Saving Cassie (Fairfield Corners)

by Remenicky, L. A.

  I can’t believe my eyes when I get to the bookstore. Someone broke in and painted satanic symbols all over the counter. Who would do this? I haven’t been back long enough to alienate anyone. I get out my cell phone and call James.

  Five minutes later, James rushes in looking worried. “What happened? Are you OK?” he asks as he looks me in the eye. “You sounded shaky on the phone.”

  “I’m fine” I reply, turning to look at the damage. “It just shocked me that someone would do this to Gram’s, I mean, my store. Nothing like this ever happened when Gram was alive. Who would do this?” I point to the counter as another thought crosses my mind, “Do you think this has anything to do with that Reverend that killed my parents?” My parent’s murder has been on my mind ever since I found the journal. God, I hope not!

  “I doubt it. That was a long time ago.” James grabs my hand and pulls me over to the nearest chair, motioning for me to sit. “Reverend Jake was killed a couple of years ago in prison, so it couldn’t be him. It was probably just kids causing trouble. We’ve never had this problem in Fairfield Corners before, but there’s a first time for everything, I guess.” James is taking pictures of the damage when his cell phone rings, “Sheriff Marsten here” he says, “OK Maureen, I’ll be right there.”

  “There’s been a car accident out on County Road 68 near the quarry, I’ve gotta run. It’s Logan’s day off so I have to take this. Come over to my office this afternoon and we’ll get a report filed so you can turn it in to your insurance. Go ahead and call Dan and have him put a new lock on the back door.”

  “Ok.” I give him a quick hug. “Be safe James. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

  I head back to the storeroom for cleaning supplies. I hope I can get some of this paint off the counter. I think I saw some paint thinner left over from the last time Gram painted the office.

  I hear the bell over the door announcing that someone just walked in. “What the hell happened in here? Are you here Cassie?”

  Great, it’s the Deputy. Just what I don’t need this morning. “Hi Logan. What can I help you with this morning?”

  “I stopped by to get the morning paper. I usually don’t have time to read it, but since I have the day off, I thought it would go good with my morning coffee over at the diner.” He looks behind me and sees the symbols painted on the counter. “Were you here when this happened? Were you hurt?”

  “No, it happened last night. Someone broke in through the back door. That’s the only other damage besides the paint. Please excuse me for a moment, I need to call Dan to get the back door fixed.”

  “No need to call him. I can fix that for you.” I see just a hint of that lopsided smile.

  I stand there for what feels like an hour, not believing what I just heard. Logan offered to fix the door for me? “Thanks for your help,” I say, realizing that there may be more to him than I thought.

  “No problem. Did you call the chief and get a report filled out? If not, I can take care of that too.”

  “James was already here. He’s got pictures of the damage and is going to fill out a report later today. He got a call about a car accident and had to leave.”

  “Let me see what I can do with the back door.” He heads back to the storeroom to look at the door. “Looks like you need a whole new door. I’ll go down to the hardware store and see if they have one in stock. Your Gram probably had an account there. If not, I’ll go ahead and get it and you can pay me back.”

  “Thanks so much for your help Logan.” I don’t want Logan to see the disbelief in my eyes so I stare at my feet.

  “Anytime Miss Cassie,” he says in that sexy southern drawl.

  Logan measured the door and headed down to the hardware store. I guess I have to revise my opinion of the deputy, he seems to be a nice guy under that gruff exterior.

  I start to work on getting some of the paint off the counter with the paint thinner. Of course, I am interrupted every ten minutes by someone dropping in to see the damage. I forgot how fast news travels in a small town. The hardware store must be buzzing this morning; my store is broken into and it’s the new deputy buying a new door. That should start some really good rumors. Too bad I’ve sworn off men. Otherwise, it might be fun seeing if I can get the Deputy all hot and bothered!

  Logan finishes getting the new door installed and comes out front, watching me usher the latest curiosity seekers out the door. “Why don’t you put up the closed sign?” he asks.

  “It is up, they all just ignore it and pound on the door. Oh, the joys of living in a small town. That’s why I moved to New York City in the first place. Everyone knows everyone else’s business here. Guess I’ll have to learn to live with it again…”

  “It’s not so bad, living in a small town. I moved here from Atlanta and no one would even notice if something like this happened there. I like how everyone pulls together.”

  James walks in, “Hi Cassie, I see you roped Logan into helping you.”

  “Nope, no roping here. He came in for the paper and offered to fix the back door for me.” I slightly change the subject, I don’t want James getting any ideas. “Do you have time to fill out the report now?”

  “Yes, let’s sit over here and get it done now. One less thing to worry about today.”

  After writing down all the needed information, James snaps his notebook closed. “There, that’s done.” He looks over at the counter, “Looks like you got some of the paint off. Do you want some help with the rest?”

  “Sure, I’ve got some more rags right here.” I hand him a rag and the paint thinner and let him get to work.

  Suddenly, my phone rings – the theme from “NY Cops On the Streets.” Both James and Logan look at me quizzically. “Cop friend from New York,” I say.

  “Hey, what’s up!” I say. “How are things in the big apple?”

  As I listen all the blood rushes out of my head. I can’t believe this is happening. Why would they let him out? What if he comes after me?

  “Shit,” I whisper as I drop my phone, swaying slightly.

  Logan reaches me first, picks me up and plops me on a chair. He gently shoves my head between my knees, telling me to breathe as James picks up my phone. “Who is this? What did you just say?”

  My friend, Don Carleno, a detective on the NYPD, is on the other end. “What happened, Cassie? Cassie, answer me!”

  “This is Sherriff James Marsten, who is this?” He looks over at me. I am hyperventilating. My head feels like it is going to explode, and I feel like a ticking time bomb.

  “James, it’s Don Carleno. We met when you were here last year.”

  Relieved to be talking to a fellow police officer and not some kind of villain, he composed himself, cleared his throat and began talking like a professional instead of a worried friend. “What did you tell Cassie? She just about passed out right in front of me…”

  Don replies uneasily, “I just told her that Matt is out of jail.”

  James looks over at me, “Jail? Why was he in jail?”

  “Dammit, she obviously didn’t tell you what happened the night she broke up with him,” he mutters. “You’re going have to ask her about that. I thought she told you.”

  I am sitting there completely mortified, not only did I just about pass out; I now will have to explain to James why I’d never told him about what happened when I broke up with Matt. Crap.

  “Don’t worry, she is going to explain everything to me in detail. I will call you back in a few.” He turns and looks at me; I can see the anger building in his eyes. “OK Cassie, spill it. Why was Matt in jail?” He is looking into my eyes, as if he can find the answer there. “Why did his getting out scare you so bad you almost passed out?”

  “James, sit down and quit scowling at me. I’ll tell you everything.” I look down at my hands, willing them to stop shaking. “Logan, would you please sit down? You’re making me nervous hovering over me like that.”

  They both sit near me and wait for me to explain. �
�Long story short, it started when Matt began working undercover. He started to become more and more like his undercover character and it got to where I couldn’t take it anymore so I told him I changed my mind and wouldn’t marry him.”

  I take a deep breath, trying to find the courage to continue, “When I gave him back the ring he went nuts and beat me up. He pushed me down the stairs when I tried to get away.” I can’t tell James the whole truth, that the abuse had started months before that night, he would go totally ballistic.

  James jumps up and starts pacing, looking like he’s going to explode. I continue, “It was weird, he was never a violent person before that undercover assignment. When he was undercover he was different. I swear his eyes even changed color.

  I start wringing my hands, I really don’t want to tell James what happened. He’s not going to be happy about this next part. “When he pushed me down the stairs I broke three of my ribs and ended up with a concussion. Luckily, Don was on duty and he made sure Matt was arrested to keep me safe.”

  James stops pacing and squats down in front of me. His eyes are searching mine for answers. I swipe at a tear, not wanting him to see how vulnerable I am. He reaches for me as I say, “Don’t touch me James. If you do I’ll lose it and I won’t be able to finish telling you what happened.”

  James pulls his hand back and goes back to his pacing as I continue, “Don had noticed Matt’s out of character behavior too. Matt went completely off the deep end and ended up in Bellevue on the psychiatric floor. He was insisting that I needed to die. According to what Don just told me, the court just overturned his conviction.” I just sit there staring at my feet.

  James grabs my hands as if I’m going to try and get away, “My God Cassie. Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks. “I would have dropped everything to be there.” I can see the hurt in his eyes that I would keep something like this from him.

  “I know, and that’s why I didn’t tell you. I don’t need you riding in on a white horse to save poor little me. I am not a damsel in distress. I can handle things on my own.”

  “Yeah, you handled this real well. I’m going to call Don back and get the details. If Matt is headed this way we need to be ready. Logan and I should be able to protect you if he shows up. One of us should be with you at all times.”

  “No way. Not gonna happen. I am not going to have either of you neglecting your jobs because of me. This town needs you, not just me. I have a gun and Don made sure I know how to use it. I can take care of myself!”

  “Sure, whatever you say, Cassie. Logan, keep an eye on her. I’m going in the office to call Don and get the details.” James goes into the office and closes the door.

  Logan turns my head so I am looking at him, “No wonder you acted like I was roadkill. Good to know it wasn’t me personally, just all men in general… I want you to come out to the gun range tomorrow. I know James will feel better about things if I make sure you can shoot straight.”

  “If it will get both of you off my back”, I sighed. “I’m a good shot; and don’t worry, I could definitely shoot someone if they were coming after me.”

  James walks out the office, frowning at me. Great, now he’s in over-protective big brother mode, I can tell. “Cassie, Matt was released from jail yesterday. He insists it wasn’t him, that it had to have been someone else. Don read me Matt’s statement at the trial. He said he couldn’t have done it because he loves you and could never hurt you.”

  “Believe me, it was him,” I state. “It was like he turned into someone else, even his mannerisms changed. I swear his eye color changed too.”

  “I believe you. I just want to keep you safe. I want you to come to the gun range so I can see for myself how well you handle this supposed gun that you have.”

  Logan pipes up, “James, I already convinced her to go to the range tomorrow. You know I’m a certified instructor, I’ll make sure she knows everything she needs.”

  James looks at me and sees that I’m still pale, “Cassie, I want you to go home and relax the rest of today. Expect a visit from Marie; she’ll be concerned when I tell her about this. Now, I’ve got to get back to work. Don is sending me the court records and I want to review them. Logan, make sure Cassie goes home and stays there!”

  “Will do.” He turns to me and says, “Good thing I got that door fixed for you. Let’s go Cassie, sheriff’s orders…”

  “Fine. Just let me grab my purse and my phone.”

  “Do you feel well enough to walk home?” he asks. “I can get my cruiser…”

  “No, then the whole town will know something’s wrong. I can walk.”

  We walk the few blocks to my house; looks like Dan already finished up for the day. The front door is closed and the rotten boards are fixed on the porch. Hopefully, I can get Logan to go away and leave me in peace…

  “Thank you for walking me home. I’m sure you’re ready to get back to your day off. I’ll be fine now.”

  “No way, I want to at least look under all the beds and in all the closets. Humor me, remember, I’m under sheriff’s orders.”

  “Oh, alright. Just make it quick. I don’t want the whole town gossiping about how you’re spending all your free time at my house.”

  Ten minutes later, Logan is convinced that there are no serial killers hiding under my bed. “Make sure you keep this door locked… I’m sure James would lock you in a cell if he thought it would keep you safe.”

  “I’m sorry you got dragged into my mess Logan. I sure didn’t want James to find out this way. I would have told him eventually…”

  “I certainly hope so. You know he loves you like a brother, don’t you?”

  I smile half-heartedly, “Yeah, I know. Now, go and tell him you locked me up like a good little deputy. Maybe he’ll give you a raise.”

  “I’m not doing this for him,” he says matter-of-factly. “You’ve gotten under my skin and I want to see you safe. Miss Cassie,” he says with that sexy southern boy drawl, “will you go out with me Friday night?”

  I’m just too tired to fight about it. Besides, who could refuse that grin? “Oh OK, I’m sure you’d keep bugging me if I didn’t agree. So, yes, I will. Now, go away!”

  “Sure Darlin’,” he says as he puts his arm around me and proceeds to kiss my socks off. I am so doomed. I swear, even my toes curled.

  Chapter 16

  I sit on the couch and replay that kiss in my mind over and over. Get a grip, Cassie, it was just a kiss. I try to convince myself that it didn’t mean a thing.

  Marie calls and we talk for about 30 minutes. It’s mostly me telling her that I’m OK and she doesn’t have to rush right over. I finally convince her that I’m fine and that I will tell her the whole story tomorrow.

  I’m wide awake so I take a sleeping pill and head upstairs when I start to get sleepy. The sleeping pill makes me groggy and I trip up the last few steps, almost falling. When I get to my bedroom I can’t believe my eyes. Oh my god! All of my clothes have been pulled out of the closet and are strewn all about the room. Someone was here! Where’s my phone? Got to call James… so sleepy; the sleeping pill is working. I’ll just lie down for a few minutes then I will call James…

  I don’t wake up until 7 am the next morning. I am in bed and my room is back to normal. No clothes strewn about, weird, must have imagined it. I hate having to take those sleeping pills, they do strange things to me sometimes.

  I go downstairs to start the coffee and notice that the front door is open again. Great. James is not gonna like this. I find my cell phone on the counter and dial Dan’s number. “Hi Dan, I hope I didn’t wake you. When I woke up this morning the front door was open again. I thought you got that fixed yesterday.” I listen to his reply, “OK, I’ll start locking it since it doesn’t seem to want to stay closed otherwise. Thanks Dan, send me a bill. Bye”

  I feel like I’m losing my mind. Must be the stress of Gram’s death and the move back to a small town, not to mention everything going on with the store bein
g vandalized, Matt getting out of jail, and having to tell James what happened with Matt. Stress, no stress here! Then, add in one sexy deputy and stir it all up. No wonder I’m losing it. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. Looks like Marie, she’s gonna try to mother me like she does Olivia… good thing I love her like a sister.

  I unlock and open the front door as Marie walks up. She comes in and gives me a big bear hug without saying a word. How does she always know just what I need? Must be that mother-instinct thing… can’t figure out how she does it. We walk into the living room and sit on the couch. “OK Cassie, spill it. James said your store was vandalized yesterday and while he was there you got a phone call from a friend in New York City and proceeded to almost pass out at his feet. He didn’t have time to give me any details, so here I am. I also wanted to make sure you are OK here by yourself. Now, start explaining!”

  Between my fidgeting and tears and Marie’s questions, it takes me almost an hour to explain everything that happened. “I was so embarrassed! Almost passing out from some bad news like some simpering woman who can’t handle life sure didn’t improve my image. Logan probably thinks I’m some ditzy airhead now.”

  “Wow, Cassie, that’s quite a story. Why didn’t you tell us when it happened?” she asks with a frown.

  “I didn’t want James to have to rescue me again. I thought I could handle it all on my own, guess that wasn’t quite as true as I wanted it to be.” After telling the story again, I realized everything that had happened and completely lost it. I think I sobbed on Marie’s shoulder for at least an hour. I must look great about now…red nose, red eyes, must look like Medusa!

  I’m glad I finally had to tell James and Marie what happened. I don’t have to carry around the guilt of keeping it from them, and the terror I feel every time I think about it. Maybe the nightmares will go away now. I’m hoping.

  Marie went out to the kitchen to make some tea. Feels like someone is still in the room with me, the floorboards creak as if someone is walking over by the front door and up the stairs. “Uh, Marie, can you come back in here?” I whisper so that only she can hear me.