Not A Good Reason (Alexandria Whitney Mystery) Read online

  Sally’s increasing anger was focused on her reported savior; her daughter’s beloved English teacher Ms. Alexandria Whitney. Who once again was being hailed as a hero after her run in with an escaped mental patient. The latest story reported she had saved several of the school girls from harm, by confronting the unnamed escapee herself.

  There was no escaped mental patient. It was just another cover story, since Sally was pretty sure she knew who it really was. Richard Greenway was one twisted pervert who she would bet her life was the unnamed assailant. It was just another cover up to protect the school. If the truth got out that the son of Head Mistress Rebecca Greenway was a stalker, it wouldn’t look good for the school’s bottom line.

  If Alex would have just died as Sally had planned, no one would have been the wiser and the authorities would have arrested Richard Greenway as the murderer. Sally had done an excellent job of planting the bottle of Ketamine in his desk and the last incriminating email Alex received on his computer. Everything would have been perfect, if only it hadn’t rained so much causing excessive mud and eventually the mudslide that caused her to fall.

  But like most plans conceived out of a deluded mind, Sally’s plan had several flaws. Such as Dez, Alex’s girlfriend and lover at the time, figuring out what Sally had done in order to make her daughter Megan’s pony colic frequently. Cyn and Frederick being aware of Richard Greenway stalking Alex and the final email she received, which prompted Frederick to contact Sheriff Taylor and have him meet them at the school. Sally had never counted on four witnesses to her plot coming to Alex’s rescue. There was no way for her to talk her way out of what her deadly plans had been for Alex. Her plan pretty much fell apart right before their very eyes.

  Sally didn’t know how she was going to do it just yet, but she was going to get out of there and take her rightful place as her daughter’s best friend and heroine. Even if it means getting rid of a few people along the way – especially one Alexandria Whitney.

  Her knowledge as a nurse and the inner workings of a hospital should give her an edge on the best way to slip out without being detected. NEIMH was overcrowded and under staffed. It should be a snap to slip away early one morning and be back by bed check. This would take some planning and she would need to get more information from Megan as to where her favorite teacher lived. Only this time she would make sure the syringe was filled with something Alex wouldn’t wake up from.

  Chapter 29

  Lunch was enjoyed by all except for Oliver, who did miss the act of eating. But he enjoyed being the topic of conversation as all three women discussed his increasing skill with moving objects. TJ tried not to rush through her lunch, but didn’t want to appear to be dallying. She was aware of Alex’s mood, but also felt she wasn’t as depressed as earlier. As soon as the meal was over she checked the grilling rack to make sure they had cooled off and the gas was turned off. TJ’s last chore was to put the racks in the sink filled with soapy water that Alex had waiting. She then asked to be excused as she had a few chores to do at home. Alex saw through it, but kissed TJ on the cheek and whispered her appreciation for her thoughtfulness and cooking skills. Sam walked TJ to her truck, while Alex waved goodbye from the back door. She wanted to be sitting down when Sam came back in for their talk.

  The kitchen table seemed the best place to have this discussion. She could look Sam in the eye and not be distracted by the TV, which was now on. Oliver also seemed to pick up on Alex’s mood and not wanting to eavesdrop sat on the sofa, but had the TV volume on lower than usual. When Sam walked in she knew Alex wanted to talk about her earlier revelation now and took the seat to the left side of Alex.

  “I don’t know where to start or what to ask. So I’ll let you tell me why I’m just now learning about all this. Maybe I’m blowing this out of proportion, but it seems like a big deal to me. Am I wrong?” Alex felt a little panicked and wondered if she needed something to calm her down.

  “No, you aren’t wrong. And yes, it is a big deal. Like I said Alex, it’s not a part of my past I’m proud of. That’s why no one else knew about it. Not my parents or Jessie. But be honest with me. Do you think I’d ever have met you, if Jessie thought I had a violent temper?” Sam knew how protective Jessie was of her beloved Alex.

  Alex starred at a knot in the table’s top and thought for a moment. Jessie knew Alex better than anyone and knew she hated bullies or anyone who couldn’t control their temper. And now she was married to someone who had used violence to show how much she disapproved of someone taunting her or daring to fall in love with someone she loved.

  “Probably not. So when were you going to tell me?” Alex started to think of Anna and Ramon and wondered why they hadn’t warned her. But maybe now there was nothing to be concerned about.

  “Never, was my plan. But this training has made me aware that it’s still there and I need to be in control or I’m no good as a police officer. I love you so much and I would never harm you in any way. I can only hope that you believe me, but I know I’ve let you down not being more forthcoming with this side of my personality and I hope I haven’t lost your trust.” Sam could tell by the lack of expression on Alex’s face that she was very upset.

  “I do believe that you wouldn’t hurt me.” Alex knew Anna and Ramon would never allow that. “I just need to be alone for a while. I’m going to take a drive. I’ll try to be back before dark.”

  Sam nodded and knew Alex wanted to think this all through and hoped she’d come back knowing that her heart had been in the right place. But sometimes the sin of omission is just that, a sin to the other person.

  “Oliver, do you want to take a drive with me?” The words came out of Alex’s mouth before she realized how Sam might take it. “He’s never ridden in my truck.”

  “You bet.” Oliver jumped off the sofa like he’d just sat on a tack.

  It was also confirmation to both women that he had heard everything that was just said.

  Sam smiled and walked in to take Oliver’s place on the sofa. All the while wondering what Alex was going to talk to him about and if he was going to be on her side. Oliver jumped in the truck without opening the door and Alex wondered how he could go through the door but didn’t fall through the seat. She thought about asking him, but figured he may not know himself. Then what would she do if he fell through because she made him think about it. She let it go.

  Alex opened her door and jumped in as well, but not as easily as Oliver. She flashed him a smile and almost told him to fasten his seatbelt, before she realized the futility in that little safety feature. Clicking her buckle she started the truck and coasted down the driveway. Should she turn left towards TJ’s or right towards town. She wanted a few logical minds to talk to her and help her come to terms with this new development in her relationship. Alex decided to turn left and see if TJ was indeed home and not really out running errands. There wasn’t enough time to drive to town and get back before it got dark, so talking to Carol about it wasn’t going to happen today.

  The Spicer’s both appeared to be home, since both trucks where parked side by side. Alex didn’t want to interrupt anything so she pulled out her cell phone to text TJ and see if she was up for a drive.

  “Hey, Sis. Can you talk?” Alex thought that sounded casual and not too needy.

  A few minutes passed and Alex was about to drive away when TJ’s questioning text came in.

  “Alex, what’s wrong? Are you all right? Did you and Sam have a fight? Of course I can talk, where are you?” TJ hadn’t been home that long and knew whatever they talked about was short and maybe not so sweet.

  “I’m outside your place with Oliver. Can you take a drive with us?” Alex had no sooner hit send and put her phone on the dash when the front door flew open and TJ was on her way out.

  “I guess she can go with us.” Alex motioned to Oliver to scoot over to give TJ room and was pleasantly aware that she could feel Oliver softly touching her right side.

  TJ jumped in like it wasn’t
that big of a deal to have the spirit of a long dead civil war soldier sitting next to her. She smiled at both of them and put her seat belt on, before asking where they were headed.

  “Where does this road go if I just keep driving?” Alex wanted some place to park that couldn’t be seen by anyone driving by.

  “It just goes up the hill and dead ends. But I’ll show you a turn off that we can take and have some privacy to park and talk.” TJ had done her fair share of talking to herself at this particular spot.

  “Perfect. Just tell me where to turn.” Alex pulled away and drove at a moderate speed until TJ pointed out the gravel road just off to the left.

  No one spoke. They waited to see what Alex was going to do. She parked the truck with the tailgate facing the beautiful Mountain View. Everyone got out of the truck and waited as Alex lowered the tailgate. Then she went back to the cab to pull a wool blanket from behind her seat to lay on the cold metal. She jumped on taking the spot right in the middle. TJ took her right side and Oliver to her left. She stared at the majestic view and then asked the question she hoped would bring her peace.

  “What do you both think about Sam not telling me she had a violent temper? Am I being irrational here and making a mountain out of a mole hill?” She glanced at both her companions and then back to the view in front of her.

  “We can’t tell you how to think. If it’s a big deal to you, then it’s a big deal. But I will say that I don’t know anyone who would volunteer that kind of information freely.” TJ knew she wouldn’t.

  “I agree with TJ. But it was a really big surprise to find that out about Sam. Maybe her time with you has changed her. She seems at peace with herself and not angry with the world.” But it was something Oliver would always be aware of just in case Sam did lose her temper.

  “You’re both right. But I must tell you both that these last several months have shown me how people can change so much. My ex Dez, Cyn and now Sam have all shown me a side to them that I wasn’t aware of. What else hasn’t she told me? If this is it, can I let this go and not let it affect my relationship with her?” Alex was asking an impossible question – only time would tell.

  “I’ll never let her hurt you Alex. Never.” Oliver didn’t know what else to say and assumed it wouldn’t be an issue. Or so he hoped.

  “I know you wouldn’t. I believe in my heart that she never would. But my head tells me not to assume. We can never really know categorically what we will do when we are under great duress. I’m just wondering why she didn’t trust me enough to tell me.” Alex always hoped she knew how she would act, but who really knew.

  “You and Sam need to talk this out. Oliver and I will be here for you in any situation. I can say with my hand on a bible that no other person besides my family has meant as much to me as you do. I like Sam a lot, but I do feel that she’s holding back and not letting us in completely. Does that make sense?” TJ always felt as if there was a wall that kept Sam from letting anyone see the true woman.

  “It does. And you’re right we do need to talk. But I don’t want this to affect how you interact with Sam. I want you both to treat her the same way you did before. Promise me.” Alex knew that may be harder for TJ than Oliver.

  “Of course.” TJ smiled and nodded.

  “Okay. But what should I do if you two get into a fight?” Oliver would move in between them if he thought he had to.

  “I will let you know if I need you to step in. But I really don’t think it would ever come to that. I guess it’s more a trust issue than a fear of Sam getting violent.” Alex did need to talk to Sam about all her concerns and the day was slipping away.

  Not much was discussed further on the ride back, but a knowing silence that transmitted between the three friends. TJ’s parting requested as she closed the truck door, was a call from Alex to let her know she was all right after her heart to heart talk with Sam. Oliver wanted to stay close to Alex while she talked to Sam, but was assured his protection wasn’t needed for this talk. He would stay in the guest room and told Alex he would be within earshot if needed. As Alex walked in the back door the silence was ended by her tossing her keys on the counter. One way to let Sam know she was home, if she hadn’t heard the truck pulling into the garage.

  “Am I sleeping in the guestroom with Oliver tonight?” Sam was hoping for a laugh out of Alex.

  Alex took that statement as Sam thinking she was making too much of this temper issue. It pushed a button that Alex hadn’t felt in quite a while, and it brought tears.

  “No, I am.” Alex walked straight to their bedroom to get her things. She was fired up.

  It was too early to go to bed. The TV was hooked up to cable and she could watch movies until bedtime. The response caught Sam off guard since she thought Alex was kidding. But she wasn’t and had her pillow, nightgown and robe in hand before Sam could get off the couch. The click of the lock was what Sam heard just as she reached for the knob.

  “Darlin’ what’s wrong?” Sam now realized how her query may have sounded to someone as sensitive as Alex. “I’m sorry. It was a stupid question.”

  “Ya think? I’m too angry to talk about it now. I need to calm down. I’ll talk to you in the morning.” Alex could feel the tremble in her voice as well as her heart pounding.

  “I love you so much, please remember that. I’m so-so sorry; I’ll see you in the morning.” Sam’s heart was pounding hard, as well.

  Alex stared at her precious picture of Anna and Ramon and wondered if they had ever kept anything from each other. Not confessing to having a bad temper wasn’t all that terrible, but negating the feelings of the person in your life was. Alex pulled out her phone to call TJ, but decided to call Jessie instead. It was still early out in New Mexico, but then she hesitated. Telling Jessie about this seemed like running to Mom to tell on Sam. So just call TJ and make it short and to the point, but that probably wasn’t going to happen. Oliver wasn’t around and probably heard what happened. It was likely he knew Alex would call if she needed a shoulder to cry on. Alex took several deep breaths, hoping her heart rate would return to normal and the knot in her stomach would lessen a bit.

  “Hey, Alex all good with you two?” TJ thought she was calling awfully soon.

  “Not yet. My sensitive level is so high right now that I don’t know if Sam could say anything right. She asked me if she had to sleep in the guestroom, which what I heard had a touch of sarcasm to it. I went from 0 to 60 in a nano second and saw no humor in it at all. I hope she was trying to be cute and not negating my feelings. But it’s like whatever she says just rubs me the wrong way right now. Is the Honeymoon over or am I just being hypersensitive right now?” Alex hoped their special connection wasn’t slipping away.

  “Well, I think from what I’ve observed from the short time that I’ve known you is that you put trust and honesty above all else. Right now you still feel a little betrayed that you are just finding out something that is very important to you. So when Sam kidded about it you took offense because you felt she was making light of your feelings.” TJ thought she would feel the same way.

  “You’re right. Wow, how am I going to get over this?” Alex wondered how long this was going to nag at her.

  “Cut yourself some slack. You’ve been through a lot lately and now this new info about Sam is going to take some getting use too. So just let your subconscious come to the same conclusion as your conscious mind that Sam loves you very much and everything will be all right.” TJ was surprised at how profound that sounded.

  “Hey Sis, when did you become so in tune with my subconscious? But, I think you’re right. Everything you just said sounds right on. Gosh, I think I will need a few more sessions with you to get me through all this. So I should apologize to Sam for my little freak out and talk this over with her?” Alex knew TJ was going to agree.

  “I think you know the answer to that.” TJ also knew that with Sam being away so much she and Oliver were going to have Alex available more often to have these discus
sions and that was fine with her.

  “Thank you, I will talk to you tomorrow. Sweet dreams little Sis.” Alex heard TJ’s reply and slowly closed her phone. Now she needed to make up with Sam and hopefully it would be a night to remember.

  Chapter 30

  It indeed was a night to remember in more ways than one. Sam knew the second she heard the click of the door knob being unlocked that her Alex was back. First a long hug, then a few tears from both women who simultaneously apologized to each other, followed by a giggle at their timing. Sam offered Alex a piggy back ride to the bedroom, which she jumped on – literally. This was the glue that held them together. That special intimacy, which let them know their hearts were beating for each other. Along with some quality time between the sheets to seal the deal.

  “Good mornin, Darlin’.” Sam decided to break the silence after awakening to find Alex lying on her back, deep in thought staring at the ceiling.

  “Lover. You seem to be married to one possessive bitch.” Alex had been awake for the past hour, trying to make sense of her current behavior.

  “Those are some very harsh words about the woman I love with all my heart.” Sam was hoping for a drama free Sunday.

  “But all true. Maybe this is what drove Dez away? Maybe all my relationship failures were my fault? I suffocate the woman in my life until she breaks free and runs for the hills.” Alex was hoping Sam would have a great argument to dismiss this revelation.