The Deception

by Marina Martindale

  "Trust me, Allie, she didn't do it for me. She did it for herself. Not once during that interview did she express any concern for me or the other victims. Alex had her pegged back when we were kids. It's all about Louise, period."

  The nurse came back to take her vitals. "You seem to be doing much better. You're blood pressure is starting to go back down on it's own. Are you still having any pain?"

  "A little, but not like before."

  "That's encouraging and I think you're on the mend. I'll be back to check you later. With any luck, we'll be able to disconnect your IV sometime in the next few hours."

  As she turned to leave, she noticed two people entering the room. They were a pretty middle-aged woman with long red hair, and a tall young man with dark hair and deep-set blue eyes.

  "Sorry, visiting hours are almost over."

  "It's okay, we're family," replied the woman as she approached Carrie's bedside and extended her hand. "I'm Julia Fields. I'm Jonathan's wife, so I guess that makes me your stepmother. This is our son, Daniel. He's your half brother."

  "I see." Carrie wasn't sure what to say. She quickly introduced them to Allison.

  "I know this must be awkward for you," said Julia. "We've always known about you, but you probably don't know a thing about us."

  "Jonathan--I mean my father, told me a little the day he came to my office. He told me about being a recovering addict and he mentioned you and your son. He said you were his inspiration for staying clean and sober. He also asked me about my father. Not knowing who he really was, I gave him an earful."

  "I remember it well," said Julia. "You told him you thought he'd abandoned you."

  "And this is where it all gets so confusing. Why didn't he ever come looking for me?"

  "He did. Once he arrived in Arizona, and saw you on a TV commercial, he flipped. He thought you were being exploited."

  "He was right about that." Carrie looked at Allison. "I just didn't know it at the time."

  "He managed to track you down, then you mother warned him that if he ever came anywhere near you, she'd go after him and he'd end up in jail. She was terrified of his former associates. She was afraid they'd come after you."

  "I see. So where are they now?"

  "Dead and buried, years ago, or so we've heard. As you've already been told, once he got off probation and changed his name, he never looked back. In fact, he now spends a lot of his time working with other addicts trying to go straight."

  "Which leaves us as your typical, all-American dysfunctional family," added Danny with a grin.

  "You two are definitely related," said Allison with a smile.

  "Anyway, I'm here because your father's awake and he would like to see you. Are you ready?"

  "I think so."

  "Danny, would mind calling the nurse?"

  Danny walked to the nurse's station, while Allison helped her with her robe and slippers. He returned a minute later with the nurse. They helped her out of bed, and she held her brother's arm, while Julia pushed her IV pole. She glanced back at Allison as they stepped out.

  "I've got your phone right here," she said, holding it up. "You go visit your father. If I hear anything, I'll come get you."

  Danny escorted Carrie into the next room. Jonathan looked up as she approached his bedside and embraced him. She started crying as the rest of the family stepped back. Finally, Jonathan told Danny to bring her a chair so she could sit next to him. Penelope handed both of them a tissue as Carrie sat down and took his hand.

  "Are you all right, Cara Mia?"

  "I'm fine, thanks to you. Are you all right?"

  "I'm okay. I suppose if I still had my left kidney I'd have a problem, but someone relieved me of it the night I was stabbed in that parking lot. I'm told the bullet went through me and grazed you before hitting the building across the street. Luckily, no one inside was hurt."

  "I can't believe you did what you did." Carrie squeezed his hand. "You saved my life."

  "I did what any parent would do. I put your life ahead of my own."

  "So why didn't you tell me who you were? That day last fall, at Alex's office, when we were first introduced, I said you looked familiar and I asked if we'd ever met. You said no."

  "I know, and I'm sorry. It just wasn't the time or place. I was going to tell you that day at your office. Then that letter arrived, so I had to take care of you."

  "I know, and my ranting about how I'd been abandoned by my father, and that he--you, were dead, probably didn't help either. I'm so sorry. I had no idea."

  "It's not your fault, Cara Mia. What's done is done. I'm not blaming you, because right or wrong, your mother did what she did thinking she was protecting you. What matters now is where we go from here."

  A nurse came in to check on Jonathan just as Allison stepped in to announce that Carrie's dinner had just arrived.

  "We'll have to finish this conversation later, Kevin," said Penelope. "Right now, she needs to eat and then you both need to get some rest."

  "I'll take her back, Grandma," volunteered Danny. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and walked her back to her room, waiting until she was back in her bed before stepping away.

  "Any word on Alex?"

  "Nothing yet," replied Allison. "They haven't been gone long enough to have made it all the way to Tucson."

  Carrie quietly ate her meal. After she finished, she settled into her bed. The day had finally caught up with her and she soon fell into an exhausted sleep.

  Forty-Six

  After Carrie went to sleep, Allison began flipping through the channels, while she anxiously waited for Steve's call. Her heart skipped a beat, when she finally heard her phone ring, but her excitement turned to disappointment, when the caller ID indicated it was an out-of-state number.

  "Hello?"

  "Hello, Allison. This is Catherine Montoya. My husband and I just landed in Phoenix, but we're having trouble reaching Alex. Do you know where he is?"

  "Sorry, I don't. Alex is missing, Mrs. Montoya."

  "What do you mean he's missing? I just spoke to him a few hours ago. We heard about Carrie, so we told him we were on our way. He said to hurry up and get here because he needed us. Do you know if he's claimed the body?"

  "I guess you haven't heard. The media got it wrong. Carrie wasn't killed. I'm with her at the hospital."

  Allison could hear her talking to her husband. She waited for her to come back on the line.

  "Thank goodness, but what happened?"

  "She was shot, but fortunately, she wasn't seriously injured. They're keeping her here at the hospital for observation. She thinks she knows where Alex might have gone, so Steve and George McCormick are out looking for him."

  Once again Allison waited while Alex's mother passed the information along.

  "We're at the rental car counter right now. As soon as we're done, we'll come straight to the hospital, if that's okay. What hospital is she in?"

  "Sonoran Southwest," replied Allison and gave them the room number. "There's a police officer guarding the door. Call me as soon as you get here. I'll come down to the lobby to get you."

  "Thanks, Allison. At least it's not that far from the airport. We should be there in about twenty minutes or so."

  * * *

  George and Steve had exited the Interstate and were on the road leading to the Double-Diamond. It was after dark and so far they'd seen no sign of Alex. They were within a quarter mile of the resort entrance, when Steve spotted a car off the side of the road.

  "Look! It's a white Camaro."

  George pulled over in front of the Camaro. Steve leapt out, racing to the driver's side door. The windows were tinted and he couldn't tell if anyone was inside. He peered through the windshield. The car appeared to be empty. He tried both doors, but the car was locked.

  "Damn it! Where the hell could he be?"

  "Wait a second," said George. "I'll get my lockout tool."

  He stood by as George rushed back to his car. Quickly, he
inserted the tool, carefully unlocking the driver's side door. He slowly opened it as Steve looked inside.

  "Oh my God."

  Alex was curled up in the backseat. His face was pale, his eyes were closed and he wasn't moving. Steve called out his name several times, but there was no response. His heart was in his throat as he pushed the seatback forward and felt along Alex's neck for a pulse.

  "He's alive, but he's not responding." He began shaking Alex's shoulders. "Come on, buddy, say something. Please. C'mon Alex, talk to me." He heard Alex softly moaning. "That's it, that's it, c'mon, wake up and talk to me."

  "Is he all right? Do you need me to call nine-one-one?"

  "I don't know, George, maybe. He's hardly responding. What if he's overdosed on something?"

  "Keep talking to him while I search inside the car."

  Steve stepped aside as George thoroughly examined the inside of the car.

  "They're dead," mumbled Alex. "They're dead. They're dead. They're dead."

  "I don't see any empty pill containers or booze bottles," said George. "He's probably gone into shock, but it looks like he's trying to come out of it. Give him another minute or two. If he doesn't wake up, then we'll call the paramedics."

  Alex slowly opened his eyes. It took him a moment to focus.

  "Steve? What the hell are you doing here? Go away."

  "I'm not leaving. Alex, listen to me. The news reports were wrong. Carrie's alive. She's at the hospital. Allie's there with her. Come on, I need you to get up."

  "Keep talking to him," said George.

  "Who's with you? Whoever you are, get the hell away from me."

  "Alex, it's me, George. We're here to take you back to Phoenix. Steve will drive you. There's a very anxious young lady waiting for you at the hospital."

  "You're lying!"

  "No, Alex, we're not lying," said Steve. "The media got it wrong. Carrie's alive. Come on, buddy, who else would have known you were here?" Steve reached for his phone. "Look, I'll call her, right now."

  Alex blinked a few times. He appeared to be coming back to reality.

  "So where the hell am I?" He slowly sat up, rubbing his face and looking around. "The Double-Diamond Resort? I remember driving in my car, but I had no idea I ended up here."

  "You're in shock," said George, "but you'll be okay. Let me get you some water."

  "No! I think I'm going to be sick."

  George quickly pulled him out the car. Alex ran to the other side, barely getting there in time, while George stepped away, returning a moment later with a bottle of water. Steve was waiting, with a concerned look on his face.

  "He'll be okay," said George. "I think his body's just reacting to the shock."

  A disheveled Alex returned a short time later. George handed him the water and Alex began to eagerly drink it down.

  "Whoa, buddy, slow down. Sip it, sip it."

  "I'm putting this on speaker," announced Steve as he placed the call. Allison quickly answered.

  "Did you find him?"

  "Yeah, we did. He's right here and he's pretty shook. Can you put Carrie on?"

  "Give me a minute. She's asleep. I'll have to wake her."

  They could hear Allison waking Carrie up. Alex's ears perked up at the sound of her voice. She quickly put her on the line. Carrie sounded groggy.

  "Steve? Is that you?"

  "It's me, Carrie. How you feeling, kiddo?"

  "All right, I guess. Did you find him yet?"

  "Sure did. You were right. He was pulled off the side of the road in front of the Double-Diamond. Would you like to speak to him?"

  "Are you kidding?" Carrie's voice suddenly sounded more alert. "Please, put him on. And Steve, thanks. I owe you one."

  Steve took the phone off speaker and handed it to Alex. He immediately stepped away from the others.

  "Carrie-Anne?" His voice was shaking.

  "Alex, are you all right? I've been trying to reach you for hours."

  It took Alex a moment to find his voice. "I'm sorry, Carrie-Anne. I guess I messed up. The building was in lockdown. Then Reggie showed me a news report on her tablet. They said you were dead. Everything gets kind of fuzzy after that. I know my mother called me. After that I somehow got out of the building and drove off somewhere. Next thing I know I'm in the backseat of my car and Steve is waking me up. Somehow I've ended up on the side of the road, outside the Double-Diamond Resort, just like Steve said."

  "It's okay, Alex. As long as you're safe."

  "What about you, Carrie-Anne? Are you all right?"

  "I'm fine, Alex. I'm going to be okay. Jonathan Fields stepped in and took the bullet that was meant for me. I was only grazed. Jonathan's okay too. He'll make a full recovery."

  "What about the baby?"

  "The baby's fine, Alex. They checked me out thoroughly. I'm not going to miscarry, but they're keeping me here at the hospital for awhile, just to be sure." He was silent for a moment. "Alex, are you still there?"

  "Yes," he replied, once he'd recomposed himself. "I'm so sorry I failed you, Carrie-Anne. You needed me and I wasn't there."

  "It's not your fault. The courthouse was in lockdown. Steve and Allie were here with me, so I wasn't alone. And Alex, you're not going to believe this. It turns out Jonathan Fields is my father."

  "What?"

  "Jonathan Fields is my father. That's why he stepped in front of the shooter. He saved my life, and the baby's life too."

  "I'm sorry, Carrie-Anne. I'm usually on top of things, but right now I'm totally discombobulated. I don't understand any of this."

  "Whoops, there's another call coming in. Looks like it's your mother."

  "I'm on my way. I love you, Carrie-Anne."

  "I love you too, Alex. Take your time and I'll see you when you get here."

  Alex disconnected the call and headed back to the car.

  "You okay?" asked Steve.

  "I don't know. I'm not all here right now. I just want to see Carrie."

  "Then hop in the car and I'll take you to her. And by the way, I'm driving."

  Alex didn't argue. He walked to the passenger side door and got inside. George said goodnight and Steve walked him to his car, thanking him again for helping. As soon as he drove away, Steve returned to the Camaro and slipped behind the wheel. The keys were still in the ignition. He fastened his seat belt and fired up the engine.

  "Did they find the shooter?" asked Alex.

  "They sure did. No surprise, it was Maggie Andrews." Steve put the car into gear and turned toward the Interstate.

  "Do you know when she'll be arraigned?"

  "I'm not sure. My best guess would be sometime tomorrow."

  "Thanks." Alex reached for his phone. "I have a friend in the U.S. Attorney's office who owes me a favor. I want her charged with three counts of attempted murder instead of two. Carrie's pregnant and she tried to kill the baby along with her." Alex tried to power up his phone, but it wouldn't respond. "Damn, the battery must be dead. I keep forgetting to recharge my phone. No wonder none of you could reach me. Carrie's going to kick my butt."

  "She might at that. Incidentally, that would either be four counts of attempted murder, or murder one, with three counts of attempted murder."

  "You mean there's another victim?"

  "Yep. She shot Scott along with Carrie and Jonathan. He's not expected to survive."

  "Wow," said Alex, taking it all in. "I have no love for the man because of what he did to Carrie, but I wouldn't have wished this on him, especially since he has kids." He stopped for a moment to plug his phone into the car charger. "So what's this about Jonathan Fields being her father?"

  "Apparently, it's true. George brought me up to speed on the way down here. It's a long, bizarre story."

  "We seem to have some time, so why don't you fill me in?"

  Forty-Seven

  Carrie handed the phone back to Allison. The called ID indicated Alex's mother was calling.

  "I have to go downstairs for a minute," she sa
id as she disconnected the call. "Alex's parents are waiting in the lobby."

  "I don't want to see them." Carrie's tone was blunt.

  "What do you mean you do want to see them? They heard the news reports that you were killed so they caught the first flight here."

  "Really? So did they sound disappointed, when you told them I'm still alive?"

  "What? No! Carrie, what's gotten into you?"

  "I haven't told anyone about this, because I'm still upset about it. It happened at your wedding reception, Allie, right after I caught your bouquet. Alex's father told him he didn't approve of our relationship, because of my past relationship with Scott and the photo shoot. He said I was a whore."

  "What? No way."

  "It's true, Allie. When I was young, I thought of him as my surrogate father. Guess I didn't really didn't know him after all."

  "So that explains why the two of you left the reception in such a hurry. I'm going downstairs, then we're going to have a little talk."

  "Allie, wait! Please, don't say anything."

  "Sorry, but this needs to be addressed." Allison headed toward the door. "Would you like for me to get your brother?"

  "No thanks, I'm fine."

  Allison took the elevator down to the lobby. She spotted Alex's parents as soon as the doors opened. She marched up to Alex's dad.

  "We need to talk, right now." She spoke to him in Spanish as she led him to a quiet corner. "So, what's this about you calling Carrie a whore?"

  "I didn't say she was a whore. I just said she'd acted like one for doing that photo shoot and going out with a married man."

  "Really? With all due respect, where were you? You weren't here, so let me start by telling you about the photo shoot. She was homeless at the time and you have no idea what she went through. None of us did. Steve and I offered her a place to stay, but she refused because she didn't want to impose. She thought she could handle it on her own, but then Louise Dickenson swooped down on her. She knew Carrie had no place to live, so she took advantage of her trust. She led her to believe she was helping her out, when in reality, she was using her in the worst possible way that anyone could be used."