"I think you are right, Cole. I think Caroline was Frank's world, and that's what got her killed." Ahmya says, looking straight into Blue's eyes unwavering.
"My mom died of what the doctors said was a 'brain aneurysm'. I found her. She fell asleep and just never woke up again."
I reach for one of Blue's hands, pulling a chair up next to her now so I can hold it after kissing her knuckles.
"Two points I can prove with my folder. I know who arranged it and how they accomplished it. My third point of why, I can only assume, but between you and your men, you can probably fill in the blanks on that part." Ahmya then takes the unopened folder back from Blue, spreading the files out. "As y'all know, not only did I track and record Richard's cell, but I also hacked his office computer." Blue's fists are shaking at this point, like she can imagine strangling someone with her bare hands.
I lean over in my chair and kiss her temple, "Breathe babe," I whisper into her loose pink hair, "Let's hear what she has to say before you go nuclear on Dick's ass- knowledge and information is power." My words must have done the trick because I can physically see some of the tension leave her body.
Ahmya pulls out a stack of email messages and pushes them towards Blue and me. "Here are about six-months' worth of email messages, from a bit over six years ago, I dug up on Richard's office computer. They are specifically between Richard and an unknown 'Jimmy'. I've tried to track down this 'Jimmy’, but he appears to have dropped off the face of the earth." A look passes between Blue and Ahmya, a look of understanding that Jimmy has already been dealt with. "Ahhh, I see. Well, that's one less complication then." Looking back at her folders, she points to some of the lines she has highlighted. "Now, regarding the who… These are direct communications between Jimmy and Richard. Richard is ordering a hit; Jimmy is guaranteeing it for a price."
Blue's hand tightens again in mine. It's one thing to think your parent was murdered; it's another thing to have black and white bloody proof in front of you. I stroke lazy circles on her hand with my thumb, trying to reassure her.
"Regarding the how… I think your mom did die of a brain aneurysm, but it wasn't some freak thing as the doctors suspected. In Caroline's case, it was premeditated, planned out, and vicious. I think her aneurysm was brought on by methyl iodide poisoning."
"What is methyl iodide, and how would she have ingested it to be poisoned from it?" I ask, genuinely wondering how the doctors could have overlooked this as an option.
"Well, it can mimic an acute stroke. Methyl iodide poisoning is rare, and doctors wouldn't normally run any tests for it. Did your mom suffer from headaches, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and dizziness around the time of her death? Perhaps at some point, get confused?"
"Yeah, I guess she did for the last few months she was alive. I didn't think much about it at the time. She would say she was tired, or thought she was getting a bug… Fuck... I didn't-I didn't suspect a thing." Tears are starting to well up in Blue's eyes unshed.
"Babe. You were a kid. No one knew. You can't let this fall on your shoulders. No one is to blame, but Richard now."
"Normally, exposure is through dermal, inhalation, or oral ingestion that causes neurotoxicity. Usually, methyl iodide would only be used by manufacturers of some pharmaceuticals and pesticides. The liquid would be clear and colorless, but it would have an acrid odor. Looking through these emails, my guess is she ingested it bit by bit, day after day, probably in a pill form to disguise the smell and taste."
"Oh my God, her herbal supplements. I'd have to research and find out where she got them or who gave them to her, but she took them religiously. Supposedly it was just a multivitamin for women. She took it every night before bed.”
“I can do more research, but that sounds like a pretty safe bet." Ahmya concludes.
"But why my Mom? She was innocent. It would go against The Family to hurt her." Blue questions.
"Mind if the guys come in for this part?" I ask. Both women agree, and I go out of the room and briefly tell the guys what's going down. They are equally pissed about the situation and worried about Ayida. Coming back in the dining room, I bring Holder, Clint, and Fletcher, who all take seats around the table as well.
"Cole told us briefly about what Ahmya discovered. Thank you for that, Ahmya. I know we have had our… differences in the past, but I appreciate you doing this for my Blue." Holder says with conviction.
Jumping straight in, pleasantries aside, Fletcher dives right in with his theories. "I think we can all agree Old Man was old school in more ways than one. If Dick wanted to change things up, expand the territories, push women and children trafficking... Old Man would veto that shit on day one; no fuckin' way he'd allow it."
"Agreed. I'm betting Dad figured if he could get Old Man out the way, not only would he give up his seat, but all the other new Heads," our other parents names go unsaid. It's obvious he means our folks are pansies in this all, "wouldn't bat an eye or question anything Dad did as long as he was bringing in the money."
"Why not just kill Old Man? Why my mom?"
"Killin' a Head unsanctioned, unvoted on by the other members, is a death sentence in the worst kind of way. I'm betting my Dad figured, as a precaution, your mom's death would fly under the radar. A sad freak accident, but enough to cripple your dad. And cripple him, it did. Your dad retired after that, and soon after you left. Who knows what else my Dad got into over the last handful of years undetected." Holder looks sick to his stomach at this revelation.
"I'm going to kill your father, Holder." Blue looks at him with unwavering eyes of a woman with a plan formulated in her mind as we speak. Holder's little killer is ready to show her claws again.
Holder stands up, walks over to her chair, and bends down to place a gentle kiss on her lips. It's almost shocking as he usually doesn't initiate anything sexual, and we all know public displays of affection aren't his thing.
"And I will wipe your bloody brow when you are done, my love." Well, you could bowl me over with a feather at Holder's declaration. I did not see that coming, but I am happy that Holder officially made his claim on Blue. And I think we can all appreciate the fact that Holder gets that Blue doesn't need rescuing. She doesn't need a white knight to save her or fix the situation. She wants someone to be by her side, and in this way, gold stars and brownie points all around for Holder recognizing this.
Chapter Seventeen: Cole
The mini-dining room meeting breaks up, and Blue goes back upstairs to grab her to-go bag. Clint’s mom is supposed to come over in a couple hours to take over ‘Donut Duty’, and hopefully, we will all be safe in the air by then. I don’t know how Clint convinced the refined Elizabeth Brock to take care of the gremlin, but bribery or threats must certainly have been involved.
Our large group piles into the limo when Jeffrey pulls up. He gives Blue a big smile before he dips his head in respect to her. I can’t say I’ve seen the old guy smile for just anyone. I guess Blue has a way with certain people. I help Jeffrey load the bags into the trunk Tetris style, so everything fits, and then we are on the way to my parents’ private jet. We aren’t heading to the local Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, but towards a small private airport, a bit over an hour away, where my folks store their jet. There’s a short landing strip runway nearby, for private charters to utilize. This will save us from having to make any flight changes, and we can fly directly there.