What Lies Beneath: Romantic Suspense (6 page)

He slid my sneakers on my feet then wrapped an arm around my waist. I thought he would help me walk, acting as a shoulder to lean on. To my surprise, he put an arm under my legs, sweeping me up off my feet. He held me in his strong arms easily, as if I weighed nothing at all.

I started to laugh; I couldn’t help myself.

“I wasn’t expecting to be carried like a princess,” I teased. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“I’m at your service.”

He carried me to the car and buckled me in. It wasn’t easy. I was having a hard time bending my knee so I had to sit at a strange angle. Once inside he drove me to the doctor where his suspicions were confirmed: my knee was broken. Luckily, it was only fractured and would not require surgery, but I had to wear a knee brace and walk with crutches.

We swung by the pharmacy and filled a prescription for pain killers then picked up takeout. It was turning into a full day. As I unlocked the door to my house, I stopped and turned to look at Theo.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I just want you to know that I’m really sorry about what happened at the bar. I shouldn’t have blown up like that. I know you were just trying to help, but you have to understand that I’ve been surrounded by people who were ‘just trying to help’ for a long time and their advice is almost always bad. Not that your advice was bad, but I’m just sick of hearing everyone’s opinion about how I should be handling this. Everyone thinks it’s so simple. ‘Just forget about it and move on,’ like it’s so easy. Everyone thinks they know me well, or have my best intentions at heart, but they don’t really know who I am or what I need.”

Theo looked away as if something was troubling him.

“I’m sorry. This isn’t the best apology. I just want you to understand my perspective,” I added quickly.

His eyes fell on me. The day was overcast and dark. His eyes looked gray like the sky.

“You don’t have anything to apologize for,” he said. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. It wasn’t my place to tell you what to do. And, there’s something else.”

Theo looked down at his hands.

“What is it?”

Lightning cracked above us; a loud rumble of thunder shook the house. I looked up at the sky.

“We should get inside,” I said.

I opened the door and hobbled inside on my crutches. Theo followed closely behind. He put the food down and ran a hand through his wet hair. It had started to rain as we were leaving the doctor’s office; we were both soaked.

“What did you want to tell me?” I asked.

He considered me closely then looked away.

“What happened out there?” he said pointing to the back porch.

Immediately, I knew this was not what he’d originally been thinking about. He was trying to change the subject away from whatever was on his mind.

“I fell on the steps,” I said. “They were wet and slippery.”

“What were you doing out there in the middle of the night?”

“I decided to step out to smoke a cigarette,” I lied.

“You smoke?”

“I quit when Aiden was born, but I still get a craving for one every once in a while.”

I sensed that he didn’t fully believe me, but he didn’t push the issue. In return, I decided not to ask about what he meant when he said he was the one who should be apologizing. Silently, we laid the food out on the table. I turned to get plates in the kitchen.

“I’ll do that,” Theo offered. “You need to rest.”

I sat down and propped my leg up on the seat beside me. I watched the rain fall onto the porch and thought of the woman who’d rescued me. I needed to speak to her. I wasn’t confident I could drive with my leg in the condition it was in and I couldn’t ask Theo to drive me. He didn’t need to know about my late night sleepwalking adventures. I wouldn’t blame him for thinking I was a lunatic. I couldn’t call her either. I didn’t know her name. I had to figure out how to get back out to the bridge.

“Could I ask you for one more favor?” I said.

“Of course.”

“Do you think Aiden could spend the night with Bella tonight?”

“I don’t think that would be a problem,” he said, though I sensed hesitance. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. It’s just that I’d really like to get some sleep tonight. I don’t have the energy to chase Aiden around.”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

Theo put a plate down in front of me and sat down.

“You said no one really knows you. What did you mean by that?” he asked out of the blue.

I shrugged. “You can never really know someone, can you?”

His eyes were trained on me so intensely that I couldn’t meet his gaze. I looked away.

“No, you can’t.”

There was a catch to his voice as if he spoke of something deeper.

We ate without saying a word to one another. By the time we were finished, it was time to pick the kids up from school.

“I’ve got to go,” Theo said. “Are you going to be okay?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t go outside. I’ll come by later to check on you.”

“No,” I said a bit too quickly. He looked at me suspiciously. “I’m going to take a painkiller and go straight to bed. Don’t bother checking up on me.”

Theo nodded slowly. His expression suddenly changed.

“I better pick up the kids,” he said brightly. “Should I pack a few of Theo’s things? His toothbrush? Pajamas?”

“I’ll get them.”

“No. You sit. I can manage.”

I told him where to find Aiden’s favorite PJs and his toothbrush. A few minutes later Theo returned with a bag full of Aiden’s things.

“Let’s get you into bed,” he said.

I could walk on my own with the crutches, but Theo insisted on carrying me. I felt silly, but the way he swept me up into his arms left me a bit dizzy. For a moment, I forgot the stress and looming questions hanging over my head. Theo put me down on the bed and pulled off my shoes.

“I’ve got it from here,” I said.

I was eager for him to go. I wanted to get to the woman’s house before dark.

“You sure?”

“Yeah. Thanks for everything. I owe you.”

“It’s no problem.”

He pulled the covers over me and leaned in as if he was going to kiss me. I froze; my heart skipped a beat. He pulled away from me with a confused look on his face, as if he wasn’t quite sure what had come over him. I understood the feeling. He straightened my covers and told me to take it easy.

I smiled warmly and settled into the covers. I listened closely for the sound of the front door closing. As soon as I heard the click of the lock, I jumped out of bed.

11

The pain in my leg was intense. I decided to take half a painkiller, just enough to take the edge off the pain without leaving me foggy-headed. The pill hit me harder than I’d thought it would. Within a few minutes, I was stumbling through the house, lightheaded and stoned. I was in no condition to drive. Besides, I didn’t think I could get behind the wheel with my leg in a brace anyway.

I would have to find and alternate way to the bridge. It was less than a mile away, but walking seemed like a bad idea, even if the pill had taken care of the pain. The doctor had warned me to stay off my leg. The fracture could become worse.

I knew it was a bad idea, but in my stoned state of my mind I didn’t care. I decided to walk.

I picked up my crutches and slipped out across the backyard and into a side alley that led to the park and eventually the bridge. I nearly fell coming down the back porch steps. It was still drizzling outside and everything was slippery.

I walked a quarter of the distance to the bridge. I’m not sure how long it took me, but I was walking slowly. The light was fading from the sky. I frowned and considered going back. Just then a horn started sounding.

I turned towards the sound. A sports car pulled up beside me. The driver’s side window was rolled down. Mr. Devereaux leaned out.

“You going my way, stranger?” he asked with a wolfish grin.

He was joking; I was supposed to laugh, but I didn’t have the patience for his foolishness. Without a word, I turned and started to walk away.

“Hey, I was only joking. Where are you going?” he asked.

“Nowhere,” I mumbled.

“What happened to your leg?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re real talkative today.”

“I have somewhere I have to be. I don’t have time for this.”

“Where are you headed? I’ll drop you off.”

“No, thanks.”

“Don’t be so stubborn. I’m trying to help.”

“I don’t need your help.”

I slurred my words slightly. The pills were much stronger than I thought they’d be. Mr. Devereaux probably thought I was drunk.

I looked behind me. I could still see the alleyway that led to my house in the distance. I hadn’t walked very far at all. I frowned. Taking a ride from Mr. Devereaux was a bad idea, but in my drugged-out state of mind I didn’t care.

“Fine,” I conceded.

Mr. Devereaux jumped out of his car and walked around to the passenger’s side. He opened the door for me. I slid in with difficulty. The car was tiny. I had to bend my injured leg. Despite the painkillers, a sharp stabbing pain shot through my knee.

Mr. Devereaux took my crutches. With difficulty, he managed to fit them in the backseat. He slid behind the wheel beside me.

“Where to?” he asked.

I debated how to answer. I could tell him to drop me off at the park, but he’d want to know why I was hanging out in the park alone with a broken knee. It didn’t make sense and only led to more questions. None of which I had a good answer for.

“I’m meeting a friend for dinner,” I lied. “She lives on the other side of the bridge in a cabin.”

Mr. Devereaux’s attention turned on me sharply.

“You’re friends with that old witch?”

“You know her?”

“No,” he said too quickly. “I just know her reputation.”

“What’s her reputation?”

“They say she’s killed two husbands. You’ve never heard about this?”

“No.”

“You need to get out more. When she moved to this town, it was all anyone could talk about. Some people think she might have had something to do with your husband’s death on account of her cabin being right near where his body washed up.”

I swallowed hard and looked out the window. We weren’t moving.

“I’m sorry,” Mr. Devereaux said. “I didn’t mean to be so crude about your husband’s death. I’m sure you’re still dealing with it. I can’t imagine losing my wife.”

There was a strange catch to his voice as if he was trying to stifle laughter. Did he find the idea of his wife dying funny? I didn’t want to know.

“How did she supposedly kill her husbands?” I asked, ignoring his comments about Tom.

“Shot the first one; poisoned the second.” He said matter-of-factly as if it was common knowledge. “Of course, she got away with it. Never faced any charges and she made out like a bandit,” he continued. “Insurance paid out a pretty penny. She lives in a dump, but she’s loaded. She’s worth almost as much as I am.”

If I was supposed to be impressed by his wealth, he was failing miserably. I couldn’t care less about his money.

“You should stay away from her,” he said. “Let me take you somewhere. We could drive into the city. I know a really nice place where we can get a quiet dinner.”

“No. I promised to meet her for dinner. I don’t want to break my promise.”

Mr. Devereaux frowned. “I don’t feel comfortable dropping you off with that crazy woman.”

“I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

He sized me up; his gaze lingered on my breasts.

“I bet you can- take care of yourself, that is.”

I didn’t like the tone of his voice. I just wanted to get to the cabin.

“Let’s meet for dinner another time,” I said, affecting a low seductive voice. “We can drive into the city and have dinner. I’ll get someone to watch Aiden. We can make a night of it.”

I wanted him to think I was planning on sleeping with him, though I had no intention of doing so. I just wanted him to take me to the cabin and leave me alone.

“Alright, yeah- that sounds good. I’ll give you a night out on the town. I bet you haven’t had one of those in a long time.”

I smiled thinly. It was hard to keep my composure around Mr. Devereaux. He was one of the most repulsive men I’d ever met.

“We should really get going,” I said. “I’m running late.”

“Okay,” he finally conceded.

He put the car in gear. Thankfully, it was a short drive. I opened the door and hopped out on my own. I didn’t want his hands on me, helping me out of the car. I grabbed my crutches and waved goodbye to him.

“I’ve got it from here. Thanks for the ride,” I said, desperate to see him leave.

“Should I pick you up later?”

“What? No. She’ll give me a ride.”

I wasn’t sure if this was the case, but I figured she would. Apparently, she’d done it multiple times before.

Mr. Devereaux nodded. “Well, Friday then?”

I stared at him blankly. I had no idea what he was talking about.

“For our date- I’ll pick you up on Friday,” he said clarifying.

“Oh! Yeah. Sounds great,” I replied through clinched teeth.

I waved again. He waved back and watched me closely as I approached the cabin. I knocked on the door and waited. I was met with silence from inside. Silently, I prayed she was home. I did not want to get back into Mr. Devereaux’s car.

I glanced over my shoulder. He was still watching. His eyes were trained on me like a hawk. I knocked again, banging louder. I heard shuffling footsteps from inside. The door opened. I was greeted by the sight of the woman from the bridge. Her hair was a mess and she wore a loose robe. She narrowed her eyes and made a face of surprise. I smiled brightly.

“Invite me in,” I whispered.

I knew Mr. Devereaux was watching and listening. She looked past me to the idling sports car. When she saw it, a look of anger crossed her face.

“Get in,” she said.

She grabbed my shoulder and pushed me into the cabin. The woman pulled back the window’s drapes and looked out suspiciously. After what felt like ages, I heard the sound of the sports car pulling away. She closed the curtains forcefully.

“Are you surprised to see me?” I asked.

She responded by crossing her arms in front of her chest.

“I remember,” I said excitedly. “You said I never remember, but I remember everything.”

“What is it that you think you remember?”

Her response took the wind out of my sails. She didn’t believe me.

“Last night,” I said. “It’s crazy, but I remember it all. And I believe you. I didn’t at first, but you have no reason to lie.”

The woman nodded slowly and looked back out the window.

“Sit down,” she said. “I’ll make you some tea.”

Mr. Devereaux’s words about how she’d supposedly poisoned her second husband flashed through my mind. There was no reason to suspect this woman was out to get me, but his words left me paranoid.

I sat down at her table with difficulty. The painkiller was starting to wear off; my leg was throbbing. She set a hot cup of tea down in front of me. I sipped from it cautiously. She didn’t join me in drinking. She simply sat down across from me and watched me with a stern look on her face.

“It suddenly occurred to me,” I said, “that I don’t even know your name.”

“Jillian.”

“You haven’t told me before, have you? I’d hate to think I’ve forgotten.”

“No. This is the first time you’ve asked.”

An awkward silence passed between us. I sipped my tea. It had a strange fragrant taste I didn’t recognize.

“It’s not poisoned,” she said with a laugh.

I nearly choked. “Excuse me?”

“That’s what they say about me, isn’t it? That I poisoned my husband?”

“I don’t know what they say about you. I don’t care. Besides, they probably say worse about me.”

“Oh, yeah? Like what?”

“That I killed my husband.”

It was hard to say out loud. My tongue felt thick; my mouth dry. I took a big gulp of the tea.

“How is that worse than what they say about me? Sounds like we’re two peas in a pod.”

I didn’t want to say it, but I felt like there was the distinct possibility the rumors about Jillian were true whereas the rumors about me were nonsense.

“Well?” she asked.

I shrugged. “I didn’t kill my husband.”

“But you don’t remember.”

“No. But I know I would never-”

“You’d be surprised at the things I swore I’d never do when I was your age.”

This kind of talk made me uncomfortable. “I just want to know what you saw the night my husband died. You said I was with him? That doesn’t make sense.”

“It was raining, but I saw him from my back porch on the bridge talking to a woman.”

“So, you’re not sure it was me?”

The woman sighed and crossed her hands in front of her chest.

“Okay,” I said, trying to placate her. I didn’t want her to kick me out, or refuse to answer my questions. “For the sake of argument, say that it was me. Were we fighting, or…?”

“I don’t know. It was dark, but I thought I saw you kiss. You were wearing a scarf around your head.”

A scarf? I don’t wear scarves.

“The wind grabbed it and sent it over the edge into the water. Your husband tried to grab it and missed.”

“Is that how he ended up in the lake?”

“No. I didn’t see him go in. I went back inside. A few minutes later I heard you screaming. I ran up to the bridge and found you there alone. I wasn’t sure what had happened. I couldn’t get a straight answer out of you. You were shaking so bad… I knew something had happened. I dried you off and took you home. The next morning I woke up to sirens and cops crawling all over my backyard. I kept my mouth shut. I don’t get involved with the police.”

I nodded. “That’s all? You didn’t see anything else that night?”

“Not that night, no.”

“But you saw something suspicious?”

“The next night I saw a man underneath the bridge with a flashlight. At first, I thought he was part of the search crew, but he was out there alone.”

“Who was it?”

“Your friend, Mr. Devereaux.”