ROMANCE: Mr. Mystery: (New Adult Bad Boy Romance) (Contemporary Mystery Short Stories) (5 page)

“No,” Bianca murmured.  Her mind was racing.  She couldn’t cope with this tonight.  “I’ll do it at home tomorrow-alone.  But uh,” she paused for a moment, “can I stay here tonight?”  Keith’s face lit up in a smile. 

“Well of course you can.”  He reached for her, pulling her into his arms.  Bianca let him.  She needed something to calm her down.  “I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have-.” 

“No.”  Bianca tightened her arms on his.  “No, you did exactly what you should have done and told me.  I only wish that my family had done the same.” 

She did.  Inside, she was seething with anger.  She couldn’t believe that no one had bothered to bring this up to her.  Tomorrow, she was going to get to the bottom of this-once and for all. 

******

Bianca closed the laptop and rubbed her eyes.  It had been a long day.  Keith had dropped her off around eleven.  After a shower, she’d gone upstairs to the third floor where she set up her laptop. 

A quick search of Stephen Sullivan’s death brought up a dozen news videos.  Bianca had watched all of them.  She watched as her picture was flashed across the screen.  Initially, everyone did claim that Stephen’s death was a tragedy from losing her.  But then the speculation started. 

Apparently Patti had been seen with Kevin a number of times in the early days after Stephen’s passing.  Everyone thought it was odd-or at least the news media made it seem that way.  Stephen hadn’t had any family left, but his friends had voiced their objections.  Bianca watched as people she knew, and people that her parents had called friends, spoke out against her mother. 

All of the friends they spoke to voiced the same arguments: the Sullivans had been a happy family, but Stephen did everything.  Patti had never been home.  And now she was running around with the man she had been spending all of her time with when she was away from her husband. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”  Bianca let her head rest on the closed laptop.  She was frightened that her realizations had been so clear.  This was like watching a crime show.  She didn’t want to think about what the repercussions might mean. 

Her phone rang on the bed beside her.  Bianca looked down: Keith.  She picked up the phone. 

“Hello?” 

“Hey.”  His voice had a sympathetic edge to it.  “How are you?”  She’d told him fully of her plans when he’d dropped her off.  He’d offered to stay and help her-he knew what he was looking for, after all.  But Bianca had insisted on doing it alone. 

“I’m ok.”  She leaned back on the bed.  “I just finished looking at videos.  I don’t think I can look at anymore.” 

“You probably shouldn’t,” Keith offered gently.  “You’ve got a lot of information.  Look, why don’t we get dinner tonight?  You need to get away from that house, away from everything.” 

“You’re right, I should.”  Bianca smiled.  “And I wouldn’t mind going out with you again.”  She heard the smile in his voice. 

“Honestly?  That’s what I was hoping for.  When should I pick you up?” 

“Um, the sooner the better?”  Bianca laughed as she got up.  “I need to change.  Forty-five minutes?  An hour.” 

“An hour for safety’s sake.”  Keith told her.  “I’ll see you then.” 

“I’ll be waiting.”  Bianca hung up feeling better.  She liked the idea of finally having a life.  It wasn’t that anyone in this house cared.  She hadn’t spoken to her mother in a couple of days.  She’d texted Gianna last night, and that was about it. 

Speaking of Gianna, the phone was ringing her number now.               

“Hey!”  Bianca grabbed up the phone.  “What’s going on?” 

“Nothing.  Where are you?” 

“Home.  Where are you?” 

“I had a meeting after school.  I’m on my way home.  I forgot my key, so I just wanted to see if anyone was there.” 

“Well, I’m here for now.”  Bianca moved to stand in front of her mirror.  Her long brown hair fell around her face.  She scooped it up with one hand, holding it to a ponytail on her head. 

“For now?”  Gianna echoed. 

“Yeah, Keith and I are having dinner.” 

“Dinner after you spent the night at his house?”  Gianna clicked her tongue.  “How serious, B.” 

“Funny,” Bianca moved into the living room after off the floor.  She glanced down the stairs, into the hallway.  “When I get home, we need to talk.” 

“Why?” 

“Well, Keith mentioned something to me last night.  So I spent the day watching news videos online.”  Gianna was silent on the other end.  “Gianna?” 

“I really hoped no one would tell you.  But you had already figured it out anyway, so what does it matter?” 

“I needed to know.”  Bianca put the phone down, turning on the speaker while she got a glass of water.  “Now the question: what do you think?” 

More silence on the line.  Bianca waited as patiently as she could. 

“I don’t really know.”  Gianna replied. 

“Come on, G.  You have to have some idea.  You just think that Dad killed himself?” 

“I don’t, ok?”  Gianna answered.  “I never have.  But I was just a kid.  No one was going to listen to me.  Dad wouldn’t have left Mia and I.  He loved you, but he was devoted to all three of us.  He wouldn’t have done that.” 

That was what Bianca wanted to hear. 

“So who do you think did it?”  She took a sip of her water, not sure if she was ready to hear the answer. 

“Honestly?”  Gianna asked.  “Both of them.”  She answered without hesitation.  Bianca heard the tone of conviction in her voice. 

“Wait, what?”  Bianca hadn’t been expecting that.  “You think Mom and Kevin killed Dad?” 

“Well, no.  I mean, I don’t have proof.  But I think Kevin was involved.  And I think Mom knew something.  She just kept saying it was terrible it had to happen like this.  I mean, that’s weird right?  Who says that?  Saying it’s terrible it happened is one thing, but why add on the ‘like this’?” 

Bianca thought she heard a noise.  She took a step forward, looking down the stairs into the house.  She couldn’t be sure, but she thought a shadow was moving. 

“G, I’m going to go.  You’re almost home right?” 

“I hit fucking traffic.  I’ll be there soon.” 

“Ok…”  Bianca nodded.  She had a strange feeling.  Maybe Keith would be ok with Gianna joining them.  She suddenly didn’t want to be alone in this house-or want Gianna there by herself. 

Hanging up the phone, Bianca slipped it into her pocket.  She made her way downstairs, looking around.  Everything was empty until she passed through the kitchen.  A small family room was on the other side.  It led out into the driveway and garage. 

Kevin was leaning against the back door. 

“Kevin.”  Bianca froze.  “I didn’t hear you come in.” 

“I’m sure that you didn’t.”  Kevin turned to face her.  “I’m sure that conversation wasn’t exactly one that you wanted me to hear.”  Bianca sighed. 

“Look, I’m sorry ok?  This guy I’ve been seeing…he mentioned it to me last night.  I just wanted to catch the news reports.” 

Kevin stared at her for a long time.  He took a step towards her. 

“Yeah, I guess you still need to catch up on some things.”  He moved towards her.  “You know, we were so close to having the life your mom and I had always wanted.” 

“Wait, what?”  Bianca froze where she was.  “What do you mean?” 

“I mean my kids lived with their mom, Gianna was on her way out, and now we have one more come in.”  Kevin shook his head.  “You were easier to tend to when you were in a coma.” 

Now Bianca took a step back.  This wasn’t like the Kevin she’d always known.  Fear was creeping up her spine.  She did not want to be alone with this man.  She suddenly didn’t know what he was capable of doing. 

“I tried for years to get your mom to leave your dad.  I told her that she should just hand over the kids.  She wanted the career anyway.  She wanted the lights, and the music.  She lived for it.  Being saddled with two babies-and then three-that wasn’t her life.” 

“My mom-.”  Bianca began, but Kevin cut her off. 

“Is this really some shock to you? Your mom never pays any attention to where you’re going, what you’re doing.  The only interest she’s shown is when you’re singing, and she’s just concerned you’ll show her up.” 

That hurt.  Bianca wondered if he was just being intentionally cruel, or if something really was going on. 

“Kevin-.” 

“Bianca.”  He smiled.  “A happy accident worked out so well.  You were in a hospital.  You were either expected to die, or be a vegetable in a nursing home for the rest of your life.  Your mom just had to get rid of your dad and Gianna.” 

“You two…”  Bianca murmured.  “You two were sleeping together.” 

“For years.”  Kevin waved his hand nonchalantly.  “I was your mother’s escape from her routine, mundane life.  She could actually have a thrill with me.  And she liked it.”               

Bianca wanted to scream at him.  She wanted to tell him that it wasn’t true.  But she knew that it was.  The life her family had led wasn’t for her mother.  Patti had been trapped…and apparently with no way out. 

“She could have just divorced him.”  Bianca was leaning against the kitchen counter now.  Gianna would be home soon.  Keith would be here soon.  She had to keep Kevin talking…somehow. 

“She could have, but you and Gianna weren’t his.  And for some reason, your mom didn’t want to hand you two over to him.”  Kevin’s face indicated that he was enjoying telling this story too much.  Bianca wondered why he was telling it now. 

“I told her that it was easier to make your dad’s death look like a suicide.  Another dead child would be suspicious.  Besides, he was the real roadblock.  We could make due around kids.  Spouses were entirely different.” 

“So you killed him.”  Bianca finally said it.  “You killed my father.” 

“I did.”  Kevin at least faked an apologetic look.  “In fairness, he didn’t know what was happening.  He pulled into the garage, closed the door, got out of the car, and it was over.”  Kevin held up his hands.  “I’d waited for him.  Your mom was upstairs.  She heard the shot, but she waited a little while before she called the EMT.  She wanted it to look real, you know?” 

“You’re such an ass.”  Bianca shook her head.  “How do you think you’ll get away with this?” 

“Easily.”  Kevin took a step closer to her.  “We have been getting away with it.  Come on, Bianca.  You and Gianna can do whatever you want, we don’t care.  Just leave us alone.  Let us play music, and drink and screw around however we want.  Ok?” 

“No.”  Bianca didn’t even hesitate.  No way was she going to let these two go about their lives with what she’d just heard.  “My father was a good man.  He didn’t deserve that.  Hell, Gianna and Mia didn’t deserve it.  You took away their father and destroyed their family.  All for your own selfishness.” 

Kevin sighed heavily.  He was now leaning against the doorway beside her. 

              “You realize I’m not going to let you tell anyone about this, right?”  Bianca did not want to find out what came after that statement.  She dove in the opposite direction.  She was headed for the back door.  She reached it in no time, grabbing the handle and yanking.  But it wouldn’t open. 

“Do you really think that I wouldn’t lock it?”  Kevin landed on the door beside her.  “I came down here and locked it while you were on the phone.”  He caught a handful of her hair, dragging her back from it.  Bianca caught a glimpse of Gianna’s car pulling into the driveway. 

“Gianna-no.” 

“Oh good!  Gianna’s home!”  Kevin was yanking her by the hair and back of her neck across the kitchen.  “I can take care of her as well.  Or maybe not.”  He shoved Bianca against the dining room doorway.  “It’ll be a shame to tell her how you were so weak that you never fully recovered.  I came in and found you unconscious on the floor.” 

Kevin’s eyes were gleaming in a way that Bianca could only describe as intent.  He knew what he was doing-and what he wanted to do now.  But what did it matter?  He’d already killed once before.  His hand was wrapping around her neck.  Just as he began squeezing, Bianca heard Gianna’s voice from the opposite side of the door. 

“Bianca?  Kevin?  Come on, I don’t have my key.” 

Kevin squeezed harder.  Bianca squeaked faintly, hoping to warn her sister.  Her fingers raised to clutch at the fingers holding her throat.  She clawed at them, trying to pull them away. But Kevin was right, she was too weak.  She couldn’t fight him back-not like this at least. 

Suddenly, Bianca heard a sound.  It sounded like breaking glass.  A moment later, she saw a flash of blonde barreling into the room behind Kevin. 

Keith. 

The younger man grabbed the older one’s shoulder.  Keith yanked Kevin backwards, sending him to the floor with one punch. 

“Bianca go!  Call 911!  Now!”  She didn’t hesitate.  One hand on her throat, Bianca staggered outside.  Gianna was already on the phone, pressed against the side of Keith’s Jeep.  Bianca slumped to the ground beside her.  She stared back at the house, not fully able to believe what she’d just seen. 

Gianna was kneeling beside her.  Her sister’s face was a mask of concern.  One hand reached out to take her upper arm.