What was Leah up to? There had always been a reason for the things she did. Often not a reason Kate had considered valid, but still in her own mind Leah's actions held meaning.
Why had she left the house earlier in the evening to show up emblazoned on the rear window of the car?
Was Leah making the telephone ring? Why? The chuckle hadn't sounded like a female voice, not Leah's laugh, but then who knew what ghosts were capable of doing? Voice alteration certainly wouldn't be much of a stretch considering other inexplicable events.
Inadvertently, Kate's eyes went to the window on the landing. Yes, Leah's silhouette was still visible if you looked carefully, etched there permanently she supposed. Maybe she ought to ask Bree or Cass to take a look at the window just to see if someone other than herself could see the figure.
Leah had only appeared in the mirror once, and quite honestly, Kate now avoided looking into that mirror if at all possible. No point taking chances. Although Leah had not been there that same day when she and Max returned from breakfast, there was always the possibility that she would appear again, and Kate didn't want to see it. She still got cold chills remembering the frightening look spilling out of Leah's eyes.
Deliberately not letting her hand shake, Kate turned on the light in the orchid room. Everything looked normal. Damask draperies at the window, grandmother's Persian carpet underfoot. The orchid stand remained colorful and sturdy in front of the big window. From the door she noted that the burgundy Velvet Dusk was beginning to bud. When in bloom, the orchid would lend a particular dramatic touch to that corner of the room. Mentally she recorded that maybe she could use it in the next painting. In fact, all the orchids were flourishing. The light from the window was obviously exactly right. A half dozen were in full bloom, brightening that part of the room with vivid color.
But the focal point for Kate, at that moment, was the rocking chair, and it remained stubbornly still. Kate stared for a long minute, willing it to move, but nothing happened. The flutters in her stomach never reached the butterfly stage, but were definitely on alert. Waiting. The chair sat, stubbornly quiet, as if mocking her nerves. Finally, with a grunt of disgust, she flipped off the light and returned to the porch. Nothing more was going to happen that night.
But she was wrong.
Kate had blown out half of the candles and was working her way around the porch when an oily voice, dripping with sarcasm, came at her from the darkness.
"Thought I'd find you here. How are you, wifey dearest?"
Huey! A breath caught in Kate's throat and refused to let go. She swung around so fast she nearly staggered. Huey!
Even though she'd known he was probably around for at least a week now, she'd secretly hoped she was mistaken. Huey. The worst of her nightmares. An inner trembling began that had her tensing to cover up. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing how he affected her. He must not know how frightened she was of what he might do. Max was asleep upstairs!
"I do have a front doorbell you know."
"Yeah, but this is more fun.” He rattled the screen door. “How about letting me in? We need to talk."
Talking with Huey was absolutely the last thing in the world she intended to do. There was nothing between them except a latched screen door, and screening was no protection at all. He could punch a hole through it with little effort. Had he been walking around the outside of the house while she stood in the door of the orchid room? While Cass was here? How long had he been watching? Had he seen Cass leave? Her knees wanted to buckle.
She managed a calm, even tone. “I don't want to talk to you, Huey. Go away."
"Now is that any way to talk to your husband? After I came all this way just to see you. And the boy. Especially the boy. How is he? Where is my son?"
She chose to ignore the questions about Max. “You haven't been my husband for a long time. What do you want?"
"I want in.” He rattled the door with more energy, making it clatter in the frame. “Open up!"
Kate had not moved from the center of the porch. She could only dimly see Huey in the flickering candle light. He looked a bit seedy and rumpled, as if he'd maybe slept in his clothes. His hair was longer than usual and even though there wasn't much light, his eyes seemed to glitter with an unnatural brightness.
"I think not. Go back to wherever you came from, Huey. You're not welcome."
"I don't give a damn about welcome!” He leaned both hands on the frame of the door and thrust his face close to the screen. “You're living in a mighty fancy house—wife—and there are things we need to discuss.” He pushed hard on the door, making the entire screen bow with tension. “Now, unlock this goddam door or you'll be sorry."
It took all of Kate's willpower not to take a step back, away from him. She didn't even blink an eye. “It will be called breaking and entering Huey, and you'd better believe I'll press charges."
She picked up the cordless phone. Please God, he didn't know it was out of order. “The police can be here in three minutes. All I have to do is press one number. And if you don't believe me, try it. I'd dearly love to put you in jail."
He drew in an audible breath, and when he spoke it was in a whisper. “There are things we need to discuss. We will talk!"
"I can't think of a single thing we have to say to each other. We said it all a long time ago. So, go home, Huey, back to whatever gutter you climbed out of, and let me alone."
"You bitch! I want to see my son."
"I doubt that. You've never cared about Max before. You've never contributed anything to his welfare or support, you never paid any attention at all to being a father. For all intents and purposes you deserted us, leaving us penniless and alone. You deserted us even before you left town. If you have anything to say to me, you can say it through a lawyer. Good night."
Leaving the rest of the candles burning, Kate turned on her heel and went into the house, locking the kitchen door behind her. For the first time, she was grateful for the double locks Cass had installed. The dead bolt action was very comforting. Through the walls she could hear Huey still yelling.
"Your parents were well-heeled enough to keep you. Are you trying to tell me you were hungry? Because I don't believe it. Your dad wouldn't let that happen."
She stood shaking, leaning her head on the locked door, praying he would go away before he roused the neighbors. Max didn't need gossip whispered around the ball field and at Lionel's.
But now Huey was at the front of the house, banging with his fist on her front door. Had she double bolted the front? Kate rushed through the house in the dark, dropping the cordless phone on a table as she fumbled with the locks, and blessedly, found them in place. Thank God for Cass! Her breath came in rapid spurts and her heart pounded thickly in her chest. What would Huey do next?
She ran to a window. There was no car on the street. Had he walked to her house? No, he wouldn't park where his vehicle could be seen. From the outside there was only silence. The quiet was more unnerving than not knowing where he was. Kate made her way in the dark to another room and peered out. Clouds had covered the moon, and the darkness was profound. Where was he? Panic bubbled in her throat and she had to stop and take a deep breath.
All she had to do was call the police, her cell was upstairs. She didn't want to do that and create a public scene, but she would if he didn't go away. She could always call Cass. She was sure he would come, but she didn't want to bother him in the middle of the night. There might be a fight and someone would be hurt.
"Where are you, Huey?” she asked softly. With two fingers she lifted a curtain to cautiously peer out. “What are you doing?"
"I'm right behind you, Kate."
She whirled around, her back to the wall. Her heart seemed to stiffen before it ripped into high gear. She froze in shock. The room flooded with light. To her horror he was standing in the doorway to the kitchen, his hand on the switch, smiling that evil grin of his. The one that came just before he used an emotional hammer of som
e sort. Her heart thudded so hard it echoed in her ears.
"How did you get in? What—"
"What I'm doing is—” He spread his arms wide in a territorial gesture. “—taking up residence in my new home and reconciling with my darling wife."
"You aren't living here! Oh no, not for a minute! How did you get in?” Kate wished her voice was stronger. Wished she had some energy to fight him. He was in the house! Inside the house! How could that have happened? She'd locked up herself. Cass had put in the dead bolts. This should not have happened. Oh God, he was inside!
Somewhere in the back of her head she could hear Babe barking. He was closed in Max's room for the night, but the dog could hear a strange voice downstairs. If only she hadn't shut the door on him! He would be no help behind a closed door.
"I didn't break anything getting in. That's all you need to know. Now, how about a big, welcome-home kiss?” He moved toward her.
"No! Get out! Leave me alone!"
She made a swift move toward the cordless phone, hoping to bluff him into thinking she would make a call, but he was faster and held it high above his head before she could reach it.
"No police,” he said softly. “That wouldn't be very nice of you, now would it? No police."
He wandered around the room, his eyes never leaving her for more than an instant at a time. “Beautiful antique furniture, expensive carpets, an authentic, historic house on the register of old houses. Ought to be worth a bundle. How much, you think?"
"No.” Kate tried to focus. He was moving toward the stairs. Max was upstairs. “No. I have no idea what it's worth.” And then it suddenly it made sense. Huey was broke again and needed money, and assumed he could bend Kate to his will, as usual, and sell the house. Of course. “If you are thinking of selling this house, you'll have to think again because it is in my name, and mine alone. You'll never get your hands on it, Huey. Not in a million years."
"Sure I will. My hands? Oh yes.” He turned to her and looked pained. “But why would you be suspicious of my motives? The man who has loved you since college days? The man your father gave you to, in marriage, before God and half this town in the chancel of the Presbyterian Church? Naw. You're reading things into our reconciliation that aren't there."
Kate ground her teeth. “There is no reconciliation. It's all in your mind. I wouldn't be married to you again for ... for anything in the world. You are gutter scum, Huey! Now, leave my house."
"Nope. I'm here for the duration.” His eyes narrowed and in a swift move he had her by the wrist and pulled her toward him. “You'd best get used to me, baby. I'm here to stay—in our house. As man and wife!"
She struggled as he pulled her closer and closer. “I won't. You can't ... make me."
He'd always had a wiry, sinewy strength. He had no trouble now forcing both arms to her back and drawing her tight to his chest. She tried to use her knee, but he deflected it on his thigh. She slung herself from side to side, hoping to off-balance him, but he simply spread his legs and rode out her effort. A table went over. A lamp shattered on the floor. Kate screamed.
"Come on, Kate. It's no good fighting me. This was the one good thing we had going. The sex was always good."
"Get away from me! What's wrong with you? Are you insane?"
"You thought a piece of paper would get rid of me. Well, you were wrong. I'll—Ow!” He flung her from him and grabbed a shoulder. “You bit me! Damn it, you bit me! It's bleeding!"
She had, indeed, finally found something she could get her teeth into and she'd bitten down, hard. There was blood on his shirt and a metallic taste in her mouth. Kate felt a short stab of triumph. She'd wounded him!
She turned to run, but a hand found the back of her head and she was jerked up short by her hair. The pain was blinding.
And then he hit her. An open-handed slap on first one side of the head and then the other. Her ears rang and she fell to the floor, going in and out of blackness. Max. She couldn't let him get Max.
She struggled to her knees, wobbling back and forth, trying to condense the three Huey's she saw into one. Roughly, he hauled her to her feet.
"Is that enough or do you want more? I intend to stay and you'd just as well give in easy. Makes no difference to me."
From somewhere came the stubborn insistence that he would not win. Huey would not win this time! Sheer hatred, born of past sins unrequited rose in the back of her throat, nearly strangling her. A sound came from her that was almost a growl. Then, “I'll kill you before I let you get your hands on Max,” she hissed between clenched teeth.
"Kill me?” He laughed. “You? See how scared I am? Kill me?” He laughed again and then, without changing expression, balled up a fist and punched her in the stomach.
The gorge came up in her throat. She rolled half under a table, gagged and tried to stand up. On her hands and knees she swayed back and forth, and through a red haze saw his boots advancing over the carpet. One foot drew back. He was going to kick her. Feebly she struggled to move out of the way and hung there, tottering for a second, before collapsing back down.
Babe was barking hysterically, somewhere nearby. Max! Max mustn't...
Huey was poised over her when the front door crashed open. Footsteps thundered across the floor. There was a roar of anger that seemed to fill the room. The solid thwack of bodies clashing. From her sideways view, head flat on the carpet, she saw other boots. Four of them writhing together, digging for purchase, legs straining. Heard a grunt of pain. Then, Huey's feet left the floor. He seemed to fly across the room. Hitting the wall with a resounding thud, he slid down to a sitting position, his head lolling on his neck.
And then Cass was beside her. He glanced up at Max on the stairway behind him, his eyes as big as banjos and wide with horror.
"It's okay, buddy. I've got her. Relax, it's okay."
Cass's hands were on her, feeling for injuries. His voice was anxious. “Are you hurt, baby? Kate, talk to me. Where did he hurt you? What can I do?"
His arms went around her, folded her to his chest and rocked her back and forth. “I should have killed him. I may yet. Kate, answer me. Baby..."
One hand skimmed back her hair, then molded his palm around her jaw. “Oh Kate. If he's hurt you...” One of her own hands found his wrist and gripped.
Her voice trembled. “How...” She couldn't formulate the words. Her hands cradled her stomach and she doubled up. “Where did...?” She gagged again.
"How did I get here? Max called me from your cell phone. You just rest now. I'll take care of everything. By the way, this chicken sh—” He bit off an expletive. “...over there wouldn't happen to be Huey, would it?"
Cass was here. He would take care of everything. Even Max. Cass was here. She could rest. Her eyes drifted closed.
Fifteen
Valiant One ‘My Hero'
Large white blossoms with red lips. Mericlone Phalaenopsis.
Kate tried hard to convince old Dr. Franklin that she was fine and didn't need to go to the hospital. “I have a son,” she said, squinting her eyes against a headache, “and he needs me."
Her childhood doctor squinted his own eyes. “Your young man has him. He's fine."
"My ... Cass? You mean Cass has him?"
"Yes, and you couldn't do better."
While she tried to sort out what “your young man” might mean, he went on talking. After all, he said, he'd brought her into the world and at his age he wasn't going to be intimidated. He'd look her over to his heart's content and she may as well lie back and allow herself to be coddled for once. “Don't look to me like you've had much coddling lately. You're skinny as a plucked chicken."
She lay back and allowed herself to be driven to the hospital.
Once there, the doctor had proceeded to poke and probe, shine lights into her eyes and take X-rays, and test for various and sundry things regarding possible abdominal damage from Huey's fist. By dawn he decided that, other than purpling bruises on her rib cage, there was no perma
nent injury done. When Cass called two hours later, Dr. Franklin told him to come and get her.
When he arrived Kate was sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed and waiting. His eyebrows went up. “I can see you're determined to stay. Like it here, huh?"
"Don't be funny. Where's Max?"
"He spent the night with me. In my bed, with me. This morning I probably have more bruises than you.” But his eyes were anxious as they scanned over her. “Doc says he wrapped your ribs."
She squirmed uneasily against the binding. “Nothing's broken. Just a bit battered.” She craned her neck to look behind him. “Where is Max now?"
"With Ruby June. We'll stop by and see him if you like, but he's all set to stay the day, him and Babe, while you catch some z's. You missed a few last night."
"I need to see him.” She wanted to talk to Max about Huey. Maybe not now, this minute, but soon. It would be enough to get her arms around him for a moment. But very soon, she needed to know how much he'd seen. She needed to make sure he understood that even though Huey was a vile human being it didn't necessarily mean that Max was anything like him even if he was his son.
How could she have let this happen? She should have been more vigilant. She ought to have anticipated that Huey might appear out of the darkness, unexpected, when she was least prepared.
Once she was in the car, safe in Cass's familiar presence, Huey's unexpected visit of the night before seemed more unreal than ever. She stared straight ahead. What was brought clearly to light was that she had been incredibly blind. He was more dangerous than she'd ever imagined.
"What did they do with Huey? Where is he?"
"Where he won't be hurting you again. He's in jail, temporarily. Are you going to swear out a complaint?'
She didn't hesitate. “Yes."
"Good girl. We can stop at the police station after we see Max. By the way, how would you feel about my putting up a basketball hoop for Max?” It was an obvious effort to give her something else to think about.
The change of subject threw her. “Now? He's only seven! Does he need to shoot baskets?"
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