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Deja ventured into the hospital room where Nina, Stan, and a gray-haired woman were gathered. She had expected she’d be able to speak to Nina alone and still needed that opportunity.
The woman held out her hand to Deja. “I’m Carol Austin.”
Deja shook the woman’s hand. “Deja. Nice to meet you.” She said hello to Stan then approached Nina, who sat on the side of the bed, wearing a hospital gown and a frown. Nina’s face tightened as Deja approached.
“Hey, Nina.”
“What are you doing here?” Nina obviously didn’t want her there, and after their phone call, Deja understood why.
“I’ve been so worried about you, and I wanted to see how you’re doing.” Deja tried to sound as genuine as possible, nervous a therapist would be able to detect her bullshit.
“I’m obviously not doing well,” Nina said.
“Deja, Nina was going to tell us something important about what’s been going on lately. Maybe you two can catch up after?” Stan said.
“Sure. Of course.” Deja shifted uncomfortably. Everyone wanted her out, but she hadn’t done what she came for, so she couldn’t leave and risk Nina incriminating her. “Nina, I just wanted to mention one thing. Remember we were talking the past few days about how you wanted to get something done? Something for your body? That it was going to cost a lot of money, and you’d pay money up front, then the rest later. Remember?”
Nina’s forehead wrinkled. “No, I—”
Deja spoke calmly though her heart pounded in her chest. “You told me you’d made a payment. You told me you made the first payment to the doctors, but then you had to pay the rest later to make sure it’d all be taken care of for good. You were going to get your teeth done to top it all off.” Deja revealed her teeth and pointed to them.
Nina’s mouth dropped open. She leaned forward, realization dawning on her face. “When we talked on the phone—”
Deja stepped forward and hugged her tight. “I couldn’t tell you over the phone. They removed the body and left sandbags as a reminder the second payment is due. If we don’t get it to him, he’ll resurface the body,” she whispered, before taking a step back.
Nina’s face grew pale. “So the first part was done?”
“Yes,” Deja said. “But I think you have to remember about your daughters. They come first, right?”
Stan cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, but what the hell are you two talking about?”
Nina looked at Deja like she didn’t know how to respond. “I was going to—”
“Get some work done. Liposuction, right?” Deja said.
Nina nodded. “Yes... liposuction.”
“You didn’t want anyone to know because you were embarrassed. That’s why you borrowed the money from your dad, right?” Deja asked.
“Is that true, Nina?” her dad asked.
“Yes. I should have been honest from the beginning. That’s what I was going to tell you and Dr. Austin.”
Deja smiled at Dr. Austin and Stan. Nina seemed to be going along with the story and to have abandoned her desire to tell the truth. “I’ll go wait in the waiting room down the hall, so you all can talk alone.”
“Thank you, Deja,” Nina’s dad said. “I’d been wondering about what happened to the money after I talked to Rodney, and he’d said he never received it. Hopefully, Nina can even get her money back. She doesn’t need any lipo.” Her dad chuckled, visibly relieved at the solved mystery.
Dr. Austin scrunched her face into a question. “That explains the money, but what about that comforter? The one in the park. You had been right that it was there where you led us, but instead of a body, there were sandbags.”
Deja had anticipated that would come up. “Comforter? When Nina and I were at the park with the kids a couple weeks ago, Miles said he’d found a discarded comforter hidden in the bushes when exploring. It was all wrapped up, and we told him not to bother it. But what’s that have to do with anything?”
Nina cleared her throat. “It’s a long story, Deja. You know what, I’m embarrassed about this whole thing. Resting in the hospital has allowed me to think more clearly. The anniversary of Isaiah’s death has impacted me much worse this year, and I confused some things. It’s all straightened up now. You’re right. My daughters come first. And now, I’m ready to go home to them.”
“I’ll talk to the doctor, and we’ll see about getting you discharged,” Dr. Austin said. “I’ll also arrange for you to speak to the police. Since you no longer think you’ve killed anyone, it should be a much easier conversation.”
“I’ll go wait outside until you’re done. I’m sorry I interrupted.” Deja left the room, confident she’d been convincing. She walked down the hall to the waiting area and slumped into a chair. Though lying came easy to her, these days, all the misleading and misinformation took a toll on her. When she relocated to Washington, she wouldn’t do it anymore. She’d be honest at all times, even when it was hard. She had Miles to think about, and she had to set a good example for him. Find a place to live, get a job, and straighten up—those were her goals.
Less than twenty minutes later, Stan walked into the waiting area. “Deja, Dr. Austin and I are done talking with Nina. She asked for you.”
Deja rose and followed him back to Nina’s room. He stopped at the door. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
“Thanks, Stan.” Deja entered Nina’s room and shut the door behind her.
She tiptoed toward Nina and joined her on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry if I confused you yesterday. I was scared when you were talking about the body with Dr. Austin and Damien there. I didn’t know what you had told them, and I couldn’t say anything over the phone.”
“It’s okay. That makes sense. I didn’t know what to think after we talked yesterday. You’re the only friend I have, and I thought you’d abandoned me like everyone else. I couldn’t deal with another person turning their back on me.”
Deja’s heart sank. She fought hard to steady her voice. “I’m still here, and I want to put this behind us.”
“How long do we have before this guy resurfaces the body?”
“Not long. The sooner we get it to him, the better.” That part was true, at least.
Nina peered into Deja’s eyes. “If something happens to me before then, will you promise me you’ll stay involved in the girls’ lives? They have Rodney, of course, but—”
Deja grabbed Nina’s hand. “Nothing is going to happen to you. I won’t let it. I promise.”
Nina squeezed Deja’s hand. “But—”
“Keep quiet about Kevin, and you’ll be able to get out of here. Once we completely pay for the body to be removed, we can talk with the police without fear. They’ll find out who is stalking you.”
Nina nodded. “I’d almost told them everything, but I’m glad you came. My girls need me, and I have to be there for them. Thank you, Deja. You’ll never know what your friendship means to me. I should have the money any day now.”
“Please, don’t thank me.” Deja stood. “I’m going to leave so you can rest. Try to get out of here as soon as possible.”
Nina stood and hugged Deja. “I’ll call you when I get home.”
Deja left the room, cloaked in shame. Though she’d accomplished what she’d come for, her conscience didn’t want to allow her to go through with what still had to be done. She’d have to find a way to make it up to Nina but in a way that didn’t end up getting her or Miles killed. She just didn’t know how yet.