Drawn To You: A Psychological thriller

by Ren Montgomery

  “Now, now, you mustn’t blame yourself. There’s nothing you could have done.”

  “I know.” He cleared his throat. “Heh, heh. The police actually asked me if I thought maybe you were the one who’d left that message.”

  “What?” She squeezed her hands into fists and punched, punched, punched her upper thighs. She needed to dump her disposable phone immediately!

  “Of course, I said no. Don’t worry.”

  “Why would the police think that?”

  “I wondered that as well, but it’s probably just the bad timing. Ashley called Tara and warned her off me, and later Tara called me to tell me you were in ScuttleBUZZ Magazine. If only she’d said that, rather than being so vague…well, you get the picture.”

  “Yes.” All too clearly. Things were bad. The police had a lot of reasons to suspect her—a lot more than Sean knew about. They might soon have enough to try her on a circumstantial case which they could win, if she wasn’t careful. She regretted talking to them earlier. Things were spiraling out of control. She needed to think.

  She decided to shake him up. “Are you a suspect?”

  “What?”

  “The police talked to you. You’re the ex-boyfriend, the natural suspect…”

  “That’s not funny! I didn’t kill her!”

  “I know, I know,” she soothed, hoping she hadn’t pushed him too hard. “I just thought maybe the police had indicated—”

  “No! Not at all. I’m not a suspect. It was probably just a drunk driver.”

  “I’m sure you’re right.”

  “Do you…do you really think they suspect me?” Ruby heard the fear in his voice and smiled. Now he was distracted and not focusing on her involvement anymore.

  “No. I’m sorry I even mentioned it. Sometimes I speak before I think. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “No, it’s good. It never even occurred to me. But it should have.”

  “I’m sure you’re not a suspect,” she said. “Try not to think about it.”

  “You know, I’d like to read that article on you. You’re in the current issue on sale?”

  She grinned. “Yeah, but it’s free online. You could find it in two seconds.”

  “I want to buy my own copy. I want to show it to my mom. I mean, it’s not every day that my…” he trailed off and Ruby was certain he’d stopped himself from saying, “girlfriend.” He cleared his throat and kind of chuckled. “…friend is in a national magazine.”

  She narrowed her eyes. They were much more than friends. Didn’t the other night show him anything?

  “So, you wanna come over or what?” she blurted out.

  He laughed. “I can’t. My ex has the flu, so I have Danny tonight. I can’t leave him.”

  Ruby felt herself deflate. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d wanted to see him. “Couldn’t your—” she caught herself about to say “parents,” swallowed, and said, “…er, couldn’t somebody stay with him? I’d really like to see you tonight.”

  “I would ask my parents, but they’re in Florida, and my brother Nick’s busy. So, there’s no one to watch him. I love the extra time with Danny, but I am sorry. Last night was fun.”

  “It was,” Ruby murmured. “But it was actually two nights ago, not last night.”

  “You’re right,” he said. “Sorry, I’m just so discombobulated since the accident.”

  She waited in vain for him to invite her to come over to his house. “Will I see you tomorrow then?” she finally said.

  “Sure, sure. If you want, you could come over here tomorrow night around eight. We could either go out, or watch a movie, get takeout and stay in.”

  “Stay in!” she chimed in too quickly and eagerly. He laughed.

  “That’s my choice too.”

  They would make love at least four times, and he would listen to her instructions exactly, and she would lick down his body before…

  “Did that weirdo try anything more?”

  “Huh? Oh. Yes.” She perked up, glad to change the subject to Jeremy. “Did he ever! When the police came yesterday—Oh! I forgot to tell you that my car was stolen from my yard Monday afternoon. Anyway, Jeremy—”

  “Your car was stolen from your yard?” he said. “Wow. I grew up here, but Kamata sure has changed a lot lately. There’s a lot more crime. This used to be the ideal place.”

  “I always thought so.”

  “What were you saying about Jeremy?” he said.

  She hesitated. After quick and intense consideration, she told him she thought Jeremy might have stolen her car with the keys he’d taken from Hilary’s house, and about his phone calls and messages and about the pictures Rattle Tattle had sent of him trying to guess her password. Sean was a good listener, asking appropriate questions at the right times, and when she was finished, he said, “I still can’t believe that shy kid I knew in high school is stalking you. It’s so bizarre.”

  “You said you’d talk to him for me, and I was wondering if you meant it? Like, tomorrow? Because he might listen to you. He respected you. Maybe if you warned him off it would actually have an effect.”

  “I’ll try. But I really hardly knew him, and what I do know was from…damn, it was twelve years ago. Why would he care what I have to say anymore?”

  She pictured Jeremy on his couch, prattling on about Sean. The look on his face had been one of hero worship. He’d care all right. She was sure of it. “I just think he will. And besides, you’re my best option. Please?”

  “Okay,” he said doubtfully. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow. I promise.”

  “Thank you!” She felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

  “Oh! Before I forget, on Saturday for the party, it’s just going to be me, you, Hilary and Tom. I decided to make it more intimate. And do you like Mexican food? If not, I can always—”

  “Ruby, I’m sorry, but I can’t make it anymore,” he said. “Tara’s funeral’s on Saturday.”

  Damn her! She was dead and still ruining things! “What time’s the funeral?” she snarled.

  “…Are you actually angry that I’m going?”

  “Of course not,” Ruby said, modulating her tone. “I just thought I might go with you.”

  “It’s at one o’clock. Why would you want to come? You said you didn’t even know her.”

  “I know you though, and I thought maybe you could use a friend.”

  His voice softened. “Thanks, but you don’t need to do that.”

  “Okay. But if the funeral’s at one, you’ve got plenty of time.”

  “The service is in Garberville, where she grew up. Her sister Emma still lives there. That’s well over an hour’s drive each way, and then there’s the actual funeral time, so it’s probably better if I cancel—”

  “Look. Even if it takes two hours, which it won’t, they’re quick, these things, that’d still put you back here by four, or five at the very latest. So, what’s the problem?”

  “I just…I just don’t guess I’ll have the stomach for a party afterwards. She was…my friend.”

  “Look,” she said again, feeling desperate. “You have to come. It’ll cheer you up, I promise. At least think about it. Promise me you will.”

  “…I’ll think about it,” he finally said, and she smiled. He’d be there. She’d bet her life on it.

  ▬▬▬

  The moment after she hung up with Sean, her cell rang again. It was Hilary. “You won’t believe this,” Ruby said, by way of a greeting. “But my car’s been stolen!”

  “No!” Hilary said. “My brother’s car was stolen last year, and it somehow got impounded and he had to pay five hundred bucks to get it out and none of it was his fault. Did you call the police?”

  “Of course! I—”

  “OMG, I bet you that Jeremy guy stole your car using your key he swiped from my house!”

  “I know! That’s what I thought! But the police said I needed proof. The other——aaaaahhh…” she faked a yawn. N
ope, Hilary didn’t need to know she’d been interviewed by two detectives about Tara. The police might not know her, but Hilary did.

  Hilary yawned in return.

  Ruby continued. “If he stole it, he hid it well because he lives next door now, and the police checked his garage. My insurance company’s paying for a rental until mine’s found. Luckily though, because my car was almost new, if it’s not found in thirty days, they’ll buy me another new car. But this one I won’t paint pink.”

  “What a hassle. You lead such an interesting life. Stalkers, ex-boyfriends, and stolen vehicles, while I’m home alone waiting for my Fisher King to come back from the sea.”

  “I can beat that. Sean has to watch his kid so he can’t come over tonight,” Ruby said gloomily. “Which reminds me. Be here by 6:30 on Saturday.” She wished she didn’t have to throw this phony party anymore. With Tara gone there really was no point, but she was already committed.

  Hilary sighed “Actually, Rue, Tom just called. The fishing’s so good he’s staying out another week. He won’t be home tomorrow after all.”

  “But he has to come home! You promised he’d be here for my party. I just spent ten minutes convincing Sean to rush home from Tara’s funeral for it, and now you’re telling me Tom won’t even make his own party? That’s not gonna work for me. Call him back and tell him to get his ass back here, pronto!”

  “You’re so selfish!” Hilary said. “I called you because I was sad that Tom wasn’t coming home, and I needed a friend to talk to, and all you can think about is your ruined plans. Well, what about mine?”

  Ruby gritted her teeth. “I’m just as upset as you are.”

  “You couldn’t be.”

  “Let me finish. I’m upset for different reasons, but—”

  “You already got Sean; you don’t even need this party, but I’m trying to get pregnant, and now Tom’s going to miss my ovulation for another month and…” Hilary’s voice broke.

  “Just call him and tell him to come home if you’re so upset.”

  “I can’t call Tom, even if I wanted. He’s on a boat with no satellite phone, and before you ask, he called me from the docks earlier. Although I prefer him home with me, he’s making good money, which we can really use. We won’t be at your stupid party and—”

  “What am I supposed to do now? If there’s no party, then how do I get Sean over here on Saturday night?”

  “Give him the fucking night off to grieve!”

  “I don’t want him grieving for her! Honestly! And then his stupid kid will be there and—”

  “Why are you calling his child a ‘stupid kid?’ You’ve never even met him.”

  “Don’t lecture me. You’re not my mother, Hilary.”

  “If this guy’s going to be your boyfriend, you’d better try and get along with his little boy.”

  “I know that. Okay? It’s just…every minute Sean spends alone with Danny is a minute he spends away from me. I wish he didn’t have any kids. It’s not fair!”

  Hilary didn’t reply, and finally Ruby snapped, “Hello?”

  “I just can’t believe how selfish you’re being. What’s wrong with you?”

  “I’m just being honest for a change. And if I can’t be honest with you, my best friend, then who can I be honest with?”

  “I gotta go.”

  “Why? What do you have to do that’s so important? Your husband’s away, you don’t have any kids, you don’t have a real job, why do you possibly have to go?”

  “Because you’re being a dick. I’m sorry I called you,” Hilary said and hung up.

  “Bitch,” Ruby muttered. Now what was she going to do about this party? There had to be a way to fix this. Think Ruby, think.

  ▬▬▬

  By the time Ruby returned with her rental car, it was already 5:30. Working quickly, she lined the trunk with garbage bags, before filling it with the trash from her garage, her car radio, her disposable phone, her home phone, her answering machine (after she made copies of Jeremy’s messages and Tara’s message and hid them on her cellphone) her muddy shoes and her bicycle, sans the front wheel. Then she tossed the muddy front wheel in on top of the mess. Since she was going to the dump anyway, she went back into her backyard to grab the two bags of trash she’d put there, but they were gone.

  She stared at the spot where they’d been, then raised her gaze to the house next door.

  Jeremy.

  Who else would conceivably want her trash? She’d heard of reporters rifling through people’s garbage, looking for a story, but she wasn’t famous. Her name was much more famous than her face. She glared over the fence at Jeremy’s house. Sick bastard.

  She tried to think of what he possibly could have found. Old food, junk mail, cartons and bottles and containers…she sighed with relief. Ha-ha. He’d stolen her garbage for nothing. She hoped it was bags full of maggots. They’d been sitting out. It would serve him right.

  She looked at her phone and it was already six. The dump closed at seven—she’d called and confirmed, and she was forty-five minutes out.

  She’d be cutting it close…

  She arrived with ten minutes to spare, paid her fee in cash, and got rid of her evidence. After her things were gone for good, she felt light and free. She twirled her way back to her car, not bothering to stifle her euphoria. She was free! Free to take the life with Sean that she craved.

  Free at last.

  CHAPTER 25

  The next evening, Ruby slammed the car door and wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt. She was hobbled, her back as tight as banjo strings. She’d been gobbling painkillers all day and she hoped her liver was up to the job.

  She slung her tiny backpack over her shoulder and gave it a pat. It could pass for a purse, but she’d packed minimal overnight supplies inside (lingerie, toothbrush, lipstick) in case Sean asked her to stay the night. If he didn’t, he need never know she’d come prepared.

  She was also packing one of the walkie talkies she’d bought with Hilary. Better known as a family radio system, it had over a hundred channels and a range of over two miles, and she figured if she taped the send button down and hid it under his couch, she could sit in her car and listen in to his conversations as long as the batteries lasted. Which wouldn’t be long, but she hoped Sean would discuss her with his brother after she left. She needed to know how he really felt about her. She knew there were better ways to do this, but she wasn’t all that techie, and this was all she’d been able to work out.

  She grabbed the wine and the bouquet of pink roses off the passenger seat and ambled up the walk.

  She paused at the bottom of the porch steps and stared at the roses. Should she give them to Sean or not? After all, he hadn’t brought anything for her the other day, and this was really only their second date.

  It was too much too soon. She would look desperate and eager, and what if he didn’t like flowers? And they were nothing special, just grocery store roses…

  This was a huge mistake.

  Sure now, that the flowers were the worst idea ever, she put the wine bottle under her arm and started unzipping her backpack. She’d just hide the flowers inside and he’d never know. The zipper caught on something inside her pack, and she was yanking on it when she heard a dog start barking. Her movements became frantic as she tried to stuff the roses into the small opening she’d managed to make in her bag.

  They didn’t fit.

  She stuffed harder, but they weren’t even halfway in when the porch light came on and she heard Sean say, “Chloe—down! No jumping!”

  She was behaving like a maniac! They were just flowers after all. Why was she freaking out? She pulled the bouquet out of her bag and started up the steps. As she heard the chain sliding back, she looked down at the flowers and did a double take. They were trashed. In her mad dash to conceal them, she’d mangled the stems and broken the heads off half of them. She couldn’t give him this!

  “You are so stupid!” she whispered, on the verge of tea
rs.

  She flung them into the bushes by the porch, just as the door opened a crack and she caught sight of Sean. Her heart leapt, and she felt an involuntary, silly smile crack her face.

  He was bent over with one hand on the doorknob, and the other on Chloe’s collar. Chloe was barking and straining with of all her might to break loose, and Sean smiled sheepishly up at her. “Come on in. Sorry about this, she’s a real spaz. Lemme just put her in the backyard. Come in.” He dragged the dog backwards, and Ruby heard toenails scrabbling on hardwood as they disappeared down the hallway. She sighed. Some greeting.

  She plucked the head of a rose from the zipper of her backpack and flicked it beside the rest of the broken bouquet. She kicked two rose petals off the steps, followed him inside, and closed the door.

  Right inside the front door was a steep set of stairs going up, and to her right was the dining room. She could see the living room up ahead, and she got a vague impression of plaid, but she heard Sean’s voice coming from the right of it, so she headed towards his voice.

  He was in the kitchen crouched down beside the sliding glass doors leading to the backyard. The door was open a crack as he crooned to his whining dog, “It’s okay girl. You can come back in after you calm down.”.

  The kitchen was a loud room. There were at least three different patterns of wallpaper, the cabinets were barn red, the curtains bright yellow with cherries imprinted on them, and the countertops overflowing with cookie jars and ceramic roosters. The room was all clashing patterns and colors with no place for the eye to rest. Ruby closed her eyes for a moment, longing for a white wall. His parents obviously didn’t have any sense of design. This was chaos, and nothing like what she’d been expecting.

  She had imagined that his mother, being Native American, would have lots of baskets and Indian artifacts and pottery and beads and blankets around. Instead, the decor, at least in the kitchen, was totally countrified.

  She cleared her throat to draw his attention back to her, and he slid the door shut and turned towards her with a big welcoming smile. He was dressed in dark blue jeans and a forest green, button-down shirt. His hair fell over one eye endearingly.