Deadly In Stilettos (37 page)

             
As she walked into the house, Sidney was greeted by many of Anya’s family and neighbors, whom she had known for years. Surprisingly, she never met Anya’s brother, who looked calmer now. He joined Sidney as she admired a beautiful flower arrangement beside a picture of Anya in the center of the great room. She looked beautiful. No one would have ever guessed she was a complete lunatic.

             
“I need your help.”

             
Sidney turned to face Anya’s brother. “Excuse me?”

             
“Before I ask you this favor, let me introduce myself. My name is Brian Staples. Anya was my sister. We had not spoken in months. The last time we talked, she told me someone was threatening her. I need to ask you if you knew of anyone who would want to hurt my sister. This is very important to me, so take my business card and call me if you can think of anything. I just refuse to believe that my sister would kill herself like that. I mean, driving over a cliff! It’s absurd!” He was gone before Sidney looked up from the card. Looking around, she saw him walking upstairs. “Hold up a sec, Brian!” She ran up the stairs to join him. “Did the police let the family keep the shoe that was found at the site? I would really like to see it, if that is okay. I think I may know someone who would want your sister harmed.”

             
Brian managed to look puzzled while remaining calm. He had to play his cards right if he wanted to get the information needed, and then get out of there without Sidney questioning his relationship with Anya. Her real family wouldn’t like him much then. He had known a few of them for years, while attending med school with Anya before she got sick. They all adored and respected him for trying to help her.

             
“I’m sorry,” he said, “but the police kept it for evidence. If they give it to the family, I will definitely let you know. Give me a number where I can reach you if something should prevail.” Although she looked disappointed, Sidney accepter what he’d said. She handed him one of her own business cards, thanked him for his help and promised to be in touch soon. Brian dashed into one of the empty bedrooms. Pulling out his phone, he dialed a private, untraceable number.

             
“Hey, it’s me,” he said when Tabitha answered. “I just saw her. Yes, she was asking a lot of questions. She also wanted to see the shoe, just like you said. I have it all under control. No one will ever see the shoe again. I should be back tomorrow afternoon. We have to make sure no one finds out about this, or your friend will spend the rest of her life in prison.” There was a slight pause and then Brian said, “I love you too. Bye.”

             
Tabitha hung up the phone, relieved with what Brian had said. She knew Demi was behind Anya’s death, but she and Brian owed it to her to make sure no one found out. After following Demi to Dallas, Brian told her what happened at Anya’s house and the horrible accident he witnessed. Deminis was truly crazy. She was not someone to mess with. He and Tabitha would be in big trouble if they did not keep her name clear, or until they learned the reasons behind her actions. Because it was partially his fault that Anya knew so much about Demi, Brian felt he should make sure those secrets never came out again.

             
Thinking about his conversation with Sidney Kickass had him on edge. He needed information from her and he would get it one way or another. She knew something. He searched the upstairs for the shoe and anything else that might be helpful, and then slipped out of the house. His next stop was to pay a visit to the man Demi loved. Greg Stanley was a snake. He needed to be dealt with before Demi took matters into her own hands, and the last thing he would see were beautiful shoes standing over his dying body.

             
Following Demi had helped him uncover Greg and Sidney’s little affair. Brian knew Sidney was out to get Demi, but he had no clue if Greg was a part of it too. He hoped for Greg’s sake he was not. Tabitha filled him in on Sidney and how she never trusted her when she met her years ago on a vacation with Demi. Tabitha considered her snobbish and self-centered, but because Demi cared for her, she tolerated Sidney. On several occasions she saw Sidney in New York. When Tabitha spoke to her, she pretended not to even notice her. That infuriated Tabitha. She wanted to mention it to Demi, but thought better of it. Demi and Sidney had a history longer than theirs. She did not want to come between them or jeopardize her own friendship with Demi because of misconstrued jealously.

             
Now, she wished she had said something to Demi a long time ago, especially when she found out that Sidney and Enry had dated soon after he and Demi split. She now wondered if Sidney had a bigger part in Demi’s life, pain wise. All Tabitha knew was that she cared for Demi and would not sit back and let anyone hurt her friend again. Enough was enough! If she had to do something she hated doing, she would make sure Demi finally got the life she deserved. Demi had suffered too much hurt and pain. She was too good a person to continue getting hurt over and over. Tabitha suddenly wanted them all to pay. Enry Williams was just the beginning. Anyone else who tried to hurt Demi would feel the effects of her rage.

             
Where was all this rage and anger coming from? Tabitha wondered. She was an accessory to murder! What had she been thinking? She needed to calm down and focus. She was not a violent person, but something inside was awakening. Tabitha felt alive and able to do anything. She felt superior, invincible. She enjoyed that feeling, and needed to speak with Demi and share her thoughts. If no one else understood, Demi would.

Chapter 26

DEMI’S FLIGHT to New York had been delayed,
although she had plans to stop over in Dallas first, and as she wandered through the airport, her thoughts kept returning to her visit from Makei. She still loved him very much, but she was with Greg now. Although her gut told her Greg was deceiving her, she did not want to jump from one relationship to another. Makei was gone, but she felt his presence. It was as if he was there with her. Demi looked around expecting to see him there. He was there, only hiding out of sight.

             
When he’d first seen her a few days ago in Las Vegas, he had been surprised to see she was recovering from some injuries. He didn’t say anything about them until he left her home. He called later that night and she told him. After she explained what happened, he wanted to leave right then and look for Enry. She assured him he did not have to worry about Enry Williams ever hurting anyone else. A puzzled look crossed his face, slowly turning into a knowing smile. She suspected then that he too had skeletons in his closet that no one would ever know. Or would they?

             
Demi tried to forget the intensity of his visit, but she simply could not. Makei touched her in ways no other man had until Greg came into her life. Now she did not know what the future held for either relationship. All she knew was that she still wanted Makei in her life, even if only as a friend. Lately, with all her other friends betraying her, she needed someone she could truly trust who would always be on her side. Greg and Sidney were trying to hurt her. She would not let that keep her from finally being happy. They would wish they never met her soon enough. As if her thoughts had conjured him, Greg called her cell phone just then
.
‘The nerve of some people,
’
she thought as she listened to his obvious lies. “Hey, Baby! How was your flight? I miss you already and can’t wait to see you.”

             
Demi was furious. She’d been gone for days. She was on her way back to New York, and Greg thought she was still in Las Vega. She wanted to ask him right then about the woman she’d seen him kissing, but decided to see if he would say anything about it first. She did not want Greg to know she was stopping in Dallas on her way back, but the thought of him lying to her was unbearable. Once she checked out a few things involving Sidney and him, she would then return to New York.

             
“Are you still there?” he asked. “You seem a bit distracted. Is there something bothering you, baby?”

             
Demi held her tongue. Of course, there was something bothering her. “I’m just a little jetlagged. I’m going to go lie down. I should be back in New York tomorrow evening. I will see you when you get back, and just when will that be, Greg?” There was a short pause before he responded. “Hmm, I’m not sure when I’ll get back.” She ended the call before he could tell more lies that she didn’t particularly care for. He was playing with the wrong woman. Demi felt heartbroken. She had let down her guard for Greg because he’d seemed different from the rest. Right now he was turning out to be anything bu
t
. ‘Why am I constantly subjected to hurt and disappointment?
’
she wondered, walking into the airport gift shop. As the sadness consumed her, all the rage she tried pushing out of her mind clouded it at once.

             
“Never again,” she promised aloud.

                                 
                 ~~~

“Please don’t hurt me! I’m sorry! Will y
ou ever forgive me?”

             
The person standing beneath Demi pleaded for his or her life. She could not make out the person’s face or recognize the voice. All she heard were cries for help. Slowly she got closer to her victim, putting her hands around his—her—neck. The more the other person fought her, the harder she squeezed. She saw blood in the eyes of whoever she was punishing, and all of a sudden, Demi stopped. It was her eyes looking back at her. The cries were her own. She was choking herself. What was happening? Just as the last breath of life was leaving her body, Demi jumped. She woke up with sweat dripping from her entire body. She touched her neck, making sure she was still alive. The nightmare was terrifying. Were her crimes catching up with her? Was she about to get caught? Demi had to change her ways before she ended up spending the rest of her life in prison.

             
Pushing back the blanket the flight attendant gave her Demi got up and rushed into the plane’s restroom. A few of the other passengers gave her questioning looks, but she didn’t care. Something was consuming her, and the feeling was overwhelming. When she had gathered her thoughts and composed herself, she returned to her seat. A flight attendant came to see if she wanted anything to drink. Demi was undecided, so the attendant brought her two bottled waters, a ginger ale, and a small bottle of wine. Demi chose the ginger ale to settle her stomach, but kept the other items in case she needed something before landing. A few minutes passed, and she relaxed back into her seat. She felt better than she had felt in years, which was strange. All the hurt and pain had been released. It was as if a light had been switched on. Demi never knew she could feel so restored. Her dream had somehow cleansed all the hurt from her heart. But she was still going to Dallas.

                                                 ~~~

While Demi was attempting to turn her life around, Tabitha was plotting revenge against Greg and Sidney, the latest two people who wanted to hurt her dear friend. What Brian learned in Dallas confirmed their suspicions, so Tabitha set her plan in motion. Because of her high-profile career in fashion consulting, she had contacts all over the world. She knew many people who despised Sidney Kickass and Greg Stanley, which didn’t surprise her all that much. If those people found their whereabouts, one in particular Martin, the legendary contract killer, their lives would become a living hell. That would drive them right where she wanted them, straight to hell.