by Matt Juhl
Her amusement faded quickly. “No, you’re not.”
“Yes, we are. You’re gonna have to accept it.”
“You’re really serious?”
“Yes, darling.”
“This is just a phase, some kind of midlife crisis. C’mon, you’re Andrea Galva. Women swoon over you. You couldn’t possibly love a man.”
“Trust me, I do, and he loves me.”
Traci put her head down. Then she took a deep drag off her cigarette and paced back and forth.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m going to be sick. Look me straight in the eye, Mother, and tell me again that you are what you just said you are.”
“It doesn’t bear repeating. You heard me the first time, TJ.”
“I know this can be hard to digest.” Patrick reached out and touched Traci.
She immediately brushed him off. “Get your hand off my shoulder. You’re nothing to me.”
Andrea stepped between them. “Traci!”
“Andi, it’s okay,” He put his hand out and stopped her.
She ignored him. “You’re acting so ignorant. It’s not like we’re the only straight people in the world.”
“I don’t care. It’s wrong. This whole arrangement is an abomination, and you both should be ashamed of yourselves. Not just for this perverted relationship, but for your selfish behavior.”
“Don’t you dare chastise me!” Andrea yelled.
“Why not? You’re a liar.” Traci turned her attention to Patrick and scowled. “And you’re a cheater. You threw your family away like trash.”
“I would never do that. Things died between Jett and I long before Andrea came along. Besides, I fully intend on bringing my son, Nik, here within the next year. He’s almost eighteen. By then, he can choose to leave freely and Jett won’t be able to seek legal action against me.”
“You’re really bringing your child into this charade?”
“TJ.” Andrea pulled her by the arm.
“Wait.” Traci put her finger to her lip. “Did you say Jett?”
“Yeah...”
“Isn’t he the guy who helped renovate the salon?”
“Yes.”
“That’s how all of this started. I remember you stopping by to see Jett. That’s how the two of you met, isn’t it?”
Andrea bit her lip nervously, confirming the allegation.
Patrick stepped towards Traci. “I wish you would try to understand—”
“You’re almost as delusional as my mother. I will never support this. I want nothing to do with either of you.”
She folded her arms. “You don’t mean that. You’re just upset right now.”
“How many people know about you two?”
“No one.”
Traci snickered. “So what, is your handyman blind or something?”
“He signed a confidentiality agreement for us,” she assured her.
“Is that because you’re embarrassed?”
“Of course not.”
“You must pay him well for his silence. A scandal like this would bring shame to everyone involved. I certainly don’t want my name associated with this disgusting arrangement.”
Andrea clenched her jaw in frustration. “Stop speaking to us like that. And not that it’s any of your business, but he’s paid sufficiently.”
“I know what you think is ‘sufficient’. That won’t be enough to buy his silence. Besides, I believe you’ve misplaced your trust in him.” Traci smirked.
“How so?”
“I saw him handling a large sum of money when I pulled up. As soon as he saw me, he immediately stuffed the wad into his pocket. I think he’s stealing from you.”
“That’s absurd.”
“Oh you’re right. I’m sure it’s customary for a handyman to carry around hundred dollar bills,” she mocked sarcastically.
“He wouldn’t take anything from us,” Patrick added.
“Even though he signed your confidentiality agreement, he knows you have something to hide. You really think a piece of paper is going to keep a low-life opportunist away from blackmailing you? He’s gonna bleed you dry.”
“We’ve taken the necessary precautions to keep this from getting to Jett or anyone else right now. As for our staff, I don’t believe a word you’re saying. He’d never betray us.”
“I guess you know him better than I do, Mother. Maybe you made the best choice coming here. Being in Port Vista means no one has to deal with this, including me. Nobody will ever have to know.”
“Eventually we will tell people, after enough time has passed,” Andrea insisted.
“No.”
“What do you mean, ‘no’?”
“People don’t need to know that you’re straight. It’s an embarrassment.”
“No, your ignorant, childish behavior is an embarrassment. I’m ashamed that Pat has to see such immature behavior from the daughter I raised. It’s clearly not a reflection of the values I’ve instilled in you. You say you don’t know me, but clearly I don’t know you.”
“Good, I don’t want to know this side of you, and I certainly don’t want to know him. Your selfish needs are more important than your families. So you win. You get each other, but I don’t want any part of this.” Traci grabbed her purse and headed for the front door.
“TJ, get back here. You don’t mean that.”
“Of course I do. I don’t have a mother. You don’t exist in my world anymore—you’re as good as dead.”
Andrea’s eyes began to water. “No, don’t say that. I need you.”
“Then leave right now and forget all of this.”
“I can’t do that, and you know it. Don’t you see how much this hurts? I love Pat with everything inside of me, and he feels the same way.”
“Then do whatever the hell you want. I’m going home. Goodbye.”
Andrea pulled on Traci in desperation. “You mean you’re going back to my home?”
“It was our home, but you left. So I guess it’s my home now.”
“Good. Then I’ll call the bank on Monday and draw up the paperwork to have you assume the mortgage payments.”
“I can’t afford that.”
“Right, not without my money. I guess I’ll have to call my realtor and have the property listed instead.”
“Sure, like you’d really do that.”
“Why not? It’s my house.”
“You’d really put me out?”
“Sure, why not?” Andrea sneered.
“Great, now you’re gonna blackmail me. You’re being completely ridiculous right now.”
“Now you know how it feels.”
“Andi—” Patrick interjected.
“Back off Pat, I can handle my kid.”
“You’d really put me out of my own home?”
“You’re twenty-six, Traci. Surely by now you can figure out how to make it on your own.”
“Mother.”
“Maybe next time you’ll be more careful before opening your mouth.”
Traci tore through the door. As she did, she turned back to her mother and hissed, “I’d tell you to go to Hell, but thanks to your lifestyle choices, you’ll already be going there. You think you’re happy now, but once this fizzles, you’ll have nothing. Enjoy your empty life.” She stormed out.
Andrea leaned against the wall, crying uncontrollably as she fell to the floor.
Patrick knelt down beside her. “Andi, it’s okay. This will blow over. You guys didn’t mean what you said.”
“I didn’t, but she did. She meant every word. And that scares me more than anything. I’ve lost my baby girl forever.”
Traci raced down the stairs, wiping away tears of frustration. She wouldn’t look back at the house. All she wanted to do was get far away from Port Vista.
As she reached the garage, she noticed the handyman bent over a gallon of paint.
“You really work here?” she asked.
“That depends. Who wants to know?”
“I’m Traci Galva, Andrea’s daughter.”
“Ah, I see the resemblance. Yeah, I work here.”
“So, is it true?”
“What?”
“That they made you sign a confidentiality agreement?”
His eyes moved around as he pondered his ability to answer the question and maintain discretion.
“Relax, Mother already told me they made you sign.”
“So why are you asking me about it?”
“Because it’s insulting, as if they don’t trust you.”
“I’m sure they do. They’re pretty decent. ’Course they gave me shitty paint to work with. This damn garage is gonna need a couple more coats.” He lifted the can with his bulging biceps and began refilling the tray.
As Gage continued working, Traci quickly reached into her billfold and withdrew all of her money. While paying careful attention to his moves, she stashed the cash in the loose pocket of his cargo shorts
“I hope it works out, but you should know that my mother’s very disloyal. Initially she promised your job to our maid, Kendall. The poor woman was heartbroken when Mother changed her mind. Oh well, at least she pays Kendall a lot more than you, so I guess she didn’t completely lose out.”
“They pay me enough, at least better than some of the other jobs I’ve had recently.” He began to look worried. “Exactly how much more does she make?”
“I’d hate to throw out numbers, but it’s nearly double what you’re paid. However, Kendall’s been with us a long time. Mother said you were just hired on a probationary status.”
“Andrea didn’t tell me that.”
“That’s just her way,” she warned him. “Watch yourself. You can’t trust her.”
“I had no idea.” He pushed his blond hair back out of his eyes and wiped the sweat off his chiseled chest.
Traci handed her card to him. “I wish you the best of luck in your career here, but if she screws you over again, give me a call. I could always use an extra hand around my place.”
“I’m pretty good here. Thanks though.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure, unless you like being treated like a dog. Mother told me to ‘fetch’ you.”
“Fetch?”
“Precisely. She wants to see you right away. Just be careful, she’s a little emotional.”
“Damn, all right.” He wiped the wet paint on the front of his jeans.
“I hope everything’s okay.” She walked to her car, watching him approach the front door.
“Me too,” he called back.
“By the way, I didn’t catch your name.”
“It’s Gage.”
“Gage, what?”
“Gage Black. Nice to meet you, Miss Galva.”
She winked. “Please, just call me Traci. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”
TWENTY
“Lay off the crack, right, Harris?” Leland chuckled, pointing at the exposed backside of the excavator operator.
Tonya flashed a dirty look at the officer. “You really should try coming up with some original material, Brown.”
“I ain’t even trying to be funny. Look at that hairy thing. Someone ought to tell that man to wear a damn belt.”
“At least he’s working. Maybe you should try it sometime.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“We’ve been here all day, and all you’ve done is annoy the hell of me.”
“C’mon, lighten up a little.”
“I would if you weren’t driving me crazy.”
“All right, I get it. What would you like me to do then?”
“Why don’t you retrace some of our steps around the north side of the creek while I look over here?”
“We’ve walked the perimeter a million times and drained that nasty muck. There ain’t nothing there—no black box, no clue. When are you gonna face the facts? That loony-ass psychic was full of it. Now can we forget all this and call it a day?”
“The tip from Harper is the only lead we’ve had in weeks. Brielle Holloway’s niece, Daisy, sought her out to deliver the message personally. I even questioned the psychic myself. I believe her. I believe we’ll find something here.”
“All you’re gonna find is a headache,” Brown assured her.
Tonya stared into the simmering burn of the majestic sunset as it breathed through the treetops. She didn’t like to be wrong, especially when it meant giving satisfaction to someone as smug and lazy as Leland Brown. However, the prophetic tip was proving to be as useless to her as the middle-aged, overweight officer himself.
“Yo, Earth to Harris.” Leland waved his hand in front of her entranced gaze. “What do you say, we done?”
Tonya took a deep breath, considering her options. “Yeah, round ‘em up, Brown. We’ll reconvene here in the morning.”
“Really?”
“Are you deaf?”
“Hey you’re the boss. If you wanna waste more time, there ain’t nothing I can do about it.”
“Get outta here.” Tonya waved him off, walked into the brush, and ran her soiled hands over her somnolent face.
As darkness began to fall and her crew headed back to their squad cars, Tonya continued wandering around Whispy Creek.
The daunting task of finding the elusive arsonist and murderer left a gaping question mark lingering over her head. Every passing week pushed the investigation closer to becoming a cold case file, but she couldn’t allow it. The horrific scene haunted her at night, leaving her more determined than ever to catch the criminal.
Suddenly, the detective lost her footing and tripped over a sharp object protruding from the rough ground. “Damn, what was that?” she whispered.
Tonya pulled back heavy tree limbs, a used tire, and several pounds of rank garbage. Once the area was cleared, she continued digging into the mud with her bare hands. The further she dug, the more intrigued she became.
The object was much larger than she’d anticipated. Once she saw what it was, her mouth nearly dropped to the ground.
“Brown?” Tonya called into her handheld radio.
After several attempts, he didn’t respond.
“Brown,” she called out. “Get over here now.”
“Harris?” Leland finally answered.
Tonya quickly stood and ran to a clearing. “Hurry and get the excavator before he leaves.”
Brown huffed and puffed as he raced to her side. “What is it?”
She flashed a reassured smile. “How do you like eating crow?”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t you see it?”
“See what, some trash?”
Tonya shined her flashlight on the pile. “Take a look.”
“I don’t see nothing.”
“Look closer. It’s the black box, you know, the one you said we wouldn’t find?”
“Man, that thing’s huge.” Leland opened his eyes as far as he could. “I guess that’s why we call you ‘The Hunter’.”
She folded her arms. “Is that you’re way of telling me I was right?’
Leland chuckled in agreement. “Guess so.”
Tonya and Leland stood back with the rest of the police force. The crew looked on in silence as the excavators exhumed the detective’s discovery.
It seemed like an eternity as the operator lifted the heavy box from the ground.
One by one, they whispered and contemplated its contents, growing anxious and excited about the find.
However, no amount of training could have prepared any of them for the finding.
As Tonya pried open the box, everyone covered their mouths.
“Damn,” Leland swore. “That stench is worse than the nappy ass creek.”
“Everyone, move back,” Tonya ordered.
“You don’t gotta tell me twice. There ain’t no mistaking the smell of a decomposing body.”
She ignored him and snapped her fingers at the tallest officer. “Thorne, over here.”
Officer Thorne enthusias
tically raced to Tonya’s side with a camera in his hands. His lanky body nearly tripped on himself.
Tonya ran the flashlight along the length of the eight foot long box as the officer began snapping photographs. “Get the coroner here and begin securing the area.”
“Is that what I think it is?” The rookie asked in a shaky voice. He swallowed so hard his Adam’s apple nearly touched his chin.
“The remains are definitely human. Did you see the hands?”
“You mean lack thereof,” Thorne noted.
“Severed off,” she corrected him.
“Right.”
“Take a picture.” Tonya shook her head at the senselessness.
“See the bag around the head?” Thorne pointed, covering his mouth and resisting the urge to vomit.
“Say what?” Leland shouted as he came up behind them.
“We all know what this means…”
Leland folded his arms. “Means we aren’t any closer than we were before.”
“Wrong, Brown. The remains may not have been burnt, but this was exactly how Faye Jones died. You see the red hair? All this time we’ve been looking for Mindi—and I think we finally found her.”
“Shit. If it is, we can cross her off the list of suspects.”
“Yeah, but things are only getting worse.”
“Why?”
Tonya folded her arms. “’Cause if this isn’t a copycat incident, or an amazing coincidence, we could have the makings of a serial killer on our hands.”
TWENTY-ONE
Harper looked stunning under the luminescent glow of the full moon, shining against her face and the gentle water. The October winds blew through her straightened hair as she produced a tiny mirror from her makeup bag and reapplied a fresh coat of lip gloss.
Then she pulled her designer jacket over her crimson blouse and scooted closer to the fire she built on the beach. Heat emanated from the entrancing blaze, warming her raw flesh. She shut her eyes and took in the soft crackle of its embers and the tranquil call of the lake.
Anticipation mounted in Harper’s mind while sitting alone in the sand. Her heartbeat wildly strummed with each passing moment under the brisk, night sky. Despite any nervousness, she was excited about her plan.
“Crap!” she shouted.