Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Betsy suddenly felt more alone than she had for the past few weeks.
Somehow, she’d gotten used to having Cain around.
Liked the way they’d settled into a nightly routine of love making.
How they’d talk about this and that, over and over, sharing emotions and dreams and plans.
No, truth be told, she hadn’t shared her dreams and plans, but Cain had.
She hadn’t even given him that much of her, only her passion and emotions.
If he came back tonight, she needed to rectify her part of their relationship. That was, if they still had a relationship. Or had she imagined everything?
She wrapped Marcy in another hug, then pointed in the soda fountain’s direction. “Now go grab those drinks and hurry back before Summer and I have planned your entire baby shower.”
Marcy beeped the SUV open.
“Hey, since the security system is broken, I’ll lock the door from inside. Press the buzzer when you get back.”
Her sister shot her a thumbs-up as she slid in and drove away.
Betsy shut the door and flipped the lock.
Without missing a beat, Summer and Betsy went back to organizing some of the clutter that had been made by whoever was targeting her and the dealership.
The destruction was bad enough, but the unanswered why question was tied with the who.
Even with the information Shadow had shared yesterday there were still way more questions than answers.
She walked into the front display room and was greeted with only the occasional stripe of winter sunshine oozing through between the four-by-twelve plywood sheets covering the shattered windows.
“Summer, you’re a good PI. Do you have any theories about what’s going on, with all that’s happened here in Crayton the past few days? ”
Her sister walked over to one of the shiny red new cars, hot off the line. “Not really. If I lived closer, I’d have a network of contacts. But from St. Louis to here is not only a lot of time and miles, it’s a totally different feel.”
“Just thought I’d ask.”
“One thing I will say is, you need to be careful. I’ve handled a lot of cases. There’s petty vandalism. And there’s big city crime. Something about this doesn’t feel small town. Feels professional. Planned. Direct. That’s all I can give you.”
Betsy sighed. “That at least helps me know I’m not just imagining the danger.”
“You’re not. And I’m sure Cain and JB and Uncle Cal and Truman would tell you the same thing.” Slowly, Summer ran her fingers down the ugly scratch on the door panel. “Will they be able to fix this?”
“I hope so. You’d be amazed at what they can do with paint nowadays.” She led the way back to her office. “Marcy should be back soon. Maybe we can get her to let us go with her over to Truman and Sadie’s place. I’d love to be there when they tell Mama about the baby.”
“Agreed.” Summer sat in one of the customer chairs in front of the desk. “Mama will be beside herself with excitement over a grandchild.”
Betsy’s phone beeped with an incoming text, but as she reached to check the message, a noise near the back door caught their attention. The doorknob jiggled.
Betsy quickly laid her phone down and held up one hand to stop the conversation.
She placed her finger over her lips with the other.
Summer silently mouthed Marcy? Betsy shook her head.
Uneasy, she moved cautiously to her chair and opened her bottom drawer, slid open the fake bottom panel concealing her gun.
Empty. The gun had been there yesterday when she checked prior to the insurance agent arriving. Now the secret compartment was completely empty. Not even the holster or extra bullets had been left.
The back door deadbolt clicked, which meant someone with a key was coming inside.
She glanced at Summer. “Gun?”
“It’s in my lock box at the house.” Shaking her head, she took a step closer. “And I forgot to charge my phone last night.”
The ding of the back door opening ratcheted Betsy’s fearful apprehension up a few notches. A mingle of muffled men’s voices made trepidation soar. Each of the women reached for their phone.
Betsy motioned Summer to hide in the attached office storage room. “Don’t come out unless I call you by your full name.”
“Got it.” Summer grabbed the stapler and three-hole punch from the top of the file cabinet, then disappeared into the room, pulling the door closed behind her.
“Who’s there?” Betsy loudly asked as she shoved a small table and stacks of boxes in front of the storage room door to camouflage the idea of anyone being in there. “I heard you come inside. Tell me who’s there or I call the police.”
“It’s me, Papa Carrington. Didn’t mean to scare you. Didn’t see your car parked by the back door. Figured no one was here.”
He stepped into the office wearing a coat over what looked like his hospital gown and a pair of orderly pants. Dragging the brown house shoes he was wearing along the floor, he shuffled weakly toward the chair.
Inconspicuously, Betsy shoved her phone in her pocket before racing around the desk to steady him as he bent to sit. A heavy half-groan, half-sigh seemed to explode out of his mouth.
“What are you doing out of the hospital?” Betsy asked as she noticed a large bump with the beginning of a bruise on his forehead. She touched it lightly then saw a slight trickle of blood from a cut along his eyebrow. “Did you fall? Are you hurt?”
“I’m sorry, Betsy. Truly sorry, but there’s nothing I can do now.” He laid one hand on hers and gripped her wrist with the other. “I can’t protect you any longer.”
She jerked to free herself, but old man Papa C was suddenly up and out of the chair. Strong and spry as ever, he tightened his grip. At the same time, the younger guy from the hospital room yesterday rushed in the door.
"Stop struggling." Gun drawn, eyes narrowed on hers, and smirking, the thug motioned her to step back. “Move. Now! Don’t make me tell you again, lady.”
She stepped back.
Suddenly, she remembered where she’d seen him before yesterday—Peyton’s service center.
The night Earl supposedly fell on the floor.
That night Papa C said he’d clean him up.
Said he’d stay to help fix the customer’s truck.
The so-called customer—the bearded thug standing in front of her now—had been clean shaven that night, but it was him.
She’d never forget the way he’d stared at her. He had the same threatening look today except now he had a beard. Changed his overall look. A beard. What was it about the beard? The beard…
“Oh my gosh. You’re Phillip’s drug dealer.” The one she’d seen the night she’d followed her husband to a drug buy.
The thug lifted the corner of his mouth in a menacing smile. “Interesting. You know more than we thought.”
“Well, isn’t this nice.” In walked the older, grey-haired gentleman from the hospital yesterday. The one who had said very little yet gave off the vibe of being in control of everything happening in Papa C’s room. “Looks like everything’s already fallen into place.”
Betsy turned her attention toward him and his black wool overcoat and black leather gloves. His creased trousers and shiny black shoes seemed to top off who he felt he was in whatever this involved. To her, he looked like a big-city crime boss personified.
“Can someone tell me what’s going on?” She glanced back and forth between Papa C and the thug. Narrowed her gaze to the older gentleman. “Who are you? Why did you drag Papa C out of the hospital? Can’t you see he’s not well?”
“Some people might say I’m the brains behind the operation.
You can just call me Mr. Partner. And my assistant”—he pointed at the thug standing by his side—“you can call him James. As for Papa C, he came along willingly. Isn’t that right, little brother?
” The man smirked behind his sinister tone.
“Sooner or later, he always does the right thing for the family. Always.”
For a split second, Papa C loosened his hold, and Betsy jerked her hand free.
He grabbed at her, but she backed away and to the side, trying to put the desk between the men and herself.
She felt better knowing Summer was secure in the storage room, which had been designed with no windows to double as somewhere to shelter in place during a tornado.
Suddenly she tensed. Marcy… Marcy would be back soon. Then what? Betsy’s phone rang and she reached to grab it from her pocket.
“James!” Partner shouted as he pointed at her.
The thug grabbed her wrist. She twisted to pull away. If she could just push the answer button, someone would hear what was happening. The man tighten his hold and jerked her back, doing his own twist on her arm. She cried out in pain.
“Don’t answer that call, Betsy. That’s not a request. That’s an order!” Papa C’s loud and angry tone was one she’d never heard him use with her before. “And stop moving around, too. Right now. Understood?”
She stopped fighting. Stopped moving. The glaring expression on his face gave her pause.
She’d only seen that one other time—when Phillip had argued with his father.
That had been the day before the wreck. She hadn’t thought of that since she’d woken up in the hospital. Broken and battered and alone.
Her phone rang two more times before clicking to voicemail. Blowing out a sigh of defeat, she cradled her aching wrist and waited. “Understood. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Let her be.” Partner moved closer, staring straight into her eyes. “But you’re wrong on one thing. You will be going with us when we leave the building.”
“Why?” Papa C asked.
“She’s our ticket out of town and any other situation that arises.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary.”
Partner stepped closer to his brother. “I don’t care what you think. Thought you learned your lesson years ago when you tried to turn on the family. Remember how that ended?”
Papa C looked thoughtful, almost sad, then nodded. “I remember.”
Betsy intently listened to the conversation. She wanted to be sure of every clue they were giving. There was no doubt but that somewhere in the future she’d be called on the stand to testify against one or all of these men.
“Don’t you ever forget that I’m the one in charge here.” Partner unbuttoned his overcoat and turned in his brother’s direction, waving his hand toward the office door. “Now, where’s your office, brother dear? This safe you say you’ve got hidden better be there.”
Betsy felt his ominous meaning before the words even hit her brain. The vibe in the room was changing. Right now, the future seemed to hinge on something in a safe she had no idea even existed in this building.
“I know where I keep my money. I’m not a complete incompetent.” Papa C straightened.
“Well, you’re only half right on that. Seeing that you left a whole lot of it at the casinos and can’t even remember which one.” Partner looked in her direction, motioned her to follow Papa C as James walked behind her. “You going to do whatever we tell you to do? No questions asked?”
She had to save Summer. Had to get these men out of the office before Marcy returned. Had to hold on to the idea that Cain and JB and the others would find all of them in time. She could do what these criminals asked until that moment.
“Yes. Whatever you want.” She followed his orders. Now was not the moment to show any animosity. At least, none she couldn’t back up.
The three of them followed Papa C to his office.
Once inside, Partner took off his overcoat and handed it to Betsy.
Authoritatively, he pointed for her to put it on the coat rack, then pointed to the chair in front of the desk.
She sat quickly and quietly. The game had begun, and she needed to cooperate.
Sooner or later, someone would find her.
No matter where they took her, someone would find her.
Partner laughed as he watched Papa C tip three books on the bookcase behind his desk, then pull a statue forward. Instantly the bookcase clicked open to reveal a safe hidden behind it. “Didn’t know you were this clever, brother.”
“We’ll need to stop by the house for the other safe’s contents, too.” Papa C laid a stack of papers and money and flash drives on his desk. Tossed his briefcase to Betsy. “Fill it up.”
With no complaint, she did as told.
“You seem to have calmed the beast here. She may be a lot of help to us.” Partner watched Betsy, then smiled as she closed the briefcase. “She’s smart. Compliant. Probably learned that from her dad. Makes me think I may have missed a chance with that FBI agent years ago.”
Betsy leaned back in the chair and waited for the next command. He seemed to know a lot about her family. About her background. Seemed to enjoy taunting her with conversation.
Partner motioned for her to hold his coat up for him, then slid into it like the most important man in the world. After tugging on his leather gloves, he stared at Betsy once again until she finally stared right back.
He laughed. “Yeah, I should have tried negotiating with your dad. Too bad I had him killed instead.”