Divorced! Now what?
Chapter 123

Bethany POV

The sight of Mum's body was hard; although she was severely beaten, her face had been slashed too. Mother had gone through a hard time, but by the look of her injuries, the pain would have been short-lived. Where Cynthia was a slower beating, as if Mother was a frenzied attack, Cynthia was more calculated. Each s***h, each hit, was more controlled, which made me think the same person did not just do this; perhaps the lady Dad spoke of that had been hard done by was in the room and had attacked Cynthia. I hope there is some footage to determine if I am right because if this is by one of those ladies, they need medical help or therapy.

Neither had makeup on, making both look old. I do not remember ever seeing Mother or Cynthia without makeup before; they looked very different; aside from the bruising and cuts, not much else looked like either. I might not have thought it was them if you had not told me who they were. Even their hair had been hacked off, and it was an attempt to erase all signs of who they were.

Today is Sunday, and we were going to meet at Thomas's home for sports day. I was looking forward to seeing baby Bob again and holding him. He is such a cutie, and Thomas will make a great dad. Though I wonder if the cases going on would put them in danger, I must ask Dad if we can get Scott to send bodyguards to him, too.

'Sweetheart, are you ready to go?' Theo called out. We found some more books mixed in with mine and in other boxes that were Grandma's, but I took them to stop Mum from throwing them away; we are taking them with us. I refused to read these, not after how bad the one I did read brought back many memories, and they were all bad; I agree with Hank: let nature take its course and not rush to remember. However, I will hear more about my mother's and sister's wrongdoings as the court cases hit the news, and I have to be prepared to listen to the worst kind of news and hopefully not be judged by their wrongdoings.

We arrive at Thomas's place a few hours later, Theo and I singing to his playlist. His voice is good, and we harmonize, which is all right to my ears.

'Hi, big bro. How's being a dad going?' I asked as I gave him a side hug. He went to take the box of books off of me, but I shook my head no.

'Being a dad is the best feeling. That little guy is going to be one spoilt child. He gloats with a huge grin.

'Theo has your gift. The box is for Dad to go through. I think we might need a private place when he does. I said. He nodded and turned to Theo as I continued to the lounge, where Thomas had set up the room for the sports day. He had done a fantastic job decorating the place in our team's colors. Dad was sitting on a chair next to a small table, his papers of the teams in front of him. He looked up at me, calling his name.

'Dad, I found more books and something else I do not want to touch! I placed the box, carefully removed the cloth-covered item, and unrolled it. There, now unveiled, was a shiny gun; Dad went to take it.

'Careful, it is loaded. He nodded and used the cloth to pick it up and inspect it. He was rewrapping it and putting it in his case, away from sight, before the others came into the room.

'Where exactly did you find it?' Dad asked as he started to pick up a book to read. He gasped as he did.

'I found the gun in a box of old Christmas decorations. Mum had intended to throw them out, but I stopped her and took them myself, thinking some of Grandma's trinkets might be in there, but I never got around to going through that box till now; I wanted to stay busy and clean out old things, you know! I was sad; this was supposed to be a happy memory box, and that gun was not what I had found and the last thing I had ever expected to find in that box.

'Thomas, can we use your office for a little while?' Dad asked as Thomas walked in with Theo. He looked down at the box and me and nodded. I picked up the box, and Dad picked up his case, and together, we headed to Thomas's office. Dad closed the door and sat on a chair, rubbed his hands through his hair, and sighed.

'You will not like what you are about to hear. Are you ready for this?' he asked, looking up at me with sadness.

'I got to hear it sooner or later. Where better than here, where I have family who love me and Theo?' I said and sat waiting to hear what Dad had to say. Instead of talking to me, he dialed a number on the phone and put it on speaker.

'Old man, today was the last day I expected to hear from you; I thought you were having sports day today?' Jacko's booming voice came through the speakers.

Jacko, I am at Thomas's home, about to start our sports day. Would you care to join us?' he asked pleasantly.

'Not today. Thanks to you and Bethany, you have given me enough to work with, and I do not have time to socialize. How is she taking all of this?' Dad looked at me and nodded.

'You are on speaker, Uncle Jacko; I am doing as well as expected under the circumstances. I replied, trying to hide the worry in my voice.

'Hello, sweetie. This is not a social call, is it?' Jacko said, picking up on my stressed voice.

'No, are you safe?' Dad asked, and that was a code for something.

'Let me change rooms. the phone went quiet for a while.

'Dad, what?'

'It is a room he has made with a special block out. Listening devices don't work there; he must be at home!'

'Talk to me, and I am all ears. Jacko had his serious voice on, and I waited for Dad to talk.

'Bethany found more books and a loaded gun. Dad started but got interrupted.

'Say no more. I am on my way; give me three hours, and I will be there. Jacko said quickly, and I could hear him doing something in the background. 'You will arrive after the game. Dad said, laughing at him, and I wondered if that was another code.

'Can't be helped, can I bring Pam with me? She will bag and tag the evidence, keeping us out of that side of it as much as we can. Keep it tidy!

'Yes, that sounds good!' Jacko hung up, and we left everything in the office.

'Thomas, I have taken over your office; I have sensitive information; please, no one in there.;

'Here is the key. Could you lock it and do what you need to do?' Dad took the key and headed back down the hall.

'We have Pam and Jacko coming, and they will be here in a few hours! I say as I give him a better hug and head off to find Judy and my nephew. Theo was in the lounge watching the pregame stuff; I needed a coffee and to see Mini Bob before I watched the game. 'Hi Judy, you are doing well. These guys must be looking after you well. I say as Judy turns to hug me.

'They are the best; the baby is asleep now; they should wake around when the game ends. Judy reassures me.

'Okay, I can wait; oh, by the way, we have two more guests coming in a few hours; I just thought I'd give you the heads up, and they are both into sports. Judy laughed, and I assisted her in taking food and drink out to the lounge. I sat to watch the game and nervously waited for Jacko and Pam to arrive.