Charles watched the big guy get into the Hummer and leave. That was strange. His vehicle hadn't moved in the five days that Charles had been there. Maybe his luck was finally changing. He took advantage of the Hummer being gone to move his van closer to the diner. He'd found the perfect spot that allowed him to still keep an eye on the apartment without easily being seen.
Chapter Twenty
Mary Elizabeth pulled up to her apartment with a sigh of relief. She was home, finally. The drive seemed to take forever, much longer than the three-and-a-half hours it actually lasted. The Hummer was missing from its spot, so that meant Hugh wasn't at the diner. It wasn't like him not to be there on a Saturday night. For a minute, she wondered if Kiesha broke her word and called him anyway. On second thought, if Kiesha told Hugh she on her way home, he would be planted right here at the apartment, waiting for her.
Time to quit lollygagging. No telling how much time she had, but hopefully it was enough to take a shower and refresh herself. She grabbed her purse and the bags of clothing she'd purchased while she was gone. Her arms loaded down with the bags, she wondered if maybe she should have bought a suitcase like she started to. She didn't need more luggage but if she had, she would only be making one trip upstairs instead of the two it was going to take to get everything inside.
She took her things into the bedroom, taking the time to put things away rather than doing it later. Hugh could walk in the door any minute, so she'd better do this while she could. She'd bought a bit more than the little she'd needed to wear while she was gone. Who knew shopping could be so therapeutic? Besides, she'd run across some deals that she just couldn't pass up. With Kiesha paying her travel expenses, she'd been well able to afford her little shopping spree.
After hanging the new outfits up and throwing the dirty clothes in the hamper where they belonged, she went to go back out to the truck to get the rest of her belongings only to pull up short. “What are you doing here?"
Charles couldn't believe his good fortune. He'd only been in position for a few minutes when Mary Elizabeth arrived. She never once looked in his direction. Not only was she back, she'd conveniently left the front door open for him. He wouldn't get a better opportunity than this.
He reached back and got his briefcase. Everything was prepared and waiting. Once he had her, he could be on his way and leave this little hellhole behind. Checking to make sure no one was around, he got out of the van and quietly closed the door. He climbed the stairs rapidly, wanting to catch her while she was still inside. He made it inside and was pushing the door closed when Mary Elizabeth came out of one of the rooms in the back.
"What are you doing here?"
Surprisingly enough, his future bride didn't seem all that pleased to see him. Oh well, that would change soon enough. “Gee, Mary Elizabeth. I came all this way to visit you and you don't appear happy to see me. Is that any way to treat family?"
She responded just as he knew that she would. “I'm sorry, Charles. You took me by surprise. Of course I'm happy to see you. Why didn't you call first and tell me you were coming?"
"Then it wouldn't have been a surprise. I've been here several days, waiting for you to arrive. Your friend Kiesha told me you were out of town on business."
"Yes, I was,” she said slowly. “As a matter of fact, I just arrived home not five minutes ago. That's strange. I just spoke to Kiesha and she didn't mention..."
"Aren't you going to ask me to sit down?” He interrupted quickly, not giving her time to finish that thought.
"Oh, where are my manners? Come in. Have a seat. Can I get you anything? I'm not sure what I have but you're more than welcome."
"No, I'm fine. Come, sit beside me and let's talk."
She came and sat, but she kept looking at the door expectantly. “Are you expecting someone?"
"My landlord. Kiesha said he was looking for me."
So the big guy was her landlord. Makes sense. Maybe the folks in the diner had it all wrong.
"Charles, why are you here?"
"I came to take you home. Your parents miss you and asked me to bring you home."
Mary Elizabeth closed her eyes and sighed. “Charles, I wish you hadn't come. I've told you and mother countless times that I like it here. I'm not coming home. Refuge is my home now."
"Mary Elizabeth, I think this foolishness has gone on long enough and your mother agrees. I've told you how I feel about you. Yes, I've made mistakes but it's time we moved past that. You've had your revenge, moving away, making me chase you and even playing around with that yokel. Now it's time to stop playing hard to get and come home so we can marry the way we should have all those years ago."
She looked at him as though he wasn't quite sane. “Charles, I'm not playing hard to get. This is my home and I'm not marrying you. I told you that before I left and again on the phone when we last spoke. Your insistence on referring to me as you fiancé has me concerned. I don't think you've dealt with Babs’ death like you should. Maybe you should get some professional help."
"I AM NOT CRAZY!” He screamed at her, causing her to flinch away from him and slid to the edge of the couch, ready to jump to her feet, watching him warily. He took a deep breath to calm himself and held out a hand in silent appeal. “I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean to frighten you. It's just that your sister used to say things of that nature to me all the time. That's why I had to do it, you see?"
"Had to do what, Charles?” She didn't get up but she eased further away from him, still unsettled by the way he'd lost it a minute ago. She'd never seen Charles act like this.
"Why, had to get rid of her, of course. She wanted to leave me. She was going to tell everyone who would listen that I was crazy, not that anyone would have believed her. Still, the scandal would have been horrendous. Couldn't have that, now could we? Can't have any taint associated with the Remington name.” He laughed, a horrible maniacal sound that raised the hairs on the back of her nape.
Mary Elizabeth looked at him in dawning horror. There was something seriously wrong with Charles. She was beginning to believe his mind had snapped. “Charles, Babs’ death was an accident, remember? She was hit by a drunk driver."
He smiled at her as though amused by her naivety. “Actually, it was a hit and run. Don't you remember? Presumed to be caused by a driver who'd been drinking and fled the scene to avoid detection. It really wasn't that difficult to plant that idea in the mind of the investigating officer. Happens all the time. No witnesses to contradict the supporting circumstantial evidence and case closed. Now come along. We've wasted enough time. Let's go before your friend with the Hummer decides to return.” He rose to his feet and held out his hand to her in expectation.
She shook her head in denial. “Charles, do you realize what you're saying? You're saying you killed Babs."
"Really, dear. She needed killing. I don't see what the problem is."
She looked at him, really seeing him for the first time. “You are crazy. You stand there and confess to killing Babs and think I'd go anywhere with you?"
She stood and began backing toward the door. Charles moved to intercept, blocking the path to the door. “Get out of my house. I never want to see you again."