Second Chance

By C.V. Langstaff

This book will get to every woman out there, ones who have been abused and
more that never leave their abuser.

Bree McMaster had been married for twenty years, and had been abused almost
that many years. She hated to come home at night. Then one morning, her
husband was killed, and her life changed. Now Bree had her life back and a
SECOND CHANCE to do everything that she was never allowed to do.

First off was putting the house on the market, and that's when Ashley Winters
came into her life. She sold Bree's house and sold her a beautiful condo. She had
been in an abusive marriage for ten years. She was the best one to help Bree
with what she was going through.

Everything had come together, until the night that Ashley was killed in her condo.
Bree was beside herself. The Detective on the case swore to Bree that he would
find the person who did this to Ashley.

Bree and Detective Brisco became very close while trying to catch Ashley's killer.
But there was something else, Bree started to trust him, and that was something
that she thought she would never be able to.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781481744775

C.V. Langstaff

Writing books have been something that C.V. LANGSTAFF wanted to do for years. She has two other books in print. She writes from the heart and believes that everyone has a story in them, but few ever write them down. Her next task will be a children's book. She has three grown children, and five grandchildren; and has just gotten remarried. C.V. LANGSTAFF has a great way of pulling her readers into the story, that they can't put the book down, not until the last word, on the last page.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

A s Bree walked down the street, her thoughts were not on the job she was going to, but the things that had happened the night before. She was still numb from the beating that she had received from her husband. There were bruises all over her body, but nothing on her face. He never put any marks on her face. Everyone thought he was the best husband in the world. He worked eighty hours a week, bought everything that she wanted, or rather, she had the money to buy everything she wanted. But money wasn’t everything. She had tried and tried to tell him that, but he wouldn’t listen. So he would get mad, and that was when things happened.

Troy McMaster was a bank manager at the Royal Bank. He had been at the same branch for the last ten years. All the customers and staff loved him. He was forty-five years old, six feet tall, blond hair, that didn’t even have any grey in it yet, and many thought him to be very sexy. Bree had never told any of her girlfriends about the beatings that she had recieved over the years. She was sure that no one would believe her. Everyone loved Troy and believed him to be the ideal husband. It was true what people say, no one knows what goes on behind closed doors.

Bree Stevenson-McMaster was from a strict family. She was well liked in the community. She was an addiction counselor, who had clients that were in situations just like hers’. She talked to them and helped them to get on with their lives without their spouses. She took them to safe houses, helped with their children, went with them to lawyers offices, anything she could do to make sure they were safe, but when it came to her own safety, she couldn’t get up the courage to leave. She couldn’t get up the strenght to walk out that door and leave her husband of twenty years.

She had two older sisters, Summer who was two years old, and April was three years older then Summer. Bree’s parents, Mary and Paul were very strong Catholics, so when their middle daughter had gotten pregnant at thirteen, they were heart-broken. Mary prayed every day for the answer to their troubles. She finally spoke with their priest, Father John. He had an answer for her. There was a home run by nuns, about a hundred miles away, and they would take Summer in, until the baby was born. Then they could decide on what to do after that. Mary had been so thankful for Father John’s help with her daughter. The situation had put quite a strain on the girl’s home life. Paul had a very hard time dealing with it. Mary was always the pillar of strenght in their family. But it certainly made it harder on Bree. April didn’t have it quite so bad. She was sixteen when Summer had the baby, so she was already on her way to deciding on a college after high school, and she didn’t have a steady boyfriend at the time. But as soon as Bree entered high school, the rules of the house were pretty strict. She had to account for every minute she was outside the house. It had been awful!

Troy and Bree met at college, both in their junior year. They both lived on campus, and both came from very strict families. Troy’s father was a Supreme Court Judge. Everyone call Judge George McMaster, the hanging judge. He sent most of the prisoners to jail for a very long time. He was a very mean man and everyone feared him, even his own son.

Troy had a hard childhood. His mother tried to help Troy, when his father was punishing him, but his father was the dominate parent, and Troy knew that. He had hated his father for as long as he could remember, and had been counting the days until he could move out. Judge McMaster didn’t think that it was a good idea for Troy to live at the dorm, but his mother had finally talked him into it. Troy was very happy, but didn’t like the idea of leaving his mother there with his father. Christina McMaster told her son not to worry, his dad wasn’t that bad. She loved him with all her heart as he did her, but he had a tough job and he only wanted to make the world a safe place for everyone.

Troy didn’t think that at all, he just thought his father was a mean son-of-a-bitch, and if he didn’t see him again, it would be too soon. Christina was upset because of Troy thinking that way, but she understood George had been hard on Troy but it was not because he didn’t love him, but just the opposite. George loved his son so much it hurt. George had lost a younger brother to a drunk driver and since then, he didn’t let anyone away with anything. The only reason he was so hard on Troy was to make him understand that there were dangers out there, and he didn’t want anything to happen to him. Of course, Troy didn’t believe that. Troy knew not to drink and drive, and not to get into a car with someone else who was drinking. He wasn’t stupid. Not like his father thought he was.

CHAPTER TWO

B ree went into her office, after getting a cup of coffee. She didn’t want to talk to anyone right now. She needed a few minutes to herself, before starting her busy day. It was always busy at the outreach center. She had worked there for ten years, and she was never prepared when the next woman walked in through those doors. She could never understand why these women stayed with their spouses, but she had no room to talk. She was just as scared as her clients were to leave.

This morning was no different then any other morning, but for some reason, Bree had a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something was wrong, dead wrong.

Bree, do you have a minute? asked Faith Copper, Bree’s assistant.

Sure, Faith, what’s up?

I just had a phone call from the bank?

Yea, so what?

No, Bree, from Troy’s bank.

Troy’s bank. What’s wrong?

The girl didn’t say, just asked for you, and when I told her you were with a client, I asked if I could take a message.

So, what’s the message?

It’s Troy… . There’s been a robbery at the bank? There were three men… . two of the tellers were shot… . Troy… . he was trying to stop the robbers.

Is he okay? Did he get shot? . . . . Is he hurt bad? . . . . He’s not…

The girl didn’t say. She just said to tell you to get to the hospital right away.

Okay… . I’m on my way to the hospital… .

Do you want me to come with you? . . . . Are you okay to drive?

Yes… . no… . I don’t know.

Bree’s hands were shaking and she was having a hard time breathing. She couldn’t believe that Troy had been shot and may be dying. This can’t be happening to her, not here. Not in Long Beach. It was such a nice place to live. Hardly any crime and now this.

Faith came around Bree’s desk and helped her friend up. She had her arm around Bree as they walked to the door, and out to Bree’s car. Bree was shaking so bad that Faith was afraid that she might fall down if she was to let go of her. Faith got Bree into the passenger side of Bree’s car, and she got in behind the steering wheel. By now Bree was crying. Faith got her to the hospital as fast as she could.

As they walked up the sidewalk to the emergency doors, there stood Judge McMaster and Christina. Bree ran into Christina’s arms, as the Judge looked on.

How is he? cried Bree.

We don’t know yet. The Judge has been trying to get some information out of the nurses, but the doctors are still working on Troy. I can’t believe this has happened. Why was Troy shot? What happened at the bank? Where was the guard? I just don’t understand.

I know, I don’t either. I can’t believe any of this.

I’m going through those doors, and someone is going to tell me how my son is or I’m going to get really upset. Judge McMaster stormed through the emergency doors, when back into the waiting room as the doctor came through the doors from the surgery wing.

Doctor, my name is Judge McMaster, and my son has been shot. Did you work on him? Is he going to be okay or what? I want to know now.

Well, Judge, your son is in critical condition. I have done all I can do, for now. The next 48 hours will tell us what’s going to happen next. He’s in good physical shape, but there was a lot of damage done. One of the bullets hit his liver, and then stopped in his lung. We can’t remove that one, just yet. We fixed his liver, as best that we could. The bullet in his lung has to stay there for now. The second bullet hit him in the right kidney, we removed the whole kidney. There was no way we could save it. The third bullet… .

For christ sake, how many times was he hit?

We found five bullets in him.

So, what about the other three?

As I was saying, the third bullet hit him in his stomach, we removed two-thirds of that. The fourth bullet hit him in his throat, we tried to patch that up as best as we could. The fifth bullet hit him in his left leg, at the knee, we had to remove it, from the knee down. So, with all the surgery he has had, he’s lucky to still be breathing, but as I said, the next 48 hours will tell us more. I will be here until seven a.m., if there is any questions that you may have, just have me paged. I’m very sorry, Judge, but I think it’s going to take a miracle to bring your son out of this.

The Judge just nodded his head and went to sit down. He looked up at Christina and Bree, and just shook his head. They had heard what the doctor had said. They both had tears in their eyes.

I just don’t understand this. George, why? Why did Troy have to be shot up? Can you do anything to find out who did this to our son?

You’re damn right I can. Don’t think that this bastard is going to get away with this. When I find out who he is, he’s mine. He will wish that he was never born.

Bree looked at her father-in-law, and shook her head. That was just what Long Beach needed, a judge on the warpath. She looked over at Christina and went to take her hand. Will you come to the chapel with me?

Of course I will, dear. They both looked at the Judge, but they knew that he wouldn’t. Not since his brother was killed, he had only been in one church since that day, and that was for Bree and Troy’s wedding. He swore that there was no God, and he was damned if he was going to pray to something that wasn’t there.

Bree and Christina walked down the hall to the chapel. They were both in their own thoughts. Christina thinking about her baby boy, remembering all the good times they had had together. And Bree trying to remember all the good times, but thinking about the night before and the bruises all over her body, still, and now her husband was lying in a hospital bed, fighting for his life. Just as hard as she was fighting for hers’ last night in their living room.

The ladies were in the chapel for only a few minutes when Father John came in.

Oh, Father, did you hear about Troy? asked Bree.

Yes, my child, I did. I’m so sorry. I was at your parents’ home when the call came in.

Who called my parents?

I believe it was your assistant. She said that you were here at the hospital, and that Troy had been shot. How is he? Have you talked to the doctor?

Yes, the Judge talked to him just a few minutes ago. It doesn’t look good. He was shot five times. The doctor said that next 48 hours will tell us.

Just then, down the hall, Bree saw her parents coming toward her. She ran into her mother’s arms and cried like a baby. She didn’t know how to feel. Troy was her husband, but he was also her abuser. She didn’t know if she was crying for him or for herself.

Bree’s father, Paul Stevenson was talking to the Judge, as the ladies walked back into the waiting room. Paul came over to his wife and daughter, and held them both in his arms.

Father John was in the waiting room with the family when the doctor came over to them.

I’m sorry, but I’m afraid that Troy was not able to fight off all the blood lose. He has gone into a coma. From the tests that we have taken, there are no brain waves, which means that he is brain dead. As the family, it will be up to you to decide how long you want him to be hooked up to the breathing machines. It would take a huge miracle for him to return to us as we knew him. If, and I really don’t think it would happen, but if he was to come back, he would be a vegetable.

So, you are saying that my son is dead, Judge McMaster said.

Yes, Judge, in all reality, he is dead, answered Dr. Bowen.

Bree and Christina held each other and cried.

I know that Troy would not want to live that way. And I also know that he would want us to carry on with our lives, Judge McMaster stated. As far as I’m concerned, the best thing to do, is to let him go. He would hate to have to have someone do everything for him. What kind of live is that? Do you agree, Bree?

Yes, I do believe that Troy would hate to live like that, she said through her tears. I think it’s the best thing to do. Doctor, are you sure that there is no way that he can come back to us?

Yes, Ms McMaster, I’m sure that if by some miracle he came back, he would be a vegetable, so he wouldn’t be the Troy that you knew, anyway. He would never be able to move or walk or eat, or any of the million of things that we do, without even thinking about it. His brain is dead, so he would just lie in his bed, and he would still have to have all the machines hooked up to him. They would help to keep his bodily fluids moving but that would be it. He would still have to have the breathing tube and everything else hooked up to him. It would not be any life for him or you.

Well, if you’re sure that there is nothing else that can be done for him, then I guess this is for the best. May I see him before you unplug him? Christina, Judge, will you come with me. You too, Mom, Dad. I also think that Father John should give Troy his last rites. Father.

Of course, Bree, we will all come in with you.

As soon as you are finished, I will come back into the room and unplug him. I am so sorry. Dr. Bowen walked over to the nurse’s station, as the family went into Troy’s room to say their last good-byes.

Bree knew that it was going to be hard to say good-bye to Troy. He had been her life for over twenty years. How do you go on from here? She had never been with anyone but Troy. He was her first and last love. What was she going to do? There were so many things that were running through her head. Some good, some bad.

Christina looked down at her beautiful boy, and cried. He had been her whole world for forty-five years. Now what was she to do? Times like this made her wish that they had had more than one child. But it didn’t matter, Troy would have been her favorite, even if she had had ten children. There was just something special about your first born. Now he would be gone. Never again would she hear his voice, or his laugh, or see his smile, or feel his arms around her. Never again!

As the family left Troy’s room, Father John went in for his last rites. Bree had never told anyone about all the beatings that she had gotten. But after this was finished, she was going to talk to Father John. She would have some healing to do. She would have to find a way to forgive Troy, and then find a way to get on with her life.

CHAPTER THREE

B ree was in a state of shock, with Troy’s death, the funeral, all the people that came to see her. Troy had known hundreds of people, friends, businessmen, heads of states, even the President of the United States, sent a telegraph to Bree, with his condolences. Bree couldn’t believe all the cards, flowers, baskets of fruit, and phone calls that she had recieved. In everyone’s eyes, Troy was the most loved person, ever. It had made it a bit hard for Bree to continue to smile and hear all the nice things that everyone wanted to say about him. Her mind would go back to all the beatings that she had received, over the years. No one knew anything about that. Everyone thought Troy was the crowned prince of the banking world.

Now, Bree had to get on with her life. She didn’t know what she was going to do. First off, she was going to take a couple weeks off work, just for her. They had no children, because Troy didn’t want any. Bree always wanted to have a couple, but Troy had said no, and there was no talking about it. Now that he was gone, it would have been nice to have children to help with all the quietness in the house. It was so quiet, that Bree was sure that she was going to go out of her mind.

Faith had called her several times, just to make sure she was okay. Even Faith didn’t know about the kind of life Bree had been living. And now that it was over, Bree didn’t know if she was going to tell her or not. She knew that she had to have some closure, or she would go out of her mind. But maybe it would be better to talk to someone who wasn’t so close to her. Bree was an excellent counselor, but she had a hard time taking her own advice.

The first thing she had to do, was decide if she wanted to stay in the house that they owned, or to sell it and get something smaller. There were more bad memories then good ones, so maybe it would be better to start over with a new place to live. She couldn’t believe that she didn’t have to have Troy’s permission to do anything about the house or anything else for that matter. This would be the first time that she could do whatever she wanted to do, and not have to answer to anyone. What a strange feeling!

She had called the local charity to come and take all of Troy’s clothes, and personal things. He had been so into himself about his clothes and just about everthing else. He had his hair trimmed once a week, his teeth cleaned once a month. He bought new shoes every three weeks, new suits twice a month. He had more clothes than Bree could wear in a year. He played the part so well. Golf player/squash/handball/tennis. It was a wonder that he had time for Bree, or his job for that matter. He was never in the office, whenever Bree called. He was always out, somewhere, and his secretary would never say where or with whom. Bree had thought for years that he was having an affair, but she didn’t know for sure. It didn’t matter now, he was gone, and she had to get on with her own life.

Bree had heard from Christina and she was having a hard time dealing with Troy’s death. Of course, the Judge was trying to find the person responsible, but he wasn’t having any luck, yet. He swore that he would not rest until the murderer was behind bars, or dead. He preferred the latter.

How are you doing, dear? Christina asked her daughter-in-law.

I’m okay, I guess. I can’t believe it really happened. It feels so strange. Coming home to an empty house, and it being that way all the time. Troy had lots of business meetings and such, but he still came home sometime during the night. Now, after I come in, there’s no one else to come in. It just feels funny. I guess I will get use to it, but I think it’s going to take a while.

I understand that you have taken some time off work. I think that’s a good idea, but don’t spend it all alone. You know that you can come over here anytime you like. You are still family, the only family we have now. Christina started to cry.

I know, and thanks. You will always be family to me as well. How is the Judge doing? Has he found out anything yet? I hope he’s being careful.

You know the Judge, dear. He goes like a mad man and look out for anyone who gets in his way. I guess the police are working around the clock, only because the Judge has posted a reward for the murderer.

I didn’t know that. How much is the reward?

One million dollars.

My God, that’s a lot of money. Is he not afraid of all the nuts coming forward, just for the money?

Yes, but the police are handling all the interviews. The Judge would probably shot anyone that looks at him the wrong way. He is so uptight, and I’m worried about him. He hardly eats, and I’m sure he’s not sleeping. I keep telling him to take it easy, and let the police do their job, but he doesn’t listen to me. I am so worried something will happen to him, and then… . I… . would…

It’s okay, Christina, I know how you feel. But there is no way to stop him. You just have to be there for him. This is probably eating him up inside. He probably feels he’s the only one who can get the killer, and he knows that he can’t be the judge at the trial. So, he wants his turn with the killer. Of course, he won’t have it, but that is probably what’s keeping him going. He is so tough on all the killers that come into his courtroom, but this is personal. He’s not going to rest, until someone is made accountable. But, please, you need to take care of yourself, and the Judge will be fine. He’s a man on a mission, and when the killer is found and in jail, then he will know that Troy’s name will be remembered for all the good things that he did, and not just another man killed.

Thanks, Bree, that does make me feel better. Here you are making me feel better, and I had called to make sure that you were doing okay. How are you really, dear? Are you eating, and sleeping properly? Do you need anything? Is there anything I can do for you?

No, I’m fine. This is all new to me. I moved out of my parents house, to the dorm in college, and then into this house. I have never been by myself and living alone, ever. I just wish it were under better conditions than this. I really wished we had had some children. It’s hard being here by myself.

I wish that you had too. I don’t know why Troy didn’t want any. It would have been nice to have something of his now that he’s gone.

I didn’t know that you knew that Troy didn’t want children. I didn’t think that he had told anyone else about that. Do you know why he didn’t want any?

No, I asked him several times, but he wouldn’t give me an answer. I thought maybe there was a medical problem with you or even him, and that he didn’t want to talk about it. Is that the reason?

I don’t think so. I know that there is no medical problem with me. I had everything checked out. I had tried for years to get pregnant, even though Troy had told me that he didn’t want children. I thought that if I did get pregnant, that he would have been happy about it. When nothing happened, I went to the doctor, and everything was okay. He asked if my husband wanted to come in for a check-up. Well, as you know, that never happened. I didn’t even tell Troy that I had seen a doctor.

That’s too bad. Who would have thought that he would die so young? Maybe there was a problem with him. I know that I would loved to have been a grandmother. I always wanted more than one child, but after Troy was born, I had some problems, and I had to have a hysterctomy. The Judge was upset, he would have loved to have had more as well, but there was nothing the doctors could do. And he was hoping for grandchildren as well. He had always wanted a little girl. But it wasn’t in God’s plan.

That’s too bad. I didn’t know that you couldn’t have any more children. I know I wanted some, but it wasn’t in the cards, I guess. I’m thinking about selling the house. I think it will be easier to move into something smaller, the memories here are going to drive me nuts. I’m having a hard time being here.

I’m sorry. I never thought about that. I’ll bet that it is hard walking around an empty house, thinking about Troy coming home, and then realizing that he’s not. Do you have an idea on where you would like to live? I hope that you aren’t thinking about moving out of the area?

Oh, no. My parents would have a fit if I moved too far away. I just think maybe a condo, or something like that. I don’t want a big yard, with all the work that it takes. Right now, I don’t even want to look at my rose bushes or weed the flowerbeds. Soon the neighbours will be complaining the yard is a mess. One of the young boys down the street cuts the grass, but I don’t think he knows the difference between a flower and a weed, so I don’t think I want him in the flowerbeds. Right now, I’m just thinking out loud. I haven’t decided on anything.

"You know that the Judge and I are behind you, whatever you