by Kim Jones
Chapter 8
Dallas
It was another late night at the office, but the day had been successful. I had sent Lindsey home early, and told her not to return until next week. Joanna and Kylie, the assistants Lindsey had temporarily hired while I was unavailable, would be coming in to help out. Lindsey had done more than her fair share of work around here, and a vacation was much-needed, and well-deserved. As the day progressed, my thoughts kept drifting to Stacy and what had really happened that night in Tupelo. Did he really try to kill me? If so, why was I allowing him to keep his job? I had been avoiding the situation for too long, mostly in fear of finding the truth. Stacy and I had been close for many years. He was the uncle I never had. We had grown apart over the past few years, but I didn’t believe he would ever be capable of doing something so terrible. If he had needed money, all he had had to do was come to me, and I would have given it to him. If Frankie did have a bounty on my head and had offered it to Stacy, the sum of money would have to be astronomical to make it worth his while. Was it out of greed? Was he jealous that he didn’t inherit anything when my father died? Was I being selfish by just offering him a job at the bed and breakfast, or should I have offered to sell it to him? The Abbey was my business, but it governed itself. The only time I had anything to do with it was when I was in the area. I had never had any reason to intervene in the way they handled things. The business was old and simple, and made enough money to pay the staff and keep the place going, but not much more. It just didn’t make sense.
I laid my head down on my desk, frustrated at myself for letting this go on so long. If he was a murderer, he could kill my staff. I thought of Gladene and Jackie, and the possible harm Stacy could cause them, and laughed to myself. Yeah, that shit would never fly. They were more capable of murder than he was. I could almost see Jackie trying to kill me. I was never really her favorite, but she had taken care of me and ensured I got help when I became ill. In the stack of messages on my desk there were several from them and Stacy, just checking in on me. The only person who knew about me being poisoned was Red. I had not even told Lindsey. I chewed on the end of my pen, my mind racing, as I planned my next move. Red was still on my shit list and I would die a thousand deaths before I called and asked her for help. Maybe one day, but not right now. I needed to work this out on my own, if possible. I looked over my desk, eyeing the cabinet across the room, which I knew was stocked with liquor. Maybe a drink would help me relax. I made my way to the cabinet, kicking my heels off as I went. I began pulling bottles from the top shelf, which was so high that I had to stand on my toes to reach it.
Wine?
Nope.
Crown?
Nope.
More wine?
Nope.
Scotch?
Scotch. The preferred drink of the almighty Mr. Charlie Lott. I missed Charlie. I looked around the room in a panic to make sure I was alone; afraid someone could have heard my thoughts.
“I can’t believe I just thought that,” I said aloud to the empty room. Had I lost my fucking mind? The man had kidnapped me! And my sister! And made me kill a man! He deserved it, yes, but still. As I eyed the bottle, I thought of the conversation we had while sipping a ridiculously priced scotch. I had poured my heart out to him, and he had listened with interest. I had told him everything, even about my near-death experience. He knew about Stacy. I grabbed the scotch and a glass, returned to my desk, and poured myself a generous amount. I was about to do the forbidden. Charlie had promised me a favor with no strings attached. I was about to take him up on his offer.
I located the card Charlie had given me, which I had placed in my purse without Luke knowing. He would kill me if he knew what I was doing. If I asked Luke what he thought about me reaching out to Charlie, I knew what his answer would be, ‘Are you fucking crazy?’ It took two glasses before I found the courage to pick up the phone. Even then, I replaced the receiver several times before I finally dialed his number. It rang twice before being answered by the very friendly voice I had regretfully grown fond of.
“The lovely Miss Dallas Knox,” Charlie purred, causing my face to break out in an involuntary smile.
“Charlie. How are you?” I asked, kicking myself for not getting straight to the point.
“Well, I am delighted to hear from you. To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?” His voice was so soothing. Think bad thoughts, Dallas. This man is not your friend. He had Luke beaten to a pulp, and threatened to kill him.
“Charlie, do you remember our conversation that day? You know, when I told you about my life?” I sounded so stupid. I was tripping over my own words, and almost stuttering.
“I remember everything, Dallas.” Of course he did. I had to get my shit together. He may be sharp, Dallas, but you are too. Now fucking act like it.
“I told you about a man named Stacy who could have possibly poisoned me.”
“I have already confirmed that I remember everything. Is there a question there, Dallas? Or would you just like me to confirm that he was indeed a part of our conversation?” Well, fuck. I shouldn’t have called. Charlie was not my friend. I did not miss him. He was just a mean man on a power trip.
“This was a mistake. I apologize for calling you. I hope I didn’t impose.” I took another sip of scotch, looking for a little alcoholic encouragement.
“Dallas, if you really thought calling me was a mistake you would have ended the call already, and you would not have assumed you had imposed unless you wanted confirmation that you didn’t, therefore prolonging the phone call that you have apologized about, and claimed was a mistake. If you have something to say, just say it.”
“I want to know how much money you loaned Frankie, because I believe he used it to pay someone to kill me, and I think that someone might be Stacy.” The words rushed out of my mouth. Charlie had that kind of power over me. Just the tone in his voice had me giving him exactly what he wanted.
“I never discuss business over a phone that does not belong to me, Dallas. Not that I would share information with you about another client, regardless of whether we are on the phone or not. Would you be opposed to dinner tomorrow evening?” Was he serious? The man had to be delusional.
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea,” I scoffed. The chances of him actually releasing me without making me kill someone seemed pretty slim. This man could not be trusted.
“Are you sure? I can arrange to have you picked up and flown over here. You can even bring someone with you if you like.” What? He wanted to send a plane to get me and fly me to fucking Texas? And bring along another fucking hostage? No way.
“Charlie, be reasonable. If you remember correctly, that didn’t work out so well the last time.”
“I thought everything worked out perfectly. I am a man of my word, Dallas. You are seeking information and it must be important for you to call me. You have one free pass. To use it so soon must make you pretty desperate. I will help you with whatever you need. Bring someone with you. Maddie, perhaps. There will be a car waiting for you outside your office at five tomorrow evening. I will have you home safely in less than twenty-four hours.” I let out a surprised laugh with no humor, and struggled to find the right words to tell him to fuck off. Maddie? Really? He was gonna play that fucking card?
“Charlie, you’re delusional. It’s not going to happen. You can forget it,” I countered, sitting on the edge of my seat awaiting his reaction.
“Yet you remain on the phone, knowing there is no other option. I will see you tomorrow, Dallas. Good night.” I sat with the phone to my ear, trying to process what he had just said. Was it a demand that I go? Was he kidnapping me once again? Before I could stop my fingers, I was redialing his number.
“Yes, Dallas?”
“What if I don’t come?” I spat at him. I was breathless, my heart hammering against my chest. I closed my eyes, praying his answer would be different from what I suspected it would be.
“Then you don’t come
. I want to help you, Dallas, but to do that we have to meet face-to-face. The decision is yours. There will be no hard feelings if you decline my offer. But if ever the day comes that you want my help, you will have to come and ask me for it. Personally. Good night, Dallas.” There was finality in his tone that let me know that it would be in my best interest to not call him back. I hung up my desk phone and picked up my cell, mentally dying a thousand deaths. I needed someone. We would have to set our differences aside for now. Lindsey couldn’t help me with this. I needed my sisters.
*We need to talk NOW!! Be at Luke’s in 20. Do not tell ANYONE!!*
I hit send on the message and grabbed my purse, leaving in my office a half-empty bottle of scotch, a desk full of work, and any remaining sense, as I jumped in my car and sped off to Luke’s to endure the wrath I was sure would come.
“What the fuck, Dallas?”
“Are you okay?” I felt a little guilty as I looked into the worried faces of Red and Maddie. They were in a panic, and I had not managed to get my shit under control on the drive over. I was quite a sight in my wrinkled skirt, and un-tucked blouse, with bare feet, a flushed face, and wide eyes. I resembled someone who had just been a victim of assault, and knew I needed to confirm that was not the issue, but I couldn’t catch my breath. I began hyperventilating in the kitchen, letting Maddie and Red pull me to the table and soothe me. Eventually, I regained control, and took a sip of the water Red offered before I started talking.
“I’m fine. Nothing happened. Just a long day at work. No one attacked me.” I watched, as they both sagged in relief. Maybe I should have called. “I didn’t mean to scare y’all. I just panicked.”
“It’s okay. But next time, please call. A message like that followed by a you that looks like this, is a little much,” Maddie said, gesturing her hands toward my rumpled appearance.
“Will do,” I said, nodding my head.
“What’s going on, Dallas?” Red asked, genuine concern in her lovely hazel eyes. It was good to see that she was not holding our spat from earlier against me. “Don’t worry about earlier. I’m a bitch and I deserved it, but we will get to that later. What happened?” I had to work on not being so damned transparent.
“So, you know I have this issue with Stacy,” I started, watching Red nod in acknowledgement, while Maddie looked between the two of us in confusion.
“Stacy poisoned her. When she was in Tupelo. Told everyone she had the flu. I found out through a friend. Nobody knows though,” Red said quickly, informing Maddie, but keeping her eyes on me.
“I’m not sure if it was Stacy,” I said, looking at Red, and ignoring Maddie’s silent plea for more information.
“I am. Frankie confirmed it. Said he paid him to do it.” I stared in shock at Red. I was so convinced that Stacy could not have done it, yet here was the proof.
“You can’t believe anything Frankie said,” Maddie added, looking at Red like she had lost her mind.
“What did he have to lose? He was going to die anyway. Why would he lie?” Red threw back at Maddie.
“To hurt Dallas. She apparently cares about Stacy or this wouldn’t be an issue. Do you think Stacy did it?” she asked as if she didn’t believe he had done, either.
“I don’t think so. We are pretty close. That’s why it doesn’t make sense. If it had been before I was twenty-five, I would find it a little easier to accept, but that’s not the case.”
“Cause then he would have gotten the land, right?” Red asked, ignoring Maddie’s pleading glare. “I’ll tell you later, Mads,” she said with a wave of her hand, as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“Right. I need to know what happened and the only other person who knows the story, besides us, is Charlie.”
“Charlie?” Maddie screeched, causing Red to shush her.
“Yes. Charlie. I told him about it and I know he could find out what happened. He loaned Frankie some money and I need to know if it was enough for Stacy to risk our relationship,” I said, looking between Maddie and Red.
“You do realize that’s not a strong enough reason to put yourself in danger. I mean, listen to yourself, Dallas. ‘I need to know if it was enough money for Stacy to risk our relationship,’” Maddie said, mockingly. “That sounds fucking ridiculous. If you plan to go to Charlie to get something, you better have a better excuse than that.”
“I need to know what happened that night. Charlie can find that out. I know it. I called him tonight.”
“You what?” They both shouted, not caring who heard. Now, it was my turn to shush them.
“Shut up! Shit, tell the whole damned house, why don’t you. Look, Luke can’t know this. He would kill me and he has enough shit to deal with right now. Charlie will help me. I know it. There is only one catch.” I tried to express the importance of talking to him, but knew I had lost them when they threw their hands up in the air and muttered ‘I knew it.’
“What does he want? A fucking kidney?” Maddie snapped. I didn’t blame her. Hell, she had been through just as much shit as me, and she thought he had killed the man she knew as her father.
“He wants to meet in person. And I want you to go with me,” I said to Red, watching her head nod in agreement almost immediately. She didn’t care if it was a bad idea, she was down for anything.
“Oh no,” Maddie said, standing and waving her finger in the air between Red and me. “This shit ain’t goin’ down without me. If y’all goin’, I’m fuckin’ goin’.”
“Maddie,” I started, but was interrupted.
“Don’t you Maddie me. I am goin’, Dallas. I can keep my cool and not bring up old shit, but you two are not goin’ alone.” There would be no changing her mind. I knew that even before Red confirmed it.
“You are not going to talk her out of this,” Red said, shaking her head in defeat.
“Well, I guess we are all going. I know he won’t hurt us because-,”
“He is a man of his word,” they both sang out, interrupting me. I guess Charlie’s slogan was not one preached to only me.
“He is sending a car to pick us up at five tomorrow evening at my office. He will fly us over, and said we will be back within twenty-four hours, but,” I said, emphasizing the stipulation by staring seriously at both of them, “nobody can know. It must be our little secret. It’s only twenty-four hours, no one will even know we are gone.” I left Luke’s house with Maddie and Red’s laughter still ringing loudly in my ears.
I was sitting at work, willing time to speed up. The day seemed to creep by, and the only thing I had to keep me busy was too important to half-ass. I couldn’t work to my full potential when I knew that I would be on a plane to Texas in just a few hours. I had yet to hear Luke’s voice, but was glad he was too busy to call. I was afraid that if I talked to him, I would give something away. Just as my shitty luck would have it, my phone rang around noon and it was Luke’s name that flashed across the screen.
“Hey baby!” I squealed into the phone, forgetting my worries and focusing solely on him.
“Hey babe, look I’m sorry I haven’t called. It’s been kinda crazy the past few days.” I melted at the sound of his tired, remorseful, voice and wished I was there with him.
“No worries, babe. I have had plenty to keep me busy while you’ve been gone,” I said reassuringly.
“Stop stealing my word.”
“What word?”
“Babe, babe. That’s my word. It’s what I do. Like the winks and finger-kissing and shit. That’s mine. Get your own.”
“Can I call you sugar?” I asked through the huge smile that was plastered on my face.
“Whatever makes you happy. I miss you.” His voice was serious and low, letting me know that he was hurting without me, and that his boys were around so he couldn’t shout it.
“I miss you too, Luke. Do you know when you are coming home?” Please don’t say tonight. Please don’t say tonight.
“It’s gonna be a little while, babe. I’m not sure how long that is,
but I’ll let you know. I can’t really say much right now, but I’ll call you tomorrow and we can talk more. I gotta go babe. Tell me you love me.”
“I love you.”
“I know. I love you too. Stay out of trouble.” The call was disconnected and I wondered if maybe he knew I was up to something. Why did he say that? I was being fucking paranoid. I needed to get my mind off Luke, and on Charlie, and my trip. I called for Joanna and she appeared, wearing a top so low-cut that it was hard to concentrate on anything other than her breasts.
“Joanna, I am not going to be here tomorrow. I have a meeting and will be tied up all day. If you need me, you can reach me on my cell.” I wanted to add “and wear a fucking shirt”, but I didn’t. If I pissed her off, she might quit and I needed her here tomorrow. Kylie didn’t seem quite competent enough to be left on her own, although at least she wore clothes that covered her.
“Will do. Anything else?” Yeah, cover your ginormous fucking tits!
“That’s all.” I stared down at my desk, busying myself with nothing until she left. This day could not end fast enough.
Maddie and Red showed up around 4:30, each carrying a small, designer, overnight bag that I was sure my father had paid for. I looked at Maddie, noticing how she tried to hide her nervousness by making meaningless small talk. I knew it was not the best time, but if anyone had to break the news to Maddie, I damned sure didn’t want it to be Charlie.
“Maddie, I have something I need to tell you.” I was so caught up in my own thoughts, that I didn’t notice I was interrupting her and Red’s conversation. Red seemed just as oblivious as Maddie, and I was sure she didn’t know what had happened either. “I think you need to know what happened when Luke came to get me.” Maddie’s reaction was cautious, yet Red sat on the edge of her seat in excited anticipation.
