CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

 

The million-dollar colonial redwood house was located in the east end of The Woods. Ashley considered it a definite improvement from their previous old ranch style residence in Bluffs Bay. They’d lived in the brand new, two-story home for six months. The move up the residential and economic ladder was a reflection of Robert’s increasing success as a criminal defense attorney. Though Ashley made a decent income as a police officer, she knew that without Robert’s income and investment strategies she couldn’t even begin to dream of living in such a place.

But her dream had turned into a nightmare. At one time she’d been able to gauge her husband’s moods and his likelihood to become abusive, allowing her the ability to at least brace herself or try to defuse the situation. Now Robert was becoming more and more unpredictable in his violence. He had refused to take anger management courses as promised or seek counseling, insisting they could work out their problems alone.

Tonight that seemed highly unlikely. Ashley stared into the mirror at a face she barely recognized. It was swollen and bruised. There was a trickle of blood at the corner of her lower lip and Ashley dabbed at it with a tissue, wincing from the pain. Tears rolled down her reddened cheeks and she wondered if it was worth it anymore to put up with his abuse. She didn’t need the house or his damned money that badly. She certainly didn’t need Robert, if this was what she had to look forward to for the rest of her life.

I’m better than this. I deserve to be treated with respect not as his punching bag.

Ashley sat down on the toilet seat lid. She’d fled to the bathroom to escape after Robert had another one of his temper tantrums, threatening to kill them both. But not before he had smacked her around pretty good to prove what a big man he was over his wife.

Ashley had a department-issued Glock pistol that she knew how to use, though she’d never had to. She also had access to the numerous guns Robert kept in the house. Thus far, Ashley had steadfastly resisted the temptation to defend herself by shooting him. She had a feeling that Robert wanted it to end violently. But it wasn’t up to her to put him out of his misery.

However, she didn’t want to die from his hands either. Or become a source of gossip in the department over her inability to handle the situation. But she knew she couldn’t continue to let him hurt her. She’d been raised with more self-esteem than that.

The sudden pounding at the locked door broke Ashley’s reverie. She began to tremble.

“Open the door, Ashley!” Robert’s voice boomed.

“I’m tired of you hitting me, Robert.” Her eyes welled with tears. “I’m not going to let you do it anymore. I mean it this time!”

Or so she tried to convince herself. She realized there was no escape except through the door. She was trapped.

“I’m sorry, baby,” Robert said. “I don’t know what came over me. I just lost it. Please forgive me. You know how much I love you and need you.”

She’d heard it all before. “Those are just empty words,” Ashley said. “I can’t take this anymore.”

“Can’t we talk about it?” he pleaded in a gentler voice. “Unlock the door, Ashley. I won’t hit you, I swear. I’ll do whatever you want me to, as long as we’re together. Give me just one more chance. Please...”

Ashley’s instincts told her it was all just a trick to get her to open the door so he could finish what he started. But she wanted to believe that Robert really did love her and that maybe, just maybe, he was finally ready to get some help this time. She wanted that more than anything.

* * *

Robert Leighton had to use all the patience he had skillfully practiced in the courtroom not to break the door down. He didn’t appreciate one bit that she’d locked it, as if he was a criminal in his own damned house that she was trying to hide from. But he was smart enough to know that a cooler head was necessary right now. Robert sensed he was losing Ashley—or would—if he sat back and let it happen like so many other men did when things seemed like they’d gotten out of control.

He wouldn’t buckle under pressure or to outside forces.

Yeah, he’d lost his temper and hit her a few times. But she’d instigated it by getting on his case when he was already under a great deal of stress. It was almost like she was asking for a beating. So he obliged. Maybe he went too far this time.

Maybe.

As always, Robert was counting on his charm to win Ashley back. Along with the same gritty determination that had catapulted him from poverty to the top of his profession, and the money that came with it.

Ashley was his and always would be. And no one was going to come between them—including Selene Herrera and that damned shelter she ran.

Robert could still taste the scotch he’d downed earlier. He considered taking a more aggressive approach to getting Ashley out of the bathroom, but that turned out to be unnecessary, as the door was unlocked and opened.

Ashley stepped out, looking scared and wary in her police uniform. Robert felt her uniform represented a position of power and a direct challenge to his role as her husband and head of the household. He feared that sooner or later she would undermine his authority in making all the important decisions. He’d merely tolerated her being a cop so he didn’t rock the boat too much.

Gazing at her now, Robert wondered if enough was enough with her cop job, especially since she was part of the investigation into The Woods Strangler. Detective Dennis Cramer seemed to have his hands full with the case and Ashley was just another officer out there doing his grunt work and putting her life on the line. For what? To make Cramer out to be some sort of damned hero in the community?

Robert would hate to see Ashley get in over her pretty little head, with hardly any upside that he could see. Who knew what a desperate, wacko killer was capable of when backed into a corner? Especially if Ashley was the only thing standing between the killer and freedom...

Robert’s thoughts returned to the moment at hand. He sought to regain Ashley’s trust, which would require all of his courtroom skills. And then some.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” Robert said as sincerely as he possibly could. When she didn’t respond, he kissed her cheek, tasting her salty tears. He hugged her trembling body and whispered, “It’s going to be all right. I promise.”

There was a part of Robert that actually believed his words. The other part feared it was only a matter of time before his temper once again flared and he hurt his wife. Until then, he would enjoy the moment and try and make her forget the dark side of him that threatened to bring them to the point of no return.

* * *

Ashley was lying on her back and Robert was on top of her doing his thing. She felt like a Stepford wife, receiving no satisfaction at all while he continued his relentless thrusts inside of her.

Robert liked to have sex after he’d abused her and asked for forgiveness. Ashley usually complied, primarily to appease him so he wouldn’t hurt her anymore. Because of that, sex was anything but pleasurable. She waited for him to finish so she could be alone.

Fortunately he was done sooner than later. He rolled off her and the alcohol he’d consumed put him right to sleep. Ashley slipped out of the bed and into her robe, leaving the room. She wondered how long it would be before Robert had another one of his violent episodes.