Tori hit speed dial before slipping it back into her pocket. Now, she was going to have to hope and pray. “Unfortunately, we would have had you today. We found a scrap of fabric on a nail in the secret passage. We had the FBI compare it to the DNA on the envelope you licked. We would have known you weren’t a Hesser, and it would have blown your lies apart.”
“When I hired you, I never thought you would do anything but look for the Bible. Then, William had to die, and I saw that this was going to be impossible. When I found the jeans with blood, and heard you talking from behind wall, I knew that the Hessers couldn’t live. I had to kill them to make this all mine. I could claim after they were dead, that they knew and were only trying to keep the Hesser history quiet. We all know how they hate the media digging in their business.”
Christina swallowed as the knife was pressed to her throat.
“That’s really jacked up,” Tori declared. “You spent a lot of time being a conniving bitch.”
Jamie laughed. “I guess I was screwed from the start. I should have never hired you. Had I been patient, I could have killed the Hessers, and then came forward.”
“Yeah, you’re sick,” Tori said, moving back even more. “So, this was all about the money.”
She began laughing. “Yeah, it was. On day one you had me worried, Tori. You’re too smart for your own good. I underestimated you.”
“You’re smart too, Jamie, so I don’t understand why you started preying on the family while we were here. That was dangerous.”
“After I killed William, I figured that I needed to confuse you. I was trying to cover my tracks and give you another suspect.”
“We made it easy for you, since we didn't have you on our radar. After all, who hires a private investigator, and then commits crimes that they’re going to dig into?”
“A genius,” she replied. “You were my alibi the entire time. If the cops got involved, you’d tell them I hired you. I was in the clear.”
Tori was disgusted.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love Lorelei, but I had no choice. Jonathan caught me coming out of the secret passage in the tack barn. He didn't think I knew about them. When he confronted me, I knocked him out. He has a really hard head. I figured one shot, and it would be done. Then, I snuck back into the house, used the kitchen entrance and hid in my room.”
“And Lorelei?”
“That was an accident. I was trying to hurt Fredrick. I did that to her saddle in the dark. They feel about the same, and then I really felt bad. She’s a really sweet person. I didn't want her to suffer. I wanted it to be painless.”
Yeah, Jamie was insane.
“My plan was to kill Jonathan to make Fredrick look guilty as sin. Then, I would kill Lorelei, making it look like she was avenging her father’s murder. She would be so wracked with guilt over taking her cousin’s life that she’d commit suicide. Unfortunately, my plan didn't work when Jonathan didn't die. I can’t kill him in the hospital, now can I?”
“So, you screwed up your attempt on Fredrick and had to make sure you got it right the second time.”
“Do you see what he’s doing to our family? He’s a disgrace, and he had to be taken care of. So, I hit him on the head, rigged the noose, and shoved his ungrateful ass off the banister. I figured he’d be there the entire night, but the stupid housekeeper was sneaking from her room to Bruce’s. She was having an affair with Jonathan, but Bruce was also getting some action.”
“So, you taunted us with crimes, creating nothing but confusion.”
“Did you ever think it was me?”
Tori shook her head. “Honestly, I didn't have a clue. I will say that it takes a sick, twisted person to do what you did.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. My real mother had some issues herself. She spent most of my childhood in prison for killing my father. So, I guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree.”
Tori was hoping that the men were listening, because she stalled for as long as she possibly could.
“I love that I fooled you all. I wish I could brag to the world.”
“I will say this. When I get home, I’ll never make this mistake again. All our clients are getting background checks before we take a case.”
Jamie started laughing. “I don’t think you’re going to have that problem, since you’re about to die. I’ll kill you both, clean up the mess, and shove you into the passages.”
“My husband will find me.”
She laughed. “He’s going to be physically removed from the estate. You see, I planted some jewelry in your bags like I planted the iron pipe on Bev. When the cops are called, he’s going to jail, and I’ll hide your corpses. That dim witted sheriff will think you ran off with some loot, leaving your partner to hang.”
Tori was sick to her stomach.
“Now, give me the book, and then head toward the secret passage. If you run, I slice the pregnant woman open and gut her like a cantaloupe.”
“If you want this Bible, then come after it. Let Christina go and take it from me. You’re bigger than me, so you shouldn’t have a problem.”
Jamie would love to bash her pretty face off the floor a few times just for ruining her plans. “Tori, you’re going to regret even offering me that.”
She wouldn’t bet on that.
Tori had no problem with fighting dirty, especially to protect her man.
* * *
Julian, Kane, and Beckett got the call and there was a massive wave of terror. Both men were scared shitless as the women they loved were trying to stall until they got there.
Once they raced from the building, they jumped into the sheriff’s truck, and he drove like a lunatic to the estate.
Time was limited, and Julian and Kane were stuck to the phone, praying for a miracle.
“We have to get there,” Kane said, worried about his fiancée and baby. “I can’t lose them!”
Julian had his own fears, since he and Tori thought she was pregnant, too. “Hurry, Beckett!”
The man was already driving like a maniac. “We’ll get there. Don’t worry!”
Both men stared at each other, and neither had a good feeling. The women in their lives were going to be the death of them yet.
* * *
Tori was good under pressure. She had faced down many scary things in her life, and a knife wielding maniac wasn’t much different. The only thing that had her concerned was Christina.
If she could just get the woman out of the way, she could subdue her. Jamie may be bigger and armed, but she was Army and an ex-Fed. She would have the upper hand.
She just needed a break.
Opening the Bible, she threatened to rip out the pages. “I guess we don’t need this anymore,” she said, pulling on one page. “Since the truth is out, you can forget about getting any money.”
The woman glared at her.
“I hate money grubbing murderers.”
Christina hoped her boss knew what she was doing. Pissing off an armed suspect was the LAST thing that you were supposed to do.
Maybe Tori missed that class.
“You pushed Christina off the balcony and screwed up. You hit Kane and screwed up again. Now, you’re going to let me destroy this Bible. It’s just one more giant screw up on your behalf.”
The woman shook with anger.
Tori needed her mad, so she would make a mistake. She prayed that Christina wouldn’t get hurt in the meantime.
“Did you know that we found the ‘Singing Woman’s’ bones?” she asked, slamming the book and getting her attention. “She’s not happy in this house, and she’s going to be pissed if you keep this up.”
The woman started laughing. “There’s no ghost in this house. It’s a bunch of bullshit.”
“See, I’m more afraid of her than you, Jamie, or whatever your real name is. She needs this book too. It’s why she died. It’s going with her to her grave.”
“No!”
Suddenly, the lights flickered.
The woman started to look around in panic.
Then, the piano began playing a haunting melody.
“Stop it!” she screamed.
It was when the curtains began blowing that the woman shifted her body.
Tori jerked her head and Christina moved. Before Jamie could grab her, Tori threw the Bible and charged the woman full force.
This was their only chance.
Together, they crashed to the floor.
It was on and a matter of survival.
When they both scrambled for the knife, Christina screamed.
* * *
The sounds on the phone were terrifying.
Julian could see his life flashing before his eyes as he ran into the building. He could hear the shattering of vases and furniture toppling over.
There was one hell of a fight going on in the room, and he was desperate to get to his wife.
“We have to break it open,” stated Kane. Racing toward the door he slammed into it with his shoulder. When it barely budged, Julian joined him.
Together, they fought hard to get to their women.
This was life or death, and they couldn’t be late.
* * *
Tori was three inches shorter than the woman, and probably forty pounds lighter too, but it didn't matter. It wasn’t the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog, and she had a lot left in her.
When Jamie pinned her to the floor, trying to impale her with a fire poker, Tori bucked, knocking the woman from her body. As she fell, Tori could hear her husband trying to get to her. Unfortunately, they were in the way and Christina couldn’t get to the lock.
“Tori! Look out!” Christina called, cringing as Jamie picked up the poker and swung it like a bat. The first time it missed her face by inches and decimated a very pricey vase. It was the second swing that met its mark. The poker struck Tori in the shoulder, taking her to the floor.
The sick thud and odd angle of her shoulder told the tale. Tori was going to be feeling this in the morning. Getting back up, she stared at the woman as the blood ran down the back of her neck from the cut to her head.
“You’re dead!” she screamed.
Tori ignored the splintering of wood as the men finally came through the door. As Jamie charged, she spun, good elbow out and clipped her right in the throat, crushing her windpipe in one shot.
Time stopped.
Sound ceased.
She saw Julian and couldn’t stay focused any longer. Jamie made a gurgling sound as she fell to the floor, and Tori wasn’t far behind.
Darkness took them both.
One temporarily.
One forever.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Tori looked around and didn't know where she was at first, but after a few moments awareness dawned. She was standing in the kitchen at Hesser house with another person.
“Hello, Victoria,” Bethany said in her young girl voice.
“Where am I?” Tori asked.
“You’re somewhere between reality and a dream state,” she replied.
“Am I dead?” Tori asked.
“No, you’re heading to the hospital. Your husband is a nervous wreck. The EMT’s had to pull you out of his arms and restrain him. He was trying to climb onto the stretcher with you.”
Tori laughed. “That sounds like Julian. Was he cursing and threatening to lock me up too?”
Her little girl giggle filled the air. “Yes, he was.”
She wasn’t surprised.
“You’re lucky, Victoria. I thought I had love like that once, but it ended up killing me. He thought I was cheating on him and hurt me.”
Tori moved toward her. “We know, and we’re going to make sure that everyone knows the truth. You didn't die in vain, Bethany.”
“Do I have any family left?”
Tori didn't want to hurt her, but the truth would set her free. “No. Your son went on to have a daughter, and she had a child, but unfortunately there was a fire. There’s no blood line left.”
She nodded sadly. “At least I gave him a fighting chance,” she said. “If he stayed, he wouldn’t have lived long or thrived. I’m glad he grew up and had a shot at it.”
Tori touched her stomach.
“Yes, you are, and I can tell you what you’ll be having if you want.”
She nodded, leaning forward and letting the woman whisper in her ear.
“Really?” she asked.
“Yes, really.”
Tori was excited.
“You kept your part of the bargain, and I’ve kept mine. It’s time for me to go. Your police have moved my bones, and I’m free to move on.” There was sadness in her voice, but now the choice was at least hers.
Tori watched her start to shimmer and fade.
“Oh, two more things,” she said, coming back. “The first is that you’ll always have a guardian angel when you need one,” Bethany promised.
“And the last thing?”
“Hire the sheriff. He’s got a special gift like you and Vivian.”
She didn't understand. “Wait, what do you mean? I don’t have a gift!” she said, trying to follow her through the wall, but she couldn’t.
There was laughter and finally her voice. “You do now, Victoria! You do now. The adventure is only beginning. Enjoy the journey.”
With that, the room wavered and Tori felt herself spinning and getting dizzy. When she could feel again, there were lips pressed to hers.
As her eyes opened, she could just barely see her husband’s staring down at her. Breaking the kiss, she touched his cheek. “I’m okay, Julian.”
He made something between a strangled sob and a whimper. “You’re going to be the death of me yet, Victoria.”
Bringing her hand to her head, she touched the bandage. “How bad am I hurt?”
Julian refused to leave her side. “You have a bump on your head and your shoulder was dislocated. You’re going to be really glad that you slept through that little experience. I, on the other hand, puked having to watch them reset it.”
Tori started laughing until her head throbbed. “Holy shit, my brain hurts!”
“I thought I lost you,” he said softly. “She almost killed you.”
“Is she…”
“Yeah, she is.”
Tori felt bad about that, but what was she supposed to do. It was live or die, and her time here wasn’t over yet. “Bethany sends her regards. She’s finally at peace.”
He was glad.
“She also told me to tell you to hire Beckett. Apparently, he has a psychic gift, much like Vivian.” She left the last part out, just because Tori didn't believe Julian could handle any more spooky stuff for the month.
He was looking beyond maxed out.
Julian stared at her. “How did you know that I was talking to Kane about that?” In fact, he didn't even tell her about the skull and passageway, either.
She shrugged. “Let’s just say it’s a gift.”
He stared at her curiously.
“Knock knock!” called Christina from the door. “Can we come in?”
Julian motioned them into the hospital room and backed out of their way. Christina kissed Tori on the cheek and handed her a fuzzy stuffed bear with a band aid on its head.
“Thank you, Tori,” she said, squeezing he woman’s hand. “You saved us.”
Kane leaned down and kissed her on the cheek too. “Thank you for being tough and saving Chrissy. If you weren’t as bad ass as you are, I wouldn’t have my girl and child.”
Tori smiled. “Any time.”
Julian gave her a look.
“What?” she said laughing.
“You know damn well why I’m staring at you for. You’re a menace to yourself. I’m not leaving your side for the rest of our lives. I can’t even send you to a house for a book.”
She snickered. “Hey, I was on the ladder. My lookout sucked, and she used to be a Fed!”
Christina laughed. “She came up behind me. How was I supposed to see her?”
The men could laugh about it now. Before… it wasn’t funny at all.
“I want to go home,” she stated suddenly. “I’ve had enough of this place. I thought that I wanted to see the Kentucky Derby, but when someone tries to bash your brains in, it kills the mood.”
“Tell me about it,” muttered Julian.
“We’re heading back tonight,” stated Kane. “Lena got us on the redeye. Will you both be joining us?”
Julian shook his head. “She’s under observation for at least twenty four hours, and I’m sleeping right here with her. Then, I think we’re going to take a slow ride home.”
“By car?” Kane said.
“Yep. It’s going to take a few days, and I think the little lady and I are going to have an early anniversary week.”
Tori didn't mind that at all. “Will there be sex, handcuffs, and debauchery?” she asked.
“VICTORIA!”
Everyone laughed, even Julian.
God! He was so glad that she was safe. “Justin has it under control, and I need to spend some time kissing my wife.”
“Mmmmm… debauchery,” she whispered, only having her lips silenced by his.
When there was a knock on the door, Julian regretfully pulled away. Standing there was Lorelei.
“Can I come in?” she asked.
Julian waved her in, moving once more.
“I heard about what happened. What Jamie, I mean whatever her name was, did and I’m sorry.”
Tori squeezed her hand. “You didn't do anything. I’m just glad we could catch the person who hurt you, your dad, and killed two people.”
“Me too.”
Julian went into business owner mode. “I’m sorry that your lounge was destroyed in the fight.”
“It’s okay. I hated it anyway. I think I’m going to gut it and make it a room we can really use. It’s time to start fresh and live life instead of only pretending that I am.”
“Good idea,” stated Tori.
Lost & Broken (LIttlemoon Investigations Book 2) Page 43
