Destroy Me

by K. D. Carrillo

  "Toni," I shouted toward the back of the house where she disappeared to get ready. She came out of her room holding a tube of lip-gloss. "Are you expecting flowers?" I asked. She shook her head.

  I opened the box and dropped it when I saw what was inside. Instead of flowers there was a baby doll posed to look like it was resting in a casket. Someone had taken their time and painstakingly re-colored the doll's skin to have a grayish pallor, and added a tinge of blue to the lips.

  I saw a note taped to the doll's back. I used the eraser of a pencil to lift the flap so I could read it. One sentence was written in block letters, "You killed my child."

  I scrambled backwards away from the doll as fast as I could. "I'm calling Reed," was all Toni said. I nodded in agreement. I turned my back on the doll, and wrapped my arms around myself.

  "Not again. It isn't happening again," I chanted to myself. I hadn't realized that I had moved into the corner where I could see the front door and the windows. I rocked slightly forward and backward continuing to murmur to myself.

  I felt an arm drop around my shoulder, and flinched.

  "Shh, it's just me," Toni said in a calming voice. "I called Reed. He'll be here soon," she comforted.

  Reed, oh thank God. I needed him. He'd know what to do.

  Chapter 11

  Reed

  "Remember when we were in high school and you snuck out and watched a movie at my house?" I asked Sally.

  She shook her head and laughed. "You picked some horrible thriller, and by the end of it I had practically crawled into your lap."

  I smiled and held up the movie I had rented. "We wouldn't want to repeat that," I said and waggled my eyebrows at her.

  Sally rolled her eyes. "That was ten years ago pretty boy. I don't scare as easily anymore."

  I put in the movie and dimmed the lights before I joined her on the sofa. The movie opened with chilling music and a chase scene. I could tell Sally was scared, but trying to prove she was tough.

  My cell began to ring, and Sally practically jumped into my lap. I paused the movie and reached for my phone. "Hey, it's just my phone," I said trying not to laugh at her.

  "Reed," I answered.

  "Thank God you answered. It's Toni. Can you come over here?" she said with a shaky voice.

  I sat up straight, pulling away from Sally. "What's wrong?"

  "There was a really creepy package left on the porch. It doesn't say who it's for, but by the way Kate is acting I'm sure it was meant for her," she rushed out.

  "Don't touch it. I'll be right there," I told her.

  I turned to Sally. "I have to go. A couple of my friends received a creepy package."

  "Women?" she asked, without a hint of jealousy. I nodded, wary that she was going to have a problem with me breaking our date to go over to the home of two women.

  "I'd like to go and help you if I can. I have experience with abused women and stalking victims. Are either of the women in an abusive relationship?" she asked.

  "Toni, the one that called, might be with her high school sweetheart. Except she said that the package was left for Kate, her roommate. I don't think she's been in a serious relationship in a long time, if ever," I thought out loud.

  "Sometimes it's easier to talk to another woman," she said.

  I agreed. It would probably be easier for them to speak to another woman, but I didn't think bringing my new girlfriend around Kate was the best idea. Not that she really cared either way.

  "Unless there is another reason you don't want to bring me along?" Sally asked when I didn't respond.

  "No, absolutely none," I said, and handed her purse to her.

  If I objected she would suspect my intentions. Every time I went over to Aiden's, or did anything with my friends she would think I was seeing someone else. I also had to admit, part of me was curious how Kate would react to seeing me with someone else. I couldn't really move on until I was sure I didn't have a chance with Kate.

  I drove the few blocks to the girls' house and knocked on the door. I saw Toni pull aside the curtains and peek out the window before opening the door.

  "Thank you so much for coming over." Toni paused when she saw Sally walk in behind me. "Oh, hi. I'm Antonia and that's Kate over there in the corner."

  I looked over at her huddled in the corner, hugging her knees. Her fair skin was even whiter than usual. Her blonde hair hung around her shoulders shielding her from view, while she rocked slightly forward and back.

  I wanted to go to her, but I was afraid to scare her more. She had an aversion to people getting too close to her. Instead I moved over to the box that was dropped in the middle of the floor. I had grabbed gloves and my camera out of my workbag before coming over. I put the gloves on and lifted the lid to the box.

  "Holy shit!" I shouted and dropped the lid back down. "What the hell is that?" I asked no one in particular.

  "There's a note," Kate whispered.

  Reluctantly I lifted the lid again, and picked up the creepy doll and turned it over. "What does this mean?" The note said, "You killed my child." "Kate?"

  She shook her head over and over again. "I...I..." she stuttered.

  Sally stepped forward and crouched down in front of Kate. "Kate, right?" she asked in a gentle voice.

  Kate nodded.

  "Do you have any idea who left this box for you?" Sally asked in a soothing voice.

  Kate shook her head again. She lifted her head very briefly and looked me straight in they eyes. In that one look I saw that she knew where the box came from, but she didn't want to tell us.

  "Sally, Toni, can I speak to Kate alone?" I asked them. Sally looked like she was going to protest, genuinely believing that Kate would feel more comfortable with her, but Toni interceded.

  "No problem. I'll get Sally something to drink in the kitchen. Follow me," Toni insisted and led them out of the room.

  "Kate, you've got to tell me something. I can't help you if I don't know what I'm looking for," I told her.

  "I need to talk to my brother," she said starting to rock again.

  I clenched my jaw and asked, "Why so you can run?"

  "Reed, you're going to have to trust me," she said quietly.

  "I'm trying damn it!" I shouted. She flinched away from me, and I instantly regretted raising my voice.

  "Kate, you want me to trust you, try trusting me. I want to help you," I said in the most calming voice I could.

  She lifted her scared brown eyes to mine. "I can't. Not yet."

  A loud pounding came from the front door, and I reached behind me for the gun I had holstered inside the waist of my jeans. I carefully looked out the window and groaned when I saw Officer Freddie Pratt standing on the front porch.

  I re-holstered my weapon before I cracked open the door. "Toni, did you call the police?" I shouted back towards the kitchen.

  "You are the police," she shouted back.

  I turned back to the door, which I purposefully kept from being opened all the way. "What are you doing here Pratt? No one called the police."

  Pratt stood on the porch with his perfectly starched uniform, mirror shine polished boots, and his rigid posture. "There were several reports of a prowler from this neighborhood. I responded and have been checking on residents to see if they saw anything."

  Toni came up next to me and peered around the crack in the door. "We didn't see anything." She stood defiantly, with her hands on her hips staring him down. She looked about as threatening as a Chihuahua, but even they have teeth.

  Pratt peered around me, and I saw the moment he noticed the package in the middle of the room. "What is that?" I stepped in his way to block his view. "Move back, Martin," Pratt ordered.

  Pratt pushed on the door. I tried to hold it in place, but my shoulder gave out, and Pratt shoved his way inside.

  "You weren't invited in here," I pointed out.

  "It's called reasonable suspicion, Martin," he snapped back.

  I moved in between him and Kate. "That is
n't how it works. You have absolutely no reason to suspect these women of harboring a prowler."

  He cupped his hands together in front of himself, and stood with a wide sturdy stance. I think he thought he appeared more intimidating when he stood that way. "I have every reason to be suspicious of Ms. Kennedy, considering the fact that she didn't seem to exist prior to four years ago. Now there have been reports of a suspicious person seen near her residence." He paused and I watched with dread the moment he noticed the box. "And what do we have here?"

  Pratt moved toward the box, and used my discarded glove to lift the doll out of the box. "Would you like to explain this, Ms. Kennedy?" He held the doll up and started to move toward her.

  "Pratt, you're out of line. I'm going to alert your sergeant that you're harassing Kate. If I see you around this house, or catch wind of you continuing to investigate her past I will recommend disciplinary action against you," I warned.

  "What authority do you have to do any of that?" Pratt asked smugly.

  "I might not have the authority, but I've got a stellar record, and I'm the youngest EPD officer ever promoted to detective. Do you really want to put your record against mine?" I responded.

  He turned to face Kate and sneered. "None of that will matter when I uncover what she's hiding. When her crimes are exposed it will make my career."

  "I haven't committed any crimes," Kate said.

  Toni stood up abruptly and dramatically opened the front door. "You heard her. She hasn't committed any crimes. We didn't call you, and you don't have a warrant. Now I'm demanding you leave my home now."

  Pratt hesitated. Toni pulled her cell phone out of her pocket, and held it out. "Do you have any idea how many high profile attorneys we know? How well do you foresee your career's projection if you are the cause of a major lawsuit against the EPD?"

  Sally stepped forward. "I'll personally assist in drafting the complaint. You may know my firm, Shaw and Associates." Resignation flashed on his face when he realized that Sally worked at one of the most respected firms in town.

  Pratt headed for the door, but stopped just before he exited. "I won't drop this investigation until I'm ordered to. There is something going on here, and I intend to find out what." The second he stepped onto the porch Toni slammed the door and turned the deadbolt.

  I moved over to Kate, who seemed paler than before, if that was even possible. "I have to call Cameron. We...we need to go. I don't know where, but we need..."

  "Kate, you can't leave. It will only make Pratt believe he's right, and he might be able to convince the brass to sanction his investigation. You have to stay. It would be easier for me to help you if I knew what has you so scared," I said, trying once again to get her to open up.

  Kate shook her head sadly. "I can't. I...uh...Look, I haven't committed any crimes. I'm not wanted or suspected of anything anywhere. But I really can't tell you anything else."

  Pratt's claim that Kate didn't exist on paper four years ago continued to spin in my head. I wanted answers, but I wanted her to give them to me. I knew she wouldn't though. Kate was going to run. I could see it in her eyes.

  One day I would run into Aiden and he would give me that look. The one full of pity, even though he was trying to hide it, and I would know she was gone. She wouldn't call or text, she would just leave. I knew it, and I feared it.

  As hard as I was trying to move on with my life, I was still hopelessly tethered to her. I felt guilty continuing to pursue Sally when I knew that I would never feel for her even a fraction of what I did for Kate. But what was I supposed to do? Sally was great. I just needed to try harder.

  I needed to get out of here and focus on Sally. I pulled out my phone and shot off a text for reinforcements. I knew one person who would drop everything if Toni needed something. Like I expected my phone buzzed a moment later.

  "I texted Jeremy. He's on his way over with eighties movies and popcorn. At least that's what he told me to pass on."

  Toni laughed and shook her head. "He has the weirdest obsession with the Brat pack. Come on, Kate, let's go find the licorice."

  Sally and I stayed until Jeremy showed up. "I've got them," he whispered as he walked past me, and I finally felt reasonably secure that Kate would be safe, at least for tonight.

  Sally came up and slipped her hand into mine. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I thought I saw Kate's eyes focus on our joined hands.

  Outside I dropped my arm around Sally's shoulders. "Still up for a movie?" I was afraid she was going to say no. I relaxed when I saw her smile at me. She looked up at me from her tiny five foot two stature and said, "Let's find a comedy though."

  I winked at her. "I can still find a reason to get you to snuggle up to me." Her eyes sparkled, but there was disappointment there too. "That sounds like a challenge pretty boy."

  It was a challenge to move on. It was going to be harder if Sally caught on to my feelings for Kate. No girl wants to be someone's second choice.

  Chapter 12

  Kate

  I was back to looking over my shoulder and jumping at every small noise. Cameron agreed with Reed that we had to stay. He argued that the doll didn't mean it was starting again. I guess he could be right. I thought the chances Cameron was right was closer to winning the lottery, but I didn't think he'd appreciate me pointing that out.

  I suppose it was possible; we got all kinds of crazy people in the emergency room. Sometimes I worked in the neonatal unit. I had never been negligent at my job, but when tragedy strikes you want someone to blame. I clung to that explanation, because the alternative was too much to handle.

  Reed had pulled away from me. Not that I blamed him, but it was harder than I thought it would be to watch him walk away holding her hand. They looked cute together. She seemed nice, and I was sure she would make him happy. Naturally, I totally hated her.

  I understood for the first time why Becca used to try and lose herself in alcohol and random hookups. Anything that could make the pain go away or dull it for a moment was very appealing. But the idea of losing control, even for a night, scared the hell out of me.

  "We're going dancing," Toni announced as she walked into the living room.

  "I don't want to go dancing," I pouted.

  "Well, I don't give a shit. You've been hiding away for days. You barely talk. It's time to shake things up a bit. Reed has moved on, accept it and do the same," she said and whirled out of the room.

  I followed her down the hallway and found her rummaging through my closet. She tossed out a few items and headed to the bathroom. She turned on the shower and came back for me. "Move your ass, or I'll strip you and put you in there myself," she threatened.

  I didn't have the energy to fight her. Toni was a force of nature when she was in a good mood, and a natural disaster when she wasn't. After I got out of the shower, I let my hair air dry into waves that fell below my shoulders. I slipped into the tight jeans and the tight v-neck t-shirt Toni picked out.

  I appreciated myself in the mirror. My golden hair fell down to the middle of my back. I liked the way it framed my face, and set off my dark brown eyes. The dark red shirt Toni picked accented my fair complexion. I lined my eyes and applied a matching bronze eye shadow. I added some berry colored lip-gloss and decided to skip adding more gunk to my face.

  It wasn't very cold so we walked the few blocks to the bar. It looked like a dive, with a rodeo themed name I couldn't remember, but they played the best dance music. Toni marched straight to the bar and ordered us both fruity mixed drinks with an embarrassing name.

  "Sex on the Beach or a Screaming Orgasm?" she asked batting her eyes at me. My eyes widened in disbelief and I stood at the bar staring at her with my face turning the same color as my shirt.

  Toni laughed at my discomfort. "You have to ask for what you want, Kate. How else are guys supposed to know?" She turned to the bartender and flashed her bright smile. "Am I right?"

  He returned her smile. Leaning forward he crossed his arms on top
of the bar and lowered his voice like he was going to tell her a secret.

  He was cute in a bad boy kind of way. He had tattoos on both arms and a lip ring. I preferred a strong jaw and vibrant green eyes. Which reminded me of why Toni had dragged my ass out in the first place. Reed was with someone else, and it was time for me to woman up and get over it.

  "Kate, earth to Kate," Toni shouted in my ear.

  I blinked a few times and realized I had been staring at the bartender. He probably thought I was checking him out.

  "I don't think you should start out with Trent," Toni continued to yell.

  "Who?" I asked confused.

  She pointed at the bartender, who was smirking at us. We had obviously given him a needless boost to his ego. Judging by the cleavage being shoved forward, he was not in short supply of women trying to get his attention.

  "It's been a while since you've come to visit me, Toni. I was starting to get my feelings hurt," Trent flirted.

  Toni rolled her eyes, and tilted her head toward the women at the end of the bar who were testing the holding power of spandex.

  Trent looked down the bar and his mouth turned up in disgust. "Those girls are easy. I don't sit at home alone, but I have some standards. Besides, I prefer short and snarky."

  "Well that definitely isn't easy to come by," Toni muttered.

  "Toni..." Trent began.

  "My friend needs a drink, Trent. She's suffering from a broken heart," she interrupted.

  He looked deep in to her eyes. "This isn't over."

  "Maybe not, but it won't continue tonight," she replied staring at the counter.

  "Two Screaming Orgasms, coming up. Just remember who gives them to you," he quipped, still focused on Toni.

  She patted him on the hand and smiled.

  We took our drinks and turned toward the small makeshift dance floor. When we were far enough away from the bar I told her, "That was intense."

  "Trent and I hook up sometimes," she answered, stealing looks at the bar.

  "Then why do you go back to Miguel?" I asked. I didn't normally pry, but there was obviously chemistry between her and Trent.