"Hey sweetheart. We're gearing up for our busy tornado tourist season. How are you?" Liz asks.
* * *
"Could I stay with you for a few days? I know it ..." Kathy didn't want to cry.
* * *
"You are always welcomed in my home. You can stay for a few days or a few years. You're my sister and I love you." Liz stated.
* * *
Kathy sniffles," Thank you. I'm going to wait until I'm paid to buy the airline ticket." She said.
* * *
"No you can use my credit card and come to Austin in a few hours." Liz said.
* * *
Kathy chuckles," Okay." She smiles. "I have to talk to Lance. I need a few days away from him and New York." Kathy said.
* * *
"Don't push him away, Kathy. He's a keeper." Liz softly said.
* * *
"He needs someone not broken and disgusting." Kathy said.
* * *
"You're not disgusting. And 98% of people have been broken in some way. Those of us that allow ourselves to heal don't stay broken. You don't make that decision for him. The only decision I want you to make at the moment is what flight you're booking. Okay. "Liz said.
* * *
"Ok. I love you. I'm so thankful you're my sister." Kathy said.
* * *
"I love you Kit Kat. I'll give you my business credit card. When you book the flight email me the reservation information so I can pick you up from the airport. "Liz stated.
Camryn awaken feeling an odd calmness. She ate breakfast while flipping through items from the apartment. Anna had planned to steal her identity... and possibly planning more sinister things. She counted $6000 in cash. She located three bank accounts all in her name each account over $30K. It’s well known in the family how often Anna liked to take short cuts. Camryn hopes this money came from legitimate means. Camryn never had this much money in her lifetime.
* * *
"Aunt Niecy, its Camryn." She said.
* * *
"Police already called me baby. It's a call I've been expecting… taken out by a hit and run. Cars don't seem to like this family." Niecy said. "Lisa planned to pack up the apartment but where is she living. You were staying with her?" She asked.
* * *
"I'm passing through. I'm here and I can pack the place up. Is there anything you want?" Camryn asked.
* * *
“The day that girl put a gun to my head I was done. Call me if you need anything. Wait Lisa want’s you.” Niecy said.
* * *
""Hey Cam it’s Lisa. You're in Albuquerque correct?" Lisa asked.
* * *
"Hello Lisa, yes I am." Camryn said.
* * *
"Did Anna have any money?" Lisa asked.
* * *
"Some. How are you holding up Lisa?" Camryn asked.
* * *
"Her car?" Lisa said
* * *
"What?" Camryn said.
* * *
"Her car. Where's her car?" Lisa asked.
* * *
"She sold it." Camryn lied.
* * *
"Oh." Lisa sounds disappointed. "How are you doing?" She asked.
* * *
"I'm a little numb. I didn't want to ask Auntie. Where do I send the ashes?" Camryn asked.
* * *
"Mom's not ready to let Anna back into her house." Lisa said." What size are Anna's clothes?" She asked.
* * *
"She was a size 4". Camryn said.
* * *
"Damn! Being on those drugs kept her skinny." Lisa said.
* * *
"I don't think Anna used." Camryn stated.
* * *
"You didn't see her." Lisa said.
* * *
"Ok. Where do I send Anna's ashes? "Camryn said.
* * *
"Send them to me...Camryn I'm sorry I'm hurting for money." Lisa is silent.
* * *
"It depends how much is left over from the cremation and I can let you know what I can send you." She said.
* * *
"Even if it's a 100 it would really help so thanks." Lisa said.
* * *
"Could you text me your address please?" Camryn said.
* * *
Camryn stirs her green tea. On one hand she's glad no one's performing grieve on the other no one is missing Anna. She was a rotten bitch…but still.
* * *
Camryn logs onto to Facebook and re-read Alison's message.
* * *
Camryn types:
* * *
Hello Alison, I was so surprised to hear from you. How are you doing? I'm in Albuquerque. Do you remember our cousin Anna, Aunt Niecy's fast tailed daughter? She's passed away and I'm getting things arranged. It would be great to talk to you. My Skype handle is Camicane_M let me know when you're available to speak.
* * *
She re-read the message and clicked send.
Alison attempts to calm herself.
* * *
"What was I supposed to do?" Claudia asked.
* * *
"Shut-up!" Alison orders. She paces in a circle for a few moments.
"We need a bucket or large bowl. I'm getting cleaning stuff...were washing the body. We're going to clean this place probably better than it's ever been cleaned. The wife is about our size so we'll get some of her clothes to change into. "Alison said.
* * *
"What about the blood?" Claudia said.
* * *
Alison slaps Claudia as hard as she could. "I found you a present a guy for you to fuck and ... you kill him!" She said.
* * *
"He saw my face." Claudia said.
* * *
"Why? Hmm? You ordered him to kiss you. Fuck it we’ll argue about this later. His wife is coming back from her business trip in a few hours so we don't have time for both of us to fall apart and leave evidence behind." Alison stated.
* * *
"I'm sorry Alison... he had good dick. “ Claudia said.
“Stop doing that whiney high pitched four year old voice!” Alison said.
“I'm still horny.” Claudia said.
* * *
"I don’t give a shit. What you what means nothing, we have clean up to do." Alison stated.
* * *
"I said I'm sorry. Those women in jail. Flirting with me and having to take a shit in front of them." Claudia said.
* * *
"We may not be able to use the video." Alison said.
* * *
"He has a wife, she'll pay." Claudia stated.
* * *
"She'll pay if she cares." Alison said.
* * *
Claudia locates cleaning solution while Alison finds change of clothes. Alison went through the man's wallet and found $150 in cash she takes. Claudia washes the body.
Alison uses his phone to search for flammable items. She searches the apartment.
* * *
"This loser was a painter." Alison said. She found paint thinner. She pours bleach across the man's body.
"Claudia grab the turpentine." She orders.
* * *
Alison rolls up some newspaper and lights a fire. She tosses the burning paper on the man's body and shortly flames leap around him. She doubts this will cremate him but with some luck evidence will be destroyed.
* * *
She and Claudia run into an elderly neighbor when they come out of the man's apartment.
* * *
The old man steadies himself along the wall. He saw two figures his eyes wouldn’t focus.
* * *
"Hello?" said the old man.
Alison is annoyed seeing him. She throws turpentine into his face. He screams in pain. Alison drags Claudia away and down a flight of stairs. They change their clothes on the stair case and kept trying doors until they find one unlocked.
* * *
Claudia pushes th
e elevator button. "This woman has ugly clothes." She said.
* * *
"Shut up." Alison said.
* * *
Alison considered her options. The old man saw Claudia but there was nothing outstanding about her so she doubts the old guy could give a detailed description. But if he did...she's comfortable with what’s to be done.
Claudia messed up everything being in jail. It takes time to locate and cultivate a partnership for these activities. She tries to be patient with Claudia. Most people it's a snide remark, something to use as an insult but for Claudia Garcia it is true- her mom and dad are brother and sister.
* * *
Alison insist they walk back to her flat. It is about a 30 block walk and Alison hopes when they reach her place the bleach scent would be gone. Her building has a doorman. Around 6am the doorman went for a smoke break. She made Claudia wait until he walks away from his post and they get into the elevator and into her flat.
* * *
"We take showers and we burn these clothes." Alison said.
* * *
"Ali, I'm sorry." Claudia said.
Alison walks away saying nothing to her. Claudia is worried. She’s never seen Alison this angry with her.
Camryn had been working on her affiliate business for a fee hours. Wesley had to reschedule their coaching call today. She hired a company to clean out Anna's place. She wonders if they would find any more money.
Camryn turned on Anna's tablet. Camryn is surprised to see another deposit into Anna's account. Direct Deposit from PeterSon Group $16,480. What Anna did to for this money?
* * *
Camryn’s phone rings.
* * *
"Hello?"
* * *
"Hello is this Ms. Morgan? This is Sunny from Johnston Cremation Services." She said.
* * *
"Yes, hello Sunny how can I help you?" She said.
* * *
"The Coroner's Office released Ms. Jackson to our custody. We want to know if you like to see her prior to the cremation?" Sunny asked.
* * *
"No." She said.
* * *
"Will you need more than 5 death certificates?" Sunny asked.
* * *
"No. Did you send the certificates to the final arrangement policy company and the life insurance company?" Camryn asked.
* * *
"Yes to both." Sunny said.
* * *
"I do need to stop by and pick an urn for her. I don't want my Aunt getting a box of ashes." Camryn said.
* * *
"You can order the urn online and we'll do the rest. Don't worry Ms. Morgan your cousin's final resting place in good hands. "Sunny assures her.
* * *
"Thank you Sunny." She said.
* * *
"You're welcome. I'll contact you when the process been completed. "Sunny said and hung up.
* * *
Camryn wrote an email to PeterSon Discretion Group (PDG) from the Trustee desk. She stops. She wasn't sure if emailing is the best approach. She considers what she would say. She searches the company online the headline lists 'Live your fantasies with PeterSon Discretion Group.'
She wasn't sure if this is a porn site or adventure group the site list invitation only events and a form for people to get on the members list. She scrolls through the page and shakes her head this site needs work! She thought. Ah! This is a site for a sex club. She located Joshua's information on Anna’s phone. She dials.
* * *
She is relieved--- voice mail. "Hello Mr. Peters, my name is Camryn Morgan I'm not sure if you've been informed of Annabel Jackson's death. I'm her trustee and need to speak to you about her estate. I'm sending you an email with my contact information. Please give a day and time that will works best for an appointment. Thank you." Camryn took a deep breath after she hung up. She found some social media pages about Joshua Peters so far other than the sex club he appeared normal. Anna looked normal too so who knows what skeleton he's hiding.
Lance understands. He didn't want her to leave but he understands. Kathy told him she didn't want the police knowing about the flash drive but Lance took it to Detective Sonya Crawley anyway. The detective shown a lot of compassion for Kathy.
* * *
He didn't tell her he watched it and heard the giggle from the rapists. He couldn't risk being judged or worse the police believing he had something to do with the attack.
Lance is angry. He didn't want more church people telling him this is a test from God. Or the manifestation nuts telling him about the law of attraction and blaming Kathy for her attack.
* * *
He found Kathy hiding in a closet. He took her to the hospital. Being told the person that did this is likely someone she knew. He now scrutinizes the faces of everyone.
* * *
Who seems too interested?
* * *
Who's too disinterested?
* * *
This woman shaken the serenity of his Kathy. This woman shaken his belief he can protect his family.
* * *
Kathy is angry at him, this person, herself, the world. She attempted to give him back the engagement ring. He refused. Now she's leaving...will she return or will he to go to Texas to be with her? He hated Texas and hoped a relocation to that armpit state wasn’t in his future.
* * *
Lance walks to a bar a few blocks from his apartment. He needed a drink.
Camryn logs into Skype. A few rings.
* * *
"Camryn." Alison said.
* * *
"Alison." Camryn smiled. "Turn on your camera, please." She said.
* * *
Camryn and Alison look at each other for a few moments. Camryn was 12 years old the last time Alison saw her.
* * *
"You’re a grown woman. I see you still have that mega white smile." Alison said.
* * *
"Thank you. You look amazing." Camryn smiles.
* * *
"Black don't crack." Alison grins.
* * *
"Unless we crack it." Camryn said. "How you been?" She asked.
* * *
"Pretty good, living in New York has its moments. You?" Alison said.
* * *
"Um... I'm making a comeback." Camryn stated.
* * *
"How did Anna die?" Alison asked.
* * *
"Hit and run." Camryn said. She scratches the side of her eyebrow. "Vehicles keep killing people in our family." She said.
* * *
"Yes they do. My husband drove one of those ghost trucks." Alison said.
* * *
"You’re married. What’s his name and what the heck is a ghost truck?" Camryn said.
* * *
"It's the semi's that haul top secret things like war heads. The truck only gets listed by a code. The haul is sealed the driver doesn't know." Alison stated.
* * *
"How many years you been married?" Camryn asked.
* * *
"12 years, but he's dead." Alison said.
* * *
"I'm sorry." Camryn said. It's a natural question to ask but she wished she chosen another option. "I'm getting Anna's estate situated here in Albuquerque and after I'm going to Austin." She said.
* * *
"I'm down the street from you in Roswell on business." Alison lied.
* * *
"Oh. We're what... four- five hours apart, I'm going to be here a few more days. Would you be able to stop by before you head back to New York? Are you heading back to New York?" Camryn said.
IF: Nowhere To Run (Camryn Morgan Series Book 1) Page 7