Toxic

by Debra Jupe

  Fear charged through Gracie. She was in the midst of the last hours of her life. So much lie ahead of her, although she couldn’t remember a single ambition at the moment.

  “She’s very clever,” Krystal said. “To pull this off without getting caught.”

  “Yeah,” Gracie agreed. “I bet she stayed close to us to keep tabs on what we were doing.”

  “Okay, so she’s smart. We’re a lot smarter.” Quinn scratched her head. “So how are we going to get out of this mess? What’s our plan?”

  “Plan?” Gracie and Krystal repeated simultaneously as they exchanged doubtful glances.

  “You two can do what you want, but I’m not gonna roll over and let her kill me without a fight.”

  Krystal and Gracie looked at one another again.

  Quinn had a point. To allow Vivian take their lives minus a struggle would be giving up. They needed to prepare for a battle. If they won, they may live. A loss means the end results would be the same, but at least they’d made an effort. Seemed like a more dignified way to die.

  Gracie nodded. “We do need to come up with something.”

  Quinn’s eyes brightened. “We should jump her when she comes back to get us.”

  Krystal slide down the wall and sat on the floor. She turned and put a finger inside the bullet hole next to her. “It’s not a good idea to take her on in a physical attempt. She’s armed and we aren’t.”

  “Whatever we do, we need to maintain our composure. Emotions are running pretty high. I suggest we keep a close watch on her. We know her well enough. She has a huge ego, and she believes she’s smarter and superior to us because she’d gotten away with this for so long. Definitely a flaw.”

  “Ego, weaknesses, and composure. Then what?” Quinn asked. “Kick her ass?”

  Krystal shook her head. “There will be no ass kicking, Quinn. I mean seriously, what about that sounds like a good plan to you?”

  “I’m all for doing whatever it takes to keep our heads from not ending up the same as our phones. If beating the crap out of her will do it, then I’m for it. We stand a good chance at beating her. There are three of us and only one of her.”

  “And her gun,” Krystal reminded. “One or more of us could end up dead if we attempt to overtake her.”

  “We’ll have to get down and dirty and fight her to live. Three against one, I still like the odds.” Quinn chuckled. “What do you think, Gracie?”

  “I’d be in favor of us too if it weren’t for her having a gun.”

  Quinn folded her arms over her middle and turned away. “You two are useless.”

  “I’m guessing she won’t leave us in here,” Krystal said. “Maybe one of us can escape when she lets us out.”

  Quinn spun around to face them. “Maybe one of us can escape? That’s not a plan.”

  “Quinn, we don’t have a lot to work with. Plus, I’m sure there are more people in this operation, and we don’t have a clue as to who to trust and who the enemy is.” Krystal gave Gracie an understanding glimpse. “I wonder where Ethan fits into this.”

  Gracie didn’t speak. She’d been pushing all scenario’s that popped into her head away, not wanting to think about Ethan’s involvement. “I don’t want to know.”

  Quinn’s brows dropped as her gaze centered on Gracie. “You really fell for the guy, didn’t you?”

  Gracie tucked her bottom lip beneath her teeth. She so preferred not to answer Quinn’s question.

  “Don’t blame you. It’s hard to ditch feelings once they’ve formed.” Quinn gave her a genuine smile for the first time ever. “He did seem like a straight up guy when he first came around.”

  “I hope he is a good man. As a matter of fact, I believe he is, though he knows something about Vivian’s operation he’s not sharing with anyone.” Krystal sighed with a smile. “At least now we can be relatively sure Mike wasn’t taking his plants and making bogus insurance claims. His name will be cleared.”

  Heavy footsteps pounded from behind the door, the knob turned, then slowly opened.

  “Time, ladies,” Quinn whispered. “Let’s put this bitch down.”

  Chapter 27

  Vivian stood on the other side of the door, the gun still in her hand. Using the barrel as a pointer, she wagged the weapon toward the door. “Let’s go.”

  Gracie’s legs resembled soggy noodles as she uneasily made her from the middle of the closet to the exit. Nobody said a word as they filed out one by one, walking through the office and out the backdoor. Vivian guided them onto the porch outside where two of Mike’s employees waited. Both had pistols visible and trained in their direction.

  Though Krystal and Quinn’s faces showed shock at their coworker’s involvement, Gracie’s expression remained impassive at the sight of the men. At this point nothing shocked her, although the thought of Mike’s workers’ betrayal turned her stomach. She hoped when this ended, the money would be worth it.

  The group left the building and continued into the compounds, marching across the nursery. Vivian led the way, a guard walked in the middle next to Gracie, and another at the rear, close to Krystal.

  Gracie looked into the fading sky as the warm breeze caressed her skin. Little by little the sun had transformed into a reddish sphere, until the fiery ball drifted behind a group of pines. The wispy, summer wind rustled the leaves keeping in tune with the cricket’s lively chirps. The scene was pure perfection. But excellence was far gone along with the world she’d once known. The proverbial noose around her neck had constricted a notch as her universe came unwound.

  If she and her friends were to come out of this alive, they needed to do something now.

  Krystal was behind her. She leaned up to Gracie and whispered, “Our escape strategy isn’t going very well.”

  “We didn’t really have one in place, did we?”

  “No,” Krystal said with a sigh. “I guess we’ll move on to plan B.”

  “We have a plan B?”

  “We always can go with Quinn’s ass kicking idea.”

  “I was afraid you’d suggest that. Let’s try something else before we get so drastic.” Gracie stepped closer to her guard and tapped him on the shoulder. “What kind of business is she running anyway?”

  Vivian stopped and snapped around. The crowd also came to a halt. “No talking.”

  “Sorry, Vivian. I’m curious as to what you were doing out here. It wouldn’t hurt for us to know since I’m assuming you intend to kill us.” Gracie almost smiled. “I mean who are we going to tell if we’re dead?”

  Vivian paused for a minute to consider Gracie’s suggestion. “I suppose there’s no harm in telling you.” The corners of her mouth lifted. “Guns. We transport weapons across the Mexican border for sale.”

  “How did you come up with such an idea?”

  “I’ve always enjoyed firearms. I own many, all varieties. I read an article about smuggling operations in Mexico. I viewed this as a prime market to earn extra cash. I did research, made some connections, and invested.” Her smile broadened. “Actually I used the nursery’s money—”

  “You were stealing from Mike?” Quinn interrupted.

  “He shouldn’t’ve given me access to his bank accounts.”

  Quinn’s face reddened with anger. “You embezzled to start your venture, and then you used the nursery to run an illegal business?”

  “In all fairness, Mike was cheap and didn’t pay his employees enough to live on. If he had, I wouldn’t have to take on this second job.” Vivian gave Quinn an aggravated glare. “Anyway, after a lot of trial and error, I was on my way. Only two years in business, and I’ve turned this into a very profitable conglomerate.”

  “And you helped yourself to Mike’s plants for a cover too?” Krystal asked.

  Vivian merely shrugged.

  “Wouldn’t border patrol search your contraband for possible drug trafficking when you cross into Mexico?”

  “I haven’t had any issues. Drugs are more apt to come into the
U.S. from the south as opposed to going out. And yeah, they might inspect the plants, but they won’t find anything. I designed and had special racks made for transport. There is hidden compartments where the guns can be stored, and you’d have to know where to look.” She shook her head. “We were running great until Mike interfered.”

  Krystal raised her eyebrows. “Mike spoiled things?”

  “The man cost me a fortune, Krystal. I had to cease shipments after he discovered my business.” Vivian’s pupils dilated, her eyes empty. “Then he went and willed you the nursery. Definitely put a kink in my plans.”

  “I don’t understand how Krystal’s inheritance would’ve hurt you if she weren’t aware of what was going on,” Gracie said. “How would it be any different if it’s been willed to Mickey?”

  “I brought Mickey on as my partner when I first started.” Vivian’s grin turned evil. “He’s my insurance policy.”

  Even in the evening dusk, Krystal’s skin paled. “Is Mickey aware you killed his father?”

  “He was there when it happened.”

  The women stared wordlessly. Vivian was crazy for sure, but she was also deviously brilliant. Bringing Mickey in was a smart move. Although Mickey didn’t seemed to be bright, as he was involved in so many “get rich quick” schemes and had lost tons of money, Mike would never turn on his son.

  Too bad Mickey wasn’t as loyal. Gracie had thought of him as harmless, but this latest revelation showed him to be quite cold hearted.

  “We’d have been free and clear if Mike would’ve left the company to Mickey like he promised.” Vivian sneered. “Bastard.”

  Quinn stepped out of line and bolted to Vivian. She shoved the gun arm out of the way and grabbed Vivian’s shirt collar. She hoisted her legs around Vivian’s waist, still holding onto her blouse. She got into her face, nose to nose. “You shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.”

  “Get her off me,” Vivian shrieked at her thugs, trying to push her away. “Shoot her.”

  The two goons rushed to their superior in an attempt to detach Quinn. They managed to separate her legs from Vivian’s middle, but the little woman hung on, wiggling like a worm, slipping away from the guys again and again. Quinn swung a foot trying to kick at her capturer and the men as she tightened her grip on Vivian’s shirt.

  A light tap touched Gracie. She glanced over her shoulder. Krystal nodded and put a finger to her lips. Not sure what her friend was trying to tell her, Gracie frowned and returned to the excitement.

  The men finally succeeded in wrenching Quinn away. The second they dragged her from Vivian, she twisted free, throwing punches at anyone within reach. Gracie continued to stare, her mouth opened. While she mentally applauded Quinn’s spirit, she also hoped her actions didn’t get her, or the rest of them, killed earlier than planned.

  One of the men grabbed an arm and swung her to the ground. Quinn landed on her butt with an oomph. She started to get up but stopped. Vivian aimed a gun at her forehead, the trigger cocked. She glanced at her helpers and shouted, “Why didn’t you kill her?”

  “What if we missed? She was all over the place. We’d have hit you,” one answered.

  “Too public here anyway,” said the other. “We might have attracted too much unwanted attention.”

  “You’re lucky this isn’t a good spot to shoot you dead.” Vivian dropped her arm holding the pistol. “Get up.”

  Quinn scrambled to her feet and wiped the dirt from the seat of her jeans.

  “Let’s move,” Vivian commanded.

  Gracie turned for Krystal’s reaction. She froze. Krystal was missing. Her signal. What was she telling Gracie? Did she use the diversion to make an escape? She was going for help. A wave of relief swept through her. Silently, she prayed her friend made it to safety and was bringing in the troops.

  “Wait.” Vivian swirled around to face them. “Where is Krystal?”

  Gracie and Quinn glanced at one another, Quinn looked surprised.

  Gracie raised a shoulder. “Don’t know.”

  “This is trouble we don’t need,” Vivian grumbled, then said to one of her men. “Go find her.”

  “And what do you want me to do then?”

  “You know.”

  The guy made a face. “You realize she might be leading the cops right to us. If we get caught, we’ll spend the rest of our lives in jail.”

  She raised her gun again. Her trigger finger twitched. “Then she needs to be taken care of before that happens.”

  “I’m not as heartless as you. I can’t easily shoot someone who I’ve worked with for years.”

  “You need to grow a pair and do what needs to be done. Our financial well-being, freedom, and your life depend on it.”

  “I’m in for a lot less prison time if I chose not murder if we get caught.”

  “Don’t count on it,” Vivian countered. “You’re in this past your hairline. Go take care of her, or it’ll be your ass on the line, and not from the law.”

  He threw Vivian a menacing glare, whirled around, and vanished into the darkness.

  “Remember, I’m on a time table here, so make it fast,” Vivian yelled after him.

  “Where’s Krystal?” Quinn whispered to Gracie.

  “I don’t know. I hope she’s bringing help and soon. She’s our only chance.”

  They walked deeper into the nursery. The sky darkened as night fell around them, the entire range had turned black. The only exception was a corner of the area where they were being led. A bright glow highlighted the blackness. Loud noises ricocheted, suggested activity going on.

  Gracie put the inevitable from her mind and focused on the positive. She hoped her friend escaped and was able to call the authorities, and help was on the way. She glanced at the weapons directed at her and Quinn. She prayed they wouldn’t be too late.

  The commotion became more apparent as they approached. Huge spotlights shined on a semi-truck with the hatch lifted. The vehicle sat near a once hidden, opened gate located to the rear of a greenhouse, behind brush and trees. A low glow shimmered from within the truck as long shadows paraded back and forth.

  “In there.”

  Vivian indicated for them to get into the trailer. Gracie squinted to see in, trying to make out the workers’ faces as they pushed loaded racks further inside. But the glare against the darkness prevented her from making out anything clear. She carefully put a foot onto the lift gate and hoisted up. Quinn did the same. Vivian and her guard dog were already in place.

  “We’re gonna die in a stinking truck,’” Quinn said in a low voice. “We need to take them on if we want to live.”

  “We’re outnumbered and everyone is armed.” Gracie gazed at the multitude of artillery each member carried. “She must pay her people in weapons.”

  “Yeah, they’re packing some major heat, but I don’t know what else to do. You got any ideas?”

  “Let’s give Krystal a few minutes to bring help.”

  “We don’t have a few minutes.”

  Vivian stuck her face between them. “Forget about any and all thoughts of escape.” She shook her head and grinned. “Not going to happen.”

  A movement in the shadows near the opening of the truck caught her attention.

  “Reed.” Quinn squealed, and her face lit up as the man strolled into the light. “Gracie.” She gave Gracie an excited push. “It’s Reed.”

  Reed walked toward them. But something appeared off. She bent into Quinn and whispered, “This is very wrong, Quinn. He’s not here to help us.”

  “What are you talking about? Of course he is.”

  Quinn beamed as Reed continued upon their group. He brushed past her and Quinn, ignoring everyone until he reached Vivian, where he halted. There was a definite difference about him. He seemed older, more mature. A coldness shrouded his aura.

  Another shift in the shadows caught Gracie’s eye. She looked beyond Reed and froze. The color drained in her face.

  The countless fears, the agonizing a
nguish, every one of those warning bells she’d disregarded these past few days brimmed over in her mind.

  Her head swam. She braced her backbone and forced the jelly out of her knees as Ethan emerged from the dimness.

  Chapter 28

  Ethan swiftly moved toward them. The trailer’s interior lights threw a harsh shadow over his rugged face giving him almost a menacing appearance. He came to a halt next to Reed. Side by side, they stared straight ahead, their expressions unreadable.

  Vivian smirked. “I believe you know my associates.”

  Unable to breathe, Gracie stepped to Ethan and gazed into his eyes. He didn’t blink. It was almost as if he looked right through her.

  Vivian spoke quietly from behind her. “To his credit, Gracie. He did try to keep you out of this. That’s why he left you at that God forsaken Deluxe Inn, to keep you out of harm’s way.” Vivian tsked. “But you wouldn’t listen.”

  “That makes everything so much better.”

  She blinked away a tear. She would not give him the satisfaction of letting him see her cry. Somewhere in all the craziness, she’d totally fallen for the guy. She’d hoped and prayed the gossip was unfounded, and after Mike’s murder was solved, everything would be explained. Like he promised. She continued to gaze at him. A brief flicker of—something, zipped across his face before his expression returned to stoniness.

  “Gracie, I don’t wanna say I told you so, but I told you so. He fooled everybody. Not me though. I knew he was no good.” Quinn glared at Reed. “I never expected for you to be involved.”

  “Enough chit chat.” Vivian turned to the men. “We have much work to do.”

  She spun to where Gracie and Quinn stood. “Now I expect you to take care of your former girlfriend and her little amigo.” She leaned close to Ethan and whispered, but loud enough for everyone to hear, “No loose ends, baby.”

  “You’re gonna kill us now?” Quinn sighed. “That sucks.”

  “You wouldn’t keep your noses out of my business.” Vivian placed her hands onto her hips and swirled her head back and forth. “We need to get busy. I have a plane to catch.”