by Stacy-Deanne
“And I’m perfecting what he taught me. He’d be so proud.”
“Would he?”
Jonathan stood back, scoffing. “What does that mean?”
“Your father created herbal medicines to help people not to trick a woman into falling in love with him.”
“I’m not tricking Deidra.” Jonathan kept his arms to his sides. “This is what she wants. I’m just guiding her there.”
“Is that something you tell yourself to relieve your guilt?”
“I follow my instinct and it tells me Deidra Quarter is one of us. Jonathan’s Web is gonna bring her home.” He produced an aroused sigh at the thought of having Dee with him. “I won’t be complete without her.”
“What if this medicine makes her sick or even kills her? Can you live with that?”
“That won’t happen. I wouldn’t give Deidra something that wasn’t safe. I respect you.” He patted Neumann’s shoulder. “You were my father’s closest friend. With you helping me nothing will go wrong.”
“Do you love this woman?”
“Fate wants her here.” Jonathan swallowed, walking to the other side of the table. “We’re destined to be together so yes. I love her in ways no man ever will.”
“What now then?” Neumann sat at the table. “What is this big plan of yours to get Deidra into The Circle?”
Jonathan’s upper lip lifted. “Glad you asked.” He called Rena on the intercom.
A minute later, she bounced into the room with wide eyes. “Yes, Jonathan?”
“My special girl.” He pulled her to him. “It all starts with you, Rena. Without you, I won’t have Deidra. Are you still committed to doing everything I say?”
She sighed. “She won’t get hurt, right?”
“No.” He touched her cheek. “Shauna screwed it up the last time but that won’t happen again. If you help me, it’ll mean leaving the compound.”
“What?” She clasped her hands, glancing at Neumann. “I can leave the compound?”
“Yes, because I’ll need you to go with me—”
“Oh, Jonathan.” She jumped in his arms. “I can see my brother? Oh, can I?”
“Yes.” He caressed her hair. “But, you can’t tell any of the other women about our plan. I don’t want it getting back to Shauna.”
“Don’t you trust Mistress?”
“I can’t be sure where her loyalties lie and I don’t want the others telling her what’s going on.” He clutched her hands. “I’m not letting Deidra get away this time.”
“I’ll do anything you want.”
“Sit down.” He lowered her in the plastic chair in front of Neumann. “Here is the plan.”
****
“Here you go, ladies.” Frankie set two plates of barbecued ribs, macaroni and cheese and potato salad in front of Dee and Connie at the Pop-a-Pig the next day. “Hope you enjoy them.”
Dee sniffed the spicy aroma and sweet barbecue sauce. “You wouldn’t be trying to butter us up would you, Frankie?”
“Who me?” He grinned, lines forming around his eyes. “I got nothing to hide concerning Boyce.”
Connie ripped meat off the rib with her teeth. “God, I could eat these every day.”
“Thanks.” Frankie sat and put his sweaty baseball cap on the table. “Gotta check on the next batch soon.” He pointed behind him as customers for the lunchtime rush crowded the restaurant. “You like the ribs, Detective Quarter?”
She licked the spicy-sweet barbecue sauce from her finger. “It’s delicious, and we appreciate the free meal but not so sure you’ll be so kind after you find out why we’re here.”
His forehead wrinkled. “Why’s that?”
“We found out why you and Boyce fell out.” Connie wiped sauce from her mouth. “Is it true you and Ursula have been having an affair?”
His mouth dropped open and his shoulders fell.
“We spoke to a friend of Ursula’s who told us,” Dee said. “She suspects Ursula had something to do with Boyce’s disappearance.”
“Fuck, man.” Frankie massaged his cheek. “Yeah. Ursula and I are together, but I didn’t hurt Boyce. I swear it. Ursula said we should keep the affair to ourselves—”
“I bet she did.” Dee sipped lemonade through a straw.
“It’s not like that. We can’t help it if Ursula and I fell in love.”
“Love?”
“Yes, Detective Quarter.” He nodded. “We love each other and we’re gonna get married. Boyce never appreciated her, and I was always there when she needed me. Things grew from there.”
“Are you the reason Ursula wants a divorce?” Connie asked.
“No. She was fed up with how Boyce treated her.”
Dee tore meat off the tender rib, sauce sticking to her fingers. “Ursula took out an insurance policy on Boyce a few weeks before he went missing.”
“What?” He gripped the table, more creases appearing in his forehead. “Are you sure?”
Connie nodded.
He leaned back, gaping. “Ursula never told me about a policy.”
Dee sucked sauce from her thumb. “This doesn’t look good, Frankie.”
“There has to be an explanation about the policy though.” He stood, slapping the table. “Ursula wouldn’t have hurt him.”
Dee balled the napkin in her hand. “We’ll see.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“What the hell, Ursula?” Frankie marched through Ursula’s front door that night. “I’ve been calling you all day. Why haven’t you answered my calls?”
“Frankie.” She looked toward the hall, holding her robe closed. “This isn’t a good time right now.”
“Tough.” He walked into the den and plopped on the couch. “I need you to be honest with me.” He struggled to control his anxious breathing. “Did you do something? Baby, if you did you can tell me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Have you spoken to the police lately?”
“No.” She slinked toward him, hips gyrating. “Did they have more news about Boyce?”
“Aren’t you keeping up with the investigation? Don’t you care?”
She sat beside him. “Can we talk later?”
“The cops think we did something to Boyce.”
“That’s insane.”
“Oh yeah, how come you didn’t tell me about the insurance policy you took out on him?”
She tucked hair behind her ear. “I wasn’t aware it was your business.”
“The cops found out we’ve been sleeping together.”
“Did you tell them?” She hit his arm. “How can you be so stupid?”
“I didn’t tell them shit, but I sure as hell wasn’t about to deny it. Hattie’s been going around saying I’m responsible and I’m not.” He caressed her hand. “I love you, Ursula. If you did something, you can tell me. I’ll protect you.”
“Frankie, don’t be an idiot.”
He pulled her beside him. “Did you kill Boyce?”
She batted her long lashes. “Are you kidding me? Get out of my house if that’s what you think.” She stood.
“I’m not here to play games.” He stood, grabbing her. “That policy is worth over one hundred thousand dollars. Did you do something to Boyce?”
“No.” She pushed on his chest with her skinny fingers. “Get off me.”
“Tell me the truth.” He sprayed her with his forehead sweat. “I’m not going down for something I didn’t do. You got me in this so you better get me out.”
“Stop, you’re hurting me.” Ursula turned toward the hall. “Silas. Silas, help!”
A muscular black man with long dreadlocks raced into the room and shoved Frankie to the floor.
“Get the fuck off her.” Silas pulled Ursula behind him, his giant pecs heaving as he balled fists. “Get out of here.”
“What the fuck?” Frankie stood, his entire body shaking from the impact of Silas’ strength. “Who the hell are you?”
“None of your damn busines
s.” Silas got closer to him. “You want to live to see another day then get your ass out of here right now.”
“Ursula.” Frankie grabbed his baseball cap from the floor.
She hid behind Silas, avoiding eye contact.
“You’ve been sleeping with this man behind my back?” Frankie huffed. “How could you do this?”
“She doesn’t have to explain herself to you,” Silas said. “I’m not telling you again to leave.”
“I loved you.” Frankie pointed at her over Silas’ rock hard shoulder. “I’d have done anything for you.”
She stepped in between the men. “I never promised you anything, Frankie. I never said you were the only one.”
“Did you have to say it?” His voice cracked as tears appeared in his eyes. “You don’t give a shit about me, do you?”
“I care about you, but, I have needs.” She put her arms around Silas’ shoulders. “And, one man can’t fulfill them.”
Silas smirked.
“You think I’ll walk away after you’ve made a fool of me?” Frankie backed up toward the hallway, waving his cap. “You’ll pay for this, Ursula.”
“Is that a threat, little man?” Silas asked.
“Ignore him. He’s just talk.” Ursula touched Silas’ chest. “Frankie, it’s your mistake for assuming things were serious between us.” She French-kissed Silas, stroking his dreads. “Either you accept how things are or you don’t.”
“Boyce was right.” Frankie situated his cap on his head. “He always said you were selfish and only cared about yourself.”
“Time to go.” Silas rubbed his huge knuckles. “Now.”
****
“Hey, Beautiful.” Winston sauntered into the lounge of the station two days later and joined Dee at the table. “There’s been a new development in my case.”
“That’s great, honey.” Dee took the plastic off her turkey sub. “You getting closer to finding the killer?”
“Not sure about that yet but the lead is promising. Anyway, my case led me to a man named Alfonso Nunez.” He rubbed his curls. “Does that name ring a bell?”
“Should it?” Dee bit into her sandwich.
“He’s an ex-co-worker of Boyce Vickers.”
Dee dropped her sandwich.
“Alfonso works at Big Blue Construction. He says he and Boyce still chat online sometimes and Boyce told him about this job interview he had out of town. Boyce didn’t go into any details but said it would be a surprise when he told Hattie.”
“We already got forensics looking at Boyce’s computer activity.” Dee licked spicy mustard off her lip. “So far they’ve found nothing out of the ordinary. Last time I checked they were looking into his social media accounts, but it could take weeks for them to comb through all that stuff.”
“Here’s Alfonso’s information so you can follow up with him.” Winston laid a wrinkled piece of notebook paper in front of her with writing on it.
“Thanks, honey.” She grabbed Winston’s face and gave him a huge smack.
“Ugh.” He wiped mustard off his mouth. “Dee.”
She laughed.
****
“Rena?” Dee stared at the distraught woman on her porch that night. “How did you get off the compound?”
“Oh, Dee.” Rena threw her arms around Dee’s shoulders. “I’m so sorry for what happened the last time. I didn’t mean to trick you. Jonathan made me.”
“Rena.” Dee pushed her. “You need to leave.”
“He threw me out.” She sniffled. “I confronted him about what we did to you and said how bad it made me feel and he went off. He was so angry.”
“Did he hurt you?”
“He grabbed me.” Rena closed her eyes. “And he was yelling at me and shaking me. I was so scared.”
“Come on.” Dee ushered her inside the house. “It’s gonna be okay.” She pushed Rena’s curls from her face. “Do you want something to eat or drink?”
“May I have some water?”
“Okay.” Dee took her into her ivory-colored living room and showed her to the polyester couch. “I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you.” Rena sniffled. “Your place is nice.”
Dee fixed her a glass of ice water in the kitchen and returned. “Here you go.”
Rena took it and sipped. “It hits the spot, thanks.”
“You’re really out of The Circle?”
“I don’t have any money.” She displayed a lost expression. “What will I do?”
“Don’t worry about that.” Dee sat on the couch against the pillows. “We’ll think of something.”
“Even after what I did, you’d help me?”
Dee sighed, hardly believing it herself. “Jonathan made you do it. You’re a good person, Rena.”
Jonathan came from around the corner. “Yes, she is.”
“Jonathan?” Dee jumped, looking back and forth at him and Rena. “What are you doing here?” She stood. “How did you...” She turned to Rena. “What is this?”
“It’s time, Deidra.” Jonathan inched toward her with a syringe in his hand. “Time to take you where you belong.”
“Get away from me.”
Rena grabbed Dee. “We don’t want to hurt you.”
Dee punched her as Jonathan snatched Dee from behind.
“Don’t fight it, Deidra.” He locked his arm around her waist. “We’re your family now. We love you.”
“No!” She tried to pry his hand from her body. “Let me go!”
“Sh.” He threw her on the floor and got on top of her. “Deidra, it’s all right.”
“Stop.” She waved her arms, kicking. “Get off. Help!”
“Shut up.” Jonathan held her to the floor. “Hold her arms, Rena.”
Rena pinned Dee’s arms to the floor.
“No.” Dee turned her head left and right. “Stop!”
“Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan said. “This’ll calm you down so you’ll have a nice sleep.”
“No.” Dee’s throat burned from screaming. “Help!”
“It’s okay.” He lifted her blouse and poked her. “Everything will be all right.”
“No.” Dee struggled to keep up the fight, her strength evaporating until she drifted out of consciousness.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Oh.” Dee touched her throbbing head as she came out of her sleep. She focused her eyes on the lavish bedroom with cream walls and gold carpeting. “What the?” She remembered Jonathan and Rena taking her from her home. “Oh, god.” She tried to move her other arm but handcuffs bound her wrist to the mounted headboard. “Help!” She tossed the gold, satin pillows off the bed. “Jonathan!” She knocked the teal lamp off the end table. “Jonathan! Rena!” She yanked, trying to free her arm. “Somebody! Tran!” She kicked the end table. “Get me out of here! Someone, help!”
Jonathan walked in with Rena behind him. “You’re awake, huh?” He approached the bed, holding out his palms. “Let me explain.”
“Explain to the police, you asshole. Let me out of here.” Dee moved so forcefully she shook the bed. “I’m not playing with you motherfuckers.” Her hair landed in her face. “Get me out of here right now!”
“I can’t do that.” Jonathan clasped his hands in front of him. “This is where you belong.”
“Let me go.” She kicked at his middle and he jumped back. “You can’t do this.”
“It’s already done so you might as well relax and accept it.” He stood by the little seating area next to the windows. “Believe me, I didn’t want it to be like this but you wouldn’t come to us.”
Rena rubbed the sides of her dress.
“You’re afraid of succumbing but this is your calling, Deidra.” Jonathan touched the gold curtains. “And, it’s my job to make you realize that.”
“Who the fuck you think I am?” She got on her knees in the bed. “One of those weak ass women on those movies? You’re not keeping me anywhere I don’t wanna be.”
He turned from the c
urtain, eyes full of anger. “You’ll want to be here if you have no choice.” He marched to the bed, shaking fists. “I’ve been more than patient with you so now I’m taking things in my own hands.”
“Get me out of here!” She bounced on her knees. “Help! I’ve been kidnapped!”
“Why are you screaming?” Jonathan brushed off the front of his shirt. “There’s no one around for miles.”
“God.” Dee plopped on her back, shutting her eyes to block tears. “Jonathan, see reason. You can’t do this. I’m a police officer.”
He smiled. “I’m aware.”
“You think people won’t figure out you kidnapped me? You’re the only one who’d do something like this. Winston’s going to know.”
“I don’t give a damn what Winston knows.” He touched the knitted bedspread. “This room’s beautiful, isn’t it? It was Prisha’s old room. It’s yours now.”
“Help!” Dee jiggled her bounded arm. “Let me out of here!”
“I was hoping once you came here you’d understand.” He took out a syringe. “But, that was wishful thinking I guess.”
“Jonathan.” She panted, curling her legs underneath her. “What is that?”
“It’s my most brilliant creation.” He held up the syringe. “Deidra, meet Jonathan’s Web.”
She swallowed, glancing at Rena. “What’s Jonathan’s Web?”
He squeezed liquid from the needle. “It will change both of our lives forever.” He sat on the bed. “It will make you forget things so I can show you how wonderful life would be with me.”
“Is that something to take my memory?” Dee huffed and puffed. “You can’t do this.”
He licked his bottom lip. “It’ll make you forget your love for Winston while heightening your affections for me.”
“You’re crazy.” She kicked at him. “Stay away.”
“It’s not dangerous, and it will make you feel so good, Deidra. Make you feel alive and free.”
“No.” She scooted to the other side of the bed. “Don’t do this.”
“Sh.” He climbed into the bed and grabbed her foot. “It’s not gonna hurt.”
“No!”
Rena looked away, sniffling.