A Familiar Star (Romance Mystery) (23 page)

“Oh Jesus.”
She pleaded as the flashlight’s last light faded.

“I’m right here.
Take my hand.” Paul reached out and pulled her over onto his lap. “It’s alright. Are you alright?” He asked her in the dark.

Kylie felt woozy.
Her stomach was empty and she was exhausted. She couldn’t stand being stuck in the dark but at least she wasn’t alone.

“I’ll be ok.”
She said unconvincingly. “Tell me again how Frank will probably come looking for me.”

“He will.
He might even call me and when I don’t answer, he might even think of coming here.” He consoled her.

They sat in silence, engulfed in the dark.
Kylie thought about how impatient she’d always been. This would be the ultimate test.  There was no telling how long they would be in here.

“Ha!”
Paul let out a woop of laughter and Kylie jumped.

“What’s so funny!”
She tried to slide his hand off her leg.

“I
can’t believe, I’m stuck here with you like this. If someone would have told me this was going to happen, I would have told them they were crazy.  But here we are, stuck in here together.”

Kylie felt the irony of it all too
, but wished it wasn’t so. She wanted to be back home with Max, not sitting here on Paul’s lap. This was not good. She deliberated on the position she was in. Should she jump off his lap and sit on the cold creepy step. There was no light at all coming in through the cracks. They were literally sitting in blackness.

“Y
eah, and I can’t believe that both our cell phones are in the car.” She gave a weak laugh but he didn’t comment. She should have let him go out and call for back up when he wanted to.

“So what do you think happened?”
She needed to talk about something.

“About what?”

“About Leslie’s mother. Do you think this is how they did it?”

“Maybe, b
ut who was it?”

“Jeffery’s Father?
Maybe he was secretly in love with her and it was a lover’s quarrel.” She speculated.

“All right
, but why use a staircase when he could have gone over any time he wanted to. He could have waited until there was no one home but her.”

“That would have been too obvious.
They had guests over. Maybe he used them as a cover.”

“And what about the other murders?
Jeffery’s father was killed in a car accident long before Leslie’s husband John was killed or Mr. Rolland or Leslie for that matter.”

“That’s true, but then maybe Jeffery took over where his father left off.”

“It wasn’t Jeffery.” Paul defended him again.

“How did Leslie’s father die anyway?”

“He had a heart attack about five years ago.”

“Was he ever a suspect?”

He shrugged in the dark. “They were all suspects, I guess. I haven’t focused very much on the dead as I did on the living since I got on the case.”

“You’ve got to check all the loose ends Sherlock.”
She teased.

“Oh, it’s elementary Watson, is it?”
He gave her a squeeze then let her go.

Kylie slid off
of him onto the cold stone. “Watson always was the one to figure it out.” She said tensely.

“And get into trouble.”
He seemed not to mind that she got off him.

Kylie sighed.
She suddenly felt like crying and laughing at the same time. Her stomach was starting a protest and she felt like she needed to pee.”

“You know Kylie, while I have you here
, I’d like to apologize.”

“Oh God
, not now.” She whispered with her head down.

Paul
reached out and put his arm around her. “I was responsible for your well being and I took advantage of that.”

“It’s not necessary.”
Kylie quickly chimed in. She didn’t want to talk about that night or any of their relationship for that matter. She wasn’t really angry anymore. She was more or less relieved that they could meet without any tension between them.

“I should have acted like a gentlemen but I didn’t…”

“Did you hear that?” Kylie cut him off.

“No. What?”
They were both silent for a moment but all was quite.

“I thought I heard something.”
She hoped he would change the subject but he went on.

“I know there’s probably no chance of us ever getting back together
, but I wish there was some way I could make it up to you.”

“Like I said, there’s no reason to apologize.
I was confused and I shouldn’t have led you on.” She cringed in the dark.

“You didn’t.
I knew you were undecided and I thought if we were together again that you’d see that I was right for you.”

“It isn’t a question of right or wrong.
I needed to be true to myself. I…I don’t think we should talk about this here.”

Paul pulled his arm away.
“So Max won.” He said bitterly. “And if Max turns out to be a murderer, then what?”

“You’re
dead wrong about that.” Kylie said annoyed. “You have no reason to believe that and you know it.”

“There’s always the possibility.
He’s not in the clear yet.”

“He was little when Leslie’s Mom was killed.”

“And so was Jeffery.”

Kylie stood up and felt for the wall.
Her head started spinning but she didn’t care.

“Where do you think you’re
going?”

“Nowhere
, I just needed to get up. I thought something crawled on me.” She lied.

“Well then sit back down on my lap.”

“I need to stand for a minute.” She closed her eyes, it was less creepy.

“I’m sorry.
I don’t know why I always try and push it.” Paul stood up next to her.             

“Forget it. I’d just rather talk about something else.”

Paul felt around until he touched her arm. “Listen, I’m sorry.”

“It’s al
l right really.” Kylie had tears in her eyes and was happy he couldn’t see her. She knew in her heart that Max was innocent but what if his father had something to do with it. He’d lived around the lake a long time ago. When was that anyway? And the morning that Leslie was there, why did Max say that he had to do things to get their house. What things?

No.
She knew he was innocent; she wasn’t going to suspect him of anything.

“You know I’ll always be here for you Kylie if you need me.”
Paul said, hoping that maybe there was a doubt in her mind.

“Thank you, Paul.”
Kylie tried to sit back down but Paul pulled her into his arms.

Kylie pulled back once she felt it was appropriate but he scooped his arm around her back.
“Watch you don’t fall down.”

“I’m fine.”
She insisted. Then froze. “Do you hear that?”

“What?”

“I think its music!” Kylie broke free and knelt down to feel for the stairs. “It’s coming from Jeffery’s!” She scrambled up the stairs towards the small doorway scraping her shins and knees on the way.

“In here!”
She screamed as she banged on the door. “In here!!”

“Are you sure you heard something?”
Paul asked from behind her.

“I hear music.
Listen!”

Paul listened then
he heard it too. “Move over, Kylie.”  He pushed in beside her, banging the door with as much force as he could.

“Jeffery!!”
He screamed.

A second
later they heard a low voice.

“In here!!”
They screamed.  “We’re locked in!”

“I don’t know where you are!
There’s no door here!” Jeffery said shortly.

“There must be a latch
or a trigger, somewhere close by!” Paul shouted.

“All I see is a
panel in the wall!” Jeffery’s voice sounded muddled.

“Try and p
ush something under the molding!”

“I’ll get a screwdriver!”

They waited for a couple of minutes then they heard some clicking.

“It’s no use
, it’s just cracking the molding but there doesn’t seem to be anything underneath!”

“Maybe it’s not the right panel!
” Paul suggested.

“No, it looks li
ke the seam has been glued shut!”

“Can you go to Leslie’s house!
The other opening is in the basement!” Paul shouted. “We’ll wait for you down there!”

“All right!
”

After about ten minutes of prying, Jeffery finally got it opened.
Kylie was never so happy in all her life to see some kind of light.

“Oh, thank God.”
She said as Paul helped her over the step and into the den in the basement.

Jeffery stuck his head in to the dark stone stairwell and took a look.
He was clearly in shock. He looked at Kylie thoughtfully then he looked back at Paul for an explanation.

“I have to go call Frank.”
Paul offered no explanation but disappeared rapidly up the stairs.

“Thank you.”
Kylie said weakly. “I need to call my sister as well.” She waited for Jeffery to say something but he stood there, silent, his face serious.

“Can I borrow your blackberry?”
She motioned to the cell hanging off his belt.

Kylie got through to a hysterical Lucy and was told that Max went back to the lake house to look for her.
Frank was driving around looking for her car. Kylie explained to her what happened then told her she’d stop by the lake house and get Max then drive home. She promised; no detours.

“Thank you again Jeffery.
I’m sorry about all this.” Kylie felt his remorse. “If there’s ever anything I can do.” She smiled apologetically.

“Don’t you think you’ve done enough
already.” He snapped at her, his mouth a twisted line.

It struck her as if she’d been slapped.
“I tried to help. Don’t you want to know the truth?”

He put his head down
like a little boy, sulking.

“I’ve got to go.”
Kylie moved slowly towards the stairs.  “But one more question.” She stopped.

“Of course.”
He said sourly, looking up at her.

“You said your parents had company over the night Leslie’s mother was killed.
Who was it?”

“It was Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons.”
His tone was serious.

“The Mr. Gibbons who owned my house?”
Kylie was stunned.

“Yes that’s right.”
His eyes widened as well.

“Talk to Paul before he leaves.
  Tell him.” She instructed. “I need to go find Max.”

Paul stopped her in the doorway.
“Where are you going?”

“Home.”
She half lied.

“Did you call your sister?”

“Yes.”

“Good.
Drive straight there and nowhere else, do you hear me.”

Kylie nodded her head then raced off into the night once more.

There was a glow coming from
their house on the lake. Kylie could see it as she approached. She’d once loved that house very much but so much had changed. Now she just wanted to get Max and get out. Max, she thought, oh my God, how she missed him. She could hardly stand it. It felt like she hadn’t seen him in days.

When she pulled into the driveway she saw the front door open and he came outside.
She jumped out of the car and raced up the steps and saw that heartbreaking smile waiting for her.

He grabbed her and kissed her forehead, then her cheek, then her lips.
His affection was so intense, it downplayed her own. He was rough. He couldn’t contain himself. They kissed long and hard before their breathing slowed and he looked her over lovingly.

“I was so worried.”
He moaned.

“I’m all right.”

“What happened?” It hurt him to think of something bad happening to her.

Kylie wrapped her arms around him, her head slid to his chest and she listened to his heart.
“I’m sorry, I’m so stupid. I should have called you and told you what I was doing. I thought you’d be mad so I tried to finish it fast and then we got stuck.” She rambled on but he didn’t care.

None of it was making any sense to him but the fact that she was safe in his ar
ms was all he needed right now.

“Let’s go inside.” 
He whispered, ushering her into the house.

She couldn’t take her hands off him.
The warmth of his strong body was so soothing and the look in his eyes warmed her heart.

“You do love me?”
She asked anxiously.

“Of course I love you.”
He answered gently. “I love you with all my heart. I’ll always love you.”

“Promise?”
She felt her last bit of strength dissolve and dabbed at the tears welling up in her eyes.

“Yes.
I promise. Forever.” He pulled her back into his arms. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Yes
, I’m sure. Just please don’t ever leave me.” She tugged him closer.

“Kylie, I’ve been right here.
You were the one who disappeared.” He reminded her.

“I know
, it’s just I can’t lose you.” She admitted.

“You won’t.”
He soothed her. “Now come sit down, I’ll get you something to drink and you can tell me everything that happened. Did you call Lucy?”

“Yes.”
She moved away from him unwillingly.

“What happened to your legs?”
He grimaced when he saw the scrapes and dried blood.

Kylie had hardly noticed.
She’d also forgotten that her bladder was about to explode. “I was climbing a stone staircase…It’s such a long story. I need to go to the washroom.” She felt a little faint.

“Did you eat?”
She looked pale to him.

“No.”

“I’ll make you a cup of tea and see if we have any food in the fridge. Why don’t you go and clean up, then we can talk.”

“All right, I’ll be back in a minute.”
She headed for her room upstairs.

“Kylie.”
He stopped her mid-way. “Maybe we should go back to Lucy’s.”  He said concerned.

“I’ll call her again from upstairs and tell her that we won’t be long.
I need to get some clothes anyway, I’m running out.” She tried to muster up some energy. “Then I’ll tell you about the crazy day I’ve had and we could go after that.”  She smiled weakly.

Max looked worried.
Kylie was normally stronger, emotionally and physically.  He watched as she steadied herself on the rail.  “Go ahead, take your time.”

“I w
on’t be long.”  She turned and disappeared up the steps.

Max tried to concentrate on the food but there was little left in the fridge that hadn’t expired.  He checked in the pantry and found some oatmeal cookies.  That would have to do.  He set them on a plate then boiled the water for the tea.

He really wanted to know where she’d disappeared to. Something serious had happened but with who? He felt his back stiffen. Please Lord, don’t let, the who, she was stuck with be Paul, he thought. He tried not to jump to conclusions; still he couldn’t help having a really bad feeling about this.

Upstairs Kylie
relieved herself then quickly wiped the blood off her legs. She winced as the water began to penetrate the wounds. She plastered some antiseptic on them and changed into a clean pair of sweat pants. Then she picked up the phone to call Lucy. She pressed the call button several times but didn’t get any signal. Was it possible that Max had the phone service cancelled? Why didn’t he tell her that when she said she’d call Lucy from upstairs? Maybe he thought she had her cell.

There were
so many things she wanted to bring back to Lucy’s that she couldn’t find a bag big enough. She grabbed a duffle bag from the closet and filled it until it threatened to explode. Living out of a suitcase was getting annoying.

She couldn’t wait until they found a new house together.
The thought made her tingle all over. One bedroom that was their own to share. At this point she didn’t care if it was a cardboard box as long as they got away from all this craziness and were left to start a new life together.

That reminded her that she needed to speak to Frank quite urgently.
She didn’t trust Jeffery to get the info to Paul successfully and there was no way of knowing what Paul was going to do with the information either.

Once she had everything, she walked downstairs carefully.
The cuts on her legs were rubbing against the material of her pants and stung like hell. She’d roll them up when she reached the bottom of the stairs, she thought to herself.

“That looks good.”
She called when she saw the tea and cookies on the kitchen table. “Max?” She looked around the corner but didn’t see him in the living room.

He must be in the washroom;
she thought then sat down at the table and took a bite of cookie. Magically, the rumbling in her stomach stopped. She took a couple of sips of tea and waited. Where did he go?

By the time she had polished off another cookie she was getting impatient.
The house was so quite you’d think he left. She rounded the corner and peeked in his room. The door was opened and so was the door to the bathroom. “Max?’ She called softly.

She spun around,
went back into the kitchen and looked out the window. The car was still there. Where in the hell did he go?

She moved from room to room then saw a light coming
from the corridor that led to the garage. She felt some relief until she saw the shaft of light peering out from under the basement door.

She pulled it opened a crack
and heard a noise. “Max! Are you down there?” She yelled.

“Yes.”
The voice sounded muffled.

He must be trying to fix something.
Maybe there’s some electrical problem, that’s why the phones are not working, she thought.

“Come up, alright?
I want to get out of here!” She felt a sense of foreboding.

She waited a minute but got no answer.
“Max!” She called again even louder.

“Wait,” came the muffled voice.

Maybe he needs help?  She tried to pull herself together. It was only the thought of going down there that was putting her off. It
was
one of those creepy earth basements and she’d only been down there once before, when she purchased the house. It had almost made her change her mind about the place. If it wasn’t for the view she would have ran for the hills, she hated those basements so much.

Kylie opened
the door all the way and took a couple of steps down the creaky wooden stairs. She tried to see where he was but could only see a couple of feet ahead of her. She’d have to go all the way down to see around the corner. She stood up straighter, trying to shake off the ominous feeling. This really had to stop if she was ever going to live a normal life again.

She started her descent but half way down the steps a hand came out through the stair and grabbed her ankle.

“Ah!!” She screamed on the top of her lungs.

The hand heaved her leg through the stair
, and she felt her bone snap as she grabbed for the banister. But it was too late. She slid against the wall towards the floor, trying desperately to grab on to something to soften her fall. When her shoulder and head smacked the ground, she cried out in pain.

It took her a moment to refocus.
She stiffly unlocked her leg then tried to scramble back up the stairs, but the hand came out and pulled her back by the hair with all its force.  She landed with a thud on the dirty ground, the impact left her breathless before the pain rolled over her in waves.

She propped herself up once more an
d opened her eyes. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was, but she needed to know if Max was safe.

“What do you want?!
” She screeched.

“Oh I think you know exactly what I want!”
He growled.

“Where’s Max?!”
She cried.

“Right here.
Just turn around.” He breathed.

Kylie slid to the ground and twisted her body around.
  Max was lying on the floor across from her, his body lifeless.

“Max!!!”  She
cried out.

“He’s fine.
He hit his head that’s all.” He laughed. “I’ll just have to work it into my plan.”

“Wh
at plan?” Kylie struggled to concentrate as the pain flew up from her leg and raced across her spine.

He moved in close then pointed a gun at her.
“Get up.”

“Why should I?!
” She choked out.

“Because if you don’t I’ll kill him right here in front of you.”
He warned severely.

“What about your plan?”
She moaned, the pain in her leg twisting her thoughts.

“Well you see, he’s going to kill you, then shoot himself in the head.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a minute before or a minute or two after. Now get up.”

Kylie struggled to her feet.
Her leg burned and the pain shot up through her body whenever she put any pressure on it. “We found the staircase you know, no one is ever going to believe any of this!”

“Well, well.”
He breathed onto the back of her neck then spun her and grabbed her by the throat. “You’ve been a very busy girl.”

“Everyone knows it was you that was there that night.
They know it was you who killed Leslie’s mother.” She braced her hands over his to keep him from cutting of her circulation.

“You
should really rethink what you’re telling me.” He sneered. “I already received a call from Jeffery tonight asking me a lot of questions about the night Leslie’s mother died. He said you’d come up with some very strange ideas. He almost sounded convinced that you knew something.”

“He knows now.
Everyone knows now.” She tried to draw this out, to make him question what he was doing.

“You’re a very stupid girl.
” He dragged her across the room towards the wall where Max was lying. Then he threw her to the ground.

Through the pain and dizziness Kylie could see the small frame of Mr. Gibbons more
clearly. Of course he was the same person in her house that night.  Memories flashed across her mind at rapid speed.

“Why?”
She said angrily.  “Just tell me why?!” The tears came flooding through as she slumped forward on the cold ground.

“Is that your last wish?”
An unpleasant smile broke across his unattractive middle aged face.

“Just tell me why and then you could kill us if that’s what you plan on doing.”
She tried to draw it out so that maybe Frank would come looking for them. “Were you in love with her?”

“Who?”
He sounded surprised.

“Leslie’s mother.
Is that how it started?”

“No.”
He seemed confused. “I had no love for any of them. They cheated me out of what was rightfully mine.”

“Oh my God, please don’t tell me this was all over money?”
She tried to sound casual to keep the conversation going.

“It wasn’t just the money dear.
It was betrayal.”

“Oh y
eah, how’s that?”  She winced as she tried to straighten herself up.

“I’
d come up with an idea. Created the blueprints and just needed the support of my dear friends who had the money to make it all happen but they were too greedy you see. Leslie’s father took my blueprints and began design of the product with his company without ever including me in it. When I found out, we argued about it but he said that we had come up with the idea together and that he would give me a little something on the side. Now do you really think that’s fair?” He hissed.