Betrayal. A Not So... Love Story.

By Kendall Graham Fox

   Mystery and suspense abound in this chilling story of a woman's revenge. Kay was five years old when her morther died in a tragic fire. There was evidence of arson, but no one knew who had started the fire. Kay's life was never the same. It wasn't until many years later that her motive for hating men was revieled.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kendall Graham Fox
• Release date: Apr 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201875756

Book preview

Chapter 1

Being strapped to a cold, hard bed in the psychiatric ward of the Los Angeles County General Hospital wasn’t on my list of things to do before I die. How could I have let myself be fooled by another lying, cheating woman? Will this agony ever stop?

Kay was beautiful, seductive and sensual and had everything I ever wanted in a woman, but she lacked one important quality... she couldn’t be trusted.

From the moment I met her my heart cried out to her. When she told me about the near fatal car accident that took almost four years of rehabilitation before she could walk again I knew she wasn’t a quitter. And the account of an abusive ex-husband who beat her repeatedly made me want to find him and beat the crap out of him. The child-hood trauma she had experienced from the abandonment of her father brought back memories of my own ordeal as a young boy. Worst of all were the gruesome details of the brutal rape of her thirteen-year-old daughter that tore at my heart strings.

Was I crazy for believing her stories were true? I’m under a 24-hour suicide watch, so the answer must be yes.

The shiny brick walls of the 8x12 room where I had spent the last three days crying my eyes out echoed the slightest of sounds. Count-less tears falling onto the thick vinyl covered mattress beneath me sounded like distant gunfire and reminded me of the brother I had lost in the Gulf war. Even my thoughts seemed to be amplified. My body was almost numb from the heavy sedation, but I was aware of my situation. My mind was operating in slow motion, but it seemed to be in full working order. My stomach muscles throbbed from the regurg-itation of an almost full bottle of prescription sleeping pills.

Why hadn’t they worked? Why had she forgotten to take her purse?

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Why didn’t I change the locks after the last time she betrayed me? How am I going to make it through this one?

The drugs must have stopped working. My mind was racing out of control.

Every time I closed my eyes I recalled the image of the love I once saw in her eyes. Was she really that good to have fooled me so com-pletely, or was there a spark of love hidden somewhere deep inside that cold, calculating heart of hers? Could it be that she purposely drove me to the point of suicide? I’m still not sure and that’s what’s driving me crazy. My every thought was consumed with her.

Kay was forty years old, but she looked at least ten years younger. Her long blonde hair and voluptuous body made women half her age die with envy. Most men wanted her for her looks, but it was her ability to master anything she set out to do that was the dangled carrot I couldn’t help wanting to bite into. A lot of women her age were looking for a man to take of them, but she wanted her independence. She had earned a PhD in psychology at the age of twenty-one and by the age of twenty-two she had started her own business.

I had also started my business when I was twenty-two years old and by the time I was twenty-seven I had become a millionaire. I con-sidered myself to be a good man and thought that someday I would find a woman who wanted me for who I am and not just for what I could do for her, but history tells me I was wrong.

By the time I was thirty-five years old I had been engaged to three beautiful young women, all of whom betrayed me. I had made one poor choice after another in the women I had chosen as lovers and I gave up on the idea of finding my soulmate. I decided to dedicate all of my spare time, money and energy helping those in need of food and shelter.

It was another two years before I found a woman who I though was worthy of taking a chance on. We were married six months later, and in less than a year I caught her in bed with my best friend. The word angry didn’t come close to describing what I felt for being betrayed again.

After my divorce was final the fear of making a commitment to a woman drove me to several brief uncommitted relationships. It didn’t take long before I realized that wasn’t the answer either. By the time I was forty-two years old I had spent more than half of my life living alone and was ready to give up on relationships and become a hermit

Betrayal. A not so... Love Story            3

on some deserted island.

That thought was soon squelched. After much prompting from my friends, Ron and Barbara Hunt, I went to the Hollywood Palladium to cheer them on as participants in a national west coast swing dance competition. I was a good dancer, but I was nowhere as good as they were.

They didn’t bother telling me they had lined me up with a blind date until after I got there. They said they didn’t think I would come if I knew about it and they were right.

While we were walking toward the ballroom Barbara told me the woman I was about to meet was just learning how to dance and she wanted to learn more.

I had never been on a blind date, so I wasn’t excited about the pros-pect of meeting a woman who probably couldn’t get a date any other way.

I was wrong. I almost tripped over my tongue when I saw her. Her beauty was overwhelming, but that wasn’t a good thing, it was a warning sign. Every beautiful woman I had ever met was full of her-self and I doubted if she was any different.

Ron introduced us. Kay seemed pleasant, but somewhat elusive. I listened carefully to her every word and was mesmerized by her elo-quence. Hearing her speak was like listening to poetry. I did my best not to stare at her, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

She flashed a seductive smile. I was sure she knew my every thought.

At intervals in the competition there was open dancing. Kay was better than Barbara had given her credit for. She told me she wanted to become a better dancer and asked if I would teach her. We went to the practice dance floor and stayed there for about an hour. She said her feet hurt, so we went back to the completion and took a seat near the dance floor.

Conversation was sparse, but it didn’t take long before I realized I had misjudged her. I wanted more, but I was still licking my wounds from my divorce from Christine. Kay picked up on it and seemed irritated.

Ron and Barbara came over after the competition and told us what they did wrong and why they didn’t do well in the dance contest. I was caught up in Kay’s presence and didn’t pay much attention to them.

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Barbara said she desperately needed a drink. We went to a bar near the main lobby and sat at a secluded table. A four piece band was playing oldies and brought back memories. After a couple of drinks Kay asked me to dance. The band was playing a slow song. I didn’t think it was a good idea to slow dance with her. I was worried what might happen if she pressed her beautiful body against mine.

She reached out her hand and smiled. She knew she was in control from the moment I stood up.

*******

My rambling thoughts were interrupted when the sound of the steel door on my 8x12 room opened and Nurse Crawford came in.

She loosened my restraints and said in a gravelly voice, You have a visitor.

A familiar voice made me cringe.

Hello, John, Kay said softly.

She leaned forward and tried to kiss me, but I turned my head. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead and my heart started racing out of control.

She whimpered, Why did you do such a foolish thing? Don’t you know that I love you?

She took a step back when I glared at her. All I saw was evil. Not the slightest sign of remorse. She wouldn’t win an Oscar for this per-formance.

Fear came over her when I asked, Does Bob know you’re here?

She tried to act innocent. Bob who?

Bob Ramsey. Age 46, brown hair, green eyes, doesn’t dance, doesn’t like motorcycles and doesn’t know how to pound a nail, but lucky for you I heard he’s great at pounding you in the sack.

She laughed out loud. Oh, now I get it. You think that Bob and I are having an affair. Well, guess what, you’re wrong. I hired him a few month ago as a consultant on an important merger and he was successful in producing results.

I knew she was lying. I said angrily, Just like everything else you say I’m sure there’s an element of truth in your statement. I have a question for you. When you merged did he use a condom?

You bastard, John! Did you ever stop to think why I left you in the first place? I’m not like the other women who’ve used you. I’ve never asked you for anything. All I’ve ever done is loved you.

Betrayal. A not so... Love Story      5

She walked quickly toward the door, but before she got there she stopped and turned around. I came here to tell you that I’m going on retreat this weekend. If you have anything to say to me, then I suggest you say it now.

I said in almost a growl, Tell Bob he can keep you, you two-timing bitch.

She put her hands over her ears and let out a loud moan. You’re scaring me, John. I’m going to tell Dr. Mallory what you said. I’m going to have a restraining order put on you before I leave for Big Bear Lake.

She slammed the door when she left. The sound of her four-inch high heels stomping hard against the quarry tile floor echoed down the hallway as she stormed away.

She was a good liar, but I knew the truth. My friend, Ron, told me about the torrid affair that she and Bob Ramsey were having. I knew where she was going and it wasn’t on retreat. It was a good thing I was locked up because I didn’t know what I would do if they let me out of here.

Tears started flowing down my cheeks, but the restraints prevented me from drying my eyes. I had never felt so helpless. I was coming apart at the seams. How could I still love her after what she did to me? My heart was being ripped to pieces by a woman who deserved to rot in Hell, yet I found myself making excuses for her.

I knew there had to be a reason for her treachery, but what was it? Was it something I did that made her treat me this way? I went over and over, in my mind, everything I ever did or said, but I couldn’t find anything that would make her want to betray me.

They say love is blind and they’re right. I should have recognized the signs, but I allowed my heart to rule my head. She was the best of the best of the worst and was so polished at her game that even now she almost had me convinced that I was wrong for accusing her of cheating on me. I know I’m right, but it gives me little consolation.

Ron told me I was just another broken hearted lover on her long list of failed relationships. In the long run she was only hurting herself. She was like a moth being drawn to a flame and had no idea of her self-destructive behavior. She was on a crash course with destiny, but there wasn’t anything I could do to stop her.

My mind was spinning out of control. Why would I feel sorry for her? I did nothing wrong, so why do I think I should have tried harder

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to show her how much she meant to me?

The more I tried to make sense of this the more depressed I became. I tried to think of anything other than Kay, but to no avail.

Why did she come here today? Was it just to torment me? I know this isn’t over yet. I need to distance myself and shut her out. I know she’ll be pissed off if I do, but why should I care?

She tried to put me on a guilt trip the last time I accused her of be-traying me. She has no conscience when it comes to tearing out a man’s heart. She won’t get away with it this time.

How sad it is that she’s the way she is. She has so much to offer the right man.

Through streaming tears I shouted, There I go again. Why am I torturing myself?

Part of me wanted to love her and part of me wanted to destroy her.

Chapter 2

I felt the room closing in on me. I didn’t understand how could I love her and hate her at the same time? This emotional roller coaster was eating at my guts.

I couldn’t let her do it to me again. I wanted to get out of here and salvage what little sanity I had left. I needed to be strong, but what I needed most was to beat her at her own game.

The thought of getting even with her brought a moment of peace. My mind kicked into high gear and it wasn’t long before I came up with a plan.

Kay was brilliant, but she was a failure at relationships. I knew jealousy was her Achilles heel because she always got upset if I even looked at another woman. When we were at the Palladium I remem-ber the look on her face when Ron pointed out one of my old girl-friends. I didn’t understand Kay’s snide comments about her, but now it makes sense. Kay was a whore, so she thought every woman was a whore.

I took a deep breath and let it out. This was the first time in a long time I felt like I had a reason to live.

I started plotting my next move. I knew how to play the corporate game, but now I needed to learn how to play the vengeance game.

I remembered something Kay said to me a few weeks ago. No rules. That’s the way I play the game.

I wanted that to be my new motto.

The steel door opened and interrupted my thoughts.

Nurse Crawford came into the room with a syringe in her hand. I couldn’t let her sedate me. I needed to keep my wits about me.

I faked a smile. Hello, Nurse Crawford. I feel much better today. Is it possible to dispense with the hard drugs? Maybe something soft would be a nice change of pace.

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She left the room without replying.

A few minutes later, Dr. Mallory came into the room and stopped beside my bed.

He said, I hear you’re feeling better, Mr. Johnson.

I put on my best smiley face. Yes, I am and I owe it all to the visitor who left here a few minutes ago.

He looked suspiciously at me. He was no dummy. Maybe I laid it on a little too thick.

So tell me, Mr. Johnson, what was it about this visitor that made the sudden change in you?

I needed to choose my words carefully. She’s the one who saved my life. If she hadn’t have forgotten to take her purse with her when she left my house she wouldn’t have come back and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

Yes, I know, I read the police report. My question is this; did you know she had forgotten to take her purse?

I knew what he was getting at. I didn’t know until later that she had forgotten to take her purse. I needed to make him think I did because that would mean I expected her to return and find me before the sleeping pills took effect.

I said, When I saw her purse lying on the table near the front door I knew she would come back when she realized it was missing.

There was a long silence before he said, I’m going to have an attendant remove your restraints. I want you to come to my office and discuss this matter further.

He left the door open when he left the room.

A few minutes later, a man the size of a small truck came in and unbuckled the shackles on my wrists and feet. He didn’t speak, he just pointed toward the door.

I followed him to Dr. Mallory’s office and went in. I expected to see a black leather couch, but there were only two brown high-back tufted leather chairs and a large desk with an oversized office chair. An 8x10 framed photo of a Standard Poodle and two Cocker Spaniels gave me the insight as to what kind of person I was dealing with.

I looked around and saw there were video cameras in every corner at ceiling height. He didn’t bother telling me our conversation was going to be recorded. A photo of him shaking hands with President Biden indicated he was no ordinary civil servant. According to my brother-in-law, Dr. Larry Bernstein, most of the staff at L.A. County

Betrayal. A not so... Love Story      9

General Hospital consisted of throwbacks from private hospitals, or interns who had no option but to do their time in residency.

Dr. Mallory pointed to the chair closest to the window. I smiled politely and sat down. The view indicated his office was on one of the upper floors. The sky was unusually clear and with a little effort I could see the tall buildings that lined Wilshire Boulevard. My office was on Santa Monica Boulevard just beyond Rodeo Drive, so I knew the area well.

I started thinking about my secretary. I hadn’t been allowed to use the phone, so I wasn’t able to let her know where I had been for the past three days.

I looked for a clock, but there wasn’t one. I leaned forward and looked out the window. The Golden State Freeway was teaming with rush hour traffic, so it was my guess it was either early morning or late afternoon.

Dr. Mallory sat patiently observing my every movement.

I decided to try and charm him, so I could win his favor.

So, tell me, Doctor Mallory, how is it that you were fortunate enough to meet the president?

He shifted his eyes toward the photograph of President Biden and himself, and then wrote something on a notepad.

I waited for him to answer.

Have you met President Biden, Mr. Johnson?

No sir, but I did meet President Clinton just before he left office. I was surprised at how tall he is.

How tall do you think he is?

He’s taller than me. I’m six-foot-two and he’s at least an inch or two taller.

Where did you meet him?

My ex-girlfriend and I were in Washington DC on vacation and we went to the Capitol Rotunda as our final stop. Clinton and several Secret Service Agents came into the room and took us by surprise. I didn’t know until after they had locked the doors that he was getting ready to address a group of interns. We wanted to get out of there, but the armed guard standing in front of the exit door said we couldn’t leave until after the president was finished. Clinton came over and introduced himself, then shook my hand. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I didn’t vote for him.

Dr. Mallory wrote something down, and then asked, "Do you always

10      Kendall Graham Fox

call people by their last name?"

Only people I have no respect for.

He wrote something else down.

Mallory was a total bore. I found it difficult not to get up and walk out. I bit my tongue because I knew I would never get out of here if I let him get to me.

I needed to find a way to win his favor. I had interviewed a lot of highly educated nerds for positions in my investment company over the past twenty years and decided to use the same approach on him.

I said, I see you have two Cocker Spaniels and a Standard Poodle. Do you take them to dog shows?

He shook his head, then picked up the photograph of his dogs and grinned.

I grinned too. I knew I had him.

He put the photograph down, then looked at me and smirked.

Now, I wasn’t so sure of myself. This was going to be like a game of chess. He was the king and I was a pawn, but that didn’t mean the king wouldn’t fall.

He walked over to the window, then pressed his head against the glass. A few moments later, he turned toward me and said, Come here, Mr. Johnson.

I got up and went over to him.

He said, On a clear day you can see Catalina Island. Have you ever gone to Catalina, Mr. Johnson?

I pointed to the tallest building on Santa Monica Boulevard My office is in the penthouse of that building. I have a telescope pointing toward Catalina Island. I lost my virginity at the Wriggly Mansion. I was nineteen and she was twenty-five.

He went back to his desk and wrote something down.

Smooth move Exlax, I muttered.

I thought it was best to keep my answers to simple yes and no re-sponses.

He asked, Do you like older women, Mr. Johnson?

He was a real piece of work. I knew what he was thinking and de-cided to appeal to his masculinity. What would you have done if a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader got drunk and mistakenly came into your room and climbed in bed with you?

He opened the upper left drawer of his desk, then took out a framed photograph of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleading squad and handed it to

Betrayal. A not so... Love Story      11

me. It was signed by one of the cheerleaders. I didn’t recognize her name or face, but her body looked familiar.

He took the photograph from me and put it back into the drawer, then he picked up the telephone and handed it to me. I didn’t know who he wanted me to call. He sat there grinning. What kind of game was he playing?

He was right about me needing to make some phone calls, but there was a problem. I knew that no matter who I called there would be a lot of hard questions.

I waited impatiently to see what he would do next.

He pushed the phone closer to me.

Was this like in the movies where the bad guy gets to make one phone call? I guessed I would soon find out.

Suddenly, the thought of explaining where I had been for the past three days made my stomach feel queasy. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead and my hands started trembling.

Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to get out of here just yet.

Chapter 3

I found it difficult to choose who to call first. After much consider-ation I decided to call my sister, Laura. She was the only person I was sure I could trust.

I tried to think of her phone number, but for some reason I couldn’t remember it. I had almost perfect recall, so not remembering her number told me I had more problems than I thought.

I put my index finger above the pushbuttons and started pressing numbers. It was as if I were watching someone else dial the number.

Laura answered the phone. Hello!

I didn’t know what to say, so I remained silent.

Hello, is someone there?

I spoke softly, It’s Johnny.

Fear of chastisement swept over me, so I started to hang up.

Her voice rang out loud and clear. Where the Hell are you? I’ve been pulling my hair out worrying about you.

I’m in the hospital. I had a nervous breakdown.

What hospital are you in?

L.A. County General.

Why didn’t you call me? You know I wouldn’t have let you go to a Hellhole like that.

My thoughts weren’t clear. I took a deep breath and said, I’m with my doctor, so please listen carefully and do what I ask. I need you to take care of a few things for me.

She didn’t respond. A heavy sigh told me she was upset.

Please, Laura, just do as I say and don’t ask questions. I don’t know how much time I’m allowed on the phone, so be patient with me. I don’t need any more stress right now.

I’ll do the best I can to help you, but when I’m done I want to come and see you.

Betrayal. A not so... Love Story      13

I didn’t want her to see me in the psycho ward. I agreed to her re-quest, but only to expedite matters. Okay, but I want to take care of business first. Call Sally and tell her to cancel all of my appointments until further notice. Tell her I’m on a mission from God, or tell her anything you want, but don’t tell her where I am. I’ll think of some-thing after I sort things out.

"What am I supposed to tell Mom? She’s pissed because you were supposed to take her to the Dodgers game yesterday. You should have called her and let her know that you weren’t