Defenseless (11 page)

Sergeant Anderson looked from her to Freeman. “May I ask why you believe your sister was physically taken?” he asked, pulling out a pen and a small notepad to take down her response.

“My sister's disappearance occurred the same day we discovered her husband's brother to be an impostor.”

“We?” Anderson asked, looking up.

“Yes. My sister's lawyer, Dwayne Hamilton, discovered this yesterday.”

“Maybe your sister and this man are in collaboration with each other,” Freeman suggested.

Sonya glared at Freeman, causing him to become serious.

“As I was saying, Dwayne's, I mean, Mr. Hamilton's, office did a background check on Curtis's family and discovered that Curtis was an only child. If Sergeant Freeman's department had done their homework, they would also know this.”

“What does that have to do with your sister murdering her husband? Why would we care if you were housing a stranger?”

“Because according to your own paperwork, you have Richard Durden listed as identifying Curtis's body. Surely that sounds like a crime worth investigating.”

Freeman's jaw twitched. “Perhaps Richard Durden is Curtis's stepbrother. Did you ever think of that? Perhaps they shared the same father and not the same mother.”

Sonya reflected on his words for a moment, then shook her head. “No. That wouldn't work, either. This man said he was Curtis's younger brother.”

“So?” Freeman asked impatiently.

“So he claimed he was five years younger. Dwayne said Curtis's father died when Curtis was two years old.”

This succeeded in getting Sergeant Anderson to take her claims seriously. For the next hour, she went over everything she knew. Most of it was from what Dwayne told her last night. Freeman's scowl remained on his face the whole time. When Sergeant Anderson announced that this indeed sounded like a kidnapping case, Sergeant Freeman began muttering to himself. Neither Sonya nor Sergeant Anderson paid him any attention.

 

Sonya watched the police cars drive down the driveway. She'd hoped that filing that report would at least make her feel as though she was doing something to help her sister; it didn't. The problem was, she didn't understand the whole situation. Why would this man want to cause Laura harm? What was the connection between Richard Durden—whoever he was—and her sister?

The phone rang, startling Sonya out of her deep thoughts. She reached for the phone, praying it was good news. “Hello?”

“Hello, Sonya? This is Tina.” Sonya's hopes crashed.

“Good morning, Tina.”

“Good morning. I called because I was checking to see if you forgot your one o'clock appointment with Mr. Packard?”

Sonya moaned into the phone. She did forget. “Cancel it. I'm dealing with a family emergency.” Sonya didn't want to get into any details. She made a point to keep her professional and personal lives separate. Sharon had been the only exception to the rule.

“Actually, Miss Walters, I had a hard enough time trying to get you in for this appointment. It may be months before Mr. Packard agrees to another one.”

Sonya cursed at her luck. She reluctantly informed Tina she would be there in time for her appointment. She entertained the thought of passing up the Packard Steel line but thought better of it. She had worked too hard to let this pass up.
I will just go in for a few hours. If everything goes as planned, I will be home by five.

She ran upstairs to get dressed. She selected a peach-colored dress with matching pumps. When she finished, she looked herself over in the mirror. She succeeded in presenting herself as a self-confident businesswoman, everything she wasn't feeling.
Come on, girl, it's just for a few hours.

 

Sonya's meeting with Mr. Packard went well. She won the Packard Steel account and soon found herself working later than she intended.

When she looked up at her clock, it read eight-thirty. She decided to stay another hour to clear some more paperwork that was stacking high on her desk. It was late, and everyone had gone home for the evening. It was the best time to get it done.

Sonya buried herself in her work, and before she knew it, it was eleven-thirty. Had it not been for her stomach growling like a fierce lion, she would have worked through the night. She leaned back into her chair and closed her eyes.
I have to get something to eat.

She thought about calling Dwayne, but she was sure he would have contacted her if there were any new developments in Laura's case. She stared at the phone, wanting to call him anyway. She shook her head at her foolishness, then decided to go home.

Sonya stood up from her chair and began gathering her things. She was disappointed that the police department hadn't tried to contact her. She desperately wanted to believe that no news was good news.

She closed her office door and headed toward the elevators. Something fell.
What was that?
She held her breath and waited to see if she would hear it again. Nothing.
I must be hearing things.
She shook her head and continued toward the elevator.
There it is again.
Sonya's heart pounded loudly in her ears. The roots of her hair stood at attention.

Slowly she glanced around the large office. “Who's there?” she called out. No answer. Sonya expelled the breath she unconsciously held. She continued to creep toward the elevator bay, which seemed miles away. This time she heard something fall, and she took off running. She dropped a trail of paper as she raced through the large office.

Footsteps!
She heard someone following her. Yet her fear refused to let her turn around. She reached the elevators and frantically started pushing buttons. A bell sounded as an elevator door began to open.

Running for the opening door, Sonya took a quick glance behind her. She let out a horrified scream as she bumped solidly into a figure stepping from the elevator.

D
wayne sat next to his brother-in-law at Fat Tuesdays, James's favorite bar at Underground Atlanta. James ordered another drink from the passing waitress. The music was loud, and the smoke stung Dwayne's eyes, but this had always been his and James's favorite hangout.

“I'm glad you were able to make it,” James shouted over the music.

Dwayne smiled and ordered another Coke. He didn't want to touch anything alcoholic, knowing he had to drive home. However, after what he went through this morning with Sonya, a drink was what he sorely needed. “Bridget gave me the message to meet you here. What on earth happened between her and Sharon last night?”

“More like this morning. Sharon told me they had discussed Bridget attending college. I don't think that your daughter is too keen on the idea.”

“Oh,” Dwayne said, with some thought. He'd attempted the same subject with Bridget and knew he had handled the situation wrong. He'd succeeded only in getting his daughter upset, leaving him frustrated. “What brought up the topic?”

“Who remembers? I just know that after Sharon talked to Bridget, she was snapping at me.”

“That explains why you're here.” Dwayne smiled.

“I don't see anything funny about this. We are supposed to leave for the banquet tomorrow. This is the last thing I need right now.”

Dwayne nodded. “Congratulations. Sharon told me about the banquet in your honor.”

James held Dwayne's friendly gaze. “Thank you.”

Dwayne looked around, soaking up the atmosphere. He recognized a few faces from his firm and nodded in acknowledgment.

“How is Laura Durden's case going?” James yelled over the music.

Dwayne rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I have a missing client.”

“What? She jumped bail?” James asked, incredulous. “I bet Sonya is livid. For a woman who's supposed to be so cold, she has a temper so hot she could start a fire with her eyes.”

Dwayne shrugged his shoulders. “Tell me about it. I got burned by one of those flames this morning.”

James's curiosity perked up. “This morning?”

Dwayne closed his eyes while pinching the bridge of his nose. “I wish I could just figure her out. Or figure out a way to tear down that invincible wall she's got up.”

James leaned onto one elbow then placed his chin within the palm of his hand and just listened.

“I mean, I know where she's coming from. I can only imagine the hurt she has gone through being from an abusive home. I know she fought like hell to get out of the projects. And on top of that I feel a deep sense of responsibility for her sister's mistakes. But…” Dwayne fell silent. “I guess after putting it all like that, I can understand perfectly why she shuts men out.”

James gave a sly grin then shifted his weight to lean closer to Dwayne then jab him playfully in his side. “I can't believe it. You like the Ice Queen.”

Dwayne chuckled. “The Ice Queen?”

“Yeah, Sharon told me that the men in their office had labeled her that. I have to admit, whenever I talk with her, she holds a cold disposition.”

Dwayne continued smiling. “At least I know it's not me.”

 

Sharon screamed as she and Sonya fell to the floor. Sonya jumped away, momentarily unable to recognize her. “My God, Sharon, you scared the hell out of me!” Sonya held a hand over her pounding heart.

“It's good to see you, too.”

“Are you all right?” Sonya asked, standing up.

“I think I broke my butt bone. Why on earth are you running through here screaming like a madwoman?”

“I thought I heard someone in the office.” Sonya's face grew serious as she remembered the footsteps.

Sharon was finally able to stand up but not without rubbing her butt to emphasize the pain she was experiencing. “I see,” Sharon said, unconvinced. “I don't see anybody. I think you need to start giving up such long hours.”

Sonya ignored her criticism. “Someone
was
behind me.”

“Look at this,” Sharon said, bending to pick up sheets of paper. “You have paper everywhere.”

Sonya began picking up the loose paper, but she kept her eyes toward the office. She knew she didn't imagine the whole thing.

“Sonya, do you hear me?” Sharon tapped her shoulder.

“Yes,” she lied. “Come on, let's hurry and get out of here.” Sonya followed the paper trail leading back to her office. The whole time, she kept looking over her shoulder.

After they finished, Sonya wanted to leave.

“Wait up, Sonya. I came to get a file off my desk.” Sharon walked toward her own office. “I figured that I might as well get some work done on the flight to California tomorrow.”

When Sonya didn't respond, Sharon hurried past her. “Come on, girl. You're starting to spook me.” Just as she was able to get the words out, the entire office went black. “What the hell?” Sharon said, edging closer to Sonya.

Sonya drew in a sharp breath. “Let's go.” Slowly, they moved in the direction of the elevator bay. Sonya's ears strained to listen.

“Maybe it's just a power outage,” Sharon whispered.

Sonya shook her head. “I don't think so. The backup generator would have kicked in—besides, look over there.”

Sharon's eyes swept around the room, not knowing what Sonya wanted her to see, but she was able to make out the building across the way. The lights were on. “I don't like this,” she finally said.

Sonya's thoughts exactly. It seemed like eternity before they reached the elevator bay. The elevators were dead also. “My God, the generator to the elevators is shut off, too.”

“The staircase is over here.” Sharon took Sonya's hand and led her farther down the hall. A loud thundering noise rang out behind Sonya as she felt something whiz by her ear.
Someone is shooting!

The women screamed as they ran into the dark stairwell. They took off down the stairs. Sonya kicked off her shoes to maintain the same urgent pace with Sharon. When the stairwell's door crashed open above them, Sharon and Sonya picked up speed. Neither of them looked behind them as they took two or three steps at a time.

What floor were they on now? Sonya wondered. Nine? Eight? Sharon stumbled but lost no time getting back to her feet. Sonya glanced to make sure she was all right but couldn't stop to make sure.

Sonya saw a door on the next level of stairs and grabbed Sharon's hand and pulled her through it. She wasn't confident they would beat their attacker down the stairwell. The door led them to another office. Which one she didn't know or care. “This way!” she hissed. They needed to find a hiding place.

The stairwell door smashed open, and Sonya suppressed a scream. “Get down!” she commanded, dropping to the floor.

“Over here!” Sharon whispered, crawling under a desk. Sonya squeezed in and held her breath.

 

Dwayne felt his pager vibrate against his leg. He glanced at the number displayed on the tiny screen. “Excuse me, I have to make a phone call,” he told James and left to use the phone at the bar.

“Hello, Bridget. What's up?”

“I was wondering if it was okay if I go over to Sylvia's house. I'm bored,” she pouted.

“You're supposed to be bored, remember? You're grounded.”

“Please, Daddy? I've done all my chores today and everything. Please?”

Dwayne wanted to give in to his daughter, but he knew he had to hold his ground. Besides, Bridget probably had no intention of going to Sylvia's house. “No, Bridget.”

She let out an exaggerated sigh. “Well, how long am I on restriction?” she asked, her annoyance evident in her voice.

“Until I say you're off,” Dwayne answered sternly.

“Then can I have company come over?”

“Bridget, you know the rules. No company. I'm on my way home. Maybe I can keep you company,” he teased.

“I can hardly wait,” she groaned.

Dwayne laughed. “Bye, Bridget. I'll see you in a little while.” He hung up the phone, still smiling.

“Important call?” James asked when he returned to the table.

“No, it was just Bridget wanting to go over to a friend's house.”

James shook his head. “You have your hands full with that one.”

“Yes, but she's well worth it. I think I'd better cut the evening short and get back home. For all I know, there could be a party going on at the house.”

James laughed. “I see a lot of you in her. You know you weren't always on the right side of the law.”

Dwayne's eyes twinkled. “I know. That's why I'm going home, to make sure she doesn't follow in my footsteps.” James roared with laughter as he watched Dwayne's departing figure.

An overly made-up woman threw her hands around Dwayne's neck and smiled seductively at him. “Want to dance, stranger?”

Dwayne shook his head politely. “I was just leaving.”

“Ooh, that sounds like a great idea. Mind if I tag along?”

Dwayne lifted an amused brow. “Thanks, but I'll have to take a rain check.”

She shrugged her shoulders as if it made no difference to her. “Maybe next time, sexy.”

Dwayne smiled and gently pushed past her and through the growing crowd. The party scene was no longer his thing. It faded out of his mind when he met his wife. She had waitressed at a local club where he and James hung out in college. He made it to his car in the parking deck, relieved to be heading home.

 

Sonya heard the light footsteps stop in front of the desk. She felt Sharon's hand tremble in hers, yet neither made a sound. She wished that she could at least see who their attacker was but didn't risk it. Moments later, the footsteps walked in the opposite direction. Sonya relaxed against the desk. “Who is that?” Sharon whispered.

Sonya placed her hand over Sharon's mouth. She didn't want to get too comfortable until they could get out of the building. She crawled from under the desk and tried to look around. Sharon crawled out beside her. “Is he gone?”

“Shh.” Sonya reached for the phone on the desk. It was dead. “Damn!” she whispered.

“What's wrong?” Sharon inquired, looking over her shoulder.

“It's dead—come on,” Sonya instructed, crawling farther down the aisles. Each phone she checked gave her the same results. “We are going to have to get back to the stairwell—we have no other choice.” She made out Sharon's figure in the darkness and saw that she nodded her head in agreement. “Are you ready?” Sharon nodded again. “Let's go!”

The women headed back toward the stairwell. Sonya cautioned Sharon to be as quiet as possible. They were still unsure exactly where their predator was. They made it without an incident. Sharon lost a shoe as she struggled to keep up with Sonya.

Silently, the women headed down the stairs. This time, they stopped every once in a while whenever they thought they heard something or someone following them. Sonya didn't realize how loud her breathing was until now. She heard everything, it seemed, intensified a thousand times. She was able to make out the number three imprinted on the next stair level.
Only a couple more to go.

A door crashed open above them, and the women quickly picked up speed. “Go, go, go!” Sonya whispered behind Sharon. The run was awkward for Sharon, who ran with only one shoe on. Level two, then one, quickly came into view. The women stormed out of the stairwell and down the lobby. Sonya's bare feet made no sound as she dashed across the hard marble floor, while Sharon's one sneaker made a clapping sound as she followed.

Sonya passed the security desk and noticed the officer slumped over his chair. Sharon let out a startled scream when she noticed the body. Sonya looked sharply at her. Sharon gave an apologetic expression as she realized what she'd done. The stairwell's door burst open, and the women continued running toward the front door.

A brief sense of freedom engulfed Sonya as they made it to one of the glass doors. Sharon screamed just as she was able to make it through the door behind Sonya. At that exact moment, the glass door beside her shattered into a million pieces. Their stalker was shooting again.

Sharon's car was parked in front but had four flat tires.

“Damn!” This meant they would have to go to the fifth-level parking deck to make it to her car. Sonya ignored the small pebbles and sharp objects that continued to poke at her toes through her thin nylon stockings.

There was no one at the security booth at the parking deck, and Sonya's fear escalated. “We're going to have to find a place we can use a phone. Come on,” Sonya said, heading toward the street.

“I thought we were going to your car?” Sharon complained, following Sonya.