Claudia went to the bathroom and grabbed a few toiletries, throwing them into her purse. She would mail back everything once she had bought replacements. She would not be an owned woman.
"You're not leaving me."
Mike came in behind Claudia. It frightened her, reminded her of another time. He could hurt her, could kill her. Knowing this made her knees weak, but she raised her gaze to meet his. She wouldn't back down. For some reason, she thought she should, maybe before her accident she would've. Not anymore.
"Get out of my way, Mike. You know this isn't right."
He only stood there. She had to pass by him to get to the door and that's exactly what she did, pushing past. For a minute, she thought he would chase after her. Again, images of a man hurting her entered her mind, but she kept going, through the front door, and into the fresh air. She was free.
She plodded down the sidewalk, reaching the park before she knew what to do. She had a hundred fifty bucks in her purse, not much to start a new life. Claudia kept walking and found a street with cabs. She hated wasting money, but she needed to get away from there, and the buses didn't run at night.
A big yellow taxi stopped and the heavily accented driver took her to the road she requested, one not far from the construction site. At least it would be easy getting to work. From there, they drove until she spotted a lit hotel sign.
Claudia couldn't remember checking into a hotel before. This one looked cheap but safe, so it would do. Thirty-five bucks a night and a key, now she wouldn't have to listen to Mike complain. Tomorrow morning she would start looking for an apartment.
The little sign by the phone promised free local calls. The only person she could think to talk to was Frank. He would make her feel better, take away the bitter taste Mike had left in her soul.
"Hello?” Frank answered and she could hear Win barking in the background.
"I moved out.” She didn't know what else to say. “I left him."
"Claudia?"
She had never lied to Frank but hadn't exactly told him everything. She did that now, told him through tears how Mike had taken care of her and how she had betrayed him because she didn't fall in love. Considering everything Frank had shared with her about his past, she thought he would be upset with her. He wasn't.
"That must've been hard for you."
There he was, being her confidant, gentle, un-judging ear. She loved him all the more for it. She even confided that she had hoped to fall in love with Mike, if only to ease the guilt. This too Frank understood.
"May I come over?” he asked when she'd finished. “Or would you prefer to be alone?"
"I don't ever want to be alone again."
"Then I'm on my way."
Claudia laid her head on the pillow, breathing in the foreign scents of soap, cleansers, and that unmistakable hotel wet smell. There was a big mirror above the dresser. She kept staring at it. Because of its size, the mirror appeared more like a doorway, and she thought maybe it was. She could almost see light, see a face when she stared at it. The smells brought something else back, this wasn't the first time she'd been in a hotel room.
She relaxed and closed her eyes. All this was nothing more than fatigue. It would take Frank a while to get here. She could rest until then. The world might make sense when she opened her eyes.
"It's my body,” she mumbled as sleep overtook her. “You can't have it."
* * * *
Mike watched from the parking lot, his car hidden in the shadows. It hadn't been difficult following Claudia. The timing had worked out perfectly. He managed to be in his car, looking for her when he saw her get into a cab. She'd been too upset to look back and see him.
When the cab dropped her off at this hotel, Mike went past, circled the block, and then pulled into the lot. Claudia had already checked into her room. All Mike had to do was inquire at the desk, show his badge, and he'd know what room she had checked into. He couldn't help himself even though it would cost him his job if anyone found out.
This hotel had the rooms opening to the parking lot. That made surveillance easier, although Mike wasn't sure what he would do next. Burst in on her and beg her forgiveness? That didn't sound right. He wasn't sorry. Anger tore through his body—Claudia was supposed to be his, not Frank White's.
Frank grew to be a thorn in his side. He shouldn't have Claudia anywhere near him, not with that crazy ex-wife of his on the rampage. He should be watching Frank, waiting for Catherine to strike. It wouldn't be so bad using him as bait.
Mike couldn't do that though. In his current state of mind, he might let Catherine do her worst, not save Frank at all. Those were dark thoughts, below his moral code, but they entered his mind, clinging there like a secret wish. All men were privy to dark desires, but he couldn't imagine taking the step beyond the fantasy into making it happen. That's what people like Catherine did.
Headlights filled the lot, circled the building, then came back to park near Claudia's hotel room door. Mike knew that truck. Frank had arrived to claim Claudia, came to be with the woman that should belong to him.
"Damn him to hell."
Mike watched Frank open the door to his truck and step out into the parking lot. He looked around, probably checking for Catherine. His observation skills weren't so keen. The guy never noticed Mike. At least Mike didn't believe he had.
Frank went to the door and knocked. A moment later, Claudia appeared. Mike couldn't tell for certain from his car, but he thought Claudia had been crying. Maybe she would break up with Frank, come running home to him.
Claudia threw her arms around Frank. They stayed like that, displayed in the doorway. It didn't appear that lustful or passionate, more like old lovers who missed each other so desperately they couldn't stand another minute apart.
After a full two minutes—Mike was watching the clock—the two went inside the hotel room, closing the door. Not seeing them proved worse than watching them. Mike had no idea what they were doing. His imagination went into overdrive, creating situations with them naked, in intimate positions.
Another set of headlights appeared. They didn't pull in right away. Mike realized the car was sitting in the alley across from the hotel. He had no idea how long it had been there, but he saw the headlights come on, and the car creep through the intersection. Once in the parking lot, the headlights cut off again. The driver parked at the far side of the lot.
He couldn't be certain with the lack of streetlights on that side, but it seemed to be the same model as Catherine's vehicle. He waited, watching for his chance to nab Catherine. The person exited the vehicle but didn't look like Catherine. This person looked more like an adolescent boy with a ball cap and those oversized clothes the teenagers think are cool.
Probably some kid trying to rent a room for a party. He hated those. Underage drinking started, then came the vandalism, and, of course, sex. He wondered how many girls ended up pregnant at a party like that.
That left him back with his original predicament. Should he go confront the two of them or wait it out? Logically, he should just go home and lick his wounds. Something wouldn't let him turn the ignition. Before the night was out, he would have to talk to Frank, see what his intentions were. More than anything, he didn't want Claudia getting hurt. He might be mad with jealousy but in the end he could accept her decision if it made her happy.
"I still hate you, Frank."
Chapter Thirty-Seven
"I can't believe you came."
Claudia and Frank sat on the bed, his arms around her while her head rested on his chest. She'd wanted this, wanted him. Everything about tomorrow was uncertain, but this one moment made everything good again. If Frank were in that tomorrow, it would be a good one. The best ever.
"I would do anything for you."
His hand slid under her chin and lifted her face toward his. She knew what was going to happen and closed her eyes. His lips brushed against hers in a touch so gentle, so soft, she wasn't sure if she'd imagined it or not. Then his
lips pressed harder, his tongue following, urging her mouth opened. Their breath mingled in the space between them, starting a new kiss each time the old one ended.
Frank reached the hem of her shirt, sliding his hand beneath. She loved the sensation of his flesh touching hers, those slightly rough hands gliding across her abdomen. He went higher, touching the edge of her bra. Electricity shot through her, arousal, and something more, remembrance.
She had loved this man before. She knew him.
Before his hand could touch her breast, the hotel room door flung open, knocking hard against the back wall. At first, Claudia thought a teenager had gotten the wrong room. Then she saw the eyes, those cold blue eyes.
"I know you."
Claudia stood as Catherine raised the pistol at Claudia's head. Frank grabbed Claudia as the gun went off, and Frank shouted in pain. He had put himself between her and Catherine. Blood spread through his shirt, bright, life draining from him.
* * * *
Mike jerked from his bout of pity. He could've sworn he heard a gunshot. He'd been sitting there with his head lowered on the steering wheel. His every thought nothing but self-absorbed foolishness, but thoughts he couldn't deny.
Now he looked up and saw a perfect rectangle of light. The door to the hotel room was wide open. He could see movement inside but no detail. Surely those two hadn't started making love with the door open. They might know he was there, wanted him to see them.
He reached for the key, ready to start the car and go home when he heard a second shot. That was definitely a gun, not backfire, not a tire. Someone was shooting inside that hotel room. His Claudia was in danger.
Mike picked up his cell and frantically dialed 911. “This is Detective Mike Malone, I'm at the Biltmore Hotel, 5th and Parkings Street, shots fired, repeat shots fired."
He listened a moment while the dispatcher entered the call and her partner put it out to the beat units.
"I'm in a red Ford truck. You'd better roll an ambulance as well, have them stage at...” he looked around before telling them an address three doors down. “Suggest beat units come in rolling silent. Affirm, shots fired, two so far. Sounds like a pistol. Be advised there is a swimming pool to the left of the room, two cars in front. And I have no doubt Catherine White is the suspect. Never mind how I know."
As the first unit approached, he signaled them to the left of the room as he approached the room itself. On the bed lay Frank. The guy wasn't in good shape, but he tried to stand, tried to get to the two women wrestling in the middle of the hotel room floor. They were too close for Mike to get a single shot off. On the floor lay another pistol, probably the one used to shoot Frank. A bullet hole, probably the second shot, marred the sheetrock. Concern for his safety retreated to the background, not caring if there was a second gun, as he watched Claudia try to gain control.
"Freeze, this is the police."
No one looked up. Both women, consumed in their personal battle, paid him no attention. He started forward, ready to pry the two women apart when the shouts caught his attention, stopped him in his tracks.
"I remember who I am,” shouted Claudia. “I told you I'd be back for him."
"Pam!” Catherine shrieked as she tried to punch her in the face.
Frank dropped to his knees, also seemingly shocked at Claudia's statement. His face grew pale, too pale. If help didn't arrive soon, he wouldn't make it. Damn it all. He would have to save the bastard.
"Pam?” he whispered, barely audible above the fighting duo.
The two rolled, Claudia head-butted Catherine, sending a red torrent from her nose. She came back again with a punch. Claudia nailed Catherine again, landing two solid strikes against the other woman's jaw.
The shock of hearing Claudia's statements wore off, and ready to separate the women, Mike started forward again. He hadn't realized the two had rolled to the wall where the pistol lay. With nightmare-like precision, Catherine straddled Claudia while aiming the gun at her face.
"I think I'll shoot out those fucking eyes of yours."
Claudia had both hands up, trying to grab the pistol. The two were still too close for Mike to shoot and he wasn't sure if the shot would cause Catherine to pull the trigger anyway. He aimed his pistol.
"Don't do it, Catherine."
Mike had never believed in anything supernatural. Even Claudia's strange revelation didn't offer him anything beyond a weird situation. Maybe Pam was her middle name. He wasn't sure. When the temperature of the room started dropping, Mike thought it was the air conditioner, but that was before she appeared.
At first, he barely glimpsed an image in the mirror. It wasn't enough to break his gaze of Claudia on the floor, tangled with Catherine. As the room's temperature grew colder, the air itself changed, grew static, fuzzy. Both women stopped for a moment, as if they knew something was about to happen.
A face appeared in the mirror, Claudia's face, although she lay pinned on the floor. They eyes were Claudia's, but with no trace of green only glowing bright gray. It grew brighter as the outline of her features changed into light.
Mike gasped as the head grew more defined, then took on a three-dimensional shape as it pulled free from the silvery glass of the mirror. The image looked exactly like Claudia, but held a ghostlike quality. Its flesh wasn't fully formed, transparent in places with a slight glow.
The image spoke but the voice sounded distant. “She set me free.” The woman reached down, grew brighter, and grabbed both of Catherine's arms before she could take a single shot. The ghostlike form whirled Catherine around and tossed her against the opposite wall.
"Now we're even."
The ghost smiled at the flesh and blood Claudia on the floor. Like smoke, she vanished, growing dimmer until nothing remained.
"Thank you, Claudia.” His Claudia spoke from where she lay on the floor.
"No!” Catherine stood and charged at Claudia.
Mike reacted quickly, grabbing Catherine and forcing her to the floor as sirens screeched through the night. Help was on the way. Mike started reading Catherine her rights while she cursed beneath him.
"Frank,” cried Claudia. She went toward the heap of a man on the floor. “Please don't die, Frank. I crossed back over for you!"
Epilogue
Orange. Catherine hated the bright orange jumpsuit they forced her to wear. Her brown roots were showing, a good two inches before her dyed blonde hair began. Her nails were plain. They didn't let her paint her nails here. They didn't let her do anything.
"Hey, move it.” A large butch-looking woman shoved Catherine forward in the lunch line at Barston Federal Women's Correctional Facility.
Catherine went forward, her tray being filled with some brown goop the attendant claimed was Salisbury steak. She'd been sentenced yesterday. Today was the first day of the rest of her life behind bars. This would be her food, the butch woman behind her, another face she'd have to look at for life. Well, the sentence was two consecutive life sentences.
"I wish I were dead."
"That can be arranged if you don't move your boney ass.” The woman behind her gave her a hard slap on that butt. “Maybe I'll visit you later, and we'll discuss that ass."
* * * *
"You look beautiful,” said Mike.
He walked through the reception hall lined with lilies and ribbons. A few women stood in the corner dabbing their eyes with tissue, but Mike couldn't take his eyes off of Claudia.
"You make a perfect bride, Claudia."
She stood there, smiling in her white lace dress. Tears filled her eyes, but these were happy tears. Mike knew that. This was truly the happiest day of her life, at least so far. He hoped she had many more. Claudia was a wonderful person who deserved all the good life could offer.
"Thank you for everything.” Frank held out his hand and shook Mike's. “You're a good man."
"You two belong together. I'm glad everything worked out.” He gave one last glance at Claudia. “I am happy for you."
&
nbsp; Mike moved down the line, leaving the happy bride and groom. He stepped out to the garden of the Royal Oaks where the reception was being held. Everything had turned out for the best. He still hurt a little, but Claudia was happy. He couldn't ask for more.
He had made his peace with Claudia in the hospital while waiting for Frank to recover. She told him a wild story, something his logical “facts only” mind couldn't comprehend. Knowing he hadn't lost Claudia to another man made him feel better. Frank had almost lost his true love to Mike.
"Hi, there. I guess you couldn't stand the crowd in there either."
Mike looked up to find a woman wearing a long blue dress. She was beautiful, with a smile that struck his heart and made him forget to breathe. A strange fluttering started in his stomach, and for a minute, he thought he heard violins. Of course, that was music from the reception.
"I'm Mike. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I'm Melanie. Friend of the groom. I work at the courthouse."
"Tell me, Melanie, you haven't had amnesia or any bad accidents lately? No head trauma or dreams of a past life?"
"No. And now I think you're very strange."
Melanie started to walk away, giving him a sideways glance as she looked for a safe place away from this odd man. He couldn't blame her for that. That wasn't exactly a good opening line.
"Forgive me. I'm a detective, not a weirdo off the street. I guess I've just ran into too many odd people."
She giggled and the sound was like music. Her eyes sparkled with a deep brown. Her expression seemed thankfully forgiving. He hoped he still had a chance.
"Forgiven. Just don't pull out any foil hats or start looking for UFOs or I'm out of here."
"Would you like to take a walk?” He offered her his arm. “I promise to behave and stop acting so weird."
"I would love to."
She slid her hand onto his arm. It felt good there, right. Mike wasn't sure if he believed in past lives or ghosts or anything Claudia had tried to explain to him after the hotel incident. He had started believing in love at first sight. Sure, he had fallen for Claudia hard, but more for the idea of this injured woman who needed him. Melanie, now she was something totally different.
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