Intertwined
Episode One
Victoria turned and looked behind her. A man dressed in all black seemed to have been following her for quite sometime. Victoria, you’re just paranoid, not everyone is out to get you, she repeated in her mind a couple of times. Julie’s house is only two blocks away. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she could not shake the uneasy feeling that consumed her. Something was wrong. She could feel it. She glanced quickly behind her. The man in all black was drawing nearer. Okay Victoria stay calm, don’t let him know you’re on to him. Maybe he’s just some sicko. What did she learn in that defense class? If you’re being followed get to a crowded, well-lit place as soon as possible. She knew where a popular place was and it was only a block away, she could make it there in time before this freak caught up to her. She picked up the pace a little. He did likewise. “Dammit,” she muttered softly. She passed three alleys. There was one more left and then she would be at Club Dance and Romance. She could see the lights. She was almost there. I’ve made it she thought. She was about to cross the dark street when the man grabbed her and pulled her into the last alleyway. “Let go of me!” He thrust her onto a cardboard box and pulled out a switchblade. “You scream and I’ll slit your throat bitch.” Tears streamed down her face, “Please… please don’t do this.” “Just shut up, do you hear me? I’ll slit your pretty little throat if you don’t shut up. Haven’t you been taught not to walk in dark areas where no one is around?” “You’re sick, let me go!” He slapped her, “shut up!” He pulled at her blouse, ripping it. “P-Please stop…” He then tore off her skirt. He ran his finger down her legs, “s-stop… please, just let me go.” “Just shut up, do you hear me?” He slapped her again and ripped off her underwear.
“Darling? Darling? What’s wrong with you? Victoria?” Victoria gasped.
“Darling what is wrong with you I’ve been trying to get your attention for the past five minutes.”
It had happened again the night of her being raped ran through her head, she hadn’t thought of it in a while and was beginning to think she was over it. “Oh, mother I’m sorry… I… I was just thinking of some new ideas for a play I might write.” She hoped her mother would buy her bluff.
Phyllis Slater peered into her daughter’s eyes for a few seconds. “Oh, that’s nice, think of anything good?”
Phew. Her mother had bought it. “No, not really…”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll think of something interesting, you always do,” She smiled.
“Yeah, I haven’t written in over a year, I feel so… empty.”
“You’ll come up with something, maybe it’s just time to give up play writing, you’ve been doing it since you were fifteen, I mean how long can those creative juices keep flowing?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you’re right, good things don’t last forever.”
“Isn’t that the truth…”
Nicholas Slater entered the den. “Cup of tea ladies?” He held a tray that had three cups, a teakettle, and a bowl of sugar on it.
“Nicholas, darling! I’m so glad you’re awake. Yes, your sister and I would love a cup of tea.”
Nicholas placed the tray on the glass coffee table in front of his mother and sister. He sighed, took his cup of tea and stood looking out one of the tall windows in the room. Was it possible to be this bored after just waking up? Heaven Beach bored him it wasn’t exciting like Los Angeles, St. Louis, or New York City.
“I wanted to talk to you about something Victoria.” She put her hand on her daughter’s knee.
“What is it about?” What could her mother want to talk to her about now? Oh no, it couldn’t be that talk again, please God, please don’t make it be that talk again, she silently prayed.
“I know I keep telling you this and I know it goes through one ear and out the other but Victoria I really think you should start dating again.”
It was that talk again she took a deep breath. “Mother…”
“No, I want you to listen to me Victoria, you’re such a beautiful woman, why won’t you date? Men at the country club are begging date you, most of them are quite handsome and of course all of them come from money.” She took a sip of her tea.
“Mother, we’re rich I don’t need a rich husband. We’re rolling in dough for goodness sake, why would I want to date someone with a lot of money when I already have more than enough?”
“Money marries money, you know that.” She shrugged, “I’m not getting into that discussion with you again and well, let’s face it darling you’re not getting any younger.”
“Thanks mother…”
“I’m just trying to be honest, you’re twenty-seven years old, when was the last time you went out on a date? I think it’s at least been three years. I’ll never understand why you quit dating Trey. He was handsome, rich, powerful everything in a man that women want and he loved you with all his heart and then you just broke up with him out of the blue.”
“Mother Trey wasn’t… oh God I can’t tell you.” She sighed.
“You can tell me anything, you know that.”
She looked over to her brother who was still gazing out the window, she whispered, “he wasn’t sexually adequate mother.”
“Oh, God bless you, darling, is that all? You silly thing men can learn didn’t you know that? When your father and I first got married he wasn’t sexually adequate either.”
“Mother, really I don’t need to hear this.”
Phyllis seemed unphased by her daughter’s comment. “But after a year or so he learned and baby you better believe we made magic.”
The thought of her mother and father in that way made Victoria nauseated. “Mother I really don’t want to hear about yours and daddy’s sex life.”
“I’ve been thinking about this for quite sometime and never had the nerve to ask you, but I guess now is as good of time as any… are you a lesbian Victoria?”
Victoria spit out her tea, “what?”
“You know it’s okay if you are. Your brother and I will be perfectly fine with it, right Nicholas?”
His thought pattern was interrupted, “yeah, sure, whatever, lesbians are cool. Especially with two of them in a hot tub and me in the middle… err… Yeah, lesbians are cool.”
“See?”
“Mother I am not a lesbian.”
“Maybe you’re just afraid of committing. That’s okay you don’t have to have a serious relationship, maybe just a sexual relationship to start off. I mean take your brother and I for example we have perfectly healthy sex lives.”
“Mother you and Nicholas are both whores.”
Phyllis gasped, “Victoria!”
Nicholas had whipped around, “I am not a whore!”
“Okay not whores… but really you two have way too much of a healthy sex life.”
“I have you to know dear sister I haven’t gotten laid since I’ve been here and I’m damned sick of it!” He ran out of the room to sulk.
“You’ve upset your brother, Victoria. You know what stress he is under.” She rose, “I’m only looking out for your best interests, you know that.”
Her mother was right. “I know mother, but if I find a man it’s going to be at the right time, on my time.”
Phyllis shrugged for the final time, “okay darling. I’m going down to the shop to pay Mia. I’ll be back later today, I have a late lunch date with some friends.”
“Okay, mother, goodbye.” She looked out the window, the top of the trees were lightly blowing in the wind. She wished she could tell her mother about what happened to her seven years ago, but if she told then that would mean she would have to tell her other secret. She shook her head. She had kept it a secret this long, why stop now? She sipped her tea.
Sarah Robinson walked into the spacious living room. She wore a pale blue bathrobe with suns and crescent moons on it. She held onto a big cup of coffee. Today was going to be a good day. She could feel it. Victoria was finally going to be out of her hair forever. She walked over to the fireplace and looked at the mantel, her grandfather’s portrait had been taken down from above the mantel and replaced with a Henri Matisse original piece. “Grandmother! Grandmother where are you?”
Charlotte Robinson walked into the living room Sarah must have already found out about the portrait. “What are you making such a fuss about Sarah?”
She walked over to her grandmother, “what the hell did you do with grandfather’s portrait?” She stared angrily at her grandmother. “I want to know, what did you do with his portrait?”
Charlotte put her hand on her granddaughter’s arm, “dear, come sit down.”
Sarah moved away from her grandmother’s grip. “No, dammit. Tell me right now what did you do with grandfather’s portrait?”
“I put it away. It wasn’t helping anyone having his portrait up there. Everyone is still just in shock about his death. He was getting older but his health was perfect and to just…” She began to choke on the tears that were about to come. “I’ll put it back but right now it’s the last thing any of us need to see.”
“What is it with you? You’ve already forgotten your own damned husband? I want that portrait back up there now. You and Noah and daddy may have forgotten him but I refuse to forget him.”
“Sarah, no one has forgotten him. I know that you’re still angry at me for what I did, but your grandfather would not want you to carry on like this all the time. He would want you to move on and live your life. You know that.”
“You gave up on him. I knew he was going to come around. I felt it and you just had that damned April Moore pull his life support plug.”
“Your grandfather always told me he didn’t want to be hooked up to any life support, just to let him go. The only reason I let them hook him up to that damned machine is because of you. I know how much you loved him. I did it for you, just in case he did come around. But it had been three days, he was dead, everyone knew and accepted that but you.”
A tear rolled down Sarah’s cheek, she looked away. “He just needed more time...”
Charlotte walked out of the living room, she knew their conversation was over.
She watched her grandmother leave the living room. She shouldn’t have talked to her grandmother like that. She knew she missed her husband. She took a sip of coffee and sighed, this wasn’t cutting it. She walked over to the bar, turned to make sure no one was looking and poured herself a shot of rum.
Noah Robinson walked behind his sister, “starting a little early aren’t we sis?”
She turned around, “I wasn’t doing anything…”
“Yeah, then how do you explain the open rum bottle? Forget to close it from last night? You have a problem Sarah, you really do.”
She brushed past her brother, “I do not have a problem. I don’t know what you’re dreaming up in that sick little head of yours but whatever you’re thinking. It’s not true. So what I like to have a drink every now and then.”
Noah looked at his watch, “sure, you don’t have a problem it’s nine a.m. and you just took a shot of rum. I know you’re upset about grandfather’s death but it doesn’t give you an excuse to become an alcoholic.”
“Just leave me alone Noah I don’t need you meddling into my business. I know a problem drinker and I am not one.” She stormed out of the living room.
“Keep telling yourself that sis!” He shouted. He walked over to the cordless phone in the living room and dialed a number, “hello? Yes. Is this The Insider? Okay, good it is. Well, what would you say if I told you that rock star, Nicholas Slater is in town? Yeah, I thought that would get your attention and what would you say if I could even tell you where he was? What do I want? Oh nothing at all, just make sure there’s a lot of reporters and cameras. I think everyone should know that he’s here. Uh huh, no thank you.” He hung up the phone and smiled. He loved causing trouble for the Slaters.
Simone Taylor walked into the living room. “I’m off to work.”
He turned around and looked at Simone, she was dressed in a black dress that brushed her knees and was sleeveless. Her hair was done up in a bun with what he called “chopsticks” through the bun. “You look… amazing.”
“Thank you. Don’t get into any trouble on your day off.” She smiled.
“I’ll try not too. When are you getting off?”
“Whenever the photo shoot is done.”
“You know you don’t have to work. We have plenty of money.”
“I know, but it gives me something to do when you’re not around.”
He walked over to Simone and gently kissed her lips, “I love you.”
She gazed into his eyes, “I love you too, but sir, please you must let me go or I might not want to leave.”
He tightened his grip around her waist. “Please don’t leave.”
She slipped out of his grip. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Bye…” He took in a deep breath, he prayed the hours would pass quickly and bring her home to him soon…
Kyle Roberts sat at his desk. He stared blankly at the pile of cases in front of him. “Dear God…” He sighed. When his former boss had died he sure didn’t leave him with an easy workload. His phone rang, “Hello?”
Martha looked at Felicia Laurence who was standing in front of her. “Kyle its Felicia Laurence, she’s here to see you..”
Kyle shrugged, “send her in.”
“You may go--”
Felicia Laurence walked down the hallway leading to Kyle’s office.
“In…”
She opened the door and walked quickly to his desk.
“What do you need Felicia?”
“Well, well look at you, mister new district attorney.”
“Yes Felicia, I am the new district attorney. Now what do you need?”
“You really think you’ll be able to pull this off?”
“I’m going to try Felicia. Look I’m busy if you’re just here to cause trouble then you can leave.”
“You were assistant district attorney for what six months? You’re not ready for this. Gregory was a damned fool for leaving you to finish his term. He knew you weren’t prepared for it, but he did it just to spite me. I’m glad the bastard is dead he almost ruined my career.”
“No Felicia, you almost ruined your career because you weren’t as good as him and you know it. Now if you’d excuse me as you can see I have a lot of work to do. You can show yourself to the door.”
“You forget Kyle, you worked for me. I know all your sneaky little tricks. You just better hope we don’t get matched up against each other because I will make a fool out of you. I promise you that.”
“Will you please leave Felicia? You’ve had your fun already.”
“You should be smart and give up your position to someone with a lot more experience than you have, like me for example.”
Kyle chuckled, “I see what it is your after, my job. Well Felicia, you aren’t going to get it t hat easily. Now leave.”
“I’ll be back.” She slammed the door behind her.
“I’m sure you will… What an unpleasant woman. I hope that April is having a better day then I am.”
“Doctor April Morris to surgery room seven.” A loudspeaker boomed.
She looked at the chief residence, “I swear this hospital is going to kill me. I’m suppose to be checking on a patient and they want me in there for damned surgery. When are these new interns coming in? Lord knows we need them…”
The chief residence smiled, “I have no idea but it’s going to be fun having to train them.”
“I don’t care about that part we just need more people here and to think I was going to ask off early today.”
“What for?”
“I want to spend some damned time with my boyfriend!”
She smiled, “Yeah those were the days. What time are you suppose to get offl?”
“Eight.”
“I shouldn’t do this but I’ll let you get off at six.”
April screamed, “Oh my God! Thank you so much. I love you!”
“I’m sure you do.”
“I’ll make it up to you somehow, I promise, I’ll fill in for you sometime or I’ll take you out to dinner... I don’t know but I’ll make it up to you somehow.”
“Well, I do want to go see my daughters next week and they won’t me to work Monday which means I want get to spend another night with them. Can you feel in for me then?”
“Yes, that’s fine and thanks so much…”
“You’re welcome, you better get going though.”
“Doctor April Morris to surgery room seven.” The loudspeaker boomed again.
She walked down the hallway, “all right! All right I’m coming!”
Mia Brooks looked upon the crowd at “Heaven’s Hideaway.” Most were middle-aged, wealthy women. She liked her job accept for the inevitable, “do you have a bathroom?” Phyllis Slater had instructed her numerous times that there was no public bathroom, it was only for the employees, or rather, employee, Mia was the only person that worked at Heaven’s Hideaway. Phyllis stopped in once a week to give Mia her paycheck and check on her store. Today was going to be one of those days thank God. She hated living check to check but it was just how it was, Mia Brooks, poor college kid. She was in her freshman year at the University of Heaven Beach.
A grey haired woman in her mid-fifties walked in, holding the hand of a small child, obviously her granddaughter. “Excuse me.” She impatiently tapped one of her black heels.
She was one of those costumers that thought she deserved attention first, even if there was another costumer in front of her. “Hold on a minute please, I need to give this person her change.” She lightly smiled at the woman.
The grey haired woman shrugged and tapped her foot more forcefully than before.
Mia handed the woman at the cash register her change and receipt. “Thank you and don’t forget to grab a free box of salt water taffy by the door.”
“Excuse me.”
Mia rolled her eyes and turned back around to the woman, “can I help you?”
“Yes, my granddaughter needs to use the bathroom, very badly.”
Mia sighed, one day she wasn’t going to get this question. Today was not that day. “I’m sorry ma’am but we don’t have a bathroom.”
“What?”
“We do not have a bathroom.”
“Well where do you go?”
Mia tapped the glass counter with her index finger. Normally it didn’t proceed to this. She hated it when costumers wanted to argue about where she went to the bathroom. “We don’t have a bathroom.”
“I said where do you go to the bathroom?”
Okay now this woman was just pissing her off. “I don’t go to the bathroom here. We do not have a bathroom.”
“Well, if she pees on the floor will you clean it up?”
“No, if your granddaughter pees on the floor you’ll have to clean it up.”
“Like hell I will. I want to talk to your manager.”
“She’s not here right now.”
“I know you have a bathroom. Let my granddaughter use it.”
Phyllis Slater had entered her shop, mid way through the woman’s last sentence.
Mia had not realized that Phyllis was in the store. “We do not have a bathroom ma’am.”
“Let my granddaughter use your bathroom!” The woman screeched.
Okay that was it. This woman had pushed her way beyond pissed off. “Hey bitch why don’t you back off? You standing here arguing about a bathroom here isn’t helping your granddaughter any. Why don’t you try the restaurant across the street and get the hell out of there.” That was the first time she had ever blown up on a costumer, it felt great.
The woman put her hand on her chest, “why I have never! I’ll never come back to this store again!”
“Whatever. Bye-bye.”
The woman turned around and bumped into Phyllis. “Phyllis!”
“Hi Brenda.”
“I hope you’re not shopping here, that girl is horrible.”
Mia stood in shock. “Er… um…” Was all she could muster.
“I actually own this shop Brenda…”
“You do? Well that little… twit is the rudest and most incompetent worker I have ever encountered! If you didn’t own this shop I’d tell all my friends to boycott but since you do Phyllis, I couldn’t dream of doing something like that. But Phyllis it really is not good business not to have a public bathroom.
“Darling when I bought this shop in the back it came with a storage room and on the other side a sink and toilet. Now I can’t let costumers in to the storage room, can I? There are no stalls, the floor is stained, it’s revolting. If it were nicer I’d let people use it but it was just the way this store was bought.”
“Well, now I understand, if only your little twit of a worker would have told me that I would have understood.”
“Okay yeah right bi--” Phyllis shot her a look. “Um… er…” She nervously laughed.
“Grandmother I gotta pee!” The little girl’s face was red and she was tugging on her grandmother’s dress.
“You just hold it a minute I’m talking to Phyllis.”
“Phyllis I do need to find her a restroom to use. We’ll have to have a drink together sometime.”
“Sure and try Phil’s across the street we send all of our costumers over there to use the restroom.”
“All right, thanks, goodbye.” The lady said as she jerked her granddaughter out of the store.
Phyllis stepped up on the three steps leading to the cash register. “Here’s your paycheck for this week.” Phyllis handed Mia the check. She looked at Mia’s concerned face and started laughing.
“W-Why are you laughing?”
“You look petrified. Darling…” She put her hand on Mia’s face, “that woman is just an old hag anyway, I could careless about what you said to her…”
Mia took in a deep breath of relief. “Oh God… I was afraid this paycheck was going to be my last.”
Phyllis chuckled, “of course not. Now if you’d excuse me I must go, I have a late lunch to attend. The shop looks great, as usual. I’ll see you later, bye-bye.” She waved and left the store.
“Oh thank you God! I really owe you one this time!” She turned to a costumer waiting to be checked out. “How are you today ma’am?” She said with a gleaming smile.
Someone had been pounding at the door for quite sometime. “Hold on!” Victoria called from the hallway. She opened the door and massive flashes of light came from all around her. “What the hell?”
“That’s not him!” One of the flashes called.
“Not even close that’s a chick.”
The flashes deceased, she looked around, there must have been twenty of thirty photographers, a dozen reporters and a few news crews camped outside her door. “Oh holy shit…” She looked in front of her, “Faye?”
Faye looked at her niece with concern look, “is something wrong?”
“No, of course not, come in.” She moved over to let Faye into the house.
“We want Nicholas!” A photographer called.
“Well he isn’t here.” She looked over to the Robinson’s house. Noah Robinson was standing on the porch laughing. “Damn Robinsons…” She muttered. “You’ve got the wrong house, next door that’s where Nicholas is.”
“Come everyone! Next door!” A reported from the crowd called.
The small army of photographers and reporters with microphones ran towards the Robinson’s house. Victoria chuckled, “don’t try to mess with me Noah!” She yelled across the yard. She watched as microphones were thrown in Noah’s face. Victoria laughed again and closed the door.
Faye put down her suitcases and took off her coat. “What was going on out there? Why were they calling for Nicholas?”
“Oh, you don’t know. Nicholas is back home.”
“Really? I haven’t seen him in so long!”
“Yes, he’s here and Noah Robinson just informed all of Heaven Beach about it.”
“Where is he? I want to see him.”
“I don’t know, pouting somewhere in the house.”
“Why is he pouting?”
“Oh nothing big, I just called him a whore.”
Faye shook her head, “you two kids. Well I guess you two aren’t kids anymore… It’s amazing how quickly time passes. I’m going to fix myself some tea, would you like a cup?
“Sure, I’ll come with you.” Faye and Victoria walked into the large kitchen with an island in the middle. “So, what brings you here this time Faye? I haven’t seen you in over a year.”
“I know, I’ve been so busy with work and oh I have some stories to tell you. I finished up with my last client and I had some on a waiting list and I said they can wait, I haven’t seen my family is such a long time and they’re more important then some old star wanting me to revamp their home. So, I’m here, for a month.”
“A month?”
“Yes, dear I’m making up for lost time.”
“Ah! That’s great news. I’m so happy you’re staying for that long! I love you so much Faye and I’ve got to be honest I’ve missed you a lot.”
“I know. I’ve missed you too. But I’m here and as soon as Phyllis gets here were going to have a girls night out, okay? And we’ll bring mom with us too. Wait a minute… where is she?”
“She’ll be coming in this afternoon. She went on a cruise with some friends.”
“Oh Lord…” Faye chuckled, “well, maybe she’ll find herself a man.”
“I seriously doubt that. She seems so happy now, maybe a little more crazy but so happy she’s realize that her years are limited on this Earth and she’s living her life to the fullest. She told me she wasn’t going to let some old man drag her down.”
“It’s good news that she’s enjoying her life and let’s face it her and dad didn’t have the best of relationships…” The kettle on the stove began to whistle.
Victoria watched her Aunt Faye pour tea into two cups. “I really am glad you’re here.”
Faye turned her head to see her niece and smiled, “We’re going to have so much fun together. Oh and of course I brought you and your brother presents.”
“Faye, we’re not little kids anymore, you know you don’t have to bring us presents.”
“I know, I know but I like too.”
Nicholas walked into the kitchen, “Faye?”
“Nicholas! There you are.” She ran over to Nicholas and gave him a hug.
“I didn’t know you were coming in what a great surprise. How long have you been here?”
“Actually no one knew I was coming in, it was a surprise. I’ve only been in for a few minutes. Look at you.” She pitched his cheek, “I remember I used to do that when you were a little boy and you would squeak back ‘no Auntie Faye, I don’t like that.’ You’re so handsome, all grown up.”
Nicholas blushed. Faye was the only woman that could make him blush. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Faye motioned for Victoria to come to her, she held Nicholas and Victoria, “I’m glad I’m here too…”
Sarah Robinson looked at Thomas Griffin. He had an evil look to him. She had done well. “Okay, I’m not going to ask you what you were in jail for. I don’t care about where you came from, family, friends, whatever. I don’t care all I want you to do is take care of Victoria Slater for me.”
“Sounds fine to me.” This was the first time he had ever been paid to off somebody, this broad in front of him was getting on his nerves though, I guess since she was paying him she thought she could boss him around.
“I don’t care how you do it, just make it clean and make sure nothing traces back to me or you. Got it?”
“Yeah, sure keep it clean. If I may ask just one question… why do you hate this woman so much?”
“That’s really none of your concern, now is it?”
What a bitch he thought to himself. “I was just curious, that’s all.”
“Well don’t be… Now we need to discuss how much you’ll do this job for. Have you ever been paid by someone to kill or harm someone before?”
“Nope…”
She shrugged, “figures… Fifty thousand.”
“Seventy-five thousand.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Your first job and you want seventy-five thousand? Sixty-thousand and that’s my final offer or I’ll find some other goon to do my dirty work”
“Sixty-thousand sounds good.”
“Fine, after the job is done you’ll get your money. Now you’ll have to show yourself the door because I other business to attend to.”
Noah walked in front of his sister, “that damned Victoria had the press come over here. I’ve been convincing them for the past thirty minutes that Nicholas is not here.”
“Noah, I’m not really interested in your latest drama. I have my own to deal with. Thanks for sharing though.”
“Being mighty bitchy today aren’t we? Is it that shot you had this morning, or the other ones after that talking?”
“Bite my ass Noah.”
“You think Victoria is so bad, but she’s not half as bad as you are.”
Sarah walked over to Noah and got in his face, “don’t you ever compare me to that whore again? Do you hear me? Don’t you ever.”
“I’m sorry Sarah I missed the part when I decided to let you tell me what to do. I don’t take orders from anyone.” Noah motioned to the stranger sitting on the couch, “new boy toy?”
“Noah get the hell out of here, I’m sick of seeing your face.”
Noah began to walk away, “The feeling is mutual dear sister.” He left the room.
Thomas Griffin rose from his seat. “Want me to off him to?” He chuckled.
“You get the hell out of here too, do it tonight, stop by when it’s done and I’ll have your money.”
“Forgetting something?”
“What now?”
“I don’t have a picture of this Victoria.”
“Oh…” Sarah reached into her bathrobe pocket and pulled out a picture of Victoria, she slung it at Thomas, “get rid of the bitch, tonight.”
He looked at the picture for a few seconds, “pretty girl.”
“If you go for the skank type.”
Thomas walked out of the Robinson home. He stood outside on their porch staring at the blonde in the picture. “There’s something shockingly familiar about that face…” He heard the door open, Sarah stood before him.
“She lives next door, maybe you should stalk her or something.” She closed the door as quickly as she had opened it.
He looked at the Slater’s home. It was quite larger than the Robinson’s home. “Pretty and rich, nice combination.”
April Moore washed her hands at a sink another doctor was beside her. “That was one hell of a surgery.”
“Yeah, but you did a great job. I hope this doesn’t sound lame and I’m not hitting on you but I hope that one day I can be as a good as a doctor as you are Doctor Moore.”
She looked at the young doctor, he had only been at Heaven Beach’s General Hospital for a few months, “that’s very sweet of you to say Alex.”
“Well, it’s the truth. But if you’d excuse me I have a never ending list of patients to take care of.”
“Same here. But I wouldn’t worry we should be getting new interns from the college soon.”
“We need them this workload is killing me…”
It was sad, Alex had only been a doctor for four months and already tired of his job. “You want to go for coffee together sometime?”
“Sure, but I’m pulling twelve hour shifts for the next three days. We’ll do it Thursday okay?”
“Sounds good, but there’s one catch.”
“And what would that be?”
“We can’t discuss work.” She giggled, “On my days off I don’t like to be stressed about work.”
“You got yourself a deal.” He smiled, “I’ll see you later.”
April looked at her watch, four more hours and she would be with Kyle. She walked down the hallway, made a left and entered a patient’s room. “Hello Mister Thurman, how are you doing today?”
“Same as usual…”
Mister Thurman recently had a massive heart attack. She walked over to a machine, “your vitals are looking better. Have you been given your medicine yet?”
“Hell no, I’ve been calling my damned nurse all day about getting my medicine.”
“I apologize, we’re really understaffed right now. I’m sure your nurse has been busy all day.”
“Well I deserve a little care to you know.”
“I know, I’ll call in for your medication right now and everything will be fine. I’ll check in on you tomorrow.”
“All right, thanks Doctor Moore.”
“You’re welcome.” She shut the door and picked up a phone on the wall. “Hello, five south? Yeah, I need a nurse sent over to room five hundred and two immediately I have a patient in there that hasn’t had his medicine yet, its two p.m. and he wasn’t supposed to have it at eight a.m. I know we’re understaffed but that’s ridiculous. I don’t care who it is just send someone to that room now.” She hung up the phone, most of the nurses on the fifth floor were just out of college, young, and if you didn’t stay on them all the time they would slack off. She walked down the hallway and entered the lounge room. She picked up the phone and dialed a number.
Kyle looked at a particular case file, The People vs. Edwin Turner. Edwin had robbed a convenient store, shot three people, and then went home. He had told his wife about what he had done and waited until he was asleep and called the police. Only he wasn’t asleep and was listening in on another line. He went into the living room, knocked her around a few times, by this time the kids had gotten up from the commotion and he shot her in front of them. He ran out of the door and the eight year old called the police and told her a description of her father. “What a sick man…” He shook his head. The telephone on his desk rang, “hello?”
“Mr. Roberts, April Moore, line one.”
“Thank you Martha.” He hit the line one button, “hey baby.”
April smiled, “how are you doing?”
“Stressed… as usual, I have a ton of work to do.”
“Yeah, I know the feeling… I get off early tonight, do you want to go out?”
“I’m sorry baby, I can’t, I’m swamped I’ll be lucky to get out of here by ten.”
April sighed, “all right then, I’ll just stop by your office, pick up some food and we can have dinner there.”
“Sounds great, how about Italian?”
“Whatever you want. Well, let me get back to hell, wish me luck.”
“Uh huh, I’ll see you later today then.” He put the phone on the receiver. He missed the days when he was just assistant district attorney and had somewhat of a life. Though he hated to admit it maybe Felicia was right, maybe he should give up district attorney to someone with a lot more experience than him.
Simone Taylor looked around the park, “I think by that tree will be a good spot.”
Simone’s hired assistant from Seventeen Magazine groaned, “Are you sure?”
She leaned over, “I’m not even sure if we have the right model and stop being a dick Gary all right? You’re paid to assistant me, not groan every time I say something.”
The assistant gasped, “I have never worked with such an… unpleasant person before in my life!”
“Shannon, get by the tree and do your stuff.” She watched as the model stood by the tree, “okay… put your hands on your hips and give me a great big gleaming smile.” The model did as she was told. Simone took out her camera and snapped a few shots. “Hmm… this isn’t working for me at all.”
“What now?” Pleaded the assistant as he rolled his eyes.
“Everything, the scenery, the model. I’m sorry Shannon but you’re not the girl I was looking for, but don’t worry you’ll still get paid for your time spent with me. Pack up the stuff Gary and let’s go. She turned back, Shannon was crying, Simone approached her. “I’m sorry, don’t worry about it they’ll be plenty of other jobs, pretty girl such as yourself, I’m sure I’ll be shooting you for the cover of some big magazine someday.” She turned back around, “come on Gary.”
He looked at her, “you’re the biggest bullshitter I have every encountered in my career.”
“Well, your career with me is soon to be over, you’re fired Gary, Seventeen will just have to hire me a new assistant. Goodbye.” She grabbed her stuff and walked to a vending machine, “one hot dog with mustard and onions please.” Leaving her ex-assistant still standing there, stunned.
Austin Philips walked down the hallway, one of the many at Heaven Beach’s University, classes for the day were over, thankfully now he could go to his dorm room, chow down, and take a nap. He entered his dorm room, walked over to the refrigerator and opened it. There was nothing but a bottle of mustard and flat Pepsi. He walked over to the cabinets and opened them, nothing. “Dammit, I need a job…” He picked up the Classifieds and read them all of them were full time jobs. He knew he couldn’t handle a full time job with a full time school schedule. Then his eyes caught an ad for “Heaven’s Hideaway.” “One part-time employee needed.” “Yes! That’s the place for me, the name of the store sounds very interesting too…” He walked out of the dorm and picked up a pay phone in the hallway and dialed the number.
Mia stood at the register checking out a costumer. “Have a nice day and don’t forget your free box of Salt Water Taffy.” The phone rang, “Heaven’s Hideaway.”
“Uh… yeah, hi, my name is Austin Philips and I’m calling about the job opening for a part time employee.”
“All right, I take it your interested in applying for it?”
“There’s a slight problem though… I uh… don’t have a resume or any experience, but I’m a fast learner and I promise not to slack off.”
“Pardon me asking, but is this a guy?”
“Yes…”
“Hmm… do you know what Heaven’s Hideaway is?”
“I was kind of guessing maybe a porn store or a bar or something like that, you know by the name and all…”
Mia giggled, “No, it’s mainly a women’s clothing store. We also sell souvenirs and beach stuff, but a large portion is women’s clothing. I don’t know how you feel about that.”
“Well… I’m perfectly secure with my sexuality to work in a women’s clothing store…”
“Glad to hear it, but unfortunately I’m just a worker here and my boss only comes in once a week to give me my paycheck. She’s real active in the community and what not, so give me your number and I’ll call her and I guess she’ll call you to get an appointment so she can interview you.”
“I live at Heaven Beach University and I’m using a payphone…”
“Really? I go to school there as well. What grade are you in?
“I’m a freshman.” He smirked and ran his hand threw his hair.
“So am I… what did you say your name was?”
“Austin Philips.”
“Don’t recognize the name, my name’s Mia Brooks by the way.”
“Nice to meet you then Mia.”
Well since you’re using a payphone it’d pretty hard for me to get in touch with you, how about this, you call me back in thirty minutes and I’ll tell you what she said.”
“Okay, thanks a lot Mia.”
“You’re welcome.” She hung up the phone and dialed Phyllis’ cell phone number.
Phyllis and three other women sat at a table in Heaven Beach’s Country Club. “It’s just so great to having lunch with you ladies, isn’t it?”
“Sure is, we should do it more often.” One of the ladies offered.
Phyllis’ cell phone vibrated in her purse, she picked it up.
“Phyllis, we agreed no cell phones.” Another woman stated.
“I know, but it’s on the shop they’re might be an emergency or something, it will just be a minute.” She answered the phone, “hold on Mia let me get outside.” She put the phone down and walked outside of one of the dining areas. “Anything wrong?”
“No Miss Slater.”
“Then why are you calling?”
“Somebody called about the job offer.”
“You’re kidding me, finally! Everyone’s looking for full time jobs or don’t need a part time job because they’re filthy rich. This is good news, what’s her name?”
“His name is Austin Philips…”
“His? She’s a him?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell him about the shop?”
“Sure did.”
“What did he say?”
“Said he was secure with his sexuality and all. He’s going to call back in thirty minutes. I told him that I’d get him an interview time with you.”
“Darling, I don’t have the time to interview this guy, it’s your call.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I have faith and trust in you to make a good decision and there’s something else I wanted to discuss with you if we did get an answer for the ad.”
“What is that?”
“I want you to be manager.”
“What?”
“I want you to manage Heaven’s Hideaway, it’ll be more work but I’ll pay you… hmm… let’s see what do you make now?”
“Seven twenty-five an hour.”
“I’ll start you off at eleven dollars and hour and if you can handle it I’ll increase it, sound good?”
“You bet it does!”
“I wish I could chat longer but I’m out with some of the ladies, if I don’t return soon they’ll start talking about me. Goodbye.”
“Bye Miss Slater and thanks a lot!” Mia hung up the phone and jumped up. “Yes!” A costumer at the register looked at her strangely. “Er… um… heh… You ready to check out?”
Felicia stood at her desk, her assistant, Rich standing in front of her. “I need district attorney Rich, you know that as well as I do.”
“Maybe you can have some bum kill Kyle too.”
She gasped, “How did you find out?”
“I listen Felicia, you know our offices have thin walls, you really shouldn’t discuss things you don’t want to be heard in your office…”
“I-I thought you were at lunch…”
“Nope, I normally have my lunch in my office, of course you wouldn’t know that since we rarely see each other ever since you’ve become some hot shot lawyer. Let’s discuss my orders…”
“You listen here you little weasel I’m not going to be blackmailed by the likes of you. I’ll fire you and make sure you never get a job in the entire state of Florida. Besides it’s my word against yours, who are they going to believe a big, respected defense attorney or some two-bit assistant?”
Rich chuckled, “Don’t bet on that Felicia…” He waved a small tape in the air, “I do have proof.”
Felicia reached for it and missed, “give me that!”
“I don’t think so…”
“Let’s cut a deal Rich… what do you want money?”
“Have plenty of it.”
“Power?”
“Bingo! My request is simple, I’ll help you get D.A. only if you give me assistant D.A., that’s all I want.”
She reached into her desk drawer and grasped on to something, “as much as I cannot stand him, Kyle is a great lawyer and he’ll be given back the assistant district attorney position, he’s too good to pass up.”
“Fine, I’ll just go to the police station and let them hear your conversation to the guy that murdered Gregory.”
“You won’t have to do that.” She pulled out what she had been holding on to, a revolver. “Give me that tape, now.”
“Uh…”
“Give it to me. I shoot you, I’m not kidding, I’ll say you attacked me and tried to rape me, I’ll mess up the office, rip both of our clothes a little, I’ll never get blamed. Now give me that damned tape! I bet you weren’t even smart enough to make copies.” She watched as he lowered his head, “damned fool. Give it to me, you know I’ll shoot you.”
He threw the tape at her. He couldn’t believe he never thought of making copies, he wasn’t a very good blackmailer. “Fine, you win.”
She caught the tape and snapped it in two. “Oh and Rich, you’re fired, pack your stuff up I want you out of here in an hour.”
“I never told you this Felicia, but you’re a bitch.” He slammed the door as he walked out.
She watched as Rich walked out of her office. “I’ll get you out of office somehow Kyle… you can count on it…”
Anna Slater walked into her home and looked around, “well where the hell is everybody?” She called out.
Faye walked out of the kitchen to come and see who was yelling.
“Faye? What a surprise! Come and give your mother a hug.”
Faye hugged her mother, “I heard you went on a cruise.”
“Sure did and I have some very… interesting photos.”
Victoria and Nicholas came out of the kitchen following Faye.
“Well, well, well, look who it is, my beautiful grandchildren.” Anna embraced them. “Now I found a man for you Victoria, he’s a little pudgy around the edges but he’s real nice. Here’s his number and a picture.”
“Oh good God grandmother he’s huge.”
“Well I tried. Nicholas I didn’t find you a girl because well, you have plenty of them around so…”
Phyllis opened the door, “I swear those damned gossipy women I have to put up with. Mother you’re back! Faye? What are you going here?”
“Hi Phyllis, I’m here for a vacation.”
“Good, it’s about time you came and visited us.”
“I was talking to Victoria and I think, we should have a girl’s night out. Oh and Nicholas don’t worry we’ll have lunch together just you and me.”
“Sure, whatever.”
“Besides you can have the house by yourself for a few hours, maybe you can have one of your lady friends over.”
“That sounds fine by me.”
“I know where we can go to. I’ll drive us, let’s all get ready, you know all fancy like.” Victoria smiled, “we’ll leave at seven, one hour to get ready ladies, let’s move it.”
April entered the lounge room, walked over to her locker and changed. She put on a sexy, black lingerie piece from Victoria’s Secret on and put a sundress over it. “I hope you’re up for a little surprise tonight Kyle.”
She walked out of the hospital and to her car. She opened the door and started it, drove across the street to an Italian restaurant, ordered her food and within ten minutes was back on the road again, headed to Kyle’s office.
“Hello Martha.”
Martha looked up from her computer screen, “oh, hi April. Want me to call Kyle and let him know you’re here.”
“No, he’s expecting me.”
“Oh all right.”
April pushed Kyle’s half opened door.
Kyle saw April enter, she’s was gorgeous, she had everything intelligence, wits, and not to mention a great body. “Hey baby.”
She put her finger on her lips, “shh…” She bolted the door and approached the desk, pushing all of the files and papers off of it. Kyle sat there stunned, “you’re all mine right now Mister.” She took off her sundress revealing her sexy lingerie and crawled up on the desk. “All work and no play just isn’t healthy for a man, wouldn’t you agree?”
Kyle sat up and climbed up on the desk with her, he couldn’t resist her. He began kissing her neck. “On a desk and in my office, you’re a naughty woman April.”
“Mmhmm.” She flipped him over and ripped off his shirt. “I am very naughty…” She kissed his lips, “and the great thing is, I finally have a great man to be naughty with.”
He flipped her back around, “and I have a beautiful, intelligent woman to be naughty with.”
She kissed him again. He pulled back, “I hope poor Martha doesn’t come in.”
“I locked the door, she’ll catch the hint. Now come on, quit worrying. All your attention should be focused on me and my sexy little body. She lifted her eyebrow and pulled him towards her again.
Austin waited in line for the pay phone. Finally, he thought it was about damned time he got to use it.
“Hey man, make it quick will you?” A disgruntle student yelled.
“Shut up.” He groaned and dialed the number of Heaven’s Hideaway.
“Heaven’s Hideaway.” A familiar voice said.
“Hi, it’s Austin Philips again.”
“Took you a while didn’t it?”
“There was a line for the phone.”
“Oh okay. Well listen, my boss wants me to interview you, can you come in tonight?”
“Sure, I’ll be over there as soon as possible.”
“Okay, we close at eight.”
“All right.” He hung up the phone and ran down the hall, made a left and knocked on another dorm room.
Laurie opened the door, in her pajama bottoms, tank top, and hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. “Hi Austin.”
“Hey I have a huge favor to ask you.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“I got a job interview.”
“Really? That’s great.”
“Yeah, I’m excited but I need a ride to the place, my car’s out of gas… as usual…”
“Sure, no problem.” She grabbed her keys from the key rack and locked the door. “Let’s go.”
That’s what he liked about Laurie, she didn’t care what people thought about her she’d go out in public in her pajamas and messed up hair and think it was completely normal.
They got in the car, “so where’s it at?”
“It’s Heaven’s Hideaway.”
“Oh! I love that store… wait… do you know that’s it’s mostly a women’s clothing---”
“Yeah, yeah I’ve been told.”
“Well, it’s cool that you don’t care.”
They pulled into the Heaven’s Hideaway parking lot. A neon sign read, “Heaven’s Hideaway,” and under it in smaller neon lighting it said, “a tourist and women apparel shop.”
Austin walked in, “do you want me to call you when I’m done or something?”
“Nah, I actually need some new clothes I’ll just shop while you get interviewed.”
“All right, thanks a lot Laurie.”
“No problem.”
Austin approached the counter, “excuse me… are you Mia Brooks?”
Mia turned around, “yes, who’s asking?”
Austin put out his hand, “hi, I’m Austin Philips, the guy that’s here to get interviewed.” Wow, Mia was hot…
“Oh yeah, how are you?”
“Pretty good…”
“Okay, well let’s get this thing over with. You already told me that you don’t have any job experience or a resume, but what you’ll be doing isn’t really that hard. You’ll need to vacuum the store twice a week, keep everything looking really nice, shirts, souvenirs, clothes on the racks, shoes, toys, lighters… you get the point.”
He nodded, “uh huh…”
“Did you see the little strip of grass out front?”
“Yeah.”
“You’ll need to mow that and use one of those um… things to keep the parking lot clean.”
“A blower?”
“Yeah, I guess that’s what it’s called… hmm… what else… Put out new merchandise, break boxes… that’s pretty much it.”
“Doesn’t sound too hard.”
“I’m actually glad a guy is interested because I don’t think too many girls could mow and all that stuff. I’ll teach you have to fold the shirts and everything.”
“Okay.”
“When can you start?”
“Wait—what I’m hired? Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
“I can start whenever you need me to start.”
“Come in tomorrow at four, is that fine?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“We’ll discuss schedule and pay then, but other than that everything’s cool.”
“Okay, thanks a lot!” He smiled.
He had a great smile… not as nice as Noah’s though… “You’re welcome. See you tomorrow.”
Suddenly a woman screamed while standing at a rack, it was Laurie.
Austin rushed over, “Laurie, is everything okay?”
“Are you kidding? They finally have this dress in my size! Yes!” She looked around at all the people staring at her she was slightly embarrassed. “Uh… yeah…”
Simone Taylor entered the Robinson home. She had moved into the house three weeks ago, she hated it. Her eyes caught a small white card lying on the floor. It said “Simone,” on the front. She opened the card and smiled…
“What are you up to now Noah?” She looked past where the card was and saw a trail of roses, she did as the note told, the trail of roses lead her up the stairs and to the east wing of the home, it stopped at her and Noah’s bedroom door, she opened the door, red rose buds covered the floor. On all the nightstands, dressers, and tables were white candles. Finally her eyes caught Noah in their bed, a sheet covering past his stomach. “N-Noah… what is this?”
“You’re welcome home gift.”
She lifted her eyebrow, “and what a nice welcoming home gift it is…” She climbed up on the bed and kissed her lover. “I love you…”
“Mmm… and I love you too and you’re all mine.”
Victoria, Phyllis, Anna, and Faye sat at a table at a popular club called, “The Getaway.”
“This place is really nice… very classy.” Faye said as she looked around the club.
“I told you all this was a great place.” Victoria said.
A waiter stood at their table, “what will you ladies be drinking tonight?”
“Martini for me, please.” Phyllis said, “oh and stirred please.”
Anna was next, “hmm… what the hell get me a top shelf margarita. Who’s buying?”
“It’s on me, and let me get a rum and coke, plenty of ice please.” Victoria ordered.
“And what will you be having?”
“Glass of your best red wine.” Faye said as she took off her coat.
“Oh God…” Victoria said in disgust.
“What is it darling?” Phyllis asked.
“That damned Sarah Robinson is here… I swear I just want a nice night out with my family without her ruining it.”
Sarah took a seat at a booth. She could clearly see Thomas nursing a beer while he watched Victoria. “Don’t have too many of those, you’ll need a clear mind for what you’re about to do…”
“What will you be having tonight ma’am?”
“Shot of bourbon whiskey, double it.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Thomas had followed Victoria and her family into this club, he couldn’t shake the filling of seeing her somewhere before. He glanced around the rest of the club and saw Sarah watching him from a booth, “oh good God…” He got up and walked up the stairs leading to the booth. “What in the hell are you doing here?”
Sarah lit a cigarette. “I’ve been following you for quite sometime. You’re not very elusive you know.”
“Get out of here, in case you haven’t noticed I’m trying to the job you asked me to do.”
“And I’m here to make sure you do it. Cigarette?”
“I don’t smoke, you’re distracting me, leave.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?” He asked sternly, this woman was really pissing him off, he’d rather been hired by Victoria to kill Sarah.
“My brother kicked me and my grandmother out of the house, he wants to have sex with Simone without anyone around.”
“Well find another club then okay?”
The waiter arrived with her double shot of whiskey. “Here you go ma’am.”
“Thank you.”
The waiter looked at Thomas and back at Sarah, “is everything okay?”
She laughed, “Yes everything is quite fine.”
The waiter nodded and walked away.
“You’re going to get in my way, I know it.”
“Look, I’m just trying to enjoy my drink at my favorite club, okay? Now go, you’re going to cause a scene and our cover will be blown.”
He shrugged and walked off.
“I wonder who that was…” Phyllis stated.
Victoria had not seen the man she was too busy trying to signal the waiter to hurry up. “I didn’t see him but I’m going over there.”
“Victoria, no.” Faye said, “there’s no reason to cause a scene out in public.”
“You know that’s what she wants you to do. Don’t fall for her trap.” Anna added.
Victoria got up, “I’m going over there.” She walked over to the booth Sarah was sitting at. “Sarah, I just want to have a nice night with my family and not have to see you or any of the rest of your damned family. So just take your drink and get the hell out of here. I know why you’re here to cause a big scene. Well I’m not going to give it to you okay? Just leave, my aunt just came in, I haven’t seen her in over a year and I just want to have a nice girl’s night out without seeing your trashy face staring at me.” So much for keeping this calm, she thought.
“To be honest Victoria, I didn’t even know you were here and I’m not going anywhere, I can stay wherever the hell I want to? So go back to your little girl’s night out thing and leave me alone, bitch.”
She picked up Sarah’s drink and smelled it. “Ah… double whiskey? I hope you like it…” She slung the contents inside the glass on Sarah, “on your face…”
Phyllis sighed, “great… Let me go get my daughter before she ends up slugging Sarah… although I’d like to see that…”
“Damn Robinsons they ruin everything…” Anna muttered.
Phyllis clutched Victoria’s arms, “come on. Come back to the table.”
Sarah was still in shock as she jumped up, “you little bitch!” She extended her arm to slap Victoria but Phyllis had grabbed her wrist.
“I’m taking my daughter back to our table. You two are acting like little children and you’re both almost thirty damned years old!” Phyllis let go over Sarah’s wrist and took Victoria’s hand, “come on, I’m not kidding, you’re coming back to the table.”
Thomas laughed at Sarah, “That was pretty good Victoria…” He said under his breath.
Sarah stood there looking at the two women in disgust as they walked away. “Hey come up with a better punch line next time!”
Phyllis and Victoria sat at the table again. Victoria sighed, “sorry about that ladies but that woman just gets to me…”
“All those damned Robinson’s get to me,” Anna said with a tone of utter repulse.
The waiter brought them their drinks on a tray. “Will you all be having anything else tonight?”
“We’ll let you know.” Victoria said to the man.
“Hey waiter!” Sarah screamed from her booth, “bring me another shot of whiskey!”
“Sheesh, what class…” Phyllis said as she shook her head.
Victoria stood from her seat, “I’m going to go powder my nose ladies, excuse me.” She walked off the ladies bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and ran her hand threw her hair. She just needed to splash some water on her face and cool off. Tonight was her family’s night, she need to be relaxed. She walked into the bathroom and looked into the mirror. A haunting memory jolted into her head…
She began to shake, those cold, dark eyes looking into hers. The door opened and she didn’t even bother to look up to see who was there. She prayed it wasn’t Sarah to finish their fight. She turned on the sink and splashed warm water on her face. The hairs on the back of her neck began to stand up. An eerie feeling suddenly invaded the room. She looked up and saw the same cold, dark eyes in the mirror.
“You looked so familiar and as I was sitting in the club watching you and it finally came to me, you, me in the alley a couple of years ago.”
She began to tremble and she felt as if she was frozen in her position.
“I mean really want are the chances? Me getting paid to come down here to off you and you were one of the girls I raped up in New York.”
“W-What do you mean?”
He pulled out a pistol from one of his pant pockets, “I suppose I can tell you, after all you’ll be dead in a few minutes. Sarah Robinson paid me to come to town to kill you.”
“S-Sarah…?”
“Yeah, I guess she hates you that much, enough of this shit, let’s get his over with.” He pointed the pistol at her head. “Nighty-night.”
The door opened, Faye stood there, “Victoria? What’s going on?”
Thomas looked at the woman standing in the front of the door. “Oh shit.” He knocked Victoria to the ground and ran at the door. “Move now!” He ordered Faye.
“Victoria are you all right?” She said looking over the man.
“Dammit woman!” He took the butt of the pistol and slammed it into Faye’s head. She fell to the ground, unconscious.
Victoria gripped the side of the sink and pulled herself up. “Faye? Faye? Are you okay?” She ran over to her aunt and held her in her arms. “Faye? My God… Somebody help me! I need an ambulance! Help me please!”