by E. E. Borton
“I’m sorry,” said Abby. “You scared me.”
“It’s okay,” said Chief. “It sounds like they’re getting started downstairs, huh?”
“I guess,” said Abby. “But I don’t know for sure since I’m not allowed down there.”
“Come on, Abby. You know why.”
“No, Chief, I don’t. I want to see the pain and suffering on his face just as much as anyone else here.”
“You won’t understand it.”
“What does that mean?” asked Abby. “I don’t care if he dies, and I hope it takes a very long time for it to happen. For once, someone is getting what he deserves.”
“If you go down there and see what they’re doing to him, you’ll never look at your sister the same way again,” said Chief. “The part you won’t understand is how Kate could be so cruel. Even if that other human being is more of a monster than a man; even if that man did unspeakable things to her and murdered your nephew, you’ll still only see a man being tortured.”
“I can’t believe you’re saying that to me,” said Abby, glaring at Chief. “You’re making it sound like I’ll feel sorry for him. How could you even think that?”
“Because it didn’t happen to you,” said Chief, ignoring the glare. “That’s why most people will never understand what she’s doing to him unless they were a victim. If a cop walked in down there, he’d arrest Kate and let Diego go free. But Sheriff Doyle walked down there, beat the shit out of him, and walked out again. If Kate walked into a hospital and asked a doctor to help her torture a man, he’d be calling the same cops to arrest her. But a doctor is down there helping her.”
“But we’re helping her, too,” said Abby. “We’re victims.”
The screaming from downstairs ended.
“You were affected more than most, but he didn’t kill your son in front of you. He didn’t rape you and leave you for dead. There’s a difference, Abby. And that difference is why you can’t go down there.
“The difference is also the reason why Grey and I aren’t turning him over to face a jury of his so-called peers,” said Chief, driving home his point. “Because the twelve people sitting on that jury aren’t the victim. They just see photos and hear about what he did. They didn’t experience it. They have no fucking clue what Kate went through. And if a defense attorney shows them one single flaw in the investigation, they’ll let that freak walk out of the courtroom. You watch the news. How many times has a guy like Diego walked out a free man because the glove didn’t fit or the prosecution failed to present a solid case?”
“Too many,” said Abby. “I get what you’re saying, Chief. But I want to see him suffer with my own eyes.”
“I know you do,” said Chief. “So do I, but Evan and I aren’t down there either. We’re not because we’re not victims. I don’t belong down there and neither do you.”
“And Grey?”
“He’s there to make sure Kate stays safe,” said Chief. “But he’s also there because he’s strong enough to let her finish.”
“You would stop her?”
“Oh, hell no,” said Chief. “I’d kill him too fast.”
“Chief,” said Abby, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Is she going to be okay after this?”
“You see, now, there’s where the rest of us come in,” said Chief, returning the hug and then putting his hands on her shoulders. “I have no idea what’s going to happen after. But what I do know is that we’ll all be here to help her figure it out. Especially you, pretty lady. She’s really gonna need you, okay?”
“Okay.”
Dr. Singer and Grey turned the unconscious patient onto his back. Kate sat in her chair as they moved one of the carts closer to Diego’s head. The excruciating pain that caused him to pass out was just the beginning.
“He went out a little faster than I anticipated,” said Dr. Singer. “But he felt all of that before he did. I’m going to need to prep him and put a tube down into his lungs to breath for him. The procedures after that may take me ten or twelve hours. He’ll be awake, but paralyzed. If you two need to get some rest, now is the time.”
“He’ll feel everything you’re doing?” asked Kate.
“Most of it,” replied Dr. Singer.
“If a video of what you just did ended up on the internet, I don’t think another woman would ever be raped again,” said Grey.
“Let’s leave him to his work,” said Kate. “We need to take care of a few things before tomorrow.”
“Okay,” replied Grey. “Are you sure you don’t need anyone down here with you, Doc? I know Chief wouldn’t have a problem assisting or just keeping you company.”
“No,” said Dr. Singer. “I appreciate the offer, but I’d like some alone time with my new friend. He’s not going anywhere.”
Kate and Grey left the room and headed upstairs to give instructions to Evan and Abby. Dr. Singer closed the door behind them. He pushed another cocktail of drugs through Diego’s IV. A few seconds later, his eyes flew open, followed by short, panicked breaths.
“Don’t worry, the pain will ease up a bit in a minute,” said Dr. Singer as he drew a fresh syringe. “The cool part is now you get to watch.”
The effects of the paralytic coursing through his veins caused his breathing to stop. The only working muscle in his body was his heart. Dr. Singer moved to the head of the table and inserted a plastic breathing tube down into his throat. The ventilator sprang to life and filled his lungs with lifesaving oxygen. After ten minutes of preparation, Diego felt the pressure and pain of Dr. Singer placing a device to gain access to the organ. Fully conscious, but paralyzed, Diego could only watch as the scalpel hovered over his left eye.
“Let me know if this hurts.”
44
Mirror, Mirror
DR. SINGER TOOK ONLY ONE break during the ten-hour marathon procedure. He was unaware that the room was still equipped with a video camera and microphone. Chief stayed up most of the night watching over the doctor from the monitor in the War Room. He was impressed with his stamina, but more impressed with his interaction with Diego. The doctor spoke for hours about his wife and family.
He told the killer how they were high school sweethearts. They went to the same college and were married six months after graduation. His wife became pregnant with their first child in his second year of medical school. He talked about the sacrifices she made that allowed him to continue his studies and become a doctor. She gave him two more children and was the glue that held the family together. The first time he broke down was when he told Diego he was two years away from retiring and buying her that beach house in the Keys. It was a dream they had shared since they day he proposed. His wife was loved by many and spent her entire life wearing a smile even on days when most would cry. She was his best friend.
The rest of the house managed a few hours of sleep, but were up early to begin their day. As the sun broke over the horizon, Evan was at the marina filling the fuel tanks of the boat. Grey was on his morning run, preparing himself mentally for the finale to come at sunset. Abby was standing outside her sister’s room with her ear pressed to the door. When she thought she heard movement inside, she knocked.
“Come in,” said Kate.
“Did I wake you?” asked Abby, seeing her sister sitting up in bed.
“No, I’ve been up for a while.”
“Can we talk for a minute?”
“Sure.”
Abby walked inside and climbed into the bed with Kate. She put her head on her shoulder and wrapped her arm around her. Kate responded by brushing the hair away from her face.
“I want you to promise me something,” said Abby, looking up at her.
“That depends.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I,” said Kate, looking down at her.
“It has nothing to do with what’s going to happen today,” said Abby, sensing Kate becoming defensive. “It has to do with after.”
“Okay,” said Kate, backing
down.
“I’ve been doing some research and found a group in town I want you to visit,” said Abby, trying to look stern. “They come highly recommended. It’s a victim of violent crimes group, and before you argue with me, I’m only asking that you go once. That’s it. I’ll even go with you, but I want you to go at least once.”
Kate narrowed her eyes at her sister, but it was accompanied by a smile. “Okay, I’ll go. But I’d rather go alone. You can drive me and we’ll go have dinner after.”
Abby’s face lit up as if she was a child, turning the corner on Christmas morning. She’d expected much more of an argument from Kate. But most of the smile was thinking about the two of them sitting down in a restaurant for dinner. It proved to her Kate was at thinking about a future.
“I’ll even let you pick the restaurant,” said Abby.
“You don’t have a choice after the last place you took me,” said Kate. “That was the nastiest stuff I ever put in my mouth.”
“It was bad,” said Abby, laughing.
“Now you have to make me a promise,” said Kate.
“Sure. Anything.”
“You never ask me about this day.”
The smile left Abby’s face. “I promise. I just want it to be over.”
“So do I, baby sister.”
There was another knock at the door. It was the message Kate had been waiting for since waking up. Grey returned from his run and let her know they were ready downstairs. Dr. Singer was standing in the doorway when they went down.
“How are you?” asked Kate, reaching out and touching his arm. “You look tired.”
“I’m fine,” said Dr. Singer. “Everything went according to plan. He’s a little groggy, but I’m sure he’ll perk up when you start. I’ll need some help getting him back in the chair.”
“I’m your guy,” said Grey.
“That’s not what I meant,” said Kate. “How do you feel?”
Dr. Singer paused for a moment before he answered. “My wife is still dead and nothing I do to him will change that, but I enjoyed every second with him. If you’re asking me if I regret what I’ve done, the answer is absolutely not. He deserves worse, but the only place that will happen is hell.”
“Are you ready for this, Kate?” asked Grey.
“I am.”
They walked into the room to find Diego lying down, still strapped to the table. There were smears of blood along its sides and on the floor. They couldn’t see the full effects until they were standing over him. They both stared in astonishment.
“He’s alive?” asked Grey, unable to take his eyes off Diego.
“He is,” said Dr. Singer. “And awake, but he won’t be either for long. You need to move him soon – no later than this afternoon. The IVs are the only thing preventing him from going into shock.”
Grey and the doctor removed the restraints – there was no need for them anymore. They placed him in the chair and reapplied the duct tape so he couldn’t stand. Kate sat in front on him and held a large mirror face down in her lap.
“Diego,” said Kate, loud enough to get his attention. “Look at me.” He raised his drowsy head and stared at her.
“He’s done,” said Kate. “Thinking back, it may not have been a good idea to kill the wife of a surgeon. Wouldn’t you agree?”
She lifted the mirror so Diego could see his reflection. He started to breathe heavy and moaned while trying to open his mouth. The words couldn’t pass the sutures sealing his lips together.
“You already told me your last words,” said Kate. “I didn’t see a need for you to say anything more.”
She lowered the mirror to show her face to him. “You failed at taking my life, but you did take my eye, my finger, and left me with these scars. Do you remember, Diego? Do you remember the night you came into my home and took everything from me?”
Diego looked up at Kate, but then focused again at the image in the mirror. He knew the reflection was his. What confused him is that he didn’t recognize the face. Diego moaned again when he saw his left eye looking back at him from a specimen jar sitting on the table. Beside the jar were his hands.
“That was a bit of a technical issue,” said Kate. “It was easier and faster for him to just take your hands instead of removing each of your fingers. Either way, you’ll never be putting them on me or anyone else again. I’ll be sending those items to your grandfather.”
His breathing slowed as he stared into the mirror. Along with his left eye, Dr. Singer had removed the left lid to expose the empty socket. He also removed all the skin from his face, starting at his chin and ending at his hairline.
“You took my eye, so we took yours,” continued Kate. “You cut on my face, so we cut on yours.”
She placed the mirror on a stand beside her on the table. Kate checked the angle to make sure he could see himself. She turned and leaned in close to him.
“What you see in the mirror is what you did to me. It’s what I see every morning when I wake up and every night before I go to sleep. They gave me an acrylic eye and sewed my skin together, but in my mind, I look just like you do now. It doesn’t matter how many surgeries I go through to try to erase what you did; I will always see myself looking like you.”
“I want to be alone with him now,” said Kate, turning to Grey. “He can’t hurt me anymore. I won’t be long.”
“I think you look fantastic,” said Grey, hovering over Diego. “The ladies are gonna love it.”
Grey left Kate and Diego alone in the room. In the killer’s condition, he felt comfortable enough to watch them from the monitor in the War Room. When he arrived upstairs, he found Chief glued to the screen.
“I don’t want Abby to see that,” said Grey, looking around for her.
“I don’t, either,” replied Chief. “She’s down at the dock with Evan. Are you sure it’s okay to leave Kate alone with him?”
“Yeah, he’s still tied to the chair. I don’t think we have to worry about him pulling off the tape.”
“You know, I can see where setting his ass on fire would deter rape,” said Chief. “But if the scumbags of the world saw what happened to our friend down there, all crime rates would drop into the basement.”
“Very true,” said Grey. “No doubt I’m gonna have a few nightmares after seeing that, but I can’t imagine what’s going on in Kate’s head.”
“Be glad that you don’t,” said Chief.
Kate leaned in even closer to Diego. It caused Grey and Chief to stop talking and focus on her movements. She knew there was a microphone still in the room. What she had to say was for Diego only.
“Now you know what it feels like to be me,” whispered Kate. “Is it everything you thought it would be? How does it feel, knowing you’re going to die and there’s nothing you can do to stop it? Who owns who now, Diego?”
The monitor went black as Chief pressed the power button on the remote. Grey turned his head to see Abby and Evan walking toward the back door. Abby looked confused when she walked inside.
“Where’s Kate?”
“She’s downstairs,” said Grey. “She wanted a few minutes alone with him.”
“Have you lost your mind!” said Abby. “You left her alone with him?”
“He can’t touch her, Abby,” said Chief. “Trust me when I say he literally can’t touch her.”
“I don’t care. You can’t leave her alone, Grey. Not today. Not for a minute. You don’t understand her. I do.”
“What are you worried about?” asked Grey, matching her confused look.
“I’m worried about what she’s going to do after,” said Abby. “Caleb was her life. The only reason she’s been fighting to live is to punish the man that hurt him.”
“Are you saying you think she’s going to kill herself after she kills him?” asked Chief.
“I don’t know,” replied Abby as her eyes became glassy. “But someone needs to stay with her to make sure. She won’t let me near him, so it has to be you, Grey.”
“Okay, Abby,” said Grey, feeling her anxiety. “I’ll stay with her.”
“Thank you.”
Grey walked downstairs to find Kate a few inches from Diego, whispering into his ear. He walked around the table to make sure only Diego could see him. Kate felt the presence of someone else in the room and turned to look. Grey could see tears streaming down her face when she did.
“Is everything ready?” asked Kate, trying to regain her composure.
“Yeah. Evan just tied the boat to the dock. We can leave anytime.”
“We’ll wait a few more hours,” said Kate. “I want to give Diego a little more time with the mirror. Just make sure we’re there by sunset.”
45
Black
CHIEF WAS AT THE BOAT dock preparing the ramp. Evan was hammering away and putting the finishing touches on the crate he had started the night before. Kate entered the kitchen to find Abby sitting on the counter with a cup of coffee. The sisters gave each other wide grins.
“Will you help me with something?” asked Kate. “I’ve wanted to do this since I bought the house.”
“Sure.”
Kate took Abby by the hand and pulled her off the counter, causing her to spill her hot drink. She laughed as she continued to pull her up the stairs. Abby was surprised at her sister’s strength and speed, but the only thing she cared about was that Kate was laughing. They skipped the last stair to the top floor.
“You start at the other end,” said Kate, holding her smile. “Open the curtains and windows in every room. I want this house flooded with light and fresh air.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Abby with tears welling in her eyes.
It was the first time the rooms had been exposed to sunlight and the cooling breeze coming off of Biscayne Bay. Diego had made them prisoners in the massive home since they’d taken their first steps inside. In a few hours, he would be a prisoner in his home – a wooden crate no bigger than his frame.
Kate took her time pushing the curtains across the rods. She unlatched the windows and inhaled through her nose to welcome the smell of the Bay. The view was breathtaking. Abby, on the other hand, couldn’t open them fast enough. On the back side of the house, she opened the window and yelled at the men working outside.