The Perfect Affair (27 page)

“B
aby!” Randall rushed to Sherri’s side and snatched her up in his arms. The kids were right behind him. “Are you all right?” Sherri nodded, still breathing heavy and ready to fight. He turned to Albany. “You’re safe now, baby,” he said to Albany, kissing her forehead. “You’re safe, my man,” he said to Aaron, kissing him as well.

Sherri was squeezing Randall tighter than he squeezed her. “Randall! She tried to hurt our babies, Randall. She almost killed my mom! Mom!”

“Shh, baby, calm down.” Miss Elaine came back through the screen door, having watched the police car that held a handcuffed Jacqueline until it turned the corner and was out of sight. With what she’d just witnessed from this Jacqueline character, she wanted to be sure the woman was gone. “It’s okay. Everything is okay now.”

Randall ran a nervous hand over his close-cropped hair. He grabbed Sherri again in a tight embrace. “That woman has serious mental issues,” he whispered into her ear. “You are not going to believe what I found out!”

Everyone became quiet when they heard the front door open. Two officers walked in. “Are you all right, ma’am?” the older one asked Sherri. She nodded. “Are you well enough to make a statement? It won’t be necessary to come down to the station. We can take it right here.”

Sherri began walking over to the couch in her mother’s living room. The gravity of what had almost happened suddenly overwhelmed her and her knees buckled. Randall was immediately at her side. Once he’d settled her on the couch he looked at the younger officer and jerked his head, gesturing for them to talk away from the family.

“Is there any way we can do this tomorrow?” he asked, once they were out of earshot. “My family has been through a lot.”

“I understand, Dr. Atwater. But the longer we wait to take the statement, the more they might forget. It won’t take long, we promise. We’ll talk with your wife, your mother-in-law, and the children, and then be on our way.”

“No. You will not talk to my children. They’re traumatized enough as it is.”

The older officer, who’d heard Randall’s last statement, walked up to join them. “I agree with Dr. Atwater,” he said, giving Randall a compassionate pat on the back. “If it’s okay with you, sir, we’ll have their questioning done by a child psychologist. We can set up an appointment a couple days from now.”

Randall nodded. He and the officers walked back to the living room. They spoke first with Miss Elaine and then, while she entertained the children, they took Sherri’s statement. After the officers had spent another thirty minutes or so documenting the crime scene, Randall turned to walk them to their patrol car.

“Wait,” Sherri said as they prepared to leave. “How did you even know to come here? I didn’t think the 9-1-1 call went through.”

“We got a call from a young man named Hunter.” All eyes turned to Aaron.

“I hit him up on FaceTime before she made me come out here,” he said with a tiny smirk of satisfaction on his face. “My boy took it from there.”

Randall followed the officers out. When he came back inside, he went over to Sherri and her mother on the couch, holding each other tightly. He sat down on the other side of Miss Elaine and hugged her as well. “You all right, Mom?”

Miss Elaine looked over at Albany and Aaron, who were staring at her intently. “I will be,” she said at last. “We all are going to be just fine.”

 

That night, Randall, his family, and Miss Elaine left her home and stayed in a hotel. The memories of what had taken place in the house were too raw for any of them to want to stay there. After getting Miss Elaine and her grandchildren settled down in the bedroom of the suite, Randall and Sherri lay in the sleeper sofa in the living room, talking in whispered tones.

“You’re not going to believe what the private investigator told me, baby. It’s right out of a movie script.”

“Are you serious? After what I dealt with tonight, I’ll believe anything.”

“She had an entire surveillance network set up in our house.”

“What do you mean?”

“She got into our house somehow, or hired someone to get in. As soon as we get back, I’ll have it swept, but according to the investigator we’ll find at least seven cameras hidden throughout our house. She had TV screens showing different rooms, including our bedroom.”

“What?”

“Yes, and listening devices as well. That’s how she found out about everything: my schedule, your outings, Mom Elaine needing in-home care. He found a whole network set up in her room at Phillip’s house: computers, monitors, and other devices. He’s seized her phone, which he believes will contain a mountain of evidence. Along with all of the electronics, he said he found wigs and other types of disguises. The investigator said it was one of the most elaborate setups he’d ever seen.”

Sherri sat up against the headboard, pulling the sheet around her. She stared straight ahead and after a moment, her whole body began shaking.

Randall immediately sat up and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay now, baby. We’re safe.”

“Are we?” Sherri asked, turning to him. “Can we be sure that they are going to charge that woman and lock her up where she belongs?” They were both quiet a moment, neither completely sure that this would be the case. Suddenly, Sherri grabbed Randall’s arm and squeezed.

“What, baby?”

“She’s been in our house.” The weight of this realization hit Sherri square in the chest, and she was so upset that she threw back the covers and jumped out of bed. “She’s been in our house,” she said, her voice rising. She looked over her shoulder at the closed bedroom door and brought her voice back down. “That’s how she knew about what kind of bed we had. That’s how the panties got in my lingerie drawer. She was in our house, Randall, maybe even while we were there. Maybe when we were asleep!”

This possibility shook Randall as well. “I wish I could disagree with you, baby, but it’s the only thing that makes sense.” He looked at her, raw emotion showing in his eyes. “Sherri, I’m so sorry I put our family at risk. If I’d had any idea that she was a raving lunatic instead of an award-winning freelance writer, I would never have offered to split cab fare. In fact,” his eyes narrowed and his face twisted into a frown. “I now find it suspect that she arrived at the same time I did, and sidled up behind me. Don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t put anything past her,” Sherri acknowledged. “No doubt that woman is one of the most calculating creatures that ever walked this planet.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she isn’t able to do this to anyone else: write to the judge, talk to the lawyers. She crossed the line by trying to hurt my family. I’m going to make sure she stays in prison for a very long time.”

 

T
he driver turned off the narrow two-lane road into an entryway guarded by a tall, wrought iron fence. Atop the fence were two diamond-shaped plaques bearing the words “Château Sherri,” and beneath this was a huge red bow.

Sherri’s hand went to her heart as she turned to her husband. “Honey,” she whispered as her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t believe you did this. It’s so beautiful.”

Randall grabbed her hand and placed it to his lips. “You’re worth this and so much more, baby. Plus, you haven’t seen anything yet.”

“I sure don’t see nothing,” Albany pouted, mad that she’d lost Internet access several miles back.

“Yeah, where’s the house?” Aaron asked.

Miss Elaine sat forward and looked at the kids. “Both of you be quiet and enjoy this beautiful scenery. Don’t you see your parents trying to have a romantic moment?”

“Ugh!” Aaron scrunched up his face and turned away from his parents.

Albany chuckled. “How do you think you got here, fool!”

“OK, Albany,” Sherri admonished, too happy and excited to put much chagrin in her voice. “That’s enough.”

Randall opened the gate with his remote, and the car passed through the private archway. The quaint, paved lane was framed by tall, leafy trees. It was just days before Thanksgiving, but here on their private Bahamian island, everything was vibrant and green. As they drove along the winding road, some of the branches hung over the lane, creating a canopy so magical that the typical bickering between siblings totally ceased. Everyone was quiet, taking in the hilly countryside, beautifully landscaped with seasonal flowers and blooming trees. As they rounded a curve, Sherri gasped. Before her lay a fairy tale: a beautiful, tan, castle-style home with turrets and balconies, every tree surrounding it boasting white mini-bulbs. The setting looked like a fairy tale in wonderland.

“Oh my goodness!” She turned to Randall. “Is this really mine?”

Randall laughed, intoxicated with the happiness that shone in her eyes. “All yours, baby. Château Sherri.”

Sherri unabashedly wiped tears from her eyes. She had always loved the Bahamas but for a long time had joked about wanting a château in France. Her husband had done the impossible and given her the best of both worlds. A château on the island, with an unobstructed view of blue water and white sands below.

This was the gift that Randall had been working so hard to give her, something she had always wanted.This was the secret. Looking at what seemed to be a dream right before her very eyes made her even more sad that she had doubted him, justification or no.

“I’m sorry, baby,” she said, fresh tears forming in her eyes. “If I’d known that you were doing all this . . .”

Randall reached over and gave Sherri’s thigh a loving squeeze. “We’re not going to talk about that, remember? Family, where did we say we were going to leave the events of the past?”

“In the past,” Albany dutifully responded.

Aaron made a face. “Where else would we leave them?”

“Clearly the intellect,” Miss Elaine said, winking at Randall as she gave her grandson a pat on the head.

“Hey! I got a signal!” Albany held up her cell phone. “I got a signal!”

Sherri twisted her lips in sarcasm. “I guess that means you’ll live.”

While the driver unloaded their myriad of suitcases, the family explored the home. It was a wonderfully designed four-bed, three-bath home with a fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and two master suites. After an extensive tour narrated by a proud Randall, the family enjoyed a light repast prepared by the hired chef, went to their respective bedrooms, and welcomed sleep.

 

Two days later Randall, Sherri, Albany, Aaron, and Miss Elaine sat around a table laden with traditional American Thanksgiving fare. The chef they’d hired had outdone himself. The turkey was tender and shining with glaze, surrounded by stuffing and yams, mashed potatoes, green beans, and fresh cranberry sauce. In the short time they’d been there, the family had totally acclimated to their vacation home. The children went swimming every day and were learning to surf. They’d also befriended the elderly neighbors and were learning to ride horses. Miss Elaine was totally in love with the home’s solarium, and when not out walking with her grandchildren, spent many hours there reading, doing needlework, and listening to classical tunes. Randall and Sherri mostly enjoyed each other, spending considerable time in their lavishly appointed master suite.

“There’s enough food here to feed an army,” Miss Elaine commented after the chef had set down the last dish and left the room.

“For the next few days, that will be us. We’ve given the chef the rest of the day and the next two off. He won’t be back until Sunday, to cook brunch.”

“I’m ready to dig in,” Aaron exclaimed, reaching for a serving utensil.

“Not so fast,” Sherri said, staying his hand. “This is Thanksgiving, and we have much to be thankful for. So let’s each of us state at least one reason we are grateful.”

Randall looked at Aaron. “Son, since you’re in such a hurry, you can go first.”

“Aw, man.”

Sherri shushed Albany’s chuckle. The rest of the room remained quiet.

“We’re waiting,” Sherri prodded.

“Um, okay.” Aaron sat straighter and fixed his tie. “I’m thankful for my family and for being on this, my own private island!”

“My island,” Sherri corrected.

“Whatever, Mom. I love our vacation home.”

Randall nodded. “Albany?”

“I’m thankful for my family and that Grandma is feeling better. And . . .” She swallowed, as if battling with her emotions. “I’m glad that Mommy and Daddy are still together and that Jac—”

Albany stopped cold as Sherri shot her a look. Her daughter was about to utter the name that had been banned from the family.

“I’m glad that woman who tried to kill us is in jail.”

“Where she belongs,” Aaron added with a scowl.

“God don’t like ugly,” Miss Elaine said, her voice a soothing balm on tense emotions. “And vengeance belongs to him. So let’s spend this day focusing on what’s good in our lives. A few months ago, I didn’t know how I’d be feeling come Thanksgiving, or if I’d know it had arrived. But every day I’m feeling more like my old self, and for that I’m very grateful. I’m lucky to have a daughter like you, Sherri, and a son who couldn’t have been more perfect had I birthed him myself.” Miss Elaine’s eyes became glassy. “Thank you for being so good to my baby. This is one of the best times I’ve had in my life.”

Sherri dabbed her eyes with the tip of her linen napkin before she spoke. “I’m so happy my heart is about to burst, because the very best things I have in life are around this table. I’m over the moon to be in the Bahamas, my favorite place on the planet, and in our very own home! I can’t wait to share it with Nathan and our good friends. Besides my family being safe, I’m most thankful that the doctors finally found the tumor that was causing all of your problems, Mom, and that the laser surgery, along with medication, has helped you back to a normal life.

“Randall, I can’t imagine what it would have been like to spend the past fifteen years without you, and I’m looking forward to many more. I love you, baby.”

They shared a quick kiss before Randall spoke. He wasn’t much of a religious man, but no one questioned it when he asked them to bow their heads. “God, I just want to say thank you for everything this year: nice profits for my company, being able to purchase this home away from home for my wife, the health of my mother-in-law, and the safety and well-being of my family. Sometimes I take the life I have for granted, but today I, um”—he stopped to clear a throat that had become raspy with emotion—“thank you.”

Late that night, Randall and Sherri cuddled on an oversized wicker chair under a blanket. They were on the château’s rooftop, one of their favorite places in the whole space, looking up at a bright, full moon.

“I knew it, but I still can’t believe it,” she said, an involuntary shiver going up her spine.

“That Jacqueline has been charged with the murder of Wanda Smith?” Randall sighed, pulled Sherri closer. “I can. When they found Wanda Smith’s body a week after the arrest, I knew Jacqueline had done it. Without a shadow of a doubt.”

“Do you think it’s finally over, Randall, really over?”

“Yes, baby. It’s over.And I meant what I said in that hotel in Raleigh. I will do everything in my power to make sure that woman remains behind bars for the rest of her life.”

“I love you, Randall.”

“I love you, too.”

They sealed these words with a long, hot kiss.

“I’ll never get enough of you,” Randall whispered to Sherri after coming up for air. “It’s like the more I’ve had in the past few months . . . the more I want.”

“I feel the same way.” Sherri ran a lazy hand under her husband’s sweater and around the top of his jeans. “One thing that came out of... the incident . . . I’ve never appreciated or loved you more. If this is what you’ve done for our fifteenth anniversary, I can’t wait to see twenty, thirty, heck by number fifty you’ll probably buy me the moon! Seriously, baby, this is the best gift you could have given me. It’s absolutely perfect.”

“Mm”—Randall repositioned his wife so he could kiss her more soundly—“just like you.”

 

Frank, the transport officer, glanced in the rearview mirror for the umpteenth time, curiously watching the prisoner he’d picked up at the mental health facility. She’d been talking nonstop since settling herself into the backseat of the van, as though instead of going to prison she was going home.

He reached Duke Raleigh Hospital, his last stop before heading to NCCIW, the North Carolina Correctional Institute for Women. His partner, Greg, was leaning against the wall of the hospital, near the entrance, and pushed off as he approached.

“What’s going on?” Frank asked as soon as Greg had gotten in, buckled up, and they headed out of the hospital emergency drop-off area. “Where’s your charge?”

“She tried to make a break this morning,” Greg replied, jotting notes in a log book. “Cut herself up pretty badly. They’re going to keep her for a few more days.”

“That’s one way to avoid the inevitable,” Frank mumbled. “Guess we’ve only got this one.” He looked over and noticed Greg’s frequent looks at their prisoner in back. He chuckled but remained silent.

“They released her from mental?”

“Yep.”

“And we’re taking her to prison, to be integrated in general pop?”

“Uh-huh.”

Greg looked behind him, more blatantly this time. The woman stopped talking, gave him a cold stare, and then resumed her conversation in a much lower tone.

“She’s talking as though there’s somebody there.”

“I guess in her mind there is,” Frank said, pausing as he made a left-hand turn. “Somebody named Kris. She’s been talking to her nonstop ever since I picked her up.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Nope. Been having a full-fledged conversation with her imaginary friend.”

“Too bad she’s cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs,” Greg said, turning around and giving her a wink. “Because she doesn’t look half bad.”

“When her eye isn’t blackened and her lip’s not busted, she’s probably a real beauty.”

Behind them, Jacqueline sat back and crossed her legs. Her look was one of supreme confidence as she looked at the empty space beside her. “Did you see that?”

“What?” Kris asked.

“The guard, and the way he’s looking at me.”

“I don’t know why you’re surprised. He’s a man, isn’t he?”

“Yes,” Jacqueline replied, her smile sinister. “He sure is.”

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“That getting out of this place is going to be easier than we think?” Kris nodded. “I just have to find out which of the guards is the most helpful, and then I’ll make my move.”

“And go back to Randall?”

Jacqueline’s smile disappeared. “No way. He made his choice. I thought he was smart, but he isn’t. He’ll rue the day he did this to me. Him and his bitch wife too. It’s time to set my sights higher, focus on the man who’s going to get me out of this mess, who’ll be my knight in shining armor. Someone strong and manly.” She nodded to the burly guard driving the van. “Maybe like him.”

Kris looked, and smiled. “And then what?”

“Then I’ll wield my charm, of course,” Jacqueline said, laughing confidently. “And if he’s married, I’ll make damn sure that his wife isn’t an issue by taking care of her first. The next time, without a doubt, will be the
perfect
affair.”