Dead and Gone

by Tina Glasneck

  “I wanted to have a head start before Brett realized I’d left. He isn’t alone. A group will be looking for me. They have a habit of using poisonous spiders to kill people. Your men wouldn’t be safe. No one is when they’re around.”

  “Finish filling me in when I see you. Have you got a plan for leaving?”

  “Can you come and get me now?”

  “I’ve been staying in Helena. I can be there in an hour. How are you going to get to the airport?”

  “There’s a parking garage underneath my building. You need a badge to activate the entrance gate, but not to leave. Can one of your men follow someone into the garage or find some way to get in there? Then I could take the elevator down and no one would see me.”

  “I’ll have Mont and Sam pick you up. One of them will give you a call when they’re in the garage. They can be there in about half an hour.”

  “Eat a lot of oysters on your way here.”

  He laughed. “I’ve missed you, too. See you in an hour.”

  After he hung up, I called Lindsey.

  “Hi, Sara. Are you ready to go grab a bite to eat?”

  “Hey, Lindsey. It took longer at the police station than expected. I need to finish a big project, so I have to work through lunch and stay late tonight.”

  “You still need to eat.”

  “There’s a sandwich machine in the break room. I’ll get one and eat at my desk.”

  “I have something special planned for dinner. You will be home for dinner, won’t you?”

  “I think I’ll only need to stay an extra hour. What are you cooking?”

  “It’s a surprise. You’ll have to wait and see.”

  “How’s the job hunting going?”

  “I have an interview this afternoon at Cooper Investments. They’re located just a block from where you are.”

  “That would be great. Then we could go to lunch often,” I said, enthusiastically, as I pretended I’d be staying in Billings.

  “Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck. See you later.”

  “Bye.” I disconnected, feeling guilty. Lindsey might not be involved with any of the horror going on. She could be completely innocent, in danger, and I didn’t warn her. I couldn’t leave her like that. I quickly wrote a note:

  Dear Lindsey,

  You need to leave Rex’s house immediately! You might be in danger. Rituals are happening in the woods behind his house. Don’t go out there. They use poisonous spiders. Get out of Billings as soon as you can!

  Sara

  I slipped the note into an envelope, sealed it, wrote Lindsey Farrington on it, and placed it on my desk in clear sight. Then I called Brett.

  “I didn’t think you’d need me this soon,” he teased.

  “That’s not why I’m calling,” I said. My hands were trembling. “I have a project that has to be done today. And with going to the police station, I’m behind schedule. So I’m going to work late tonight.” My bottom lip quivered, hoping he would buy it.

  “How late?”

  “An hour or two. I’ll call you when I’m finished. Or should I plan on taking a taxi to Rex’s place?”

  “No. I’ll pick you up. I’ll stay at work until you’re through.”

  “What about Lindsey?”

  “Let me call her,” he replied. “Do you think you’ll want to see me before you get off work?”

  His obvious hint was not lost on me, and I wanted to shout no. At the same time, I didn’t want to take a chance that he might get suspicious. “Maybe. I’m hoping I can wait.”

  “I’m hoping you can’t.”

  “I’ll call if I need you. Bye.” I found myself torn as I put down the receiver. Despite what I’d learned about Brett, some strange internal connection had me strongly attracted to him. I knew I’d miss him.

  Marsha came into my office carrying a stack of folders. “Can you finish the Bradshaw report by tomorrow?” She put a folder on my desk.

  “Yeah, no problem,” I lied, glancing at the top page.

  “Thanks.” She turned and walked out of my office.

  I put away my work and tried to concentrate on the requested report. Instead, I found myself staring at my phone and thinking about Conner.

  I had only worked for his family’s investment company in San Diego for a month when I first saw him. Almost every girl in the office was crazy about him. They had given me the lowdown on Conner from what he had in his coffee to his birthday, so I knew he was eight years older than me. He was so good-looking I didn’t give his age a second thought. After we were introduced and shook hands, I remembered blushing when he didn’t let go of my hand. He teasingly said he wouldn’t let go unless I agreed to go to lunch with him. That was how our relationship began. He flew into town often to see me and tried to persuade me to transfer to the Houston office. Then he wanted me to quit my job and live with him. Finally, I agreed to move into his house, but not to quit my job, so I transferred to the Houston office.

  The phone rang, startling me out of my reverie. I grabbed the receiver, “Hello.”

  “Sara Jones?” a deep, gruff male voice asked.

  “Yes.”

  “This is Mont. We’re in the garage.”

  “I’ll be right down.” Relief and fear encompassed me at the same time as I took the money and driver’s license out of my drawer, slipped them into my purse, pulled out my cell phone, and placed it on top of a file cabinet. Then I walked out without clearing off my desk and hurried through the back hallway.

  Mr. Johnson was waiting by the elevator.

  “I just need to run to the bank for a minute,” I said, as we stepped into the elevator.

  He smiled and pushed the button to the first floor. I swallowed hard and held my breath. Then he pushed the button to the third floor.

  When he got off, I pressed the button to the garage. I stood in the front corner of the elevator, hidden from view, and watched out of the corner of my eye as the doors opened on the first floor. My heart pounded and I took a deep breath, waiting for the doors to close. Finally, the elevator reached the garage level. Stepping out, I saw two muscular men wearing polo shirts and slacks standing next to a black sedan.

  “Sara?” the taller one asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Mont. This is Sam.” He opened the car door.

  After I slid into the backseat, Mont closed the door. I eased down to the floor to avoid being seen leaving the building. Then I heard the engine accelerate and felt the car moving.

  Fifteen minutes later, the car began jerking up and down, like we were traveling over chuck holes on an unpaved road. It didn’t make sense that we’d be on this type of pavement going to the airport. A grim thought seized my mind. My hands trembled as I wondered if Conner had arranged for another destination—someplace I’d never be found.

  Mont peeked over the seat at me. “Sorry about that. This road is full of potholes.”

  I sighed with relief.

  He continued, “We’re away from downtown Billings. I don’t see anyone following us. You can move up to the seat.”

  “I’m going to stay down here until we reach the airport.” That feeling started to emerge. Oh, no. Not again. I opened my mouth and breathed deeply, hoping it would pass. The muscles in my legs twitched. My heartbeat raced. I clinched my hands into fists, trying to stop it.

  “Are you okay?” Mont asked.

  “Yes. I guess, I’m just feeling nervous.” I gasped for air. “Is Conner at the airport?”

  “Let me check.” Mont pulled out his cell phone and punched a number. “Has Mr. Crussett arrived? … Yes, she’s with us … We’re five minutes away…” He put his phone in his pocket. “He’s there.”

  Oh, could I wait? My lips quivered as the erotic need intensified. Staring at the back of Mont’s head, I thought he seemed like a nice guy. Oh, come on. I couldn’t have sex with one of Conner’s men. I got off the floor, sat on the edge of the seat, and rapidly tapped my fingertips together. Then I
saw a hangar. A man stood next to it. Was that Conner? Yes, yes, it was him. My breathing became erratic as we got closer.

  The car stopped. Conner opened the door. I grabbed him, yanked him inside, and unbuttoned his shirt.

  “Sara, can you wait until we get in the plane?”

  “No.” I unfastened his belt buckle. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “Mont, Sam, leave,” Conner ordered and shut the door. We made love in the back seat.

  “I’ve missed you,” I whispered.

  Conner sat up, holding onto me. “I can see that,” he smiled. “I just didn’t realize how much. Can we get in the plane now?”

  “If we hurry,” I grinned, putting on my blouse.

  He pulled up his pants. “We’ll hurry.”

  We finished dressing and got out of the car looking disheveled. His shirttails were hanging out, so was the bottom of my blouse. My hair was sticking up all over. We gazed at each other and laughed.

  “Do you want to run to the plane?” he asked.

  “No. I do want to walk fast.”

  He took my hand and we headed to the plane, passing eight of Conner’s men. None of them looked familiar. I was certain they were never at his house, at least not while I was there. As we boarded the plane, the stewardess handed us each a glass of champagne.

  Conner kissed me. “To us.” He clicked his glass to mine, and then we drank.

  I watched six of Conner’s men board the plane. I had often flown with him, but never with people in the main cabin I didn’t recognize. Within fifteen minutes, we were airborne. In the rear of the plane, there was a bedroom. That was where we went to catch up on time lost during our two-month separation. I loved his touch and passion as our desires were fulfilled.

  “Now I know I didn’t need to be worried about Brett,” he surmised. I was glad he believed that.

  “Have you learned anything about the people involved with the poisonous spiders?”

  I wondered how much to tell him. I knew how Crussetts solved problems. Since the cult was responsible for the deaths of at least four of Conner’s men, I didn’t want a blood bath in Billings. Also, I didn’t trust Conner. I had a strange feeling that I should be careful about what I revealed. “I know the cult does some horrible ceremonies in the woods. They’re responsible for the spider-related deaths because I saw one of the missing victims at their ceremony along with a lot of spiders.”

  He looked at me intently. “How did you see that?”

  “I stumbled on a ceremony,” I said, feeling weird giving such a lame response.

  “How did that happen?”

  “Hiking in the woods. I was alone when I ran into it. Then I panicked and zigzagged back to the road. I tried finding the location the next day, but I couldn’t.”

  He squeezed my hand. “Sara, you should have gone to the police.”

  “I know, but the police can’t defend themselves against these spiders.”

  “Did you see that ceremony before or after you thought the spider group was after you?”

  “After.”

  “Why do you think they wanted you?”

  “Because twice at the hotel, spiders infested my room. Once, it was hundreds. And I kept seeing this one guy with dark eyes watching me along with a few others who I saw at the ceremony in the woods. I sensed I was being followed all the time.” I didn’t want to give him the name of the dark-eyed man or other information about him.

  “Is Brett involved?”

  I should have suspected that question was coming. “I know he’s up to something, and all signs point to a connection with the spider cult.”

  “What signs?”

  “I saw him sneaking my driver’s license out of my purse. My car battery was taken. I’m not sure he took it. I noticed it was gone when I was staying at his friend’s place.”

  “How does that connect him to the spider group?”

  The phone call I had overheard about me being his assignment swirled around in my head, but since I didn’t want Brett killed, I felt I had already said too much. “Well, I guess it doesn’t. It did make it harder for me to leave.”

  “Do you think the reason the group was after you had anything to do with your parents?”

  “I have no idea. Maybe it’s something to do with me being immune to spider venom. I was bitten by several poisonous spiders when I was five. Nothing happened. Maybe somehow the spider group, cult, whatever they are, found out. The dark-eyed guy I saw in Billings was at my parents’ funeral.”

  He hugged me. “Well, you’re safe now. How are you feeling about us?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “You can look past the family business?”

  “Yes. After all, isn’t your family just into investments?” That was my way of telling him I didn’t want to talk about the truth.

  He caressed my arm. “Yes. That’s the family business.” He held up my hand and kissed it. “Do you remember Bruce Carlson, our head accountant?”

  “I know who he is. Why?”

  “Bruce believes you took some copies of documents with you when you left. Did you?”

  He already knew I did since there was a security camera by the copy machine. I gazed into his eyes. “What are you planning to do?”

  He kissed my forehead. “Don’t look so scared. I’m not going to hurt you. I love you. You have no idea how hard it’s been without you. You left without even a note. I thought maybe you had been abducted or killed by one of my enemies.” He wrapped his arms tightly around me. “Don’t ever do that again.”

  “I’m sorry. I was just so confused. I didn’t know what to do after I saw those books.”

  “How did you find those journals?”

  “I didn’t. Someone left them on my desk.”

  Bewildered, he asked, “Someone just left them on your desk?”

  “Yes. Why would I go looking for them when I didn’t know they existed?”

  His eyes narrowed. “There’s obviously someone working for the company who wanted you to know, maybe to break us up. Can you think of anyone?”

  “No.” A lopsided smile flickered on my lips. “But all the girls in the office think you’re really handsome. One or more of them might have wanted to see us break up. Have you dated any of them since I’ve been gone?”

  He looked down and held my hands. From the expression on his face, I knew he was withholding something from me.

  “Where are the documents you took?” he asked with an edge to his voice as his eyes fixed on me.

  I hesitated, wondering if I was safe.

  “Sara, it’s okay. You can tell me. You’re safe.”

  “But what about your family?”

  “I won’t let them hurt you.” He paused. “Don’t you trust me?”

  “I trust you,” I said, even if I didn’t. “I want us to be the way we were. Is that possible?”

  “That’s all I want. It might take time for my family. If you return the documents, I know our relationship can be salvaged.”

  Attempting to draw his attention away from the documents, I put my arms around his neck and kissed him. “I want you.”

  He pulled me closer just as loud static came from the speaker.

  “We’ll be landing in ten minutes,” the pilot said over the intercom. “Please stay seated and secure your seat belt.”

  Conner shrugged his shoulders. “Can you believe this?” He lightly kissed me. “Bad timing.”

  We hurriedly dressed while the plane descended. We sat down and buckled up right before we landed.

  As we were getting off the plane, the stewardess asked, “How was your flight today, sir?”

  He looked at me and smiled. “That was the best flight I ever had.”

  Conner and I were driven straight to his home, the house I had shared with him for almost three years. I walked through the large front door and looked around at the place that was so familiar to me.

  “I need to make a few calls,” he said.

  “I wa
nt to take a bath and relax.”

  “Why don’t you get in the tub and I’ll join you soon?” He kissed me, and then went into his den.

  I headed upstairs to our bedroom. My cell phone was lying on the dresser, along with the ruby ring he had given me when I moved to Houston. I opened my jewelry box. All his gifts were still there. My clothes hung in the closet. I noticed a dress I didn’t recognize. I held it up and saw it was a size larger than I wore. Also, it wasn’t new.

  I looked through the dresser. Everything was there, just as I left it. All I took with me was a small duffle bag. Conner thought I was going to the fitness center for a class. I only went there long enough to change my clothes and leave my cell phone and ruby ring in my locker. I wondered how long it had taken him to find them.

  I strolled into the bathroom to see the large, oversized bathtub we often shared in the center of the room. I moved to the cabinet. My toothbrush was right next to his. The top drawer held my brush and combs. There was an extra hairbrush. I picked it up and examined it in the light. Whoever had used it was a blonde. Other than that, nothing had changed. I wondered how long he would have left it like this.

  After turning on the bathtub faucets, I poured in bubble bath. His arms went around my waist as I took off my blouse.

  He kissed my neck. “I thought you’d be in the tub by now.”

  “I was looking around.”

  “Were you looking for something?”

  “No. I’m glad, just surprised, that everything is like I left it.”

  “That’s how I wanted it so you’d feel right at home when you came back.”

  He probably didn’t want to qualify that with an if. I turned and kissed him, wondering how I ever could have left him. Now, I knew there were worse evils out there. His family’s business seemed mild in comparison. I got into the tub and watched him undress. He poured champagne into two glasses, handed me one, and put the bottle on the bathtub ledge as he moved into the water.

  I lay between his legs with my head resting against his chest and tried not to think about anything except the way we were. This felt so good lying with him. We talked about little things and drank champagne. As soon as we got out, he dried me with a fluffy towel and carried me to the bed. I felt his warm breath as he kissed my shoulder and his hand moved gently downward.