Get You Good (24 page)

But that wasn't who Sydney was. She wasn't a killer. Right?

A wave of nausea washed over her and she stood up.

“I'm going to the restroom,” she said to Lissandra. “Watch her.”

“OK,” Lissandra said. Sydney could see the concern in her sister's eyes, but she didn't have time to reassure her, when she didn't even know what was happening inside herself.

She slipped into an empty stall in the restroom and leaned her back against the closed door, closing her eyes. When she did, she could see Sheree's face laughing at her. Hear her words mocking her. Then she saw Dean, and Leroy. Even Jackie. And she imagined that at some point they had laughed at her also. Or worse, pitied her.

Sheree was right. Sydney had thought Decadent would be hers. Why? Because Leroy had told her. A long time ago when she was just a little girl, when she should have been too young to remember. But she did.

It had been the summer before Leroy and Jackie had gotten back together. She had been only nine years old. It had been late. She had been sitting on a table near the exit, waiting for him to lock up so he could take her home. Lissandra and JJ had gone home early and were already at the house. But Sydney had stuck around with her dad until closing time.

She remembered that day like it had just happened. Everyone else had left, all the offices had been locked up, and all that was left to do was turn off the lights and shut the front door. Leroy reached for the switch, but paused just before, looking back at the empty shop.

“What is it, Daddy?” Sydney had asked.

He hadn't answered right away. Just smiled.

“Sometimes I can't believe how good God has been to me,” he said with a shake of his head. “I never thought God would ever give me all of this.” He turned to Sydney. “And one day, pumpkin, this will all be yours.”

Sydney's eyes had widened. “Me?”

He laughed. “Yes, you.” He pinched her nose. “I can see the little baker in you already.”

“But it's so big!”

He laughed again, this time turning off the lights and opening the front door for Sydney to go outside.

“Don't worry, pumpkin. When you're older, it won't seem that way at all.”

Sydney's eyes burned at the memory. She blinked rapidly and was surprised to feel wetness on her cheeks. Was she crying? No, she wouldn't cry about this. Not anymore. That was years ago. Before Dean was ever even born. Before he had a son who could carry on his legacy. She should have known things would not be the same. Not after the years of chaos that had followed.

What she did know, though, was that no one was going to give her anything. And if she wanted to start to get things back in order with her family, she would need to finish what she started with Sheree.

Sydney stepped out of the stall and stared at herself in the mirror for a moment as she tried to figure out who the woman was staring back at her. She gave up trying and instead splashed some water on her face, washing away any traces of tears. She was about to pat it dry with a napkin when she heard a scream.

When she dashed from the restroom, she found Lissandra crouched down at their table, her hands covering face.

“Where is Sheree?”

Lissandra was still crouched down, but Sydney still managed to catch her muffled words.

“She's gone. Sheree is gone!”

“A
argh! She threw beer in my face,” Lissandra screamed.

“You let her go!” Sydney hissed.

“She threw beer in my face! I can't even see!”

“I'm going after her.”

Without waiting for a reply, Sydney dashed through the bar and out the front door. The cold night wind stung her face. She looked around, but there was no sign of Sheree. She suddenly heard a car engine start and tires squeal as a silver BMW reversed quickly out of a parking space.

Sprinting to her car, Sydney jumped in and gunned the engine, keeping her eyes on the direction of the BMW. She was almost sure that it was Sheree. The car peeled through the parking lot, almost hitting a group of pedestrians before turning right and taking off. But the delay with the pedestrians kept Sydney from losing her completely. As she turned right out of the parking lot, she caught a glimpse of Sheree's car far ahead up the road.

Ignoring the speed limit, Sydney hit the accelerator and began to close the distance between her and Sheree. Her Nissan was no BMW, but it could hold its own. Soon she was close enough to see the custom plates marked SHAY. There was no doubt whom the car belonged to.

She was almost close enough to pull alongside Sheree, but the woman must have looked back and seen her in the rearview mirror and pulled away again. Sydney slammed her hand against the steering wheel before accelerating again. The cars around her seemed to be standing still as she flew past in pursuit of Sheree. The woman weaved in and out of the two lanes of traffic, easily avoiding the scattering of cars that seemed to be on the road. Sydney tried to follow, but the constant lane changing made it hard for her to catch up with Sheree. Car chasing was not her forte.

As Sheree took the road higher and higher, the traffic began to thin out more. Sydney wasn't that familiar with Kingston, but she was sure they were heading east toward the harbor. Sydney didn't know what Sheree was planning, but whatever it was, she wasn't going to let it get that far. The break in the traffic gave her the opportunity she needed, and she floored her gas pedal and caught up with Sheree.

Pulling up beside her, she rammed Sheree's car with the side of hers, nearly losing control of her Nissan in the process. For a moment, fear sliced through Sydney as she felt her car sway onto the other side of the road. It did not look this dangerous on TV.

“Are you crazy?” Sheree screamed. Even though the window was up, Sydney could read the words on Sheree's lips, as well as see the mix of fear and anger in her eyes.

Sydney rolled down her window.

“Pull over!” Sydney screamed back.

“Go to hell!”

Sheree pulled off again, and Sydney was forced to fall behind her as a huge truck came bearing down on the opposite side of the road. Instead of giving up, however, she sped up and rammed Sheree hard in the back. The force of the impact caused Sydney's car to swerve a little, but she grabbed ahold of the steering wheel and kept it steady.

“You better pull over that car!” Sydney screamed.

She rammed the back of Sheree's car again. Sheree's car tilted a little, swinging into oncoming traffic. Sheree suddenly moved to the side and hit the brakes, allowing Sydney to shoot past her. Then she pulled up beside her and rammed Sydney's car on the left side, causing Sydney to skid onto the shoulder of the road and giving Sheree time to take off again.

Sydney screamed obscenities at Sheree before taking off behind her again. By the time she caught up with her, they were speeding along Ontario street, where gaps between buildings offered glimpses of the harbour that was closer than it seemed. Sydney was right on her tail when Sheree made a quick right onto the La Salle Causeway. It was empty as far as Sydney could see. There was nothing but her and Sheree and the Kingston Harbour on both sides of the road.

Speeding forward, she clipped Sheree in the back again, but this time the car didn't bounce forward. Sydney tried to fall back a little, but she couldn't. She hit the brakes even harder, but all she got was resistance and the smell of burning rubber.

Her heart began to pound in her chest as she realized what had happened. She was stuck to Sheree's car. She floored the brakes and but still nothing. She pressed on the horn, somehow trying to alert Sheree to what was happening. But either the woman didn't know or didn't care. She accelerated, pulling Sydney along with her. Sydney twisted her steering wheel, trying to pull herself away as she continued to lean on the horn. Both cars began to swing from one side of the road to the other.

Sydney felt sweat break out on her forehead and nose. What had she gotten herself into?

She tried again in vain to detach herself from Sheree. Sheree, seeming finally to realize what had happened, began to turn her steering wheel and accelerate at the same time. Sydney wasn't sure what happened, but suddenly she found herself pressed against the side of her car as both cars went spinning at high speed across the causeway. They finally became separated, but only in time for both vehicles to go flying off the road.

Time slowed to a crawl for Sydney. In the same moment, her mind seemed to leave her body as the scene unfolded in front of her, as if she were watching it in IMAX on mute. She saw herself suspended in the air over the Kingston Harbour, the shock and fear on her face clearly visible through the car windshield, her dark hair pressed against her face. She suddenly realized, however, that it was not herself she was looking at. It was Sheree, trapped in her BMW. Sydney was seeing her through her own windshield as both their vehicles headed for the water.

Sydney had heard people who'd been through near-death experiences say their life flashed before their eyes. But as her car sliced into the water, she didn't see scenes from her life. Only people. The staff from the shop. Her Aunt Essie. Her sisters. Dean. Hayden. Jackie. Leroy. His disappointed expression cut through the fear and tore her heart in two with regret. His was the last face she saw as water poured in through the windows of her Nissan and soaked her feet as it came up from the floor.

And then Sheree's car fell on hers.

After that everything went black.

I
t was hazy around her. Like the sky outside the plane when you're flying through a cloud. The air felt thick, like a light, white blanket. It was so quiet she could hear her heartbeat. A slow steady rhythm that served to keep her anchored.

“Sydney.”

The silence was broken by the low whisper of her name. It was so faint she was almost sure she imagined it. Until she heard it again, a little louder than before. She tried to answer, but she couldn't. There was no sound.

“Sydney.”

The voice became more distinct even as the sound of her heartbeat became louder, sharper, and somehow mechanical.

“Sydney. Syd, can you hear me?”

She could hear her but couldn't answer. And now the haze began to grow dark. She felt pressure on her hand and she tried to squeeze back but couldn't. Her body wasn't cooperating. She tried to speak again, and this time her voice stirred from wherever it had been hidden.

“Lissa . . .”

“Yes! Sydney, it's me. Open your eyes, sweetie. Open your eyes.”

Sydney was sure it was Lissandra. She heard sniffles and hiccups that sounded like crying. Lissandra never cried.

She finally managed to crack her eyes open, though she almost wished she hadn't as the harsh light assaulted her senses. She groaned and closed them for a moment, before trying again.

“Oh, thank God!” Lissandra cried. Sydney could feel her sister's arms around her neck and her long, curly hair against her cheek.

“Lissandra? What's going on?” Sydney asked slowly, squinting at her sister as Lissandra pulled away.

Lissandra's face was wet and her eyes swollen as she gazed at Sydney with a mix of distress and relief.

“You've been unconscious,” she said between sobs. “For two days.”

Sydney blinked rapidly as she tried to process what her sister had just told her.

“Two days?”

Lissandra nodded. “They haven't been able to revive you since they pulled you out of the water. Even though they managed to pump the water out your lungs, they didn't know how long you'd been without oxygen in the car, so they weren't sure if you had brain damage....

Lissandra was still talking, but Sydney could barely focus on her voice as the memories of what had happened began to come back to her in bits and pieces.

The bridge. Speeding along the causeway. The cars going into the lake. Sheree.

“Sheree,” Sydney said, suddenly cutting off her sister. “Where is Sheree . . . ?”

“She's . . .”

“Syd! You're awake!” JJ almost tossed the two cups of hot liquid on the table in her hurry to get to Sydney's side.

“Oh, thank God.” She threw her arms around Sydney and began to cry. “I was worried that you might end up like Dean.”

“Dean?” Sydney felt a streak of panic run through her, though she couldn't remember why. “What's wrong with Dean?”

“The coma,” JJ said. “You know, from the accident?”

Sydney looked to Lissandra for help.

“Dean was in an accident a couple weeks ago,” Lissandra said slowly. “Remember?”

Sydney searched her brain and slowly bits and pieces began to come back to her.

“What's wrong with her?” JJ asked, glancing at Lissandra.

“She just woke up,” Lissandra said. “I think it's taking her a while to remember things.”

“We should call the doctor.” JJ got up from Sydney's bedside and headed to the door.

Sydney took the opportunity to ask her previously unanswered question again.

“Where's Sheree?”

Lissandra glanced at the door before leaning forward.

“She's here in the hospital,” Lissandra said quietly. “She was unconscious like you, but I heard one of the nurses say she woke up yesterday.”

So she was still alive. Sydney felt relief rush through her. Even in her impaired state, she knew she had no positive feelings toward the woman, but if she was dead that would make Sydney a murderer. There was no coming back from that.

“But get this,” Lissandra said. “I think she may have amnesia. The nurses are saying she doesn't remember anything about who she is.”

Sydney knew this was important for some reason, but her brain was still foggy, and even though her sister said she had been asleep for a few days, she still felt tired. Thinking about Sheree would have to be postponed.

“Ms. Isaacs.”

Sydney looked up to see the doctor, an older gentleman that reminded her of Elmer Fudd, enter the room with a nurse and JJ just steps behind him.

“Glad to see you're awake.” He gave a tight-lipped smile as he checked the readings on the machines beeping away beside her. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired.” It took so much effort to speak. Her mouth felt like it was full of cotton. “And a bit disoriented.”

He nodded. “That's quite normal. You've been through a great deal of trauma and your body is still working on healing. Are you in pain?”

Sydney shook her head. “Should I be?”

“Well, you've fractured your right leg and we've set it in a cast, but we have you on pain medication, so you may not feel anything right away,” he said. “But once we start to lower your dosage, you will start to experience some discomfort.”

Sydney nodded.

“When can she go home?” Lissandra asked.

“We want to observe her for a few more days, just to make sure there isn't any serious brain damage, but if all goes well she should be able to go home in about three days,” he said, scribbling something on Sydney's chart.

“You're a very lucky woman, Ms. Isaacs,” the doctor said as he prepared to leave.

“Not lucky, blessed,” JJ corrected.

The doctor smiled. “Take it easy and get some rest. Nurse Weir will be back to check on you later this afternoon.”

“Thanks,” Sydney said as she watched them leave.

“I just called Mom,” JJ said, taking a seat on the side of Sydney's bed not occupied by Lissandra. “She's on her way back from the hotel. She should be here any minute.”

Sydney let out a sigh and pressed the switch to adjust her bed into a sitting position.

“What does she know?” Sydney asked.

“Just that you've been in an accident,” Lissandra said. “She doesn't know who the other woman was.”

“Which is pretty amazing, seeing that the whole thing was all over the news the night it happened,” JJ said.

“In Toronto?” Sydney asked.

“Yup,” JJ confirmed with a nod. “Essie managed to talk the police into keeping it hush hush, so they didn't reveal the names.”

Sydney rested an IV'd hand across her forehead. “Thank God.”

“Don't thank him yet,” Lissandra said. “We gotta figure out what we're gonna do about Sheree. We still have time since no one knows she's here. Not even Hayden.”

JJ glared in disbelief “Are you serious? I can't believe you're still scheming after what just happened.”

“You better believe it,” Lissandra snapped. “'Cause if homegirl suddenly starts having flashbacks about how Sydney chased her down the causeway, we're gonna be looking at a lot more than just hospital time.”

JJ scowled. “If the both of you had listened to me in the first place, this wouldn't even be happening.”

Sydney closed her eyes and put a hand to her aching temple. “Ladies, please—”

“Not all of us can sit back and get rolled over without fighting back,” Lissandra shot back.

“Maybe you need to—”

“Sydney.”

The three women looked at the unexpected visitor standing at the hospital door.

“Hayden.”

In two steps he was on the edge of her bed, pulling her into his arms. Sydney forgot all the complicated issues between them and laid her head against his chest, letting his familiar scent comfort her and jog all her memories of him.

Just when she was beginning to feel like she had found the one place she could stay forever, he loosened his grip so he could look at her.

“How did you know I was here?” she asked as his eyes roamed all over her face.

“I called him,” JJ said. Her response earned her a scowl from Lissandra, but Sydney barely noticed either of them.

“I came as soon as I heard,” he said, rubbing a thumb across her cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Like someone just pulled me off the bottom of a lake,” Sydney said with a crooked smile.

He smiled back and kissed her forehead.

“Thank God you're alive,” he said, his lips so close to her ear that the words reached only her. “I don't know what I would do if I lost you.”

“You can't get rid of me, Dub.” Sydney rested her head against his chest once more, feeling the rumble of his chuckle. A contented sigh slipped from her lips as he wrapped his solid arms around her. Her man. Why had she been mad at him again? Whatever it was, it sure didn't matter now. He was definitely forgiven.

He turned her face to his and kissed her eyelids gently, then her nose, then both her cheeks before finally getting to her lips. Sydney sighed. He was definitely the best medicine.

A throat cleared somewhere beyond them, and they turned to see Jackie standing at the door with Zelia and Josephine.

“Mom.”

Within moments, Jackie and Hayden had exchanged places and Sydney was being crushed against her mother's bosom.

“Child, you nearly gave me a heart attack worrying about you. The Lord told me that something was wrong with one of my children that night. But I stayed on my knees and he heard my prayer.”

Jackie held Sydney's face between her cheeks and looked at her as if memorizing every feature.

“I knew God would take care of you. I knew he would bring you back to me.”

Jackie crushed her in her arms again for a moment, but soon had to make space for Zelia and Josephine. The hospital room was starting to turn into a zoo, until the doctors came and shooed everyone out so Sydney could get her rest.

The longer she had been awake, the more clear her mind had become. And by the time everyone had left and Sydney was alone in her hospital room, the fog had completely lifted. Now she had nothing to do but think. Think about how she had almost died. Think about how she had almost killed another human being. Think about how she had lied to and deceived the people she loved most in the world. And all for what? Money? Revenge?

And then there was Sheree. She had destroyed their lives, but that didn't give Sydney the right to destroy hers. She was tired of this. Tired of letting someone else's actions control her own life. She was done with the secrets and lies.

Reaching for the cell phone at her bedside, she sent a message to Hayden. Within moments, he was at the door.

“Hey.” A soft smile played on his lips. “You trying to get me in trouble with the doc?”

“Sit,” she said, pointing to a chair beside her bed. “I need to talk to you.”

He sat, taking Sydney's hand in his at the same time. But she noticed that the smile had been replaced with a look of concern.

“What's going on?”

Sydney looked at him long and hard, memorizing the lines on his beautiful face. Recalling the touch of his hands on her skin, the feel of his lips against hers, the warmth in his eyes whenever he looked at her, the sense of safety in his arms. She remembered the day months ago when he had walked back into her life. She could almost picture him standing in front of her in his perfectly fit suit, his coffee-colored eyes glowing as they watched her. He had been everything she wanted and needed, and she hadn't even known it. And now that she did, she was about to say words that might make her lose him forever.

But she had to. She wouldn't have him under a cover of lies. There would be no more secrets between them. No more half-truths. No more omissions. If they were going to be together, it would have to be on the terms of complete honesty—starting with her.

Sydney sighed. “You know there were two cars involved in my accident, right?”

He nodded.

“The driver of the other car was Sheree,” she said.

Sydney watched as a range of emotions passed over his face. He looked away from her as if trying to process the information.

“We found her here in Kingston, at a bar. Things got a little messy. She took off and I took off after her. At the bridge, things got out of control and both our cars went into the harbor.”

He slowly sat back, pulling his hand away from Sydney's. She felt the coldness slide between them like a wall as he took in her words. His face was expressionless, but she could see his Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed hard.

“So she's here,” Hayden croaked. He still wouldn't look at Sydney.

“Yes.” Sydney said, not sure how much more she should say. “She's here under an alias, Shayla Vaughn. She . . .”

Sydney stumbled and Hayden turned hard eyes on her. She couldn't speak when he looked at her like that, so she looked away.

“She was unconscious. But she woke up yesterday. She doesn't remember who she is.”

She heard the chair scrape against the ground as Hayden got up.

“Hayden . . .”

“I have to go see her.” He was halfway to the door.

Sydney felt bands of panic wrap around her heart as she watched him walk away. It felt like he was leaving more than just her hospital room.

“I never meant for any of this to happen.” She could barely speak past the lump in her throat.

He stopped but didn't look back at her.