Defenseless

by Adrianne Byrd

  Her anger gave her strength to start pounding on Dwayne’s chest, waking him instantly.

  “What the hell?” Dwayne demanded, warding off one of her punches.

  Sonya’s fury was at full swing as she continued to land punches at different parts of his body. “You bastard!”

  In one quick motion, Dwayne stood and dragged her out of bed. “What is your problem?” he commanded, glaring at her.

  “How dare you take advantage of me!” Sonya yelled back at him.

  “Take advantage?” Dwayne gave her a disgusted scowl. He saw her wince in pain from his tight grip, so he dropped his hands and proceeded to shout at her, “Is that what you honestly think I did? Do you believe that I would even consider doing such a thing?”

  Sonya’s face registered disbelief. Did he plan to deny the obvious? “Apparently you get your kicks by seducing women when they are defenseless.”

  “You mean drunk, don’t you?” Dwayne sneered.

  Sonya clenched her hands into tight fists. “I don’t care what I was, it still gave you no right to seduce me!”

  Dwayne found her reaction comical. “Seduce? Have you lost your mind?” He gave a lustful smile. “After the way you entwined your body all over me last night?”

  Sonya’s face turned deep red. “That’s a lie,” she accused, refusing to believe him.

  “Trust me, if anyone seduced anyone, it was you seducing me. I couldn’t pry your body off me if I wanted to,” Dwayne continued, smiling down at her.

  “Liar!” she said, backing away.

  Dwayne tensed at her viciousness. “How would you know? You were too drunk to remember. And I’ll tell you one thing. You’re quite the tigress when you’re drunk. When you’re sober, you won’t ever have to worry about a man wanting to touch you. You are the most dispassionate, uptight woman I’ve ever known!”

  Sonya put all her strength into the powerful slap that stung her hand. She watched the dark imprint from her hand surface against his smooth skin. She closed her eyes, sure that he would no doubt retaliate.

  Dwayne turned and left the room without saying another word to her. When the door closed behind him, Sonya opened her eyes, puzzled. She continued to stand in the middle of her room long after she heard him walk out of the guest room and out of the house. The sound of his car’s engine revving caused her to go to the window. She watched regretfully as he sped down the driveway.

  She wiped away the tears trickling down her face. Damn him! She looked away from the window as a sense of loneliness engulfed her. A voice deep within her screamed that she had made a mistake.

  Standing in the shower, Sonya cursed herself for the zillionth time. She was convinced she had overreacted. There had to be a reasonable explanation for what happened, she just wished she knew what it was.

  By the time she had dressed and called the police to report Laura missing, Sonya was riddled with guilt. The front doorbell rang, and Sonya went downstairs to answer it.

  “Good morning, Miss Walters,” Sergeant Freeman greeted.

  Sonya shook her head, not believing her luck. “Are you the only police officer that works in Atlanta?”

  “It would seem so. May I come in?”

  Sonya stepped aside to allow the sergeant to enter. She started to close the door behind him when another officer appeared.

  “Miss Walters, this is Sergeant Anderson with the Roswell Police Department. I took the liberty of having his precinct inform me when anything dealing with you or your sister came up.”

  “How kind of you,” she answered.

  “Good morning, Miss Walters,” Sergeant Anderson greeted finally. Sonya nodded in acknowledgment.

  “You called to report Laura missing?” Freeman asked.

  Sonya hated Freeman’s tone and cringed from the mere thought of having to tell this man her sister was missing. She knew what this report would do to Laura’s bond.

  “Miss Walters?” Freeman broke into her private thoughts.

  “Yes. My sister is missing.”

  “Missing, or has she skipped town?”

  Sonya bit her lip to prevent herself from saying what she really wanted. Freeman was riding her nerves. Every time she turned around, it seemed, he was looking over her shoulders.

  “Miss Walters, you do realize there is a possibility that Laura left on her own?” Freeman added.

  “I doubt that,” Sonya answered, walking away from the door to stand directly in front of Sergeant Freeman. “I believe my sister was taken against her will.”

  Freeman erupted in laughter. Evidently he didn’t believe her. Sonya moved away from him to stand in front of Sergeant Anderson.

  “You look like a man who takes his job seriously.” She gave Freeman a disgusted look. “Are you going to do your job and take my statement or not?”

  Sergeant Anderson looked from her to Freeman. “May I ask why you believe your sister was physically taken?” he asked, pulling out a pen and a small notepad to take down her response.

  “My sister’s disappearance occurred the same day we discovered her husband’s brother to be an impostor.”

  “We?” Anderson asked, looking up.

  “Yes. My sister’s lawyer, Dwayne Hamilton, discovered this yesterday.”

  “Maybe your sister and this man are in collaboration with each other,” Freeman suggested.

  Sonya glared at Freeman, causing him to become serious.

  “As I was saying, Dwayne’s, I mean, Mr. Hamilton’s, office did a background check on Curtis’s family and discovered that Curtis was an only child. If Sergeant Freeman’s department had done their homework, they would also know this.”

  “What does that have to do with your sister murdering her husband? Why would we care if you were housing a stranger?”

  “Because according to your own paperwork, you have Richard Durden listed as identifying Curtis’s body. Surely that sounds like a crime worth investigating.”

  Freeman’s jaw twitched. “Perhaps Richard Durden is Curtis’s stepbrother. Did you ever think of that? Perhaps they shared the same father and not the same mother.”

  Sonya reflected on his words for a moment, then shook her head. “No. That wouldn’t work, either. This man said he was Curtis’s younger brother.”

  “So?” Freeman asked impatiently.

  “So he claimed he was five years younger. Dwayne said Curtis’s father died when Curtis was two years old.”

  This succeeded in getting Sergeant Anderson to take her claims seriously. For the next hour, she went over everything she knew. Most of it was from what Dwayne told her last night. Freeman’s scowl remained on his face the whole time. When Sergeant Anderson announced that this indeed sounded like a kidnapping case, Sergeant Freeman began muttering to himself. Neither Sonya nor Sergeant Anderson paid him any attention.

  Sonya watched the police cars drive down the driveway. She’d hoped that filing that report would at least make her feel as though she was doing something to help her sister; it didn’t. The problem was, she didn’t understand the whole situation. Why would this man want to cause Laura harm? What was the connection between Richard Durden—whoever he was—and her sister?

  The phone rang, startling Sonya out of her deep thoughts. She reached for the phone, praying it was good news. “Hello?”

  “Hello, Sonya? This is Tina.” Sonya’s hopes crashed.

  “Good morning, Tina.”

  “Good morning. I called because I was checking to see if you forgot your one o’clock appointment with Mr. Packard?”

  Sonya moaned into the phone. She did forget. “Cancel it. I’m dealing with a family emergency.” Sonya didn’t want to get into any details. She made a point to keep her professional and personal lives separate. Sharon had been the only exception to the rule.

  “Actually, Miss Walters, I had a hard enough time trying to get you in for this appointment. It may be months before Mr. Packard agrees to another one.”

  Sonya cursed at her luck. She reluctantly informed
Tina she would be there in time for her appointment. She entertained the thought of passing up the Packard Steel line but thought better of it. She had worked too hard to let this pass up. I will just go in for a few hours. If everything goes as planned, I will be home by five.

  She ran upstairs to get dressed. She selected a peach-colored dress with matching pumps. When she finished, she looked herself over in the mirror. She succeeded in presenting herself as a self-confident businesswoman, everything she wasn’t feeling. Come on, girl, it’s just for a few hours.

  Sonya’s meeting with Mr. Packard went well. She won the Packard Steel account and soon found herself working later than she intended.

  When she looked up at her clock, it read eight-thirty. She decided to stay another hour to clear some more paperwork that was stacking high on her desk. It was late, and everyone had gone home for the evening. It was the best time to get it done.

  Sonya buried herself in her work, and before she knew it, it was eleven-thirty. Had it not been for her stomach growling like a fierce lion, she would have worked through the night. She leaned back into her chair and closed her eyes. I have to get something to eat.

  She thought about calling Dwayne, but she was sure he would have contacted her if there were any new developments in Laura’s case. She stared at the phone, wanting to call him anyway. She shook her head at her foolishness, then decided to go home.

  Sonya stood up from her chair and began gathering her things. She was disappointed that the police department hadn’t tried to contact her. She desperately wanted to believe that no news was good news.

  She closed her office door and headed toward the elevators. Something fell. What was that? She held her breath and waited to see if she would hear it again. Nothing. I must be hearing things. She shook her head and continued toward the elevator. There it is again. Sonya’s heart pounded loudly in her ears. The roots of her hair stood at attention.

  Slowly she glanced around the large office. “Who’s there?” she called out. No answer. Sonya expelled the breath she unconsciously held. She continued to creep toward the elevator bay, which seemed miles away. This time she heard something fall, and she took off running. She dropped a trail of paper as she raced through the large office.

  Footsteps! She heard someone following her. Yet her fear refused to let her turn around. She reached the elevators and frantically started pushing buttons. A bell sounded as an elevator door began to open.

  Running for the opening door, Sonya took a quick glance behind her. She let out a horrified scream as she bumped solidly into a figure stepping from the elevator.

  Chapter 12

  Dwayne sat next to his brother-in-law at Fat Tuesdays, James’s favorite bar at Underground Atlanta. James ordered another drink from the passing waitress. The music was loud, and the smoke stung Dwayne’s eyes, but this had always been his and James’s favorite hangout.

  “I’m glad you were able to make it,” James shouted over the music.

  Dwayne smiled and ordered another Coke. He didn’t want to touch anything alcoholic, knowing he had to drive home. However, after what he went through this morning with Sonya, a drink was what he sorely needed. “Bridget gave me the message to meet you here. What on earth happened between her and Sharon last night?”

  “More like this morning. Sharon told me they had discussed Bridget attending college. I don’t think that your daughter is too keen on the idea.”

  “Oh,” Dwayne said, with some thought. He’d attempted the same subject with Bridget and knew he had handled the situation wrong. He’d succeeded only in getting his daughter upset, leaving him frustrated. “What brought up the topic?”

  “Who remembers? I just know that after Sharon talked to Bridget, she was snapping at me.”

  “That explains why you’re here.” Dwayne smiled.

  “I don’t see anything funny about this. We are supposed to leave for the banquet tomorrow. This is the last thing I need right now.”

  Dwayne nodded. “Congratulations. Sharon told me about the banquet in your honor.”

  James held Dwayne’s friendly gaze. “Thank you.”

  Dwayne looked around, soaking up the atmosphere. He recognized a few faces from his firm and nodded in acknowledgment.

  “How is Laura Durden’s case going?” James yelled over the music.

  Dwayne rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I have a missing client.”

  “What? She jumped bail?” James asked, incredulous. “I bet Sonya is livid. For a woman who’s supposed to be so cold, she has a temper so hot she could start a fire with her eyes.”

  Dwayne shrugged his shoulders. “Tell me about it. I got burned by one of those flames this morning.”

  James’s curiosity perked up. “This morning?”

  Dwayne closed his eyes while pinching the bridge of his nose. “I wish I could just figure her out. Or figure out a way to tear down that invincible wall she’s got up.”

  James leaned onto one elbow then placed his chin within the palm of his hand and just listened.

  “I mean, I know where she’s coming from. I can only imagine the hurt she has gone through being from an abusive home. I know she fought like hell to get out of the projects. And on top of that I feel a deep sense of responsibility for her sister’s mistakes. But…” Dwayne fell silent. “I guess after putting it all like that, I can understand perfectly why she shuts men out.”

  James gave a sly grin then shifted his weight to lean closer to Dwayne then jab him playfully in his side. “I can’t believe it. You like the Ice Queen.”

  Dwayne chuckled. “The Ice Queen?”

  “Yeah, Sharon told me that the men in their office had labeled her that. I have to admit, whenever I talk with her, she holds a cold disposition.”

  Dwayne continued smiling. “At least I know it’s not me.”

  Sharon screamed as she and Sonya fell to the floor. Sonya jumped away, momentarily unable to recognize her. “My God, Sharon, you scared the hell out of me!” Sonya held a hand over her pounding heart.

  “It’s good to see you, too.”

  “Are you all right?” Sonya asked, standing up.

  “I think I broke my butt bone. Why on earth are you running through here screaming like a madwoman?”

  “I thought I heard someone in the office.” Sonya’s face grew serious as she remembered the footsteps.

  Sharon was finally able to stand up but not without rubbing her butt to emphasize the pain she was experiencing. “I see,” Sharon said, unconvinced. “I don’t see anybody. I think you need to start giving up such long hours.”

  Sonya ignored her criticism. “Someone was behind me.”

  “Look at this,” Sharon said, bending to pick up sheets of paper. “You have paper everywhere.”

  Sonya began picking up the loose paper, but she kept her eyes toward the office. She knew she didn’t imagine the whole thing.

  “Sonya, do you hear me?” Sharon tapped her shoulder.

  “Yes,” she lied. “Come on, let’s hurry and get out of here.” Sonya followed the paper trail leading back to her office. The whole time, she kept looking over her shoulder.

  After they finished, Sonya wanted to leave.

  “Wait up, Sonya. I came to get a file off my desk.” Sharon walked toward her own office. “I figured that I might as well get some work done on the flight to California tomorrow.”

  When Sonya didn’t respond, Sharon hurried past her. “Come on, girl. You’re starting to spook me.” Just as she was able to get the words out, the entire office went black. “What the hell?” Sharon said, edging closer to Sonya.

  Sonya drew in a sharp breath. “Let’s go.” Slowly, they moved in the direction of the elevator bay. Sonya’s ears strained to listen.

  “Maybe it’s just a power outage,” Sharon whispered.

  Sonya shook her head. “I don’t think so. The backup generator would have kicked in—besides, look over there.”

  Sharon’s eyes swept around the room, n
ot knowing what Sonya wanted her to see, but she was able to make out the building across the way. The lights were on. “I don’t like this,” she finally said.

  Sonya’s thoughts exactly. It seemed like eternity before they reached the elevator bay. The elevators were dead also. “My God, the generator to the elevators is shut off, too.”

  “The staircase is over here.” Sharon took Sonya’s hand and led her farther down the hall. A loud thundering noise rang out behind Sonya as she felt something whiz by her ear. Someone is shooting!

  The women screamed as they ran into the dark stairwell. They took off down the stairs. Sonya kicked off her shoes to maintain the same urgent pace with Sharon. When the stairwell’s door crashed open above them, Sharon and Sonya picked up speed. Neither of them looked behind them as they took two or three steps at a time.

  What floor were they on now? Sonya wondered. Nine? Eight? Sharon stumbled but lost no time getting back to her feet. Sonya glanced to make sure she was all right but couldn’t stop to make sure.

  Sonya saw a door on the next level of stairs and grabbed Sharon’s hand and pulled her through it. She wasn’t confident they would beat their attacker down the stairwell. The door led them to another office. Which one she didn’t know or care. “This way!” she hissed. They needed to find a hiding place.

  The stairwell door smashed open, and Sonya suppressed a scream. “Get down!” she commanded, dropping to the floor.

  “Over here!” Sharon whispered, crawling under a desk. Sonya squeezed in and held her breath.

  Dwayne felt his pager vibrate against his leg. He glanced at the number displayed on the tiny screen. “Excuse me, I have to make a phone call,” he told James and left to use the phone at the bar.

  “Hello, Bridget. What’s up?”

  “I was wondering if it was okay if I go over to Sylvia’s house. I’m bored,” she pouted.

  “You’re supposed to be bored, remember? You’re grounded.”

  “Please, Daddy? I’ve done all my chores today and everything. Please?”