Christina Freeburn - Faith Hunter 03 - Embellished to Death

by Christina Freeburn

  I ran up a flight of stairs. My ragged breathing echoed down the halls. The frantic pace coming more from my growing fear than the run. I hoped the last words I spoke to Steve weren’t my harsh and angry ones. Tears burned my eyes. The door was opened a crack.

  Kneeling down, I pressed as close to the door as I could and listened. I fought every urge to slam the door open. I wanted to save Steve if he was in danger, not get him hurt or killed. No sound.

  With one finger, I nudged the door open. No one was in there. I stood and walked in, looking for any clue to tell me if Steve left on his own will, or because of someone else.

  I saw his key and wallet on the nightstand. The bathroom door was open. He didn’t leave on his own.

  My phone buzzed again. I looked at it. Text from Steve.

  Who are you meeting at the pool?

  I prayed Lydia’s plan required Steve and I being in the same room alive before she killed us. I had no doubt in my mind she didn’t plan for either of us to get out of there alive.

  TWENTY-ONE

  Violet paced up and down the hallway near the pool. She had a gun in her left hand. When she turned around, she spotted me. Her eyes widened for a brief moment. Violet jogged over to me and made a cutting motion through the air and gestured for me to leave.

  I shook my head.

  Now, she mouthed.

  No. I formed the word with my mouth and eyes.

  She tried to hustle me back down the hallway. “Let me handle this.”

  “She wants me.”

  “And that’s why you can’t go in there.”

  “You think she won’t spot that gun and shoot you and Steve, or maybe Steve first then you.”

  Violet looked back over her shoulder. “I can’t let you go in there.”

  “I’m not asking your permission. Besides, won’t your employer’s family give you a bonus if I get killed?” I went to walk around her.

  Violet cringed and sidestepped, blocking my path. “They’re good people who are hurting. Some truths are hard to face.”

  “It’s been seven years.”

  “It’s hard to believe you raised a murderer.”

  “It’s not easy being labeled one when you never killed anyone.” I wielded a mop someone left in the hallway. “I’m going in there even if it means I have to knock you out.”

  Violet laughed. “I don’t think you’re the type.”

  “I will be to save Steve’s life. So get out of the way—”

  Violet moved out of the way. “I’m going with you.”

  “It’ll set her off.”

  “You distract her, and I’ll come in after. You’ll need back up. I was hired to throw a wrench in any plans this weekend.”

  “What did they think I was going to do?” It didn’t matter what Steve’s family thought right now. All that mattered was I did everything in my power to get him out of danger. “You hold the door open. Once I’m inside, I’ll distract her so you can get inside.”

  A “Closed for Disinfecting” sign was taped to the door. Nice way to keep people out, make them think a child… or an adult… used the pool as a restroom. I nodded.

  Violet tugged the door open.

  I shuffled inside, waiting until my eyes adjusted to the near dark before I ventured further in. The smell of chlorine was almost choking. The resort had coated the windows with a dark film. It made it hard for people to peer at anyone using the indoor pool and hot tub, and also from letting the sun inside. Not the most brilliant choice unless lack of privacy was the most pressing issue. No one would be able to see anything but indistinct forms.

  Good place to kill someone and be able to point the finger at another person. That’s what Lydia needed, a person to take the blame for killing Morgan and also Steve. Or me. I wasn’t quite sure how she planned on working all this out, but I was certain one of us would be a murder victim and the other one the shooter who took their own life. I wasn’t sure how she’d work in her partner’s death, but I’m sure the killer would think one up.

  “Come on in a little farther,” Lydia said, her voice coming from a shadowy spot in the back.

  “I’d rather wait. I don’t want to take a swim in the pool.” I scanned the room, trying to find Lydia and Steve. “My eyes don’t adjust to light changes very well.”

  “You shouldn’t take a swim yet,” Lydia said. “I need you to get undressed first.”

  “What?” I inched toward the forms I made out through the soft orange glow of the small safety lights on the wall.

  “Get undressed. I need you in the pool.”

  “I’m not wearing a bathing suit,” I said.

  “Faith, just do as she says,” Steve’s voice emerged from the same shadow area of Lydia’s.

  “Why would I be in the pool in my underwear?” I asked.

  Lydia and Steve stepped out from the dark corner. She pressed a gun into the base of Steve’s neck. “You don’t have much of a choice as I see it. Strip and get into the pool.”

  My mind raced. I needed a way to get us out of this, or prolong the moment. Give Violet enough time to sneak into the pool area or for Bob and Ted to get down here. They’d be able to come up with a plan and we’d have extra fire power.

  “Okay. I’m going to sit on the bench near the diving board.” I needed more time to figure out a plan.

  “Where you’re at is fine.” Lydia pressed a hand to Steve’s shoulder. “Kneel down.”

  He complied.

  Lydia moved the aim of the gun to the back of his head.

  Tears burned my eyes. “Please, don’t hurt him.”

  “Then do what I said. Take off your clothes.”

  I leaned down.

  “Why won’t you listen?” Fury shook Lydia’s voice.

  “I am. I’m just taking off my shoes first.” My voice shook. “That’s what most people do. Shoes at the bottom of the pile.”

  “Hurry.”

  Remain calm. I was useless if I panicked. I could handle this. I’d been in bad situations before. “I’m trying. You pushing that gun into Steve’s skull is freaking me out.”

  “If you listen, I’ll stop,” Lydia said.

  “And if you’d move it back a few inches, I’d hurry.” I untied my sneakers and slipped them off. Still squatting down, I unzipped my yoga jacket.

  “Wait. First, I want your phone,” Lydia said. “Put it on the ground and shove it toward me. Don’t kick it into the water.”

  “Okay.” It was a strange request. I placed my phone on the ground and sent it across the cement to Lydia. It wouldn’t do me any good with Lydia, and even less so if it got water-logged. At least if we overpowered her, we could use my phone to call for help.

  “Get it, Steve.” Lydia prodded him with the gun.

  Steve picked up the phone.

  “Now, turn on the video recording option.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Now!” Lydia slammed the butt of the gun into Steve’s shoulder.

  Steve’s face twisted in pain. “No.”

  This time, Lydia struck Steve in the back of the head. He pitched forward.

  “No!” I lurched forward.

  “Stay there or I’ll shoot him now.” Lydia aimed at his head.

  Stumbling back to my space, questions swirled in my mind. Where was Violet? Could I knock Lydia down before she shot Steve?

  Steve groaned and tried to push himself up.

  Lydia placed her right foot into the small of Steve’s back. “Either you can follow instructions or I’ll just kill her right now. Record her as she takes off her clothes and send the video to Detective Roget.”

  Steve had figured out Lydia’s plan before I did. She wanted this to look like Ted and I had a little rendezvous a
nd Steve stumbled upon it. Lydia must’ve been the person eavesdropping in the stairwell. We gave her a perfect suspect and motive to use.

  “No one will buy it,” I said.

  “Take it off.” Lydia waved the aim of the gun up and down my body. “I don’t want your opinion.”

  “No one will believe Steve killed me. They know him.”

  “They also saw his little tirade earlier and I’m sure your town talks about how chummy you and the detective are. Here your man went and killed Morgan, who was trying to make your life miserable, and how does he get repaid for that grand romantic gesture? He finds you in the pool waiting for your detective.”

  Grand romantic gesture? Murder? “He’s not my detective.”

  “Get on with it, Faith. Start recording, Steve.”

  He remained on the ground.

  “Please, Steve, do what she wants. It’s okay.” I prayed he’d listen. We might not get out of this alive, but she wouldn’t get away with it. If Steve’s prints were on my phone then her whole jealous lover scenario wouldn’t work.

  He slowly got to his knees and started filming.

  I shrugged off my jacket and laid it on top of my shoes. What was taking everyone so long? I thought I positioned myself in a good place where I was away from the door so they could get in and Lydia couldn’t spot them.

  “I’m not getting anything,” Steve said. “It’s too dark in here.”

  “It must have a light. Use it.” With her free hand, Lydia wiggled a finger at me. “Come closer.”

  I shuffled forward a few feet, edging toward the pool. I needed Lydia’s attention away from the door. I tugged my t-shirt over my head. Taking in a breath to settle my nerves, I hooked my fingers into the waist band of my yoga pants.

  Steve’s face twisted in pain.

  The door opened.

  Marsha stepped into the room. I tried not to stare as it looked like there were fingers growing out of Marsha’s back. Violet. She was hiding behind her.

  Where were Bob and Ted?

  Lydia gaped at her sister.

  “Don’t do this, Lydia.” Marsha shut the door.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Lydia shrieked. “I could’ve killed you.”

  “I can’t let you kill them.” Marsha swiped her face with her palms. “I know what you did and why. I even forgive you for putting the cold medicine into my pop.”

  Lydia flushed crimson. “I had no choice. I had to protect you. I had to protect myself. My business.”

  Marsha held her arms in an “I surrender” position and shuffled forward. “I know that. The only way you’d know I wouldn’t be tempted to create a new me was to make sure I was in my room asleep. You knew the police were circling. If they found me, so would my ex. I get that. I’m sorry for involving you in my problems. I never should’ve asked for the money or to pretend to be your partner while she was out of town. This is all my fault. Like always.”

  “I promised I’d look out for you,” Lydia said.

  I followed Marsha’s lead, staying a small distance behind her as I moved forward. I watched as Steve eased his way toward the pool.

  Marsha cautiously made her way to her sister. “Mom and Dad had no right to make you promise that. If they couldn’t be bothered to take care of me, they shouldn’t have placed it on you.”

  “I wanted to.”

  “I’ve made myself too much of burden for you to bear. That’s not a flaw in you.” Marsha held her hand out. “That’s a flaw in me. Please give me the gun.”

  “You never listen until it’s too late.”

  “Then don’t be like me. It’s not too late.”

  “It is too late. And they know it.” Lydia took aim at Steve.

  “Dive!” I screamed and flung myself at Steve, hoping to knock him into the pool. With his back facing Lydia, by the time he heard the gunshot it would be too late.

  I collided into Steve. A sharp pain stung my arm as we hit the water and went under. I struck the side of the pool. I hoped I didn’t knock Steve into the wall. A muffled pop reached my ears. Followed by another one.

  Holding my breath, I made my way to the bottom of the pool. The dim light and murkiness of the water made it hard to see. Where was Steve? I held my breath and felt along the bottom of the pool.

  A hand snagged my arm. I pivoted in the water. Steve. He swam, pulling me toward the other side of the pool.

  With my lungs burning, and arm aching, I followed him. We both broke the surface. Pink tinged the water around us. Steve looked pale. I scanned the front of his body. I couldn’t see where he got hit. Maybe his shoulder or back.

  “Stop!” Marsha gripped Lydia’s wrist and held it up.

  “Last warning, Lydia,” Violet said. “Put it down or I’ll shoot.”

  Lydia yanked the gun away and fired at us.

  Clutching hands, Steve and I dove down.

  The round whizzed past us.

  I stayed under water, moving with Steve from one part of the pool to the other until my lungs ached. We resurfaced. I struggled to keep myself on the surface as pain and heat attacked my arm. I clung to Steve. I had to help keep him up. His hold tightened around me.

  The barrel aimed back at us.

  “Once more, sweetheart,” Steve said.

  Together, we drew in a breath and sank toward the bottom. Multiple pops bounced off the cement walls. Something large hit the water near us.

  The water turned orange as light filled the room.

  Steve wrapped his arms around me, braced his feet on the bottom of the pool and pushed up, propelling us to air.

  For some reason, my left arm wouldn’t work and my brain felt fuzzy.

  “Ted, get her!” Steve struggled to swim us toward the pool steps.

  Ted jumped into the shallow end and charged forward. Violet slid into the pool and swam over to us.

  “I got her, Steve.” Ted cradled me and lifted me out of the water. “You’re going to be okay.”

  “Steve’s hurt.” I reached back for him. “Help him.”

  Detective Bell holstered his gun and handcuffed an unresisting Marsha. She sat with her legs dangling into the pool and stared at the pink water.

  “I got him, Faith.” Violet tucked herself under Steve’s arm and helped him walk up the steps. “What’s a little hit to the head for this guy? He’ll be just fine.”

  “She shot him.” I tried looking for Lydia but moving caused an intense pain to arc down my arm. It made me dizzy. “I think I broke my arm. Stupid cement.”

  Ted exchanged a concerned glance with Steve. “She doesn’t know.”

  “Put her on the lounge chair.” Garrison patted the seat that had a thick towel covering up the vinyl strips. “Get me a clean cloth.”

  “An ambulance is on the way,” Bell said.

  Garrison pressed something against my arm. I drew in a sharp breath and looked at my arm. Red stained the cloth.

  “She shot me.” So that was why my arm hurt.

  Steve knelt beside and held my hand. Tears glittered in his eyes.

  For some reason, knowing I’d been shot intensified the pain. I reminded myself to breathe out as the pain made me want me to hold my breath.

  He kissed my hand. “You’ll be okay. You’ll be fine.”

  I shivered.

  Bob draped a towel over me. “That should keep you warm.”

  I blinked a few times. I saw the reddish color in the water. My gaze locked on a form in the pool. Lydia.

  Marsha rocked back and forth, attention riveted on Lydia floating face down in the pool. “I killed her. I killed my sister.”

  I closed my eyes and drifted into the beckoning darkness. I didn’t want to know any more right now.

  TWENTY-TWO


  Voices floated around me. Steve! Was he safe? Did I get him out of the pool? Memories floated past my closed eyelids. Ted arrived. As did Bob. Someone got the gun from Lydia. Ted jumped in. Violet helped get Steve to the concrete. I tried getting out but slipped back in. My arm was useless—I had been shot. I forced my eyes open.

  Light seeped from a window to the right of me. Clouds floated by. One thing I knew for certain, I wasn’t near the indoor pool anymore. A television was attached to the wall and a rolling tray with a pitcher of water was nearby. I must have passed out and was taken to the hospital.

  When I was a child, I had always wanted to take a ride in an ambulance with the sirens wailing and screeching. For some reason, that sounded like fun. As I grew older I knew that wasn’t something to strive for, but I have to admit I was a little disappointed I missed it.

  Movement on my other side drew my attention. I turned my head. Relief and betrayal collided in me when I met Steve’s concerned gaze.

  This time, I decided to let the warm feelings win. Steve was at my side and looked breathtaking, though a little rough around the edges. The t-shirt he wore was tight and a bruise marred his forehead. I smiled and stroked his cheek.

  “You’re okay.” My voice sounded sluggish and fuzzy. “Let me see the back of your head and your shoulder.”

  “I’m fine. How are you feeling?” He smoothed hair away from my forehead, leaned down, and kissed my temple.

  Suddenly I felt disappointed. I’d saved his life. You’d think the man could give me a proper kiss. Then again, maybe he thought I wouldn’t want one from him. Our relationship was back in a holding pattern because of the truth and the omission of it. He was alive. I was alive. That was all that mattered right now. Everything else could be worked out later. Or at least I prayed it could.

  “A little out of it.” I attempted to get into a sitting position, but pain snaked from my shoulder down my arm.