’s mother. “I believe she knows the mother.”

  “Whose mother?”

  “Tami's.” Tim told Gordon everything that transpired with Ramona and Tami’s mother at the dinner party. Gordon stated he would go through Tami’s past to find how she knows Ramona. Tim realized that he was invading his colleague’s privacy. He was desperate and not concerned with what’s in Tami’s past. His only objective was to remove Ramona from his life.

  Tim poured himself a scotch to take his mind off the nightmare that has become his life. He scrolled through the contacts list on his phone, st
opped when he reached Miranda’s name. She’s someone he met a year ago that he only called when he needed to relieve stress. They have a mutual agreement of no strings or commitment. They’re both are in it for companionship. He sent her a text asking if she was free for the night, she promptly responded stating she will see him in two hours. While he waited, he swam a few laps in his pool. He doesn't use it often unless he needs to unwind like tonight.

  Tim lives a lonely life. With the exception of the house staff, the six bedroom, four bathroom house was empty most days. He’s never had a serious relationship, except for the one he had with Cindy. Cindy was the closest he ever came to a commitment. He didn’t mind when she referred to him as her boyfriend with friends. It was when she expressed she wanted to move in and get engaged that he abruptly ended their relationship. A commitment of that magnitude scared him. So now he spends his nights with a few select women.

  After two additional laps in the pool, Tim got out to wait for Miranda's arrival. While he was changing his clothes, he received a text from Ramona asking to meet. He replied, telling her it was late that he rather meet the next day. Ramona immediately called him. “I don't care if it's late, I need to see you,” she shouted into the phone before he said hello. “What do you need to talk about?” he asked.

  “We shouldn’t discuss it over the phone. It's important.”

  “I will meet you in thirty minutes at the usual location.” Tim hung up the phone. He only agreed to meet with her hoping to gain information Gordon could use. He texts Miranda explaining something had come up and he will meet her later.

  Tim parked his car in their usual meeting spot, Ronnie's. He dialed her number, “I'm outside. Let's talk in my car. I'm in the blue Mercedes.” Within minutes, Ramona walked out. He flashed his bright lights to get her attention. As he watched her walk towards his car, he realized that he had to choose a different tactic with her. She needed less hostility for her to open up. When Ramona opened the passenger side door he asked, “What's so important that we needed to meet at eleven at night?”