Fatal Deception: Part I (5 page)

“Yeah…” he breathed. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her lately. She’s been acting really strange,” he said, breaking his gaze. He turned away, but unnoticed to the others, he watched Geri as he ascended the stairs. Something had puzzled him.

Everyone else stood around uncomfortably.

“I guess it would be a good time for me to leave,” said Geri.

“I suppose I should too,” said Deidra. “After I clean up of course…” she added.

“No, you’ve done enough, thank you,” Alondra spat.

Marc quickly stepped over to his daughter. “Wait just one minute young lady—you apologize for being so rude!”

Alondra stood defiantly, but knew not to push her father too far. She pouted, and looked down at the floor.

“It’s okay, Marc,” said Deidra politely. “We’re all a little edgy today.”

“I don’t need you to help me out!” Alondra snapped again, shooting her a heated glare.

“Alondra Caldwell!” Marc boomed. The explosion of his voice causing the Geri and Deidra to jump, but Alondra had been down this road many times, and looked to the far wall.

She forced a ‘sorry’ from her pursed lips, then walked out to the porch.

By now, Cain and Blair were coming back down to join them.

“I owe you an apology for my own actions,” said Blair. “I don’t usually act that way. If I can be frank, it could be P.M.S.,” she said with a little laugh, hoping to lighten the mood. Then suddenly something occurred to her and she went deep into thought.

“It’s okay, Blair, I understand,” said Deidra with a smile. “Well, it’s been a long day, and I have to be back here in the morning. I’d better go. May I use your phone to call a taxi?” she asked Marc, her lashes subtly fluttering.

He looked at her strangely. “What are you talking about? I wouldn’t dare let you call a taxi. I’ll take you to town,” Marc reminded.

She smiled innocently. “Thank you very much,” she said, her eyes fixed hungrily on his, unbeknownst to him.

Alondra stepped back inside. “Well,” she said. “When you take her… you can also take Geri to her place. Her car broke down at the restaurant where we met her.”

“What happened to your car?” asked Marc with concern.

“I don’t know,” said Geri. “It just wouldn’t start. I had it towed to the garage. Hopefully, they’ll be able to tell me something tomorrow.”

“Well, if they don’t let you know by the afternoon, give me a call. I’ll get them cracking,” Marc boasted.

“Thanks,” she replied sincerely. She smiled a beautiful smile that tugged immediately at Marc’s heart.

There was something about her. He had an aching feeling that he knew her from somewhere and began to stare just as Cain had.

Deidra piped in, purposely breaking the connection. “Shall we go?” she chimed.

Marc turned from Geri and acknowledged Deidra. “Sure,” he replied.

He started toward the door and Alondra and Geri followed. Cain watched as they disappeared. He watched from the doorway and noticed how Alondra had interacted with Geri.

“Alondra has really taken to the new neighbor,” he said aloud.

But Blair’s mind was going over something far from what was going on. “What?” she breathed, slowly coming out of her own little world. She’d come to realize something.

“I said Alondra has taken to the new neighbor pretty quickly. Is something on your mind?” asked Cain.

“I think I’m going to call Dr. Simmons tomorrow, and make an appointment,” she replied.

Cain became concerned, and went to her side. “What is it, Baby?” he asked, caressing her shoulders.

She looked up and saw the concern in his warm hazel eyes. “Don’t worry, Cain. It’s probably nothing serious. Probably just hormones,” she admitted.

But her words didn’t ease his feelings. “I’ll go with you,” he insisted.

She wanted to protest, but knew it would be in vain. And she loved him for it.

He pulled her close and held her tight. Inside he felt there was more to what she’d been feeling than hormones alone.

Chapter 8

Marc was silent as he drove down the county road that would first lead to Geri’s house and then to town. Deidra sat beside him and Alondra and Geri sat together in the back seat where they conversed quietly. Deidra said nothing while she stared at the road ahead.

When Marc neared the entrance to Geri’s place, Alondra got an idea. She scooted forward in her seat, and placed her hand on her father’s shoulder. “Dad, wait! Since you’re going into town anyway, why don’t we check on Geri’s car? The garage should be still open.”

He stopped the car momentarily and thought about it. “That sounds like a good idea. You don’t mind, do you Geri?” he asked.

“No, not at all,” she replied. “But I don’t want to put you out.” She was grateful for the help. She knew how male mechanics sometimes try to take advantage of women if no man is around.

Deidra slightly tensed in her seat, then turned her head, and stared out of the side window shielding her disappointment.

“You’re not putting anybody out. It’s my pleasure,” said Marc.

He continued down the road and Alondra and Geri began to chatter amongst themselves.

They first arrived at Deidra’s hotel. She thought about asking to tag along, but felt it better not to. She would have to bide her time. She would be with him tomorrow… and for sure there wouldn’t be an Alondra or a Geri to stand in her way. She bid them goodbye, and watched them drive away.

She stood there for a few moments after they had long disappeared from sight. Then she slowly went into the hotel lobby. She was in a trance-like state as she walked to the elevator. The doors had barely opened before she squeezed past them. When the elevator finally came to a stop on her floor, she stormed out of it and rushed down the hallway to her room. Upon entering, she closed the door and threw her bag across the room. She stood for a few moments with clenched fists, angered at the events of the day. It hadn’t gone as planned. Geri’s arrival was an unexpected, and unpleasant, surprise.

She went to the bed, snatched a pillow from it, pressed it into her face and let out a blood-curdling scream. Temporarily relieved of her emotions, she tossed the pillow back to the bed and went into the bathroom. She doused her face with cold water, lethargically raised her head, and gazed at the reflection in the mirror for a very long time. “There is nothing to worry about,” she said to the person staring back at her. “Just a little obstacle that will be dealt with if necessary.” She turned away, and ran herself a hot bath.

“
Okay, Jack, what’s wrong with the lady’s car?” asked Marc as he walked around checking the car out. It was an old Pinto wagon.

“Marc, this car has had its last run. She should look into getting a new one,” said Jack.

Geri was distraught. She’d had this car from the time it came off the floor. It was her first new car. She pleaded with the mechanic, “Can’t you do something to get it running again?”

Marc’s eyes returned to her. There was something about how she looked, and the way she talked, her mannerism just seemed so damned familiar, and yet he knew he didn’t know her.

“I’m sorry, Lady. I can, but not in clear conscience. You’ll only wind up stranded on some road somewhere, and that’s not what I’m all about.” He looked from her to Marc who stood listening with his arms crossed over his chest. She looked at Marc, her light brown eyes a little wet with emotion.

“This was the very first car I bought for myself, right off the floor,” she said. She went over to her car and rubbed the hood.

Marc walked over to her, and caught her arm gently.

“I’m sorry, Geri,” he said. “I know this is hard, but he’s right. It’ll certainly break down again, and who knows where or when? It’s too risky.” He tried to reason with her.

She knew he was right. She looked over to Jack and nodded her head. It was time to let the car go. “All right,” she blurted. “Junk it!” She turned and left the garage crying and Alondra followed.

Marc shook Jack’s hand and thanked him for being honest. He left the garage to join the ladies.

The ride out of town was a somber one. Geri sat in the front this time, next to Marc and didn’t say a word. Alondra sat behind her father not pressing Geri to talk.

This time when Marc neared Geri’s drive, there was no protest. He took the winding dirt road into a clearing, revealing the one-story ranch-style house. Geri opened the door, and jumped out before Marc could unbuckle his seat belt. He followed her to the porch steps and she turned around.

“Thank you so much for your help,” said Geri. “I want you to know how much I appreciate it, and I feel a little foolish for acting the way I did back there. I can only imagine what are you think of me, first impressions and all.” She let out a small chuckle, and looked down at her fidgeting fingers.

“Don’t worry about it,” said Marc. “I know how it feels to have to give up something important to you. And your first car is always the hardest to let go. I know that too.” He smiled at her. His eyes softened when she gazed in them.

The moonlight played just right on her eyes. They seemed even brighter, and for that moment his heart seemed to go back to another place and another time, long ago.

“I’d better letter you go,” she said. “I don’t want to keep you. I understand you have a very long day ahead. Thank you again for everything.” She purposely interrupted their moment. It was hard to do, but she was feeling something, and she couldn’t allow herself to get attached; not right now.

“Yeah, I guess that slipped my mind,” he said. “But if you need a ride any place until you find another car, don’t hesitate to call me. You know what?” An idea popped into his head. “We should be wrapped up with this by Saturday. Why don’t I take you to a nice car place I know?”

She was taken aback, and didn’t quite know what to say. “I don’t know…” she said. “I don’t want to make a nuisance of myself.” Geri started to back up towards her front door.

“I’m not gonna take no for answer,” said Marc. “Even if I have to cancel these shoots. Then there will be a big problem with the magazine folks… And you don’t want to see that now, do you?” he stood leaning on the railing with one foot propped on the lower step. His eyes staring up at her like a school boy looking at his crush.

“All right,” she said with a smile. “Since you put it that way. I certainly don’t want to see you get into hot water with the magazine. Especially since you have gone out of your way to be neighborly.” She had eased her way back to the edge of the porch and wrapped her arm around the post. Her eyes became fixed on his.

“Good,” said Marc. “Then it’s a date.” His voice was low and deep, but soft. Not wanting to leave her but knowing he had to, he gave her a smile and turned and walked away.

He glanced up at the moon, and for the first time in years his heart felt full. Something it hadn’t been in a very long time; not since Clarice.

Geri watched him walk away. He stopped and gave her one last lingering gaze before entering the vehicle, then he drove away.

Alondra, who’d jumped into the front seat, and had watched the two interact, and was very happy about what she saw. Maybe, just maybe, Geri was someone worthy of her father’s love.

“You like her don’t you?” she asked s they drove away.

Marc cleared his throat coming back to reality. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I like her?” he asked. “She’s a nice lady.”

She stared at him with a grin. His eyes darted back and forth between her smiling face and the road ahead. “Look, don’t go getting any crazy ideas or making more of this than it is,” he warned.

“I won’t,” said Alondra. “I’m not going to do a thing, I promise!” She sat back in her seat, and looked out the side window, smiling. Yes, her father definitely liked Geri.

Chapter 9

Geri had watched Marc’s car disappear around the bend, and stood for a while, looking at the moon. She hadn’t counted on this thing with him. He was a very good-looking man; he was tall, broad, and handsome. And there was something about the way he looked at her that made her heart skip a beat. “I can’t believe this,” she whispered aloud. “Did what happened with him, really happen?” She couldn’t ignore what she was feeling. He made her feel wonderful. She sat back in a chair and wrapped her arms around her and smiled.

She basked the moon light. It was a beautiful night in more ways than one. It had been a long time since she had feelings like this; not since her husband Stan. Suddenly, her tranquil moment was interrupted by another thought. Stan… he’d been nearly twenty years her senior and had died a horrible death–a radio had supposedly fallen into the tub while he bathed. The details were suspicious.

She left the porch, and went into the house to prepare some things. Her first contact had gone better than expected.

Marc stared through the window of his darkened room. The moon seemed more enchanting tonight for some reason. He remembered a night like this many years ago; the night he met his wife Clarice.