The Deadliest Game

by H E Joyce

  Laura took the tea to Sally’s room and put it on the bedside table. Sally woke and pulled herself up in the bed. ‘Morning,’ she said, brushing her hair away from her face.

  ‘Morning, how are you feeling?’

  ‘Apart from an awful headache, I’m fine. More to the point, how are you?

  Laura gave her a weak smile. ‘Oh, you know, I’m fine.’

  ‘You don’t have to put a brave face on you know. You’re allowed to cry, in fact it might make you feel better if you did.’

  ‘Plenty of time for that. I’m determined not to cry today though. I’m taking Michael into town, would you mind Jody for a while? He’s still asleep at the moment. I won’t be very long.’

  ‘Yes, of course I will. Where’s he going to stay?’

  ‘Probably with the people that run the local store. Frankly, I don’t really care where he stays right now.’

  ‘Quite right, to hell with him.’

  ‘I don’t understand why these things keep happening to me, Sally – why?’ She couldn’t restrain the heartache any longer and broke down in tears. Sally held her.

  ‘That’s it, let it out,’ Sally said, ‘let it all out.’

  ‘Did you get through to Blanche?’ Laura asked Michael as she came down the stairs. He was standing in the hall, his coat already on.

  ‘Yes, I got through; I can stay with them until I make other arrangements.’ He paused for a moment. ‘Are you sure about this? If you’d only let me stay, I’m sure we could work this out.’

  ‘I told you, Michael, too much has happened, I need time to think. Maybe you do too.’

  He nodded. ‘Yes, maybe you’re right. But if you could only give me some hope that there’s a chance for us…’

  ‘I can’t do that, not yet.’

  ‘Okay, honey, in that case, just take me into town,’ he said, picking up the holdall he had packed. ‘So much for our first Thanksgiving, huh?’

  Laura searched out her spare keys to the truck; her other set was somewhere on the seabed in the harbour now. And as they made their way to the truck, she remembered that the previous evening it had stubbornly refused to start. It now started with the first turn of the key. The irony of it almost made her laugh. She wondered if, had it started, the events of the night before would have turned out less tragically.

  ‘What is it?’ asked Michael, looking at Laura curiously.

  ‘Oh, nothing, nothing at all,’ she said, as they drove off.

  It was a bright, crisp, sunny day and it was difficult to imagine the havoc that was being wreaked by the storm only a few hours before. The road that had been a river of fast flowing water was now as it always was as the sun glistened through the trees that lined it.

  ‘I think this is around the spot I came off the road,’ said Michael. ‘Slow down a little, would you?’

  Laura eased her foot off the accelerator.

  ‘Stop! Yes, there it is, I can see it. Jesus, I was pretty lucky.’ He could see his car down the slope, jammed against a single tree that had saved him from plunging down still further, and with all probability, to his death.

  ‘You certainly were,’ said Laura. ‘You were pretty foolish coming out in those conditions. What were you thinking?’

  ‘I was thinking of you,’ he said, turning to her. ‘What else would have made me do it?’

  Laura didn’t respond; she simply drove on.

  There were service vehicles everywhere in the town, attempting to restore the power. A number of fire crews were also still in attendance, assisting with salvage operations and making rooftops safe. Many of the boats in the harbour were completely wrecked, while others had escaped with minor damage.

  Further along the seawall a group was gathered, some in police uniform, some in plain clothes. Whatever they were doing seemed to be attracting the attention of some of the local residents as well, though there was a cordon to stop people getting too close. Laura stopped the car outside Merryweather’s and got out, mesmerised by the sight. She instinctively knew what she was witnessing and walked over to the cordoned area. At first, Michael looked on at her bewildered, but after a moment, he too realised what may be unfolding. He followed her.

  As she got closer, pushing her way through the crowd that had gathered, she recognised the detective that had been called to the house the night before. She reached the cordon and looked on. Michael joined her soon after.

  ‘I need to see the lieutenant,’ she said to a uniformed officer.

  ‘I’m sorry, you can’t come through, you’ll have to stay where you are,’ he said, brusquely.

  ‘But I need to see him, please.’

  Before the officer had time to speak again, the detective spotted Laura and shouted over to the officer. ‘Hey, let her through would you?’

  The police officer begrudgingly lifted the tape and Laura went through and walked slowly over to the detective. ‘Is it her?’ she asked.

  ‘I’d say it’s almost certainly her, they’ll be pulling her out shortly. Maybe you could ID her for us?’

  ‘Do I have to?’

  ‘Well, it would be helpful.’

  ‘Of course. Is there any news on Frank Doyle, is he going to be okay?’

  ‘He’s going to be fine. As a matter of fact we managed to have a few words with him at the hospital. He’s confirmed your story so I don’t think you need to worry about charges being brought against you. That’s off the record of course. However, for the record, we need to investigate this fully before I can say that for certain. You do understand that don’t you, Mrs Peterson?’

  ‘Yes, of course, I understand fully, thank you. I can’t help feel sorry for her you know. She was mentally ill. She needed help; I don’t think she got it.’

  ‘Well, that may be the case, but that’s hardly your fault. You were, by your account, very lucky last night.’

  Laura just nodded.

  The divers had secured the body in a harness and gave the signal to haul it up. Moments later, Beth lay on the ground, her flesh white as chalk, with the rope still wound round her throat. The detective looked at the body, then at Laura.

  ‘I take it that’s her?’

  Laura nodded again and looked away; she couldn’t speak.

  ‘I know this can’t be easy, but she was psychotic, Mrs Peterson. It was either her or you; you had no choice, we pretty much know that.’

  ‘I killed her father, did you know that?’

  ‘Yes, we know all about it. Now go home to your son, and try not to worry. As I said, I’m pretty sure there will be no charges to answer to – off the record.’

  Laura went back through the cordoned off area, unaware of the locals staring at her, already speculating about her involvement. Michael was there to meet her and tried to put his arm around her to comfort her, but she angrily and silently pushed his arm aside.

  ‘Was it her?’ he asked.

  Laura just walked on faster, leaving him behind. He stood watching as she reached her truck, took out his bag and dumped it on the sidewalk. Blanche Merryweather came rushing out from the shop when she saw Laura.

  ‘Laura, how are you dear?’

  ‘I’m fine, Blanche, just fine.’

  ‘Come in and have some coffee with me.’

  ‘Thanks, Blanche, but I’m going home.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Oh yes, I’ve never been more sure about anything. Bye, Blanche,’ she said, and then drove away leaving Blanche Merryweather standing slightly bewildered in the middle of the street.

  On her return to Brooksville Heights, Laura set about cooking the Thanksgiving dinner with the help of Sally. She put a brave face on, a reasonable amount of wine was drunk between them, and considering the trauma he had been through, Jody appeared to be as happy as could be expected. Later, with the power still not fully restored, they sat down to eat by candlelight. The mood was subdued; Laura barely ate a thing, and by ten in the evening, all of them feeling exhausted, they went to bed. The next day, Laura an
d Jody took Sally to the airport and the two women parted closer than they had ever been.

  A couple of days later, Laura visited Frank Doyle in hospital. He was tough, had made a good recovery and was about to be discharged. He had made a full statement to the police from his hospital bed, they had checked out everything about Beth Anderson and were reasonably satisfied there were no charges to be brought against Laura. There would be an inquest, which she would need to attend, but they were confident that would be an end to the case. It came to light that Beth, in the midst of a psychotic episode many years before Laura had even met Patrick, had torched a bar in Chicago that her father frequented. There were two deaths in the ensuing fire. The bar was called The Red White and Blue. Shortly afterwards, she was committed to an institution.

  ‘I don’t know how to thank you, Frank,’ said Laura, sitting by his bed.

  ‘You don’t need to, Laura. In any case, I didn’t rescue you, you rescued yourself.’

  ‘But you came to rescue me. You risked your life for me; I’ll never forget that. I can’t tell you what a relief it was to hear that you were okay,’ she said, taking his hand.

  ‘The same goes for me when I heard what had happened to you. Someone up there must like you, Laura.’

  She laughed. ‘Oh, I don’t know about that. We must stay in touch, Frank.’

  ‘I’d like that.’

  ‘Yes, so would I,’ she said, smiling warmly.

  ‘Have you decided what you’re going to do yet?’

  ‘Well…’

  Twenty Six

  A Year Later

  It had snowed heavily the previous night, and now, as Laura walked along the street in downtown Boston, municipal workers were clearing the sidewalks. It was Thanksgiving eve and she had kept her diary free for the rest of the day. Business had been good since moving to the city. They had a nicely appointed apartment and Laura rented an office within walking distance. Jody had adjusted well to the change and had made new friends at school.

  The icy wind that blew along the streets nipped at her nose as she headed for her lunch date at the little Italian restaurant she had come to know quite well. It was down a quiet back street, the sort of place that you would only stumble on by accident, yet it was always busy, well known to those that lived and worked in the area for its good food and ambience.

  Her last appointment of the morning had made her run late by half an hour and she quickened her pace a little, slowing only slightly to answer the call on her cell phone.

  ‘Hi, yes, I’m sorry, I’m running a little late. I’ll be with you in about two minutes.’

  The streets were bustling with people leaving work early for the holiday. Living in a city once more was a complete and dramatic contrast to Brooksville, but she was happy now, and loving every moment. Also, she was close to her parents and sister, and could see them at any time. It felt as if she had come home at last.

  She reached Luigi’s and paused by the window, peering in. She spotted him in a booth, smiled, and waved before entering.

  ‘Hi Luigi,’ she said, as she entered. The warmth of the place, in contrast to the biting wind, made her face tingle.

  ‘Oh hello, nice to see you again Laura. Let me take your coat and I’ll take you to your table.’

  ‘Thank you, Luigi.’ The friendly Italian helped her with her coat and led her to the booth. Laura stood for a moment, smiling down at him. ‘It’s good to see you, Frank, really good to see you,’ she said.

  Frank Doyle got to his feet. ‘It’s good to see you too, Laura, you look wonderful.’ He pecked her on the cheek.

  ‘Thank you, so do you.’

  They both took their seats in the booth facing one another and ordered a bottle of red wine. Laura shook her head. ‘I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I saw you last. The inquest. Anyway, you look good Frank. Uh, have you lost a little…’

  He chuckled. ‘I’m glad you noticed! Yes, I decided to start taking better care of myself.’

  ‘Well it suits you. It was so good to hear from you, Frank. What brings you to Boston?’

  ‘Well,’ he said, ‘like you, I felt it was time for a change. I was stagnating where I was, so here I am. I moved into a nice little apartment, got myself a new office in town, and I thought it would be nice for us to meet up – a kind of reunion.’

  Laura smiled. ‘How long have you been here?’

  ‘Only a week or so. Hey, enough about me, how about you? How’s things?’

  ‘I’m doing great. Business is good, I see my parents and my sister whenever I like, and Jody’s doing fine. Yes, everything’s good.’

  ‘And Michael, do you hear from him at all?’

  ‘No, my divorce came through a couple of months ago. That’s all in the past now. I have no desire to keep in touch with him, Frank.’

  ‘No, of course not. I’m sorry I brought it up.’

  ‘No, that’s okay, I’m not sad about it or anything like that. My only regret is moving out there in the first place. I thought it would be great, you know, living in the country, by the ocean, plenty of fresh air, all that kind of stuff. But you know what? I was wrong, I wasn’t cut out for country life. I’m a city girl. I’m very happy here.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it. You must sometimes think about that night though.’

  ‘Well, yes, of course, I’d be lying if I said differently. You in particular must think about it, Frank. I’ll never forget what you did for me that night, you do know that, don’t you?’

  ‘It was nothing. As I said at the time, it wasn’t me that rescued you, I only wish it had been, but no, you rescued yourself, Laura.’

  ‘But you tried, you were there for me, that means a lot to me. It always will.’

  ‘Well, here’s to new beginnings,’ he said, holding up his glass.

  ‘New beginnings,’ she said, clinking her glass against his.

  ‘Do you ever hear from your kids?’ Laura asked awkwardly.

  ‘Funny you should ask. As a matter of fact, yes. They both live in New York and I’ve been invited to stay with my eldest at Christmas. Hopefully we can start rebuilding our relationship. It’s a start anyhow.’

  ‘That’s fantastic! What about Thanksgiving?’

  ‘I’ve no plans; it’s all been a little crazy with moving and everything. Maybe they’ll invite me next year. How about you? I’m guessing you’ll be spending it with your family.’

  ‘Yes.’ She paused. ‘Look, Frank, here’s an idea. Why don’t you join us?’

  ‘Oh, that’s very kind, Laura, but…’

  ‘Hey, no buts. I’d love you to join us. I know Sally would be pleased to see you again, and my folks would love to meet you. I’ve told them all about you, you’re something of a legend, you know.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know about that.’

  ‘Just say yes. I mean we’re virtually neighbours now.’

  ‘Well, if you’re sure? I’d like that, thank you.’

  ‘Good, that’s settled then.’ She took a pen and notepad from her purse and wrote down the address as their meals arrived.

  ‘It’s funny, you know. I still see her face sometimes in the middle of the night; I wake up in a cold sweat. Most of the time I’m okay, but now and again it all comes back. Silly isn’t it?’

  Frank put down his fork, then reached out and cupped her hand. ‘No, of course it isn’t, it’s going to take time to forget something like that, but you will in time, trust me.’

  ‘I know,’ she said. ‘And I do. Trust you, I mean.’

  ‘As you said, we’re virtually neighbours now, so anytime you need to talk, well, you know where to find me. I’m just a phone call away.’

  Laura squeezed his hand affectionately. ‘Let’s eat shall we? More wine?’ she said.

  ‘Not for me, I’ve cut down on drink as well. I’ll stick with mineral water from now on, he said.’

  An hour later they parted in the street. Laura hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. ‘See you tomorrow, Fran
k, take care.’

  ‘You too, Laura.’

  She walked home with the cold biting at her face, certain that the ghost of Beth would finally be laid to rest. There was something about Frank Doyle that calmed her, and she couldn’t have been happier that he was living so close.

  After Jody had gone to bed, she sat by the large window of her apartment in Memorial Drive and looked out over the Charles River Basin and the bright lights of the city on the south side. She thought about the thousands of people out there, how chance meetings of strangers, be it in a large city, or a small town like Brooksville, could sometimes turn out to be simply wonderful, or in some cases, a terrifying nightmare.

  That was what life was, she thought, with each and every decision you make there are consequences: some good, others not so good, and some that change your life forever. She had made some unfortunate and disastrous decisions throughout her adult life, yet she felt she had finally learnt from those experiences. Furthermore, she blamed no one, not her first husband, Patrick, not Beth, nor Michael. She only blamed her lack of judgement.

  Had she not been persuaded by Blanche Merryweather to go to the Halloween dance that night, then she would probably never have crossed paths with Michael. Her encounter with Beth Anderson, the stepdaughter she never knew about, was set to happen long before meeting Michael of course; nothing was going to stop it. Only if she had not met Beth’s father would none of the events have taken place.

  Through all the negatives, there were positives to be found. The strained relationship with her sister may never have been resolved. She would never have met such a courageous man as Frank Doyle. She thought about what she had said to Beth that night: “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”. And it was true. She was stronger now.

  She checked on Jody, flicked off the lights and crawled into bed, her thoughts on spending the following day with the ones she loved.

  She thought of Frank too, and she slept peacefully.