Beautiful No More

by MJ Nightingale

  Off in the distance were three large black SUVs, and a half dozen very large men, from the looks of it all former military. He could see one of the men break from the pack and begin to approach. It was Tony. Andreas and his brothers headed in his direction.

  As he got closer he began to recognize some of the other faces. They were part of Tony’s team. He knew they had served with him in his Special Forces unit back in the Middle East. Andreas went straight to Tony, who took his hand and shook it firmly while swirls of snow pelted them.

  “Thank you for doing this. Thank you for finding her.” On the flight, they had been relayed a message via the pilot. Tony had been able to confirm that the rental car they saw outside was from Florida, rented under yet another assumed name, and that satellite imagery had detected two people inside. One female, and one male.

  “We got lucky.” He turned to his crew. “This is BJ, he is a tech, and he was the one who was able to enlarge the photo enough to determine a partial plate. Putting it into the database, he found the car by accessing rental car databases and going on the hunch that this was our guy.”

  “Good work, thank you, BJ.” Andreas owed them all. He would remember, and he would help if he could.

  BJ gave him a quick affirmation and then focused on his boss. Tony continued, as he shook hands with Nikko, Blaze, and Gio. “I also have Gabe, and Vinny here. Gabe is also a medic, in case things get messy. Then Jobe, he’s one of my best. I also brought along Matt and Shane, good friends who we work with from time to time; they are Richland PD. Out of their jurisdiction, we know, but they wanted to help.”

  Andreas shook the men’s hands. He was grateful to all of them.

  Tony didn’t waste a second. Time was too precious. Each minute wasted meant Cat’s life was at greater risk. He went right into the plan he and his team had come up with. He was all about the mission at hand. “When we called the pilot with the new Intel, we also got permission for you to land here instead. This is a small airfield, but it’s about twenty five minutes from the target, and we figured time is of the essence.” Andreas nodded, relieved to know he was even closer to Cat.

  “We have the specs of the cabin in the car. It’s small, one large room and a bathroom. Getting in is going to be tough. One window, small, and one root cellar that leads into the house. The plan is to create a distraction loud enough to lure Spiro to the window and get a shot off, shoulder hit, we hope, to take him down. Then we all hit the cabin hard. We got our infrared to be sure Cat’s not in the way. We want to get a couple of us in the storm cellar; we got small charges to take out the lock as soon as we hear that Vinny has taken his shot. The rest of the guys will surround the house, storm the front door, and come in through the window.”

  “I want to be in the root cellar.” Andreas wanted to be the first one in. This was his girl. He needed to be the one.

  “I figured as much. You’ll go with me. We will take Jobe as well. It’s always nice to have a brick wall beside you,” he joked about the man’s humongous size.

  “What about us?” Gio asked, sizing up the other men. He and his brothers were here to back up Andreas. They wanted in and to do their parts.

  “Gio, and Blaze, you guys will be on circumference, and come in the front door with Matt and Shane. BJ is staying in the lead car, we’ve got our radio equipment there, he’ll keep us all connected. Nikko, you and Vinny will go through the one window after the shot is taken. You will also be making the distraction. Go fast. Clear the glass, and subdue the perp if you can get to him first.” Nikko nodded looking at his brothers.

  Tony glanced at everyone making sure they knew the plan. “Okay, we have Kevlar waiting in the cars, weapons for you, night vision goggles, and the specs. Review the plans in the car.” He looked at each man one more time, and the look on their faces was fierce. He knew his team, knew they were ready. And one more look at the Marinos, he knew. They were ready too. “Okay men, let’s rock n roll.”

  * * *

  Cat was in a full blown panic. She knew Spiro was losing his patience with her. She’d asked for a basin of hot water still attempting to delay as long as she could. As he heated two kettles of water, and poured it into the basin, she thought about throwing the scalding water on him. But the basin was out of her reach, and she was still tied to the table. She didn’t think it would be enough to give her time to get out of her ropes, get the key and get out. She watched as he carried it into the bathroom for her, then went and retrieved the dreaded nightgown. He handed it to her, and his stiff smile terrified her. She kept her mask in place though. She didn’t want to show any signs of the revulsion she was feeling. She knew it would set him off, like the men who had taken her in the past, he wouldn’t appreciate signs of disgust.

  With them it had meant a beating, but with this vile monster, it could mean worse, it could mean her death.

  Spiro untied her and led her to the bathroom. He untied the cord completely and after she entered the tiny room, he closed the door.

  Once inside with the door closed behind her, she allowed herself to cry. Silently. The emotions of the day finally claiming her. She needed the release of her pent up emotions.

  “Please hurry, Catarina. I’ve waited so long for this,” she heard his raspy voice whisper at the door. She heard the yearning behind it and after a brief shudder, pushed the emotions back, tamped them down, and began the ritual of washing. She had to steel herself for this invasion. She began to disrobe, kicking off her shoes, taking off her shirt, sports bra, and yoga pants. Next came her underwear. Last came her ring. She clutched it to her, kissed it, and then placed it inside of her sock and tucked it deeply inside of her sneaker.

  She quaked involuntarily; the bathroom was still not as warm as other parts of the cabin. She grabbed the cloth he had placed in the basin and began to bathe. She took her time, knowing she was only eluding the inescapable. Washing the grime off her from the day, she prayed fervently for a rescue. Hadn’t she suffered enough? She was beginning to lose hope. Her mind begged her to have faith in Andreas. Surely his security team had videotaped Spiro’s getaway. Tracked him here somehow. It was her singular hope in that moment.

  There was a rapping at the door. “Cat, are you nearly done?” His voice was wistful, but he tried to make it sound spontaneous. The man was delusional, caught up in his own fantasy of how this evening should play out. She would play the game. Her life depended on it.

  “Yes. I’m done washing, Spiro.” She heard her own voice crack, but proceeded anyhow. “Just dressing now. Give me a moment to clean my teeth.”

  “Yes. Yes, of course,” his voice moaned right by the door.

  She donned the musty garment. It was plain white, a sleeveless nightgown that dropped to just below her knees. She scooped water into her mouth, from the tap, and swooshed it around, rinsing her mouth out. Sighing, she was glad there was no mirror. She did not want to see her reflection. She didn’t want to see what Spiro was seeing. She took several deep breaths to calm her and tightened up her shoulders standing tall. “Spiro, I’m ready.”

  The door was open in an instant. Spiro stood before her looming in the doorway. He had removed his shirt. His pants were on, but the top button undone. She saw the bulge, the evidence of his arousal pressing against the front of his trousers. He took her arm left arm, gripping her tightly and pulled her out, immediately leading her to the bed. “Put your clothes there,” he indicated.

  She set her clothes and shoes on the floor. The spread had already been pulled off of the bed. “Climb on, and lie down, Catarina. In the middle.” His voice was husky, he was panting softly.

  She glanced one more time around the room as she climbed into the bed. There was no escape. Spiro immediately took a hold of her wrist, and began to coil a rope around it. He tied it to one of the posts on the bed. She looked away, closing her eyes firmly. “I’m sorry, Catarina, that our first time has to be like this,” he spoke the words softly. “Until I can trust you, and know you love me back, I’ll
have to keep you tied up.”

  She swallowed the lump in her throat, nodded, squeezing the tears that were coming unfettered from her eyes. She couldn’t stop now if she tried. She felt the bed dip, and then he was straddling her and she tried to remain as still as stone and not twist away from him. He took her other wrist and she felt another rope being fastened to her. Then the tug as he fastened the end of it on the other post. There was very little slack.

  The mattress bounced again, the springs creaking with every movement of the old bed.

  She had her eyes scrunched up, but opened them briefly. Licking her lips, she begged, “Just, don’t kill me. Please.” It would be her only request. She wanted to survive. Maybe someday she could escape. Someday, she could earn his trust enough to get away.

  His smile was cold and grotesque as he leered down at her possessively. He leaned forward over her body, and when he was beside her he spoke. “If, you please me,” he croaked out in her ear, “we will be together forever.” She felt Spiro’s hand reach for the hem of her nightgown, and slowly he began to pull it up.

  * * *

  “Now, now. The distraction,” Andreas urgently whispered to Tony. They had been in the root cellar for what seemed like an eternity, but it had only been perhaps ten minutes. BJ just informed them by radio to headset, that the man inside was moving towards the bed. The woman was in front of him.

  Tony put up a hand in caution. “I know it’s gutting you man, but we all got to be in position. Soon as Vinny does his part, we are a go.” He focused on Andreas’ eyes in the gloom, making sure he stuck to the mission.

  The seconds ticked by like hours for Andreas. The blood was rushing in his ears, an anvil in his gut. I’m coming, Cat. I’m coming, he vowed, hoping she sensed his nearness. He and Tony, and his man Jobe had gotten into the root cellar, and were just inches away from the only other entrance to the small cabin other than the front door and the small window that looked out over the woods. Jobe had already put the charge on the lock to enter the house. Charges were on the front door waiting for the go.

  Each of the men inside the root cellar had a battle shield to protect them from the blast. The trigger was in Tony’s hand. He handed it to Andreas, clasping it in the other man’s hand before releasing. “Wait for my signal, or until you hear Vinny’s shot.” He waited for a sign of agreement from the man before releasing.

  Just then static cut into the head piece they wore. It was Vinny. “I’m in position. Lure the fucker out.”

  In the very next instant, there were several large banging noises at the rear of the cabin. Nikko found a large branch and was beating it on the outside of the house. They heard scuffling coming from where they were through the door.

  “He’s moving. Target is moving,” BJ radioed.

  Andreas wanted to hit the trigger, but they needed to hear that shot. Know that Sal was hit. Five seconds later it came, and Andy hit the charge. Two small explosions could be heard then all hell was breaking loose. Tony went in first. “Miss Stone, we are here to help.” Andreas ran in behind him. He saw her frightened eyes go round, and then land on him. “You came,” she cried in hysterics. He nodded through his own tears. Jobe pushed past them.

  He screamed. “Perp is moving.”

  Andreas glanced up to see Spiro moving. He was wounded. Blood seeping from his shoulder. He watched in horror as Spiro picked up the oil lamp from the counter and threw it in their direction. Flames leapt from the carpet it landed on, and because of the oil it quickly began to spread. The old cabin was filling with smoke fast.

  Blaze, Gio, and the two PD, who had entered at the same time were blocked by the flames. Still standing, Spiro laughed evilly as he pulled out his gun and fired wildly through the flames. By instinct some of the men hit the ground for cover pulling out their own weapons. Jobe didn’t fall though, he just stepped back, and aimed. It was getting harder and harder to see through the smoke and flames. He was beginning to cough. He saw Sal look down at his chest. And then he backed up several steps. He was hit. Sal’s head shot up and his eyes connected with Andreas. His back hit the wall, and he began to slide down on the other side of the wall of flames slowly. But Sal wasn’t finished yet. He lifted his gun and shot wildly in his direction. Jobe stepped into the line of fire. The bullet hit him. His body jerked. He had used it like a human shield. He really was a wall because he didn’t even fall. He just lifted his own piece and fired back as Andy and Gabe worked furiously on the ropes. “We gonna have to take the cellar back,” he gazed through the smoke at Andreas who nodded his agreement.

  When the last of the rope was cut, Tony’s directive was given. “Everyone, fall back. Fall back.”

  Andreas scooped up Cat, cradling her to him. “My shoes,” she called out coughing remembering her ring hidden inside.

  Andreas grabbed them up off the floor, and then clutched her more tightly. It had never felt this good to hold her. As he began to climb down the steps, he looked back just once. He saw Spiro, on the floor. Dead by Jobe’s bullet, and now engulfed in flames.

  * * *

  Cat sat in the heated car, Andreas’ jacket wrapped around her, her precious ring around her finger loose or not. The cabin had collapsed completely an hour ago, and the fire department arrived shortly after that. They allowed the rest of the cabin to burn making sure the flames didn’t jump to the trees. But the snow fall this evening had been wet, and helped to put the fire out. When there was just a pile of smoking embers, they turned on the hoses drenching what was left.

  Andreas was outside answering questions when the local authorities arrived. Each of his brothers had come to check on Cat. Hug her, and say they were very glad she was safe. Andreas, after putting her in the car hours ago, had not returned. She’d refused medical help. She just wanted to hold him, but for now, she watched her hero, and the men named Tony and Jobe work the scene, talk to the local sheriff, and help the fire department by being extra eyes.

  Finally, she saw the sheriff tuck his notepad away, and shake Andreas’ hand.

  Only then did he turn to her. Her window was open. Their eyes locked. Across the distance, he mouthed the words, “I love you.”

  “I love you too, Andreas. I love you.” The tilt of his head indicated he was headed back to the ruins of the cabin. She nodded in return understanding what he needed.

  The fire was almost completely out, and Andreas followed the fire chief in. He was flanked by two other fire department personnel and each carried a shovel. They carefully stepped their way over the still smoking debris. When they reached the spot where Andy had last seen Spiro, he pointed, and the two firemen began to dig. It didn’t take long. Ten minutes later, the fireman dropped their shovels, and with protective gloves on removed a sodden but badly burned support beam.

  Andreas examined the body before him, confirming the identity of the serial killer who had haunted his life. He was burned beyond any physical recognition, but his size, and the gun he had been wielding lay at his fingertips. Andreas needed to see it. See the body where he had seen him burning. It was the only way he could rest assured that the monster had not escaped again. And now he was sure. Spiro/Sal, whatever the fuck name he used, was dead. And, now he could live.

  He turned and began to walk to the car where Cat was safely ensconced. She was his life. His love. His future.

  Chapter 37

  A New Day

  The New Year’s Day wedding had gone off without a hitch. The service had been held at Andreas’s home. Neither he nor Cat had wanted to wait. They wanted to begin their lives together. They wanted to live.

  It had been family only. Gio stood as best man, Lisa, the matron-of-honor, and Cat had planned to give herself away not having any family of her own. She smiled tearfully, however, when both Nikko and Blaze stepped forward when she reached the bottom of the stairs. They flanked her and she gave them her hands as they escorted her the rest of the way to Andreas.

  They walked her between the small aisles of three rows. There
were just eighteen chairs, filled with family, Angela and her husband, and Tony Alvarez and his wife, Sherrie, who had come for the wedding. She nodded to him, and his beautiful wife and then was handed off to Andreas by his brothers. They each kissed her cheek in parting.

  “You have family now, Cat.”

  “You have us,” Blaze added to his brother’s comment. She wiped the tears that slipped down her face and then turned to the stunningly handsome smiling man before her.

  “I’ll take her from here,” Andreas choked huskily. His voice thick from pent up emotion. She was stunning in a short Vera Wang ivory dress. It was simple, her style. Only a thin decorative seed pearl scooped neckline adorned the dress.

  Cat took his arm, and turned to face the Priest. Tears were in her eyes as he read the vows, and they each repeated them. It was quick, but every eye in the room sparkled for the couple who had both been through hell and back. They found each other through much pain, much suffering, and found their happiness in each other’s arms. It was fated. Everyone knew without a doubt that this love would withstand the test of time.

  When the kiss happened after the vows, applause rang out in the room. The couple broke apart, but Andreas didn’t face the crowd and well-wishers yet. He gazed into the silver grey eyes of the woman who made him whole, and told her just how much he loved her. “Cat, my love. Before all here, I want you to know that from this day forward, you are my world. I meant my vows. I’ll keep you safe, I’ll cherish you, and I’ll love you for all time. I love you.”

  Cat swallowed the lump in her throat as he wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “You have shown me love in every look, every touch. You have made me believe in the impossible. Your family has welcomed me, and for that I am so grateful. You are in my soul, and my heart, and for so long I thought I didn’t have those anymore. Andreas, I love you and you are a gift I will cherish always.”

  Her words floored him as usual. He gave her his famous crooked smile that never failed to warm her. And he kissed her again, and again, and again.