Beautiful Liar

by Natasha Knight

  “Janey!” I called out, racing up the stairs to find the front door locked. I put Sadie down, who now stood crying, panicked herself. I fumbled for my spare key and slid it into the lock, threw the door open, and burst inside. Zeus charged in ahead of me and tackled Bill.

  “Mommy!”

  Sadie stood sobbing out on the porch, looking at Janey, probably feeling her mother’s fear. She stood rooted to the spot, though, sobbing and crying for her mom.

  Zeus’s barks only stopped when he brought his face close to Bill’s, teeth bared, growling a sinister growl.

  “Call the police!” Janey called out, rushing toward her daughter and wrapping her in her arms. My hands shook as I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and dialed 911, my eyes locked on Bill’s unshaven face, his eyes wide with fear as Zeus stood over him, keeping him pinned to the ground.

  “What happened?” I asked Janey, but before she could answer, the operator picked up.

  “911. State your emergency.”

  “We have an intruder in the house. I need you to send police right away!”

  “Get this goddamn dog off of me, and hang up that phone!” Bill ordered.

  Zeus growled, baring more teeth, his face so close to Bill’s, a stream of drool landed on him.

  “Shut up, Bill.”

  I heard tears, disgust, rage, and strength combined in Janey’s voice.

  “Mommy!” Sadie cried, burying her face in Janey’s neck.

  “Shh, baby, we’re fine. That man’s not going to hurt us.”

  I gave the operator our address and heard the sirens not five minutes later. She stayed on the phone with us until the police arrived, four officers responding to the call.

  “Ms. Thomas,” the sheriff said as he walked inside and took stock of the situation, his weapon drawn and trained on Bill. “You okay?”

  “I’m okay. Janey, did he hurt you?”

  She shook her head, her angry gaze fixed on Bill.

  “Come here, Zeus.”

  I remembered he and Lydia had been dating a while, so he knew the dog. As soon as Zeus walked away, Bill sat up. Zeus growled once more to make sure he knew he’d better not try anything before he stepped between Janey and myself.

  “Cuff him,” the sheriff said to one of his men. “What happened? Who is this guy?”

  I glanced at Janey, who spoke.

  “He’s our stepfather. He broke into the house and threatened me. Just take him away, please,” she finished, cradling the head of a still weeping, terrified Sadie.

  He nodded and signaled to his men to take him. The stench of alcohol as Bill passed overwhelmed my senses, and when he tried to pause, to say something to Janey, the officer yanked him away and took him out to the waiting patrol car.

  “I’m going to need a statement,” Sheriff Rooney said. “Don’t worry about it tonight. Just come down to the station tomorrow, and you can give it then.”

  I nodded. “I’ll come first thing in the morning.”

  “No,” Janey said. “I will. There’s more to this story than this break-in.”

  I was happy with what she said, and I knew she was ready. She would finally share her secret, her shame. She’d make Bill face the consequences of what he’d done to her.

  Sheriff Rooney studied her but didn’t press. “We’ll hold him. Don’t worry. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Thanks.”

  He left, and I closed the door. Janey practically fell into the couch, where she held a quieting Sadie.

  “I’m doing it. I should have done it years ago, but I’m doing it now.”

  I knew what she meant. She’d come forward about what Bill had done to her. She’d send him to prison, but at what cost?

  “You’re ready?” I asked.

  She nodded. “I should never have waited so long.”

  “How did he get in?”

  “I thought it was you. He just opened the door and walked inside. I hadn’t thought to lock it after you left.”

  “But he did. He didn’t hurt you?”

  “No, he didn’t get the chance this time.” Janey’s eyes reddened as a now exhausted Sadie fell asleep in her arms.

  “Let me take her to bed,” I whispered.

  Without a word, she let me take her daughter upstairs. Not bothering to put her into pajamas, I just removed Sadie’s shoes and coat and tucked her into bed with a kiss on the forehead. I closed the door and returned to find Janey still on the sofa, still dazed, still crying quiet tears. I sat beside her and took her into my arms. “It’s okay. You’re safe now. Sadie’s safe.”

  Zeus loped over and lay down at our feet. Janey smiled when he licked her foot and reached down to pet him.

  “You’re my hero, Zeus.” He licked again, then lay his head on her foot and closed his eyes.

  “Probably the most action he’s seen in a long time.” I petted Zeus.

  “It’s over. Or it’s going to be over, Mac. I’m doing it. I’m taking back my life. I’m telling everyone what he did to me, what kind of man he is. I’m not afraid anymore. And I’m not ashamed.”

  She wiped the last of her tears, and I saw a strength I always knew she possessed brighten her eyes. “We’ll do it together.” I hugged her tight to me, and she held on fast.

  I WOKE WHEN someone pulled the curtains apart to let in the bright sunshine the next morning. I peeled open my eyes.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

  I sat up, smiling to see Mel standing beside the bed already dressed and with her Disney princess backpack on her back.

  “Well, good morning, honey.”

  She came over and touched one of the tattoos on my shoulder. “Pretty colors, Uncle Slater, but you really need one of Elsa. Or Olaf! He’s my favorite.” She climbed up on the bed and had a seat. I touched her cheek, wanting to hold her but not wanting to scare her off.

  “Well, maybe I’ll get this little princess’s face tattooed on me,” I said, making sure she knew she was the princess in question.

  Her smile widened, showing a perfect row of baby teeth. “I think that’s the best idea you’ve ever had!”

  I didn’t have to hold back then, because she was the one who threw her arms around me this time. I hugged her back, holding her as tight as I could, warmth coating my eyes when I squeezed them shut. How could I have walked away from this? From her?

  She pulled back slowly. “I hope mommy isn’t still mad when I get home from preschool,” she said, looking at me as if I had the answer.

  “Mel, you didn’t do anything wrong yesterday, understand? Your mommy is just…mad and sad about other things.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, but I think she’s a little mad at me too. She’s always stuck with me, and daddy’s always working, and I hear them yell when he comes home.”

  My heart twisted for so many reasons. “Sometimes grown-ups just fight, honey. Most important thing to know is when that happens, it’s not your fault. And I can’t imagine anyone feeling like they’re stuck with you. You’re such a wonderful little girl.”

  She shrugged, her attention on the tattoo she traced on my forearm. She’d grown very serious in the time I’d been gone. I didn’t like it.

  A knock on the door interrupted.

  “Good morning, Slater,” Amelia said, standing in the door with her coat on and her keys in her hand. “Did you sneak up here, miss?” she asked Mel, her hands on her hips, her face in a faux-angry expression.

  “I wasn’t sure if Uncle Slater would be here or not when I came home from preschool.” She turned back to me. “Will you?”

  “I sure will, honey. But I’ll tell you what, if you give me just a couple minutes to get ready and get dressed, I’d love to come with you and see your preschool.”

  Her smile grew huge, and her eyes shone with excitement. “Yes!”

  “I’ll take my car and follow you if that works, Amelia. I have somewhere I need to be afterward.”

  “Sounds good,” Amelia said, probably guessing where that somewhere
was. “I think we can wait a couple minutes.” Amelia held her hand out to Mel. “You come on down with me, and we’ll make Slater some coffee.”

  “Okay!”

  “Shh,” Amelia said as they went into the hallway. “Don’t want to wake your mommy.”

  At the mention of Dinah, my face tightened, but I got out of bed and went into the bathroom to splash cold water on my face and dress as quickly as I could. I’d take Mel to preschool then go see Nick. We needed to talk.

  After dropping Mel off, I waved good-bye to Amelia and headed over to see Nick. Bright Futures took up the entire fourth floor of the building. I hadn’t been here in three years, not since everything had happened. I rode the elevator along with two women arguing over a file one held. A few minutes later, the elevator dinged to a stop and the doors opened. I stepped out into the familiar space, feeling more anxious than I anticipated I would.

  Cubicles filled the office, but half the lights were still off. I checked my watch, wondering if it was earlier than I thought. Strange. I headed toward the one illuminated office: Nick’s office. He’d taken over the one my father had used. The one I’d inherited when he’d passed. Through the large glass windows, I saw three men standing around Nick’s desk, behind which I assumed he sat. His door was closed, but I could hear raised voices. Not Nick’s. I picked up my pace. I would probably have opened the door if I hadn’t heard a throat being cleared. I turned in the direction of the sound. Linda, an accountant who’d worked here since my dad had been in charge, called me over with a smile from her desk in a corner.

  I hesitated, seeing the face of one of the men when he moved from the window. He paused upon seeing me. I met his dark, unfriendly gaze for a moment before he shifted his attention back to Nick, whose eyes locked on mine. His face looked wrong. Something was up, and it was bad.

  “Slater.” Linda whispered just loud enough for me to hear, obviously wanting to get my attention but not theirs.

  The men in the office picked up what sounded to be a heated conversation, and I turned away.

  “What’s going on in there, Linda?”

  She got up and came toward me. Smiling, she patted my arm. “It’s good to see you, Slater.”

  I smiled back. I’d known Linda for almost ten years. “It’s good to see you.” She was well past the age of retirement but had stayed on after my father passed away. Unmarried and childless, I imagined she didn’t have much to go home to.

  “Let’s get some coffee.”

  She led the way toward the kitchen before I could say no and question her about the men in Nick’s office. Once there, she poured two cups of freshly brewed coffee, handed me one, and leaned against the counter.

  “What’s going on in there? And where is everyone? Did Nick change work hours too?” I meant it as a joke, but Linda’s expression remained serious.

  “Most employees work remotely these days.”

  “They do?” Maybe that was normal now. “But Nick keeps the office space?” It was a huge space, and from what I remembered, not cheap.

  She shrugged and sipped her coffee. “How have you been?”

  “I’m hanging in there. Who are those men?”

  She put her coffee down. “Mr. Ames and his…associates. Nick’s new business partners.”

  “Business partners?”

  “They’re expanding Bright Futures reach internationally,” she said, her gaze locked on mine.

  “What’s going on, Linda?”

  She took a big breath, exhaled. “Nick’s made a lot of changes since you’ve been gone, changes I don’t think your father would have approved of.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She shook her head and glanced behind me, making sure, I was certain, that Nick’s office door was still shut.

  “We’re down to about ten staff members, Slater, none of whom I know. He called it a reorganization, but he fired everyone, brought in people that made me hesitate.”

  “What kind of people?”

  “I don’t know, and I’m sure I’ll sound horrible to say it, but just unsavory types. I don’t like it.”

  “You stayed on?”

  “He said he needed me to do the books.”

  “You know this business inside and out.”

  She shook her head. “Not anymore. The work I’m doing… Slater, if it weren’t for my commitment to your father, to his charity, I wouldn’t do this.”

  “Tell me about those men.”

  She cast another nervous glance over my shoulder. “I think Nick’s got himself into some trouble.”

  “What are you saying?”

  Nick’s office door opened then and we turned. I watched him see the men out, took note of each of the three. I would have sworn I saw the metal of a pistol in the waistband of one of the men’s pants when he reached to put on his jacket.

  I stepped out into the office and headed toward them as the three men entered the elevator, locking eyes once again with the same man I had before. Once the doors closed, Nick turned to me.

  “Slater. Dinah mentioned you’d come by the house. Spent the night.”

  Circles darkened the skin around Nick’s eyes, and gray that hadn’t been there before dotted his hair. Although he’d shaved his face clean, he looked disheveled, not like himself. I followed him back to his office.

  “I was surprised you didn’t come home, Nick. I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Work.”

  He sat down behind his desk and sorted papers into a pile. I glanced around, taking in the new furnishings, all dark mahogany wood, some pieces antique. Was I glad he’d kept nothing of mine? Of my father’s? Apart from the photo of Dinah and Mel on one corner of his desk, mine, nothing remained that had been mine or my family’s in the office. I wondered if it was a sort of trophy in lieu of my head hanging on his wall.

  “What’s going on here, Nick?”

  “Nothing to worry about.”

  “Nothing to worry about? Was one of those men carrying a pistol?”

  He took a moment before answering. “It’s fine. They just do things differently, that’s all.”

  “Who are they?”

  He looked up. “That’s Bartholomew Ames. The two with him, I don’t know. We weren’t introduced. What are you doing here?” he asked, settling deeper into his plush leather chair and running a hand over his face. “Linda,” he called out sharply.

  Linda came over. “Yes, Nick?”

  “Can you get me a cup of coffee?”

  “Sure.”

  “I missed Mel,” I said, taking a seat.

  His gaze remained steady on mine, his expression unchanging. Linda came back in and set a steaming cup of coffee on his desk. He broke eye contact with me and smiled at her.

  “Thanks. Would you close the door on your way out?”

  “Sure.”

  I waited until Linda left. “Are you in some sort of trouble, Nick?”

  He shook his head and took a sip of steaming coffee.

  “Is the charity in trouble?”

  He shrugged a shoulder, clearly not wanting to discuss details. It burned to think he now ran my dad’s charity. My family’s charity. I’d failed my father. Hell, I’d failed so many people, but now, I was making things right. I had to remember that.

  “Dinah told me what you said. What you want.”

  He interrupted my thoughts. “Good.” Saved me the trouble of saying anything. “Do you know about her drinking?”

  “She has a glass of wine now and again,” he answered, his gaze steady on mine.

  He’d always played it cool, never giving anything away. He’d lied to me for years, and I’d never been the wiser. Only the constant fool.

  I let that knowledge anger me now. Let it burn inside me because I needed it to get what I wanted to get. It was my turn. It was finally my fucking turn. “No, not a single glass, not the way she drove Mel home.” He didn’t seem even a little bit surprised. “She thinks you’re cheating on her,” I added, not really caring, n
ot even sure why I brought it up.

  “Are you her confidante now?”

  “That would surprise you, I guess, considering what you two did to me.”

  “You can’t have Mel. You have no rights to her,” he blurted out.

  “According to her birth certificate, I’m her father.” As far as anyone outside the family knew, she was my daughter. I understood why. It could cost Nick heavily if the charity found out. He would lose his position, just like I’d lost mine. Not to mention the house, any payments I made to Dinah to care for Mel.

  He picked up his cell phone and scrolled to something, taking a few moments before responding. “You can visit her anytime. You know that.”

  “I’m no longer satisfied with that. What I saw yesterday, what Dinah told me, you’re not even interested in that little girl. You used her to hurt me. Was that it all along? Did you hate me so much you fucked my wife to spite me?”

  His eyes remained flat, and I wondered where the boy I’d grown up with, the friend I’d trusted with everything for so many years, had gone. If he’d ever been there at all.

  “I loved Dinah. What happened between us happened,” Nick said.

  He’d always hidden behind Dinah, blaming her as the mastermind behind the plan to have MacKayla seduce me. I had never been convinced, though, and I wasn’t now.

  “Why not just tell me? Why did you have to destroy me?”

  “I don’t have time for this,” Nick said.

  “Why, Nick? I deserve to know. Damn it—”

  “Because you had everything!”

  He slammed his fist onto the desk. I didn’t flinch.

  “Every fucking thing! I was always, would always be, in your shadow. The poor maid’s son, the charity case the great Vaughn family took in. Look how well they treat him. Look at the boy who doesn’t belong. Who never did. Hell, I was the face of Bright Futures. Do you have a fucking clue what that’s like? No. How could you? You’re the fucking golden boy.”

  I wiped Nick’s spittle from my cheek and stood. “All I ever was was a brother to you. All my parents ever did was treat you like their own.” I knew as I stood there watching him that it was over. My anger, my hatred, it was gone. I felt nothing. Nothing at all. Not even pity for this, a most pitiful man. “I want Mel. You talk to Dinah. You figure it out. I hold all the cards now, Nick. You’re the one who stands to lose everything this time.” I was at the door when he spoke.