Deadly Deception

by Tami Kidd

  “You know about that?” Surprised by Dodger’s comment, Mara felt her face redden in embarrassment.

  “I was very impressed with the way you handled the situation. You are a strong and resourceful woman, Miss Mara.”

  “I owe it to the self-defense classes I took. Worth every penny.” She smiled at him. Her attention remained inside the vehicle, no longer able to see the beautiful shores while driving through town.

  “Indeed, they were,” Dodger said.

  The SUV slowed and turned down a narrow sandy road, lined on either side with small scrub oak and yaupon trees. At the end of the drive stood a large cottage of pastel blue trimmed in white. It faced the emerald waters of the Gulf. A wraparound porch surrounded three sides of the ground floor and a balcony extended the entire front side on the second floor.

  A woman in a, billowy bright-paisley skirt and white peasant blouse stepped out onto the front porch waving. Her long flowing gray hair whipped in the wind, and her bronze skin glowed beneath the summer sun. “Hello. Hello. Come in,” she called to the group as they exited the vehicle. The sea breeze carried her invitation as if she had sung a siren’s song.

  A peacefulness enveloped Mara like a toasty blanket on a cold winter’s night.

  The woman pulled Mara into her arms and hugged her like an old friend. “I’m Sophie. I’m so happy you could come. Richard told me so much about you. I feel as though I’ve known you for years.” She beckoned everyone inside, out of the summer heat.

  Amazed at the seaside décor, Mara stood fixed in place. The interior could have been in a photo shoot for Southern Living magazine, with its many pastel colors and coastal theme.

  Sophie poured tall glasses of sweetened iced tea for everyone and motioned them to the sunroom where live palms divided the seating arrangement. “Please, please sit, get comfortable.”

  “Mara, dear, you sit here by me.” She patted the coral-colored couch next to her. “I want to get to know you.”

  Mara took a seat beside Sophie. Michael Porter and Dodger sat in the cushioned wicker chairs flanking the sofa. Opie chose to stand as though on guard.

  “How are you, dear? Sophie asked. “I imagine you must be tired and stressed.”

  “Yes, I guess I am,” Mara said staring at Sophie’s huge brown eyes, which seemed to dance.

  “Tell me, dear,” Sophie said. “Do you know what I’m going to do?”

  “I was told you’re quite the expert in the field of hypnosis.”

  Sophie waved her hand in the air and chuckled. “I’m very skilled, yes, but I don’t like to brag.”

  “Well, I hope you’re correct in your analysis. I’d hate to think the president brought me to a quack!” Mara’s eyes widened as she put her fingers to her lips as though she had let a secret escape.

  “Aren’t you a little spitfire? I like you,” Sophie said. “I feel your strength permeating all round you. Mara dear, do you have any questions before I begin?”

  “What if I’m one of those people who can’t be hypnotized?”

  “We aren’t going to worry about that now. Let’s wait until I’m finished and then if nothing transpires, we’ll cross that bridge then. Okay?”

  Mara nodded. “Okay.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Will I actually be asleep?”

  “Not in the sense you think of as being asleep. You know when you’re driving, and you suddenly realized that you’ve gone miles and don’t remember getting there?”

  “Yes. That’s so strange. It happens quite often.”

  “Well, hypnosis is like that. You’re going to be awake and you’ll be able to talk, interact, and function normally, but when we’re finished you won’t remember anything that we talked about.”

  “Are you going to record it?” Mara asked.

  “Yes, of course. We can’t rely on my old worn-out brain to remember everything you’ve said.” Sophie chuckled. “Are you ready to begin?”

  “Yeah, I guess so.” Mara wrung her hands to calm the jitters.

  Sophie placed her hands over Mara’s. “Don’t be nervous dear; you’re safe here.” Then she pressed a button on the small recorder sitting on the coffee table. Glancing at the men in the room, Sophie said, “Gentlemen, I need complete silence.”

  They all nodded.

  “Mara, I want you to close your eyes and imagine you’re walking barefoot along the beach. You can see the sun high in the bright blue sky. Feel the warm breeze caressing your face. Smell of salt is in the air, taste it on your lips. Are you there?”

  “Yes,” Mara said. She licked her lips as if tasting salt from the sea.

  “Good. Look at the waves. Watch them roll in and out, in and out, in and out. Do you see the waves?”

  “Yes.”

  “Excellent. Now sit on the beach facing the sea. Are you sitting?”

  “Yes.”

  “Fantastic. You’re doing wonderful, dear. Keep your eyes on the waves. They’re rolling in and out, in and out, in and out. As the waves move in and out, listen to their soothing sounds as they wash up onto the beach. Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh. Do you hear the waves lapping the shore?”

  “Yes,” Mara said, hissing the enunciation.

  “Good. Now keep watching the waves. See the foam on the sand. Watch the tiny bubbles pop and disappear as the water rushes back out to the sea. Feel the sun, warm and comforting on your face. Let the sounds carry you back and forth, rocking you gently. Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh.” Sophie’s gentle voice hesitated several seconds between each word. “Mara, I want you to relax your body a little more each time the water moves in and out. Do you feel yourself relaxing?”

  “Yes,” Mara said as if she were a zombie unable to respond.

  “Good. Relax your neck. Swoosh. Relax your shoulders. Swoosh. Relax your back. Swoosh. Relax your arms. Swoosh. Relax your legs. Swoosh. Relax your toes. Swoosh.” Sophie paused. “Relax your eyes. Swoosh.”

  Instead of repeating the word Swoosh, Sophie said, “Shush,” most likely to make sure her companions knew to be very quiet.

  “Mara, are you very, very relaxed?”

  “Uh huh,” Mara said barely able to move her lips.

  “Good. You’re doing wonderful, dear. The only thing I want you to hear now is my voice. Do you understand?”

  Mara lowered her chin with a sluggish nod.

  “I’m going to ask you some questions. They may be troublesome and upset you, but I want you to remain relaxed and calm. Can you do that for me?”

  The reassuring voice soothed her. Again, a slight nod was all Mara could manage.

  “Good. I want you to remember back to the day when you were going through Thomas’s belongings, the day you found the letter. I want you to see the letter in your hands.”

  Mara held up her right hand and glanced at the letter she now held. “I see it.”

  “Good. I want you to recall the words on the page. Study them.”

  Mara read the letter. Words written to her dead husband made her pulse race. Once again, the comforting voice pacified the ensuing panic attack. She breathed easier now.

  “Recite the letter. Tell me everything you see on the pages.”

  Mara heard herself speaking in slow measured tones lacking her normal passion. Throughout her narration, Sophie’s voice encouraged her to continue.

  “Have you recited the entire letter, Mara?” Sophie asked.

  “Yes,” Mara said without emotion.

  “You’ve done very well, but now I want you to put the letter back where you found it. Is it back in its place?”

  Mara pantomimed folding the letter and placing it back in the imaginary envelope. “Yes.”

  Sophie said, “Mara, I want you to revisit the beach and watch the waves roll in, back and forth. Feel the breeze on your face and let it play with your hair.”

  Mara raised her chin toward the cloudless, blue sky. The sea’s gentle wind caressed her cheeks and tousled stray locks of her hair. She felt safe here.

 
“Mara, when I snap my fingers you will awaken and feel energized, refreshed, and stress free. You will remember everything of your visit today, but you will not feel anxious or uneasy by anything you’ve recalled. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” Mara said with a little more energy.

  Sophie snapped her fingers and everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath as Mara’s eyes fluttered open. She looked at Sophie and smiled widely. “That wasn’t so bad.”

  Sophie laughed and hugged her. “You are a dream, my darling, an absolute dream.” Sophie released her and rose. “Now I think everyone deserves a sweet treat. Who would like a slice of my irresistible key lime pie?” Sophie walked over to Dodger and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Dodger, dear, would you help me in the kitchen?”

  At once Dodger rose and slightly bowed to Sophie. “Certainly, madam, it would be an honor.”

  The two disappeared behind swinging doors that led into the kitchen.

  Relieved that the process was over, Mara hoped the information in the letter would be of some use. She remembered when she found the letter and how it devastated her. The thought of Thomas being involved with another woman crushed her. She could not believe it, and if it had not been for Alex Strange and the coincidence of his name, she may never have found out the truth. Hope that a cure for life-threatening diseases might be eradicated because of the letter’s contents blew her mind. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined being a part of something so huge.

  Minutes later, they all enjoyed the sweet, tart, creamy decadence of Sophie’s key lime pie. The light conversation and smiles were plentiful, especially from Mara. She felt like a superhero. She had fulfilled her duty to humanity. Time to start my vacation.

  Plates empty and stomachs full, they rose to depart. Hugs went all around. Mara waved goodbye, happy to meet Sophie and get the contents of the letter out, but sad to be leaving her new friend. She was particularly happy about experiencing the best key lime pie she had ever tasted.

  However, she had no idea the key lime pie would be the last indulgence some of them would ever have the pleasure of enjoying.

  Eighteen

  The afternoon sun cast a beautiful orange glow on the horizon. Mara smiled as she remembered her mother quoting, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight, red sky in the morning, sailor take warning.” Hannah Carpenter was full of wonderful tales and expressions. Mara missed her mother and her father every day, even now after all these years. Unable to give their children many material possessions, they did give them love. They also taught their children to be decent human beings, to respect life, to dream, and to be responsible. Maybe the session with Sophie sparked reflections of her childhood and parents. For some reason, the memories stirred forefront in her mind.

  Walking to the SUV, Mara noticed Dodger staring at her.

  “You look so far away. What are you thinking about, Miss Mara?”

  “My parents. If my father were alive today, perhaps he wouldn’t have to die of cancer and maybe my mother wouldn’t die of a broken heart.”

  Dodger took her hand in his and gave it a gentle pat. “I’m sure they would be very proud of you.”

  “I hope so. I was so lucky to have such wonderful parents. I regret not going back to Arkansas more often.”

  Dodger smiled and his eyes twinkled. “I’m sure they knew you loved them and would have been there more if you could. Knowing you were happy was probably all they needed.”

  “Still I should have made more of an effort to visit. I shouldn’t have been so self-absorbed. During the hypnosis, I felt them with me. Their love enveloped me. It felt amazing.”

  “You are a very kind and generous person, Miss Mara. You must not worry about the past. You had a lovely, touching experience today, because you deserved it. You are doing what you can to make the world a better place.”

  She looked at him and tilted her head as if seeing him for the first time. “President Riley is trying to make the world a better place by securing Dr. Foster’s discovery.”

  “Yes, he is. The American people elected him to be their leader, to watch out for them, and that is what he is doing.”

  “I hope he succeeds.” Mara turned back to see Sophie wave a final goodbye to the group.

  “Me too.” Dodger placed his hand on the door latch to open it for Mara.

  The two turned to wait for Opie to unlock the car door with the key fob. Opie and Michael walked toward them. Michael’s bad leg slowed him down, limping a few steps behind Opie.

  Before they reached the SUV, loud popping sounds erupted and the sand in front of Opie flew up in little bursts, along with pellet sounds.

  The next few minutes dragged on in slow motion for Mara, despite her racing pulse.

  “Get down!” Michael warned them. They cowered beside the vehicle.

  “Was that gunshots?” Mara asked as she hunkered down.

  “Yes, I believe it was,” Dodger said.

  Michael skipped to their sides, but Opie reached them first and used his body to shield Mara. Michael pulled Dodger to him. Both agents had their guns drawn and scanned the surroundings for signs of a gunman.

  “Hurry, get back inside.” Sophie yelled while she held the door open with one hand and waved for her guests to come back with the other.

  “We have to make a run for the house,” Michael said to the group huddled together.

  Mara’s heart skipped a beat. The thought of abandoning the SUV and its protection for the wide-open space between it and the house, terrified her. She swallowed hard, hoping to lubricate her dry mouth. Staring at her legs, she was sure they wouldn’t move when ordered.

  “I think the shots came from that direction.” Opie motioned his head left toward one of the small dunes on Sophie’s property. “You make a run for it with Mara and Dodger. I’ll cover you.”

  “No way, you take them,” Michael argued. “You can run faster than me. I’ll cover you.”

  “Fine, but as soon as we make it inside, you make a dash for the door. I’ll cover you.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Now get out of here.”

  Opie positioned himself between Mara and Dodger. “On three, we run together to the door. Understand?”

  Mara nodded. She looked at Dodger, his big almond eyes filled with determination as he affirmed.

  “Good. We’ll be just fine.” Opie’s forced smiled did nothing to reassure her, but his voice remained confident. Okay. One. Two. Three.”

  On the third count, Mara bolted like a thoroughbred at the starting gate. She fought the urge to leave Opie and Dodger behind. She pictured herself screaming and waving her hands hysterically as she ran toward the safety of the house; however, she forced herself to be graceful under pressure. She couldn’t lose control at the slightest sign of danger. What would they think? Who cares what they think? Where’s the calm I felt a little while ago? Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh.

  Shots rang out from Michael’s gun. Mara did not hear any return fire. They reached the porch and the shelter of the house. When she and Dodger scrambled safely inside, Opie leaned out the door and provided Michael with cover this time. Mara peered out the window as he shuffled toward the house. Run, Michael, run!

  Once everyone piled inside, Michael pulled the curtains closed while Sophie rushed to a tall, wooden cabinet in the corner of the living room. She opened it to reveal several rifles, shotguns, and an assortment of handguns.

  “Sophie, I’m impressed,” Dodger said.

  “Don’t mistake my sweetness for weakness, dear,” she said smiling. “A woman has to protect herself.”

  Mara envied the woman’s courage. Then again, she had to rely on her own bravado during the past when dealing with kidnappers who wanted her dead.

  Opie walked to the cabinet. “You have enough for all of us. Don’t mind if I take the Browning 22 SA and a box of ammo as backup to my standard issue.”

  Sophie took Mara’s hand. “Come with me. Let’s get you a gun. Would you prefer a rifle, shotgun
, or handgun?”

  “Oh, no. I don’t know how—”

  “No time like the present to learn. Here, this is a Ruger SR22.” Sophie placed the weapon in her hand. “Just remember, never point it at anyone unless you mean to shoot them. Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire. Turn the safety off first.” She showed Mara how to disengage the safety.

  The gun felt odd in her hand, heavy and clumsy. “Please, I don’t feel comfortable with this.”

  “Dear, if someone wants to kill you, it will become your best friend.” Sophie patted her cheek.

  Dodger searched the cabinet next. “Sophie, what can I use?”

  The woman left Mara alone to get acquainted with her Ruger.

  “I don’t know, Dodger honey, let me see what’s left.” She reached inside the cabinet and pulled out a revolver. “How about a Colt six shooter?”

  “Like in the Westerns?”

  “Yes, this one’s an Army Single shot, 45 caliber. You can shoot a lot of bad guys with this baby.”

  “Sure, I’ll use it.” Dodger admired the pistol.

  “Let’s hope we don’t have to use any of these, but we’re prepared just in case, huh, Dodger honey?”

  “Yes, ma’am, Miss Sophie.” Dodger bowed slightly and went to spy out the front window by the door.

  “Get down, Dodger,” Opie said, the irritation in his voice evident. “Stand off to one side of the window. Let the wall protect your body as much as possible.”

  Michael walked over to Sophie, showing her his weapon was empty. “Do you have something in that cabinet for me?”

  “Yes, indeed, I do. How about a Winchester model 1873?”

  “Thanks,” he said, taking the rifle from the case along with the ammunition.

  “What are you going to use, Miss Sophie?” Dodger asked from his post by one of the front windows.

  “Hmm, let’s see what we have left,” she said glancing into the cabinet. “I think I’ll take this little SIG 45.”

  Mara’s hands shook as she held the firearm. She let out a nervous giggle. It seemed Mary Poppins had just handed out the last prize from her magic bag full of infinite goodies, in this case weapons. Mara glanced around the room as though watching a gangster movie where all the actors armed themselves, ready for whatever might come their way.