The Thomas Girls: Book 4 of the Adelaide Henson Mystery Series

by William Cain

  When he arrives at the shelter, he sits and he waits. Many women come and go. Most of them work there, and he knows they won’t reappear until their day is over. He hopes he won’t see them again. If he does, that’ll be when they are leaving work. The day would be over, meaning Greg didn’t show and he may have to go to Atlanta. But right now it’s 9 am and he begins watching the shelter.

  A little after ten in the morning, a man walks purposely toward the doors of the shelter. It’s Greg. John congratulates himself, grinning broadly. He hopes his bladder doesn’t betray him. He needs to follow Greg when he exits the building. If John has to, he’ll urinate behind that dumpster nearby, he’s decided.

  ◆◆◆

  Inside the shelter, the director’s office is located on the third floor. Greg takes the stairs, two at a time. He’s happy and highly energized over the prospect of his new ward, the woman he’ll serve as handler for. She’s the daughter of a well-known celebrity, who will no doubt miss her daughter when she goes ‘under’, but will be satisfied knowing she is safe. Money couldn’t buy her peace. The hired guns that were brought in weren’t enough. The daughter’s last hospital stay proved that, bringing her to the brink of death at the hand of her husband.

  Greg knows this new ward will increase the visibility of his profile, taking him to the next level with its increased responsibilities. Ever since he’s been involved in the Network, he’s worked hard. Hard to erase his past, all those awful memories. He’s changed his name a couple of times to escape it. It’s almost as if he himself needs the Network in order to disappear. This is one thing his wealthy family’s money can buy: a new name and a new look. Just minor facial reconstruction to make him look like someone else almost. False credentials based on real people made him into a new person. These papers are rock solid. Just like the Network’s identities given to their wards.

  His past as someone else comes back to haunt him at times, conjuring violent images when he couldn’t control himself. He tells the inner Greg he’s a new man. Those times are over, and a new page has been turned. He’s born again, he believes. Deep down, he ignores his urges – or tries to. He knows he can be a demon at times, his filthy mind playing tricks on him. He can’t stop thinking about the things he's done to women. Those thoughts arouse him. Guiltily, he lets them in sometimes because he knows he can’t stop it. He thinks the same way when he’s with Madison. She thinks she can’t be broken, but she can. And he’s the man to do it.

  As he approaches the director’s door, he smooths his composure. It’s time to be the new man he is. If the Underground knew about his past, he’d never be here. He doesn’t like to think of himself as deceptive, but here he is. He knows it. He knows they don’t know. He’s playing them in this little game, relishing every moment he basks in the warm light of his accomplishments. If they only knew, he ponders questioningly. He turns the knob and steps into a small room outside the director’s office, lightly tapping on the door. When he’s asked to open it and go in, he does, this new man ‘Greg’.

  “Welcome back, Greg,” the director says in greeting, pointing to a small table where they both sit down at.

  “Well done with Ms. Bouknight, Greg.”

  “Thank you. I’ve heard about my new charge. I’m told you’ll complete the picture for me today. Then we can discuss me taking it on – if you’ll have me, of course.”

  Greg has them all fooled. The director can’t be happier laying out the logistics. Not surprisingly, as handler, Greg will be working in California to begin with, not far from Madison Bouknight and that nosy grandmother of hers. When the director is done, Greg is asked if he’s ready for this much responsibility.

  “What about Ms. Bouknight?” Greg asks.

  “You’re done with her, aren’t you? She’s reached her final destination,” the director flatly states. “There’s to be no more involvement of any kind with you. She knows she’ll always have the support of the Network, but that’s done on a much lower level.”

  Greg hides his disappointment well. Knowing he’ll be working in California means he’ll be close to Madison. But as the handler of a new ward, he may be asked to move them to Timbuktu. However, he may have already accomplished what he wants to do with Madison. She’ll be old news by then; spent. As his mind is crunching his vile and dirty thoughts over his plans for Madison, he tells the director quietly and confidently, “I’d like to have a day or two to think about this new responsibility. I have to sort through some things. I hope that’s OK?”

  “Absolutely, Greg. This is no small undertaking. This is big.” The director studies Greg for a moment, thinking, He’s kind of a weird guy sometimes, like the way he rubs his leg when you’re speaking to him, as if he’s thinking about doing something or he’s somewhere else. But we need him. He’s the best we’ve got for this kind of new charge, this new ward.

  The meeting over, each stand, shaking hands. As they make small talk, Greg is shown to the door. He believes it went well, knowing he’s in the driver’s seat on this one. After exiting the building, John Paulson sees him, and follows. As sick, depraved, and paranoid as Greg is, Paulson is better. The Camry goes unnoticed.

  Greg has a tail.

  This is what Addie is counting on, and it’s all going according to her plan.

  11

  You are the leader you’ve been waiting for. Gloria Steinem

  The bridge game is in its final minutes. All eyes are on Madison and Kevin as Donna serves the lead card. It’s the Queen of Diamonds. Madison issues her discard as her partner Kevin sits stone-faced. She knows he’s disappointed, watching him stare at the card on the table. Madison didn’t have a diamond for this last hand. If Kevin can’t beat the Queen, then they lose the game and the rubber. Nancy and Grandmother, who everyone knows as Reggi’s new identity ‘Donna’, will have bragging rights until the next match. Madison can’t live with her under the same roof when she wins – it’s non-stop blab, reliving the moments of the games that Madison lost. She is dreading the outcome.

  Nancy also discards, not having a diamond. It’s up to Kevin. As usual, he takes his time, thrumming the remaining card in his hand onto the table, expressionless until the right moment, the tension building. Before the women at the table and all the onlookers – the neighbors at the adjacent tables – complain loudly to just end it already Kevin, he smiles broadly and shouts ‘King of Diamonds!!’ Kevin dramatically throws his card onto the other three, it landing there upside down. Madison is beaming, raising her arms in the air, flashing the victory sign from both hands.

  “In your face, Grandmother!”

  Her grandmother saddens in mock fashion, her head hung low. Her partner Nancy also pouts comically. Then, staring at the four cards, she begins to wonder. Her husband Kevin is fond of cheating, and this could be his best yet. As he slyly begins to pick up the cards, her hands land on his in the middle of the table and he stops. She slowly takes his hands off the cards, pushing them away. When he rests back in his seat, he finds the three girls are staring at him, his wife especially, a look of mistrust framing her, lips pursed. She picks up the top card. This would be Kevin’s card. She turns it over. It’s the Two of Clubs.

  The crowd around the table lets out a hushed ‘No!’ This time it’s Nancy flashing victory signs, dancing around to rub it in. Reggi joins her and they carry on for a long time, the onlookers laughing and taunting Kevin. He’s just smiling and laughing, too. He didn’t think he’d get away with it. But it was worth a try. Finally, the mood settles and it’s time for a little dessert and coffee.

  It's late as the players file out of Nancy and Kevin’s house, another successful night playing bridge between friends. Some take the tables and chairs they brought with them. The last to leave are Madison and Reggi, who’ve stayed behind to help tidy things up. Nancy is grateful for their help since Kevin makes his exit as soon as the table and chairs are put away. That’s his routine and they all know it. Still, he’s a warm-hearted slob and Nancy loves him. They k
now that, too.

  Madison and Reggi make their farewells and begin to walk quietly home. This is their new neighborhood. Making loud conversation is not advised, so they speak to each other in hushed voices.

  “I knew Kevin was cheating. You can see it on his face a mile away,” Reggi tells Madison.

  “I know Grandmother.”

  “Just like that time when you mistakenly declared. That was foolish.”

  “I know Grandmother,” she replies, rolling her eyes.

  On and on it goes, until they arrive home. Madison decides to make a little ice cream for the two of them. They’ll eat it while watching the Late Show. She pulls a container of cookies-n-cream from the freezer, dishing out a scoop into a small bowl for each.

  Reggi enters the kitchen. “I think I left my wrap there. Can you call them and ask?”

  Madison nods. She has Kevin’s number, not Nancy’s, and she starts the call.

  He’s still home, inside, when he sees his cell. It’s Madison. Kevin answers, “Hey, sweet pea. What’s up? Donna bragging about how good she is? I know that can get old. Nancy does it all the time.”

  “Yup, and it’s pretty lame, too. You almost pulled that off. But your reputation precedes you and Nancy is on to all that. I guess we have to live with these two for a while. Listen, my grandmother left her wrap there. It’s dark blue. Can you see if you have it and can you put it away somewhere? We’ll get it tomorrow.”

  “Sure, let me look for it,” and he starts moving through the living room and study, in search of it, his cell in hand. Nancy is down the hall, in their bedroom, changing. “Don’t see it yet. But hang on.”

  Suddenly a rush of something blue and long strikes him squarely in the face, his cell falling to the ground, clattering on the tiles below. His teeth are shattered and the pain is overwhelming as he staggers backward, holding his jaw, his teeth falling into his hands. At first, it is so painful he can hardly see. He begins to lose consciousness and struggles to stay on his feet, his eyes slowly beginning to focus. His lower lip is inside his mouth and blood is pouring from his face onto the floor.

  Before he cries out in pain, another blow is delivered, raining down on him. He shields his head and the weapon makes contact, breaking his forearm. Another blow is quickly delivered to his right leg and he falls forward, crying out in agony. Landing face first, his survival instants are fully loaded, and he reaches with his good arm for the attacker’s leg, pulling at it.

  Madison knows something is wrong. She hears his cries and screams, visualizing a struggle. She heard something smash and break. Then it dawns on her. A nasty tingle crawls up her spine, the adrenaline beginning to flow.

  Dropping her phone aimlessly, she runs for the front door, racing to Nancy and Kevin’s house a block away. She’s on high alert and prepared for what she will see. The killer has returned, she is certain. Careless of what little traffic there is, she runs down the street as fast as she can. She needs to reach Kevin before the killer does him in, and she is very careful, choosing her steps quickly on this dark, dark night. No blunders.

  Inside, next to Kevin, the attacker is shaking him off the leg he has a stronghold on. His grip is tenacious, strong and firm, holding a wad of dungarees. Try as the attacker might, the dying man won’t let go. The killer is helpless, fearing failure. This is not some old man like the other two, and he won’t be shaken off. The killer pulls away fiercely, and the man on the floor slides long, ever keeping his grip.

  Raising the weapon, the killer has to take a chance. A chance to be hurt with the wild swing that’s about to come. But it has to be done and the weapon is raised, bracing for a terrible blow. The man looks up, seeing a masked attacker. He also sees the killer make one last attempt to pull away, and Kevin releases his hold causing the killer to begin falling backward.

  At the same time as the release of his grip, at the very moment the killer begins to fall away, Nancy jumps onto the killer’s back, screaming bloody murder. She’s beating the attacker with her fists, twisting its neck, trying to find an entry point to scratch an eye or two, and run her sharp fingers down the face of this killer. The attacker can’t shake her off. Backing into a wall, Nancy yells out in pain when she strikes it. Determined to fight to the death, she holds on, finding the eyes and she begins to dig in. The attacker swings wildly, striking back with the bat – left, right, left – without results.

  She’s not as strong as her husband, and with what seems like superhuman strength, the attacker manages to loosen her grip, then throws her off, onto the floor. Nancy lands awkwardly, twisting her knee, as it’s driven into the ceramic tilework. Screaming in pain, she turns over holding her knee, her free hand and arm held up in defense. The killer steps forward, breathing heavily, bat in hand. Looking at Nancy curiously, the killer raises the bat and prepares to strike her, to end her life in one blow. The bat high above, it’s brought down heavily. Nancy sees the bat and rolls quickly to the side. The bat loudly cracks the tiles it lands on.

  When the attacker brings the bat up again, Madison enters the room, screaming. The attacker’s eyes widen in fear and surprise as Madison jumps forward, propelling the killer back, slamming into a counter. Raising the bat to the side, holding it as if to swing it, the killer faces off against Madison. Both are tenuous with each slight step, circling each other for what seems an eternity. The killer fakes its swing, once, twice, three times, in control. Sensing the door to the right, the killer fakes its swing once more. This time, when Madison flinches, the killer runs through the front door, and is lost in the night.

  Madison doesn’t want to chase the killer. Her immediate thoughts are to aid Nancy and Kevin. Her knee looks bad, but Kevin is badly hurt. He needs a doctor. Right now. She’ll risk her identity if she has to, and she dials 911.

  When the ambulance arrives, the SLO police arrive with it. Madison is depending on her new papers and identity to hold up. She knows this could mean being found out. This could mean the end of it all. But she’s not going to run away anymore. This is her new life and her new friends and what’s right is right. Frankly, she is really angry. She’s more angry than she’s ever been in her life. It’s coming from way, way down. And, she’s going to use it.

  She looks over to the door the killer passed through.

  Determination is her final destination, not San Luis Obispo. Determination has arrived.

  The killer will regret this dearly.

  It’s determined.

  12

  A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything. Malcolm X

  Greg keeps his cell close by his bed in the apartment owned by the Network. His early morning routine always begins with a trip to the bath, freshening up. Then it’s coffee and a muffin, followed by a brisk walk to get the blood circulating. Today, however, his morning routine will be different. When a ping announces a new message, Greg’s sleepy eyes turn toward the nearby cell. The director has sent an urgent message to him. Something is wrong and Greg’s presence is requested ASAP. He looks at the time. Seeing it’s still early, before the normal workday, a sense of urgency calls Greg to his feet.

  His reply to the director and the others on the thread tells them he will arrive in thirty minutes. After sending, he quickly makes coffee and rushes off to take a shower. He needs to wake up. He wonders what the commotion is all about. Maybe that new ward in California won’t need anyone after all. Maybe her husband found her and ended it. That would be sad, but Greg has other fish to fry. Like Madison Bouknight. He thought about her a lot last night. The hockey game was on and now he doesn’t even know who won. His focus was on Madison and what he wants to do with her. He stepped into his fantasy, allowing it to consume him. That’s where he spent his evening, in another place, another time.

  Done with his shower, he quickly dresses in khaki slacks and a crisp, white button-down Oxford. After slipping his loafers on, he places the ‘tell’ on the door and makes his way to the car. He’ll arrive at the office in ten minutes, so he’s on ti
me. There’s no rush as he makes the drive there, parking and then walking quickly toward the doors.

  Up the street, a Camry pulls into a spot that will provide a vantage point without blocking the view, but also screen its presence, concealing it. John is inside, his eyes following Greg maliciously. When he was watching Greg last night, he found it very odd that a man could sit in a chair for four hours straight, staring into space. That’s not a good sign, and John knows it. The man was lost in some dream, for hours. It was strange and unsettling. This is the man he has to follow to find the girls, so he’ll martial through. He’s not happy with what he saw. If it means what he thinks it means, then Greg is an ever-present danger to anyone near him.

  John decides to do a little research once he has time. Greg needs some explaining, his life story needs to be dug up. John is none too happy to have him around Madison and Reggi. He also knows what he witnessed is just a sample. Greg will show newer and more exaggerated, odd behavior whenever he thinks he’s alone, and not being observed. John will be on the lookout for it. His eyes turn to the building Greg has walked into. Something is going on.

  Greg, meanwhile, has reached the director’s office, walking inside once his knock is answered. The director is seated, looking up when Greg enters.

  “I have bad news, Greg. It’s about Madison Bouknight.”

  Greg’s eyes widen, desperation coloring his response. “Is she OK?” he asks urgently.

  “No, she’s not, Greg.”

  The director sees Greg’s worried expression. “I’m sorry, Greg. She’s alive but our relationship with her may need to change.”