Killer Desires

by Becca Collins

  “Why were you in the hotel the times I was there?”

  “What?”

  “The surveillance tapes that the police have of you at the Hyatt each time I was there. How did you happen to be there?”

  Brett looked up the ceiling and Sarah could see him debating on how to answer. After a long moment, he looked back down and met her eyes again. “I followed you there,” he admitted.

  “And the witness that said she saw someone that matches your description parked on my street?”

  “That was me, too,” he whispered.

  “So the police were right? You were following me?”

  “The first time I saw you at the hotel was an accident. You were talking with a woman there and I overheard you set a time to come back and meet her later. After I saw you that day, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I’d heard around town that you and Chad had gotten married and had a daughter. I’d promised myself that I wasn’t going to see you, but when I happened upon you that day I just couldn’t stop myself. I needed to know that you were happy. I found out where you lived and I watched your house. Then I went back to the hotel when I knew you’d be there. But, darlin’, listen to me. The police are making it out like I was some kind of stalker and that wasn’t it. I just couldn’t help myself. I had to see you.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

  “I… I thought if you knew the police were right about me following you, you’d believe them about everything else. And, darlin’, I didn’t kill them. I wouldn’t do that to you. Please, Sarah. You have to trust me.”

  “Trust you?” A hysterical laugh escaped her mouth. “I remember all too well what happened the last time I trusted you!”

  “What?” He asked with a shake of his head. “What are you talking about?”

  “How soon they forget.” Her sarcasm covered her anger until she stood abruptly, knocking him off balance. “I loved you and you left town without saying a word to me. Then you come back and get me to fall for you all over again. Why in the world should I believe that you aren’t using me now? You did then.”

  His mouth drew into a hard line as he stood to his full height.

  “I was using you?” He shouted, incredulous. “You’re the one who agreed to marry someone else, but I’m the untrustworthy one here? Don’t play the victim with me, princess!” He warned as he poked a finger into her chest. “I was there!”

  “What? You were where?”

  “Your party,” he glowered. “I saw you tell Chad you’d marry him right there in front of everybody!”

  The shock held her in place as she recalled that night, so long ago, and the memory of thinking she’d seen Brett in the crowd.

  “I guess you should have stuck around for the after party then Cowboy! I told him ‘no’ about five minutes later!” She tapped her finger against his hard chest.

  “Really, Misses Taylor? And when did you marry him? Two weeks later?”

  She glared at his face and the words escaped her lips before she could stop them.

  “I was pregnant, you imbecile. And you’d already left!”

  -24-

  The revelation stunned Brett into silence. His mouth opened, then closed again. He took a step backward, and then another. The backs of his knees hit the seat of the chair behind him and he fell into it.

  “What?” was all he could manage.

  Sarah let out a sigh, pulled over the coffee table and sat down facing him.

  “I was pregnant,” she explained. “The morning after the party, I was sick for an hour. It finally occurred to me that I was late and we hadn’t used protection. I took a test.” She met his eyes and noticed that the tears he was fighting seemed to magnify their color. She tore her eyes away, took a deep breath and continued. “You were gone. I had no way to reach you. I called Chad and convinced him I’d made a mistake, told him I was just scared and suggested eloping.”

  “You were… what happened… Oh my God! Lindsey?”

  Sarah nodded.

  “Lindsey’s my daughter?” he asked in bewilderment.

  “Yes,” she confirmed. “Lindsey’s your daughter.”

  Brett wiped a tear from his cheek and stared into Sarah’s eyes.

  “I’m sorry, darlin’!” He moved back over and knelt, once again, before her. He tilted his head to meet her gaze and repeated himself. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t know.”

  “I know you didn’t know, Brett, I didn’t know either. But, that doesn’t explain why you left!”

  “I, uh,” he laid his head in her lap. “I just thought you finally decided it was time to go back to real life and stop messin’ around with a no good sonofabitch like me.”

  It was her turn to reach under his chin and pull his gaze to hers.

  “I never, ever thought that, Brett,” she reassured. “I loved you.”

  He stared at her through watery eyes.

  “And I never stopped,” he answered. He pushed himself up and crushed his mouth over hers. She opened her mouth to his and lifted a hand to his face. The tears rolling down his cheek washed away any doubt she had left. He put his arms around her waist and lifted her to meet him. Never leaving her mouth, he swept her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs.

  “Shhh” she whispered, as they passed the doors to the children’s rooms. They entered the bedroom and he gently kicked the door closed before laying her on the down comforter. He crawled onto her and lifted her shirt so he could kiss her bare skin. Her fingers tousled his hair as his moist lips kissed every inch of her stomach before moving up to her breasts. Reaching behind her, he undid the clasp in a quick movement and lifted her shirt over her head.

  Massaging her right breast with his hand, his mouth hovered over the other, hot breath bringing her nipple to attention. His tongue rolled over it and her back arched in response. He reached between them and unbuttoned her Calvin Kleins. He rose to kneeling and pulled the waistband lower, worn denim caressing her skin as it slid down her legs.

  Sarah clutched the pillow when his mouth lowered and she could feel his hot breath through the lace of her panties. She fought the urge to cry out as his mouth bit the fabric and moved it aside. His mouth covered her and a soft suckle made her gasp as she felt the room spin around her. He teased her with his mouth, his tongue and his teeth until her body rocked and shuddered against the blanket.

  Lifting himself quickly he pulled off his own jeans and knelt between her legs. One hand held each of her legs and he pulled her onto his lap. He grabbed her by the waist and rolled over quickly, landing with her in position astride him. She lowered herself onto his erection and her hips moved gently, her body caressing him in slow motion. Desire burst through him and he grabbed her hips, guiding her faster, and faster. He looked up at her flushed cheeks, was mesmerized by the rise and fall of her chest as she panted. The vision of her above him, riding him, brought him over the edge and he moaned in ecstasy as he emptied himself inside of her.

  Sarah collapsed on his chest, breathing heavily and he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close to him. Her emotions overwhelmed her as she buried herself in his chest.

  “So, Cowboy,” she murmured. “Where do we go from here?”

  She lifted her head to see the cocky grin that she loved take over his face.

  “Why do we have to go anywhere?”

  “You know what I mean. Wait… how did you get out of jail?”

  -25-

  Sarah grabbed Brett’s hand as they walked across the parking lot of St. Anthony’s Hospital. As they entered the sliding doors to the lobby, she lifted her sunglasses to rest on her head. After pushing the correct button, they waited in silence for the elevator doors to open. She smiled warmly to the elderly hospital volunteer staring at them, mouth agape.

  “Good Morning, Mrs. Elliott,” she greeted as though she hadn’t a care in the world.

  “Hi Sarah,” Mrs. Elliott forced a smile in return.

  Sarah knew what the woman was thinking. Her
e she was walking into the hospital with the man arrested for killing both her husband and sister-in-law and for putting her brother in the room upstairs. And she was holding his hand, no less.

  A bell sounded as the doors slid open. Brett motioned for her to precede him and she entered the small space. The doors slid closed and Sarah let out the breath she’d been holding.

  “They all think I’m crazy,” she sighed.

  “I told you this was a bad idea,” he stated. “We haven’t even seen your parents yet.”

  She turned to face him squarely, putting a hand on each of his tense shoulders.

  “I already told you. Shane said to find you, right? I’m sure he just wanted to talk to you about something he remembered. I’ll explain it to my parents. It’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

  The reassurance in her voice lowered his stress level, but just barely. The doors slid open soundlessly and they started down the hall.

  Cathleen was seated in a chair outside of Shane’s room and looked startled when she saw them. Her eyes filled with questions as they headed toward her.

  “Sarah?” She asked nervously. “What’s going on?”

  “Dad said that Shane had asked to see Brett so I brought him with me in case Shane wakes up again.”

  “You’re still convinced he had nothing to do with this?” She demanded.

  “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.” Sarah reached out to grip her mother’s arm. “Brett was with me when Shane and Kristen were run off the road. He couldn’t have done it. We need to find out who did.”

  “But, the paint,” Cathleen argued.

  “He was set up, mom. Trust me, okay?”

  “Oh, Sarah,” Cathleen cried as she collapsed in the chair. “I just don’t know.”

  “Mrs. McGuire?” Brett said softly. “I promise you I had nothing to do with your son’s accident.” Cathleen looked up at Brett cautiously. “And I know there is no reason for you to believe me, but I’m telling you the truth. I won’t rest until I find out who really did.”

  Cathleen stared into Brett’s eyes for several moments and he did not look away.

  “Either you are telling the truth or you are the coldest bastard on the planet to be able to look me in the eye like that with my son lying in the next room.” She reached up to wipe a tear trailing down her cheek. “And since my daughter has always been a pretty good judge of people and she trusts you, I guess I have no choice but to believe you, too.”

  “Thank you,” he said solemnly.

  “Thanks, mom,” Sarah wrapped her arms around her mother’s shoulders and squeezed. “It’ll be okay. I promise.”

  Cathleen gave a slight laugh as Sarah pulled away.

  “Don’t be too proud of yourselves. I’m the easy one, the romantic. Your father will be back in a few minutes. You still have to face him. Go on in and see Shane now.”

  Sarah gave another quick squeeze before she straightened and entered Shane’s room.

  Various machines beeped and hissed like forest animals in the dead of night. Sarah stepped toward Shane’s bed and leaned over to kiss his bandaged forehead.

  Brett pushed a chair up behind her and she dropped into it while she reached for her brother’s hand.

  “Shane? Shane, it’s Sarah.” She said softly. “I have Brett here. Brett Williams. Wake up, Shane, please.”

  She stared at his face, willed his eyelids to flutter. She saw no movement and lowered her head to rest on her arm. Shane’s hand twitched and she bolted upright.

  “Shane? Can you hear me?”

  Tears welled in her eyes and Brett rested his hand on her shoulder giving her a comforting squeeze.

  Shane’s eyes twitched then fluttered open as Sarah felt a slight squeeze of her fingers.

  “I’m here, Shane, I’m right here. It’s okay.”

  Shane’s gaze crept over to meet his sister’s and his mouth opened slightly.

  “Sarah,” Shane whispered, so low that Sarah barely heard him from a foot away. She lowered her head until it was nearly resting on his chest.

  “I’m here, Shane. I’m right here.” She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, didn’t hear the sound of the door opening and closing behind her, totally focused on her brother.

  “You’re going to be okay, Shane,” she promised. “Do you remember what happened?”

  “C…crashed c…car,” he stuttered in a whisper.

  “Yeah, you crashed,” she soothed. “But, it wasn’t your fault, Shane. Someone hit you.”

  He nodded in response.

  “Did you see who hit you?” She inquired.

  Shane shook his head slowly.

  “Did you see Brett there? Brett Williams?”

  Shane’s stare bored into her as he shook his head sternly.

  “B…Brett…” he breathed.

  “What about Brett?” Sarah asked.

  “Father… Kristen…” he whispered, his eyelids visibly heavy.

  “Whose father, Shane?” She demanded as she watched him struggle to keep his eyes open. He lost the battle and drifted back to sleep. “Shane?”

  “Let him rest,” Brett directed.

  “Yes, let’s let him rest,” Jim said from near the doorway.

  Sarah’s head whipped around.

  “Daddy,” she gushed as she raced over and wrapped her arms around his waist. He patted her hair and let out a sigh.

  “You mother told me what you said,” he admitted and looked to Brett. “I came in to throw you out. “ He looked over to Sarah. “But it looks like maybe you were right.”

  Sarah hugged her father more tightly, heard the faint beating of his heart beneath his shirt.

  “He’s going to be okay, daddy,” she declared.

  Sarah pulled away and looked at her father’s weary features. His eyes, once so imposing, now looked lost. The wrinkles in his skin seemed to have deepened and made him look years older than he had only a few days ago.

  “I hope so, sweetie. I pray for it all the time,” he answered.

  ****

  Sarah woke up on the next morning feeling better than she had in weeks. Shane had now woken up twice and the doctors were much more optimistic about his recovery. The colors of the rising sun sliced through the bedroom window and the welcoming aroma of coffee pulled the corners of her mouth up even further. She slipped on a bathrobe and headed down to the kitchen. She found Brett, hair still damp from his early shower, with a wooden spoon in his hand standing over the stove.

  “And you cook, too,” She smiled. “That’s lucky.”

  “You better taste it first,” he said with a laugh. “I hope you like your eggs scrambled. I don’t know how to make them any other way.”

  “Scrambled are my favorite,” she kissed him on the cheek. “What a coincidence.”

  “Well, have a seat then, darlin’. Breakfast is served.”

  The eggs were a little runny, but Sarah enjoyed them all the same. Brett sat in the chair across from her and fidgeted with his fork.

  “What’s on your mind, cowboy?”

  “I uh… what time do you think Lindsey will wake up?”

  Sarah looked up and grinned at the nervous look on his face. “She and Matty were both up late. I’m guessing around 9:00.” She set her fork down on her plate and reached across the table to grab his hand. “She already likes you, Brett. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

  “I’ve never had a daughter before.”

  “I know. I’m sorry about that. I would have told you if I’d known how to find you.”

  “I’m not blaming you. It just makes me nervous, you know?”

  “I promise it will be fine,” she added before she picked up her fork and changed the subject. “What time is your meeting with Cameron?”

  “10:00. Are you going back to the hospital today?”

  “Yes, but not until this afternoon. I need to drop the kids off with Diana and then I should go in to the office for a bit. I’ll head up to the hospital after that
.” When her cell phone rang, Sarah got up from her chair and went to answer it.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Mrs. Taylor. This is Jennifer at Dr. Murphy’s office. I’m sorry to call so early, but I wanted to get back to you before we started seeing patients.”

  “It’s no problem. I was just having breakfast. Did you understand my message?”

  “Yes, and I looked up the last statement. It looks like the additional charge was to copy the records from Lindsey’s surgery.”

  “Why would you copy her records?” Sarah questioned.

  “Your husband sent in the request. We sent the copies to him, let me see. It looks like we sent them to his office address.”

  “Did Chad say why he wanted copies of Lindsey’s medical records?”

  “Uh, no, Mrs. Taylor, but we don’t usually ask for a reason. We just process the requests as they come in. Is there a problem?”

  “No, Jennifer. I’m just curious why he needed them is all.”

  “Well,” Jennifer reassured her. “I have to tell you we get a ton of requests every day. I know sometimes people need them for the insurance companies. Maybe your husband was disputing a claim with them.”

  “That’s probably it,” Sarah agreed though she was still doubtful. “Thanks for letting me know.”

  Sarah disconnected the phone and returned to her seat at the table.

  “Everything okay?” Brett asked.

  “Apparently, Chad requested copies of Lindsey’s medical records a couple of months ago.”

  “And you didn’t know?”

  “I had no idea.”

  “What did the doctor’s office say?”

  “She said he likely just needed them for a problem with an insurance company.” Sarah let out a sigh. “Maybe that’s all it is and I’m just over-thinking everything these days.” She looked at the clock on the wall. “I need to go get the kids up and get going.”

  “What should I say to her?” Brett asked and he looked terrified.