by Kari Shuey
“No. You can get back to the cameras. Alert me if you see anything. When will the reinforcements be here?”
“Not until Saturday, sir.”
Gavin nodded, giving Windsor his leave. Turning back to Abby, Gavin reached forward and held her cheek in his hand. His thumb wiped another silent tear. “Are you going to be okay?” She looked dazed, in shock. Who could blame her? He couldn’t help feeling one hundred percent responsible for her condition. He should have told her everything from the moment she found the envelope.
Abby leaned into his hand. She shut her eyes tightly. Gavin shifted and allowed her to rest her head on his chest. Lifting his good arm, he let his fingers run through her hair. Her breathing slowed down and became steady. She had fallen asleep on him, and though he needed pain killers, he tolerated the agony he felt if only to have her near.
He hoped he’d proven himself worthy of her trust again. When she woke up, he wanted to tell her everything. He wanted to share his life with her in a way he never wanted to with anyone else. And she was worth the risk. If he could take a bullet for her, the rest should be easy, right?
Gavin shifted, so he could rest his chin on her head. He could smell her shampoo, feel her softness, and he never wanted this moment to end. Well, not the terror… that, he could do without. What he wanted was to wake up every morning to this – to her. Would she have him after this?
Gavin thought about everything that had led him to this point. From the time he became the CEO of Securitech, to meeting Janice, Mallory, Amara, and finally Abby. If he had to do it all over again in order to meet Abby… he could safely say he wouldn’t change a thing. Did he want his life to be different than it was now? Certain aspects, yes. But in general, he had gotten to a point of contentedness. Only after hiring Abby, did his life seem to brighten and improve. Maybe he could have it all, if they could survive the weekend.
The plan was to get the security reinforcements here, set up additional outdoor cameras, and patrol the property. If the murderer showed their face at all, they would get video. And if it was who he thought it was, they wouldn’t be able to resist making trouble. Even if they didn’t get enough proof to put the attacker away for long, Gavin was optimistic. As far as he was concerned, any kind of time served would help him gather additional evidence – evidence that could put them away for a lot more.
The sun would be up in a few hours. The clock was ticking, and he needed the danger to be gone. As soon as Abby woke up, he would be ready – whether or not she was.
Chapter 36
Abby’s entire body screamed out in pain. Her brain was telling her to keep her eyes shut… allow herself to slip back into oblivion. But the agony refused to release its grip. The last 24 hours had been pure torture, but at least she was alive… wasn’t she?
Abby blinked rapidly, the sunlight filtering through the many windows in the living room… a shock to her senses. Unable to move her body too much due to the aches, Abby lay still and stared at the ceiling. She played over the events of the day before, starting with the meeting with Lori. She tried to make sense of it all. If Gavin wasn’t the bad guy and he was, in fact, trying to save her life, what was going on? The sound of something shifting a few feet away, pulled her from her thoughts. Abby turned slightly to see Gavin sitting in a chair nearby. He was resting his elbows on his knees as he leaned over.
“Good morning, Abby.”
“Gavin?” Abby’s voice cracked. “What is really going on here?”
Standing up, Gavin pulled the chair closer to where Abby rested. “It’s a long story.”
Abby motioned to her disheveled and maimed body. “I think I have time.” She attempted a smile, but it came out more like a grimace. She could see the bruising in her knee and some swelling. Her arm, bandaged, looked like she’d gone to war. She didn’t even want to think about what her face must look like.
Gavin was sitting by her now. He took her hand in his, and the familiarity of the action brought her an unusual comfort. “Abby, the things I am about to tell you might make this all make sense, but it could also put you in even more danger.”
“More danger than being run over by a car and being shot at?” Abby could tell her criticism wasn’t what he needed right now. She almost felt guilty for it.
He was looking at her hand as he held it. Tracing his fingertips across the back of it, he continued, “Securitech was a small company started in a garage. My brother loved to work with technology, but he loved helping people more. He developed the company and it took off. A few years after the company became public, he became reclusive and was diagnosed with schizophrenia and dementia. He obviously couldn’t run the company, but with it being so new… he couldn’t hand over the reins to just anyone. He had a family and they depended on his income. He asked me to take over.”
“That’s not so bad,” Abby commented. “Companies frequently hand over the reins to family.”
“He didn’t have me take over the company as myself, but as him. I was a silent partner – we both inherited some money from our late grandfather, and I gave him my share to launch his company. My brother’s name is Gavin. I didn’t even want a desk job. I was more interested in being outdoors and working with my hands. But Gavin needed someone to keep his company viable. We are identical twins, and he wasn’t in the public eye long enough for people to know the difference. My actual name is Garrett. So, technically, yes, I am involved in criminal dealings – identity theft or something… but I am not a murderer. We switched lives and he currently resides at a facility where they can take care of his needs.”
Abby raised her eyebrows. Gavin wasn’t really Gavin. He had a twin brother. He’d taken over his brother’s life to save face in the public eye. “That’s a pretty crazy story…”
“It’s the truth,” Gavin emphasized. “You mentioned you found out about Janice and Mallory? What did you find out?” He sounded hesitant to talk about this chapter of his life.
“That they didn’t work for you very long and they have literally disappeared. There’s nothing out there on social media or any other way to contact them. So, what happened to the last two housekeepers, Gav- Garrett?” Using his real name tasted sour and foreign. “What am I supposed to call you now?
Gavin studied her for a minute. She knew he must be trying to come up with the words to explain. “I’ve been Gavin for so long now, let’s make it easy on us both and keep it that way. In answer to your question… Janice was a great housekeeper. She worked for me for probably two years before she got pregnant. Her boyfriend at the time wasn’t the best guy. He was the jealous type. One day Janice came into work with a black eye and bruising on her arms. She wouldn’t tell me what happened, but I knew. Windsor lost his temper and roughed the guy up pretty bad. I made Janice file a report and the guy was sent to prison for a few months. By the time he got out, I had helped Janice start a new life somewhere far away from that guy. I helped her change her name, get situated, and start over. That is why you can’t find her anymore. I wasn’t aware her old social media account was still active.”
As Abby heard the story, she felt a mixture of shock and respect for the person in front of her. He’d helped Janice when she’d needed it. And it really wasn’t his responsibility.
“And as for Mallory… I hired her after Janice… and it turned out she was kind of crazy. She started out as a great housekeeper. She did everything she was supposed to do. But then something flipped in her. She became jealous of the time I spent with other people – picking fights with me and criticizing me. It was really weird. Her strange behavior became borderline obsessive and I had to let her go. I gave her a glowing recommendation despite the way we parted ways. A few months later I relocated here. I figured a fresh start in a city that didn’t know me or my brother… a place the abusive boyfriend and crazy stalker wouldn’t bother following me. But I guess I was wrong. Just because I moved doesn’t mean enemies won’t continue to pursue me. Money tends to attract more problems than not.”
Abby focused on his earlier statement. “You were wrong? Do you mean one of them followed you?” Abby had become enthralled with his story. It didn’t surprise her he had a stalker. He had a point, the attractive and wealthy seemed to draw out all the lunatics.
“I wasn’t sure either had followed me until I had Windsor look into both of them. The boyfriend is still in California. He hasn’t left the city he’s lived in since he was born. Mallory on the other hand, she was seen here in Boise. We had a tail on her, but she must have figured it out. They lost track of her yesterday. And then there’s Mr. Wilkens. I’m not sure why he’d have a prior vendetta against me, but after firing him… it could have added fuel to an already dangerous fire. We think one of them has been sending threatening letters to my work. If our assumptions are correct, one of them wants me to come forward as Amara’s murderer – hoping that will destroy me. If I don’t do what he or she wants by Saturday, a threat has been made - to harm those I care about,” he paused. “Including you.”
Abby allowed all the information to settle. This was something she never in a million years thought she would be part of. Making a new friend only to discover he had a crazy vendetta against her employer, a jealous stalker willing to kill because her feelings were hurt… it was all very surreal. “So you think one of them was responsible for yesterday?”
“I’m almost certain. I didn’t realize either of them would go to such extremes. I’m so sorry you got pulled into this. This is all my fault.”
Abby squeezed his hand. “No, it’s not. You can’t control everyone. Some people will be nasty because that is who they are. Did you call the police? Show them the letters?”
“No. There is not enough evidence. They’ve been pretty good at covering their tracks.” Gavin’s voice held a hint of defeat. He sounded like there was no hope in solving this problem short of waiting for an attack.
“So, what is your plan?” Abby risked asking the question that would dictate what her life would be like for the next 48 hours – maybe more.
“Windsor has called in some of his army buddies as reinforcements. They will be here tomorrow to help secure the area. Any attack will be recorded and backups will be sent not only to the server in the Boise office but another secure server in California. That along with the letters, and the flight attendant’s account of blackmail might get us something.”
“So, we are just going to stay put like sitting ducks? Haven’t you seen like any crime drama ever? The bad guy makes their move and people get hurt. We need to be on the offense!” Abby didn’t like Gavin’s idea of a plan. So far, she had been threatened, chased by a car, and shot at. She didn’t want to be the victim anymore.
“I’m going to do everything in my power to keep you safe. I promise you Abby,” he held her hand tighter. “You won’t be put in any more danger if I have anything to do with it,” his voice shook, the tone solemn and apologetic.
Abby slowly sat up and winced. “I believe you think you can control that, but Gavin, no one can predict the future. No one can guarantee that someone will stay safe. I’ll accept your apology, but I won’t be holding you accountable for my safety.”
She watched the relief wash over him like a cleansing rain. His rigid frame slouched, and he put his head on their clasped hands. He looked absolutely spent. After a few minutes, he took a deep breath and sat up.
“Is there anything I can get for you? Anything at all?”
Abby shrugged. “A glass of water maybe?”
“Of course! I’m so sorry. You must be hungry too. Can I make you anything?”
Abby smiled slightly. “That’s my job.”
“Not today. Today you get to take the day off.” Gavin stood up, his awkward smile making him look like a sweet child.
“And Gavin?”
He stopped and turned around expectantly.
“Can I have my phone back? I don’t want anyone to think something is wrong if they try to call – more specifically my brother.”
Gavin nodded and reached into his pocket. He brought it over to her and handed it to her carefully, a look of embarrassment on his face for having taken it in the first place.
“Thank you,” she mumbled.
Chapter 37
The hours dragged by. Playing the waiting game was agonizing. Hating the unknown, Abby preferred to keep her life in order and know what would be happening. She didn’t like putting her future in the hands of others – never had.
She watched the men come and go from the kitchen as Gavin seemed to refuse to leave her side. He checked her bandages, made sure she was drinking enough, and attempted to keep her company like he used to. But it wasn’t the same. There was a cloud over them now. A cloud with a name… but was it Oliver or Mallory?
Abby kept herself busy reading a book, occasionally playing on her phone, and losing track of time as she went over and over the story Gavin had told her. He could have written a book with the experiences he’d gone through. Maybe more than one. It was no wonder why he kept to himself. Any normal person having to deal with this amount of stress would have likely been broken by it. But not Gavin. Each new trial was an opportunity for him to grow. She could see it in everything he did. Looking back at all the times she was suspicious of him… all the pieces of the puzzle started fitting together.
Of course he didn’t want to share the reason he got a letter with his real name. He didn’t know her well enough to trust her with that information. And after dealing with a woman like Mallory, she wouldn’t blame him if he never trusted a woman again.
Abby felt special somehow. She was one of the few people who knew his past. From what she could gather, Mr. Smith wasn’t even privy to that information. So his family knew, Windsor knew, and now she did. She was in his trust circle now. What would that mean for them moving forward?
Around lunchtime, Mr. Smith came back into the house and told Gavin Windsor needed him. They would be working on something and it might take a few hours. Gavin looked at Abby with an apologetic expression.
“Is there any way he can manage without me?” Gavin asked.
Mr. Smith shook his head.
Gavin walked over to where Abby rested on an easy chair. “I will be right out those doors. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t come over if you need something.”
Abby forced a laugh. “Gavin, I am a grown woman. I can handle some alone time for a few hours. Go save the world.”
Leaning down, Gavin lightly kissed her forehead. He hadn’t kissed her since that night a couple weeks ago. The spot where his lips brushed her skin tingled. She wouldn’t have minded if he had aimed a little lower, but she’d never say that. They were in a serious situation right now. It was not the time to start fantasizing about him again.
When Gavin left the house, it felt immediately cooler. He’d taken the warmth and security with him. Abby thought it strange that not even 24 hours earlier she was ready to protect herself from him, and now she needed his presence to feel safe. Stockholm’s syndrome came to mind, and Abby admonished herself that didn’t apply to her situation. He stopped her from leaving, and if he hadn’t, she’d likely be dead by now. The only thing he could have done to improve his strategy was to spill the story before taking her hostage. Then she may have stayed willingly. Unless, she reminded herself, the flying bullets were the experience that tipped the scale in his favor.
Her phone vibrated in her hand and she looked down. Lori was checking in with her. She asked Abby if she needed help moving out or if plans had changed.
Abby didn’t know what to write back. The next couple of days would need to go according to Gavin’s plan and he wouldn’t want her to tell a soul. Lori was a reporter, she would be interested in this story, and Gavin was too private to be okay with sharing.
Settling on a lie, Abby told Lori she couldn’t move out until she had a replacement. Mr. Perkins wouldn’t understand. Not only that, but she fell pretty hard the other day and she was off her feet for the time being.
Lori was understandably concerned and demanded that Abby give her the address so she could come visit and bring her some chocolate.
Abby assured her she was fine and thanked her for being such a great friend. She wasn’t surprised when Lori wouldn’t let up and threatened to call Mr. Perkins herself to get the address.
Abby stood her ground. Mr. Perkins wouldn’t give Lori the address no matter what Lori did to persuade him, it was a matter of security. Mr. Saxe didn’t like unannounced guests and if he found out she invited Lori to visit for even a few minutes she would get an ear full.
A little while later, she got another message from a number she didn’t recognize. Opening up the app, she froze. She’d completely forgotten she’d given Oliver her number the last time they’d seen each other. He had messaged her to see how she was doing and if they could meet up somewhere for lunch.
Declining, she told him she was ‘busy’ and had a lot of work to catch up on. After she pushed send, she realized that would sound ridiculous. When he worked on-site, they had gotten to know each other well enough for Oliver to know she was always caught up and frequently had time for a break with him. He would either read that as either a blow-off or as an invitation to rain down his revenge. His response was short and didn’t give her any clues as to how he interpreted her message.
Abby was relieved she’d refused to let her friend come visit. Who knew exactly how much danger she was in, but she was not willing to pull her friend into this situation? Not only that, but if Lori got wind that there had been a shoot-out, she would likely report on it without a second thought to Gavin’s privacy.
Just when she was about to relax, Abby got another text message, and all relief she had once felt drained from her body. Lori was waiting at the gate and asked if she just needed to ring the buzzer or if she could use a code.
Frantically searching for her coat, Abby prayed the gate remote was still inside and it would work from her position on the couch. If she was lucky, Gavin would stay preoccupied and not realize she had a surprise visitor.