by Mary Abshire
She prepared a message to send back. I will require many hugs and kisses later.
Another burst of laughter came from behind the closed door. Emily had noticed several liquor and beer bottles on a table when she’d brought the four ladies to meet Annie. Cheryl Smith, Natalie Frazier, Jenny Blankenshaw, and Pamela Buchanan were the lucky fans Emily had picked out. All the girls were in their twenties, per Annie’s request. In case Emily’s plans failed in some way tonight, she memorized the names so she could search for them later.
Her cell shook in her grasp.
I will give a wealth of hugs and kisses and more. Promise.
Smiling at Andrew’s message, she believed he would honor his word. No man had ever touched or kissed her the way he did. His warm fingers were always searching and hungry. She very much enjoyed his caress as well as his lips and tongue. It was as if he thirsted for her and he couldn’t get enough. The depth of his love couldn’t be measured, which amazed her. No man had cared for her the way he did. She could trust him with anything. He made her feel alive, loved, and safe. Without any doubt, he would do anything for her. She was damn lucky to have met such a wonderful man. And yes, she would do anything for him too. Maybe it was fate, but one thing was certain—she loved him equally.
The door to Annie’s room suddenly opened. Emily straightened and hid her cell by her thigh.
Sherri stepped out. “We’re ready to go.”
“All right.”
As Sherri disappeared back inside, Emily hurried to send Andrew a message. Taking girls to the vehicle now.
She quickly shoved her cell into her empty pocket. The four phones in her other one wouldn’t allow room for anything else. Entering the room, she found the fans with overly cheerful expressions. The smell of beer and alcohol lingered. Two clear bottles on the table appeared empty. If she guessed right, the beer bottles scattered around had been drained too.
“Carrie will take you to the van. I’ll meet you at the party, ladies,” Annie said.
Each one gave a loud cheer as they headed toward Emily.
“Follow me,” Emily said.
Sherri was waiting in the hall. She walked next to Emily as they headed toward the exit. “Annie wants you to join her tonight.”
Emily jerked her head toward her. “Excuse me?”
“Annie wants you to party with her and the ladies.”
Emily swallowed hard. The request changed her plan with Andrew. She wanted to keep an eye on the women, but Andrew would frown upon her if she went with them. He’d asked her not to do anything without him and she’d promised. But how could she turn down an opportunity to find out what happens to the gals?
She glanced back at the girls. They were giddy and a little wobbly on their feet.
“All right,” she said to Sherri. “But I need to use the bathroom before we leave. Maybe they should too since they look like they had a lot to drink.”
Sherri looked behind her at the girls. “Take them up one floor in the service elevator around the corner. I’ll tell Don and meet you at the exit.”
Emily nodded while her pulse continued to accelerate. She’d bought herself enough time to notify Andrew of the change.
Reaching the corner, she stopped and spun to face the ladies. Sherri strode forward, her shoes tapping the floor.
“We’re going to take a quick detour before we leave,” Emily said.
Two of them groaned.
“Who needs to use the restroom?” Emily asked.
“Me,” said one and then another.
“I do,” Jenny said.
“Me too,” Cheryl said.
Emily led them around the corner to a service elevator. It arrived with cloth padding on all three walls and it smelled of worn-out shoes. Fortunately, they only had to stay in it up to the next level. After they reached the floor, Emily strode out and searched for the facilities. The girls followed her to the adjoining hall. A few feet away Emily found signs for the facilities.
“This way,” Emily said.
She held the door for the ladies while they walked inside the restroom. A reflection from the mirror revealed three stalls. Since Natalie was the last one to enter, she had to wait on the others to finish. Standing behind her, Emily withdrew her cell.
“Can I see mine real quick to send a message to my boyfriend?” Natalie asked.
Emily stared at her while she debated what to do. If she handed her phone back and Natalie sent a message, the cops could find it if something happened to Natalie. But then Annie would be investigated. Andrew’s chances to destroy her could be ruined. As much as she wanted to hand it over to Natalie, she couldn’t risk jeopardizing Andrew’s mission.
“I’m afraid I can’t give it to you. Annie would get upset with me if I did,” Emily said, tucking her phone back into her pocket to avoid the same questions from the others.
Natalie opened her mouth to argue until she saw Cheryl leaving one of the units. Natalie headed for the stall. Another toilet flushed. The minute Jenny walked out from a stall, Emily rushed for it.
She locked the door behind her before she removed her cell. Her fingers moved quickly over the tiny keys on the screen. Annie wants me to go with the girls. I agreed. Please follow.
She stared at the little screen as seconds ticked by. Her heart thudded faster. She knew what his response would be. A toilet flushed. Water splashed in the sinks. The girls shared their excitement about getting to party with Annie.
Emily’s phone vibrated. Andrew’s message met her expectations.
Do NOT get in the van. PLEASE.
This can work. I’m going. Love you!
Emily shoved the cell back in her pocket and then flushed the toilet. Following a deep breath, she left the stall.
“Ready girls?” she asked as she washed her hands.
They all announced their eagerness to go. After Emily dried her hands, she led the girls back the way they’d come to meet Sherri at the exit.
The blonde faced Don at the back of a black van. Seeing Emily and the girls, Sherri said something to Don. He turned and delivered a crooked smile that gave Emily a slight chill.
“Ladies, step into the van and I’ll take you to Annie,” he said, gesturing to the passenger side.
The gals took a turn climbing into the van. Sherri came to stand next to Emily at the back of the line.
“Don will send a message to Spencer so he won’t worry about you,” Sherri said.
“Oh yeah, thanks,” she said.
Sherri climbed into the passenger seat. After Emily stepped up into the van, Don slid the door closed. Emily sat in the far back behind Natalie and Cheryl. Don couldn’t see her in his rearview mirror unless Cheryl moved her head a certain way.
The girls continued to chat and laugh while Don drove. Emily waited a few minutes before she carefully removed her cell. She’d avoided looking behind her for the Jeep, but the urge flooded her. She hoped Andrew was keeping up.
Heading out of the city. She sent the text.
A response came quicker than she’d expected. I know.
The two words were enough to ease her anxiety a fraction. It was better than not at all.
Minutes later, they were on the interstate. Keeping her head up in the slim chance Don could see her movements, she glimpsed at her cell while she typed another message.
On interstate 5.
While she knew he was following, she continued to send messages. If something would happen to her, at least her texts could be traced. Andrew had enough brains to contact Troy in the event he needed help. She shouldn’t worry about running into trouble, but she did.
A new message arrived from Andrew. I know.
Natalie twisted to face Emily. “Do you know where we’re going?”
Emily pushed the cell up her sleeve to hide it. “No, but don’t worry. I’ll be joining the fun tonight.”
“Cool,” Natalie said.
The girls resumed their conversation. Jenny sat behind Don and seemed to be the only on
e staring out the windows.
Several minutes passed and the view reflected they were getting closer to a body of water. Since Emily wasn’t familiar with the area, she had no idea if it was the Pacific Ocean or a river or bay. She recalled several of Annie’s prior shows had been near a coastline and wondered if they were heading for a spot near the water.
Eventually Don drove the van off the interstate and through a smaller section of San Diego where all the businesses had closed down for the night. According to her cell, the hour was approaching midnight. After he turned onto another street, Emily spotted a sign for a marina. A hotel in the distance ahead had its lights shining brightly in the night. Emily thought Don might be heading toward the hotel until he didn’t slow down. Her nervousness rose a notch. It grew worse when the buildings disappeared and he reached an area with water on one side of the road and docked boats on the other.
“Are we going on a cruise?” Jenny asked.
Sherri appeared between the seats in the front. “Yes, it’s a party boat.”
The girls cheered. Trepidation spiked within Emily. She quickly sent Andrew a message.
The party is on a boat.
She swallowed hard as she surveyed the area. Andrew wouldn’t be able to follow if she boarded a boat, but she couldn’t turn back now. She couldn’t let harm come to the girls. Her fingers shook as she held her cell.
Don’t get on it!
His response hadn’t surprised her. But he had to know she would go.
I’m going. I love you.
Don slowed the van before he steered it into a parking lot. Idle cars sat on maybe one fourth of the lot. Andrew might be able to find a hidden spot and then he’d have to follow on foot. She’d have to delay the boat from leaving or distract Don and Sherri to give Andrew time to figure out his next steps.
Emily slipped the phone back into her pocket. Questions about her fate and those of the gals filled her mind. Would they be shot and dumped in the water? It seemed the most logical excuse since the other women were never found. Emily had her gun. She’d been in a few situations with Troy where she’d run with him away from men firing at them. She’d had to fight several men at a single time. Both situations had proven difficult, but they’d made it out alive. She’d never killed a man before, but if she had to do it to save herself and the girls, she wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
The van stopped several feet away from a walking bridge leading to a pier with boats on each side. When Don cut the engine, the girls silenced their voices. Her cell shook in her pocket, but she ignored it.
“We’re here,” Sherri said before she and Don opened their doors.
Emily gazed out the window, searching for her Jeep while she waited for the girls to exit. She didn’t see any vehicles moving on the lot.
“Is Annie here yet?” Pamela asked Sherri as Emily stepped out of the van.
“She’s on her way,” Sherri said. “We’ll keep you company until she arrives. Follow me.”
Don shut the sliding door with a loud thud. Emily walked behind the others, heading toward the bridge. Their steps broke the silence surrounding them. A small breeze blew strands of her hair. Her hands shook slightly at her sides. Her nerves were a mess thanks to her gut insisting she leave. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t let the girls get hurt. She couldn’t back out to ruin Andrew’s chances at destroying the demon.
Don caught up with her on the bridge. “Excited?”
“Uh … yeah. I guess,” she said a little too weak. She chided herself silently. “Is there drinking or drugs involved in this party?” She gave a mental pat on her back for the snappy come back.
“You’ll see how much fun everyone has,” he said with a mischievous grin. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Her stomach flip-flopped. “I thought Annie didn’t let guards go with her.”
They reached the pier and continued.
“She invited me this time too,” he said.
The yachts docked were mostly average in size. Two bigger-size vessels were parked at the end of the pier. Sherri pointed to the large one with four levels. Two of the girls took off running toward it. Emily’s anxiety kicked into gear and her feet stopped moving.
Don made it one step past her before he turned. “Coming?”
“That’s a big ship.” She had to stall him somehow. If Andrew had been able to follow them to the lot, he’d need time to catch up with her.
“In case you hadn’t noticed yet, Annie’s rich.”
“Did I mention I get sea sick?”
He laughed. “I’ve got pills on the boat.” He reached toward her. “Come on.”
Before he could touch her, she took a step to the side. “I’m not sure about this. I don’t want to ruin her party if I get sick.” She walked at a snail’s pace.
“I’ll get you a pill after we board. You’ll be fine.”
“Why did she pick a boat for her party?”
“She loves the sea. Can we pick it up? They’re waiting on us.”
She increased her steps, but remained hesitant. The ship had been docked from the tail end, so she couldn’t see the full length of it. Two of the four girls had boarded. They looked around at the boat while they waited for the others to catch up.
“Why did she invite you to this one?” Emily asked. “You worked for her for years. Why now?”
“I suppose since she invited you, she thought she would let me come too. You ask a lot of questions.”
“I just think it’s strange is all.”
The other two girls and Sherri walked onto the ship. They faced her as she spoke to them, and then they headed for a door. Lights were on inside, but the closed curtains blocked any view. Sherri waited for Don and Emily. When Emily reached the boat, she stopped.
“I’m not sure about this. My stomach is not happy,” she said.
“I’ll give you a pill,” Don said before he put his hand on her back.
She detested his touch and moved forward to avoid it. He stayed close behind her, forcing her toward the ship. Sherri stood near the edge. With nowhere to go but forward, Emily took a leap onto the boat.
“Do you have their cell phones?” Sherri asked.
“Yeah,” she said as Don joined them.
“Give them to Don.”
He held out his hand. Emily dug the cells from her pocket and hoped he wouldn’t ask for hers. She put the phones in his palm.
Sherri gripped Emily’s arm. “I’ll show you around inside while Don unties the boat.”
Pulse racing, she let Sherri lead her to the door. “I get sea sick easily.”
“Don will take care of you.” Sherri opened the door.
“Take her downstairs,” he called out.
Emily walked into a large gathering room filled with luxurious furniture, fixtures, and a bar. All four girls stood near it. A man with hair as dark as the night and dressed in black and white attire stood behind the bar.
“Ladies, stay here. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Sherri said before turning to Emily. “Follow me.”
The soft hum of the engine grew. Small vibrations under her feet indicated they were going to leave the dock soon if they hadn’t yet begun. She hoped and prayed her gut was wrong and the party was just that.
Past another door, Sherri led her down a short hall to a staircase leading down.
“Is Annie here?” Emily asked.
“Not yet. She’ll join us soon. She’s running a little behind.”
Emily descended the stairs and then followed Sherri down another hall. If Annie hadn’t arrived yet, she probably never would. She briefly considered knocking out Sherri so she could get the girls off the boat. They could swim to the pier. She feared as the ship moved the further away, their chances of making it back safe would dwindle.
Sherri opened the door and led the way into a small room with two rectangular tables and chairs on both sides. A television hung on one of the cream-colored walls. A large trashcan sat near another wide door wi
th sliding panels. Voices trickled into the room from the other side. The aroma of food remained present.
“Wait here. Don will be here shortly,” Sherri said. “I have to attend to the girls.”
“When is Annie arriving?” Emily asked.
“Twenty minutes maybe. Stay here.”
After Sherri left, Emily rushed to the door. The clicking sound near the handle gave rise to her fears. She turned the handle and tugged. The door had been locked.
Emily strode to the panel doors. She gripped the handles and tugged. They too had been secured. Neither one had a locking mechanism on her side.
“Fuck,” she said to herself.
She stepped back and withdrew her cell from her pocket. Why Sherri hadn’t taken it remained a mystery. The weak signal didn’t offer much hope, but she typed up a message for Andrew regardless.
Annie’s not here. Need help. Contact Troy. I’m sorry.
Her hands shook as she held the phone. Her erratic heartbeat remained strong while her mind raced with horrible possibilities. She had to act fast.
The door clicked, jarring her attention. She stuffed her cell into her pocket as Don entered the room. He held a glass of water in one hand and a pill bottle in the other.
“I brought the pills for you,” he said, heading to her.
“Where are we going?”
“Sailing.” He handed her the glass.
She glanced at it and an idea came to mind. She could smash it on his head to give her enough time to pull her weapon from the holster. Swallowing, she took the water from him. With his free hand, he moved it behind his back while he pushed the pills toward her. Mere seconds later, a gun appeared in his grasp.
Her reaction came too slow. She thrust the glass up, hoping to hit his chin. He moved away, avoiding the hit, as his hand came straight for her head. She backed out of the way, but knew she wouldn’t make it far enough, so she turned her head. He hit the side of her scalp instead of her forehead. Heated pain consumed her as she stumbled toward the wall and dropped the glass. It shattered on the linoleum. The sound of the high-pitched smash brought her awareness back. Before she straightened, he grabbed her hair. He thrust her head toward the wall, and then the world went black and she lost consciousness.
