Web of Deceit

by Peggy Slocum

  Chapter 9: Recovery

  Beth rounds the corner in the hallway leading to Sarah’s room. As she approaches her room, she hears laughter. Beth opens the door a crack. “Excuse me,” she asks a nurse. “Can you tell me where they moved Sarah Perkins?”

  “Oh, we didn’t move her. She’s right over there.” The nurse points to the bed surrounded with people.

  Irritated, Beth snaps, “Sorry to be blunt, but do Sarah’s parents realize this has become a nurse’s lounge?”

  A familiar voice pipes up. “Stop being so serious and come over here and say hi.”

  “Sarah? How can this be?” Beth hurries over to the bed and reaches around her friend to give her a gentle hug. “What’s goin’ on? This doesn’t make sense. The doctor explained you were in a deep coma. How could you wake up so soon?”

  Sarah and the nurses laugh. “It’s the power of prayer,” Sarah says. “God woke me up!”

  The nurses leave.

  “With everything that’s happened to you today, you’re either the luckiest person I’ve ever met or maybe you are on to something. And … this God you’re always talking about is real, and he’s got your back,” Beth says.

  Tears well up in Sarah’s eyes. “Oh Beth, he loves me, and he loves you too. Jesus tells us in John 3:16 that ‘for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not parish, but have everlasting life.’ ”

  “But if he loves you so much, why would he let all this stuff happen to you?”

  “We can’t see it at the time, but God has a reason for everything that happens. Romans 8:28 tells us ‘we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ ”

  Beth sighs. “I don’t know about that, Sarah. I just don’t see anything good coming out of this mess. If I could’ve stopped all this from happening and protected you, I would’ve in a heartbeat.”

  “Yes, but that’s because you can only see a small picture of what has been shown to you at that moment. You see the short-term pain it has caused. Where God sees the big picture.” Sarah explains with her arms wide apart to illustrate. “Like a puzzle. In order to finish the puzzle, every piece must be placed. Blessed is the name of the Lord.”

  Beth glances at the IV in Sarah’s arm. “What vintage of wine do they have in that bag of yours?”

  Quick to retort, Sarah says, “Ephesians 5:18 says, ‘be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.’”

  “En ingles, por favor.”

  “Too much alcohol can give you a false comfort that soon goes away. But God will send you a true comforter that will stay with you forever. Jesus explains this in John chapters fourteen, sixteen, and seventeen.”

  “Do you have the whole Bible memorized?”

  “No,” Sarah replies with a touch of sorrow.

  Beth stares at her friend for a moment. “You really believe all this stuff, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” Sarah’s eyes sparkle, and her face lights up. “God has given me such a peace. It is just unexplainable. And I love him.” Tears come to the corners of her eyes. “I speak the truth.”

  Beth is speechless. I just don’t know what to make of you, Sarah.

  “Hello,” Elizabeth says as she and Edwin walk through the door with four large coffee cups. “I knew it!” she says. “I ordered two coffees and one mocha latte. They accidentally gave me two mochas and they were going to dump the other one out. I insisted that I would take it because there must be a reason.” Elizabeth hands the extra latte to Beth. “God knew you would be here and this one’s for you.”

  “Thanks.” Beth feels a gentle smile form.

  Edwin sits next to Sarah and hands her the other mocha latte. “When Sarah woke up and told us the story of what happened, she said it was a shame she never did get her coffee.” He laughs. “She loves Odell’s. So we had to go get our little girl one.”

  “Oh no,” Beth gasps. “ I broke Odell’s door today, and I have to take care of it.”

  Edwin laughs. “That was you? Well, don’t let that bother you. The waitresses were just abuzz about what happened. The door was already repaired by the time we got there, and I’m sure Odell will understand. Besides, I can pay for any damages. We’re just glad that you two are all right.”

  “Thanks, but I want to pay for the door. It’s no problem.”

  “Do you want me to cut a check from the hotel?”

  “No, he doesn’t know about the hotel. I’ll write him one from the agency—I think my insurance will cover it. I was technically on a case when it happened,” Beth says. “Oh, the case.” She moves her gaze to Sarah. “We found the guys that did this to you.”

  “How did you find them?” Sarah asks as everyone focuses on Beth.

  “It was the oddest thing. They were the same guys that swiped Elliot’s tires yesterday.”

  “You’re kidding,” Sarah says.

  “No, we don’t know what the connection is yet. But Frank is questioning the guy, and Elliot is going through the garage where we apprehended them.”

  “Which guy? Weren’t there two? Is one still out there?” Edwin asks.

  “Actually … there were three,” Beth’s countenance saddens. “Two of the men decided to cooperate, which upset the third. To sum it up, he killed one and died trying to kill the other.”

  “Oh, Beth,” Elizabeth says. “Were you there?”

  Beth nods. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “We’re just glad you’re OK,” Edwin says.

  “Yes,” Sarah and Elizabeth agree in unison.

  A double knock sounds at the door. “Hi, is this Sarah Perkins’s room?” a familiar monotone voice says.

  “Yes, it is,” Elizabeth says, opening the door.

  “Symphony.” Sarah greets her, delighted. “I’m so glad you came to visit.”

  “Yeah well, I heard what happened.” Symphony pulls an old, banged-up guitar out of a black gym bag and hands it to Sarah. “I thought you might want to do some of that praising stuff you do.”

  “I’m truly touched, Symphony.” Sarah tunes the bass string. “Thank you.”

  “Yeah, well, I gotta go. I hope you feel better.” Symphony excuses herself.

  “Wait. I wrote a new song for God. You must hear it.”

  “OK,” Symphony says. “But only because you look really bad.”

  “Excellent.” Sarah cheerfully strums the guitar.

  Sitting on the couch, Beth watches Symphony’s reaction with amazement as Sarah sings.

  Praise, praise. Blessed is the name of the Lord.

  Praise, praise. There is none like my King.

  With power over the mountains

  and power over the sea.

  With power over the valley, Lord,

  and power over the storm in me.

  Praise, praise. Blessed is the name of the Lord.

  Praise, praise. There is none like my King.

  She finishes her song with a smile. “What do you think?”

  “Sounds OK, but I don’t get the storm part,” Symphony replies.

  “Well, you know how life throws problems at you, causing frustration, confusion and sorrow? It can be quite overwhelming, like a storm.”

  “Yeah, but you don’t have any of those, and you just fell out of a van.” Symphony says.

  “I know Jesus calmed the storm that stirred inside of me. He gave me a peace that no one can take away. Not even the impact of a paved road.” Sarah stares into Symphony’s cold brown eyes. “Jesus wants to give you peace too. He is just waiting for you to ask and believe.”

  “Yeah, well, I have to go,” Symphony says.

  “Thank you for comin’ and thanks for the guitar.”

  “OK, see ya Tuesday.” Symphony leaves.

  Beth gets up and moves closer to Sarah’s bed. “See you Tuesday? Yesterday I said, ‘See you Monday,’ and she directed me to her pin. ‘Day by Day Man.�
� ”

  “You’re her boss. That makes you an authority figure. I’m her friend. We have dinner on Tuesdays.”

  “So I pay her, and I don’t get respect, and you cook her dinner and get all kinds of respect?”

  “Actually, she cooks me dinner.”

  “Huh, you must have a magnetic personality.”

  “It’s Jesus. His love draws people to him.”

  “Well, I don’t know about that, but I do know you have something special in order to get her to befriend you,” Beth says. “Anyways, since you are feeling better, I should go meet Jade. Do you have her address?”

  “Yeah, it’s in my coat pocket. She might not see you without me, but I’ll call ahead and let them know what happened.”

  “Thanks.” Beth reaches down to hug Sarah good-bye.

  Elizabeth pulls a Post-it from the pocket of Sarah’s coat draped over a chair and hands it to Beth. “Is this it?” She shows it to Sarah.

  “Yes.”

  Elizabeth hands the address to Beth and gives her a hug. “Please be careful. My ‘mom alarm’ is going off the charts,” she says to Beth.

  Sarah and Beth smile at each other because they have both heard that before.

  Edwin draws close and puts an arm around Beth and squeezes her. “We love ya,” he says with a twinkle in his eye. “But there is one thing we can all be sure of—we’re not guaranteed a tomorrow. You know this more than anyone,” he says directly. “One of these days you may die on a case, and as good a person as you are, if you don’t know Jesus, you will split hell wide open. Don’t listen to the lie. There are no friends in hell, only enemies filled with torment. This may sound harsh, but I speak the truth.” Edwin gives Beth a big bear hug. “I love ya, but nothing compared to how much Jesus loves you.”

  Everyone stares at Edwin. He never talked to Beth this way before. In fact, none of them have ever heard Edwin talk to anyone so directly before.

  Beth half smiles and replies, “I love you too.” She snatches her purse up to leave. On her way out, she overhears Edwin say to Elizabeth in a shaky voice, “I was led by the Spirit; I couldn’t keep it in if I wanted to.” Edwin’s last statement haunts something inside Beth. She starts to think about things she usually doesn’t concern herself with like death …

  Down in the parking lot, as Beth fishes for her key fob, she notices Symphony leaning against the passenger door. “Need a lift?” she asks, already knowing the answer.

  “Yes,” Symphony says, unexpectedly.

  Beth pushes the unlock button. “Chirp. Chirp,” announces the vehicle.

  “Hop in,” Beth says. “Where are you going?” Beth puts on her seat belt.

  “With you,” Symphony replies without hesitation. “I want to help you find the people who did this to Sarah.”

  “We already found them,”

  “Good. Is the investigation over?”

  “I’ll know more when Elliot contacts me.”

  “Where are you goin’ now?”

  “I’m checking out a lead for another case.”

  “OK. I’ll go with you. And then when Elliot calls, you will know where to find me.”

  “You think a lot of Sarah, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “OK, you can come, but you’re on the clock. So everything you learn is confidential and,” Beth reaches into the center console and grabs a towelette. “Wipe off your black lipstick. We are visiting a jumpy client.”

  Symphony rolls her eyes as she snatches the moist towel.

  Beth sighs. This is going to be a long day.

  Chapter 10: Safe House

  Beth pulls in front of a large, green, two-story house and parks the car.

  “Have you been here before?” Symphony gets out of the Grand Cherokee and closes the door.

  “No.” Beth flings her purse around her shoulder and pulls her trench coat close. She joins Symphony as they walk up the broken sidewalk.

  “I can get us in if you want.” Symphony says as they close in on the drab structure’s front entrance.

  “Oh thanks, but that won’t be necessary. They’re expecting me,” Beth says. That’s all I need—to get caught cracking into a safe house. Beth glances around the property noticing the barred windows and surveillance cameras. “I don’t think we could break in anyway. The security is pretty tight.”

  Insulted, Symphony keeps her mouth shut and stands behind Beth on the narrow salted stoop. A taut moment passes before an imposing woman opens the front door and regards them through wary eyes.

  Beth breaks the silence. “Hi, I’m here to visit Jade.” She fumbles for the sticky note, “… McRoy. I believe Sarah Perkins called to tell you I was on my way.”

  “Name?” the tall, graying women in her late forties asks.

  “Beth Doyle.”

  “Identification?”

  Beth reaches in her purse while the woman gazes past her toward the young, Goth-dressed woman. “Symphony! How are you, my dear?” Her face brightens.

  Ever cool, Symphony says, “You know, Maggie,” and points at her “Day by Day Man” pin.

  “That didn’t work then, and it won’t work now.” Maggie ignores Symphony’s space bubble and pushes by Beth, who is still retrieving her driver’s license. She gives Symphony a firm embrace and asks, “What are you doin’ here?”

  “I work for Ms. Doyle.”

  Beth hands two photo IDs to Maggie on the cramped icy stoop.

  “Thank you.” Maggie glances at Beth’s identification. Handing them back to Beth, she invites them inside. She advances to a stand near the base of the banister and retrieves an envelope from a drawer. “Jade won’t be seeing you after all, so she asked if I’d give this to you.”

  Beth takes the envelope. “Can we reschedule?”

  “No.”

  “Did she leave?”

  “I’m sorry, Ms. Doyle. I’m not at liberty to say. I was only told to give you the letter and relay her apologies.”

  Beth pulls her business card out. “Thank you for all your help and please let her know she can call me day or night.” Jade is running. This girl really does not want to be found.

  “I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, Symphony. But, you know the drill. I can’t promise anything.”

  “ ‘I can neither confirm nor deny,’ ” Symphony and Maggie say in unison, mocking the rule.

  Beth ponders Symphony and Maggie’s unexpected history. Oops, didn’t see that one coming. Jeez, hope she doesn’t slash my tires for accusing her of wanting to break in.

  “You know, Symphony, the door is always open.”

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  Growing impatient, Beth says, “We need to get going. You have my card. If she changes her mind please have her call.”

  Beth descends the steps outside, letting the door close behind her, not bothering to wait for Symphony. Beth opens the envelope on her way to the Jeep and takes out a letter. Five newspaper clippings fall out and feather toward the ground. Beth bends to snatch the aged clippings, but a gust of wind catches them just before her fingers can close. Miffed, Beth pursues the swirling news items until they land on the snow bank in front of her Jeep.

  Straightening the clippings and brushing off the wet snow, she starts to read. “Walter Freeman.” Third Reich scientist accused of war crimes. Well, that’s unexpected. What does he have to do with Jade? She flips through the clippings, studying the pictures and captions.

  Symphony catches up with Beth.

  “I need a computer,” Beth says. “Get in. We’re going back to the office.” Behind the wheel and underway a minute later, Beth asks,“You used to work there?”

  “Yeah, something like that.”

  “Have you ever met Jade?”

  “I can neither …”

  “I get it,” Beth interrupts. “You’re good at that, aren’t you?”

  Symphony smirks and nods yes.

  Beth’s phone rings. “Hello?”

  “Hon, it’s me,” Elliot
says.

  “Got anything?”

  “Yeah, we’ve found a waitress’s headpiece from Odell’s in the back of the van.”

  “Is it Kelly’s?”

  “We’re check’n it now. Frank recovered hair from the headpiece, and I ran home to get the brush Kelly used Friday morning. We’re gonna see if it’s a match.”

  “Need a ride?” Beth asks.

  “No, Howard found some tires for the Vette. She’s lookin’ sweeter than ever, if it were possible.”

  “Yeah, I bet. Glad to hear ‘Baby’s’ better,” Beth says. “Symphony is working on the Freedman case with me. Jade bolted before we got to her, but she left us an envelope with some pictures of a dead guy that used to be a Third Reich scientist. His name was Freeman, without the ‘D.’ That woman’s got some skeletons, and I am going to feel a lot better when I figure out her beef with Jade. Call me when you get the results.”

  “Will do. I got this end. Don’t get too close without me there, in case this gets weird. Got it?”

  About to miss the entrance to her parking lot, Beth swerves hard and juts across the oncoming traffic, cutting off a middle-aged guy with a goatee in a white Volvo. “’K, see ya,” Beth flips the phone shut while the agitated man in the Volvo is still shaking his fist.

  “So, what do you think about cell phones behind the wheel?” Symphony asks with her usual lack of emotion.

  Beth releases her grip, dropping the phone into her lap. “Hands free only.” She smiles.

  Chapter 11: Interrogation

  While walking into the Police Department, Elliot dials Frank’s phone.

  “Yeah,” Frank answers.

  “Hey man, it’s Elliot. I got the brush. Where ya at?”

  “Upstairs next to the interrogation room.”

  “OK.” Elliot disconnects the call.

  “He got here quick,” Frank says aloud to himself.

  “Yeah, I know,” Elliot answers from around the corner. “I got my wheels back.” He grins while pulling the brush out of his pocket.

  “I still think she’s too much power for ya. You’re not responsible enough. You should let me take her off your hands,” Frank says. “I’ll trade you the mean green machine straight out.”