Shattered Rules

by Allder, Reggi

  The exit door slammed and she heard footsteps running down the staircase. It had to be the guy. In a second he’d find her.

  Dashing outside into the dim light of the parking lot, she searched for the Volvo.

  The sound of a closing door echoed in her ears. The man was outside too.

  “Kelly, where are you?”

  His gruff voice sent a chill through her. She heard his footfall coming in her direction. The soles of his shoes slapped on the black top as he ran toward her.

  “Kelly.”

  She rushed around the corner of the building near the casino's kitchen’s back door. She pulled on the door handle. Locked. She pounded her fists against the door.

  “I’m coming to get you.”

  Two large dumpsters one was filled with empty boxes, the other overflowing with kitchen waste stood by the locked kitchen door.

  She forced her body into the small space between the two garbage bins, breathed in the smell of decaying food and almost gagged.

  “I know you're out there,” he said panting as he caught his breath.

  He stood beside the bin. If he came any closer he’d see her. She struggled to stop her trembling.

  “You better come out, because I'm getting real pissed off.”

  The sound of blood rushing through her veins was so loud she thought he’d hear it.

  “Answer me bitch, cause I'm gettin real mad and you don't want to see me when I'm mad.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut and waited, imagining what he would do to her when he found her.

  Chapter Nine

  Brick re-entered the bar where he’d left Kelly. She was nowhere to be seen. He should’ve known she wouldn't do what he told her to do. “Damn it,” he said under his breath.

  He motioned to the bartender. The man walked leisurely in his direction. “I was here a few minutes ago with a young woman. Any chance you saw which way she went?”

  “The pretty brunette with the amazing eyes?”

  Brick paused imperceptibly. "Yeah, that’s the one." It was hard to think of Kelly as a brunette.

  “She went back to the car.”

  “Thanks.” Brick left a big tip on the bar.

  In the parking lot he found the Volvo and peered into the interior, empty. “Hell.”

  He went back into the casino.

  ***

  Kelly stared into the darkness, cold terror saturated her. He was close enough to touch the dumpster. In a moment the man would grab her.

  “You hear me Ho? When I get my hands on you—”

  She didn't move, didn’t breathe.

  “Damn You!” His curse filled the still night air.

  She sucked in a bit of air and held her breath again.

  “Frigging bitch!” He slammed his hand on the metal dumpster.

  The vibration shook her. Don’t panic. Hold on. Stay calm.

  Finally, she heard his footsteps move away.

  When a door slammed, she exhaled slowly and took a deep breath. As quiet as possible she squeezed out from between the dumpsters and gasped for air.

  She stumbled toward the parking lot. Where was the car? She jogged up and down the aisles, Brick’s car nowhere in sight. She was about to give up and go back into the casino when an immense SUV pulled out of a parking space. The Volvo was parked next to it and now in full view. She ran toward it.

  The car was empty. Where was Brick? He should be there waiting for her. Had someone waylaid him too?

  Thank God he’d left the car unlocked for her.

  She got into the back and locked the doors. She lay down on the seat and hoped the car looked empty to the casual viewer.

  How long should she wait for Brick?

  ***

  “Open the door.” Brick knocked on the car's window.

  Kelly startled.

  “Where the hell have you been? I went back to the bar and you were gone. I've looked all over the damn building for you,” he hissed.

  “Where have you been? I waited for almost an hour in the bar. How long was I supposed to wait, all night?”

  “When I tell you to wait, you stay until I get back.”

  “You can’t tell me what to do.”

  “Look. I was worried about you.” His expression softened. “When you weren't in the bar and you weren’t in the car, I didn't know what to think. If I'm going to have a chance of keeping you safe, I need to know where you are all the time.”

  “It’s very annoying when you’re right.” she paused. “I should’ve waited.”

  He shrugged. “I had a good lead, but it turned out to be a wild goose chase. Are you okay? Did something happen while I was gone?”

  “Yeah.” She tried to swallow the lump that filled her throat.

  “Tell me while we drive.”

  She crawled into the front passenger’s seat.

  “Buckle up,” he said as he drove out of the parking lot.

  A few blocks down the road he drove into a gas station and parked next to a gas pump. “Never know when we're going to need a full tank.”

  She followed him of out of the car. Tired and at the same time, restless, she stretched while he filled the gas tank.

  “I'm going into the station and pay with cash. No point in leaving a credit card trail for someone to follow.”

  She paced in front of the station.

  A truck pulled into the lot and a teenager jumped out and ran into the store. A bald man and his Golden Retriever jogged by on the street. A woman talking on a smart phone waited at a bus stop. Surrounded by urban life, it felt good to be anonymous, just another person in a sea of people, all on a mission to fulfill their special needs, meet their hidden desires.

  The whoosh of car tires on the pavement drew her attention, vehicles taking people out to have a good time or home to get ready for the next day's work. It all seemed so normal. For a moment she felt a part of that normalcy, instead of a confused player in some odd game of hide and seek.

  In the dark, she watched Brick through the gas station's window. He casually chatted with the young female cashier. A friendly smile on his face, no one would suspect he had a care in the world. A twinge of envy pinched Kelly. He never smiled like that when he looked at her. She noticed desire in the young woman's bright eyes.

  His carefree “nice guy” demeanor disappeared and a serious one reappeared when he exited the store. His intense eyes appeared Sapphire in the low light. She watched him scan the parking lot and the street beyond.

  He walked toward her. “You better tell me what happened at the casino.”

  She hesitated, not wanting to relive the fear she experienced just moments earlier. Finally, she forced the words from her tightened throat.

  Without interrupting, he listened.

  She expected his anger, but when she finished he said, “We better get rid of the wig and sweatshirt. They aren't going to protect you now.”

  She’d gotten herself in trouble when she didn’t stay in the bar and wait for him. But she was relieved not to get the expected reprimand.

  She tugged off the wig and shook her head to let her blonde hair fall free.

  “You paid so much for this.” She waved the hairpiece. “Wish I could return it. I’ll pay you back.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Throw it away, the sweatshirt too. Three points if you make it in the trashcan from where you stand.”

  She smiled, thankful he was making light of the situation. His anger was more than she could handle right now.

  The sweatshirt slipped easily into the trashcan followed by the wig. Adjusting a strap on her cotton tank top, she hoped the night air didn't get any colder.

  “The attacker in the hotel was obviously given a detailed description of your disguise.” He ran his hand across his jaw. “You were lucky there was only one guy after you or the outcome might have been different.”

  “You’re scaring me again.”

  “Good. Next time don’t go off alone.”

  “How did the guy fin
d me? Who told him what I look like? No one knows me as a brunette. Even my sister wouldn’t recognize me.” Kelly paused. “Amanda.”

  “Right.”

  “Why would she do it?”

  “Maybe we should go ask her.”

  “Now? It must be 10:30.”

  “No time like the present. We might get more answers if she's not expecting us.”

  “True, but—” She let her voice dwindle into silence. Completely exhausted, the thought of another confrontation was more than she wanted to contemplate. She hadn’t recovered from her earlier encounter. All she really wanted to do was go back to her room and get some sleep.

  Brick put his arm around her and pulled her close. “I know you're tired, but we really need to do this.”

  She let her head rest on his chest, grateful for his warmth and strength. His rough hand gently caressed her cheek. She reached for it and pressed her lips into the palm of his hand. He sucked in air and he let her go.

  She shivered in the night air.

  “You’ve been through enough. You should be home in bed. But I don't think Amanda will open the door if I’m alone.” He lifted her face to his. “You don't have to say anything. Just stand next to me.”

  His lips opened slightly, tormenting her. It’d be so easy to kiss him, but when he said she should be in bed he didn’t mean in his bed. She sighed.

  ***

  It was almost 11:00 P.M. by the time they reached the university. The campus still hummed with activity. Students milled around outside the buildings and music blared from the dorm rooms’ open windows. Laughter filled the night.

  At that moment, Kelly realized what an idiot she had been, never understanding how good she’d had it at college. She should have stayed in school and not taken the job at the casino. Then she’d never have met Johnny Vega. Too late now. She shivered.

  Amanda's apartment was dark when they reached it.

  “Kelly, do you have your key?”

  “I didn’t think I’d need it. I left it in Palo Alto.”

  Brick knocked on the door, softly at first and then harder. No answer.

  “Does the apartment have a landline?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What’s the number?”

  She told him and he called it on his cell. She could hear the phone ringing inside the apartment, but no one answered, not even the message machine picked up. Do you know Amanda’s cell?”

  “I never had a reason to call her.”

  “I'm going in. Stand guard and let me know me know if anyone comes by.”

  “That's breaking and entering.”

  “I'm not breaking in. I have a key.”

  “What?”

  He pulled a little metal box from his pocket, held it up for her to see. It looked like it was filled with Paraffin and she could see several impressions of keys in the wax. He put it back into his pants pocket.

  “When we were here today and you went to your room, Amanda followed and watched you from the doorway. I saw her keys on the desk and took an impression. This afternoon I had keys made.”

  “Standard FBI breaking and entering technique?”

  “It's not standard or FBI, but I've found it useful.”

  Before she could respond, he entered the apartment and closed the door behind him.

  What would she say to Amanda if she came home while Brick was in the apartment?

  She couldn’t think of a single believable excuse for him being in the apartment. She glanced down at the lit parking lot. Amanda’s car wasn’t there.

  A moment later he came out caring carrying a small plastic wastebasket.

  “Why are you taking her trash?” she whispered.

  “You'd be surprised what a person's trash can tell you. She won’t miss it. Her closet and dresser drawers are empty. She packed and flew the coop. From the look of it, she left in a big hurry.”

  “I can't believe it. She told me she wanted keep the apartment for another year. What could’ve made her leave?”

  He shrugged. “Let’s get back to the Inn and see what clues she's left for us.”

  At the Inn, she watched Brick as walked across the hall to her room.

  “Kelly, you look tired. I’ll check out Amanda’s trash in my room. Get a good night’s sleep. I’ll see you in the morning,”

  “Okay.” She unlocked her door and started to enter.

  “Remember to lock your door.” He smiled.

  “Night.” She smiled back and closed the door.

  Total exhaustion hit her as soon as she entered the room. The bedroom was dark, but the bathroom light was on. She must have forgotten to turn it off when she left.

  She needed an aspirin. Her headache was back.

  She squinted at the bright light in the bathroom and found the pain killer in the medicine cabinet. She gulped down two tablets and then ran a brush through her tangled hair. She should take a shower and wash her hair but she was too exhausted. Tomorrow would be soon enough.

  A noise in the bedroom startled her. “Brick?” She rushed into the room and flicked on the overhead light.

  Someone grabbed her.

  Chapter Ten

  Kelly fought him, but the man but held her tight, his hand over her mouth. “Scream bitch and I’ll slit your throat.”

  He wore a mask but she recognized his voice, over powering cologne and cigarette breath, the intruder from her house. She twisted in his arms trying to loosen his grip. His hold tightened and she saw his signet ring.

  “Do you have it?”

  “No,” She choked on the word.

  “Get it. You don’t have much time left. I’ll be back. If you don’t have it then, you’re dead.” He threw her to the floor and ran out the door.

  The slam of the door reverberated in her head. She sat up slowly and rubbed her arms. As her eyes adjusted to the bright light of the room, she noticed bedding was strewn on the floor and the chairs were knocked over. The mattress was on the floor. The few items she brought with her were thrown in all directions. “Not again. Not again.” She groaned.

  There was a knock on the door.

  “Kelly, you still up?”

  “Brick?” She scrambled to her feet and yanked the door open.

  “I forgot to tell you what time.” Brick's eyes darkened as he took in the ransacked room. “Damn! Are you okay?”

  “Did you see anyone in the hall?”

  “No. You’re okay?” He came to her and held her to him.

  “Yeah, just scared. Someone was here when I came back. He just ran out.”

  “Did you recognize the guy?”

  “It all happened so fast and he was wearing a mask. But I know it was one of the men who ransacked my house.” She rubbed her arms again.

  “Is anything missing?”

  “I don't know.” She stepped away from him and examined the room. “I didn't bring very much with me.” She hesitated. “The intruder did this to me. He found me just like he said he would. Oh God, what am I going to do?” She swallowed a sob.

  “Calm down. We don't know this attack has anything to do with you. It could be a simple break in.”

  “No. They told me they could find me anytime, anywhere. This is their way of proving it.”

  Her body tensed ready to bolt, but where could she run? “This isn’t right. They can't do this to me.” Anger replaced her fear. “Somehow, I'm going to stop them.”

  “Let’s not jump to any conclusions. This is a university. Lots of mischief happens on campus,” he said, his voice composed.

  “First I was attacked in the casino and now here in the hotel. How did the men know how to find me?”

  His expression turned grim. She could tell by his expression he thought it was one of the intruders too, but for her sake he was putting a better face on things.

  “If they wanted to frighten me, they’ve succeeded.” She gazed at the ransacked room. “I can't stay here. I've got to get out now.”

  “Maybe that’s what they want. T
hey could be outside watching, hoping you'll run.”

  “Then what should I do? I'm so exhausted I can't think.”

  He held out his hand to her. She went to him and he held her. Electricity flowed through him, arcing to her, giving her strength.

  “They knew you were here because of Amanda.”

  “Why would she do that? I've never done anything to hurt her.”

  “For one of the oldest reasons in the world, greed.”

  “What kind of world are we living in?” she said, not expecting an answer.

  She moved out of his arms and began to pick up her possessions.

  “Kelly, whoever did this is gone. Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow everything will look better.”

  “Maybe.” She picked up a black bra from the floor. “But I can't sleep here. I'm sorry. I just can't.”

  “Okay, finish packing.” He picked up a few items and handed them to her. Then he righted the furniture and set the mattress back on the box spring. “That's good enough. Let's get the hell out of here.”

  They walked across the hall to his room and turned on the light. His clothes had been dumped on the floor, the mattress was overturned and the desk chair was upside down.

  The message was clear. She understood the men who ransacked her room were warning him. They knew who he was and they could get to him too.

  A surge of adrenaline raced through her. They’d kill Brick and Carrie and it would be her fault.

  A slight tremor shook her and she leaned against a wall for support. She choked back fear and glanced at Brick’s stoic expression.

  “We have to leave this place,” she whispered.

  He picked up his belongings and tossed them into his backpack and put the contents of Amanda's wastebasket into a plastic laundry bag he found in the closet.

  “Whoever did this didn’t take anything. It was just a scare tactic.” He zipped his backpack shut.

  “Well it worked. I’m scared as hell.” She held her arms around her midriff in an attempt to stop her trembling. “What are we going to do now?”

  “I'll think of something.”

  She wanted him to promise everything was going to be okay and there’d be no more of these kinds of incidents. She groaned. He couldn't.