Truth or Lies?

by A. Gomez

  “Just tell him Belín and I are dropping you and your mother off at the airport since you’re letting your cousin borrow your car.” He paused, glancing at David. “He doesn’t need any more information than that.”

  “Got it.”

  I walked over to my mother and asked if she was ready. She nodded, yawning. I took Samson’s leash from her as we all walked to the rear exit. I looked around for Pam and Conny—still no sign of them. Ben noticed my puzzled expression and whispered that Conny would be meeting us by my car. I nodded.

  David took Samson’s leash from me and my tote and carried it to my car while holding my hand. I let go of his hand to cover my yawn. My mother yawned again. We looked at one another and snickered.

  “Tired, are you, ladies?” David asked. “It’s a shame you have to go out of town and not just straight home to bed.” David was fishing.

  “Mm,” I nodded, thinking he was right, it was a shame I had to leave and not go home with Josh.

  “Is going home to Dallas really a must?”

  “David, I think this is the best thing I can do right now. You need to get your life in order, as far as Ginger goes, and I don’t want to be part of your shit or her shit,” I said acidly. “Once you have that handled and I don’t have to keep looking over my shoulder, then we can talk.” I shook my head, feeling weary but comforted by the thought I’d soon talk to my Greek god.

  We got to my car and I was feeling more irritated with David due to the fact that he picked tonight to hover. Why did he want to be with me now? What had changed so much in his life that he was fine with coming back to a virgin, knowing he might not get the sex he was so hungry for. I was the same person and I still had the same values. He knew that. I opened the trunk and angrily threw my tote and jacket in, keeping my cross-body purse on my person. I took Samson’s leash from David and slammed the trunk closed. I looked over at my mother, her eyebrows were raised. I must have looked vehement. I took a deep breath and swallowed my irritation.

  Conny pulled up next to my car and Ben opened the door to his car for my mother to get in. Belín was already in the front seat of my car with her head reclined on the headrest. She looked spent as well.

  David was taking all this in. “Are all of you going to Dallas together?”

  “No, I’m letting Belín use my car while I’m away and they are just dropping us off.”

  “Oh.” He seemed satisfied. “Honey, I know you’re worried and upset over this Ginger thing but I told you I would fix it. Please don’t shut me out like this.”

  “Then this is perfect for you, David. While I’m away you can ‘fix’ it and I won’t have to worry about Ginger doing her shit to me. Just don’t bother me until it’s all fixed.” I opened the car door to let Samson in. “Goodbye, David, and please be careful,” I said as I got in the car behind Samson.

  “Isabel.” David’s voice cracked with an unexpected emotion I had never heard before. “Isabel, please.”

  “David,” I said pointedly, “I have to wonder why are you wanting to be with me again… now, because there’s another man showing interest in me? Is this some sort of twisted mental thing where you’re thinking ‘I don’t really want you but I don’t want anyone else to have you either?’”

  “What? No! It’s not like that.”

  I blinked at him apathetically. “Get your shit together, David. And don’t call me. I’ll call you if and when I’m ready to talk to you.”

  David was speechless at my audacity. I shut the car door and told Ben to drive. He obeyed.

  Belín turned to me grinning. “Isa, I think you have cut David down a few notches. Also, I know your intent was not for him to want you more but I think you have achieved that, regardless.”

  “You’re right, that actually wasn’t my intent. As for cutting him down a few notches… I should’ve done that a long time ago,” I declared, feeling guilty I was so cold with David. My phone began to ring. It was Jake. Wow! Jake was calling after work hours. He either had important information for me regarding Alexandra’s case or he wanted to get together. I rubbed my forehead, hoping it wasn’t the latter.

  “Jake!” I chimed, hoping the call was about work. “So glad you called. What’s up?”

  “Hey, Isabel. I have some interesting news on this case with Alex.” His voice was tense.

  “Jake, if you don’t mind, I’m going to put you on speaker so Agent Davis can hear. I hope that’s not a problem for you?”

  “No problem, Isabel,” he said politely.

  “Go ahead, Jake.”

  “That Debbie woman that brought those two girls into the ER… her name is Debra Danhour. She has a history and a record of drugs, drugs and more drugs. Drug possession with intent to distribute, smuggling drugs, manufacturing drugs, you name it. She was charged and convicted but only got probation for five years,” he said. “She was charged for assaulting an officer. She supposedly turned her life around after meeting some Asian guy and now runs this non-profit organization for at-risk girls. I don’t buy it though,” he declared. “Something doesn’t smell right. She takes these girls to get checked or treated to a lot of different ERs in the Chicago area, not just at Cook County. It’s as if she doesn’t want to draw attention to herself by going to just one or she has some sort of agreement at all these different hospitals.”

  “What about the Asian man with the tattoo and the one that was with her?” I asked.

  “Oh, right. That tat guy is part of that organization you told me about…Tri-something or other…”

  “The Chinese Triads.”

  “Right! I’ve never heard of it until now. They work and are set up like the mafia. And Isabel…” He lowered his voice as if someone else could be listening. “…They are everywhere.”

  “Could you please elaborate? What do you mean by ‘everywhere?’” Ben asked.

  “What I mean is, if a Triad member isn’t working in the ER or the hospital or a business then they have some of those organizations on their payroll.”

  That wasn’t a surprise to any of us. We suspected as much and now it all made sense—what the girls were told by the Hongman—“don’t trust the ERs.”

  “Ginger,” I whispered.

  “Yep, she’s one that’s on the payroll,” Jake declared. “And they give her a nice little kickback at least twice a week for whatever she does for them.” He paused, exhaling loudly. “A few doctors are on their payroll too.”

  I gasped softly, my mind automatically going to David. Surely, he would never take money from anyone so depraved… for any reason. I could never fathom David stooping so low. He was a selfish, egocentric man but I’d never known him to be a greedy man. Especially with money… or a man without morals or a conscience, for that matter. However, he had been acting differently since Josh showed up. It was almost as if he was trying too hard. All his changes had been positive for the most part. I shook my head at my wayward thoughts. David would never take a bribe or money from an organization so hideous as this.

  Yet, I still had to ask, “Jake, do you know if Dr. David Summers is on their payroll?”

  “That name has not popped up on any payroll that I’ve discovered, however, he is a person of interest since he’s been in a relationship with one of the nurses that is on the payroll.”

  “Ginger,” I said flatly.

  “Right again, Dr. Langley.”

  “Can’t y’all just go arrest Ginger, since you know this?” I asked.

  “It’s not that simple, Isabel,” Ben said.

  “He’s right. We can’t just go in there and arrest her for being on their payroll. That’s not a crime. For all we know she could be on their payroll for cleaning Debra’s house,” Jake said. “I’ll call you once I have more on this supposed non-profit. If it’s a non-profit, I’m willing to bet there are investors, if you know what I mean.”

  Ben raised his eyebrows as if to say, “I hadn’t thought of that one.”

  “Thanks for calling, Jake. I’ll talk to yo
u soon.” I hung up the phone and reclined back on my seat thinking about everything Jake had said. Wondering if David knew about Ginger’s involvement with Debbie and the Triads. How could he not know? He’d been sleeping with her for the past year and they worked together. A chill ran down my spine at the thought of David knowing Ginger’s secret and not reporting it. Would he keep a secret so horrible just so he wouldn’t lose his sex partner? I snorted inwardly; it would be just like David to only think of himself. I shook my head again at my inappropriate thoughts. No, no, David was selfish but he was a good man. I was almost certain he didn’t know or else he would’ve reported it and ended it with her.

  I looked over at Samson, his window open, his nose twitching and slightly sticking out the window, trying to smell all the smells that we were driving by. He looked like he was loving the ride. I wished I felt that carefree right now.

  My phone started vibrating again. I looked at the screen and it was David. I suppressed a groan and hit the decline button. I felt a little pang of guilt for being so curt with him earlier. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt his feelings. Perhaps I should’ve answered his call. I’d have liked to ask him about Ginger and her “friend” Debbie. I wondered if I was allowed to do that?

  “Isabel, don’t mention our conversation with Jake to anyone. Especially David.” Ben answered my unspoken question. “If David finds out, he may tell Ginger.”

  I nodded and continued to look at Samson. The night air was cold and was cutting right through me. I should’ve put my jacket on instead of throwing it in the trunk. I asked Ben to turn up the heat since the window was open for Samson. He reached to adjust it and then casually grasped Belín’s hand, raising it to his lips. He grazed his lips across her knuckles before gently kissing them. They exchanged a loving glance. I looked away, feeling jealous and emotional. Sigh. I closed my eyes, picturing Josh’s beautiful face, his deep, blue eyes, his smile, his full, pouty lips, his sexy as hell, sultry voice calling me “baby,” his body heat that I could practically feel enveloping me and lulling me to sleep. I should be with Josh, taking care of him. I shouldn’t be here, heading to the tarmac. I should’ve put my foot down.

  The car came to a slow stop and I heard doors opening and closing. A voice was at my ear calling my name.

  “Isa, Isabel, we’re here, wake up.” Belín was gently nudging me, trying to wake me.

  “Okay,” was all I could say, blinking my eyes open. Ben was taking my mother’s and my things out of the trunk and standing them next to the car. Belín took Samson out and found a small patch of grass for him to relieve himself. Samson was doing a throaty whimper, looking at the small building behind the plane. I stepped out of the car and gazed in the direction he was staring at to see what could be bothering him. There was no one else there and I could see no other cars around us. “Samson, hush, do your business.” My voice was groggy. Conny and Ben were talking and scanning the area. I guessed they felt pretty confident everything was fine since they didn’t have anyone come with us to check things out. I got my things so I could start boarding the plane.

  “Baby doll!” my father was yelling for my mother from the plane. “Make sure y’all use the facilities here before we leave. Something’s happened to the toilet on the plane and it’s stopped working.”

  “If it’s not one thing it’s another,” my mother said, sounding irritated and spent. “Do you have to go, honey?”

  I nodded sleepily. She chuckled, getting Ben’s attention. “Isabel Grace needs to use the ladies’ room here before we board. Does someone need to accompany her?”

  “Yes, Dr. Langley, thank you,” Ben answered.

  “I’ll take her,” Conny offered, striding our way.

  For the love of Pete! Could this get any more embarrassing? I felt like a toddler whose father needed to take her to use the restroom while he stood outside waiting for his child. It was a good thing I was feeling a little too tired to care.

  We walked to the small building just behind the plane. It had a comfortable lounge with snacks, drinks and coffee. The building was almost all windows from floor to ceiling so Ben would also be able to see us from the outside once we walked in. It was so late that the attendant or hostess that was usually here to help with whatever needs may arise had gone home for the day. I guessed needs didn’t arise after five p.m. at night. The restrooms, however, were all enclosed, for obvious reasons, and were somewhat hidden in the back of the building. We walked in the building and the flat screen TV was playing highlights from the Cowboys’ game. Damn! I missed the game and I missed watching it with Josh. Conny paused in front of it to catch a few highlights. I headed to the ladies’ room, trying to hurry so we could get in the air. Conny was running to catch me before I walked in.

  “Isabel, please let me check the ladies’ room before you go in.”

  I rolled my eyes, nodded and let him pass. It was a very small restroom with only two stalls and two sinks and no windows. Both exits and entrances were at the front of the building where everyone could see who was coming in and who was going out, so the chances of someone already being here without us knowing were slim to none. I was getting a little annoyed at this point. I didn’t need anyone listening to me pee. I wondered if this was what a presidential candidate had to endure once he or she became president? If it was, I was glad to never have the desire to run.

  He gave me the all clear and I walked in. I went into a stall and quickly took care of my business. I heard a few hoots and hollers outside the door while I was on the toilet. I snickered, thinking it was Conny reacting to the highlights on the TV. Once finished, I washed my hands in a hurry so I could get on the plane and call Josh before it got too late.

  I could hear Samson barking his head off at something or someone. We were on a tarmac with a plane on one side and a building right behind it and planes and runways all around. Could a stray squirrel have gotten lost and somehow made it onto the tarmac and was now running around driving my dog nuts? I quickly dried my hands so I could go see what his problem was… and then I heard a thud. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Something wasn’t right. Samson’s barking was getting more agitated and aggressive sounding. Something was telling me to lock the door and call Ben. As I reached for the lock on the door it swung open and hit my knuckles hard. Agh! That hurt like the devil. I was dancing around in pain, holding my hand when I heard a low voice with a thick Chinese accent say my full name. It was a very short, yet very stocky Asian man standing in front of me, grinning evilly. I looked at him up and down to see if he had a weapon. He was carrying a Glock, very similar to mine, in a shoulder holster. Holy hell! Where was Conny? How did he get in here without anyone noticing?! He slowly started coming at me. I took a few steps back, adjusting my purse.

  My purse! I screamed in my head. My gun was in my purse and this guy didn’t know it. How the hell was I going to get it out? I hit the wall with my back and was then trapped between the man and the wall. Think, Isabel, think! My heart was racing and my adrenaline pumping through my veins. I wanted to scream but I couldn’t find my voice. We locked eyes and I decided to let him come closer. I relaxed my body just enough, almost inviting him into my personal space. He froze; eyeing me from head to toe, suspecting I was about to do something. His expression was menacing and heinous. He was trying to read my body language. I opened my hands, exposed my palms and held my hands up in defeat to show him he’d won, letting him know I wouldn’t struggle or fight.

  He grinned his evil grin again and grabbed my left arm, yelling something in Mandarin to whoever was there with him. Samson was going crazy. Why didn’t they just let him off his leash! The Asian man began to pull me to the door. This is it, Isabel Grace. It’s now or never, I told myself. I throat-punched him as hard as I could with my right hand. He let go of my arm, grabbing his throat with both hands, stumbling backwards. I grabbed his shoulders and kneed him in the groin. He fell to the ground. I sprinted for the main exit. His cohort was crouched down, hiding beh
ind the sofa, hovering over Conny’s body. Oh no! Was Conny dead or just unconscious? He saw me coming and started to draw his gun. Thankfully, I had pulled mine out, took the safety off and shot two bullets into his shoulder. He discharged his weapon, hitting the TV and the ceiling, then falling to the floor. I jumped over him.

  “Samson, balls!” I shouted as I flew out through the exit. Ben heard all the gunfire and took Sammy off his leash, sprinting in my direction right behind him. I scanned the area and thankfully everyone was already on board the plane.

  A very strong hand got ahold of my hair and pulled me back, causing me to stumble backwards. He wrapped his arm around my waist, picking me up off the ground, took my pistol out of my hand and began to fire at Ben and Samson. For a very short man he was somehow able to lift my five-foot seven-inch frame off the ground and keep my feet from touching the ground. I struggled against his hold, trying to take my gun back, trying to prevent this evil man from firing at Ben or the plane. I then saw the bleeding Asian man I had just shot stumble out of the building. Samson got there just in time to assault his genitals and incapacitate him. He let out a blood-curdling scream and shot my dog. I gasped. Samson let out a yelp and bit down even harder on the man’s genitals, drawing blood this time. The man shot him again. This time Samson let go and fell to the ground.

  “NOOO! SAMSON! FUCKING BASTARD!” The man was about to shoot him again when Ben fired his weapon and hit the man holding the gun in his hand.

  I looked up at the plane and saw my father aiming his hunting rifle in our direction. I stopped struggling and yelled to my father, “SHOOT ‘EM DADDY! JUST SHOOT!”

  “You shut up girl!” the stocky man yelled.

  I could see my father adjusting his aim. My mother was beside him, her hands clenched together, terror etched on her face.

  “DAMMNIT, DADDY! SHOOT!!”

  “SHUT UP GIRL!” He dug the barrel of the gun against my temple, then aimed it at Ben.

  Ben was yelling for Conny but Conny didn’t respond. Dear Lord, please let him be all right. I couldn’t check to see if he was alive or dead. I just jumped over him trying to escape. I could’ve killed at least one of these men when I had the chance but I didn’t. I couldn’t.