Page 42 of The Liar I Married
“What did they give you?” Dolly hits the button on the blood pressure machine and it tightens around my arm. “Your heart is racing. Maybe you’re allergic to the medication. That’s good, it will be a reason why you died. I can’t be blamed, how sweet is that?”
I want to open my eyes and scream at her. This woman is supposed to care for people and what did it take to turn her into a monster—greed. I’m worth more dead than alive to Michael and no doubt he’s offered her a life of luxury on my inheritance. How long has it been? Ten minutes maybe. Every second counts. I moan again and toss my head but under my lashes I see Dolly’s attention move to the door leading to the conservatory. Has she seen Alex? My heart rate increases and I try to take deep calming breaths to prevent the machine screaming a warning.
Not Alex—Michael. My loving brother who wants me dead is heading straight toward me.
“She’s back I see and where’s John?” His voice is just above a whisper. “His Lexus is parked outside the conservatory. If he finds me here, all hell will break loose.”
“I haven’t seen him.” Dolly turns to stare at the passageway. “It was the guy that kidnapped her. He brought her back. He said she went crazy and needed to be sedated.”
“So why isn’t John here to see Jessie? Surely Alex told him he’d brought her here?” Michael dashes a hand through his hair.“There’s only John’s vehicle so Alex must have left.” He turns to the passageway. “You sure you haven’t seen or heard him?”
“Positive. No one is here apart from Maria.” Dolly sighs. “She doesn’t even know Mrs. Harper is here. She’s probably in her room. You do know, she moved into the house from the cottage. She said it was on Mr. Harper’s orders.”
“We must finish this now before he shows. You know what to do.” Michael grabs Dolly by the shoulders. “I need to get the heck out of here. Remove all the machines from her first. Do it and then head back to your room. You never saw Alex bring her back—right? The cops will blame everything on him. If John is here, he’ll find her and then we’ll be home free.” He kisses her. “I know I can count on you, Dolly.”
“Okay.” Dolly turns away from him and removes the pads she stuck to my chest. “Go, it will be all over soon. She’s very weak and her heart isn’t good.”
I hear footsteps as Michael, the brother I still love and once trusted, leaves me to die. A sob almost escapes and I smother it. How could he do this to me? I moan again and lift my hands up beside my head, hopefully making it harder for her to inject me with a fatal dose. I can’t allow her to do it. I must find the strength to hold her off in time for Alex or John to save me.
I hear her go to the closet and can’t see what she’s doing from under my lashes. The drawer where she keeps the drugs is on the other side of the room and within view. What is she planning? She comes back carrying a pillow and panic rolls over me in waves. I must escape but as I open my mouth to scream, the pillow is over my face and I’m in terrible suffocating darkness.
All my childhood terrors grip me; fear of the dark, fear of monsters, fear of being buried alive rush at me in the darkness. I fight for a breath but fabric crushes my nose. My hands are beside my face and I push up as hard as I can. Dolly isn’t expecting me to fight back and I get a second’s reprieve as I pushthe pillow up an inch and suck in air. Blankets tangle around my legs as I kick and roll, trying to get free. The pillow is tight, the air is gone. My body is screaming for oxygen, my lungs hurt, bright spots flash in front of my eyes. My heart pounds and then misses beats. I’m drifting away. Oh God, I’ll never get to hold my girls again—I’m so sorry, I can’t fight anymore.
Light almost blinds me as the pillow is pulled free. My vision blurs as someone leans over me.
“Jessie.” John’s voice is in panic mode as he shakes me. I’ve never heard that before. “Jessie, breathe. Dear God, breathe.”
I suck in a breath and then another and slowly everything comes back into focus. I want to speak and tell him everything is okay but I can’t form words.
“That’s right, big breaths.” John sits me up. “Look at me, Jessie. You’re safe.”
John is holding me now and rubbing my back. Over his shoulder I see Alex gripping Dolly’s arms behind her back; his eyes are wild and almost frantic. She has a bruise on one cheek. Did John or Alex hit her? I don’t really care. The air is cooling down my burning throat. I take deep breaths but my head is fuzzy and my eyes are so sore. I don’t want to lift my head from John’s shoulder. The monsters are gone and suddenly everything is okay.
FORTY-FIVE
Paramedics check me over and the police take Dolly away. It takes forever but I insist I tell them my story although John is concerned. He wants a lawyer present, although I’ve done nothing wrong. I sit in the bed I hate, my prison, and answer countless questions. After a long time, I’m exhausted and lean back and close my eyes. “My head is spinning. I need a break.”
“That’s enough for tonight.” John stands and moves between the detective and me. “Jessie is exhausted. She’ll talk to you again, after she’s had some rest. Maybe in a day or so.”
The detective, whose name slipped from my memory the moment he uttered it, gives me an exasperated stare. I shrug and look away. I just want to be out of this place. As they leave, I look at John. I need his arms around me and hold them out to him. “Can you spare a hug?”
“You’re so fragile, I’m frightened I might break you.” He sits on the bed and puts one arm around me and then another. “Is that okay?” His phone buzzes and he sighs. “It’s been going off all afternoon. It must be something important. Do you mind?”
I shake my head. “I guess not.”
“It’s wonderful news.” John smiles at me. “The court rescinded the order. You can see the girls. It’s over, Jessie.”
I lean in and wrap my arms around him. I inhale the familiar scent of my husband and suddenly everything is right in the world—well, almost. “Can I please go home right away? I want to see the girls so bad.”
“Yes. We’ll leave right away. They’ll be so happy to see you.” John moves and turns to Alex. He offers him his hand. “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for Jessie. You’re a good friend, Alex.”
“It’s been an honor to know both of you.” Alex shrugs. “I hope to see you back at the studio soon, Jessie.”
“She’ll be there and you’re welcome at our home anytime.” John smiles at him.
I look from one to the other in amazement. They really seem to get along. “I can’t wait to get back to the studio. It’s a lovely place to relax. As soon as I’m strong enough, I’ll be there.”
“Ready?” John scoops me up into his arms and carries me through the house. On the way, he stops to speak to Maria. “Take care of the house. You’re in charge now and I’ll increase your pay and add a bonus for everything you’ve done for my wife. Please get someone to collect all the medical equipment, we don’t need it anymore. Call my office if you need anything, including staff.”
