Sin With Cuffs (15 page)

“Isn’t it okay for a mother to be worried over her daughter’s well-being?”

Holly grew more suspicious. “You’ve never been bothered over anything that involved me.” She could be blunt. It was time she let go of the burdens that weighed her down for far too long.

“That’s not true.” Vicki’s hand came up to her chest and her red painted lips parted.

“Okay. We have a difference of opinion.” What was the use in quarrelling? Her mother would never agree with Holly. As a kid, she’d wanted her mother to care. Holly had made good grades. She’d been a helper around the house. That hadn’t worked so she’d started misbehaving just to get attention. Nothing gained her mother’s devotion. Vicki had dropped Holly off at Grandma’s house and disappeared. In the end, it’d been the best thing for Holly. She’d finally gotten the love she’d missed out on. Doris had been nurturing and kind. Even when Holly misbehaved, her grandma had been strict, yet fair.

“You’ll never understand what it’s like to be a single mother trying to make it in the world.” Vicki swiped at her eyes as if she were crying.

“You’ve told me time and again what it’s like. That’s why you abandoned me here in Raven except you didn’t think how hard it’d be for an elderly woman to raise a young child. Thankfully, she gave me all the love I could ever want.”

“Are you saying you were glad I dropped you off?”

“I’m saying I realize you didn’t want to be a single mother. That it was too difficult. And you made the best decision allowing someone else to step in and take over.” Holly didn’t say the words to hurt her mother. With her grandma buried now, Holly was alone. Grandma always said a person should never be ashamed in standing up for what they believed in. In the letter, her words had encouraged Holly to be strong.

“I didn’t come here to be harassed or put down.” Vicki got up and started toward the door. “I don’t know what’s come over you but I think your grandmother’s death has put a strain on you. Or maybe it’s that Liam boy. He’s turned you into his whore.”

Holly felt another layer of tolerance melt. She caught up with her mother before she opened the door and grabbed her elbow in a loose hold, only enough to keep her steady. “Mother, Liam had nothing to do with anything I’ve ever done. In fact, he was more family to me than you’ve ever been. You act innocent, but you made me the way I was. If I was bad it was because of you.” Taking another step forward, she could smell her mother’s expensive perfume that always made Holly’s eyes water. “I had a reputation because I was your daughter.”

Holly knew it was coming but didn’t have time to keep it from happening. Vicki raised a hand and slapped Holly’s cheek. The sound vibrated off the white wall and the sting made her wince. Lifting her hand, she held her face.

 “How dare you speak to me that way! I’m your mother.”

Anger rose through Holly like a tide. “You’re not my mother. My mother was just buried.” All of the past hurt came to head. Holly knew she’d reached a limit of no return. And it felt good to unleash. “You came here today to convince me to give you the house, didn’t you?”

 “Do you think I want this place?” She glanced around and her nose turned up. “I hated it. Growing up here was like imprisonment. I want the house sold.”

“I’m not selling.” In that moment, she was free. “Thanks for convincing me even more than I was before. I’m going to open a bed and breakfast here. I’m going to restore this old place to what it used to be.”

“You and your pathetic dreams. Face the fact, sweetheart. You’re just like me. My blood runs through your veins. You’re out for one thing too, my dear. Liam doesn’t have enough money to make you happy.”

Holly clenched her hands at her sides. “I’ve never been out for money.”

Vicki lifted one brow. “Oh really? I know about the men you’ve dated. The last one didn’t buy you a Mercedes as a gift of friendship.”

She was ready to take her mother on, eye for an eye, but that’s what Vicki wanted. Holly wouldn’t sink to her level, ever. “He gave me the car because I did a favor for him. It’s called appreciation. Ever heard of it?”

“Yes, a favor. Exactly.” Vicki chuckled.

“The man was dying and I took care of him. I don’t care what you believe.” No matter what Holly said, she knew her mother would believe what she wanted. Without another word, Vicki stormed out.

Holly’s cell phone rang. She’d hoped to see Liam’s name come up on screen. Instead, it was a restricted number. Starting to push the phone back into her pocket, something told her she needed to answer. “Hello?”

“Hi, is this Holly?”

“Yes, it is. Who is this?”

“I’m Danielle—from the diner. I’m a server.”

“Yes, I remember you. But, how did you get my number?”

“I’m sorry. I asked Chief Ryan for it. I told him you’d left something and I needed to get it back to you,” she said in a whisper.

“I don’t understand. I didn’t leave anything.” At least, nothing of importance, she thought.

“No, you didn’t. I lied.” The girl admitted.

“Then why are you calling?” There was a long hesitation followed by a shrill static sound. “Danielle? Are you still there?” Holly asked.

“Yes, I am. I just needed to find a private place to talk. I know something I think you’ll want to hear.”

Holly had to strain to hear the other woman. “Did you say that you have something to tell me?”

“Yes.”

Her fingers pressed into the plastic of her phone. “What is it? Is this about Liam? Or the past?”

“This has nothing to do with Liam. Can you meet me tonight at nine in the parking lot of the old school house?”

“I don’t think—”

“Either you do or you don’t. I have to go. I’ll be there waiting.”

The line went dead.

What was going on? What did Danielle have to say that had anything to do with Holly? She dialed Liam’s number. After the third ring, his greeting picked up. Clicking end on her phone, she checked the time. Eight-thirty.

What other choice did she have? She must meet Danielle. If the young girl needed help, maybe Holly was the only one she could reach. Having been in trouble herself, Holly knew how isolated one could feel.

CHAPTER NINE

THE DARKNESS MAKES the parking lot seem eerier than ever
, Holly thought as she pulled into one of the spaces. Switching off her lights and killing the engine, she noticed the small car parked next to the building. No one else would be here. The building had been empty for years.

Holly got out and walked over to the car—it was empty. She inspected the area again. The door of the building was open.

Making her way up the beaten and cracked concrete steps, she stopped just outside the entrance. “Danielle? Are you in there?”

It was quiet. Something wasn’t right, Holly felt it. The hairs on the back of her neck stood straight up and the claws of fear meandered slowly through her veins.

With phone in hand, she texted Liam.

“I’m at the old school house. Where are you?”

Watching the screen, she didn’t get a response. Staring into the darkness past the double doors, she swallowed the tightness building in her throat. She shouldn’t be here. Turning on heel, she started toward her car but a noise from inside the school stopped her.

Going back to the door, she waited and listened.

Holly had never considered herself a brave person, but she couldn’t leave without making sure Danielle was okay.

 Her senses were on high alert as she walked into the shadowed corridor of the old building. She clicked on the light from her phone but it didn’t do much good.

“Danielle? Hello?” Holly’s voice bounced off the dingy walls. The smell of mold burned her nostrils.

Holly realized walking into the condemned building was ludicrous. She couldn’t see further than two feet in front of her and the place was unsafe. Danielle wouldn’t be here. She would tell Liam about the call and let him handle it.

A loud crashing sound made Holly jump. Frozen in her spot, she was afraid to move. A scream vibrated from down the darkened hall. Holly’s breath stilled and her heart thumped in her chest. Someone was hurt.

With trembling hand, Holly shone the light in front of her and started moving as fast as she could, not knowing where she’d search. She continued to peer into rooms, but she couldn’t find anything. Most were locked. Others were empty.

Coming to the end of the passageway, the metal doors leading into the lunchroom were wide open. A sliver of moonlight streamed in through the row of narrow windows but instead of aiding her, it cast an eerie blue haze over the room. Moving through the maze of tables and upside down chairs, broken glass crunched under her feet. Graffiti marked each tiled wall.
Tramp. Slut. Peter licks Tracey
.

Holly grimaced. Her sinuses were attacked by the scent of mildew and something else that she couldn’t identify.

Darkness returned, turning the room black. Through the window, she saw the clouds moving, covering the moon.

Snap.
Crash.
Someone else was in the large room. Shadows seemed to move as noise echoed off the walls. “Who’s there?” Holly yelled.

She guessed she was standing in the middle of the room. Vulnerability made her skin crawl. The odor grew stronger, and with the combination of her fear, she grew nauseous. Her steps were careful as she walked through debris. Paper crumbled and tin cans crackled. She kicked several bottles that rolled across the floor. The only safety she had was her hearing; her eyes were of no use and her nose seared from the smells.

Scanning a few feet around her, all Holly could see was the trash.

Pop-pop!

Metal crushing under foot.

Holly shut off the light of her cell and stood motionless. Covering her mouth with her palm, she calmed her breathing, and wished she could relax the thumping of her heart that deafened her. A whimper escaped her as heavy breathing grew closer. The urge to scream became overwhelming. Her fingers bit into her cheeks as she forced her body to remain quiet.

The footsteps pounded like drumbeats. She listened but couldn’t decipher where they were because every sound echoed off of the bare walls.

Brrrr…brrr.

Holly jumped from her phone’s vibration, her grip loosened on the phone and it fell from her hand. She heard dull thuds as the cell skidded across the cement floor.

Damn!
Without her phone, she had no light. And no protection. Dropping to her knees, she felt the coolness of the floor seep through her jeans as shards of glass cut into her skin. Blindly searching, she slid forward, feeling and pushing through the debris. Her hand encountered something smooth and hard. Gliding her fingers upward, she felt shoestrings.

“Shit!” The word fell from her lips. Holly hopped backward and slid across her bottom.
Someone stood inches in front of her.

An unexpected, hard thwack to her left shoulder sent her sprawling onto her side, landing on something sharp that sent pain through her chest. She opened her mouth to scream, but she snapped her lips tight as terror made her stay silent. She didn’t know how he could he see her when she couldn’t see him? Realizing she was breathing heavy and loud, she forced even breaths.