Page 61 of Sizzling Nights

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Marco and Theresa served dinner to their guests. They enjoyed the meal together, laughing and telling stories. Their guests asked for a recounting of the events of last night and Marco obliged. It took a while, as a lot of things occured.

Jace asked, "What happens with the police now? Are you in trouble?"

Marco shook his head, but Mitch responded. "I believe I smoothed things over. Theresa still must go in and give her statement. I called today and asked if she could have the day off. But tomorrow she'll have to go in."

Marco glanced at Theresa, and she nodded.

His stomach twisted though. Would she be a sitting duck in the police station? They didn't think anyone on the Blossom Springs Police Department was dirty. But then again, they didn't think Kelsey was dirty either.

Theresa sighed after Marco repeated Kelsey’s involvement. "Believe me, I was shocked to see her there. She said she was there in her father's place and that he owned a paper company that supplied the cardboard boxes to PCK Meatpacking. Since I was wired, Mitch's team did some quick checking and said she was lying."

Jace's jaw tightened. "Is that how you got that bruise on your face?"

Theresa shrugged slightly. "Yes. She spun me around by my hair and my face hit the stall wall."

Margo spat, "That bitch."

Jace reached over and lay his hand over Margo's. "Of course, she's not welcome at the Sandbar any longer."

Theresa nodded. "Of course not. I hope she sits in jail for a good long time."

Marco responded. "It's doubtful. If it's her first offense, battery doesn't get you much jail time these days."

Margo's brows furrowed. "But if she's involved in the money laundering..."

Marco nodded. "We believe she is. We don't have proof. Yet. And we aren't sure how long she's been working with them. It does explain how they found Theresa's phone number though. Kelsey had it. And Theresa recognized some of the men from PCK Meatpacking at the Sandbar. They likely stumbled on the fact that she worked there and then found someone, Kelsey, to help with what they needed. Remember that ticket she needed help with? I think she used that new attorney in town, who is most likely a front for the Celtics. So, perhaps he helped her with the ticket if she did him a favor or two. This is pure conjecture on my part, but it's all I've been thinking about since last night."

Margo looked across the table at Theresa. "Honey, I'm so sorry."

Theresa smiled. "It's not your fault. None of us knew anything. Not until last night."

As the conversation continued, Marco was reminded of what’s really important in life; having people you enjoy spending time with and having a person in your life that you love and who loves you. This is what a full life looked like.

He realized all of it now.

He stopped mid-story as he was talking.

Theresa took his hand. “Marco, are you all right?”

He shook his head slowly.

“Uh, yeah, yeah, I’m fine. I just realized that I didn’t have a PTSD attack last night. It didn’t dawn on me till just now.”

Theresa smiled and squeezed his hand. “That’s wonderful.”

“It is, and I’m not complaining, but I’m surprised. They’d been getting bad for a while, and then when I started working at the Sandbar, they had ceased for the most part. Once in a while, a loud bang would make me jump or make me feel as though an attack was coming on, but during all the fighting last night and the shooting, I didn’t have an attack.”

Theresa grinned at him. “I’m so happy for you.”

He squeezed her hand. “Thanks.”

Jace grinned. “It’s amazing when they stop, isn’t it? But be cautious; they don’t always stop. It could come back. Just keep doing your therapy and what you need to do to stay healthy. Keep loving and being loved.”

He grinned. “I absolutely plan to do that.”

He stared into Theresa's eyes. It wasn't a hardship at all. The smile she bestowed on him was so worth it.

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