Bed Of Lies

by King, Dean

  “You son of a bitch!” Rick yelled, on his knees. “I should've killed you along time ago!”

  “Yes, you should have!” Rafe bent over and picked up the gun. Anger showing briefly in his eyes, Rafe squinted at the man. “I can’t believe this,” frowning he leaned in closer for a better look. “What the hell are you doing here?” Standing over the sobbing man, he pointed the gun at him. “I don’t understand any of this. What have you got against Nina?

  “Fuck you, Montoya!” Rick growled, his arms wrapped around his body.

  “You tell me why you're here or I'll shoot until you do.”

  “You wouldn't dare.” Rick challenged.

  Rafe sighed. Aiming the gun at one of Rick's thighs he pulled the trigger. Rick howled in pain, clutching the injured area.

  “I always wondered how a gun sounds with a silencer.” Rafe’s attention returned to Rick. “Now, tell me why you are here.”

  “Fuck you!” Rick cried, clutching his leg.

  Rafe took aim again and fired into the other leg.

  “Ooww…” Rick wailed. “Stop it!”

  “Tell me, or you won't like this next one!”

  “We came for the girl!” Rick cried. Blood seeped through his spread fingers as he gripped his wounds. “All we wanted was the girl.”

  Rafe frowned. “We?” Rafe’s heart pounded, as the thought of another person could be out there with Nina. “What girl and why?” His voice held a hard note to it.

  “Beth. My niece. My sister’s child.”

  “Why would you sneak into a house in the middle of the night to see your niece?” He was baffled.

  “Because my sister is going to be the new governor. People want to take that away from her, and if they find the girl, they could.” Rafe’s brow cleared, he thought fast.

  SEVENTEEN

  “So you came to what? Get rid of a secret? I don't understand.” But in his heart, he knew. He had to think past the throbbing in his head.

  “Goddamn you. If only you could have stayed out of it. All we wanted was the girl,” Rick cried, rocking on the floor. Rafe grabbed a rope from Nina’s bath robe and tied Rick, hands to feet while Rick groaned in pain.

  Rafe looked up, the hallway seemed longer in his desperation and he ran, as if his life depended on it. Down the stairs and into the living room, Rafe found Nina at the foot of the stairs, on her back. The Judge sat on Nina’s chest with a gun pointed at Nina’s head. He looked past the Judge to see Beth standing with shaking hands holding another gun at the woman’s back. The look on the teenager’s face made it clear she would fire.

  “No!” Rafe yelled, as the Judge swung her gun towards Beth and fired, then she brought it back around and pointed at Nina. Rafe aimed for the Judge’s chest, and pulled the trigger, even as he watched Beth fall to the floor. The room erupted in gunshots.

  The acid smell of smoke drifted throughout the room. Rafe heard Beth’s sobs for Nina through the ringing in his ears. He forced his legs to move to where Nina lay. He helped Beth pull the dead woman off Nina. Rafe put the Judge on the floor next to the couch. And hurried to Nina, Beth now sat beside Nina on the floor, holding her bloodied hands and crying.

  “Nina,” Rafe called, his heart pounding hard with relief when her eyelids fluttered opened. “Thank god!” He examined her blood soaked and motionless form. Rafe and Beth then looked at the body on the floor beside them.

  The front door was then smashed in. Gun raised, Rafe shoved Beth behind him, and turned squarely faced this new threat.

  “Where is he?” Frank entered and headed towards the stairs.

  “Where is who?” Rafe asked. “Mother, see to Nina and Beth, I have to check on the boys.” He flung the words over his shoulder as they bound up the stairs.

  “Danny called us minutes ago, and we called the authorities before we left.” Frank yelled as he hurried up the stairs and down the hallway, hot on Rafe’s heels. “He thought I was you. He said someone shot his brother and that he was hiding.”

  “Oh my god! I didn't know.” Rafe cried as they hurried past an unconscious Rick. They ran into the boys’ room and flicked on the lights.

  “Danny, I'm here,” Frank yelled, “you can come out!”

  “Danny, where are you?” Rafe tried, they scoured the room, there was a large blood stain on one bed.

  Frank followed the trail of blood that led to the closet, cautiously he opened the closet door, and sifted through piles of toys and clothing. In the shadow at one end, he noticed a section of drywall which seemed mismatched, and blood hand prints. He tapped at it, and it shifted. “Rafe, come here...” Frank dropped to his knees and pulled the panel away.

  In the darkness inside the wall, Frank could see both boys. They didn’t move. “Danny!” Frank yelled, and to his relief, the boy’s head popped up. “Come here! You guys can come out now.”

  But Danny shook his head. “I can't move Sam, he won't wake up.”

  “I can’t fit in there, you have to come out,” Frank said as calmly as possible.

  Danny refused, and Frank saw his little arms tighten around his brother. “I can’t leave him, you won’t get him.” Close by, Rafe detected panic in the child's voice.

  “It's okay,” Rafe said from behind Frank. “I’m here, too. You come to Frank and I’ll get Sam.”

  “But he can’t move, I can’t leave him.”

  “Listen to me, Danny,” Rafe continued. “You two must get to the hospital. If you don’t come out, you both may…well, you’ll get sick.”

  Impatient by nature and with concern building, Frank forced himself as far as he could inside and grabbed Danny’s leg. “I’ve got you!” Frank pulled back until both he and Danny were free of the hideout. Danny squirmed and screamed to return to his brother.

  “No, I can't leave him!” Danny protested as shudders wracked his small body. In the light, Rafe and Frank saw blood covered his pajamas and matted amid his blond curls. His face was red and wet with tears.

  “It's okay,” Frank reassured the child, taking him to the bed and rocking him as if he’d done so all his life. “Rafe will get Sam.”

  Rafe squeezed into the boys’ secret space and determined how to best handle the unconscious body. He caught Sam's sleeve and pulled as best he could in the tight surroundings. Once he’d gotten Sam out of the enclosed space, Rafe checked for signs of life. He almost cried as he felt the child's heartbeat.

  Lifting him in his arms, he hurried to Danny. “Your brother will be fine Danny. But we have to get him to the hospital.”

  Danny immediately jumped down from Frank’s arms. He ran to Rafe and grabbed Sam's limp hand as they all rushed downstairs. There, the two sets of twins were immediately surrounded by women.

  Nina brushed Sam's hair from his face. “Oh god, he's so pale,” she cried “Where is he hurt?” She began checking for injuries.

  But Rafe stopped her. “I haven’t had time to completely check him, but as near as I can tell, I think it's his shoulder.”

  Nina looked into Rafe's eyes as hers swam with unshed tears. “Thank you.”

  Nina turned and pulled a sobbing Danny into her arms. “Are you okay, honey?”

  “Yes,” he sniffled, then leaned in closer to his mother and hugged her tight, “but I was scared...”

  Tears streaked Nina’s face. “I know, honey. I was so afraid. I love you so much, sweetheart.”

  Rafe laid Sam on the couch. Beth stood next to him, her lower lip trembled as tears ran down her cheeks.

  “This is my fault,” she cried. “I did this to them.” Huge sobs wracked her body.

  Rafe pulled her into his arms. Running a hand over her hair to sooth her, he whispered, “It's not your fault, Beth.” But she continued to nod uncontrollably.

  Miranda tried, “Honey, please. It was no one’s fault.” She reached to pull Beth to her, but the child wouldn’t have it.

  “Yes, it is! Look at what I did,” she cried. Everyone turned to her. “I almost killed my family. Because of
me, my father is dead! I can't…”

  “I don't think your father is dead,” a voice was heard from the open front doorway. The darkness beyond was now filled with the red, blue and white lights and whaling sirens. The living room went silent as everyone watched a tall dark-skinned man entered, and approach Beth. He was handsome, slender and muscular. A silver badge pinned to his shirt twinkled as he moved.

  Nina broke the silence as she stepped protectively in front of Beth. “Who are you?”

  “The ambulance is here. How many were hurt?”

  Frank stepped up. “Who are you? We've had enough surprises for one night!”

  “My name is Travis Weston. Let's get everyone taken care of, then I’ll explain.” He stepped aside for the paramedics to enter.

  *****

  In the hospital’s waiting room, Nina sat next to Beth. Hands clenched tight, they sat staring at Sheriff Travis Weston. Rafe stood by the door, watching the endless activity. Both twins had been admitted. Sam had lost much blood from the wound in his shoulder, but it was clean straight through. Danny was worse off, having suffered a concussion from the severe blow to his head. Sam was in the recovery room following surgery. Danny was in a private room, sound asleep. He would be under careful observation for the next two days.

  Travis cleared his throat. A small smile lifted one corner of his firm lips. “I don't know where to begin...”

  “Just start at the beginning,” Nina suggested.

  “About six months ago, I began receiving letters in the mail.” He shrugged. “At first I didn't think much of it, but then they became specific. You see, when I was seventeen, my father was a judge. He insisted I do an intern at the courthouse.” He heaved a deep sigh and leaned forward in his seat. “I met a woman, Julie. You have to remember that I was still a very young man but thought I was an adult. This woman was older than me, and I took it as a compliment that she was interested. Well, we had a fling. I found myself deeply in love with her. I wanted to tell everyone. I wanted to get my father to marry us.” He released a small, sad, laugh. “I was ready to take on the world to be with her. I didn’t know she was already married. But she didn't feel the same way. When she grew tired of me, she said if I didn't leave town, she’d cry rape and my father would be ruined. At first I didn't believe her. I thought someone was making her do this.”

  He shoved his hand through his close-cropped hair. “But then I found out the hard way that she meant every word. Her brother had always done everything she wanted, even back then. They hired a hit man to get rid of me. Right before he was about to pull the trigger, he told me everything. Then he shot me in the chest and left me for dead. I pulled out my cell phone and called my father. Before I past out, I told him where I was. When I woke up, news of my death had been spread far and wide. It was easier for my Dad to let them think I had died, than getting into a battle against one of the city’s elite white families. I healed and moved away, I stayed dead.”

  Travis stood and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. “I was sent a picture of you.” He nodded to Beth. “The note read, Black and white sure is nice, but I ignored it and tossed it away. The next letter included a picture and said, she looks just like you, doesn’t she? I kept that one. Soon I was getting these letters three times a week. I know I don't have any children. At least I thought I knew. I’d been so careful. I’m not ready for a family. I wracked my brain for clues; the only thing I could come up with was the relationship with Julie. But she had to have had protection. But I started to dig around, as I was no doubt meant to do. I followed the clues and they led me straight to the nuns and you, Ms. Manchester.”

  Beth interrupted. “But they said you were dead.”

  “After I found out from the sisters who had you, and where they found you, I went to talk to Julie. She was certainly surprised to see me. She confessed, but she told me you were dead. Then I told her you weren't, and I had hoped she had been deceived as I was. But that wasn't the case. Her people began following me and I took to wearing a bulletproof vest. It saved me when Rick shot me, and allowed me to follow them without their knowing. They led me to you.” He rose and stood before Beth, his hand held out.

  Beth's hand tightened around Nina's as she shrank against her side. “I don't know you,” she whispered to Travis.

  “It's okay,” Nina assured her. “I'm right here.”

  Hesitantly, Beth lifted her hand and placed it in his. He guided her up from her seat.

  “I don't know what to say,” said Travis. “I'd never thought about having a child. To be honest, I don't quite believe this.”

  Beth looked into his eyes and smiled shyly. “Neither do I.”

  “Let me look at you.” Travis held her arms, then gently spun her around. “You have my height. My chin. Maybe my oval face. Look at that...” he said, moving closer. “A beauty mark on the left corner of your lower lip. I have one there, too, see?”

  Beth’s eyes fell to the area. He was right. She smiled through her tears. “I wish I could say I never thought of what it would be like to have a father, but I can't.” She turned to Nina. “Not that you didn't give me everything, but sometimes when I saw other girls walking with their fathers, holding their hands...” Her face crumpled as she began to cry.

  Travis pulled her into his arms just as Nina stood.

  Rafe approached and caught her arm. “Let them have some time, Nina,” he whispered.

  Stepping aside, Nina softly spoke. “But what if he tries to take her from me?” Shadows of fear lurked in the green depths of her eyes.

  “He won't. Just let them get to know each other.”

  She nodded, her shoulders slumped, and she turned away.

  “Mama?”

  Nina turned quickly back to Beth.

  “You're not leaving me, are you?”

  “No, honey.” Nina looked at Rafe, then turned back to Beth. “Talk to your father. Get to know him, I'll be here. All you have to do is call me.”

  Beth nodded.

  “Ms?” Travis asked as Nina looked his way. “I just want you to know that I'm not here to break up your family. I just want to have a chance to get to know my girl.”

  Nina swallowed hard, and then nodded. Travis returned to Beth. Arm-in–arm, he took her to a nearby seat. They sat and chatted about their lives. Nina knew a moment’s envy, she knew she would never know her parents, but every now and again the longing rose in her. She bit her lower lip and turned away.

  Across the waiting room, Peter hid behind a newspaper, pretending to read. All’s well that ends well. A good deed done, and his future was secure. The Judge was dead, Mayor Martin would not be elected governor but that was just fine. Peter could walk away from this knowing he had done the right thing. Now, a father was able to find his daughter and saved her life. Peter knew the Kingmaker had taken the money he’d given him when all this started, and laughed in his face. But Peter knew who would have the last laugh. He grinned as he thought about all the blackmail material he’d been able to gather in his short time at the Dream Maker. Yeah, this was going to be a hell of a year. His year. He fully intended to be rewarded for his good deed. He would hold the Kingmaker by the jugular with all the smut he had on him. Maybe one day Peter himself would be President of these United States. His grin turned into a full blown smile. He stood and strolled out of the hospital and into a new life.

  *****

  Nina stood at the alter of the great church, her gloved hand neatly tucked into Rafe’s arm as they exchanged their vows. Her eyes ran the length of him. His black tuxedo fitted his trim broad shoulders and trim hips wonderfully. Wavy black curls combed back stylishly, Rafe looked as though he’d had just stepped out of a magazine. She sighed, as her stomach churned. This had to be a dream, the same one where she was always the star. In her dreams she would be dress in the utmost fashions, she would stroll down the isle on the arm of the most handsome man in the room. But this time, it was on the arms of two handsome men. Danny held her elbow and Sammy held the
other elbow as they had escorted her down the isle. Frank stood beside Rafe, even thought they were identical twins it was easy for Nina to tell them apart.

  After the boys had handed her to Rafe they had stood by her side, determined not to move from their spots, but Beth who stood as maid of honor took them to sit in the first pew. Danny looked as if he would pout up a fuss but one look from Rafe had stopped him in his tracks. Nina wiped at her eyes, she knew her make-up was going to smear if she started to cry, but she was so happy she didn’t know if she could contain it.

  Her own dress was covered with layer upon layer of white Belgium lace, highlighted by fine gold webbing and a pearl-studded collar and hem. The scooped neckline had given her pause when she and Miranda found the dress, but the look in Rafe's eyes during the fitting put her worries to rest. Nipped at the waist, it hugged her like a second skin and belled out to cover her white satin pumps. The train’s length required five ladies on each side to hold it up. Nina hadn’t realized Rafe had so many friends. Her side of the church was filled with people from the office. But she’d hoped some of the Nun’s would come. It was very important to her that thy see, they had been right. Great times had come to her, and she was so very happy. There had to be close to three hundred people here, some very rich, others not so rich. She felt like a fairytale come to life.

  As the priest finished the ceremony, Nina turned to her husband. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, this was the beginning of a new life. She’d never experienced such happiness and could not have dreamed that simply looking into a man’s eyes could make her want to shout to the heavens.

  Rafe gently lifted Nina’s sheer veil only to find tears running down her lovely face. Softly catching her chin with the fingers of his left hand, he curled his other arm around her waist and pulled her close. He whispered discreetly in her ear, his voice deep with promise, “If you’re crying now, wait until I get you home. You’ll cry in a very different way.”