Chapter 37
M
To succeed in any goal, there was a certain point in failure one had to reach. It was where lessons were learned. Where knowledge was gained. I had hit rock bottom plenty of times in my youth to understand this was a vital step in the vicious cycle of life. But where most accepted the stages of success, I had learned to manipulate them. Projection of loss was the key. If you invented the obstacles, you could control the outcome.
I knew Boston would run to Anna. I knew one way or another, they’d begin to put everything together. It wasn’t that I wanted them too, but it was part of the process, and I had learned to accept the lows long ago. It wasn’t a big deal. They could suspect all they wanted, but they couldn’t prove anything, and this was where I would win.
Life had a way of allowing room for forgiveness. Boston could know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I killed Lucy, but without seeing the act play out, his brain would leave room for leniency. Mercy. Shame. Even compassion, as crazy as it sounded. I’d keep playing the role of caring doctor who loved him, and eventually, we’d move on. But today wasn’t about Boston. Today, my focus was on Anna. She and I had a long way to go. There was only one thing standing in my way to have what I wanted, and I couldn’t allow that.
“I’d like to report a crime.”
Detective Casey looked up from the paperwork he was fixated on. He blinked twice before his eyes narrowed. He wasn’t sure whether I was serious or not. And that’s exactly how I wanted him to react. He didn’t like me to an extent, and that was fine too.
“Another crime?”
“Well…maybe. I would have told you on the phone, except you’re not taking my calls.”
“I’m quite busy, if you can’t see. Take a seat, Doctor.” He leaned back in his chair, clicking his pen as his eyes took in every little thing about me. I obeyed, keeping my body relaxed. The mixed signals I was throwing were clearly working as he scanned the bandage on my cheek and came back to my stare. “What’s this crime you want to report?”
“I’m afraid this isn’t the place to really talk about it.”
“We’re at a police station. What better place?”
Scanning the room, I leaned forward, keeping my voice low.
“It’s about Anna.”
All apprehension drained from his expression as he repeated my former action and moved in closer to me.
“What about Anna?”
“Like I said, this isn’t the place to be talking. I don’t want to have to turn her in, Detective, but as a doctor, I can’t keep this on my conscience. If I tell you, I’ve held to my obligations. What you do about the situation will be up to you.”
Braden flexed his jaw, snatching his keys from the desk. When he stood and began walking through the station at a fast stride, I followed. Cool air blew with force as we headed outside and through the parking lot. When he got to the far side next to his cruiser, he leaned against it, crossing his hands over his chest.
“Now, what about Anna?”
“I’m afraid she’s done something. Something horrible.”
Fear. Protectiveness. My heart soared as his chin tilted in defensiveness. He knew the real her, and he was willing to go as far as it took to keep her safe. That was clear as he stared me down. It was exactly what I wanted.
“Go on.”
I retrieved my phone, pulling up the messages. As I stood there, I scanned over the ones she had sent me this morning. They brought back the anger, and the moment I knew we were at the failure stage.
“Here.” I turned the cell, giving him view of the screen.
Anna: You went too far last night. Did you think Boston wouldn’t tell me?
Me: I don’t know what you mean. We had a session. Nothing more.
Anna: Lies. I trusted you when I told you about Davis Knight.
Me: And you did the right thing. Killing him will only get you caught. I’m here to help you.
Anna: I don’t want your help! Stay away from us.
The color drained from the detective’s face, only to return in shades of deep red rage.
“Davis Knight? Why Davis Knight, and why is she telling you?”
“You’re upset, that’s underst—”
“Damn right I’m upset! Why would Anna want Davis Knight dead?”
“You mean you don’t know?”
Braden’s head shook a little as his eyes narrowed. He was thinking something. Recalling something he may have forgotten.
“Anna’s said his name before. Long ago…during her breakdown when she killed…”
“That’s right. He and Rodney Turner, No One, were almost brothers. Their parents would have married had Anna not killed Davis’ mother. Surely, you already knew this.”
“Wait…”
“Ohhh. He wasn’t Davis Knight back then, though, was he? He had a different last name. That’s right. Anyway, dear Davis knew Rodney had her. He played both sides, helping you, helping a man he considered a brother. Anna wants revenge.”
The detective pulled at his tie as sweat began to break out across his face. I studied his every move, sliding the phone back into my pocket.
“You still may be able to make it in time.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I have Boston watching over her. I know where they are. She has Davis Knight.”
“Shit!”
Braden fumbled with his cell as he raced around the cruiser.
“Her phone’s off, Detective. And she’s not at home.”
He paused at his door, panic enveloping every inch of his being. What I neglected to say was the reason her phone was off was because Boston turned it off. Just like I asked him to. After all, I made sure he knew I wasn’t upset with him for confessing to Anna. But it was probably in her best interest with her newly formed status as a couple that I not be able to contact her. I was falling for a woman I had no rights to, and if I knew her phone was off, I’d be less inclined to try. He seemed all too eager to keep me away from her. Just like I knew he would be.
“Where is she?”
“Outside of town, about a half hour away. I’d show you, but I’m afraid morally it would be best that I didn’t go. I care for Anna. I don’t want to be used through the courts as a witness against her. I have the address if you’d like it.”
“Yes.”
Stepping closer to my car, I pretended to try to recall the information.
“It’s a blue farmhouse off Gibson and Clairmont. About half a mile down. It’s surrounded by trees. You can’t miss it.” Braden lunged for the door, stopping as I began again. “Detective, I know you want to get there in a hurry, and I don’t mean to state the obvious, but with what you’re about to uncover, I’d suggest not taking the car with the tracking devices or cameras. You’ll only be making the case against her worse if it comes down to that.”
He didn’t answer as he climbed inside. But I knew he wasn’t stupid. He’d get his personal vehicle, and that gave me time to beat him to the location. That was, if Anna and Boston weren’t already there. I didn’t think so. It had been dark, and I made sure to take the long way, weaving through pointless roads to throw Boston off, but Anna might put it together. I was hoping it wouldn’t come to that. After all, as far as she knew, Linda lived there. It wouldn’t make sense that Davis Knight was there also. It would, of course, once I fed her my lies about them going on a vacation for Linda’s sake.
Tires squealed, and just like I’d anticipated, Braden turned right instead of left. I leaned against my car, giving it a few seconds as I went through my phone. The police would want to know what we were talking about. What would cause the poor detective to be so distraught and leave? Well…the news of me and Anna, of course. They’d have no idea about what I was having him walk into. I had interest in the woman he loved, and I crossed the line. We had been texting about a date, and she’d refused me. As a man of integrity, I had to confess and show him.
Footsteps had me glancing up. I smiled, waving to Braden’s partner who was looking around confused. The events were already swinging into motion sooner than I expected, but this was a good thing.
“Where in the hell did he go?”
“I believe he went home to speak with Anna. He was a little upset.”
“Oh? Is she okay?”
Pausing, I forced an overly fake smile. “She’s fine. I’m sure they’ll work it out. Just a misunderstanding.”
“I see. Okay. I guess I’ll just wait for him to get back.”
I nodded, standing and opening my door. When I got in, I took my time, sliding on my gloves before heading out. The city disappeared behind me. Like always, my thoughts consumed me. Details came. Expressions of those close to me filtered through. I weighed and analyzed each one, letting the calmness the action caused take over. Highway turned to country roads. Green leaves turned to empty fields. When I finally pulled into the dirt driveway, and then the attached garage, I wasn’t surprised to see no one was here. Well…no one important. I got out, heading through the door in the kitchen. The yells had stopped since I was last here. That didn’t surprise me either.
“Davis? You alive in there?”
I shoved the basement door open, leaving it ajar as I headed down the rickety wooden stairs. Mold filled my lungs, and it was so dark, I could barely see. Since dropping Boston off, I’d had quite the time working on Davis. My own art was perfected long ago. It was a masterpiece. Beautiful even. Anna wasn’t going to be happy, but she’d get over it. It wasn’t like I’d killed him. She could still do that if she wanted. Well…she would have to now, thanks to me. I wasn’t leaving her a choice. I’d watch her kill if it was the last thing I did.
“Mmmph! Mmmmmm!”
Muffled screams turned into sobs as Davis tried jerking against the leather restraints binding his arms and legs to the bolted down metal chair. A small lamp sat next to him, spotlighting him like my own personal shrine.
“Did you miss me? I decided to ask a visitor to drop by. I think you’ll enjoy his company, however brief it may be. You’re going to be a good boy for Detective Casey, right?”
At his pause, I reached over to the bone cutter resting not far away. For surgical saws, the one I had was the best.
“I didn’t hear you. Do I need to turn on the lights and remove the other side of your skull? Maybe you want me to poke around on your brain some more.”
Tears poured down Davis’s face as he cried harder.
“Stop. It wasn’t that bad. I medicated you and everything. You should be happy I needed you alive and coherent. If you weren’t Anna’s gift, I would have let you suffer. As it is, that’s not up to me. If she wants you to pay for what you did, she’ll inflict her own method of torture.” I leaned in, lowering my voice. “Now, that is going to hurt. I can’t wait to watch.”
“Mmm-mmm.”
“Uh huh. Yes. Not no. It’s coming, Davis. Right now, she’s trying to figure out where you are. It’s only a matter of time before she puts it together. Let’s just hope it’s later, rather than sooner, because I have plans.”
I straightened, taking in the right side of his head. The scalp was missing, as was his skull. But not in whole. Like stairs, I had revealed every layer of bone, down to the cerebrospinal fluid cushioning the brain. Where it was usually clear, there was a tinge of pink building in the crevices. My brow drew in as I lowered, wetting my gloved finger as it ran along the lines of his temporal lobe. Davis began screaming and going wild. I ignored it as I poked into the spongy muscle harder than necessary.
“Dust. Can’t have that, now can we? Last thing I need you to do is get meningitis. After all, Anna might want you for a few days. Then again, that’s just my fantasy. Your death may indeed be a swift one. It’s hard to tell with her. She’s unpredictable sometimes. I guess that’s the appeal. I can’t quite figure her out.”
Brushing back the hair at his part, I traced along the incision as I tested the thickness.
“Swollen. It’s be expected. I’m afraid the pain will increase as time passes. You’re probably experiencing a splitting headache at this point. You may also be experiencing light sensitivity from the lamp. Perhaps some vomiting will come as the mediation wears off even more. It’s nothing to worry about, and completely normal.”
I lowered, adjusting the gag. His eyes met mine, and I held his terrorized gaze.
“I didn’t get to take Lucy’s eyes. If Anna leaves here without killing you, I believe I’ll take yours. It’s been a while, and I want to see how long I can keep you alive after I remove them. You won’t be able to see what I’m doing, but I guarantee your mind won’t have any problems painting a vivid picture. You would be amazed at what it’s capable of. The brain is an amazing thing.”
Eyes squeezed shut, breaking our connection. It didn’t matter anyway as a bang sounded from upstairs. Braden. He got here faster than I thought he would.
“Anna?”
My finger went to my mouth, warning Davis. Quietly, I reached over and grabbed a knife from the tray of tools laid out next to him. Footsteps pounded upstairs, but were headed right for us. I eased behind the steps, disappearing into the pitch dark. Dirt dusted me, falling as Braden stepped onto the entrance above.
“Anna?”
First step.
Second step.
Third step.
He paused, inhaling unevenly.
“Jesus,” he managed. “Anna?”
“Mmmm! Mmmmphmmm!”
Davis tried to thrash, but the device holding his head into place, the screws in his forehead and the back of his skull, wouldn’t let him.
“Anna? You don’t have to be afraid. I’m…not mad. Please. You have to come out so we can talk about this. Nobody is with me. I came in my own car. You know…the SUV we got together? Together, baby. Come out, please. I love you.”
Fourth step.
Fifth.
Detective Casey paused, and I leaned in. I couldn’t see what he was doing or where he was looking, but the silhouette of his foot was almost at eye level. Easing the knife up, I grabbed, clutching to the back of his slacks as I sliced through what I assumed was his Achilles tendon. A yell sounded, and I gripped the material tighter as he spun, losing balance. Pounding thumped down the stairs, and the impact on the cement floor was loud as a crack sounded and a breath gushed throughout the space. In two steps, I reached over, flipping on the overhead light. It was bright. So bright, I squinted as I headed in his direction.
Braden groaned, grunting louder as his hand twitched. I reached forward, removing the gun from his side holster and the one at his ankle. At the roll of his head, blood smeared. There was no point in explaining myself or my actions. He was no one to me. Unworthy of my confession or motive.
Braden’s lids fluttered, closing again while his hand lifted to the back of his head. Crimson pooled under his foot, and I stepped on his ankle, grinding the heel of my dress shoe. A deep scream bellowed. His eyes shot open and heavy breaths left him as he looked up. There was a slight confusion as he tried blinking through his battling unconsciousness. But it was enough. He saw me, and I fed from his fear as his eyes widened.
Braden’s hand flatted on the ground. He tried to sit up, but I didn’t give him time to get stronger. The top half of my body surged down, and I easily countered Braden’s block as I stabbed the thick blade into his chest. With my fingers tightened, I ripped it free, only to plunge in deeper. Shock sent his mouth flying open and his body bowing through the pain. Green eyes clouded with fear, and his inhale was deep and gasping. Survival sent his body into collecting every ounce of oxygen it could, but it would do him no good.
“N-No.” Deep swallows. “No. A-nna. Anna!”
He tried to roll, but didn’t have the strength. As much as I wanted to watch him bleed out and suffer, I put away the knife and dragged him to the far side of the room. Cobwebs covered the steps and wrapped around my hand as I pushed the outside door open. Sun flooded in, and I turned to look at Braden. Blood flooded from his mouth as he coughed through the thick substance. There were a million questions in his terror-filled eyes, and I wasn’t going to give him the answer to a single one. I glanced at the rundown garage in the far back, jogging over to lift the dirty blue door. Braden had been in such a rush, he left his SUV running in the front. It couldn’t have more convenient as I drove it around to the basement entrance. As I came to stare down the opening, Braden’s eyes were slightly cracked—empty—and he wasn’t struggling to breathe. Blood speckled his chin and cheeks, and a stream flowed from the corners of his mouth. He froze in time. In a time I had missed. Not that it mattered. He was gone, dead, and nothing else was left to stand in my way.