From the Heart: Romance, Mystery and Suspense a collection for everyone

by Eckhart, Lorhainne

  “When Dan finally showed up a while ago, he met me for a beer. And after a couple, he offered me his new truck. He said he couldn’t make the payments on the truck but an insurance settlement would net him about $30,000, which he’d sign over to me as a partial payment. But first he had to make the truck disappear. So yeah, I helped him. We took the truck up to Buckhorn Lake and drove it in. Dan left for Seattle, spent the night in a downtown hotel, and then reported his truck stolen to Seattle PD. He filed an insurance claim, and with replacement cost on his fairly new truck, he was a expecting an insurance settlement after the lien was paid off of $32,500. But turns out the insurance company has a vehicle theft clause, so they have up to ninety days to hold the claim, and await recovery of the vehicle.”

  Sam scrubbed the flat of his hands up and over his face, and Richard knew he was struggling to hold his tongue.

  “You um, sure you want me to continue?”

  Sam said nothing, but gestured with his hand in a sharp circular motion. His face was flushed, and his eyes took on the haunted look of a man trying to absorb the content of an unbelievable tale.

  “Several days ago, search and rescue flew over the lake looking for some lost teens. What they discovered from above was a truck submerged in the lake. Divers were called in to check for a body. They pulled the serial number to find out who it belonged to and discovered it was Dan’s missing truck. After they called Dan’s cell phone, which was on the police report, the sheriff requested his presence and questioned him on the validity of his report. You see, someone from Seattle PD decided to do his homework then. A detective went to the hotel Dan listed on the police report where the truck was supposedly stolen. According to their folio, there was no truck. He has to provide a plate number of his vehicle for security, and there wasn’t one. He tried to tell the sheriff he forgot to put it down. But when the Front Desk manager was questioned at the hotel, she said that would be impossible because security matches up all the plates nightly with the registered guests as he does a walk-through of the lot. Any vehicles parked in the lot not listed are made note of and towed before morning. Dan phoned me several days ago in a panic. He told me divers were going back in, and the truck was scheduled to be pulled out the next morning. I told him I was done. He said I’d never get my money otherwise, and he’d make sure I lost everything if I didn’t help him get rid of the truck. So I did. Dan borrowed a big boat. When we got to where the truck was, he dove down and attached a line to the frame of the truck, and we dragged the truck into the middle of the lake and dropped the line. The depth of the lake is a mile deep in the center and filled with caves and caverns. So when the two deputies showed up at my house, it was before they realized the truck was no longer visible in the lake. But one of the deputies told me something quite interesting. Dan changed his story and pointed the finger at me. Said he owed me money, and I forced him to sign the truck over, and it was me who told Dan the truck was gone, and I made him file a report to get the insurance money. That’s what he does, and he’s good at it, confess to something smaller, and the cops believe you.”

  Sam leaned back in his squeaky chair that swiveled, and he locked his hands behind his head as he appeared to contemplate the whole story.

  “Diane already knows about the truck. She told me not to say anything else to the cops since the truck’s now gone. They may decide to drop it.”

  Sam shook his head. “Diane’s right. But fuck, Richard. You shoulda called me.”

  Richard was tempted to get up and walk out. “Is this all I’m going to hear today? Recriminations, and how badly I fucked up? I don’t want to hear what I already know. I didn’t come here to be hassled.” He hefted himself from the chair and could feel his temper going from zero to sixty.

  “Stop right there with that sanctimonious bullshit. I should be able to speak honestly to you. You fucked up big time. Now would you come back here and sit down? Please.” Sam jerked his hand toward the empty chair. Richard leaned against the doorframe in the open doorway, uneasy with the way he kept flying off the handle.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to jump down your throat. This thing… it’s getting too hot, Sam. Maggie and I… you already know… I’ve just got her back. And Ryley, his whole world’s been rocked. I don’t know how much more I can take. It would make my life so much easier if… if Dan was dead.”

  “Whoa, stop right there. You’re talking about killing the man. And that threat alone can get you locked up.”

  Chapter Thirty-five

  “How was school, bud?” For a moment as she walked beside Ryley to the truck, lost in her own thoughts, Maggie realized he failed to answer her. Maggie touched his slouched shoulder and gently shook. “Are you all right?”

  A tear slid down his cheek when they reached the truck. He climbed in the passenger side. She glanced back at the crowd of kids and parents, who all hurried onto buses and into cars. She climbed in the driver’s side and shut the door before facing him.

  When he turned his face toward her, tears filled both his eyes. “The kids at school were mean today. One of them said Dad’s a thief and you’re a drug addict. And God punished us and took Lily, and I’m next.” She froze and was positive her mouth gaped.

  She didn’t think, she reacted. She grabbed Ryley’s hand and dragged him out of the truck and into school office and pounded like an insane woman on the front glass of the reception window.

  The pert school secretary slid open the glass. “Mrs. McCafferty, what can I do for you?” The short squat woman sounded irritated.

  “I need to see Jacob. Is he still here?”

  Another teacher who lingered behind the secretary peeked in Jacob’s office. “Nope, not in right now. Hmm, I know he’s around somewhere. Oh, there he is.” She pointed briskly to the gymnasium behind Maggie.

  She turned around, her hand still clasped around Ryley’s, and with each fury-filled step, she all but dragged Ryley alongside to where Jacob chatted with Mr. Harris, the gym teacher.

  She didn’t wait for him to finish, she took in his thoughtful glance in her direction, and rudely interrupted his active discussion. “Jacob, I need to speak with you.”

  “Mr. Harris, would you excuse us?” Jacob must have sensed Maggie was about explode as he placed his arm around her shoulders and guided her and Ryley to his office. He shut his office door and said nothing until she was seated beside Ryley.

  “Something has obviously happened that has gotten you quite upset. You’re shaking, Maggie. What is it?”

  He perched on the corner of his desk right in front of them.

  “Ryley, tell Mr. Peterman what you just told me.”

  Ryley’s face appeared stricken. He yanked his hand from hers and stared into his lap. His voice was hesitant. “I don’t want to get my dad and mom in trouble.”

  “What? Why would you think, I don’t—”

  Jacob reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “Maggie, would you let me talk to Ryley alone? I’ll see if I can get to bottom of whatever’s going on.” He didn’t wait for her reply. He helped her up and guided her out of his office to a chair in reception. “Just give us a minute. Sometimes it’s best if the parent isn’t there. You have my word this won’t go anywhere.” She sat, shunned by her own son, as the door clicked closed. The big industrial clock mounted on the wall above her head ticked on while students and staff bustled in the office and past the glass window of the front office. Ten minutes slipped by before the Jacob’s office door popped open, and he poked his head out.

  “Maggie, come in.” The executioner’s song played in the back of her mind as she slinked back in and scooted her seat beside a solemn Ryley. He wouldn’t look at her, instead he kept his eyes down and twiddled his thumbs until Jacob sat across from him. He then shifted a hopeful glance at Jacob, not her.

  “Ryley and I had quite a talk. I understand why you’re so upset. I’ve explained to Ryley I will be contacting the parents of this other child who said those hurtful words. We have no tolerance at
this school for what was said to Ryley. It was malicious, and I’ll be taking this on.” Jacob gently touched the top of Ryley’s head. “I explained to Ryley how proud I am he came forward. That this is in fact bullying and will not be tolerated. Ryley, give your mom and me a moment please.” He patted Ryley’s back as he slipped past him. Her heart hammered in her throat when Jacob closed the door and sat beside her in Ryley’s chair.

  “Maggie.” He reached for her hand and gently squeezed. “Don’t panic. Just let me say I know you and Richard have gone through hell. And if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone or drop in and see me. I know you’re upset. And I don’t want you to get mad at Ryley. But you should know you scared him.”

  “How did I scare him?”

  Jacob squeezed her hand. “Maggie, it’s not about today. I already suspected you were taking anti-depressants. But I didn’t realize you were in trouble. Ryley told me you didn’t function, you took pills to sleep, and he couldn’t wake you at night, and you took pills in the morning. He said he would try and talk to you, and you wouldn’t hear him.” She tried to interrupt, but Jacob held up his hand to stop her. “Maggie please, just listen. I’m not lecturing you. I do understand what you’ve gone through is any parent’s worst nightmare. I already know whatever you and Richard have done now, you are doing the right thing. You’ve pulled it together. Most parents who’ve suffered the kind of loss you did don’t. But you have, and I understand you and Richard are back together giving Ryley stability. You’re putting your family back together. I’m just telling you the kind of fear Ryley’s lived with will impact him. But the decisions you make now will determine his outcome. I do need to ask you a question about something Ryley commented on about his dad. Is Richard in trouble? Is he under investigation for theft? Before I call these parents, I’d like to know everything.”

  Her mind whirled, her tongue thickened, and words stuck in her throat. “Richard’s not a thief, he’s a good man. I don’t know where this accusation came from, but there are no criminal charges against my husband.” She flushed from Jacob’s scrutiny. His face then closed down as he let go of her hand, slipped out of his chair, and opened the door.

  “As I said earlier, I’ll not let this matter drop. I’ll be in touch. Ryley, here’s your mom. I think you two should stop at the beach on the way home. Ryley, my door’s always open. Everything’s going to be fine. Remember your mom’s a fine person, you guys have come a long way together, and your mom really loves you.” This time Jacob didn’t touch her. He excused himself, went into his office, and shut the door.

  Ryley trailed her out of the school, a step behind as if afraid he was in trouble. She too wanted to slink away as that old childhood rhyme chimed in her head, Liar, liar, pants on fire. And imagined Jacob was singing it now.

  Chapter Thirty-six

  “How did it go with Sam?”

  Richard poured himself a glass of red wine. Then leaned across the kitchen table and refilled Maggie’s glass.

  “Productive, enlightening. But I don’t know what Sam thinks he can do. Dan and I have a contract, a good lawyer could null and void its existence, but I don’t have that chunk of change to pay a good lawyer’s retainer. Sam’s tying together a few different angles that hopefully I’ll be able to use to cut ties and at least obtain enough money back to keep us afloat until I can find a way to sell that property.”

  Maggie sipped her wine wondering if she should tell Richard what happened at school. He must have seen the worry etched in her forehead because he traced his finger across her brow and down her cheek.

  “Something’s bothering you. What is it?”

  She didn’t want to look at him. He read her so well.

  He reached for her hand. “Maggie, come on, no more secrets.”

  She swirled her glass of wine. “Something happened at school today. Please don’t get mad.” He pulled his hand away and leaned one arm over the back of his chair, placing his other on the table. It was his way of preparing himself, and he would most likely launch himself out of the chair and pace when she told him.

  “Just tell me what’s going on.”

  She stared at the red liquid in her glass wondering how to tell him a cleaner version of what Ryley heard. “Something happened at school. A kid told Ryley I’m a drug addict, you’re a thief, and God was punishing us and took Lily away.”

  She was right. He launched out of the chair which tilted back on the floor with a loud crash. “Where would some kid get that kind of information?”

  She shook her head and sipped her wine as her husband paced, while fisting his hands.

  “Who is this kid? Who’re his parents?”

  “Richard, I spoke with Jacob. He’s handling this. I don’t know who the kid is, I didn’t find out.”

  Richard stalked out of the kitchen. “Ryley!” he shouted.

  “Yeah, Dad?” Maggie could hear the tremble in her son’s voice.

  “Come on down here now! Did something happen today at school you forgot to tell me about?”

  Maggie abandoned her wine and wandered into the living room where Richard stood at the bottom of the stairs and motioned for Ryley to hurry up. Her boy appeared to wobble with each step. Even she was wary of the control her husband wielded. He was the head of this family, and he made that clear time and again.

  Ryley appeared to shrink as he stood before his father.

  Richard placed his hand on Ryley’s shoulder and looked down upon his son. “Come on, Ryley. If there’s one thing you and I do, we tell the truth… don’t start hiding things from me now.”

  Ryley peered solemnly up at his dad and said nothing.

  “Let me help you out, son. Did some kid at school verbally attack me and your mom?”

  Ryley nodded. “She said some bad things Dad, about you and Mom. She knew about Mom taking pills, and said you were a thief. But you’re not, why would she say that?” Ryley’s voice trembled.

  “Who is this kid who said these things? I want a name, Ryley.”

  “Mr. Peterman said he was going to handle it, and he thought it might be better if I didn’t say.” Ryley’s voice cracked, and he really was shaking.

  Richard took a step back and planted both his hands on his hips. His mouth parted when he breathed out his rising temper. “Let me tell you something, Ryley. Jacob Peterman does not have a voice in my house or over you for that matter. I asked you to name this kid. And that’s exactly what you’re going to tell me now.”

  Maggie covered her mouth and flattened her hand against her lips. Ryley glanced over at her as if pleading for help. “Your dad’s right. Jacob had no right telling you to keep this from us. You need to tell us who this child is.”

  Ryley pursed his lips and stubbornly shook his head. A smaller version of his father. Richard raised his fists high in the air and roared. Ryley jumped back, and this time she hurried to his side and pulled him close. “Richard, stop this madness. You’re scaring us.” She turned her back on him, and with both hands on Ryley’s shoulders, she peered into blue eyes that appeared too old to be a child’s. “Why won’t you tell us this girl’s name?”

  “Because I don’t want Dad to get in anymore trouble.”

  She was confused as she stared at Ryley and then realized why he worried. “Ryley, do you think your dad is going to go over there and confront this child’s parents or fight with them?”

  He shook his head in response.

  “Then what is it?”

  “I’m scared Dad will get hurt once he knows. She’s the daughter of a congressman. And kids at school have said he could hurt you and Dad.”

  She locked eyes with Richard and frowned because they both knew then who they were dealing with.

  “Fred White, our elected congressman. His family lives here. It’s his daughter, isn’t it. Ryley?”

  Ryley gazed up at his dad. “Yes, and her name is Rhonda.”

  Richard shut his eyes as if he’d heard the worst news possible. And this
time when looked at her, his face was filled with regret. “If the rumors are true about him, he’s a dirty player in politics. Has a way of hacking up everybody’s skeletons. But why is he focused on us?”

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  The banging on the front door, along with Daisy’s growl and bark, shook Maggie awake. The bedside lamp clicked on and filled the dark room with a hazy orange glow. “Is someone at the door, girl?” She rolled over and blinked.

  Richard pulled on his pants. “Stay here; I’ll see who it is.”

  The pounding sounded as if someone was trying to break down the front door. And Daisy was now growling and scratching at the door. She bolted out of bed and yanked on her thin purple housecoat, trailing after Richard. Car headlights flooded through the living room window.

  “Hold on, I’m coming!” Richard shouted.

  “Open up!” Someone shouted again. Richard yanked open the front door and bent over holding Daisy by the collar. Bright headlights blinded her as she darted down the stairs. What looked like three large men loomed in the doorway, and it wasn’t until she reached Richard’s side that she realized they were uniformed officers.