Laugh or Death (Lexi Graves Mysteries Book 6)

by Camilla Chafer

  I started with what I knew. I was in Leo's cabin in Greenacre. From my previous checks of the locale, I knew the cabin sat several miles from the nearest neighbor. Getting to a neighbor, if their houses were even occupied, posed a huge problem. Leo's keys hung from a chain on his jeans, and I could barely see the key to his vehicle. Two roads bordered the property. One lay to the north. It was the road Leo told us Nancy had stumbled on before getting picked up, although I knew now that was a lie. That road was rarely used, and again, it would have been a several-mile trek in the dark before I ever reached help. I suspected we entered Leo's property from the other road, the one that ran between the interstate and Greenacre. It was busier, but at this late hour, the traffic levels would have dropped substantially. Plus, there was a shorter route to the interstate, the one Solomon, Maddox and I took on our way into town.

  Even if I escaped on foot, the chances of Leo retrieving me before I found help were high.

  Leo crossed the floor and crouched in front of me. He placed his hands on my thighs and looked up. "We just need to wrap up a couple of little things before we can get on with our new life together, and I need your help to do it."

  "I guess I can help," I said, trying to soften my tense shoulders. "What do you need?"

  "I need to find Peta."

  "I told you already: I don't know where she is."

  "I think you do. I know you don't understand, Lexi, my love, but we don't need Peta anymore. She's a threat to our happiness and our future relationship. You don't want that, do you? Another woman interfering? Or causing trouble?"

  "No," I lied. "No, that would be awful."

  "It really would. Tell me where she is and I'll make sure she never poses a problem for us again. It's time to let Peta go."

  "I really don't know where she is," I repeated. "I want to help you, but I can't."

  "Lexi, don't play games with me. Tell me where she is."

  "I can't."

  Leo paused, taking a deep breath, his face imperceptible. He reached up and stroked my hair, his fingers trailing along my cheekbone, before he cupped my jaw. "Don't make me angry," he whispered with a squeeze. "Don't make me do this, Lexi."

  "I'm not. Solomon didn't tell me," I scrambled, anxious to tell the truth. Aspects of the truth made for the best lies. "He doesn't tell me any stuff like that."

  Leo's grip softened. "So, he knows, and he didn't tell you. Oh, Lexi. We'll share everything. There will be no secrets between us; I promise. Don't worry about Solomon anymore. I'll take care of him tomorrow."

  "What do you mean?"

  Leo stroked my jaw, and I had to resist the urge to head-butt him. I swallowed my revulsion and nestled my cheek into his hand like I was enjoying his attention. He had to trust me. I needed for him to. I needed his game plan. "Don't worry about that. Let's make you at home."

  "The basement is not my home," I said, knowing I had to get out of here. I needed to warn Solomon! "Why don't we go upstairs?"

  "Now? No, no. We have to stay down here temporarily. Just until we get to know each other."

  My stomach lurched at the idea of hunkering down in a basement with Leo and "getting to know" him. The only thing I wanted to know was how to escape and get as far away from him as possible. The only way to accomplish that was to persuade Leo to take me upstairs. At least, in the cabin, there were too many exit points for him to cover at any one time. Even better however, was convincing him to untie me.

  Leo got to his feet, and smiled. He patted me on the head like a good pet and moved off to the other side of the room. With his back turned to me, he started rifling through a drawer. "I got you a present," he said, not turning around. "I just know it will suit you."

  "What is it?"

  Leo looked over his shoulder and wagged his finger. "Aha! No asking no questions. Close your eyes."

  "I'm really excited," I said, hoping my voice didn't sound as shaky as I felt. "I love gifts."

  "Close your eyes," Leo ordered.

  I lowered my lids, but watched him through my lashes. He had something in his hand, small enough to conceal in his palm. Too small to be a weapon. He didn't step in front of me, but instead, walked around the chair and stopped behind me. I tipped forward, just barely, but enough that any sudden movement from me would push me forwards and off the chair if Leo tried anything. After that, I had no plan.

  Fortunately, I didn't need one. A thin, silver chain dropped in front of me. After it stopped swinging, I focused on the small pendant. A silver star, just like the ones his victims each wore. I gulped. Not only was this guy a creep, but the worst kind of regifter.

  "Oh, wow," I muttered, my voice deadened by fear. "Gosh, it's so pretty."

  "It's not as pretty as you, but I want you to wear it," Leo said, as the cool metal settled around my neck. He pushed my hair out of the way, and fastened the clasp. "I'll buy you all kinds of pretty things. That's what a loving partner does, right? Right?"

  "Right," I agreed through gritted teeth.

  Leo's head appeared next to mine, and his cheek was far too close for comfort. "This is just the beginning," he whispered, kissing my cheek, his lips lingering.

  "Leo, can you untie me?" I asked softly, hoping to take advantage of his benevolence in this situation.

  "I wish I could, but I'm worried about you, my darling. What if you tried to run off?"

  "Why... why would I do that?"

  "Because Solomon brainwashed you, of course, for a long time. You need more time, darling." Leo stroked my hair, kissed my cheek again, and his breath felt warm against my ear. "I need to keep you safe."

  "But I have to go to the bathroom," I said, grasping for a reason. "I need to go really bad."

  "The bathroom is just over there," Leo said, pointing to the far wall. The door in the wall. Not an exit. A bathroom. He moved around me, stooping and extending his arms.

  "Don't carry me."

  "It's not dignified to hop."

  I forced a giggle. "I know that, silly," I said, "but I want to freshen up."

  "Oh. Oh, yeah. I'll help with that." He stepped back, frowning.

  "And I need something clean to wear. I don't have anything with me. And I can't get clean if I'm all tied up."

  "I'll untie your ankles," Leo said, stooping to my ankles, and deftly undoing the knot before unwrapping my legs. He rubbed my sore ankles, which was entirely unnecessary. Pulling me upright, he guided me towards the bathroom. When we got there, he opened the door and began to usher me inside.

  "A little privacy," I said, halting in the doorway, blocking him from entering.

  "I'll help you. I don't mind."

  "You know, a guy should never see his girl pee," I told him, trying to keep my voice light and harmonious, even if I didn't feel it. My legs were free, but my arms were still bound behind my back. I could have run, but it would have been a struggle just to balance. If I fell, I would have been like a turtle on its back, and there was no way I could fight off Leo if it came to that. I needed my hands, and I intended to make him give them back to me. I spotted a hairbrush and a wash bag by the sink, two things that gave me an idea. "It just ruins the mystery. And I want to brush my hair and wash my face. Make myself look pretty."

  "I..."

  "Please, Leo, it’s for you. This is our start, right? Don't you want a good start for us? How can I do that if I don't look nice and you're watching me pee?"

  "Fine, just two minutes." Leo's hand enclosed both of mine. There was a tiny scratching sound as a key worked the lock before my hands were free. "I'll be right outside."

  "You're not going to get me a clean shirt?" I asked, rubbing my wrists. The cuffs reddened my skin and they itched when my circulation flowed freely again.

  "No. When you're freshened up, I'll get you something clean to wear." He gave me a little push inside and reached for the door, pulling it shut in front of me. A lock clicked.

  "Damn it," I muttered, looking around. I had two minutes of freedom from my bindings to come up with
a plan. So far, all I had was my determination that Leo was never getting me in handcuffs again. Heck, I didn't even let my boyfriend get that kinky.

  The bathroom was tiny. A toilet. A shower with a long, plastic curtain on a track. There were clean towels on a wooden pole attached to the wall. The tiling was plain white, but the grout fresh. It smelled strongly of bleach and I had to concentrate hard not to let my imagination wonder what needed to be cleaned and then covered up with that much bleach. There was a sink with a small cabinet above it. I opened the wash bag first. I found travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. Nothing the least bit helpful.

  "How you doing in there?" called Leo.

  "Okay," I said, "just need a couple more minutes." I opened the cabinet. There were a few more bottles, some of them unopened, some partially used. I hated to think about who else was stuck down here. Or that these bottles once belonged to someone else. I hated knowing that Leo could do this again; and keep me prisoner. With the absence of any possible thing to use, I looked around. There were no windows. The door was my only way out. I'd have to fight Leo if I wanted to get out. If only... I had it!

  I had my way out. I didn't need anything.

  I flipped on the faucet and screamed.

  "Lexi?" Leo called to me from the other side of the door. The handle rattled. "Lexi?"

  "Help!" I screamed as I wedged my back against the wall. "I fell on the wet tile. I think I broke my arm! Leo, help me!"

  The door opened and Leo stuck his head through, looking for me. With every ounce of strength I could muster, I rammed the door on him, smashing his head against the door frame. He dropped to his knees with a grunt. I slammed the door against him one more time and he keeled over to the floor, his slumped body blocking the way. I pulled the door open and jumped over him, turning at the last minute to tug the chain on his belt. If I could only get it free... I found the thick key I wanted and tried to wend it over the metal loop holding it onto the key chain. I almost had it when Leo groaned, and his eyelids flickered. "Lexi?" he moaned.

  "Shit!" I dropped the key chain and made for the door. Ten feet... five... three... the handle was in my hand. I pulled it and it opened, the night air rushing to greet me.

  "Lexi!" Leo roared. I glanced over my shoulder and saw him getting to his feet, reaching for something in his waistband.

  I pulled open the door as a bullet sprayed little chunks of brick from the wall next to me. Then I was outside, taking the stairs two at a time, racing to freedom.

  "Lexi!" he yelled again, and I knew he was at the door. I had a split second to choose right, left, or straight ahead. Right and left took me around each side of the cabin. Straight ahead was open space, but it led into the woods, and into cover. Nancy probably died out there. Nancy was in the woods and didn't wander away, I knew now. Leo killed her. I had no choice but to run. If I stayed, he would imprison me. He would never trust me again for another moment. He’d probably kill me too, eventually.

  I ran blindly forward, seeking the cover of the trees.

  "Lexi Graves, drop!" shouted a new voice as I reached the halfway point between the cabin and salvation. "Now!"

  Instinctively, I dropped to my knees, then onto the ground, using my hands to cover my head as bullets whistled past. I didn't know who was firing, or where they were coming from, but I knew that voice. I'd know it anywhere.

  Solomon.

  Solomon had finally found me.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Lily and I leaned our backs against Solomon's SUV, simultaneously raising our coffee cups to our lips. We were watching Peta's family crowd around her and Joelle.

  "This is a nice ending," said Lily. "I believe there’s a lot of good in the world. And fairies. I believe in them too."

  "Me too," I agreed. "The tooth fairy left me notes and footprints in glitter."

  "Mine left me share certificates. I don't think my fairy was too engaged with childhood fantasies."

  We took another sip of the rich liquid, trying not to sniffle when Peta's mom cried as she hugged her daughter harder.

  Lily sighed. "Your mom would be like that if you ever went missing and turned up again. The whole of Montgomery would turn out for your reunion."

  "I'm related to a large percentage of Montgomery, and we use any reason to celebrate."

  "My mother would send a polite note expressing regret at my missing status and a terse line on how to do better in future."

  I reached for her hand and squeezed. "That's why we're your family."

  Lily squeezed back. "Thank you."

  "I'm glad I'm not dead though."

  "Me too. Jord told me about the stalker wall. Creepy stuff."

  I turned to her, frowning. "What stalker wall?"

  "The one in Leo's cabin. The one with all your photos."

  I frowned in disbelief. "Huh?"

  "Oh." Lily pulled a face. "You didn't know?"

  "No! What stalker wall?" I asked again, appalled.

  Now, I was looking around for Solomon. It sounded like he missed a few crucial details at our debriefing session. However, he did pay me a bonus for the successful completion of the case. It was just a shame that we couldn't charge it to Leo. Currently in maximum security, he was nursing several gunshot wounds, and I doubted he still had access to his checking account.

  No, the bonus seemed to be thanks for the several cases the FBI asked him to consult on as a result of our successful investigation.

  "Maddox told Garrett, and Garrett told Jord, and Jord told me..."

  "How many people know about this?"

  Lily wrinkled her nose and held up her hand, checking off fingers. She got to the end of all ten and shrugged. "Everyone?"

  "Everyone!" I drank the last of the coffee and held the empty cardboard cup by my side. I would probably regret asking. "You may as well tell me," I decided, figuring I could regret it over cocktails later.

  "Are you sure you want to know?"

  "Yeah. No. Yeah."

  "Leo had a whole bunch of photos of you. He followed you around town and took notes about you. Where you went, things you liked, your coffee order. As well as addresses for your mom and dad, and Solomon, and you. There was a receipt for those flowers you got, too, and he followed you in his car a few times. Jord also suspects Leo of setting the fire at Pretty Paws."

  "Yuck." I shuddered.

  "Yeah. He even framed one of your photos."

  "I guess that was for the torture gallery."

  "It's nice to be included," said Lily, far too brightly.

  "Not really, no."

  "I guess not. At least, he didn't kill you. That would have really sucked. Did you keep the pendent?"

  "No!"

  "But it was so pretty!"

  I gave her a disbelieving look. "It was creepy."

  I agreed it would have sucked pretty badly and pinched myself once more, just to make sure I was still alive. It seemed beyond the realm of good luck that I escaped, but according to Maddox, they had eyes on me the whole time. I was always safe, although I didn't know it.

  Maddox was running late the night he was supposed to meet me at the agency, but he arrived just in time to see Leo's Toyota Corolla parked close by. Recognizing an opportunity when he saw it, he planted a bug under the chassis and went in search of Leo. He guessed correctly that Leo went into the agency since the car was in such close proximity.

  How they missed each other inside the building was still a mystery. When Maddox arrived on the PI floor, he found Fletcher out cold and the overturned chairs in the boardroom indicated that I struggled with Leo. Noticing my purse was still on my desk, he correctly guessed Leo kidnapped me, and immediately contacted Solomon.

  Fortunately for them, Leo was in such a hurry to take me back to his evil lair slash pretty cabin in the woods, he never thought to pat down my pockets. If he had, he would have found my cell phone, with an open line to Delgado. Maddox's bug enabled them to track the vehicle, and the line allowed my rescuers
to listen in, so finding me was easy. Solomon, Maddox, and the entourage were only minutes behind us, not wanting to spook Leo on the road in case he crashed, and killed us both. For a long time, Solomon told me later, all they heard was road noise and irregular breathing.

  By the time Leo parked at the cabin, my rescuers were already working their way through the woods, with local PD fanning out and surrounding the place. Although I thought I was wholly alone, eyes followed me from the trunk of Leo's vehicle to the basement room, where the cell phone signal eventually gave out.

  While I was inside, putting my plan of escape together, they were outside, devising a rescue plan. Right before they found an effective way of ensuring no action resulted in a hostage situation, I broke out and our plans of escape and rescue collided.

  With my face in the gravel, Solomon shot Leo. At the same time, so did Maddox and several others. Leo sprang a lot of leaks. How he survived was beyond me and I didn't care. I was just relieved that I survived. Better still, Leo would soon be tried for all the murders. With the FBI taking over the case, and investing hundreds of hours into it, the evidence they managed to amass was watertight. Leo’s last breath would be from prison.

  "I'm going to throw a party," Lily said, breaking the silence that descended over us. "A cops and robbers theme..."

  "Should be popular."

  "And I'm going to call it 'laugh or death'?"

  "You mean life or death?"

  "Nope. Laugh or death. Got to see the funny side of all this theft, kidnap and murder crap."

  The photos in the basement flashed through my mind. All those lives snuffed out because Leo Chandler wanted the perfect woman. He only grew tired of them when his stalking and kidnapping failed to make them fall for him. "I'm really not seeing the funny side."

  "There will be a funny side at my party."

  "Will there be clowns?"

  "Absolutely not! This is a serious party. I'm thinking sexy, bare-chested cops..."