by Stacy-Deanne
At the bottom of the shoebox sat the driver’s license of Boyce Vickers.
Connie snatched out her phone and dialed Sheriff Ketchum’s number but got voice mail instead. “Sheriff Ketchum.” Connie slowed her breathing so she could get the words out. “This is Detective Wilks. I’m in Garfield Larose’s house. He killed Boyce Vickers and probably others. I have proof. Please contact me as soon as you can. I’m heading to the Edgemere police station right now.” She rose to see Garfield standing behind her.
He snickered, pointing a Remington 700 Bolt-Action rifle at her. “Put the phone down.”
Connie dropped the phone, exhaling.
“I’ll be taking that.” With his free hand, he unlatched Connie’s gun from her holster and put it in his pocket. “It’s nice to see you again, Miss Connie. I’m glad you came back.” That flirtatious stare returned. “You mind telling me why you broke into my house?”
“I didn’t break in.”
He sucked his lip, smirking. “I wasn’t here to invite you in so—”
“The door was unlocked.”
“And, to you that was an invitation?”
“Garfield.” She eased her body in his direction. “Listen.”
“I’m listening to you, darling. I could listen to you all night.”
“You don’t wanna do this. I’m a police detective and it would be bad for you if you hurt me.”
“It would be worst if I ended up in prison because you arrested me, right?” He stepped back in his worker boots. “You’re one smart bitch, huh? You know what I got going on, don’t you?”
She swallowed. “I think so.”
He squinted, stroking her hair with the barrel of the rifle. “Then tell me about it.”
“You put out ads for jobs on your farm to lure men here so you can rob them.” She looked into his hollow eyes. “Then you kill them.”
“Ding, ding, ding! Correct.” He guffawed. “You knew it was me the last time you were here. You’d been on my computer.”
“Yes.”
“Now what?” He steadied the gun in his hands. “I could shoot you right here and no one would be the wiser.”
“You’re wrong. I left a voice mail on Sheriff Ketchum’s phone. I told him where I was and—”
“This phone?” He pulled the phone out his pocket.
“What...” Her chest rose and fell with hasty breaths. “Is that his phone?”
“Yep.” He looked at it. “He came over again after you left and he was asking all these questions about the men I hired. It was obvious you’d put ideas in his head.”
Connie gripped her mouth with shaking hands.
“He was on to me.” He shrugged. “So I had to take care of him, right?”
“What did you do?”
“I did what I had to, Connie.” He put Ketchum’s phone in the back pocket of his jeans. “I’ve worked hard putting together the perfect scheme and I’m not letting anyone ruin it.”
“All of this was about money?” She scoffed. “You did all this just to rob people?”
“Smart, huh?” He lowered the rifle and leaned back on the dresser. “It amazed me how easy it was. The first time was an accident.”
Connie grimaced, huffing and puffing.
“I was just gonna rob his ass. But, then I got this urge.” A haze grew over his eyes. “This voice in my head. ” He clicked his jaw. “I shot him and threw him in the lake.” His eyelids lowered. “I threw them all in the lake.”
“They’re out there?” She pointed to the double hung window. “All those men? Boyce too?”
He nodded.
“How many, Garfield?”
“Does it matter?” He dug the toe of his boot into the carpet. “Shit, I don’t even remember. They’re all in that shoebox. You saw them.”
She sighed. “You’re clever.”
“I’m a mastermind.” He winked. “Impressed?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“You will be.” He moved from the dresser. “Boy, do I love that perfume you’re wearing.”
“What now?” Connie kept her gaze on the rifle.
“Guess.” He licked his bottom lip. “I’m going to kill you and throw you in the lake. But, with one difference. I’m gonna fuck you first.”
She flinched.
He pushed the rifle into her left breast, sucking his teeth. “It’s your last time on earth you might as well go out with a ‘bang’, huh?”
He set the rifle on the floor behind him and grabbed her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“Get on the bed.” Garfield tossed Connie on the foam mattress and thrust his muscular body on top of her, smelling of goat and sweat.
“It’s not happening!” Connie waved her hands and kicked.
“Settle down.” He crushed her between his thighs. “Sh. You might enjoy it.” He grabbed Connie’s face and forced his slimy, bitter lips over hers.
“Mm!” She scratched and clawed, nausea swirling in the put of her stomach.
“You like it?” He panted, going for another kiss.
Connie smashed her knee into his crotch.
“Ah!” He rolled off her, holding his middle.
She snatched the lamp off the end table and slugged him in the face with it.
He howled as Connie jumped off the bed and ran toward the rifle.
“No, you don’t.” Garfield stuck his leg out, tripping her.
“Ooh.” Connie fell face first into the Tuscan carpet, her teeth piercing her tongue.
“Come here.” Garfield grabbed her by the hair, rolled her over, and ripped her blouse open. “You wanna play, bitch?” His spit drizzled onto her black bra. “We’ll play.”
“No.” Connie wiggled as he unbuckled her belt. “Get off me!”
“Be still.” Garfield unzipped his jeans while holding Connie still by her stomach. “Stop moving.”
“No.” She squirmed, kicking wider. “You son of a bitch.”
He pulled her up by the collar and threw her on the bed again. “I’m done playing with your ass.” Before he got on top, she kicked him in the gut and when he bent over, kicked him in the head.
“Oh!” He stumbled backward, waving his arms.
Connie charged him, delivering a death punch to his throat.
He held his neck, gagging and coughing.
Connie snatched her gun out his pocket and shoved him on the floor.
He moaned and groaned, batting his eyes as if he were dizzy.
“Don’t move.” Connie kept her gun on him as she got the rifle with her other hand. “You’re under arrest.”
“Fuck.” He closed his eyes, dispersing a tiny chuckle. “You kicked the shit out of me, didn’t you?”
She secured her gun in her pocket and aimed the rifle at him. “Guess I did.”
****
“Ugh.” Dee drank the charcoal-laced drink, her stomach heaving. “This is disgusting.”
“Drink the rest of it.” Neumann touched her forehead. “I think your fever’s gone but I’ll check it after you finish the juice.”
“What does activated charcoal do?” She grimaced, sipping the gritty mixture.
“It’ll flush the poison out your body. You’re lucky.” He examined her eyes. “You only had a little but water hemlock is one of the most poisonous plants in the country.”
Dee exhaled, laying her head on the pillow. “I’m drained.”
“Good because the more of this you drink, the more you go to the bathroom.” He smiled, taking the glass. “And, the faster you’ll clean your system.”
“I can’t believe Shauna would do this.” Dee put her hands over her stomach,
staring at the poster of the heart diagram across the room. “Did Jonathan know she was capable of this?”
“He never would’ve had her here if he’d known.” Neumann stuck the thermometer in her mouth. “He’s torn up. Blames himself for what happened.” He read the thermometer. “A little high but coming down.”
“You’re awake.” Jonathan tore into the room and hugged Dee. “I was scared to death.”
“I’m okay.” She patted his head. “You didn’t have to worry.”
“You crazy?” Jonathan slid the stool beside the bed and sat. “I thought I’d lost you.”
Neumann smiled at Jonathan and left.
Dee’s tongue absorbed the horrid taste of charcoal. “Why is Shauna so threatened by me?”
He took her hand and held it to his lap. “She sees how important you are. I keep telling you you’re not just another member.”
She clenched his hand.
“You belong here in every sense of the word. I’m so sorry this happened. The one time I forgot to lock my lab—”
“It’s not your fault.” She batted her eyes as he kissed her hand.
“Shauna’s gone.”
“You...” She sat up. “Kicked her out The Circle?”
“How could we have someone here who could do something like this? No telling what she’d do next.”
“You said people don’t get jealous here.”
“I’ll let you in on a little secret.” His mouth rose in the corner as he smirked. “We’re still human, Deidra.”
“What happens to her now? Where will she go?”
“I don’t care.” Jonathan maneuvered his soft lips over hers, her body quaking in response. “You’re the most important thing right now. I’m gonna take care of you for the rest of your life.”
THE END
To receive quick updates subscribe to Stacy’s mailing list: Mailing List
READ CHAPTER ONE OF DAMAGED BOOK THREE BELOW:
CHAPTER ONE
(Three Months after Captured Left Off)
“Winston!” Detective Connie Wilks exited the stairwell, catching Winston Lewis in the hallway of the police station. “I got big news.”
“Come up with a plan to get Dee away from Jonathan?” He popped strawberry gum into his mouth. “If not, then I don’t care what it is.”
“You’ll care about this.” Connie skidded in front of him, holding onto his arm. “Prisha Banerjee’s body was found this morning.”
The gum slid to the edge of Winston’s lip. “What?”
“Dumped in the ditch on West Chelsea Boulevard.” The brightness in Connie’s green eyes diminished. “It’s two surprises rolled up into one. First Prisha, who we assumed might have already been dead, has been in town and she’s murdered for real?” She shook her head, her silky blonde ponytail resting on her shoulder. “I can’t believe this.”
Winston leaned his head back, squinting.
“I know what you’re thinking. We have no proof Jonathan’s involved.”
“He’s the reason she disappeared.” He shrugged, chewing. “He’s kidnapped and drugged my girlfriend to get her into his cult. Is it so farfetched he’d kill someone?”
“I’m assigned to Prisha’s case, and I told Captain Salinger I wanted you to work with me on it. But not if you can’t keep your personal feelings intact.”
“Connie, he’s kidnapped the woman I love. How can I not have feelings about that?”
“I’m not saying forget Dee.” She held a sympathetic expression. “But, you need to realize there’s nothing you can do.”
“I’ll never stop fighting for Dee until she’s out that place.”
****
Broadville Port, Maryland
“What’s your deal, Shauna?” Jonathan Wild relaxed in the bright orange recliner in his lounge. “You a gluten for punishment or what?”
“I appreciate you seeing me.” She stood in the middle of the rug, looking delicious in her red pantsuit. “These last three months have been torture without you and The Circle.”
He nodded, eating golden raisins from a bowl.
“It’s like I don’t belong anywhere. If it wasn’t for the money, you gave me I wouldn’t have survived. Please.” She got on her knee. “Let me come back. I’ve prayed and I’ve gotten the evil thoughts out of my head. I was jealous of Deidra and it clouded my judgment.” She closed her slanted brown eyes. “Please forgive me. You’re all the family I have.”
“Deidra is a remarkable woman.” His gaze fell to her milky-white cleavage. “If you’d done to me what you did to her, I wouldn’t care what happened to you.”
She batted her sweeping lashes.
“But, Deidra is on such a higher plane that she not only forgives you, she’s the reason I’m listening to you today.”
She flicked her long, raven-black crinkles away from her round face. “What do you mean?”
“She even suggested I let you back in.” He laughed, mouth full of mushed raisins. “But I can’t do it even for her.”
“Jonathan.”
“You had your chance. You were mistress of this house and we could’ve had a wonderful life together.”
She stood. “I’d die for you and The Circle.”
“Do you understand you almost killed Deidra?”
“I do.” She nodded, sobbing. “But, you said once you’re a part of The Circle you’re always a part of it.”
He smoothed his hand over his jet-black buzz cut. “I lied.”
She inhaled, nodding. “I won’t give up. I belong here and if Dee can forgive me, then you can.” She pulled a piece of folded up paper from her pocket. “This is where I’m staying if you need me.”
He turned up his nose. “I won’t need you.”
She laid the paper on the table and left.
****
Dee Quarter bumped into a tearful Shauna outside the lounge.
“I’m sorry, Dee.” Shauna’s cheeks reddened. “My intentions weren’t to kill you, but I couldn’t bear losing my place in The Circle.”
“Yet, you did anyway.” Dee clasped her hands. “You have no one to blame but yourself.”
Shauna touched Dee’s white dress and snickered. “You’ve settled into The Circle well, haven’t you? Bet he’ll be making you Head Mistress soon.”
“You’ve lost what Jonathan taught you.” Dee looked her in the eyes. “Even after all you’ve done I don’t wish ill will on you. I want Jonathan to bring you back into The Circle.”
“Why?” She grimaced, top lip jumping. “So you can prance around and throw it in my face how much Jonathan cares about you?”
Dee shook her head, sighing. “You still don’t get it.”
“I love Jonathan.” Shauna’s bosom heaved. “More than any of you ever will. I’ll get back into The Circle. Trust me on that.” She turned and clacked down the hall in her shiny, black heels.
“Hm.” Jonathan hugged Dee from behind and turned her around. “You’re so beautiful.” He puckered his lips for a kiss but she moved. “What?”
“Give Shauna another chance.”
He gaped his silver-gray, deep-set eyes. “You can’t be serious.”
Dee touched her cheeks. “In The Circle, aren’t we supposed to love each other unconditionally?”
“Deidra, she tried to poison you, honey.”
“And if I can let it go, you can too.”
“We’d never be able to trust her.” He circled her. “She hates you and thinks you’re taking her place. If we let her in, she’ll be plotting the moment she gets through the door.”
“We’re supposed to forgive.” She studied his bewildered expression. “No matter what Shauna’s done, she’s as much a part of The Circle as anyone.”
He sighed, rolling his gorgeous eyes. “I’ll consider it.” He pulled her close. “If you consider something for me.”
She squirmed as he tightened his arms around her.
“You’ve been a member of The Circle for three months.” He stroked her natural hair, which hit her shoulders. “And yet, you haven’t fulfilled your end of the deal yet.”
“Jonathan—”
“Sh.” He put his finger on her lips. “You’ve given yourself to me mentally and spiritually but not physically.” He laid his warm hand to her cheek. “I’ve been patient. You have to be mine fu
lly or this won’t work.”
“I’m just not comfortable having sex in front of the other women.”
“That’s part of the deal. When we first make love, we all partake in the moment. It’s like you’re giving yourself to every one of us.” He kissed her and smiled. “Besides, it isn’t fair to the other women. They had to do it.”
She fidgeted, avoiding eye contact.
“Is there another reason you don’t wanna make love?” His expression hardened. “Do you still have feelings for Winston Lewis?”
“No.” She stroked her hands.
“Your hands are shaking.” He grabbed them. “Is it because you’re lying?”
“No.” She hugged him. “I love you, Jonathan. I swear it.”
“Then prove it,” he demanded into her ear. “Your time is running out.”