Finally they got up to leave, promising each other to work on the plan, over the coming days
A Plan Created
The next week was spent in phone calls and developing their plan. Yes, Sophia confirmed, her husband was on board and agreed to provide them protection. His suggestion was that Cynthia should somehow bring Garry to a place where others could also get together and surprise him and not give him too much time to react or escape.
Laura went to administration office at the cemetery and got the confirmation about Stacy Anderson. Yes, she was late wife of a Robert Anderson and not anyone named Garry. This made the group's resolve even stronger to confront Garry.
Laura told them that Garry had met her first on a Thursday afternoon and tha, Cynthia should perhaps try Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays as there was a better chance of running into him then. She figured on weekends there are too many visitors to cemeteries and Garry may not come to hunt for his prey. Laura also located a man’s grave who had died a year back. They hoped Garry had not seen another women at the same grave, or they might be pulling this for nothing.
Cynthia’s husband was away on business trip. Her children studying in colleges in other cities, she had a lot of free time. She actually started going to cemetery starting Wednesday.
For the first two days, nothing happened, there was no sign of Garry. But it was on Friday that she was about to lose hope and abandon her search, when she saw a man standing at a distance and looking at her. She immediately turned towards bent over the grave she was waiting by.
She was there for almost half an hour, with her head down and pretending to be sobbing, when she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. She turned around, her heart skipping a beat. There he was, a tall lean man, with dark brown hair and a handsome face.
“I am sorry” He spoke gently “I couldn’t help but notice you. I was visiting my wife’s grave over there.” Cynthia could tell from Laura’s description, it was Garry.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so loud.” Cynthia said in a bit of a Midwestern accent.
“No, no, I didn’t mean you were loud, I just wanted to know if you were okay … and I thought I should say hello” He extended his hand … “I am Garry.”
Cynthia shook his hand. He had a warm and strong grip. She had to admit he was both good looking and a good actor.
“I don’t know ...I miss him so much.” Cynthia looked at the grave, letting out the sobs again.
“It’s okay, I totally understand …. I am going through exactly the same myself" He said, his voice was gentle and sad
They stood there, glancing at grave and looking at each other. Then after a few moments he said “Maybe we should talk? There is a coffee shop right outside on the street, if you want, we can go there for a cup of coffee?” Then he added “You see, I have found that talking things out with someone who is in the same situation, helps. I mean I’ve been mourning too, and believe me it does get easier” He spoke in voice that was soft and smooth like silk.
“You are very kind …yes, maybe we can do that“ Cynthia said, her heart now beating a little faster. “But actually my lawyer is coming over today at my place to finalize my husband’s will and other financial matters. It’s been a bit complicated. And I can’t put this meeting off any longer. If you don’t mind, maybe we can meet tomorrow? In fact, why don’t you come over to my place? My maid makes very good coffee” Cynthia said, looking into his eyes and giving him an approving look while still keeping a soulful expression
He smiled “Oh, I don’t mind that. Of course, we can meet at your place tomorrow” He said that a little quickly, as if grabbing the opportunity before she could change her mind. His eyes seemed to have a twinkle at the mention of her husband’s will.
She could almost see the greed in his eyes when she gave him her address. Oh, he smells money already! she thought. Cynthia tried not to show any expression of doubt or uncertainty. She could not believe it would be this quick and easy.
“Sure that’s fine, I’ll come over.” Garry agreed.
After that she left quickly, without making too much coversation. She had to alert others as soon as possible. All of them had to be at her house earlier than Garry’s arrival.
The moment she got in the car she called Laura first and then called the other three. They were all ecstatic and agreed to meet at her place within the next hour.
By the time Cynthia reached home, she could see Laura’s car already parked on her drive way. She quickly got out of the car and walked into the house and went straight to the living room, where she found Laura pacing around. The moment she saw Cynthia, Laura's face lit up.
“Oh my God! You really did it, girl !” Laura said, all excited, smiling and hugging her. “Tell me, tell me all the details!”
“Wait! let the others come and then I’ll tell you all …” Cynthia said smilingly, as if almost teasing Laura
Laura was about to raise her hand in protest, when the door bell rang. It was Sophia. They had hardly sat down when Marsha also arrived.
The next few hours passed rather quickly. They were all excited and happy that they had found Garry so easily and also that he had agreed to come where they wanted him. The opportunity was perfect, Cynthia’s family was away and they had the house to themselves where they could stage a perfect drama.
The plan was to ask Sophia’s husband and men to wait in adjacent room. Cynthia was to meet and greet Garry first and once he was well inside the house and the front door was locked behind him, Laura and other women would come in and face Garry. They would try to get a confession out of him, make him feel ashamed and hopefully put enough fear in him not to do this any more to any other woman.
The Grave Switcheroo
The next day things went mostly as planned. They were all there by the afternoon and waited around the house. Garry called about quarter to five, asking to re-confirm directions. He arrived a little after five thirty.
Cynthia felt a surge of excitement and apprehension, as she walked over to open the front door. And there he was, dressed in black trousers, light blue shirt and light gray jacket. His dark brown hair were shining and combed back neatly. He looked polished and cool, Cynthia thought.
“Hi, here I am' He smiled "Is this is really your place ? Nice!" He asked, showing awe in his voice.
“Yes. Thank you” Cynthia smiled. “Come on in ”
As they walked in the hall way, she said “I am sorry, my maid had to leave for a day … some family emergency, she told me. Maybe we will sit here for a while and then we go out”
“Oh, yes, certainly …” He said quickly “In fact I’ll to take you out this time, we can have coffee at your place the next time”
They walked in to the living room and Garry looked around approvingly at the wall paintings and expensive furnishings
“Nice place you have here! …. I must say I am impressed”
“Thank you” Cynthia said as they sat down on sofas “May late husband did well as a real estate investor … we are quite comfortable actually”
“Good for you” He said smilingly. She could see a look of greed coming in his eyes, as if a hungry wolf had found a perfect prey
“I can see you miss him a lot” He said, fixing his gaze over her face “I can tell from my experience at least…that once you are married and get used to a married life, it is difficult to be without your partner… if you know what I mean”
“Yes, you are so right” Cynthia nodded “I totally miss him … and I have not been with anyone else for what it seems like a long time”
He leaned over “And I have also not been with any women since my wife died three years ago …and although I am a writer and keep myself busy with my writing, I do feel very lonely at times. I know I can be a good companion to any women and take care of a girl friend if I have one … but somehow I have not gotten involved with anyone”
Cynthia leaned back in her chair, her eyes watching his face “Are you telling me you've been wit
h no other woman since your wife died?”
His expression remained cool but he shifted a little in his chair, “Why, yes ….I have not been with anyone. In fact you are the first women I am seeing … after a very long time”
“Really?” Cynthia asked, now a hard expression coming on her face “Then tell me, how well do you know Laura Macbeth?”
He almost jerked in his seat, his face changing a shade “What? Who is Laura Macbeth? What are you talking about?”
At that moment the side door opened and Laura walked in. “I am the Laura Macbeth she is talking about! ... are you saying you don't know me?”.
He jumped up from his seat, his face turning red, “What! …, what is this?” He took one step towards Laura then swung around and looked at Cynthia who was still sitting
“Who are you? What is going on here?”
“Let me tell you who she is” Laura said “She's my friend and she has brought you here to tell you that what you have been doing with me and maybe with many other women ...is downright wrong and cheating”
“What the hell!” he got red in the face "Is this Jerry Springer show or what? I don't have to listen to any of this shit from any of you bitches !”
He turned around fast and moved towards the hallway, as if wanting to leave the house. But before he could reach the hallway the door to a side room opened and Sophia's husband came out. Then another door opened and Sophia and Marsha also walked in
Garry, seeing the passage blocked, stopped abruptly. He suddenly had a nervous look on his face
“Hello Garry” Sophia's husband Dan smiled ”meet some more of Laura’s friends”
Garry just stood there, his mouth gaping
“I suggest you sit down .. we need to have a talk” Dan spoke in a low, cold voice.
“Who the hell are you? I am not staying here ! I am not talking to any of you jerks …get out of my way !” Garry tried to sound aggressive, moving and trying to go around Dan
Sudenly the door to the side room opened again and two men ruhsed out. One, a black man, about 6 foot nine, was built like a gorilla. The other was a stocky man of medium height, who looked like he was from Sicily or Italy. "Meet Mike and Vinnie" Dan said looking at Garry, a funny smile on his face
The black man, called Mike, moved quickly for his size, his right hand grabbing the front of Garry's shirt and he picking him up like a doll and slamming him against a wall, his other hand closing on Garry's throat
“When my boss says he wants to talk to you …you fuckin' listen to him ! You hear me?” He growled
Garry’s face turned ashen as he looked down at them, held up against the wall, his feet and hands dangling in the air.
Sophia's husband turned around and looked at the women
“You ladies can go to the other room …you don't have to see all this … let the men talk to this jerk “
“No” Laura said “I want to talk to him first ”
“Let me down, let me down, please … oh God!” Garry pleaded …all his bravado seemed to have left him
Mike looked over at Dan, who nodded “Ok, Mike, let him down”
The big black man let Garry slide down, then pushed him, throwing him into a chair. “Sit down and listen up”
Garry looked up at the group of people surrounding him, narrowing in a semi circle around him
“Look … I don’t know what you all want from me .. I am just a writer”
“You are not just a writer …” Laura stepped forward, “You are a man who swindles women for money” She said angrily
“How much money has he taken from you Laura?” Dan asked, his voice still low, but showing anger
“Well, he kept on asking me for money and in the last few months he took over five thousand dollars from me” Laura said
“Ok, ok ..so I took some money …but it was something you gave me as gifts …” Garry said hurriedly as he tried to get up again
Dan pushed him back in the chair, shoving his thick thumb in Garry’s chest
“Sit down!” Dan said
“And what about me? “ Cynthia spoke up “Didn’t you just tell me you had not been with any women since your wife died? You were trying to get me in the same trap…as you did to Laura … .is that what you do mister writer? … You prey on lonely women … you go to cemeteries to find lonely women ... make friends with them and then take their money ? That’s what you did to Laura and you were trying to do to me?” She said looking into his eyes. “How many women have you made fools like this?”
“Look, I don’t know what you all think you are doing … you have to let me go right now” Garry tried to show anger as looked around them “I can go to police, you know, if you harass me”
“He won’t listen up like this … guys … take him to another room and tell him who is he dealing with “ Dan nodded to his men.
Mike pulled Garry again by the front to his shirt and pulled him out of the chair.
Dan spoke up again “In case you don’t know, I’m Dan Gagliano … heard this name before?
Garry’s face turned white. “Mr. Gagliano! Please, please… sir, yes of course I have heard your name … please listen to me !” He started crying as Mike dragged him across the lounge towards the side room
Dan motioned the women to stay back and followed his men and Garry to the other room. The women could hear a thud and sounds of few kicks and heard Garry cry in pain
They heard Dan saying “Garry, we want you to know that you messed up with the wrong woman this time. I don't know how long you have been doing this ...but this time you screwed up. Laura is not a lonely woman, she has friends’
Hearing all this, Laura who now looked pale and uncomfortable, murmured “ Oh I hope they don’t kill him or something”
“Don’t worry Laura … nothing like that will happen” Sophia put her arm around Laura “Come, let’s all sit down”
The ladies sat down in the lounge. They saw Dan close the door behind him and could hear muffled sounds of slaps and hits
After some time, Dan opened the door and they saw Mike and Vinnie drag Garry out of the room, taking him out of house.
Dan came to where the ladies were sitting
“It’s all settled well, you can trust me” He said smiling “He swore on his mother grave he will never do anything like that, ever … which I am not sure about… but we made him agree that he will pay back all five thousand dollars that he took from you” Dan said, looking at Laura
“But Dan, how will he pay? He has no job’ Laura sounded sad and resigned
“Oh, that was, easy” Dan smiled “I told him he is now assigned to my men Mike and Vinnie .. who will give him different jobs to do as they like … who cares ...waiting at tables or washing dishes … and then out of his earnings every month he will pay us some money …until all of his debt is paid off … and then we will let him go “
“Really? He will be working and paying up his debts? You made him agree to that?” Cynthia said, a surprise showing on her face
“Yes” Dan said “Come to think of it … it has turned out to be quite a win win …. Laura will get her money back and Garry, who has perhaps never worked an honest day job in his life, will learn how to work, earn money and payback his debts. Who knows.. it may be a blessing in disguise for him !”
"Oh, darling … thank you for doing this! This is great!” Sophia looked lovingly at her husband. “Come sit with us … I am sure Cynthia will treat us with some good coffee now”
“Sure, absolutely” Cynthia got up. “Laura, are you happy now?” They all looked at Laura
“I am still in a daze … wow! …what a twist for him !” Laura said shaking her head
“No, not a twist … lets call it The Grave Switcheroo” Sophia said
They all burst out laughing
on Archive.
The Grave Switcheroo Page 2