Bed Of Lies

by King, Dean

  Fingers suddenly wrapped around her ankle. She began to fall, her scream cut short as the wind was knocked from her. Just as quickly, she was flipped to her back. His face contorted in horrible snarl, her attacker leered over her. Nina lifted her hands, fingers shaped like claws ready to rake his face. “No!” she gasped, “Get off of me!”

  He wiggled his thin body between her thrashing legs. “Yes,” he hissed trying to catch her hands. She pulled back, and spat square in his pale face. They both froze. Nina, her eyes wide with fear, cringed. He drew back a hand and delivered a brutal blow with stunning force to the side of her face.

  For an instant, she saw stars, her eyes refused to focus. Then a deep burning eclipsed all that, tears welled in her eyes. His cold hands were back around her throat, intense pressure causing her to struggle for every breath. Suddenly she was free. Rolling over, she gasped to pull air into her deprived lungs. Clutching her throat, she pulled herself to a far wall. Through a haze of pain, she heard a loud growl of rage and furniture crashing. But she was to afraid to look, so she buried her face in her arms and cried as she’d never cried before.

  Rafe hurried down the hall, two glasses of champagne in one hand and a hastily selected rose in the other. He grinned as he thought of their private, stolen moment. If he were lucky, she might be willing to come back to his place and stay a while.

  A terrified scream split the air. His heart stopped, then raced out of control. The sound had come from the library! Tossing the drinks aside, he ran at full steam and burst through the doors. He froze for one instant. Nina lay on the floor, struggling with a dark figure. Her frantic cry jolted him into action. Rafe raced forward, he drew back his foot and landed a well placed blow to the man's ribs. With a howl of pain, the man reared up. Rafe grabbed him by his lapels and hauled him up and away from Nina. He shook him like a rag doll.

  “You filthy bastard!” The words burst from tight lips. “I'll kill you for this!” Rafe tossed the man across the room. He fell hard against the desk.

  “Stay out of this, Montoya!”

  “Who the hell are you?” Rafe asked squinting in the low light. Rafe advanced, and the assailant ran. Rafe caught him by the collar. The sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the room. Bone cracked against bone. Rafe wouldn’t let up. The man made a futile attempt to fight back, but he was no match for Rafe’s fury. “Fight me, you bastard!”

  “Please,” he whined, “please, I wouldn’t have hurt her.”

  “Bullshit!” Rafe shouted, “Stand up and fight like a man!”

  “Alright!” He snapped. “Just don’t hit me again, please. I didn’t want to do it, I swear.” He pulled himself to his feet. But a well placed blow from Rafe sent him falling against the bookshelves. He landed with a grunt and slid soundlessly to the floor in a broken heap. Rafe could barely hear past the murderous rage cursing through him, but the sound of her crying penetrated the fog.

  “Nina,” he turned towards her, kneeling he took her into his arms but she jumped back her eyes wild with fear. “It's me, darling. Ssh, it's me.” Then she nodded through her tears and fell into his arms.

  “I don't know who… he…who…he is,” she tried to explain. “He wanted…wanted to kill me. I…don't…”

  Rafe brushed her tears away caressing the injured area. “Ssh, don't try to talk, just let me hold you. You’re safe now.” He shuddered. The warmth of her tears wet his skin. Tremors shook her. Rafe felt them through his shirt, his tuxedo jacket ripped off in the fight. “Ssh darling, I’m here.”

  He didn't recognize the assailant, but then he couldn’t see well in little or no light. But it seemed the man knew him. His hands on either side of Nina’s bruised face, he brushed away the tears with his thumbs. “I'll take you out of here, but first I need to call the police.” He made to move away but she whimpered, her fingers clenched on the sleeves of his shirt.

  “Don't leave me, please,” she sniffled.

  “It's just for a moment,” he kissed her forehead, “I don't want him to wake up first. If he does, I'm afraid there might not be much left of him by the time the police get here.”

  “Please Rafe, please,” large liquid eyes captured his soul.

  “Just for a second,” he tried to pry her stiff fingers from him, but she wouldn't let go. “Fine, I'll tell you what, why don't we go call them together?” She nodded gratefully.

  Rafe stood, slowly helping a shaking Nina to her feet. There was a sound behind them. He turned to find an open window and the mystery man gone.

  TEN

  It was early, too early to be at the office, but Rafe had just left Nina’s sweet arms and he couldn’t rest. He’d asked detective Sweeny to join him here, now the man stood a few feet away talking on his cell to someone. Rafe’ thoughts drifted back to Nina, he could still see her tear-stained face and feel her fear as he held her all night. Rafe paced his office, angry with himself for not calling the police earlier when Nina was attacked, instead of waiting even a fraction of a second. Now the man was on the lose, probably getting ready to try again. When he later discussed the incident with John Penrose, he made sure the police were to be brought into the country club. Everyone had been questioned, and eventually allowed to leave.

  “Sweeny,” Rafe addressed the man who was now standing near the fireplace looking into the cold empty space, “I won’t let anything happen to her.”

  His tired gaze swung to Rafe’s. “Tell me exactly what she said.”

  Rafe repeated everything Nina told him, and then he sighed. “I have a feeling that whoever killed Sharon may have been after Nina.”

  “It sure sounds like it.” Sweeny agreed.

  “I’ve been trying to come up with a reason.” Rafe murmured, half to himself.

  Sweeny nodded. “Her record is spotless, no past boyfriend problems. She’s worked with the Nuns in the past, helping them with the kids at the orphanage. There is no reason for anyone to want her dead.”

  “Other than she’s been put in charge of a multi-million dollar companies finances.” Rafe looked at Sweeny.

  “You think whoever this is, is trying to get to you through her?”

  “No,” Rafe all but snarled. “I think this man wants to get any knowledge Nina might have of my money, how to get it, account numbers, things like that.”

  “Does she have that type of info?”

  “No, she does the books, that’s it. She hands everything over to my Chairman Wayne.”

  “So,” Sweeny whispered. “Someone wants her dead, for what they think she might have.”

  “It’s what I’m thinking.”

  “Let me do some more digging, I’ll work on that theory, but there may be a different angle here.”

  “What are you thinking?”

  “Let me work it first, if anything comes out of it I’ll let you know.”

  “I’m going to marry this woman.” At Sweeny’s startled look Rafe gave a stiff smile. “She doesn’t know, I haven’t asked her yet.”

  “I’ll do some digging, if there is something going on with your girl, I’ll know it soon.”

  “I need to know now, today. If you have to go near her home, be careful. I hired six bodyguards to keep an eye on her and the children at all times.”

  “This is incredible.” Sweeny shook his head. “I’ve seen Nina, I spoke with her about Sharon. She’s a very nice lady, I don’t see why she would attract this kind of attention.”

  “We’ll figure it out,” Rafe held out his hand. “Find out what’s going on, and do it fast.”

  “Already on it.” Sweeny shook Rafe’s hand and hurried from the room.

  *****

  One week later, Nina reclined on her couch, with Beth tucked under her arm. That horrible night still weighed heavy on her mind. Questions with no answers. Rafe refused to leave her; he’d come upstairs while the children slept, and lay with her tucked in his arms all night. She'd never felt so safe, so loved, even cherished, by anyone in her entire life. As promised, he was u
p and gone before the children woke the next morning. Before noon, she had called Miranda, knowing she’d need help convincing Beth that it was just an accident. What she didn’t expect was for Miranda to jump in her car and arrive on her doorstep in record time. After greeting the kids, Miranda had grabbed Nina’s hand and pulled her upstairs and into her room with the door closed. She looked over every part of Nina and checked all her bruises. She cringed when she had seen the big purple bruise circling her neck.

  “Now,” she said as she glared, Nina feeling like a child being confronted by her mother. “I want to know exactly what happened.”

  Nina explained what happened and what she was going to tell Beth. She then asked Miranda to vouch for her when she told Beth the lie.

  “The man said he wanted to kill you?”

  “No,” Nina shook her head. “He said he didn’t want to, but that it was the only way.”

  “The only way to what?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Did he try to take advantage of you?”

  “No, he needed to kill me because I was in someone’s way.”

  “And you waited until this morning to tell me?” Nina saw the hurt in Miranda’s eyes.

  “I’m so sorry,” Nina went to her, “I was in no condition to do anything. My friend Rafe brought me home.”

  Miranda stiffened. “What did you say?”

  “I said Rafe brought me home.”

  “So you know his name now?”

  “Yes, and we’re dating. Isn’t that wonderful? He’s so sweet and understanding. I don’t know what such a wonderful man is doing with someone like me, but I love every minute of it. He didn’t once think what happened last night was my fault.”

  “Do you think it was your fault?”

  “It must have been, I had to have done something for someone to want to hurt me.”

  “But what do you think it is?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I don’t think you did a thing. I think the man was just wacko. I want you and the kids to stay at my house.”

  “Oh Miranda, we can’t do that.”

  “Yes you can, I’ll have the car sent around for you in three hours. Be ready.”

  “I’ll have to ask the kids first.”

  “I’ll do better than that.” Miranda opened the door and marched down the hall. She met the kids in the front hall. “I want you all to stay with me, what do you say?”

  “I like my house.” Danny said.

  “I don’t want to leave here,” Sam chimed in.

  “I’d go for a few weeks.” Beth said, having come around, she was always ready to go to Miranda’s. It seems the older lady had found a place in Beth’s heart...

  Miranda turned to the boys. “How about just a few weeks? It’s school break anyway, and I sure could use the company.”

  *****

  It had been the best two weeks of her life. Days spent knowing the kids were safe while she worked. Going to Miranda’s after work was what Nina had always dreamed a family would be. They all sat around a small kitchen table and ate dinner while they talked about what they’d done that day. Then at night she and Miranda put the boys to bed in a room almost bigger then two rooms put together. Then they would walk to the room Beth had been given only to find her laying on the bed talking on the phone. Miranda would laugh and Nina would smile, then they would go to Miranda’s sitting room and drink a cup of tea and talk for a while, before Nina would kiss her cheek and go off to her own bed. She frowned just now as she remembered asking Miranda where the pictures of her husband and her boys were. Miranda had dismissed it lightly, saying they hadn’t liked getting their pictures taken. So she had very few, and those were put away because she was angry with them for forgetting abut her.

  Nina gave a sad smile and kissed the top of Beth’s head. Is that what it’ll be like for me? The kids will grow up and forget I ever lived? Her arm tightened around Beth, it was a scary thought. She wanted to believe her children loved her so much they’d never abandon her, but in her heart she knew their lives would take over and she would come in second place to that.

  Her thoughts drifted to her office. It was strange, but since the incident, things at the office had changed. Now it was mandatory that all employees had to be out of the building no later than five o’clock p.m. Nina hated to leave so early, but it made her feel safer leaving while the sun was still up. As it was, she was still the last one out of the building most days, and it meant she often had to bring work home. She could only wonder why the company changed its policy so drastically, and guessed it might have had something to do with Sharon's death. Nina was also profoundly mystified by the interest in her by others at the office. It was strange feelings having these people she’d known for years suddenly notice her. She could only speculate on the reason for that, too.

  She sighed and looked at Beth’s dark head, where it rested on her chest. She was hesitant about telling her of Rafe. Things with Beth had been awkward, the girl had become vaguely standoffish, until after the incident at the party. Nina chuckled now as she remembered the scene. That morning, unable to hide the bruises, she'd thought to ignore them. She hadn't seen Beth pause in her tracks and stare at her in the hallway upstairs. “What happened?”

  Nina stopped and looked at the startled child. She had reared up to her full height of five feet eight inches, Nina could have sworn the hair had risen up on the girl's back making her look like a hissing kitten.

  Remembering the lie Nina gave her a light smile, she said. “It’s okay sweetheart, it was just an accident.”

  Beth had rushed to her, frantic eyes scouring every inch of her, as if to check for any other bruises.

  “What was an accident?” she demanded, her tone furious. “Did someone hit you? Is that a black eye? And your cheek, it's black and blue! What’s that big bruise around your neck?”

  “No, sweetheart,” Nina caught her young hands, holding them still and meeting Beth’s anxious gaze with her own calm one. “I had an accident late last night.” Beth's eyes widened, distress shining brightly. Nina held up her hand, “Before you ask, I'm fine. Ms. Miranda is fine, also. We just have a few bumps and bruises that's all.” The lie rolled easily off her tongue, but had a foul taste to it. Lying was something she hated with a passion. But there were times went it was necessary, and now was one of those times.

  Relief dropped her young shoulders, “Are you sure you're okay?”

  Nina caressed her dark curls, “Yes, darling, I'm fine.”

  “Alright then,” Beth stiffened, “I wouldn't want to have to hurt anyone for hurting you.” Nina laughed lightly and pulled her into her arms.

  “My precious, darling. You would take on the world for me wouldn't you?”

  “Yes,” Beth's arms tightened around Nina. “You are all we have. All I have ever had. If anything happened to you, I'd die.”

  Nina pulled back, frowning, “Beth don't say that...”

  “But it's true,” she declared, “I'll take on anyone who hurt you, or die trying.” Deeply touched, Nina was left to wonder how well Beth would take having a man come into their lives. Would it be easier if I explain how he makes me feel? How to make Beth see how important Rafe was to her, without bruising the child's feeling? It would indeed be difficult to describe how she loved the way he held her in his arms, tenderly, gently, as if she were the most precious thing in the world to him, and then kiss her forehead before taking her lips in a devastating kiss.

  “Ms. Miranda has a lovely home,” Beth whispered, as if afraid to break the silence.

  “Yes she does, but I’m glad to be home.”

  “Me, too. I think she was about to spoil every one of us.”

  Nina giggled and patted Beth’s shoulder. “Would that be so bad? I’d give anything to be able to spoil you all.”

  Beth lifted her head to stare at Nina. “You do spoil us. You spoil us with love.”

  Nina kissed Beth’s cheek and Beth laid her head back down. “Why
do you think Ms. Miranda doesn’t have any pictures of her boys around?”

  Nina frowned, she hadn’t thought Beth would care about it. “She feels they abandoned her, she has the pictures but she told me she put them away.”

  “That’s sad,” Beth sighed.

  “Very,” Nina added. “To have such a wonderful mother and then treat her like that is just wrong.”

  “It is wrong,” Beth murmured, “That’ll never happen with us, you will always be in my life. Maybe I won’t ever move out?”

  Nina laughed, happy to hear it but knowing how life takes over. “That is my hope but you’ll get married some day and give me grandkids, that is the day I look foreword to.”

  “That’ll never happen, I‘m never getting married.”

  “If only.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Beth sighed and snuggled closer.

  Nina cleared her throat, ready to get this over with, “What would you say to meeting the friend I told you about?” Beth looked up at her with wide sapphire eyes.

  “A friend like Ms. Miranda?” She asked hopefully.

  “No, baby, my friend. The man I’ve been going out with.” Beth's slim frame stiffened against her.

  “I don’t want to meet him, ever.” She was adamant, but then her eyes narrowed. “Why should I meet him? He’s just a friend, right?”

  “Honey, please,” Nina held her closer. “I just want you guys to meet him, that’s all.”

  “No, that’s not all,” Beth pulled away, her eyes became distant. She moved to sit on the floor, her back propped against the couch. “You’ve never brought a man home to meet us. I know the day you do, it’s all over for us.”

  “No, honey!” Nina hurried to sit on the floor beside her. “That’s not true. You know nothing will ever separate us.”

  “See? You love him don’t you?” Tears glistened on her young cheeks.

  “Yes, I do,” Nina confessed. “But it only means that its time for us to open up. We have enough love to share. When it comes to us, nothing will change, except you all might have a father, too.”