Good Morning, Arizona! by Kaleb Richardson (romantic novels to read txt) 📗

me. Nothing gets solved there, at least not for me. This is clear and obvious. He wasn’t home so I got in myself. There was a window that was unlocked in the back. Harry’s home is just like him. It looks super nice and expensive. However, his home doesn’t even have an alarm system. I went to the second floor. I’ve been here before. I know he keeps his handgun upstairs. My first guess is the upstairs living room. Looking in and under the couches, behind the TV stand, nothing. Next was the bedroom, his bedroom, so that’s where I went. Scavenging through all drawers, closets, even under the bed. Wait. This headboard looks, broken? I pushed on the crack and it opened like a secret slot. The gun just fell out. Perfect. I checked the ammunition. It was full. Someone smart would try and find extra. I’m not smart; and I’m not gonna miss. There’s no need. I ran out from where I came. No one saw me. This couldn’t have worked out any better. Stop back at home quick for a little costume change and some pre-planning.

…

Doctor Samuel was kind enough to take Cindy and I back to her house. Hospital rules are that we can’t go ourselves. Not like we have a car anyways. We did ask Dr. Samuel if she would cremate Derrick and send him to our San Diego address.

“Speaking of sending. Here’s these. They arrived at the hospital today.”

It was our diplomas. I’m sure spending graduation in the hospital was better than seeing some people there. I asked Cindy back at the hospital if she’d help me pack up my stuff. She agreed. Yep, that’s right: I’ve made the decision to just move to my dad’s place in San Diego even sooner. By sooner, I mean like by the end of this week. I need to get out of here and fast. I’m gonna go help Cindy too, that’s why we’re going to her place. Start there, then off to my place.

Thankfully, it’s dad’s place so we don’t have to pack any major furniture. His beds are comfortable too so that’s a plus. We packed up CiCi’s things like all her clothes and random little things, makeup, lamps, bathroom essentials, etc. Even a TV when she doesn’t need it. There’s a TV in like every room at the house. She said just in case. Classic. We packed it all in her car. Thankfully, she has a SUV or else her shit wasn’t fitting. As we drove towards my house, we talked about the move and how exciting it was. Then Derrick came up in conversation and we started to cry yet again. But we knew deep down that the D man would be there with us. Always.

…

I got a text from Heather saying she was leaving the hospital as I got home so I had to work fast. I told her I love her. I didn’t want another interaction with her. She saw the me I want her to see. That’s what matters most.

I went to sit down but I heard a knock on the door. When I answered, it was the young man from the police station. “Get the fuck out of here.”

“Mr. Hendricks, please. I just need to―”

“NOW!”

“I had nothing to do with―”

“If you don’t leave my property ri―”

“It was Gladys!”

I paused briefly.

“Sir. It was Louis Gladys that removed your incident report.”

It grew silent.

“Come in. Explain yourself.”

We both walked inside, and I sat him down on the couch. Offered him a drink and we began to talk.

“Sir, my name is Jay Nash. I was more than happy to help you. When you said it was Louis, I got scared. Reason being, is that the chief was listening in on our conversation. Vanetta-Tope police chief is Louis Gladys’ cousin.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“I wish I was, sir. I wish I was. He got on my computer immediately after y’all left and eradicated any trace of the report going against Louis. When I tried to stop him, I was hushed. I even attempted to put it back into the system multiple times; only for it to be deleted. When I argued in your favor after the Tyson interview, I was fired. So, I came here to tell you what had happened. I needed you to know.”

“Well, thank you officer. It means a lot that you were looking out for me.”

“You’re welcome, Mr. Hendricks.”

I gave him a handshake.

“Please, call me Cordell.”

When Officer Nash left, I sat down. Relaxed. Motivated myself. I wrote a letter to ComBox. Wrote one to my forever, Elle. And finally, one to my dear Heather. I got emotional. I started to cry hysterically. But I quickly recouped. I left my letters on the coffee table, folded up, with directions on them. This letter belongs to ComBox Studios. Deliver this to them directly. The next one reads: To my wife. Mrs. Elle Daisy Hendricks. And finally: My dear sweet daughter, Heather. I actually took Heather’s with me. I had a thought…

I drank and drank. Can after can. Bottle after bottle. Shot after shot. I cleaned out the fridge from any alcohol. I had my plan all thought out so all I had to do was execute it. I couldn’t do it sober. No matter how many evil thoughts went through my head, I just couldn’t. So, I drank. All I wanted was to help Heather. I wanted to avenge her too, but in the proper way. Not this way. Now here I am, drunker than a motherfucker. I guess it was time. Gladys’ weren’t too far away by car. I grabbed all black clothes, and I was gone. Out the door. When I started up my car, I noticed a voicemail from Harry. I gave it a listen…

He should’ve kept that information quiet. He