Deception by Design

by Tara Wentz

  “What the hell am I going to do?” Joshlyn hollered, throwing her hands in the air.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Kellen pulled into a parking spot at the track and slammed the SUV into park. The more she thought about the notes, the angrier she became. It wasn’t enough that she was dealing with the fallout from Joshlyn dumping her, but to have this bullshit riding her coattails as well was pushing her over the edge. Enough was fucking enough! She grabbed her gear and stalked towards the tents, hell-bent on confronting the one person she was sure had a hand in the threatening letters.

  Kellen stalked past Emerson’s tent, ignoring his hello. Walking right up to her destination, she ripped the tent flap open.

  “Where are you?” Kellen growled.

  Billy walked around the big toolbox and stood directly in front of Kellen, going toe to toe.

  Kellen leaned forward into Billy’s personal space. “I’m done with your shit, man.” She poked a finger in his chest for emphasis.

  “I don’t know what the fuck you are talkin’ about, Reynolds,” Billy sneered.

  “I don’t take kindly to threats so I suggest you steer clear and back the fuck off!”

  “Or what?”

  “Don’t push me, Billy. You won’t like the outcome.” Kellen flexed her fists by her side.

  “Your threats mean nothin’ to me, Reynolds. Take yer shit and get the hell out of my tent.”

  Kellen grabbed her bag without taking her eyes off Billy. “I meant what I said, Billy. Back off!” She backed towards the opening of the tent and, with one last look, turned and left.

  ****

  Billy threw his grease rag against the toolbox and cursed. “Who the fuck does she think she is? She wants to play hard ball, then we’ll play hard ball.”

  Billy hocked a ball of spit to the side and walked over to his car. He was tired of the tiptoeing and acting all buddy buddy as well.

  “I’m done with this shit; it’s time for that bitch to pay!”

  ****

  Kellen approached her tent, strolled inside, and threw herself into a chair. Her breathing was rapid and she knew she had to get herself under control. She had never been this angry with anyone in all her life. She clenched and unclenched her hands, willing herself to settle. What she really wanted to do was punch something…or someone. It took every bit of willpower not to put her hands on Billy.

  “Hey there, sweetie, you ready for tonight’s race?” Bob asked.

  Kellen took a couple deep breaths before responding. “You know, Bob, normally I am, but I don’t know about this time.”

  Bob walked over, sat down beside her, and fidgeted with his key ring. “You know, as a rule, I like to stay out of your business, but I am always here for you. Do you want to talk about what’s going on, Kellen?”

  Kellen leaned forward, resting her arms on her knees, and took a deep breath. “My life was so uncomplicated, Bob. I worked, I raced, and I went home to Chigger.”

  Bob hesitated before commenting. “And now?”

  “Now,” Kellen sighed, “Now, I want it to be more complicated and it scares the hell out of me. Joshlyn scares the hell out of me…what she makes me feel.”

  Kellen stood and paced in front of Bob. “And Billy, that fool doesn’t know when to leave well enough alone. Can you believe he has actually been sending me threatening letters?”

  “What!” Bob exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “We’ll get back to Joshlyn, but I want to deal with Billy first. What did he say?”

  “I’ve gotten two letters telling me to watch my back or someone would stick a knife in it.”

  “You think he’s just trying to scare you or something? I mean, Billy is a coward, we both know that.”

  Kellen shook her head. “I don’t know, Bob. All I know is the last week has been pure hell and I am over it.”

  “I don’t see him doing anything, Kellen, but just watch yourself on the track tonight.”

  “Oh, I will, don’t worry.”

  Bob nodded and then took a long, hard look at Kellen. “Ok, now you want to talk to me about Joshlyn?”

  Kellen started pacing again. “She broke things off with me. I get the feeling she didn’t want to and that something scared her. It’s just…” Kellen stopped in front of Bob. “I don’t know how to get through to her, Bob. She flat won’t listen.”

  “Kellen, I don’t have much experience where women are concerned, this much you know. What I can tell you is that sometimes you just have to let things play out as they will.”

  “I know what you’re saying is probably true, but I don’t want her to think I am giving up.” Kellen sat back down and shifted in her seat so she was facing him. “I can’t give up on us, Bob. It’s right, I can feel it here,” Kellen pleaded, patting the left side of her chest.

  Bob placed a hand on her knee. “Then all you can do is continue to let her know you are there for her.”

  Kellen thought a minute before nodding. “You’re right.”

  “Of course I am. Now let’s get you ready for time trials!”

  “Thanks, Bob. I really appreciate you, ya know?” Kellen wrapped her arms around Bob, startling him.

  Bob thumped her on the back a couple times in response and then pulled back, grinning. “C’mon with you, before you make a grown man get all emotional.”

  Kellen grinned in return and turned to get ready. As soon as she disappeared through the flap, the smile dropped off Bob’s face.

  “Now what is that little bastard up to?”

  ****

  Joshlyn picked the remnants of the box up and sat on the edge of her bed. She fingered the yellowed article and looked at the headline again.

  TWO ARRESTS IN RACKETEERING CASE

  She knew without reading any further that her name would be mentioned and the details of how she turned state’s evidence to bust the sting wide open. It also mentioned the threats on her life as well and the one person that still had yet to be captured.

  Joshlyn dropped the box and article on the bed and stood up. Maybe if she just told Kellen the truth it would be enough to make her back off on her own.

  “That’s if she will even talk to me.” Josh sighed. The one person she had ever truly connected with and she had treated her like shit. “So what is the worst that could happen? I wouldn’t feel any worse than I do now and maybe, just maybe she would understand why I did what I had to do. If we have to go to the police to get protection then we’ll just do what we have to do and God help us.”

  Joshlyn made up her mind and grabbed a jacket and her keys. She glanced at the clock. If she hurried, she might be able to catch Kellen between time trials and the main race.

  ****

  Kellen gulped down a mouthful of water as Bob returned with the time trial results.

  “Well?”

  Bob smiled. “Fourth and even better, Billy is sitting at seventh.”

  Kellen grunted, but didn’t say anything.

  “I know, I know,” Bob sympathized. “I’m thinking on the positive side here, though.”

  “I know you are, Bob and I appreciate it. I think I’m going to rest a bit before the race starts.”

  “I’ll holler at you when it’s time.”

  Kellen half-smiled and walked over to the makeshift desk and sat down. She pulled her cell phone out and turned it over in her hand once, twice, and a third time before setting it down. She wanted desperately to call Joshlyn, but on the off chance Joshlyn actually answered, she didn’t want their talk time to be limited. Once the race was done for the night, she’d try to call her. For the umpteenth time, Kellen thought back over the night she and Josh went to dinner before the shit hit the fan. It was clear from the get go that Joshlyn was anxious about something, but Kellen chalked it up to meeting Robin. She felt totally blind-sided when Joshlyn said they needed to break things off.

  “Hell, the evening wasn’t even that bad…was it?” Kellen contemplated to herself.

  Kellen wasn’t sure how long she
sat ruminating, but jerked in surprise when Bob clapped a hand on her shoulder.

  “You read to hit the asphalt, kiddo?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be, Bobbo.” Kellen grinned.

  “Bobbo? You’re lucky that cute dimple of yours keeps you out of trouble!” Bob threatened.

  Kellen laughed and blushed, hopping to her feet. “Let’s do this!”

  “C’mon, c’mon!” Joshlyn should have known better than to think she could make a quick trip to the track. The traffic was horrendous the closer she got. At this rate, there was no way she was going to get to the track before the race started, much less have a chance to talk to Kellen. Joshlyn had no idea what she was even going to say.

  “I can’t exactly waltz up and say, ‘I was an ass, please forgive me.’ I’ve got to give her some kind of explanation. Question is, how much do I tell her?” Joshlyn glanced in the rear-view mirror and then back to the road in front of her. Will she even believe me or will she react like everyone else? The friends she thought she had turned on her and she really didn’t have a lot of family.

  Joshlyn slammed her hand against the steering wheel as traffic came to a complete stop. “Damn!” Slowly the traffic started moving again and Joshlyn was able to turn off on the road that led towards the drivers’ tents. Hopefully she would be able to flag someone down that knew her well enough to let her into the area.

  She parked, jumped out of the vehicle, and ran towards the gates. Joshlyn tried for over thirty minutes to catch someone’s eye with no luck. Just as she was giving up and turned to go, she heard her name being called.

  “Joshlyn?” Emerson jogged over to the gate and punched in the code to let her in. “What are you doing here?”

  Joshlyn grabbed his arm and squeezed. “Has the race already started?”

  “Yeah, they are about fifteen laps into a forty lap race,” Emerson explained. “But what are you doing here now? I figured you’d already be down with Bob.”

  “It’s a really long story, Emerson, and I don’t have time to get into it. Can you give me a reprieve for now and I’ll try to explain later?”

  Emerson eyed her for a minute before responding. “Sure. You know where to go?”

  “Yes. Thank you, thank you!” Joshlyn started to turn but then stopped. “Hey, why aren’t you out there?” She indicted with a tilt of her head towards the track.

  “Ah, had a damn engine issue during trials and couldn’t get it fixed before the race started.”

  “Ouch. Sorry to hear that.”

  Emerson smiled. “Yeah, it’ll hurt my points, but not worth what it could cost otherwise.”

  Joshlyn sympathized. “I completely understand.” She turned to look out at the track so she could locate Bob and the crew.

  “Go, we can talk more later.”

  Joshlyn waved and hurried past several tents before hitting the asphalt path to pit road. She crossed the trail, stood behind Kellen’s box, and watched as Bob talked to Kellen over the head set.

  Bob turned and caught side of Joshlyn. Walking over to her, he raised the microphone and smiled. “Hey there, kiddo. You are a sight for sore eyes.”

  Joshlyn studied Bob and knew right away that he was aware something had happened between Kellen and herself.

  “Bob, I promise when tonight is over, one way or another, there will be some resolution and hopefully Kellen will forgive me.”

  “I hope so,” Bob responded.

  Joshlyn flushed but was determined. She had already made up her mind to tell Kellen everything and would let her make her own decisions about where to go from there.

  Joshlyn looked out at the track. “So, how is she doing?”

  “Everything is running pretty smooth right now. Her timing is good and she’s staying away from Billy.”

  Joshlyn glanced back at Bob. “Something going on with Billy again?”

  “Kellen didn’t really go into much detail but she said he had been threatening her, telling her to watch her back.”

  “What? That is absolutely crazy, Bob. Where does that man get off talking to people like that?”

  “Bad blood or no, he is off his rocker with this one,” Bob said with a shake of his head. “Listen, I gotta get back on the mic, but hang around. I’m sure Kellen will want to know you are here.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. I screwed up and it’s time I did something about it.”

  Bob grinned. “Thatta girl!”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The droning noise of the engine could lull a person to sleep if not careful. Kellen had too much on her mind to be lulled to sleep though. Ten laps to go. Ten more laps and hopefully a top three finish.

  “Pffftt,” Kellen grunted. What she really wanted was a first place finish again. The high after that race had no comparison…well, almost no comparison. Kellen was not willing to go down that road right now.

  “How we doin’, Bob?”

  “Doin’ good, Kellen. You’re hauling ass. The 10 car ahead of you is all over the place so watch out for it.”

  “10-4. You keeping Billy in your sights, Bob? I don’t want any surprises from him.”

  “He’s five cars back, Kellen. Just keep your eye on the road and I’ll keep my eyes on him. It’s all about safety out there.”

  “I hear ya, Bob.” Kellen knew she could trust Bob so she settled back and thought strategy. As it sat right now, she was the third car back. With any luck, she’d make the right moves at the right time and change those statistics. There was a time when she wished her Dad could have been proud of her and proud of what she had accomplished, but that ended a long time ago. She tried, she really did. She never understood what she’d done that was so wrong. Why couldn’t he have loved her? Why could she never make him happy? You can’t return to the past and change things, but a small part of Kellen sure wished she could. She would have liked to remember more about her mom than little snippets here and there. She knew without a doubt that she resembled her because her father never let her forget that. Any time she would screw up, he’d throw it in her face that she was just like her momma. Lord how she wished she could recall just how like her momma she really was.

  “Kellen, head’s up. Billy just moved three cars closer to you.”

  “Thanks, Bob.” Kellen glanced in her mirror. “I see him coming.” Kellen kept one eye on Billy and the other on the road. Slowly, but surely she could see him making a move to get another car closer. Kellen was stuck behind the 10 car now and knew there was no way around him at this juncture in time. All she could do was hope and pray she could stay away from Billy for another three laps.

  ****

  Billy jerked the wheel to the left and put his foot into the gas. He passed the 43 car low on the straightaway. There was no way Kellen was getting around the car in front of her. “That’s right, bitch. Yer stuck and all mine!”

  Billy was more than aware that Kellen had no idea why he hated her so much. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell her because he’d like nothing more than to smear the truth in her face and watch her crumble. He swore he wouldn’t say anything…not that his word was worth much, but it was all about timing. At the right time he’d drop the bomb and watch little miss high and mighty’s world come crashing down. Billy laughed outright to himself.

  “You just wait. When the time is right I’m gonna enjoy watchin’ that light in yer eyes disappear.” Billy sneered. He had one more car to pass and then he’d be right where he wanted to be. Slowly Billy pulled up as close to the next car as he could without touching it. He drafted as they got closer to the turn and then shot around the inside, across the edge of the apron, and pulled in front. Now he was exactly where he wanted…no, needed to be. He was going to enjoy this little game before finishing the bitch off.

  ****

  “Kellen, Billy’s right behind you now. Watch your back!”

  “Shit, Bob…what the hell is he up to?” Kellen exclaimed. Her eyes darted from the road to her mirror.

  “I don
’t know, honey, but whatever it is I can’t imagine it’s any good.” Bob chewed his lip and glanced at Joshlyn. She was worried as well so he grabbed her hand and held tight. “She’s a good driver. Whatever he’s got planned, she’ll do her best to avoid it.”

  Joshlyn nodded but kept silent. She didn’t know Billy very well, but knew enough to know that if Bob was worried then there was good reason for it.

  “Kellen, he’s as close to your bumper as he can be without hitting you.”

  “I see him, Bob. I can’t get around the 10 car or I’d do something about it.”

  “Just watch your left rear—” Bob stopped talking all of a sudden.

  “I can’t shake him, Bob, he’s…Oh shit!” Kellen screamed.

  Bob watched the scene unfold in front of him as if it were in slow motion. Billy bumped the back left rear of Kellen’s bumper and sent her into a spin. The car went towards the apron and then back into oncoming traffic as the driver’s side slammed into the wall. The car spun back into the field and was hit by another driver and lifted into the air. It flipped twice before landing on its wheels and slid into the grass before coming to rest.

  “Oh my God,” Joshlyn whispered.

  Bob pulled a trembling Joshlyn into his arms and held her close. “C’mon. Let’s get in the truck and get out there.”

  Joshlyn said a silent prayer as they followed the ambulance out to where Kellen’s car was sitting.

  ****

  Kellen knew the car was sliding out of control and could do nothing to stop it. She tried in vain to steer away from oncoming traffic. As the wall came closer to her side of the car, she threw her left arm up to brace herself. On impact, she felt the bones give way and cried out in response. Her eyes got big when the car drifted back into the line of traffic and she closed them tight when she saw the other car ready to slam into her. Something smashed through the windshield and cracked the face guard on her helmet. The car flipped into the air and on the first contact with the ground Kellen felt a blow to her head and then everything faded to black.