“Abbie, she’s in the hospital and … your house…. Everything’s gone. Fire.” Billie could hardly understand Dana’s babbling. It was as if she was mumbling everything.
“Dana, calm down. What fire? What happened to Abbie?” Billie hadn’t realized she was shouting until she looked up to see Kathleen staring at her.
“Someone… tried… to… kill… us…” Dana sobbed each word.
“Where are you?” Billie ran outside and searched for Mike.
“The Health Science Center. Abbie’s hurt.” Dana was hysterical.
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Stay calm Dana; I’m coming” Billie ended the call.
“What’s wrong?” Mike’s face was full of concern.
“I’m not sure, but if I understood Dana right, Abbie got hurt in a fire at my house.” Billie couldn’t understand why Dana and Abbie would be at her house in the first place or how the fire started.
“Let me tell James what’s going on, and I’ll take you.” Mike didn’t wait for her to answer as he ran to his brother.
Billie hugged herself as she waited for Mike to return. She watched him talk, and James nodded. Mike was back at her side, and they were in his car on the highway minutes later.
What the hell was going on?
Chapter 19
Mike pulled into the hospital parking lot and took the first space he could find. Billie hadn’t spoken a word the entire drive, but she clung to his hand. He prayed Abbie wasn’t hurt badly because Billie had already lost one friend.
Mike explained the situation to James before they left. His brother promised to let everyone know what happened. Mike had a sinking feeling that this was all related to Peggy’s murder, but he was not going to voice that to Billie.
Mike scanned the usual crowed waiting room in the emergency department for Dana. Billie tugged him toward the reception desk, and they waited for one of the nurses to notice them. Mike wrapped his arm around Billie’s trembling shoulders.
“Mike, what are you doing here?” Bobby tapped Mike on the shoulder.
“Billie’s friend's here,” Mike explained.
“Fuck, I knew she was familiar.” Bobby slapped his forehead. “Her friend is Dana Sampson, right?”
“Yes, and Abbie Martin’s here too.” Billie stepped between Mike and Bobby.
“Where are they, Bobby?” Mike assumed his friend brought them in.
“Come with me.” He motioned toward trauma center entry.
Billie clung to Mike as they hurried down the hallway behind Bobby. He wasn’t sure what they would find when they got to the girls, but Mike prepared himself for the worst.
“Dana’s in here with Abbie.” Bobby pointed to a room to the left.
“How bad is it?” Billie was obviously trying to keep herself together, but her voice trembled.
“Abbie sustained a knock on the head and Dana had some smoke inhalation, but they’ll both be fine. I think they're going to be kept overnight for observation, but you should probably check with the doctor.” Bobby explained. “We gave Dana something to calm her down because she was scared out of her wits. She might be a little loopy.”
Mike motioned for Billie to go on ahead and she hurried into the room. Mike closed the door so Billie could have some privacy with her friends.
“What happened?” Mike asked Bobby.
“Not sure, we got a call to the address. Flames had the whole house engulfed. Dana was locked in a closet. Someone jammed the door so she couldn’t get out. Ernie was there and said she was lucky the neighbors heard her screaming. They told the fire department nobody lived there, but when they heard someone screaming they called.” Bobby braced his back against the wall.
“What about Abbie?” Mike stood next to him.
“They found her unconscious next to her car. She said she was putting a box in the car and someone clocked her on the head. She doesn’t remember anything after that.” Bobby nodded his head down the hall.
Mike looked in the direction. John and Rick Avery headed toward them, and John looked pissed.
“What are you doing here?” John asked.
Mike told John about Billie’s phone call and how her friends were the ones hurt. John and Rick exchanged confused looks.
“Her friends were stealing from her,” Rick stated.
“What? No. What are you talking about?” Mike didn’t know what was going on now.
“The neighbor said the two women broke into the house and were robbing the place.” John read from the notepad he held. “He said he was pretty sure there was a guy too, but the guy took off when the fire got out of hand.”
“Bro, I don’t believe Abbie and Dana would do that to Billie. They’re her best friends. There has to be some other explanation.” Mike pushed open the door.
Dana was in one bed and Abbie in the other. Billie sat between them holding their hands and all three were crying.
“You guys could have been killed.” Billie turned when Mike walked in followed by John and Rick.
“I got to get back to work. Give me a call later.” Bobby waved at Mike and closed the door when he left.
“John? What are you doing here?” Billie stood up and poured a glass of water. She handed it to Dana.
“We’ve got some questions for Ms. Sampson and Ms. Martin.” John turned to Mike as if asking him to get Billie out of the room.
“Billie, why don’t we wait outside?” Mike held out his hand.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Billie shook her head.
“I’m afraid we’ve got to ask you to step outside, Billie.” John pushed.
“No.” Billie crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m staying with my friends.”
John glanced back at Mike. What did his brother expect him to do? Pick Billie up and carry her out of the room?
“Fine but please don’t interrupt,” John warned.
“I won’t.” Billie stepped to the far side of the room, and Mike joined her.
“Let’s start with you, Ms. Martin.” John stood next to Abbie’s bed. “Can you tell us what happened?”
“Billie’s landlord was being a dick and nagging Billie about getting her things out of the house. Dana and I knew she was having a hard time going in there since…” Abbie stopped and glanced at Billie then turned back to John. “Anyway, I was talking to Dana, and since we’ve got keys to the house, we figured we’d help by packing up as much as we could fit in our cars. We’d pretty much cleared out Billie’s room. We were going to start Chloe’s room, but I carried a box out to my car and then next thing I know I’m in an ambulance on the way here.”
“Abbie, you guys didn’t have to….” Billie stopped when John glared at her and Mike pulled her into his side.
“Ms. Sampson, what do you remember?” John glanced toward Dana.
“I went back inside, and I was in Chloe’s room. I heard someone walk in behind me and I assumed it was Abbie. The next thing I know I’m grabbed from behind and shoved into a closet. I kicked the door and shouted, but nobody answered me. Then I smelled gas…” Tears streamed out of Dana’s eyes, and she took a deep breath. “I screamed and screamed.”
“Who was the man with you?” Rick asked.
“There was only Dana and me.” Abbie glanced back and forth between Rick and John.
“So, you didn’t break in and …” John got cut off by a very pissed off Abbie.
“Are you fucking kidding me? You think Dana and I were there to steal from Billie?” Abbie jolted up in the bed and then flopped back.
“We would never do that.” Dana choked out.
“I know you wouldn’t.” Billie stepped between the beds. “Why would you think that John?”
“A neighbor said you both broke into the house.” John was professional, but Mike could tell he was pissed someone would give him false information.
“The older man across the street?” Billie asked.
“No, this guy was younger.” Rick glanced down at his book. “Byron Wells.”
“That’s my landlord, and he doesn’t live anywhere near me.” Billie narrowed her eyes. “What the hell was he doing there?”
“I don’t know, but I’m about to go have another chat with Mr. Wells.” Rick turned and left the room.
“I’m sorry about this Billie,” John said.
“It’s not your fault but can you do me a favor,” Abbie said.
“If I can.” John smiled.
“Kick that asshole in the jewels and tell him it’s from Billie and her friends.” Abbie held her head.
“I can’t do that, but I’ll get to the bottom of this.” John chuckled and nodded at the women as he motioned for Mike to join him outside the room.
Mike closed the door behind him and followed John down the hallway. John was lead on Peggy’s murder case, and something told Mike that all this was connected. It was just too big of a coincidence.
“There’s something those girls don’t know.” John pulled out his phone and held it up.
On the screen was the picture of a white sheet covering what looked like a body. The surroundings didn't look familiar either.
“Is that what I think it is?” Mike met his brother’s eyes.
“It’s the body of Eugene Wilks.” John shoved his phone back into his pocket.
“That’s Peggy’s ex.” Billie had told him about the asshole.
“Yeah, and I know Keith told you about Jess keeping tabs on him. Well, two days ago he didn’t show up for work at the bar. Jess said the guy was a dick, but he never missed a shift. We know there was no way he killed Peggy because he was working, but we thought he might have hired someone.” John stopped. “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I need you to be careful.”
“Careful? What’s wrong?”
“All this leads to one person.” John looked up toward the room where Billie and the girls were.
“Spit it out,” Mike growled.
“Billie.” John sighed.
“You think Billie did all this?” Mike guffawed. “Are you fucking with me?”
“No, Mike. We think someone is doing this to get to Billie.” John explained.
“Like a stalker?” The hair on Mike’s arms stood up.
“Or someone out to get her.” John shrugged. “All I know is all of this leads back to her.”
“Where did you find Wilks?” Mike knew the answer before he asked the question.
“In Billie’s backyard,” John whispered. “Rick has a theory. He thinks whoever killed Wilks got interrupted by the girls and he was planning to burn the house down with Eugene inside.”
“What do you think?” Mike knew his brother had his own theory.
“I think whoever it was expected Billie to show up and when she didn’t, he got angry and tried to hurt her by killing her friends and having us believe it was Wilks.”
“Is her family in danger?” He couldn’t let anything happen to Billie but if someone was willing to hurt her friends what would stop them from destroying her family.
“We’re on it. Uncle Kurt’s talking to Keith about putting some of his guys on them. We don’t have enough staff to have someone there round the clock.” John rolled his eyes. “Fucking cutbacks.”
“Keith’s guys are going to have to get paid.” Mike knew Keith wouldn’t care about protecting his own family for free, but this was Billie’s family.
“They will.” John smiled but didn’t say anything else. “I got to get back. Keep her with you. Trunk will be here any minute to stay with Abbie and Dana.”
“You think they’re still in danger?” Mike didn’t like this at all.
“Can’t be too safe.” John waved, and Mike turned to go back to the room.
Billie stood in the doorway staring at him. He didn’t know how much she’d heard, but he wasn’t keeping any of this from her or the girls. They needed to know to watch their backs. He wasn’t about to lose the love of his life.
“Mike, what’s going on?” Billie’s eyes were full of worry, and he hated to see it.
“Come back in the room, and I’ll explain what I know.” Mike wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.
He repeated everything John had told him to Billie, Abbie, and Dana. Billie clung to him tighter with every word he spoke. Neither of the girls interrupted him, but Abbie seemed about ready to bust.
“So, everyone will be safe. Keith’s guys are good.” Mike hugged Billie into his side.
“So, some sicko is possibly obsessed with Billie and to get her attention he’s killing or attempting to kill people she cares about or loves. Is that what you’re saying?” Abbie narrowed her eyes.
“That’s the theory, but John doesn’t want to take chances.” Mike didn’t like the look of rage in Abbie’s eyes. “Chances are the fire destroyed any evidence, but you never know.”
“But you’re saying until they find out, we’ll have someone following us around.” Abbie didn’t seem to like the idea of having a bodyguard.
“Abbie, it’s for our safety.” Dana’s voice was soft and hoarse. Probably from the smoke of the fire.
“I don’t want some goon following me around.” Abbie snapped.
Before anyone could speak the door eased open, and Trunk stepped inside. Abbie and Dana couldn’t see him because of the curtain.
“Hi.” He nodded at Mike.
“Don’t be afraid, Trunk.” Mike grinned. “I’m sure Abbie won’t bite.”
When Trunk stepped forward into view of the girls, it was comical to see their eyes bulge out and mouths fall open. Billie’s body shook with laughter.
“Abbie and Dana, this is Ben Murphy, but everyone calls him Trunk.” Mike motioned to the man. “Trunk, on the left is Abbie and Dana's on the right.”
“Nice to meet you both.” Trunk stood with his hands folded in front of him.
“Holy, mother of Jesus. It’s a real live Adonis.” Abbie’s eyes started from the top of Trunks head and slowly moved down.
“Not quite, but thanks for the ego boost.” Trunk laughed.
“How in God’s name do you need an ego boost? Do you have a mirror at home?” Dana seemed to wake up pretty quickly.
“Yes, I do.” Trunk seemed amused by the girls.
“Okay, the name Trunk is it because your arms are the size of tree trunks?” Abbie gawked at the man and Mike didn’t know how Trunk didn’t feel like a piece of meat
“Not even close.” Trunk chuckled.
“Oh, is something else as big as a tree trunk.” Abbie wiggled her eyebrows.
“You’re going to be trouble, aren’t you?” Trunk shook his head.
“Yes, she is,” Billie interjected.
“I’ll be good if you tell me why they call you Trunk.” Abbie grinned.
“I doubt you’ll ever be good, but Trunk came from locking myself in one when I was trying to win a bet with my brother. I told him I could get out of our grandmother’s travel trunk and told him to lock me in. Neither of us knew the thing wasn’t locked before because the key was missing.” Trunk didn’t look the least bit embarrassed over his act of stupidity.
“Well, I’m just going to imagine my own story about why you’re called Trunk.” Abbie sighed.
“I’ll be outside your room. Nobody gets in here without my say so.” Trunk chuckled as he headed out of the room. “Good evening ladies. Mike.”
“I think I’m going to be alright with being shadowed.” Abbie smiled.
“As long as you remember to do what he says.” Mike turned serious. “He’s good at his job.”
“I will.”
Chapter 20
Billie was exhausted by the time she left the hospital. Mike had spoken with his father, and her parents agreed to spend the night with Mike’s parents. Matt and Philip were at Keith’s, and Chloe was excited to have her first sleepover with Lily and Evie. The fact that it was a holiday weekend meant she got to spend the night with Mike. They stopped by her place to grab a change of clothes and toiletries.
Billie too
k a few minutes to talk with Rita and give her the short version of what had happened. She didn’t want to scare the woman since it was just her and her mom. Billie did ask her to call her if she saw anybody strange around the house.
“I’ll keep you all in my prayers and give the girls a hug for me.” Rita hugged Billie.
“Make sure you keep your doors locked and call me if you see anyone around my parent’s house.” Billie hugged Rita again as she ran back to where Mike waited next to his car.
She was almost asleep when Mike pulled into his driveway. It wasn’t late, but she guessed the adrenalin rush disappeared and she was about to crash. Mike opened her door and held out his hand.
“I can carry you into the house if you’re too tired to walk.” Mike crouched.
“I’m not that far gone. I can walk in but thanks for the offer.” Billie gave him a soft kiss, and he stood up as she stepped out of the car.
“I’ll grab her things out of the car.” Mike spun around at the sound of the male voice behind him, and Billie almost jumped into his arms.
“Fuck, Lane. Why don’t you just shoot me instead of trying to give me a heart attack.” Mike blew out a breath.
“Sorry, I thought Keith told you I’d be here.” Lane chuckled.
“Billie this is Lane West. They call him Shadow, and he just proved why. He’s also Sandy’s older brother.” Mike pulled Billie from behind him.
“Yeah, you need to wear a bell.” Billie held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“I’m sorry I never got to meet you earlier. I just got back from a job.” Lane held out his hand. “Looks like another O’Connor gets the lady.”
“Is that why you tried to scare me to death?” Mike laughed.
“No, but it’s good to see one of you man whore's finally settling down.” Lane smiled as he pulled Billie’s bag out of the back seat.
“Fuck you, Lane,” Mike grumbled as he grasped Billie’s hand and headed into the house.
“I’ll pass on that, but I’ll take a cup of coffee.” Lane followed them inside.
“Would you like arsenic with that?” Mike flicked on the light in the kitchen which she fully expected to see in a complete mess from the party, but the place was as if nobody had been there all day.
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