by Mary Abshire
“But her name is on Andrew’s arm, correct?” Troy asked.
“Yes.”
“Let me make sure I get this right. She’s a demon with rugrats. The ones she had before died and now she works in a hospital with infants. Did I miss anything?”
“No, you got it all right.”
“You know I’m not a fan of the little aliens, but if she killed them, then she is one fucked-up bitch who deserves to be put down,” Troy said.
“It’s speculation at this point.”
“But you haven’t found anything else to indicate what she may have done.”
“No, I haven’t. But I’m not rushing to judgment. She’s a mother.”
The signs may have pointed to child murder, but without evidence, Emily couldn’t believe it. Andrew and Troy seemed to be on the same page, which surprised her a bit. Why did men find it easier to believe a woman could harm kids? Maybe it was because they couldn’t give life. Emily couldn’t fathom having a child in the crazy world of today, but perhaps the fact she could prevented her from seeing things the way Troy and Andrew did. Whatever the reason, Emily didn’t have the same intuition they had.
“What do you want me to do?” Troy asked.
“Since Andrew worked in a hospital and has a degree, he would like for you to create credentials for Spencer so he can get a job at the hospital the demon work’s at.”
“Am I doing this favor for him?”
“In a way, yes, but if you do this, then I stay out of harm’s way. I can send you the résumé I created for him. If you can create certificates, diplomas, and hack into old hospital records, then he should be able to get hired by the hospital.”
“What about references?”
“What?” She shot her gaze to Andrew. She hadn’t considered needing contacts to confirm his employment.
“I’m sure he’ll need a few names in case they want to call and talk to someone about his previous jobs,” Troy said.
“Fuck, I hadn’t thought about that.”
“Is this the only way to get near the demon so he can kill her?” Troy asked.
“Right now, yes. She’s got a family in her house, so it’s going to be next to impossible to get her alone.”
“I suppose I could make up a few names, buy a couple of cheap phones, and pretend to be his references.”
His idea was an excellent one. She wished she’d thought of it.
“If you wouldn’t mind doing that, I think it would work,” she said. “Just remember to say nice things, not how you really feel about him. We want Andrew to get a job there.” She had to throw the last part in as a reminder so Troy wouldn’t say negative remarks.
“What happens if I don’t create these credentials for him?” Troy asked.
The question stilled her heart for a second. Did he truly hate Andrew so much that he’d refuse to help?
“If you refuse, then he can’t get a job there. We will have to stay here for as long as it takes until we can find a way to get her alone. The longer we stay, the greater chance we have to run into trouble,” she said. “I’m not leaving him. He can’t do this alone.”
“You mean, you won’t let him,” Troy said.
“We can pay you,” she said, trying to keep the topic business related.
“Did you get my invoice from the last job?”
Although they’d been close friends for twenty years, he still expected her to pay her dues like any other person he worked with. At least she knew what to expect with him and it kept things honest between them.
“Yes, and I’m going to pay you unless the diamonds have been sold,” she said.
Emily’s grandmother had died long ago and left her and her sister twenty-five diamonds to split. Her parents had kept them in a safe in their bedroom and had refused to give any to Emily. She found the combination to the safe in her sister’s diary and used it to claim her share of the jewels. Before she’d left Chicago, she’d given Troy the diamonds to sell.
“I’ll have to check my account,” he said. “Before I came to New York, the dealer was in the process of transferring the funds.”
“I’d like the invoice to come out of my proceeds, but I want still want to see the figures.”
“I’ll check and get back to you.”
“Will you do this for us?” Emily asked.
“Business is business.”
The words offered her a sense of relief. She smiled at Andrew.
“Thank you, Troy. You’ll always be the best,” she said.
“Don’t ever fucking forget that,” Troy said.
“Never. I’ll send you an email with his résumé. The sooner you can create the items for us, the better.” She moved her finger over the pad on the laptop.
“I can have them ready soon. And I will get back with you about the funds.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“You do realize I am doing this for you. I don’t give a fuck about him.”
“I know,” she said in a soft voice. “And I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“Sorry won’t save your ass when the shit hits the fan.”
“When does it ever not hit the fan?” she asked.
“I’ll be in touch.”
She lowered the phone and noticed the call had ended.
“What did he say?” Andrew headed toward her with a curious gaze.
“He’ll help us. It won’t take him long.” She set the phone on the table.
“Did he sound willing to help?”
“Uh, I think by reminding him I would be safe and this was a business transaction might have swayed him. He still has animosity toward you, so it was best you didn’t speak to him.”
“I’m sorry you’re in the middle of this. I don’t want you to be.”
“Don’t sweat it.” She turned her attention to the laptop and clicked on the icon to log into her email. “As long as we keep things business related and he believes he’s protecting me, then we’ll all be fine.”
“Thank you for asking him.”
She entered her information on the screen before looking up at him. “I’m glad to help. And since we have some time to kill before we meet with the realtor, if you want to go for a jog to work off any excess energy, now’s a good time to do it.”
“Good idea. I’ll do that.” He turned and opened one of the drawers. After he withdrew a pair of shorts, he headed for the bathroom.
Emily created an email to send to Troy and attached Andrew’s résumé. She typed up a brief message in the body and reminded him to send her reference names and numbers. After she fired off the email, she leaned back in the chair, relieved to have one major hurdle overcome. For a little while, she hadn’t been sure Troy would agree to help. She was glad to hear he would. Business was business after all, and she gave him plenty. While she and Andrew still had challenges to face, at least they were moving in the right direction.
Chapter Five
Sweat ran down the sides of Andrew’s face and trickled down his back as he jogged on the sidewalk. The humid climate and the heat from the nearby road added ten degrees to his elevated body temperature. He’d taken off his t-shirt and wrapped it around his arm to cover the ink. In the pocket of his shorts, his phone slapped his thigh, annoying him. He wished he hadn’t brought it, but he needed it to check how far he’d run and to monitor the time. At the gas station a few blocks behind him, he’d stopped for water and had reviewed his progress. He’d run almost four miles. After gulping down the cool refreshment, he’d decided to return to the hotel. He enjoyed jogging, but not when the humidity and heat were on the rise.
His thoughts continued to replay the conversation Emily had with Troy. Although he couldn’t hear Troy talking to her, he had a good idea what he’d said. She’d reminded him a couple times that the favor would help keep her safe. Since she repeated it so much, Troy must have been hesitant to assist. Then she had to explain what would happen if he refused. In the end, Emily managed to convince Troy to do the job they n
eeded him for, but it still bothered Andrew how much Troy resisted. Andrew wished he could make amends with Troy so Emily wouldn’t be in the middle of their turmoil.
The bill from New York had to be the reason why she mentioned the diamonds. Andrew had asked her several times if she’d received the invoice. She’d said they’d talk about it later, but she always put it off. Andrew had offered to pay it. Why did she avoid taking his money? A normal person would’ve taken the funds. Her refusal made him worry that she might one day decide to go her own way and leave him, especially now that she knew he could win at casinos. He tried to tell her money didn’t solve every answer. She seemed to believe him, but she was so damn independent he feared she’d still choose to leave one day.
He paused at a stoplight and waited for it to change. Breathing heavy and dripping wet, he scrubbed his shirt over his forehead. It was mid-May. Why was it so blasted hot? The signal changed and he resumed jogging across the road.
Andrew continued to ponder about his return to Earth. The more he thought about it, the more he believed he was meant to meet Emily. She had resources to help him. She also was a different kind of woman from the wealth of others he’d met. She had the ability make him see his weaknesses and failures. Who knew that was possible? He’d learned to be more respectful and attentive. He’d thought he’d been in heaven, but as he looked back, he’d really given in to whatever his lady friends wanted. In a sense, he was a man whore. He’d pleased them so he received pleasure in return. Sure, it was fun and sex was great, but there was more to life, even in heaven. Andrew couldn’t be certain if the council planned for him to meet Emily or if it had been fate that brought her to him. Either way, he believed they were destined to be together. He couldn’t lose her. He’d waited too long for the right woman. He’d died and had to be sent back to Earth. She filled his heart with love and made him yearn for her like no other ever had. In this life and after, he had to have her. But getting her and keeping her would be his greatest challenges.
He reached the hotel parking lot and ran across it. Licking his lips, he tasted salt. He’d lost so much perspiration he thought he’d lost a few pounds. As he reached the entrance, all he could think about was a cool shower and bottles of water.
The empty lobby had a television on the wall, a sofa, and several chairs. He passed the front desk on his left and waved to the young male attendant. Clear glass walls on the right of the elevators revealed kids were playing in the swimming pool. If he had trunks, he would’ve joined them.
He hit the call button for one of the two elevators. Both were slower than a snail for the two-story hotel. But he was too hot and tired to take the stairs. After waiting several minutes, he managed to ride up to the second floor.
Stepping off the elevator, he unraveled the shirt around his forearm. He used to the cloth to wipe his face as he headed for the hotel room. He’d offered to get his own suite to give her more privacy, but she’d turned him down. She claimed sharing saved them money since they were working together. Since he preferred being close to her, he didn’t argue.
He reached the door and knocked. Inside the suite, he heard Emily’s voice. She opened the door and held the phone to her ear.
“Uh-huh,” she said as Andrew walked by.
Andrew took a bottle of water from the mini-fridge before he sat on the bed. His curiosity begged him to listen. The shower would have to wait, but at least he could start to cool off with a drink. He took several big gulps.
“Let me see if I get this right,” she said into the phone. “Your two-year-old son from your first wife fell from the balcony and died while you were on vacation. Susan claimed he squeezed through the bars and tried to fly.” There was a small pause. “There was no investigation because there were no witnesses and you believed her.” Another brief pause. “A few years go by, Susan gets pregnant and has a boy. You go out of town on business a month before his second birthday. The next day you got a call that your son was found in the pond by a neighbor.”
Emily walked by Andrew and shook her head. Andrew presumed she had one of the ex-husbands on the other line. She sat on the other bed and faced Andrew.
“And since there was no evidence, Susan and the police believed he’d walked in his sleep, even though he couldn’t reach the door knob,” she said. “Had she ever left the door open before?”
Emily shook her head again and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, it doesn’t add up.” She sighed heavily. “Mr. Davis, I’m sorry for all your suffering and I appreciate the information you’ve given me.”
Andrew kicked off his shoes as he finished off the water. After twisting the cap back on, he set the bottle next to him. He could down another one, but he’d wait until after he showered.
“You’ve been very helpful. Thank you again. Goodbye.” She lowered the cell.
“If I remember correctly, wasn’t Davis the name she had before she became Williamson?” Andrew asked as he removed his socks. He tossed them and his wet shirt into his dirty clothes pile near the wall.
She dropped the phone on the bed. “Yes. That was her second husband. I called him while you were out.”
“What did I miss?”
“I started off by saying I was calling to find out about her previous work history. I didn’t say what company I was with or if she applied for job—nothing. He immediately tells me not to believe anything she says and she is a dangerous woman.”
Andrew drew his brows together. “How so?”
“He said she worked at a preschool and nursery during the four years they were married. He’d spoken to the two facilities and management told him there had been reports of abuse. A couple of kids had cuts on their hands and arms, but the kids wouldn’t say anything. Two kids had broken bones from falling from monkey bars on a playground. The facilities had to investigate, but there was no evidence of foul play. He found all this out after he separated from her.”
“Holy shit,” Andrew said. “And he lost his son?”
“Both of them. He had one from a prior marriage. He said after the second one died while he was out of town, he had a bad feeling in his gut. That’s when he started asking around. He said she had been taking nursing classes and her classmates spoke highly of her. She was almost finished with school when he got a divorce from her. He filed because he couldn’t stand looking at her anymore. He just knew she had a part in the deaths of both boys. The two employers he spoke to seemed skeptical about her. They didn’t want to say much because of the type of business they run. He said they followed the State protocols, reported, and had everything investigated. There was never any evidence proving she harmed the children.”
“Wow, this demon is a real piece of trash. I don’t know how she manages to continue walking around.”
Emily lowered her gaze. “It’s not that I don’t believe she’s hurt kids. I just don’t understand what goes through a person’s mind and how they can accept it. At first I thought maybe he’s just a disgruntled ex-husband. There are a lot of bitter spouses in the world. But when he told me details and that he’d researched, I knew he wasn’t trying to be vindictive.”
“She’s evil, Em, pure and simple. She hurts children. She kills them.”
She met his gaze. “He even told me spoke to her first husband, Steven Winslow.”
“Go on.”
“Steven and Susan married when they were nineteen. They had a boy and it drowned in a baby pool in the back yard. The second child died from SIDS. Mr. Davis said Steven is still distraught over losing his kids. It was the reason why Steven wanted a divorce. He couldn’t handle the grief and had thought he might never have more kids if he stayed with her. Steven told him she worked at a child-care place and had started taking nursing classes because she wanted to be able to save the lives of children.”
Andrew clenched his fist. He suspected she became a nurse to get closer to more children so she could kill them. The demon sickened him. He couldn’t wait to kill her.
“Mr. Davis got the name o
f the place she worked at. He said there had been reports of abuse and one death. Again, everything had been investigated and she hadn’t been found guilty of any wrong doing.”
“I really hope Troy comes through with my credentials. I need to get a job there before other babies end up dead.”
Emily swallowed and blinked several times. Her eyes appeared watery. “If you could have heard him…” Her voice cracked.
She rose and hurried away from him, to the window. When she lifted her hand to her face, he believed she was wiping it, but with her back facing him he couldn’t be certain.
Andrew strode toward her. He stopped within an arm’s reach and considered spinning her around and holding her. “I’m going to get her, Em. I will destroy this demon as soon as I can, I promise you.”
She cleared her throat before she turned to face him. “I’ll contact Troy later if I don’t get an email from him.” Her eyes were teary.
Although he would’ve preferred touching her face, he placed his hands on the sides of her arms. “We can get through this if we stick to the plan. We have to stay strong and work together.” The temptation to hug her and plant a kiss on her head overwhelmed him. How he managed to resist amazed him.
“I’ll do anything to help you destroy her. We have to be more careful because this demon stirs up too many emotions for us. We can’t make afford to make a mistake. The woman has to die so you can send that fucking demon to hell.”
He offered a supportive grin. “Well said.”
She took a long breath as her gaze lowered to his chest. “I think you should take a shower. We can’t meet the realtor with you all sweaty and stinky.”
He dropped his hands to his sides. “What if I meet her without a shirt on? Do you think it might improve our chances of getting that house?”
Her lips curled slightly. “Go take a bath.”
“Care to join me?” He took a step back.
She lifted her arm and pointed. “If I did, we wouldn’t make the appointment.”