Khan (Bowen Boys, #2)(15)
Going back out, he started the car and drove it carefully around the house. He didn’t want to dent it; it really was a nice car. When he was near the pool, he got out and uncovered it before he went back to it. Leaving the door open, he gunned the engine and rolled out as it splashed into the pool. He closed the cover back over it and went to his own car. Going back, he locked up the house again and left.
Tony was nearly an hour away when he realized they’d never gotten around to talking about Monica. He’d meant to tell his mother that he wanted her to have a big wedding with all the trimmings. Next time, he decided; the next time he came for a visit, he’d speak to them about it.
~~~
By the time they landed in DC, Monica had decided that this was the smartest move she’d ever made. The jet was lovely, and she’d been served champagne in a fluted glass while eating the goodies from the Mild Pepper. Some of the things she’d only wanted to try, but had never been able to afford before.
“How much do I owe you? I don’t have much, but I always pay people back.” She pulled out her notebook and showed it to Caitlynne. “I can’t make much of a payment, but as soon as I get one of these paid off, I’ll be able to pay more.”
“How long do you think you can keep this up?” Caitlynne had showed her around the massive house and they had settled in the living room with a roaring fire. “I mean, it’s all well and good that you pay your bills, but if this guy keeps this up, you’ll be dead, and who will pay them for you?”
“I don’t know.” She put her things back in her bag. “I do know that I’m not a freeloader and that I pay my way when I can. And I never asked for him to do this to me. I’ve been trying to get someone to listen to me about this for months.”
“I’ll listen to you. And believe it or not, I want to help you. Tell me, who he is? Tell me who he is and where he lives and I’ll make sure he doesn’t hurt you again.” Caitlynne sat up in her chair and looked her right in the eye. “Tell me.”
Monica got up to pace. She didn’t touch any of the pretty things, but she did so want to. There were pine cones in a glass jar and pretty shells lying in a row from large to the smallest one. When she saw a picture of Caitlynne and Walker together with the rest of the Bowens, her heart twisted a little.
“His dad is something of a big deal in this area. The last time I was here, he was mayor. I think he’s moved up from there since then. His mom, someone I’d met once, has parties that people like me only get to serve at.” She didn’t bother turning when Caitlynne spoke.
“So you’re from here. I thought that you lived in Rhode Island.” Monica looked at her then. “I’ve done some research on you. I couldn’t be in the position I’m in without taking precautions.”
Monica nodded. “I’m from here. Rhode Island is where my father lived. My parents were divorced. My mother…I don’t have any proof, but I know that Tony killed her and my dad. He was…is obsessed with having me under his control.”
“Tony who?”
Monica knew that eventually she’d have to tell her, but skipped answering her for now. She ran her finger down a picture that had who she thought was Caitlynne as a child. She’d looked so sad.
“I first met him when I was serving at a function his parents were giving. I didn’t do anything to try and attract his attention, but he seemed to be everywhere I was. When I went out to my car to leave, he was there. He told me that he’d had someone tell him which one it was.” Monica stared out the window that looked out over a lovely park and knew for some reason that it was her yard and not a park at all. “When he…after he hurt me that night for telling him that I could drive home, he stalked me for weeks until I gave in and went out with him. It ended with him holding a gun to my head and making me eat with him. I even went to his father and he told me that it would be better for all of us if I simply gave Tony what he wanted. His father offered to pay me well to let him do what he wanted until he tired of me.”
“Christ.” Caitlynne didn’t ask again, for which Monica was grateful for. “When did you figure out he might have killed your parents?”
“He told me. He said that as long as I had them, I couldn’t love him properly. He even told me how he’d done it.” She shivered and watched a bird dance along the snow. “They hadn’t done anything wrong to him. Neither had I. He simply wanted them gone, and he killed them.”
Her phone rang and when Caitlynne didn’t answer it, Monica asked her if she wanted her to step out. She shook her head and asked her to come and sit down. She did, fully expecting Caitlynne to tell her that she didn’t believe a word she was saying and that she was turning her over to the police. Before she did that, she wanted Caitlynne to know who he was.
“His name is Anthony Barr. His parents are Anthony Senior and Claudine Barr. I know where the mother lives, but not the dad.” When Caitlynne didn’t move, Monica stood up. “I know that you don’t believe me. I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t either if I heard this story, but I would ask that you don’t tell anyone where I am.”
“Sit down. Please.” Caitlynne finally picked up her phone and answered it this time. “I need you to come here now. Yes, I know what time it is. It’s time for you to get your ass over here like I told you. And bring your toys. We’ve got some things to look into.”