Broken Trust

by Lillian Duncan

  Annie sighed then stood up. “I’m not your enemy, Chryssie.”

  Chryssie wished she could tell this woman the truth. “Thanks for your offer, but I really am fine.”

  When they opened the door, Zack still stood leaning against the wall. “Hey, detective. All done? Guess it’s my turn.”

  “Whatever.” Annie walked down the hall.

  Stan seemed to have disappeared, but she was sure he was lurking nearby.

  “I don’t want you in my apartment.” She blocked the door and glared at Zack. “Give me your message and go.”

  He squeezed into her apartment, by gently moving her aside. “I will. Inside.”

  “Get out of my apartment, Zack. I don’t want you here.”

  “Too bad.” He sat down on the sofa and smiled. “You might as well talk with me. I’m not leaving until you do.”

  She slammed the door. “Fine. Give me your message and go.” She sat down.

  “First things first.” He pulled out a cell phone. “Marv wants you to have this. So he can keep in touch with you.”

  She stared at the latest model smartphone. “I don’t want it.”

  “Better take it anyway. Don’t want to make the boss mad.” He set it on the coffee table. “He also told me to tell you to take the rest of the week off. You don’t have to work again until Friday night.”

  Wow. What a sweet guy. He ruins her life then gives her a few days off. “You can remind him that I quit. I already told him that, but maybe he forgot. Tell him I won’t be in on Friday or any other day.”

  “That doesn’t seem like the best idea, Chryssie. You don’t want to make Marv mad.”

  “I don’t care what you think. You are a liar and a fraud. I…I trusted you. I believed in you.” She stood up, not wanting him to see she was close to tears—again. “Get out of my house.”

  Her venom seemed to roll off of him as he smiled at her then picked up her keys from the coffee table and tossed them in the air. “In a minute. I need to ask you something.”

  “Give back my keys.” She reached for them, but he kept tossing them in the air.

  “I’m awfully thirsty. Could I have a something to drink?”

  “This is not a social occasion.”

  “Come on, Chryssie. Don’t be mean. I really am thirsty.”

  “Fine.” She stomped to the refrigerator, brought out a can of soda then slammed it on the coffee table in front of Zack. “And then you can go.”

  Her gaze fell on her keys back on the coffee table.

  “Thanks. Why are you saying you shot Lonnie Davis?”

  Speechless, she stared.

  “You can trust me.” He picked up the can but didn’t open it.

  “I thought you were thirsty.”

  “Changed my mind. I know this…this situation has been really difficult.” He put his hand on her arm. “But I really can help. If you just tell me the truth.”

  In spite of his betrayal, she wanted his arms around her. Holding her. Telling her everything would work out. But he worked for Marv. He would have killed her if Marv hadn’t stopped him at the last moment.

  She shrugged his hand away. “Go away, Zack. Leave me alone.”

  He reached out and touched a strand of her hair. “I like you better this way, Chryssie. I always knew under all that make-up, there was real beauty. On the inside and outside. I’m not your enemy so I wish you’d tell me why you’re doing this.” He walked out the door.

  She engaged the lock.

  She was all alone. Well, not completely. God had been in the basement room with her. She was sure of it. Even if Zack had lied about being a Christian, that didn’t mean God didn’t love her. That didn’t mean God wasn’t real.

  Zack was the fraud, not God.

  13

  Wednesday morning, the big, old church loomed as Chryssie walked up the sidewalk. This one had been built when churches were grand structures of art. Maybe she should have chosen a more modern-looking church, but this was the closest one to her apartment. At the doors, she stopped. Was this the right thing to do?

  She’d spent last night trying to figure out her next move but couldn’t come up with a plan. When she woke up this morning, she felt compelled to talk to someone about this new found relationship with God. Chryssie opened the door to God’s house and went in.

  Two hours later, she walked out with a smile and wet hair—and a Bible.

  Even though the church had seemed ancient, the preacher had been kind and patient.

  She looked at the Bible. There was so much to learn, but she knew all that she needed to know for now: God loved her and He wouldn’t forsake her.

  Not the way her mother had.

  Not the way Marv had.

  Not the way Zack had.

  The preacher assured her that God was real and loved her, but he’d also told her that just because she was a Christian didn’t mean everything would turn out the way she wanted. Life would still be filled with disappointments, problems, and even tragedies. But she wouldn’t have to face them alone.

  God would be with her always. Others might break their trust with her, but the preacher had assured her that God would do no such thing. God could be trusted.

  ****

  Time to fix things. There was no going back on confessing to a murder she hadn’t done in order to keep Gabriella safe. Right or wrong, she was willing to stand by that confession for the very same reason. But she wasn’t willing to let Marv control her for the rest of her life.

  Chryssie pulled her car into the lot behind the bar. Her hand shook as she pulled the key from the ignition. She was terrified. But she had to take a stand now or let Marv ruin her life forever.

  With God’s help she still might be able to salvage something good. After all, she’d have her nursing license within a few weeks. Dr. Lasky had called her that morning to tell her she’d passed the exam. She’d be able to find a good job. And that meant a new start for her and for Gabriella. Somewhere far away from Marv.

  As she passed the back door, she jiggled the knob. Locked. She walked around the building. As she approached the front door, her dread grew with each step. Maybe she should think about it some more. Pray about it. Her hand reached for the door handle, but she hesitated, no longer sure this was the right thing to do.

  Marv had said she didn’t have to work until Friday.

  Maybe she should take that time to come up with a plan—a real plan. She turned to leave. And ran into a body. Taking a step back, she looked up.

  “Well, if it isn’t my favorite pain in the neck.” Stan bared his teeth. His hand reached toward her.

  “Back off. Don’t touch me.” She took a step away. What was he doing here? She’d never seen him before at the bar. Was Marv getting more brazen? Or was the man following her?

  “I’ll do what I want. ‘Cause the boss owns you just like he does me.”

  She had no plans to let that happen. Chryssie turned and opened the door. The dimness of the bar was in sharp contrast to the bright sunny day outside. Marquetta stood at the bar. Her back was turned to Chryssie. Was Marquetta part of it too? Did she know the truth about Marv?

  Marquetta turned and saw Chryssie. She dropped the cleaning cloth and ran to wrap her arms around Chryssie. “Oh, girlfriend, why didn’t you tell me what happened? You must have been terrified.”

  “I still am. But everything’s going to work out.”

  Marquetta’s dark eyes narrowed. “I don’t know how you can say that.”

  “It was self-defense, that’s why. The detective said I probably won’t even be charged, but that’s up to the D.A., not her. But that’s what she’s recommending. At least that’s what she told me.”

  “Well, thank God for that. Did he hurt you? Are you OK?” Marquetta’s eyes filled with tears and her voice shook. “I’m so sorry all this happened. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Marquetta wasn’t part of Marv’s organization, she was sure of it. Chryssie felt peace descend. Thank you, Go
d. “I guess I was in shock.”

  Marquetta hugged her again. “I can just imagine.”

  She’d need to find a way to warn Marquetta that she should change jobs before Marv got his clutches into her as well. “Is Marv here?”

  “In the back room.”

  Stan had stood by during her conversation with Marquetta. He hadn’t made any secret that he was listening. Was he to be her shadow from now on? Well, not if she had anything to say about it.

  But Stan didn’t follow her to Marv’s office, which was really just a back room in the bar. It had office equipment but also a few tables. Marv sat at one of the tables reading the newspaper. He smiled when she walked in. “Chryssie, I didn’t expect to see you today. I told Zack to give you the message that you didn’t have to work until Friday.”

  “I’m not here to work.”

  “No problem. What would you like to talk about?”

  His lackeys were reading the paper at another table, their faces hidden.

  “I’m not here to socialize either.” She kept her voice low.

  His smile faded.

  And so did her nerve. But only for a moment. This was too important to back down. “I’m not coming to work on Friday or any other day. I quit.” She placed the new phone on the table. “I won’t be needing this either.”

  “That’s not the way this will work,” his voice was cold enough to send a chill up her spine.

  She met his stare, ignoring the fact her palms were sweating. “That is the way it will be. I’ll stand by my confession. But that’s it. Then I’m done with you and this place.”

  He stood up.

  She struggled to keep her gaze and her heartbeat steady.

  “You’ll be done when I say you’re done.” He stepped closer.

  “I won’t be bullied by you, Marv. I don’t care what you do to me. I’m done working here.”

  He stared at her, his face void of any emotion. Then he pointed at the two men sitting nearby.

  A moment later she was in one man’s clutches while the other shut the door leading out to the main bar area. The man who closed the door was Zack. Bobby, a part-time bartender, was holding her arms tight. She squirmed to free herself, but failed.

  Zack didn’t meet her gaze.

  Marv walked in front of her.

  She kicked out, but he simply moved out of the way.

  “The sooner you accept this new reality, the easier it will be. For everyone. You will keep working here for now.” His fist moved at lightning speed and connected with her stomach.

  She moaned. Bobby’s hands let go, and she slipped to the floor.

  “If you want to get a part-time nursing job that’s fine. But you will continue to work here part-time as well.” Marv nudged her with his foot. “You’re making this way too hard on yourself, Chryssie. I’m a good employer. You know that. So just accept the situation.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “For Gabriella’s sake.”

  Chryssie’s heart dropped.

  He’d won.

  “Zack. Take her home. Bobby, you drive her car home. The two of you stay with her until I say so. Don’t let her out of your sight. Either of you.”

  “But I got things to do.” Bobby whined.

  “Fine. Stan can spell you later. And I’m sure Zack won’t mind some alone time with her.” He laughed. “Don’t make her do anything she doesn’t want to do.”

  Zack helped her up.

  She smacked his hand away. “Leave me alone.” She stood up on her own and then faced Marv. “You win. I’ll do it your way. But I don’t need a babysitter.”

  He must have seen the defeat in her eyes. “Fine. See you Friday night. Be on time. Sorry, Zack. She’s on her own.” Marv pointed a finger at her. “But don’t make me regret trusting you.”

  14

  Chryssie walked out of the room, heartsick.

  Stan was sitting at the bar.

  Marquetta slouched in front of him and giggled.

  Marquetta didn’t need to get involved with Stan. Her children needed a good man, not this thug. She’d thought Zack was a good person. Boy, had she been wrong. Chryssie motioned for Marquetta.

  After whispering something to Stan, Marquetta made her way down the bar. “Hey, girl. Need something to drink?”

  “No, just thought you might want to get together after your shift.”

  “Really? We’ve never done that before.”

  “I know, but I’m done with school. No more studying. No more classes so I’ve got the time now.”

  “Sounds fun, but I can’t stay long. Gotta get home with the kiddoes, you know.”

  “Well, they can come with us. We can get pizza.”

  “Sure. Sounds fun.”

  When she left the bar, Chryssie‘s eyes protested as she stepped into the brightness of the summer day. She worried about how she could get Marquetta to quit her job without actually telling her the truth. Somehow, she needed to find a way to get her out of Marv’s clutches before it was too late for her like it was for Chryssie. Can you give me an idea, God?

  ****

  Marquetta came into the pizza place, but then leaned down and whispered to her daughter. Her little boy laughed and pointed his finger as his big sister got a talking-to. Marquetta took each child’s hand, rolled her eyes and walked to the table. “We’re here.”

  “So, I see. Everything OK?”

  “Sit, my lovely children. Everything’s just perfect.” Another roll of the eyes.

  Her daughter sat on the chair, folded her arms, and glared at her mother.

  “Not a word. Unless it’s a nice one,” Marquetta’s voice was firm.

  The little boy walked over to Chryssie. “Hep me.”

  “Sure thing.” She pulled the chair out and then helped him get settled. “My name’s Chryssie. What’s yours?”

  “Mark but it’s with a Q just like Mommy’s. M-A-R-Q.”

  “Wow. That’s very good. How old are you?”

  He held up four fingers. “This old I am.”

  “That’s not how you say it, st—”

  “Only nice words, Tanisha.” Marquetta warned her daughter.

  “Well, he didn’t say it right.”

  “That’s fine, you can tell him the right way, but do it nicely.”

  Marq pointed at the bandage on his head. “I got a boo-boo.”

  “I see that. How did that happen?”

  “I falled down and hit my head.”

  “It’s fell, Marq. I fell down and hit my head.” Tanisha smiled as she said it, then looked at her mother for approval who nodded.

  “You didn’t fall, I did. Silly.”

  Even Tanisha had to laugh. “You’re right, Marq. What was I thinking?”

  “We had a little problem on the drive over, but we’re all better now. Right, Tanisha?”

  The girl smiled sweetly. “Right, Mommy.” She turned to Chryssie. “Mommy told me if I wasn’t good, I wouldn’t get to eat pizza. Only salad.”

  “Well, salad’s very good for you.”

  “Not as good as pizza.”

  “Pizza.” Marq nodded his agreement.

  They ordered and the kids talked about school and their friends. When the pizza arrived, the two children dove in with enthusiasm, commenting on their toppings and the gooey cheese.

  In an undertone over their banter, Chryssie dove in. “Marquetta, I need to talk to you about something important.”

  “What’s wrong? Is it about what happened to you?”

  “Sort of, but not really. But you have to promise not to tell Marv. OK?”

  Marquetta nodded.

  “You need to find a new job.”

  “A new job? Are you crazy, girl?”

  “I can’t really tell you why, but you need to trust me. You need to find a new job right now. I’m sure you can find a place that pays better than there anyway.”

  “But why?”

  “It’s…it’s not safe. I can’t really say more than that. Just trust me. You do
n’t want to keep working there.”

  “I know the tips aren’t that good, but it’s good hours. And Marv’s real good to me when I need to take off for the kids. To you too. I can’t believe you’re telling me to quit. After Marv hired you a lawyer and everything.”

  “Marquetta, if I knew last week what I know this week, I…I…I wouldn’t be in all the trouble I’m in.”

  “I thought they weren’t going to charge you.”

  “I’m not sure about that yet, but that seems to be the way it’s heading. Still, if I’d quit last week, then it wouldn’t have happened.”

  “Yeah, but that’s not Marv’s fault.” Marquetta took a bite of the pizza.

  It was all his fault. “The bar’s not safe. If this happened to me, it could happen to you. To any of us.” The picture of that gun raising up toward her flashed in her mind. “And maybe next time, we won’t be as lucky. Plus, something else happened that Saturday night.” Quietly, so the kids couldn’t hear, Chryssie told her what happened with the drunks.

  Marquetta shook her head. “I can’t believe that.”

  “So you’ll quit?”

  “I’ll quit when you quit. How’s that?”

  “Not OK. I don’t have kids, Marquetta. You do. It’s not safe there. That’s why you need to quit and find another job—somewhere—anywhere.”

  “Chill out.” Marquetta picked up her pizza. “Are you sure there’s not another reason you’re so gung ho about me quitting? Something you’re not telling me?”

  “You need to quit. Don’t wait until something bad happens. If you wait, it will be too late. That’s what I’m saying.”

  “You might be right. I’ve been thinking that myself.”

  Chryssie handed her a piece of paper. “Here, I checked around. These two hair places are hiring shampoo girls. It might not be much, but it’ll be safe.”

  Marquetta blinked. “Wow. You’re serious about me getting a different job.”

  “Just promise me that you’ll quit. Tomorrow.”

  “Marv’ll be mad if I quit without a notice.”

  “Marv’s not the one I’m worried about. It’s you. And your children.”

  Marquetta looked down at the paper. “Wow! That’s a fancy one. You really think they’d hire me?”