She can’t be here, maybe I’m still dreaming. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her.
“Hello, David,” she says, her voice filled with scorn. “Happy to see me?”
“What are you doing here?” I say, flinching, the chains jangling.
“I came here to check on you.”
“Stop with the lies! You wanted nothing to do with me. That's why you left.”
“You're right. I never was a good liar,” she sighs.
“What do you want? What do you want from me?”
“Oh please, spare me the drama. You know damn well what I want.” She moves toward me with a scowl. “I want my house back.”
“Your house?” I seethe. “It’s not your house. It’s mine.”
“You promised when you dragged me here, it would be ours… our house. But it never was our house, was it, David? It was always hers… your sweet, little wife whose death you never got over.”
“Get out!”
“She’s the woman you really built this house for, isn’t she?”
“I said, get out!”
“You can't make me. You have nothing. You have nothing left.”
“Oh, shut up, you stupid bitch.”
“What are you going to do now, David? Hmm? Now that your little Val is gone.” She smirks.
“Gone? What do you mean she's gone? How do you know about Val? How do you know her name?”
“I know everything. You’re not the only one who has hidden cameras around here.”
“Did you hurt her? Did you do something to Val?”
“Relax, David. She left on her own. And you’ll be happy to know she took the dog with her.” Cocking her head, she mimics me, “Oh Max, is that you?”
“It was you that night when I called for Max after he ran off. You were here, outside the house, snooping around, spying on me.”
She stares at me with a sardonic grin. The strap of her purse slides from her shoulder and she quickly adjusts it, holding it tight to her side.
“You never left, did you? You’ve been here all along in Costa Rica this whole time.” I snarl, waiting for a reply. “Answer me!”
“Calm down, David, perhaps you need something to settle your nerves. How about I make you a cup of tea?”
“Just leave, will you.”
“Or have you still not perfected the blend yet. After all this time, I thought you would have found the right one by now… the right tea… the right woman.”
“Stop goading me, or else.”
“Or else what, David? Are you threatening me?”
I take a deep breath. “Just free me from these damn chains.”
She stands there, leering while reaching for something in her purse. The keys, I hope, for the handcuffs. As soon as she releases me I’m going to wipe that evil grin from her face forever.
There’s a knock on the front door and her head whips in that direction.
“Oh gawd, please don’t tell me she’s back,” she says.
“Untie me, unlock me so I can answer the door,” I demand.
“You’re not going anywhere.” She pulls out a gun aiming it straight at my face. “One word and you and that girlfriend of yours are dead.”
I stare down the barrel and swallow in fear. I can’t believe what is happening—a nightmare come true.
“I’m serious, David, I’m done with your games. One word, one peep from you when I open that door and Val will be gone forever.”
I stare into her dark, flat eyes; there’s nothing behind them. She’s clearly gone insane.
“Do you hear me?” She waves the gun at me. “Do you understand?”
I nod. I obey her command only because of Val, my love, my light. I would kill myself if something ever happened to her.
She heads toward the door and I crane my neck hoping to get a glimpse of Val. But the damn kitchen island blocks my view; I want to kick myself for building it so big. I listen as the door opens and closes. I want to scream, but I bite my tongue in silence and wait.
I think of Val, her beautiful smile, and all the memorable times we shared, the scenes flashing through my mind like a movie. I can still remember the look on her face when I brought her here. When she first saw the house and gazed upon the windows, I recall the words as if she’d said them yesterday.
“What's with all the bars?” she asked. “It looks like a jail cell.”
Today, sadly, I’d have to agree.
41
Cindy
I stand outside your house knocking on your door. I’m so nervous right now and hope I’m not making a mistake. I try thinking of what I’ll say when you open the door but my stomach is tied in knots and words escape me. I’m not exactly sure how you’ll react.
I can’t help wonder if Val’s okay but I also can’t lie. I hope she’s gone by now. Long gone. After spiking her white wine with your tea and my sleeping pills, I’m sure her little nightmares have sent her running away, far away… it’s what she does best.
See, I know my Val, better than you do, David. I tried telling you that when I was here last time. Val has trust issues. She cracks under pressure and doesn’t like being controlled. Sure she comes across all nice and sweet, but if you disappoint that woman or break her trust, believe me, you will have hell to pay.
I never thought you two were meant for each other. You were not a good match, no siree. I am more your type and you know it. For some reason, though, you can’t seem to admit it. I wonder why.
Do I remind you of someone? One of your ex-wives maybe? I heard all about them. Val told me everything. She thinks something happened here to one of them or both. But I’m not so sure. Maybe you’re just heartbroken and need more time to heal. You’ll be okay. I can help soothe your pain. We
