Randle's Princess (24 page)

“Lia I love you more than life itself,” he started and this only worried her more now.  He sounded as if he were never coming back.  As if they would never again see each other.

“Thomas what is it?” she asked with fret now.

“I’ll be fine I promise.”  Then he kissed her hard and finally again came eye to eye with her.  “Lock the door and stay inside.  I’ll call you tomorrow,” he then stated but for some reason he didn’t seem sincere.

Lia was more afraid now.  “Thomas please don’t leave me,” she begged running after him and grabbing his arm.

Thomas stopped again with the door already open.  “Everything will be just fine…I promise,” he again assured her then turned and left her standing there all alone.

This was of no comfort to her.  It was already ten at night and none of this made any sense nor did she think it was safe.  She made her way upstairs and laid on her bed fully clothed.  She was shivering all over and was afraid to close her eyes. 

Then suddenly she awoke to a loud rapping on the front door and hadn’t even realized she had fallen asleep.  She glanced to the clock and it was 3 am now and she couldn’t imagine who could possibly be knocking at this hour but it was a guarded building so she made her way to the bottom of the stairs.  Slowly she tip toed to look out the peep hole in the door and saw two police officers standing just outside.

Now she was really scared.  Slowly she opened the door.  “What’s wrong?” she asked immediately.  “Why are you here?”

“Are you Mrs. Thomas Bransford?” the first officer asked.

She was reluctant to answer at first.  “Yes…I am.”

“Mrs. Bransford I’m very sorry…but we are here to inform you that your husband Thomas has been killed.”

He said it so abruptly Lia almost thought it was a dream.  She grew weak and took a step backwards to stop her from falling.

“Mrs. Bransford?  Are you okay?” he then asked.

“Killed?” she finally asked, her head whirling with thoughts.

“Yes ma’am.  It seems his car exploded with him in it.  His body was burned almost beyond recognition but we found his wallet and ran the registration on the car.  It all matched.”

“Oh God!” she exclaimed thinking now how could she ever have doubted his trust.  Maybe by some chance it was he that was the intended target when her car was blown up but still somehow she knew better. 

She began to cry and become totally numb.  “What do I do now?” she asked in tears.

The officer sympathized.  “Well, there’s nothing you can do now ma’am.  His remains are at the coroner’s office.  I would recommend you get some sleep and contact them tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” she managed to whisper out feeling as if she were going to vomit now.  The two officers walked away and she closed the door and just stood there in the middle of the foyer nearly limp and not knowing what to do next.  She found herself turning in a circle unable to decide where to go and finally sobbed so uncontrollably knowing now that she was truly all alone in this world and the man she loved so dearly was dead.

She fell to her knees and curled her head over into her lap with her hands beating on the floor and screamed as loud as she could.

“
NOOOOOOO
!!!”

Again Lia suddenly jumped as she awoke to the sound of someone banging on the door.  Looking up with eyes red and swollen half way shut she realized now she had cried herself to sleep right there on the cold floor of the foyer.  She knew it was morning now seeing the light glimmering through the living room window.   The banging was louder now and she tried to lean up on one elbow but her body was weak.  Then another bang and the door flew open slamming against the wall behind it with such force the paintings began to sway.

“Princess,” Randle whispered out in sorrow at the near sight of her lying before him. 

Again she tried to sit but Randle came to her side and lifted her head to his chest and cradled her lovingly.  “Oh Princess…you’re a mess,” he then whispered out as James and Marc entered the apartment just behind him now.

“Oh Randle, Thomas is dead,” she gasped out in despair as the tears filled her eyes again.

“I know…I know,” he responded as he sat and began to slowly rock her body back and forth feeling her pain and trying desperately to calm and comfort her.

Then he motioned with his head to James and Marc toward the stairway.  “Pack as much of her stuff as you can,” he then ordered them.  They quickly moved and followed his orders running up the stairs to her bedroom.

Randle then took a tight hold of her and pulled her to her feet but he had to help her stand she was so weak. 

“You’re gonna be okay Princess…I promise,” he again tried to reassure her.

“How could this happen?” she asked with her face still reclined on his chest, her fingers digging into his jacket.

He pushed back the wet matted hair from her face.  “I don’t know yet,” he answered sincerely.  “But I’m here now and I’m taking you home.”

“I can’t leave,” she suddenly panicked.  “What about Thomas?”

Randle tried to look into her sorrowful eyes but couldn’t.  “You have nothing to worry about.  I’ll take care of everything…you know that,” he again promised.

“No…I can’t leave him,” she pleaded.

Randle bent to pick her up and walked out the door with her.  Before she could find the strength to say another word he was already placing in the backseat of a limo out front and they were speeding away.

“Princess?” he again whispered out not wanting to raise his voice at her now.  She was far too fragile he knew.  “Princess?  Are you all right?” he then asked noticing she wasn’t making any sound or movement at all as her head rested against his chest, her fingers still gripping tightly to his clothing.

“I’ll never be all right,” she mumbled.  “This is a nightmare.”

He rubbed her back firmly as they pulled up next to his private jet at the airport.  “You’re tougher than you think Princess,” he then stated.  “You may not see it now but you will.”

Randle got out of the car first and pulled her over to the edge of the seat and again scooped her in his arms and carried her onboard his plane.  They waited there until James and Marc finally arrived in a cab and loaded her luggage in the cargo area of the plane.

Lia could do nothing but sit silently now as the plane took off and made its way back to Dallas.  Randle finally rose from his seat and walked to the back of the plane.  When he returned he reached over and reclined her chair back and gently began to wash her face with a wet wash cloth. 

“Oh Princess how I feel your pain,” he then stated as he stared now into her sullen eyes.

She only stared back now wondering how life was going to be without her precious Thomas.  She loved him so much and never had she felt so loved in return.  And she knew the freedom she had these past few months had just ended.  Randle would surely take her back into to his clutches as he had before and she wasn’t too sure she could stand for it any longer.

As their car now turned and made its way up the driveway of the massive tudor style mansion Lia’s eyes seemed to brighten a bit now.  Suddenly she felt a bit more at ease just seeing this place again.  The place she grew up and spent nearly all of her childhood but also the place she thought she would never come back to.

Randle got out of the car first then reached out a helping hand.  She took it and tried to stand but her knees were still weak and Randle grabbed her just before she fell against the car.

“C’mon little one,” he stated softly.  “I’m gonna get you to bed before you hurt yourself.”  He carried her into the house and back up the stairway just inside. 

When the door swung open Lia glanced around and actually produced a small grin at the mere sight of her old cozy bedroom.  Randle walked over and carefully laid her on the bed then reached down and pulled her shoes from her feet.

“Now you get some rest,” he then ordered as he came to rest next to her. 

She fluffed her pillow and let out a deep breath.  “I don’t know if I can survive this,” she then stated and tears began to swell again.  Her body was trembling.  Randle pulled back the blanket and made her get beneath it then held her tightly. 

James and Marc came in carrying her things and placed them just outside the closet.  Randle turned his head in their direction.

“James, call Dr. Marcell and see if he can come over here and give her something to calm her,” he then ordered.

“Yes sir,” he responded immediately and left the room.

“No!” Lia then exclaimed in protest.  “I’m not taking that stuff!”

“Shhhh,” Randle tried to sooth her nerves now.  “It won’t hurt a thing.  Just help you get some sleep.”

She stared back knowing her protest would do no good.  Randle Malcolm refused to take no for an answer.

Then Betsy appeared before them.  “Oh Miss Lia I am so sorry for your loss,” she started.  “Can I get you something to eat?”

Lia was in no mood for sympathies but adored Betsy and chose not to be rude.  “Thank you but I’m fine.  I couldn’t hold down any food now.”

Then Randle faced her.  “Go ahead Betsy.  I’m sure she hasn’t eaten in a while and it may help calm her down.”

“Yes sir,” she replied and made her way from the room.

“Do you always have to do that?” she then asked angrily as she stared Randle down.

“What?” he asked innocently.

“I just said I can’t eat!  Now what are you gonna do, force it down me?”

Randle tried not to laugh.  “I’m sorry.  I’m just trying to be helpful.”

Then she finally sat up to face him more seriously.  “Well you’re not!  All you do is boss people around and tell them what to do!  I’m sick of it!”

He grabbed the sides of her arms.  “Calm down Princess.  I know you’ve had a rough night and you’re upset,” he stated calmly.

“Upset!  You think?”  she nearly yelled at him.  “My husband is dead!”

He now was rubbing her arms gently.  “I know that.  Now calm down, you’re not helping matters at all.”

Then she looked at him even more cruelly.  “Randle…tell me now!” she demanded.  “Did
you
have my husband killed?” 

Randle’s eyes widened with pure shock and his face was serious.  He pulled her closer to him.  “Princess I
swear
I had absolutely
nothing
to do with Thomas’s death.  And how could you even think such a thing?”

He said it so confidently and his face was so shocked she wanted to believe him but right now she wasn’t sure who or what to believe.  All she knew is her husband was dead and she had no answers to any of it.

Dr. Marcell knocked lightly on the door and walked in.  He came to the side of the bed and Randle shook his hand.  “Thank you for coming so quickly,” he then told him.

“My pleasure,” he answered then made his way around to Lia’s side of the bed and placed his small black bag at her feet.

“Well Miss Lia I hear you’ve been through a traumatic ordeal,” he then stated.

“I’m not taking any pills,” she then blurted in anger.

“Well by the way you look you need something to calm you down,” he then insisted seeing her still red swollen eyes and stringy hair, wet and matted from the tears.

Then the doctor looked to Randle.  “I can give her an injection instead,” he then offered.