Star Struck(71)

“Trevon and Garrett are about to end a friendship because of you,” Caroline said.

One thing Hailey knew is that she would not be able to reason with a crazy person. She was backed up in the corner of the room. Caroline came at her with full force. They wrestled until Hailey was able to get it loose. It ended up flying across the room cracking her glass table. “Look. We can talk about this. What ever you think is going on isn’t?”

Caroline brushed herself off and then pulled out a gun. She shot in Hailey’s direction but the bullet bypassed her and hit one of her expensive vase. Pieces shattered everywhere. “Okay, I see you want to go out the hard way.”

Hailey halted her step. “Caroline, you can get some help. I want press charges.”

Caroline laughed. “Of course you won’t because you won’t be around to do so.”

“Garrett knows you’re here so please think twice about this.”

Caroline let the gun hang to her side and looked directly into Hailey’s eyes that were now full of fear. “He has no idea I’m here. He never asked for those papers. I just needed an excuse to see you.”

“But why?” Hailey asked, her legs trembling. She had to get a grip, but she was losing it fast.

Caroline began picking up the magazines on the table and then throwing them one by one down on the floor. “Because you think it’s all about you. I don’t see what they see in you.”

Caroline’s hand covered her mouth. “Oops, the little accident the officer outside of your gates had to go to—well let’s just say I cut a few people off and caused it.”

Hailey was too scared to be pissed. All of this time, Garrett’s secretary was the one behind the hate mail, phone calls and emails. If she could get to the panic button then she would be okay. She had to think. One was placed in every room. She just had to remember where. She wished she would have paid more attention to Garrett when he was showing her; instead she had been dealing with her conflicting emotions for the attraction she had for him. She had to keep Caroline talking. That’s what they did in the movies. The longer she talked, the less chances it would mean Caroline would do something crazy like shoot her.

“How long have you been messing around with Trevon?” Hailey asked.

Caroline responded, “For over a year now and if it wasn’t for you and Shareeka I would have him all to myself.”

“But he’s been with Shareeka for that long,” Hailey said, trying to show her how ridiculous her claims were.

“You two are no longer going to be a problem. You and Shareeka both need to be eliminated from our lives.”

Hailey didn’t know if she wanted to know the answer, but she asked anyway, “What have you done to Shareeka?”

Caroline waved the gun back and forth. “Nothing yet. Don’t worry. After I leave here, I’ll be paying her a visit. She’s not going to know what hit her—no pun intended.”

“You haven’t thought this through. You can’t just kill me and get away with it.”

“Who said I was going to kill you?” Caroline asked, then started laughing as if Hailey had told the funniest joke she had ever heard.

“Put the gun down. Let me call Garrett. We can work something out,” Hailey said. She dug her fingernails into the palm of her hands. Hailey’s legs trembled. Hailey willed herself to not collapse.

“I’ve worked it all out in my head,” Caroline said. “Things will be perfect once you’re no longer around.”



~ 41 ~



Garrett was able to resolve his client’s problem and retain them as a customer. His joy was short lived when he heard the panic in Hailey’s voice mail. His heart almost stopped when he heard Hailey’s frantic message. He dialed Hailey’s house phone and cell phone several times, but she wouldn’t answer either one. He dialed Trevon’s number. Trevon answered on the second ring. Garrett said, “Man, you better not hurt Hailey.”

Trevon responded, “What are you talking about? Hailey was fine when I left. In fact, she kicked me out.”

“Well, she’s not answering her phone now so something’s up. I can feel it in my guts.” Garrett weaved in and out of traffic.

Trevon said, “I’ll go back and check.”

“Where’s the police officer that was supposed to be watching the place?” Garrett asked. He was furious at himself for putting business before staying there to protect Hailey himself. He hoped the gut feeling that alerted him to possible danger, was off keel. He needed Hailey to be safe. If something happened to her, he would never forgive himself. She had to be okay.