Deadliest Intuition

by E. Raye Turonek

  Gertrude gushed. “That sounds perfect. I’ll whip up something for breakfast. Thank you so much for understanding, Ronald.”

  “You don’t have to thank me, Gertrude. Compassion should be a simple courtesy.”

  Albeit it was wishful thinking on Ronald’s part, to Gertrude, his words rang true. “You’re wise beyond your years, Mr. Doolally.”

  You have no idea, Ronald thought as he leaned in to kiss her tenderly.

  * * *

  While Gertrude prepared to head home, Brenda couldn’t wait to tell her and Ronald what had happened when their phone call ended abruptly. She knew Ronald would be interested to know what they’d done. Plus, she had to make sure the same thing didn’t happen to Gertrude. Brenda pounded at the screen door, in addition to giving the doorbell a ringing or two. The second was what had sent Aunt May rushing to the door.

  She unlocked, then flung open the door. “What has gotten into you, girl? Ringing and pounding on my door like the authorities. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

  Aunt May’s brief tirade caused Brenda to feel the weight of her mistake instantly. But just as she went to profess her apologies, Aunt May opened the screen door, having spied the bruise at the top of Brenda’s skull along her hairline.

  “Some little knot-head boy laid hands on you, I see.”

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “Well, you come on inside here and let me know what it is I should think. Close and lock the door behind you. I don’t live in a barn,” the old woman demanded as she turned to head for her chair in front of the television.

  “Now, usually, I don’t do this. But since Gertrude isn’t home during your time of need, I’ll step in for a little while.” Aunt May pulled the remote from her robe, muting Ricki Lake, then inched her way down into her seat. The old woman grunted as she worked out the kinks in her aching bones. “So, tell me,” she said, finally getting comfortable, “who did that to your face?”

  “My cousin got mixed up with a group of bad people. Of course, me, being the older cousin, I went to pick her up. Set things straight. Let’s just say her so-called friends didn’t appreciate it.”

  “Oh, my Lord, you poor thing. Go on in the kitchen and get some ice for your head. The Ziploc bags are in the cupboard. Clean clothes are in the hallway closet. You’ve got to get that knot down.”

  Brenda got up to do as she’d been told. Granted, she was no Gertrude, but Aunt May’s age made her almost as good, if not better, to talk to. The girl clearly needed a shoulder to cry on—someone she could open up to about all that had transpired. Yet, Brenda remained apprehensive. She wasn’t sure how much of the story Gertrude would want her Aunt May privy to. The last thing she wanted to do was cause trouble or get Gertrude kicked out of her aunt’s house. Brenda had a feeling Aunt May wouldn’t appreciate her niece getting involved in Tiffany’s mess. I really need my friend right now, Brenda pouted as she searched the kitchen cupboard.

  That day, the authorities had finally decided to follow up on the damage to the party store. Detectives Barnes and Alanis went to check it out since no one else had bothered to follow up on the call. Nadi, the party store owner, had befriended Barnes some years back, so when no one showed up to take a statement, he called in a favor.

  “Nadi, my man,” Detective Barnes greeted the man behind the counter as he entered the store behind his partner, “how’s it going?”

  “Better, now that you two are here,” Nadi Salem replied with a goofy grin. Nadi was proud to say he had a good friend who worked on the police force. In his mind, it awarded him some sort of clout. It certainly boosted his ego, if nothing else.

  “So, what’s this I hear about vandals?”

  Nadi unlocked the door, then pushed it open, giving them access behind the counter. “Come on back. I’ll show you.

  “You can’t really get a good look at their faces on the tape, but I still wanted to make a report, just in case it happens again. I can’t have these kids vandalizing and robbing my store. I’ll never stay in business,” he vented.

  “I’m sorry this happened to you, Nadi. It’s a shame youngsters these days have no respect for property, their elders, or themselves if you ask me.”

  Detective Barnes reviewed the video along with his partner, then took the report. Like the owner had explained, you couldn’t get a clear view of the delinquents’ faces on camera, but the mere fact that they’d viewed it, and he was able to take his statement, gave Nadi the peace of mind he needed.

  His old pal promised to keep a lookout for any other cases that may come across his desk involving vandals. Mr. Salem held out hope that maybe someone would apprehend the hooligans the next time they decided to steal from hardworking citizens.

  Chapter 48

  Plotting His Demise

  Meanwhile, Tom obsessed about what pain he wanted to inflict on Ronald and how he would go about committing the act. Seeing Daryl there had thrown him a real curveball. Since the surprise encounter, Tom had remembered the little boy who’d come inside for a chocolate bar that fateful day long ago. He reasoned, maybe it was best Daryl had been killed, especially since he’d run into him again after all those years. The look on Daryl’s face told Tom he hadn’t blocked out the traumatic memory, like most. As he pondered in hindsight, things were looking up. Daryl was dead, and Tom wasn’t the one who’d pulled the trigger, which meant he was in the clear. The only person that knew of his despicable acts besides his victims was Ronald. Tom couldn’t, for the life of him, figure out how he knew what had happened all those years ago.

  Tom knew he had twice as much on Ronald than Ronald had on him. Hopefully, it would be enough to keep Ronald’s mouth shut. All he needed to do was talk to him one-on-one. He remained optimistic that he could sway the angered brother.

  Just as Ronald promised, he had gotten Gertrude home by three o’clock. She turned to her love as he made a right on to their street—her mind thanking him, while her body simultaneously craved him. Gertrude caught her bottom lip in her teeth. “I want you to know I had a wonderful time with you. The best I’ve ever had with anyone.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. And just so you know, I feel the same way.”

  It wasn’t the declaration of everlasting love she would have preferred, yet it was enough to keep her heart fluttering. In an instant, the look of lust plastered across her face turned to shock. “Is that Brenda’s car in the driveway?” she inquired, squinting to see if her eyes had deceived her.

  “It looks like it,” Ronald confirmed her query. “That’s a good sign, right?” he glanced her way, attempting to foretell what she was thinking.

  “Let’s hope everything is okay.”

  Once they got inside, Gertrude headed straight back toward the television room. “Aunt May,” the concerned niece called out for a response.

  Aunt May halted her niece’s cries as she popped up in the doorway. “Poor thing fell asleep.” The old woman tilted her head toward the couch, where Brenda lay fast asleep.

  “You’re back early. Is everything okay with you and Ronald? I was hoping we didn’t have to pay rent next month,” she joked.

  Gertrude’s eyes bucked. “Oh my God, Aunt May.” Her freckled cheeks blushed over. She couldn’t believe what her aunt had said. And with Ronald there behind her listening, Gertrude couldn’t help but be embarrassed.

  “Everything is fine, Aunt May. How are you?” Ronald peeked his head around the doorway, greeting the then-amused old woman.

  She had no idea Ronald was there in the house with them. Aunt May chuckled as she slapped at her knee. The commotion woke a startled Brenda from her much-needed nap.

  “What happened?” Brenda wiped the drool from her cheek, which had leaked from the edge of her mouth down onto the soft peach sofa cushion.

  “Brenda, what happened to your head?” Gertrude blurted, frowning with concern as she noticed the bruised lump atop her friend’s skull.

  “It’s a long story.” Brenda shook her he
ad in despair.

  Gertrude walked over, sitting down right beside her. She wrapped an arm around Brenda, caressing hers. “I’m here now, friend. You can tell me all about it.”

  The fact that her friend was there made Brenda feel better, even considering what questions remained unanswered. She lay her head on Gertrude’s shoulder, allowing herself to rest in the compassion her friend had shown.

  Gertrude looked up at Ronald as if to say, thank you for letting me be here for this. Just from the look on her face, he understood. The understanding also came with a crushing realization. The realization that Gertrude’s friends meant the world to her. What will I do if she finds out what I’ve done? Will she forgive me, or will I have to say goodbye to the love we’ve created? he feared. The same questions that had plagued him after he pushed Tiffany off that bridge plagued him then. Overwhelmed with worry, he felt the need to clear his head.

  “I should let you two talk. There are a few things I need to take care of. I’ll see you later.” Ronald kissed Gertrude atop her forehead, waved farewell to Aunt May and Brenda, then went on his way.

  There was no need to hear what Brenda would reveal. Ronald had already taken care of that. He had bigger fish to fry.

  At the top of his list was none other than Tom Swine. He thought, why put off until later what could be done then. He trekked up the block, then around the corner on his way to visit the old man. On the way there, he thought about not only all he’d done but also all Tom was capable of. The old man wanted him dead; that was clear to Ronald. To make matters worse, he knew Ronald’s secret about Daryl, Joey, and the cabin. There was no way in hell he was going to let him live.

  He cut through the alley behind the houses, traveling it the rest of the way there. The fewer people that saw him, the better. Once Ronald got to Tom’s backyard, he hopped the fence to get to the back door.

  “Kick the door down, brother,” Cecilia egged her twin brother on.

  Ronald charged up the porch stairs. The heel of his boot crashed into the wooden structure, blasting it open and tearing the molding from the door frame, all with one swift kick. Natural light showed his way through the house. It looked exactly as he had seen it in his recollection, within the terrible memories Cecilia had shared with him. The brown shag carpeting felt soft under his feet as he crossed over into the dining room. He recognized the bobblehead dolls that decorated the bookshelf. To his disgust, right there on the table was a Ziploc bag full of Tootsie Rolls. He swallowed the lump of anger lodged in his throat.

  From Cecelia’s eyes, tears streamed down her pale, freckled cheeks. “He isn’t here,” her apparition spoke.

  He’s close, Ronald surmised, continuing to take in his surroundings.

  Chapter 49

  Caught Unaware

  Around the corner, Brenda poured her heart out to Gertrude about how she felt regarding everything that had happened. Brenda explained how she thought Tiffany was as good as dead. She admitted how she feared they’d probably sold her to the highest bidder. Brenda knew her cousin would never submit to a life of slavery. Tiffany would rather die. For Brenda, saying it aloud solidified the notion.

  Her own life had fallen completely apart since her cousin’s disappearance, and Brenda wasn’t sure if she could handle the mental stress that weighed down on her. On top of all that, being snatched in her own driveway had her frightened to be alone. For the first time, Brenda didn’t know how to deal with her situation. “What if they come back for me?” the teary-eyed woman inquired as if Gertrude had the answer to her prayers.

  “I thought you said that the police raided the house. I’m sure they’re searching for them. They won’t let them get away with this.”

  “I can’t depend on them to protect me. Detroit is a big place, and I’m sure the police have more important things to do,” Brenda sulked.

  “Why don’t we go by your house and get some clothes? I’m sure Aunt May will let you stay here for a while. Come on. Please don’t cry. Let’s get your stuff. I promise I won’t leave you,” Gertrude said, hoping to stop her friend from weeping.

  “Promise?” Brenda looked at Gertrude for reassurance.

  “I got you, girl. Don’t worry about it.”

  Brenda took Gertrude as a woman of her word, agreeing to what she had proposed. She prayed staying there would give her the emotional support she would need to make it through the entire ordeal.

  Brenda pulled into her driveway, then sat there for a moment, afraid to go inside. “What if they’re in there waiting for me?”

  “You have a burglar alarm. Wouldn’t it have gone off?” Gertrude quickly banished the theory.

  “I guess you’re right.” Brenda shut off the car, not taking her eyes from the house. She looked for any movement she could spy through the windows, any bulge in the curtains she could spot. Thankfully, there was nothing. “Okay. I’m ready.”

  The women got out of the car to head inside. Lavender-scented potpourri pervaded Brenda’s abode, placed strategically in decorative bowls around the house. As Gertrude expected, it was quiet except for the alarm that had sounded off, beckoning for her to enter the correct code. Although there wasn’t a soul in the house beyond the two of them, Gertrude shivered due to the eerie feeling that washed over her just being in there. Even so, she had to be present for her friend in her time of need.

  “Go get your clothes. I’ll wait down here.” Gertrude closed, then locked the side door behind them. “By the way, do you have any bottled waters?” she added, heading for the fridge to see for herself.

  “Check the refrigerator. There should be plenty. Tiffany hasn’t been by to clean me out.” The epiphany caused her to smile at first. Then it almost instantly waned once she had considered why it was so. The pain of not having Tiffany there felt as if it would never subside. Not knowing her cousin’s fate was destroying her piece by piece. The lump in her throat felt impossible to swallow. Yet, she had to go on. She knew Tiffany wouldn’t want her just to give up.

  Brenda tackled the stairs by twos to get to her bedroom, feeling the sooner she gathered her belongings, the sooner she could get back downstairs to Gertrude. More than anything, she preferred not being alone. The fact that Aunt May was willing to open her house up to a stranger spoke about the compassion she harbored for her fellow man. Brenda was Gertrude’s friend and all, but to be honest, it wasn’t as if they’d been friends for years. Aunt May put her trust in the fact that her niece had always been a great judge of character.

  Gertrude opened the fridge, ready to quench her thirst. To her dismay, not one water remained. “Girl, you don’t have a single water in here,” she yelled so that Brenda could hear.

  “Check the fridge in the garage.”

  “The garage? Oh, she has extra fridges. Doing it big, I see,” Gertrude remarked as she walked out the side door to make it to the garage. She glanced left, then right. Not a soul in sight, except for the little boy riding his bike down the street, cards clicking in the spokes of his back tire. If it’s safe enough for him, I’m sure it’s safe enough for me, she thought, brushing off all nuances of fear as she moseyed on back.

  Gertrude twisted the small brass knob, then crossed the threshold into the garage. A thin hanging chain near the center of the dark space brushed against her face as she navigated her way through. Click. She pulled the string, illuminating her surroundings. It was by no means a man’s garage, but Brenda had almost everything she needed. Those she deemed essential were inside, including a power drill for hanging wall decor, a lawn mower, and a snowblower to ensure she could maintain her yard. Even a barbeque grill for nights Brenda preferred eating al fresco. Her father had always taught her never to depend on a man for the small things.

  Gertrude darted over to the refrigerator, pulled it open, then reached in to retrieve water from the twenty-four-pack sitting front and center.

  She snatched it up. “Got it.” At which point, she turned to go back inside, colliding with the barrier in front of her.
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  “Gotcha,” Tom replied before bending over to retrieve the water bottle that had fallen onto the cement slab under their feet. He handed it over to the speechless young lady.

  “I believe this belongs to you.”

  Gertrude accepted it, not yet having caught on to his ill intentions. “Tom? What are you doing here?” she brandished a confused expression.

  The old man pressed his finger to his lips, silencing her. “Quiet now. They’ll hear you.”

  “What are you talking about? Who will hear me?”

  “Anyone that can help,” he answered, then grabbed her by the arm, spinning her around. He jammed his pistol into her side to convince her to behave.

  Not at all convinced, Gertrude dropped the water bottle, then tried breaking away.

  But Tom had a tight grip on her arm. “I wouldn’t make any sudden moves if I were you, darling,” he whispered into her ear, his hot breath warming the side of her neck. “Let’s just get to my car.”

  “Why are you doing this?” she protested.

  “We’ll discuss that later. Just move your ass.”

  Moments later, Brenda rushed out the side door, noticing the garage door ajar. “Gertrude! Girl, I thought you said a water—not the case.” Once she stepped into the garage, her face instantly drained of hope as she spied the water bottle there on the ground. “Oh my God.” She covered her gaping mouth with her hands. “Gertrude!” she shrieked, stepping back out into the yard. Brenda did a 360-degree turn. Still, no Gertrude. She was gone, and Brenda had found herself once again all alone as the sun made its descent.

  It was getting dark. She couldn’t help but feel frightened. Brenda had to get out of there and fast. She locked up the house, then jumped into her vehicle, on her way to find the only person she thought could help.

  Chapter 50

  His Worst Fear

  At the time, Ronald was busily canvassing the neighborhood with the hood of his jacket over his head. He had to sneak up on Tom if he were going to catch him. A car zoomed by, traveling the block just ahead of the persistent young man as he rounded a corner. The car looked familiar. In fact, much like Brenda’s from what Ronald could tell from afar. His footsteps after that had become more deliberate. Something wasn’t right. Ronald could sense it in his bones. As he rounded the next corner on Gable, he saw what his mind had already confirmed. It was Brenda, pacing the porch and pounding at his front door.