Ruby Falls (29 page)

“That’s your father’s favorite,” he replied, and then gave Summer a knowing look. He’d noticed things had been rather cool between the two of them. The easy conversation and light teasing was gone. He didn’t know what had happened between them, but he guessed this was an effort on her part to mend fences. And not the first one, either, in the last week she’d tried her hand at making an apple pie, another of Steve’s favorites. She’d worked hard to keep the house spotless, not that Steve had given any indication that he’d appreciated her efforts, or even noticed them. He was going to have to have a talk with that boy.

Steve came into the dining room, rolling his sleeves back down. He glanced at the table, noting the meal she’d cooked, and his eyes sliced to Summer. He knew she was making an effort to break the ice with him.

“Summer made you you’re favorite,” Pop pointed out.

“I see that,” was all he gave her as he took his seat.

“Where’s Cary?” Jessie asked.

“I sent him to town a few hours ago to get another part for the tractor. He should have been back a long time ago,” Steve replied, putting some meatloaf on his plate and passing the platter.

A few minutes later, Cary came in the back door, and they could hear him washing up. He walked in, rolling his sleeves back down and took a chair across from Summer and Jessie. “Meatloaf, my favorite! You’re an angel, Summer.”

“Thank you. I hope you feel the same way after you taste it.” Summer smiled and passed the gravy boat.

Cary looked across at Jessie and winked at her.

“So, what took you so long?” Steve asked Cary.

Cary plopped a couple of spoonfuls of mashed potatoes on his plate and looked up at Steve. “I got stopped for speeding on the way back.”

Jessie froze, her fork midway to her mouth. “What?” she murmured.

“Yeah, that Wilcox guy. He claimed he had me on radar doing 75mph in a 55mph zone. I can’t figure it. I know I wasn’t going that fast. There’s no way.” Cary stared down at the table and took a forkful of food.

“Well, you must have been, if he got you on radar,” Steve disagreed, pouring gravy on his meat and potatoes.

Jessie looked from her father to Cary.

Cary didn’t say anything.

Somehow Jessie managed to get through dinner and asked to be excused when dessert was served. She ran to her room and lay on her bed. How could she get out of this? If she didn’t show tomorrow, that cop was going to set up Cary. She had no doubt, now. She was sure he had been sending her a message by stopping Cary for speeding tonight. And that message was to show her just how easily he could follow through with his threats.

If she told someone, her dad, or the sheriff, would they believe her? What would happen to Wilcox? Nothing, that’s what, because she couldn’t prove any of it, and the guy probably had a sterling record. All it would do would be to make him mad, and then who knew what he would do.

Jessie turned it over in her head again, and again, but she couldn’t find any way out.

*****

Jessie slowed her car as she approached The Sunset Motel. It was a little dump of a place out in the middle of nowhere. She was sure its clientele mainly consisted of cheating spouses. Flipping on her signal, she pulled into the lot.

As she rolled past the office, she noticed an old man and woman peeking out through the curtains. She assumed they must be the owners and wondered how many other girls they’d seen come here. Maybe Deputy Wilcox paid them off to look the other way, or maybe he just threatened them with something, like he had with her.

Looking around, Jessie didn’t see a squad car, but then she hadn’t expected him to be that stupid. Rolling up to unit 108, she pulled into the parking space in front and parked. The curtains were drawn. Taking a deep breath, she got out of the car.

With her stomach in knots, she walked to the door and lifted her hand to knock. Before her knuckles connected with the door, it was pulled open a foot, and she found herself staring up at the Deputy. He was dressed in regular street clothes.

He smiled, his white teeth flashing in his handsome face, and then he stepped back, holding the door open for her. “Come in, Jessie. I see you had no trouble finding the place.”

She stepped into the room, noting the cheap motel furniture, old wood paneling, and worn carpeting. Her eyes drifted to the double bed. Then they swept to the dresser, landing on the 35mm camera sitting on top. Oh my God! What was he planning?

“Yes, Jessie. The camera. I see you noticed it.”

She backed up a step. “What is it you want? I thought…”

He smiled and took her purse out of her hands. He searched it, and then set it aside. “Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you. As a matter of fact, I’m not even going to touch you.”

“You’re not?”

He shook his head. “No. I just want to take a few pictures of you.”

“Pictures?”

“Pictures. Don’t worry. They’re just for me. My private collection, so to speak.”

“That’s sick.”

“Not really. You’re a beautiful girl. I find you attractive. What’s sick about it?”

She didn’t reply. She didn’t know what to say. This wasn’t what she’d expected. Not at all.

“How’s your friend, Cary?”

It was a reminder that he held all the cards, and that if she didn’t want anything to happen to Cary, she had better do as he asked. It didn’t mean she had to like it. Her chin came up. “Let’s get this over with.”

“By all means, Jessie. Let’s get started.” He nodded towards her body. “Strip down to your bra and panties.” He moved toward the dresser, picking up the camera and waited while she complied.

Jessie took a deep breath, thought of Cary and how she would do anything to make sure nothing bad happened to him, and pulled her shirt over her head. Then she kicked her flip-flops off and shimmied out of her jeans. She watched as his eyes sweep over her, taking in the pale blue lace bra and panty set.

“Very nice,” he drawled, nodding approvingly. Then he lifted the camera, focused the lens, and began clicking off some shots. He pulled the camera away from his face and ordered, “Turn around.”

She did and heard him clicking off more shots. She looked back at him over her shoulder.

“I like that. Very coy. Lift your shoulder. That’s it. Beautiful.”

She heard the camera clicking away.

“Pull your bra strap down.”

When she hesitated, he lowered the camera, and stared at her, waiting. When she continued to hesitate, his chin dropped, and his eyes bored into her. It was like his whole demeanor had changed. Gone was the smiling, flirty officer-friendly. In his place was a dangerous man.

“Jess, you do what I tell you, and we’ll get along fine. You don’t, and you’re going to see another side of me. Believe me, it’s a side you don’t want to see.” She did believe him. Every word. Her hand came up, her thumb hooking in her strap, and dragging it down slowly. He raised the camera, and continued clicking off shots. “Now the other one.”

She complied.

“Reach back, and unhook it. Eyes on me, over your shoulder. Good. Yeah. I like that.” He kept clicking.

Jessie dropped her bra to the carpet, crossing her arms over her chest, her back to him.

“You have a beautiful back, Jessie. Move your hair to the side.” She reached up, pulling it to the front, and exposing her back. “That’s it. Shoulders back. Perfect.” The sound of the camera filled the room. “Now, turn around, and face me.”

Her eyes connected with his and she paused. He slowly lowered the camera, his eyes boring into hers. Swallowing, she did as he bid.

His eyes slid over her, from her wide eyes and trembling lip, down over her crossed arms, to the curve of her hip, and the long length of her legs. “Lovely,” he whispered to her and raised the camera.

Jessie bit her lower lip, knowing what was coming next.

“I love this demure pose. Very sweet.” He clicked off some more shots. “Okay, sweetheart. Lower your arms for me.”

Her eyes started to pool, but she did as he said.

“You’re beautiful, Jessie. Absolutely gorgeous. No tears, now, or we’ll have to start over.”

She swallowed and took a deep breath, blinking her eyes. “Are we almost finished?”

“Finished? No, honey, we’re just getting started.”

*****

Summer looked out the kitchen window. Steve and Cary were out in the yard working on the truck again. It was mid-afternoon, and the sun was beating down. With the temperature near ninety, they were both working up a sweat. Summer turned, opened the refrigerator, took out two bottles of beer, and walked out the backdoor.

When Cary heard the screen door bang, he glanced up and saw her coming across the yard with the bottles. His gaze flicked to Steve, who was still working on the fan belt. Cary noticed his jaw clench, but Steve never looked up. Cary walked over and took one of the bottles that Summer held out to him. “Damn, you’re an angel,” he said with a smile. She turned and extended the other toward Steve, who just looked at her and turned back to what he was doing. Cary quickly grabbed the bottle out of her hand and tried to cover for Steve’s rudeness. “Really, this is great. I was dying out here. Thanks.”

Summer smiled half-heartedly at him, looked at Steve one last time, then turned and walked back into the house. Cary watched her go inside, and then slammed the second bottle down on the roof of the pickup. Steve jumped and hit his head on the hood.

“Damn it, what the hell are you doing?” he snapped, standing up and glaring at Cary.

“What the hell am
I
doing? What the hell are
you
doing?”

“I’m working, or trying to!” Steve bent back over the engine.

“You’re being an ass!” Cary bit out, twisting off the bottle top of his beer and flinging it violently into the bed of the truck.

“Mind your own business, Cary,” came the muffled reply from under the hood.

“How long are you going to give her the silent treatment?”

“I said, stay out of it,” Steve growled, standing up and glaring at Cary.

“No! Not this time. Someone has to knock some sense into you.”

“Oh, and you think you’re going to do it?” Steve asked, flinging the tool he was holding to the ground.

“Steve, if this is how you’re going to be, why don’t you just ask her to leave?” Cary asked, knowing he was calling his bluff.

Steve just looked at him. “You’re on real thin ice.”

Cary took a long hit off his beer, his eyes never leaving Steve’s. Then he said, “Why do you have to treat her like this? Summer didn’t go looking for Justin for a story. She went there to get a damn part for that car you’ve been working on. And he told her exactly why she couldn’t have it.”

Steve flinched as if he’d been struck. “How do you know?”

“She told me, because
I bothered to ask
. Which is what you should have done. You talk about people doubting you, well I don’t see you giving
her
the benefit of the doubt.”

Steve took a step back and stared at the horizon.

Cary could see he was grappling with that bit of information. He wisely remained silent and let him think about it.

Finally, Steve turned back to him, blew out a breath, and admitted, “You’re right.”

Cary reached up, took the bottle of beer off the roof of the truck, and held it out to Steve. “Truce?”

Steve took it and nodded. He opened the bottle, took a long hit, and glanced back at the house. “What the hell am I going to do?” he asked Cary.

“You got it bad, brother,” Cary observed, smiling at Steve.

“Yeah, I guess I do.”

“Talk to her.”

Steve took another hit off his beer.

*****

That evening, Jessie was late getting back for dinner. Everyone was sitting at the table, when she came in the back door. All eyes looked toward the kitchen, as she walked through to the dining room.

“Your late, Jess,” Steve said, spooning up some potato salad. “Sit down. Summer made fried chicken.”

Jessie stopped at the foot of the table, her eyes flicking over the food. “I’m…I’m not very hungry. I really don’t feel well.”

“What’s wrong?” Steve asked.

Her panicked eyes flew to her father. She couldn’t let him think anything was wrong. But, she also knew she couldn’t possibly sit through dinner. No way. She was a wreck and she’d give it away. She’d breakdown, and then they would all know. “Just a bit of an upset stomach, that’s all. Something I ate at lunch, maybe. I just want to lie down, if that’s okay, Daddy.”

“Sure, princess. Go on upstairs,” he replied, studying her.

She caught Cary’s eyes on her and offered him a tremulous smile, hoping he couldn’t see through the lie. He knew her too well. He’d know something was wrong. She watched a frown form on his face, and he lowered his fork.

“Jess?” she heard him call softly.

“Thanks, Daddy. I’m sure I’ll be fine in a little while.” She turned and fled up the stairs to her room. Closing her door, she threw herself on her bed, clutching her pillow. Her first thought was to call Keri, wishing she had someone to tell this hellish experience to, but she knew she could never admit what she’d done. She was too ashamed. She still could barely believe it herself. Never, did she ever think she would find herself in a twisted nightmare like this. No, this would remain her dark, ugly secret. One she hoped no one ever found out about.

She’d done everything the deputy had asked of her. True to his word, he’d never touched her, but the photos he’d taken had gotten more suggestive and more explicit as the shoot progressed. He’d demanded her compliance to every instruction he’d given her, making her expose herself, touch herself, even demanding her facial expressions comply with what he wanted. He’d made her do so many vile poses, that she’d thought she was going to be sick.

And now he had those photographs.

She swallowed. He’d said they were only for his personal use, but she had no idea what he would do with them.

Sucking in a deep breath, she tried to calm herself. She felt like she was having a panic attack. She could feel her heart racing. My God, what have I done, she thought. But, did she really have a choice? Could she have lived with herself if she had done nothing and Cary had been set up? If he had been arrested? If he had been facing time in prison? Hard time? Could she have ever looked him in the eye, knowing she could have prevented it all?