Before She Dies

by Mary Burton

  Sinclair raised a questioning brow. “What are you waiting for?”

  He tried the door and discovered it was locked. Stepping back, he shoved his shoulder into the door. It bowed and groaned but didn’t give. His shoulder stinging, he hit the door a second time, and this time wood splintered and gave way. The door swung open to a neat kitchen outfitted with avocado green linoleum floors, a green countertop, and white appliances.

  Rokov flipped on the lights. He studied the room, which looked as if it hadn’t been used in a long time. As he crossed the room to the door that led to the front of the house, he heard the flip of a deadbolt and the slam of the front door.

  Rokov raced toward the front of the house while Sinclair ran out the back.

  Blood now racing, he yanked open the front door as a hooded figure dashed toward a truck across the street. Rokov chased the suspect, his long legs quickly eating up the space. He grabbed the guy by the hood and yanked back just as Sinclair came up, gun drawn. The man teetered off balance and fell to the ground. Rokov grabbed his cuffs from his belt, handcuffed him, and rolled him over.

  Grady glared back up at them, his breathing sharp and quick. “Get the hell off me.”

  Rokov hauled him to his feet. “What are you doing here?”

  “I don’t have to tell you shit,” the old man spat.

  Rokov pushed him against the side of the truck. “Old man, I don’t have time for you. I’m trying to find Sooner and Charlotte, and if you know something, tell me.”

  Thick brows knotted. “Charlotte and Sooner are missing?”

  “Sooner twelve hours ago. Charlotte just this morning.”

  “That son of a bitch Levi took them,” Grady ground out.

  “How do you know about Levi?” Rokov said.

  “Because he’s the bastard that killed Mariah.”

  “How do you know?”

  “When I saw his wife at the carnival. She was wearing an angel necklace. I recognized it. It’s the one I gave Mariah.”

  “There are a million angel necklaces in the world.”

  “Not like this one. I had it made for her. I know it was hers.”

  “That doesn’t mean he killed her.”

  “The bastard that drowned her in that lake took the necklace. It wasn’t on her when I found her.”

  “You’re the one that moved her body?”

  “I couldn’t bear to leave her like that. It just wasn’t right.” Old eyes filled with tears before he coughed and wrestled his emotions back in check. “When I saw the necklace, I started digging. That’s what I been doing the last couple of days.”

  “What did you find out?”

  “That he was in this area going to school eighteen years ago.”

  “Thin.”

  “Other women have died like Mariah. Raleigh. Ashville. Greenville. I got a look at Levi’s credit card statements. Levi traveled to all those cities around the times of the murders.”

  Rokov would find out later what Grady had done to dig up the information on Levi. “Do you know where he is?”

  “He’s not in that house. I searched every inch of it.”

  “Then where?”

  “There’s another house. In Alexandria.”

  “Who told you this?”

  A bitter smile tipped the edge of his lips. “I don’t worry about legal channels. I know how to get around and ask questions.”

  “Where is the house?”

  “First you’re gonna have to promise me something.”

  Levi reached behind Charlotte’s head and tested the strength of the ropes. “Since you are so anxious to die, let’s get started.”

  Charlotte stared at Sooner’s tear-streaked face. She was doing her best to be brave, but Charlotte only saw a young frightened girl. “So you want me to confess?”

  “The faster you do, the faster this will all be over.”

  And the longer she held out, the more time they might have for help to arrive.

  “Don’t, Charlotte. I don’t care if he kills me,” Sooner said.

  “I do, honey. I do.” She jerked at her chains. “I have nothing to confess to you, you son of a bitch.”

  “I was hoping it wouldn’t be too easy.” Levi moved behind her, where he retrieved a large flat board, which he laid over her body. The weight pressed down on her chest, and though she could still breathe, the increased pressure made the effort more conscious.

  Smiling, he moved to the pile of cinderblock and hefted the first. He laid it on the center of the board. “Are you ready to confess? No? I didn’t think you’d give up so early. The tough ones are the hardest and most satisfying to break.” He placed another cinderblock on the board.

  How long could she last? A half hour? An hour? Fresh tears welled in her eyes. They were not for her own life but for Sooner and for the fact that she wouldn’t see Rokov again. For a moment, she nearly let despair wash over her. Surrender beckoned.

  She closed her eyes and in that instant heard Mariah scream. “Coward! Baby! Quitter! ”

  “I’m not a quitter,” Charlotte whispered more to herself.

  Levi leaned closer studying her. “What did you say?”

  She met his gaze. “I said I am not a quitter.”

  “We’ll see about that.” He laid another block on the center of the board.

  She struggled to breathe but still managed a grin. “So what is your story, Levi? When did you become the protector of the faith?”

  He hesitated, the fourth cinderblock in his hand. “It’s a duty I was born to do. I’ve know it since I was very young.”

  “So you always knew?”

  “I had glimpses of my destiny. But I didn’t see the clear vision until eighteen years ago when you read my palm and told me to follow my heart.”

  “What is it with you nut-jobs and destiny?” Sooner said. Her fists clenched, she glared at him. “I mean, who told you that your destiny is such hot shit?”

  He glared at Sooner. “Shut up!”

  “It’s a valid question,” Charlotte said. The longer he talked, the longer he delayed, and the better their chances. “Most of the crazies either think they are destined for greatness, or they hate their mothers.”

  “I’ll bet he hated Mommie Dearest,” Sooner said. Levi swung around and leveled his gaze on her as he clutched the block. “Shut up.”

  Charlotte felt no humor but forced a laugh from her laden lungs. “Hit a nerve.”

  He stared at Sooner, and then as if wrestling a demon from his own shoulders, he turned and placed the block on Charlotte’s chest. “Keep talking. Soon enough the weight is going to crack your ribs, and you will barely have the weight to confess.”

  Breathing now was deliberate and a struggle. Soon her body wouldn’t be able to tolerate the weight. And when she died, he’d go after Sooner. A tear trickled down her cheek, and Levi leaned forward and gently swiped it away with his index finger.

  “How many women have you killed, Levi?” Charlotte whispered.

  “Not women. Witches.” He retrieved another block. “After tonight, twelve.”

  Charlotte struggled to breathe. “Levi, I’ve met your wife. This would break her heart.”

  “My wife has no heart.”

  And then it made sense. Levi’s wife’s tense manner at the carnival. The slight fear in his children’s eyes. “She left you.”

  “Not for long. Soon she will burn. I plan to take a page from Samantha White’s book. Nail the windows shut and set the house on fire. I offered the five-year plea agreement because I knew I could wait to kill my family. I planned to make it look like she did it to get revenge on me. And when she’s arrested again, there won’t be anyone to save her.”

  Levi laid another cinderblock on Charlotte’s chest. Five blocks now weighed down her lungs. Her ribs had bowed to the point of cracking and breaking. Sweat dampened her brow as she labored to pull in breath after breath.

  He laid another and then another on her chest. Her breaths were short and shallow an
d her chest burned with pain.

  Death, she imagined, stood in the shadows, and she sensed he wanted her but couldn’t take hold of her soul because Mariah stood in his path.

  “Mariah,” she whispered.

  Levi leaned toward her. “Who did you say?”

  In that moment the basement door exploded open. Levi reacted instantly, snatching a gun from his workbench.

  Charlotte, dazed, watched in horror as Levi turned, raised the weapon, and pointed it at Rokov. However, Levi shifted his aim and fired at Sinclair. The bullet hit her squarely in the chest and she dropped to the ground.

  Rokov’s face darkened and instantly he fired and hit Levi in the chest. Levi stumbled back, raised his gun a second time. Rokov fired again twice. The bullets sliced into Levi’s chest, knocking him dead to the ground.

  Rokov glanced at Charlotte. She could barely keep her eyes open and wondered how much longer she could shove air into her lungs.

  “Sinclair,” he shouted. “You better be alive.”

  Sinclair groaned. “I’m okay. Hit me in the vest.”

  A rush of relief so pure washed over his features as he raced to the pit and started pulling the blocks off Charlotte. When he lifted the board, she pulled in painful but deep breaths.

  He glanced at the chains and then returned to Levi. He dug through his pockets and found a key. He unfastened her manacles and pulled her free.

  Sinclair stumbled to her feet and untied Sooner. “Fucker broke my ribs.”

  Charlotte leaned heavily on Rokov. “How did you find us?”

  “Grady. He saw the necklace Levi gave his wife. It had belonged to Mariah.”

  “Where is he?” She hated the old man for what he’d done to her sister. And was grateful he’d saved her and Sooner.

  “Outside.”

  “Thank you, Daniel.”

  He hugged her close and she could feel the raw energy tightening his muscles. “Anytime.”

  The rising sun greeted Charlotte and Sooner as the two stumbled outside, arm in arm. Squad car lights flashed and EMTs rushed to help them. Charlotte clung to Sooner, refusing treatment until she knew the girl was okay. Only then were the EMTs able to coax her back on a gurney and give her oxygen. The next minutes were an odd haze of frenetic activity.

  Daniel with Grady, his hands cuffed behind his back, approached Charlotte. “He wants to speak to you.”

  She smiled at Daniel. “It’s okay.”

  Daniel took one step back but remained close enough to act on an instant’s notice. “I’m right here.”

  Grady shifted his stance. “Sooner is good. Tough as nails. Like her mother.”

  A part of her would always hate Grady for what he’d done. But another part recognized he’d also saved her daughter’s life. “Is she speaking to you?”

  “Only in four letter words.”

  She pulled the oxygen mask from her face. “She’s got a lot to process.”

  “Yeah, I know.” He cleared his throat. “I been looking for Mariah’s killer for eighteen years. I knew whoever was doing the killing was shadowing the carnival. But I never could figure it out.” He inhaled. “I’m dying and knew this was my last season so I used Sooner and the press articles to flush him out. I was sure he’d see an article eventually.”

  “You nearly got her killed.”

  “If I hadn’t flushed him out, he’d have come after her when I was dead and couldn’t protect her.”

  “Why did you lie to her about Mariah?”

  “ ’Cause I was pissed you’d left. Once the lie was out, it just took on its own life. And it was easy enough for folks to believe ’cause Sooner looks so much like Mariah.”

  “None of the old carnies said a word to her?”

  “They knew I’d kill them if they did.”

  She closed her eyes. Her chest still ached and pulling in a deep breath hurt.

  “Are you all right?” Daniel said.

  She opened her eyes. “Yes. I’m fine.”

  “I ain’t asking forgiveness,” Grady said. “But I’d appreciate it if you could help Sooner get past hating me after I’m dead. No matter what anyone says about anything, I loved that kid like my own.”

  Charlotte nodded, unable to forgive and unable to hate.

  Epilogue

  Four Months Later

  Charlotte stared at Daniel across the crowded living room of the Rokovs, who’d gathered for Mr. and Mrs. Rokov’s thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. All of Daniel’s brothers and sisters were present along with assorted cousins, aunts, and uncles.

  Charlotte still felt out of place at Rokov family functions. Though the family had always made a point to make her and Sooner feel welcome, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t deserving of a real family.

  She’d never voiced her worries to Daniel, but of course, he knew. He always seemed to know when she was worried either about a family gathering, a case, or Sooner. Sooner. Most of her worries these days were reserved for Sooner.

  Sooner was doing well and, with Charlotte’s encouragement, had closed her shop and enrolled in the community college. She lived with Charlotte in her spare room. Not having a great deal of formal education, the girl had had to backtrack with many of her courses, but she was proving to be a good student and a hard worker.

  The adoption experts had told Charlotte that she and Sooner were still in the honeymoon phase of their relationship. Reunions between children and birth parents often started well but could sour. Charlotte prayed every day that never happened.

  That didn’t mean to say that they didn’t have their disagreements. Sooner’s bull-headed temperament mirrored Charlotte’s, and both were quick to argue. But so far they were seeing their way past it all.

  The new apartment had not been the adjustment that she’d expected, maybe because she spent spare nights at Daniel’s place. She’d been determined to take their relationship slowly, but somehow he’d gently coaxed her closer and closer each time they were together. She’d always prided herself on independence, and now she couldn’t imagine living without him. Nor could she imagine not having Sooner puttering around the apartment leaving her piles of clothes on the floor, her endless shampoo products in the bathroom, or her dirty dishes in the kitchen sink. Daniel and Sooner had become friends. He was an easy man to like, but Charlotte believed Sooner would never forget the night he charged into the basement and saved them. That terrifying moment had bonded them all in a way that could never be forgotten.

  From across the room Daniel raised his glass to Charlotte and winked. She smiled, warmed that soon they’d be alone in his bed.

  “My Daniel is a good boy.” Grandmother Rokov’s voice crackled behind Charlotte and had her turning.

  “Yes, he is.”

  “He worries about you.”

  She raised her wineglass to her lips and pretended to sip. “He doesn’t need to. I can take care of myself.”

  The old woman glared at Charlotte as if she were prying away layers. “Do you still have the dream?”

  She frowned. “Daniel told you about the dreams?”

  “No. Daniel would never speak of things so private. Do you still hear the woman’s screams?”

  Charlotte studied the old woman. “How did you know?”

  “Some things I just know.” She smiled. “Do you hear them?”

  “No.” And it was a relief to say it. “I’ve not heard her since ... that night.” The night Levi had tried to crush Charlotte to death.

  Sooner had suffered no lasting physical injuries. However, Charlotte had suffered three cracked ribs and bruising all across her torso. All would be fixed by time.

  Mentally, she recognized a new fear of confined spaces. Elevators and crowded rooms were the worst reminders of Levi laying the cinderblocks on her chest. So she’d become adept at taking the stairs and remaining close to the door. Her quirks were improving, but they still bothered her enough that she did not enter the family fray for the toast Daniel gave to his parents.
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  “You stay on the fringe. You do not go into the room,” Grandmother said.

  “I don’t enjoy tight spaces right now.”

  The old woman nodded. “It will pass. Time will make it better.”

  “I hope you are right.” She felt a bit like a cripple at times and it made her angry. Levi had taken something from her and she wanted it back.

  “I am right.”

  She stared at the old woman’s lined face. It was easy to look past the wrinkles and gray hair and see the vibrancy in her eyes. Despite nearing ninety, she remained mentally sharp.

  “Where is your friend, Angie, and her family?”

  “An unexpected appointment came up.” Angie had called early this morning. She’d been talking so quickly and so excitedly that Charlotte had thought something was wrong with David. Finally Angie had calmed and explained that David’s pediatrician had another patient, a sixteen-year-old girl, who was pregnant and about to deliver. Would she and Malcolm consider adopting? Angie didn’t want anyone to know of the offer for fear it would fall through, but she and Malcolm were beyond excited about the idea of being parents again. Charlotte had been waiting for the text, which would tell her if the baby was a boy or a girl.

  “I’ve always liked the name Vivian for a girl,” Grandmother said. She raised a glass of red wine to her lips and sipped.

  Charlotte had not even told Daniel of this latest development. First the dreams and now the baby. What was it with this woman? “Excuse me?”

  “For the baby girl, I like the name Vivian.”

  “What baby?”

  Grandmother smiled and patted Charlotte on the shoulder. “The one Angie and Malcolm now await. It’s a girl.” She winked. “But I won’t tell just as they requested.”

  “Who told you?”

  “No one.”

  “Someone had to have told you.”

  She smiled. “I see your Daniel headed this way.”

  And before Charlotte could ask Grandmother another question, Daniel arrived, and she slipped away. He was dressed in a dark suit that fit the lines of his broad shoulders and trim waist so well. Faint lines around his dark eyes creased when he smiled down at her.