by CeeCee James
“Now, I’ll be watching to make sure you do as your told. And just for good measure, I’m leaving Dinah down here to guard you.” His eyes took a hard glint as he studied her. Then, with almost a hyper energy, he turned to the dog. “Hungry Dinah? I haven’t fed her today, you see. She’ll have to earn her dinner.”
He looked back at Elise. “You haven’t behaved very well, but you can prove you will now. It’s all going to work out. We’re going to be so happy, you’ll see.”
Grabbing the back of her neck, he drew her close. She couldn’t help resisting him. Not put off, he pressed his mouth against hers as if the gag wasn’t there. After a long kiss, he released her with a satisfied look. “I’ll see you tonight, my queen. We have lots to talk about.”
He sprang up and patted the dog on the head, before looping a leash around the bottom of the stair banister. He snapped the other end onto the dog’s collar.
“You two have a good day now!” He waved and jogged up the stairs with a happy whistle. The door made a click as he locked it.
Dinah looked at her and growled, low and dangerous.
Elise took slow and deep breaths. She could feel the fear creeping in, threatening to make her lose her mind.
Upstairs, she could hear footsteps, and then the front door slammed. That had to be him.
A creepy feeling crawled up her spine. She looked along the ceiling but didn’t see cameras. Maybe he was bluffing about watching her, but it didn’t matter. It was now or never. She needed to figure out how to get out of this mess.
First thing’s first. She wiggled on the cot until she was able to get her hands in front of her. The plastic band cut a white indentation into her skin.
She glanced at the dog, who growled at the movement. How long was that leash? Mentally, she tried to measure it, finally deciding the dog couldn’t reach her if she walked as close to the wall as possible. It was a gamble, and there was only one way to be sure.
As she stood up, the dog charged. Elise flinched and a cry shot out of her throat, stifled by the gag. But the dog was just shy of reaching her. Slowly, Elise made her way to the other side of the basement as Dinah followed her at the length of her leash, canines flashing.
Limping, Elise made it to the old kitchen unit. She ran her thumb against the old Formica. It was sharp on the unfinished side that had faced the wall. Clenching her hands into fists, she ran the plastic band over the edge. Over and over, like she was starting a fire. At the same time, she pulled against the band, trying to stretch it thin.
Sweat formed on her neck as she scraped at the zip tie. The skin around her wrist was raw and red. Droplets of blood fell to the floor. Still, she sawed the band.
Snap! Finally, it came free. She untied the sodden gag from her mouth and fell to her knees with relief.
Dinah huffed and growled even more ferociously at the movement.
After catching her breath, she dabbed her wrists with the handkerchief and walked carefully back to the cot. The dog settled down as soon as Elise sat back on the bed.
One problem’s solved. But you’re still trapped. Take your time, but think.
She wrapped the handkerchief around her knuckles and stood up on the cot to examine the tiny window. This has to be the last resort. I might be able to break it and yell for help, but there’s a good chance there’d be no one around to hear me.
Sighing, she collapsed back onto the cot.
A chunk of crust sat on the floor. Something that must have dropped from the night before. She looked at the dog.
Immediately at catching her gaze, the dog growled.
She thought about Harry. His mannerisms. His habits.
His worship of Alice in Wonderland.
An idea floated in her mind. The dog’s name was from Alice in Wonderland. And what was that command? She tried to remember.
“Dinah, Tweedle Dee!”
The dog tipped her head as her bottom thumped to the ground.
She’s sitting. Is she doing it by that command?
“Tweedle Dum.”
The dog’s ears perked but she didn’t move.
“Dodo!”
Dinah jumped up and raced toward her, barking. She flinched as the German Shepherd was jerked to a stop by the leash. The stair railing creaked under the dog’s force. How had that worked when Harry had said it?
“Tweedle Dee!” she yelled again, flinging her arm over her eyes.
The barking stopped. Elise peered to see the dog sitting. But the shepherd’s lip quivered over bared teeth.
Elise threw the scrap of her sandwich toward the animal. The dog never wavered in its stare at her. She ran her hands through her hair and pulled.
Nothing’s working!
One word. One word had to work. Keep thinking.
“Alice,” she commanded. The dog didn’t move.
“Mad Hatter.” No movement.
She rattled off a succession of what she could remember, “White Queen. Cards. Red Queen. Red King. Caterpillar! Cheshire Cat. March Hare.”
The dog gave her no reaction to any of these.
In desperation, she yelled the one name that Harry had threatened her with the night before. “Jabberwockey!”
The dog laid down and rested her muzzle on her paws.
A tiny flutter of excitement rose in Elise’s chest. Did it work? Was that real? She stood up and tentatively took a step closer. The dog didn’t move.
She had one chance. One chance to make it past the dog. And if the dog attacked, she’d have no escape.
Elise grabbed the pillow and stuffed it under her shirt. She wound the quilt around her legs like a skirt and tied it. Her arms felt vulnerable, as did her face.
She grabbed the TV tray and folded it to resemble an awkward shield.
The dog watched her, eyebrows twitching.
“Jabberwocky,” she said again.
Dinah whined.
It was now or never.
She slowly limped toward the stairs, keeping the tray between her and the dog. Dinah watched for as long as she could, but never raised her head.
Elise reached the stairs and backed up them, one by one. What would she find at the top? She had no idea.
Mrs. McGregor?
Or Harry.
She tried the knob and discovered it locked. Well, she’d suspected that. Using the tray as a shoulder pad, she smashed into the door as hard as she could.
The door creaked. Quickly, she smashed it again. She was not going to stay here. NO! NO! NO! With each no, she ran into the door.
The final push broke the flimsy eye-hook lose and the door busted free. She tumbled into the hallway and nearly fell. Without looking to see who was around, she ran for the front door.
She unfastened the door, lock after lock after lock. Flinging the door open with a sob, she hobbled out.
Her bare feet slapped against the pavement. She ran for the house directly across the street and never looked back.
Chapter 26
—Twenty-Four Hours Later—
Elise walked out onto the overlook and gazed out at the bluff. White-capped waves looked like swimming geese against the blue of Angel Lake far below. The wind pulled at her hair. She liked to think that the breeze had traveled from some exotic place far away, rather than just start with a spit and a turn in her little town.
Yesterday. Her leg throbbed under a bandage of gauze. Her heart still felt the effects of icy fingers of terror.
But he’s not going to win. I was stronger and I won.
After running across the street, her frantic knocks on the neighbor’s door brought a very confused woman to the door. Elise had barely been able to ask for help, so terrified that Harry was right behind her. Even though she must have looked crazed, the woman had ushered her in and ten minutes later the police, along with Brad, were there.
Mrs. McGregor had known where Harry was working that day, and the police honed in on him at his newest job. He’d been insulted when the officers called him Simon, and appar
ently began berating them about his great mental prowess. Later, the officers recovered the Alice and Wonderland book and the bottle of ‘special vitamins’ that Detective Sloan felt forensics would prove contributed to Steve’s death. Another interesting piece of evidence discovered in Harry’s work truck was a cigar tube that was filled with hat pins.
Harry now sat in jail.
Elise’s hair blew across her mouth and she raised a hand to free it from her lips. She gazed out at the water again, the little ripples growing bigger as the waves picked up.
A lone figure picked his way across the beach below. She shaded her eyes to study him. Lean, dark hair. He looked up towards her and her heart leaped.
Brad.
He saw her and waved. Then he turned and gazed down the length of the bluff. In the next moment, he was running and out of sight.
What the heck? Where did he go?
Elise leaned as close as she dared to peer over the edge of the bluff, but he was gone. As she stood back, she gathered her hair to the nape of her neck. The grass blew around her in whispers.
She thought about the conversation late last night—or was it early this morning? She’d been lying in Brad’s arms, not ever wanting ever to move again. Letting his strength soothe away the fear of her night in the basement.
He’d whispered that he would have found her. He’d never stop looking. That he was so proud of her.
“So proud. You are so strong. I love you. Love you so much.”
She’d let his words fill her. His warmth surrounded her as she relaxed and breathed in the clean scent of his cologne, his natural smell.
After a while, she shifted to look into his eyes. “I was right to be worried about the neighbors. I just was focused on the wrong ones.”
He smoothed her hair from her face and kissed her. “Linda and Seth spent the entire night looking for you. Linda felt terrible that she’d scared you. You did too good of a job getting away from her.”
“I thought she had a gun.”
“She had a letter. You couldn’t have known this, but she’s Lucy’s second cousin. She’d been trying to find her for months, and finally tracked her here. That’s why they rented the house. They’ve been trying to check you out. See if Lucy was really safe.”
“Why didn’t Lucy recognize her?”
“I don’t know, hun. I think they mentioned that they were on her father’s side. Maybe they never met.”
“What does this mean for Lucy?”
“I’m not sure. But we’ll figure all of this out. We’ll get through this.” He drew his fingers along her jaw and down her neck. “You were right to be wary about the construction truck at their house, though.”
“Was it Harry?” Her skin prickled.
“Yeah. When he saw them move in, he offered the landlord free renovating services. He said it was because he wanted a reference for future business. He was updating their kitchen.”
“And Lucy?”
“She’s fine. She’s going to be fine. And so are you.” The moment melted with more love.
Flowers brushed against Elise’s leg under her dress. She picked one—a daisy—and began pulling the petals.
He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me.
Suddenly, there was Brad’s dark head again, making his way up a hidden trail. His eyes were on the ground as he picked his way along the path.
“Hey, handsome!” she called. He looked up, beaming when he spotted her. His steps sped up.
When he reached her, he wrapped her in his arms with a promise to never let her go. He kissed her once, twice, his lips trailing down her neck until she giggled and pulled away.
“Thank you for meeting me here,” he said, running his hand down her back.
“How’s Lucy? Lavina has her?” Elise asked.
Brad took in a deep breath, as though there was something else he wanted to say, then seemed resigned at the direction Elise needed the conversation to go. “She’s doing good. Last I saw her, she had four bags of clothes and pink hair.”
“Pink hair?”
“I’m kidding.” He leaned in and nuzzled her neck again. “But she’s fine and safe. And now, this is our time.”
He stepped back and gently brushed her wind-tossed hair from her face. His eyes were dark as they studied hers. “I’ve waited my entire life for this, and I’m not waiting one second more. It’s time to give you your birthday present.” His hands raised a line of goosebumps where they stroked down her arms until they met her own. He gathered them together and brought them to his lips to kiss.
Elise looked up, shaken when she saw his eyes fill with tears.
Slowly, he dropped to one knee.
“Brad!” she exclaimed, his name catching in her throat.
He reached into his pocket and brought out a tiny box. The box.
Heart pounding in her chest, Elise's breath caught in her throat. This was happening. Really happening.
“Elise, my love, you say that you need me, that you see me as your hero. But you’ve got it all wrong. You’re my hero. You are so strong and so beautiful- inside and out. You have more heart than anyone I’ve ever known. I love you in every way a man can love a woman. You’re my best friend, my lover, my better half. I can hardly wait to see what life has in store for us.” Elise clasped her hands over her mouth, willing her trembling legs to hold her up. His hazel eyes crinkled in the corners with a smile as he opened the box. “And I know it will be amazing with you by my side.”
Nestled inside, an antique ring’s diamond sparkled in a rose setting, with tiny slivers of green emeralds for leaves. He took it out, then looked up at her. His expression was so eager and hopeful and Elise felt everything fall into place.
“Elise, will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?”
She couldn’t speak, the knot in her throat was so big. She nodded, tears falling down her face as he slid the ring on her finger. She smiled then, so hard and wide it hurt and he leaped up, catching her up in his arms. They held one another tightly, and Elise knew she had finally come home as his mouth crushed hers.
This man! This man is mine!
Many minutes later, he grabbed her hand and they slowly walked back to the trail.
“I have a lot more plans for the day if you’re up for them,” Brad said, going slow for her injured leg. “But I wanted to propose to you up here, overlooking Angel Lake. Our place. Where it all began.”
She looked out at the water and squeezed his hand. “It’s perfect.”
“So, what kind of wedding do you want?” he asked, his eyes twinkling. “Lots of flowers and guests?”
“I just want everyone there that I love, my friends and my family.”
“Oh, trust me. They’re all going to be there.”
“Even Mr. G?” Elise smiled.
“He’s coming. He’s offering a free concert as his wedding present to us.” He grinned. “Your mom’s going to pass out when she sees him.”
“My mom? How about me.” She nudged Brad in the arm. “He’s still kind of hot.”
“You’re giving me a complex. How can I ever compete?”
Elise grinned and looped her arms around his shoulders. Smiling up at his face, she traced his cheek with her thumb. “You’re kind of hot, too, Mr. Carter.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere, Mrs. Carter.”
The End
Thanks so much for reading The Tempting Taste of Danger. Need to catch up on the rest of the Angel Lake Series, or want to check out my award winning memoir? Below are the titles and blurbs.
The Sweet Taste of Murder
The only thing worse than an used car salesman showing up on your doorstep is finding one dead. And your best friend is the main suspect.
After a scandalous divorce, Elise returns from the big city to her southern home town only to trip over the body of the town playboy. He leaves behind a heap of trouble that includes missing money, missing pets, and mourning lovers, and the suspects just keep pil
ing up.
Caught in her own drama, Elise is quick to wash her hands of it, until her best friend, Lavina, winds up as the number one suspect.
Can Elise clear her friend's name without ending up as the next one dead? Or are her friendship blinders keeping her from seeing the truth?
The Bitter Taste of Betrayal
The only thing worse than a ship overrun with Elvis Impersonators is having to find the missing one. And the killer is out to find you.
When Elise Pepper decides to take a long overdue vacation, she discovers that her Caribbean cruise isn't going to be quite the relaxing trip she'd hoped for.
Instead of enjoying a quiet getaway, she finds herself in the middle of a theme party. Who knew there were so many Elvises and Marilyn Monroes in the world?
But when an Elvis goes missing and it turns out he was a wealthy philanthropist Elise is dragged into the mystery as the last person to see him.
As she tries to convince everybody of what she saw, her frustration turns to fear when she realizes that she's trapped on board with a killer who will stop at nothing to silence her.
The Sour Taste of Suspicion
The only thing worse than living in a haunted house is somebody trying to make you the next ghost. And a dollhouse is the only clue.
When Elise takes a position at spooky old Montgomery Manor as companion to her friend Lavina's great aunt, she's expecting an easy job for the holidays. What she doesn't expect are dead bodies, ghosts and a murderer who's picked her as the next target.
Delving into the secrets and tragedies of the past, her only clue is a doll's house from which pieces keep mysteriously disappearing. But what is the connection between the doll's house and the real one? Is Montgomery Manor really haunted, or is there something even more sinister afoot?
Elise will have to use all her all her ingenuity to answer the questions--and fast, or she just might find she's the house's newest ghost.