by Cindy Bell
Samantha heard rummaging in the living room. It was quiet, but distinct enough that she knew what it was. She heard papers sliding against papers, and drawers slowly opening and closing. There was no question in her mind that someone was searching the living room. Abe had come after all. She stood up to prepare herself to protect Walt if she needed to. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Eddy.
Abe is in the house.
She knew that Eddy wouldn't text back. They had agreed it wasn't worth the risk unless it was an emergency. As Samantha peered through the slats in the closet door she waited for Abe to show his face. Would he come into the bedroom? Would Eddy confront him in the living room? She wasn't sure what would happen next. As she thought about this it occurred to her that everyone who was gathered at the memorial had overheard what Eddy had said. If the killer wasn't Abe, it might be someone else entirely in the living room. In that case she really had no idea what to expect. The rummaging continued. Samantha noticed that Walt had shifted slightly in the bed. She still couldn't tell if he was awake or not. She was tempted to try to whisper to him, but she was afraid it would draw attention to the bedroom.
After what seemed like hours, but was likely only a minute or two, Samantha heard footsteps in the hallway leading towards the bedroom. Her heart lurched. She wondered if he would head straight for the closet. It really was the only place to hide in the bedroom, so it would be the first place a criminal would check to make sure no one else was in the house. If he did, she might be spotted before anyone had the chance to stop him. Would he be armed? Would he be angry enough to harm Walt or her?
Chapter 18
Samantha held her breath as she saw a flicker of light across the carpet. Through the slats of the closet door she saw a figure walking gingerly through the bedroom. She knew what happened next in the plan, but her heart was still pounding. Suddenly, the light in the bedroom turned on and flooded the room. The figure froze. Before he could react, Walt jumped up from the bed. He tossed his blanket over the head of the figure and tackled him at the same time. Both went crashing to the floor. Samantha opened the door to the closet and headed straight to the window. She opened it, and Eddy climbed in. Walt was still struggling with whoever was under the blanket on the floor. Eddy charged over to them and tore off the blanket.
Abe lay on the floor with his eyes wide open. He froze at the sight of everyone staring down at him.
“Abe, it must be a miracle.” Eddy glowered down at him. “Or you're a murderous con artist.”
Abe jumped to his feet and lunged for the door. Eddy tackled him before he could reach it. Abe thrashed and tried to wriggle his way out from under Eddy. Eddy kept him pinned down with the full force of his weight and his training.
“Get off me!” Abe exclaimed. “Are you people crazy?”
“We're the crazy ones?” Samantha laughed. “We're not the ones who have been faking the need for a wheelchair for many years. We're not the ones who broke into a neighbor's house, and we are certainly not the ones who murdered Joel Westons.”
“You don't know what you're talking about!” Abe growled and bucked upward in an attempt to shake Eddy off his back. Eddy easily kept him under control.
“We have everything recorded, Abe!” Eddy pointed to the camera in the corner of Walt's room. “Try explaining to the police that you just happened to be in Walt’s house, without your wheelchair. What were you looking for?” Eddy slowly eased to his feet. He remained close enough to grab Abe again if he needed to. “The ledger?”
Abe stood up slowly. He eyed Eddy who had one hand tightly gripping his arm. “Why do you think?” he asked sarcastically. “Of course the ledger. I wasn't going to let anyone find out the truth.”
“Is that why you killed Joel?” Samantha asked quietly. “Because you were afraid he was going to expose you?”
“Afraid? No! I knew he was going to expose me. He set up cameras everywhere to try to catch me. He thought because I didn't seem to be depressed about my condition that I couldn't possibly not be able to walk. He accused me more than once, but he never had any proof. I was always so careful.”
“So, how did he catch you?” Walt asked. His eyes narrowed with genuine interest. Abe had them all fooled for so long, he wanted to know how it was that Joel had figured out something that no one else had. How had Abe slipped up? Had Joel found out with his own set up?
“I made one mistake.” Abe frowned. “When I started all of this I promised myself that no matter what I did I would never get out of the chair. As long as I didn't get out of the chair, no one could catch me. I even moved myself from the chair to the toilet and into the shower using all of the assistance products I had purchased.”
“So then how?” Samantha pressed.
Abe lowered his gaze to his hands. “You'd probably have to ask Anna about that.”
“What? What could Anna possibly have to do with any of this?” Eddy asked. “Don't you try to spin another one of your cons, Abe!” He was already on the edge of fury and Abe's excuses were pushing him even closer.
Abe sighed. He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again. “The thing is, Joel never really took care of Anna. You know, he made sure that she had everything that she needed financially, but as far as emotionally, and intimately, he was never there for her. I always thought she was a looker. So, when Joel offered me the opportunity to invest in a new business, I decided to go for it. I had a little money to spare, and I always wanted more. Plus, it would give me the chance to get to know Anna a little better.”
“Then when the business tanked?” Walt pressed. He had seen people do desperate things over the loss of money, but nothing so terrible.
“I figured out what Joel was up to. I mean, a con artist always knows another con artist. I wanted my money back. I decided to go to Anna and tell her what a crook she was married to. Well, Anna and I got to talking. We ended up spending more and more time together. Joel refused to give me back my money. I hated the fact that Anna was married to such a jerk.”
“You two fell in love?” Samantha asked incredulously. “Is it even possible for a man like you to love someone?”
“Hey, I'm still a person.” Abe glared at her. “Just because my career choice doesn't suit you, that doesn't make me any less of a person. I'm human. I have feelings. She acted like I was her one true love.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I may be a talented con artist, but I'm still capable of being an idiot.”
“Maybe, but I just wouldn't expect someone like you to have such strong emotions about anyone or anything.” Samantha frowned and looked towards Eddy. “Maybe we should call in the police.”
“Do what you want. It doesn't matter now.” Abe hung his head with clear shame and embarrassment. “I did fall in love. I didn't think I was capable of it, but Anna was so kind. She always helped me with anything I needed. She was always concerned about my medications. She stood up for me if anyone gave me a hard time.” His eyes narrowed sharply. “I was such a fool!”
“What did you do, Abe?” Eddy asked, his voice edged with frustration. He wanted the truth.
Abe bit into his bottom lip as if he wanted to hold the confession inside. But there was a sadness in his eyes that made it clear he just wanted to finally get it out. He wanted to be free of the burden that he was carrying.
“Anna and I were getting closer and closer. It was such an intimate romance. I couldn't imagine my life without her. I wanted her to leave Joel and marry me. But I didn't think she would, because even though she was so kind, what woman would really want to commit to spending the rest of her life taking care of someone in a wheelchair?” He shrugged. “So, I made the stupidest mistake I ever could have. I told her the truth, about everything.”
“You did?” Walt asked with surprise. “That was a huge risk to take.” Eddy and Samantha looked at Abe with surprise as well.
Jo stepped in through the bedroom door. “Everyone okay in here?” she asked.
“We're fine.
” Samantha nodded.
“I know it was stupid.” Abe shook his head. “At first she claimed that she didn't believe me. So, I proved it to her. I stood up, and I hugged her.” He closed his eyes at the memory. “It felt so good to finally hold her.”
Eddy frowned with some sympathy in his expression. “What did she do when you proved it to her?”
“What did she do?” Abe raised his voice. “She took a video is what she did! She had been playing me the whole time. As soon as Joel found out that I knew about his shady scams, that I knew what he was doing with the money that he was supposed to be investing, he made her try to gain my trust. I was furious. She told me there was nothing she could do.”
“That's when you started paying Joel to keep your secret?” Walt asked.
“Yes.” Abe scowled.
“But that wasn't enough was it? You were always worried that Joel would come out with the truth?” Eddy tightened his grasp on Abe's arm.
“It wasn't even that,” Abe admitted quietly. “It might make more sense if it was.”
“Then what was it?” Samantha asked. “Why did you have to kill him? He might have been a con artist, too, but he was still a person, Abe. You murdered him! All because of money?”
“No!” Abe had tears in his eyes as he looked at Samantha. “It wasn't because of the money. I would have happily paid him for the rest of my life. He had pulled the wool over my eyes, he won, there is honor among con artists.”
“Then why did you kill him?” Walt asked with confusion.
“It was because of her,” Abe whispered. “She was everything to me. She told me that he was the reason we couldn't be together, that he had forced her to get the video of me standing up. She told me that she was afraid of him, and that she couldn't leave him because she wasn't sure what he would do. She said that she wished he was gone. She had me believing that she loved me and would be with me, even if I had nothing. So, it just felt like Joel was standing between me and the love of my life.”
“So, you killed him to protect Anna?” Samantha said with a hint of sadness in her voice. It was no excuse to kill a man, but it made a little more sense to her than murdering over money.
“I thought I did,” Abe muttered and looked away shamefully. “I thought it would be worth it. I kept losing my courage, but when I saw the candlesticks through the window I knew what I had to do, I just went for it. I thought the world would be a better place without him anyway.”
“And?” Eddy stared at him.
“And, she never loved me at all. As soon as Joel was dead she wanted nothing to do with me. She threatened to expose my secret and the video if I told anyone the truth. She has been playing the act of a grieving widow ever since. Yes, I was the one who killed Joel, it was my hands, but Anna, she also wanted him dead.” He drew his lips into a thin, flat line.
“Wow.” Samantha shook her head. “You must have really loved her.”
“Oh, please don't tell me that you're buying this, Sam?” Walt asked sternly.
“What do you mean?” Samantha frowned and looked between Abe and Walt.
“I mean this man is a professional con artist. We're supposed to believe he was in love? It sounds to me like he's just trying to take Anna down with him. There's no proof that she had anything to do with this.” Walt shook his head. “I don't believe a single word that comes out of your mouth, Abe. Eddy, let's get the police.”
Eddy nodded and pulled out his cell phone. He dialed one of his contacts at the department and requested that a patrol car come out.
“That's my cue to leave.” Jo slipped past her friends towards the door. “Let me know what happens in the morning!”
“It is the morning.” Walt smiled briefly at her as she walked past him.
“You know what I mean, Walt,” Jo said with a hint of frustration.
“Don't you want to give a statement to the police?” Eddy asked.
“No thanks!” Jo waved her hand in the air without looking back. She made her way out through the front door of the villa. Abe was silent but Eddy knew better than to get lulled into a sense of comfort. Abe was smart enough and desperate enough to attempt an escape. Samantha was keeping an eye on him, too, but for a different reason. She was genuinely curious about his story. She prided herself on being someone who knew how to read people. The stricken expression on Abe's face made her think he might just be telling the truth. She moved slightly closer to him.
“Is Walt right, Abe? Did you really make all of that up about being in love?” She scrutinized his reaction.
Abe lifted his gaze to hers. His eyes were watering, perhaps with tears, or perhaps because of the rough way that Eddy had handled him.
“I did what I thought was right. I did what I thought I had to do,” Abe's voice trembled a little as he spoke. “No one will ever believe me. But Anna will know the truth. Just ask yourself, Samantha, who gets the money in the end? Who gets everything?” He looked into her eyes with a sense of defeat and wonder.
To Samantha it seemed that he was more shocked than anyone else that Anna had been able to pull off such a clever and ruthless ruse. Samantha continued to stare at him with restrained fascination. She knew that with no one else to inherit his money, all of Joel's fortune would go to Anna. She had been stuck in a loveless marriage. Could she really have been cunning enough to con a con man into killing her husband so that she could be rid of him, but still have all of his money?
“You really believe she planned this whole thing, Abe?”
“If the money goes to her before the lawsuits are settled then those people who are suing Joel’s company will not see a dime,” Walt suddenly announced. “It's actually quite brilliant.”
“What he said.” Abe nodded as he glanced in Walt's direction. “The woman is more devious than anyone I have ever met.”
“Don't listen to him,” Eddy warned Samantha. “He's just trying to muddle the truth so that he has a chance in court.”
“I can't believe that you think we should just let this go.” Samantha looked in Eddy's direction. “Don't you think that justice should be served?”
“I think that you need to realize that there is a difference between justice and what is actually possible. If Anna is responsible for orchestrating Joel's death, of course she should face some criminal charges. But what are the chances of being able to prove that? Do you think she wrote it down somewhere? It's her word against Abe's, and Abe just got outed as one of the most repulsive men to walk the face of the Earth. Who is going to believe his story over a grieving widow who has never had a mark on her record?” Eddy argued, though it was clear from the way he spoke that he was aggravated. Samantha was aggravated as well.
“But, that doesn't mean she can just get away with it.” Samantha was getting more and more flustered by the minute. She was sure that Eddy couldn't seriously be suggesting that they just let Anna get away with it.
“It doesn't mean that she should.” Eddy locked eyes with her. “But that doesn't change the fact that she most likely will.” He looked at her apologetically. “Abe will give his statement I'm sure. The police will do what they can with it.”
Before Samantha could reply the police burst through the door.
“Hands in the air!” The lead officer pointed his weapon at the entire group. Eddy raised his hands, followed by Walt, and Samantha. Abe raised his as well. His shoulders slumped as the officer walked up to him. He looked so resigned to his fate. Or perhaps he was just weighed down by heartbreak.
Chapter 19
As Eddy explained the situation to the arresting officers, Abe was cuffed and led from the villa. Walt walked over to Samantha.
“Do you think they will believe Abe's story?” Walt asked.
“I don't know,” Samantha said feeling confused. “I doubt it. He's told one too many lies to be believed now.”
“Excuse me, Sir.” One of the officers gestured to Walt. “I need you to file the report for the break in.”
“Of course,
” Walt agreed. He glanced over at Samantha. “Are you okay?”
“Sure.”
While Walt was speaking to one of the officers another came over to take Samantha's statement. She told the officer the entire tale from the plan to her suspicion of Anna's involvement. The officer's eyes glazed over about halfway through, but that might have been because of how fast Samantha was talking.
“Maybe I should write it out for you?” Samantha offered.
“Thanks, but I don’t think that’s necessary,” the officer replied. “I think I got the most important details.”
When the officer walked away from her Samantha slipped out of the bedroom and through the living room to the front door. She wanted to see them take Abe away. The more she thought about how he had betrayed not only his friend, but also his entire community the more it bothered her. Eddy followed her outside and stopped beside her on the front porch.
“What are we going to do about Anna?” Samantha asked. Eddy looked over at her with some apprehension.
“What do you mean what are we going to do about her?” He settled his gaze on Samantha.
“I mean we can't just let her get away with this,” Samantha stated firmly as she looked towards the police car that was driving away with Abe in the backseat.
“Get away with what?” Eddy shrugged. “We have no idea if anything Abe said was true. He could have just been spinning a story in the hopes that he would get less jail time.”
“Or he could have been telling the truth!”
“He could have been.” Eddy nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll see what I can do.”
