Wrong Thing, Right Reason

Approximately 20 minutes later, Wallace Eckart and Christina Macallen arrive at his modest-looking house on the other corner of Savannah Street. He opens the door for Christina, letting her out, then they hold hands as they make their way to the front door. He opens the door for her again, and Christina is in awe of how beautiful the house looks on the inside: the living room is large enough to fit three large couches and a 50-something-inch TV screen. The kitchen’s windows overlook the street’s proximity to the water and additional summer tourist sights.

“You like what you see?” Wallace smiles as he shuts the door after them. “This is my humble abode.”

“I… I love it. It’s as breathtaking as my house, don’t you think?” Christina chuckles as she takes a seat on one of the couches.

“You have a lovely home, too, don’t get me wrong. Anyway, did you want to come with me to my room? I’ll give you a quick tour of the house, and let me assure you, I’m alone for now. The kids are staying with my sister Emily this week in Tallahassee, and she’s taking them out and about to spend the last week of summer together. Which just leaves me by my lonesome.” He gives her an exaggerated frown. “So, I could use your company for a little while, even if it’s just until tomorrow morning.”

“I don’t mind.” Christina smiles. “Show me the rest of this gorgeous abode.”

For the next 15 minutes, Wallace shows Christina around the house, including the basement, which acts as his home study, with a desk and a computer. When they’re in the basement, he says, “This is where I’ll be, listening to the recording and transferring all the information onto the computer. It’s going to take me a while to do that, but I’m very technologically savvy, so it won’t be an issue for me. Is that okay with you?”

“Of course, Wallace.” She gives him a quick kiss on the lips. “Do what you need to do.”

“I’m glad you understand,” he says as they make their way back upstairs, “because I’ll need to focus on this recording thoroughly and do my best to omit the part where Vincent incriminates Lance, or even mentions Lance’s name. I think you and I both know how important it is for Lance to not go down for any of this, so I want to make sure that doesn’t happen, if you decide to turn this in to the PD as soon as possible.”

“Of course, I understand. I’m not as savvy as you are, Wally, so you obviously know what you’re doing.”

“Have you had a chance to listen to the recording that you made?” he asks.

Christina shakes her head. “Sadly, I haven’t gotten to it yet. So many things kept coming up all at once.”

“It’s okay. We’ll go down, listen to it together right now, however long it is, and I’ll spend time with the technical stuff: editing and everything. You’re welcome to stay with me if you want, Christina, but I guarantee you that you’ll be bored, so you can just come up here, turn the TV on, watch a little something and help yourself. As the saying goes, ‘Mi casa es su casa.’” They laugh at his flawed Spanish. “Well, you know what I mean. I have dozens of snacks all around the kitchen, mostly for the kids. Since their mother’s death, I’ve tried my best to not let them binge on junk food, but once in a while, I can’t help it. They really like all that stuff, so you can help yourself out, too, if you want.”

Christina smiles, finding herself to be more head over heels in love with this man than she ever realized. “I’ll keep all that in mind.”

Then she and Wallace go down to the basement, a nice, peaceful place where they can listen to the whole recording, from beginning to end. The recording lasted for as long as Christina had been at Vincent’s house: approximately half an hour or so. After they finish listening to it, Wallace says, “You really took time to get your answers out of him, didn’t you? And the fact that you asked him about his childhood, that’s… That’s something…”

“Unexpected?” Christina smiles. “I know. Lance said the same thing. I was like a psychologist.”

“No, I don’t mean that in a bad way, of course. The fact that you were willing to ask him about his childhood and listen to him shows that you’re a compassionate person, Christina. You couldn’t help but feel for him as he was telling you this stuff. That doesn’t mean you should feel bad for him, knowing what he’s done to Kaitlynn and now Lance. He needs to understand the severity of his actions and take responsibility for them. I have to give you a lot of credit for taking time out of your morning to do this. I know it must have been hard for you.”

“Oh, believe me, it wasn’t that hard.” Christina shakes her head. “All I did was look up his address so that I could go confront him about what he put my son through that horrific night. I wasn’t going to let him intimidate me. I went there for the sole purpose of putting Vincent Rousseau in his place.”

“And I’m sure you did. But now, I have to do my part in editing this recording, and I’d appreciate your patience. We can listen to it first thing in the morning, but I want to work hard on it so that the investigators will never suspect Lance of having any role in this. This is the least that I can do for you and your son.”

Christina smiles. “Why are you agreeing to do this for me?”

“Why do you think so?” He smiles. “Because I care about you, Christina. Lance is your son, and he’s someone of significance to you. I’d hate to see a loved one suffer and not do anything about it. In the short time I got to meet him and the rest of your kids today, I have a sense of who they are because of the amazing mother they have.” He caresses her hair, and Christina blushes, flattered by the compliment. “I’m not gonna let you have Lance go through this hell for the rest of his life, as young as he is. He didn’t even know Kaitlynn, just as we already established. That’s not fair for Vincent to put him in that situation in the first place. So, for this recording, I need to do this right, and when I’m finished, we can listen to it together before you leave tomorrow morning.”

“Sounds like a great idea. Should I head back up now and let you do what you need to do?”

“You should. Follow me.” They make their way back upstairs. They go to the living room where Wallace turns on the TV and hands Christina the remote. “Whatever you want to watch, it’s up to you. And feel free to go through the kitchen, open the fridge, cabinets, whatever… Help yourself to a snack or two if you’re in the mood. I don’t want you to be bored on my watch.”

She giggles. “Wallace Eckart, I can never be bored with you.”

“You sure about that?” He gives her a seductive wink.

“Yes, I’m sure. Do what you need to do. It’s important to do this right. For Lance.”

“For Lance it is. And I’ll let you know when I reach out to my friend from Florida State who I feel can represent him well, if things should ever get to that level. But for now, let’s play it cool by doing what I need to do downstairs… And I’ll let you know when I’m done.” He gives her a small kiss on the lips. “Trust me, Chrissy?”

“Of course I trust you.” She kisses him back on the lips. “Good luck.”

“Thanks. I’ll be needing lots of it.” Wallace heads down to the basement, shutting the door after him.

Christina uses this as an opportunity to make herself comfortable in Wallace’s house. This is her first time in his house, and as much as she wants to be a respectful guest, she realizes that she doesn’t have to be too formal because Wallace is the only occupant of the house for the time being. His children are away with his sister in Tallahassee, having been gone for the week, so she’s more than welcome to get comfortable on the couch without anyone else walking in on her. She goes to the kitchen and opens the fridge. She sees a box of four frozen pizzas from Sal’s, the local pizzeria. The first four have been eaten by Wallace and his children. She doesn’t know if she should have a slice because Wallace may have one with his children when they get back next week.

Just in case, she wants to get his permission.

She opens the basement door and calls out to him, “Hey, Wally, can I have a slice of pizza?”

No answer. She figures that he’s too busy listening to the recording, and when she goes downstairs, she sees him fully absorbed in working on the recording, his headphones on. He obviously didn’t hear her.

She taps him gently on the shoulder, and he turns around, taking off his headphones. “Hey, how’s it going?” she asks.

“Great. I’m about halfway through… Did you need something, Chrissy?”

“Yeah… I was just wondering if I could have a slice of pizza. I saw it in the fridge, and…”

“Yes, of course, Christina! Like I said, knock yourself out. You don’t have to ask me for permission.”

“Oh.” Christina chuckles. “I figured because you and your kids must’ve had the first four slices, and I didn’t want to impose or…”

“Christina…” He puts his hand up. “It’s fine. Help yourself out. I’m not much of a pizza fan, if I’m being absolutely honest with you. I never really was, for some reason. I guess it’s because Emily and I were brought up not to consume that type of food. We had a pretty strict diet when we were kids, so… For me, this is just a once-in-a-while thing. I mostly order it for the kids, so you’re welcome to treat yourself to one, and the kids can each have the remaining three slices when they get back.”

“Thank you.” She smiles affectionately at him.

“No problem. I’m almost done with this, so…”

“Take your time. I can’t wait to hear everything tomorrow.”

“You will. You mind if I make you a little something tomorrow morning before you can head back home?”

“Uh… No, I don’t mind, actually.”

“Great. I can’t wait to surprise you with my genius cooking skills.” They laugh. “And once I come upstairs, I’ll show you some nice, comfortable pajamas to change into. I shouldn’t be out for much longer, I promise. And then…” He puts on his most seductive voice. “When we get on that bed tonight, you and I will do a million things with each other.”

Christina giggles like a little girl. “I think you mean to each other.” She loves his sense of humor.

“Does it make a difference? Anyway, let me finish up here, and you go on up and enjoy your pizza, sit back on the couch and watch a little something to get your mind off all your troubles.”

“Will do, Mr. Eckart.” She salutes him as if he’s a captain or someone in charge of an authoritarian organization, then she returns upstairs.