Apple Pie to Die For

by Sharon Kleve

  Chapter Two

  ONE WEEK EARLIER...

  The day after Vega was released from jail—for beating Kelli— I wasn’t feeling well. The flu had been going around, so I left work early. With my head pounding, I had quietly made my way into the house, and then upstairs to my bedroom. My cat, Oscar, had followed closely on my heels but hadn't purred like his normal self. If I had been feeling better, I probably would have made more noise and alerted Vega, who was stuffing my great grandmother’s jewelry into a backpack. He had drunk a bottle of my Stolichnaya and a second partially empty bottle was sitting on the dresser by the door. Stoli martinis were my go-to drink and Vega had already polished off a months’ worth.

  Vega had suddenly turned, hatred and madness visible in his bloodshot eyes. He had stumbled toward me and slurred, “You bitch. I’ll make you pay for turning Kelli against me.”

  Before he could grab me, I had pulled my stun gun from my purse and pressed the metal prongs to his chest. The instruction booklet and video that came with the stun gun had demonstrated the effects of holding it to an assailant for one-to-two seconds, versus three seconds. One-to-two seconds was recommended. Three seconds could cause loss of muscle control, balance, and disorientation. Just to be safe, I had continued to press, but I had lost count after three seconds.

  He had collapsed to the floor and twitched a bunch. The alcohol could have intensified the effect. For a moment, he had looked like he was possessed by an evil being, flopping around the way he had and then he was out cold. It had really creeped me out.

  I checked his pulse to make sure I hadn’t killed him—it was still going strong. That was sort of a relief. I figured, I only had one choice, to put Vega in the basement until I felt better and could think straight.

  He wasn’t a large or particularly muscular guy, but he was dead weight. I had grabbed a bedsheet from the hall closet, and after a lot of struggle rolled him onto it. I grabbed the edge and pulled him a few inches toward the stairs when his arm had fallen off the sheet, got caught on the base of a floor lamp, and toppled it over. Luckily, it hadn’t broken—the lamp not his arm.

  I slid to the floor, my heart raced and I hadn’t even moved him a foot. It seemed like an impossible task. Knowing I had to get his loser-ass down two flights of stairs, and into the basement bathroom before he woke, propelled me a foot at a time. Halfway down the stairs, I lost my footing, and with the momentum of me falling back, pulled Vega halfway on top of me. I kept chanting, “Skittles, Skittles, Skittles,” the whole time, but if I cursed, I considered it justified.

  His chest crushed the breath from me and both arms flopped off the sheet. He smelled of Aqua Velvet. They still made that stuff? I wiggled and squirmed until I was free. My chest heaved from the exertion. I unwound the silk scarf I had slipped around my neck before leaving the bakery that day, and clumsily tied his wrists together so they stayed out of the way.

  Vega moaned once and my heart had stopped, but he hadn’t woken. The shot of adrenaline propelled me into action again. The thunk of his head over each step, gave me a little satisfaction, though not a lot because I wasn’t a mean person.

  My father had sent me a pack of cable zip ties and several rolls of duct tape for Christmas last year. He joked that someday I might need them. As it turned out, they had come in handy.

  Once in the bathroom, I gathered what little strength I had left and rolled Vega off the sheet. I removed the scarf—I burned it later—secured Vega’s hands and legs behind his back with the cable zip ties, plus plastered duct tape over his mouth and around his head for good measure. I couldn’t fathom where the strength came from, but if Vega had gotten ahold of me, I shuddered to think what he might have done—he was a mean son-of-a-bitch.

  After putting my jewelry away and picked up the bedroom, I popped two over the counter pain meds, crawled into bed, and immediately fell asleep.

  I woke up the next morning feeling much better. My fever was gone, but Vega wasn’t. The night before hadn’t been a fever-induced nightmare after all.

  Chapter Three

  DAYS TURNED INTO A week, as I contemplated the Vega dilemma. It was time to feed and simultaneously sedate him, so I crushed four Xanax into the filling of two slices of pie, walked down the stairs, flipped on the basement light, and peered at him through the bathroom doorway.

  “You can’t keep me here!” Vega shrieked. He said the same thing each time I visited him. “Kelli will come looking for me and you’ll get arrested.”

  “Kelli has been much happier since you disappeared. She told everyone you probably left the state so you wouldn’t have to pay child support. Even your parents believe her and they seem happier too.”

  “They wouldn’t believe such a lie. They love me.” He struggled to roll over on his side, but there wasn’t enough space in the basement bathroom.

  “Kellie showed them pictures of what you did to her. So yeah...they believe her.” What a self-absorbed idiot.

  “Bullshit! You’re a liar. Let me go.” He sneered.

  I shook my head and pointed my finger at his face. “Now remember, you wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t broken into my house, threatened me, and tried to rob me. Oh, yeah, and repeatedly beat Kelli.”

  He struggled with the zip ties, trying to get lose. “She deserved it. She couldn’t do anything right.”

  If I was a violent person, I would have zapped him over and over again, just for that comment alone. Kelli worked her butt off trying to keep Vega happy.

  “How long have I been here? It seems like weeks,” he whined.

  “It’s just been a couple of days,” I lied, but I didn’t feel bad in the least about misleading him.

  He tried to shrug. “If you let me go, I won’t press charges, I promise.”

  Yeah right. I wasn’t born yesterday. I scooped up a forkful of pie and held it against Vega’s closed lips. “Come on. Just try a bite and tell me what you think of the new recipe. It’s Bing cherry meringue.”

  “Every time you feed me, I get sleepy,” he mumbled through clenched lips.

  “Yeah, but you’re really happy and relaxed before you fall asleep, right?” I tried a reassuring smile.

  “Yeah...” He squinted at the fork I held to his lips. He wiggled his arms and legs, in an attempt to get lose from the zip ties. “What’s in that?”

  “Just high-quality ingredients.” Xanax was easy to acquire and administer with the required effects—sleepy, malleable, then out cold. I stuffed a large forkful of pie into his mouth, he chewed and then swallowed. “One more bite and I’ll give you a beer for good behavior,” I coaxed.

  “Two bottles of beer and I’ll take two more bites,” he countered.

  “You got a deal.” But, he would be asleep in ten minutes flat so I didn’t have to worry that I didn’t have any beer in the house.

  I drove to the local thrift shop and bought some sweats and T-shirts in roughly Vega’s size. Otherwise, he would be naked while I washed his clothes and that was unacceptable. I wasn’t a monster—I kept him fed, clean, and clothed.

  Chapter Four

  ANDERSON WAS WAITING on the steps of Saint Augustine Church as I exited my car. A prime parking spot opened up after I had circled the block twice.

  “You look beautiful, Marjorie.” Anderson took my hand and kissed the top of it in such a sweet gesture he stole my breath.

  “Thank you. You look very nice yourself.” He had on a blue sweater and tan pants that accented his blue eyes and sandy brown hair. I had to admit, I took a little extra time straightening my hair, so it hung like dark silk over my shoulders. I applied a little more mascara and added a shining bronze gloss to my lips. My dress hit an inch above my knees and was a bright and cheerful cream and orange flower print.

  He tugged my hand. “Let’s go inside. Kelli is saving us a couple of seats next to her and Joey.”

  “I’m glad she’s here. She stopped coming because Vega didn’t like her going to church. I think he thought she would confid
e in someone about what was going on at home.”

  “Kelli looks happy and relaxed now. She told me Joey had the best birthday ever. He hasn’t stopped talking about the bike you got him. That was really thoughtful of you.”

  “Kids should be allowed to be kids: to ride bikes, make messes, and be loud sometimes.” It was wrong to keep Vega in my bathroom, but if I let him go, I would be put in jail and he would take out his anger on Kelli and Joey. I couldn’t let that happen. I drummed my fingers on my thigh in agitation. There had to be a solution that would keep Vega in jail and me out.

  Anderson reached over and stopped the drumming then leaned over and kissed my cheek.

  “I hate to bring this up, but when Vega comes back, Kelli will have to deal with sharing custody of Joey.”

  “Let’s cross our fingers he doesn’t come back.”

  Anderson nodded and squeezed my hand.

  After church, we walked hand-in-hand to the car. “It’s a beautiful day. What do you say to a picnic on the shore of Lake Sweeney?”

  I had fed Vega an extra dose of sedative, so I didn’t feel the need to rush home. “That would be great.”

  Anderson swung by Joe’s Café and parked in front. “I’ll be right back. I’m picking up some picnic food.”

  “I won’t go anywhere.” Well... maybe to prison, but not today.

  A few minutes later, Anderson returned with a wicker basket, that he placed in the back seat.

  “How did they put a basket together in such a short time?” I turned in my seat. I wanted a peek at what was in the basket.

  “I called ahead. I was hoping you would spend the afternoon with me.” Anderson winked.

  “What if I had said no? Would you have asked someone else?” I knew of several women who would jump at a chance to jump Anderson. He was adorable.

  He leaned forward, placed a quick kiss on my lips and then pulled away. “Nope. I don’t want to spend time with anyone else, but you. I would have eaten some of it and given the rest to my staff.”

  “It’s nice to know that you have a generous heart.” Anderson was making it hard not to fall for him.

  He started the car, drove toward the park, but glanced over at me when we stopped at a red light. “How about you? Do you want to spend time with anyone else?”

  “I have a lot of friends I spend time with.” I wasn’t sure why I was playing coy. I knew what he meant. He just rolled his eyes and then continued to drive toward the lake.

  “Anyone male, single, and interested in a physical relationship with you?”

  “No. Just you.” I enjoyed his straightforward honesty so I smiled when he laughed.

  “Good.” He nodded and continued to drive as the radio played a soft country tune by Garth Brooks.

  Anderson parked the car a short time later, ran around to the passenger’s side, and opened the door. He grabbed the basket with one hand and my hand in the other, and we walked to a picnic table near the water. The sun was warm but not hot, and perfect for a day by the water. I opened the lid on the picnic basket, it was filled with a container of potato salad, two ham and Swiss sandwiches, a jug of sweet tea, and chocolate chip cookies. “Wow. This looks great.”

  “So do you.” He winked again and then grabbed a couple cups and filled them with tea. After handing one to me, he laid out the food and we ate as we talked about our families, and told tales of our mutual friends. Anderson spoke about how much he enjoyed his work as a medical examiner and me of my love of baking. It was a wonderful day.

  WHEN ANDERSON DROPPED me off at my car later that day, he took my face in his hands and kissed the breath out of me. When we stepped apart he smiled and it warmed my heart. I wanted to step back into his embrace, but I had to get back home to take care of Vega. He was starting to impact my potential for a love life.

  “Would you accompany me to the state fair next weekend? I would love to kiss you on top of the Ferris wheel and anywhere else for that matter.”

  “That would be great. How about the roller-coaster? Do you want to make out on the roller-coaster?” I teased.

  Anderson wrapped his arm around my waist and snuggled close. “I’ll kiss anywhere, anytime.”

  “Okay, then. That seals the deal.” We both laughed. “I’d love to go with you, but I need to arrive two hours before the pie tasting competition. Eloise, the new regional competition organizer, is a stickler for rules. I would hate for her to disqualify my pies because I was a couple minutes late.”

  “No problem. I promise to get you there in plenty of time.” After one last kiss, Anderson opened the car door for me and closed it after I had my seatbelt on. He waved as I drove away.

  ONCE HOME, I DEFROSTED some homemade beef stew and put it in one large mixing bowl, dissolved a couple sedatives into the soup, buttered two slices of sourdough bread, and headed down to the basement with Vega’s dinner.

  “It’s about time. Where the hell have you been? I’m starving!” Vega yelled.

  “You’re lawfully feisty tonight. What’s got your panties in a bunch?” I asked cheerfully. I was still feeling euphoric from spending the day with Anderson.

  “I’m not wearing panties...you crazy bitch. You put me in diapers,” he screamed and thrashed against his bindings.

  Yeah. And it worked out well. I had done an Internet search on taking care of invalids and these awesome man-diapers popped up on Amazon. I had to pay extra for overnight shipping, but it was worth it. “I already explained that they were to keep you comfortable while I was at the bakery. Otherwise, your clothes would get soiled. You wouldn’t want that would you?” I quickly tucked a napkin into the neck of his T-shirt. If I didn’t move quickly, he would try to bite me.

  “You... you...you,” he stuttered.

  Any minute now he would start to spew obscenities so I interrupted him. “I know. You appreciate my thoughtfulness. And you’re welcome.”

  He was getting really angry, his face was bright red and he was huffing and puffing. “I will kill you when I get lose. Mark my words, you bitch.”

  I didn’t want him to know he was freaking me out with his threats so I smiled and continued talking, “Tonight you’re having a hearty beef stew and sourdough bread.”

  Because he thought it was funny to spit or spill his food on me, I made another overnight purchase from Amazon—a large plastic apron and safety glasses. I slipped them on and dipped a large spoon into the soup and pressed it against his lips. “Open up. It’s yummy.”

  Vega head-butted the spoon and the lukewarm soup splattered all over my face and the front of my apron. He laughed so hard he fell over on his side and knocked his bowl of water all over the floor. “Why don’t you eat that cold, crappy soup?”

  “Skittles, Skittles, Skittles,” I muttered to myself. Then I removed the glasses and wiped the splatter off my apron before gathering the soup and bread. “I told you what would happen if you did that again. I’m going back upstairs to read a book. I might forget about you and not come back.”

  “I’m sorry. Come back,” he said meekly.

  He didn’t fool me, there wasn’t a sorry bone in his body. “If you eat your dinner without making another mess, you can have a beer.”

  “Fine, but I want the beer first,” he insisted.

  “Sure. I’ll be right back.” I had bought a case of beer and placed it in the spare refrigerator by the stairs. I crushed the two extra Xanax I had in my pocket and slipped the powder into the can. He guzzled the beer, ate all of the soup and bread, and then fell quickly asleep soon after. I changed his clothes, gave him a sponge bath, re-dressed him in clean clothes, reinforced the duct tape for good measure, and then went upstairs and took a shower myself. He always made me feel dirty.

  I contemplated asking Anderson for advice, but it was too soon in our budding relationship to ask him to be a co-conspirator in the kidnapping. Maybe next week.

  Chapter Five

  AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, my gut told me Eloise was switching out my pies for l
ower quality ones to punish me for not giving her my recipe. The Novi, Michigan State Fair was the granddaddy of all fairs and I had never received anything but first place. If Eloise had her way, I could lose.

  In desperation, I typed up a bogus recipe and printed it off. I could only hope that would pacify her until after the Michigan State Fair. I called ahead and asked her to meet me behind the pie staging area.

  In my heart, I knew what I was about to do was wrong, but I wasn’t going to take any chances on Eloise sabotaging my chances during the last competition of the year. It wasn’t just the blue ribbon, I had employees that needed their jobs and if business dropped off due to bad ratings, so would their jobs.

  While I waited for Anderson to arrive, I double checked to make sure the decorative maple leaf cutouts atop the deep golden-brown crust were perfect—not a yummy flake out of place. The bakery doorbell rang twice as I was putting the pies in specially designed transportation boxes. Even the smallest imperfection would cause point deductions on appearance.

  “Hi,” Anderson said as he stepped in and shut the door behind him. “You look beautiful, Marjorie.”

  “Thank you.” I ran my fingers through my hair in a nervous gesture. “I hope everything goes smoothly.”

  “It will. You make the best pies in the state.” Anderson pulled me into his arms and held me tight against this chest. When he leaned his face down to mine, I raised my arms around his neck and he pressed his lips to mine.

  Time was ticking away in my head. I couldn’t be late. I slipped out of Anderson’s embrace. “Can we pick up where we left off after the competition?”

  “Absolutely.” He grabbed the pies and he placed them on my lap after I sat in the car.

  It was a bright sunny day, perfect for midway rides, games, fried foods, animal exhibits, and lively music. Anderson dropped me off near the exhibition center and left to go park the car. I had plenty of time to meet with Eloise before he got back.