by Edwin Dasso
“From what I’ve gathered, his initial goal was to prevent Ashley from returning to her party and blowing his cover. He had another identity he’d intended to use. Plans were adjusted when Ashley’s boyfriend picked her up at her shop and Fackrell’s tow truck ended up at the crash scene. It became obvious that her boyfriend would either be hospitalized for a long time or perhaps not survive the accident. Layton switched and became Keith Dreyer. His scheme was to get close to you in order to gain your trust. The cabin trip he talked to you about probably would not have ended well for you.”
“You think he intended to kill me?”
“Or perhaps injure you. Layton had also been discussing the trip with Fackrell.”
Tori had already assumed something would’ve happened to her at the cabin in order to get Brandon to come home. She squinted and tilted her head. “How do you know all that?”
“Mrs. Burgess, I am an investigator.”
“But you didn’t know that someone had called Brandon and me claiming to be you.”
“True.” He tilted his head slightly toward her. “However, I was aware that Layton had acquired a voice changer.”
“Any idea why he happened to pick your name in the calls to my ex-husband and me?” she asked, standing up.
“That has been discussed with my client. She suspects he saw something with my name on it at her house. He has not confronted her about the investigation, leading Mrs. Layton to believe he doesn’t know the scope of it. She guessed her husband might think she’d hired an investigator to determine if he was involved with another woman.” Rice opened the door and gestured for Tori to leave the conference room.
16
Sitting in her car, Tori turned on her cell phone and saw three missed calls and one new voice message. She clicked on the missed calls. One came from the phony Keith Dreyer, another from the contractor, and the third from an unknown number. Only the contractor had left a voice message. She tapped on it.
“Mrs. Burgess, we’ve ran into a serious problem at your house. I haven’t been able to reach Mr. Burgess. Can you come and let me know how we should proceed?”
Tori noted the message had been left at 5:35 p.m., right before she turned on her phone. She didn’t know anything about construction problems and called Brandon. The call went straight to voicemail. She left him a message to call her and said it was very important. Then she called the contractor and his phone also went straight to voicemail.
Thinking he was dealing with whatever problem had arisen, she hesitantly decided she’d have to put off going to the police. She sighed as she put on her seatbelt and then headed toward her house.
When she left the highway and turned onto a two-lane street, Tori noticed a white truck behind her that didn’t have a license plate. An alarm went off in her head. Her eyes swept between the rear view mirror and the side mirror, trying to see the driver’s face. The glare of the sun on the truck’s windshield made it an impossible task. Relax, there are a lot of white trucks and the one that hit Keith’s car had a front license plate.
Glancing at her rear view mirror, she saw the truck moving toward the right. Is it going to stop on the shoulder? The truck didn’t slow down. Seeing a semi coming in the opposite direction, Tori eyes popped wide open as fear streamed through her body. He’s going to force me into oncoming traffic.
She pushed on her brakes so the truck would be in front of her. Instead, it plowed into the right side of her back bumper. Tori screamed as her car slid into other lane and the semi barreled toward her. Her body jerked as her bumper was struck again. She caught a glimpse of a green truck behind her. It propelled her car out of that lane and past the opposite shoulder. Her Camry hit the side of a metal building, deploying her air bag.
Panting, she closed her eyes as a throbbing pain shot through her right shoulder.
Her car door flew open and the caustic smell of burning tires and smoke flowed in. Thinking her vehicle was on fire, Tori pushed the bag from her face and swung her feet out the door.
“Are you okay, Mrs. Burgess?” Jerry said in a rushed voice, helping her out of the car.
“My shoulder hurts.” Holding her hand over it, she heard the blaring sounds of emergency vehicles and saw smoke rising above the slow moving cars. Her stomach churned and bile rose in her throat. She bent her head as vomit spewed from her mouth. Her legs buckled. Her body swayed. Everything around her became blurry.
Jerry wrapped his arm around her waist to prevent her from tumbling to the ground. “Over here,” he yelled.
Tori’s eyelids flickered. Voices around her mingled together and began to fade away. She felt hands lifting her up. Unable to keep her eyes open any longer, they eased shut.
Feeling someone squeezing her hand, Tori stirred. When lips softly brushed over hers, she slowly opened her eyes and realized she was lying in a hospital bed. The white truck, the crash, and the smell of smoke sprang into her head.
Brandon’s hand caressed her arm. “Sweetheart, how do you feel?”
Tori turned her head and saw the worried look on his face. “Brandon? How did you get here so fast?”
“Answer my question first. How are you feeling?”
“Good.” She glanced at her bandaged shoulder. “My shoulder.”
“You dislocated it in the accident.” He touched her cheek. “It only needs to be in a sling for a few days, but it’ll take a couple months before it’s back to a hundred percent.”
“So how did you get here so fast?”
“Tori, it’s Wednesday morning. You’ve had a restful night in the hospital. I was already on my way home when you were involved in the accident. Even if I hadn’t been, I would’ve been here before now.”
She remembered the call from contractor Griffin. “Oh, were you coming home because of the house problem?”
His eyes narrowed. “What house problem?”
Tori proceeded to tell him about the contractor’s call and heading to the house.
“There isn’t a problem at our house. Either Layton or Fackrell must’ve placed that call.”
“Did Griffin lose his phone?” she asked, guessing that one of the culprits snatched it.
Brandon shrugged. “Possibly. I tried to reach him to see if you had stayed at the house Monday night. The call went to voicemail. Had there been a problem, he would’ve attempted to contact me.”
“How do you know about Layton?”
“Jerry cleared out your car before it was towed away. I went through the folder. Was that the reason behind your withdrawal?”
“Withdrawal? Do you keep tabs on that account?”
“No, but Jerry followed you to and from the bank.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Jerry?”
“It was part of his contract. Jerry wouldn’t have taken the job if I hadn’t agreed to that provision. He claimed he could do a better job keeping track of you if you were unaware of his role. Some clients tend to constantly want to make sure he is nearby and forget to be discreet when they are looking for him. That blows his cover.”
“Is that why you were flying home—to see why I took out the money?”
“You weren’t telling me everything that was going on—denting the Porsche, the number of black roses, the malfunctioning security system in my apartment. When you took money out of an account you had told me numerous times you’d never touch, that was the final straw.” He squeezed her hand again. “Your car had a tracking device on it, the Porsche didn’t. You told me about going with Mandy to a non-existent open house, but you never mentioned anything about the dent. At the time, I thought you had backed into something and you were embarrassed to tell me about it. Now, I’m wondering if there was another reason. Was there?”
With Brandon sitting next to her, her goal to keep him out of harm’s way had fallen apart. She no longer had a reason to lie about it and told him about the chase.
He leaned over and embraced Tori, avoiding her injured arm. “Why did you keep it a secret from me?”
�
�Brandon, I wanted you to stay in England, far away from Fackrell. He wanted you to suffer for his wife’s death, not me.”
“But you were his means to inflict that revenge. Tori, you’ll always be the only woman for me. I never would’ve forgiven myself if Fackrell would’ve harmed you.”
She touched her shoulder. “This doesn’t count?” she asked and immediately wished she could’ve taken it back. Tori didn’t want Brandon to even feel slightly responsible for her injury.
“It counts. Had Jerry not been two cars behind you, I don’t…” His shoulders sagged and chin dropped.
Tori reached out and grabbed his hand. “Brandon, I’ll be okay because you had Jerry looking after me. I wouldn’t even be here if you hadn’t done that. Who was driving the white truck—Layton or Fackrell?”
“Layton.”
“Was he arrested?”
“No.”
“Why not? He pushed me into the other lane. I’d be dead if it weren’t for Jerry.”
“Layton took your place.”
“Huh?”
“To get to you, Jerry hit the white truck, knocking it out of the way. The truck careened onto the shoulder. The driver accelerated and swung it around, smashing into a power pole. A line snapped and landed on a 5-gallon gas can in the truck bed. Flames engulfed the driver’s side. Based on the accident report, Layton moved to the passenger side. The truck had been in a prior accident and that door wouldn’t budge.”
“Up in flames.” She cringed. “What an awful way to go.” Tori felt a pang of sadness for Josie, the daughter Layton had corrupted into helping him with his revenge plot.
“It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.” Sarcasm oozed from Brandon’s voice.
“So, Fackrell is still out there someplace?”
Brandon shook his head as a middle-aged doctor stepped into the room. “No. I delivered your folder to the police station. Fackrell was arrested late last night. He had been out on parole. No bail. The detective handling the case will be contacting you.”
“Mrs. Burgess, are you feeling any discomfort?” asked the doctor.
“No.”
He examined her arm and shoulder.
“Thanks for setting my shoulder.”
The doctor smiled. “You’re welcome. I’ve given your husband instructions for your care and a couple of prescriptions. Take the medicine according to the directions on the bottles. You’ve been checked out.”
Tori figured Brandon had never corrected the doctor when he made the assumption that they were married. She saw no point in doing it now.
The doctor went on. “Your clothing is hanging in that closet.” He nodded toward it.
Brandon closed the door after the doctor left, and insisted on helping Tori get dressed.
When they were settled in Brandon’s BMW, Tori said, “I stayed at the Starden Hotel Monday night. I need to collect my stuff from the room and pay the bill.”
“That’s been taken care of.”
“How?”
“From the tracking device on your car, Jerry knew you had stayed there. I collected your things and paid the bill.”
“Tonight’s Ashley’s party. I have to get her a present.”
“Already got it.”
“When?”
“While you were sleeping, I called a department store, ordered the present, and had it delivered to my apartment.”
Tori smiled at Brandon. “What did you get her?”
“The store clerk suggested a fluffy, soft robe, and had it gift wrapped.” He stroked her arm.
“Perfect.”
“Maybe you should rest, and I’ll deliver the present.”
“I’m feeling good, and given the size of Ashley’s room, I doubt her mom invited very many people. Since she had a really bad accident, I don’t want her to know anything about mine yet. She’ll ask about my arm. I’ll make up something that sounds possible.”
17
After being catered to all day by Brandon, Tori’s spirits were high as they walked into Ashley’s room together. Helium balloons covered the ceiling. Ashley’s doctor sat in a chair next to her bed on one side and her mother on the other side. They were laughing.
“Happy Birthday, Ashley,” Tori said.
Ashley turned toward Tori and Brandon, her face glowing, and mouthed something. Tori couldn’t make it out, but thought she heard Ashley say “you” out loud. Did she really say that or is it my wishful imagination?”
Brandon placed the present at the foot of her bed, next to another present. “Happy Birthday.”
Ashley grabbed her notepad, scribbled on it, and handed it to Brandon with a grin on her face. It read: “Glad you flew home for my birthday.”
Brandon flashed her a warm smile. “Wouldn’t have missed it.”
Mrs. Williams introduced Tori and Brandon to Dr. Rick Bradford, Ashley’s good-looking doctor.
“Glad to meet you, Dr. Bradford,” Tori said.
“I’m off duty. Please call me Rick.”
Ashley’s eyes suddenly became tense with concern. She pointed to Tori’s arm and mouthed, “What happened?”
Tori figured Ashley had just noticed the sling supporting her arm. “I’m a clutz and my house renovations were an accident waiting to happen. Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt.”
Ashley’s sister rushed into the room. “Sorry, I’m late. Some customers weren’t ready to leave at closing time.” She laid a present on the bed and kissed Ashley’s cheek. “Your store is doing great business. Sales doubled last month.”
As the group milled around Ashley’s bed and chatted with her, she quickly responded with notes. A rap on the door caught everyone’s attention. A nurse, carrying a birthday cake with a glowing battery-operated candle on it, marched into the room with another nurse. Once they closed the door behind them, they softly sang “Happy Birthday” and the guests joined in.
When Ashley’s mother moved away from the bed to cut the cake, Tori noticed Rick brushing a few strands of Ashley’s hair behind her ear. From the way they gazed at each other, she saw a romance blossoming between them.
Feeling happy for Ashley, Tori smiled. Her smile turned into a grin as she recalled the tingling sensation and excitement that sparked whenever she saw Brandon and couldn’t wait to be alone with him. Tori’s smile faded as she longed to return to a time before doubts, suspicions, and a digitally altered video had spoiled the wonderful life she had with Brandon. She felt her eyes getting moist and took a few calming breaths to prevent tears from flowing.
Brandon stroked her good arm. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yes.” She turned her attention back to Ashley and Rick and leaned closer to Brandon’s ear. “I think the doctor and Ashley have something going.”
He glanced at them. “It’s pretty obvious.”
While they ate cake and ice cream, Ashley’s sister asked, “Brandon are you finished with your job in the U.K.?”
“No. Just taking a little break.”
“Are you designing a castle?”
Brandon chuckled. “Nothing that grand.”
As soon as Ashley finished eating cake, her mother announced, “Time to open presents.” She handed Brandon’s and Tori’s present to Ashley.
Wanting to see the robe Brandon had bought, Tori stepped closer to the bed.
Ashley glanced at the card, tore off the wrapping paper, and lifted out the pink, fluffy robe. She looked at Tori and Brandon, and mouthed, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” they said in unison.
Next Ashley open her sister’s present—a silk pair of pajamas. The last present was from her mother—a large assortment of barrettes, hair clips and fancy notepads.
After she thanked her mother, Rick said, “I accidentally left your present in my office,” He squeezed Ashley’s hand. “I’ll bring it up later.”
Tori guessed Rick wanted to be alone with Ashley when he gave it to her. Is he giving her a piece of jewelry?
Seeing it was almost
eight, Tori gave Ashley and hug. “I’ll come visit you later this week.”
She mouthed, “With Brandon,” pointing toward him.
“Yes,” he said, smiling.
After saying goodbye to Ashley’s mother, Brandon and Tori’s left the room as Tori’s cell phone vibrated for the fourth time since they entered the hospital. Without even looking at it, she knew it was Mandy again. Brandon had talked to Mandy after the accident, but apparently Mandy wasn’t going to slow down on calls until she spoke directly to her best friend. Tori pulled out her cell. “Mandy’s called me four times since we got here. I better return her call.”
“She won’t let up until you do.”
The minute Mandy heard Tori’s voice, she began. “Girl you’ve had two days of rest, while I’m over here worried sick and taking it out on my boys. Give me every detail because that handsome lug of yours just keeps saying you’re all right now and I shouldn’t worry.”
Brandon only stood a few feet away from Tori, and from the smile on his face, she figured Mandy was speaking so loudly he could hear everything being said.
“I’m sorry. The pain meds made me woozy and Brandon assured me he had you covered.”
He nodded.
“He didn’t. I told him to have you call me as soon as you could. Thank goodness I’ve trained Max.”
“So, Max obeys your every waking desire?”
“Wouldn’t go that far, especially since I suspect he’s been teaching my precious Rylee to fart after he eats.”
Brandon took a few steps away and chuckled.
“Say it isn’t so.” Tori looked at him, shaking her head. “We’re just leaving Ashley’s hospital birthday party. I promise a long chat with you soon.”
“I’ll keep you to that. We have some serious topics to discuss.” Mandy blew a kiss through the line and then hung up.
“I’m going to have to ask Max how the lessons are going.”
Tori shook her head again. “Don’t encourage him.”
When Tori and Brandon walked into his apartment, he led her to the couch and they both sat down.
