Virtuous Deception

by Leiann B. Wrytes

  Jacob heard Frank before he saw him, the raised voices of a few young men, legal aides, vainly attempting to stop him . . . his assistant’s screams as Frank tore past her, bursting through the large oak door into Jacob’s office. Jacob stood at the sight of Frank’s six-foot-four frame filling the doorway. Jacob subdued the urge to react defensively. Frank was visibly angry, and he did not want to make the situation worse, but Jacob had grossly underestimated the depth of Frank’s rage.

  When he opened his mouth to speak . . . Bam! Frank covered the six feet of distance between him and Jacob in seconds. Jacob’s open mouth caught the full weight of Frank’s 230 pounds carried in a nasty left hook. Before Jacob could respond, Frank leaped over Jacob’s desk and connected with a right hook, breaking Jacob’s jaw and sending him crashing to the ground. The sound of Jacob’s jaw breaking echoed off the walls of the carpetless office.

  Shock rendered Jacob immobile as Frank rained down blow after blow. Frank saw crimson as Jacob’s blood soon covered his hands, face, and his clothes. Had he been in his rational mind, the blood would have caused him to stop, but it did not stop him or even slow him down. He imagined the red sticky substance on his face were her tears, serving to intensify his fury. Some of the associates had called the authorities, and the sirens sounded loudly outside as they breached the building. Frank did not hear the sirens; he only heard Lisa’s screams muffled by Jacob’s burly hands. The sound of her clothes as they ripped; her sense of security and self-worth shattering like glass cutting the sheets of the bed as Jacob violated her. He saw a young girl crumbling under the weight of a grown man. He wanted to stop Jacob, to prevent any pain from coming to her, but he could not. No matter how many times he hit Jacob, he could not save Lisa. He could not end her heartache.

  After being shot with a drive stun gun twice and being Tasered, four officers were eventually able to restrain him. Jacob’s face was hardly recognizable, and he was barely breathing. By the time the paramedics were able to get to him, the assessment of his injuries was astonishing. He suffered three broken ribs, a broken nose, a fractured jaw, his eyes were swollen shut, and his lips were busted. Frank sat emotionless, handcuffed in the back of the police car. He could only see Lisa’s face. He remembered the numerous times he made love to her. How tender and soft her body had been. The way she felt, how she smelled of lavender and honey. It enraged him to think of Jacob being with her—his wife. Jacob had known all these years and never said a word to him. The mere thought that he had ever been friends with Jacob disgusted him. He worried about Brianna now and what he would say to her. He thought of Lisa and where she had gone. Frank was not sorry for what he did. He was certain that, had it not been stopped, he would have killed him.

  Chapter 22

  Cancun was exactly what Brianna needed. Javan had been blowing her phone up for three days straight and had shown up unexpectedly at her place the night before her flight left. She had hoped to avoid having the conversation with him altogether, but he clearly had different plans. With everything going on, she simply did not have time for him. She honestly did not want to hurt him, and as much as it pained her, she had to let him know that their relationship had run its course. He did not take it well, and she nearly called security to have him removed, but Michelle’s call seemed to calm him down. With her attention diverted elsewhere, it gave him time to compose himself.

  Some part of Brianna cared about Javan, but that thing she wanted at the moment was not a relationship. She didn’t want to have someone else she had to fret about. Her parents’ situation was reason enough for her to stay single for the rest of her life.

  “Bria, come in here.”

  Michelle called Brianna in from the patio, back into the room where she was sitting at the table with her MacBook.

  “What is it? I was trying to relax. It would behoove you to do the same. After all, we are in Cancun.”

  Michelle could not relax. She was still antsy about the Marx Brothers and hadn’t figured out how to tell Brianna yet.

  “I can’t. I need to figure some of this out.”

  “Well, what did you find, Carmen?”

  “Carmen?”

  “Yea . . . you know . . . Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?” Brianna sang.

  Michelle could not help but laugh at that. “Cole, you stupid. Anyways with an s . . . I called you in here to let you know that your dad was arrested yesterday.”

  “What? He was in the hospital!”

  “Well, not anymore. Now, he’s in Lew Sterrett.”

  “Let me see.” Brianna pushed Michelle to the side and plopped down in front of her computer. “What does it say?”

  “I don’t know; you took the computer.” Michelle pulled the MacBook closer to her. Brianna picked up her phone and called her dad. “His phone is going to voice mail.”

  “It says he’s being charged with assault of a local attorney. . . Jacob Wilson!” Michelle was beyond shocked. “What in the world?”

  “He must have found out that he told us somehow, right? What else could it be?”

  “Are you serious, Bria? It could be anything else. I seriously doubt he knows anything about this,” Michelle stated, motioning toward the two of them.

  “I’m calling my mom. I cannot believe she didn’t call me and let me know.”

  “Don’t tell her where you are.”

  Brianna waved a dismissive hand in Michelle’s direction. “I remember. She’s not answering anyway. She must have had something to do with this.”

  “She might, but you need to be reasonable. It’s not like she can force your dad into doing something he doesn’t want to do.”

  Brianna rolled her eyes. “Whatever, MAchelle. I need to go see my dad.”

  “We just got here yesterday.” Michelle did not know what else to say, but even she knew that lame excuse would not sway Brianna.

  “And? I need to go and see about him. He was just released from the hospital.”

  “According to this article . . . He is not the one in need of care. Jacob is in the ICU.”

  “Oh my goodness . . .” Jacob’s condition had not even registered with Brianna. “He fought Uncle Jacob? I don’t understand this. I feel like I’m in a twilight zone or something.” Brianna was perplexed. Even if her father somehow found out about her and Michelle, would it warrant a beat-down like that? She didn’t think so. Her dad rarely ever raised his voice. It had to be something really big to provoke that type of violent reaction. Michelle thought that Brianna was making her mom a scapegoat for everything, and maybe she was, but she had been right to do so thus far, and she was convinced that this situation had something to do with her. Brianna went to her bag, grabbed the envelope Michelle’s friend had sent her, and rejoined Michelle on the couch.

  “I think there may be something in here we’re missing.”

  “Well, you may as well add these into the mix.” Michelle took the pictures she had received out of her computer bag and handed them to Brianna.

  They both began sifting through pictures before Brianna saw something that caught her attention. “Michelle, I think this is Uncle Jacob. He’s much younger, but I’m pretty sure that’s him.”

  Michelle took the picture and looked it over. She thought it could be him, but the angle was not right, so it was difficult for her to tell. If she squinted a little and looked at it from an acute angle, it kind of looked like him. “It could be him, but the only picture I have for reference is this leaked hospital photo. So, what if it is?”

  “Well, this picture is from the group that you were sent. Someone knew Uncle Jacob and Lisa when they were younger.”

  Michelle started to understand what Brianna was hinting at. “It could even be the person that sent the pictures in the first place.”

  “I think it is, but who could that be?”

  “It’s the wizard.” Michelle was slightly annoyed. They were making connections but still finding more questions than answers.

  Brianna needed a breather. T
he trip to Cancun was supposed to be an escape, but now she felt even more stressed. “I’m going for a walk.”

  “Where are you going? I’ll finish this up and catch up with you.”

  “I’m headed toward the beach. I’ll walk slowly.”

  “Cool. I shouldn’t be long.”

  Brianna did not know exactly where she was going, but she knew she couldn’t stay in the room any longer. She took the elevator down to the first floor of the hotel. She did not notice the two men trailing her as she made her way through the busy lobby and into one of the many on-site stores. Brianna wanted to grab a pair of shades and some more sunscreen. She had already started to burn a little bit from her time on the patio earlier. She made her purchases, and then made her way to the beach just out behind the hotel, hoping that a little stroll would help her to relax. The two men were not far behind her.

  * * *

  Michelle was glad Brianna went for a walk. It provided the perfect opportunity for her to call Armand. It was getting late, and the sun was setting. The scene from their patio was really beautiful. The sky was filled with gorgeous shades of lavender, pumpkin orange, light pinks, and deep crimson. Michelle wished she wasn’t so preoccupied so that she could really enjoy it. This was her first trip away in years.

  “Armand, what’s going on? Have you made any progress?”

  “Yes and no. The Marx Brothers have been calling me, but I’ve been avoiding them until I figure out some of this stuff. I’m trying to stay low and out of sight for now. I’ve been looking for your dad, but there’s been no sign of him. It’s almost like he disappeared. He hasn’t been at any of his usual spots.”

  “Well, I talked to my mom before we left, and she said he wasn’t home. I can try to see if she’s heard from him.”

  “That’s not necessary.” Armand considered whether to let Michelle know where he currently was at that moment. “I’ve been sitting outside your house for a little while now, and there’s no sign of your dad here.”

  “I’m not overly comfortable with you watching my mother like that, but at least she’s safe. I find some measure of comfort in that.”

  “Of course. What’s going on with you guys there? Everything all right?”

  “It was . . . until we found out that Brianna’s dad is in jail.”

  “In jail? What’s his name?”

  “Frank Mason. Have you heard anything? I only know what the news printed.”

  “Nothing I’m sure you don’t already know. Where is your sister?”

  “She went for a walk.”

  “You let her go alone, Michelle? What are you thinking?”

  “You said we should be safe out here. I told her I’d catch up.”

  “You still need to take precautions. Does she know the danger you’re in?”

  “Did it follow us here?”

  “That’s not the point.”

  “Then make it plain, Armand. If you lied—”

  “Did you tell her anything?”

  “I didn’t tell her... I—”

  “Michelle . . .” Armand sighed in frustration. “Hold on.”

  Michelle could hear Armand pressing buttons.

  “Why would you keep this from her?”

  “I couldn’t figure out how, and besides, she’s already worried enough. Who were you texting just now?”

  “No one. MK, this is too important. Go find her and tell her what’s going on. This is not a good time for all these damn secrets. Why are you acting like a child?”

  “Excuse me? I am just . . . This is a lot. I don’t know what to do.”

  “You need to snap out of it. I’m not trying to be harsh, but we don’t have time for you to clam up. Pull yourself together. Go find your sister. I’ll see what I can find out about Frank, and I’ll call you later.”

  Michelle felt awful. Armand was right; she did need to pull it together. She was not behaving like herself. She checked the time. Bria had been gone about twenty minutes. She quickly splashed some cold water on her face and took off to find her. She didn’t want to tell her the danger they were really in, unsure of whether Brianna could handle more bad news, but she didn’t have a choice. She needed to know.

  Chapter 23

  Lisa was relaxing in the hot tub at the Hilton Anatole. She had been with Charlie since she came to pick her up after her fight with Frank. She turned off her phone and decided to take some much-needed time away from the men in her life. Charlie hadn’t asked too many questions, and Lisa was grateful for that, not wanting to discuss the situation. She needed to keep things as light as possible. She had been on edge since she found Frank lying on the floor in his office that day. Charlie kept things simple for her, and she needed simple.

  In moments of severe stress or confusion, she craved Charlie, the peace and calm she felt in her presence. However, none of these things were enough for her to enter into a relationship with her. Lisa was not certain if she wanted a relationship with anyone. She had loved Frank, but she had not been happy with him for a considerable amount of time. This argument may have given her enough fuel to leave him for good. She had a sizable stash hidden. Money only she had access to; it was her emergency reserve. She was never going back to her old life, and she put cash aside as insurance.

  Lisa’s skin began to wrinkle. She grabbed her robe, slid her feet into her sandals, and started the trip back to Charlie’s room. She used her key to open the door and found Charlie pacing the floor. Lisa wished there was some way to avoid inquiring about the reason for her obvious panic without seeming rude. She could not think of one single thing she could do.

  “What’s wrong, Charlie?”

  “Jacob is in the hospital,” Charlie spoke without thinking. She looked at Lisa and saw it was too late to take it back.

  “Jacob?” Lisa searched Charlie’s face for an explanation. She could tell by the uneasiness in Charlie’s eyes that they were talking about the same Jacob. “Exactly how do you know Jacob?”

  “Lisa, I think you need to sit down.”

  “I think I’ll stand.” Lisa felt the hairs on her arms react to the drop in room temperature. What was Charlie about to tell her?

  “Lisa, I am not who you think I am . . . not completely.”

  “What are you talking about? What do you mean?”

  “I have known you for a long time. I knew you before we met at the club that night.”

  Lisa closed her eyes and shook her head in protest. “No, I am good with faces. I would have remembered you. We never spoke before that night.”

  Charlie took a deep breath and sat down. She only uttered one word. “Indiana.”

  Lisa fell back into the door, banging her head against the wood. A loud ringing noise filled her ears, and all she could see were pieces of light. She could feel Charlie gently turning her around on the floor, with her small arms wrapped around her chest, pulling her toward the bed. Lisa did not want Charlie to touch her, but she was too dizzy to protest. Charlie stretched Lisa across the bed and propped a pillow beneath her feet for elevation, grabbing a cool, wet towel to cover her forehead. Lisa was conscious but not completely coherent. Disoriented and faint, it took everything she had to keep her eyes open.

  Now Charlie was on the phone with someone. Lisa could scarcely make out the conversation. She could only hear bits and pieces, but Charlie was scared. She could hear it in her voice.

  “What . . . He’s dead? Are you . . . sure? . . . For how long? Murdered?”

  Lisa could only hear every couple of words or so, and it was hard to concentrate. She gave up and succumbed to her thoughts. Indiana. That was the last word she heard Charlie say clearly. The only way Charlie could have known anything about Indiana was if she had been there, but what were the odds that they both would end up in Dallas? Texas was a big state. Lisa had to consider it, though. The odds were the same with Jacob, but they were both here. She tried to think back to her days in Indiana.

  Many faces passed through her mind, but she could not place Cha
rlie there. Not that Lisa could recall too much of anything from that time with any decent amount of clarity. It all seemed to be one long, alcohol-infused block of time. Too much pain awaited her there. The night she found the courage to run, she vowed that she would not look back, and she kept her promise. She foolishly attempted to remain in contact with her mom for the first few months but to no avail.

  Lisa suffered through many phone calls, listening to her mother complain and blame her for leaving her alone with her husband, Lisa’s father, who now lavishly adorned her with the same emotional and physical scars previously reserved for his daughter. Sometimes, she even begged and pleaded with Lisa to come back. Even though her mom had failed to protect her, Lisa still loved her and felt responsible for her misery. Lisa’s father was a sadist, and her mother was easily manipulated. If Lisa had not left, her father would have surely killed her, and her mother would not have lifted her voice in protest. One day, Lisa called and her father answered the phone. She never called again; she knew that her mother was dead.

  Lisa did not want to be her mother and made some questionable decisions in an effort to avoid it. It did not matter to her. She could not be completely at the mercy of another person—ever. She would always have an exit clause in every social contract.

  Lisa was groggy and succumbing to the lull of sleep. “I need to get my money from . . .” She drifted off to sleep again.

  Charlie was no longer on the phone and sat in a chair, watching Lisa rest. Things went from bad to worse. Jacob was in the hospital, and Lewis was dead. Charlie was not Lewis’s biggest fan, but she needed him, especially now. She did not have a backup plan, and Lewis was her sole source of income. His demise did not help her situation, even if it did free her from his toxic hold. She would soon have to move again, and she only recently took up residence at the Hilton from the Omni.