Lottery

by Kimberly Shursen

  “Really?” Weber asked flippantly. “Have I ever been wrong?”

  Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “Ling’s not going anywhere.” He swiped across his mouth with the back off his hand. “I’ll make sure of that.”

  Weber smiled wryly. “Better get your shit together, and fast.”

  “But how do I get Ling out of the house? Away from the kids?”

  “She’s not going anywhere willingly.”

  Caleb’s eyes were glued on the entrance of the elite apartment building.

  “The sooner you do it the better,” Weber told Caleb.

  Caleb walked down the alley until he reached the street. He downed the rest of the gin, dropped the bottle on the ground, and hailed a cab.

  That damn Jenee had done her homework. Caleb had found a copy of Weber’s obituary, as well as McKenzie’s and Ron Price’s that she’d printed out from the Internet in her suitcase. She was probably telling Ling right now what she thought she knew. Stupid bitch. No one could prove anything.

  Hoping to make it home before Ling and Jenee, he made a quick stop at a floral shop. After purchasing dozens of red roses, Caleb had the driver drop him at the marina. Using water glasses as vases, he arranged the bouquets around the lower level stateroom, in the bedroom, and in the bath. Everything needed to be perfect.

  He bent over and took the gun out of the bottom of a cedar closet. After he made sure it was loaded, he pushed it into waistband of his jeans, concealing the weapon with his jacket.

  At the top of the stairs, he turned around and gazed down into the stateroom. Everything looked so romantic; the white wine chilling in the ice bucket, the long-stemmed roses that sent out a faint, perfumed aroma. Ling might not come willingly, but little by little, she’d adjust. She’d also realize that no one else in the world would ever love her like Caleb.

  On his way home, he made a call to the cable company.

  “Ahna?’ Caleb called out when he opened the front door. Finding Ahna in the kitchen with Mei, and Sammy asleep in the playpen, he picked up Ahna. “Wanna go play ball with Daddy?” he asked.

  Ahna’s eyes sparkled. “Play ball.” She giggled and wrapped her arms around Caleb’s neck. Jesus, how could Caleb leave her?

  “Don’t go soft on me now,” Weber said. “A fella’s to do what a fella’s got to do.”

  “Here it comes, Ahna,” Caleb said, sitting on the deck with his legs spread. He rolled the ball to Ahna, who sat a few feet away from him, her arms outstretched.

  Ahna squealed when she caught the large, red plastic ball between her legs.

  “Now, you push it back to me.” Caleb opened his arms wide.

  Using all her strength, Ahna pushed the ball sending it to only a few inches in front of her. Proud of herself, she clapped her hands and giggled, showing a full mouth of her pearly white baby teeth.

  “Good job.” Caleb praised and started to scoot toward the ball.

  “What have we here?” Caleb looked up and saw Ling in the doorway. Even though she still took his breath away, he was anger with her. Who the hell did she think she was? Did she honestly think she was going to get rid of Caleb?

  “Keep your cool, O’Toole,” Weber whispered. “Or the plan will fail.”

  “Mommy.” Ahna toddled toward Ling. Ling bent over and placed her hands over her knees. “Are you playing with Daddy?” she asked Ahna.

  Ahna pointed at the ball. “Play ball.” She glanced at Caleb and smiled. “Daddy.”

  “You have fun today?” Caleb asked Ling and stood.

  Ling stared down at Ahna. “Yes.” She stroked Ahna’s hair. “Jenee and I got caught up on everything.”

  “And,” Weber said to Caleb, “by the way, honey, I found my children and I a place to live and you’re not invited.”

  “Great.” Caleb forced a smile. “Good to hear.” Liar.

  Over dinner, Caleb listened to Ling and Jenee discuss the families they’d narrowed down for adoption. They’d not mentioned, however, that Ling was leaving Caleb and taking the kids … the room started to spin. God, he had to stop thinking. Thinking … thinking … thinking, until his head felt like it would explode.

  He needed to stay calm. It would only be few more hours until he had Ling all to himself again.

  It was after ten when Caleb carried Sammy’s bassinet into the master bedroom. Ling was still upstairs in the guest suite with Jenee.

  He gazed down at Sammy’s innocent face. The newborn’s thumb close by his mouth, Caleb knelt next to the bassinet.

  “I love you, son,” Caleb whispered and cleared his throat, tears suddenly rushing into his eyes. He laid his hand gently on Sammy’s tummy and felt the baby’s chest rise and fall with each slow, rhythmic, breath. “Your Grandmother will take care of you.” Sammy shifted slightly and slowly stretched a miniscule hand out from under the receiving blanket. Caleb lovingly put the child’s fragile arm back under the cover.

  “Oh God, Sammy,” Caleb said quietly, his voice breaking, “I wanted to be a good father.” He shook his head. If he didn’t stop now, he might change his mind. He stood, still gazing down at Sammy’s face. “I love you, Sammy.”

  “The kid’ll be fine.” Weber told him.

  “Leave me alone.”

  Tiptoeing down the dimly lit hallway, Caleb slowly pushed Ahna’s door open and peeked in. She was sound asleep; the stuffed bear Caleb had given her tucked under her arm. Lying on her side facing the door, the nightlight plugged into the outlet next to her bed cast a soft glow over her delicate features. Caleb walked to her crib, wrapped his hands over the top of the railing, and looked down at her. The knot in his throat growing larger, he still couldn’t fathom losing her.

  “My baby girl,” he whispered, “you’re so beautiful. Just like your mommy.” He laid his hand over the pink and white checked comforter that covered her. “Daddy’s taken care of everything,” he choked out. “You can have all the dancing classes and all the pretty dresses you want.” He paused. “You’re mine, Ahna. You’ll always be mine.”

  God, he didn’t want to leave her. He’d wanted to watch her grow up; be there for her when she graduated from high school; walk his daughter down the aisle when … he tilted his head back, his face wet with tears. If it wasn’t for that fucking bitch Jenee, everything would have been fine. But if it hadn’t been Jenee who’d connected him to the murders, eventually someone else would have.

  Ahna stirred and blinked open her eyes. Seeing Caleb, she held out her arms to him. His heart breaking, he picked her up and she laid her head on his shoulder. “Oh, God, baby,” he said, praying he wouldn’t break down. “Daddy loves you so much.” His arms around her back, he squeezed her gently. “So very much.”

  Caleb sat down in the rocker and cradled her in his arms. Ahna’s head nestled in the crook of his arm, he rocked her gently, staring into her sleepy, dark eyes.

  Ahna smiled up at him, trying hard to keep her eyes open. He rocked her for a few minutes, remembering the first time he’d held her in the orphanage; the day Ling brought her home; her first birthday with her face and clothes dotted in pink frosting.

  “Get out of here,” Weber warned.

  Standing up slowly, Caleb put the sleeping child back in her crib, and lovingly covered her with the spread. “I’ll find you again, my Ahna.” He patted her back a few times, turned, and walked out of her room. “I promise.” He closed the door quietly, not turning around to look at her again.

  “Grab your balls and get moving,” Weber spat angrily. “Or you’ll blow it.”

  With Weber spurring him on, Caleb walked down the hallway and stopped at the stairs that led up to the third-floor suite. Listening intently, he heard Ling and Jenee’s muffled voices behind the closed door. He held onto the railing, and took out the gun. Stopping on each step for a second or two, he snuck up the stairs.

  He drew in a deep breath and pushed open the door. Ling and Jenee were lying on the bed facing each other, their heads propped up on their hands. Ling’s back was to hi
m, Jenee spotted Caleb first and snapped to attention.

  “Jesus,” she gasped and put a hand over her chest. “What the hell are you doing?”

  Ling whipped her head around and scrambled to a sitting position.

  “He’s going to kill us.” Jenee slapped an arm around Ling and pulled her close.

  “Don’t move and don’t scream,” Caleb told them calmly, taking a few steps toward the bed, the gun pointed directly at Jenee. Not taking his eyes off them, he closed the door with his sandaled foot.

  “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing, Caleb O’Toole?” Ling asked angrily.

  Caleb put his finger over his lips. “Shut up, God damn it. I’m going to tell you exactly what to do and, if there’s so much as a whimper”—he waved the gun—“neither of you will make it out of here.”

  “Get out, you fucking whacko,” Jenee ordered.

  Caleb extended his arm, aiming the gun at Jenee’s chest. “I’m not kidding around here, bitch.”

  Ling threw an arm in front of Jenee. “Okay … okay, calm down, Caleb. Tell us what you want us to do.” Her face drained of color, Caleb knew he was in control.

  “Tell them exactly what you want, O’Toole,” Weber said. “Don’t leave anything out or this won’t work and you’ll fail … again.”

  “Where’s your phone?” Caleb asked Jenee.

  Jenee nodded at her purse. “In there.”

  “Get it out,” Caleb said. “And no funny business like pushing a button to call your hick Kansas husband. Got it? I have someone watching your house now.”

  Jenee gasped. “My house?”

  “My house?” Caleb mimicked in a high tone. “I want to make sure you do as you’re told.”

  Jenee crossed her arms across her chest. “I don’t believe you.”

  “I have all the money in the world. You think I can’t hire someone to go to Kansas and wipe out your family if you don’t do exactly as I say?”

  “Oh Jesus. Please … don’t hurt Justin … my babies … please …” Jenee begged, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “Do what I tell you and everybody will be just peachy.” Caleb smiled.

  “Doing great, O’Toole,” Weber complimented.

  “Caleb, you couldn’t hurt anyone,” Ling told him.

  “Really?” He glared at Jenee. “You haven’t told her yet?”

  Ling turned toward Jenee. “Told me what?”

  “I don’t know anything,” Jenee said unconvincingly.

  “Get your phone,” Caleb ordered.

  Jenee scooted off the bed, found her purse, and took out her phone.

  “Remember, if you push one button,” Caleb said, and pointed the gun at Ling, “your friend here is dead.” He nodded at Ling. “You and I, my lovely bride, are going on a trip.”

  “A trip?” Ling’s face contorted in terror. “What do you mean … a trip?”

  “Get up,” he ordered. Caleb felt empowered.

  “What about the kids?” Ling flashed Jenee a fleeting glance.

  “The kids are staying here,” he retorted.

  “But … when will we be back?” Ling asked.

  “No questions.” Caleb wiped the sweat off his forehead. He glared at Jenee. “Get your charger.”

  “Charger?” Jenee stared at him blankly. “For my phone?”

  “Are you fucking stupid or what?” Caleb’s anger rising, he wanted to hurt Jenee because of what she knew, but Ling would never forgive him. “Just get it.”

  Jenee’s eyes raced around the room. “I can’t remember where …” She stumbled to the dresser and pulled the cord out of the wall.

  “Turn the phone to silent,” he ordered.

  Noticeably trembling, Jenee pressed a button.

  Caleb waved the gun toward the door. “The three of us are going downstairs.”

  “This is crazy.” Ling put her hand over her forehead. “Caleb, you’re not thinking right.”

  “If one of you even so much as breathes too hard, you’re done.” He gave Ling a stern look. “And so is your mother.”

  “Oh, God,” Ling implored, “leave Mom alone.”

  Joining hands, Ling and Jenee walked out the door to the stairway.

  Behind them, Caleb whispered, “Not a word.”

  When they reached the second floor landing, Caleb said, “Go to our bedroom.” Caleb followed Ling and Jenee held hands as they walked down the hall and into the master bedroom. Quietly, Caleb closed the door, not taking his eyes from them. “I want you to stay with Sammy,” he told Jenee. “Plug your phone in.” He nodded at the switch on the nightstand closest to Sammy’s bassinette.

  Jenee let go of Ling’s hand, walked to the stand, and clumsily plugged the phone into the outlet.

  “You and I are going to have a lengthy conversation tonight,” Caleb said to Jenee.

  Ling stared at Caleb, her silent tears unending. “But—”

  “Shut up,” Caleb snapped. He couldn’t let Ling try to reason with him or he’d get all mixed up.

  Caleb took his cell out of the pocket in his jeans. “Call my number.”

  “I don’t know your number,” Jenee said tearfully.

  “Dial it as I give it to you.”

  Jenee opened her phone.

  “415 … 457 … 8910,” Caleb told her slowly.

  She pushed the numbers as Caleb gave them to her, and put the phone to her ear.

  He opened his phone when he saw it light up. “Good,” he answered. “Do not get off this phone until I tell you, do you understand?”

  She nodded. Her expression tortured, her eyes went to Ling.

  “I know you have an old phone, so you can’t text and do all the fancy things some can do,” Caleb stated. “The power is now turned off to the Internet, land lines, and television in the house, so there’s no way you can use them. And … if I hear any kind of a click, or if you stop talking”—he nodded at Ling—“you’ll never see Ling or your family again.” He glared at Jenee. “Do you understand?”

  Jenee stood frozen in place. “I understand.” She sniveled.

  “Where are we going?” Ling glanced at Sammy. “I can’t leave my baby and Ahna.”

  “Come on.” He motioned for Ling to go out the door, and then looked back at Jenee. “You might as well sit down. Remember, I’m not fucking around here. Your family is dead if you don’t do as I say.”

  Jenee slumped down on the edge of the bed. “Ling, I—”

  “Damn it, don’t talk to her,” Caleb said angrily, and then glanced at the door. “This door squeaks. If I hear even one tiny creak while we’re talking … if you so much as think about calling the police, the only thing you’ll hear is a gunshot.”

  Jenee shook her head back and forth rapidly. “I won’t. I promise.”

  Caleb opened the door slowly, the door creaking as he did. “Get going,” he said to Ling. As Ling started down the hallway, he closed the door. “Jenee,” he whispered into the phone, following Ling down the stairway. “Talk to me.”

  “Okay.” Jenee’s voice was strained. “What do you want me to say?”

  “Doesn’t matter. Just don’t stop talking. You’re good at that.”

  Ling stopped on the bottom step and turned around, her eyes glaring into Caleb’s confidently. “You’re not going to hurt me or anyone else.”

  “Set her straight,” Weber told Caleb. “Let her know who’s in charge.”

  Caleb yanked back his hand and slapped her across the face, sending Ling to the floor. “Won’t I?” He grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet, trying not to look at the fresh red mark on her cheek. Hating himself for the monster he’d become, if Caleb showed one sign of weakness, he’d lose Ling.

  “Caleb,” Ling cried softy, “I’ll do anything. Just tell me what you want me to do. Just don’t take me away from my babies.”

  Not answering, Caleb led her to the front door, opened it, and closed it behind them.

  “Ling?” Jenee sobbed into the phone. “Don’t h
urt her, Caleb, don’t hurt her, please.”

  “Mind your own fucking business and start talking,” Caleb said between clenched teeth. He grabbed Ling’s arm and pulled her down the walk. She stumbled, but Caleb held onto her.

  Ling looked over at him pleadingly. “Why are you doing this?”

  Listening to Jenee’s incessant chatter, Caleb put the gun down to his side as he made his way to the BWM in the driveway. Although they lived on two-thirds of an acre, and their house was on a hill, he didn’t want to risk anyone seeing his wife being taken at gunpoint. “Get in the car.”

  “I’m not going to leave you, Caleb, I promise,” she pleaded with him, as he pulled her with him to the car.

  Caleb opened the passenger door. “I said get in.” Caleb shoved her inside, hurried to the driver’s side, and quickly slid in. He put his phone on speaker and set the cell down on the counsel between them. After he switched the gun to his left hand, he started the car.

  “And then when I was six, Justin moved next door and …” Jenee’s teary ramblings served as a chilling backdrop as Caleb backed the car out of the driveway.

  “Where are we going?” Ling pleaded. “I don’t understand why you are doing this.”

  “She’s playing you,” Weber said. “Don’t let her fool you.”

  Heading to the marina, Caleb was focused. “You think you can get away from me? After all I’ve done for you?” He felt a surge of anger.

  “Caleb, please, just listen to yourself. You need help.”

  Ling was pitiful; begging for help, imploring him to do what she wanted. “I need help?” He laughed insanely. “You think you can just use me and then throw me away like I am a piece of shit?”

  “When we had Baileigh,” Jenee continued, “I looked down at her face and …” Jenee stopped talking and started to weep.

  “Keep talking, damn it,” Caleb shouted.

  “And … I … couldn’t believe how beautiful she was.” Jenee managed. “She …”

  He parked the car at the marina, grabbed the phone, threw open the car door, and hurried to the passenger side. He thrust open her door. “Get out.” He couldn’t look at her. God, he hated being mean to the person he loved more than anything in the world, but right now, it was necessary.