Poison Candy - Book 2: Behind Closed Doors Series

by H. H. Fowler

  “I don’t need you, Viola!” Gregory shot back.

  “Of course you do! You’ve always had an issue with insecurity. I can’t imagine what you would do without me.”

  Gregory got right in Ms. V’s face. “You shouldn’t have used my men. That is the issue I’m having with this. Get off your high horse for once and admit that you’ve made a bad situation worse.”

  “First of all,” Ms. V said. “Those are not your men. They were hired for the organization’s disposal and if necessary, will overturn any directive issued to them by you. Besides, I have already explained to you that Dana being shot was not intentional. And Jorge would have only gotten in the way. Didn’t he reject your offer to join one of the most lucrative businesses in the world? That ought to tell you he had a very independent mind – too rigid to be influenced by our beliefs. He was getting a little too close, so we had to get rid of him.”

  I wish I’d never met up with you people, George thought regrettably. You’ve ruined my life. How could I have been so blind? God, if there is a way to get out of this mess, please show me.

  “Jorge was the rebellious type,” Ms. V continued. “Just like Chazz was – they both allowed their conscience to rule them. If given the opportunity, they would have exposed who we are – they were already trying. It was the reason why Jorge confronted you the afternoon of his death. He had figured out that you had something to do with Anwar’s new standard of living. And we all know it only takes a little snooping around to unravel what we are trying to protect.”

  Gregory gave Ms. V a bothered look. “How did you know that Jorge came to talk to me that day? I’d told no one of that conversation.”

  “Oh please, Gregory,” Ms. V said casually. “You should know by now that I know everything. Accept that what we did was in the best interest of the organization. I reiterate so that you can get this through your thick skull; we had to get rid of Jorge and Chazz. They were creating trouble for us. On the other hand…” Ms. V stepped back from Gregory by a few feet. “…these last couple of weeks I’ve been noticing a change in you. You’re not thinking about leaving us, are you?”

  Gregory looked away from Ms. V’s penetrating glare. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he mumbled.

  “Of course you do.” She walked up to Gregory and gently tugged his face toward her. She hated a man that ran away from the truth. “I cannot remember the last time we’ve had an evening of spontaneous sex…oh wait…that was six weeks ago…around the time you hired a new youth minister for the church. How is Izaiah by the way? Sexy-looking thing, isn’t he? When are you going to introduce him to me so that I can test his sexual stamina?”

  Gregory grabbed Ms. V’s hand and said resentfully, “You are such a loose woman. Why did I ever trust you?”

  “Think back twenty years, Gregory when you were just a young desperate preacher. You wanted it all – just like Chazz and Anwar and all the other men you have recruited. Do you remember our little conversation about dreams? Everyone has a price they are willing to pay to obtain their dreams. You were no different. So don’t be angry about the path you’ve chosen – just accept it. You are more privileged than many.” Ms. V paused and stared at a spot behind Gregory’s shoulder. She knew her eyes did not deceive her. Someone had darted by and had concealed themselves behind a wall. She looked at Gregory and placed a well-polished finger to her lips. “Wait here.”

  Anwar feverishly pushed his legs through his pants as he continued moving through the sitting area of the suite. The way the suite was designed, Anwar knew there was a fifty-fifty chance that he would not be able to elude Ms. V or Gregory without detection. His shirt was tied around his neck so that it wouldn’t drop to the floor during his flight. He had to get out of this place and locate the police. These people had killed his friend, Jorge and maybe dozens more. For all he knew, he could be next.

  “Anwar!” Ms. V yelled, clearly astonished to see the young man had come out of his self-inflicted coma. “How long have you been awake?”

  Anwar kept moving and wasted no time trying to satisfy Ms. V with an answer. He flew passed Gregory toward the front door. In passing he spotted his iPhone on the mantle. He backpedaled, grabbed it and was on his way again.

  “Don’t just stand there, you idiot!” Ms. V shouted. “Go after him!”

  “I don’t have time for these cat and mouse games,” Gregory replied. “I have a sermon to prepare for.”

  Ms. V logged herself into the intercom system and put the entire security team on alert. She watched Gregory calmly walk out of her suite, but she was too caught up in the moment to reprimand him. She would deal with him after the smoke cleared.

  “We have a runaway,” she spat. “His name is Anwar Daxon. Do everything in your power to bring him back. Even if it has to be in a body bag.”

  Chapter Eleven

  A full week had gone by and First Lady Dana Beaufort was no closer to recovering her memory of the last two months. So when Izaiah walked into her hospital room clutching a vase filled with roses, she was naturally confused over his presence. Right after, Asia, Dallis and Candi walked in and surrounded Dana’s bed in a semi-circle. All of them – more or less – had a measure of concern in their eyes. This bothered Dana, somewhat, because she was not used to being confined to a bed and having people cater to her as such.

  “Why are you all looking at me like that?” she asked warily. “I’m not dying, am I?”

  “We wouldn’t let you,” Dallis said. “We are just grateful that your recovery is going so well. I noticed your bandage has been switched with a smaller one. That’s a good sign.”

  “Apparently my recovery isn’t going well enough,” Dana countered. “I haven’t received my memory back as yet.”

  “It’s only been two months,” Asia said. “I’m sure it will return soon.”

  “I agree with Asia,” Candi chimed in, as she bent and brushed passed Izaiah’s lower region to get closer to her mother. The vase of flowers was in Izaiah’s hand, so there was little he could have done to thwart Candi’s sly little move. “And even if you don’t get your memory back, we’ll just fill you in on everything that you need to know.”

  “I’ve praying for you, Mrs. Beaufort,” Izaiah said, as he stepped forward and rested the vase of flowers next to her. “If you have lost two months of your memory, I doubt you would remember me. I’ve been staying at your home for the past six weeks. My name is Izaiah Cahoon – the new youth minister of St. Donovan’s Chapel.”

  Candi rolled her eyes. “You are so proper,” she told Izaiah in a teasing manner. “Are you really twenty-five years old? My Daddy doesn’t even sound so ancient.”

  “Leave him alone, Candi,” Asia suddenly lashed out. “You never know when to quit!”

  “You’re defending Izaiah? Just the other evening you couldn’t stand being in his presence.”

  “And what’s it to you?” Asia challenged.

  “Don’t let a man come between us, baby girl. You told me you didn’t want him and that you couldn’t stand him.”

  Asia couldn’t hide her incredulity from Candi, even if her face had been covered with an oxygen mask. “What are you talking about? I never had such a conversation with you. How pathetic the way you lie so easily! I knew it wouldn’t be long before you slipped back into your manipulating ways. Maybe you should have stayed in Cayman for another year and eaten mangoes until you choked.”

  “Guys!” Dallis yelled. “Please, have some consideration for our mother. She’s not going to be able to remember anything with you two bickering over her head like that.”

  The slightest movement caused Dana to wince in pain. But that didn’t stop her from giving her three daughters a motherly smile. “It’s alright, Dallis. Asia and Candi have always butted heads. They are a lot alike in many ways…I certainly remember that.”

  Asia walked toward the window and folded her arms. She was embarrassed to have had that argument aired in front of Izaiah. But her mother shouldn
’t have compared Candi to her in any way, shape, or form. She turned to face Dana and said, “I’m nothing like Candi. Look at those sinful miniskirts she wears. Do you honestly think that we are similar in any which way?”

  Candi pouted her lips playfully. “Come now, baby girl. Don’t be jealous over your flesh and blood. I helped raised you, you know and you’ve turned out pretty well to me.”

  Asia rolled her eyes and then turned to face the window. Dana smiled in response. She took her gaze off the girls for the moment and then zeroed in on Izaiah. She tried to remember discussing with Gregory the need for a new youth minister, but she kept drawing a blank. But should she be surprised if he hadn’t? Over the years her husband had turned into a grumpy, miserable man. The only thing her husband did was remind her of her indiscretions with Chazz Brunswick. It had been three years since Gregory had caught them in bed together, but Gregory’s heart remained cold toward her. That was why it had shocked Dana when she caught Gregory holding her hand a few days ago.

  She returned her gaze to her daughters, in particular, her youngest who was still standing by the window. It looked as if the weight of the world was upon Asia’s shoulders and Dana couldn’t understand why. Each time Asia visited her at the hospital, Dana would try to get Asia to open up to her. But Asia would dismiss Dana’s concern and pretend as if she were handling her problems just fine. But Dana knew better. Something serious must have happened during those two missing months of her memory. How Dana wished she could put the pieces together in her head.

  She watched as Izaiah moseyed his way over to Asia, trying to appear as unobtrusive as he could. He did not speak to Asia, but just stood next to her and looked out of the window along with her. In some strange way, Izaiah was showing his support and words weren’t necessary to express his affection. Dana couldn’t stop from smirking. Did she miss something? Of course she did. Two months’ worth of information. She saw the signs of young love, concealed behind a mask of human complexities. Dana wondered: Had Asia gotten over her foolish infatuation with Jorge Bentley? Dana would be ecstatic if she did. Izaiah seemed to be a wonderful catch of a man.

  “When is the doctor going to let you come back home to us?” Candi was asking. She sat next to Dana, gently running her fingers alongside Dana’s head. Subtly, her gaze occasionally focused in on Izaiah and the way he quietly cossetted Asia. She would be deceiving herself if she didn’t admit that she was exceedingly jealous.

  “I wish I could be discharged today,” Dana replied. “I’m sick of lying here all day with nothing to do.”

  “I could bring a few of your art supplies if you want.” Dallis suggested. “That way you can paint and not have to worry about the boredom.”

  “Dallis, I can barely lift my hands to scratch my nose. Besides, you wouldn’t know what to bring. I have my supplies scattered between the gallery and my bedroom.” Dana paused and gave her forehead a strong rub. She blurted out suddenly, “I remembered something!”

  Everyone in the room was now focused on Dana. The doctor had told the family that it was okay for them to give Dana bits and pieces of information if she asked about it. They told her what she wanted to know except certain details of what happened to her at the art gallery. Dana knew she had been shot, but she was not told that Chazz had died trying to protect her. Gregory was the one who had decided that it was too soon to reveal that piece of information.

  “What did you remember?” Asia pushed.

  “I don’t know…the details are so sketchy…Gregory and I were arguing about something. He told me it would be my fault if Asia married that boy.” Dana parked her eyes on Asia and asked with obvious fear in her expression, “Did you marry Jorge Bentley?”

  Asia’s eyes watered with tears as images of her slain lover jolted her thoughts. It had been over seven days since his death, but her mother didn’t have an ounce of a clue what had happened. Asia didn’t know how to break it to Dana. Her mother didn’t particularly agree with her relationship with Jorge and Asia simply did not want to hear any ‘I-told-you-so’ speeches. Since her mother had been in the hospital, she had slipped away to the morgue at least three times to view Jorge’s lifeless body. She was still hoping by some miracle that Jorge’s death had all been a mistake.

  But before Asia could respond to her mother’s question, Dallis’ cell phone rang and disrupted the moment. Everyone watched as Dallis picked up her steps and hurried out of the room without an explanation.

  ****

  Dallis continued down the hall to an area where she could hear Anwar’s voice more clearly. His words were clumped together in confusion, which took Dallis by surprise. In the short time she’d known Anwar, she’d never heard him lose his composure in this manner.

  She spoke firmly into the phone, “Calm down, Anwar and tell me what has happened to you.”

  “I’m in a bit of trouble, but I can’t explain anything to you now.”

  “How can I help you with nothing to go on? At least tell me where you are so that I can come and pick you up.”

  “No! You stay where you are!”

  “Why are you so worried about me coming to pick you up?”

  “Listen to me,” Anwar implored. “I need you to contact my parents in St. Elmo’s Valley and tell them I know who killed my friend. They will know who I’m referring to.”

  Dallis’ legs suddenly felt as if they were about to crumble beneath her. Anwar had told her that his people were from the mainland – an affluent economy compared to the penurious dregs of St. Elmo’s Valley. If he’d lied about where he was from, what else was he hiding from her? He could be lying to her now. But the panic in Anwar’s voice was real enough to prevent Dallis from chastising him.

  “Are you listening to me, Dallis?” Anwar prodded. “Promise me that you will do as I asked. I know I’m not making much sense now – I barely understand what’s going on myself, but I need you to get this message to my parents. And if something happens to me…”

  Dallis gripped her phone tighter and parroted Anwar’s words back to him. She hadn’t expected to feel such a rush of emotions over a boy she thought she’d dismissed out of her heart. But how dare he pull her back to that place of uncertainty – where he kept her in limbo about his affection for her? In spite of herself, she gave in to her panic.

  “Why don’t you just go to the police and make a report?” she asked him. “What if this person comes after you?”

  “It’s not that easy to explain, Dallis. I’m in a tight spot and –”

  Bam! Bam! Bam!

  Dallis heard the line go dead. “Anwar? Anwar! Oh my God, please help!”

  The silence that followed took a strong hold of Dallis. The tremors started, first in her hands, then gradually to the rest of her body. She was grateful to see Izaiah and her sisters coming down the hall toward her, because she was two steps away from crashing to the floor. She knew something terrible had happened to Anwar and she hadn’t any idea where to find him. That alone was torture in itself.

  “What is it, Dallis?” Asia queried. “It looks as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

  Uncharacteristically, Dallis stumbled into Asia’s arms and let out a deep groan. Dallis’ actions surprised even her, because she was very careful about how she displayed her emotions in public. But those gunshots that rang in her ear inadvertently drew out her true feelings for a boy she was just beginning to know. How could she be feeling so deeply about him already?

  “I think something terrible has happened to Anwar.” She sniveled.

  “Anwar?” Asia stepped out of her sister’s embrace and gave her a confused look. “Who is Anwar?”

  Dallis started to explain, but she suddenly realized she’d never told anyone about Anwar except her mother. She and her sisters shared everything with each other, but Anwar was one subject she’d kept off limits – simply because she was in denial about the burgeoning attraction for the hazel-eyed beauty. Dallis looked into Asia’s eyes and for the first time, she suspected her throbbing hea
rt had a twinge of what Asia was feeling for Jorge. But it still wasn’t enough for Dallis to come clean about what she’d been keeping a secret.

  “Excuse me, I have somewhere to go,” Dallis said, as she turned away from everyone.

  Asia started after her. “Tell us what is going on, Dallis, so that we can help.”

  “Not right now, Asia…I have to go.”

  “Dallis…”

  Izaiah gently placed an arm around Asia’s shoulder and said, “Let her go…she’ll be alright.”

  “I’ve never seen Dallis act like that before,” Asia said. “Whatever it is, it really worries me.”

  Izaiah continued to hold Asia close to him. He figured she was okay with it because he felt when her muscles relaxed. In spite of what Candi and Miss Rose had told him about Asia’s indiscretions with Jorge, he was still drawn to her. He simply could not turn his feelings on and off as if his emotions were a faucet. Truth was, not being around Asia only made him miserable. It did not matter if she wasn’t attracted to him yet. As long as she kept the lines of communication open between them, he would be able to breathe a little easier.

  Asia may have been relaxed in Izaiah’s arms, but Candi, on the other hand, was not relaxed at all. This thing between Asia and Izaiah was getting to her. But what peeved her the most was that Izaiah was too stupid to see that Asia was just stringing him along. Asia’s heart belonged to another man and Candi knew Asia well enough to know that it would be a long time before Asia got over Jorge. Flummoxed, Candi walked off in a huff, unwillingly leaving Asia to bask in Izaiah’s embrace.

  You must look within for value, but must look beyond for perspective

  - Denis Waitley

  Chapter Twelve

  Early the following morning Gregory went to the guesthouse where Izaiah was staying and gave the front door five brusque taps. The sun wasn’t fully out yet, but Gregory couldn’t care less. He’d barely slept the previous night anyway and was looking for something to do that would distract him from his troubling thoughts. This entire business with Chazz, Jorge and Anwar was taking a toll on his conscience. If only he could turn back the hands of time, he would have never accepted the bishop’s position twenty years ago.