High Deceit

by C. E. Waterman

  Libby rested her hand on her husband’s arm. “Peter wanted to check on Mark before the game, and I’m sure he’ll want to come by afterward since we’re so close.”

  Promising Peter he could check in on Mark was probably the only way Libby got him to go.

  “So, Robin, are you going to be with us in spirit?” Greg asked. “We’re gonna miss you and Mark tonight.”

  “The way I’ve been hitting in practice, you’ll be better off without me.” She chuckled. “Mark keeps taking me to the batting cages, but I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. I keep swinging, but all I hit is air.”

  They all laughed.

  David, Greg’s partner, walked into the room. “I don’t know what Mark thinks he’s getting away with having a private room and all,” he said. “Is that on the city’s health plan?”

  No one answered.

  Peter changed the subject. “What did you guys find out this morning? Were there witnesses?”

  “Nobody was around that early.” David shrugged. “We found the guy who made the call, and took what information he had, but he didn’t know much. I put it in my report, so you can see it back at the station.” He moved around the bed to stand by Greg. “The witness lives in a loft overlooking the warehouse. He said he saw some cars, but not close enough to identify. Almost everyone we talked to was asleep at the time of the shooting.” He elbowed Greg. “You know, if Mark was going to make himself a target, I wish he’d made it later in the day.” He snickered, but no one joined him.

  Robin’s cell phone rang, saving them from awkwardness. She scooped it out of her purse.

  “Mrs. Clayton?”

  “Yes.”

  “Mrs. Mark Clayton?”

  “I’m Robin Clayton, yes. What can I do for you?”

  “Someone could have gotten hurt last night.” The voice was silk.

  Last night? Didn’t they mean yesterday morning?

  “Who could’ve gotten hurt?”

  She gripped the cell tighter, pinching her fingers against the plastic case. “You mean Mark? What are you talking about?” The accident! Her accident. Her knees wobbled, and her heart pounded so loud the man on the other end of the line must hear it.

  He didn’t respond.

  “What are you talking about?” she asked again.

  “I think you know, Mrs. Clayton. Accidents happen.”

  “Did you do that? Why? What do you want?” Her voice reached a squeaky pitch. “There were older people in the car!”

  “Protect them,” he purred. “Protect yourself.”

  The line went dead. She couldn’t catch her breath. Who would do such a thing? And why? What could they hope to gain? Her hand shook as she slid the phone back in her purse.

  “Robin, you’re white as a sheet!” Libby sprang to her side. “What’s wrong? Was that about the accident last night?”

  “I’m not sure it was an accident. I think the call was meant to frighten me, but I don’t know what they could want.” She relayed what the man said.

  Libby placed her hands on her hips. “It’s not enough they shot your husband, now they try to run you over in the car? I can’t believe this.”

  “Did you recognize the voice?” Peter asked, his tone professional and calm.

  “No, I don’t think I’ve heard it before.”

  “What about the number?”

  She pulled her phone out and clicked through the screens. “There’s a number, but I don’t recognize it. The coward. I thought some scared kid hadn’t paid up his insurance last night. To think someone hit us on purpose!”

  Peter took her phone and dialed. After a few seconds, he hung up. “It’s probably a throwaway, but we’ll check on it. Do you know what he could have meant? Did Mark say anything about receiving any threats before he left yesterday morning?”

  Had he? “No, all he said was he had to go in early, and he’d see me later. Then he left. He didn’t seem upset or worried.”

  “Did you see the car last night?”

  “I didn’t, but Ed said it was a green sedan.”

  Peter looked at Mark’s father, who gave a confirming nod. “I don’t remember much except it was older. It was dark outside, so I saw the color by streetlight. I didn’t catch a plate.”

  “I don’t think the guy meant to kill you, since he had every opportunity. Maybe he wanted to scare you.” Peter tapped his pen against the notebook. “The question is why. Tell me exactly what he said.”

  She repeated it.

  Peter jotted her words down then paused. “Do you remember seeing the car in the hospital parking lot?”

  “There was a car warming up. Snow covered everything but the front window, so I don’t know the color. If it was him, he could have hit us in the parking lot before we got into the car.”

  Peter pursed his lips. “I think you’re right. He must have wanted to leave a warning of some kind. We need to figure this out and fast.”

  Libby patted her husband’s arm. “Why don’t I go with Greg, and you can join me when things are settled?”

  He flashed her a smile. “Thanks, honey.”

  Libby and Greg left.

  Peter eyed Robin. “I’m going to order a bodyguard for you and have a tap put on your phone.”

  “No. I don’t need a bodyguard. Like you said, if they’d wanted to kill us, they could have. I doubt there’ll be any more trouble. I want you to concentrate on catching Cindy's murderer. Then I won’t need a bodyguard.”

  Peter tried to convince Robin she needed protection. She agreed to the phone tap, but not to having a bodyguard, so after talking to someone at the station Peter and David left.

  David poked his head back in the door. “Oh, by the way, the chief said to tell you he’d be by later tonight.”

  When she nodded, he hurried to catch up with Peter. She slumped against the back of her chair, her chest heavy. No way would she let Peter take an officer away from the investigation to protect her. They wouldn’t try anything with all the people here, but thinking someone might be watching made her shiver.

  She tried to persuade Ed and Silvia to leave for the night.

  Beth came into the room. Blonde wisps fell from her upswept hair, and she shimmered in a black sequined evening gown.

  “Wow, don’t you look gorgeous,” Robin gushed. “Where are you going tonight?”

  “We’re headed for dinner and the opera, but I wanted to check on Mark first. And on you.” She peered into Robin’s face. “You look upset. Has something happened?” She spun to Ed. “Is Mark all right?”

  Robin dropped into a chair and explained the phone call. The more times she said it, the sillier it sounded—like some old movie or something, way overdramatic.

  Beth perched on the arm of a chair, careful not to crease her beautiful dress. “That sounds serious. Did you tell someone?”

  “I couldn’t avoid it since everyone was in the room. Peter wants to get me a bodyguard.”

  Beth’s concerned gaze caught hers and held. “What could they want from you? What did Mark tell you?”

  “He didn’t tell me anything. I have no idea why he was there. He said he had an appointment, and he left.”

  “Are you sure? Maybe he said something that doesn’t seem important?”

  “If he did, it was so unimportant I can’t remember it.”

  Beth tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Well, I wouldn’t worry then. Once they realize you don’t know anything, they’ll leave you alone.” She glanced at Mark’s bed. “I’m sorry this had to happen to Mark. He’s one of my favorite guys on the squad. I hope he’s OK.”

  “Thanks.” Robin’s voice caught in her throat. “Knowing so many people care feels good. I’m sure he’ll wake soon.” Did she believe it? If so, why the knot in her stomach?

  Beth stood. “My date’s in the car, so I’d better go if you don’t need anything.” She paused until Robin shook her head. “See you later. Let me know what I can do to help.” And she was gone.


  Knowing life went on for other people felt strange. They had dinner dates and softball games, their lives unchanged. But what were they supposed to do? Sit here as she did until Mark woke up?

  At least they cared enough to come. As far as Robin knew, Beth and Mark hadn’t been close friends, although they’d joked a lot. Something like this brought out the best in people. Everyone was being so kind.

  But she’d heard them whispering. Not only was someone in the department dealing drugs, they were trying to blame it on Mark.

  When Ed and Silvia decided to leave, she walked out with them to escape her oppressive thoughts. The crisp air tingled against her skin, wakening her. They paused by her car, and she couldn’t help glancing around. Complete darkness spread beyond the circle created by the light pole. No cars warming up tonight. A chill slithered down her spine. Were they watching right now?

  “Come home with us. We can drive you back later.” Silvia drew her into a hug. “We can’t leave you alone knowing someone out there might want to hurt you.”

  Robin gave her a quick squeeze. “What about you? We were all together when it happened.”

  “They don’t want us, Robin,” Ed responded before Silvia could. “They’ve targeted you and Mark. We were along for the ride, so to speak.”

  The word targeted scuttled through her mind. She rubbed the goosebumps from her arms. “I’m far more protected than you. There’s a guard outside Mark’s door, remember?”

  Silvia nodded. “But go right back inside.” She grabbed Robin’s hands and held her gaze. “And don’t go anywhere outside the hospital alone. Promise me.”

  Robin promised, and they waited until she was through the doors before they left. Targeted. The word came out of hiding. Was Mark a target now? Was she? She scanned the hall as she entered the elevator. A man in blue coveralls pushed a broom down the otherwise empty hallway. Was he a janitor or something else? Her heart quickened with an urgency to return to Mark. What if he wasn’t safe? Wait. The guard was there. Mark was safe. She had to wrestle her imagination under control.

  Her cell rang as she approached Mark’s room. She glanced at the display and exhaled.

  Maggie.

  “How’s Mark? Is he awake?”

  “Not so far.” Her voice betrayed her discouragement.

  “He’ll wake up, honey.”

  “I know.”

  “In the meantime, maybe I can cheer you up. You won’t believe the interview I had today.”

  “That’s right. You had the bank job, didn’t you?” Robin laughed. Maggie was right, she did cheer up. “Whoa. That didn’t come out right.”

  Maggie giggled. “Well, I didn’t rob it, but the security guard probably thought I was casing the joint. I have to turn in some sketches, and we should hear if we got the job next week.”

  “Great! It should be a good test of our talents. I have some other news.” Robin told her about the phone call. A pause reverberated on the other end of the line, and Robin pictured Maggie’s frown.

  “They hit you with their car? Why? What would they hope to gain? You guys stopped, right? So if he’d wanted to hurt you, he could’ve then without witnesses.”

  Robin stopped walking. “You’re right. I was thinking he could’ve done something in the parking lot, but no one was nearby on the road. In fact, if he hadn’t made his creepy call, I wouldn’t have connected it. I thought it was the slick roads and some guy who didn’t have insurance.”

  As Maggie’s breath became uneven, Robin imagined her pacing. She started walking again, too.

  “Robin, this is too weird. I mean how can you do what he wants when he didn’t tell you what it was?”

  Leave it to Maggie to get to the heart of it. “Thank you. That’s what I thought.” Finally, someone understood what had been bothering her. “He said he thought I knew what he wanted. How can I do, or not do, what he wants, when I don’t have the first clue?”

  “This worries me. You need to let Peter give you a bodyguard.”

  “Everyone else thinks so, too. But I don’t want the department taking anyone off the case.” Robin nodded to the police officer outside Mark’s door before going inside. “There’s a guard here, and this is where I spend my time anyway. I don’t need anybody else.”

  “That’s fine as long as you don’t leave the hospital, but I know you’ll not be there twenty-four-seven. When you leave, you need a guard.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Robin settled next to the bed. “A few people thought I should know why Mark went into the warehouse, but I don’t. And I certainly don’t know what made him not call it in.”

  Maggie was silent as she digested this.

  “Unless he thought someone would intercept the call, and they would get away again.” Robin cleared her throat and lowered her voice. “Maggie, what if it’s one of his friends?”

  “And they want to know if you know who they are? I wondered the same thing, but I didn’t want to say it.” Maggie huffed into the line. It sounded as if she was jogging. “Is anyone acting weird?”

  Robin laughed. “Besides you?” She crossed her legs. “You know, it seems like David wants people to believe Mark is guilty.”

  “You mean what he said while you were coming back from seeing Mark in ICU yesterday?”

  “You heard him?”

  “I couldn’t help it. We were right next to them. I think it’s why the chief spoke up so fast. He wanted David to know you were there and that he should shut up.” She fiddled with the hem of her shirt. “He’s made a couple of other cracks too—one about the timing of the shooting being too early for witnesses and one about him having a private room. Of course, some of it is David’s personality. He’s always been socially clumsy.”

  “Nice way to put it. I think he’s plain nasty. I never have liked him.” Maggie giggled. “It’s too bad, too, because his partner is delish.”

  “I thought you were a little dressed up to deliver lunch.”

  “That was for the bank interview.” Maggie’s voice was too innocent. “I had to look nice.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “But we have gotten off the subject. What are we going to do about keeping you safe? I don’t like thinking someone could be out to hurt you.”

  Maggie could be a dog with a bone sometimes. “It’s obvious they didn’t want to kill us or they would have. I’m plenty safe here. If it makes you feel better, I promised Ed and Silvia I’d be extra careful.”

  “Call me before you leave, and I’ll come and get you. Or have one of the guys take you home. I don’t want you alone.”

  Arguing was no use. Not with Maggie. So she promised before ending the call. It seemed worthless though, since she wasn’t alone the last time.

  Robin watched TV until she couldn’t keep her eyes open or stop yawning. A quick visit to the nurse’s station for coffee would help. As she passed the elevator, the doors opened.

  Chief Donovan stepped out.

  “Hi, Chief. It’s good to see you.” She gave him a hug and walked with him to Mark’s room.

  He folded his arm around her shoulders. “You look beat. Has Mark’s condition changed?”

  “No, nothing yet.” A tear escaped. She reached up to wipe it away, only to find more taking its place. To her horror, the dam burst and tears flooded her face.

  He paused, and she covered her face with her hands. He patted her on the back at first then drew her into a hug. She couldn’t quit. She ducked her head and sobbed into the front of his jacket. He was so tall she came to about mid chest. At length, the tears slowed to the hiccup stage, and she backed away. He handed her a handkerchief and guided her along the hall, not saying anything, letting her get herself under control. At Mark’s door, he stopped to speak to the guard.

  Robin went into Mark’s room to compose herself. How brainless was that? Why couldn’t she have had her little breakdown when she was alone? But then she’d hardly been alone all day. Maybe he wouldn’t stay long. She couldn’t take being nice an
other second.

  A few minutes later, the chief came in and bent over Mark. “Mark? You have to wake up, buddy. You’re scaring us.” He touched Mark’s shoulder, bumping against the bed. His keys clattered to the floor in the quiet room.

  Robin jumped, startled.

  He bent to pick them up. When he stood, his face was red, whether from bending over or from embarrassment, she couldn’t tell.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a heart attack.” He tucked them into his pants pocket. “I took my other coat to the cleaners. These pockets aren’t deep enough and things fall out.”

  Robin laughed and followed him to the door of Mark’s room to say good-bye. As he strode away, the word targeted slithered into her mind. The chief couldn’t be the one, could he? He appeared to care about his people. And Mark liked and respected him. But how could she be sure? Could she trust him? Maybe it was all a show. Or maybe he did like Mark, but he liked money more.

  The cot had clean sheets folded on it when she returned. She made the bed and tried to sleep, but her mind wouldn’t stop. What about David? Was he trying to cast suspicion on Mark, or was he plain dense?

  Tammi threw suspicion on Peter for not being at the morning meeting. Mark told her Tammi had a fear of hospitals. Was that all? Or was she trying to divert suspicion?

  ~*~

  Mark drifted in a sea of dark clouds. That voice. When he’d heard it today, he’d panicked. He tried to move, but he couldn’t. Why couldn’t he see? He tried to force his eyes open. The haze began to lighten. He had to warn Robin. She didn’t know about the snake slithering among them, feeding off their misery.

  She was in danger, he could feel it. And he was helpless. He struggled to climb out. The mists closed in again. Wait, what was it he wanted to tell her? He began to relax. All was warm and comfortable as he slid back under.

  9

  Tony’s shift was almost over. It was nearly eleven, and he was just finishing up. His arms ached from the heavy bus tubs. The last table had been the worst. Twin two-year-olds. The clean-up from that had taken nearly half an hour. He had a few last areas to wipe down, and he could go home for the night. He wrung out his rag and headed for the last booth.