Page 51 of The Facilitator: Part 3
“It was needed and if it hadn’t been us, Alex, it would have been whoever he owed money to and I doubt it would have been as quick.”
“How is Vivienne?”
“Sad, upset, obviously, more concerned about you, Gabriella, and Dominic, though.”
“What happens now?” he asked.
“I’ve been questioned, as has Lauren. It seems that Addison had tried to run off with the money. If you believe my wife, the police arrived at the same time and brought her back to the house. If you believe yourmother-in-law, my wife wrestled my ex-wife to the floor andbeat her ass.”
Alex choked on his mouthful of whiskey. He then laughed and I joined in.
“Fucking hell,” he said, and then took a deep breath. “I’d do anything for my son,” he whispered.
“I know, and we did what was necessary. We just need to make sure our stories match.”
I went through what I’d told the police. He nodded, it matched what he’d said, he confirmed.
“I’ll leave you to get dressed,” I said, rising and leaving him alone.
Just as I opened the door, he called me. “Mackenzie?” I turned to face him. “Thank you. I can’t ever repay you for this. Just being here, knowing what to do, you saved my child,” he whispered.
I wasn’t sure that I had. I didn’t think Daniel would be stupid enough to do something reckless, but then I thought, if he’d fallen asleep and left Dominic, he could have done damage, or worse.
“No repayment needed. He’s my godchild after all.”
“How about you and Lauren? Is there…?”
I shook my head and gave him a small smile. I didn’t want to talk about our situation.
Chapter Fourteen
The following day Alex brought Gabriella and Dominic home. She cried some more, thanked Lauren and me over and over. Lauren’s thanks was a cuddle with Dominic, that’s all she wanted. She held him, cooed over him, and kissed his fingers. She looked at me watching her and smiled.
“Do you want a cuddle?” she said. I shook my head slowly. “It’s okay, it doesn't hurt,” she whispered, and I thought I heard Alex take a sharp intake of breath.
I sat and she handed him to me. She laughed at my awkwardness. I raised him to my face and inhaled his scent. I chuckled. It didn’t hurt; it felt great. It wasn’t with any reluctance, however when I got a whiff of something vile and handed him back to his daddy.
“What the fuck is that?” I asked, looking at the diaper.
Alex laughed, and handed it to me in a little bag to deposit in the trash. “Fuck if I’m going to touch that,” I said, backing off.
I left the room to lots of laugher. I caught up with Vivienne in the kitchen. She had a telephone on the countertop and held a tissue to her mouth.
“Are you okay?” I asked. She smiled and nodded but it was clear she had been crying.
“That was the coroner. I have to decide what to do with Da…the body.”
“What do you want to do?” I asked, taking the stool next to her.
“I guess I have to bury him. I’d rather leave him to rot, Mackenzie,” she said, and the vehemence in her voice caused her to choke out the words.
“You don’t have to claim him,” I said.
She snorted. “Tell that to them, that’s the third call I’ve had today.”
“Do you want me to deal with it?” I asked.
She nodded and placed her palm on my cheek. “Please. I do love you so much,” she said. “Just have him cremated,” she said, and I nodded.
