Page 22 of Enthrall
Bailey raised the notebook. “Then why would Cameron have her write this?”
“Can you talk to him?” I said.
“We got on great,” said Tara. “But he’s still upset with me that I left. He hasn’t returned any of my texts.” She peered over at Bailey. “I’ve checked on him a couple of times.”
“He should be happy for you,” said Bailey.
“Richard’s complex.” She sat back down and gestured to my wine.
I handed it over.
Tara took a sip. “So much for re-hydrating.”
“What are you not telling us?” said Bailey.
“This is absolutely private,” said Tara. “Not to be repeated under any circumstances.”
I gestured for my wine back.
Tara took another gulp and handed it over. “About a month ago Cameron and Richard disappeared into the dungeon for well over an hour.”
“Gay?” said Bailey.
“No.” Tara shot her a look. “Listen. When they came back up I noticed blood stains on the back of Richard’s shirt. Cameron had done something nasty to him.”
“Cameron’s a psychiatrist,” I said. “That doesn’t sound right.”
Tara rummaged through her rucksack and withdrew a bottle of water. “I’m just telling you what I saw.”
“You told me those dungeon walls are all painted red,” said Bailey. “Maybe they’d been repainted and he leaned back on it?”
“Did you ever go down there?” I said, needing to hear more.
“Once.” Tara unscrewed the cap and took a swing of spring water. She used the bottle to motion to us. “The blood was beneath his shirt.” She raised her gaze to the ceiling. “Paint.”
“That guy’s messed up.” Bailey turned to me. “I think it’s best you’re out of there.”
“Cameron’s actually kind of cool,” said Tara. “So is Richard. Did he really fire you over a misspelling? That’s so strange.”
I broke her gaze.
“What really happened?” said Bailey.
I slumped back. “A client gave me Venus balls as a gift.”
“I don’t see the problem,” said Tara. “Unless...”
“You didn’t know what they were,” said Bailey.
My cheeks burned with embarrassment.
“Richard realized how inexperienced she is,” said Tara, cringing.
“You don’t get it,” I said, despair threatening to eat me alive. “I have to come up with an extra $600.00 a month. The billing department at Cedars have threatened to cut off my step-mom’s treatment otherwise.”
“They can’t do that,” said Tara. “Can they?”
“I don’t want to find out,” I said. “It’s the best place for her.”
