“You know, I never used to do that...cry like that, I mean. I think I need a good shot of testosterone.”
“More jokes? Really, Jake?”
“No, I’m actually not kidding,” he said with the thinnest of smiles...a sad, defeated smile that nearly broke Eliza’s heart to see.
“Oh, do you want to stop somewhere—”
A roar of laughter escaped Jake’s mouth so suddenly that Eliza jumped. Was the young doctor losing his mind? He’d gone from woeful tears to hysterical laughter in under ten seconds.
“What’s so funny?”
“You. Your comment. I just pictured pulling into a drive-through somewhere to get my shot of testosterone.”
Jake was still laughing as Eliza stared at him solemnly.
“You must think I’m a real idiot,” she snapped.
“No, no, of course not, it just that when you said—”
“Well that’s not what I meant, you interrupted me. I was asking you if you wanted to stop somewhere to take a break from driving, maybe grab some coffee or something, not testosterone.”
“Look, I apologize. I certainly didn’t mean to insult you. My emotions are running the gamut here. Really, Eliza.”
Eliza chided herself for over-reacting. She shouldn’t have been so quick to lash out at him.
“No, Jake, I apologize. I guess hearing all of those things about Hillary made me tense.”
“Do you want to stop somewhere?”
“For estrogen?” She joked, to clear the air of any lingering trace of tension between them.
Jake chuckled.
“If it’s all the same with you, I’d like to keep driving until we reach Richmond.”
“Sounds good to me. Do you want to take a break from talking about Hillary?”
Jake began to drive and merged onto the highway.
“No...I know I need to confront my demons. She’s the whole point of this trip anyway. I just choked up thinking about poor Pat and Monica. I mean, what Pat did to her was unforgivable, but God did he suffer. They both did. Monica was an innocent party in all of this and she died so gruesomely.”
“You can’t take responsibility, Jake. You didn’t kill them, Hillary did. And we’re going to find her and make things right.”
Jake nodded. He had to believe that. It was the only thing sustaining him.
“How did you escape from her?”
“She was in the middle of torturing me, burning me. I was about to pass out from the pain. My body went limp. She thought she had killed me. Before she had a chance to make sure I was dead, my cell phone rang. Patty was calling...it was perfect timing. It distracted her. She told Patty that she was going to pay her a visit. I knew what that meant. She fully intended to kill my wife and daughter. After I heard her leave the house, I did everything I could to break free from the restraints. Thank God I was finally able to and called Patty. At first she didn’t believe me because Hillary had told her that she was my mistress. But thankfully she came around and left the house with Amber before Hillary arrived. She drove to Pat’s house and found me. You know the rest.”
“Why do you think she didn’t try to go after you again, you know, to finish the job once she found out that you had survived?”
“Maybe she did and I wasn’t home. I don’t know. I’d thought about that as well, that’s why I returned to the house. I was waiting for her. Patty never wants to step foot in there again...at least not while Hillary is still on the loose.”
“It’s a damn good thing she didn’t go looking for you. She would have finished you off in that drunken state I found you in.”
“Maybe. I guess I really didn’t care one way or another. I know it was stupid of me. I want her dead. I have to make sure she never hurts anyone again.”
Eliza was going to tell Jake that she didn’t intend to let him kill the girl…that she just wanted to take her into custody, but she didn’t want to start the argument that would undoubtedly ensue. When the time came, she would do what she had to do.
The remainder of the trip was spent listening to the news feeds and talking about things that had nothing to do with Hillary. They both needed to clear their minds from the clutter that this mission had created within their ambivalent brains. Eliza was still harboring doubts about what they were doing, though she fully intended to follow through on their plans now that their mission had begun. Jake, likewise, felt conflicted between the guilt he felt over his crumbling marriage and his dire need for retribution. Though he truly did love Patty, his anger and hatred toward Hillary was far greater. Perhaps Patty would understand one day.
Heavy pockets of traffic set them behind schedule. They didn’t arrive in Richmond until nearly 4:30 p.m. It took them another twenty minutes to get to the bus terminal. By then they were both sick of being on the road and would have preferred to drive straight to a hotel, but they were anxious to gather information. Together, they stepped into the station.
“Wait,” Eliza said, tugging Jake’s arm back as he walked forward.
Jake stopped to face her.
“What’s the matter?”
“What if she’s still here?”
“What?”
He hadn’t given it any thought and had just assumed that if she was at the bus terminal, then she would have taken a bus out of there to some unknown destination.
“What if Hillary never left this place?”
“That doesn’t seem likely,” Jake replied. “Are you nervous, Eliza?”
“Well...I don’t know. I guess I didn’t give much thought into what it would actually be like to confront her...in a crowded public place like this, no less.”
“I don’t know about you, but I’ll be ready for her, even if it is here and now, which I doubt.”
Jake looked annoyed by Eliza’s hesitation.
“Didn’t you bring your gun?” He asked bluntly.
“Yes, I have a handgun, but it doesn’t mean that I’d open fire in the middle of a crowded bus terminal.”
“That’s not what I’m suggesting. I’m just saying there’s nothing to worry about. Whether she’s here or in Timbuktu, we’ll find her and well be ready when the time comes.”
Jake turned and began walking ahead, leaving Eliza to follow behind him. She knew that she had irritated him with her concern. Surely he had taken it as a sign of weakness. Eliza even surprised herself with her misgivings. She didn’t understand why she was feeling so unsure of everything now that they had arrived in Richmond. She knew one thing for certain, through. It was a mistake to let Jake know that she had brought along her weapon. Would he now expect her to use it?
~13~
“Shit!” Hillary screamed as they entered the hotel. She turned and ran out to the street.
Miss Billie watched her in awe, not knowing quite what to think, what to feel. Since exiting the cab, she had been saying prayers in her head for strength, for courage, for wisdom, for guidance. She had a terrible feeling that the girl she had befriended was dangerous. Yet, oddly enough, she still didn’t feel like she was in any danger. Why wasn’t she fearful in light of all of the things she had discovered? Who was this sweet-looking child she had brought to Bethesda? Her thoughts were disrupted by Hillary’s sudden reappearance at her side.
“Miss Billie,” she cried frantically, clutching the old woman’s arm. “My bag’s gone! I left it in the cab!”
Her face was a picture of sheer horror. She looked like she had just seen the devil himself.
“Oh, child, don’t ya go worryin’ ‘bout it, I’ll buy ya some new—”
“No!”Hillary exclaimed as tears poured from her eyes. “It’s not the clothes I’m worried about, it’s my other stuff that I need. We have to go back, we have to—”
“What? Ya gots ta be kiddin’ now. I spent fo’ty dollars ta get here, we ain’t goin’ back! Now just calm yo’self down, child, we’s gonna figure it out.”
Miss Billie had no clue what personal belongings Hillary had brought with her, but the
girl was sure upset about parting with them.
“No, no, no, I have to get that bag...you don’t understand....”
“Now child, ain’t nothing worth gettin’ upset ‘bout losing ‘cept your life and yo’ health and thank the good Lord you’s got both them things.”
“No, you don’t understand,” she cried hysterically. “I have to get that bag back!”
“I’s sure the driver’ll be kind ‘nough to drop it off to ya.”
“No, noooooo, I can’t trust him!”
“You gots ta have faith in people, sugar. He seemed like a real nice fellow.”
Hillary was so upset that she was nearly hyperventilating. Her face was beet red and she was trembling.
“I need that bag. I have to get that bag back. Please, Miss Billie, please help me...”
“You gots ta calm down, child, you gonna have yo’self a stroke! I ain’t never seen no one gets all worked up like that over a bag. Whatcha gots there anyways that’s so impo’tant to ya?”
“My father’s information,” Hillary cried piteously.
“Oh, sweet honey, we gonna find him, you’ll see.”
Miss Billie wrapped her arms around Hillary to give her a hug, but Hillary broke free from her grasp.
“I have to go,” she said, sprinting out of the hotel.
Miss Billie followed behind her.
“Wait up!” She called out. “Where ya off ta child? Come back here!”
Hillary walked down the block, away from the Holiday Inn. Miss Billie dragged her small suitcase along, struggling to keep up.
“Caleigh,” she shouted out. “Wait fo’ me, Caleigh.”
Hillary heard Miss Billie calling out to her but she did not want to stop. She had to get away from the area and fast. She didn’t know what to do. She had no money, no tools, nothing but the clothes on her back. She knew what would happen once the cab driver opened the duffel bag and looked at the contents therein. He would find her collection of knives and instruments of torture. Not that any of the items were illegal to own, but together with the dead man’s wallet, the driver would surely know that Hillary was involved in the killing. He would call the cops—if he hadn’t already. There would be police officers crawling all over the city.
Hillary cursed under her breath as she picked up speed.
“Hey,” a man approaching called to her and Hillary’s heart stopped.
What did he want? Did he recognize her? Hillary wanted to run, but she felt trapped. She stopped and looked despairingly at the man.
“That woman calling you,” he pointed to Miss Billie as he spoke, “she just fell down.”
Hillary turned to see Miss Billie down on one knee with her hand over her heart. She didn’t know what to do. It was a good opportunity to grab the woman’s purse and get out of there fast. She walked back to Miss Billie and looked at the woman’s tired face. Miss Billie looked up at her. There was something in her eyes that made Hillary change her mind. She didn’t know what it was. Nor did she understand why she was wasting her time with the old woman when she should have been putting as much distance between herself and the Holiday Inn.
Miss Billie looked devastated, as if someone had just informed her that she had a terminal illness.
“Are you okay, Miss Billie? Are you hurt?”
Miss Billie shook her head and Hillary assumed that it was in response to her latter question.
“I’m sorry,” she said nervously, “but I can’t be here. I have to leave.”
Miss Billie was panting heavily.
“I…I…don’t…under…stand,” the old woman replied in between her labored breaths.
The man who had informed Hillary about Miss Billie was now standing beside them.
“Are you okay?” He asked Miss Billie while Hillary looked nervously around for any sign of trouble.
Miss Billie nodded as she caught her breath. The man extended his hand to help her stand up. She moaned and groaned as she arose to her feet.
“Thank you,” she said weakly, then began coughing.
“Can I give you a lift somewhere?”
“Yes!” Hillary blurted out loudly. “Please...that would be great.”
Miss Billie didn’t say anything. Normally she would have chastised the girl for accepting a ride from a stranger. She would have gone on to lecture her all about the dangers of getting into a car with a stranger. But at the moment, she just needed to sit and rest a while.
The man grabbed Miss Billie’s suitcase.
“I’m Roland,” he said as offered Miss Billie his arm for support.
Miss Billie thanked him as she firmly held on to his arm.
“I’m...Caleigh and this is Miss Billie.”
They walked across the street to where his shiny Cadillac Escalade was parked. He opened the door for Miss Billie and helped her into the front passenger seat. Hilary hopped in the back. The grey leather interior was immaculate. It still had that “new car” smell.
“Where to?” He asked as he plopped himself upon the driver’s seat and fastened his seatbelt.
“The Silver Spring bus terminal,” Hillary answered before Miss Billie had a chance to even consider the question.
“That’s actually in the other direction, I’m headed—”
“Please, mister,” Hillary begged.
She looked scared and desperate. Roland wondered what they were up to.
“Caleigh,” Miss Billie began, but Hillary was persistent.
“Please take us there...it’s really important.”
“Caleigh, now Roland here said he ain’t goin’ in that direction....”
Hillary’s blood was boiling with rage, but she was in no position to demand his compliance. Instead she resorted to tears, which weren’t hard to manufacture. Her sobbing may have been a bit over-exaggerated, but it served its purpose. Roland agreed to drive them to the bus terminal despite Miss Billie’s complaints.
“That just don’t make no sense,” she said, feeling annoyed that they were back where they started from.
“It’s the only chance I have,” Hillary said softly.
But to her dismay, when they arrived at the bus terminal, the cab they had taken before was not amongst those that waited at the curb. Hillary shouted out a profanity which got her a quick scolding from Miss Billie. She walked up and down the street frantically, as if expecting the car to materialize and produce her duffel bag.
After several minutes, Miss Billie was ready to move on.
“Come on, Caleigh,” she said irritably, “let’s take one o’ these here cabs back ta the hotel.”
“No,” Hillary shouted. “He could come back any minute.”
“Or maybe he’s done for the night.”
“Please, Miss Billie...can’t we just wait a little while longer?”
Miss Billie had had a rough and tiring day, ripe with both mental and physical stress. All she wanted to do now was return to the hotel and get something to eat. But seeing Hillary so upset and miserable, she couldn’t disappoint the girl.
“Child, I’s old, I ain’t cut out fo’ such crazy adventures. I needs some food ‘fore I pass out.”
“Okay, that’s a good idea, why don’t you go inside and buy some burgers or something for us?”
“Now the food’s edible? Before you ain’t want nuthin’ ta do with it.”
“I just want my stuff. I need to get that bag back. Maybe the driver will come back here.”
“And what if that driver is on his way back to the Holiday Inn to return your belongings?”
“I don’t know...I don’t know what I’d do without my stuff.
Hillary looked absolutely terrified by the prospect that she might not get her possessions back. Miss Billie felt bad for the girl, despite her aching back and empty stomach.
“I tells ya what,” she said. “I’ll make ya a deal. We wait ‘round here fo’ half an hour mo,’ child—just one half hour mo’—then we’s gonna go back to the hotel, IF....”
“If
what?” Hillary asked, knowing that she wasn’t in a good position to bargain.
“If you finally come clean with me. Tell me yo’ real story and what’s in that bag o’ yours that’s so darn impo’tant.”
“I don’t want to go back to that hotel...I can’t. Can we just find a different hotel to stay at?”
“Caleigh, you knows that was the cheapest hotel in Bethesda and we ain’t gots a lotta money. We already wasted fo’ty dollars. What’s wrong with the Holiday Inn all of a sudden? You sure is acting strange, child.”
“Miss Billie, if you help me, I’ll tell you what you want to know...I’ll tell you what’s in the bag.”
Miss Billie sighed.
“You know I’s gonna help ya, sugar. Miss Billie di’nt come this far ta quit now. I gots ta get us some food ‘fore I passes out. Now don’t ya go runnin’ away again, ya hear me, child?”
“I won’t, I promise. I’ll be here.”
“Okay, I’ll leave my suitcase with you then...and be careful...they’s some crazy people ‘round here.”
Miss Billie thought that Hillary was one of them but felt obliged to help the poor girl. God had sent the girl her way and she was put on this earth to serve Him and do His bidding. There had to be some good reason their paths crossed. Miss Billie didn’t believe in chance. They were fated to meet. Their lives were meant to intertwine. Yes, she had been called upon by God to show the girl the light and she would do her best to succeed.
Hillary waited at the curbside while Miss Billie went to get their dinner. She hoped in vain that the cab would return and that she could retrieve her bag. Several minutes later, a group of shady figures walked toward her. One of them stopped as the others passed her by.
“Oooh, pretty girl,” he remarked with a mischievous smirk.
Hillary flashed him a dirty look. She had no interest in fraternizing with the creep.
“What?” He said angrily, clearly offended.
The punk’s two friends waited for him a few feet up ahead. They turned back to observe what was happening.
“Hey, Pedro, trouble with your new girlfriend?” One of them jeered.
“Yo, mind your business Carlos, she’s warming up to me, aren’t you beautiful?” He turned to look at Hillary.
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