His Old Lady - Debra Kayn Page 0,82

in his bike was the first thing he would do upon arriving back to town after a ride. In his hurry to meet with Priest and get back to Faye, he'd neglected something that was as ritual as having a cup of coffee in the morning.

Banks returned and filled Curley's Harley. He turned to Priest. One thing kept entering his head.

"Do you think she could've gone to the prison to see Walker?" he asked.

Priest shook his head. "It's too late in the day. She'd never make it in time."

He inhaled deeply through a tight chest. Tracy had verified that Faye had left her house only minutes before he'd headed home.

Paco ran outside with a piece of paper.

He moved to the other side of the bike. "What did you find out?"

"I could only get his last address." Paco handed him a slip of paper. "I went ahead and called the phone number associated with the address, and a woman answered. She told me Cal no longer lives there. She told me I could find him living in an apartment above the Hot Springs Lounge."

Remembering Faye having informed him Cal had changed after the divorce, he'd head to the lounge first. "Let's ride out."

He led the way. The others caught up with him.

Priest, though president, would let him take the initiative today. Nobody, especially a Tarkio member, stood between a man and his old lady.

Chapter 36

Faye

After having the tape wrapped around her wrists, binding them in front of her, Faye held her clasped hands against her chest. If she lowered them, her fingers went to sleep.

She would need her hands to escape if Cal ever left the room.

Music blared over the speakers. Echoing in the empty room.

A chill ran up her spine as Strawberry Fields Forever by the Beatles played in the background.

"Remember this song?" Cal turned from the stereo and smiled at her.

Unable to speak and not wanting to agitate him further, she continued to stand and keep eye contact with him. Little by little, she'd inched backward, closer to the cashier's counter. She couldn’t move too much, or he'd notice.

The tears in her throat choked her the closer he came to her. He held his arms out to his sides and dropped his gaze to her hands.

Frowning, he shook his head and smiled at her. "Nevermind that. I'll hold you. Remember how we used to dance around the house, sharing a bottle of wine?"

He wrapped his arms around her, moving her in a circle. She whined, hating his touch. Hating the blue dress he'd clumsily put on her and hadn't fastened in the back, leaving her exposed.

Her skin crawled. Her body shook.

He'd dressed her like a doll.

Like his ex-wife.

It was clear that he was out of his mind. In some sick, perverted way, he'd talked himself into believing she was Celia.

He'd dressed her in Celia's clothes. He'd tried to put her hair up on top of her head in Celia's style. He'd reminisced about dates, his wedding, every good memory he retained of his marriage, even talked about the dog he and Celia bought together—and his ex kept after the divorce.

Cal's hands roamed over her back. Without the dress covering her completely, his clammy palms stuck to her skin. There was nothing she could do.

Her wrists were bound. Her mouth was taped shut. Afraid he'd go off the deep end and end up killing her if she fought him, she let him move her.

All she wanted to do was go home. She squeezed her eyes shut, dispelling the tears. Go back to Curley.

The music ended. Cal leaned back, looking at her. "We should celebrate like on our honeymoon."

She gagged. He moved her over to a chair and set her down. The excitement in his voice struck fear throughout her body.

"I never planned for us to drink, but why not?" He laughed. "Stay right there, baby. I'll be right back with a bottle of wine and two glasses?"

Hope filled her. If he went into the kitchen, she'd be alone. Trying hard not to glance at the door, she stared at him. Please. Please. Please leave.

"I bet you're hungry." He held his head. "What was that dish, uh, platter, we had the night in the hotel room after the wedding? Cheese and crackers and oh, the little meat slices and grapes Would you like that?"

She nodded eagerly. He'd need to go prepare the food, get the drinks, giving her more time.

He must've approved of her answer because he straightened his shoulders and