The Darkness of Perfection

by Michael Schneider

  I managed the legal fronts of our empire, dealing with oil prices, the energy boards, and all the headaches that came with offshore drilling and environmental activists, wishing I could handle it the same way William handled the lowlifes on his end. He had the advantage of being able to put a bullet in the head of anyone who protested or got in his way, while I had to smile and dazzle everyone and be well-versed in doublespeak to make things happen. It was challenging and I excelled at it, but muscle and a wellplaced bullet moved things along at a much faster pace.

  I wished our father could see that the Feds didn’t start snooping around until William took over. I would have been better at running things. I was colder, harder. I wouldn’t make the mistakes he obviously had. Maybe when I came home with my prize, my father would reevaluate our positions.

  “If it helps, I grabbed this flyer off her door and I overheard her tell that kid earlier she was going,”

  Jerome offered, handing me the paper.

  I briefly read over the invitation to a party at one of the clubs further out of town that catered to college kids, and pursed my lips in thought. He explained the conversation he’d overheard while a plan began forming in my mind. I looked up at the rain-swollen clouds again as a slow grin spread across my face. This was perfect.

  Antonio saw my expression and suspected what I was planning. “Nicholas, no. I don’t think it’s a good idea. There will be too many people,” he argued. “Your brother won’t approve.”

  “Leave my fucking brother out of it,” I snapped. “I don’t answer to him. This is my decision.” I crumpled the flyer in my fist and shoved it against Jerome’s chest, ignoring Antonio’s warning. “This will actually work better and be more believable. Drinking and driving on wet roads are always a fatal combination. Jayden is taking her car and going alone. It won’t take much effort to drug her drink and take her from the club. Everyone will be too busy doing their own thing to notice when she disappears.”

  “Sir, I have just one question,” Jerome asked, “Why are we going to so much trouble to make it look like she’s dead instead of just taking her? It’s not like anyone would know it’s you, and it just seems like a lot of additional trouble.”

  “Trust me, my family would be the first people her mother would suspect if Jayden suddenly went missing. Besides, it’s poetic justice, since her mother used an accident years ago to take her from me.

  She needs to believe Jayden is dead so she doesn’t come sniffing around,” I explained calmly.

  “Then why not just kill the family if they pose a problem?” he asked, still confused.

  “Because I need them alive to control Jayden until she accepts her life again,” I said slowly, grinding my teeth in irritation. “You need to learn the nuances of controlling people. Everyone has a weakness that makes them easy to control. Jayden’s family is hers.

  I want no mistakes; she’s going to disappear. Jerome, you’ll be with me. Antonio, you’ll take her car to the bridge and stage the accident at the river. I want it to look like she lost control and drowned, and her body swept away in the accident. The water is high and the current is strong enough to make it plausible. Call my pilot and have him standing by at the airport to meet us.”

  I walked around to the get in the SUV, pulling open the door and stopped to laugh at Antonio’s worried scowl. “Smile, Antonio. By this time tomorrow night we’ll all be headed home and you can go see that pretty girl of yours.”

  I could tell Antonio wanted to argue more, but I wasn’t interested in hearing it. I slammed the door

  and put the SUV in gear, pulling out of the parking lot. Only one more night on the lumpy hotel bed and then we’d be home. I couldn’t wait to see the surprise in her eyes when she faced me again. Would she remember me now or had my image really dimmed that much in her memory? There was no flash of recognition in her eyes this summer. Granted, it had been twelve years and I’d changed a lot over that time. I was no longer a gangly, awkward prepubescent kid; I was a grown man who struck fear in the hearts of others. Even without knowledge of the past, she was drawn to me. She repeatedly looked for me during her trip. Her memory just needed jogging. In less than twenty-four hours, I would have Jayden and I could begin reintroducing her to her life.

  The Hall was a country-themed bar; complete with a jukebox in the corner, dark faux wood paneling, neon beer signs and pails of peanuts on the tables. The band played an eclectic mix of music, but stuck mostly to anything country. Even though it wasn’t right next to the campus, it still drew in the college crowd by offering simple comfort foods like burgers and chicken strips at ‘poor-student’

  prices and had an arcade in the back. For the most part, the only people here over the age of twenty-five were the bouncers and the bartenders.

  Stephen found me shortly after I arrived and introduced me to his friends at his table. Sitting around talking and getting to know everyone made me realize everyone was facing the same fears and insecurities. Like Mom said, we were all just trying to find our way.

  I met a few of the girls from my floor and exchanged numbers and promises to meet for coffee the next day. I was actually having a lot of fun and was glad I came. The later the night got, the more my insecurities began to melt away and my confidence grew.

  Stephen and I exchanged stories of home, getting to know each other better. We danced and played video games and pool with some of his friends. He finally asked me out on a date, which this time I readily agreed to, before he had to leave. He said he had to be at work early in the morning.

  He handed me his phone. “Put your number in and I’ll call you tomorrow when I get off. We can have dinner and maybe catch a movie or just hang out.”

  I keyed in my number while he did the same with my phone. “Anything you wanna do is fine by me.”

  He took back his phone and leaned in and kissed my cheek. “I’ll call you after I get off. Bye, Jayden.

  Be careful driving back.” He left and I headed back to our table.

  My roommate, Sharon, was the only one sitting at our table. Her head was down and she was texting on her phone; she didn’t even notice me at first. I waved my hands in front of my face to cool off, smiling at her.

  “It’s really hot in here,” I shouted over the noise. “You’re not dancing?”

  She looked up from her phone, pointing to the fresh drinks on the table. “Nah. I’m waiting for Dustin to get here and I hate dancing with anyone else. The waitress brought more drinks. You should really try some Jack in your soda. It’s good.”

  I hesitated for a second, but figured one sip couldn’t hurt. I was in college and if I didn’t like it I’d just get another soda. Besides, I figured it might relax me a bit. “Sure, why not, if you’re sure it’s okay?”

  “Here, try it,” she said, handing me her drink. “Don’t worry, I don’t have germs or anything,” she grinned.

  I laughed then made the mistake of taking a large drink, thinking I’d taste mostly soda. I couldn’t prevent my shudder. “Ugh, that’s awful!” I cringed, laughing. “How can you even drink that?”

  She burst out laughing when she saw the disgusted look on my face, and shoved another drink at me.

  “Okay, so you’re not a Jack and Coke drinker. Try something fruity instead.”

  I grabbed the drink from her and sniffed before bringing it to my lips cautiously. At least it smelled better. I took a tiny sip and smiled. It was sweet and tangy, and tasted of pineapple and coconut. I took another sip before handing it back to her.

  “That’s much better,” I grinned. “What is it?”

  “Some weird tropical thing with rum that Deanna ordered,” she shrugged. “I’m sure she’ll be fine with it if you want to just finish that one. Just be sure the bouncers don’t catch you since you don’t have a fake ID yet. She can order another one when she comes back.”

  I wasn’t used to alcohol and shouldn’t since I drove here alone, but didn’t want to sound like a complete wimp either. When in Rom
e and all that. “Thanks.”

  “I’m going to the bathroom. You all right to watch our drinks and stuff?” she asked.

  “Yeah, sure. Go ahead. I’m just going to sit here a while.”

  When I was getting ready in my dorm earlier, I found a pamphlet with all kinds of information about being safe when going out, like making sure you had a designated driver, guarding your personal effects, and never leaving drinks unattended. The section about unattended drinks had been circled in red marker and was really eye-opening. I figured Sharon had left it behind for me.

  Now that I was alone, I switched back to drinking my soda, not brave enough to keep drinking or wanting to chance having the alcohol affect me since the roads were wet and it was still raining. I turned to watch the dance floor, trying to remember all the names and faces of the people I’d met. As I turned, someone bumped my arm, causing my drink to spill on my shirt and in my lap.

  “Crap!”

  “Oh, hey, sorry about that. I wasn’t looking where I was going. Let me help you.”

  I stood to brush the ice out of my lap, shooking my head and turned back to the table, putting my drink down. “It’s fine,” I grumbled. “I got it.” I grimaced and looked down at my shirt. He took a paper towel from the roll on the table and handed it to me. “Thanks.”

  I blotted at the wetness and then looked up to see the man who caused the accident. He was staring at the spot on my white shirt that clung to my skin, making it transparent, and I took a step back instinctively. Something about him just felt wrong.

  “Let me buy you another drink. It’s the least I can do for spilling yours,” he smiled apologetically, then signaled for the waitress to bring him a beer and me another soda, handing her some money with the comment she could keep the change if she rushed. He turned back to me and picked up my glass, handing it to me again. “At least there’s a little left to hold you over until your new drink gets here.

  C’mon, bottoms up!”

  He was watching me closely and waiting for me to finish it, so I finally just took one big gulp and set it down. It was watered down from the ice melting, so was easy to finish off. At that point the waitress came back with the drinks. He set his beer on the table and held out the soda to me. I fought the urge to roll my eyes and figured the quickest way to get rid of him was just to drink it quickly.

  “Thanks. I appreciate it,” I smiled tightly, figuring it was okay since the waitress had brought it over and it was never out of my sight.

  He picked up his beer and clinked the neck of his bottle against the rim of my glass. “Cheers.”

  He took a long pull on his beer while he watched me. “See, that wasn’t so bad was it?” he said, when I set my glass down.

  My eyes watered and my throat burned from drinking the carbonated beverage so fast and I fought against the urge to burp. I was saved from having to say anything further as Sharon came back to the table. “Well, have a good night.” He grinned and disappeared back into the crowd.

  “Who was that?” she asked.

  “Just some guy. He bumped into me and made me spill my drink,” I replied.

  I shook off the creepy feeling he gave me and decided not to let it ruin my night. The music seemed to be getting louder and it was starting to give me a headache. I propped my elbows against the table, slowly massaging my forehead and temples with my fingertips.

  I looked around the room, feeling uneasy again, and caught a brief glimpse of the guy who was now on the other side of the dance floor talking to another man who was turned in profile. There was something familiar about him, but I couldn’t place it. The guy who’d bought me the drink glanced in my direction and winked when he saw me looking at him.

  I gasped when the man with him turned, his eyes narrowed like he was studying me. He was the man from the cruise. I grabbed my purse from the back of my chair and stood, feeling the sudden need to run. A wave of dizziness washed over me and my vision blurred. I closed my eyes and opened them again, taking a deep breath, trying to shake the lightheadedness.

  “You all right?” Sharon asked.

  “Yeah, I’m just getting a headache. I’m gonna go.”

  “Okay, don’t forget coffee tomorrow at ten,” she reminded me. “I’m sleeping over at Dustin’s tonight so I’ll meet you there.”

  “I’ll be there,” I assured her.

  I worked my way through the crowd toward the exit, feeling more and more lightheaded as I went. I pushed open the doors and paused on the sidewalk, breathing in the heavy damp air, hoping it would help clear my head. I stumbled away from the building and the muffled sound of the loud music playing inside, into the dark parking lot. As another wave of dizziness hit me, I stopped to lean against a nearby car, dropping my purse on the ground and leaning over, propping my hands against my knees.

  I slid down the side of the car until I was sitting on the ground, leaning against the fender, my eyes refusing to stay open.

  The music got louder as someone opened the bar door, either going in or coming out. I tried in vain to open my eyes and clear my head as I struggled to pull my phone out of my back pocket, knowing I needed to call for help. I could hear the gravel crunching under someone’s feet as they walked, coming to a stop beside me. I finally was able to pull my phone out of my pocket, but dropped it as the blue-jean-encased legs beside me squatted down. I felt hands slide under my arms and legs as someone picked me up from the ground and held me against a hard chest.

  “I’ve got you, Jayden. Just close your eyes and rest,” a deep voice commanded softly. “Grab her purse and don’t forget her phone there on the ground.” My body shifted as whoever was holding me began walking. “Jerome, call the pilot and tell him to be ready. I want to leave the minute we’re on board.”

  I woke when I felt myself being shaken. My eyes darted frantically about, trying to make sense of my surroundings. I didn’t recognize the smooth tan walls or the leather furniture. The sofa shook beneath me again. I panicked, not understanding what was happening, and struggled to sit up, only to have someone pull me back down with a firm hand on my shoulder. My head rested against a muscular leg and the hand brushed against my face.

  “Shh, you’re all right. It’s just a little turbulence,” a deep voice assured me. Something cold brushed my upper arm and then there was a small sting. “Go back to sleep. We’ll be home soon.”

  I stared up into those cold blue eyes that haunted me, before my lids drooped again. I knew those eyes and heard the whisper leave my mouth in acknowledgement, as darkness overcame me again.

  “Nicky?”

  I stood beside the bed, gazing down at Jayden still sleeping soundly. She was on her back with one arm curled above her head on the pillow, the cuff attaching her wrist to the headboard assuring me it was safe to leave her alone for a while. The drugs in her system were finally wearing off and she’d woken briefly a couple of times before slipping under again. I brushed my fingers along her brow and stroked her cheek as I leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her slightly parted lips.

  We’d arrived home just after four in the morning yesterday. The flight took longer than it normally would have since we were diverted by the storm system still causing trouble in parts of Kansas and Oklahoma. The weather really had helped to create the perfect opportunity to stage her accident. Flash floods and tornado warnings, including the heavy rains that day, helped everything fall neatly into place.

  I knew what the authorities would hypothesize: Young and inexperienced driver, possibly impaired after last being seen at a bar, was driving too fast on the wet roads, hydroplaned, lost control on the bridge, crashed through the guardrail, and went into the swollen, rushing water of the river below. Her car was swept downriver, mangled from the initial crash and debris already buffeting in the river.

  She was either aware of her dilemma, broke out a window to escape, and drowned trying to make it to the distant shore, or drowned inside the car and was sucked out through the broken window. Either way, her body
was not in the car and would never be recovered. They’d search the banks and drag the river for days, possibly even a couple of weeks, before closing the case and chalking it up to another unfortunate death blamed on the storm.

  The news media had given me the idea when they reported on the storm damage that had already caused seven deaths, four in Oklahoma and three in Kansas, all blamed on the storm system. It was extremely fortunate, for me, that one of the drowning deaths in Kansas was in the next city connected by the same river. That idiot had driven through a low-water crossing covered in only a foot of water.

  Anyone who grew up around water knew the dangers, and how fast even a foot could carry away a vehicle. Jayden’s mother would know this danger, having grown up in Texas where flash flooding was a common occurrence. Fall and spring storms were the worst as temperature changes occurred.

  Jayden had lived in Colorado for the past twelve years and could probably outmaneuver me in snow or ice, but would have no understanding of the type of flooding that ‘claimed’ her life two nights ago.

  More importantly, there was nothing out of the ordinary in the way she ‘died’ to raise her mother’s suspicions. There would be no evidence of foul play, and while tragic, Jayden would just be another victim of a simple act of God.

  There was a timid knock on my door. “Enter,” I said, and looked over my shoulder to see my mother standing uncertainly in the doorway.

  She looked first to Jayden, and then lifted her hazel eyes to me. I didn’t understand the sorrow that flashed briefly before her expression cleared.

  “Your father and brother are waiting for you in his office. I-I thought I could sit with Jayden in case she wakes up while you’re gone,” she explained, gesturing to where Jayden shifted again.

  I looked down at my sleeping beauty. There was the scrape of metal as she tried unsuccessfully to pull her arm down to her side, and I chuckled softly at the disgruntled look on her sleeping face. Then I pulled the blanket up to cover her arm and tucked it in around her shoulder to keep her warm, leaning down to kiss her again before answering my mother.