Looking down at Alexis’ wounded body, Dempsey took one tentative step towards him. But a moment later he confidently closed the distance and cracked a smile. How can any man enjoy this? Is he speaking with Alexis? He was taking his time with this. Well hopefully Alexis was going to be able to keep Dempsey talking until the police arrived. But between moments the gun was leveled at Alexis’ head and Dempsey smiled.
Watching my great plan unfold I couldn’t stop thinking about how it was going to get Alexis killed. As the fear grew in the back of my mind, I realized that my heart was about to explode when the police began to pile into the room. I sighed with relief as they quickly subdued and arrested the quivering and crazed lunatic. At least that was what I hoped the cops were calling him. Hopefully, the ones who were here would spread the news like wildfire. They had what they wanted, they finally had everything they would ever need to force Dempsey into a dark cell somewhere. And none of his lawyers or well-placed employees would be able to do a thing to save him. He was going to be arrested for murder and attempted murder. Alexis appeared to be all right, he was currently trying to refuse the help from the paramedics. Yeah, he was going to be just fine. But more importantly, I was going to be free.
I watched the scene unfold as Alexis tried to regain some normalcy in his home. The ambulance was insistent that he go with them to a hospital but he refused to let them lead him away. I watched as those frustrated men and women failed to convince him to go anywhere, until they eventually gave up and began treating his wound right there in the living room. The police fared no better when they tried to escort him to the local precinct. Like the paramedics they too eventually relented and agreed to take his statement right there on his couch.
All I was able to do was wait and watch the police and medical personnel as they went about their business. It was particularly eerie watching them remove my corpse from the room. I finally understood the adage about someone walking over your grave, and the shiver that sent down your spine. When the last of the policemen finally left, Alexis made a bee line to the door to my closet, but then hesitated for a moment. I banged on my side of the door, but all that got me was a “tsking” motion from Alexis’ right index finger.
When he eventually opened the door I was able to hear him scolding me, “What did I tell you?”
“I’m sorry, Alexis.” I replied as meekly as I could, looking down at his feet. “I was just getting a small dose of cabin fever and I had nothing to do but watch my corpse being manhandled.”
“I thought they did a fantastic job, very respectful.” He replied with a smile on his face. “Now we have to get you somewhere out of sight for now.”
“Of course.” Sighing I decided to press my luck, “But, can I make a phone call before we secure me somewhere?”
“You’re dead! Who could you possibly want to call?”
“Yeah, there is one person.”
“Is this the Bella you asked Dempsey about?” When I nodded he gave me a slightly irritated glare. “Didn’t I hear right that she’s a relative of Dempsey?” Forcing myself to remain silent I nodded again and waited for him to express his displeasure. And sure enough it came, “After all we did to get you killed, why would you go and advertise your perfect health to a member of Dempsey’s family?”
“She can’t stand her uncle. In fact she’ll probably jump for joy when she finds out that he’ll be imprisoned, even if it is under false pretenses.”
“So you want to bring her into your confidence.”
“We had something at the tournament.”
Nodding his understanding, Alexis waved me into a corner of the room and turned his back to give me some sense of privacy. As I went to pull out my phone he said, “Go use the phone in the hallway.”
Not wanting to argue I nodded my head and found the indicated phone and dialed the number she had programed into my phone at the tournament. I held my breath as I waited for her to answer the phone.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Bella?”
“Marcus?”
I smiled as I heard her voice. “Yes, it’s me. And before you ask, I’m okay and we have a lot to talk about.”
“We certainly do.” She replied with a warm laugh.