One Of Them Is Dead

Kathleen got down from the car, moved over to Cheryl and removed her shoes. She located the depression at the bottom of her foot and rubbed the acupuncture point with her fist.

She did the same on the second foot. After rubbing both feet for about 30 seconds each, Cheryl jerked up.

"Janice? Is that really you? Did you follow me to heaven?"

"Silly." Kathleen flicked her on the forehead. "Stop spewing nonsense and get down. We are home already."

Leaving Cheryl to tend to herself, she whipped out her phone from her bag and called her assistant.

"Ariel, someone tried to kill me just now."

"What?" Ariel's scream nearly made Kathleen go deaf, causing her to quickly move the phone away from her ear.

"Who on earth would think of doing something like that to you?"

"I have no idea, but I intend to find out soon." Apart from Linda, she didn't know anyone that would want to kill her. But she doesn't have any evidence yet.

"Are you Ok Madam? Hope nothing happened to you?" Ariel's voice was laced with worry. "Please tell me you are alright."

"Yes, yes, I'm fine."

"Where are you? Are you in the hospital?"

Kathleen felt a headache coming. "Calm down Ariel. Nothing happened to me. Now listen to what I'm about to say."

She regretted telling her outrightly about the murder attempt. She would have just asked her to find out about the accident without mentioning her involvement.

"Find out about an accident that happened on Jones Falls expressway twenty minutes ago. Also find out about the victims and which hospital they've been admitted into."

"On it Madam."

"Good. But before then, forward my schedule for next week to me."

"Sure Madam."

By the time she was done with the call, Cheryl had already dragged herself into the house.

"Ms Moore. Are you alright?" Mrs Carr asked, her eyes darting all over Cheryl when she saw her disheveled state.

"I'm good. Just a bit tired." She flashed a smile to hide her discomfort. "Can I have a glass of water, please?"

"Are you sure?" Mrs Carr's expression was still doubtful, "… because you don't look good at all."

"I'm sure and I'll be much better after taking the water."

"If you say so." As she was going to get the water, Kathleen opened the door and came in.

"Miss Kathleen, you're back. I didn't know you came together."

"Yeah, we did. How are the children?" She slumped into the comfortable recliner by the window, her slender legs crossed over each other and stared at the window.

The massive arched windows overlooked an expanse of a lush, beautiful flower garden that one couldn't just look away from.

That feeling of being close to nature always had a therapeutic effect on her.

Mrs Carr fixed her gaze on Kathleen, hoping to notice anything unusual about her but found none. "Eleanor is resting in her room, while Elvis is working on his computer in his room."

"I was about to get Miss Moore a glass of water. Let me get you one as well."

"Thanks."

After Miss Carr left, Cheryl swung over to Kathleen's side. "Who was it that was trying to kill us?" She whispered. It was obvious she had not fully recovered from her fright.

"Not us, but me." Kathleen corrected. "And as for who? I don't know yet but will definitely find out."

"Do you think Miss Beazell might have something to do with this? You know, she's the only one that seems to not like you in Baltimore."

"I have a hunch she does have something to do with it, but it could also be anyone. One can never be too sure."

"If at all it is Linda, she'll pay dearly for it. I'm yet to settle the lawsuit with her, so she dare not plan a hit on me."

"But you just returned, who else has such a bone-deep grudge against you? Could it be your business rivals?"

"Like I said…" Kathleen saw Mrs Carr coming with the water and trailed off.

Mrs Carr handed them the water. "Here you go."

"Miss Kathleen, if there's nothing else, I'll be in my room." She noticed their silence on her approach and guessed they didn't want her to be part of their conversation, so she skillfully excused herself.

"Thanks Mrs Carr."

"Thanks, I'll send for you if there's anything I need you to do."

"Do you think we should inform your brother? He'll be so worried if he finds out from someone else." Cheryl resumed the topic.

"I will, but that will be later." "I don't want him getting all worked up and rushing back from his trip. You know how he is."

"That's right." Cheryl yawned, stretching her arms wide.

"You look exhausted already"

"Who wouldn't be, after the ordeal we went through today. It was so scary," she cast an accusatory look at Kathleen. "Although you were clearly unruffled by the entire incident."

"Why would you say that? Kathleen chuckled. "Have you ever seen anyone wishing or praying to be shot at, for fun?"

"Oh really, But you seemed to be enjoying yourself the whole time. Look at the stunt you pulled out there, you almost had us all killed."

"At some point, I even saw a smile on your face just before our near collision with that Jeep on the expressway way."

She cringed away from Kathleen whose lips were lifted in a mysterious grin.

"I don't think I ever want to ride with you again."

"Hey sweetheart, don't be scared." Kathleen closed the gap between them and clasped Cheryl's flushed but beautiful face between her palms.

"You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt you. I still need to become an aunt, you know." Kathleen had a full-blown smile by this time..

Cheryl slapped her hands away. "Get your hands off me."

From the corner of her eyes, she saw Kathleen's phone beep. "I think you have a message, you'd better check what it is"

Kathleen was still smiling when she turned to check her phone. The smile disappeared when she saw the message.

"Cheryl noticed the change in Kathleen's countenance. "What did the message say?"

"One of them is dead, and the other one is in a critical condition and has been admitted to Medstar."