See You in September : The Refuge Series Book One

by Debbie Zello

  “Perfect. I’ll marinate the chicken and you can grill it, deal?” she said, winking.

  “Grill master, at your service,” he said, laughing, and walked back to his car.

  Cheri got busy cleaning the chicken. She placed it in a bowl, covered it with Italian fat-free dressing, and added more chopped garlic to it. She left the bowl in the refrigerator to marinate. She got the romaine out to wash and chop.

  She was just about to spin it dry when there was another knock at her door. Smiling she thought Craig must be very hungry. She got to the door, pulled it open and said, “That wasn’t forty-…” A woman stood there and not Craig.

  “Do you remember me, Cheri?” she asked, removing her sunglasses.

  “Saybion Chess. Naturally, I remember you. How have you been?” Cheri responded to her. This was a woman who had worked at the practice with Cheri and David. The woman Cheri suspected had David’s child.

  “May I come in, Cheri?” Every warning bell Cheri owned told her not to talk to this woman. Somehow, Cheri paid no attention to them, as she stepped aside to open the screen door and let her in.

  “Have a seat, Saybion and tell me what I can do for you?” Cheri said motioning towards the couch.

  “This is a cute place, Cheri. I like how you have fixed it up. The few times I was here with David, I was in a hurry to…well, you know…I didn’t really look around much,” she said planting Cheri with a sneer. Cheri’s stomach rolled.

  “What do you want?” Cheri said forcefully.

  “I tried to scare you. I tried to pile everything on so you’d go the way of your mother. Then I tried to burn you out but the damn timer screwed up. Now I have no choice but to do this face to face.”

  “You’re crazy. Get out of my house before I call the police.”

  “You’ll have a hard time with that. I cut your lines right after I knocked out you friend in the car. He was so cute to help me with directions. He was looking at his GPS when I smacked his head with this,” she said pulling a gun from her purse.

  Cheri went cold and felt her head swim with the fear rising in her throat. The gun didn’t look big, but at this close range, Saybion wouldn’t miss. “You hurt him? Now you’re going to hurt me. Why? What did I do to you?”

  “Nothing really. You left him and got the divorce. Everything would have been fine if not for the fact some idiot client went snooping and found the checks. I forged your name on them. David and I were going to buy an island in the Caribbean and live happily ever after with our son. You know we have a son, right?”

  “Yes, I’m happy for you,” Cheri said dryly.

  “Save it. Well, there’s a lot more. Money borrowed that won’t be paid back. Things mortgaged far above what their worth. Alliances and partnerships that have proved very lucrative. I won’t bore you with all of the details, let’s just say, you’re in a heap of trouble.”

  “I haven’t done anything.”

  “Prove it! Anyway, it really doesn’t matter because you’re going to take full credit for everything,” she snarled.

  “And why would I do that?”

  “You already did that. You see, when I got into your office after the fire, I typed a letter on your new computer. I detailed all of the things you’ve done. I fully exonerated David from any of your nefarious undertakings. All of it will make perfect sense once they read your letter.”

  “Why would you do this for him?”

  “I love him and he loves me.”

  “But if you’re together aren’t you worried when he no longer wants you he’ll find someone to do the same thing to you?”

  “He loves me, stupid. He never loved you,” she said smiling.

  Cheri’s mind was working overtime trying to figure a way out of this. Her cell was by the sink on the other side of the room. She was sitting a mere few feet apart from this fanatical woman with a gun pointed at her. Gareth! She was going to die and never see him again.

  “So how were you thinking of doing this. And why are you taking this risk instead of David?”

  “He had to stay at the office. That’s his alibi should anyone have any questions. I riffled through your friend’s car and pockets, so that will look like a robbery. I haven’t had anything to do with you since I left the practice so I’m in the clear. I think we’re home free,” she said snapping on the disposable gloves from her pocket. “I shoot you. Take out the note and get your fingerprints on it. Wipe off the gun and get your prints on that. I didn’t touch the door or anything else. See? Home free!”

  Cheri took that moment when Saybion was looking around to lunge at her, smacking her in the head. She grabbed the gun to attempt to wrestle it from her grip. Time stood still as the two women struggled for control of the weapon. As Cheri rose above Saybion to gain more advantage, a defining sound rang out. Cheri went ashen as Saybion said, “Fuck!”

  Joe called Craig just to check in. His phone rang eight times and went to voice mail. He left the message, “Craig this is Walker. Call me as soon as you pick this up.”

  His next call was to Cheri. “Cheri call me. I’m worried,” he said on her voice mail as he grabbed his keys. “Kids, get in the car. Now, please!” he said as he dialed the police.

  Joe drove like a nut, weaving through traffic and running red lights and stop signs. What in hell was he going to say to Gareth if something happened to her?

  As he rounded the corner to Cheri’s street, his heart sank to his shoes. Before him were three police cars and an ambulance.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  “I’m locking the car and don’t get out. Do you understand me?” Joe said to his kids. They nodded, knowing to argue with him when he used that tone of voice was pointless. To disobey him would be at your own peril.

  Joe found Craig sitting in his car sideways with his feet on the ground. He had an ice pack on the back of his head and his eyes were closed. “What the fuck happened?” Joe yelled as soon as he was close enough.

  “I was clocked. Some bitch asking for directions,” Craig slurred his speech.

  “Then what happened? Is Cheri okay?” Joe’s screaming voice went right through Craig’s head.

  “I just woke up a minute ago and I can’t see straight so I haven’t found out yet,” he said, wincing as he moved the ice pack. Joe ran past him and around the house where an officer stopped him.

  “You can’t go in there,” the officer said.

  “I’m in charge of her protection. That’s my employee out front with the egg on his head. What happened here?”

  “A woman was shot by another woman. That’s all I know.”

  “What’s the name of the woman that was shot?”

  “Che…something. I didn’t really get it. They’re working on her now. The place is small and there are a lot of people in there already. You’ll have to wait here until they bring her out,” he said holding Joe back. Joe began pacing. He contemplated calling Gareth but didn’t really have the information he would be asking for. Was Cheri alive? Hurt? Dead?

  Gareth had his laundry done and was sitting watching the TV, eating a grinder he had picked up on the way home when Naomi walked in. “Hey! How was your flight?”

  “Okay, you know. I finished your screenplay. I’m taking it to someone at the studio. I want to make it, Naomi. It’s that good,” he said grinning.

  “Quit yanking my chain. It’s not nice to get someone’s hopes up. I thought your mom raised you right.”

  “She did and I’m not kidding you. I’m completely serious. The story is great and I love what you did with it. You have talent and it needs to be showcased. The only problem I can see is, I’m going to need a new assistant.”

  “Are you sure about this? You’re not just trying to make me feel good?” she asked frowning.

  “Do you want me to give it to Tucker to read? Would you believe him?” he asked. Naomi smoothed her fingers through her multi-colored hair and smiled.

  “You really mean it?”

  “What do you want,
blood or something? You’re good! I want more. What else have you got?”

  “I have a few ideas I’ve started on. I could work on it tonight.”

  “Good! Get the hell out of here and start writing. I’m not very patient when I want something,” he said smiling.

  “Say it isn’t so, Joe! I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said opening the door and waving. Naomi danced all the way to her car, never touching the ground once.

  Joe’s pacing stopped when he saw the paramedics bring the gurney out the door. Running to its side, he peered at the face under the blankets. Relief washed over him when he saw this was definitely not Cheri. This woman had a rounder face and much lighter hair color than his Cheri. Her skin was sallow and lacked the creamy texture of Cheri’s.

  Nothing was going to stop him now from seeing her. It would take a lot more than one puny cop in his way. He stormed up the three steps as the officer came towards him with his hand up. “I’m going in there. If I have to go over you, that’s no problem for me,” Joe bellowed.

  “Joe!” Cheri screamed. That was all it took for Joe to push the officer aside with one arm. He blew through the door like a hurricane. Quickly scanning the room for Cheri, he spotted her on the couch. He made it to her side in three steps. Picking her up from the couch, he hugged her to him with his strong confident arms. “What the hell happened? Are you all right? Were you hurt?” he fired his questions at her in rapid succession.

  “I’m not hurt. I shot her, Joe. She was going to shoot me, I grabbed the gun, and it went off. I shot her!” She was clearly in shock. Anyone should have seen this.

  Joe snatched the blanket from the basket by the fireplace, wrapped it around her shoulders, and sat her back on the couch occupying the seat right next to her. Looking her over, he saw she had dried blood spattered on her hands, face, and arms. It covered her shirt and pants.

  There was a large bowl shaped blood spot on the scatter rug beneath his feet, that was still soaking in. His arm around her shoulder tightened as a smile began to form on his lips. He turned to look at her and said, “You shot her! That’s my girl! Maybe I should hire you!”

  At first, his words shocked her. Slowly, it all sunk in and she began to come back from the place the whole incident sent her. The place where nothing made sense. Cheri stared at his smile and then it was over. She smiled too. She was okay and alive. “Gareth. I have to call Gareth,” she said.

  “We’ll call him as soon as we can. Right now, you have to talk to the police. Then you’re going to take a shower while I clean up some of this. Then we’ll call Gareth. Okay?” She nodded as he took over the thinking for her. Something she willingly let happen.

  Joe got up from the couch and went out on the porch to call his wife. He told her briefly what had happened and to see if she could leave and pick up the children. Once that was settled, he went out to let his kids know their mother was coming and to check on Craig.

  “I saw them bring out the perp on the gurney. Is Cheri okay?” Craig asked, still reeling from the wallop Saybion had given him.

  “She’s in shock and really shook up but I think she’ll be fine. How about you?”

  “It’s a good thing I have a thick skull. I’m going in for an x-ray as soon as my sight clears. I’ve got double vision.”

  “I don’t think you should wait. I’m going to have them send another ambulance for you. You shouldn’t fool around with a head injury.”

  “I feel crappy enough. I’m not going to argue with you.”

  “Just sit here until they come. Call me when you’re finished. If you need a ride, I’ll come and get you.”

  “Thanks, Walker.”

  The sun had set before Cheri was finished giving her statement about what had transpired. The police had found the note in a plastic sleeve in Saybion’s purse. There were also extra disposable gloves, a switchblade, unknown pills, and an extra clip for her gun.

  As Cheri was telling her story, Joe called the bail-bondsman that held David’s bail and had him revoke it. He didn’t know if Saybion was telling the truth or not but he didn’t want him wandering around able to hurt Cheri. David’s place was next to his girlfriend.

  Cheri took a long and very hot shower. She scrubbed her skin, watching the pink water wash down the drain. The police hadn’t let her even wash her hands until they had taken multiple photos of every inch. “We have to document.” They kept saying over and over.

  When she was dry and in her comfy sweat pants and tee, she joined Joe in the kitchen. “I made some coffee unless you want something stronger,” he said.

  “No, coffee is good. Thank you for staying and helping me get through the police stuff.”

  “My pleasure. Craig has a severe concussion. They’re keeping him overnight for observation. Saybion is out of surgery. She’ll live to stand trial. The bullet didn’t do damage to anything vital, I’m sorry to say. You even shoot people nicely,” he said laughing. Cheri chuckled too. It felt good to laugh after the day she’d had.

  “Did you call Gareth yet?” she asked.

  “No, I was waiting for you to finish your shower. After you tell him, he’s going to want to take the next plane out. I know I would. You need to figure out what you want him to do before you call.”

  “I think I’m fine. I don’t think they’ll try anything else. What do you think?”

  “They’re done. They’re both behind bars. They won’t be able to pay for their defense, let alone hire someone to hurt you.”

  “It’s funny to me. With the divorce, my attorney was furious with me because he didn’t feel there was an ‘equitable distribution of wealth’ because I took the smaller, less valuable house. I left the large and thriving practice to start my own small one. All I wanted were my clothes, leaving David with all the art, pottery, china, and crystal we had.

  “Now, as it turns out I have everything and he doesn’t even have his freedom. Isn’t that strange to you?”

  “What’s strange to me is why he ever let you go. Why he got involved with that woman. Why he threw it all away. That’s what I don’t get,” Joe said honestly.

  Gareth sat on his beach watching the sunset and thinking about the wedding. When he closed his eyes, he could see Cheri walking towards him in her white dress and smile. He wondered if every groom felt this way or was he just a sap? It didn’t matter; he liked being a sap with her. His cell rang and as he looked at the caller, his smile widened. “Hey beautiful woman. Do you miss me as much as I miss you?” he said with a wide grin.

  His expression slowly changed as he sat up further, knocking his glass of wine over, spilling into the sand. It took a few minutes of silent listening before he said, “I’ll take the next plane out. I’ll be there late tomorrow morning…. I’m coming, Cheri… I don’t care…You can put him on, but I’m still coming.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Somehow, Joe was able to calm Gareth down enough to listen to his argument that Cheri was completely out of danger. She wasn’t injured, shaken up, yes, but not hurt. Gareth could not change what happened nor could he do anything now but comfort her. Joe promised that he, Piper and Ben could handle that for a few weeks.

  Gareth would work as quickly as possible with Tucker to get the Texas film finished and delivered to the studio. Then he would come to Cheri and stay until the wedding.

  Cheri was good with this plan. She could focus on selling her practice, cleaning up her open files, and saying good-bye to the cottage that had been her refuge. When she got on the phone to talk to him, she tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. After all, it’s an everyday occurrence (right?), that you shoot someone that came to kill you, first. Gareth hung up, not at all happy with what was decided. He wanted her with him. East or West coast didn’t matter. Just with him.

  Joe wanted to spend the night with her but Cheri wouldn’t hear of it. He had a family and had already spent far too many nights away from them on her account. He stood outside her door while she locked it and set the alarm. Then
he called her on the way to his car. “Don’t open that door for anyone but me or one of my guys. We’ll knock and say ‘bad ass’ and then you can open it.”

  “Okay, bad ass, I hear you.”

  “I’ll be a bad ass all over yours, if you open that door!” he said laughing.

  “Thank you for today, Joe.”

  “What little I did, you mean.”

  “No. You were here. For me. I won’t soon forget that.”

  “Get some sleep, Cheri.” She pressed the end button and sank down on her couch. She looked around amazed that Joe had cleaned everything up so well. There wasn’t any evidence that anything had happened except for the missing rug.

  Her thoughts strayed to David and what he must have been thinking when the bail bondsman picked him up. She was surprised David didn’t call to try to explain things. He was arrogant enough to try.

  She went to bed exhausted. Still sleep eluded her. Every time she closed her eyes, she could see Saybion’s face as she shot her. It was something Cheri doubted she would ever forget.

  She gave up around midnight and called Gareth figuring his deep baritone voice would sooth her. “What’s wrong, baby?” he asked softly.

  “I can’t sleep.”

  “That makes two of us. I keep seeing you in trouble and me not there.”

  “You were here. I could hear you telling me to stay calm and focus. It was you that told me to grab the gun and try to get it away from her.”

  “Good. I’m glad you listened,” he said letting out a big sigh of relief.

  “I feel better now. I’m going to try to sleep. I love you. Please don’t worry, because I am fine,” she whispered.

  “Would you tell me if you weren’t?”

  “Yes, I would. I’ll call tomorrow.”

  “I love you. Bye.”

  Two days before Cheri had to testify in David’s trial, she received a firm, reasonable offer for her practice and building. She accepted it immediately. By the middle of August, she would be a lady of leisure, relaxing on her beach.