Hard To Breathe, page 32
part #2 of Drake Cody Series
***
The headlights bucked as the vehicle climbed up the narrow track through the deep snow. The snowflakes whipped sideways in the blizzard's gale. The RV shook, the gnarled limbs of the oak trees quaked.
She could not breathe, could not swallow, her mouth and throat dust-dry. Dan. It had to be him.
The meeting they'd arranged. The plan. A final meeting and then forever done with him.
What had seemed the only solution now was a nightmare. How had she believed she could go through with this?
The headlights grew close then stopped. Oh, God!
Just her alone with him.
Panic. I can't do this!
She ran to the door. Her hand on the lock.
Then the thought of Kidder. Hanging, choking, legs swimming in air—then limp.
Dan was a monster. She withdrew her trembling hand.
She had to free herself.
From somewhere she'd gathered herself enough to move to her spot. She made ready.
She sat behind the desk facing the entry to the RV.
The paperwork sat on the desk. Everything was ready. She thought through the moves.
As the door wrenched open, her heart tried to explode out of her chest.
A blast of cold air and blowing snow, then Dan came through the door.
He rose to floor level. Tall, muscular, in a fitted ski jacket, with an athletic bag over his shoulder. Snow crystals glistened in his hair and on his shoulders. The door slammed shut in the wind.
Fear clenched her insides. Air disappeared. She tried to keep her mind locked on what she needed to do.
“Hey, bitch,” he said. His lip curled, his eyes narrowed and shone with a predator's focus.
The black of despair descended on her.
In that instant she knew she couldn't do it.
“This is wrong. Please just go.” Her voice broke. “I don't want to do this.”
“Where's your lawyer? No car out there. Is it just you and me?” His smile grew.
“Just go. You can have your damn money.” His presence paralyzed her.
“Sorry, babe. You can't be trusted and you can mess up my life. You're great-looking, a good lay, and we had a good setup, but you blew that. I know you're gonna miss what I pounded into you. You're probably thinking about it right now.”
“You're sick, Dan. Cruel and sick. You are missing something normal people have. You have no soul.”
“Don't piss me off. I don't want to leave a mark on you.” Her savaged face, aching head, and the torn flesh within her mouth caused her to recoil from his threat. The image of her gasping puppy flashed.
“What are you going to do?” How had she ever seen this creature as anything other than what he was?
“I'm not going to hurt you. I promise.” He took the strap off his shoulder and lowered the bag to the floor. As he straightened, a black pistol appeared in his hand. “But I am going to kill you.” He smiled as if it were actually funny.
Everything she'd ever thought, everything she'd been told, everything she'd feared about him had proved true.
He waved the pistol.
“This is to make sure you cooperate. I've got something for you to breathe. It's painless.”
There was only one way to be free of him. She understood now why the need to go over things so many times. The practice. The rehearsal of what she needed to say and do before and after. The movements performed over and over until automatic. In these last days and minutes, her fear had overwhelmed her recognition that it had to be done.
In this moment, her fear was pushed aside by her commitment to survive.
He bent down and, still holding the pistol in one hand, began to unzip the leather bag with the other.
Now! She moved through her practiced steps. She brought her hand holding the pistol from under the table, locked it in the two-handed shooting grip with the other. She raised her arms and extended the weapon, looking over the sight at Dan's face. His jaw dropped open, his eyes wide.
She squeezed the trigger, as she'd practiced so many times before. His jaw exploded and his head whipped back as if hit by a thrown brick. Even though prepared the blast still stunned.
In the plan, she was to keep firing until there were no bullets left—but she could not.
Dan flopped on the floor and lay on his back. Wet, guttural sounds came from his face. Blood welled from his destroyed jaw and mouth.
Once as a child she'd seen a boy shoot a rat with a BB gun. The beast had writhed in a horrendous fashion, making ghastly sounds. She'd become ill and vowed she'd never hurt an animal.
She'd broken that vow. This animal had given her no choice.
Dan now lay still. Shallow, irregular, sloppy breathing sounds came from his body as it lay stretched out. A pool of crimson expanded underneath his head. Everything was more horrible than her worst imaginings.
Her body shook. She could not get enough air. She dropped the gun, falling back into the chair. She buried her face in her hands and began to sob. After some moments her thoughts returned.
There were still steps to take. It was over but not over. She picked up her phone. She’d known she would be in shock. She repeated the memorized words to herself like a mantra as she dialed: “I had to. He was going to kill me.”
***
Now, Beth stroked her puppy's back. He wriggled but remained asleep. The big house was solid and quiet.
Earlier, Beth had received a call from the Japanese-American detective. He’d told her Dan had died. It confirmed what she'd known—from the moment she squeezed the trigger she'd known she'd done enough. She'd killed him.
Detective Yamada hadn't asked any questions. He said that the police position was self-defense, though he might need to do some follow-up later. She'd not been charged and there was nothing in his words or tone that suggested suspicion.
The way things had turned out, many of the precautions in the plan were excessive. But her partner had tried to consider every possibility and always looked several steps ahead. They'd misjudged some things but only in degree—their main decision had been proven beyond any doubt. Dan would never have allowed her to be free.
Dan needed to die.
A sound from the kitchen caught her ear. Was it the door opening? Kidder twisted awake and growled. Beth's throat clutched as footsteps sounded.
Kidder jumped to the floor then made his excited yowl, his tail wagging.
Mesh entered the room.
Chapter 81
Mesh closed and locked the Kenwood estate door behind him. He moved toward the sound of the puppy's claws on the hardwood floor, then heard his friendly yowl.
Mesh stepped into the den. Kidder made his tail-wagging approach. Beth was curled up on the couch, wearing a large sweatshirt with a blanket around her legs—she looked to be trying to disappear. Her face showed fear. It quickly bled away to something else. His heart clutched. She'd gone through so much.
Dan had been even sicker and more twisted than Mesh realized. He’d thought he had Dan set up perfectly. He’d believed he had Dan convinced the meeting and paying off Beth was his only way out.
He’d presumed to know what went on in Dan’s mind. Thinking he could predict Dan’s behavior had been a mistake—an error that had almost killed Beth.
They'd known there was risk, but Mesh's underestimation of Dan’s ruthlessness had made the finale of their plan a life-threatening nightmare. Will she forgive me?
Mesh moved toward her but pulled up just short. He could not read the mix of expressions on her face. Her eyes had a haunted look. He dropped to his knees, looking at her, his hands extended.
“I'm so sorry. It must have been horrible.” Their hands linked. This beautiful, kind, wonderful woman, had suffered so much at the hands of a man who had proved himself an animal. The police were investigating whether Dan had killed his father. What he’d planned for Beth was unthinkable. He looked up into her face. “Can you forgive me?”
She cupped his face in her hands. Her eyes welled with tears, yet something that was almost a smile showed. “It's all okay now, Mesh. You saved me. What happened, what I did, what I had to do—you were right. He would never have let me go. He would have killed me if I tried to break free.” She closed her eyes and he imagined the horrific images she was seeing. He moved onto the couch and wrapped his arms around her.
“I love you, Beth. I love you more than anyone or anything ever. Holding you is a dream. Falling in love with you was like finding a new world that I never suspected existed. Knowing that you were being abused, the thought of Dan touching you was a cancer, eating at my guts every moment until I could free you from him.”
“I love you, Mesh.” She buried her face against him. His chest filled, his scalp tingled—was it possible to be happier than this? In her embrace he felt joy, desire fulfilled, and the beginning of their new and wonderful life together.
“I'm finally free,” Beth said. “We’re free. He can never hurt me again.”
He wanted to hold her forever.
***
Ogren Automotive, Bloomington dealership, two hours later
“Please send them this way. Thank you.” Mesh hung up, then moved to the office door and opened it just as the two detectives approached.
He nodded to them. “Toss your coats anywhere. Please have a seat.” He indicated two chairs in front of what had been Dan Ogren's desk. “Thanks for coming to me.”
“We just have a few questions,” the older detective said. Yamada, Mesh recalled. They'd talked very briefly at the hospital before Dan had died. The younger bulky detective was named Farley. He 'd spoken with him as well. Very likable.
They both sat as Mesh moved behind the desk.
“I'll do my best to answer anything I can,” Mesh said. “I'm shocked by all that happened.”
“You've been his attorney for a long time, correct?” Yamada said.
“Technically, I was Big Dan's attorney primarily, but, yes, I've also represented Dan, junior. Most of my day-to-day work involves my role in operating the car business.”
“Do you have any idea why Ogren tried to kill his wife?” Yamada asked.
“I know there'd been trouble. You're aware of the ER and arrest. There was talk of divorce. But I was shocked to hear what happened. Dan was an impulsive guy but this was insane.” Mesh shook his head. He reminded himself not to say any more than necessary. “Have you learned anything more about his father's death?” He directed that to detective Farley as he'd been the one to share the news of Dan's nitrogen tank setup.
“The medical examiner called his report. Thanks for tipping me about Dan being present when Mr. Ogren died. It was murder. Nitrogen asphyxiation is what the ME calls it. It looks as if Dan planned the same for his wife.”
Mesh looked from one detective to the other. He shook his head, leaned back in the chair, and let his arms hang and shoulders droop. He made no attempt to hide his shock and disgust. He'd cared about Big Dan—a very good man cursed with a very sick son.
“I should show you this,” Mesh said. He held out the print-out he’d made the day before of the RV’s location from the vehicle's On Star-equipped location tracker. “I found this in his desk.”
Farley looked at it, then turned to Aki. “This answers how he knew where she was.”
Aki nodded. There was silence for a moment.
“What happens to the company?” Detective Yamada asked.
“With Big Dan’s passing and Dan's death, the heir is Mrs. Ogren. Other than some significant charity stipulations in Big Dan's will, everything will go to Beth Ogren.”
“Is the company in good shape?” Yamada said.
“Very good,” said Mesh. “Ogren Automotive is doing well.”
“Will you be staying on?”
“That's the way things are established. I'll continue as head of operations. Of course if Mrs. Ogren decides otherwise, it's her prerogative.
“Did Dan say anything to you to make you think he'd do what he did?”
Mesh took a big breath and blew it out. He rubbed his face. He did not have to pretend uncertainty. Dan had been ruthless and cruel. Had he thought Dan would murder his father and attempt to kill Beth? He knew he would get even with Beth if she divorced—possibly kill her. But he hadn’t seen Dan’s murder attempt at the RV coming.
Mesh had done everything he could to make Dan believe that Beth’s attorney would be present for the meeting. A witness would eliminate any thought of criminal action for a rational person. Apparently Dan had planned to kill her, too. Insanity!
Mesh looked each of the detectives in the eye.
“He was totally selfish and used drugs and alcohol every day. He paid almost no attention to the business and cheated on his wife continuously. He was not a good person. Can I believe what he did, or tried to do? With what I know now—yes.” He dropped his hands to the desk. “Did I see it coming? No, I did not.”
And that error in judgment had almost cost him his everything. Beth, not just kind and beautiful, but brave and enough of a survivor to get Dan before he got her.
Thank you, God!
***
Hyland Park
Mesh climbed out of his car at the nature center. He put on sunglasses as the sun reflected blinding bright off the mountains of fresh snow. Blue sky and a temp near freezing, but with the warmth of the sunshine Mesh was comfortable in a jacket. Actually comfortable was not the word. When the detectives left, he'd felt an anxious uneasiness. He'd had to get out.
He walked along the newly plowed trail. Could everything be working out as well as it seemed? He didn't trust his luck.
Beth—lovely, amazing, incredible Beth. She'd done what needed to be done and seemed okay. Thinking about what it felt like to hold her in his arms this morning made him want to jump into the air and shout for joy.
All the planning. The hiding. The multiple secret sessions of rehearsing and shooting. His stolen time with her were the best moments of his life.
They’d set up Dan. Beth had found the courage to say the words she knew would trigger his rage, but he’d hurt her so bad it had made Mesh want to weep.
Her wounds had been necessary to provide evidence for the domestic violence charge. Mesh needed to persuade Dan that he was sure to be convicted.
Beth had followed the plan by signing with the divorce attorney and getting the restraining order against Dan.
Mesh's long-term manipulation of Ogren Automotive’s business operations allowed him to make Dan believe that his financial crimes and losses were insurmountable.
Mesh had been able to convince him that a domestic violence conviction and divorce would guarantee he’d end up broke and in jail.
Everything Mesh and Beth did was aimed to get Dan, with his recent arrest for domestic violence and a restraining order, to show up where they wanted him. A place where there were no witnesses. A place he was forbidden to be. A place where his presence alone would convince any jury in the country that he represented a lethal threat.
The plan had required that Mesh stay away from Beth. They couldn’t risk communicating or leaving any clue that they had a relationship. Ironic, as Dan traipsed about the Twin Cities drinking, doing drugs, and rutting. Worst of all was Mesh’s worry for Beth’s safety and the disgusting thoughts of Dan touching her.
He thought of his visit to Dan's bedside in the hospital. His face was a mangled mess, but it was him. Mesh had recognized the animal eyes...
***
ICU, Bay five
Mesh didn't like hospitals. The sounds, the sterile white and chrome, and the smells all made him uncomfortable. Only family and loved ones were allowed to visit patients in the ICU. Based on Mesh's talk with the detectives, Dan may have killed his father, which eliminated any family apart from Beth. Loved ones? Mesh did not believe Dan had ever loved anyone. No one had visited and they allowed Mesh, as his attorney, to Dan's bedside. The nurse left them their privacy. She'd told him Dan could not speak or move and he might not be able to hear or understand.
The alert eyes glinting out of the grotesquely injured face proved he was there. Mesh tried to ignore the wicked injuries. The smell of blood mixed with a Lysol-like tinge. The jaw had large stitches loosely closing torn flesh with a small tube draining from inside. The breathing machine cycled in a rhythmic, click-hiss-blow, with Dan's chest rising and then collapsing in sync.
Mesh kept his voice low. His eyes on Dan.
“It's me, Dan. Mesh, the guy who has covered your ass forever. The guy you lied to, insulted, and abused for all these years.” He paused. “I need to let you know a few things. I'll give it to you fast because the word is it’s a sure thing you're going to die soon.”
The eyes twitched.
“You hurt Beth. You abused her and treated her horribly. She is kind, gentle, beautiful, and loving.” Mesh felt tears well. “You did not deserve to be on the same planet with her.” His face felt flushed. “I know you think I'm a wimp and that I always play by the rules. Well, you're wrong. You're lying there a battered piece of meat waiting to die because I went outside the rules.”
Dan’s eyes locked on Mesh with a predator's intensity.
“You weren't going to be convicted of domestic violence. The prenuptial was never going to be voided. The company is not in any financial trouble at all. I moved funds around to make it look that way to a lazy jerk who never paid any attention to all that his father had given him. I lied to you about the criminal case and about you going broke and going to jail. I cashed in all the trust I'd earned by all the years of taking care of your crap. You didn't appreciate me, but you trusted me. Well here's the news—you shouldn't have.”
Dan's eyes jumped from side to side. The ventilator hitched and Dan's ravaged face reddened.
“I made up the meeting with Beth and her lawyer, Dan. There was never any payoff to Beth planned. Her lawyer knew nothing about it. The payoff is what you got. Beth waited for you and fired a bullet into your arrogant, brutal self. She's the one who killed you. You're not dead yet, but it's coming.”
