Page 133 of Smokey's Distraction
“Tanner,” she said quietly.
“Should I be flattered that you remember me?” His lips twisted into a ghoulish snarl.
“I didn’t want to testify against your dad, but I didn’t have a choice. You don’t know how much I wish I never stayed late all those nights. I really liked your father. I didn’t mean to hurt him or his family.” Her voice hitched. “I was subpoenaed.”
“That’s not good enough. Do you think that’s going to erase the destruction of my family? My mother lost her reputation! She had to get a fucking job as a sales clerk and wait on her former friends. Do you know how humiliating that was? It broke her.”
I have to diffuse his anger. He’s getting out of control.
“Why are you doing this now? The trial was over years ago. Your father is out, and I heard he has a job. I’m glad—”
“He’s starting at the bottom. He’s making no more than a low-level fucking employee right out of college. You broke him too. After my dad was convicted, the money was gone—all of it. Bryan had to drop out of school, and Erin lost all her friends. She tried to kill herself. Do you even give a fuck?”
“Yes, I care. I don’t know what to say. I was compelled to testify.”
“And I’m compelled to give you what you deserve. My dad lived in fear every fucking day he was in prison. You destroyed five lives.”
“Please, Tanner, think rationally. If you hurt me, you’ll go to prison. You’ll bring more shame to your family. You don’t want to do something you’ll regret.”
He lunged forward and grabbed her arm, twisting it painfully. “I’ve regretted not killing you after you testified. My dad isn’t the same man he was before he went to prison. He came out defeated and lifeless. He’s like a fucking zombie, and it’s all your fault.” Tanner’s face was so close to hers, she could smell his sour breath, and see the sheen of perspiration on his flushed face.
Desperate, she blurted out, “Smokey’s going to be here any minute.”
“Liar. He’s out of town. I told you I was watching you.” His laugh made her blood run cold.
He’s insane. He’s going to kill me.
Ashley kicked his shin, but instead of fazing him, it only enraged him more. Raising his hand, he slapped her hard across the face. She threw up her free arm to protect herself, but it was useless against his blow. A white light flashed behind her eyes, snapping her head to one side. Pain seared down her spine from the base of her skull.
Spittle formed in the corners of his mouth as he yelled, “I hate you!”
Ashley knew she was at his mercy, and she also knew she had to get something to defend herself.
Tanner then grabbed her by the hair, twisting it tightly around his hand. Pulling her head back, he let go of her arm and pounded his fist into her face.
The coppery taste of blood flooded her mouth.
“You fucking asshole! I’m not responsible for what happened to your dad—he is.” Another punch to the side of her face made her teeth clack and her head rattle.
Ashley scratched at him, tried to throw punches, but she was no match for his strength. She cried out, screaming as loud as she could until he clamped his hand over her mouth. Grabbing her hair at the temples, he slammed her face into his knee, knocking her back and onto the floor as he let her go. Lying there, helpless, he began kicking her, and all she could do was curl up and cry out in pain with each blow. Feeling like she was blacking out, she was vaguely aware that he ran into the kitchen. She heard drawers opening and closing, and rummaging through the utensil drawer. Terror seized her as she realized he was looking for a knife to kill her.
I can’t die. I won’t die.
“You living life like nothing happened has been festering inside me for too long. You’re on trial, and I’m judge and jury. I find you guilty.” Laughing, he slammed a drawer shut. “Your sentence is death. The Grim Reaper is coming to get you, bitch. Don’t say I—”
A deep grunt, a gurgle … staggering footsteps, followed by a loud crash, reverberated through the room. Something clattering across the kitchen floor. Gripping the edge of the coffee table, pain flared through every inch of Ashley’s body as she struggled to stand up. Sweeping her hair away from her battered face as best she could, she looked toward the kitchen.
At first, it didn’t register what had happened, but after the shock of seeing Tanner’s lifeless body on the floor, lying in a pool of blood, and Mark Ames standing over him, it was too much to take in. The tears she’d been holding in streamed down her face.
Mark looked up. “I had no choice, Ms. Callahan. He was going to kill you.”
Ashley shifted her gaze to one of her large butcher knives. Her stomach lurched, and she thought she was going to be sick. Trying to take a deep breath, she dropped into the chair behind her.
“I heard you screaming, and then I heard him yelling. I knew something wasn’t right.”
Pressing her hands against her belly, she asked, “How did you get in?”
“Zach sent me the code to the garage door yesterday. He wanted me and Gage to replace the motor. He said you’d complained it was acting up.” He looked back down at Tanner. “I’m glad I showed up when I did.”
