Under the Aspens (The Aspen Series) (8 page)

Todd hadn’t told them that the voice also forced him to do something else he wasn’t proud of.  The voice demanded that Todd introduce Alice to Brad.  He didn’t really see the harm in it.  And since the two met they seemed to both be happy with the relationship.  So Todd saw no harm done there.  He hadn’t seen the point in bringing Alice into this.  She seemed to love Brad, and Brad liked her. So he kept his mouth shut.

“We have to find William.  He’s the key to all of this,” She knew if they found William, maybe they could get the answers they needed, as to who the
Boss
was.

“It’s getting late and neither one of us has eaten yet today.  I say we get some food in us, and a good night’s sleep in that order. And go find William in the morning.  We’ll go to his office first thing tomorrow morning,” He knew Sher was not the only one of them who is tired.

She agreed.  It sounded like the best thing to do.  William’s office was probably closed by now. It was late, and she was hungry.

“Can we go to that little Mexican place near your apartment?  I remember they have the best enchiladas I have ever tasted,” She asked, with pleading eyes.

“You’re in luck.  It’s still there. And it sounds like you and I are of the same mind regarding Mexican tonight.”

An hour later, they sat in a booth in the restaurant, Sher ordered the enchilada supreme.  This consisted of three enchiladas; one beef, one chicken, and one cheese, along with refried beans and Spanish rice.   A lot of food, but they had no doubt it would all be eaten, they were both famished.  

“We’ll both have your margarita special,” Glen told the waitress, “I think after the last few days, we can use a drink. I hope margaritas are still your favorite.”

“Yes, and I am so amazed that you remembered.  Remember the time we went out with Lynn and her friend, and I drank too many margaritas?  And we all took turns singing. But I sang way too loud, and you laughed and laughed.  I told myself then, no more margaritas for me. But it was such a fun night.  We always have a good time together.  I’m sorry for leaving you. And I’m sorry for the way I did it,” Sher said sadly.

“That’s all in the past.  Let’s not think of that, or anything else but the good times now.  Let’s enjoy this evening, and try to relax and have some laughs, ok?” Glen still had a bad feeling. He trusted his instinct, and right now they told him to be on guard.

“I agree,” Sher said, while she raised her glass to her lips, “They make the best margaritas in Colorado.” 

They finished their dinner.  And to neither one’s surprise, their plates were cleaned. Glen paid the bill, leaving a generous tip for the waitress, who took such good care of them.

“I’d love to come here at least once a month. Is that possible?”

Was this her way of finding out if they would be together in the near future, he asked himself? “We can do anything you want. I’m all for coming back every month.”

On the drive back to her house, Sher found herself having a very hard time keeping her eyes opened.  By the time Glen pulled into her driveway, she was asleep.

He wished he didn’t have to wake her up, but if he carried her, he couldn’t check out the house at the same time.  And he wasn’t about to leave her asleep in the jeep.  Although he didn’t see anything suspicious outside, he wasn’t taking a chance that someone lurked around.

“Sweetheart, you have to wake up.  We’re home,” He said, shaking her gently.

Stretching her arms out, she opened her eyes and said, “I’m sorry. Guess I’m more tired than I realized.”

“No problem, but we need to get inside.  I’ll help you out, and then unlock the front door.  Can I have your keys?”

She dug in her purse, and produced the keys.  As she got out of the jeep, she suddenly remembered the picture the officer let her take from Brad’s home.  She wasn’t about to leave it behind.  Grabbing the picture, she met Glen at the front door.

They entered her home, shut the door behind them and locked them.

“Stay here, while I check all the rooms,” Gun in hand, he moved from room to room.

He returned in a few seconds, “All is clear, no one hiding under the beds, or in the closets.”  

Sher sat the picture down in the kitchen, and prepared the coffee maker for in the morning.  She was so exhausted and wanted a quick shower, then sleep.    

“I’m going to take a very quick shower, care to join me?”   She sleepily asked.  

“It might not be quick, if I join you, “he laughed.

She barely heard his answer, as she walked to her bedroom.  Opening a drawer, she took out the nightgown she bought in Denver, but didn’t get the chance to wear, and entered the bathroom.  Turning on the shower, she smiled to herself.  He’s right; it wouldn’t be a quick shower, if they showered together.  But it would have been fabulous.  

She stripped down, pulled the shower curtain away and stepped in the tub.  She finished washing her hair when she felt a draft, and saw the curtain pulled back.  Opening her eyes more, she saw Glen as he stepped into the shower. 

He stood there, looking at her beautiful body, and though, she was all his.

Tipping her head back to rinse the shampoo from her hair, her back arched, which gave him an instant erection.  He reached for the shower gel bottle, knowing its peach fragrance, and squeezed some into his palm.   While her head was still tipped back, he began to wash her chest.  He circled each breast with his fingers, stopping to give each erect nipple a tiny squeeze.  He stopped just long enough to kiss her neck. Then he moved lower. Kneeling down, he washed her abdomen and hips. As he trailed kisses down her abdomen, he wondered how long he could hold back. The sounds that came from deep in her throat drove him mad. 

He heard her moan, but he wasn’t through.  Her hands held onto his shoulders, fingers bit into his flesh. He found her core, and she was wet with desire.  He knew her most intimate button and rubbed his fingers back and forth.  She came in waves, uttering his name.  He held her up, so she won’t fall.  Holding her close, he rubbed his erection against her.  Her breathing was still rapid.  He lifted her and carried her to the bedroom, laying her across the bed.  She still hung onto him, kissing his neck and chest.  He claimed her lips as he entered her soft flesh. He was not surprised when she met him thrust for thrust.  He knew as she went over the edge, and he gave one last thrust. They came together, exploding.  Long moments passed before the waves slowed down.

She was beyond dazed.  How could anything feel so good, so complete?  She never knew her body capable of melting the way it did with Glen.  They came together as one.  Each taking and giving, and each being so completely satisfied after. 

Glen was also dazed.  He felt such love for this woman.  It was even better than he ever dreamed it.  He used to daydream of making love to Sher years ago, when they were together, but never got to first base, before she stopped seeing him. It was worth the wait though.  Every time he touched her, his heart skipped several beats.  He wanted this woman next to him till the day he left this earth.  And hopefully, that would not be for at least another seventy years.

He cradled her in his arms, as they both fell sound asleep.

The next morning, Sher woke feeling happy and satisfied.  She glanced over at Glen.  He had such a look of serenity and peace.  On impulse, she leaned over and lightly kissed his shoulder, then, carefully, she climbed out of bed, as not to wake him.

Heading for the kitchen, she was glad she thought to start the timer on the coffee maker.  Coffee was ready, and smelled wonderful.  Grabbing a cup from the cabinet, she poured herself a cup and at down at the kitchen counter.  She savored her first sip, when she remembered the picture.  Pulling the picture close, she stared at the four of them, standing before the camera, so happy.  Her father had set up his tripod to take the picture.  She really missed those days. She missed her parents.

Picking up the frame, it felt bulky.  So she turned the picture over, and saw a lump under the cardboard.  Taking the frame apart, she discovered some smaller pictures. Now she was confused.  These were not pictures of her family.  They showed two men talking together.  There were three different pictures.  One man was in all three.  The other two have different men in each one.  All of these pictures were taken outside of the courthouse.  The man who was in all three looked familiar, but she couldn’t place where she saw him before. She knew she would remember sometime.  But she didn’t understand how they ended up behind her family picture.  Could these be the pictures the
Boss
wanted?

She took no chances.  She replaced them back where she found them, and tucked the picture in the pantry, way back behind the other pictures she hadn’t hung yet.  She thought they would be safe there, since her kitchen had already been searched by Sam Bellows, and he didn’t find anything.

She’ll tell Glen about the pictures when he woke up. 

Glen awakened to his phone ringing on the night stand.  He reached over to pick it up so not to wake Sher, but he noticed she had already left the bed.

“Hello, David,” he saw the caller ID before he answered.

“You and Sher need to get down to her ex husband’s office, now,” David said unhappily.

“We’re going down there this morning to see what we can find out regarding William’s whereabouts,” Glen said.  He should’ve known what came next, but his mind didn’t piece it together fast enough.

“We know his whereabouts. He’s here with a bullet hole in his chest,” David said.

That got Glen up in a hurry, “Be there in forty five minutes.”

Hanging up his phone, he wondered how much more bad news could Sher handle.

He pulled on his jeans, when she entered the room, “Get dressed.  David just called.  We’re needed down at William’s office.”

“What’s wrong?  What’s happening?”She almost spilled the coffee she brought to him.

“William’s been shot.  That’s all I know.  We need to hurry,” Glen said.

She shook as she pulled on some jeans and a sweatshirt, and grabbed a pair of socks and tennis shoes.

They made the drive in thirty minutes.  Pulling up to the office they saw three patrol cars, the coroner’s van, and a dark sedan parked in the lot.

Two men talked to an officer by one of the patrol cars.

“That’s him.  That’s one of the men in the pictures.  Actually, he’s in all three pictures.  The other man is in only one,” Sher blurted out.

“What are you talking about? Sher, do you know these men?” Now Glen was really worried.

“This morning I found three pictures stuck behind the glass of the family picture we took from Brad’s. Those men are in the pictures, but I can’t remember where I’ve seen the one guy, the older one with the grey hair,” She said, with a puzzled look on her face.

“Don’t say anything.  If those are the pictures someone’s looking for, we can’t let on that we have them.  Act natural and don’t give anything away. Ok?”

“OK.” But as she said the words, she fought the urge to confront the men about her brother.

As they got out of the jeep, David met them, “I’m sorry to have to do this, but I need you to identify the body”.

Body?  Glen said William was shot, but didn’t say he was dead.  She knew someday the possibility of William ending up in big trouble was a likely hood, but to be killed?

“What happened, David?”

“Apparently, those two came to meet with William, and found him shot.  They say he was dead when they found him.”

“I want to talk to them, David,” Glen demanded.

“Go for it.  I’ll take Sher to the van so she can identify the body.”

Glen didn’t want Sher to have to see William like that alone, so he said, “I’ll take Sher, then we’ll both hear what those two have to say.”

As the coroner turned back the sheet so Sher could see William’s face, Glen noticed when the color left her face.  She started shaking uncontrollably, “That’s him.  That’s William, my ex husband.”

The coroner pulled the sheet back up and then rolled the gurney into the van.

Glen hugged Sher for a few moments, until her shaking got more controlled, “Are you up to our questioning of those two over there?”

“Let’s get this over with.  I want to know who they are, and what’s going o,” She answered.

When they walked over to the patrol car, Sher noticed Officer David was there now, with the two men. They looked very unhappy, all of them.

“Sher, Glen, this is Mr. Bellows, and Mr. Robert Gilliam, “David said with a note of disgust.

The older man stuck his hand out, which both Glen and Sher ignored.  They saw this didn’t set well with Mr. Gilliam.  He had the air about him o someone who got his way.  He didn’t like being snubbed.

“Bellows?  Any relationship to Sam Bellows? “Glen didn’t believe in beating around the bush.

“Sam’s my cousin. I’m Steven Bellows,” the younger of the two men replied.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your cousin is in jail, facing multiple charges,” Glen relished telling this to both men.

Sher literally felt the tension in the air.

The younger man, Steven Bellows looked right through Sher, “I believe he’s out on bail. It will be proven to be all a misunderstanding.”