The Grey Door

by Danna Wilberg

  Grace pushed his hand away. “Jess needs time to sort out his feelings. It hasn’t been that long.”

  “It’s been long enough,” Jess said. “Let’s see, as I recall, Jenna and I called it quits right around the same time Sergeant Weston was shot.”

  Grace wanted to slap the smug look off his face. She remained silent.

  Tom filled dead air with sound. “Frances and I share the same philosophy,” he said. Grace tried to swallow her feeling of contempt. She bent the corners of her cards until they showed white lines. “Yeah, live hard; die easy,” Tom said, his boisterous guffaw sending cake crumbs flying in Grace’s direction.

  This is not happening, Grace screamed inside her head. Jess laid down rummy. Frances shrieked, “Not fair,” and Grace rushed out of the room.

  After flushing the toilet, Grace patted cold water on her cheeks and rinsed her mouth. Her saliva tasted bittersweet. Her stomach felt sour. She closed the lid on the toilet, sat down, and put her head between her knees. Her forehead felt clammy. The back of her neck was wet. Her ears began to ring. Her heart was racing. Panic attack. She needed to breathe.

  Frances pounded on the door. “Grace Lynn? You okay in there? We were just having fun. What’s wrong?”

  “Give me a minute,” Grace groaned.

  “You sick?”

  “I’ll be out shortly, Mom. I’m fine.”

  “Boy, the last time I heard that noise,” Frances announced, “I came home with a seven-pound baby girl!” Resuming her place at the table, she asked, “Is it too hot in here for you, Jess? Your face is flushed.”

  Grace returned to the kitchen with her head held high. “Shouldn’t eat dairy,” she said, “It never has agreed with me.”

  “Since when?” Frances disputed. “You never had a problem with milk when you were living under this roof.”

  “Our systems change every seven years, Mom. You know that.”

  “I know, but milk?” She patted Grace on the shoulder. “Maybe you should stick to martinis.”

  Tom tried to defend Grace by explaining his latent strawberry allergy. When Frances had nothing to offer, the conversation turned to gardening. Grace couldn’t avoid Jess’s stare. His eyes kept traveling down to her belly. She didn’t understand why he was looking at her that way.

  She jumped when the phone rang.

  “Yes, Sal, she’s here. Is everything all right, dear? How’s the radiation coming along? Yes, I see. Okay, well, take care. Here she is, dear. Bye-bye.” Frances covered the mouthpiece with her hand. “It’s Sal,” she whispered. You don’t have to talk to her, I can tell her you stepped outside.”

  Grace grabbed the phone. “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t find your dog,” Sal said, her voice shaking. Grace collapsed onto the chair.

  “Did you look under the beds? What about behind the couch?” Jess shuffled the cards and stacked them into a pile. “Try behind the dryer.” Grace chewed her fingernail. “She’s not? I don’t understand. Where could she have gone? What time did you go over there?”

  Jess’s brows gathered into the center of his forehead. He mouthed, “What is it?”

  “Sneaky’s missing.”

  “Bummer,” he said, dealing a card to each player. “I thought Sal was watching her?”

  Grace held her hand over the phone. “Sal said Sneaky was gone when she went to let her out.”

  “Huh. Strange.” Jess stacked his cards neatly, picked them up and spread them out evenly in his hand. He seemed calm, but Grace could see his pupils were dilated. He resembled a shark. Why hadn’t she seen this side of him before? The monster side.

  Sal came back on the line: “She’s not behind the dryer, Grace.”

  “Okay, let’s not panic. She couldn’t have vanished. She’s got to be hiding somewhere. She’s probably mad at me for leaving her. Don’t worry. We’ll find her. I’m on my way home.”

  Grace hung up the phone and headed for her room. Frances followed behind. “I’m sure everything will be fine, Grace. Don’t go rushing off. It’s late. You can’t be driving alone at this time of night.”

  “I have to go.”

  Fran blocked her way. “Wait until morning.”

  Grace pulled her cell phone out of her purse. She planned on dialing the airlines. The red light blinked. Four new messages. Grace checked the phone numbers. There was one message she wanted to hear. “Grace—it’s Paul. Strangest thing, I was on my way to work and I saw Sneaky running down T Street. I took her to my place and checked her out thoroughly, she’s fine. You’re still out of town, right? You want to give me a call? I’ll be at work until ten tonight.”

  Grace checked the clock on the nightstand and dialed Sal. “Hi, good news: Sneaky’s safe. Paul has her. I don’t know, I haven’t talked to him yet, he left a message. No one else went in the house, right?” Frances stood in the doorway nearby. “I’ll be home tomorrow. No, don’t go to the house. Paul can keep her until I get back.” Grace flipped her phone shut and held it to her chest. “I don’t understand.”

  Frances looked worried. Grace pulled her into the room and shut the door.

  After Grace had explained Paul’s phone call, she asked her mother not to repeat anything in front of Jess. When Fran left the room, Grace left Paul a message. “Can you keep Sneaky until I get back tomorrow? Thanks, talk to you soon.”

  “What’s going on, Grace?” Jess asked innocently.

  “Everything’s fine. Sneaky’s safe.”

  “Really?” Jess’s toe tapped against his other shoe. His knuckles turned white. A blue vein protruded on his forehead and veered toward his hairline. “Whaddayaknow,” he said evenly. Grace’s blood ran cold.

  ***

  Grace reached the open highway by seven Monday morning. She pushed the gas pedal until the speedometer on her rental car read eighty-five. She chewed the inside of her lip, ignoring the salty metallic taste of her own blood. Damn him! If he broke into my house— She knew Jess hated her dog, but enough to commit a crime? It didn’t make sense. She dialed her phone.

  Sal picked up on the first ring. “Talk to me.”

  “What else did Jess say when he stopped by the other day?”

  “He wanted your house key, that’s all. I told you that. What’s going on, Grace? You think Jess–? No, he wouldn’t do that, would he?”

  “I’m probably off base,” Grace said. “It just seems strange, that’s all. I don’t need another psycho in my life.” Grace looked through her rearview mirror. The same car had been following her for the last twenty miles. She didn’t recognize the car and couldn’t see the driver. She pressed the pedal a little harder.

  “Grace?”

  “Sorry, Sal, I didn’t hear what you said. The reception is bad. I’ll call you as soon as I get over the Grapevine.”

  Grace saw the flashing lights in her side view mirror. The car behind her pulled to the side of the road. The highway patrol pulled behind it. Her speedometer read ninety. She stepped on the brake, slowed to seventy, and engaged her cruise control. She took a deep breath. Slow down, she said to herself. The cars on the side of the road disappeared behind her.

  ***

  “Paul, it’s Grace. I’m back in town. Call me.” Before she returned the phone to her purse, it rang. “That was fast,” she said.

  “When did you get in?” Paul asked.

  “Just now. I practically broke the sound barrier.”

  “Are you at home? I wanted to go inside your house with you.”

  “I’m not a chicken.”

  He laughed, “Of course not! I always figured you for 007. Jane Bond.”

  “Not. I’m sitting in my driveway. It wouldn’t hurt to wait for backup.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Within minutes of the call, Paul pulled in behind her. Sneaky wasn’t in the car.

  “I thought—”

  “I was in the neighborhood. Let’s check the house first, and then we can pick-up your dog.”

  When they entered
, nothing seemed out of place. The door didn’t look like it had been jimmied. The windows were still locked. “How did Sneaky get out? That’s just weird,” she said. “The only one who has been here is Sal. And she said she heard Sneaky bark after she locked the door yesterday morning. When she came back at four-thirty, Sneaky was gone. What time did you find her?”

  “Must’ve been around five o’clock. I was on my way to work. I was running late because I was chatting with one of the local Vets about a position.”

  “That’s right, Doctor. How does it feel?”

  “Feels pretty darn good.”

  Grace looked into his eyes. They were sparkling. He blushed. She wanted to move closer to him, but instead she turned away.

  “I’ll check the other rooms.”

  “Let me go first,” he said, stepping in front of her.

  They both jumped at the pounding sound on the door.

  “Jess! What are you doing here?”

  “Thought maybe you needed me. Guess I was wrong.”

  “Jess, you met Paul. He found Sneaky.”

  “And you let him in the house? What did I tell you about letting—”

  “Grace and I aren’t exactly strangers.” Paul held out his hand to shake, but Jess ignored the gesture. Instead, Jess shoved his hands into his pockets.

  “Well, I see you have everything under control,” Jess said, sneering.

  “How did you get home so fast?” Grace eyed him suspiciously. “You said you were seeing a client in Pasadena this morning.”

  “I put him off. After all that’s happened, I didn’t want you to be alone.”

  “What am I missing here?” Paul asked.

  “I’ll explain later. Right now, I thank you both for your chivalry, but I have other matters to attend to, and I would like to figure out how Sneaky got out of the house.”

  “Maybe one of Sal’s kids let her out.” Jess pulled his hands from his pockets and placed them on his hips.

  “No, I talked to Sal. She was the only one who had a key.”

  “I’ll look around.” Paul took a step toward the living room. Jess grabbed his arm.

  “Like Grace said, thanks for your help pal, but I can take over from here.”

  “Both of you: go! Goodbye. I’m fine. I’ll resolve it myself. Thank you for your help. Paul, I’ll come by to get Sneaky.”

  Paul hesitated and gave Grace a strange look, but then he decided to honor her wishes instead of upsetting her further. Jess lingered until Grace had to tell him again, “Go, Jess.” He backed out the door.

  “You’re going to that guy’s house…after I drove all this way…”

  “Bye.”

  “Call me.”

  Grace closed the door and locked it. Jess’s behavior bothered her, yet she couldn’t see any evidence of wrong doing. Was she losing her mind? No. Your dog was walking down T Street at five in the afternoon. Jess showed up at her mom’s around four. He couldn’t have been involved. Sal fed Sneaky at seven-thirty that morning. What about Paul? Suddenly, she didn’t trust anyone.

  ***

  Jess pulled into his driveway. He tucked the slip from the rental car into the pouch next to the traffic ticket in his glove compartment. He patted the key in his pocket. “How naive you are Grace,” he said under his breath. “You’re my girl.”

  He entered his house, removed his shoes, and went down to the basement. The carpet whispered under his feet. He heard soft groaning and smiled. She’s awake.

  “Did you miss me, dearest?” He bent down to loosen the gag from her mouth. Her eyes met his and held in fear. She struggled to move away from his touch. “Been a naughty girl again, haven’t we?” He yanked the wet blanket from under his knee. “Damn it! I can’t leave you alone for a few fucking hours!” The numbers on his Rolex glowed in the dim light. “I guess it’s been more like forty-eight.” He tugged at her pants. “That’s what I get for deserting you, isn’t it? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Things didn’t turn out too well for me, either.” He sat on the edge of the bed and sighed.

  “Oh, Jenna, what am I going to do? Grace is seeing another man. Do I have to kill them all? When is she going to realize, I am the one for her? You understand. Why can’t she?”

  When he removed a strand of hair from Jenna’s mouth, she began to whimper. “You know what’s coming next, don’t you?”

  Jess removed his clothes and towered over Jenna’s face, anticipating her dry lips. “More Vaseline?” he teased. He wiped a glob of lubricant with his finger. “Here comes the Chapstick.” He forced Jenna’s lips apart. “I love her Jenna,” he said. “I have always loved her. If you hadn’t lured me away with your rich daddy, you wouldn’t be lying here now, would you?” Despite her weak efforts to keep him at bay, he squeezed her jaw until her mouth opened for insertion. Her will broken, she succumbed to his power. He shoved his shaft deep inside and pounded her face with his flesh. When her eyes rolled back into her head, her body relaxed. The lights went out in her mind.

  When Jess finished, he washed Jenna all over with the rag he kept rolled up near the wash tub. He gathered Jenna’s body in his arms and dumped her into a duffle bag. He tied the top in a knot and proceeded to change the bed. When that chore was completed, he untied the bag and dumped Jenna onto clean plastic sheets.

  He retied her hands and feet and headed for the kitchen.

  “Hungry?” he called, half-way up the stairs. There was no answer. “Damnit, Jenna. I don’t have time for your brooding. I had a long fucking day.” A faint moan sounded out of the dark. Jess smiled and continued his assent.

  He whistled while gathering the makings for a salad. On the smooth granite surface, he chopped lettuce, onions, radishes, broccoli and ham. He placed the ingredients in a bowl with a splash of olive oil and vinegar. Then he tasted his handiwork. He finished with salt, pepper, parmesan cheese and then ate in his leather recliner with the TV on. His salad gone and his appetite satiated, he decided to see to Jenna’s dinner. He opened a can of soup, poured it into a large cup, and went back downstairs.

  “Look, honey. I cooked!” he said, sitting beside the still body on the bed. C’mon, it’s Campbell’s. Mmm, mmm good. Jenna opened her eyes. “That’s a good girl,” he said. “Open wide.”

  ***

  Grace drove home from Paul’s apartment with Sneaky in the passenger’s seat. “He’s trying to help,” she said to the long-haired shepherd, admonishing herself for treating Paul with disdain. His timing is impeccable, penetrated her thoughts. “When did I stop believing in good?” she asked her furry passenger. Paranoia held sentry at the threshold of her mind. “Fear manifests in stages.”

  Once inside, she re-examined her house from top to bottom. Nothing seemed out of place. Sneaky followed her from room to room, sniffing. Grace didn’t detect anything unusual.

  “I wish you could talk.” She met the shepherd’s brown eyes with curiosity. “Who let you out?” The facts remained a mystery. “What would I have done if Paul hadn’t found you?” She buried her face in the dog’s fur. “I couldn’t bear to lose you,” she cried.

  The phone rang. The answering machine clicked on. “Grace Lynn, it’s Mom. I want to know what the heck is going on with you! Call me.”

  Grace wiped her tears and picked up the phone, “Hi, Mom. Sorry to make you worry. I’m fine.” She patted Sneaky’s silky coat.

  “We’re fine.”

  “You left in such a hurry.”

  “We were done packing Daddy’s things. It’s not like I deserted you. I had to see to my dog.”

  “We didn’t get a chance to talk. What did you think of Tom?”

  “Not sure,” Grace answered. “It’s going to take more than two dinners to get to know him. But now isn’t the time. Daddy’s still alive. For me, he hasn’t gone away.”

  “You always were one to hang on, Grace Lynn. I can’t make you like Tom, and I won’t wait until you do,” Frances paused. “We’re moving in together.” Grace didn’t have to be psychic to see that one coming.
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  “I hope he makes you happy, Mom. I really do. I have to go unpack. I have a ton of work to do, and I haven’t eaten, so if we’re finished, I’m going to hang up now.”

  “Fine. I’m glad you made it home safe. And thanks for helping me at the hospital. Birdie is still shocked that you got on the donor list. Her daughter is too much of a ‘me-me’ to give up her precious time for something like saving a life.”

  “Chances are I’ll I never get called. And if I do?” Grace’s chest heaved with a sigh. “One day at a time. Okay, Mom? It was nice to see you. I’ve got to go. Bye.” When she hung up, the phone rang immediately. She expected her Mom to say, “One more thing.” The voice on the other end caught her off guard.

  “Are you still mad at me?”

  She felt herself bristle. “I have nothing to say to you, Jess.”

  “What happened to me being your best friend? Are you going to dump me every time some dick wants to jump your bones?”

  “Aren’t you being presumptuous?”

  “You’re not banging Frenchie?” Grace bit her lip. Why would he refer to Paul as “Frenchie?”

  “What do you want, Jess? I have things to do.”

  “So what’s going on with your mom and that guy?”

  “You call to insult me, and then you act like you give a shit about my family? I’m hanging up now.”

  “Grace, wait!” He sensed her hesitate. “I think you know how I feel about you. Why is it so hard for you to understand? I miss the way we were. When I moved back here, you couldn’t wait to spend time with me. Now you treat me like I’m diseased. Make up your mind. Do you still feel something for me or not? God, I got rid of my wife to be with you!”

  “Guilt won’t work on me, Jess. You’re responsible for your own actions. I am not to blame for your behavior or your failed relationships. Goodbye!” Grace pressed the end button. Her hand was shaking. “Damn him!” Sneaky barked. Her tail swished wildly across the floor. When the phone rang for the third time, Grace was ready to do battle, but Jess began spewing first.