“No, thanks—I’ve had enough,” said Beverly from the other end of the couch.
It had been less than a week since their underground nightmare. But now Greg was beyond just being grateful to be alive. It was Friday night, and the three of them were watching a movie in Cynthia’s living room. He and Cynthia should have been out on a date—not stuck here at home with her mother, he thought.
Cynthia wanted to pamper her mom for a while. She had been abducted at knifepoint, after all. And Greg was sympathetic to Cynthia’s feelings. But he hoped she understood his feelings. And right now what he was feeling was her warm leg against his. And her occasional hand on his knee.
It was weird and mildly unsettling—as though he existed in three distinct realms. Intellectually, he was dressed in a business suit, reading a magazine, waiting patiently for a scheduled appointment. Emotionally, he had reached the top of Mt. Everest and was admiring the magnificent view. Physically, he just wanted to pounce on her.
Greg really liked Beverly. He enjoyed being around her. But he needed more alone time with his girlfriend. He needed to hold her, kiss her, caress her back, legs, breasts—stop! It was not a good time to get turned on.
**********
“Good news, Sweetie. I just got a call—we’ve got the room we wanted at the Hyatt Regency,” said Elmo.
“Great. Come in.” Elmo walked into Macy’s bedroom and she shut the door. “I’m surprised you were able to get it, with just a week’s notice.”
Mallie Mae had lied when she told Sylvia the Mobleys were broke. It was true that Morford had given away most of their money to help AIDS victims. But he had never touched their Texaco stock. Macy wouldn’t have cared if they had been broke. She just wanted to be with Elmo.
“Me too. I called the hotel this morning and the lady told me they were booked up. But I explained our situation, and that it would be for our honeymoon and asked her to put us on the waiting list.”
“And I suppose you knew somebody there and they pulled some strings for you.”
“No. But I think Cupid might have had something to do with it.” He smiled. “Are you sure you don’t mind just doing a weekend honeymoon in Dallas?”
“No, of course not. It’ll be wonderful. And then we’ll do the cruise in a few weeks.”
“And you’re really okay with Mom going on the cruise?”
“Sure. She’ll have her own room.”
“But we’ll still see her a lot. So, if you don’t want her to go, just tell me. There’s still time to cancel her reservation. I know she’d understand.”
“No, really—it’s okay. I love Mallie Mae.”
“Okay, good. I think it will be great for her. It’ll give her a chance to meet some new people her age.”
“Baby, I’ve been wondering. Do think anybody will actually show up for our wedding?”
“Of course they will. What are you talking about?”
“Well, we’ve only given them a few days’ notice. And you just cancelled a wedding last week.”
“Don’t worry. Mom has put the word out. And believe me—her friends are spreading the news like wildfire. In fact, she thinks the church will be packed. It is a wonderful love story, you know—best friends finding love in each other’s arms after so many years.”
“It’s definitely my favorite love story. And I can’t wait to be Mrs. Elmo Mobley—Macy Mobley.” She stepped in close and put her arms around him.
“It does have a nice ring to it. Speaking of which…” he dropped to one knee and looked up at her, holding her left hand. “It’s time to do it right.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small box and flipped the top open, revealing a dazzling diamond ring. “Macy Golong, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Her face beamed with delight. “Oh, Elmo, it’s so beautiful. Yes, I—“
“—to live with me forever in holy matrimony?”
Her smile broadened further. “Yes, Elmo, I—“
“—to love me with all your heart, as I love you?”
She giggled. “Yes, of course, Elmo, I will—“
“—to make love to me day and night as long as we both shall live?”
“Yes, my dear sex maniac. And I promise to do you in every way known to man.”
“Then it’s a deal.” He slid the ring onto her finger and stood up. “I love you, Macy.”
She pressed her body against his and began to kiss him as though it was already the wedding night.
He moved his hands down across her back and slid his fingertips under the waistband of her pants, and then for the first time, inside her panties. The feel of her firm, bare buns made him want to pull off those panties and everything else, and throw her on the bed.
There was a knock at the door.
Elmo’s hands were instantly out of her panties and down at his sides—fast enough to make a magician proud.
Macy tried to catch her breath and sound normal. “Yes?”
Mallie Mae cracked the door and stuck her head in. “I just got off the phone with my friend Rachel. She says everybody in Coreyville is thrilled that you two are getting married. First Baptist Church is going to be the place to be next Friday night.”
“That’s wonderful, Mallie Mae.”
“Yeah. Thanks, Mom.”
“Oh, and one other thing,” said Mallie Mae. “Try to save something for the honeymoon.”
Macy and Elmo looked at each other, slightly embarrassed.
Mallie Mae grinned as she closed the door. “Goodnight.”
**********
Carsie knew the old couple who owned the cabin. They lived down the road from her grandmother’s house. She was sure they wouldn’t mind her living there for a couple of weeks. They hadn’t used it in over a year—since the husband’s stroke.
Sylvia had talked about how they should have sold the place to help pay the mounting medical bills. But the wife still clung to the hope that her husband would recover. Then they would spend nearly every weekend at the cabin like they used to.
Carsie figured the police would eventually question Sylvia’s neighbors, use a little common sense, and come to the cabin looking for her. She had been a fugitive for six days. But her time there would soon be over anyway.
It was 9:20 AM on Saturday, and many of the folks from neighboring cabins were out fishing. Some of them were probably hoping to hook the proverbial big one that always gets away. She had her own big fish to catch. She planned to throw it down and watch it flop around until it died. Oh, what revenge it would be. What sweet revenge.
The Mobleys knew nothing of her high school days, and her archery medals. She was a bit rusty, but after four days of non-stop practice, her accuracy was coming back. And her new Browning Mirage ZX compound bow was the best she’d ever used. It was 33 inches, axle to axle, and weighed less than four pounds.
She had pulled off many successful cons with her sister and grandmother, beginning at age 20. She would lure in some poor sap and make him fall in love with her. She had a talent for it. Then, after they got married, Carnie would seduce him. Soon, Carsie would divorce him for his infidelity and take him for as much money as possible. The three women had worked as full-time con artists for ten years. Now her partners and her family were dead.
But for once in her life, with Elmo Mobley, she had not been faking—except in the beginning. She had foolishly fallen in love with him. But why? Elmo was 26 years older than her. It didn’t make sense. Maybe it was because he was so much older. She had let her guard down because she felt safe. She could relax since there was no way she was going to fall in love with a guy old enough to be her father. But that was exactly what happened.
Carsie despised Macy. If the woman had wanted Elmo she could have had him years ago. Why had Macy waited until Carsie came along to show her true feelings? She knew she could never get Elmo back now. But she didn’t want Macy to have him either.
If she had the opportunity to poison Macy, she wouldn’t do it. If she had the chance to catch her al
one somewhere and stab her through the heart, she wouldn’t do that either. Why? Because she wanted Macy to suffer publicly. And she wanted Elmo to see his love die right before his eyes. She wanted the whole world to witness the destruction of the happy couple who had ripped the dreams of happiness from her soul.
They would pay for the death of Sylvia and Carnie. And for Carsie’s death. Because she would soon die also. There would be nothing left to live for…once she had destroyed the Mobleys.
“Yes!” Another bull’s eye.
39 - THE WEDDING
Greg had never seen his church auditorium filled to capacity. If any more people came, he thought, the usher would be forced to open the balcony. Mallie Mae had insisted the balcony not be used until the main floor pews were packed tight. When her son and her new daughter-in-law turned to walk out as man and wife, she did not want them to see any gaps in the congregation. The more crowded it looked, the more love they’d feel.
On the floor level, there were thirty pews—fifteen on each side, with an aisle down the middle. And for weddings, having a center aisle was always preferable. The official seating capacity for the auditorium was 350, which included fifty in the balcony. But because it was bench-style seating rather than individual seats, nobody really knew exactly how many bodies could be squeezed in. Certainly more people than they ever saw on Sunday mornings. And probably a much larger number than the Fire Marshall would approve of.
Greg, Cynthia, and Beverly were sitting on the right side. It would have been just as appropriate for them to sit on the bride’s side, since they hadn’t met Elmo or Macy until two weeks earlier in the hideaway hospital. But it didn’t matter since both sides were packed with the Mobleys’ friends and Elmo’s former patients and parents of patients.
Greg checked his watch. In about four minutes the pastor, Elmo, and his best man would come out and take their places, and the organist would begin to play. Then something to the left caught his eye. An attractive young woman with short, black hair had opened the side door near the piano, and was looking out into the crowd. She’s wondering if there’s any place to sit, he thought. Then he saw her look up at the balcony.
“Sweetie, does that woman look familiar to you?”
Cynthia broke off the conversation with her mother and turned to him. “What did you say, Baby?”
“See that woman over—. Never mind—she’s already gone.”
“Mom and I were just talking about what an amazing turnout this is.”
“Yeah.”
“The Cleggmores have a huge family, don’t they?”
Greg didn’t answer. He looked as though he’d just thought of something important he’d forgotten to do.
“Greg?”
“I’ve got to go check something.” He stood and walked toward the front of the auditorium.
“But it’s about to start.”
He hurried out the door where he had seen the mystery woman standing.
No sooner than Greg had disappeared through the door, Dr. Huff, Elmo, and Hadley walked out from the opposite side near the organ, and stepped up on the platform. The groom was very handsome in his tux. He was 56 years old, but he looked more like 46—which was great, since his bride was only 37. Hadley looked great too. He was still having some pain from Carnie’s gunshot, but you would have never known it by looking at him.
The organist played the familiar unison notes at the beginning of the Bridal Chorus and over 300 people stood and turned around to see the beautiful bride, ready to enter. Traditionally, the father walks his daughter down the aisle. But since Macy’s dad had passed away, as well as her mom, Mallie Mae offered to walk her down and give her away. After all, she was giving away her nurse and best friend. But at least they would still be living in the same house.
Macy’s eyes were filled with tears of joy. She worried about ruining her makeup, but she just couldn’t control her overwhelming emotions. Nor did she want to. It was just like in her dreams, she thought.
Although, she didn’t remember who was walking her down the aisle in her dreams. What she remembered vividly was Carsie standing in the congregation, staring at her as she walked by.
Carsie had escaped, and the police had not been able to find her. But surely she wouldn’t have the gall to come to the wedding. Would she?
**********
The woman with the short, black hair could see the bride at the front of the church when she came through the main outdoor entrance into the foyer. She saw Mallie Mae lift the veil and kiss Macy on the cheek.
A young, male usher closed the double doors leading into the auditorium. When he turned and saw the woman, he said, “I think there’s still a little room on the left side in the back.” He eyed her tweed guitar case. “Cool. So, I guess you’re playing for the reception.”
“Yeah. Hey, I don’t want to disturb anybody. I’ll just sit up in the balcony.”
“Uh, Mrs. Mobley told us not to let anybody go up there.”
“Oh, Mallie Mae is so silly about these things.” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry—if she gripes about it, I’ll take the blame. Like I always do.”
“Well, okay.”
As she walked away, she could feel his eyes checking her out. You’ve still got it, Baby, she thought.
When she stepped into the balcony, she realized there might be a problem. Nobody in the building had a clear view of the balcony—except the pastor. Why hadn’t she thought of that? But then she realized that because the pastor was medium height, she could avoid being seen by him if she hid behind the 6-foot-7 Elmo. So, she crept up to the railing, a little to the right of center.
She laid her guitar case down on the carpet and quietly opened the lid and admired her instrument of choice for this special occasion. By tearing out the fitted padding and replacing it with two sheets of foam rubber, she had created a perfect carrying case for her $529.00 compound bow. It was a thing of beauty. More beautiful than the bride.
It would have been easier to do it while their backs were to her. But she would wait until the end of the ceremony, when they turned to face the congregation and the minister introduced the newly married couple to the crowd. Elmo and Macy would be so caught up in their happiness that they wouldn’t even notice her.
Family and friends would see Elmo and Macy smiling broadly just before the arrow appeared from nowhere and savagely ripped through the bride’s heart. Macy would look up into the balcony as the blood began to flow down her lovely white gown. She would see Carsie standing there proudly, bow in hand, and then fall to the floor.
Afterwards, it would be impossible for Carsie to escape. She would be taken into custody—but they would never have the satisfaction of putting her behind bars. The little poison capsule in her pocket would see to that.
Carsie listened to the vows and thought about how different things could have been. If Mallie Mae and Macy hadn’t interfered, it would have been her down there becoming the doctor’s wife.
During the prayer that came right before the kiss, Carsie picked up the arrow and got into position. Her accuracy was back. There was no doubt that she would nail her target.
She watched as the pastor pronounced them husband and wife, and then said, “Elmo, you may kiss the bride.”
The crowd ooh’ed and aah’ed as Elmo gave Macy a long kiss. Then they turned to face the congregation, and the pastor said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Dr. and Mrs. Elmo Mobley.”
Carsie drew her bow. It would be a perfect shot.
The congregation heard a loud crack and a swoosh, and were terrified to see an arrow slice through the air just above the heads of the happy couple, and fly into the choir loft, piercing the drywall.
Greg stood over an unconscious Carsie with the unlikely weapon still in his hand—a large print hymn book. He had whacked her over the head just in time. He yelled to the stunned couple, “It’s okay now. Everything’s under control.”
He flipped open his cell phone, dialed 911, and reported the attem
pted murder. He hadn’t recognized her at first because of the wig. He shivered when he thought about the disaster that could have been.
Then he saw her waking up and wondered if she had a knife or a gun.
“Did I get her? Is she dead?”
“No. Everybody’s fine. You missed.”
She tried to sit up, but didn’t have the strength. “I’ve got to kill her.”
“No. You’re not going to kill her. The police will be here any minute.”
“You don’t understand. She was supposed to die first—then I would die.”
“Well, I don’t think you’re going to die. You’re probably going to have a big headache. And then you’re going to spend a long time in prison, but—“
“—no. I am going to die. I’m dying right now.”
“Oh, come on—I didn’t hit you that hard.”
“Tell Elmo I love him. He was my only true love—ever.” Her eyes slowly closed.
“Carsie?” He knelt beside her. “Carsie?” Surely he hadn’t killed her. He felt for a pulse, but couldn’t find one. So, he began to perform CPR.
Still no breathing. No pulse. He had not meant to kill her.
Though unsuccessful, Carsie had followed her plan—using one arrow. And one little capsule.
40 - HONEYMOON
Elmo studied himself in the bathroom mirror. He could not remember ever being so excited about anything. But he was 56 and she was only 37. He hoped she never regretted taking vows with him.
For fifteen years he had wanted her. Every night they spent watching movies, talking, and laughing he had longed to hold her. They were best friends—so, why hadn’t he given her an occasional friendly hug? Macy had probably wondered about that, he thought. But he had always feared that the slightest touch of her skin would ignite his pent-up desire for her.
But now they were married. And he was about to make love to his beautiful wife. So, there was no longer anything to fear—except the question of whether he could fully satisfy her.
He sensed her expectations were very high, and he hoped he could meet the challenge. Because, with all his heart he wanted to please her in every way. He would do anything for her. Perhaps his eagerness would compensate for any deficiencies.
Greg Tenorly Suspense Series Boxed Set Page 38