by Kaylea Cross
Irritated and distracted, she grabbed at a knife and accidentally sliced her index finger open. “Ow!” Bright red blood oozed out of the gash. Wrapping a kitchen towel around her hand, she ran to the bathroom to put a bandage on it.
Great! That’s all I need. One more thing going wrong. She hurriedly dressed the cut and went back to the kitchen to bag up the sandwich and leave.
Suki took the bus downtown to the Underground Tour. Even though she had a car, taking the bus was so much more economical and convenient because of the lack of parking in the downtown area. Plus, this way, there would be no vehicle for anybody to notice and trace back to her.
As the bus rolled along, she stared out the window, pondering what she and her brother were doing. If Ethan had his way, he’d just let Whitney die. But, it wasn’t Whitney’s fault. It was Kate’s.
Suki had a soft spot for Whitney. From the first time Suki answered her ad for a roommate, there was an easy friendliness between them. She thought Whitney was sweet and fun to be around, which made it easy for Suki to fulfill her part of the plan.
Whitney never realized she had gone to junior high with Suki. They weren’t friends back then, although they did share some classes. Whitney was one of the popular girls, not because she had money or was a cheerleader, or anything like that, but because she was outgoing and pretty, and she was friendly to almost everyone.
Suki, on the other hand, had been one of the quiet girls with her mousy brown hair and a few extra pounds, one of those girls who blended into the background. She only had a couple of girls she would call friends. Back then, she and her friends wished they were Whitney, but all that changed one fateful day when Suki lost her mother.
The city bus came to an abrupt stop at Pioneer Square and the doors slid open as the air brakes let out a whoosh. Suki stepped off the bus and started for her destination. The noisy bus pulled away, leaving her in a cloud of nauseating exhaust fumes.
As she pulled a large gray scarf out of her purse, a light rain began falling. She tied it on her head to hide her red curls and shield her from the rain.
She hurried across the street and entered the building through the heavy wooden doors leading to the Underground Tour. She immediately turned to the right and hurried down the old, painted green steps to the Rogues Gallery souvenir shop in the lower level, hoping none of her co-workers would notice her.
Since a tour of about thirty people had just ended, the shop was fairly full. The tour visitors going into the souvenir shop was the finale. Suki kept her head down and tried to look as inconspicuous as possible as she filed through the shop and back into the underground city.
Reaching the place where the old blue Dino’s diner sign leaned against the locked door, she pulled it away and let herself in, closing it gingerly behind her. With her flashlight in hand, she carefully trod to the back of the room where Whitney lay tied up and asleep on the dirty old bed.
“Whitney, wake up.” Suki shook her shoulder and shined the light on her face. Whitney did not move. Suki swallowed hard as a shot of adrenaline jumped through her veins.
“Whitney! I said, wake up!” She shook her more vigorously and yanked the tape off her mouth with a rip.
“Ouch! What, what’s going on?” Whitney snapped blearily out of her sleep.
Suki exhaled forcefully. “Sit up, Whitney,” she ordered, as she untied her feet. Whitney was too out of it. “I brought you something to eat, but you need to sit up.”
“What? What’s happening?” Whitney slurred.
“You need to eat something. Please sit up.” Suki knew she had to get the sleeping pills into Whitney once more, one way or the other. It wasn’t Whitney’s fault she was in this place, but Suki had to do what had to be done. She had no intention of either her or Ethan going to jail.
“Leave me…alone. I’m tired. Jus’ wanna…sleep,” Whitney stammered.
“Here, let me help you sit up.”
“No. I jus’ wanna sleep.” Her words were slow and garbled.
Whitney wasn’t cooperating and Suki was getting desperate. She took the sandwich out of her purse and pulled the slices of bread apart to expose the peanut butter. She threw the jam side on the ground. Then she scraped the drug-filled peanut butter off the bread with her finger. She pried Whitney’s mouth open and shoved the peanut butter inside, holding her mouth closed so she would swallow it all.
Whitney coughed and sputtered, attempting to shake her head away, but Suki held tight. Suki’s bandage worked loose from her finger as she struggled to hold Whitney’s mouth shut. The gash reopened and began to bleed again.
Finally, Whitney gave in and swallowed the peanut butter, gasping for air as it stuck in her throat.
“Drink this!” Suki gave her a sip of water from the partial bottle she had brought, pouring the rest on her fingers to wash off the blood.
Once Whitney was breathing okay, she put more tape over her mouth and laid her back down to sleep, retying her feet to the bed. Pulling a couple of tissues out of the packet in her purse, she wound them around her finger to contain the bleeding. She left the way she came in and slipped out of the souvenir shop undetected.
Catching the city bus, she rode it home, deep in thought, wondering if she and her brother were doing the right thing. It wasn’t fair Whitney had to suffer for Kate’s sins, but Ethan didn’t see it that way. He only saw Whitney as a means to his end.
When she stepped off the bus at her stop, she saw Ethan waiting for her by the entrance to her apartment building. She dug into her oversized purse and pulled out her set of keys.
“Hi, Ethan,” she said as she pushed the key into the lock and opened the building’s front door.
“Hey,” he replied, looking up and down the street, before following her through the foyer and into the elevator.
“What’s that on your finger?” he asked, noticing the tissue wrapped around it.
“Oh, I cut myself earlier and it started bleeding again,” she explained.
“Is it bad?”
“No, not too.”
Once inside the loft, Suki hung her purse on one of the coat hooks by the door and shrugged out of her trench coat, hooking it on the coat rack, as well.
Ethan settled into an overstuffed chair in the living area and removed his ball cap, exposing his unruly brown hair. He stuck his feet up on the small, well-worn coffee table to relax and leaned his head back.
“I’m going to go and put another bandage on my finger. I’ll be right back,” she called as she walked down the hallway to the bathroom.
“Did you check on Whitney?” he hollered.
She re-bandaged her finger and headed back. “Yes,” she replied as she walked into the room.
“Do you think anyone saw you there?” He scratched his head and ran his hand through his thick, wavy hair.
“No, I was very careful.”
“How was she? Still breathing?”
“Yes, she’s still breathing. I had to force-feed the sleeping pills to her today, but I got them down her. I thought you didn’t care about her.”
“I don’t.”
“Then why all the questions?”
“If she has to die for me to get to Kate, so be it. On the other hand, if something gets messed up, we can use her as leverage. So, it’s to our advantage to keep her alive as long as we need her. After that, who freakin’ cares?”
Suki was taken aback by how cold Ethan had become. He was so far from the funny and sweet brother she had grown up with years ago. Since the tragedy that shattered their family, she had watched her brother change as he spiraled down into depression and addiction to drugs and alcohol. Aside from looking to score his next fix, his whole life was now focused on getting his revenge.
Chapter Eleven
Kate changed into something more comfortable. She came down the stairs in her jeans and tennis shoes and found Ryan at the kitchen island preparing dinner. The salad was made, and the potatoes were warming in the oven. The steak and chicken bre
asts were marinating in a glass pan on the counter. I guess I was right, she thought to herself, he is the perfect man.
“Mmmm…something smells good,” she said as she strolled into the kitchen.
“That would be my mom’s Ooh La La potatoes,” Ryan answered with a smile.
“Ooh La La potatoes? What’s that?”
“Oh, it’s just some delicious potato concoction my mother makes on special occasions.”
“What’s in it? Besides potatoes, I mean.”
“Butter, sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onions. You know, healthy stuff like that,” he replied with a smirk.
“Sounds delicious. Can I help with anything?”
“Well, I was thinking that before it gets too late I should take you to see the horses.”
“But what about dinner?”
“It’ll keep. Let me just turn the oven temperature down real low on these potatoes and they’ll be fine. The grill is heating up outside, but it won’t hurt anything to just leave it going for awhile. Here, let’s go out this way.” Ryan opened the French doors from the dining area to the patio and let Kate through the doorway first.
As she stepped out into the backyard, she stopped on the patio to take in the view. The sun was setting in the distance, acres of green grass and trees, cordoned off with white fencing surrounded the red barn that looked freshly painted. She found the country air and the picturesque view rejuvenating.
She noticed Ryan watching her, as her face and body relaxed. “This is absolutely breathtaking.”
“Yes, it is pretty great.” He moved closer. “I don’t want to rush you, but it will be dark soon.”
“Lead the way.”
Riley had been lying on the patio, and he sprang up, eager to go with them. Ryan took hold of Kate’s hand and led her to the pasture. Riley wagged his tail all the way.
They stopped at the fence and waited for the horses to approach. There were five of them in the pasture, a variety of colors. A blonde one with a white crest on her head and a chestnut mare trotted over.
“They’re magnificent,” Kate remarked, once again wishing she had brought her camera.
“It’s getting too dark for a ride. Maybe some other time,” he suggested.
She understood what he implied, that he hoped she might be there with him again sometime. “I’d like that.” She stroked the chestnut mare’s long nose and patted her on the neck. The other horse muscled her way in between Kate’s hand and the chestnut mare, and nudged her forearm so she would pet her too.
“Looks like someone wants your attention all to herself,” Ryan teased.
“It sure looks that way.” Kate rubbed the horse’s jaw.
Ryan stepped in closer and stroked the golden horse’s nose. “I can’t say I blame her.”
Kate could feel Ryan’s body almost touching hers, and it made her heart beat faster. She slowly turned her head and looked up into his deep green eyes. He caught her gaze and held it for a moment.
She sensed he might lean down and kiss her, but he took a small step back and petted the mare. Awkwardly, she blinked and looked back at the horses.
Her heart was beating hard now. Kate could feel the blood pulsing throughout her body. She wanted him to kiss her. Did I misread the look in his eyes? Is he not as attracted to me as I am to him?
It had only been two days since they met, yet they were two emotionally intense days of close contact. She was finding him to be everything she had ever wanted in a man. Did I misinterpret his cues? Maybe it’s too soon, but it would only be a kiss.
“Are you ready to head back to the house?” Ryan asked. “I should probably put the meat on the grill before it gets too late.”
“You’re right, it’s almost dark.”
They turned and headed back toward the house, the dog leading the way. Ryan reached down and took her hand again in his as they walked. Now, she was really confused.
Once inside the house, they set about making supper.
“Steak or chicken breast?” he asked her.
“I’ll have the chicken. And while you’re at the grill, I’ll set the table.”
“Sounds good.” He jabbed a fork in the steak, and then the chicken, before laying them on a plate and seasoning them. “I’ll be back shortly,” he said as he started out the door to the patio. “The potatoes should be done and the salad is in the refrigerator.”
“What about drinks?” Kate asked.
“Check the fridge. There should be wine, soda, sweet tea, bottled water…I’m guessing. Pick whatever you like. I’ll just have some sweet tea,” he said, as he closed the door behind him.
* * *
Ryan stood before the hot grill. The meats sizzled as he laid them on it. As the meat cooked, he peered back through the French doors into the lighted house and watched Kate set the table. She looked so at home there, and he wondered what it would be like to have a wife like her, a partner, a woman to come home to every night—that was beautiful both inside and out—a woman that would warm their home.
He had come so close to kissing her just a few minutes before. With every cell of his body, he wanted to do it. He was drawn to her like he had never been drawn to any other woman, but as he looked into her eyes he remembered what he told his parents before they left, that he would not take advantage of her. Recalling that conversation pulled him back.
He sensed she wanted him to kiss her—he read it in her eyes—but he knew, because of what she had just gone through at the morgue, and continued to go through as she waited for news of her sister, she was vulnerable. If she had kissed him, he knew there was no way he could have refused, but he didn’t want to be the one to initiate things.
They hadn’t spoken of her sister in the last hour or so, but he was sure Whitney was never far from Kate’s mind. He knew, because she wasn’t far from his, either.
* * *
As Kate laid the last fork down and poured the iced tea, she surveyed the well-appointed kitchen and the inviting great room. This house made her feel comfortable and settled. She wondered what it would be like to have a home like this and a family of her own.
When her tasks were finished, Kate stepped out onto the patio with a clean platter. “Mmmm…smells good.”
“Thanks,” he replied, taking the plate from her. “It’s almost done.”
She felt his gaze follow her back inside the house. She wondered if he was as distracted by thoughts of the last few days as she was. The smell of burning meat answered her question.
“Oh, man!” she heard him blurt out.
She turned to see him quickly scrape the meat off the grill. He wore a look of embarrassment as he brought his burnt offerings into the house on the platter.
“I hope you like your chicken well done,” he said, holding out the large dish for her to see his blunder.
“Oh, my,” she giggled and took a seat at the table. “I guess it isn’t anything a good bottle of barbeque sauce won’t fix.”
“Sorry about that.” He grabbed the barbeque sauce from the cupboard. “The time just got away from me, I guess,” he said sheepishly. He set the platter down on the table and took a seat, too.
Over dinner, Ryan shared with Kate what it was like growing up in Boise, and she described her years being raised in Seattle, then going off to college in California. The conversation was pleasant and upbeat, but thoughts of Whitney niggled in the back of her mind. Likely Ryan’s too, for she could tell he was stepping around the subject of her sister, guessing he didn’t want to risk upsetting her. And Kate, too, avoided talking about Whitney, reluctant to dampen the mood.
She still felt a little guilty about enjoying Ryan’s company when her sister might be struggling for her life somewhere, but as he had reminded her earlier, there was nothing they could do tonight but wait for word from the police.
“That was really good, Ryan.” She placed her fork across her plate.
“Mmmm, yes it was. I’m stuffed,” he replied as he patted his stomach. “I gue
ss I didn’t burn the meat too badly.”
“No room for dessert?”
“Maybe later. There’s probably ice cream in the freezer. Mom always keeps a couple of flavors for my dad.”
Kate stood and began to pick up their dishes.
“Here, let me get that,” Ryan offered. He took the plates and glasses to the sink while Kate picked up the salad bowl and half-empty baking dish and came to stand beside him at the sink.
“Those potatoes were so delicious. I’ll have to get the recipe from your mom.”
“I’m sure she’ll be happy to share it.”
“I’ll get the stuff into the dishwasher, Ryan. Why don’t you go and sit down? I will just be a minute.”
“Okay, if you don’t need me.” He moved to the great room and was about to take a seat when he saw the logs and kindling. “Hey, it looks like Dad got the fireplace ready to light. Would you like a fire tonight?”
“That would be wonderful,” Kate answered from the kitchen, thinking about how warm and cozy it would make that room. A roaring fire was one thing she missed about living in her condo in Southern California.
“Do you mind if we watch a little of the Boise State game on TV? Most likely it’s more than half over by now, but I’d like to see if my alma mater is ahead.”
“Sure,” she replied, smiling down at the dishes she was sticking in the dishwasher. Kate could hardly believe how comfortable and at home she felt in this house—and with Ryan.
She watched him click on the widescreen TV with the remote control and find the ESPN channel. There before her eyes was the bright blue turf of Boise State. She could see it vividly from where she stood.
She finished cleaning up before joining him on the sofa and enjoying the blazing fireplace. “You weren’t kidding when you said the turf was blue,” she said from the kitchen, getting no response from Ryan.
“Ryan.” She spoke a little louder, moving toward the great room.
“Yeah?” he responded, intently focused on the game.
