Tessa’s eyes closed. What did she have in her life like that? Nothing. There was nothing for her to live for. While being the empress or whatever of the prison was something, it was also nothing. Who wanted to be in prison? Who wanted to be isolated? If it hadn’t been for one person, she wouldn’t be in prison. If the favors this person hadn’t asked for hadn’t led to her doing what she had…
Yes, it was her family that had killed her soulmate. But it was this person who Tessa now owed everything to. It would be so easy for her to just say who was behind everything. It would be so easy, seeing all she had to lose was her life. A life that was stuck behind bars. No possibility of parole. But if there was even the slimmest of possible escape…
“I know you have connections on the outside.” Tessa relaxed her stance. Her breathing finally returning to normal. It had been partially from physical exertion, but it was mostly because of the emotions that she had allowed their freedom. “I know that’s how you are in here. What I know, it’s big. But I need something in return. I need protection. I need to be assured they will try and keep me from harm.”
A blonde eyebrow rose in question. “I’m not stupid. I know how these things go. I know for a fact no agency is without corruption. And even those that follow the law to a tee aren’t always good enough.” Tessa remembered a handful of times when she’d seen it firsthand. The person she was afraid of had been the perpetrator so many times…Tessa sighed as she knew her pleas were falling on deaf ears. If she wanted something, she would have to give up a name and hope whoever Emily’s connections were would follow through.
“I don’t know what I can say or do.” Emily didn’t want to promise something she couldn’t deliver. And yet, she knew she had to tell Tessa something. The opportunity could slip away. And then what? “I don’t have a way to contact anyone on the outside. At least not outside the usual channels. I’ve been waiting for my person to contact me. I’m wondering if I screwed things up when I humiliated Sally and Sarge the way I did.”
“You almost did.” Both inmates were startled at the sound of the familiar voice. “I’m just lucky a certain someone had enough pull to get my administrative leave cancelled.” Sarge was glaring at Emily as she spoke. Emily wasn’t certain if she was truly pissed or if the scowl was a show for the cameras. “You’re lucky I don’t hold grudges. In fact, I’m quite impressed by some of those moves. I wish I could have witnessed the entire exhibition you put on. At least live and not on monitors.”
“I’m sorry about that. I still don’t know…” Emily trailed off. Once again she wasn’t certain if it was an act or sincere, but Sarge was gracing her with a death look. “I just want to get out of here. Tessa says she might be willing to give some names. I don’t know if a certain someone will go for it, but can you see if they’ll get me and her out of here?” Emily nearly laughed at the look on Sarge’s face. She could also feel the eyes of Tessa boring into her.
“I don’t know if that’s in the cards.” Sarge somehow managed to maintain her facial expression. It was from years of being undercover at various institutions for the FBI. The latest had been here. It was the last three years of her life that was already destroyed. All because of one person calling in a favor. And yet, if this was as big as what the FBI agent thought it was, it would be well worth it.
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to ask. And if not released, at least have her up for parole.” Emily lowered her voice. She wasn’t certain who was close enough to overhear them or if there was some kind of listening device. If the person who was behind this was as resourceful and well connected as she thought, anything was possible. “I’d like to get back by the end of the week. Two people are supposed to be home in about a week. I’d like to be out to welcome them and not face the wrath of why I’m stuck behind bars.”
“With the people you know, I don’t blame you.” Sarge sighed. This wouldn’t be easy. But then, nothing ever was in her line of work. So many things could and did go wrong. This was one of those things that came out of nowhere. Even with the background given her, who would have thought Emily could fight like she had? Certainly not the FBI agent who had seen and done nearly everything.
A voice came over the PA. It was visiting time. For those that had visitors, they needed to make their way to check-in. For those that didn’t, it was time for the library or whatever work detail they had pulled. “By the way, you have a visitor, Emily. It’s not your sweet thing so don’t get your hopes up for a conjugal visit or anything, Your Highness.”
Sarge’s voice had increased in volume. Emily knew that meant their small conference was over. It was time to play the part once again. “You better bow down to me.” Emily turned to Tessa. “You both better. I might seem like I’m all alone, but I know people.” She held up her fists. “And I’m not opposed to using these. Unlike some people I know.” She turned back to Sarge. “Now let’s go see who’s here to talk to the empress, now shall we?”
The FBI agent had to smile to herself as she led the way. Sarge had to admit that Emily was adapting to the role better than she had anticipated. The scared, timid thing that she had led into the prison three days ago didn’t exist anymore. It was shocking just how quickly Emily had adapted. Sarge only hoped that she could contend with the news that the visitor had to share. Would Emily remain so strong?
It wasn’t surprising when Emily saw who was sitting on the other side of the glass. If anyone would gain permission to see her while in prison, it had to be Melissa. The innkeeper was there for all her children. And while Melissa knew a little of what was happening, she hadn’t been privy to everything. Or had she? The look on the matriarch’s face was priceless. If looks alone could scold a person, Melissa had it perfected.
Emily hesitated a moment before picking up the telephone receiver. It wasn’t because she was afraid of germs, though she knew the sanitary conditions in the prison weren’t on the level of her own home. It was because she had a bad feeling. The moment she had been informed of a visitor, she had the sensation something had gone wrong on the outside. Seeing Melissa sitting there only confirmed it.
After taking a deep breath, Emily finally did pick up the receiver. “Hey, Mom.” The look hadn’t left the matriarch’s eyes. In fact, it had only grown. “I’m sorry. I wish I had done things differently.” Emily knew everything was recorded. She knew she had to be careful of her word choices. It was the most difficult part of being here. One wrong slip, especially word choice, and it would make the entire charade pointless.
“You could say that again. Why is it all my children, blood related or no, are so determined to make life so interesting?” Melissa sighed as she leaned forward. She also knew she had to be careful what she said. It wasn’t going to be easy hearing what she had to say. “It seems your better half has gone on an extended vacation. Luckily Nicky is happy with staying with Adam and Conrad with their Uncle Jeff.”
It took every fiber in Emily’s being not to react. She knew exactly what Melissa was inferring. Once again Tabby was MIA. Had she left? No! She’d never leave without her son. Had she been sent away by Max? There was a remote possibility that it could be something the FBI would do. And they had already proven that they were only as informative as they deemed necessary. Even to someone they considered a friend.
There was the more terrifying possibility. It wasn’t, in Emily’s mind, merely a possibility. It was what had happened. Someone had kidnapped Tabby. Was it the same someone who Tessa could inform them about? Was it Lena? Was it…Gods! The list just seemed to grow each day by leaps and bounds. And knowing Sam and Abby, they had probably made more enemies abroad.
The last possibility nearly caused Emily to become ill. The others she had a mental list of, at least they had some idea of who they were and how to deal with them. But what if it was someone they didn’t know about? What if it was someone with a grudge and there was no way they would ever realize it? Would they ever be able to find that normalcy? That happily ever after they had promised to one
another?
()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Tabby was dressed in rags. She didn’t mind. The summer heat was nearly overwhelming. It was a heat she wasn’t accustomed to. It informed her she wasn’t in Middletown anymore. It informed her she wasn’t even in the North anymore. It made her wonder where exactly she had been taken. At times, she thought she could hear waves crashing. Or at least she thought that’s what it was.
That was one thing she had never experienced. Tabby had been born and raised in Manhattan. Her parents hadn’t been ones for traveling so their vacations had consisted of visiting family. It had never taken her to a lake or ocean. The closest she had come was the lake that was next to the bed and breakfast. The lake there was calm and peaceful. Unlike the lives of those who lived near it.
From what she could tell, Tabby thought she was in a doublewide home or maybe even large RV. Again, they weren’t something she knew about. She’d always lived in apartments. Even growing up, her parents had a lifelong lease at one of those fancy apartments in Manhattan. It had never interested her in having a home of any kind. Until she had met Emily. The traveling they had done had been by automobile or by plane. It was how her parents were.
The darkness was something Tabby hated. Though all the windows were covered, she could tell they were all open. It was where the humidity was coming from. And why she was sweating so profusely. Luckily, she had access to a bathroom with running water. Every so often, she would splash water on herself. There was bottled water provided so she didn’t need to worry about drinking anything out of the faucet.
As Tabby paced back and forth, she wondered how many more days she would be held captive. And why was she being held captive? Why not kill her? It couldn’t be about ransom. Unless they knew about her connection to Sierra and Desiree. The two women were partners and had sold off Desiree’s illegal companies, turning them legitimate before doing so. They would have the money and would do anything for her since she had helped take care of Sierra and Sam.
The woman who had kidnapped her was the one Emily had told her about. The cook. But she wasn’t a cook. It had taken her the first day to remember her name was Lena. They hadn’t had any interaction. It was always someone in a mask. Unless she was way off, Tabby knew whoever was supplying her with food and water were all male. Tabby sighed heavily as she turned and began pacing the other way.
There was a knock on the door. Tabby decided to do as she always did. Hastily, the nurse made her way as far from the door as possible. She didn’t want to even remotely appear that she was attempting to escape. She sat on the edge of the bed and waited. The door opened not even a minute after the unexpected knocking. Instead of a male figured dressed in black, there was an extremely attractive female figure.
The figure was shorter than Tabby had thought she would be. From the brief description Emily had given her about the so-called cook, she would have thought the woman was closer to Sam’s six-foot stature than her own five-feet and a half. The brown hair was sculpted as if she had come from a hair salon in Manhattan. Perhaps they had those in Sacramento. Or perhaps this woman had access to power and money Tabby could only begin to imagine.
It wasn’t only the way the hair seemed designed. It was the makeup. It was the pantsuit she was wearing. There was the gold choker around her neck. This wasn’t a cook. This was someone who was used to money. It caused Tabby to swallow hard. What had Lena done to gain her money? Posing as a cook for nearly a decade. Supposedly hired by Emily’s mother. But who had truly hired her and why?
“You’ve been a good little girl.” Lena slowly made her way to the bed. There was no escaping, even if Tabby had wanted to. Even with the door remaining open, there was no way. The natural light caused emerald eyes to blink several times. The wave of heat and humidity washed over the nurse once again. “And that worries me. You haven’t asked who has taken you or for how long.”
“I’ve been through this before.” Tabby attempted to appear relaxed. There was no way she could. There was no way, until she knew Emily was all right in prison or preferably they were reunited, that she would ever be able to relax. “Last time, I was collateral damage, I believe. In the wrong place with the right person. This time, I’m not so certain. I still could be used to harm Emily or Sam and Abby.”
As Tabby stared into cold, desolate grey eyes, the nurse began to see. This wasn’t about any of them. But why? How? If Lena had worked for Emily’s parents for so long, how had it turned around into being something personal towards her? Tabby swallowed hard at the thought this was somehow her doing. If it was, how hypocritical of her all this time of blaming Emily or Sam and Abby for everything that had happened to her.
“You are just all that and more, aren’t you?” Lena was now hovering directly above her. Tabby managed to keep her breathing even, though she was terrified beyond words. When emerald locked with grey once again, Tabby saw something there. It was pure hatred. It wasn’t unlike what she had seen so many times when Jenny had gone on about Samantha Walker. “You don’t even know what you had.”
Now Tabby was confused. What she had? Past tense? Was this something to do with Emily? After all, it was Lena who had sent those texts. It was the cook, or whatever she truly was, who had attempted to break up their relationship. It hadn’t lasted. And that was when Helen had been killed and when their world had been turned upside down. But still, who or what could the cook be referring to in the past tense?
“And the problem was, she didn’t know what she had either.” Tabby was even more confused. It was clear Lena was referring to a woman. But what woman? The list of former girlfriends for the nurse wasn’t extensive. Besides Emily and Helen, there were maybe only five or six she would consider girlfriends. And the way she had phrased it, it would appear Lena and herself shared an ex. But which one?
“You don’t know what I’m talking about?” Tabby shook her head. The terror she had already felt was growing by leaps and bounds. If there was a woman involved, beyond Emily, it would up the ante. It could cause Lena to do things…Tabby swallowed, not wanting to think what exactly the woman standing before her was capable of. Mitch had never told them what he thought her past was about. If he’d even been able to discover the truth.
Yet he had known that she was behind this. He had rescued her from Lena. So what exactly did Mitch know? And why was he keeping the information to himself? And now was that lack of information going to cause Tabby more trouble than she’d ever known? For if this had to do with another woman, there was that saying about a woman scorned. It was not something she ever hoped to see or experience.
“Oh this is rich.” The glare continued as Lena continued to stare down at Tabby. It caused the nurse to want to grab for water and down an entire bottle. Her throat was dry. She was terrified not knowing what was happening. What it was her captor was indicating. “The irony is everywhere and you don’t even realize it. That’s what is the best thing about it all.” An evil laugh escaped the unstable woman.
Lena moved so speedily that the nurse was certain she was in for some kind of physical abuse. Instead, her captor took possession of the only folding chair in the double-wide trailer. Lena spun it around so that she was sitting, leaning her arms on the back. For the longest of moments, they were once again staring into one another’s eyes. It was even more unsettling as there appeared to be joy in those cold eyes.
“The irony of it all. If I hadn’t been hired by your bitch’s mother…” Lena now leaned back a little. She looked the nurse up and down. “I can see why everyone is taken with you. In a way, you remind me of that other petite blonde that’s normally running around. But there’s something different about you. You are a little more innocent and less hardened than that do-gooder. Pity. I like those that have life experience.”
“Back to the irony.” Lena smiled. It wasn’t pleasant. Tabby wondered if she ever had been an innocent. Looking back, she knew what she was doing every step of the way. While she might not have done things like Sa
m, Abby and Lena, she had lived a life most hadn’t. Even if that included her son nearly dying. “You see I had been looking for you. I only knew your name. Even in the end when you’d scorned her for the last time, she wouldn’t betray you. It’s what cost her her life.”
And just like that, Tabby knew exactly who her captor was speaking of. Who she had been speaking of. Helen. It was yet another way her ex was attempting to screw her over. And yet, Helen couldn’t have foreseen this. Or could she? Protecting her? That was something her ex never had done in the past. Why would she do it now? And especially if it had cost her the one thing she valued most. That was her life.
“In a way, she loved you.” Lena suddenly stood. She backhanded Tabby so that she flew across the bed. The petite woman nearly burst through the window that was only covered by a tarp or whatever it was. “What the fuck is so special about you that she wouldn’t come back to me? Even after I told her it was me that was hired by Emily’s mother to poison her father. To make certain that Emily suffered in many ways. It was just too bad the old bitch had to get sick and die before she paid me all that she owed me.”
There was something in the way Lena was speaking. It reminded her of a certain someone. Jenny was dead and gone, but her legacy lived on. It was the ‘family’ that she had built over the years. It was the pain. It was the agony. It was all the people attempting to recover from the evil she had caused them to suffer with. While the two women weren’t related, there was no doubt there was a similar evil running through Lena’s veins.
“And if I can’t get the money from Emily since she was disowned by her so called father, then I’ll have to get the rest of my money some other way.” Lena now had a Taser in her hand. Tabby, try as she might, couldn’t help swallow as she covered her cheek with one hand. She held her shirt to her bleeding nose with the other. “My first revenge was killing Helen and setting up your bitch of a girlfriend.”
Distance of the Heart Page 30
