Deadly Deception

by Tami Kidd

  Thomas kept quiet.

  “You could have killed us ten times over. Why didn’t you?”

  “I couldn’t,” he whispered. Thomas raised his head and looked to the ceiling as if beseeching some ethereal being. “I know you’re not going to believe me now, given the situation, but I didn’t have the courage to kill you. I know you better than you think I do. You have so much to offer, maybe more than you know. This cure could do so much for us, and I wanted the money and power that came along with it, but not at that price.”

  At that moment, Mara knew their conversation had reached the end. She stood and turned her back to him. Alex stood also. She took his hand and they walked to the door. She tapped the glass lightly. When the guard opened the door, she said, “We’re through here. You can take that piece of shit away.”

  ****

  Mara gazed out the car window as the lights along the interstate blurred past. The drive to Reagan National airport took about forty-five minutes. Withdrawn into herself, she didn’t speak. Alex and Michael did not disturb her thoughts.

  Finally, Alex said, “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Not really,” Mara answered.

  “Did you get all your questions answered?”

  “There may come a time when I think of something else I wish I had asked, but right now I’m too numb to think of anything. Frankly, I don’t care anymore. I just want to get things buttoned up in California so we can start over in Arkansas.”

  In the rearview mirror, Mara’s gaze locked onto Michael’s curious expression. The man she had originally despised for dragging her off the plane in Texas was now a trusted, loyal friend. Funny how things change.

  He looked back as if sensing her stare. “I know we got off to a rocky start, but if there’s ever anything I can do for the two of you, all you have to do is call.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a card. “Here’s my cell and email address. I’d appreciate it if you kept in touch from time to time.”

  Mara smiled, reaching over the seat to take the card. “We will. Thank you for everything you’ve done. I hope you get to go fishing soon. If you’re ever in Arkansas, come visit. You know they have some of the best fishing lakes in the country.”

  “Well, I may not have a job for much longer, so I may have lots of time to fish.”

  “I’m sure the new chief of staff will find you a valuable asset. Please tell the president I harbor no ill feelings toward him for how—we met. I don’t blame you either.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  “I hope the new team of researchers will be able to pick up where the Methuselah Group left off. If they are successful…it boggles my mind as to what a difference it will make.”

  “You’re absolutely right. Of course, you have the doomsayers who claim the cure for diseases will be the collapse of society, but that’s a chance we have to take.”

  Mara nodded her head, contemplating a world where children would be able to grow up without sicknesses like cancer, diabetes, or other debilitating diseases. And not just children but also everyone. The drug companies aren’t going to be happy, that’s for sure. Smiling she said, “If you see Dodger, tell him I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, and I appreciate all he did for me as well?”

  “I doubt I will see him, at least for a while.”

  “Why?”

  “He’s decided to go back to Vietnam to search for his sister.”

  “That’s wonderful. I hope he’s successful. He deserves it.”

  “I agree.” Michael slowed the car and pulled into the drop-off lane. “I’ll let you off here.” He reached under the console to pop the trunk. Michael opened his door and limped to the trunk. When he reached the rear of the car, Alex had already pulled their luggage out.

  Michael smiled and shook Alex’s hand and then pulled him into an embrace. “Thanks, man. You take care of our girl.”

  Alex patted Michael’s back. “You got it. Come see us; we’ll wet a hook.”

  Mara waited for the two men to finish their farewells. Smiling at the affection that had grown between them, her heart filled with gratitude. Sometimes friends can grow in the strangest gardens.

  Turning to Mara, Michael kissed her cheek. “Ms. Byrne, it’s been a pleasure.”

  “Mr. Porter, I wish you well.” Looking into his eyes, she placed a palm on his cheek. For a fleeting second, she thought she felt a small tear beneath her hand.

  Alex and Mara took their luggage and walked through the automatic doors of the airport. She stopped and turned to look back. Michael remained frozen to his spot. He raised a hand. Mara wave goodbye doubting they would ever see each other again. Promised future get-togethers just worked out that way.

  The past two years reeled through her mind, confirming her the hard-earned freedom would feel exhilarating. The excitement growing inside her felt like exploding fireworks. In a childlike fashion, she skipped along, running ahead of Alex. She stopped abruptly and walked over to a trashcan next to a column. In a smooth, easy motion, she pulled her wedding ring off her finger and tossed it into the garbage. With it, she let go of the past with a man she only thought she knew. She looked back at Alex and beamed. He is my future. “Come on slowpoke. We have to get started.” Laughing aloud like a crazy woman, her hoots echoed throughout the airport. People turned to stare, but she didn’t care. Let the adventure begin.

  The End.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Tami moved to the Florida Panhandle in 2001 from Mountain Pine, Arkansas. Born in California, she also resided for a short time in Grants Pass, Oregon.

  Family has been Tami’s main focus for most of her life, until 2010 when she self-published her first novel, the result of a NanoWrimo challenge. Now, she juggles a full-time job, family, writing, chairing a writing group, and helping other authors along the way. Not an easy task, but definitely rewarding.

  She gains inspiration and ideas from life experiences, reading, dreams and interacting with the world. Her work is character driven. A character is presented to her and then she builds the world around the character.

  Tami’s goal is to inspire other writers, help them master their craft, teach them how to be successful marketers and promoters, and motivate them to achieve their dreams. Her motto is Aspire to Inspire.

  Her only regret is that she didn’t pursue her dreams sooner.