Beautifully Broken (15 page)

“This man is Jeff Bower he has been a missing person for
about 20 years he is also wanted for the rape and murder
of six women in Ontario, Canada,” Quinn said looking into
her eyes and Natasha started to shake and breath heavy
but she didn’t cry.

“How does a man rape and murder six women and get
away with it? How does a man create a new identity
become a very successful lawyer and adopt four girls?
How and why did he rape and torture all of us for so many
years?” Natasha asked.
“I don’t know and I am so sorry we have failed you. The
adoptions were all illegal he must have just paid someone
off to fake the paperwork,” Quinn said with apologetic tone
in his voice.

“Well I could have told you the adoptions were illegal! He
bought me from a sex trader. I don’t know what the mans
real name is but a man named Hector brought me to
America from Mexico and he kept me in a room with
cameras that were hooked up to the internet and he sold
me to Harold Burns because he was the highest bidder,”
Natasha shut her eyes as she spoke about that man.

Agent Quinn made a few notes on a pad of paper and he
looked up at Natasha. “I would like to know more about
this Hector so I can dig up some dirt but for now we have
to focus on this case. Natasha we need to know as much
about Veronica’s past before her and her father moved to
Envy. Your sisters said you and Veronica were very
close,” Agent Quinn said.

“Veronica was the only one of us that wasn’t adopted. I
think that’s why she felt she had to protect us because
Harold was her real father. She always said her mother
was so good to her. But her parents kept her locked in the
basement for most of her childhood. She said the first day
she ever remembered leaving her house was the day of
her mother funeral. Her mother killed herself when
Veronica was ten. Veronica doesn’t know what town they
even lived in. She didn’t go to school, she never met any of
her parent’s friends or family and her mother home
schooled her. That’s all I really know,” Natasha responded
honestly.

“Natasha, based on all the evidence that we have Veronica
killed your father and I think you know that too. I believe
you don’t know where she is but I think you know how to
get a hold of her. I believe you are protecting her. She
needs to turn herself in and you’re going to be the one to
tell her that,” Agent Quinn said.

“What makes you think she will just turn herself in?”
Natasha asked.

“If she doesn’t turn herself in, you and all of your sisters
are going down for conspiracy to murder. But if Veronica
turns herself in, I am prepared to make a deal for you and
your sisters. We both know that she will turn herself in to
save the four of you.”

“What if you’re wrong and I don’t know how to get a hold
of Veronica,” Natasha asked.

 

“Well you and your sisters might be going to jail,” the
chief said looking her in the eyes.

“Well I think we need a lawyer,” Natasha said crossing her
arms. “I can’t believe you want to send my sisters to jail.
Those girls are innocent victims and whoever killed
Harold, did us a favor. They deserve a fucking medal.”

Chapter 16

Cali woke up to cold rain drops on her head. She sat up
and looked over at Edwin. He was pulling the car over to
the side of the road.

“Well good afternoon sleeping beauty,” Edwin said as he
looked at her and laughed.

 

“What’s so funny?” Cali asked rubbing her eyes.

 

“Your hair is a mess,” he said. She looked in the mirror as
she pulled a brush out of her purse.

“Well that’s what I get for falling asleep in a convertible,”
Cali said smiling. “I feel bad; you always do all of the
driving. Are you sure you don’t want to trade off?”

“No I like driving and no one drives this car but me. Sorry
it’s just a rule,” Edwin said smiling at her.

 

“Ok boss, just thought I would offer,” Cali laughed at him.

 

“So how was your sleep? Did you have a good dream?”
He asked with a funny grin on his face.

 

“Good why?” Cali asked confused and curious.

 

“You were just talking in your sleep and I was curious if it
was a good dream?”

“I don’t really remember what I was dreaming about. Why?
What did I say?” she asked concerned by the look on his
face. She feared she might have said something
embarrassing.

“Hahahaha, you said my name in your sleep,” Edwin said
laughing all cocky and confident like he was the man.

 

“Well how do you know it was a good dream?” Cali asked
making a funny face.

“Because I was in it and you moaned and smiled as you
said my name. I have to admit it was very hot” Edwin said
laughing as he glanced at her flashing his sexy smile.

“Ok well maybe I said your name but I don’t remember the
dream,” Cali said looking out the window.

 

“We’re getting close, if we don’t make any stops we can get
to Summerville tonight,” Edwin said.

 

“I’m so excited to finally see the ocean,” Cali smiled with
excitement.

“Hey can you pull out the list of things you have never
done so I know what we still have to do?” Edwin asked.
She pulled out the list that she wrote at breakfast on a
napkin.

“Now we have done some of these things already but
here’s my list,” she said unfolding the napkin. “See the
ocean, swim in the ocean, go boating, go fishing, jump on
a bed, get drunk, Have at least one really great kiss, sing
karaoke, learn how to ballroom dance, and eat lobster.”

“Good list! Yes and we have already accomplished some
of those things,” Edwin smiled and shot her a sexy look.

 

“Yes we got drunk and then jumped on a bed,” Cali as she
crossed those both off the list.

“You can cross off the really great kiss,” Edwin said all
confident as he touched her leg intimately as her eyes met
his for a brief moment and they he looked back at the
road.

“Well it was good but I don’t know if it was a
reallygreat
kiss,” Cali muttered. She couldn’t keep a straight face
because he looked so stunned. “I’m just messing with
you,” Cali laughed.

“Ha-ha very funny,” Edwin said. “I know it had to be the
best kiss you have ever had.”

 

“Ya I think I am funny,” Cali said still giggling.

“Oh no what’s going on?” he asked looking ahead as they
came to a stop behind a bunch of cars. Edwin stuck his
head out the window to try and see what was causing the
road block. There were cops a head stopping cars and
talking to people.

“What is it?” Cali asked trying to see ahead.

 

“I think it’s a ride program or the cops are looking for
someone,” Edwin said.

Cali started shaking, she felt light headed like she might
pass out. She was so scared this was it. They were going
to catch her and take her to jail and she would never see
Edwin again. Her face went white as a ghost and she was
sweating and breathing really heavy.

“Cali what’s wrong with you,” Edwin asked looking over at
her.

“The police are looking for me. That’s why I’m on the run,”
Cali barely got the words out. “I am so sorry but I am
going to go to jail. I want you to know that this has been
the best time of my life and I really do love you. Thank you
so much you have been the best thing that has ever
happened to me but I am guilty and its time I pay for my
sins,” she looked away from him. Her mind was racing.

“Cali put your sun glass on and pretend you are sleeping
maybe we can get by them,” Edwin said looking at her with
hope in his voice. “It’s worth a shot right, what do we have
to lose?”

Cali wiped her tears away and put on her sun glasses and
bent her head down to make it look like she was sleeping.
Edwin drove his car up and rolled down his window. A
police officer stuck his head inside.

“Good afternoon officer, what’s going on?” Edwin asked.

“Can I see your licence and registration please?” Asked
the officer, Edwin handed the officer his licence and
registration. “Where are you travelling and who are you
traveling with?”

“This is my girlfriend Cali Carpel; she’s sleeping, do you
need me to wake her? We are just heading to my families
lake house for a romantic weekend away,” Edwin said
staying completely calm. The officer was looking at his
licence.

“Are you Mr. James Vex of Vex international the computer
company?”

 

“Yes I am,” Edwin answered smiling his charming smile
and hoping Cali didn’t hear that.

“I have a vex lap top and I love it,” said the officer shaking
his hand. “It’s so nice to meet you! I see you on TV all of
the time.”

“Good, I am glad you are happy with our product,” Edwin
muttered through clenched teeth.

“We are just looking for this girl Veronica Burns, have
you seen her?” the officer said handing him a picture of
Veronica. She had blond, curly hair. He could tell it was
Cali but she did look different. The officer was looking in
the car over at Cali.

“No I am sorry I don’t think I have seen a girl that looks
like that, can I ask what she did?”

“Sorry that’s top secret. We don’t even know why we are
looking for her. It’s now an FBI case. If you see this girl or
see someone who fits her description please call this
number,” the officer said handing Edwin a business card.

Cali was sweating so bad her shirt was wet; she was so
nervous and scared.

 

“I will of course,” Edwin replied after taking the card.

 

“Thanks Mr. Vex have a nice day,” said the officer.

They drove off up the high way, Cali sat up but she didn’t
say a word. Tears fell down her face. She was shocked and
overwhelmed that she didn’t get caught. She was even
more shocked that Edwin didn’t ask her what she did; he
just offered to help her. Now she had to tell him what she
did. She was trembling just thinking about it. Going to jail
wouldn’t be as bad as having him hate her for the horrible
things she had done. Cali realized the cop called him
James Vex. She was shocked but not mad, she lied about
who she was too. He didn’t speak either he just looked at
the road in front of him and drove his car. She sat there
and cried. For every moment in her life that she was happy
for one second there was always months of torture to
follow. He looked over at her crying. She used the napkin
that she wrote her list on to wipe her tears. She looked
down at the napkin, the list didn’t matter anymore. She
blew her nose and then threw the napkin out the window.
Edwin reached out and grabbed her hand and held it
tightly.

They drove for hours. The sun went down and it turned
into night but they didn’t speak. They came into a town
and the sign said Summerville. The town was beautiful it
had gardens everywhere and little shops and old
historical buildings. They drove outside of town in the
country and they came to a drive way with a big metal
gate. He put in a pin and the gates opened, the lake house
was magnificent they drove up a very long drive way. The
ground of the estate was so lovely the landscaping was
beautifully done with flower gardens everywhere. The
house was large, all white siding with blue shutters and
double doors. The four car garage also had blue doors.
One of the garage doors opened and they drove inside. He
still didn’t speak to her, they both got out of the car and
grabbed their bags and she followed him inside the house.
The house was even more beautiful on the inside, all open
concept, big beautiful country kitchen with white
cupboards and granite counter tops with stainless steel
appliances and an island with stools. The dining room had
a big bay window and a large harvest wood table. The
living room was light blue, with white couches and wood
coffee tables. A big white wall until held a TV and stereo
system. Behind the couch were French doors that led
outside to a deck with a magnificent view of the ocean.
They walked in and set their bags down at the front door.
Edwin walked to the French doors, opened them and went
outside. Cali followed him out to the deck. She stood there
and looked out at the beautiful ocean. The light of the
moon reflected off the water. She stood there watching the
gentle waves. She was captivated by its beauty. He
grabbed her without saying a word and pulled her in close
to him; he touched her face and looked into her eyes. He
pressed his lips to hers, her hands found his face and his
hand moved down her body. Their tongues touched and
he tasted so sweet, she didn’t want to stop kissing him.
Every time he went to slow down she only kissed him
stronger. His hands found her face and he gently pulled
away and just stared into her beautiful blue eyes,
captivated by her beauty.

“Now you can definitely cross off a really great kiss from
your list,” Edwin said smiling and she smiled too.

 

“Definitely,” Cali smiled and she kissed him again softly.
“So James what do we do now?”

 

“Ya I guess we have a lot to talk about; don’t we
Veronica?” he asked with a funny expression on his face.

“Ya I guess it’s time to come clean and tell each other
everything. What more do I have to lose? The FBI is
looking for me, I am going to jail and I would rather you
hear the truth from me,” she said looking into his eyes. He
was still holding on to her.
“You know I am really tired. Why don’t we just go to sleep?
We have all day tomorrow, we can keep our secrets to
ourselves for one more night,” Edwin whispered and
kissed her hair.

He grabbed their bags and walked upstairs to the
bedrooms. The house was large with five bedrooms and
three bathrooms.

“There are four extra bedrooms you can stay in or you
can stay in my room with me, which is right here,” He said
opening the door to his bedroom. The room was large;
with a big window and a big king size bed. The walls were
grey and the furniture was black with striped grey and
light blue bedding. The room was decorated beautifully
but still was very modern and masculine. Cali stood there
looking around the room and then she looked at him. She
was nervous and she knew that he could tell. He put the
bags down and put his hands up in the air.