“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 169

**Chapter 41: Tillman's last piece of decency.**

Tillman could hardly believe his ears the day Vanessa called him. After hanging up with her, he fumed as he began to get dressed to meet her at the café.

*“That stupid fucking bitch!!!! All of this was HER fault! I would have never fucked with Josie if wasn’t for her!!!”*

After meeting Vanessa at the café, Tillman pondered how far one million dollars would take him.

*“I should have asked that bitch for more! I’ll be broke before the year is over.”*

The next day, he received a phone call from Vanessa’s brother Jamie Taylor.

*“Mr. Tillman…do you know who I am?”*

Confused; Tillman responded.

*“Should I know?”*

*“I’m Jamie Taylor….brother of Vanessa and Josie Taylor.”*

Tillman’s heart instantly fell as the blood began to drain from his face.

*“Look! She paid me to do it!!! I had no intentions of messing with Josie! Your sister Vanes-”*

*“Relax Mr. Tillman. I’m not the brother investigating you. I’m here to help you.”*

Tillman’s eyes widen in surprise; why would he want to HELP him?

*“I understand my sister paid you to do a….service.”*

Tillman sneered, what a polite way of saying his sister paid him to abuse Josie.

*“You could say that. She paid me to torture your other sister and make her life a living hell.”*

There was an uncomfortable silence on the other end of the phone, Jamie continued.

*“I highly doubt my sister wanted you to brutalize Josie and ra-”*

*“Your sister made her intentions VERY CLEAR! She wanted Josie to suffer! I had to send her quarterly updates on the progress. She would threatened me any time she thought I was having a conscious moment. Let’s not be coy Mr. Tillman. Your sister wanted your biological sister to suffer.”*

Tillman could hear Jamie’s uncomfortable breathing; had he really tried to convince himself his sister WASN'T a monster. Tillman wasn’t about to let him ride out that delusion. Jamie spoke with irritation in his tone.

*“Regardless! I’m sure she’s informed you that our older brother is now looking into you. If we don’t act now, he’ll know everything about you by the end of the week. So unless you want to experience some of your own handiwork; I suggest you let me help you.”*

Tillman sat in silence; he wasn’t sure how well he could trust this other brother; but what choice did he have. Jamie was right, the other Taylor brother was now on his ass and a million dollars wouldn’t be enough to hold him off.

*“Fine, what do you want me to do?”*

That night, Jamie sent Tillman another million dollars and had one of his servicemen transport him out of Bridgeton to a neighboring city. That became the norm over the past four months; Jamie would have to constantly move Tillman as Christian’s team was constantly on his ass. It was becoming exhausting. Each time, Tillman could sense Jamie losing his patience. During the final move si when everything began to truly fall apart.

*“You need to hurry up and pack your shit Tillman. Hoffman will be there soon to move you.”*

Tillman slammed his suitcase shut as he packed his belongings at The Clarebelle Inn; the latest hotel he’d moved too.

*“Exactly how fucking long am I supposed to keep this up Taylor! It’s like no matter what, your damn brother keeps finding me! Why don’t you figure out how to convince him to stop looking!”*

Tillman yelled in frustration; he wasn’t sure how much longer he could live like this. He knew it was only a matter of time before Christian Taylor got him. This entire ordeal had become exhausting. Jamie fired back.

*“Watch your fucking tone Tillman! Be lucky I’m helping a low-graded sorry piece of shit like you! Now, pack your shit and be ready by the time Hoffman gets there!”*

Tillman scoffed, he’d had enough of this shit! It’s not like they were helping him because they were outstanding citizens.

*“Let’s get something straight Taylor! The only reason you’re helping my ‘piece of shit’ ass is to cover up the crimes of YOUR piece of shit sister! You know what….maybe I should just get in front of this. Maybe I should just call your brother. Tell him the truth. Maybe even leak-”*

*“Do that and you’re fucking dead Tillman!-”*

*“Hey! Don’t fucking threaten me Taylor. Not if you wanna keep your sadistic ass sister safe.”*

With that, Tillman hung up. Suddenly, an eerie feeling came over him. He wasn’t sure why; but for some reason, he had a feeling his time was coming to an end. He no longer trusted Jamie as far as their arrangement went as it was becoming more difficult to hide him. And above everything else, he knew Taylor would stop at nothing to protect his precious sister. At that moment, Tillman made a decision. Pulling out the USB he’d held onto for insurance, Tillman realized it may serve better in the hands of the person who deserved it the most….Josie. Taking out a piece of paper from the hotel room’s drawer, Tillman decided to write Josie a letter.

Shortly after, he had the front desk mail the letter out for him. He'd learned of Josie's new address from a friend of his at PO office. Several hours later, Tillman would be found dead with a single gunshot wound to his head.

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*Dear Josie,*

*I’m sure I’m the last person you would ever want to hear from; but I promise you…I come in peace. I’m not sure if you know this or not, (knowing you…you probably do); but your ‘sister’ is the one that was behind all of your abuse at the prison. Not to say I along with the other inmates weren’t willing participants…just saying, it would have never happened had she not arranged it.*

*Honestly, I actually really liked you. In a twisted way…maybe I even fell in love with you. Though I’m sure that’s not something you want to hear from the man that abused you. And even if you don’t believe me and spend the rest of your life hating me…I want you to know that I truly regretted what I did to you. Josie….I’ve never regretted anything in my entire life….I didn’t regret abusing women; I didn’t regret being a piece of shit; I didn’t even regret killing my entire family. I've spent my entire life telling myself that how I am was not my fault. As I write this letter….I now know that’s not true as we all have choices.*

*And even if this letter never finds you, and you spend your entire life hating me, please….don’t let the bitterness of your family destroy you like mine destroyed me.*

*I’m getting wordy know so I’ll take my leave. You should know, your brother Jamie has been helping your sister by moving me around and giving me money; that family is truly despicable so I’m sending you a little gift. Enclosed is my USB, it’s filled with multiple conversations, bank transfers, everything you’ll need to destroy that bitch Vanessa. Use it wisely,*

*Lawrence Tillman.*

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The paper began to soak as Josie's tears continued to fall. Tillman was the last person she'd expected to help her. She also wasn't sure how to feel about his confession and apology. She'd spent over four years hating that man for destroying her. She couldn't find it in her yet to just up and forgive him. He'd done too much; but she was grateful for the evidence he'd just supplied her. Marlon and Joshua stared at Josie, concern in their eyes. Joshua could feel his blood turning into lava, his inner thoughts furious!

*'How dare that piece of shit tell her he loved her!'*

Marlon continued to watch his little cousin. He could see the confliction in her eyes. He couldn't imagine how she must've felt accepting help from the very person that abused her. Nervously, he sat next to her.

*"Josie...I won't ask if you're okay.....I already know the answer to that."*

Josie looked at her cousin, tears flowing like waterfalls down her cheeks. Wiping her face, she looked at both Marlon and Joshua. Reseve now in her eyes.

*"Let's finish this. I want these fucking people out of my life once and for all."*