“Is that how he kept his identity private?” I asked.
“Yeah, like he is supposed to be this big wig, but no one has seen his face.” Cindy followed up.
“Yes. That is what I’m led to believe. I ran away. Took the money he stashed in that room, which was about $10.75 million. Grabbed the keys to his favorite car and drove away. I got to a hotel on the Arizona-California border and rented a room. All I had was the money and the car. I knew I had to get rid of the car. So, I sold it for free. Left it in the parking lot with the doors unlocked and the keys in it. I smashed the license plate and left some cash for a replacement. I took an uber into California and bought a house in Huntington Beach. Legally changed my name to Cassidy Hugo.”
“Why Hugo?”
“Big fan of Hugo Weaving.”
“Okay, what made you come back?”
“Guilt. I attempted to reveal the truth, but all Arizona news stations refused to air or write anything about it. Almost as if he owned the entire state. I had no actual proof so telling people in Cali had no effect. Then I saw the Tyson News interview with Louis about his dispute with your father about Elle’s death. I could see that his power was influencing the police force too, and even the law with Judge Flynn. So, I came back. But I wanted revenge.”
She pulled out a small ankle gun, a pocketknife, and another gun.
“I was going to kill him and get Po arrested alongside me. But it looks like your father beat me to it.”
“I’m sorry to hear you went through this.”
We group hugged. Just three ladies with some fucked up lives right now.
“Well kids, you better get a move on. I’ll call the police.”
“What if they suspect you?”
“This place is security cam’d out the ass. I’ll show the footage. And the secret room, finally exposing my ex-husband. As long as the chief will listen because VTPD are pretty corrupt, I hear.”
“Wait, you said you live in Huntington Beach, right?” I asked.
“Yes, dear. Why?”
“Well I know you’ll be stuck here for a little bit since your child and ex-spouse were murdered. Can you ask for my dad, Cordell, to be cremated? Send the ashes to this address. Or bring them to us if you receive them?”
I gave her our new address. She looked at it and back at me.
“Huntington Beach is over an hour away.”
She smiled at me.
“It doesn’t bother me though! Sure thing, honey!”
Cindy and I both gave her one last hug and we headed outside. We embraced at Cindy’s car. I took my dad’s car back home. We packed up some more things from the house in his car and got ready to leave. I didn’t want to leave so early, but I had no choice. I didn’t want to deal with any VTPD or police questioning. I’ve had enough of this place. Cindy agreed.
“Are you ready, Heather? We got a six-and-a-half-hour drive to our new home.”
We both smiled and kissed. I felt loved. I began to cry again on her shoulder. I lost one of my best friends and my father in a span of 2 days. I couldn’t experience any more hell, could I? Getting out of Vanetta was the first step to reviving. Being together with Cindy is a lot better than being alone. I eventually got the strength to speak through my crying.
“Let’s go.”
15
After a long 6 and a half hours, we finally arrived at like 1:30am. We stopped by the ComBox headquarters to deliver dad’s letter. When we arrived at San Diego, Cindy was in shock. “Wow! It’s beautiful, Heather!” “I know, so are you.” I replied. Got a blush out of Cindy, nice! I unlocked the door and I gave CiCi a quick tour. It was exactly how I remembered it; gorgeous. 3-story beach home; couldn’t get any better than this, in my opinion. Knowing this was dad’s made me tear up and cry again. We went straight to bed after the mini tour. This was the first time I’ve gotten the chance to sleep beside CiCi. It was sweet to cuddle up to my new friend. We aren’t anything official yet. Right now, she’s still just my best friend.
Next morning, I was woken up with a kiss on the forehead, courtesy of the wonder-girl CiCi. Such a sweetheart. We both unpacked our things from the cars and started to make this place our home. The house has 3 bedrooms, so we claimed the main one and had the others open for guests. Like Cindy’s family, that’s probably it, honestly. It makes me sad to think about that. I did get a good, morning cry when I woke up. It was the first time I’ve ever stayed here without dad. It would be different if I knew he was still okay in Arizona. I just wish he could be here. I miss him. The move without him, I didn’t like that. I wanted to be able to say my goodbye’s.
Other than dad not being here, I felt good about all of this. The move. Being with Cindy. All that. But today is the day. I have an appointment scheduled for 2pm at the clinic. It was a harder decision than it seemed at first.
