Deadly In Stilettos (32 page)

             
TABITHA WALKED into the private offices for doctors attached to the hospital. She worried that Brian would have her arrested again. Their relationship ended badly, and Tabitha spent several days in jail. No one knew how angry she could become when someone she loved betrayed her, and although she loved Brian then and still loved him now, he had abandoned her when she needed him most. Pulling herself together, Tabitha took a deep breath. The past was behind her. She would just brush the memories off. Maybe she should speak with Brian first before jumping to any conclusions. She was always good at giving people the benefit of a doubt. Brian was no exception.

             
As she entered Brian’s office, the receptionist greeted her with a pleasant smile. “How may I help you today?” When Tabitha said she needed to see Dr. Staples, the receptionist said he was attending to an emergency at the hospital. “He should be back soon if you would like to wait. Would you care for anything to drink? We have anything you like.”

             
“I would love a bottle of water, if you do not mind? I don’t want to be any trouble. I know you must have tons of work to do, working for a doctor and all.”

             
The receptionist disappeared into another room and quickly returned with a cold bottle of water. She had just handed it to Tabitha when Brian walked in, looking more handsome than Tabitha remembered. She tried remaining calm, but her legs shook under her long dress. He smiled slightly as he walked over to his receptionist whispering something to her. After a brief conversation, Brian turned to Tabitha, holding out his hand for her to take. Tabitha hesitated, unprepared for this pleasant reaction from him, but took his hand, allowing Brian to bring her to her feet. He led her into his office. Before the door was closed, he was kissing her with so much intensity, she nearly lost her balance. Her love betrayed her and she fell victim to his touch, kissing him back. The feel of him was intoxicating. Once the kiss ended, Brian held her in his arms as if he never wanted to let go.

             
“I knew you would come.”

             
Tabitha pulled back a little, trying to figure out what to say. “Excuse me?” What did he mean? Brian finally let her go, leading her over to a sofa in the corner of his massive office. He was really doing well for himself, she acknowledged. Pulling her down beside him, Brian continued holding her hand, caressing it tenderly. “I figured Deminis Bradshaw would call you after her appointment with me today, and that you would come to see me because of how much you love and care for her.” Tabitha blushed. He knew her too well.

             
Brian told her how much he had missed her, and apologized for the way things ended between them. “I never meant to hurt you, Tabitha. I wanted to get you out of jail, but it was the only place that would keep you alive. I was in over my head with a friend of mine then, involved with some bad people. They threatened to take away everything we loved because we owed them some serious money. I just could not see anything happen to you because of me.”

             
Tabitha was speechless again. She knew in her heart that Brian was telling the truth, and her heart let down its wall and allowed the love she had hidden there for him to overtake her once again. As Brian continued his story, Tabitha leaned against him. “Tabi, I have missed you so much, baby. I was just too afraid of rejection to come to you for forgiveness. Will you ever find it in your heart to forgive me? I want us to have what we had before. Only this time, I promise you will not have to worry about anything. I will never let you go again.”

             
She looked directly into his eyes, searching for any sign of deception. When she was sure he was not hiding anything from her, she pulled his face closer to her and kissed him long and hard. Brian melted at her touch, knowing they would be together forever. All the doubt he had once felt washed completely away. His debts were paid, his friend was safe, and he did not owe anyone anything else. Brian was now the man Tabitha deserved to have. He would spend the rest of his life proving that to her. He only wished he had not shared all the information she told him about her friend Deminis to Anya Bankston. She was up to something. And now he was partly to blame. The day he had met Anya had been unusual. That should have been his clue that she was only trouble. Being the man that he was, he had given her the benefit of the doubt, allowing her complete access to his office when she needed it.

             
He and Anya were both doctors. They had an oath that bonded them, unless one of them lost his or her license to practice. He had not known when he first met Anya that she lost her license years ago due to a serious mental condition. Not until much later, after the damage was already done, did Brian learn that bit of information. A few months earlier, Anya was standing outside his office looking anxious. She said she was in town visiting an old friend and needed some professional advice on how to handle one of her patients. After a few days, Brian was told that the patient was Tabitha’s friend Deminis Bradshaw. That was not until he provided Anya with all the ammunition against her. Once he’d told her all he knew, Anya vanished. Brian had not heard from or seen her since that day, and months had passed. He turned to Tabitha. “Tabitha, you do not have to worry about your friend finding out the secrets you told me. I promised you then and I promise you now that I will never say a word.”

             
Tabitha was relieved. If Demi found out she shared her intimate thoughts and sensitive parts of her life with anyone, their friendship would be over. She and Brian made love in his office that day like never before. It was hours past dark when Tabitha finally made it home. Demi was in her room and the dark house felt eerie when she walked inside. Tabitha didn’t feel at home, she knew then that something was wrong. She turned on several lights, but the feeling did not go away. As she walked up the stairs, heading for Demi’s room, a chill went down her spine. Something was definitely wrong. Tabitha knocked on Demi’s door. “Demi, it’s me. I just wanted to let you know I’m home. Are you in there?” Receiving no answer, she opened the door and walked in.

             
The look she saw on Demi’s face rocked her to her core. It was pure evil, hate, regret. “You have some explaining to do.” Demi was sitting on the bed. Instantly, she was afraid, knowing what her friend was capable of.

             
“I saw you go to Dr. Staples’s office today,” Demi went on. “What where you doing at his office, friend?” Tabi could hear to sarcasm and hurt in Demi’s voice when she spoke, but remained quiet. She wanted to know what Demi knew before she explained herself. But Demi didn’t say anything else, waiting on her to say something.

             
“Please, let me explain, Dem.” Tabitha knew at that moment that her worst fear had come true. Demi turned on the light, immediately making Tabitha’s eyes squint to adjust to the sudden change. She was holding a tape recorder in her hand. As Tabitha started explaining her reason for going to see Brian, Demi stopped her from speaking. She pressed the play button, and Tabitha heard her voice and then Brian. Demi had taped their entire conversation. She knew everything. But how?

             
“I trusted you with my secrets,” Demi said. “You did not care enough to keep them to yourself. I will never, ever, forgive you. I am leaving your home and will never come back. Greg is on his way to pick me up. Just tell me one thing, Tabi. Was it worth it? Was it worth losing our friendship? If you see me, don’t say anything to me. Don’t call my numbers, lost them. From this point on, you no longer exist to me!”

             
Tears spilled down Tabitha’s cheeks. She was so overwhelmed with emotion, she could not speak. She could only shake her head repeatedly. Finally, she choked out. “Demi, I am so sorry. I never meant to betray you. That was not my intentions. I just shared those things with Brian because I trusted him. He was my fiancé. I did not want to jeopardize our friendship. Please do not do this! Don’t shut me out! I am so sorry!”

             
Demi did not want to hear anymore. She was sick of hearing the word
s
, ‘I neve
r
meant to and I’m sorr
y
.’ She got up from the bed, grabbed her bag, and walked out of the room leaving Tabi chasing behind her, but she stopped her when she spoke again. “You should really listen to the next part of the tape. I think you will find it very interesting,” Demi said before walking down the stairs and out of the house.

Demi’s heart broke into a million pieces. Never did she think her best friend would ever share
her secrets with anyone. Brian Staples had better keep his mouth shut if he knew what was good for him. Sadly, Tabitha Winlock would never be a part of her life again. Her only friendship was now gone. Demi felt alone, lost.

             
Greg arrived looking concerned. He wanted to know what had happened to make Demi want to leave Tabitha’s house. Demi said nothing, though. Her face was pure stone. He hugged her, feeling the chill on her skin. Looking up, he saw Tabitha standing at the open front door looking heartbroken. She smiled slightly at him before closing the door. Tabitha ran back into the guestroom and turned the tape recorder back on. She did not expect what she heard. She heard Brian’s voice as he apparently talked to someone over the telephone.

             
“It is over,” he said. “I should have never given you all that information. I love Tabitha. She loves me. Deminis is your problem, not mine, so you better figure out what to do next, and without me. Just leave me out of it!” Brian was angry with whoever was on the other line. That didn’t concern Tabitha. Demi knew she had told her secrets to Brian. Now he had shared that information with someone else who was trying to use it against Demi. After a pause, Brian continued. “Anya, I am sorry we ever met. You’re making my life complicated. I haven’t heard from you in months, and now you just call me like nothing happened. What are you going to do?”

             
Tabitha frowned. It could not be the same Anya Bankston Demi had told her about. How could she have been so naïve to trust Brian again? Turing the recorder off, Tabitha ran into the bathroom and emptied her stomach into the toilet. Her friendship with Demi was jeopardized, and she had to make it right. She loved Demi and would do anything to protect her. Brian had a lot of explaining to do. When it was all over, so did Anya Bankston. Tabitha retrieved the tape from the recorder not bothering to hear any more of the conversation. She would have learned if she had, that the person on the phone with Brian wasn’t Anya Bankston after all, but someone pretending to be.

Tabitha dialed Brian’s office to see if he was still there, but then realized it was too late for him to still be at the office. She tried his cell as she grabbed her purse. If Demi got to him first, he would not live to
explain anything to her. Although she loved Demi, she could not let her do anything to hurt Brian.

                              
                    ~~~

Demi stared at Brian as he sat across from her. He looked like a little body about to be scolded by his mother. Greg dropped her off at the hospital, thinking she had a late appointment with her doctor. Brian told his receptionist to cancel all his calls, and leave for the day. That way he and Demi could clear the air without interruption.

             
“So, Brian, tell me why you helped Anya Bankston try to destroy me. Why not just tell her to go to hell when she asked questions about me? Do I need to know something more about your relationship with her?” Brian nodded, trying to keep it together. It was time his love affair with Anya was exposed. “If I tell you everything, please do not tell Tabitha. I really love and care for her. I hope to make her my wife soon.” Demi did not respond. She was angry with Tabitha, but would never do anything to hurt her. She listened as Brian began his story.

             
“Anya and I were lovers. Once upon a time I really cared for her. It happened when we were in medical school together. As our relationship became serious, she began acting strange. Sometimes she would not even know who I was. It concerned me, so I talked to one of our professors about it. Anya got really pissed off with me. When I came home from class one day, she was in my apartment. She was crying—and she was holding a huge knife in her hands. I tried to get it from her, but she cut me. She tried to kill me that day. If my roommate hadn’t showed up when he did, I would not be sitting here now. After that, I learned that she had done something similar when she attended Princeton. I still don’t know if that story is true, but I wouldn’t put anything past her. Anya is sick. Without medication, she is a real threat to society. The Dean wanted to kick her out of school, but I fought for her. She went to get help at a mental clinic. But when she returned to school, she acted as if she did not know who I was. I didn’t bother pushing the issue. We went our separate ways. The only thing I remember about her after that was at graduation, she waved at me and blew me a kiss.

             
“She showed up here months ago. At first, I didn’t know what to feel or think. I was extremely lonely. She filled a void in my life that I did not think could be filled again. When she asked questions about you and Tabitha, I got angry at first, until she told me she was your doctor researching your case. I believed her since she received her degree. She told me very disturbing things about you. Some of those things terrified me. I wanted to protect Tabitha, so I shared with Anya the information you had told Tabitha that she shared with me. Deminis, the things she said made me furious. Up until I met you for myself, I believed everything Anya told me.”