Permanent Sunset (18 page)

Sabrina clutched the pile of beach towels to her chest as she climbed the short exterior staircase to the ground level. She thought she heard shouting, so she decided to enter the cabana from the exterior of the house rather than around the pool from inside.

The cabana was a cleverly designed building almost the size of her cottage with an entrance from the parking area where beach goers could enter and use one of the three showers to rinse off sand. Pool goers had easy access from poolside. There were shelves with towels, pool toys, coolers, and snorkel gear. Beach chairs hung on hooks on the wall.

Sabrina climbed the three steps up to the cabana and opened the door. She heard loud voices coming from the area of the pool but couldn’t hear what they were saying through the closed door on the poolside. She stepped into the cabana and placed the towels on a shelf. The yelling was getting louder but was still muffled. She cracked
the door to the cabana and caught the words “killed” and “fool,” but the others were garbled.

She remembered Neil cautioning her just minutes ago on the telephone. Bursting in on a family argument probably wasn’t smart and was certainly beyond any role she had as villa manager. She was considering just hopping in her jeep when she heard what she thought was a gunshot.

The only other time Sabrina had ever heard a live gunshot not on television or at the movies was when she had fired the gun. In the dark. At her own husband. She felt paralyzed by fear and by the memory. Now she knew she really should run and get in her jeep and take off. Of course she should, but her keys were in her backpack in the first-floor kitchen instead of on her belt because she was wearing a damn dress today.

There was no lock to the cabana door from inside, so she couldn’t secure herself and wait for Neil to come. Maybe it wasn’t a gunshot. Maybe it had only been a car backfiring and her imagination was running away from her because she had also heard loud voices.

Sabrina opened the door to the cabana just enough to see Paul Blanchard standing at the edge of the pool holding a gun in his hand, pointing it at Sean Keating, who was crouched by the side of the pool. In one hand, Sean was clutching the hair of Gavin Keating, who was in the deep end of the pool. In the other hand, Sean held a string of the faerie lights Sabrina had just taken down, wrapped around Gavin’s neck.

“Sean, let him go or I swear the next shot won’t be in the air. It will be at you. For the love of God, don’t be stupid,” Paul screamed.

“I can’t decide if he should drown or be strangled. You didn’t give Elena that choice, did you, you son of a bitch,” Sean said. He pushed Gavin’s head down under the water, while he tugged on the cord at the same time.

Sabrina watched in horror. Sean sounded as crazy as she imagined he felt. His entire sense of reality had been shattered in just days. She wasn’t surprised to find him over the edge.

“Let him up.” She could see Paul’s hand shaking as he held the gun in the air and fired into the sky.

Sean pulled Gavin’s head out of the water. Gavin gasped for breath. His face was a very pale shade of blue.

“He raped and killed her,” Sean raved. “He deserves to die.” Sean pushed Gavin’s head back under the water.

This time Paul shot the gun over Sean’s head. Sabrina knew she had two critical situations going on. Paul could shoot again and hit either Sean or Gavin. Or Sean could kill Gavin, but then Paul could still shoot Sean.

She had to do something. Why were there always choices? Couldn’t there ever be just one answer? If she tried to calm Paul down, would he shot her? Sabrina was terrified. She began reciting in her mind the mantra she’d used ever since she was a child, a gift from Ruth.
I, Sabrina, am not afraid. I, Sabrina, am fearless
.

Slowly she opened the door to the cabana and slipped down to the floor onto her belly. She kicked her flip flops off, knowing they were less reliable than her bare feet. She slithered on her belly over toward the stack of tables she had placed against the pillar that would shield her from Paul’s sight.

“Sean, you’ve got it all wrong. Don’t do this. Don’t ruin everything for everyone over a woman. Especially this woman. Look at how she lied to you,” Paul pleaded.

“He killed her, for God’s sakes. After raping her. What do you expect me to do?” Sean said, this time pulling the cord but not dunking Gavin under water.

Sabrina could see better as she peeked from behind the table. She wondered if Gavin was beginning to lose consciousness. Paul must have wondered the same. He fired another shot, this one even closer to Sean’s head.

Now it was clear. Paul had to be stopped or he was going to kill one or both of the Keating brothers. Sabrina didn’t know if he was such a great shot, but between the shaking of his hand and his pacing by the pool, Paul was a liability.

She looked around her for something to throw at Paul, hoping to distract him and maybe get Sean’s attention long enough that he would release Gavin, but there was nothing she could access from the floor. Neil should be arriving soon, but how many people would be dead or wounded by then? No, she had to do something now.

Then she saw them. She could actually smell them over the stink of the gunfire. The pots of gardenias sitting on circular, wheeled trays. Was she close enough to Paul? Sabrina tried thinking about how long a bowling alley was. The tile around the pool was definitely smooth enough to send the pot quickly.

“Let him go, Sean. You know killing your own brother will be the end for your father. If I have to shoot you to stop you, by God, I will,” Paul said, aiming the gun toward Sean once again, his entire arm trembling.

Sabrina knew it was time. She popped up from behind the tables and moved two feet over to the flowerpots. With her best karate kick, she sent a pot over toward Paul, hitting him directly in the shins.

Paul toppled over forward onto the pot, dropping the gun, which skidded toward Sabrina, who scooped it up. She looked over at Sean, who was watching her and Paul. He let the cord go slack enough for Gavin to pull him into the pool.

Sean seemed shocked to be in the water, then headed toward Gavin, his arms flailing at him. Gavin lashed out at Sean with his right arm, but missed. Paul lay crumpled on the deck groaning.

“All right. Enough of this. I’ve got the gun now and I think you all remember I know how to use it. Right, Gavin? Remember, I’m the woman who beat the system?” Sabrina felt a little crazy holding a gun. Did she
know really how to use it? Hadn’t Nantucket just been an accident?

“He raped and killed Elena,” Sean said, treading water.

“You stay away from him, Sean. Move away.”

She had to keep them in the pool until help came. Otherwise, they could overpower her or worse, she would have to shoot them.

“He didn’t rape her, Sean. How can you be so naïve? I think I’ve broken something,” Paul said, sitting on the floor.

“We’ll get you an ambulance soon, when help arrives, but why don’t you tell us why you think Sean is being naïve, Paul?” Sabrina asked, buying time and keeping everyone in their place until Neil arrived with reinforcements.

“Because Gavin’s greed and resentment had finally taken over any judgment he might have had. All those years I spent trying to protect him in the company, making sure he got a fair shake, and he was going to toss everything for a woman,” Paul said, shaking his head.

“What are you talking about?” Sean asked, looking over at Gavin, who clung to the side of the pool but was not moving.

“Tell him about the three-year plan, Gavin,” Sabrina said.

“Go to hell,” Gavin spat back.

“How when your father and Paul retired in three years, you and Elena were going to take over the company, weren’t you?” Sabrina felt like a prosecutor hurling leading questions at Gavin.

“He and Elena? What about me?” Sean asked.

“She was going to divorce you, Sean. After three years, she would have a tenth of your share of the company and with Gavin’s half, they could pretty much do whatever they wanted. It was a very generous prenup, so much so that Elena was afraid you might renig on it at the last moment, which is why she led you to believe she might not sign. It was to be certain you didn’t try to change the terms,” Sabrina said calmly, not wanting to incite Sean.

“I don’t believe you,” Sean said, sounding deflated.

“She’s telling the truth. I heard them myself that night. I went into the cabana to grab a cooler and heard them in one of the shower stalls, talking about Elena’s great performance, how three years wasn’t so long. How then they would own it all. I also heard, well, let’s just say Elena wasn’t raped, Sean.” Paul’s voice was grim.

“What about Lisa and the kids?” Sean asked.

“Gavin was going to divorce her, too.” Sabrina said.

“So why did he kill Elena?” Sean asked. Sabrina could see his fury had been replaced by shock.

“He didn’t,” Sabrina said.

“I’m coming out of this pool,” Gavin said, beginning to shiver.

“No, you are not,” Sabrina said, pointing the gun directly at him.

“Please don’t tell me it was my sister. Because of that necklace,” Sean said.

“No, I think Heather probably ripped the necklace from Elena’s neck because she knew it had come from Gavin. She wouldn’t have wanted Lisa to see Elena wearing it. But Heather didn’t kill Elena, Sean.”

“I did.” Paul began weeping. “In my entire life, I have never struck another human being, not even as a boy growing up, and then I end up doing something like this.”

Sabrina was aware of movement over by the cabana, but she remained still as Paul continued. Both Gavin and Sean clung to opposite ends of the pool.

“How did it happen, Paul?” Sabrina asked.

“I was meeting Anneka after midnight. Oh, what you don’t know, Gavin, would fill volumes. How I loved your mother even before she married Jack, and while she was married to Jack, but only after the divorce did she pay me any attention. I was the boring numbers guy. Jack was good looking and charming, but Anneka grew to appreciate my loyalty and devotion. She knew if our relationship ever became public, the family discord would only get worse, and she only wanted Gavin to have his rightful place in the family and in the business. So we kept our relationship under the radar for all these years, seeing each other only on the weekends when Gavin was with Jack while Gavin was a boy. Later, I was able to keep an eye on Gavin at work and guide him, as much as he could ever be guided.”

“So, did you meet Anneka at midnight?” Sabrina asked.

“I was a little late because I got stuck in the cabana. I couldn’t let Gavin and Elena know I was there and had to wait until they left. It was awful. I took one of the jeeps out to the main road, where I met Anneka and drove her back to the villa. We shared a bottle of champagne on those chairs overlooking the small beach. Anneka snuck into the house to see how it was set up for the wedding, even though I told her I thought it was a bad idea. But of course, that’s never stopped her.” Paul smiled briefly.

“Did you know she witnessed the prenup?” Sabrina asked. She could see Detective Janquar, Sergeant Detree and Neil standing inside the open cabana door.

“No, she kept that to herself. I was preoccupied with what I’d heard. I didn’t know whether to tell Anneka what Gavin was plotting. And to be honest, I’m not sure she would have believed me. She loves that boy more than he deserves.”

Sabrina glanced over at Gavin, who no longer looked defiant.

“After I took Anneka back to her car, I knew I couldn’t sleep, so I took a walk on the beach. Elena was there in her bridal gown. Her performance was over and she seemed to be celebrating it with a bottle of champagne. I walked over to her and told her I knew about the plot she and Gavin had and that I intended to reveal it in the morning to Jack and Sean,” Paul said, looking over at Gavin.

“What did Elena say?” Sabrina asked.

“She told me she knew I wouldn’t do that because if I did, I would lose Anneka. I don’t know how she knew about Anneka and me. Then she laughed, and I saw how truly evil she was and knew she was going to destroy the entire family. Sean. Anneka and me. Lisa and the kids. The business. And even Gavin. I couldn’t let her do that. I grabbed the lace veil she had over her shoulders and wrapped it around her neck until Elena could do no more damage,” Paul said, looking over at Sean and Gavin.

Detective Detree and four uniformed officers emerged from different directions, all with guns drawn, but Sabrina knew no one needed to use a gun anymore.

Sean swam over to the shallow end of the pool and walked up the stairs, his clothes dripping, his head hung.

Gavin waited for Sean to get out of the pool and followed suit.

Detective Janquar hobbled over on his cane, his hand holding a baggie for Sabrina to place the gun in. Neil stood behind him, waiting for Janquar to move out of his way. When the detective did, he drew Sabrina into his arms, holding her so hard it hurt. She clung to him, grateful for his strength.

Sabrina could see Lisa Keating and Heather Malzone standing outside Villa Nirvana, watching the ambulance take Paul away. He was accompanied by a uniformed officer.

Sabrina approached them, wondering how much they knew or had observed. She led them into the great room, where Sean sat in his wet clothes, silently dripping onto a chair.

Sabrina was grateful that Gavin had gone to his room to put dry clothes on. She wasn’t ready for another bout, and she was fairly sure that’s what Lisa had in mind.

Heather walked over to Sean and stood before him. Sabrina hovered behind her, ready to help if needed.

“Paul killed Elena,” he said flatly.

Heather remained silent.

Sean was obviously in shock, and Sabrina wondered if he should see a doctor. Gavin was probably in more need of medical assistance after being dunked under water so
many times. They were both lucky Sean hadn’t killed him. In some ways, they had Paul to thank for that.

Heather finally spoke.

“Someone has to talk to Mom and Dad, Sean. Do you want to come with me, or do you want me to do it alone?”

“I can’t be there with her,” he said.

“With Mom? I don’t get it.”

“No, with Carmen. I can’t ever see her again without telling her how evil her daughter was. How she really deserved to die. How Carmen should never shed another tear over her. How she should be grateful, Elena—no, Angelica—had banished her from her life,” Sean said.

Of course, Sabrina thought. Sean finally seemed to appreciate Elena’s depravity, but it had taken epic events to get him there. She was impressed that Sean could still remain sensitive to how Elena’s mother might regard his disdain for her daughter.

“I’ll have them come here. We have decisions we need to make as a family,” Heather said.

Leon Janquar, who had been lingering against a wall, moved closer to them. Even on a cane, Sabrina felt his commanding presence.

“Dr. Malzone, I agree. It would be a good idea for me to meet with them to clear up a few questions I have.”

“Let me have Henry pick them up.” Sabrina knew Jack and Kate would be devastated by the news that Paul had been the one to kill Elena and why. The least she could do was have someone spare them the white-knuckle drive.

The great room became silent when Gavin entered. Dressed in dry clothes, he had a suitcase in his hand.

“Now where do you think you’re going?” Lisa asked. The outrage in her voice filled the room.

“I’m going to stay at my mother’s. You’ll have to move over here.”

“You don’t get to tell me what to do anymore, Gavin. I never should have let you to begin with.”

As far as Sabrina knew, Lisa only knew about the necklace and had drawn inferences from it. Sabrina couldn’t wait to see what Lisa had to say when she learned the rest of the story, especially about the three-year plan. Even with a prenup, Sabrina was pretty sure Gavin was screwed.

“Lisa, you know you are welcome to stay here or up at Bella Vista,” Heather said.

“Yes. You’re just another one of their victims. You and the kids,” Sean added.

“Here you go, my man,” Neil handed Sean a Bar None canvas bag emblazoned with the bar’s logo: inverted martini glasses as the symbol of justice. Sean looked confused.

“Dry clothes, Sean. I am a full-service attorney.” Sabrina saw a tiny smile in the corners of Sean’s mouth. Neil knew how to do that. Sean headed to a bathroom with the canvas bag.

Leon Janquar whispered to Lucy Detree, who was standing next to him. Sabrina wondered what Detective Hodge would think when he learned Detective Janquar
had broken the case. Oh, how she would love to be a fly on that wall.

Sergeant Detree walked over to Gavin, taking the suitcase from his hand.

“Please have a seat, sir,” Sergeant Detree told Gavin, who didn’t resist. He found a chair at the edge of the room near a window. Sabrina wondered if oxygen deprivation had tamed him.

“Has anyone called Anneka to tell her about Paul?” Sean asked.

“Why would we do that?” Heather had confusion written all over her face.

“That, my dear sister, is just one of the many secrets in our family that you are about to learn.” Sean returned to the great room barefoot, wearing a Bar None T-shirt and a pair of gym shorts.

Henry arrived and escorted Jack and Kate into the great room. Sabrina’s instructions for Henry, which had come straight from Leon Janquar, were that they only be told that Paul had been arrested for Elena’s murder and that everyone was safe.

Kate rushed over to Sean. Jack followed right behind her.

“Are you okay? What in the name of God is going on here?” Kate asked.

“I can’t believe Paul would ever kill anyone,” Jack said.

At her suggestion, Detective Janquar told Sabrina that he would use the media room to conduct his interviews
with the family. His first interview was with Gavin, much to everyone’s relief.

Once Gavin was out of the room, everyone began to clamor for answers from Sean.

“Why would Paul kill Elena?” Kate asked.

“Why is he at the medical clinic?” Jack chimed in.

“How involved was Gavin with her?” Lisa demanded.

“I could answer your questions, but I’m not objective. I came close to killing Gavin less than an hour ago. I’ve had my head up my ass—sorry, Mom—for so long about Elena, it was like I was on drugs. You’d better ask Sabrina. She figured it out and probably saved all three of our lives, it had gone so crazy.”

They all turned to Sabrina, waiting for her to give them the answers they needed. She could only give them the truth as she knew it to be, unembellished, without sparing feelings.

Sabrina started with Paul and Anneka’s very sad love story because she thought it was the least painful and laid the foundation to understand why Paul did what he did. She went on to detail how Elena became involved with Gavin, their three-year plan, and their betrayal of Sean and Lisa, culminating with Paul’s discovery of how they planned to essentially steal the family business and destroy the lives of all their family members in doing so, including Anneka.

Lisa had tears streaming down her face. Jack sat with his head bowed as if in prayer. Kate sat with her hand on Sean’s shoulder. Heather rubbed her temples.

“I feel awful about Paul. We need to do whatever we can to help him. God, I may have killed Elena if I knew what she did,” Jack said.

“I feel awful about Anneka. If I had any clue they cared about one another, I would have welcomed them into the family circle instead of being so threatened by her. I just couldn’t let go of the past,” Kate said.

“I feel terrible for my girls. What a sorry excuse for a man they have as a father. Sorry, Jack,” Lisa uttered.

“No, we’re all dancing around that issue, Lisa. I’m afraid Gavin is going to have to face the consequences for his heinous actions, the first of which is that he will never again be part of Keating Construction in any capacity whatsoever. Don’t worry, dear, we’ll take care of you and the girls, but Gavin is officially on his own.”