Blood Ties - A Magnolia Novel
Page 31
But it wasn’t Karina. It was Crigger.
Damn!
Annoyed, LiAnn answered. “Hey, Andrew. May I call you back? I’m trying…”
Crigger cut her off. “LiAnn, where are you?”
Shivers ran up her spine at the tone in Crigger’s voice. He was out of breath, and she heard the unmistakable sounds of radio chatter and sirens in the background. Why is he calling me when on scene? Makes no sense! He’s on vacation! “I’m in Branson with my parents. I really need to call you back, Andrew. I’m trying to get in touch with Karina.”
“Oh, thank God. LiAnn? Please, listen to me. Text me your location, and sit tight until the state boys arrive. Do not answer your door, or take any phone calls from anyone. Period. You and your family are in danger.”
“Andrew, what are you talking about? What is going on, and where are you?”
“I don’t know how to say this any other way but to spit it out. I’m…at your parent’s farm.”
LiAnn’s legs wobbled and she collapsed onto the bed. A wave of dizziness made the room spin. “Come again?”
“No time to explain the particulars. The farm, oh, God, the house…it’s gone, LiAnn.”
Tears raced down LiAnn’s face, her heart in her throat. The blood in her veins felt like ice. Her next question she didn’t want to ask, but had no choice. “My daughter? Is she…”
“The crews just finished searching. She wasn’t in the house. From the looks of things, she made it out with Ranger before the explosion. A cell phone and gun were found in the yard. Gun’s been fired, four shots to be exact. A guy named Bo Barton was here, and he said your dad’s truck is missing. Cops have swarmed the place. The lead wants to talk to you.”
Explosion. Oh, Jesus. Karina! My baby.
Fury burned through her senses. She knew who was behind this, and why. It was time to tell Crigger, and protect her parents and Cecil.
Pushing her emotions into a dark corner, LiAnn stood and walked over to the table, yanking her gun from inside her purse. Voice tight and low, she growled, “Andrew, put me on speaker. I’m going to tell you what’s going on, and then you go find my daughter.”
36
Into the Heat of the Night
Carmella stood like a statue, her face frozen in fury. Franco tried to wrap his arm around her shoulder, but she brushed it off. Without a word, she walked over to the controls on the oven and fiddled with them.
Caesar watched the temperature gauge zoom past 1800 degrees. He was exhausted, his muscles screaming. They needed to hurry and get things rolling before his body gave out. His mind was already slipping. Romella’s voice inside his throbbing head grew insistent. He needed to take control of the situation. “Franco, let’s bring them in.”
Carmella turned and shook her head. “No, you sit and rest, brother. Better yet, wash and tend to your wounds. I’ll finish cleaning what you miss when we’re done. We’ll go get them.”
Caesar reached up and winced as he touched the goose egg on the back of his head. When he pulled his hand back, it was covered in blood. Rather than argue, he turned and walked to the small bathroom. He could hear their footsteps as Carmella and Franco exited the cremation room.
Once inside the bathroom, Caesar shut the door and flicked on the light. His skin was a sickly gray pallor, and dark, cranberry-colored blood covered the base of his neck and shirt. A few cuts from the debris were on his cheeks, forehead and nose. His arm was even worse. There was a large gash above his right elbow, deep enough he could see the bone. Carmella would have to stitch it up before he left, or it would never stop bleeding.
It took him over ten minutes to wash up. The water was cold and refreshing, but it didn’t help his mindset. Romella’s words were non-stop, begging him to listen.
“Caesar, please. You’re hurt and need to leave. Please, get me to Tahiti. Now. Things are growing fuzzy, and I can barely see you.”
Caesar tossed another handful of water onto his face. Romella was right, and he knew it. The entire evening had been one giant cluster-fuck. All his careful plans shot to hell. He should have let Carmine take out the girl. Never should have involved Vincenzo. Caesar let his pride get in the way, the urge to prove his stamina and manhood, by partaking in one more hit. Leave the life with one more notch on his belt. Stupid, stupid mistake.
The sound of Carmella’s voice brought Caesar out of his disturbing thoughts. She was yelling at Franco, ordering him around like she usually did. Just as he assumed, Caesar heard her tell Franco to put Vincenzo in first since he was larger and would require more time to incinerate. Carmella needed to calm down before she made a mistake. Her emotions were running high, and Caesar knew it. Saw the anger in her face when he retold the story of how Vincenzo died. Caesar was the only person who could bring Carmella down when she was wound tight, so he left the bathroom.
Determined to help, Caesar made his way across the floor. Carmella and Franco had both bodies on separate gurneys, side by side. They were busy removing Vincenzo’s clothes, Carmella cussing a blue streak. She kept glancing over at the still body of the girl, muttering what she was going to do to her once it was her turn. Screaming about how she was going to enjoy killing the rest of her family.
Caesar followed his sister’s gaze over to the girl. Her body twitched, and he realized she was awake. Carmella noticed, too.
“Franco, you finish with Vincenzo. I’m going to play. Little Vivian is awake.”
Caesar moved across the floor and helped Franco load Vincenzo’s body into the oven. The heat was intense and made Caesar feel woozy, but he pushed on, despite the sickening feeling in his stomach. For a second, his vision blurred, so he closed his eyes and waited for it to pass.
Carmella hissed, “You little bitch. Thought you were so smart, didn’t you? You and your mom. Ha, joke’s on you! They’ll all be dead in less than forty-eight hours. It will be such a tragic end to the Tuck clan. Family killed in a car accident, and the daughter missing after the house blew up. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be a suspect. It won’t matter to you, because, in less than two hours, all that will be left of you will barely fill a lunch sack. Now, keep those pretty eyes open while I cut you up. I want to see your pain.”
Carmella pushed the mound of matted hair from the girl’s face. When Carmella realized her victim was out cold again, she slapped her. Caesar stared at the spectacle, determined to enjoy watching his sister carve up the bitch. He moved away from his spot by the gurney so he could get a better view.
When he did, time seemed to stand still. Caesar heard nothing but the beat of his heart. Under the bright lights of the fluorescent bulbs, he gasped as crushing grief and utter confusion consumed him. Romella stared at him from the table, her beautiful blue eyes wide with fright. Her slender body trembled as she tried to wriggle away from the scalpel. The joy of seeing his beloved wife in the flesh again was overshadowed by worry for her safety. Caesar blinked, unsure if he was dreaming or not. The minute he heard Romella’s voice, clear as a bell, he knew he wasn’t.
“Help me, Caesar! She’s going to kill me! Don’t let her cut me again. Oh, God, the pain! Stop her, please! We can’t be together if she burns me alive!”
His body on autopilot, unsure of anything other than saving his wife, Caesar lunged. With his head down, he used it as a battering ram, right into the torso of the woman trying to kill his bride. From the right, he heard the voice of a man yell, along with the oomph as air left the lungs of the woman with the weapon when she crashed to the floor. Romella’s face was contorted in pain, tears streaming from her eyes. With a gentle caress, Caesar touched her forehead and whispered, “It’s okay, Romella. I’ll take care of them. Rest now.”
Rage fueled his muscles. Caesar pulled the knife from his back pocket and spun around, the blade slicing with ease through the soft neck of the man. The woman screamed as the man crumpled to the floor, blood pouring from his wound.
“Caesar! What are you doing? Stop! She’s not Romella! I told you!”
The woman scrambled toward the scalpel, but Caesar was faster. He grabbed a handful of hair, yanked her head back, and slit her from ear to ear, nearly decapitating her.
Breathing heavily, Caesar let go and moved back toward the man, his gaze never leaving Romella’s still body. “See, my love? It’s okay. Don’t cry. They can’t hurt you anymore. Let me dispose of them and then I’ll take you home. We’ve got to pack for our trip.”
While humming softly, Caesar picked up the corpses of the strangers who tried to kill his wife. One by one, he tossed them into the oven, smiling as the flames engulfed them. Once finished, he scooped up his unconscious wife and carried her outside. “That’s it, my love. Rest while I take you home. You can’t imagine how excited I am to sleep by your side tonight. I’ve missed you.”
Caesar ignored the confusion in his mind. Unsure where he was, or even how to get home, he couldn’t let Romella know about his fears. There was an old truck close to the door. He reached it, but no keys were inside. Glancing around, he saw another parked about fifty yards away. Back screaming, arms aching, Caesar walked with gentle steps across the blacktop until he reached the truck. He eased Romella onto the ground, mindful of her back as he leaned her against the tire. She moaned but didn’t open her eyes. “Hang on, my love. Just another minute.”
The driver’s door was unlocked, so he opened it. No key. Something in the back of Caesar’s mind urged him to look under the floor mat. Sure enough, a small, silver key rested underneath it. It slid in the ignition switch with ease, and after two tries, the engine started.
“Okay, baby. We’re going home.”
37
Fighting Back
Karina tried to open her eyes, but the lids were impossibly heavy. The throbbing in her head was intense. Her mind was flooded with strange sounds, visions. She heard a female’s voice, followed by a man’s. No, men. The tones were distinctly separate, but she couldn’t quite make out their words. The sensation of moving was next. She was on something cold, hard, but her arms tingled from the rush of warm air.
Open your eyes! Figure out where you are!
For a split second, Karina could see, but it made no sense. Carmella? In a flash, as searing pain from her cheek stunned her, the woman disappeared, and Karina succumbed to the inviting darkness.
Moving. She was moving. Someone was carrying her. She could feel her body in his arms. Softness. A pillow? Warm water on her head as gentle fingers cleansed her face. Hospital! Oh, thank God, I’m at the hospital. Got to get up. Call Mom. Warn her. Oh, Jesus. Tell her it’s all gone. Destroyed. Gram and Grampa will be devastated! And Ranger, my poor Ranger.
“Shhh, don’t cry, my love. You’re safe now. Relax and let me take care of you. You’ve got to heal before we head to Tahiti. Don’t want people thinking I did this to my bride. Oh, Romella, my beautiful Romella. It’s okay. Those monsters can’t hurt you anymore. Did them up right, I tell you. They are burnt to a crisp right now, though I still don’t understand how we wound up in a funeral home, or why they wanted to kill you. No matter,” the voice cooed, resuming the gentle strokes on Karina’s cheek, “we’re here together, right now. Forever, my darling bride.”
Fear pulsed through Karina, allowing her thoughts to clear. Not in the hospital. Where am I? Who the hell is talking to me? Why is he calling me Romella? No, don’t panic. Breathe. Keep your eyes closed and listen. Reach out with your senses. Get a feel of the surroundings. You’re in a bed somewhere. Oh, Jesus, my hands. Can’t move them. I’m tied up? Okay, think. The gas at the farm. The explosion. The figure by the barn. But, I killed him! There’s no way he’s still alive. Another partner? Yes, I remember what he said before I passed out. Wait, did he just say funeral home? Could it be…?
Full clarity washed over Karina, and though she tried to stay calm, her breathing became labored. She knew exactly who was sitting on the edge of the bed, wiping her brow, and the knowledge petrified her. Karina kept her eyes closed as she decided to test the theory and moaned, then whispered, “Caesar?”
“Oh, my love, are you awake now? Don’t try to move, you have quite a few injuries.”
I’m right! Fuck, I’m in the bedroom of a mobster, but one who seems off in the head, thinking I’m…Jesus H. Christ! Carmella said I looked like someone she knew who had died. Romella must have been Caesar’s wife! No doubts now. I’m in deep shit. Think of something to ask for that will make him leave the room. Got to free my hands.
Karina let her eyes flutter open and croaked, “Water?”
“Of course, my love. Have some right here. Let me help you sit up.”
Without her glasses or contacts, the room was blurry, but the man in front of her was close enough Karina could make out his features. He was elderly, his hair a mixture of silver and black. Numerous cuts were on his face, and dried blood was all over his shirt.
Was it hers or his?
Karina struggled to pull up the memories from earlier. She had killed one man, but someone else knocked her out. Had it been him? Was the old man capable of such violence? She dug deeper and remembered some of the patients from the nursing homes. People with dementia or other mind-altering issues sometimes turned violent during an episode when their minds went on the fritz. Karina focused on the man’s dark brown eyes, noticing they were full of worry and love, along with a strange, vacant look. She recognized it. The man was in the middle of a full-blown attack.
The pain in Karina’s head made her stomach lurch as he helped her sit up. He let go and reached past her. In seconds, a glass was at her lips. As she took a drink, Karina could feel how swollen her lips were. Images of a foot coming at her roared back. She winced while trying to twitch her nose. Her throat burned as the cold water trickled down it. “Thank you, Caesar.”
Caesar smiled and patted her shoulder. “Anything for you, my love.” He stood and walked across the room.
Karina squinted while trying to watch him. The only light was from the lamp next to the bed, which didn’t help. A rush of relief swept over her when she was able to move her feet. Only her hands were tied.
The man might be in the midst of a mind-break, but he didn’t seem to trust her completely since her wrists were still bound. Karina needed to figure out a way to rectify that problem. Bathroom. Tell him you need to pee.
“I’m sorry about the decorations, my love. I couldn’t stand looking at things that reminded me you were gone. I still have them. They are just in storage. Don’t worry. We’ll simply buy new ones once we settle in Tahiti. Oh, wait until you see the bungalow I bought. It’s beautiful. I don’t have any clean clothes for you, so this will have to do until I can go shopping.”
Karina could tell he was rummaging around in a dresser drawer of some sort across the room. Soon, he was back, holding up a man’s undershirt and a large pair of khaki shorts. It dawned on her she was wearing her robe, with nothing on underneath. She could feel the cool air on her thighs and chest.
Keep him talking. “Tahiti. That sounds lovely. Can’t wait.”
“Me either, my love. And here you were worried we wouldn’t make it in time.” Caesar cooed, setting the clothes next to her. “Now, let’s get you into the bathtub and cleaned up first. That robe is filthy. By the way, why are you wearing it? What happened to the dress I bought you?”
His voice shifted and Karina sensed the accusatory tone. She had no idea what he was talking about, and no time to think. “Things are still sort of hazy, Caesar. I don’t remember.”
Caesar stepped away from her, his face full of confusion. “Why were you so…different at the funeral, Romella? You said some awful, wretched things to me. They upset me deeply.”
Oh, shit. What does that mean? “I’m…sorry, Caesar. Transitioning back into this realm is rather difficult. If I hurt you, I didn’t mean to. Forgive me?” A hint of r
elief spread across his face, but he didn’t move. Her brain spun, trying to think of what to say that would sway him to untie her. She saw the sorrow behind his eyes, the look of grief and distrust. Karina had to hurry. “Caesar, I love you. I’ve waited so long to be with you again. To feel your arms around me, hold you tight. Please, come here and let me hold you. I need to be near you. It gives me strength.”
A lone tear trickled down his face. He hesitated for a split second before he shuffled forward and sat down next to her. Karina held up her bound arms, forcing a look of sadness to show on her face. Controlling her fear as he pulled a long switchblade from his pocket, she prayed he planned on using it to free her. Sure enough, with one quick slice, her arms were unbound. Before Karina could even blink, the knife was directly above her heart.
“Tell me how much you love me. How you will never leave me again. Make me believe you.”
Steady. Inflict maximum emotional impact, then strike. “Oh, Caesar. You have no idea how awful it’s been. I could see you, but not touch you. I was alone in the dark for so long. So very, very long. My love for you is what allowed me to return. Kept me going when I thought I couldn’t withstand another minute away from you. I loved you before, but the time away from you made it deeper, stronger. You are my world, Caesar Calvanio.”
Karina saw a flicker of pain in his eyes. When he leaned forward to kiss her, she head-butted him, while simultaneously knocking the arm with the knife away. Karina heard the metal tinkle across the floor, and his roar of anger. She bolted from the bed and scrambled to retrieve the knife.
“You lying bitch! You’re here to torment more, aren’t you? Dead, alive, whatever you are, leave me alone!” Caesar screamed. He lunged across the bed, and his hand caught her right ankle.
Karina kicked him in the face with her other foot, sending him flying off the bed. Her knees slammed hard when she hit the floor, but she ignored the pain. Spotting the knife, Karina grabbed it and struggled to her feet.