by Sky, Lydia
“Correct.”
“When he’s not driving for you, he keeps his limousine stored inside his garage. I’ve driven by the man – Franklin’s – house, Mr. Stone. The garage was intact. Then I knocked on his door. He wasn’t home. Then I found out he was in the hospital with a mild concussion and a split lip. It seems that someone told him to tell a story to us about what happened that isn’t really what happened, because the story sounds made up and ol’ Franklin ain’t much of a good actor. To be blunt, he’s a bad liar. Real bad, Mr. Stone.” Richards’ face twisted into a satisfied grin. Brad had begun to sweat slightly, but he still had an aura of confidence surrounding him. His jaw clenched and he nodded his head slowly, and then furrowed his brow.
“Hmm. I can’t quite wrap my head around everything you’re saying to me. Are you insinuating that I’m somehow involved?” He stepped away from the door and pulled up a stool from the kitchen bar.
Richards laughed and then shook his head, “Oh, you’re a funny one. No, I wouldn’t go that far.” But he stared menacingly at Brad like he would absolutely go that far, and already had. I knew for one that he was most definitely insinuating Brad’s involvement.
Brad furrowed his brow once again, doing his best to look befuddled, “This is just so strange. And Franklin, you said he’s in the hospital? Is he alright?”
“He’s fine. He’s a strong old man, and the concussion is hardly even a concussion. He’ll be out tomorrow after they do some preventative tests to make sure everything’s a-ok.”
“If I had to be a detective, sir, I’d say this: It sounds to me like someone stole Franklin’s limousine after he picked me up. That’s all there is to it, in my books. At least, that’s all I can think of right now as far as possible scenarios go.”
“Interesting. How long did it take you to think of that?” Richards’ face hardened, “That’s elementary assumption, son. That conclusion would take an officer two seconds to arrive at, and I’ll tell you one damn thing – it sure as hell isn’t the right conclusion. No, pretty boy… I know what happened. I know what you’re doing because you think if you get caught…” He let a dramatic pause fill the room, “You won’t get in trouble because you’ve got money. You think you can buy yourself out of any charges like obstructing justice. Think again, punk. I’ve solved so many cases in this place that I’m practically god. Got me? Got it? You understand what I’m saying Stone?” His face was red and dripping sweat. He’d crouched down to get to eye level with Brad and then he quickly sighed and stood up before straightening his collar and wiping his brow with the back of his hand.
Brad sat calmly in the stool, his good arm propped up on the counter. His hand lightly rubbed against his chin. Then he said, “Now that there is quite an interesting assumption. Think what you will, Detective Richards, but I’m not much of an action hero. I didn’t go try to find that scumbag Daniel today, and as of right now I don’t have any plans to. But I have to give it to you… You’re making it sound fairly exciting. You’re maybe even spiking my interest in the matter. If I’m as clever as you say, then maybe I’ve got a good shot at catching him, since the police force appears to be rather… Inept.” He drew out his last word and then let out a brief chuckle, and then he stood and walked to the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of wine and opened it, and then poured himself a glass. Innocently, he looked up with bashful, beautiful blue eyes, “Anyone like a glass?” His voice was calm and nonchalant.
“No, Mr. Stone. I don’t drink on the job. In fact, I don’t drink much at all these days. I guess you could say I’ve retired from the sauce. Now, you have a nice evening, and don’t go getting into any mischief, and if you do… Believe me, I’ll catch you, and it won’t matter how much you want to blame me for planting an idea in your head, because you and I both know that’s a load of horseshit!” At that point he was already to the door, and he swung it open before giving me a look for the first time since he’d been there, and then he walked out and slammed the screen door behind him. Even on the couch, I could hear him muttering angrily to himself as he walked to his car. The car door slammed and then the engine revved up and I heard burning rubber, and then there was silence again, save for the low and barely audible noise from the TV.
I looked over at Brad and smiled with wide eyes. He returned the look and let out a big hearty laugh.
“He’s onto us,” My expression turned sullen, “What if we get into trouble?”
“Fuck ‘im.” Brad chuckled and sipped the glass. He walked into the living room and took another drink before peeking out the front curtains, “Yep, he’s gone. He knows he can’t do a damn thing. And if they do catch me, so what? What are they going to do? I know I got a little wild saying I was going to kill the guy to you, but I was raging at the time. I’m just going to hurt him really bad, and then I’ll turn him in.”
“And they should pay you a reward for that,” I laughed, “Because you certainly need the money.”
“Yeah,” His voice trailed off as he continued to stare into the distance out front, “We both know I’m doing it for revenge.”
“I know.”
He turned suddenly, eyes narrowed and determined, “Listen, I want you to stay here this time. I’m going somewhere the cops may not think to look. His own house.”
“Down the beach?”
“Yeah. I’ll be back in a few, if he’s not there. If he is, then it’ll take a while longer because I’ll have to call the cops.”
“The cops would already be there, wouldn’t they? They’d be waiting.”
“When that kid dropped us off earlier I didn’t see a patrol car. Did you?”
I thought for a moment and realized that Brad was right, “No… No, I didn’t.”
“They don’t think that way. They think ‘why would he be stupid enough to come home?’ So they set up a patrol probably overnight and I bet they left early this morning, figuring the guy was on the run. Which he very well may be by now. But I figure it won’t hurt to check. I’m kind of running out of options here, the old house of his ex-wife didn’t work out as well as I’d planned and I have no fucking clue where else he’d be.” He laughed and shrugged his shoulders.
“Okay. I’ll try to make some dinner while you’re gone. Since we just ate I’ll roast something that’ll be ready in a few hours. Does that sound good?”
He walked over and craned his neck to kiss me. His fingers ran through my hair as he rose, and then he bent back down and kissed me again, “You don’t have to do anything. Why don’t you just relax here and watch TV, or go upstairs to my library to find a good book. I’ve got hundreds. Or hell, take a bubble bath in my Jacuzzi, babe.”
“Sounds swell. I’ll probably just lounge around here and watch some TV. Hey, let me go with you on second thought. It’s kind of sinking in now that this guy blasted you with a rifle which he still has… If he gets a chance he’ll do it again, especially if you bust into his house and try to catch him. Do you think he wants to get caught?” But in the back of my mind I was certain that Brad would be back shortly. Why would Daniel even be at the house? It was a stupid idea in my opinion, but I agreed with him that it wouldn’t hurt to look. So deep down, I wasn’t very worried about his safety.
“No honey. Like I said, I doubt he’ll even be there. And after today, I don’t want to risk having you around when I’m hunting for him. If he’d have seen you he could’ve aimed square between your forehead. It was stupid of me to bring you there earlier; reckless.”
“Okay.” Was all I said. He kissed me one last time and then walked out the front door. I stood and walked to it, then locked the deadbolt. Suddenly I felt paranoid, as if I was being watched. After a few minutes of walking around the house and double checking all the doors and windows, I sat down and rolled my eyes at my own thoughts. What are you thinking? I even laughed a little at how silly I was being. I turned up the TV and found myself engrossed by some nature documentary, then started to drift off.
I was startled awake by a tap
at my shoulder. How long had I been out? It felt like only minutes, and I was glad that Brad was already back. The Daniel guy must’ve been out of town by now, or holed up someplace in town.
Except it wasn’t Brad who was tapping me on the shoulders. I turned quickly as I noticed that the fingers pressed against my shoulder were filthy with dirt, and saw the shiny sweat soaked face of Daniel staring at me wide eyed from above. He had his rifle propped back casually against his shoulder and he looked very nonchalant, save for his eyes. Those were the eyes of a madman.
“Hello again. I don’t remember your name, but I’ll be sitting here with you until Brad comes back. I’ve been in the basement the entire time.” He looked at me calmly, and then strode toward the chair across from where I sat on the couch. I could’ve run, and I don’t think he would have even tried to stop me, but I was frozen in place and didn’t want to try anything stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid… My mind began to race as he sat calmly on the chair and held the rifle in his lap.
“Don’t worry,” He said, “I’ve no interest in hurting anyone with Brad. But I have to keep you sitting there until he gets back. I can’t chance you running down to my beach house to warn him I’m here, can I?”
I said nothing, just stared at him.
“Okay then. I like quiet. Can’t wait for good ol’ Brad to get back though, because I like fireworks too. And they’re going to come out of the tip of my rifle when he walks through the front door.” He threw his head back and let out a deep gurgling echo of a laugh. I watched him blank faced, mouth hung open, eyes wide.
I didn’t know what to do.
Chapter 13
My heartbeat returned to a normal rate as Daniel stared directly ahead. He was looking right at me, but not really looking at me. His eyes seemed to pierce through me, as if I were hollow or invisible. He cleared his throat a number of times, but never spoke. Occasionally he’d shift his rifle on his lap or lean back slightly in the chair and place one leg over the other. He yawned once or twice and checked his watch around ten times. After about fifteen minutes he let out a deep sigh and rolled his eyes. I still sat there motionless, mind racing and feeling utterly helpless. I was prepared for the worst, but as always I hoped for the best.
“What in the world’s taking so long?” He asked this as if he was questioning a cashier at a drive through restaurant.
“Please don’t kill Brad.” I stammered.
He shifted in the chair and smiled pleasantly, “Why not?” His voice was monotonous, robotic even.
“He’s a good man, he-”
“Let me stop you there,” His voice slithered snake-like, “The Brad you know is not a good man. The Brad you know swindled me out of a lot of money. The Brad you know is a piece of rat shit.”
“Listen, I understand,” I lied through my teeth, “But hold me for ransom, anything… Anything but killing him. I guarantee you you’ll get your cash if you just hold me for ransom or… Or something like that.” I bit my lip nervously.
“Or something like that.” He flailed his arms dramatically as he mocked my high pitched voice. I hoped I didn’t sound as painfully helpless and weak as he made me sound, “You’re just as dumb as a rock, aren’t you? You’re just as dumb as him, or getting close to it. He’s rubbing off on you, girl, and that’s not a good thing. Listen here. When Brad walks through that door, I’m gonna aim high, I’m gonna aim my big rifle right at his big tough guy chest, and then…” His voice wavered psychotically, “Then I’m gonna blow him to smithereens. Right. In. Front. Of. You. And you’re going to sit there like the good girl you are, and you’re going to enjoy it. How’s that sound for nightly entertainment?”
“No… No…” Tears began to roll down my cheeks.
“Come on, girl, I’m giving you a lot of entertainment here! Who needs action movies when you’ve got me? When he walks right through that door it’s going to be the most intense moment of our lives! It’s going to be what I’ve been waiting for all day, what I should’ve done last night.” His face hardened, “But I fucked up!” He screamed to himself, “I fucked up and didn’t hit him low enough! Son of a bitch gun jammed and I panicked! I only blasted his shoulder.” He was practically squealing as his face flushed and sweat seeped profusely through his black button up.
I realized then and there, that there was no hope for the man. I also realized that he was dumber and crazier than I had initially thought, and that he could be outsmarted. I realized then what I needed to do.
“I know. You’re… You’re right, Daniel. I hate to admit it but you’re right. And the thing is, Brad has trapped me into this relationship. I’ve known him for a month now,” I lied, “And he’s the most manipulative controlling bastard I’ve ever met. I never would admit this to anyone but you, but I… Last night, when you shot him, I secretly wished you’d shot him plum through his little cold heart.” It felt painful to lie as badly as I was, but I felt like I needed to trick him. I needed desperately to lie to this man and convince him that I was on his side, not Brad’s. When I got close enough then maybe I could grab the gun from him, or walk casually to the kitchen as if I was going to pour him a glass of wine. I’d bring the wine bottle to the living room table that set before him, and instead of pouring it into his glass I’d smash him over the head with it.
That was my plan. But it sounded too Hollywood, too easy to work. I began to shrivel up into frantic fear as I wondered what the hell to do.
“Really?” His eyes brightened up and he smiled.
Oh my God. This is my chance. He believes me.
“If… If I help you kill the son of a bitch when he walks in the door, will you rat on me? Will you tell the cops, if you get caught of course, that I helped you? Because I can only imagine how good it would feel to be a part of that bastard’s death!”
His smile grew larger as his eyes narrowed, “You’re not fucking with me are you?”
“I wish I were. I feel like a bad bitch telling you all this, but I had to get it off my chest. Please, please let me take the shot. With you standing beside me as he looks into our faces for the last time. He’ll realize that we’re working together, and it’ll be the last thought that fucker ever has in his stupid little peanut brain. I know it seems like a lot to ask, Daniel… But will you consider it?”
He paused for what felt like eternity. Then he spoke smoothly and surely, “I’m not going to let you have the gun, in case you are fucking with me. In that case, you should be a movie star. Damn good actress. But I don’t think that’s the case. But just to be safe, I’m holding the gun. You can be right at my side wearing the biggest smile you’ve ever worn. I want him to see it. I want him to see you grinning when I blast him through the chest.”
I bit my lip and tried to smile like I was feeling excited, “Through the head. Do it through the head.”
“Oh, girl, you are insane aren’t ya? I love it.” He chortled and spittle flew out of his mouth. He wiped his lips and nodded his head.
“Whew,” I pretended to have worked up a sweat as I fanned myself, “Good lord. Um, would you mind if I pour myself a glass of wine after all that? You can have one too if you’d like. Dumbass Brad has so many ‘vintage bottles’ that he’s blown his money on.”
“Go right ahead, but I’m okay,” I stood to my feet and he looked down at the ground before licking his lips, “Actually, I need a drink. Haven’t had one in a few hours and this is getting intense. I want to make sure I’m good to go as far as getting a good aim. Gotta have steady hands.” He raised his hands in the air and they were trembling wildly, I could tell he was going through withdrawal already.
“I’ll bring the whole damn bottle in here. That’s another thing by the way, the son of a bitch doesn’t like me to drink much. I tell him ‘Brad, everything’s more fun when you’re drunk’, and he looks at me all mean-like. I hate him.” I walked to the kitchen, wiggling my ass flirtatiously as I moved.
It’s time. It’s time. It’s time. This is your one shot. You might get
killed. You might be dead in one minute. Don’t let that happen.
My mind raced in horror as all the possible scenarios flashed before my eyes while I scanned the rack for the biggest bottle of wine I could find. I held two glasses in one hand and grabbed a large bottle of merlot with my dominant hand. I’d need that hand for swinging; I wanted to make sure I hit him as hard as possible. If I didn’t knock him out clean then he could grab for me or his gun, or both. Once he had that rifle aimed at me I wouldn’t be able to do a damn thing.
Before I stepped back into the living room foyer, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. After counting to ten, I opened my eyes and saw Daniel staring at me from behind the kitchen bar. His rifle was pointing at me and he had the same twisted grin on his face, “You’re not fucking with me, are you?”
“What?” My voice shook.
He paused, repositioned the rifle and his face hardened. Then he broke out into an enormous laugh and threw the rifle back over his shoulder, “I’m just fuckin’ with you.” He bellowed, as if his own joke was the best joke he’d ever heard. I took a deep breath and laughed myself. He was still chuckling at himself as he turned and headed back to the living room.
“You got me.” I rolled my eyes and smirked, following him back into the room. This time he sat on the couch and propped his arms up on the back of it. His back was facing me, and I dropped both wine glasses and raised the bottle. This all happened within a time frame of around ten seconds. When the wine glasses hit the floor and shattered, Daniel began to turn his head. I could see his expression was one of dismay and confusion. The wine bottle crashed into the side of his face, shattering all over his cheek and sending shards into his temple. A blood curdling cry erupted from deep within him as he fell hunched over onto the couch.
Streams of blood ran from the holes beneath the shards of glass stuck in his cheek and the side of his head, and he let out a low pitched groan as he tried to stand to his feet, during which the rifle fell out of his lap and clanked loudly on the hardwood floor. I was holding onto what remained of the wine bottle. The end of it had been shaped into jagged blades of glass and as Daniel steadied himself onto his feet he stared at me blankly. Blood was running down his neck from his cheek and staining his shirt collar. He let out another groan and opened his mouth to speak, but I slashed him across the face and he fell backwards, toppling onto the glass table and shattering it with his weight. He hit the floor with a dull thud combined with the sound of glass shards smacking onto the wood, and I stood there above him with my lips pursed, jaw clenched, and sweat rolling down my forehead.
