Damaged Amazon

by Kim Pritekel

  Pulling up in front of the house, she glanced past her passenger to take a quick glance at it. “Cute little place.”

  “Thanks,” Devon said, pride in her voice as she, too, glanced at her home. “Still needs some work, but I’m usually so beat on my days off that it’s taking forever, you know?”

  Sarah nodded. “I get it. It took me years to get my townhouse fully renovated.”

  “And, as soon as you’re done, everything you did is out of style again,” Devon said with a laugh.

  “God.” Sarah rolled her eyes. “Don’t say that.” The energy shifted as she met Devon’s gaze.

  “You know, you’re probably the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Sarah,” Devon said softly.

  Sarah’s stomach turned with nerves. She wanted to run but decided to stay, see where this went. Where her mind had been at dinner and most the day was far too dangerous, and she needed to avoid it at all costs. As she’d said to Nora that night at the farmhouse, she couldn’t go there again.

  “Thank you. I think you’re quite adorable, yourself.”

  Devon grinned, dimples showing. She unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned toward Sarah. Bringing a hand up, she buried her fingers in long, dark hair, slowly bringing Sarah’s mouth to her own. The kiss was soft, as were Devon’s lips.

  Sarah allowed herself to respond to the kiss, hoping the feel and taste of Devon’s mouth would distract her and help her figure out where she was to go next. When Devon’s tongue teased her bottom lip, she allowed entry.

  Sarah had no idea how it began but the next thing she knew, she had pressed Nora up against the fridge, her kiss hot, wet, and demanding. Nora responded, her fingers clenched in Sarah’s hair, holding them together as a war waged, first in Nora’s mouth then in Sarah’s, their bodies pressed together, shoving the heavy fridge against the wall.

  Breathing heavily, Sarah pulled away from Devon, unable to get the scene in Nora’s kitchen out of her mind. “I’m sorry,” she said softly, bringing up a trembling hand to smooth her hair back from her face. “Truly sorry.”

  Devon brought up a sleeve and wiped her mouth as she looked away for a moment. Dropping her arm back to her side, she glanced at Sarah. “What’s wrong?”

  Sarah let out several breaths before explaining. “Look, someone I once cared deeply about has come back into my life and…I’m confused.”

  Devon smirked. “I guess we’re just one big lesbian cliché, aren’t we?” At Sarah’s confused gaze, she continued. “You, the dyke cop, me the dyke firefighter and then the ex comes back into the picture.” She gave her a rueful grin. “All we need is a U-Haul somewhere in this story and it’s complete. Well, that and if she were a corrections officer or something.”

  Sarah could easily hear the disappointment in Devon’s voice. “I’m sorry, Devon. I truly never meant for this to happen. Never.”

  Devon nodded. “I know.” She studied Sarah for a moment. “You loved her, didn’t you?”

  Sarah glanced out at the dark street before them and smirked. “Yeah.”

  “Well, thanks for dinner,” Devon said, pushing the door open and stepping out of the Mustang. She reached over and squeezed Sarah’s arm briefly before she left the car, closing the door behind her.

  ****

  Masks firmly in place, the medical examiner carefully gripped the rusted zipper with gloved hands. Tugging gently, it eventually gave and she took it all the way down the length of the oversized duffel bag, any color and design long ago destroyed by the elements.

  “Everyone ready?” she asked, glancing at her audience of her assistant ME and two homicide detectives. At their nod, she pulled open the sides of the bag. She’d been doing this for more than twenty years but was surprised.

  “Jesus,” one of the detectives muttered, taking a step forward and glancing into the bag. “Looks like something that should be in an Egyptian tomb,” he commented, voice muffled behind his mask.

  “Is that tape or something?” the other detective asked, pointing.

  “Yes, looks like perhaps duct tape.” The ME glanced at the questioning detective. “We’ll have to get it dusted for prints, DNA, all the usual suspects.”

  “How long do you think it was under there?”

  She shook her head. “Not sure. We’ll find out more from the autopsy.”

  ****

  “Ezra?” Jill called from where she was on her hands and knees scrubbing in the master bathroom. When the housekeeper wasn’t forthcoming, she called for her again.

  “Yes, Mrs. Lacey?” the older woman asked, peeking her head inside the bathroom. Her brown eyes opened wide as she looked around. “Um, forgive me, Mrs. Lacey, but what are you doing? I was headed in here after the kids’ bathroom.”

  “No, it’s okay. I’m taking care of our bedroom and bathroom today, okay?”

  Ezra gave her a quirky smile. “You didn’t finally kill him, did you?”

  Jill looked up at her from her place on the floor, blowing a long strand of bangs out of her eyes. “Don’t tempt me,” she replied with a smile. “I called you in here to tell you about our bedroom, but would you please get those steaks into the marinade before you go?”

  “Sure thing, Mrs. Lacey.”

  “Thanks,” Jill said, returning to her cleaning.

  ****

  Andrew chewed nervously on his lip as he drove the Mercedes through the winding streets of his neighborhood. He glanced over to the passenger seat, noting the bouquet of two dozen red roses. He felt like an unsure schoolboy.

  He took the final turn that led him to his street, the luxury car slowing as he drove closer to his house, noting the truck parked in the driveway.

  “Who the hell?” he mumbled, pulling the car to the curb and killing the engine as he studied the vehicle. He’d never seen it before.

  Grabbing the flowers, Andrew slammed out of his car and stormed up the walkway and into the house. His fury knew no bounds for what he knew he was about to see as he made his way up the long stairway and into the bedroom. He stopped cold, utterly confused when a startled Jill looked over at him from where she was putting clean sheets on the massive king-sized bed they shared.

  “Andy?”

  “Don’t Andy me!” he boomed, throwing the flowers to the floor. “Where is he?” he roared, throwing open the closet door, seeing only neatly folded and hung clothing. “Huh?” he demanded, glaring at her as he made his way to the bathroom. “Where is he?”

  “Andy, what are you talking about?” Jill asked, hurrying over to him. “Who?”

  “Robert! His truck is in the damn driveway,” he growled, pointing a finger toward the large window at the front of the house.

  “Andy, there’s no man here,” Jill said, shaking her head. “I swear.”

  “Then whose truck is that?” he demanded, backing her up until she hit the wall, a gasp of air coming from between her lips. He was menacing her, he knew, but he was nearly seeing red with fury and jealousy. His palms were planted on either side of her head, and he could see the tears in her eyes. Somewhere deep inside, a little voice was telling him to calm down. He was scaring the hell out of her. “Who?” he asked again, though his voice had quieted the tiniest bit.

  “Mrs. Lacey, I’ll see you Tuesday,” Ezra called up from downstairs, as if on cue. “Steaks are in the marinade like you asked.”

  “Thanks, Ezra,” Jill called, her gaze never leaving Andrew’s and her voice wavering with emotion.

  Like a balloon that had been pricked with a pin, the anger and energy blew out of him and he deflated. He rested his forehead on the wall right above and next to Jill’s head. The emotions of the last few weeks since he’d found out, as well as his own stupid attempt at revenge, rose within him. Unbidden, the sting of tears pricked behind his eyes.

  “I know,” he whimpered, a declaration in two simple words. He felt a tentative touch to his back and heard Jill sniffle.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m really sorry.”

 
The tears came, and he held her to him, crushing her petite body to his, her fingers clawlike as she clung to him. “I’m sorry, too,” he blew out.

  “I love you, Andy. Damn it, I do,” Jill cried.

  He was unable to speak, so instead, he grabbed her face and brought her in for an intense kiss, which she immediately responded to, the saltiness of their mixed tears on his tongue. It took mere seconds for the kiss to get out of hand before, breathing hard, two pairs of hands were shoving at Jill’s yoga pants and panties in one push. As she was trying to step out of those, her hands were at Andrew’s fly, almost painfully tugging to get the button and zipper free.

  “Ow,” he gasped.

  “Sorry,” she said with an apologetic smile, which quickly slid off her lips as Andrew picked her up in powerful arms, her legs wrapping around his hips.

  Fifteen minutes later and spent, he led her to the bed where they plopped down across it, Jill immediately climbing into his arms.

  “I’m guessing those were for me?” she said.

  “What?”

  “The roses?”

  He chuckled. “Yes. Sorry about that.”

  “You haven’t brought me flowers in years,” she whispered, head resting on his shoulder and arm slung across his stomach. He still wore his suit jacket, starched button-up shirt, and blue-and-black-striped tie.

  “I know,” he said, letting out a heavy sigh as he ran his fingers through her hair. “I’m sorry, Jill. I’ve let you down.”

  “No, Andy.” Her voice was soft as she repositioned her head. “We let each other down.”

  He considered her words for a long time then asked, “How do we fix this? Where did I let you down, in your eyes?”

  She lifted her head, resting it on an upturned palm so she could look down at him. “I don’t know. I guess you were never here. Even when I asked you to be, there was always something else you had to do.” She met his gaze. “I think at first you were working hard to build a good life for us, especially once the twins were born. But”—she shrugged a shoulder—“somewhere along the way, your career, the firm, was far more important than any of us were.”

  He raised a hand, running a fingertip down a soft cheek. “You know what’s ironic about that? As hard as I was working for you, for the kids, I felt like all you wanted was more and more and more. Like nothing I did was enough for you. I couldn’t make enough money, couldn’t give you a big enough house, all that.”

  “I think we need to get some counseling, Andy.” She reached up and covered his hand with her own, bringing it to her lips before letting it go. “I love you so much, but I think a lot of damage has been done.” Her gaze dropped. “I’m deeply ashamed of some of the things I’ve done,” she whispered. She let out a rueful snort before meeting his gaze again. “Ironically, this situation with Shannon has made me stop and think about a lot of things.”

  He smiled up at her, noting how truly beautiful she was. In that moment, he saw that lovely creature he’d met at that party twenty-five years before, who had clenched his heart right then and there. “Me, too,” he whispered. He brought a hand up to the back of her head and brought her down for a lingering kiss. “We have a lot to talk about, including what to do about Tyler. But yeah, I think counseling is a good idea.”

  ****

  Later that night, Jill sat curled up in the wingback chair in the corner of the bedroom dressed only in one of Andrew’s button-up shirts. She watched where he slept, bare chest visible as the covers were pushed to right above his waist. She studied him, noting how utterly handsome he was and smiling, feeling lucky that he loved her.

  She turned her gaze to her phone, which rested in her hand. She tapped in her code then swiped around the apps until she found the file called, Black Book. Opening it, she looked in disgust at what she had once been very proud of: Robert, Branson, Alex, James, Ben, and Maryanne. Each name was someone she’d found great pleasure with, each with their own special talent.

  With a few swipes and tap of her finger, the list and their collective contact information disappeared. She hit Save and was about to set her phone down. After a moment’s thought and a few more swipes and taps, the app, too disappeared, deleted. She set the phone aside and shrugged out of the unbuttoned shirt before sliding back into bed.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Eyes closed, a smile tipped her lips as she inhaled the lilac-scented air. Opening clear, green eyes, she looked around, noting an entire field of glorious, vivid purple flowers surrounding her. She looked down and saw that she wore a summer dress with a flowing skirt that blew gently around her legs. She was barefoot, the feel of the ground beneath her feet so soft and cool.

  She began to walk through the flowers, allowing her hands to spread out and the palms to be tickled by the barest touch of the fragrant softness, almost like a butterfly’s kiss. That’s what her mother used to tell her when she was a very young girl.

  Her mother. How had she remembered that? She’d left the family so, so long ago.

  Feeling eyes on her, she turned and saw a woman walking toward her. She was dressed casually in white cropped pants and a cap-sleeved tee with red horizontal stripes. Her medium-length dark blond hair lifted slightly with the breeze, but what was most notable was the beautiful smile.

  “Momma?”

  “Hello, sweet girl,” she said softly, engulfing her in a warm hug. “It’s time.”

  “It’s time for what?” she said, eyes closed as she allowed herself to be completely encapsulated by the love she felt radiating off the woman who held her.

  “Time to wake up.”

  “Don’t wanna.” Her smile widened at the chuckle she heard, which vibrated through her body.

  “I know. Wake up, baby girl. Wake up, she needs you.”

  “I’m scared,” she whispered, tears coming to her eyes.

  “Don’t be.” The older woman pulled away enough to look into a tear-filled verdant gaze. “I’m with you. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  The steady, even beeping of the heart monitor took on an extra beep then two then three before the heart rate was speeding. Green eyes flew open only to blink twice, fall closed, then slowly open again.

  ****

  “What the hell were you thinking, Beau?” LJ said under his breath, rereading the sentence his student used in his test question answer. “Jeez.” He shook his head as he clicked the Comment function and typed out a comment for the teen to read when he received his test results file back on his school-issued laptop. “Yup?” he said at the knock on the office door as he typed his thoughts. He glanced up when the door opened. “Hey.”

  “Hi,” Adrienne said. “Uh, can I come in?” she asked, sounding unsure.

  “Yeah.” LJ removed his computer glasses and tossed them to the desk as he sat back in his chair. Something had changed between them. Since he’d put his foot down and made it clear his intentions—let alone Kristie’s—his wife had been quiet and perhaps even somber.

  Adrienne walked over to his desk and sat in one of the two chairs before it. “Susan called.”

  “Okay,” he responded quietly, curious what their realtor had to say. “What did she say?”

  “Well,” Adrienne began, her phone in her hand, which rested on the edge of the desk, “you know the open house went well on Sunday.”

  He nodded. “Yup.”

  “We have an offer.” She set the phone down and leaned back in her own chair. “Apparently there’s a couple who have been eyeing this neighborhood for a while, and when they saw our place, they jumped on it. Their offer is ten thousand above asking to ensure they get it.”

  LJ’s eyebrows raised. In truth, he was surprised and felt a mixture of sadness and relief. “That’s a great offer.”

  “Yes. Sixty-day possession. So, what do you think?”

  “I think we should take it. I’ll be honest, I never thought this place would sell so soon, though.”

  She nodded, looking down at her hand, which
spun her phone like a top on the desk. She glanced up at him. “Are you sure?” she asked softly.

  He met her gaze and knew that statement was as loaded as a 9mm. “Yeah,” he responded just as softly, not a note of doubt in his response.

  She pushed to her feet. “Okay. I’ll call her back.” She headed to the office door and turned, facing him. “Larry, this was never supposed to happen.”

  He let out a heavy sigh. “It never is, Adrienne.”

  ****

  LJ sat in the hospital cafeteria, hands wrapped around a paper cup of cooling coffee, his tennis shoe-clad foot tapping endlessly on the tile floor beneath the table. He reached up and yanked off his baseball cap, tossing it onto the table and running a hand through his brown hair.

  “You’re ML’s brother, right?”

  He glanced up, surprised at the female voice suddenly next to him. He recognized the pretty blond nurse, though couldn’t remember her name. “Hi. ML?”

  She grinned. “Us nurses have been calling Shannon ML, short for the Miracle Lady. May I?” she asked, indicating the empty seat across from him, a tray of food in her hands.

  “Oh, yes, please,” he said, quickly snagging his cap out of the way.

  She sat down, today dressed in powder blue scrubs with fat, white clouds all over them. She glanced up at him as she removed the items from her tray, which consisted of a hamburger with fries, a dish of fruit, and a soft drink. “Forgive me. I’m super good with faces but not so hot on names.”

  “Larry, most call me LJ, though,” he said with a grin.

  “Rachel. So, LJ, are you excited about the good news?” she asked, removing the top bun to squeeze ketchup, mustard, and mayo from plastic packets.

  “What good news? I’m sitting down here because when I got upstairs, they asked me to wait for about an hour. The doctor was in with her. Is she okay?”