Fatal Deception: Part I (11 page)

Alondra hung up her cell phone, a look of worry covering her face. She looked up and saw Geri just coming from the kitchen where she was making dinner.

“What’s wrong Alondra?” said Geri. She was immediately concerned when she saw Alondra’s pained look. Alondra’s eyes met hers and something tugged at her heart. Those eyes were her father’s for sure.

“That was my Aunt Blair,” said Alondra. “She and my uncle are stranded in town. The Yukon won’t start and they have to get the guy at the garage to come look at it.”

“Well cars do breakdown, Honey,” said Geri. “Why do you look so upset? The mechanic should get it up and running.”

Alondra shook her head and began to pace back and forth. “Yes, they do. But Dad just had it serviced this weekend. And it’s never done this before.”

“Well, that is a little strange,” said Geri.

Suddenly, Alondra remembered something. Earlier Deidra had vanished for a little while. Her father had looked seemingly everywhere for her. Then, out of the blue, Deidra appeared and she and her father were leaving together. Where was she during that time? With her mind pondering over that question, Alondra sat in a chair by Geri stared directly into her eyes.

Geri could see something was churning in that pretty little mind. “What is it Alondra? Spill it,” she urged.

“Geri,” Alondra began. “I know that I just met you, but I feel as if we have known each other forever. I can’t explain it, but I feel I could trust you even with my life.”

Geri eyes glimmered and tears were forming. “I feel the connection too. It’s like you’re the daughter I lost,” Geri explained.

Alondra was relieved to hear that Geri felt the same. “Okay, now that we got that out the way. I’m about to say something, and I don’t want you to judge me harshly for it. This is not something superficial… it is what I’ve felt from the first time I laid eyes on her.”

Geri sat back on the sofa and nodded for her to proceed.

“Our Yukon is practically new. We’ve never had a minute’s trouble with it. How in the world could it go out just like that?” Alondra paused.

Geri sat silently. She wondered where exactly she was going with all of this. Then a realization came to mind, and she exactly where Alondra was headed. “This wouldn’t be about Deidra now would it?” Geri asked.

Alondra looked down at the ground fearing she was going to go back on her word, and from the tone of her voice she may have already.

“I promised you I would listen,” said Geri. “So tell me, what are you getting at?” she encouraged her to go on. She didn’t want to break what was forming between them.

Alondra gazed into her eyes, and saw she was sincere. She took a deep breath and began to wring her hands. “I think Deidra sabotaged the Yukon!” she blurted.

Geri’s eyes grew narrow, and she turned her head away to think. Then her eyes came back to Alondra who was observing her reaction. “Okay… What if she did? What would be her reason? What does she have against Cain and Blair?” she asked.

Alondra began to smile wickedly. Geri observed this reaction and figured she had thought this out very thoroughly.

“She wasn’t after Uncle Cain or Aunt Blair! She meant to get you and I stranded somewhere,” Alondra explained.

Geri allowed this idea to digest. She rose to her feet and began to pace, pondering. Alondra nodded her head seeing Geri was with her on this.

“Remember when we said we were going to be doing something today,” said Alondra. “And during the commotion with my aunt she disappeared. My dad went looking for her.” She tried to jog Geri’s memory.

“Yes, I remember now,” said Geri. “We’d come back into the house after he convinced me to let him take me car shopping. I didn’t see her outside, and we never saw her inside. But when Marc went outside looking for her...” Geri paused for a moment folding her arms across her chest and rubbing her chin with one hand.

Alondra completed her sentence. “There she was driving away with him,” she said.

Geri was in deep thought. “You know what? She has a temper too,” said Geri. “I caught that today when you and your father quarreled.” She paused again and watched as Alondra neared.

“I know, I caught her doing some breathing exercises geared for anger management,” said Alondra. “And the other day she shot me a glare that sent chills up my back. I knew then she was crazy, but what I really think is that she has it out for you. She wants my dad bad, and she sees how he looks at you.”

Geri’s eyes grew large and her face reddened, which made Alondra laugh.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t know,” said Alondra.

Geri looked away embarrassed.

Yeah, she knows, Alondra said to herself. “Uh-huh, it’s just as I thought. You feel the same for him—that’s why she’s out to get you! You should be very careful. I don’t think I’m a threat because she knows I’m leaving in the fall.” But suddenly, Alondra was struck with another terrible thought. “Damn!” she shouted.

“What is it?” Geri asked nearly panicked.

“Aunt Blair!” Alondra replied. “She thinks she might be pregnant, she told me this morning. If she is, I don’t want her near that psycho!” Alondra became more anxious.

“Alondra do me a favor, and don’t say anything to anyone just yet,” Geri pleaded. “If she’s as crazy as we think, we don’t want to alarm her. Who else but a lunatic would want to strand two women out in no man’s land just to get closer to a man?”

“I agree,” said Alondra. “But my dad and uncle can’t always be around. If she gets my dad in her clutches, she’ll be there too, and I don’t want my aunt left alone with her. I know she will want my aunt and uncle out of the house.”

Geri knew she was right, but wanted to give the girl some peace of mind. “Don’t worry, you’re father loves them too much. He would never send them away.”

“She wants us all out of the way,” Alondra reminded. “She will do whatever it takes to see it done, I just know it. Watch your back, Geri. You are her biggest threat, and we don’t even know yet how crazy she is!” She let out a huge sigh and sat down.

Geri turned away, and walked over to the window looking out. No, she said to herself. None of you know how crazy this bitch is.

Chapter 21

Marc stood on the porch looking out at the land as he usually did after dinner. Deidra had made herself at home cooking and cleaning up in Blair’s kitchen. She finished what she was doing and smiled to herself. She was pleased with the way the evening alone with Marc had been developing.

She went to the living room, and peered in discovering Marc wasn’t there. She looked through the screen door and saw him relaxing. She was quite knowledgeable of what, or rather,
who
was on his mind.

She slithered to the bar and poured them some red wine then slinked out to the porch. He’d been deep in thought but looked up when she brushed up against him and handed him a glass. He smiled politely and took it. When their hands touched, he felt a current surge through him.

The atmosphere was just right for something romantic, so she thought. It has to be done just right. Not too subtle, but not too aggressive either, she schemed. She turned to stare out at the land as if she was interested in what he was seeing and took a sip of her wine. She drew in a deep breath.

His eyes went to her rounded chest as it rose and fell with each breath. He quickly took a big gulp of wine, and forced his eyes back out to the evening landscape.

“It’s really beautiful out here at night,” said Deidra. “It’s so quiet and serene.” She went to the banister and leaned on it, her hip intentionally pushed outward toward hip.

His eyes moved over her frame, carefully noting how snuggly her curves fit in her jeans. His mind wandered back to their kiss. It had been some time since he’d tasted the kiss of a woman with his tongue. Feeling himself becoming aroused, he excused himself, and quickly retreated into the house.

She straightened up wondering where he was going. But no sooner than he’d left, he came back with a bottle of whiskey and a six pack of beer.

“Wine is okay, but I’d rather have this,” he informed her, taking a seat on the porch steps.

She looked down at him agreeing. She could drink with the best of them, but didn’t want him to know it. Then an idea popped in her head. “I never had a drink stronger than wine,” she lied. “How does it taste?” she asked sitting down next to him.

“You’ve got to be careful,” said Marc. “Whiskey holds a punch,” he warned.

“Well, then since I have to drive back later. I’ll stop with this glass of wine,” she said charily.

“I understand,” said Marc. “You’re a girl!” he kidded with a wink.

Her mouth flew open and he just nodded.

“Give me some of that,” she demanded playfully. “I’ll show you who’s a girl!”

She tossed the wine to the ground and held her glass in front of him. He smiled and filled her glass. She took it down quickly then jumped to her feet trying to catch her breath. He ran to her and coached her into breathing slowly. She did.

“That stuff burns!” she said between breaths.

“I told you!” he reminded, while laughing.

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” she said. “You knew it would do that!” She hit his arm gently.

“Yeah, that’s true,” he admitted. Still laughing, he grabbed a beer and gave it to her. “Here, drink this,” he said, popping the tab.

She sipped it smiling all the while. He bit the hook, she said to herself. Now to reel him in. She took another sip of beer and walked over to the steps to sit down. He followed, as she knew he would. He opened another can of beer for himself. “Thanks,” said Marc. He then took a huge drink of his beer.

Deidra looked at him strangely. “For what?” she asked.

He stared into her clear blue eyes then leaned in and hooked her chin with one finger. She watched his eyes come closer and soon felt his wet lips upon hers. She closed her eyes as his tongue slipped into her waiting mouth. Her can of beer fell to the ground. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He dropped his can as well and pulled her onto his lap kissing her long and hard, not wanting this night to get away. He stood to his feet with her in his arms, and looked deep into her eyes asking something of them. She replied by nodding her head, knowing what he wanted of her. He carried her into the house, and up to his room.

“
How could a cable just snap like that?” Cain growled. They would have to stay in a hotel in town until mid-morning at least, until the car was fixed. They didn’t want to bother Marc or Alondra to come and get them, bring them home, then come all the way back out in the morning. But Blair didn’t seem to mind as she moved around in the hotel room they had taken for the night. It felt good to be away from the house. They left a message for Marc letting them know what was going on, since he didn’t answer the phone.

“Cain, baby, look,” said Blair. “Let’s just treat this like a mini-holiday away from everything. I’m ready to relax. Now I’m going to take a shower, and you can stay out here sulking… or you can come and wash my back,” she said lustfully. She eased slowly into the bathroom, looking back at him seductively. He sat dumbfounded for a second, then nearly tripped over his feet trying to run and take his pants off at the same time.

Alondra and Geri ate a fulfilling dinner after their talk, and had turned in for the night. Geri stood at the bedroom door watching Alondra sleeping soundly. She rested her head against the door frame with one hand on the doorknob, and the other over her heart. She let a silent sigh escape and quietly closed the door. She paused in the hallway thinking. Staring into space, she reflected on the past then went to her room and locked the door.

She went to her closet, pulled out a large briefcase, and carried it to the bed. She unsnapped the locks and opened it. She took out a stack of pictures and arranged them on the bed. Though she viewed them all with great diligence there was only one she picked up and stared at for a length of time. Tears began to fill her eyes. She placed the picture next to her heart and fell backward, her head hitting the pillow, she began to cry. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you,” she whispered aloud as she wept. “I was going through so much crap at the time. But I promise you, I’ll be here this time.” And she drifted off to sleep.

Marc laid Deidra on his bed. She backed up to the headboard and watched as he slowly began to unbutton his shirt. Her breathing was erratic. Her plan was finally coming into fruition. She wanted him badly, now she would have him.

Just then, his eyes fell on the picture on his nightstand. She followed his gaze, noting the distraction, and turned away rolling out of the bed. He looked at her strangely.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, watching her head for the door.

“I can’t do this,” said Deidra. She pulled the door to open it. He laid his hand flatly on the door closing it before she could exit.

“I thought this was what you wanted,” said Marc.

She backed away from him, her eyes on the floor. “I did,” she admitted. “But suddenly it just doesn‘t seem right.”