Hidden Witness Read online

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NIGHT

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER THIRY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  CHAPTER FORTY

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

  CHAPTER FIFTY

  HIDDEN WITNESS

  POSEY PARKS

  Licenses Statement

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please visit your favorite ebook retailer to purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Copyright © 2017, 2018 by Posey Parks

  Published by Posey Parks Publishing

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  Acknowledgement

  Erin, I would like to say thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the Posey Parks brand. Despite what you are going through in your life you brighten the lives of myself and so many others. From myself and all the Posey Lovelies, we appreciate you. Thank you!

  Table of contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NIGHT

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER THIRY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  CHAPTER FORTY

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

  CHAPTER FIFTY

  CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

  CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

  CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER ONE

  JEFF

  I haven’t been home in fourteen years. I miss my family. I wish I could return home, but I can’t. We’ll get to why I can’t return soon enough. Nevertheless, I did what any normal kid would do. I finished high school, attended college, graduated, and got a job. Wait, let me take that last part back I Jeffery Dillon Westbrook created my own job. My best friend and I started our own construction company. K&J construction.

  In five years’ time, we have become a well-known highly recommended company. My best friend Kyle knew nothing about construction. However, it didn’t matter that wasn’t what I needed. I needed a face for our company and Kyle Rafferty was that guy.

  I like being behind the scenes. 6’4” Kyle loves talking to the media, attending special dinners, and being out of the office. He has a way with the chicks; always has. All through college women have done nothing but blown his head up, asking to run their fingers through his short blonde hair. His square jaw, thick blonde eyebrows, low cut beard, and pointy nose were all attractive to the chicks on campus. He was huge in stature because he played football throughout college. He could out run almost anybody on the field. Women constantly told him how gorgeous his blue eyes are.

  Grabbing his huge arms asking if he can lift them over his head. What a spectacle that was in college. Now that he’s in construction, they swear he’s Mr. Fix it. Always asking him to come by their homes and fix what’s broken or not broken. They only care about him taking care of their needs in the bedroom. Driving into the office, I can’t help but laugh aloud about all those needy women.

  I love being successful. Nothing feels better than being able to financially take care of your family. I have two children my six-year-old son Dillon and my four-year-old daughter Lily. I’m divorced. I was married to Lindsay Sawyer for five years.

  We met in our sophomore year of college. We attended the University of Oregon. She was a ton of fun and beautiful. Her laugh was infectious. The way her long red hair bounced as she tilted her head back laughing; that’s what did it for me. I loved to see her laugh. I met her on the grounds of the campus. She was sitting at a blood donation table with her sorority sisters. They were signing people up to donate blood. She was very much into her sorority. She took the sisterhood shit to a whole other level.

  I never see Kyle anymore. It wasn’t always like that. Nonetheless, our business is growing abundantly. Therefore, Kyle needs to stay out front. If you were wondering what I do as business owner. I keep my boots on the ground. I am the one on the job site busting balls day in and day out.

  My family has been in construction for almost 90 years. I guess you can say I eat and breathe construction. I am 6’3, olive complexion, medium length brown hair; a full beard cut low, and gray eyes. I’ve been boxing since I was a kid. I’m always in the gym if I’m not working. I have a muscular physique. I guess as the ladies tell it, I’m ripped.

  I climbed into my pick-up truck, leaving the site for the day, starting my drive home. It’s 5:40 pm and all I can think about is taking a long steaming hot shower. Daily on job sites, I stress the importance of quality work and beating deadlines. That’s how we stand out from the competiti
on. However, all the dust flying around and heat takes a toll on my body daily.

  Taping the button on my sun visor the garage opened as I pulled inside.

  I stood in the quiet kitchen momentarily reflecting on my life. My maid left around 3 p.m. She only works four days a week. She cleans the house and washes my clothes.

  I sent the nanny Robin with my ex-wife to the new house I bought in the suburbs of West Linn. Lindsay didn’t want to stay in our home in Bethany, she wanted to move closer to her parents. I decided to sell our old home. I needed a fresh start too. I purchased another home in Bethany for myself. It’s a safe place to raise kids.

  I hate my family was torn apart due to my wife’s infidelity. She didn’t want to stay at home and take care of the kids. She wanted to be a social-lite again, amongst other things. I asked her years ago if living a simple life would be a problem. She told me no. Turns out it was all bullshit. But why lie?

  Lindsay comes from a well-to-do family. She’s accustomed to being in the lime light; cocktail parties, clubs, and other prominent events. I told her being in the public eye was something I could never do.

  CHAPTER TWO

  FRANCINE

  No mother should ever have to lose a child. I lost my son Dillon Sergio Magarelli. Not in the traditional way of dying. Not a day goes by I don’t think about him. Losing someone special feels like losing a piece of yourself. The light is always dim in your life. I have two other children Dominic and Alexandria. Alexandria is thirteen. She’s my youngest. Dominic is twenty-five, and he’s a lot like his father. He doesn’t take shit from no one. He goes after what he wants in his life.

  FLASHBACK

  Let me step back a second. When I saw Sergio for the first time, I was in love instantly. He was handsome and women hung all over him. However, when his eyes met mine from across the room, it was as if we were bonded in that very moment. He approached my table at the Wonder bar that night. I was sitting with my friends. Cassandra, Linda, and Emily. His tall stature and dark features commanded the attention of those around him. Under his suit, I was sure he had a muscular frame I would never get enough of.

  “Hello beautiful. What is your name?” he asked pulling my hand to his lips.

  “Francine.”

  My eyes glimmered. “Francine Cunningham.

  “That’s a beautiful name Francine.”

  I think he was a little nervous, which I don’t think came easy for him.

  “My name is Sergio.”

  His eyes left mine. “Hello ladies. If you all don’t mind I’m going to take Francine onto the dance floor.”

  They stammered to make a full sentence. “Sure. Go right ahead,” they chimed.

  His eyes fell back on mine as he held my hand.

  I shook my head no.

  He didn’t take no for answer. Sergio helped me out of the booth, toward the dance floor.

  My hands rested on his muscular biceps as we swayed to the beat.

  My gray eyes fell away from his green ones into the crowd of people dancing around us.

  My gaze returned to his. “So, you were just going to force me to dance?”

  “I needed to get you away from your friends and this was the only way I knew how. Would you have agreed to talk to me in my corner booth alone?”

  I laughed. “No.”

  “Before you leave I would like to get your phone number. I’d like to take you out tomorrow night. We can talk and get to know each other.”

  My eyes scanned the room again. “I don’t know.”

  “Come on Francine, I’ll take you to a really nice restaurant. No wine for you, because you look under the legal drinking limit.”

  “I’m only eighteen, but I’m sure if I wanted a glass of wine with dinner, something tells me you could make that happen.”

  My eyes flickered, peering into his mysterious eyes.

  He smirked. “Yeah, I could. But no getting drunk on my watch.”

  “Of course not,” I stated trying to hold a stern gaze.

  We laughed.

  I laid my long brown hair against my shoulder, revealing my neck line.

  His eyes dropped to my collar bone, then my lips.

  “I want to kiss those beautiful red lips.”

  I swallowed hard.

  His lips slowly took mine with desire. His strong arms held my 5’5” frame snug against his 6’3” one.

  The room became silent. I only heard my heart beat.

  He released my lips pulling me closer to him. His woodsy cologne captivated me. I didn’t want to stop dancing with him, but the band was about to perform and I didn’t want to appear clingy.

  “Thank you for the dance.” I retrieved a napkin from a nearby table, swiped a tub of lipstick from my purse, then wrote down my phone number.

  “Bye Sergio.”

  The butterflies flipped in my stomach rapidly on my trip back to my table. I sat down with my friends, who halted their conversation.

  “He’s standing there staring at you. What the hell did you say to him?” Emily asked.

  “Nothing much.” I refused to look his way.

  “Wow, you have the attention of Sergio Magarelli Jr. Do you have any idea how hard that is to do?”

  “Every woman wants him. I heard he is amazing in bed!” Cassandra swooned.

  We sipped our drinks.

  The lump in my throat was huge.

  “You can look at the dance floor now. Some guy got his attention. He’s gone.”

  When my friends said his name aloud, I knew who he was. Someone I had no business getting mixed up with. My father won’t ever allow me to date him. My father is an honest wealthy man. We are related to one of the wealthiest famous philanthropist in history, Draper. If I bring Sergio home my father will expeditiously put an end to us seeing each other.

  I smiled at my friends then turned my attention to the stage to enjoy the show.

  Sergio called my house twice, once on Friday then again Saturday afternoon. I told my mother I wasn’t taking any calls.

  Later that evening I was lying in my bed listening to one of my favorite records.

  “Francine, there is someone here to see you!” my mother yelled.

  I figured it was one of my friends. Strolling down the spiral stair case, I glanced at the front door, but I didn’t see anyone. I walked into the sitting room, my heart felt like it hit my feet with force. I’m sure my pale skin turned bright red.

  “Sergio,” I swallowed hard.

  He rose to his feet. “Hello Francine. Your mother is nice. Is that what you are wearing on our date tonight?”

  My eyebrows wrinkled as I pondered on a way to tell him I couldn’t go out with him. “Sergio.”

  My mother walked back into the room with a tray of tea.

  “Sergio, where were you planning to take Francine tonight?”

  Sergio turned his attention to my mother. “There is a great Italian restaurant in downtown Newark I plan to take her to.”

  Sergio was dressed in a black suit. The nerve of him to show up at my house unannounced.

  I was dressed in a navy cardigan, flower print blouse, and navy pants.

  “Francine, aren’t you going to sit?” my mother asked.

  “Yes.”

  I sat next to Sergio. My mother and he continued their conversation. I needed to get rid of Sergio, I thought.

  “Mom, thank you for the tea. Can I speak to Sergio alone for a moment please?”

  “Absolutely dear.”

  My mom disappeared from the room.

  My angry eyes burned into Sergio. “I cannot go out with you!” I yelled in a whisper.

  His once inviting eyes turned cold. “What’s your reason?”

  My lips moved closer to his ear. “You are in the mob.”

  He laughed. “Who told you that?”

  “Nobody. My friend told me your last name then I knew exactly who you were. My father would never stand for us dating.”

  “Francine, I’m not in the mob.” />
  I couldn’t believe he lied to my face.

  “Go put on a pretty dress.”

  I sat back flush against the couch, arms folded.

  “No.”

  Sergio swept his arm around my waist, pulling me close.

  “Yes.”

  His lips hungrily took mine. I didn’t fight him. My body melted into his.

  Sergio pulled back just a bit running his lips along mine. “Please.”

  I wanted him more than anything in that moment. I was in trouble. Every sensible part of my brain said no, ‘tell him no.’ Unfortunately, my body defied me. That was the first date of many.

  Before I knew it, we were married. I’ll never know what the complete conversation was between he and my father, for my father to give him his blessing. Sergio told me the Draper’s weren’t as honest as I thought. “They used to kick in doors taking what they wanted, so they aren’t that much better than us. Your father had a better understanding of how it was going to be,” he said.

  Present

  My husband is a force to be reckoned with. He often gets what he wants. His exterior is tough, but on the inside, he was mush for me. He loves me with all his heart. And I love him with every part of me. He is an amazing man.

  PAST

  When Dillon was born, I was happy to give Sergio his first son. He did everything with Dillon. This big man swept our tiny baby up, holding him, kissing his little face. Sometimes I would catch him in the nursery reading to Dillon. “It’s me and you little man. I love you so much.”

  Taking away his other true love was evil. However, I couldn’t turn my back on my son. Dillon came to me panicked, dripping wet from the rain. We ran upstairs to my bedroom. Dillon was shaking.

  I grabbed towels from the bathroom, wrapping him up trying to squeeze some of the excess water from his clothes.

  “Start from the beginning Dillon, and tell me what happened.”

  He sat next to me on the bed staring out into space.

  “Ok. I was playing video games with Mario.”

  Dillon

  The Story

  Dillon, it’s 9 o’clock are you spending the night?”

  Mickey yelled from downstairs.

  “No, I’m going home. I didn’t realize how late it was.”

  If I wouldn’t have lost track of time I would have sent for our driver to pick me up.