Release (Iris Series)

by Lynn, Rebecca

  Ayanna hugged her tightly. “I love you, girlfriend.”

  “I love you, too, Yan…”

  “Do you really think…I mean this outfit isn’t bad, right? I actually think this is one of my more subdued outfits.”

  “You’re gorgeous... ‘you are more beautiful than Cinderella’...” she began quoting with a smile, and Ayanna chuckled. “It’s not about the outfit, Yan. I’m pretty sure it’s about the woman in the outfit…”

  Ayanna smiled, then regained her composure, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “I really did try being nice. He just started commenting on my clothes, and the old Ayanna appeared.”

  “The old Ayanna isn’t a bad thing. You just have to make sure you check your motivations every once in a while, that’s all.”

  “Well, my motivation in wearing this outfit was to get his attention. And I guess I did. But he reacted more like my father...,” she mumbled. “I don’t even know why I’m bothering with him. He’s already told me he’s not interested.”

  “When was this?”

  “The first night I met him. When we both left your place after the pizza?”

  “You never told me!”

  “Ry, it was the first time a man rejected my advances,” she said with an exasperated tone. “It wasn’t exactly my proudest moment,” she muttered.

  “Oh, sweetie.”

  “Whatever,” she said waving her hand. “There are plenty more fish in the see, right? I’ll find a good one,” she said with determination, but with a tinge of sadness.

  “Yes, you will...I’ll be right back.”

  She followed in the direction where Jonathan left, and found him in the hallway outside the woodshop, his hands on the wall, and his head down.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I was totally out of line, and should just keep my nose out of it.”

  He shook his head, not looking up. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I didn’t mean to insult her.”

  “Maybe you should tell her that.”

  “God, the woman has me tied up in fucking knots…it’s ridiculous,” he mumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose.

  Again, Ryann was a little shocked at seeing him like this. Jonathan was always under control.

  “You know,” Ryann started, “you could just, I don’t know, just a shot in the dark here…ask her out?”

  He gave her a pointed look, then turned to lean his back against the wall, crossing his arms.

  Ryann smiled. She was beginning to see Jonathan in a new light. She’d always thought of him as a great guy, but had never looked at him as a woman does a man.

  He really was very good looking. Tall, lean, and muscular... but downplayed by his conservative clothing. Thick, sandy colored hair, beautiful blue eyes, and chiseled face… but softened by his studious glasses. He was always very focused, disciplined. She imagined any woman who was on the receiving end of that focus would be very lucky indeed.

  Maybe it would be Ayanna if she could help things along.

  “You’re not upset over how she dresses, Jon,” Ryann said quietly. “I would venture to say that you like how she dresses, but you just wish other men didn’t like it so much, as well.”

  She sighed and continued, hesitantly, “Men have always paid attention to her, and I’ve known her since we were ten…she’s a stunning woman, with a ‘take no prisoners’ personality. But she has an incredible amount of substance. Don’t let her ‘outer shell’ trick you into thinking there isn’t a lot more there.”

  Jonathan looked at her, then said, “I’ll be back out in a minute, ok?”

  Noticing a dismissal when she heard one, she smiled and nodded. When she turned to walk away, he said, “Thanks, Ry…”

  She winked at him, and left him alone.

  …..

  By 7:15, or so, everyone had finished eating and Janie was making coffee, ready to serve some of Ayanna’s chocolate cupcakes. Most of the men were outside, and the women were inside, so Ryann thought it would be the best time to run to the Institute. She went over and snuggled up to Jeremy’s neck while he sat on the deck with the guys.

  “I’m going inside to hang with the girls for a while, ok?”

  He turned his head and kissed her soundly on the lips. “Ok, baby…”

  She went inside, and went over to Tabitha and her mom, making them quickly aware of the plan, and texted Manny to tell her she’d be right out. She ran to take off her high sandals, and grabbed some flip flops, then ran outside to Manny who was waiting for her.

  Fireworks wouldn’t start until dusk, which would probably be just before nine, and she knew she only had to run into the Institute and run out. She hoped to be back in 30-45 minutes. Jeremy would never miss her.

  She was giddy like a schoolgirl when they arrived at the Institute, and she looked at Manny, and said, “Thank you so much for doing this, Manny…If I’m not back in five minutes, you can send in the cavalry,” she joked. “Be right back,” she said as she jumped out of the car, leaving her phone on the seat.

  She ran up the stairs, knocking on the entrance door to get the attention of the night guard at the desk off to the side of the lobby. No one was sitting there, which was odd. Thankfully, she had her key card, and easily entered. She yelled out a ‘hello’ so she didn’t surprise him if he was just in the hallway behind the desk, but she didn’t see him anywhere.

  Oh, well. She’d be sure to make a lot of noise when she came back down so she didn’t scare him or anything. She jogged to the stairwell, choosing not to take the elevator. She didn’t want to take any chances if the old gears stopped. She quickly climbed the two short flights of stairs, and used her key to open the studio where she left her painting on the board.

  She went over to it, realizing she hadn’t wrapped it up yet. Annoyed, she took a couple of minutes to do so, then took it, leaving the studio and locking up behind her. She entered the stairwell and jogged down the stairs. As she got down to the first floor, she grabbed the door to enter into the hallway off the lobby, just as the sound of two people arguing registered in her brain.

  She stepped into the hallway and smacked right into Jennifer Edwards and Armand DiCarlo.

  They were both dressed casually, but Jenn had on a long auburn colored wig, along with a flowy skirt and tank top. Slung over Armand’s shoulder was a canister that was used to hold rolled up canvases. There was no reason in the world for them to be there. However, in this case, Ryann had a feeling that the rolled up canvas in this particular canister, was potentially the stolen painting by Mackenzie Renault.

  …..

  They were all so stunned to see each other, a silent moment passed until chaos ensued.

  Jennifer screamed, “Grab her!”, and Armand lunged for her, but Ryann threw her own painting at them, and turned to run.

  Armand was only delayed a moment and snatched her up easily, lifting her off the ground. She fought and kicked, but in the scuffle, he clipped her on the head causing her reaction to slow.

  He held her tightly, and began cursing in Italian. “Ryann, stop fighting! I don’t want to hurt you. Dio mio, what the hell are you doing here?” he growled.

  She was panting slightly. “I could ask you the same thing, but I think I know the answer.”

  He carried her over to where Jennifer was, and held her arms behind her.

  Jennifer looked at her scornfully. “You just always have to ruin everything, don’t you, you bitch?” Then she looked at Armand, “Or maybe this is the perfect scenario.”

  When Ryann bumped into them in the hallway, they were just coming through the doorway that led to the basement. Had they actually stolen the painting? What were they doing here?

  Armand was breathing heavily and mumbled in a loud whisper, “Ryann, why are you here? What the hell are we going to do now?” he asked Jennifer.

  Jennifer looked at Ryann, and said, “What else is there to do? We’re going to get rid of her. They didn’t find the painting all week in the boiler room. They won’t find her
either.” Jennifer pulled out a gun.

  “What the fuck, Jennifer?” Armand sputtered. “No. I didn’t agree to hurting anyone. Just give me a second to think.”

  Holy shit...Ryann needed a second to think, too. She’d been inside for at least 10 minutes...maybe longer, since she’d had to wrap up her painting. Would Manny wonder what was taking her so long?

  “There’s nothing to think about, you idiot! She knows. It’s not like we can let her go.”

  “Jennifer,” he growled, “put your fucking gun away. We’re not handling it this way.”

  “You know what, Armand? I’m the one holding the gun, and it’s pointed at both of you. So, I think I’ll be calling the shots from now on…move over there,” directing them both to the door leading them to the basement.

  Armand let Ryann go, and stepped slightly in front of her, “Really, Jennifer? So, you’re a murderer now? That’s how you want this to end?”

  “You’re pathetic, you know that? If you’d stop thinking with your dick, you’d realize this is the only way. But now that I know where your loyalties lie, the plan’s going to change. God, what does this little bitch have that makes you guys forget yourselves? You’re all fucking idiots!” she said vehemently.

  Jennifer positioned herself in front of them, their backs to the hallway wall. They weren’t far from where Ryann had seen Jeremy and Tiffany. Just around the corner from where Jennifer stood, was the lobby. Where the hell was the security guard? Had they killed him?

  Jennifer continued talking to Armand, “You helped with the security, you helped with the alibi, and now you’re going to help with the perfect set up…”

  While Jennifer was talking, Ryann stood slightly behind Armand, trying to keep the attention off of her. There was no way in hell she was going to let this woman take away the life she knew she had ahead of her. She had a chance at happiness again, and she would do everything in her power to keep it.

  “You see, at the gala, you made yourself scarce during the beginning of the auction, and while the caterers were leaving, you came in through the kitchen and the back of the parlor, where no one would suspect you,” Jennifer started to explain. “Then, you tased and tied up the guard and moved him into the kitchen, removed the painting from the frame and put a replica of the same size and weight in its place, so that if the other guard looked in, it would buy you some time. Then you brought the real painting down to lock it into the boiler room in the ceiling tiles, knowing you wouldn’t be able to leave with it without being caught on all of the security cameras. You came up to the auction, you left with the last of the guests from Quinn Hall without anyone knowing the painting was already gone, and the guard in the lobby had no idea what had gone on only feet from him inside the parlor. You decided to wait until a holiday, after the crime scene had been cleaned up, and there was only one security guard here to retrieve the painting.”

  Ryann’s head was spinning. Wow. The FBI wasn’t far from figuring it out. How on earth had they pulled this off before midnight, while guests were still in the building?

  “Hmm, strangely similar to the truth, Jennifer, except that you’ve forgotten a few important points. One, stealing the painting was your idea, and you played a part by distracting the guard in the lobby. And two, don’t forget, I’ve already been interrogated by the FBI. They have nothing on me. You’re the one who’s fallen off the radar this last week. You don’t think the FBI has been looking into you? There might be FBI and police waiting outside for you right now,” he said with a smirk.

  The hand holding the gun took aim at Armand. “Why would they even be here? They don’t know where I’ve been. And you’re my alibi. I was with you when you got the first call. And even if they were outside, I don’t exactly look like myself today.” She smiled maliciously at Ryann. “Have you figured it out yet, Miss Goody Two Shoes?”

  Ryann nearly shuddered with the anger that coursed through her. “Are you supposed to look like me, Jennifer, is that it? So this was all to set me up?” Pause. “How on earth were you going to pin this on me?”

  Jennifer looked at her with fury. “You know what you are, Ryann? You’re one of those sweet little things who thinks she can always charm the wits out of all the men.” Jenn said in a whiny tone making fun of her. “Well, your time is up. I was prepared to just let you take the fall, so Jeremy could see that his sweet little thing wasn’t so sweet, but now I think I’ll just kill you, and let him suffer that way...maybe I’ll comfort him when you’re gone.”

  Like hell she would! She wasn’t leaving Jeremy. The pain of thinking about what Jeremy would go through if she was killed nearly stopped her breath. She would never let this woman succeed. She just needed to keep her talking. Maybe Manny would call Jeremy.

  Jennifer obviously didn’t know Ryann had an alibi for the night of the gala. And how had Jennifer gotten into the Institute tonight?

  “How did you get in tonight?”

  Jennifer smiled, and explained. “I knocked on the door and when the guard asked who I was through the intercom, I explained my name was Ryann Thornton, and that I was an instructor who needed to grab something, but forgot my ID. He checked your name on the list and let me in. I made conversation with him as I was walking up to the desk, and then tased him, and let Armand in the side. Armand helped me drag him behind the desk to tie him up. When he comes to, he’ll remember Ryann Thornton was the one who came in and tased him. Now, you’ve made the plan a perfect one by showing up,” she smirked and looked down at her outfit. “All that’s left is to exchange clothes with you.”

  “And me, Jennifer? What’s your plan for me?” Armand asked, his stance casual.

  All of a sudden, a shot rang out. Ryann screamed, and Armand crumpled in front of her.

  Jennifer, smoking gun in her hand, looked at him on the floor, unconscious, blood seeping from his chest, then looked at Ryann, who had her hand covering her mouth in horror.

  Oh, God. Please let me survive this. Give me a way to get out of this.

  Jennifer’s eyes gleamed, and she was now standing only a couple of feet away, the gun aimed at Ryann, saying, “It’s a shame that Armand, your co-conspirator, turned on you, Ryann. You had to kill him. He attacked you, after all. There was a struggle, and you both got shot.” Jennifer tsked. “Such a pity.”

  “Wait, Jennifer. I don’t understand.” Keep her talking, Ryann. “How were you able to pull this off?” Make her feel smart, Ryann. “Was Armand always in on it? He brought me home during the gala, and wanted to stay with me. How was he going to steal the painting if he was with me?”

  Jennifer chuckled, then sneered. “Do you think you’re really that irresistible to every man out there? We had our eye on you from day one. You were going to be his alibi. He was watching you the night of the gala, and when he saw you running, he intercepted you. He was going to fuck you that night, and after, he was going to give you a little something to help you sleep ‘til morning, then come back here to get the job done. He would’ve loved to stick it to both you and Jeremy. Your fucking superior moral code apparently squashed that plan.”

  Off to the side, Ryann saw a movement. Keeping her eyes on Jennifer, she could just make out Michael and Jeremy quietly coming up behind Jennifer. Michael was holding a gun in his hand, and held up a finger to his lips, indicating Ryann shouldn’t make a sound.

  Her heartbeat raced, as relief, hope, and fear burst through her. Oh God. Please don’t let Jeremy get hurt.

  Jennifer laughed. “He was actually pretty disappointed. He was hoping to get a taste of you that night. He would’ve loved to throw that in Jeremy’s face.”

  Jenn stepped closer and said in a dramatic whisper, “But, don’t worry. He still had a good fuck that night. And I can promise you this. It was much more enjoyable than what he would’ve gotten from you.”

  Just as she raised the gun to Ryann’s chest, Michael quietly appeared several feet behind her. “Drop the gun, Jennifer. Now.”

  Ryann looked at Michael
in panic, and saw Jeremy tense with a look of complete rage and fear on his face.

  Jennifer jumped slightly when Michael spoke, but continued looking at Ryann, and said, “You just keep ruining everything, don’t you?”

  She pulled the trigger and Ryann felt pain tear through her just as she heard another shot ring out almost simultaneously...along with Jeremy’s scream.

  Then everything went black.

  Chapter 31

  Ryann’s foggy brain registered voices...fragments of conversations.

  “…fortunately, it went cleanly through her side…a couple of days, then she can be dis…”

  “…when will she wake up? She’s been out of surgery…”

  “…need to give her time…”

  She was trying to focus, but her consciousness failed her, and she fell back into the abyss.

  …..

  She was trying desperately to wake up, but she just couldn’t open her eyes. All she could hear was Jeremy’s voice.

  “…you promised you’d never leave me again…”

  “…come back…”

  “…don’t you leave me, Ryann…”

  Ryann could hear Jeremy’s panic and fear. His sadness. She was trying to reach out to him, but she couldn’t gain the strength to open her eyes.

  I’m here, Jeremy… I’m okay… I’m almost there…

  …..

  She could feel the warmth of a hand in hers, and the weight of something next to her side. She tried to open her eyes, which felt like they were glued shut. She didn’t want to stay asleep anymore.

  She needed to see Jeremy. She needed to tell him that she was okay.

  She pried her eyes open and allowed the sights and sounds around her to sink into her awareness. The room was darkened. She could hear a beeping noise over her shoulder, and see her mother over by the window, sleeping in a chair.

  She looked down and saw Jeremy holding her hand, with his head lying on the bed next to her.