Linda Singleton - Dead Girl Walking

After that I looked for Luis, but couldn’t find him. So I asked Angie instead, and was surprised, pleased, and relieved when she agreed to be a messenger for me.

Then I was ready. Trembling with nerves, I slipped on casual jeans and a plain T-shirt and went to face my enemy.

My smile faded with each step toward Mr. Montgomery. I second-thought and mentally double-checked what I planned to say. Suddenly there were lots of holes in my scheme. What if I was wrong? But no … I couldn’t let myself think negatively. Positive thoughts brought positive outcomes.

My life — and Leah’s — counted on this.

“Leah, why aren’t you dressed?” Mr. Montgomery was looking in a mirror, straightening his striped gray tie.

“Uh … I … um …”

“Well, what is it? I hope you’re not still pretending to be sick.”

“No … it’s not that.”

He tapped his fingers on the dresser. “Then hurry to your room and get ready.”

I lifted my shoulders and exhaled. “I–I’m not going,” I said.

“Leah, Leah … ” He sighed wearily. “We’ve already been through this.”

“No we haven’t.”

“Don’t cross me,” he warned. “You know what I’m capable of doing.”

“But you have no idea what I could do to you.” I matched the warning in his tone with one of my own. “I know about your payoffs to Congressman Donatello.”

“What?” He chuckled. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“It’s true, and you know it.”

“You have no grasp of my complicated business dealings.”

“I do,” I said firmly, feet planted, gaze steady, hands tight around the papers.

“This is not amusing.”

“I wasn’t amused either when I found my name on your papers.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m totally serious — and I have the documents to prove it.” I held out the papers. “These are proof that you made excessive donations to the Congressman in an account under my name: Leah Ashland. My first and middle name. There’s also an account under Hunter’s first and middle name, too.”

“My business is not your concern.” He reached out for the papers but I jumped back.

“I checked the numbers and contribution laws, and it’s obvious you’ve contributed more than the legal limit to the congressman’s accounts. Coincidentally, the payoffs happened when a bill came up for a vote on regulating radio stations’ song selection — a bill that Congressman Donatello ended up voting down.”

His jaw dropped, but then snapped shut and tightened. His gaze narrowed at me and his hands knotted to fists. “Give me those papers.”

“If you insist.” I shrugged and handed them over.

His grabbed them — then ripped them up, white shreds trailing to the carpet. “So you think you’re so smart?” he sneered. “Stupid little girl — you should know better than to defy me. You’ll never win. And after the party tonight, I’ll deal with you.”

“No, you won’t,” I said simply. Instead of being afraid, I felt more powerful than ever. He wasn’t a Dark Lifer. He was only human, and not nearly as smart as he thought. “You will never touch me or order me around again.”

“You don’t issue the orders here.”

Instead of arguing, I asked, “Do you really think I’d just hand over the papers?”

“What?” He looked down at the floor, then back at me.

“You ripped up a copy. The original papers are safe with a friend — who is very politically connected and will post the information on blogs around the world unless I tell him not to.”

“You’re lying,” he accused.

“Do you really want to find out?”

His blustering anger made him red in his face, and if I hadn’t stepped back I’m sure he would have hit me. Instead, he took a deep breath, and seemed to consider his options. His frown deepened.

“Leah, I’m very hurt by your behavior,” he said sadly. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost believe he was sincerely hurt. “But if you strongly don’t want to go out tonight, I won’t force you. Since I’m doing what you want, will you give me the original papers?”

“I don’t have them. My friend does.”

“Ah … the friend.” He regarded me cautiously. “Well … fine. But don’t do anything rash. I’m sure we can come to an agreement. You wouldn’t want to cause any embarrassment for your family.”

“That’s right,” I agreed. “I care about both of my families.”

“Both?” He was puzzled.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“There are a lot of things I don’t understand — about these last few days and especially you. You’ve changed so much you seem like you’re a completely different person.” His shoulders slumped. “So, what should I do about tonight?”

“Surprise everyone,” I said with heavy sarcasm. “Take your wife.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out Leah’s car keys.

Then I left the Montgomery house.

Forever … I hoped.

* * *

The hospital room was just as I remembered — except this time I wasn’t alone. Dustin, Alyce and Eli closed around me for support while I knelt by the bed where my real body slept peacefully.

I wasn’t sure how Dustin got permission for all of us to visit. I was just grateful for his help — especially when a few hours earlier he’d met Angie outside the Montgomery house to pick up the highly explosive papers.

When I met with him and the others in the waiting room, Dustin said he was glad to see me but sort of disappointed that my plan had worked so well.

“I was ready to blast the Montgomery papers across blogs everywhere,” he added. “But I’d rather have you than fame.”

I smiled and squeezed his hand, grateful to have loyal friends who rushed in to help with unconditional support. I’d even found support from an unexpected source. When I’d arrived at the hospital, Security Guard Karl came over with a smile.

“I’m not sure why, but I have an overwhelming urge to say thank you.” His hands no longer misted with dark grayness. “So, thank you.” Then he escorted us through the “No Admittance” doors and up to Room 311.

“It’s almost six,” Alyce announced, pointing to the wall clock.

“Just three minutes and twenty-two seconds.” Eli came over and put his hand on my shoulder. “Just enough time for this …”

He pulled me close and pressed his lips against mine. They were soft and sweet, with a taste of nutty humor. “That was good-bye to Leah,” he said.

“She doesn’t know what she’s missing,” I whispered. “Your brother could learn from you.”

Eli laughed. “Now that’s a first.”

“The first of many,” I said with promise.

Then he glanced at the clock. “Just one minute.”

Tensing, I stared down at the hospital bed where my real body slept peacefully, breathing on her own without any machines. I took my own hand and thought of all the things people said at the memorial. Some of it was crap, of course, but most of it genuine. I never realized I had that many friends, but I guess I did. No matter who I looked like, I would be okay.

“Something’s happening,” Alyce cried out, sounding a little afraid.

The room seemed to brighten, as if a sunny window had been opened, but the blinds on the hospital window were closed. I held tightly to my body’s hand, closing my eyes but still seeing the light. Expanding, wonderful warm, loving light. And through my closed eyes I saw Leah coming closer, hand-in-hand with my Grammy Greta. In this surreal realm, she looked like Leah and I looked like Amber. The strangest thing was that nothing seemed strange at all. Being together, the three of us, seemed natural.

“I’m ready,” Leah told me. Her hair shone and she glowed with a beauty that came from the inside.