11

 

By the time Daniel’s truck was parked in his shop, it was after eleven.

Will stomped his feet on the porch mat as much from frustration as a need to remove snow. He dropped his coat on the floor, pulled off his boots, and flopped onto the couch. “What a disaster.”

One question asked by the policeman haunted Will. “Do you or your boss have any enemies?” At the time, he’d denied it, but now he wondered. He’d done some pretty stupid things during his years in British Columbia. Could someone still be holding a grudge? But nobody had a clue where he lived now. At least, he didn’t think so.

And what about Daniel? Did he have enemies? Or was this, as the cop suggested, just a random act of violence?

But he considered Nila’s strange reaction, too. Why had she said it wasn’t her? She’d been with him all evening, and she would never slash tires anyway. He shook his head. That was just too weird.

He felt as if his nerves were vibrating, so he dug out his weight set and exercised until his muscles burned. His mind still raced, though.

Breathing hard, he went to his bedroom, picked up his Bible, and flipped several pages. It opened to Psalm 139. Not surprising, since his mother had used this Bible before giving it to him, and that was her favorite psalm. But his eyes were drawn to the verses just above in Psalm 138.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; You stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes, with Your right hand you save me.

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of Your hands.

“Exactly,” he said. He placed one hand on the written words as if to draw strength from them.

“God, I don’t understand what’s happening, but You do. And You have the power to handle it. Protect me and those around me for Jesus’ sake. And help me keep Nila safe. I can’t fail again.”

 

****

 

Too restless for sleep, Nila turned the television on with the volume low and sat on the sectional couch, knees pulled to her chest. She tried to concentrate on the sit-com, but she couldn’t seem to focus.

Instead, images from the evening flashed like a slide show on hyper-speed, pausing at certain moments.

Will’s face as he met her at the door, his eyes sparkling. Then his frown when she’d said they could be friends, but nothing more. Pleasant, but superficial conversation.

And finally, that moment when she saw Daniel’s slashed tires.

She rubbed her eyes, but the image remained. Deep, ragged gashes in Daniel’s tires, just like the gashes on the photos hidden in her closet. And she’d seen it before.

Nick had done it.

She knew he had. But she couldn’t tell anyone, or he’d hurt them. He’d had lots of practice.

The cabbie’s voice seemed to whisper again, “You are not alone, no matter how things feel.”

Nila clenched her fists and shut her eyes against the memories. But she was alone. Nick’s threats had ensured that. And if God cared, he wouldn’t let Nick get away with it.

She turned off the ignored TV and went to her room. Her cellphone caught her attention. She hadn’t checked it for several days, afraid of more messages. Now a sense of fatalism numbed her as her hand reached for the phone. She held it for a moment, waiting. It was just a cool, inanimate object. No jolts, nothing. Shaking her head at her imagination, she slowly opened it and checked for messages. There was one.

Choking on horror, Nila dropped the phone and stomped on it. Too loud. She didn’t want to wake Dave and Lydia.

But she couldn’t stifle the flood of bitterness unleashed by that note. Every hurt, every injustice she’d ever suffered rose like a swirling, dark cesspool. Abuses, isolation, beatings, lies. She buckled under their weight and fell to her knees.

It had to end. She couldn’t take any more. Rage lifted the hair on her arms and on the back of her neck. She breathed through her nostrils, half-expecting flames. She stared at the phone as if at a poisonous snake. It had to die.

She plucked her hammer off her tool belt and grabbed a towel from the bathroom. She wrapped the phone with its hateful message in the towel. She placed it on the floor and knelt in front of it. She closed her eyes and held her breath as she swung her hammer with all her strength. Once, twice, three times. Again and again, until the towel lay flat. She sat back on her haunches and opened the towel. Her cellphone was obliterated. But she couldn`t erase the text branded onto her mind:

I WARNED YOU. NOW YOU WILL PAY. IT’S YOUR FAULT.

 

****

 

“Good morning, Will.” Daniel’s voice was as clear as if he were in the next room instead of Ixtapa, Mexico. “What’s up?”

“I’m sorry to bother you again.”

“Son, I told you to phone whenever you needed.” Daniel sounded relaxed. “So talk to me.”

“We—we had some more trouble last night.”

“What kind of trouble? And who is ‘we’?” His voice lowered to nearly a growl.

“Uh, Nila and I. Well, not really. It was your truck.”

Total silence on the other end.

Will cleared his throat and continued, struggling to keep his voice calm. “Nila and I went out to celebrate finishing the Fehr job, but when we came out of the restaurant, your tires were slashed.”

More silence.

“Daniel, are you there?”

He heard a heavy sigh, and then, “Yes, I’m here. Do you have any idea who did this?”

Will shook his head as though Daniel could see him. “No. I did call the cops, and the guy asked if you might have any ideas.”

“No,” the response came slowly. “I don’t think I have any enemies. Sure can’t think of anyone who’d stoop to vandalism.” Another pause. “So now what? Is your truck fixed?”

“No, that’s going to take a few more days. The tire shop will deliver new tires for your truck this morning. Once I get them put on, I’ll have wheels, but I figured I’d better let you know.”

“Good thinking, Will. Any chance this was just random vandalism?”

“Could have been, I guess, but it didn’t look like any other vehicles got hit.”

There was another long pause before Daniel said, “You know, I’ve got a bad feeling about this. We’ll be home a week from tomorrow, but meanwhile I’d like you to contact Saskatoon Security. Get alarm systems put in both houses and the shop. I had them out last month, so they have all the specs, but then things got a little hectic with wedding plans. I wish I hadn’t put it off.” Another pause. “I wonder if we should try and get an earlier flight.”

“I’ll phone them right away. But don’t cut your honeymoon short. We’ll be fine. And please don’t tell Mom about this. She doesn’t need anything more to worry about. You take care, and we’ll see you next week.”

Half an hour later, he had an appointment with the security company for Saturday morning. He sighed as he replaced the phone. He sank onto the couch.

Daniel said he had a strange feeling. He wasn’t the only one. What was going on?

Nila was acting strange, and now this.

What was he missing?

 

****

 

Nila watched as a bright red Acura pulled into the driveway. “Hayley’s here,” she called. “See you later.”

Lydia poked her head around the corner. “Bye, dear. Have a good time.”

She doubted that.

She’d been surprised when Hayley phoned and invited her for lunch. But then she’d admitted she wanted to show Nila the rooms she wanted remodelled. So there was an ulterior motive.

Before Nila reached the car, Hayley leaned over and opened the door for her.

“Hurry up! Come on. Get in. How do you like my early Christmas present?”

Nila eased into the small space and leaned back. “It’s very nice. Comfy.”

“I told you I could find the house.” Hayley smiled smugly and patted a small screen on the dash. “I’ve got GPS. And heated seats, too. Just push that button; it’ll warm up right away. Sweet, eh?”

Nila obeyed, and a small smile softened her mouth. “Yes, it is.”

“So what’s up with your phone? I tried the number you gave several times, but it went straight to a recording.”

Nila’s smile disappeared. “It broke.”

Hayley backed out of the driveway, glancing at Nila as she turned east. “Really? How’d that happen?”

“It just broke.”

Hayley pursed her lips as she turned onto Circle Drive. “You’ll get another one, right? I couldn’t live without my phone.”

Nila clung to the armrest. “I didn’t use it much, anyway. Hayley, could you slow down a little?”

“I like to drive fast. It’s more fun. Scared?” She swerved in front of a semi, ignoring the blast of his horn. “See? We’re fine.”

Nila choked on a lump of fear. She faced her side window and closed her eyes. She would have asked God for help if she’d thought He would listen. Prayer wouldn’t help now.

Hayley stopped at a red light. “So, do you want to eat right away, or can I show you my townhouse first?” She tapped her steering wheel. “I talked to Will, and I’m really glad you guys are going to work for me.”

Confusion knitted Nila’s brow. “I’m not hungry, so if you want to show me what you want done, we could take care of that first. But did Will say he talked to Daniel about this? Because we can’t start any new work without his approval.”

Hayley tilted her head and faced Nila. “Not exactly.” She flashed a bright smile. “But he said he’d do it, and Daniel’s OK is just a formality, right?”

A horn sounded beside them, and Hayley’s head swiveled back to the road.

Nila chewed on her lower lip for a moment. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “No, Hayley, Daniel’s agreement is not a formality. He’s our boss. The construction company and its business are his. Not mine and not Will’s.”

Hayley pouted.

“But if you want to show me what you want done, I’ll tell Daniel about it when he gets home.” Nila relented.

“Fantastic.” The young woman beamed a triumphant smile. She chattered about her university classes, cleverly mimicking some of the professors.

Even though Nila didn’t know the people, she had to appreciate Hayley’s clever characterizations.

Before long, they pulled into the garage of one unit in a long row of townhouses.

Hayley led the way into a bright foyer and opened a closet door. “You can put your coat and boots in here. Want to see the main floor before I show you what I want done upstairs? Oh, don’t mind the mess. I haven’t had time to clean up after last night’s party.”

Nila kept her mouth closed by sheer willpower.

The area was strewn with dishes and empty drink containers. The plush off-white carpet looked trampled by dirty boots. Pillows were scattered here and there, some on top of dirty dishes.

She looked at her hostess, unsure. “Do you want me to help you?”

Hayley waved a hand, dismissing Nila’s question. “Of course not. If that bothers you, we’ll just go upstairs. Follow me.” She turned and headed up the stairs without a backward glance.

Nila stood as though rooted in place, staring at the desecration.

“Come on up. I can’t wait to show you my ideas.” Hayley waited at the top of the stairway.

Nila admired the modern black lacquered railing as she climbed the steps. It complemented the pearl-grey walls and white trim.

“Did you do the decorating?” She caressed the railing as she reached the top step where Hayley waited.

Hayley snorted. “Not likely. That’s not my thing, but I’ve heard you’re pretty good. That’s why I asked you to come here today.” She led the way into her bedroom. “I have ideas, but I need help with details. And construction, of course.” She turned and smirked at Nila. “You’re so lucky to work with Will Jamison.”

She’d said that before.

Nila nodded but said nothing.

Hayley linked her arm through Nila’s. “So,” she said, “what’s he really like? I can just imagine working side by side, bumping into him every now and then. Mm-mm.” She licked her full lips suggestively.

Nila stepped back, dislodging Hayley’s grasp. She struggled to keep her voice even. “Will is my co-worker and friend. Now, what were you hoping to change in here?”

Hayley raised her eyebrows, but she crossed to her closet doors and opened them with a flourish. More clothes than Nila had owned in her entire life crammed the six-foot space.

“Look at this. There’s not nearly enough room.” Hayley left the doors open and crossed to another door. “Go on in,” she urged.

Nila obediently opened the door to the en-suite bathroom, which was finished with blue tile countertop, white cabinetry, a large, white-framed mirror, and a tub/shower combination surrounded by blue and white tiles.

“Hideous, isn’t it?” Hayley’s voice startled her. “I want it all torn out.”

Nila clamped down on her lip. She took a deep, slow breath before responding. “You don’t like it?”

“Of course not. Those tiles are horrid, and the whole space is way too small. Follow me.”

She led Nila into the bedroom next to the master. “I don’t need this one, even if I end up with a roommate. There’s another bedroom at the end of the hall.”

She grabbed Nila’s arm and drew her close as though they were best friends. “Can’t you just see it? We can knock down that wall and turn this room into a combination walk-in closet and master bath. A real master bath with separate shower and tub. I love those freestanding tubs. And double sinks over there, and a heated floor, and…”

“Hayley, do you have any idea what that would cost?” Nila tried to pull away discreetly, but Hayley drew her even closer.

“No, and I don’t care. I’ll get the money.” She smiled again, but it seemed more brittle than bright. “Daddy likes to keep his little girl happy and out of his hair.”

“Oh.” Nila pulled away, ignoring Hayley’s frown. She tilted her head, puzzled. “Are you sure Will said we’d do this job?”

Hayley inspected her reflection in the mirror and fluffed her hair. “Don’t you believe me?”

Nila bit her lower lip. “I’m just surprised. Maybe he did phone Daniel about it. Although I can’t imagine why…”

“We’ll talk about it later, OK? All of a sudden, I’m really hungry. How about you?”

Nila hesitated. “If you want me to draw up some plans, I’ll need to take measurements. Would you mind holding the end of the tape?”

Hayley grabbed the tape without a word.

But something in her expression made Nila hesitate. And wonder.