Convinced that this was the core of the story, she left the scene with the sense that she was exchanging one nightmare for another. Six months passed and still she couldn’t shake that night, what that man and woman did to her, and that she nearly lost Marty.
But she had to try.
She slipped into the closet and opened one of the drawers. She found something see-through and sexy, and put it on. Moving quickly so he couldn’t see her, she dipped into the bathroom, brushed her hair and her teeth, grabbed a bottle of perfume, sprayed it into the air and walked through the mist.
She stepped out of the room and looked across at him. She loved him. Better yet, she was married to him. No fuss-just a quick trip to the Wynn’s wedding salon. When he proposed to her on the plane, he gave her a four-carat diamond solitaire and told her that she meant everything to him. The next day at Cartier, they bought their rings. And then, within hours, it was official. She was Jennifer Spellman. To her surprise, when Marty told the girls, Gloria sent flowers and a note to Jennifer. “Dinner when you return. The kids are eager to meet you. So is Jack. We’re a family now. Brace yourself.”
The telephone rang.
Marty looked over at her and his eyes widened when he saw what she was wearing. “Tell me I don’t have to answer it.”
“You probably should,” she said. “It’s past eleven in New York. Something might be wrong with one of the girls.”
That made him pick up the phone. “Hello?”
“Marty Spellman?”
It was a woman’s voice. He looked over at Jennifer. “Who’s calling?”
“I need your help.”
“How did you get this number?”
Jennifer walked over to him.
“Your ex-wife, Gloria, gave it to me. We’re friends and she said I should call you. I know it’s late, but I’m in trouble and I wasn’t sure where else to turn. I know you’re the best.”
“Who is this?” he asked again.
“Leana Redman.”
“George Redman’s daughter?”
“You could put it that way.”
“What’s the problem?”
She told him and Marty closed his eyes as it came pouring out. Though he didn’t know her, he suddenly feared for her.
“I’ll be back in New York in two days,” he said.
“Can we meet then?”
They agreed on a time, he told her to call him if anything changed and hung up.
Jennifer stood next to him.
“That was Leana Redman,” he said.
“Is she alright?”
“Not even close.”
“A couple of years ago, I covered what happened to her and her family. It was awful what happened.”
Leana’s words ran through his mind. Already, he was wondering how he’d get her out of this. Considering who they were dealing with, he wasn’t sure that he could.
“This time it’s worse.”