Dead Dreams (25 page)

Confidentiality obligations bound priests on TV, but I couldn’t say if this was fact or fiction. If I had time, I could research, but it was already four fifty-five. The sound of traffic had increased on the street in front of my apartment. Life was stirring up around me. And Keith could be driving up any second.

My life, however, seemed headed toward a dead dream. Nobody to turn to. Jim wasn’t answering my calls. Pete, too, seemed distant. I was completely on my own—ironically, something I’d yearned for since the day I’d tossed my graduation hat with its golden tassels high in the sky after the celebration. I couldn’t possibly go to my parents—drag them into this mire, put them through this shame, and see their disappointment. I couldn’t live with myself. If what I had left could qualify as life.

If I didn’t leave soon Keith would catch me here.

I’d locked and armed the alarm for the apartment. That would buy me time before he found Sarah had not kept her appointment. If he loved her, he might panic, and it sounded like he was smitten by her. Maybe he suspected she was two-timing him with the red truck guy, whoever he was. Did Sarah plan to just rendezvous with Keith one last time before she left him? He could have been too controlling. Maybe she realized he was lured to her money. It felt like everything hitched on that Red Truck Guy. Maybe she wanted to make him believe she had scooted off to Hawaii as she’d wanted the cops to believe, too. So to what extent was Keith in on the scheme? And if he was in it for the money and meant to frame me, he might not be inclined to call the cops, lest he become a suspect. As long as Keith didn’t break down the apartment door I would have time to get away. Unless she’d given him a spare key.

Plan carefully, Brie.

I would text the K twins from Sarah’s phone, tell them there was a slight delay, that they should come the next day, instead of this morning. When they discovered the bloodstained bedroom, I would be in Mexico.

For now, I would go to a secluded spot and dig through Sarah’s suitcases. The key to the warehouse had to be in there. If I hurried I could get to the warehouse undetected. I would dress like Sarah, put on that fitted leather jacket of hers, so the warehouse camera would think it was her if the cops got a hold of the images. I would browse through her possessions there that might throw some light on the situation. Find that small green book with the name cards and all of Todd’s whereabouts.

Worst case, I might get a hold of some spare cash, in the storage place, or the suitcases. I would need money once I left the States. Since Sarah believed in only using cash, I was banking on the hope her luggage would hold stacks enough for me to survive on. The cops would be watching the banks, once they think Sarah’s murdered and they uncover the imposter scam we committed. I had no clue how to withdraw what was now legally mine, assuming Sarah was gone forever. Her contact, Brian Sussman, might also be under the authorities’ radar. Who knew how he might be connected? But, with some funds I could hire a private investigator to get in touch with him secretly. Provided he existed.

For now, I trusted no one, would speak to no one. After all, how did I even know the dark brown follicle found in Sarah’s room on the night of the break-in hadn’t been planted by Jim? Money, Sarah said, could buy people. Had Sarah bought him? It could explain his refusal to return my messages and calls. But, surely, Pete wouldn’t have stooped so low. I brushed the back of my hand over my eyes.

The news would report the story of Sarah’s disappearance and possible murder. It might even make it to the breaking news section on CNN’s homepage. When, and if, her body would turn up, I couldn’t tell. As long as she remained missing, the prosecution did not have a case against me, and I still stood to be her beneficiary…provided I never got caught and no one killed me.

Forget a normal life. Forget dreams of ever getting into a New York City college. Forget acting and debuting on Broadway. My dead dreams. The question that would haunt me every waking moment from this day forth would be: Will they ever find Sarah?

Half of me hoped so; the other half wasn’t so sure. Was it better to run away indefinitely and never get caught? Or, should I turn myself in and confess to the authorities my share of the crime? I could disappear into the faceless crowd. As long as Sarah was never found, what could they really pin on me? If I hide, I could live as a person free from the bounds of prison. If the guilt that plagued me were not considered a chain in itself.

To Be continued in Book 2. Out June 2014.

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Emma is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also makes up stories for her children.

Keeper of Reign Book 1
(Reign Fantasy series) for readers 10-16.

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Books written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people. A Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it? For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema. 
Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn't get himself killed first.

Keeper of Reign
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I would recommend Emma Right's "Keeper of Reign: Book 1" to people who like adventure and fantasy books.  The book, though it seemed long, was actually a very quick read.  This was the first in the "Reign Fantasy" series.  I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one. Reviewed by Ben Weldon (age 16) 

The story is well-written with characters who are complicated and often conflicted about their choices in considering the consequences of their actions. From page one, the story leaps into action never resting until the end with definite foresight of a possible sequel. Keeper of Reign is a wonderful story for all ages as they join Jules on his quest to save his people.

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Book 2 of the Reign Fantasy series out Spring 2014