Misfit(192)
“How is she?”
She might’ve slept for one minute or one hour, before the strong scent of a woman’s perfume nauseated her and the question penetrated her brain.
Fee lifted her lids.
“Better,” Kendall answered, moving from the side of the bed. “Thank you for agreeing to stop here after our lunch. I’ve been so worried about her, Charlotte. She and Meggie are my only real friends. I-I’ve been so horrible. I should do as the doctor ordered. As I promised Johnnie I would.”
“Enough of that nonsense, Kendall. If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. These motorcycle people are so far beneath you, they should kiss the ground you walk on. Especially that Meggie girl.”
“I-I like her. Most of the time,” Kendall added. “But that isn’t important right now. Fee might not be asleep.”
A moment of silence followed, and Fee lowered her lids. Kendall shouldn’t continue to associate with Charlotte at all.
“You’ve seen Ophelia. Let’s continue this discussion somewhere else.”
“I’ve only been here for fifteen minutes, Charlotte. Not long at all. Besides, what is there to discuss?”
“Scott, for one thing.”
“Oh, Charlotte! I’m so scared Johnnie will realize Counts is Noah. I sent him to talk to Fee because we need the details for ourselves. Even if she can’t talk, she can write. But his visit has led to more problems,” Kendall sniffled.
“Oh, my dear, my plan has stressed you out even more.” Charlotte sighed. “I’d like us to continue, but if you want me to pay off Scott and put a stop to this, we will. You can allow your husband to dominate you, and no one will ever be the wiser that you gave up all your rights in this marriage.”
Kendall’s sharp intake of breath drowned out Fee’s. Jesus Christ! Charlotte was playing into Kendall’s fears.
“No,” Kendall said in a small, broken voice. “We’ve gone this far. I can’t give up now, especially with Fee so badly hurt. Oh my God! This is all my fault.”
“Stop this!” Charlotte demanded. “You’re a strong, beautiful, amazing woman. Brilliant! But you can’t foresee the future. We couldn’t have known the chain of events would lead to this.”
“Fee can’t die. Roxy still isn’t talking to me. Zoann would just as soon kill me. Bailey stays neutral. Bunny isn’t in my league. You, Fee, and Meggie are the only ones on my side.”
“I’ve told you before to spit on Meggie. She isn’t in your league either. She’s married to the man who shot my husband. You shouldn’t like Meggie any of the time,” Charlotte advised, apparently satisfied that Fee was asleep. “She’s disgusting, an insult to decent women.”
“I miss Meggie. She’s still angry with me about how I accused her of sleeping with Johnnie.”
“Don’t regret anything regarding her. You’ve been too kind to her.”
“Charlotte, she’s my friend!” Kendall cried. “You have to stop—”
“I’m your friend, dear,” Charlotte said with a little sniff. “I’ll give you a pass for this girl and Mr. Donovan. But none of the others. Do it my way and I’ll help you. I can lead you to the top of Portland society.”
“You’re being so unfair. I’m not in my best frame of mind. Don’t put this type of pressure on me. I want Johnnie and…and Roxy. And Meggie. And you,” she whispered.
“You can’t have all of us. Meggie’s husband shot mine! They both deserve whatever we can do to them.”
“But it was my fault! I’ve ruined everything. Johnnie is so angry with me. After the scene in the shop, on top of everything else…He’s not even sleeping in our bed. He’s barely talking to me. Not even my pregnancy is garnering his sympathy.” She sniffled. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“I want you happy.”
“I can’t lose Johnnie. I love him. He’s my everything. I’m so confused.”
“Leave it all to me. Understand? Just do what you’ve been doing. That Caldwell man is right where we want him. Maybe having a little difficulty with some of the other prisoners that Kyler has represented. Some of the guards Kyler knows,” she added. “He even tipped the detectives off. Not enough to have Outlaw be irrefutably guilty. Just enough to put doubt in law enforcement’s mind. Put him on the radar.”
Kendall gasped. “Don’t get Christopher killed or locked away. That’s the last thing I want.”
“Not killed. Just bruised and beaten. Weakened. Whether or not he’s kept in prison on other charges depends on how smart he really is.”