Cheryl Tardif - Submerged

Rape and murder. That could have been Rebecca’s future.

Thank God Delaney had decided to run her off the road instead.

Marcus went downstairs to the kitchen and found a plastic bag. Stuffing the clothing into it, he left the house, waved at the officer outside and hurried to his car. With Delaney on the loose, Marcus wanted nothing more than to be back at the hospital. He stepped on the gas pedal and sped off, praying he wouldn’t get pulled over for speeding.

When Kelly arrived at the hospital, Rebecca broke down in huge gulping sobs. “I can’t believe you’re here. I’m so glad to see you.”

“Can I hug you?” her sister asked, tears leaking from her eyes.

“You’d better.”

Kelly wrapped her arms around her, ever so gently. “I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”

“You won’t. I’m stronger than I look.”

Kelly arched a brow.

“That’s what everyone keeps telling me,” Rebecca explained. “That I’m stronger than I look.”

“And here you are, crying like a big wussy baby.”

“Yup. That’s me.”

Kelly’s smile faded. “Seriously, Rebecca, you almost died. You and the kids.”

“But we’re all safe now.”

“Thanks to that 911 operator.”

Rebecca grinned. “Marcus was pretty fantabulous.”

Kelly studied her face as if looking for some sign of insanity. “So what is this guy—sixty-five and bald?”

Rebecca gave her a wry look. “Uh, no.”

“So he’s seventy and bald?”

“I doubt he’s much older than me. And he’s not bald.”

“You kinda like him,” Kelly said in a singsong voice. “You think he’s sexy.”

“Oh, stop it.”

Kelly perched on the edge of the bed. “You’ll be happy to know Steve’s mom has kidnapped my kids. So Ella and Colton won’t be exposed to measles.”

Rebecca snorted. “You make it sound like the plague.”

“I swear it is. Between the crying, scratching, puking, picking, bathing and whining, I haven’t had a second to brush my hair, much less pee by myself. You were lucky, Sis. Neither Colton nor Ella ever had measles.”

“No. They had Wesley.”

Kelly pursed her lips. “He’s quite the bastard.”

“And then some.”

“I hope his balls rot off,” Kelly muttered.

“Gross.”

Kelly shrugged. “It’s what he deserves.”

“Thanks for driving down here, Sis.”

“Hey, what are sisters for?”

“When I get out of here, I’m going to owe you. Big-time.”

Kelly grinned. “I’m counting on that. Steve and I need a weekend away. Alone, no kids. So guess where they’ll be staying?”

“Anytime.”

Kelly hugged her. “I’m going to go grab us a bite to eat from the cafeteria. What do you want?”

“If you can find me a sandwich that doesn’t look like it’ll walk away on its own, get me one.”

Ten minutes after Kelly left, Rebecca had another visitor. Wesley.

She swallowed hard at the sight of him standing in the doorway to her room. A police officer stood next to him.

“Mr. Kingston,” the officer said, “you cannot go into the room.”

“But she’s my wife, for Christ’s sake.”

The guard looked at Rebecca.

“It’s okay,” she said. “You can both come inside.”

She wasn’t stupid. The police were looking into Wesley’s connections. Though she prayed they were wrong and that he wasn’t involved, she wasn’t willing to risk her life.

“Becca,” Wesley said, approaching the bed, a red rose in one hand.

“That’s far enough.” She held up a hand. “Whatever you have to say to me can be said from where you’re standing.”

“I-I couldn’t believe it when I heard.” Wesley’s face was pale, his eyes filled with concern. “The kids?” His voice cracked.

“They’re okay. I’m okay too.”

“Oh my God. When I think of how you all could’ve died… it makes me sick.”

He sounded sincere. But he’d deceived her before.

“You know they think you had something to do with this,” she said.

“Rebecca,” Wesley said with a moan, “you can’t believe I’d do something like this. I’d never hurt you—or the kids. I know things suck between us right now, but I’d hoped that you’d—”

“What? Forgive you? Let you move back in with us?” She shook her head. “That’ll never happen.”

“I swear to you, I did not have anything to do with what happened to you.”

“Not intentionally maybe. But your actions…” She shrugged.

“I’m sorry,” Wesley snapped. “But this is not my fault.”

“I guess we’ll see, won’t we?”

When she looked at Wesley, all she felt was contempt. For his gambling, his apparent lack of judgment, even his poor attempt at an apology. He’d gotten mixed up in something that was bigger than either of them. And it had almost cost them everything.

Wesley ran a hand through his hair and glanced at the officer. “Can I see my kids?”

The officer nodded. “Same rules apply though. No contact.”

“Can I come back and see you?” Wesley asked her.

Rebecca glanced at the officer. “Is Detective Zur going to question Wesley?”

“Yeah. He’s on his way.”

Relief washed over her. “Let’s see what happens, Wesley.”

“I’m glad you’re all right.” He handed the rose to the guard.

After the door closed behind him and she was alone again, Rebecca broke down. She cried for everything she had lost—her marriage, her faith in love. Then she cried for everything she’d almost lost—Ella and Colton. If their father had anything to do with them being run off the road, she had no idea how she would explain it to them.

At the Hinton Police Department, Marcus stood on the viewer’s side of the one-way glass, while Detective John Zur interviewed Kingston in the adjoining interrogation room.

Wesley Kingston had a slick-looking lawyer present, probably a gift from Daddy Kingston. The lawyer was in his midthirties, and he licked his lips continually, as though he were hungry for a case that would propel him into the limelight. This could be that case—if Rebecca’s husband had hired someone to take her out.

Zur had warned Marcus that they were still considering the angle that Kingston had hired someone to do the deed. The kids’ inheritance was more than enough incentive. They were combing through his phone and e-mail records.

“I would never do anything to hurt my kids,” Kingston protested yet again.

“But you stand to inherit some hefty cash if your wife and kids are dead,” Zur said. “That’s motive for a lot of people, especially those who are raking up bad debts.”

“I’ve always been able to pay off what I owe. No one’s after me or threatening me.” Kingston scowled at his lawyer. “The only money being wasted right now is on this guy.”

“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” the lawyer said. “Your father wants you to have the best defense.”

“For what?” Kingston roared. “I didn’t do anything!” He jumped to his feet and paced in the small space behind his chair. “As I’ve insisted numerous times, I have no idea who would do this. I’ve not heard from anyone about it. I’ve not hired anyone to do it. I love my children. I love my wife.”

“Then why did you have an affair?” Zur asked.

Kingston stopped, shrugged, then dropped back into the chair. “It simply… happened. Rebecca and I weren’t getting along. We were on two different paths. I met Tracey years ago.”