The Believer

by Kym Davis Boyles

  She found the burner on the left side of his body. Victoria kissed the dead man on his head. “I love you James. I always have and I always will.” She stared at her husband for a moment, placed her hand up to his face and closed his eyes before clearing her throat and dialing 911.

  “911, what is your emergency?” the flat voiced female said as if not expecting an emergency at all.

  “I heard a gunshot. I saw this couple arguing,” Victoria cried in a panic, “and I think the girl shot the man.

  “Ma’am, what’s your name?”

  “I don’t want to get involved. I’m just a concerned citizen.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Exit 257, near Jackie’s Tavern,” Victoria said.

  “Are they still there?” the operator asked.

  “No, I heard them argue then I heard a gunshot. The girl was driving a red Mustang. The man was older. They were fighting and then I think the girl pulled a gun then I saw the red Mustang pull off.”

  “Can you provide a description of the girl?”

  “Brown-skinned, pretty, and thin with long black hair. I also took down her license plate number if you want. It’s ZCS 600.”

  “Thank you ma’am, someone is on their way.”

  Victoria hung up the phone and took the Cameo necklace from her pocket and put it in James’ hand. She picked up James’ gun that dropped out of his hand and wiped it clean before lifting his pant leg and placing it back inside his ankle holster. She stood up, put the luggage back inside her trunk and closed it. She looked around before climbing back inside her car and driving off.

  Elena, Victoria’s housekeeper, always kept the car keys to her Hyundai Sonata on a hook in the kitchen by the back door. It was Elena’s evening to scrub the laundry room so Victoria grabbed her car keys.

  “Elena, I’m going to run to the store really quick.” Victoria knew that Elena probably didn’t hear her and it didn’t matter as she hopped inside Elena’s Sonata and sped off out of her driveway.

  Like last time she went to Cairo’s house, Victoria parked close to the stop sign and she did likewise this time in the Sonata which drew far less attention than her Jaguar. The neighborhood was even scarier at night but to her surprise, the streets were clear and she avoided the street lights. Fortunately, the street light near Cairo’s house was out.

  Shrouded in her black hooded cape and still sitting inside of Elena’s Sonata that smelled like stale potato chips, Victoria vigorously wiped the gun she’d used with a cloth. Making sure to leave no trace of her prints, Victoria scanned the area before opening the car door. She dashed to the side of the house and threw the gun and James’ phone into the bushes that lined the side of Cairo’s home. Victoria ran back to the car and drove off in the opposite direction.

  Chapter 123

  “He’s been taken to Princess Anne’s hospital,” Ben said.

  “Is he alive?” Evan asked.

  Ben paused, “Evan, I don’t have much information but you need to get to Princess Anne’s as soon as possible.” Ben could tell her nothing, being on his way to the hospital as well.

  Evan was frantic. She rushed through the automatic doors into the hospital, her hand on her chest. Rick approached the Patient Information desk with questions but the authorities would only give out information to Evan. Her husband was in room 361.

  Holding Mimi’s hand, Evan ran through the halls of the hospital to find Greg. Rick was behind them trying to keep up. Evan stopped as they came close to room 361. There were officers standing outside of it. She began praying and her eyes filled with tears realizing that Greg might indeed never come home to her and Gracie again. Please God, don’t take him away from me; I haven’t had him long enough.

  She released Mimi’s hand and slowed her pace, almost stopping. She needed a moment but her heart wouldn’t give it to her. She approached the officers who turned around and made a path for her. She didn’t look any of them in the eye lest their eyes tell her what she didn’t want to know. Please Father God.

  As she pushed the hospital room door open, Ben and a doctor stood over the bed. They both turned and looked at her. She couldn’t see Greg; she started crying. The two stepped aside to reveal Greg’s smiling face as he sat up in the bed. He held up one arm and she ran into it.

  Everyone left the room as she collapsed into tears onto his neck.

  “Evan, I’m okay baby.” Greg smoothed her hair. “I really am okay. The bullet grazed me. I’m okay.”

  Chapter 124

  Cai looked down at DJ who looked like an angel asleep in his toddler bed. The little boy definitely held her heart strings. She loved him so much. She bent down and kissed him on the head.

  “I promise you that I will be back for you. I love you, DJ,” she said, tiptoeing from his room to the living room, wanting to make sure not to wake Delilah.

  The house was old and the rotten wooded floors creaked loudly so every step had to be strategic to make the least amount of noise. She looked at the note that she had written Delilah. Dear momma, I’m going away for a little so I can make a better life for you and DJ because you two deserve so much more than what you have. I love you so very much and I promise that I’ll call you once I get there. I’ll miss you both. I love you~ Cai.

  Cai placed the note on the dining room table. It was short but she didn’t want anything long and sentimental because she was going to see them again once she and James got settled in. She picked up her duffle bag, opened the front door and looked back in the house that she hoped to never see again.

  She stepped out into the fresh night air and took a wave of it into her lungs. Sweet freedom. She slowly closed the door behind her and ran down the steps toward her Mustang. She unlocked the door and placed her hand on the handle.

  “Freeze!” a deep voice yelled, followed by the sudden flash of blinding lights.

  Cai’s heart fell to her stomach seeing her house surrounded by armed police with their weapons drawn on her. She threw her arms in the air. A man wearing a bullet proof vest with his gun aimed at her walked toward her.

  “Don’t move, Ms. Rice,” the officer yelled, holding the gun on her.

  With her mouth opened in horror, Cai was too stunned and scared to breathe, much less make a move. The officer walked up and threw her forward onto the hood of her car.

  “Cairo Rice, you’re under arrest for the murder of James Mason.”

  “Wha…what?” Cai could barely get the words out as her chest rested on her car and her arms were forced behind her back.

  The man snatched the duffle bag from her, threw it to another officer and began patting her down.

  Cai heard ruffling in the bushes beside their house and looked in that direction as multiple officers with flashlights combed the side of it.

  “We got it!” a man yelled, causing her and the officer to look over at him as he stood up from the bushes and held up a gun. The officer looked back at her and shook his head. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you.”

  Chapter 125

  Six months later

  Evan pulled the black curtain back just a little to get a glimpse of the crowd; the audience of several hundred women waiting in the auditorium produced a few more butterflies in her stomach. The women were smiling and laughing, and many had Evan’s autobiography His First Lady either in their hands or laps from what she could see.

  She walked back to her dressing room, dropped to her knees and began praying. Father God, you have appointed me for this time and I desire to honor you and uplift your name. Thank you for every experience that led me to trust you more and every victory that glorified you. Please give me the words to speak life to these women before me. In Jesus’ name.

  Evan stood up and looked in the mirror again, adjusting the large gold bauble necklace that hung just below the neckline of her navy and gold dress. She couldn’t believe that she was here, in the dressing room of a major theater. An author? Who’d have ever th
ought, and then to be speaking in front of hundreds of women about her book? Wow God.

  Staring at herself, she inhaled and separated a few of her curls; her natural ringlets were hanging just right today. She smiled; the Lord gave her one less thing to worry about. There was a knock on the door.

  “Come in,” she said.

  Greg walked in holding Gracie’s hand. The child broke free and ran toward Evan; her short legs only allowed her to run so fast. Evan bent down and opened her arms as Gracie fell into them. She kissed her all over, causing the toddler to giggle uncontrollably.

  Evan stood up and Greg handed her a bottle of water. “How do you feel baby?” he asked.

  “Nauseous,” she said, removing the cap. Greg smiled, putting his arms around her waist and rubbing her small belly. “Is it my boy in there or your nerves?”

  Evan placed her hand on top of his. “I think both,” she said. “As a matter of fact, I shouldn’t even be drinking this water because he’s sitting on my bladder and I don’t want to be running to the bathroom every ten minutes.” Her husband kissed her neck then released her. “It’s packed out there,” he smiled.

  “Now, I’m really nervous. Are my parents here yet?” Evan asked.

  “Mimi left a little while ago to pick them up from the airport,” Greg said, sitting on the arm of a chair across from her. “They’ll be here shortly.”

  Evan held her head back and closed her eyes. “Ugh.”

  “Baby, remember you felt the same way when you spoke at the women’s seminar at Nina’s church and it turned out great.”

  “But it wasn’t six hundred people in the audience and I had other ladies speaking so I wasn’t alone.”

  Greg picked up Evan’s author copy of His First Lady from the table that had tiny snippets of her notes hanging out from between its pages. “Evan, all of those people are out there to hear you talk about your book, the way God meant for your story to be told. He used you to touch these women’s lives and they’re here because they’re supposed to be. There is no reason for you to be nervous.”

  Evan took a heavy breath, knowing he was telling the truth and wishing that she believed it. There was a knock on the door. Gracie went running and hugged Greg’s legs.

  “Come in,” Evan said.

  Nina, Seducca, Kree, Daniela and Linda filed noisily into the room with flowers, air kisses and hugs.

  “Oh, momma, you look so beautiful,” Kree said, walking around Evan and admiring her look. “Stunning.”

  “Look what God has done,” Linda said.

  Evan wiped her eyes, grateful that they were there. “Don’t make me cry ladies, this is fresh makeup.”

  “Kristy sends her prayers and support. She’s at home with the baby so she couldn’t make it,” Nina said.

  “Oh, I’ll call her later,” Evan said with a grin.

  “Girl, they’re buying up His First Lady out there. I hope you have more books somewhere,” Seducca said.

  Evan looked over at Greg who had Gracie lying on his chest, hoping that he had that handled.

  “I’ll make sure we have enough, baby,” Greg said, knowing immediately what the look was for.

  Nina grabbed Evan’s hands. “You look so beautiful and we want you to know that we love you and we’re so proud of you. You’re an inspiration to so many women and we know that you’ll be fine tonight.”

  Linda held up two copies of Evan’s book. “I bought these at the table outside of the auditorium for my mom and sister. I don’t want them to have to stand in line for your signature.”

  Seducca sucked her teeth. “Can’t you wait? You so tacky,” she said, rolling her neck.

  “No, I can’t wait,” Linda said, putting one hand on her hip. “She signed your sister-in-law's copy, didn’t she?”

  “Ladies, ladies please,” Nina said.

  “You can leave them, Linda, and I’ll make sure to sign them,” Evan smiled.

  “Thank you,” Linda said, placing the books on the table and turning up her nose at Seducca.

  Nina leaned in and kissed Evan on the cheek. “We’ll see you afterwards, God bless you and we’re excited for you.”

  Evan hugged them all. Daniela stopped and squeezed her hands. “I don’t know what to say,” she said.

  Evan embraced Daniela again, “Only God.”

  There was another knock on the door. Greg opened it. A short man with a headset around his head peered in. “Five minutes, Mrs. Pharell.”

  Evan blew out a breath. “Wow, so soon?”

  “Let’s go ladies,” Nina said to the group of ladies.

  The women blew kisses and again wished Evan well as they walked out and closed the door behind them.

  Greg stood up with Gracie in one arm and walked over to Evan. He kissed her lightly on the lips as not to mess up her lipstick, then bowed his head and began praying for her.

  Mimi crumpled up the letter in her hand from Aaron. She was glad that he was doing well and she continued to pray for him, but had no more connection to him. It distracted her from what God had right in front of her. She walked into her bathroom and admired herself. She lacked nothing: not a man, not marriage, not children, not beauty and not a position. She was her Father’s daughter and she was complete in Jesus Christ. She smiled.

  Mimi fingered her hair and placed the growing strands behind her ear. She pulled the fitted black dress down and adjusted the pearl necklace around her neck. There was a knock at the door. She took a deep breath then smiled. I got this. Grabbing her clutch and her black pumps on the way to the door, she straightened her back and opened it.

  “Wow, you look stunning,” Rick said holding a bouquet of red roses in his hand. “I’m a little early, I hope that’s okay.”

  He looked so good in his black suit. Mimi tried not to stare but Lord this man looked really good. “It’s okay, I’m ready.” Rick handed her the roses.

  “They’re beautiful, thank you,” she said, walking off to place them in water. Rick couldn’t take his eyes off of Mimi. She noticed that he noticed her noticing. He looked embarrassed. She smiled as she filled her glass vase with water and placed the blooms in the middle of her dining room table.

  “The boys were disappointed that you and I were going out. They were looking forward to you cooking for them tonight,” Rick said.

  “Tell them that I said Friday night,” she smiled, slipping her heels on her feet.

  Rick took the opportunity to lean close to Mimi, kissing her on the lips.

  The kiss sent a bolt of energy down her body. “Whew,” she said with a huge uncontrollable smile. “Ready?”

  Rick walked to the door and opened it. “After you,” he said, holding it open as she walked in front of him, exiting the apartment.

  Charlotte sat with her back against the hard concrete wall with pen and paper in hand. Leon’s letter was four pages already and she wasn’t done. She was going to draw him some pictures to send along with it. She felt a tiny jolt in her stomach. She put the paper and pen down and rubbed her stomach. She had been telling Leon that the baby kicked all the time.

  She missed him and wanted to tell him everything that was going on.

  “Let’s go, Johnson,” Officer Morris said. “Time to take your medication.”

  Charlotte scooted from her top bunk and climbed down.

  “I need to speak to the warden because I can’t keep climbing up and down this bunk when I’m expecting my baby in a few weeks.”

  Morris looked at the ceiling and sighed. “Johnson, either you’re part elephant or there’s no baby in you like the doctor said.”

  Charlotte rolled her eyes and rubbed her stomach which was getting bigger. She didn’t care what anybody said because she and Leon were both excited about his firstborn child. Hopefully it was a boy so she could name him after his father. She didn’t care what the prison doctors and nurses said; it was not all in her head and she wasn’t taking their medication. Nobody was going to kill a baby of hers ever again.

  Wa
lking to the nurse’s station with her hand on her stomach, Charlotte smiled proudly. Her only fear was having this baby inside the prison. The state’s charges of bringing an unauthorized communication device into the jail, conspiracy to obstruct justice and three counts of sexual misconduct with an offender were bogus and a slick attempt at taking her baby from her because it was Leon’s. She was going to call her mother and sister today anyway. It was as good a time as any to ask them to keep the baby until she and Leon were both out to raise their child themselves, together.

  “Open your mouth, Johnson,” the nurse ordered.

  Charlotte put the pills beneath her tongue and took a gulp of water.

  “Let me see,” the nurse said.

  Charlotte opened her mouth; she couldn’t wait to spit these pills out.

  Barefoot in a smaller than usual yellow bikini and large signature dark sunglasses, Victoria stepped outside of her villa onto the wooden deck to look out over the paradise which was now her home. She stared out at the beach. The island was majestic. Anxious to feel the white sand between her toes, she hurried off of the deck and stepped out onto the sand. It was the reason why she had moved to the Caribbean. It was the closest to heaven she figured she'd ever get.

  She and James had purchased the villa five years ago and she remembered the feeling of complete freedom when they spent an entire month here. Their plans to move to the island permanently were stalled by James’ constant thirst for control and money. She had longed to pick up her life and move permanently and now she had. Victoria missed him though. She missed their life and their love but it was funny how life had a way of working things out. After Cairo was arrested and convicted for James' murder, Victoria received two separate payouts from James’ life insurance policies: one in the amount of one million dollars and another for a half million dollars. She packed her things, sold her home, made some investment moves and decided not to look back. Victoria sighed with pleasure as the sun kissed her skin.