No Second Place by Fran Driscoll

Author:Fran Driscoll [Driscoll, Fran]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fran Driscoll

Chapter Seven

Two weeks later, as Rita pulled her van beside Amy’s, she spied an unwelcome sight. Tyler’s truck was parked three spaces down. Was he here to harass her about the ring? She thought that when he brought the police into it and then tried to have her killed, he’d be satisfied. She grabbed her phone and dialed.

“Amy, do you see what I see?” she said as soon as she heard the click.

“Yes, that’s why I’m still sitting in my van. I’ve been here for ten minutes.”

“Do you see Tyler at all? He’s not in the truck.” Rita craned her head, hoping to view the entire parking lot.

“Maybe he’s hiding around the side of the building with his shotgun.”

“Oh, thanks for the encouragement. Should I call the police?”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t be stupid or crazy enough to bring a weapon on school property, Rita. Especially around witnesses including the Campus Police. Let’s go inside. I’m hot.”

“I’m right behind you.” Rita was in her chair pushing for the side door when she heard the music. Something by Frank Sinatra, maybe.

Tyler stepped around the corner of the building and began to sing. “I love you, Rita. Colavita. My dear Rita Colavita. Come be sweet-ah.”

She rolled up to him. “Have you lost your mind?”

“I’ve decided to forgive you for losing the ring. Daddy says the insurance settlement will replace it easily.”

“I thought it was a family heirloom.”

“To my folks. C’mon, Rita. Let’s be in love again.”

“So you’re willing to wait a year for me, and stop pressuring me into moving up the wedding?”

He made an X across his chest and held up a hand. “I’ll do anything for my ravishing Rita.”

She looked at him, skeptical. What had changed? Sometimes it was like there were two different men in Tyler’s body fighting for control.

“Okay, meet me across the street at seven, and we’ll talk.”

Behind her, Amy made a terrible face.

“See you at The Café, babe. Seven sharp.” Tyler kissed the top of her head and sprinted to his truck.

“Are you kidding me?” Amy’s face was red with fury. “You’re going to eat with that maniac after he called the cops on you and probably tried to drown you?”

“Did you notice he’s wearing long sleeves in this heat? I’m having the cops meet him at The Café at 7. Or maybe they can pick him up at home. I think we’ve got my attacker at last. I’m calling Detective Dewrell right now. His card is in my fanny pack.”

“I didn’t even think of that. They have had a hard time tracking him down.”

“And I just assumed he’d hire somebody to hurt me. I never thought he’d have the guts to do it himself.” Rita shook her head. “But that long-sleeved shirt tells me we’ve all underestimated him. The scratches may have healed in the past two weeks, but that bite I gave him will still be there. He really is unhinged.”

“Or this is another game. He knows you’re observant.” Amy started to roll toward the door, her key card outstretched as if she couldn’t get inside fast enough.

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