The visions of Roger pointing his gun at Leo fueled her anger once more; she forced the vision of Leo lying in a pool of blood out of her mind, to move forward slowly, staying as close to the wall as possible. When she came to the clear floor, Elizabeth dropped down to her stomach to peak down into the kitchen. Seeing nothing below, she pulled herself onto her knees. Knowing that the quickest way across the dangerous expanse was to run across it, exposing her to the downstairs. Keeping her body hunched, she watched and listened for any sort of movement while building up her courage.
Elizabeth took in one last breath, swerving as she ran across the clear expansion, her eyes kept straightforward. Her bare feet made a soft patter against the hard floor as she mentally tried to make herself lighter to control how hard they hit against the floor. Stopping when she got to the other side her breathe an exasperated gasp, having unknowingly held it as she dashed a-crossed the expanse of flooring.
The silence within the house filled Elizabeth’s numb mind, louder than any noise could. She turned in confusion, to look around, stepping quietly to the banister to peek over the edge, the quietness eerie. She walked over to the steps, her feet hesitant as she stepped down, afraid of what she would find. She paused midway when she heard the sound of a door opening in the back of the house. She began stepping quickly backwards up the steps when the sounds of footsteps were moving swiftly to where she stood. Her heart raced when she stepped back into the shadows of the loft, the gun heavy in her hand.
Relief filled her when she saw Leo race past her to where she had been when the shots started. She stepped out of the shadows to stop him, pausing for a moment as an irrational thought filled her. Wondering if he is only a shadow of smoke and mirrors designed to drive her mad, her mind playing games. Her voice was hesitant and hoarse as she called out to him in a loud whisper, her body tense as she saw him stop in mid step, her heart in her throat as he slowly turned around.
Tears blurred her vision as she stared at him, afraid to move in fear that he would vanish. She brushed aside her tears, his green eyes were unreadable and unsure, Elizabeth stepped towards him, Roger forgotten for a moment as her tension left her, her mind not quite grasping the sight of him as she rushed the rest of the way to him. Her hands shook as she felt warm fingers take the heavy gun out of her numb fingers.
Elizabeth reached up her hands to touch his face, the stubble on it coarse and real, her thumbs brushing his warm lips. She found herself unable to grasp for a moment that he is not an illusion created by her own grief-stricken mind, the vision of him lying in a pool of blood real to her, just as him standing now in front of her.
Crying out as her mind finally accepted the reality of the moment, Elizabeth was filled with an unbelievable joy. The moment quickly ended as an apprehension engulfed her while she looked into his eyes. His eyes had turned an emerald green, void of emotions. He stood stoically in front of her, his body tense and unforgiving, his jaw clenched.
She could sense his anger, which rippled through the air, stifling her breath, terrifying her. Her breath came out in a sharp hesitant gasp when she lifted herself up onto her toes, to encircle his face with her trembling fingers, her eyes never leaving his. She wanted to erase his anger. She needed to replace her doubt of what she knew. As she leaned forward, her lips brushed his face in a soft caress, kissing his face where she could.
Tears blended with her lips as she begged him to touch her. Joy filled her when she felt the tension leave his body; his fingers wove into her hair as he slanted his head. His lips and hands cruel at first as he pulled her tightly against him. Elizabeth cried out when pain shot through her bruised jaw. His grip loosened as he whispered an apology as he softened the kissed her bruised jaw.
The contact ended as quickly as it started when he pulled back from her. Elizabeth cried out in sorrow for his touch. His green eyes darken as they scan her body his hands quickly followed, making her turn in a circle for him. Feeling strangely exposed, reaching for his hands to stop his frantic searching of her body.
Roger came back to mind, as she looked over Leo’s shoulder to the stairs, her voice soft, “Did you get him?”
Leo pulled her back into his arms, before he replied. His voice full of anger and concern, “Damn it, Elizabeth, what were you thinking?”
Fighting his embrace, she stepped back out of his arm. Her eyes swept the room as she asked again more firmly. “Did you get him?”
Anger passed across his face, as he replied, “No.”
“No,” Elizabeth said, shock and fear coursed through her as she looked around. “What do you mean, no?” The fear of Roger lurking just around the corner made her adrenalin race as she stepped around Leo to rush towards the stairs, her voice harsh and accusing, “How could you just let him go?”
Leo’s voice rose, as his hand took a hold of Elizabeth’s bruised arm, then released it with her sharp outcry of pain, “I didn’t just let him go. He got away because I was more worried about you than him. And if you would have listened to me and done as I told you, maybe he wouldn’t have gotten away.”
Elizabeth felt her anger rise, to match his, “If I did as you told me, then you most likely wouldn’t be standing in front of me.”
His jaw clenched as Elizabeth saw him attempt to get his emotions under control. “I can take care of myself. And when I ask you to do something I expect you to do it.”
Elizabeth stepped back, her anger enveloped her as she replied sarcastically, “Oh. I’m sorry, mister macho man. Didn’t know that I must do as you say, jump at your every command.” Leo opened his mouth to reply, as Elizabeth stopped him impatiently. “Let me continue. I refused to be hidden, protected, as that monster kills someone else I care for. When I could have done something about it.”
“Elizabeth…”
She lifted her hand to his lips to stop him his words. “Let me finish.” She said impatiently, “Yes, I know, as a child, I could not have done much. But do you know what it was like as a child watching....” Elizabeth felt her throat close in at the memory. “Watching, from where my mother hid me? Watching as that monster beat her savagely? The whole time taunting me to come out as I watched from that small, dark little box, curled in a ball of terror. Looking out through my little hole, window, in the cabinet as his lips curled in sadistic pleasure. Knowing he was enjoying watching my mother’s life drain from her. Not being able to do anything because I had made a vow to her I wouldn’t…” tears softened her words. “and my mother lying on that cold floor, her eyes pleading for me to stay hidden, as her blood flowed slowly away from her…”, Elizabeth flinched involuntarily at the feel of Leo’s hand on her face, brushing away the tears. She pulled herself back from the memory, to look back up into Leo eyes, which have abated to a soft green. Her voice surprisingly strong, “So, I’m sorry I couldn’t just hide as I had visions of what happened to my mother happening to you.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I had no idea. But you have to see it from my point also. I don’t want what happened to your mother happening to you either. As I said, I can take care of myself. And I wouldn’t be able to do that if I’m constantly worrying about you.”
Elizabeth threw his hands off as she stepped back in anger. “Well, it sure didn’t look like that, when I saw Roger pointing a gun straight at your head.”
Leo paused at the words; a look of disbelief crossed his face, then resignation. “Ok. Let’s agree to disagree for now. What we need to do right now is figure out why Roger would take such a chance as to break in here tonight. Do you know what would make him do it?”
Elizabeth reached up to rub the charm and key between her thumb and middle finger. Pondering, what she should say. Then, realizing she was falling into her same distrusting attitude that she had vowed she would change, she looked up at Leo as she held up the necklace, “I believe this is what he was looking for.”
Leo stepped forward to examine the items, his eyebrows
curving down in interest. “This looks like a safety deposit key.”
“It is. It was one of the items I found buried under the Weeping Willow.”
“Why didn’t you show me this earlier?”
Elizabeth exhaled in exasperation, “It wasn’t the top thing on my mind.”
A frown marred Leo’s face as he pulled her back into his arms. “I’m sorry, baby. I know it wasn’t.”
She let his arms hold her securely, her thoughts wandering once more. Apprehension started to settle back around her as she wondered where Roger was. “Leo, what happened to Roger?” Elizabeth asked, his body stiffened against hers with the question. “Do you think he could have doubled back?” Her heart fluttered with the thought, her voice dropping to a whisper, “He could be lurking downstairs right now. Listening to us, waiting for just the right moment.”
A sigh escaped Leo as he stepped back, “Elizabeth, calm down. He isn’t downstairs. If you want to know the truth I’m not worried about him right now.”
“Well, you should be. If he was able to break in here once, then there is nothing preventing him from breaking in again. You don’t know him as well as I do.”
Leo’s reply laced with patience. “He hasn’t broken back in.”
Elizabeth shook her head at his arrogance, her steps determined as she walked over to where Leo had set her gun, she picked it up and checked the safety. Her voice hard, just above a whisper, “Well, you may be confident. But I’m not. I’m going to find out if that bastard is downstairs. And if he is I’m going to finish this for once and for all.”
Leo stepped in front of Elizabeth preventing her from going further, his hand taking the gun once more. “Elizabeth, this is what I was talking about. You can’t just walk right off half cocked without knowing what you are walking into. We need to play this smart. He has been hiding under the radar for quite a while, so he knows....” Leo paused as he looked off, as if a thought had suddenly come to him, his words distant as he continued. His words soft and absent, “He knows how to sit and wait. He’s always been the one in control. But by this time, he must be getting impatient with the game. That is why he is taking these risks.” He turned back to Elizabeth, his smile all of a sudden reassuring. “Don’t worry, baby. This time we will be prepared. I was trying to figure out earlier why he would take the risk of breaking in when you’re obviously not alone. That is the reason. He is tired of the game and is getting reckless. But don’t worry. I won’t let him get this close twice. I’ve put extra security on the house, so that should give us time and warning if he attempts this again.”
“Extra security? What do you mean?” Elizabeth asked in confusion.
“I have activated the various warning systems around the perimeter of the house.” Leo said in an off hand manner.
Elizabeth watched him as she tried to figure out why he would have such an elaborate setup, wondering what she really knew about him. “Leo, why would you have such a set up? Is there something about you I should know?” She asked in confusion, and then continued before he could reply. “ As far as I know, most people don’t have elaborate security systems on their property, and your vehicles. How can you afford your vehicles? I know I don’t know any private investigators besides you. But, I’m pretty sure most of them can’t afford Hummers and Jaguars.”
Leo laughed at her flow of words. “I told you I’m paid well for my services.”
“I know you told me that. But who the hell is hiring you? Who can pay you this well?”
“Wealthy individuals who want work done besides husband or wife watching. I’m hired for more delicate work. Work that can’t be done by the authorities.”
Elizabeth stepped back at his words, her heart in her throat and wondering if she has fallen into the same pattern her mother fell into, falling for criminals and thugs. Trying to calm down, before she made an assumption that was not correct, she asked casually, “What sort of delicate work?”
Leo’s eyes lit up as he stepped closer to her, his finger skimmed her hairline as he looked into her eyes. “Don’t worry baby. It’s not what you’re thinking.”
Elizabeth brushed his hand aside, angry that he could read her so well. “How do you know what I’m thinking?”
“Because you’re not very good at hiding your feelings. And that is one thing I love about you.” His voice dropped down to a whisper as he leaned down to brush his lips against her ear, sending chills down Elizabeth’s spine. “I’m not a criminal, if that is what you were thinking.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes; in an attempt to get back what little composure she had left. She pushed him away in an attempt to give herself some space so she could think. Frustrated, “Please. Don’t patronize me. Just answer the question.”
“As I told you when I first met you, I’m a very expensive private investigator. My clientele hire me for my discretion. But, unfortunately, this delicate work has also made me a few enemies along the way.”
Elizabeth sat down to gather her thoughts, a feeling of guilt, for questioning him, filled her when all he had ever done was attempt to help her, angry that she seemed to be doing everything wrong lately and distancing herself from everyone trying to help. “I’m sorry for not trusting you. I know you are only trying to help. And all I can do is find some reason not to trust you.” She laughed absently as she felt tears gather in frustration. “I’m surprised you haven’t run for the hills yet. Hell, I want to run for the hills. And I’m pretty sure that you never expected all this bullshit when you first met me and I asked for your help.” Elizabeth responded, brushing away the tears.
Elizabeth looked around. The phone lying on the table caught her eyes, triggering a faint memory of waking to Leo talking into it, her name clearly mentioned and when she had tried to get an answer then, he had distracted her. Elizabeth cursed when her distrust reared its ugly head once more, knowing she wouldn’t be able to fully trust Leo with her story if she didn’t get her answer. She sighed in resignation; she looked back over to him watching her. A small smile curved her lips as she raised her eyebrows in embarrassment. She lifted her hand, to pinch the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger. “But I have one more little question. And I promise I’ll try and be more.... open.”
Leo chuckled at her. “Elizabeth, don’t worry. I don’t expect you to trust me unconditionally with all that you have gone through. You can always ask me anything. And I promise I’ll try not to hide anything more from you.”
“Ok. Well... the night... I woke up to you talking on the phone. And I know I heard you mention my name. Then when I asked you about it....” Elizabeth grew warm in embarrassment and pleasure as she remembered what happened then. “Well, let’s just say we never finished the conversation. But for my own sanity, I need to know if it was about me and who you were talking to?”
A puzzled look crossed his face, before his face registered what she was talking about. “Oh that. I had called an old Navy friend who has access to information that is not easily available. I was hoping he could do some digging for me on your past.”
“Why wouldn’t you tell me that at the time?” She threw up her hands in frustration. “You see this is what is upsetting me...” Elizabeth stopped in mid sentence as she realized what she was doing. She lifted her hand up in apology. “You know what. Let’s start over. You were wondering why Roger would break in and take such a risk. Well, I believe I might have that answer,” Elizabeth said as she leaned back on the chair, to look up at Leo, “When I found the key, a letter from my mother accompanied it. It stated where the safety deposit box was and what was needed to get into it.”
“And Roger has this letter?” Leo asked matter of fact manner.
Elizabeth chuckled, her eyebrows raised. “Very good. I bet that is why you are the private detective,” she said with playful sarcasm. “Anyway, I believe that is why Roger has broken in. To get this little item dangling from my ne
ck, because it is, literally, the key to all the secrets, which, according to my mother, can put Roger away for a very long time. She didn’t say for sure what was in the box, but she insinuated that it would protect me.”
“So where did the letter say the box is?”
“In a bank in New York city,” Elizabeth said with a sigh. “I was hoping to get a ticket there tomorrow. I don’t want to wait any longer than that with Roger hot on my heels.”
“No. No. I don’t blame you. You’re right for wanting to take care of this so soon. I’ll call a friend who has his own jet, and see if he can possibly fly us there first thing in the morning, if you like,” Leo said as he took Elizabeth’s chilled hands into his.
Elizabeth laughed to think that he would have such a resource at hand, but what did she expect, he was full of surprises at every turn. “That would be great.”
“Good. Now what else did the letter say?” He asked, his voice back to business.
Elizabeth stepped away, knowing he didn’t need to know everything in the letter just the essentials to proceed. She cleared her throat as she sat down to fill him in on what she felt he needed to know for them to move forward, only omitting what she felt was too personal to reveal to anyone at this time.
Chapter 41
The plane ride from New Orleans to New York was uneventful for the most part, in spite of flying in a small antique plane, which Leo had failed to mention was the size of a shoebox with wings. Then, hitting an unexpected spring storm midway to New York, which created large air pockets, which had tossed them around like dice in a Sorry game. Topping it all off, when they finally did land in New York, the spring storm had laid down a good six inches of new snow blanketing the runway in a slick layer of white. Jeff, the kamikaze pilot and owner of the little shoebox, fish tailed the plane down the runway as he yelled over his shoulder, “It’s all right folks. Got it all under control.” Doing nothing to calm Elizabeth’S nerves which were already as tight as violin strings.
Secrets of the Weeping Willow Page 29