Karma

by Barbara Huffert

  “I’d say that’s more than a possibility. Especially if you kiss me like that again before you go.”

  Jesse groaned as he lowered his head. When Abby was breathless, he forced himself to release her. “Find something sexy to wear under your dress tonight.”

  “Okay,” she sighed, her eyes holding the same desire as his. “If you promise to drive carefully.”

  “Deal,” Jesse agreed before another kiss. “Have fun with the girls.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Abby was just starting on brunch when Andie had stuck her head in the door to say hello before joining Kiley for her piano lesson. Kiley hadn’t called to say she had developed a sudden aversion to eggs, asparagus or cheese so Abby prepared her asparagus quiche as planned. It would be ready to pull from the oven soon after Kiley’s lesson was finished. The shrimp salad was chilling and the raspberry sauce was waiting to be drizzled on the flan she had made the evening before while Jesse kept her company. She was folding the last napkin into a swan when she sensed someone watching her.

  “Hello, Gail, darling.” Earl’s endearment dripped with venom. “Surprise.”

  Abby shuddered, forcing herself to face the voice she had hoped never to hear again. “Earl.”

  “What’s wrong? You don’t seem pleased to see me. Surely you expected me to put an end to this charade of yours. I am less than amused that you actually made me come for you but we can discuss that at home.”

  “I’m not coming back. I left you a note.”

  “Pure rubbish! Now stop trying my patience. It’s bad enough you humiliated me with those childish cards of yours. I see Marge didn’t exaggerate when she described how you mutilated your hair. I suppose I’ll have to find a suitable wig for you until it grows out again. The sooner we get you out of those rags and into some decent clothes, the sooner we can dispense with your punishment. And, Gail, I assure you that you will be punished as severely as your behavior warrants.”

  When he took a menacing step toward her, Trevor moved to Abby’s side and began to growl. “Trevor, no. Down,” Abby commanded. “Stay.”

  “Well at least you have some sense left. I hope he likes his new master. I think you’ll be too busy to care for a dog so he’ll be staying behind as a memento.”

  “I’m not going, Earl.”

  “Stop being so tiresome. It’s time to go.”

  “No. You don’t even love me. Why don’t you just forget about me?”

  “Love has nothing to do with this,” he snapped harshly. “You don’t actually think I ever loved you, do you? I wanted a maid I didn’t have to pay. I would have been willing to continue fucking you even though you never appealed to me if you hadn’t become so disgusting. Don’t tell me your, ah, helper, has a fat fetish. Marge said he seemed awfully familiar with you. Are you his whore?”

  “Get out!”

  “That’s enough.” Earl lunged forward and grabbed her arm. “You made a deadly mistake. I was willing to put up with your clumsiness and blubber as long as you showed you were honestly trying to please me. This little escapade of yours made me realize that I was much too lenient with you. The first thing we’re going to do once I’m satisfied with your punishment is get you into shape. Eva has graciously offered her assistance. Since you proved how willing you are to spread your thighs for anyone who snaps his fingers, I think you may even enjoy my plans for you.”

  “Let me go.” Abby struggled even though she knew he would become more enraged.

  Without loosening his grip, Earl managed to strike her with his other hand. “Shut up, you stupid slut! You are mine and it’s time you remembered that. No one touches what is mine without my permission. I’ll overlook your friend’s error just this once, since I’m sure you made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. From now on, though, I and I alone will decide who uses you.”

  “How did you find me?” Her head was reeling but wouldn’t let go of the question.

  “It was simple once Marge supplied the license number on that truck you were in. Once I learned who it belonged to and heard some of the tellers chatting about the radio show about domestic violence they had listened to, it really wasn’t difficult to know where you were. How convincing you must have been to get the Golden Boy to dedicate an entire program to your lies. I know you’re not fucking him too since even pregnant his wife is much more desirable than you could ever be.

  “I saw your misguided lover leave this morning, Gail. I know he won’t be back for hours so you may as well stop stalling. Take out whatever inedible slop you have in the oven so we can be on our way. I’d hate for you to burn down this cottage after McKade, the champion of the little people, was so generous with his hospitality. Too bad for him, he was totally taken in by your tall tales. Never did have much sense, as I remember.”

  “Earl.” Abby struggled again.

  In response, Earl hit her with his clenched fist, knocking her to the floor. After kicking her several times, he yanked her to her feet and punched her again. “I said it’s time to go home now. Abigail.” He shoved her against the stove and repeated his order to remove whatever she had in the oven. When Abby obeyed, he flipped off the heat. “I won’t forget your resistance, darling.”

  Once Earl pulled the door closed behind them, Trevor exploded against it, barking frantically. Kiley was stretching, trying to settle her baby so she could continue her lesson. When she heard the dog, she glanced out the window and saw a stranger dragging Abby away from the gatehouse. Without hesitating, she dashed from the house, and ran to her guest.

  “Who are you?” Kiley asked, drawing Earl’s attention, stepping in front of him.

  “Mind your own business,” Earl growled, shoving Kiley out of the way.

  When Kiley fell hard against the garden bench, Abby screamed. Earl’s hand landed on her face one more time after he forced her away from the fallen woman.

  Andie was only a few steps behind Kiley. “Hey!” she shouted. “I don’t know who the hell you are but you better let Abby go!”

  Earl turned to face the new voice. “Or what?” he sneered.

  “Or I’m going to have to make you,” Andie challenged. Earl laughed in her face. “I mean it.”

  “Go away, sweetheart. This doesn’t concern you.”

  When Earl turned his back, Andie landed a kick on the back of his knee. “I said let Abby go.”

  “You bitch!” Earl shouted, pushing Abby to the ground. “You’re gonna pay for that.”

  Abby crawled to Kiley and held her gently, keeping her still.

  “Come on,” Andie taunted. “Or do you just pick on women who haven’t been trained to fight back?”

  Earl charged Andie. When her hand connected with his nose just before she sidestepped him, he staggered, covering his nose. Staring at the blood on his hand, Earl was stunned. “You broke my nose!” He lunged more cautiously. This time, Andie’s foot caught him squarely in the groin. As he fell, she slammed her heel on the top of his loafer-clad foot.

  Jesse was waiting in the back of the meeting room when his phone shook, alerting him that someone had triggered an alarm. Even before he heard what was going on, part of him knew Abby was in trouble. He cursed himself for leaving her. He had a bad feeling but had given in to her protests that she would be fine. If only he had stayed with her. Knowing he was too far away to help immediately, he disconnected and called Wyatt on one of his other lines.

  “Shane’s almost there,” Wyatt informed him. “Sounds like Andie’s in control.”

  “Fuck, Wyatt.” Jesse slammed his hand into the wall. “Okay, I’m on the way.”

  “Then I’ll delay the meeting for you too,” Wyatt stated, mainly to himself.

  “Better send Dwayne, just in case,” Jesse suggested, his mind not totally detached.

  “Already did,” Wyatt said, having anticipated that request. “He’s closer than you are. Jess, they’ll take care of Abby. I know how frustrated you are but don’t kill yourself getting there. She will need you at your b
est.”

  “I know, Wy.” Jesse reached his Jeep and forced himself to take a calming breath before he pulled away.

  Shane had the door open before his truck came to a complete stop. He scanned the scene in yard and spoke to Wyatt. “Ambulance and police. The girls look okay but Andie beat the shit out of him.” Shane hoped he was correct. He could see the bruises on Abby’s face and heard her urging Kiley to stay still. Kiley was protesting so loudly that he guessed she was uninjured. Andie was standing over Earl, ensuring that he wouldn’t get away although he suspected the man was physically unable at the moment.

  “Hi, Shane,” Andie greeted him more calmly than he thought possible.

  “Hey, Andie.” Shane crouched beside Kiley and Abby. “You girls okay?”

  “He pushed her,” Abby stated through chattering teeth.

  “Then you better stay put, Kiley,” Shane said gently, winking, to let her know it was for Abby’s benefit. “Jordan will be here in a minute and I’m sure he’ll feel better if you get checked out before you move.”

  “Okay,” Kiley agreed as Abby shrank away from her. Soon she was sitting on the ground, huddled into herself with her arms wrapped tightly around her legs. “I’m fine, Abby. I was more startled than anything.”

  “What about you, Andie?” Shane asked.

  “I’m mega-pissed but fine.” Andie smiled reassuringly at Brett who had just arrived with Jordan.

  “I’m okay too, Jordan,” Kiley seconded. “I was stretching and I saw him trying to take Abby. I came out to stop him and I sort of fell when he shook me off his arm.”

  The approaching sirens interrupted her explanation. When the ambulance personnel arrived, one went to Earl, another to Kiley. After checking her over, the EMT recommended that she be examined by her obstetrician as a precaution. The other EMT with Earl had a difficult time stopping the flow of blood from his nose. Earl continued to groan as both men shifted him onto a gurney. Abby had her face angled down and neither noticed her bruises.

  “Who’s first?” Scott, the police chief asked, focusing on Shane, clearly aware of his history as a former cop. When Shane told him what he could, Andie and Kiley added their part. Finally, the chief squatted next to Abby and introduced himself. “Your name please, miss.”

  Abby couldn’t control her shaking. “A-Abby. Um, Abigail, uh, Abigail M-Monroe.” She didn’t look up and missed everyone’s reaction.

  “All right, Miss Monroe—”

  “Missus,” Shane interrupted.

  “Sorry.” The chief nodded. “Mrs. Monroe, I’ll need you to tell me—”

  “What the fuck did you just call her?” Earl screamed, trying to escape from the ambulance. “You lying bitch! How dare you pretend to be more than a common tramp!”

  “Strap him down and get him out of here,” the chief directed. “Follow them and keep an eye on him,” he instructed the other officer with him.

  “Keep an eye on me!” Earl screeched before the door closed. “They lured me here and attacked me. I want to press charges. I’m the victim here,” he continued until the ambulance pulled away.

  “Perhaps we should sort this out at the station,” the chief suggested, unable to ignore Earl’s claim. “Stop by after you get Kiley checked out,” he told Jordan. “If the rest of you will follow me in your own vehicles?”

  Brett and Andie agreed but Shane hesitated. “Give us a minute. Please? I promise we won’t be long.”

  The chief stared hard before he nodded his agreement. Abby was still curled up on the ground. His expression showed that there was nothing he hated more than domestic problems.

  “You go ahead.” Shane’s look sent the others on their way without him and Abby. When they were alone, he squatted in front of her. “Abby, you can do this. Jesse is on the way. He’ll be here in no time but you need to let me take you to the station now.” Abby finally nodded and stood unsteadily. “I’m sorry but you have to take the pictures with you.”

  “No.” Abby backed away from him, shaking even more violently.

  “Yes. You heard Earl’s accusations. You need something to support your explanation of what happened here. You have to be brave. It won’t take long and I’ll stay right with you until Jesse gets here.”

  “He didn’t want to go this morning,” Abby said blankly.

  “He must have had a bad feeling about leaving you alone. Jesse can sense sometimes when things aren’t as they should be. I’m sure you told him you would be fine.” She nodded. “And you will be. Now that this is out in the open, you’ll be able to end it. But you really have to take those pictures…”

  “No.” Abby sounded horrified at the thought of showing the pictures Alyssa had taken to anyone, let alone a man who had already begun to judge her.

  “Abby.” Shane’s logic overruled his regret at the necessity of what he was telling her. “You need to trust me on this. I promise it is the quickest way to back up what you are all saying. I know the chief. So does Lyss. He isn’t thinking what you think he is. He’s the one who approached Alyssa for help in photographing instances of domestic abuse. He understands how hard your situation is and won’t do anything that will make it more uncomfortable.” Shane’s phone chirped and he knew it had to be Jesse. “Hey,” he answered without letting Abby know.

  “Abby doesn’t answer. Where the hell is she? What’s going on?” Jesse sounded frantic. When Shane didn’t respond, Jesse understood why. “She’s there. With you. And something’s wrong since you don’t want her to know it’s me.”

  “Yes,” Shane replied.

  “Fuck, Shane! Say something. I’m losing it here.”

  “All right.” Shane considered his next words carefully. “Abby is with me. We’re about to go to the station so she can explain what happened.”

  “He’s pulling her in?” Jesse asked with disbelief. “What the fuck for?”

  “Earl claimed they lured him here so they could ambush him. With the condition he was in, Scott couldn’t let his accusations slide until he had the full story. He had to send Bill with Earl so he asked us to come in and talk to him.”

  Jesse swore repeatedly. “You want her to show him the pictures.”

  “Yes.” Shane confirmed what he guessed was one of Jesse’s worst fears.

  “Fuck!” he concluded violently. “Okay. Let me talk to her.”

  “Now?” Shane currently doubted his friend’s ability to control his emotions.

  “Yeah, Shane. I can do this. I have to. Abby needs me to.”

  “Right.” Shane paused before tapping Abby’s arm. “Jesse wants to speak with you.”

  “Hi, precious,” Jesse said softly when he heard her breathing. “I’m sorry I’m not with you, Abby. I’m on the way but you can’t wait for me.”

  “J-Jesse.” Abby’s teeth were chattering again.

  “I know. Shane said you are going to the station to make your statement. I think you should take Alyssa’s photos with you.”

  “No.”

  “Aw, Abs. It won’t be as bad as you think. Shane will be with you the whole time and make sure no one but Scott sees them. He’ll keep it all very professional so it’s as easy as possible for you.” Jesse’s urging was met with silence. “I love you. You know I wouldn’t ask you to do this if it weren’t absolutely necessary. Trust me. Please. I’ll be there as soon as I can but until I get there I need you to do what Shane tells you to.” He waited. “Abby? Please say something. I need you to talk to me so I don’t panic completely. I’m not driving like a maniac but if you don’t say something I might forget that I assured Wyatt I would be sensible while I’m trying to get to you.”

  “I’m okay, Jesse.” Abby managed to speak. “I’ll go with Shane if you want me to. And I’ll take the pictures. You have to slow down.”

  “All right. I will but I’ll be there soon anyway. I love you, Abby.”

  “ Okay,” she whispered before handing the phone back to Shane.

  “Abby…”

  “You got me
again, Jess. Sorry but we really should go. Take it easy and I’ll call you if we’re done before you get here.”

  “Shane.” Jesse’s voice cracked.

  “I know.” Shane sensed what Jesse was trying to say. “She’ll be fine. You make sure you are too.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Abby looked thoroughly lost when the door to the interrogation room where she was waiting opened. “Thank you,” Dwayne said, his voice laced with anger, when he saw her.

  “Your lawyer is here, Mrs. Monroe.” Scott sighed openly. “Sorry for the delay.”

  “I’d like to be alone with my client.” Dwayne blocked the police chief before he could follow him into the room. When Scott closed the door, Dwayne settled at the table with Abby. He saw the defeated slump to her shoulders and cursed inside his head. “Abby?” He paused until she nodded slightly to acknowledge his presence. “I don’t know exactly what is going on yet. You’re going to have to help me out and tell me about it.”

  “Jesse said he was coming.”

  “He’s outside. They won’t let him in yet. Like I said, I don’t know why. I really need to hear what happened so I can get you out of here.”

  “I’m being locked up. They believe Earl and they are arresting me. That’s why you’re here.”

  “No, Abby. I’m here because Wyatt asked me to come. Andie set off her alarm and he heard their scuffle. He wanted me to come because he trusts me to make sure they understand she acted in self-defense. He had no thoughts of you needing me too.”

  “She was protecting Kiley.”

  “I know. I already spoke to both of them. But you’re the only one who can tell us what happened with Earl inside.”

  “How’d she learn to do that?”

  “Jesse taught her when they were waiting for Brett to come to his senses. She was very effective. Good thing for Earl Andie was there instead of Jess. I doubt if he would have gotten away with the minor damage she inflicted.”

  “What?”