Voices

By Colleen Fountain Skinner

What happens when a secret is threatened to be revealed? A secret that No one is supposed to ever know about. If it surfaced, your life would never be the same again.What if you could find a way to silence their tongues so they could never utter another word? Would that be so wrong?After all, silence is bliss! If they cant speak...they cant tell.
But somehow the plan goes hellishly wrong...because sometimes its the DEAD that speak the loudest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479718085

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 by Colleen Fountain Skinner.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2012917241

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4797-1807-8

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4797-1806-1

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4797-1808-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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114855

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CHAPTER ONE      The Truth

CHAPTER TWO      We Agreed

CHAPTER THREE      Home Again

CHAPTER FOUR      Tampering with Evidence

CHAPTER FIVE      The last Goodbye

CHAPTER SIX      Isaiah

CHAPTER SEVEN      A New Day

CHAPTER EIGHT      The Pines and the Willows

CHAPTER NINE      Re-Opening the Case

CHAPTER TEN      Beth

CHAPTER ELEVEN      The Dream

CHAPTER TWELVE      He Knows

CHAPTER THIRTEEN      Who

CHAPTER FOURTEEN      The Crow

CHAPTER FIFTEEN      Blue-Eyed Friend

CHAPTER SIXTEEN      She lives

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN      It’s Not Over

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN      I’m Sorry

CHAPTER NINETEEN      Silence

CHAPTER TWENTY      Do It!

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE      Accusations

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO      Bug a Boo

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE      The Ring

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR      Ring Around the Rosies

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE      The Note

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX      Broken Bond

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN      DIG

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT      Circumstantial Evidence

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE      Unearthed

CHAPTER THIRTY      The Secret

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE      So Sweet

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated once again to my family and friends. My life would not be as crazy and beautiful without all of you in it. The good times and bad are what holds us together, and the stories that we share are forever locked in my heart.

I wish my Mother, Father, Brother and Grandmother were here to share in my celebration as I publish another book, but I know they have been with me in spirit. I’ll love you guys until my dying breath, and I miss you with every heartbeat.

To John and Mary Aldasch—although he is gone, he will always be remembered. He was a wonderful young man and thank you for allowing me to acknowledge him in my book.

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R.T.A.

I would like to say something to every one of my family and friends because each and every one of you has helped me along the path and touched something in my soul that makes me want to write. And somewhere along the line, you may find a paragraph or two of something we had done in our youth or in present. So be very careful, never piss off someone that can put it in writing! lol I love you all and thank you for your faith in me!

To Ed, my husband—Thank you for letting me be who I am and for never trying to change me. I know I’m a little different, but you make me feel like its okay to be me. I love you for that, and I love you for being so kind and a man that I can trust with every aspect of my life. I tell everyone that I got lucky when I married you! Plus… I think you’re cute! ooxx

To Bethany and Corey Jay—I love you more than you will ever know. Thank you for giving me a lifetime of happy memories. I am so proud that you are my children. We as a family share a lot of laughter, and I am truly blessed. I am also going to be blessed with my first Grandchild! Thanks Beth and Alex, now we have one more to love and laugh with!

And now I thank you. I hope you enjoy VOICES as much as I enjoyed writing it. To my small but wonderful following, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for making my dream come true! I will continue writing for you, as long as you continue to read!

Love Always, Coll

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank the following people for helping me in this crazy process I call writing. They have read and reread, taken their time just to help me without asking for anything in return. It’s hard to believe that in this time and age there are still people that want to help just because. I am surrounded with friends and family like that and I would like to make sure that everyone knows who they are. I love you guys!

Nancy Todi—for reading, editing, and teaching me how to use an Mp3 player. You’re Swell!!!!!

Maria Fountain Austin—Thank you for all the last minute calls and decisions I made you make! I love you!

Danny Casler—for reading and commenting and believing in me.

Corky Rine—for inside info on police procedures, and for helping me out every time I called. Thank you for all our talks, you were so helpful! Love always, your cuz.

Doug Bailey—for explaining to me reactions to a crime scene and the hundred other questions I came up with. It was nice to talk to you and know that you were just a phone call away any time I needed you.

Moe Lupia—for enlightening me on the ways to kill someone… and do it right! . . . lol In all seriousness, thank you for not letting me go Hollywood and telling me how a true situation would be.

GRAMMER~

Mrs. Diana Clarke… AKA Miss Diana… . A beautiful woman that I have known and loved since forever. Thank you so much for taking time with me and trying to correct my grammar which is a task in itself. I am so glad that you walked into my studio and into my heart. Thank you for always being there for me. But if you have grandchildren and you send them to Beth’s dance studio, please do not do the following:

Do not cut their hair a week before a performance or each and every time it’s recital week. And do not let them get their belly button pierced before their acro number… . just sayin… lol

Love always and forever, . . . . Collie

EDITOR ~

Valerie Hill… AKA, . . . Laura. Your mom and dad will be happy that I finally used your real name, not the one I have given you. haha I remember our sixth grade teacher saying that WE as a class would no longer be friends with one another once we got into the Junior high school and High School years. I think he didn’t know the strength our friendship, because I love you more now then when we were those kids on the playground without a care in the world. Thank you so much for helping me edit my book. I enjoyed the time we spent together and it was the highlight in my week when we would work on it. So from one friend to another, I love you with all my heart. And like I said, Mrs. Douglas set me on the path to writing, and I hope you will take my hand and continue showing me the way. Oh I almost forgot, . . . thank you for the Tasty beverages

Love you from the bottom of my heart

Fountain

COVER ART~

Danny Mills—Again, thank you so much Danny for your talent, I hope that every book I publish will have your artistic signature on it!

CHAPTER ONE

The Truth

Jessie sat staring at herself in the large mirror before her. Her reflection shone back as someone she didn’t know, or more to the truth, someone she didn’t want to know. She leaned forward and peered deeply into her own eyes, trying to find a glimmer of any kind of beauty she once saw in them. She had flawless dark skin, and the cheek bones of her ancestors. Her Indian heritage was evident in her sculpted face and in the black hair that fell straight to her shoulders. Even though she was proud to be a Native American, the feature she loved most about herself was all but Indian. It was her eyes; they were not brown like the rest of her family. They were blue like her fathers, a blue that made men stare into her eyes during a conversation instead of her chest. Even though Jessie was not overly vain, she always thought it was her eyes that brought beauty to her face, and now, as she stared into them, they were dull and ugly… the eyes of a liar.

Jess, you comin down? asked a deep handsome voice.

Jessie turned away from her reflection, hating who she had become. Tears started to well in her eyes and she quickly brushed them away swallowing hard so she could answer him without a crack in her voice. Be right there, she answered back as she quickly lowered her head in the sink. She splashed cold water over her face, hoping to take away some of the red puffiness that now surrounded her eyes. She looked at her reflection once more, then turned away and took a deep breath. Smile, she said out loud. Then, composed herself, opened the bathroom door and walked down the stairs.

Somehow over the past five years she managed to maintain a believable façade, being able to hide the cancerous truth. It was a truth that needed to be set free, and tonight one way or another she was going rip open the wound and let the poison out. It was killing her to hold the secret inside. He didn’t deserve the deception; he needed to know.

Corey threw his jacket on and gave his wife a kiss. I’ll be back in a few hours, and I wouldn’t mind at all if you had something lacey and black on when I come home.

You’re such a freak, Jessie said. Then she gave him the look that put a smile on his face.

Corey felt something tugging at his pant leg and looked down. Daddy, I learned a new song, can I sing it to you?

Jessie felt relieved to be able to break eye contact with him. She knew if he looked deep enough into her eyes, he would know there was something wrong, and she wasn’t ready to tell him yet.

He bent down and scooped up his beautiful child into his arms as she hummed the melody of Ring around the rosie. I know the words, too, she said, her eyes big, and full of excitement. Want to hear ’em, Daddy?

A car horn blew a couple of times signaling Corey that his ride was here.

How about I spend the morning with you tomorrow, and you can sing to me while we color? Right now Daddy’s gotta go.

Now, Daddy! Tomorrow’s far away, she whined, as her big blue eyes softened, pleading with him in her usual way.

He kissed her cheek and set her down. It’s bedtime Princess. I promise, before I go to work tomorrow, you can sing me your song. Now give me some lovin’ and off to bed with you.

Molly kissed her father and mother, and then pitifully climbed the stairs with her head hung low, dragging her little feet on each step. When she reached the landing, she looked back over her shoulder at them and sighed. Her tiny bottom lip curling outward in a childish pout. Jessie and Corey blew her a kiss, telling her goodnight one more time. Molly scowled, now knowing her plan didn’t work. Slowly she shuffled to her room, shutting the door behind her. She grabbed her teddy bear as she always did, crawled into bed, and placed her tired head on the pillow.

That girl is going to be an actress. Corey laughed, loving the faces his daughter made that pulled at his heart.

Jessie smiled, acting as if her thoughts weren’t scattered in twenty different directions. It was so hard to concentrate on what was happening, instead of what was going to happen. But she was playing the charade well, and went right into the role of what she would do at this moment, if she wasn’t playing with fate. Jessie wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck. So Mr. Policeman, are you going to arrest me tonight? Put me in handcuffs because I’ve been bad? As she spoke the word BAD, she felt a twinge of guilt, a truth spoken out of context, a Freudian slip that stopped her heart from beating.

Corey looked into his wife’s beautiful eyes not seeing the panic flashing behind them. You’re not playing fair darling, he said as he pulled her closer to him, kissing her neck. He felt her back arch slightly in his arms, as a tiny moan passed her lips. This was her weak spot and if she was going tease him, two could play at this game.

Who’s not playing fair now? she asked, letting lust take over most of her thoughts. It wasn’t hard when he held her in his arms. She kissed him long and hard, touching him in places that she knew would keep him thinking about her ’till he was back in her arms. He made her melt, and for a second she forgot how horrible this night would be. But, what if he never wanted to be back in her arms? Maybe he wouldn’t understand and would hate the sight of her. She reluctantly pulled herself out of his embrace, as the horn beeped again. Jessie started to walk away, never taking her eyes off him. She had to make him want to come back to her soon. She needed to make love to him one more time before confessing the darkness that had imprisoned her with dread.

Slowly she unbuttoned her blouse, walking backwards allowing him full view of the supple curves of her breasts, revealing more as she spoke, unbuttoning one button at a time. I’ll just take a bath, drink some wine and wait on the bed naked for my husband to come home and make sweet passionate love to me.

Oh, you’re playing dirty, Corey responded, looking lustfully at Jessie, as she turned to climb the stairs. He knew she was letting her hips sway slightly more than usual, and he was certainly enjoying the view.

As the horn blew again, impatiently Corey shouted, Just a minute! He wanted to finish watching Jessie till she was out of his sight.

As she neared the top of the stairs she couldn’t hold back the emotions that plagued her heart. Tears fell silently, not wanting him to sense the horrible secret that was taking her breath away. She needed him and wanted him, even if it would be just one more time.

Okay, I’m leaving now, Corey yelled up. But, I’ll be back in a couple of hours, and then we have some business to take care of! he teased with a smile to his voice.

Jessie tried to compose herself, but there were too many scenarios racing through her mind, and she didn’t know how to handle them all. Answer him. She said inside her head. There was an awkward long hesitation before she found words to speak.

Have a good time, I love you, she managed to say without her voice quivering.

I love you, too, Corey shouted as he stood in the doorway. And don’t forget to lock the door; there are a lot of wackos in this world. Then he was gone, with the slam of the door.

Jessie treasured the last words he spoke; letting I love you, repeat over and over in her mind. She buttoned her blouse back up as she walked into their bedroom. Sitting on the bed she pulled back the curtain watching Corey’s best friend’s car pull out of the drive and toward Joel’s Steakhouse.

She closed her eyes and inhaled, trying to steady her nerves, then, slowly exhaled. She had to do this, it was time. Jessie picked up the phone, dialed the number, then hung it up quickly before anyone could answer. Just do it Jessie, she told herself trying to build her courage back up. She wiped the tears from her face and gathered what was left of her strength, picked the phone back up, and hit the redial button.

Cole? she said softly, swallowing hard before she spoke again. We need to talk.

CHAPTER TWO

We Agreed

Cole listened intently, then quickly hung up the phone. He ran upstairs, putting on his most expensive dress shirt and hip hugging jeans. His hands trembled as he slid on his alligator boots. He had to look his best, knowing this was Corey’s night out and Jessie called him to come over, what else could it mean? He fixed his hair quickly, splashed on some cologne, then grabbed his keys. She wanted to talk to him, and he knew what she wanted… Him.

He started the car, and then swung his vehicle around kicking up the dirt and stones as he left his driveway. His foot pressed hard on the accelerator, trying to shorten the distance between them. He laughed out loud, not being able to contain the pure joy he was feeling, It’s finally happening! In his life he had screwed a lot of girls, but they were all just a piece of ass with forgotten faces and names. Jessie was different from all the rest. How she made love to him that night, could never compare to any other girl or woman he had ever been with.

He caught the sign for Blackmans’ Corner Road and smiled, Just five more miles, he whispered out loud. The radio blared and he pushed down harder on the gas pedal. Her road was now in sight, and his stomach tightened. He imagined himself pressed against her soft warm skin, thinking back to when he made love to her. It was so long ago, but he remembered every detail of that night. How she touched him, telling him how strong he was, telling him to take her because she couldn’t wait a second longer to feel his love. Oh, but the best memory of all is how she trembled when he touched her bare skin. He had never made a woman tremble before with just the touch of his hand. He remembered her perfume and its sweet scent drove him crazy as he kissed every inch of her body. Then, when she kissed him with her full lips, there was no turning back, and he showed her how a woman was supposed to be made love to. And tonight, right or wrong he was going to have her again because he knew, without any doubt in his mind, that she wanted him and only him.

He pulled into the driveway, slammed the car into park and tried to calm himself down. Running a comb through his hair, he closed his eyes, and willed his body to stop shaking in anticipation. He twisted his ring as he always had when he was nervous or excited, feeling the raised C and small diamond on the face of the ring. He tried to push down the anxiety as he made his way to the house and rang the bell. It seemed like forever before she answered.

Then, slowly it opened with Jessie standing there just as beautiful as he had anticipated. She was dressed in a pink blouse with white shorts that emphasized the curve of her ass. He could tell that she wasn’t wearing a bra and that excited him, making him fantasize about what the night was going to bring. Her dark black hair fell around her shoulders like silk, and her eyes turned him on just looking into them. He was becoming excited and was nervous that Jessie would notice. But, then again, maybe it would turn her on. So he didn’t attempt to hide himself, wanting her to see how much he desired her.

Come in, Jessie said, motioning for him to enter. Her voice was soft and poetic, even with the simplest words. His groin was now throbbing and aching. He hoped it wasn’t going to take long before he could taste her lips. He couldn’t think straight, all he wanted was to make love to her. He knew she wanted him, that’s why she called, and now he was going to satisfy her the way her husband obviously couldn’t.

As she walked in front of him, her perfume once again captured his senses, taking him back to that night so long ago, that beautiful night he finally had her. As he breathed in the aroma, it seemed to intensify her beauty and elegance.

Sit down Cole. I need to talk to you.

Cole walked to the love seat and sat down. When Jessie sat in the seat across from him instead of next to him, he began to feel shunned. He wanted her; he wanted to be close to her. She was just teasing him and it wasn’t right. She should be in his arms right now, and they should be touching each other. But no, she was playing a game, making him wait, making him endure her coyness.

Cole, Jessie said nervously, running her hand through her dark long hair, pausing so she could think about how she was to start the conversation. She looked back into Cole’s eyes and cleared her throat. Then she blurted out the words before she could change her mind, I have to tell Corey about what happened between me and you. She shifted her eyes to the floor, hesitated for a moment, then finished her phrase in a whisper that was almost too silent to hear, and that Molly might not be his.

Cole’s eyes iced over and the room took on a silence that scared her more than any words Cole could say to her. He stared at her for a moment totally dumbfounded, as Jessie’s body tensed, waiting for his response.

Slowly he spoke, What the hell are you talking about, Jessie? Knowing now that she didn’t call him because she wanted him; she called him because she wanted to ruin his life. We agreed never to tell him! he shouted, shocked at the thought of what she was going to do. Wasn’t it you that cried and begged, until I told you I wouldn’t tell Corey what you did?!

What I did! Jessie shot back with anger now replacing fear. You know I thought you were Corey. I never would have touched you if I knew it was you. I love Corey. I could never hurt him like that!

You knew who the hell you were making love to, and you wanted me, Jessie! Don’t deny it! You told me how strong I was and how good I made you feel.

I didn’t know it was you! I was drunk out of my mind, Cole! You took advantage of that! You pretended to be him, it was dark and I was messed up, she stammered.

"Drunk or sober, you were always able to tell us apart. You always wanted me, Jessie.

As soon as Corey was out of town for that week, you made sure you had me. You just can’t admit it to yourself that you want me and not my brother!"

It was a mistake, Cole! I thought Corey came home early, Jessie cried, I was drinking and when you came into my bedroom…

Bullshit it was a mistake! Corey and I may be twins, Jessie, but you knew who I was that night you made love to me.

I thought you were Corey, damn it! Jessie screamed out of frustration. You tricked me!

Tricked you? Cole repeated Jessie’s words. He couldn’t believe what was happening. She was twisting everything around.

I want you out of my house and out of my life! I’m sick of you threatening me! I’m not scared of you anymore or your idle threats! I’m telling Corey tonight, I can’t take the guilt anymore! she couldn’t believe she actually said what she was thinking out loud. She wanted to retract her words, but it was too late.

Cole hurled himself onto Jessie so her face was inches from his own, forcing his body weight on her so she couldn’t move. There is no way in hell you will ever tell Corey. he threatened through clenched teeth, pronouncing every syllable so she would not mistake one word he uttered. Cole knew doctors could never prove if Molly was his or Corey’s child. They were identical twins with matching DNA, and Jessie’s big mouth would be the only reason he would ever question it.

Cole’s eyes burrowed deep into Jessie’s. He stared at her, not moving, not blinking, challenging her without words to underestimate him. Do you honestly think for one minute that I would let you wreck my life? If Corey ever found out that Molly might not be his, he would never forgive me. I don’t care what he thinks of you. You’re nothing but an adulterous bitch anyway, but he’s my brother and I won’t let you take Corey away from me!

His eyes narrowed and Jessie tried to break free from his grasp, but he loomed above her, loathing her, yet lusting for her at the same time. He stared angrily in her eyes, then slowly his expression softened, and his breathing became rapid. His groin began to ache and he knew Jessie was the only one that could make it feel better. He couldn’t stop looking into her eyes, her beautiful, magical, enticing eyes. He couldn’t contain himself any longer, and he forced a kiss on Jessie’s lips. He pinned her down, feeling her hips pressed against