When Ben stood to pay the bill, Sally sighed and reached for her cell phone to check the time. Nearly two o’clock. What a colossal waste. She set the phone on the table and finished her glass of water.
“Nice phone,” Ronnie said, dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
Sally hesitated, wondering at the sudden tightness in the woman’s voice. “An oldie,” she ventured.
“I can’t believe you actually brought that. It’s been sitting in water—shouldn’t it be in a plastic bag?” Ronnie sat back, her lips pulled tight with visible agitation.
A plastic bag? What was she talking about? Sally considered the phone without responding. Then it clicked: Ronnie thought this was Mary Ann’s cell phone. Perhaps they had the same model. She started to correct the mistake, but then remembered the overwhelming smell of bleach at Ronnie’s house. Had she been scrubbing Mary Ann’s blood from the floorboards? And was she now imagining that this was her cell phone? Intrigued, Sally decided to play along.
“The phone is dry,” she said. “You...must recognize it.”
“Yes.” Ronnie’s gaze was fixed on the phone. “It’s my sister’s.”
Sally tried to keep her voice casual despite her mounting excitement. She decided to play a hunch. “It’s interesting how much information you can get from a cell phone these days, isn’t it? Pictures, messages. Practically a person’s whole life.”
“Hmm.” Her response was pinched, and she didn’t offer anything more.
Sally was dizzy with excitement. As soon as she returned to the office, she’d call Dan Maybury. They had never found her phone, but they had to check Mary Ann’s cell phone records. There was something on that phone that Ronnie didn’t want them to see.
Ben returned to the table. “All set?”
“If you’ll excuse me for just a moment, I need to use the restroom,” said Ronnie.
Sally watched as she walked to the back of the hall, and waited for her to disappear around the corner before turning to Ben and whispering, “It’s the cell phone. Something’s on Mary Ann’s cell phone.”
“What?” He sat next to her and leaned close enough that they touched again. “How do you know?”
“She practically told me.” Sally lifted the cell from her bag. “I must have the same model Mary Ann had. Ronnie sat through lunch and nonchalantly told us nonsense stories about every item in that trunk, but the second she saw this phone, her face went white. Ben, she must be racked with guilt, desperate to clean up all traces of the crime, and she must have thought she’d destroyed the cell phone.”
“She probably did. The police never recovered one.”
“But she thinks they did! And it doesn’t matter. We’ve already subpoenaed the cell phone records. We don’t need the actual phone.”
They stopped talking as Ronnie reappeared, tugging at the hem of her jacket and delivering a frosty glare at Sally. “Sorry about that,” she said. “I’m ready to leave.”
They rose and walked out of the restaurant. Ben attempted pleasant chitchat with Ronnie, but her responses were terse and distant. Sally didn’t care. She fought to keep from breaking out into a large grin.
Halfway to the office, Ronnie pointed to a red Toyota. “My car,” she said. “Do you mind waiting for just a moment?”
Sally and Ben stood on the sidewalk, and once again Sally noticed how close he was to her side. They’d already managed to convince Ronnie to lead them to Mary Ann’s body, and to think they may have just cracked open this case again. She had to admit they made a hell of a team. She reached over and brushed her fingertips against his, and her heart surged at the way his eyes widened. Maybe it was about time to give Ben another chance. Maybe the risk of a broken heart wasn’t as great as the risk of losing him.
Ronnie slammed the trunk of her car, jarring Sally from her thoughts. Her gaze flew to the object in the woman’s hand. A handgun, pointed right at Sally’s chest.
“Come on,” Ronnie said. “Let’s go for a ride.”
Chapter 16
Ben couldn’t see the gun from his position in the back of the vehicle, but he knew it was a .32, and that Ronnie had the barrel pressed against Sally’s side. “Drive,” she ordered.
Sally’s movements were calm as she turned the key in the ignition, but Ben could see the tension in her shoulders. “Where are we going?” she asked.
“Just drive. You—” Ronnie looked into the backseat at Ben. “Put your hands on your head. If you move, I’ll shoot her.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said lightly, but inwardly groaned. He’d never be able to reach his gun like this.
“May I put on my seat belt?” Sally asked, lifting her hands in the air.
“Any sudden moves and I shoot.”
Sally nodded and slowly pulled her seat belt across her lap, clicking the buckle into place. Then she put the car into Drive and headed down the road. Traffic was light, but this time, Sally didn’t drive quickly. Ben’s heart thundered in his chest, the rush of blood in his ears blocking out all other sounds.
This wasn’t how it was going to end. He just had to think.
“I’m not sure what went wrong here, Ronnie,” Sally ventured after a few silent minutes. “I thought we had a nice lunch.”
With one hand, the woman kept the gun pointed at Sally, and with the other, she opened Sally’s handbag. “Where is it?” she asked.
“What?”
“The phone.”
“In the front pocket.”
Ronnie dug eagerly and emerged with the phone. “You shouldn’t have brought this.”
“It’s not evidence,” Ben said. “It’s her phone. The police never recovered Mary Ann’s cell phone.”
Ronnie frowned at the device. “No,” she said. “It’s Mary Ann’s. I remember it.” She tucked it into her coat pocket. “What were you trying to do—trick me? Get me to confess something?” She sighed. “Take a left here.”
Sally turned the vehicle as directed. “What’s on that phone, Ronnie? What has you so scared?”
“That’s not your concern anymore.”
The hair on the back of Ben’s neck prickled at the chill in her response. “You’re going to kill us.”
Ronnie glanced at him. “I’m a survivor. I’ve got to look after myself and my family.”
“No offense, Ronnie, but shooting us doesn’t help you or your family.” Sally winced in the rearview mirror. “You don’t need to jam that thing in my ribs, for God’s sake.”
“Stop talking. Get on the highway.”
“Where the hell are we going?” Sally was emboldened, and her voice rose in irritation.
“Somewhere private.”
They drove for what seemed like forever down the empty stretch of highway. Once they arrived at their destination, Ben thought, he’d reach for his gun. But what if Ronnie saw him move, and shot Sally? What if she shot them both, right there in the car? Ice ran through his veins.
No, she would need the car to escape. She’d let them get out first, and then he’d make his move. He could reach forward quickly and grab Ronnie, easily overpower her. Except that gun was pointed right at Sally. Right at her baby. His gut clenched.
“You shot your sister.” The voice that spoke wasn’t his. It sounded much too calm. “You murdered your own sister and then engaged in this elaborate cover-up.”
Ronnie rolled her eyes. “I guess you think I should have just confessed? Of course I had to cover it up.” Her mouth tightened into a thin line. “But it’s Mitch’s fault. He’s the one who needs to pay.”
“He’s going to pay,” Sally said. “He’s going to jail for a long, long time. Maybe the rest of his life.”
“If you shoot us, you’ll be going away, too,” Ben said.
Ronnie snorted. “You think I’m st
icking around here? I’ve hidden before, and I’ll do it again.” She gave Ben a smile. “You ever been to Vegas? They sell everything there. I have three different passports. I can disappear.” Ronnie poked Sally with the gun. “Take this exit.”
Ben’s mind began to hum. She was going right back to the reservoir. It was almost too much to hope that investigators might still be at the scene, and even if they were, Ronnie would make Sally drive around to a different location. There were plenty of vacant areas around the reservoir that would be perfect for dumping two bodies.
His muscles coiled. He’d been in a war zone, in places where death and violence hovered on the periphery and sometimes intruded closer. Now he was on the front lines, with only minutes to formulate an escape for both of them.
If not for him, then for Sally. She had everything to live for.
* * *
Sally sighed. “You know, I have to apologize for my driving. I’m really a terrible driver.”
Ronnie straightened her posture. “You’ve been fine.”
“No,” she insisted. “I’m really bad at driving. I have—what do you call it, Ben?” She glanced at him pointedly in the rearview mirror. “A lead foot?”
“That’s right,” he said.
The car accelerated slightly, pressing him back into the seat. “It’s dangerous,” Sally continued. “I should know better. I’ve prosecuted reckless driving cases, DUI’s—you know, driving under the influence,” she explained to Ronnie. “You can really do some damage with a car.”
She kept watching him in the mirror, throwing pointed glances at him. What was she looking for? The needle on the speedometer rose as the vehicle picked up still more speed. She was rushing them to their deaths, when what he needed was more time to think!
She met his gaze again in the mirror, this time making a gesture with her eyes at Ronnie. “You were in an accident once, weren’t you, Ben? I think you hit a tree?”
Hands still firmly on his head, he realized for the first time that he and Ronnie weren’t wearing seat belts. “Yes,” he said cautiously. “That was a long time ago now.”
“A tree,” Sally mused. “That had to have hurt.”
That’s when the car shifted direction, and he realized Sally was speeding them toward a large oak tree at the side of the road. He had only seconds to brace himself against the impact, and he slid to the floor of the vehicle and tucked himself between the seats. There was the deafening sound of metal crunching, and glass showered into the car. Ronnie screamed and fired a single shot. Then there was silence.
Sally had struck the tree on the passenger’s side, and Ronnie’s crumpled body lay on top of her.
“Sally?” he asked. “Are you okay?”
She didn’t respond.
Ben’s hands were covered in blood, but he couldn’t determine the source. There was no time—he had to get Sally to safety.
Wincing with pain, he clawed his way across the glass-splattered backseat. The passenger’s side was smashed, and the doors wouldn’t open. He fumbled at the handle. Locked. The damn door was locked, and he couldn’t open it. He cursed. Childproof locks. He peeled the jacket from his back, wrapped it around his hand and smashed at the window once, then twice. The glass splintered and gave way, leaving a gaping hole that he was able to pull himself through. He reached inside to find the lock for the driver’s side door, and pressed it. Then he opened the door, catching Sally’s limp figure as she started to fall out. He held her with one hand and unfastened her seat belt with the other, then pulled her onto the grass.
“Hey, buddy, you need help?” A car on the road above them slowed.
“Call the police! Tell them it’s an emergency!”
Ben dragged Sally farther from the car, his heart racing at the sight of the blood on her shirt. “Come on, honey,” he whispered. “Wake up.”
He checked her for wounds, finding nothing but some small cuts and an expanding purple bruise on her forehead. The air bag hadn’t deployed. She’d probably hit the steering wheel. She was breathing; that was good. He pressed two fingers to her throat. Her heartbeat was strong. But bile rose in his throat nonetheless. Her eyes were still shut tight.
“Wake up, Sally.” He pulled her limp hand to his lips and kissed it. “Honey, talk to me.”
She groaned and stirred, pressing a palm to her forehead. “Ouch.” Her eyes opened, and she blinked at him. Then her hand flew to her abdomen. “My baby,” she whispered.
He couldn’t stop the emotion that swelled in his throat. “Help is on the way.” He ran his thumb across her forehead, brushing back her hair. “Try to stay calm.”
He could see that was impossible. Her breath was raspy, and she clutched at his bruised arms. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” he lied. “Quick thinking. You saved us both.”
A tear streaked down her cheek. “I had to tell you that I love you.”
He kissed her hand again, distrustful of the words. They were now joined in tragedy. It was only human for her to feel this way. “Sally...”
“No, I mean it.” She propped herself up on her elbows. “It scares me half to death, but I love you. Can we have another chance? Maybe it’s not forever, but...” Her voice trailed off.
“It’s forever, Sally.” He drew closer to her, cradling her head in his hand. “I love you, and I promise that this time, it’s forever.”
There was a rustle behind them, and Ben instinctively reached for his weapon. His heart jumped at the sight of Ronnie’s pale face, streaming with blood. Then he saw the gun pointed right at Sally. “Drop it, Ronnie!” he shouted, aiming his weapon at her. “The police are on their way, and you need medical attention.”
She didn’t seem to register the words, and he realized that the blood on Sally’s shirt was probably Ronnie’s. She looked delirious.
The sound of distant sirens pierced the silence, and a bracing wind rushed through him. Sally shivered in his arms, though whether from cold or fear, he couldn’t tell. “I said drop your weapon, Ronnie!”
But she didn’t drop it. She turned her gun toward Sally with pure hate in her eyes. There was the sound of a shot and a scream, and Ben’s world went black.
Epilogue
Sally had brought him flowers. She didn’t know if that was appropriate, but it seemed to her that when someone took a bullet for you, the least you could do was bring flowers. She clutched the bouquet against her chest as she walked down the hall to his room, not knowing why she had butterflies in her stomach. This was Ben, after all.
Yes, that was the thing. This was Ben. Seeing him had always given her butterflies.
Every hospital smelled the same, she mused. She hated that smell. She looked forward to visiting him somewhere else, or better yet, bringing him home to her house so she could take care of him herself. The thought made her happy.
She paused at the entrance to his room and took a breath. Then she tapped on the door lightly.
“Come in.”
His voice. Her heart somersaulted.
She stepped inside the room, suddenly shy. He was propped up, left shoulder covered in bandages. He had cuts on his arms and an ugly purple welt on his cheek, but he was alive. He smiled when he saw her. “Sally.” He held out his good arm to her. “I was waiting for you.”
She ran to him, burying her face in the side of his neck and inhaling his smell. His cheek was prickly with stubble, but she didn’t care. She pressed her palms to his beautiful face and kissed him, delighted that he kissed her back and wrapped his arm tighter, pulling her close. “I missed you,” she said. “And it’s only been a day.”
“I missed you, too.”
“The surgery...was it awful?”
“They got the bullet. I won’t be setting off metal detectors for the rest of my life. And congratulations—I hear the
police arrested Ronnie.”
“She’s in custody. And guess who’s turned state’s witness? Mitch. Just as you thought, he’s been saving evidence of Ronnie’s involvement in the crime as insurance. You know what Mary Ann had on that cell phone?”
“I can’t imagine.”
“A picture of Ronnie’s dog, Pookie. She took a picture of the shar-pei seconds before Ronnie shot her. In the background of the photo, you can see Ronnie coming toward her with a gun.”
Ben whistled under his breath.
“I know. Mitch didn’t know that Mary Ann was planning to confront her sister, and when he came home that night, it was already too late. Still, he had the presence of mind to send himself that photo. Ronnie didn’t know that part.”
“Why didn’t Mitch just go to the police?”
“Because if he turned in Ronnie, he’d be implicated in the cover-up. He admits to disposing of the evidence. Best-case scenario was that Ronnie would turn up alive, all the charges would be dropped and both of them would walk away.”
Ben rubbed her back. “They didn’t count on you.”
“They didn’t count on us,” she corrected. She gestured to a spot on the bed. “May I?”
“Of course.”
She sat down beside him and wrapped her arms gingerly around him. He had stitches on one side and a gunshot wound on his shoulder, but she wanted nothing more than to touch him, to feel for herself that he was still with her.
“James is back to being an orphan again,” she whispered into his chest. “I worry about him. I can’t help it.”
Ben brushed his hand down her back. “Any idea what he’s going to do now?”
“I’ve already contacted one of his uncles in Pennsylvania. He’s staying with that friend of his again, but he needs something more stable than that right now. He needs his family, and he mentioned at one point how much he admired this uncle.”
The Burden of Desire Page 23
