When she disappeared through the kitchen Daniel took a few steps closer. “Marlie, all of the Metro PD is out lookin’ for you. You need to come with me now and turn yourself in so we can settle this before it gets out of hand,” he said as if there wasn’t a hundred other things he needed to say first.
I stayed put. How could I trust that he was here to help me after the way he acted the night before at the hospital, not to mention the things he said to Paul in the study and the evidence I found in the safe? What if all this was just a ruse to trap me?
“Why should I trust you? You deserted me at the hospital when Detective Ripley accused me of murder, of trying to kill Herbert, and having an affair with Paul.” I swallowed back the sudden rise of bile. “It’s no wonder the police are after me when even my own husband gives the impression he thinks I’m guilty.”
Daniel shook his head, his face slackening with a miserable look. “Marlie, you have to know how shocked I was at all that had happened. Do you think it was easy for me to see you sittin’ there with your face bashed up and not want to kill someone myself? But I couldn’t be seen as tryin’ to impede the investigation. That would have just made you look guiltier.”
“But you just walked out without a word,” I lashed back. “You left me alone to fend for myself. They cuffed me to the bed like a criminal!”
He shrank back from my outburst. “I’m sorry. When you mentioned Paul’s eyes I had to see for myself,” he said. “I couldn’t believe I’d been fooled again.”
“You know what Paul was?” I asked to confirm that we’d both arrived at the same conclusion.
“Yes, and evidently, so do you,” he said with a curious look.
Evil conspirators changing their appearance in order to replicate others—the truthfulness should have scared me but it didn’t. Instead, I felt steady, stronger—complete. “In the study you told Paul you’d ‘take care of me’?” I gave him a look that indicated I expected nothing less than the truth.
He expelled a breath. “I only said those things to keep you safe. I knew he was lyin’ about you but I didn’t know why. He’d been my best friend for as long as I can remember. He was my business partner, my advisor, I just couldn’t figure out why he was tryin’ so hard to discredit you. I didn’t know then he wasn’t really Paul. Besides, I thought you were out of town. I thought you’d be safe until I could figure a few things out and decide on my next move.”
“Your next ‘move’?” I questioned with an edge of suspicion. “Like the accident that killed the woman in Gentry’s car or that poor woman in the alley? I know about all the stolen records, the police report, and the missing autopsy.”
He swallowed hard. “I guess it’s time I told you everythin’ then,” he said.
I crossed my arms over my chest to hide that I was shaking. “I guess it is.”
Daniel combed his fingers through his dark hair. The gray at his temples looked unusually white.
“My daddy was an Iphiclesian, Gentry’s father too. In college I joined. I was overly idealistic back then and their philosophy appealed to me. But over the years, as I fell deeper into the organization, I found out they had a dark side, a side I’d never seen before. Gentry’s folks had run from them, gone to hide in Columbia. But the Iphiclesians finally caught up to them around the time she and I got engaged. By the time I learned the truth, it was too late for me to get out. I tried to play along, tried to find a middle ground between what they required and my own conscience. It was exhaustin’.
“Then, about four years ago, I discovered that Gentry—the woman I called my wife—was an imposter. And not just a fraud, but someone my own Society had sent to manipulate me, to destroy the very people I’d sworn to protect. For six months I’d lived with that imposter. Before I found out what she was, I had no idea the depths the Iphiclesians would go to get what they wanted.”
He pushed out a cynical kind of laugh.
“And I didn’t even notice she wasn’t Gentry until, apparently, she grew tired of pretendin’. Tired of playin’ the dotin’ mother, lovin’ wife, and social advocate. She started sleepin’ with Johnny, not to mention others, and usin’ drugs.” He spoke as if he needed to get the words out quickly before he changed his mind. “I couldn’t allow it to continue. I knew it was wrong, but when Paul said he could make her go away, I took him up on his offer. I don’t know what I thought he was going to do and wouldn’t allow myself to think about it. You have to understand. I had no choice. She was hurtin’ my children with her scornful words, hurtin’ my reputation and that of my family’s with her deplorable behavior,” he said, tears watering his eyes. “And now it looks as though she might still be out there. So who did Paul kill and bury in Gentry’s grave? It’s all a terrible mess, a mess I’m responsible for.”
I could tell by the unusual wobble in his voice that his decision was causing him considerable regret. And for good reason. Inadvertently, he’d had someone killed and his actions had been decisive, premeditated. But done so with the sole purpose of protecting Bridger and Bodie. I couldn’t be sure that I wouldn’t have done the same. A stab of sympathy inched into my heart, but I denied its call for compassion. I was owed a few more answers and I couldn’t allow my emotions to get in the way of discovering the truth—all of it.
“And the woman in the alley?”
“Gentry,” he mumbled, a tear spilling over to roll down his cheek. “They killed her and replaced her with . . . that woman. And what’s worse, by the time I finally figured out what had happened to her there was nothin’ I could do about it. If I tried to expose the Iphiclesians, they would have killed us all, or so Paul kept tellin’ me.”
Daniel’s words were garbled with emotion, with pain and ire. “That’s why I removed all the records. I couldn’t have anyone puttin’ the pieces together until I could do so myself and calculate how best to proceed.” He looked to me with a plea for understanding, for forgiveness. “I’m so sorry Marlie for pullin’ you into this. But I thought that now I knew what I was up against, I could protect you. Please, you have to try and understand. I love you.”
His appeal for empathy was so earnest I couldn’t help but feel unworthy. I’d misjudged him. I cast my eyes down to hide the guilt I harbored. How could I punish Daniel for unspeakable acts committed in the best interest of his family when I’d been snooping around, not to mention hiding secrets about my past as well?
“I guess we’re all capable of terrible things when faced with impossible situations,” I admitted in a meek whisper.
“Why didn’t you tell me you’d been married before?” he asked.
“It happened a long time ago and lasted for such a short time, I hardly believe it myself anymore. His name was Finn and his parents didn’t approve of me, or so I thought,” I said.
“Shortly after we married I got pregnant, and soon after that I discovered I was losing the baby. Finn’s parents were pressuring him to annul the marriage. I knew he would never leave me and his child, so I hid what I knew was a serious problem with the pregnancy. I was practically bleeding to death and still, I didn’t say a thing. I was desperate not to lose him. I deceived him. So desperate, in fact, that I ignored the bleeding until an infection set in and eventually damaged both of my fallopian tubes beyond repair.”
Like coughing up little pebbles of shame and compunction, my past flowed from my lips, the weight growing lighter with each expelled detail. Lighter, but not easier. The memories of that time stirred back to life and rose up with a vengeance, ripping and slashing at my frail soul.
“Oh, Marlie,” he said, hurt in his eyes. “But why was Johnny at our home the night of the party and why did you call him for help last night? Why is it so hard for you to keep away from him?”
“I wish I knew,” I said. “But I don’t regret it. He believed me when I said I was innocent. He risked everything to get me out of the hospital and to safety.”
“It’s not a risk when one has little to lose,” Daniel said disdainfully. �
�Did you sleep with him?”
“Of course not!”
“I believe you.” Daniel reached his hand out to me. “Marlie, it’s time for you to come home.”
He appeared sincere but still, I held back. “Are you sure you still want me?”
He dropped his hand. His chin came down in a subtle nod. “I’ve always wanted you. Since the night I sat across from you at the ball I’ve known that you were the one. You seemed so pure, untainted, the opposite of me. I knew you were the perfect person to raise my boys and that Gentry would approve. I practically panicked when you disappeared from sight that day at the airport.” A shy, plaintive smile tormented his lips. “I’m sorry I let Paul and the Iphiclesians come between us. I’m sorry if you felt like I abandoned you, and for every second you felt alone since comin’ here.”
He pulled the Iphiclesian gold ring from his pinky finger, tossed it away and then reached out again. “I can do better. I promise to do better. From now on it’s just goin’ to be you and me.”
“And the boys?” I asked, watching his face. “What about them? They need you too.”
His shoulders caved. “I know,” he said, glancing away.
“Why is it so hard for you to look at them, to give them the attention they need from you?”
He searched the rug as if the answers he sought were concealed within the tightly woven fibers. “When I found their momma was gone, I wanted to lay down and die too. Every time I look at them, I see her and think about how it’s my fault she’s dead. And what’s worse, that no matter how hard I’d tried, I couldn’t be with her in the end.” He looked up. “I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like a coward because I’m still alive.”
His pain reached out to me and I grabbed hold, reeling in the ache, hand over hand, until I held an equal share. “You’re not a coward; you’re the bravest man I know. Gentry wouldn’t want you with her right now. She wants you here with your children. Here where you can continue her work. Here where you can raise those boys to be great men just like their dad.”
A smile pulled across his face, touched the sadness in his eyes. “I love you, Marlie. Come home.” His invitation drew me in. “It’s where you belong.”
“You’re right,” I said, and for the first time I wholly believed it, believed that I belonged here with him.
And then out of nowhere, Johnny appeared and stepped between us.
Chapter Thirty-one
Holding his hand back to stop me, Johnny turned to Daniel. Peeking out from the pocket of his blazer, I could see two plane tickets. Air Alaska was printed across the top.
“No, you can’t have her,” Johnny said, his words growling up from deep in his throat. “I won’t give her up again.”
Daniel took an aggressive step forward. “It’s not your decision, Johnny,” he said, his eyes narrowed and threatening. “It’s hers. It’s always been hers.”
“Who’s going to protect her?” Johnny asked. “As we can all see, you haven’t been doin’ a very good job.”
Daniel looked offended by the accusation but held his temper. “I will this time. I’m leaving the Iphiclesians, once and for all.”
Johnny kept his focus on Daniel a moment before turning back to me. “No. It’s not safe. He can’t just quit. It’s not that simple,” he said, his words determined. “You need to stay with me, Marlie. You know you do.”
Daniel took a step forward. “No, Marlie! You’re my wife,” he insisted. “You belong with me. I love you and you love me. We’re a family.”
My gaze darted between the two men. First to Daniel, where I felt a strong pull toward my husband, and then to Johnny as another force beckoned, significant enough to give me pause.
“I—I don’t . . .” Suddenly I felt confused. Daniel was right. He, the boys, and I were a family. No way could I walk away from him much less from Bridger and Bodie. They were innocent victims in all of this. And then, Johnny was right too. My heart was pulling me toward him. And yet, I knew there was only one logical decision.
“Johnny, I appreciate the risk you took for me but you have to understand that this isn’t just about choosing between you and Daniel. I have the boys to consider. They’re my sons now,” I said, my voice catching. “I can’t just desert them.”
Johnny’s gaze turned to stone. “That’s your choice? No matter what your heart’s tellin’ you, you’re not goin’ to listen? It’s tellin’ you that I’m the one you want, and still, you choose him?”
“Johnny, please,” I pled. “You have to understand—”
“Oh, I understand just fine,” he said, his words seething through a clenched jaw. “Good ’ole Marlie, forever determined to do the right thing.” Moving back, he indicated an open path for Daniel to pass. “Go on then, the both of y’all deserve each other.”
I could see that Johnny was hurting. How could I leave without letting him know how much I appreciated what he’d done, and was willing to do, for me—what his friendship meant? “Johnny . . .”
“Come on, Marlie,” Daniel said with finality. “Time to go.”
I kept my gaze locked with Johnny’s, attempting to convey the difficulty of my decision. But the cold stare he was returning told me it was too late for apologies. Something deep inside me felt like it was ripping apart. I looked away.
But no sooner had I shifted my focus than a commotion erupted. Johnny had taken hold of Daniel around the neck with one arm. The hand of the other was smashing a half empty wine bottle against the buffet table. Burgundy droplets splattered across both their faces as Johnny brought the jagged edge of the bottle to Daniel’s throat. Daniel struggled against Johnny’s grip to no avail.
“Johnny, what are you doing?” I gasped.
“I changed my mind,” he said in a menacingly calm voice. “This time I’m not lettin’ you go without a fight.”
As Daniel struggled, I could tell he was trying to speak, but Johnny’s grip was tight and cutting off his air. Johnny pressed the bottle to Daniel’s throat. The jagged glass sliced. A single drop of Daniel’s blood rolled down his skin.
I had to do something and fast.
“All right Johnny, you’re right.” I held my hands out to him as if surrendering. “I do want to be with you. But Daniel’s my husband. Don’t hurt him. His boys need him,” I said, hating myself for twisting my affection for Johnny and using it against him. “Since the first day we met, I knew there was something between us, a connection I couldn’t deny. When I’m with you, I feel like I’m home, like everything is going to be all right.”
Johnny’s hard expression softened. “You mean that?” he said, his grip on Daniel’s neck slackening just enough.
I pressed my palms to the center of my chest. “With all my heart,” I said and watched as Daniel’s trapped gaze shifted, transforming from victim to predator. A half-instant later, his elbow jerked forward then crushed back into Johnny’s gut with a force that had Johnny doubling back.
The bottle fell to the floor.
Seizing his opportunity, Daniel spun away, his fist coming back around to make direct contact with Johnny’s chin. Johnny arched back from the blow, his feet stumbling out from beneath him as he fell against the wall. Daniel moved between us, his fists in fighting position, ready to inflict another blow.
“Stop it!” I hollered, pulling on Daniel.
Johnny regained his footing and whirled around. “Nice try,” he said, twisting his head slowly from side to side as if working out the effects of Daniel’s punch. “Gettin’ your wife to distract me so you can take a cheap shot?”
“You’re half right,” Daniel spat back. “She is my wife.”
The sneer drained from Johnny’s face, his eyes on fire as he lunged at Daniel again. Daniel brought his forearms up to deflect the blow but wasn’t fast enough to stop Johnny’s fist from slamming into his ear. Daniel stumbled. Before he could recover, Johnny was off his feet, his body spinning around, his heel rounding up with a kick to Daniel’s ribcage.
The alte
rcation playing out before me moved as if in slow motion. I watched my husband’s body fall back. I tried to get to him but he might as well have been a mile away. I gaped helplessly as his head smacked against the corner of the table and he slumped to the floor.
“Daniel!” I tripped over my feet and dropped down next him. He wasn’t moving. “Johnny, what did you do?” I pressed my fingers to Daniel’s throat and felt a faint pulse beat back against my skin. A weak sigh slipped through his lips, his head rolling from one side to the other.
“Call 911,” I said, but Johnny didn’t move. “Why aren’t you calling?” I yelled.
“You love him, don’t you?”
I looked up at Johnny. He just stood there, hovering over me, his expression blank.
“Of course I do,” I said. “What did you think?”
Johnny gazed back at me, hopeless and defeated, before he said, “Marlie, I—”
The sound of splintering wood followed by determined footsteps closed around us, seemingly coming from all directions.
“Federal agents!” Anna-Beth’s voice broke the tension with a new threat. “No one move!”
I scanned the room to see men in shirtsleeves sheathed in bulletproof vests, holding pistols in the striking position and directed at Johnny and me. Slowly I straightened, my hands in the air. “Daniel’s hurt,” I said. “Please, someone call 911.”
Pressing a finger to her ear Anna-Beth said, “I need medics in here, ASAP. There’s a man down.”
Steven bent Johnny’s arms behind his back, securing his hands with a black plastic tie. Johnny didn’t resist except to sear Steven with a stare over his shoulder.
My panicky gaze darted from one heavily armed man to another, pausing briefly to see Electra hanging back by the entrance holding an icepack to the back of her head. There hadn’t been time for anyone to summon the authorities, so Anna-Beth and company had to have already been on their way, but why?
“What’s going on? Why are you here? Why are you arresting Johnny?” I asked. “He was only helping me. It was my idea to escape from the hospital. I forced him to help me. I’m the one you’re after, not Johnny.”
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