Toxic Attention: Prairie Crime Thriller

By Maggie Thom

They seem like a normal family with normal issues but someone is trying to destroy that. Again.

 

Nia is there to save her niece. But she's not clear from what. As she delves deeper into the mystery, some shocking truths about her family come to light. Is her brother telling her the truth or is he hiding his own dark secret? Her niece has been ill for years but is it really a medical mystery? Or something deliberate? With her brother now suffering the same fate, Nia is in a race against time to find answers.

 

Tim knows that something dangerous is plaguing his stepsister's family. He just hopes history isn't repeating itself.

 

Nia and Tim must join forces, putting aside the finger pointing and blame, to uncover the truth behind the disturbing events that threaten their loved ones. Who would truly want to harm their family?

 

In this gripping Prairie Crime Thriller, set in the fictional place of Connemara Alberta, prepare to dive into a psychological rollercoaster of heart-pounding twists and turns. Lose yourself in this engaging tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Enjoy.

 

"… I really, really enjoyed every word from the beginning right through to the ending I didn't see coming… Highly recommend." Banacek

 

"Wow, that was a fabulous read. I loved the twists and turns that pulled you this way then the other way around. Maggie has a wonderful way with words, keeping you enthralled throughout the book." Connie Nixon

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maggie Thom
• Release date: Apr 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9781990787133

Book preview

Chapter 1

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Hello, Michael. You’re calling awfully late. Nia lay in bed as she glanced at the time on the clock radio her mom insisted she needed. 1 a.m.

I need to see you. I need you to come here. Now.

What’s going on? Is someone hurt? Worse? Nia sat up in bed, now wide awake. Bentley? Oh my God, she’s not—

—no. It’s me. I’m in the hospital.

What? Why?

I can’t tell you over the phone. I need you here. I need you to do something for me.

Nia swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. You’re scaring me.

I’m sorry. His voice broke.

Nia started pacing. Never in her life did she remember a time when she heard her brother cry. There were times he’d been sad or upset, but she’d never seen or heard him break down. He had always gone to her, though, when he needed help with something. Sometimes it was the simple things—holding his hand and walking him to grade one, standing up to bullies, telling Mom and Dad he was quitting his degree in law to become a power engineer. And that it was a good thing. She’d been there for him until the day he’d gotten married. Then she’d been replaced.

What’s going on? You have to tell me something.

Silence.

Please.

Nothing.

You have to—why are you in the hospital?

Because I’m sick. His breathing was raspy. Sick with something they don’t know... can’t figure out... what it is. I know what it is... but I can’t tell anyone. No one would... believe me. You’re... my only... hope. Please, Nia. Come.

Listening to him try to get the words out was strenuous. The words were stilted. Slow. It really emphasized what he was telling her. He was ill. He sounded like he was at death’s door. Her brother, who’d had colds when he was younger but rarely had been sick.

Anything, Michael. How long do you need me to be there for?

I don’t know. The summer?

Nia swallowed forcefully. There was no way she could get the summer off from her job and still have it when she returned. And she couldn’t afford to quit. She loved her job as an office drone. She answered phones, added data to a computer, and had no real responsibilities. A waste of her talents, as her mother told her. There was only one way she could do this.

Sure. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I love you. She wanted to ask about his wife and child but knew that wouldn’t be a pleasant conversation. Or at least it hadn’t been in the past.

Me too... Thank you. We never talked. He hung up.

Which translated to his wife and child weren’t to know he called her. She was going to have to call her parents. But how to keep them from finding out the seriousness and flying out there themselves?

A later problem.

Nia held her phone while she stared off into space. The brevity of the situation was just starting to hit her. The picture on her dresser, her and Michael when they were five and seven, grabbed her attention. She walked over and picked it up. Both of them had tied towels around their necks and were wearing them like capes. They’d promised to be the mighty duo.

Sadness slithered down her spine, sinking into her soul. It had been a long time since they’d been much of anything. Somehow, she’d make sure she was there for him.

Even if it meant he was having a mental breakdown.

~~~~

Charlotte picked up on the first ring, glad of the distraction. Her mind was so busy lately, she just couldn’t shut it off. Hello?

Hi, Charlotte.

Dad. Hi. What’s up?

I don’t know how to tell you this. He took a deep breath before blurting, She’s out.

Charlotte was stunned. The shiver of fear shot through her like lightning. It took a moment to find her voice. When?

A month ago.

Her whole body went on high alert. Why am I just learning about it now?

Don’t worry. She won’t find you. I’ll make sure of that. She doesn’t know where you live.

But she knows where you live. He didn’t seem to think she was a threat, but Charlotte wasn’t so sure. The few other times they’d let her out, she hadn’t come near Charlotte. At least, not that she was aware. So maybe he was right. She hoped so. It made her feel good to know that he was watching out for her. Especially since he really was her stepdad. He’d protect her like he always had.

I wanted you to know so you can keep an eye out, in case. If you see anyone strange around the house, call me. If you get any strange phone calls, call me.

Shouldn’t I call the police? We have a restraining order against her. He was the one to have it put in place.

Just live your normal life. They swear to me she’s reformed. I’ll have her watched. Do not worry.

I’m holding you to that. I have enough to deal with.

Hey. It’s been a month and nothing. And we can always send her away again.

Fine. I’ve got to go. Good night. It was abrupt but his news was unsettling, no matter how much he was trying to appease her. At one time, she’d loved that woman. Felt she could do no wrong. Then to find out she was the reason Charlotte had almost died had changed everything. At times, it was hard to imagine the once loving but dominant force in her life was deadly. That her mother was actually trying to kill her. Not kill her but use her in a sick, demented game.

Charlotte shuddered to think about what the woman had almost done to her. There was no way she was letting her back into her life.

Chapter 2

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Thank you.

Michael looked at her with such gratitude. Nia was glad she’d taken the drastic steps she had to get there so quickly. She sat down on the edge of the bed and hugged her brother. He struggled to sit up but managed with her help and with raising the bed. He swung his arms around her, wrapping her in what should have been a big, hearty bear hug. But it was weak, more like the ones her awkward cousin used to give her as a child, tentative and creepy. She knew her brother was trying to squeeze her tight but he had the strength of a new foal trying to stand minutes after being born—wobbly and weak. This was not the brother who used to chase her around as a teenager. Who climbed the side of Miller’s barn, just because he could. The guy who played every sport because he had that natural ability. The guy who was always trying to outrun... she shut down those thoughts.

Where had the last eleven... twelve years gone?

He’d gotten married. He’d withdrawn, gotten into his own new world. She’d been hurt, especially since they’d been so close. It was her that had always been there for him, through everything. But he’d stepped into married life, forgetting he had a sister. She’d taken his example and had pulled away from him, too. The mighty duo who had done everything together had gone their separate ways. They’d seen each other maybe twice a year at holiday family gatherings. The awkward events where everyone tried to be nice and not talk about the tension in the room.

It still gave her a sick feeling. He was what had been missing from her life. She held him tight. Holding him with a little more oomph than was needed, but she wanted him to know that she was there. That she wouldn’t leave him again. Definitely not like this.

His call a few days before had come out of the blue but had the effect he’d wanted. She’d dropped everything to be there for him. The secretiveness of it was what made her come. Not because she thought he was going to tell her a story that was so far beyond believing, but because she was concerned she might be losing her brother to something else.

He’d sounded... unlike himself. But then again, not. He’d hinted at something really bad.

She eased back, feeling his exhaustion and the distance of those missed years. He flopped back on the bed. His face was gaunt, white. Eyes sunken like they were trying to find the recesses at the bottom of a pit. Her insides shook with fear... fury... confusion.

You’re— She was going to say fine, but she could see that the dim light that was barely flickering in the depth of his eyes was threatening to blink out. We are going to figure this out.

I need to tell you what’s going on. He launched into a story. One that had Nia’s eyebrows raising and lowering like they were a bridge in a busy shipping lane.

I know it sounds crazy.

It had taken a long time for him to tell her what was going on and she was pretty sure she’d gotten the Coles Notes version. So many questions bombarded her, but it was the questioning look on his face that had her swallowing them. She took his hand and squeezed it.

I believe you. Well, sort of. What he’d told her was... a bit crazy. Wasn’t it? She’d never heard of anything quite like it, except in the movies.

Now he was sharing a plan, one that very much involved her. The almost begging honesty and sincerity in his eyes had her wondering how she could doubt him. He believed what he was telling her. There was one time he’d lied to her and gotten away with it.

But it’d been twelve years.

Tears leaked out of his eyes and ran into his hairline. Resting her fingers gently on the sides of his head, she used her thumbs to wipe away the tears. He looked at her with such hope. Such fatigue. His eyes closed. It was the first time in the last hour that she allowed herself a moment to let her shoulders drop and her body sag. She rubbed her hand over her face, before setting her hand over her mouth. It was purely unconscious, but the moment she realized it, she had a feeling it was to prevent the scream threatening to cut loose.

She should have been there for him. She shouldn’t have been so selfish. She could have at least talked to him. Forced him to talk to her. And not waited until he’d reached out, on what might be his deathbed.

His eyes popped open, shocking her so much that she snapped upright. The sunken orbs looked so desperate. It hit her like a smack to the chest. She squeezed his arm before getting to her feet. She needed to move or she might curl up beside him. A headache was starting to drill at the inside of her skull. The last twenty-four hours were taking their toll. Moving her stuff to her parents’ over the last week, closing up her apartment, trying to explain to her parents that Michael was ill but they needed to stay out of it for now, and then boarding a plane were making her body shake with fatigue. Or maybe it was what Michael had just told her.

One look at her brother and she knew she had to gather her strength and be there for him. She tried to sort out what she’d heard.

There are a few flaws in your plan but I... don’t know if I can pretend...

Her brother snorted with laughter. It was wheezy and haunting, but it brought a genuine smile to her face.

You, who used to run around as a kid pretending she was Sonic the Hedgehog from that video game we used to play? Now, that was first-class acting.

She mock punched him. Well, she pretend-flipped her short hair past her neck in a very dramatic gesture, I wanted to be a superhero and thought the hedgehog was underrated. It was fast, like me. It was crafty, like me—

—it was blue like you.

Ha. They’ve made not one but two movies about it. So, I’m not the only one who thought he was worthy.

Michael smiled but it wasn’t long before his eyelids drifted down again, hiding his once beautiful blue eyes that now had a darkness lurking around the edges. She walked around the bed to look out the window. His view was that of the mechanics of the building—rooftop units, metal, brick, birds, and bird poop. Not much to look at but then she wasn’t really seeing it anyway.

Her brother looked like a skeleton. Not quite that skinny but sunken, sallow, sick. She couldn’t remember the last time he’d been physically sick. But she also hadn’t seen him in years. He looked horrible.

If he dies...

The guilt would crush her. The relationships between her brother, her, and her parents hadn’t been the same since he’d gotten married. He’d met his wife, Charlotte, at university and had fallen head-over-heels for the blonde, blue-eyed student who was looking for her MRS. Degree—a man to marry and take control of. She’d bewitched him. And had taken him from his family. He’d willingly and wholeheartedly gone, though. Not all the blame fell on her. Not even having a child had brought him back into the folds of the family. He’d moved a thousand kilometers away, to a little town called Connemara. So, not an easy visit. At least, not without a lot of driving and/or flying involved.

If he dies...

She didn’t want to believe it but glancing back at him, he looked awful. She really had little experience with sick people. Both sets of their grandparents were alive and doing well. They had some health issues but nothing that would suggest they were going to die soon.

Should she believe him?

His story was crazy. She leaned her forehead against the glass. A popular song started playing. Nia jerked back. Michael struggled to reach for his phone on the bedside stand. She wanted to rush to help him but knew he wouldn’t appreciate it. Her thumbs rubbed the pads of her fingers as she watched. He finally picked up his phone.

Hello?

He didn’t have much to say but the other person seemed to. Nia couldn’t quite make it all out, not without moving closer. She took a step. His hand flopped down beside him. Nia ran to his side.

Michael. Are you okay?

He slowly rolled his head in her direction. His face told her everything. The spitting anger she saw in the depths of his eyes gave her hope. The tightening of his jaw gave her hope. It was the most life she’d seen from him in the hour plus she’d been there.

She’s here.

Chapter 3

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Tim put away all his planning material, locking it in his desk. He picked up his briefcase and left the classroom. He made his way outside and was just climbing in his SUV when his phone rang. The fact that he’d made it through the day without hearing from him was a miracle.

Hello, Dad.

Son. I need you to get over here. Now.

What’s up? What’s going—

The line went dead. Tim shoved his key in the ignition and started his SUV. He slid it into drive and made his way out of the parking lot. It was empty except for the few teachers like him who stayed after quitting time. There were also a few teenagers still hanging around. They waved at him as he drove past them. He waved back, setting a good example by doing the thirty kilometers an hour in the school zone. The moment he left that zone and was out of sight, he pressed down firmly on the gas. It was a ten-minute drive to his father’s but felt longer. The minute he got there, he jumped out of his vehicle and raced to the house.

His father, Del, was sitting in his favorite wooden chair on the veranda, looking like he didn’t have a care in the world.

Hi, Dad. Tim approached him, taking in the second wooden chair. There had only been one there for years. And years. Any time he’d come over, he’d either had to get his own folding chair and then put it away after or he’d often just sit on the steps. Not wanting to extend his visit longer than he had to. In truth, it had been a while since he’d been there.

Avoiding being with his father was a skill he was sadly trying to perfect. Tough to do with him being an only child. Well, sort of.

Tim sat down in the second wooden chair but didn’t say anything because he could tell by his father’s expression he was busy figuring out how to tell him something. Pushing his father would only end up in a fight and leave Tim wondering what the panicked call was about.

Biding his time, Tim looked around. Then wished he hadn’t. The fence was still tilting and ready to fall over into the side alley. The bedroom window in the corner was still open six inches. His bet was that it was stuck again. It needed to be replaced. As did all the old windows. Most didn’t open and those that did didn’t want to close. They were just a few in a long string of things his father wouldn’t fix and wouldn’t let him fix. But he’d sure lament over the sad state of his place. And often call Tim to come to his rescue when it caused a bigger issue, like snow blowing in the window. Then it had to be fixed immediately.

You’ve got everything in place, right?

Tim sighed. He should have known that was why his father was calling. Tim was leaving the next day.

Yes. The camp is set up. Instead of doing it here, I’m doing it there. I’ve got a place to rent. I’ll be around Bentley and Charlotte for the summer.

Anything you find, you tell me immediately. Me first. Then we’ll worry about the authorities. Got that?

Tim nodded but looked away. The last month had been spent putting this crazy plan of his father’s into play. Tim had only agreed because of Bentley.

I know you think I’m nuts, but Bentley is in trouble.

Tim rarely saw her. His dad, though, had babysat her several times over the years. Sometimes for a few weeks. Mostly when Charlotte had been ill. That his dad was still in touch with Charlotte had been a bit upsetting. He’d thought his father had stopped all contact. If Tim had been a dutiful son, he’d have known more about what was going on in his father’s life.

He really hoped his father was wrong about what was going on. But he had told Tim what happened to Charlotte’s mom, and what was currently happening. In his mind, it was something for the officials, but his father wanted him there, watching, protecting... and sleuthing. He was worried about Miranda. She was out. The day his dad had told him almost had him throwing up.

Once Tim had gone off to college at eighteen, there had been a lot of excuses not to return home. Or ask questions. All he’d wanted was to avoid the family drama. Now he realized that his father had been dealing with a lot.

I’m not having a repeat of what happened to Charlotte.

Tim understood that.

My granddaughter is only eleven and shouldn’t have to deal with this.

Tim thought back to his youth. He’d been adventurous and daring. Always out to prove he could do something that he shouldn’t have been.

Remember a few months ago when Bentley came to stay with me?

Tim’s shoulders tightened. He hadn’t heard about it until after the fact. Yeah. I thought you’d cut ties with Charlotte and her mom, but since Bentley came along, you’ve seen Charlotte and Bentley a lot.

We’ve been through this. Charlotte is a good person. She just got caught up in her mother’s stuff. She needed me and I was there for her. The first miscarriage. The second. The th—

—I get it, Dad. You’re there for her when she needs you. Finding out Charlotte had not only been there several times but that his father had looked after Bentley just reaffirmed for Tim how bad of a son he was. Which was really the only reason he’d agreed to his father’s crazy scheme. His father hadn’t shared much with Tim, all he’d known was that when he was finishing university, they’d moved out. It was only recently that he learned that his father had been instrumental in getting Charlotte away from her mom.

It was all so crazy it made his head spin.

Yes. Charlotte and her mom haven’t talked in years. If it wasn’t for me she wouldn’t have known—

Dad! Are you talking to Miranda?

Chapter 4

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Are you ready? I’m going to go, okay? Nia gave Michael a quick hug before stepping back. The sag to his shoulders, the defeat in his eyes, was heart-wrenching. I promise, I’ll be back. We will solve this.

Even if I don’t like the results.

He barely glanced at her.

We’re on. With one last friendly look she moved toward the open hospital room door. Squaring her shoulders, she spoke louder than necessary.

God, you’re such an idiot. Pfft. As usual, you’ve gone and done something stupid and are trying to blame others. She gave her brother a disgusted look before she barged out of the room and stormed past the nursing station. Her face was mottled, her steps fast and forceful.

Hi, Charlotte. He’s the same. Maybe a touch better. Go ahead. I’ll be in later to check on him, a nurse said to the woman standing at the nursing station.

Both women turned and looked at Nia, but she deliberately strode right past them as though she hadn’t seen them. She was a few steps beyond them when she stopped mid-step and turned dramatically. Charlotte was the woman at the nursing station. She was not someone you could miss seeing. Even if Nia had wanted to. She was ‘stand out in a crowd gorgeous’ and knew it.

Charlotte? Charlotte! I am so sorry. I didn’t even see you.

The tiny eye twitch was rather rewarding. Nia took a few steps toward her and reached out to touch her arm. How are you? I’m so sorry for all you’ve been going through.

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed as she pulled back. Nia. I wasn’t expecting you. How—?

Oh. It’s a long story. I called Mike because Mom and Dad are cleaning out the shed that holds all our kid stuff. I was checking if he wanted any of it.

He doesn’t.

I kind of figured that. Anyway, as we were talking, he started coughing. Sounding weak, you know? So I forced it out of him that he hasn’t been feeling well.

He’ll be fine. I have it under control. Charlotte brushed her blonde hair delicately off her neck, as though it was an intense, slow-motion process.

I know you do. You have so much on your hands, though. Michael said you wanted to call us, but he wouldn’t let you. Isn’t that just like him? Making you out to be the tough one. There’s no reason you should have to shoulder all of this. What with him being sick. And you’ve got Bentley. How’s she doing? She used to be sick a lot.

She’s fine. The clipped tone could have chipped ice.

Nia smiled. Of course she is. She has the best mom.

Charlotte’s suspicious look had her rethinking her tactics.

I just wanted to come and check on him. I’ve been having these awful dreams lately. Just weird ones, ya know? And truthfully, I needed a break from Mom and Dad. Who knew cleaning out their old stuff would be so exhausting.

As you saw your brother isn’t really doing all that badly.

The forty-year-old nurse, who had been talking to Charlotte when Nia passed, spoke up, interrupting them. Charlotte, this is who I was trying to tell you was in to see your husband.

Nia grit her teeth but smiled, even though she wanted to rip the woman’s tongue out. Charlotte had spies. There was at least a little bit of truth in what her brother told her. What is wrong with him?

Thank you, Lena. I appreciate it. Charlotte beamed at the nurse, who went back to work, grabbing some paperwork and then leaving the desk a moment later.

Charlotte faced Nia and shrugged, lifting her shoulder in such a delicate way that even the motion made her look stunning and ready for a photoshoot. The doctors don’t know. They’re doing tests to find out but nothing yet.

He’s such an idiot. I’m sure it’s just stress. He never did deal well with it.

Really? I didn’t know that.

It was a childhood thing. Nia waved her hand. I’m sorry for keeping you. I’m sure you want to get in and see him. I just popped in for a few, but I really have to run. I just got in.

Charlotte’s lips pursed. She wasn’t happy. She opened her mouth to say something but Nia beat her to it.

Don’t worry about it, though. I’m not going to stay at your house. I’ve got a place. I don’t want to be under your feet. I know how much you do. Michael was saying you’re on something like four volunteer boards. Wow, I don’t know how you do it. I really need to run. I feel like I just said that. Wow. I must be tired. Even I think I’m babbling. See you later. She leaned in and gave Charlotte a quick hug before pulling back. The woman stiffened harder than a board if that was possible.

Actually, it’s more like seven.

Seven? Oh, you mean boards. I don’t know how you do it. Being married and raising Bentley. Wow.