by Vikki Walton
“You run?”
“Yes. The trail circles around the lake as well as around the town. I try to complete a daily ten-mile circuit. However, lately I’d been lucky to get in three to five. I’ve been too tired to do more.” She shifted and faced Anne. “Do you run? We could run together some time.”
“No. I don’t run. And if you see me running you better run too because something bad would be chasing me.”
Eliza smiled. “I’ll remember that.” Her smile faded and dread passed over her face.
Anne grimaced. “Did I say something wrong? Are you okay?”
“No. It is not your fault. Some things are best left in the dark where they belong.” She turned to look out of the passenger window, thus cutting off any further conversation.
What was Eliza afraid of? Was she hiding something that threatened her strong outward composure?
Anne had forgotten that Eliza lived out close to Sam. They passed the cut-off to his house and drove for another half mile until Eliza signaled to slow down. The unmarked road was partly hidden by a stand of trees and if you didn’t know about the road off the highway, you would drive by without ever seeing it.
She pulled into the gap in the trees. “Wow. Don’t you want to put up a marker here?”
“No. I prefer it this way.”
Anne glanced at the woman. With her busy schedule, maybe Eliza preferred seclusion.
Eliza’s road had been graded and was a much easier drive than Sam’s. Eliza motioned ahead. “Here we are.” Anne stopped the truck. The road continued on into the forest. When Anne looked quizzically at what appeared to be a grassy hill, Eliza broke out in a big smile. “What? Don’t you see it?”
“See what?” Anne squinted.
Eliza pointed past Anne. All Anne could see was an open patch of hilly ground against the trees. Then, as she continued to focus her gaze, she realized the hill seemed out of place with the rest of the surrounding grounds. Pipes were visible.
Anne opened her door. “Wow. Is it one of those earth houses?”
Eliza replied yes. She opened the door. With Anne’s help, she tentatively placed her feet on the ground. As Eliza held onto the door, Anne grabbed the luggage and then came alongside her. “Here, take my arm.”
“Thank you.” Eliza clutched tightly to Anne’s arm and the pair gingerly made their way on a flagstone path Anne hadn’t noticed before. As they slowly made their way down the shady path, the entrance to the house appeared. This dwelling and Sam’s rustic cabin were as different as night and day. The structure’s eastern wall was a bank of windows with rock wall supports, a cross of modern and Colorado rustic.
Eliza unlocked the door and led Anne into the home. The expansive windows in the living area faced the lake. She helped Eliza into a spacious bedroom with more views to the lake and north along the forest. A deck opened off the bedroom and Anne spied a winding path up into the trees. This must be the trail everyone talked about.
“This is amazing. It’s a bit like sleeping in the forest.”
Eliza smiled and pointed. “The original cabin is not far away when you take the path. I plan to redo it this coming year as a guest house and art studio.”
“I didn’t know you were an artist.”
“Yes. I love working with various mediums. I made all the pottery throughout the house.” Leaving the luggage, they returned to the living area.
Anne took in the view. “This house is so open and airy. It’s delightful. I can certainly see why you built here. The views are gorgeous.”
“I enjoy it. You should come spend the weekend with me some time. You may not enjoy running, but we could walk around the lake.”
“Speaking of that, does this trail go into the city and past my house?”
“Yes. It does. I used to run that way quite a bit.” Eliza shivered.
“You don’t anymore?”
Eliza hesitated. “I decided to try another route. It’s away from town.” She studied her hands. “But then I had the wreck.”
“What happened that night?”
“Please—sit.” The women took chairs facing the lake before Eliza began. “Honestly, I don’t remember. I’d returned from an overseas trip, so jet-lag had set in. The next thing I knew I woke up in the hospital.”
“That’s scary.”
“I guess I decided to go into town for something. But the knock on my head makes it so fuzzy. I can’t remember what really happened.” She swayed and clutched the chair arm.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Do I need to call the doctor?”
“No. I’m fine. I think it’s just standing up and moving around so much after being in bed for so long. Listen, I know this is a big imposition, but would you consider staying here this evening? I don’t want anything else…”
“Certainly. Let me go back to my place and grab an overnight bag. I can also pick us up something for dinner. What do you want?”
“That is very thoughtful. Something light would be nice. You select what you would like.” Tears welled up in her eyes. Eliza sighed and closed her eyes. “I’m so tired. I can’t do it anymore.”
Anne reached over and took Eliza’s hand. “Listen, you’ve had a bad accident. I’m sure you can rework upcoming plans and take some time off.” Anne smiled at her. “I’ve found that no matter how bad things seem, they always tend to work out.”
“Yes. You are correct. It will work itself out.”
Outside, Anne remembered the box in the back of her truck. As she pulled the box toward her, it caught the lip of the truck bed and the contents tumbled onto the drive. Eliza’s purse fell open and a prescription bottle rolled out. A sleep aid. A journal had also fallen open. As Anne reached to pick it up, an old photograph fell out of the pages.
In the picture, a younger Eliza stood next to a group of girls. They were all smiling, the very picture of youth. Anne didn’t recognize the background. It had the look of a dry grass prairie with a dusty clay brick building blocking most of the landscape.
A photo from when Eliza was younger? Yet she’s still beautiful, if not even more gorgeous now. So why does she only do modeling that doesn’t show her face? Anne returned the picture and began to retrieve the other items.
Finally, she picked up a book that had fallen from the box. Anne read the title—Reasonable Doubt . The tome centered on court cases where juries had failed to convict due to reasonable doubt.
Looks like she’s trying to help Kandi. I’ll have to talk to her about it later.
Anne hauled the box over to the walkway. She’d take it in when she returned. Back at her house, she quickly pulled together an overnight bag. She stuffed the duffle bag with a nightgown and a fresh outfit for the morning. She’d called into the town café and had them make up a spring salad and bowls of tomato basil soup. Finally, she picked up a bouquet of gladiolas. Bird of paradise suited Eliza more, but the town florist carried basic flowers that would sell best.
When Anne arrived back at Eliza’s, the box was no longer on the pathway. She went up to the door and knocked. She heard the door unlock and Eliza appeared in a caftan the color of sunset. “Wow. You look beautiful. That’s a stunning dress. You’re really blessed with your looks.”
“Some might say cursed.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be me.” She followed Eliza and sat the bags on the counter.
“Thank you for the food and the flowers. You’re very sweet.” She retrieved a set of vases in varying sizes.
As Anne sliced a baguette from the café, Eliza arranged the flowers. As she worked, Anne scanned the area. No box. Eliza must have put it in her bedroom.
Anne placed the bread on a plate. “I see you found the box outside.”
Eliza gazed at Anne. “Yes. I went outside to check for any packages that may have been delivered while I was in hospital.” She replied softly, “I will return shortly.” When she came back, she held up another caftan in the color of a deep minty green. “I will not be offended if you would prefer to continue
to wear your current outfit. However, this is much more comfortable.”
“I’d love to wear that. Thank you.” Anne moved toward the stairs to the lower room.
“No. Please.” Eliza motioned toward her room. “I have put on new sheets. I wish for you to sleep here.”
“I couldn’t possibly impose and take you away from your own bed,” Anne asserted.
“I’ve been sleeping downstairs for a while. To break habits….I mean, they say you should always spend a night or two in your guest room, so you know if anything is missing.” She didn’t elaborate further on why she’d vacated her wonderful master bedroom.
“But please, you are my guest and I insist.”
She ushered Anne to the room and then closed the door. Anne stepped into the lush dressing room and pulled off her boots, jeans, and top. She remembered Eliza being barefoot, so she shucked her socks too. Dropping the caftan over her body felt like being enclosed in a warm silky wrap. “Oh my.”
She ran her hands up and down the sleeves. Turning, she looked at herself in the full-length mirror. Whereas the caftan hit Eliza mid-calf, Anne’s shorter stature provided a floor-length gown. Darts provided some shape and while the dress was loose on Eliza, the flowing gown fit Anne nicely. Anne laid her dirty clothing on top of her duffel bag.
Anne exited to find lit candles all around the room. The table had been set with beautiful pottery, and Eliza had set the food on the table.
“Here, I’m supposed to be helping you, and you’re doing all the work,” Anne exclaimed.
“Please do not think that. I appreciate your being here. You look lovely in your dress.”
“This is probably the most wonderful thing I’ve had on in my life, and I’ve had some nice clothing in the past. It doesn’t compare to how this feels.” She walked to the table. “The temperature in this house is so lovely. I would have thought it would be cold with all the windows, but I love these heated floors.” The warmth on her feet radiated up into her legs.
“The house has geothermal heating. The floors are heated as you said. I prefer to go barefoot when I can, and this allows that no matter how much snow is outside.”
Anne wiggled her toes. “It’s certainly very nice.”
As they ate, Eliza shared about the celebrities she’d met and times she had been their hands or served as a body double. On questioning from Eliza, Anne shared much of the backstory around her miscarriage and divorce from Duke.
Eliza set down her spoon. “I’m so sorry to hear what you went through. The world can be so cruel.”
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Anne took a bite of salad.
“I had a sister.” Eliza sighed deeply and gazed down into her lap.
Had. “ I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“It is fine. But I do not wish to talk about it now.”
“Okay.” Anne wiped her hands and gathered the dress folds around her legs.
Eliza stifled a yawn. “I’m very tired. I believe I will retire for the evening.” She stood and picked up the plates.
“Let me take care of the dishes. You go and get some sleep.” Anne rose.
“That is most kind.” She moved away from the table. “Did the doctor give you something for sleep?”
“I no longer take sleep aids. They have bad side effects.” Eliza went downstairs.
“Okay. Well, good night then,” Anne called after her. She cleaned up the plates and pondered why Eliza had said she didn’t take sleeping pills anymore. She’d definitely seen the bottle with Eliza’s name on it. Why didn’t Eliza want to admit she took a sleep aid?
Anne blew out the candles and watched as the moon’s reflection played off the mirror of the lake. Once in bed, she tossed and turned over the night’s conversation. While much of it had been light conversation, they’d discussed Kandi’s predicament as well.
When Anne brought up the fact of the axe being found in Kandi’s yard, Eliza replied strangely, “That is what I do not understand. Who moved that axe? And why did they move it?”
Anne fell asleep to myriad thoughts. A sound brought her instantly awake. The bedroom door handle turned. Her breath caught in her throat.
A figure entered. Eliza.
The light of the moon helped Anne see Eliza’s silhouette as she moved silently over to the dressing room and closed the door. No light appeared under the crack of the door.
Why doesn’t she just turn on the light? Maybe she forgot something and doesn’t want to wake me.
When Eliza returned, she was wearing a pair of leggings and a tank top. She also wore running shoes. Now sitting up in bed, Anne realized that Eliza hadn’t once acknowledged her presence.
She’s sleepwalking!
Anne wanted to speak but fear kept her tongue in check. Hadn’t she heard not to wake up sleepwalkers?
Eliza moved toward a dresser. She opened the drawer, pulled out a pair of gloves, and placed them on her hands. She also added a balaclava to hold back her hair.
Finally, she moved to the door and went out on to the deck off the bedroom. From there, she set off on a jog.
Instead of circling away from the city, she headed toward town.
Anne grabbed the clothes she’d discarded earlier. Eliza shouldn’t be running after her accident.
However, by the time Anne had gotten dressed, Eliza was nowhere to be seen. No way could Anne catch up with her. Plus she could barely see in the darkness. How was Eliza able to run so effortlessly without light?
Unsure of what to do next, Anne sat down on a rock. Should she call the police? And say what? That a woman was running on a trail in the forest?
Finally, she heard a twig snap. She rose to see Eliza headed her way. Yet once again, Eliza ignored Anne’s presence and swept by her at a quick pace. Anne scrambled after the woman. Inside, Eliza went to her dressing room. When she emerged, she’d changed out of her running gear and back into her pajamas. Eliza then slid into her own bed and turned over on her side.
Anne leaned over quietly and gazed at the woman.
Eliza was sound asleep.
Anne sighed. Oh well, I wanted to see that sunrise over the lake. Now I’ll get my chance.
She grabbed a blanket from the end of the bed and headed out to the deck. She cuddled down into the lounger and quickly fell fast asleep again.
Soft light hit her eyelids.
Anne blinked as her eyes spied the morning’s first soft glow painting the lake and surroundings with a stroke of pink. As the light brightened in the sky, a flock of geese flew past. Anne sat up and hugged her knees to her chest.
The glass patio door opened behind her.
Eliza came outside and sat down across from Anne. The woman stared at her and then broke down in sobs.
“I killed him. I killed Ralph.”
Chapter Twenty
Anne advised Eliza to call a lawyer before contacting the police. Eliza concurred and contacted one based in Denver. As they waited for the attorney to arrive, the two women faced each other.
Anne sat in stunned silence. Even though Eliza had confessed to killing Ralph, Anne simply couldn’t believe this woman had done such a horrible deed. Why would Eliza have killed Ralph?
Neither spoke. A clock ticked loudly from across the room. A bird landed on the deck outside.
Anne glanced over at Eliza. The woman had paled and sweat clung to her face and chest. Their eyes met. Eliza broke down in deep gut-wrenching sobs. Finally, when the tsunami of emotion had passed, Anne handed Eliza a box of tissues. Eliza wiped her face and took in a deep halting breath.
She searched Anne’s face, then spoke. “I’m originally from Ethiopia. We were poor. Very poor. My parents found out about an agency looking for workers.” She wrung her hands.
“Some men came to our village. Searching for models.
My sister and I were thrilled. They pointed at me. They told my parents my sister could work in a hotel. We would be leaving our parents, our homes, and our life as we knew it. I w
ould not leave. Not unless my sister could come with me.”
Eliza stopped, and buried her head in her hands. When she looked up again, tears blotted her cheeks again. “If I could take it back, I would do anything to change our fate. We were to go with them the following day. They selected some other girls for both jobs.” Eliza rose and went to a closet where she pulled the photograph Anne had seen earlier out of the notebook. “This is us. All smiles.” She trembled. “If we had only known the hell we were going to.”
She pointed to a young woman in the picture. “This is my sister. Adanech. My real name is K…Konjit.” Eliza stumbled over her name like someone struggling to speak a new language.
Anne didn’t know how to respond. She waited for the woman to continue.
Eliza braced her shoulders, her back ramrod straight. “We left our home. After a short while, our car stopped. We were told to get into a van. I still remember vividly how hot and cramped it was.” Her jaw clenched. “So many girls.”
“Please, let me make some tea for us.” With Eliza’s instruction, Anne prepared green tea. She brought the cups over to where Eliza sat and handed her the cup. After they had sipped in silence for a time, Eliza continued her story.
“We drove for so long. When they finally opened the doors, I had no idea where we were. They rushed us out of the van. We were in a compound. That was the first time my confusion turned to fear. Men with military- style weapons stood guard. One yelled at us to get inside. Girls started screaming. Running. One was beaten in front of us. When she became unconscious, they dragged her inside.”
“Eliza, if this is too painful…” Anne spoke softly.
“No, I’ve been carrying this burden alone for too long. Will you allow me to continue?” Eliza waited. “Please.” Anne wasn’t sure how this tied to Ralph’s murder, but it might be best to let Eliza speak now.
“My sister and I were put into a room together. Two to a room. No windows. Someone brought food and water… and a bucket. We waited. After a while we heard a door open to another room. Even through the concrete walls, we heard the screams. Then it would be quiet again. Another cell opening and closing. Screams.”
