Blind Date A Book 2020 – Book #20
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Chapter 1
The Devil never does his own dirty work. He relies on the cruelty of others who come in the dark of night, carrying death in their pocket.
***
A wicked, dreadful storm pounded the entire Annapolis metropolitan area. Some dwellers in the area wondered if it was an omen of what was to come.
Rain drenched both the wicked and the innocent. Humidity fogged up windows and windshields. The air weighed heavy with the makings of a potential tornado.
Fat rats scurried along the waterfront, driven out of their shadowy niches by the pouring rains. Even the fish swam into the depths of the ocean, hibernating until the worst of the storm had passed.
The citizens of Annapolis burrowed into the warmth of their homes, occasionally daring to snatch a peek at the storm’s progress.
The wisest among them knew it was a night best spent indoors.
However, Caleb Hunter found himself in the midst of a most desperate crisis. One that couldn’t wait for a starry night or dry weather. Clearly having no other option, he started his evening with a glib lie to his wife.
***
Caleb leaned against the archway of the powder room and watched his wife shave her slender legs. As her deft fingers slid the razor over one silky calf, his pulse quickened. This, the shaving of her legs, had always been one of his guilty pleasures. He wanted to rush over and run his tongue over the smooth, warm skin of her legs, but tonight wasn’t the night. Something crucial had to be resolved first. Caleb had no choice, he shoved his hands in his pockets, resisting an urge to reach out and let Sara know the ways she inspired him to pleasure her.
It was a shame, he ruefully admitted to himself, that Sara seldom shaved those legs for him. No matter. It didn’t mean he couldn’t watch and dream of those long, luscious legs wrapped around his neck, did it? No, it did not.
He knew that most likely she was meeting him tonight, the man who treated her the way her own husband didn’t right now. He wondered if the man appreciated how unique and special she was or if she inspired him in those deliciously, wicked ways he had once enjoyed.
After a few moments of self-indulgence, he reminded himself to focus on his immediate crisis. He had no time and was in no position to question Sara’s indulgences. He made up his mind that once he had taken care of the crisis, he wouldn’t give her another reason to share her sexy body with any other man. He would let her know she was his, and his alone, and he’d make damn sure her lust was reserved for him.
The oddest thought popped into Caleb’s mind. He wasn’t angry, not even miffed. He wasn’t even bothered that the man for whom she shaved her legs might be his law partner. Sure, he might want to smash the jerk’s face later, but right now, at this moment, he had an immediate need to use his competition’s interloping one last time. He needed that lover, whoever he was, to distract Sara so he might be free to carry out his own deception.
Caleb chastised himself again for wasting precious time on his carnal desires.
It’s time to get this show on the road before the road disappears, he thought.
“Since you won’t be home, I’m taking Brandon out for a bite to eat. After dinner, we’ll drop by Macy’s and pick up that teddy bear I promised him,” Caleb said.
“Have you even looked outside? It’s a monsoon out there. It would be better for you to wait for nicer weather for your little excursion. Why don’t you take him out for lunch on Saturday before his birthday party and give it to him then?”
Sara slipped with the razor blade and nicked the meaty flesh just above her ankle. A trickle of blood rolled down the side of her foot, threatening to stain the commode’s white cashmere seat cover. She reached for a Kleenex to staunch the blood.
“I checked on the The Weather Channel. The storm will be letting up soon. Don’t worry, I won’t expose Brandon to the rain. I’ll park in the mall’s garage. Besides, I promised him a new teddy bear as a reward if he beat cancer, not for his second birthday. Sweetheart, Brandon’s been home a month. It’s time we got it for him.” Caleb slid his eyes over to snatch a peek at her face. Since it didn’t look as if she was buying it, he thought he’d pull a different string.
“Here’s a thought. I’ll call your sister to babysit Brandon. Then the two of us can pick up the teddy bear together and have a romantic dinner downtown. It’s been a long time since we have had a date night.” Caleb glanced away to give his wife the opportunity to lie.
He wanted her to lie. If Sara lied to him tonight, he might be able to keep the number of his own lies to a minimum. He waited, sure she was thinking of her lover’s sexy demands.
“What? No. I’ve got my meeting. All right, I guess you can take him. Please, promise me you’ll keep him dry, will you?”
Caleb sidled up behind her and rubbed her shoulders as Sara arranged her hair in the mirror. The aroma of her perfume aroused him. He moved closer, unable to stop himself. He hoped the other man appreciated his wife.
“Have I told you today how much I love you?” Caleb whispered against his wife’s earlobe.
Sara glanced at her husband’s reflection in the mirror and blushed. Avoiding eye contact, she patted his hand. “Brandon’s illness has been difficult for all of us. We’ll be back to normal as soon as the doctor confirms his remission’s permanent.”
“Darling, you must be careful driving tonight. I would be unhappy if anything happened to you just when Brandon was winning his battle,” Caleb said, nuzzling Sara’s shoulder, careful not to mess her hair.
“You know I’m always careful when I drive. Oh, and before I forget, I might be back late so when you tuck Brandon in give him a kiss for me. Remember… bedtime is at eight sharp. And please, don’t feed our son pizza. Get him something healthy.” Sara got busy painting her face.
Caleb liked to tease his wife that she was a wizard with her eyeshadows and mascara. In seconds, Sara went from a clean faced lovely to an exotic seductress with lashes, thick and velvety. Her mastery of her lipstick wand was impressive. Caleb enjoyed watching her select lip liner and gloss, matching the colors with perfection.
For a few last seconds, Caleb watched her work her magic, rueful that Sara never wore lipstick for him anymore either. He resolved once again that after tonight, he would show Sara more romance and hope she would want to put on sexy red lipstick and shave those slender legs for him. That bastard lover of hers could move on to someone else’s wife.
Unable to put off the inevitable, Caleb sighed and left Sara to her preparations. He had his own plans to make.
***
It was after nine when Caleb carried his son through the Westfield Annapolis Mall parking garage. After their pizza dinner, he had taken Brandon to the movies knowing it didn’t get out until well after Sara’s instructed bedtime.
Well, too bad, he thought. You aren’t at home waiting for us, so what does it matter if I keep him up a few extra hours, Sara? It makes the boy happy, and that’s all that counts right now.
As Caleb hoofed it across the garage carrying his son, he admitted to himself he had gone against Sara’s wishes more for himself than for Brandon. In fact, he had behaved just as selfishly the afternoon Sara brought Brandon home from the hospital. He had reassured Sara he would be there, but he had lied. Caleb had planned all along to go sailing on his friend’s luxury yacht, Eternal Pleasure. The truth was he didn’t want the hassle of the whole paperwork ordeal at the hospital.
Yes, selfishness had always been his nemesis.
But nothing reminded him more of his selfishness and that cursed deal he made than his frigging Beemer. Even now, the closer Caleb got to the cherry red BMW temptress, the heavier his thoughts of the contract became. While he would never regret the part involving his son’s recovery, he yearned to take back the piece that had met his own insatiable demands.
Back when he had made his pact, he hadn’t considered himself greedy as he snatched up the Beemer and other man-boy toys. He had convinced himself they were status symbols that endowed him with the sexiness and the power standing required in his profession. Of course, by doing so, he had screwed himself. Every penny of debt led him closer to a horrible death because there was no way he would be able to pay it all back, let alone fulfill his pact obligations.
Now, the new car smell gave him a hard-on, while simultaneously reminding him he was a weak man who lied to everyone. The damn Beemer had become his scarlet letter, and those demands of his black contract haunted him every day.
Enough, he chastised, I’m wasting time again when I should be actively seeking resolution. If I don’t get ahead of this, they will sure as hell come looking for me.
Caleb opened the back door of the BMW and slipped Brandon into his car seat. His son allowed him to fasten the straps without a word. Caleb sighed as he gazed at Brandon, wishing he could climb in next to him and spend the night playing whatever game made his boy laugh. Brandon was a good son. Caleb knew he didn’t deserve him.
“Are you ready for your surprise?” Caleb kissed his son’s head.
Brandon’s cherub face shined with excitement. He bounced in his seat, squealing and clapping his hands.
“Cover your eyes and no peeking.” As Caleb waited until Brandon had both hands over his eyes, he soaked in the vision of Brandon’s pudgy cheeks and silky blond hair. When it came to saving his son, that part of the pact was worth every demand they made of him and more. No, he had no regrets when it came to saving Brandon’s life.
Caleb tiptoed to the rear of the car and retrieved the bear from the trunk. Standing in front of the open passenger door, he held the bear out as if it were dancing in his hands.
“Hey Brandon, look what I found.”
“Teddy!” Brandon grabbed the bear and clutched it to his heart.
The grin on his son’s face tore at his heartstrings. It was hard to believe this was the same child who had screamed during every prodding of his insides, and whimpered every time the nurse had to test his blood when he had been in the hospital, a mere month ago.
“Daddy has to call somebody, sweetie. I’m going to go right over there to make a call. Okay?” Caleb pointed to a nearby corner close to an open window to the street. But Brandon was busy smoothing every inch of the bear and kissing the bear’s nose like his mother kissed his when she tucked him in at night. He figured Brandon wouldn’t even miss him, but Caleb watched a second more before closing the door and leaving Brandon alone with his new best friend.
It was time to place the call. Caleb walked over to the corner, pulled out his cell phone and punched in the dreaded digits. The phone rang and rang. Caleb was close to hanging up when he heard a voice on the other end.
It hadn’t been an easy call at all. Begging had never come easy for him. Not at home. Not in court. Not ever. But he had no choice if he wanted a chance at surviving this fiasco so Caleb threw old habits to the wind, mustered up his courage, and charged in with his most persuasive promises. Even though he got the impression he might be wasting his time, he was able to secure a meeting. He hoped the meeting might give him a chance to be done with this part of his hell even though his intuition told him it wasn’t going to get easier, not for a long time.
After he had expressed appreciation for the appointment, he hung up and headed back to his car. He had hoped Brandon might still be awake and want to play for a few minutes but he was disappointed to find his son had fallen fast asleep. So he climbed in the driver’s seat, adjusted the mirrors and made the long drive to downtown Annapolis.
As he drove, the rain deluge began in earnest.
***
As Caleb maneuvered the BMW through the bar and pub district of historic Annapolis, he noticed the streets were void of cars. It appeared that even the heartiest of pub-crawlers had the good sense to find shelter from the pouring rain and ear-splitting thunderbolts. He regretted he had been unable to afford some of that good sense.
The sky lit up with a series of lightning strikes as he steered the Beemer down a side street overlooking the water. When he reached the agreed upon meeting spot, he slipped the car into park and left it idling. For a few minutes, he listened to the awnings of the nearby storefronts shuddering against the strain of the howling, fierce winds. He hoped the meeting didn’t take too long. Sara was right. He should not have taken Brandon out in this monsoon.
When he had set out for the meeting in Annapolis, Caleb believed the faithful bar hoppers and tourists would be meandering through the streets in spite of the weather. But now there was not a soul on the streets, not even a single drunk. It was, instead, quiet and deserted.
Where is everyone? I didn’t think we’d be the only ones on the street.
To be sure, Caleb fretted over the possibility that his decision to ask for the meeting was ill-fated. But for a brief moment, he allowed himself to muse over leaving even though he perceived the potential repercussions would be harsh, if not disastrous, in the long run.
Caleb glanced at his Rolex. Uneasiness began to poke holes in his decision to meet like this. Influential people all over the country touted him as one of the most thrilling, game-changing defense attorneys on the East Coast, but this was a different role for him. More was at stake since it was his life he was defending, not some client who was guilty anyway.
Caleb agonized over whether he might be able to make a convincing case for redemption. In his mind, he ran through his list of options, looking for the most plausible ways to express his remorse. He knew it was critical he keep in mind the importance of the words he might choose. It was critical he present himself as expressive and sincere, and not get caught in the act of faking his contriteness. Caleb asked himself the burning question.
Even if I orchestrated the perfect performance, realistically, was there any possibility of a second chance? He wasn’t sure.
He practiced his rational in his head. Yes, I have not fulfilled my contract, but I am amenable to any path to rectify that failure. Of course, I am more than willing to make whatever offering is required to show my commitment. I am very apologetic that it is because of my failures that I am in my current position, requiring we meet under such horrendous conditions. I appreciate any opportunity to prove I am going to change.
Yes, that sounded convincing. He would be sincere and contrite.
If Caleb was successful, he hoped to be forgiven or at the most, chastised for his failures. He could deal with any punishment given if it bought him more time with his son and wife.
***
Consumed with creating the perfect performance, Caleb failed to notice the dark figure that materialized from a recessed alleyway a block away. Nor did he see the individual creep closer, masked by the shadows. He wasn’t even aware of the being as it snuck right up to the rear of his Beemer.
A lightning bolt knifed through the swollen sky, briefly illuminating the street. Caleb was so consumed with practicing his speech that he still didn’t see the entity was a man who was now staring into the back seat window of the BMW.
***
Inside the car, Caleb took a break from rehearsing his speech to reach over into the back seat and double-check that Brandon’s car seat straps were secure. He wasn’t surprised to see the boy was sound asleep. He hoped Brandon would stay that way until they returned home. Caleb reached over and held the back of his hand against his son’s forehead to check his temperature. Satisfied that all was still well, he picked the new teddy bear off the car floor and tucked it under Brandon’s arm.
As Caleb turned back, a rustling sound on the driver’s side of the car caught his attention. Unable to see through the fogged-up windows, he pressed the automatic window button on his door until the glass slid inside. Cupping his hand over his eyes, he squinted, but the rain prevented him from seeing much beyond a foot or so. Once he realized he would never be able to see through the downpour, he put his finger back on the button, intending to close the window.
Without warning, the mystery man’s head filled his window.
Caleb yelped and scrambled away from the window as far as he could get until his seatbelt stopped him.
Shoving his thick finger against Caleb’s lips, the mystery man shushed him.
Wide-eyed, Caleb couldn’t take his eyes off the man’s head, it was enormous. His eyelids were thick and hooded. Pockmarks smudged his cheeks. A series of names flashed through Caleb’s mind. He refused each one.
Who is he?
To his horror, a familiar smirk twisted the man’s lips.
Oh no. Why did it have to be him? Caleb lamented, grim recognition darkening the irises of his eyes.
Against hope, he attempted to feign surprise and not let on how terrified he had become.
“I… I… I wasn’t expecting you. I thought Ivanovitch would come.” Caleb jutted his chin out as if he was confident but his voice betrayed him, it cracked.
“Nobody expects me.” Rain snaked down the crevices of the man’s face as if they were rivers dark with doom.
“I wanted to discuss my options—”
Without muttering a single word, the man reached inside the car and yanked Caleb’s left arm out the window. With his free hand, the stranger produced a steel pruner with razor sharp blades from out of thin air. In what was surely an out-of-body experience, Caleb was drawn to the raindrops dancing on the shiny steel blades.
It looks so surreal… like one of those illusionist paintings, he thought.
With a surgeon’s skill, in one incisive movement, the man snapped Caleb’s left thumb off with the pruner and slipped both into his coat pocket. He shoved Caleb’s bleeding hand back at him.
“What are you doing? I wanted to make things right. How will I explain that to my wife?” Caleb blubbered, gawking at the hole in his hand as the blood spurted.
“Let me solve that problem for you.” With a symphonic elegance, the man swiped a scarlet splash of gel across Caleb’s cheek.
“You don’t understand. My boy… he nearly died last month. He can’t lose his father now.”
“Don’t whine to me about your son. You shouldn’t have brought the kid here. You never take him anywhere. I know you chose to go sailing over his needs. Yes, Mr. Hunter… I know everything about you. The only reason you brought him tonight was that you thought Mr. Ivanovitch would have to have sympathy for you in front of the kid.”
How much did they really know? Were they watching him all the time? Could he have underestimated them that significantly? He asked himself, trembling.
But the time for questions evaporated just like that. Caleb’s limbs became useless pieces of flesh with joints locked into place. A millisecond later, barely below the surface of his skin near the fatty part of his cheek, he felt a squirming sensation before something else near his lower lip bit him – from inside his face.
He fought the paralysis, attempting to swipe at his cheek with his hands, but it was useless. He felt himself being eaten, from the inside out. His eyes dilated with fear and darted from one thing to another in the car, looking for a solution, anything that might end the unbearable pain and stop the inevitable outcome.
The center console… it has to contain something!
Caleb ripped it open, throwing sunglasses, maps, and change to the passenger seat’s floor. At the bottom, he grabbed an unopened package of Pampers baby wipes. He wrenched the cellophane open, ripping it apart with his teeth.
Caleb glanced up at his reflection in the rearview mirror. He could see his face distorting, his flesh moving unnaturally. Massive lumps of squirming things jabbed against his skin as if to rip his flesh from his bones. Yellow globs of something dripped from his nose. He swatted at the globs, flinging them at the Beemer’s stereo.
Frantic to end his agony, he scrubbed at his face with the baby wipes, tearing off chunks of skin. The moving lumps migrated to the torn openings in his flesh. A scraggy, squirming thing popped out of the corner of his eye and slithered across his cheek.
Caleb struggled to mute his screams. In a final effort to protect his son, he glanced one last time at his sleeping child and threw his car door open. He tried to put a leg out the door but his leg wasn’t a leg anymore. It was something limp and boneless, oozing onto the street pavement. Jamming his fist into his mouth to muffle his screams, he slid onto the concrete.
Caleb attempted to reach up to close the door, but the bones of his arm separated and crashed to the pavement before his eyes. Sinew hung from his shoulder by shimmering bubbles of fat.
In the back seat of the Beemer, Brandon stirred. He rubbed his eyes with his tiny fists and yawned.
“Daddy?”
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