Murdergram, Part 2 Read online

  Sharon raised an eyebrow. “Why do you need to know his name?”

  “I’m anxious to find her too. If she’s alive, then we need to find her and make sure she’s okay.”

  “She could be anywhere, Tamar.”

  “So where do we start?”

  “I don’t know,” Sharon said. “But I will know.”

  Sharon’s strong attitude toward finding Cristal worried Tamar. Not only did she have to fear the Commission finding out that she’d carried unsanctioned murders, but she didn’t successfully take out the target, Cristal. Now the local police and feds were involved. But her biggest fear was Cristal. She was out there somewhere. The threat of Cristal popping up anywhere was unnerving.

  But then something else became immediately clear to Tamar—Melissa Chin had to be Cristal. Fuckin’ bitch is snitching out our life story. She knew what Cristal was doing, and she had to put a stop to it.

  Tamar looked at Sharon with a change of attitude and said, “If she pops up, give me a call.”

  Tamar pivoted and walked away, leaving Sharon standing there with a questioning stare at her former friend.

  As Tamar walked back to her car, Sharon shouted, “That’s all you have to say?”

  “After all this time, you tell me she’s alive? I have to see it to believe it,” Tamar replied, not even bothering to turn back around.

  Tamar didn’t have time to stand there with Sharon and talk about a ghost. Shit just became critical for her. She needed to get to the Commission and fast. Now her life was on the line, and the threat was coming from different directions. She climbed into her Beamer, turned over the ignition, and peeled out of her parking spot, tires screeching and all that.

  Twenty-Five

  The explosion was so loud, Cristal felt like the ground beneath her feet was about to cave into a massive hole and swallow her up. She was shook up from the blast. The air around her was suddenly dense and toxic with billowing black smoke that could be seen for fifty miles. And the heat was intense. It felt like hell was all around her, and the devil was tapping her on her shoulder. Coughing erratically, Cristal couldn’t breathe, and the darkness was sucking the life out of her.

  Then there was another loud explosion. And then another. Dynamite was perpetually exploding like fireworks on the Fourth of July.

  Wherever Cristal turned or tried to run, she was cut off and trapped into an unnatural black cloud of smoke that formed a ring around her. She fell to her knees in agony. But the pain had only just started. She looked ahead, but the thick black smoke made it so she couldn’t even see her own hands.

  Then she heard voices, their loud screams piercing her ears. From the smoke emerged a dark silhouette, the eyes cut out, but the grim-looking face recognizable. Cristal’s mouth gaped open in shock as the dark apparition came her way.

  Grandmother Hattie’s body reached out to Cristal, and her scorching touch seared into her flesh. Another face emerged from the dark smoke—this time it was her Aunt Ruth, and she also grabbed Cristal with a fiery hold that made her feel like her skin was on fire.

  Her cousins came next. But her unborn child haunted her most. Each damned soul plunged their claws into Cristal, and she screamed like a banshee. They’d all come back from the dead to blame her for their deaths.

  She stretched out her arms until they couldn’t stretch any longer, reaching out to some invisible support and trying not to be pulled under. “No! No! Please, get off me! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” she yelled out.

  Suddenly, she felt someone grab her as she flailed around in the bed, screaming out hysterically.

  Daniel reached out for Cristal and pulled her into his arms. “It’s okay, baby. It’s okay,” he said in a soothing tone.

  He cradled Cristal in his arms and held her gently. She couldn’t stop shaking and was sweating profusely. The nightmare felt too real.

  “It was only a bad dream,” he said, holding her affectionately. “I got you, baby. I got you.”

  Daniel turned on the bedside lamp on the nightstand. Cristal was still shivering. He kissed her tenderly and said, “I’m here, Bee. I’m here for you. I will always be here for you.”

  With her head pressed against his chest, she could hear his heartbeat thumping. She closed her eyes and listened. His voice was in her ear, his touch was reassuring, and his hold was strengthening.

  “I got you, baby. Everything is going to be okay,” he declared with certainty in his voice. “I promise.”

  Her chest heaved rapidly with heavy panting. Her breathing was still ragged. Her lips trembled with each outlet of air, the intake fluttering as it struggled to infiltrate her constricted throat and feed the heaving lungs and palpitating heart.

  “Just breathe easy, baby, easy,” Daniel whispered into her ear. He massaged her chest, cooling her nerves bit by bit.

  An hour later, Cristal fell asleep with Daniel by her side, spooning against her. She didn’t know what she would do without him. She had been back in North Carolina for two days, and every moment with him was an encouraging one.

  ...

  Cristal woke up alone in bed to the smell of breakfast permeating the air and the morning sun percolating through the open window. She swung her feet over the side of the bed and planted them against the parquet flooring. She stood up and stretched. The sunlight filtering through the window suggested it was going to be another beautiful fall day in North Carolina.

  “Grandma Hattie,” she uttered out of the blue. She could hardly remember the nightmare, but it spooked her a great deal.

  She donned one of Daniel’s T-shirts and went to join her man in the kitchen. He was by the stove frying something up. She could hear the grease popping in the pan. It smelled like bacon.

  Daniel stood over the stove with his back to her, his body bare of any tattoos. He was one of a kind.

  He turned around to see Cristal looking his way. A smile immediately splashed across his face. “Good morning, beautiful.”

  Cristal stepped farther into the kitchen. She felt embarrassed about last night. She hated for Daniel to see her like that. Right away she said, “I’m sorry about last night.”

  “There’s no reason to apologize. It was simply a bad dream. We all have them.”

  Daniel had no idea about her past. His world was simple; trying to get through med school, paying bills, and living a humble life. She didn’t want to pull him into her nightmares. He didn’t deserve it. So, she kept him apart from who she really was. She had to. Cristal felt she was protecting him from the demons that haunted her. She didn’t want them haunting him too.

  Daniel went to her and wrapped his arms around her. He hugged her and planted a kiss on her lips. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Breakfast is almost ready.”

  “What you cooking?”

  “Bacon and eggs, and some salmon croquettes, something my mother taught me how to cook,” he said with delight.

  She smiled. “Sounds good.”

  “You’re going to love it.”

  Daniel turned and attended to the stove again. His kitchen was coming to life with a sweet aroma.

  Cristal sat at the kitchen table and watched him work. He was special. “Look at you, trying to become Bobby Flay,” she joked.

  He laughed. “Hey, I try.”

  “Yes, you do, and you’re the best, baby.”

  “I’m glad you feel so.”

  They looked at each other with expressions of pure love. Daniel loved her, scars and all. Cristal didn’t feel ugly around him. She didn’t feel the need to cover up the keloid on her face or put on any makeup. Daniel liked her just the way she was. But she remembered what she used to look like.

  “I have a surprise for you,” he said.

  “You do?”

  He nodded his head. “Something special.”

  “Tell me,” Cristal faintly begged.

  “No, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you right now.”

  “Not fair.”<
br />
  Daniel laughed.

  He served her breakfast at the table. Everything looked delicious. The salmon croquettes looked extra tasty. They were a golden, fried brown and already had her mouth watering.

  “It looks good,” she said.

  “Wait until you try them.”

  She picked up her fork and dug into the salmon. Her taste buds exploded. “Damn! This is really good, Daniel.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  “I love them. Wow!” She stuck another piece of salmon into her mouth. “Mmmm . . . now this is breakfast.”

  Daniel couldn’t stop grinning. He joined her at the table, and they shared a wonderful breakfast together, devouring every piece of food Daniel cooked. Breakfast was so good, Cristal felt like licking the plate.

  ...

  Before Cristal knew it, the day had gone by, and it was late evening. Their day together was blissful and simple: first, shopping at the nearest supermarket, and then a walk in the park. Then she helped him tend to a few things in the house that needed fixing.

  As the day turned into dusk, the couple shed their clothing and shared a bubble bath. The mood was set with Daniel placing rose petals in the bath and romantic music playing. He started out the bath with a toast for two from champagne chilling in a bucket nearby.

  At first, they agreed not to speak to each other for the first half-hour, communicating instead by touch and emotion. They used a bath sponge to wash each other. He treated his partner as if she was royalty, spoiling her, gently giving her a sensual massage in the tub.

  Cristal snuggled next to him and lay against his chest.

  “I hate it when you leave, Beatrice, especially for such a long periods of time. I’m miserable without you. And I worry about you.”

  Cristal released a deep sigh. It was upsetting to her, knowing she’d lied to him about her real name.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  The soothing bath, his loving words, his touch had her feeling vulnerable. She felt terrible about it all and was tempted to reveal the truth to him, but she kept her lie strong.

  “I’m okay,” she said. “What time is your first class tomorrow?”

  “Eight in the morning.”

  “Well, let’s not waste any more time then,” she said, turning herself over to face him in the tub, her breasts pressed against his thin chest, and began to kiss him fervently.

  They used extremely soft towels to dry each other off when they were done bathing. Then they blow-dried and brushed each other’s hair. They completed their special evening by having a plate of romantic finger foods and downing more glasses of cheap, store-bought champagne.

  In the heat of the moment, Daniel sheathed on a latex condom, pushed Cristal’s upper body slightly forward, and found her wet entrance from behind. The entire night went on like that—making love, drinking champagne, and pillow-talking until they both slept peacefully.

  “You never did tell me what my surprise was.”

  “It’s coming,” he hissed against her ear.

  ...

  Daniel and Cristal enjoyed a nice multicourse dinner in a romantic setting. The lounge, with spectacular city views overlooking the river, served a delicious dinner buffet and offered an array of creative cocktails. After dinner, they took a long carriage ride to a high peak out of town, where they could take a moonlight stroll and enjoy a star-filled sky.

  It was the perfect setting. Their love was going strong and speeding in the fast lane. Cuddled together, the world felt different for Cristal.

  Daniel kissed her cheek. “Remember that surprise I told you about the other day?”

  “Yes, I remember.”

  Daniel gazed at her as the carriage ride was about to come to an end. The look in his eyes said that he only wanted to be with her and only her. Then out of nowhere came the ring box. He slightly got down on one knee and revealed the 1/7-carat diamond hearts ring in sterling silver.

  “Beatrice, will you marry me?”

  Cristal was floored. “M-marriage?” she said, stammering.

  “Yes. I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  She didn’t know what to say. She was stuck. She couldn’t say yes to him, but she didn’t want to break his heart.

  Daniel was still on one knee. “We can build something together, you and I, baby.”

  “Daniel, I need time to think,” she replied quietly.

  “Think?” Daniel looked baffled by her comment. “Don’t you love me?”

  “I do; more than anything on earth. But I’ll be leaving soon.”

  “I know. It’s the reason why I want us to get married. I’ll be finished with school soon. I know times are rough now, but it’ll get better.”

  Cristal still was unsure. He was still calling her Beatrice and believed that she was in the Peace Corps, aiding and helping poor people around the world. How far could she carry the lie?

  Their carriage ride came to an end, and Cristal still didn’t have an answer for him. Daniel looked a little disheartened.

  When they stepped off the carriage, she said to him, “Look, I’m not saying no, baby. All I’m saying is, let me come back from overseas, and I’ll give you my answer then. I’m not going anywhere, Daniel. I love you.” She already knew her answer. It couldn’t be.

  “Okay. I understand.”

  They kissed on the street.

  Daniel hugged her close. Every time she was in his arms, he always gave her the feeling that he never wanted to let her go. Her biggest concern was, her layers would peel right before him and he would see her for who she truly was. She never wanted the way he looked at her to change.

  Twenty-Six

  Autumn in Martha’s Vineyard was the best time of the year. The humidity had left, the beaches were free of summer tourists, and the trees were starting to turn into the most beautiful shades of red, yellow, and orange.

  Crusty brown leaves whirled around in a circle in the front yard of The Bishop’s cottage. The mystifying colors of the sun shone onto the pile of leaves as the scent of the ocean blew over Cristal’s shoulders and neck, giving her a tingling sensation.

  It was the season of hoodie sweatshirts, early evening walks, pumpkins, apple pies, and driving around with the windows down.

  Cristal couldn’t get Daniel’s proposal out of her mind. She needed to get away to think. And the best place for that was at The Bishop’s cottage.

  The Bishop was in the back room of his cottage painting again. He sat in front of his canvas, barefoot and shirtless in a pair of jeans . Cristal stood behind him, watching him paint and listening to him talk.

  “Painting is quite simple once you follow some fundamental tips,” he said to her.

  The portrait, a forest in the fall with a flowing river, was coming alive. The Bishop had a good eye for art. As usual, he had his opera playing and was sipping on a glass of wine.

  He continued his lecture. “A painting is made up of different elements that come together to make the work what it is. You ever wonder why painting is so comforting and exciting? The colors, the fluidity of the paint, just the experience of creating something on a flat surface right before your eyes . . . it’s like telling a story.” He gently touched up the leaves of a yellow birch tree, bringing out the red and yellow of autumn. “It is as if the paint has a personality, and it becomes a person. Someone who can talk to you and express what you keep deep inside your mind and your spirit.”

  He made sense to Cristal. But he always made sense to her.

  “It’s like the paint, the brush, and the canvas all collaborate to create their own story,” Cristal said.

  The Bishop turned and looked at her. “Well said.”

  She smiled.

  “He asked me to marry him,” she blurted out.

  “Who? Your boyfriend in North Carolina?”

  “Yes.”

  He continued painting. “How do you feel about him?”

  “I love him.”

  “You l
ove him,” he repeated.

  “Yes. But this life we live, what we do, how do I make it work? He’s an innocent, a civilian.”

  “Do you remember what I told you about finding your niche? Well, if he’s your niche—”

  “But I’m lying to him, Bishop. He thinks I’m Beatrice and that I travel the world working with the Peace Corps to help with the needy.”

  He turned around in his chair and grinned at Cristal. “I’m Sam. Remember that.”

  He stood up, finished painting for the day. He walked toward Cristal and stood close to her. Locking eyes with her, he said, “Do you remember what I said to you before about how to survive? It’s not just about killing and being dangerous; it’s about being able to fit in. It’s about maintaining a balance of work and life.”

  Cristal nodded.

  He placed his hands on her shoulders, and she could feel his strength.

  “Beatrice—that’s a lovely name for a lovely woman who’s doing a pleasant thing, helping people. And your life with Daniel allowed that to be your niche. He never needs to know about Cristal. He fell in love with Beatrice, and so it is. That’s who you become. The transition doesn’t have to be difficult.”

  The Bishop made lying sound so easy.

  “Killing people has to be the first priority, but it doesn’t have to be your only priority. Just be careful. If you love him and he loves you, then that’s your life.”

  She nodded again. It was easy to attain a fake passport, driver’s license, social security number, and birth certificate. She had her connections. But could it be so simple for her? Could she fully become Beatrice? She had enough money saved, but she wasn’t ready to retire, not yet. She still had unfinished business to take care of.

  “Now, if you can excuse me, I need to wash up,” The Bishop said.

  He walked by her and undressed while on his way to the bathroom. Cristal caught a glimpse of his buttocks, and for an old man, he still had it going on.

  Cristal walked outside and breathed in the cool fall air around her. She had a lot to think about.

  Twenty-Seven

  Tamar was disguised in a long wig and characterless clothing as she rode the Staten Island Ferry at 6 p.m. sharp. The ferry was teeming with riders and tourists, as usual. It was a breezy, autumn day with a feeling of gentleness on the boat. People were chatting and laughing. The view of the Manhattan skyline was always breathtaking, but she wasn’t on the boat to take in the view or chat with anyone. She was trying to save her life.