~ Deception ~ Part Four
© By E. O’Rielly June 2006
eorielly@yahoo.com
This is an adult story that primarily features stories involving women. If it is illegal in the state, province, or country in which you live; or if you are under the age of 18, please close this story and find something else to read.
There are consensual sexual relations between adult women, which may be graphically explicit.
There are elements of strong language, violence, physical and/or mental, as well as some emotional hurt and discomfort in the story.
The events portrayed in this story are fictional and any resemblance to actual events and/or people is purely coincidental.
Dedication: Into everyone's life comes a person that challenges them to become more than they are by not accepting mediocre. J.M. Dragon has been such a friend to me and without her input and encouragement, I could never have written this or anything else.
Special Thank You: To my friends T and Kay for giving me invaluable feedback
“Now that your bail has been posted you need to meet with me so we can go over the evidence against you.” Lane said as they walked out of the sheriff’s office. “That gizmo on your ankle will alert the authorities if you try to leave the area so don’t.”
“You think I don’t know that,” Bryce said tersely. “I’m not meeting you or anyone until I get the stink of the jail off my body,”
Lane was annoyed with the woman’s attitude but understood the mentality. I’d want to do the same thing. “Get back here as soon as you can.”
A rakish smile crossed Bryce’s face. “I don’t suppose you have a shower in your office.”
It seemed to Lane that the blue grey eyes were devouring her body and she instinctively shivered. She didn’t have long to reflect on the situation as a large black foamy microphone was shoved in her face.
“There’s talk that the case against your client is a slam dunk. Is that true?”
“The DA says your client got special treatment is that true?”
“It is obvious to me that there was a rush to judgment in this case. While the law enforcement officials are concentrating on my client the real murderer is out there running lose. Other than that we have no comment.” Lane took Bryce’s arm and led her quickly towards Sam’s SUV.
“Bryce, how were you treated in jail?” a reporter shouted.
“Get the hell out of my face,” she said angrily before giving them the finger.
Lane opened the door and literally shoved Bryce inside then climbed in behind her. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? The news tonight will start out with the out of control Bryce Clayton giving the press the finger. Is that how you want people to think of you?”
“I don’t give a damn what they think,” she said petulantly.
“Well you’d better start caring for when potential jurors see this they just might form an opinion of you that won’t be to your advantage.”
Once they were out of town and he was certain no one was following, Sam pulled the vehicle onto the shoulder. He turned to the back seat and pointed his finger. “Don’t you ever do anything that stupid again do you hear me?”
To Lane’s surprise, Bryce seemed to cower. It was then, that Lane finally looked at her client. She is nothing more than a little girl lost in the world of the grown ups. From a place that Lane couldn’t quite explain, she felt tenderness towards Bryce who looked devastated by her father’s disapproval. She reached over and touched Bryce’s hand. “Don’t worry I’ll take care of it…everything will be okay.” Lane didn’t know what she would do exactly for she was certain that the press would have a field day over Bryce’s actions. Raising her eyebrows and looking at her client sternly, Lane said, “From now on I do all the talking…is that clear.”
In belligerent tone, Bryce said, “Sure, have it your way I’ll keep my mouth shut…for the moment.”
“Mr. Clayton, I need to get my files from the office. I think Bryce and I should meet at your ranch from now on…we can control the press better there.”
“I agree,” Sam said as he made a u-turn and headed back towards town.
+ + +
Lane had all her papers spread out on a scarred table in Sam Clayton’s study. She was going over the photos of the crime scene when Bryce entered.
“Well, here I am.”
Lane looked up and smiled. “Good.” Her eyes gave Bryce a once over as her eyebrows arched in appreciation. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah the shower did wonders.”
“We need to go over what the police have.” She patted the seat next to hers. “Sit with me.”
Bryce sat down, looked at all the photos on the orderly but cluttered table and picked one up. “What’s this one?”
After looking at the picture, Lane said, “It’s a boot print they found at the scene that didn’t match any they had a reference for. They surmise that it belongs to the murderer. From the inventory of what they took from the house, I see they did take three left boots. Whether any of those is a match to the one in the photo I can’t say since I haven’t been given access to the evidence yet.”
“None of my boots will match,” Bryce said matter-of-factly as she flung the photo back on the table. “This is a Wolverine mine are custom made.”
“Well that’s good to know.” Lane shuffled through the photos and held one up. “This is the whip they took from the tack room. It is my understanding that skin cells found on it matched Preston Garrett.”
“Don’t know how that can be since I haven’t used that one in a long time. My granddaddy made it for me. I only use it at fairs and rodeos for demonstrations and the last one was several years ago.”
“Okay,” Lane said jotting a notation on her legal pad, “I’ll look into that.” Lane then pulled out another picture. “This one is of the shoe mark of what they suspect is the assailant’s horse.”
Bryce took the picture, looked at it and threw it on the table. “Not any of our horses.”
“How can you be sure?”
“We don’t shoe the horses on this ranch or any of mine.” She blew out a long breath. “This is all bogus. The sheriff is out to get my dad through me.”
“Can you deny that you didn’t threaten Preston Garrett?”
“No.” She diverted her eyes. “He was constantly on me to sell him that property. I’d tell him it wasn’t for sale ever and he just kept after me no matter where I was.” Bryce’s voice raised an octave. “Cut the bullshit. How can we stop this witch hunt?”
Lane looked at the woman and wondered, not for the first time, how she could lack the essential people skills needed in business yet be so successful. “We can stop it right now if you will only tell me where you were. If we can come up with just one person to verify you were not anywhere near the murder scene they would have to drop the case.”
Exasperated, Bryce shook her head. “Not going to happen.” Her grey blue eyes narrowed. “What do you think I’m paying you for?” The tone of Bryce’s voice continued to be confrontational. “You’ll have to think of another way to exonerate me.”
Lane puffed out her cheeks then let out a long exaggerated breath of frustration. Bryce expected an acquittal. “Why can’t you tell me? You know nothing you say can be repeated by me.”
Bryce got up abruptly, and peered out the window angling her face so she could see the sky. What she saw were the splintered remains of sunlight slicing through the clouds. Just like my life – nothing but jagged edges. She stood for a long time before speaking again. “There are certain rules one is expected to follow in small towns and if those are broken the whole fabric of a person is lost,” she said flatly before turning and looking directly at Lane. “Most of the people here are narrow-minded and differences are unacceptable. My family has fought bigotry ever since my father married my mother. Not only was she of a different ethnicity, but she was catholic. My father has spent decades making our family acceptable in the community and I will not throw us back to that time.” Bryce took a nervous breath then looked at Lane with hooded eyes. “You will have to find a way to disprove their accusations without an alibi from me.”
Strain was evident on her client’s face as Lane tried to digest all that she had heard. There was no denying that Bryce was determined not to reveal her whereabouts on the morning of the murder. It was also evident that she thought that whatever she was doing would adversely affect her family. Wonder what that could be. “I will do my best,” she said at last. Drugs, gambling, sex, the mob, secret agent…damn the list is endless. “I won’t fool you into thinking this will be easy. The whip, the altercations and the threats to Preston are powerful in the case against you.” She shuffled through the papers scattered everywhere then found what she was looking for. “Who is Hector Gomez?” Lane asked with eyebrows raised in question.
Bryce rocked back and forth on her heels. “He’s Preston’s ranch foreman. Why?”
“He is on the preliminary witness list and it’s a name I don’t recognize.”
Bryce thought for a minute. “They probably want him to testify about what a great guy that jerk was to work for. I suppose he fooled some of the people into thinking he was an upstanding citizen.” She turned back to the window. “Looks like it might rain,” she said absently. “Gomez has been with Preston for as long as I can remember. I believe that they grew up together or something like that.”
“Okay, that is a start I will have some of my associates check him out.” She looked back to the witness list and saw Lydia’s name. “What do you know about his niece Lydia?”
Bryce turned, looked directly into Lane’s eyes and held them. “ Lydia,” she said softly.
For the briefest of moment, Lane thought she saw warmth fill her client’s eyes, which was in stark contrast to Lydia’s comments about the woman. She could not look away for the grey blue eyes pinned her. Finally being released Lane, for some unknown reason, tried to regain control. This must be how she manipulates people, am I that easy a mark? “Yes, Lydia. Tell me about Lydia.”
Again, Bryce turned to the window. “Not much to tell, she’s just a kid that has been victimized by her uncle.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Just stuff I’ve heard.”
“From whom?” Lane waited for what seemed like an eternity for an answer. “From whom? Please answer me.”
Bryce turned around and saw Lane sitting there with legs crossed, arms folded and a no nonsense look. Bryce’s mouth curved into a smile. “From Lydia of course.”
Over the years of dealing with the criminal element, Lane had schooled herself refrain from reacting to anything she heard. Yet, sitting there staring at the cold, hard eyes of Bryce Clayton, she couldn’t hide the surprise she felt. A tingle of fear traveled down her spine, mentally shrugging it away, she managed to regain her composure. “What did she tell you?”
The jagged light from a crack of lightning filled the room and both women jumped slightly. Bryce smiled and shook her head imperceptibly. “Guess that is my cue to speak.” She laughed coldly. “Did you know her parents died in a plane crash?” She waited until Lane nodded. “I had my first plane ride with her mother. I remember she let me sit in her lap and turn the plane one way then another until we did a loop-d-loop. She was the reason I got my pilot’s license.” Her eyes took on a far away look. “I can still remember my mother’s sobs the day they died. My mother was so distraught that she asked me to go and find Lydia and make sure she was ok.” Bryce shook her head as if to dislodge a painful memory. “Don’t know why I am telling you that. You want to know about Preston molesting his niece don’t you?”
“Yes,” Lane said.
“About six months after she went to live with her aunt and uncle she came here one afternoon. I was the only one home and when I heard a horse galloping into the yard. I went outside to see who it was and there was Lydia in tears. I was surprised since it is a good ten miles from her uncle’s ranch.” “He…” She stopped then started again. “He really is a bastard.”
“Go on.”
“I helped her off the horse and asked her what the problem was. I figured that someone died. She just put her arms around me and cried even more. Finally, she stopped and told me that her uncle had pulled her into the barn and made her touch his penis.”
“How did that make you feel?”
“Pissed…I wanted to go and beat him up but Lydia begged me not to go after him or tell anyone. I asked her why and she said that he’d kill her. She made me promise not to tell and I kept my word until now. Once I learned what he was doing, my hatred for the man grew every time I saw him. It wasn’t long before others speculated and whispered about them since no one ever saw one without the other.” She shrugged. “That was years ago, whispers die - he made sure of that!”
The information was startling and Lane tried to figure out why Lydia had said that Bryce wanted nothing to do with her. She was certain she noted a bit of fondness or something like that in Bryce’s voice but it was for such a fleeting moment that she couldn’t be sure. “Are you and Lydia friends?”
Bryce looked at the lawyer as if she were nuts. “NO! She is just a kid - an annoying kid.”
“You didn’t feel anything for her after she told you she was being molested?” Lane couldn’t believe anyone could be that cold hearted.
“Yeah, I felt like she was stupid for putting up with that. How can anyone be so demeaned and not do anything about it?”
Not for the first time, Lane thought Bryce was much like a surly child who, because they don’t understand, lashes out at the world. What had happened to Lydia was indeed horrible…without all the facts how can anyone judge why she put up with it. Lane would have liked to take the time to explore the question with Bryce but they had matters that were more pressing.
“Bryce, will you go over this list and tell me what you know about each person?” The woman moved closer and Lane passed the paper across the table to her. “The ones that have checks beside them are the people I think they will call to testify they witnessed you and Preston in arguments. Do you know any of the others?”
Grey blue eyes darted across the page. “Yeah I know them all.”
“And?”
“And what? You asked if I knew them and I do.” Bryce couldn’t hide anger. “They are some of the people who live and work on my ranches,” she said furiously. She threw the paper down on the table. “I have no idea what they will say about me.”
Although outwardly Bryce was angry, Lane could see the hurt in her eyes. “You know, just because they are on the list doesn’t mean they will testify or that they are on the prosecutions side. I am sure they are on a fishing expedition hoping to catch a mackerel instead of minnow.” Bryce looked unconvinced. “I did it myself as a prosecutor.”
Angrily, Bryce stabbed at the paper. “I have helped every name on that list in one way or another. The ones that live on my ranches were in danger of losing everything until I gave them a chance at a better life.” Her voice rose. “I don’t understand how they can sell me out! Well, they will be the ones that are sorry, I’ll see to that!”
Lane stood up, went nose to nose with her client and stated softly, “That is exactly the kind of talk that they will be testifying to.”
Bryce pushed her thick black hair behind one ear, moved a step backwards and shifted her gaze from the hazel eyes. No one had ever gotten in her face like that – except her father. As she finally realized the truth in her lawyer’s words, she felt sick as a horrible knot grew in her stomach. Then her grey blue eyes sought out the hazel ones and held them. “I guess I’ve screwed myself.”
Lane could feel her client’s warm breath on her face. She softly touched Bryce’s arm as if she were soothing a child and smiled. “Yes you have. From now on try and keep those kinds of words to yourself…if you need to speak them say them only to me.” She gently squeezed the arm. “Don’t worry you have me on your side now and I’ve checked the DA out. He has never tried a murder case or, for that matter, any case of importance. He is sure to make mistakes and I guarantee you I will capitalize on each one.”
“I am counting on that.”
Then Lane turned and picked the paper up. “Okay let’s see if we can figure out what these folks will be saying.
+ + +
Lane ran to her car and ducked inside closing the door quickly but the rain seemed to follow her. She shivered for a moment as the coldness of her wet hair touched her neck. As she drove down the dark, slick road, the conversations of the last several hours interlaced in such a fashion that nothing made sense. Lightening sliced through the sky illuminating the roadway for brief seconds until being thrown back into blackness. She shook her head attempting to dislodge a memory that kept evading her consciousness. Her gut told her that it was of significance. Just as a lightening strike seemingly hit next to her vehicle and she heard the crack of thunder, she remembered - he made sure of that. “That’s what Bryce’s said about the whispers concerning Preston Garrett and his niece.”
She stared out into the pitch-blackness of the night and drove on. “What did he do to stop people from speculating? What was it that Monty said?” She tired to compartmentalize all the conversations whirling around in her mind so she could make room for her memory. “Damn it! What did he say?” As the sky lit up in whites and yellows, she recalled the words… You will learn that some of them have power, some have influence and others are dangerous. Preston Garrett falls into the later category. “Even Monty wouldn’t say anything against the man.” Her right hand went to the seat next to her and she fished out her cell. Using her thumb, she flipped it open, quickly looked to locate the right key then pressed the number.
“Hello, Lane,” Monty’s voice boomed into the earpiece. She was always surprised when someone answered and knew who it was. Caller ID she reminded herself.
“Hey Monty, how are things going in DC?”
“Well, I know why I’m a lawyer and not a politician.” He laughed. Lane hadn’t a clue what was so funny but the man clearly was amused with his words. “How’s the case going? You meet with Bryce again?”
“Yeah, I met with her today and we went over the preliminary witness list.”
“Did she tell you where she was?”
“Nope, and I don’t think she will.” Lane sighed. “She certainly is a complicated woman…nothing like what I thought she would be.”
“Do you want out?”
Lane scrunched up her face. “Hell no.”
“Glad to hear it. Now tell me why you called.”
“I am curious about Preston Garrett and something you said about him.”
“What is that?” he said cautiously.
“That he was dangerous. What did you base that on?”
There was a long silence as Monty took a sip of his drink. Once he put the glass down, he spoke. “Have you ever studied snakes?”
“No.” Shit another one of his long-winded stories from which I’m supposed to garner wisdom. “What does that have to do with Garrett?”
“Now give me a minute girl I’m gettin’ to it.” He took another sip of his martini. “Snakes slither along the ground lookin’ for a rock to hide under. Once they make themselves comfortable they lay there quietly just bidin’ their time waitin’ for the perfect moment then boom, they lash out and bite you with their venom.” He swirled the liquid around in his glass. “That’s when they are the most dangerous.”
“Are you telling me that he was like a snake?”
“Darlin’ the man is dead. I imagine if you ask around you’ll find people are willin’ to talk about the seedier side of the man.”
“Like who?”
“Just ask around it won’t take long. I need to go now. I finally have a chance to eat my supper.
“Wait…” She wanted to know more but the phone went silent. “Damn it,” she screamed as she threw the phone on the seat. “Why couldn’t he just tell me a name?” The list of potential witnesses flashed in her mind just as a bolt of light pierced the sky. “Guess I will start there.”
Lane leaned forward slightly and pushed the button for the CD. She heard Mary J. Blige singing Rainy Day, lifted her head and let out a belly laugh. Still chuckling, she reached over, cranked up the volume and sang along… It’s just those rainy days…smile for me smile for me…
+ + +
Lane was glad to be home when the garage door clunked closed. At least she wouldn’t have to trudge through the rain with all her bags to get inside. She threw her briefcase and satchel on the couch and for the first time in hours allowed her shoulders to relax. She was angry - angry with Monty for not telling her more and very angry with Bryce for her stubbornness in keeping her whereabouts a secret. “How the hell does she expect me to defend her if she can’t trust me enough to tell me the one clue that is missing,” she muttered. She walked towards her bedroom unbuttoning her shirt as she went. A nice hot bath is what I need to clear the cobwebs out and start a new.
The thoughts about Bryce and the upcoming trial spun in her head as she lowered herself into the steaming water. One thought kept trying to float to the surface and she willed it to go away but it didn’t. “Did she kill him?” she asked the room. The answer whirled around in her head softly…I don’t knowand I don't want to know.
An hour later, Lane felt refreshed and ready to tackle the chore at hand - what to eat. She opened the refrigerator then one cabinet door after another slamming each one with a hearty shit. “Where is the chocolate when you need some?” The phone rang and she barked “Hello.”
“Lane is that you?” a soft voice asked. “It’s Lydia.”
Lane’s mood softened somewhat when she heard Lydia’s voice. “Yeah it’s me. Sorry it’s been a rough day.”
“Oh I’m sorry to hear that. I must have known that ‘cause I’m calling to see if you want to meet me for drinks.”
Lane threw her head back and sighed. The girl’s voice so filled with hope in stark contrast to their parting of the night before. Lane wanted to spend more time with the girl. Just who am I trying to fool? I want to get her in bed,but now that’s impossible. “I can’t I’m sorry.”
“Is it something I did?” The voice sounded teary. “I’m sorry I just took off like that last night. I shouldn’t have been so pushy…I just wanted to get closer to you. I’m sorry.”
“No, it has nothing to do with last night.”
“Then why the brush off? I thought everything was cool with us.”
Lane could hear the muted anger and dejection, reminding her of a younger Bryce. Damn it, do all the women in these parts ever grow up! “Lydia, everything is cool.” She remembered the passionate kisses. Any sort of relationship at this time is impossible. Shit! Maybe I can get her in my bed after the trial. I owe her an explanation if I want that to happen. Damn. “When I stayed at the Comfort Inn I discovered they had a decent bar. Want to meet me there in say thirty minutes?”
Lydia’s voice took a decided upbeat. “Yes.”
“See you there.” She hung up the phone and looked down at her ratty old robe. “Guess I need to change.” This time she wouldn’t be dressing for a date. She would be letting down someone who probably deserved better. She chuckled. I bet she thinks we are going to get a room.
+ + +
The bar area was much like any other motel bar – bright around the bar and dimly lit elsewhere. Lane had often speculated that the lights around the bar were like a beacon so drunks could find there way to it. She looked around the room and saw Lydia waving her over to a booth in the farthest corner. That won’t do. She gave a slight wave and headed in the direction of the young girl.
“Hi,” Lydia said with a big smile as she attempted to pull Lane in for a hug. The half-hearted response from the lawyer had her frowning. “I hope you don’t mind I ordered you a drink.” She pointed to the drink sitting on the table of the dimly lit booth and shrugged.
“That’s fine but can we sit out here? I really don’t like sitting in booths.”
Lydia’s face fell further. “Sure,” she said sullenly, “I thought the booth would be more private.”
She’s already for a date and probably hoping for a night of sex and I won’t even sit where she wants.Shit! “I’m sorry.” Lane scanned the room and saw one table not shrouded in darkness. “Come on let’s sit it over here.” Without turning to see if the girl was following her, she went to the table and sat down.
The message of the glasses clunking down hard on the table was unmistakable -Lydia was upset. “Here’s your drink.” The coolness of her voice chilled the air.
Lane blew out a breath and began to speak. “ Lydia something has come up and I’m afraid we won’t be able to go out socially again.” She saw the look of disappointment. “Just for a few months that’s all,” she added trying to soften the blow.
“Why? I thought we got along great and that you liked me. You kissed me as if you wanted more…I know you want me I saw it in the way you look at me. It’s the same way that…,” she said trembling.
Lane waited to reply wondering if Lydia would finish the sentence with my uncle looked at me. When she didn’t, Lane spoke with a softened voice. “We did and I do but right now it isn’t possible.”
A tear carelessly rolled down the young woman’s cheek. “Have I done something wrong? If you tell me what it is I’ll fix it.” Desperation infused in each word.
Lane resisted the urge to reach across the table and take the girl’s hand. “It has nothing to do with you - it has to do with the district attorney.”
“The DA? I don’t understand what does he have to do with me I hardly know the man.”
“I got the preliminary witness list for the trial today and you are on it. Ethically I can’t see you on a social basis.” She shrugged. “It will compromise my case.”
A look of pure hatred filled the young face. “Can’t she keep her hands off my life?”
Lane was certain she knew who the she was but asked anyway. “Who?”
“Bryce! She can’t keep her mouth shut. She is always out to make trouble for everyone.” Lydia’s face scrunched up as she spat out, “I hate her!”
Fortunately, the bar had only a few patrons. Those that were there turned in their direction when Lydia’s voice rose above the sounds of Melissa Etheridge’s I’m the Only One.
The mark of a good attorney is that they know when to shut up and listen, Lane’s father had always told her and she did just that.
“She was always harassing my uncle getting in his face telling him to leave me alone. She’d take every opportunity to make him out to be a joke and every time I had to pay the price for her actions. I can’t wait until they lock her up and if we are very lucky, they will give her the death penalty. I hate her!” The high-pitched voice of Lydia had the three other people turning to looked at them again. Her face was bright red and the veins seemed to be popping out of her neck. “I finally find someone who I can connect with and she’s ruined that too.” She swiped her hand across her face to erase the tears.
Briefly closing her eyes at the venomous remarks from Lydia, perhaps there was more to Bryce’s version than she had originally considered earlier in the day. Perhaps I should revisit that point with Bryce tomorrow. As brightly as possible, Lane replied, “Nothing is ruined, just delayed.” She gave Lydia one of those smiles she kept for charity causes - that was a mistake.
The girl furrowed her brows. “I don’t need your pity,” she snapped. “It’s all her fault. She promised she wouldn’t say anything.”
Lane’s eyebrow shot up with the comment. “About what?” She held her breath.
Lydia’s lip curled and her eyes narrowed. “You lawyers aren’t supposed to divulge what your clients tell you…I suspect you already know the answer.” She pounded her fist on the table. “Why did she have to do this to me?”
“What did she do?” Lane asked cautiously.
“She…” Lydia turned away from Lane. “She has to pay.”
“For what Lydia?”
“All I ever wanted was a friend,” she said regretfully. Lydia picked up her glass, swallowed the contents in one gulp. She scrapped her chair backwards along the grungy carpet so hard that it fell backwards. “The drinks have been paid for. I’ll see you in court!” She picked up the chair, replaced it then walked towards the door quickly before going out of sight.
Lane fished in her pocketbook for a tablet and pen then swiftly jotted down everything Lydia had said. Others saw them together and may have even overheard the conversation and that was not good. Ethics forbid her from fraternizing with a potential witnesses and she had broken that rule. The fact that Lydia would be testifying for the prosecution made her decision to meet with the woman all the more reprehensible. I knew better. But, on the bright side, I did see a side of Lydia I don’t think anyone else has seen. The girl certainly can get angry. I think I will chalk this one up to research. She quickly scribbled a note about billable hours. Pity I didn’t buy the drinks.
She moved slightly in the chair then picked up her drink. The ice cubes had all but melted and she knew she would taste a watery substitute for real scotch. Curling her nose, she put the drink back down. Lydia said that Bryce told Preston to leave her alone. Hmm I wonder…was she Lydia’s enemy or her salvation? Then she boldly wrote MOTIVE circling it several times. Under that she wrote, who had a reason to kill him and why. Glancing at the television, she saw the news was on which meant it was her bedtime. A smile crossed her face as a picture of Bryce flashed across the screen before the reporter spoke of the trial and her lawyer, the former ADA from Houston, Lane Cuthbert. I need sleep. When a perky woman appeared on the screen predicting brightly that the next day’s weather would be hot Lane rolled her eyes. “Tell me something new,” Lane said absently as she got up to leave.
For the second time that day, she sat in her car listening to the cranking sounds of the garage door closing. She would get a good night’s sleep and then, in the light of the next day, review all the information she had gathered from both Bryce and Lydia. She exited her car, went into her house, stripped off her clothes and pulled the sheets of her unmade bed up around her shoulders. She closed her eyes as the events of the day floated into her waning consciousness. I can’t think about that now I’m too tired she thought before sleep enveloped her completely.
You can read this story and all EO stories knowing that it is completed and all parts will be posted in a timely fashion. :o)
Constructive commments are always welcomed. Thank you. eorielly@yahoo.com