Kathi
September 2, 2016
What were they doing on the train tracks? I try to catch Crystal’s eye, but she’s staring off into the night. A purple lump swells on her forehead, and blood flows freely from her lip. Could she? Would she? I try to focus my thoughts, but they’re swirling around like bits of fruit in a blender. “Why were you there?” I whisper.
Crystal licks her bloodied lip and glances at Mimi. “It’s kind of hard to explain.”
“Try,” Arthur snaps.
“I . . . we . . .”
“Case closed.” Arthur folds his arms.
“So it’s true?” I ask, my ears ringing. “You hurt Rich?”
Arthur makes a face. “Let’s dispense with the euphemisms, shall we? Crystal killed Rich. And you are next on her list.”
My stomach churns. My throat closes. There’s a sour taste in my mouth.
“You’re a liar,” Crystal says, her face reddening. “We did everything to get Rich off the tracks. But he was stuck and barely conscious, and we didn’t have enough time. You were the one who put him there. You were the one who could’ve saved him.”
She sounds so earnest I almost believe her. But it’s Arthur’s word against hers. “Then why were you there?” I repeat.
Crystal looks down. “It’s . . . well, it’s complicated.”
“Not that complicated,” Arthur says. “You had dug up dirt on Rich. He gave you fifty thousand to keep your mouth shut, and you killed him to cover your tracks.”
“That’s not true,” Crystal says, almost spitting. “And I can prove what a monster you are. The night of your dinner with Kathi, I was here. I watched you from the garden. You drugged and stripped her, and you took photos. I bet they’re still on your phone.”
Photos? I think I might throw up. I stumble to my feet. “I need to use the bathroom.”
“Not now.” Arthur gives me a push, and I fall back on the couch. “It’s amazing what lengths this woman will go to.”
“He searched your house,” Crystal continues. “He stole your earrings. Big ones. Three carats, he said. And then he jerked off and left you for dead.”
Arthur whaps his gun against Crystal’s head. She doesn’t cry. Doesn’t moan. Her blue eyes just narrow to slits.
“Once again you’re fabricating a story,” he says. “But you also admit to trespassing on Kathi’s property the night of our special dinner. Why? For what purpose? Were you planning to kill her? Was the maggot by your side?”
“No!” Crystal’s tone begs for understanding. “Kathi, you have to believe me.”
Arthur traces his gun across her forehead. “So then tell us. If it wasn’t to rob and kill Kathi, why were you here that night?”
“I wanted to warn her about you.”
Arthur chuckles. “How very admirable of you. But if you were so worried, why didn’t you call the police?”
Crystal hesitates. “I—”
“Or warn Kathi in the morning?”
“Because—”
“Or warn her the next day or the next or the day after that?”
“I can explain.”
“Then go ahead. We’re waiting. We don’t have all night.”
Crystal looks at me, her voice pleading. “You just have to believe me.”
Arthur’s lips twist into a smile. “Let’s move on to another interesting subject. Why don’t you tell Kathi about the letters you sent to the feds? The ones that ruined Rich’s life?”
I search Crystal’s face for the evil. “You did that? You sent the letters?”
“Yes, but—”
“But why? Rich didn’t even know you. Why would you want to ruin him?”
Crystal opens her mouth to answer, but Arthur jumps in first. “It’s nothing complicated,” he says. “These two are grifters. They travel from town to town and target some wealthy family and proceed to take them down.”
“Is that true?” I ask, searching Crystal’s face.
“Darling,” Arthur says. “This woman is a compulsive liar. We can’t believe a word she says.” Arthur takes a seat next to me and pulls me close. He kisses me softly on the cheek. It feels odd. Awkward. My nose burns with his sweaty scent. I try to pull away, but he wraps his arm tight around me, the butt of his gun resting on my shoulder. “I know it’s been a difficult night,” he says. “And I know I’ve said some harsh words. But I needed to wake you up. You had to see the truth. I’m just glad to have been here to save you.”
I take a big, snuffling breath. “So now what?” I ask. “Should we call the police?”
Arthur shakes his head. “Tell me. What would they do?”
“They’d arrest these women. Send them to jail.”
He taps my shoulder with his gun. “I don’t recommend it. Not at all. I’m thinking that Crystal could ruin us with her outrageous accusations. If she’s willing to blame me for Rich’s murder, she’ll be willing to blame you too.”
“But no one would believe her. I’ve never hurt anyone in my life.”
“We know that, but you’re already under investigation. What if the police think you’re involved? Not only would you be forced to drain your assets to cover the legal fees; you would probably end up in jail. No. I think we need a more permanent solution.” Arthur gets up off the couch and begins to pace. “A solution that doesn’t involve our financial ruin, one that may actually give us a future. And that’s what I want, Kathi. I want a future with you.”
“You do?” That surprises me. I’m so confused.
“Yes. I care about you, Kathi. I’m attracted to you. I want you in my life.”
“Liar,” Crystal mutters.
Arthur fills up my wine glass and hands it to me. “Drink this down, sweetheart. It will calm your nerves.”
I take the glass, my hand shaking so hard wine spills across my lap. I know I shouldn’t have more to drink, but I swear I can’t stop myself. I take one gulp. And then another and another until I finish it off.
“Good girl,” Arthur says when I set down the glass. “Now, I have an idea that might work. It’s a little extreme, but honestly, Kathi, when I think through the options, losing your home is what will get us to our dreams.”
“My home?”
“This property is insured for what? Five or six million?”
“I wouldn’t know. Rich took care of that.”
“Of course he did. I’m guessing if the house burns, the insurance will pay off your loans, and you’ll net at least a million or two. You could live downtown in a pretty Victorian and have the life of your dreams. And I’d be there with you every step of the way.”
Reality seeps through the fog. “But how would that happen? There isn’t a fire.”
“There could be.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You don’t need to. Just get up and take my gun.”
“But—”
“Get up!” His caring tone is gone.
I wobble to my feet, and Arthur pushes the gun into my hands. The metal feels cool against my skin. “But I don’t know anything about guns. I’ve never held one before.”
“It’s easy. Hold your arms out straight. See this trigger? Put your finger on that. Pull it if either of them makes a move.”
“I don’t think I can do that.”
“If you don’t, Crystal will kill you. I promise you that. Now, give me just a moment. I have to step outside and get things started. If one of these butchers makes a move, you must shoot. It would be self-defense, you understand.”
“I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.”
“Don’t forget they killed your husband and nearly destroyed your life. They’ve taken everything from you. They’re evil. They’re vicious animals. Don’t believe a single word they say.”
I take aim at Crystal and think of all that I’ve lost. Maybe Arthur is right. Maybe I could shoot.
Crystal
September 2, 2016
Kathi stands a few feet away, head bobbing, makeup smeared beneat
h her eyes. She’s holding Van Meter’s gun and shuddering like an off-kilter washing machine. My hands have swollen into balloons. It’s possible they could explode. But there’s no time to wallow in the pain. “He’s going to kill us,” I say to Kathi. “You have to let us go.”
The gun barrel wobbles in my direction, but she doesn’t say a thing.
Mimi pushes herself up with a groan. One arm is purplish yellow. Blood oozes from a cut on her cheek. “He’s a liar,” she says. “He’s a bad man through and through.”
“Don’t talk to me,” Kathi replies, her eyes fixed above our heads. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.” A cat wanders in from outside and winds around Kathi’s legs. “Why, Mr. Calico,” she says, nearly tipping over. “What are you doing here?” She rights herself and gives the cat a quick pat. “I think you’d better leave.”
“We saw him,” Mimi continues. “We saw that Arthur guy punch your husband and leave him for dead. Me and Crystal only tried to help, but we couldn’t pull him off the tracks.”
Kathi wobbles a bit, and the cat heads to the kitchen. Kathi’s gun is now backlit by a hellish orange glow. Panic grips my stomach. Smoke eats my nose.
“You have to believe us, Kathi. Mimi is right. Van Meter was the one blackmailing Rich. It wasn’t an accident. He wanted him dead.”
“You’re a liar,” Kathi says in a trembling voice. “Why would he do that? It makes no sense.”
I try a different tack. “Okay, then. What if Van Meter is right? What if we are Rich’s murderers? Does that mean you’re above the law? Would you really let him kill us? Would you let us burn to death?”
“He won’t do that.”
“Look behind you. He’s building a fire. He plans to burn this place down.” I’m trying not to panic, but the smoke is getting thick.
Kathi glances over her shoulder. “It’s just the house he’s after.”
“You’ve had too much wine. You’re not thinking clearly. On a night like this any fire will burn from the mountains to the sea. Hundreds of people will die. Van Meter will say it was your fault. You’ll spend the rest of your life in jail.”
“You’re trying to scare me. I know it.”
“It’s the truth. Please listen.”
“Stop talking.”
“If we die, you’ll be a murderer too.”
“You won’t die. Arthur will take you with us.”
“He won’t. We’re the witnesses to his crime.”
“I said no talking.” She lifts the gun and aims, but I don’t believe she’ll shoot. I have no choice but to continue pushing on.
“At least call the police and turn us in.”
“Arthur said not to.”
“Because he’s guilty.”
“Stop talking,” she cries. “I don’t want to hear any more.”
“He doesn’t love you. He never has. He’s just wants your money. Once he gets it, he’ll get rid of you just like he’s getting rid of us.”
Kathi weaves from side to side. “It’s a trick. You’re trying to confuse me.”
“Crystal is telling the truth,” Mimi says. “You have to believe her.”
Flames burst from the fire pit. A shadow heads our way. I have only seconds to save our lives. It’s time to tell the truth.
“I’m your daughter!” I yell. “I’m the one you gave away.”
Kathi’s jaw sets tight. “What a terrible thing to say.”
“It’s true! I came to town seeking revenge, not murder. I wanted justice for my rotten childhood. I wanted you to hurt like I did. To know what it’s like to have no one. To have nothing. To be out in the world alone. It’s a game I play. A terrible game. This time it went too far. I’m sorry. I truly am. I may be a bad person, but I’m not a murderer. Arthur Van Meter is.”
Van Meter steps through the door, a flaming branch in his hands. “Come on, Kathi. Time to go. We have to leave fast.” He tosses the branch on a pile of magazines. They quickly burst into flames.
I raise my voice again. “Don’t let him hurt me, Mom. I’m your baby girl.”
Kathi
September 2, 2016
“Let’s go,” Arthur yells.
“We can’t leave them,” I say, swinging the gun his way. The flames have burned through the magazines and now shoot up the wall. Mr. Calico bursts from the kitchen and shimmies up Arthur’s leg.
“Get the fuck off me!” He grabs my foster kitty and slams him against the wall.
“No!” Mr. Calico lands on his feet and limps out the open doors. “How could you hurt him?”
“Cut the bullshit,” Arthur says. “It’s just a goddamn cat.” His handsome face has dissolved into meanness. I haven’t seen this side of him before.
The heat in the room rises, and smoke chokes the air. I keep the gun fixed on Arthur’s chest. “Tell me something,” I order Crystal. “Something that proves you’re my daughter.”
Arthur takes a step toward me. “Give me the gun, you dumb old bitch.”
“Stop or I’ll shoot!” My insides go hard. The trembling recedes. “Tell me something,” I yell. “Anything.” I can’t look at Crystal, but her voice crackles above the flames.
“I’m Rose, and you’re my mother. I was born twenty-six years ago on Christmas Day.”
“That’s not enough.”
“My eyes are blue just like Jack’s.”
“Lots of people have blue eyes.”
“This is your last chance,” Arthur shouts, his face an angry red. “Hand over the gun, or you die.”
“I’m Rose,” Crystal repeats. “I’m your daughter. I look just like Rich’s sister. Think! Can’t you see Ann in me?”
I glance at her from the corner of my eye, and the resemblance is suddenly clear. How had I never noticed? How could I have been so blind?
Arthur lunges, and I pull the trigger. The recoil sends me falling to the floor. Arthur drops to one knee and groans. Blood runs from his shirt. I jump back up and aim again, the gunshot echoing in my ears.
Crystal lurches to her feet. “Hurry! We don’t have much time.”
I should help her, but I can’t. My feet are frozen to the floor. And what if Arthur moves? I’ll have to shoot again.
“Get the switchblade,” Mimi orders, rocking onto her stomach. “Cut the ties.”
Crystal grabs a knife from Mimi’s back pocket, and the blade flashes open. Gripping her hands tight around the handle, she saws at Mimi’s ties until they snap. Then she drops the blade, and Mimi grabs it with her good hand and with one slice frees Crystal’s hands.
“Let’s get out of here,” Crystal says.
The flames are warm against my face. They crackle in my ears. Smoke blurs my vision. But I don’t feel the least bit scared. “You go,” I say. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t move.” I keep the gun aimed at Arthur. Blood pools on the floor. “Why,” I ask him. “Why’d you do it?” His eyes go dim. He tips to one side.
“You’re coming with us,” Crystal yells.
“I can’t take a chance he’ll hurt you,” I reply, feeling utterly calm inside.
“And I won’t leave you behind.” She wraps her arms around my waist and lifts me high in the air. “Drop the gun,” she orders. “Let it burn with the rest.”
The gun slips from my fingers, and Crystal carries me out the front door. By the time we reach the road, the flames are roaring down the hill. A firetruck races up, and a dozen firemen leap out.
“Is anyone left inside?” one yells.
“The arsonist,” Crystal says, setting me down.
“Is he armed?”
“No. He’s injured. He can’t walk.”
An EMT rushes over. “Are any of you hurt?”
Crystal points at Mimi. “Her arm’s broken, I think.”
“What about you, ma’am?” he asks me.
“I’m fine.”
My eyes stay dry as the sizzling flames engulf my entire house.
Crystal
September 3, 2016
After I got my head stitched up, there was no mingling with the masses. Instead they led me to a plastic chair in a small office. There are no windows here, just bright fluorescent lights illuminating the starkest of white walls. The air reeks of antiseptic. The lights buzz like mosquitos on crack. The only reading material is a dog-eared People from last year.
A few minutes after I arrived, the nurses led in Kathi, her eyes looking a little glassy. She says they ran a bunch of tests and gave her a shot to help her manage the shock. It’s not like we’re normal patients. The police stand guard nearby. When I tried to step out to buy some snacks, a uniformed officer offered to help. He had a smile stuck on his pretty-boy face, but his hand rested on his gun. He walked me down a crowded hallway where a group of nurses chattered about the fire. At least a dozen people had been brought to the hospital with mild to severe burns. One broke her leg escaping from a window before her beach house went up in flames. Seems I was right that the fire could burn from the mountains to the sea.
I take a sip of a Coke, gnaw on a chocolate bar, and tap my feet. I’ve always liked the feel of sugar water bubbling around my mouth.
The room is so small that my knees nearly touch Kathi’s. She was calm when we arrived, but now she shakes like a leaf. Her dress is torn and dirty, and her hair sticks out like straw. She’s been plucking at her wrist nonstop, as if satisfying some fearsome, nagging itch. She looks like some crazed homeless woman who’s run out of her mental meds.
Above Kathi’s head rests a sign listing the top five indicators of child abuse. I focus on number one.
What She Gave Away (Santa Barbara Suspense Book 1) Page 27