Hood Ornaments

She needed a distraction, but she was helpless because she didn’t know anyone besides Michael and Holmes. If she were to be seen with either of them, all eyes would be on her.

The woman who had shown an interest in Tori’s work appeared to be chatting with a small group of patrons, but actually she was watching Tori and speaking into a small microphone disguised as a button on her blouse.

“Get in position. We are making the exit.”

The woman maneuvered her way to Tori and linked arms with her. She then feigned a concerned expression as she guided her out of the gallery.

“C’mon sweetie, it looks as though you could use some air.”

“You read my mind.”

“That curator was a little prick wasn’t he?”

Tori shook her head, “No he just has a flair for...you know what, I don’t even know your name.”

The woman’s lips, for the first time that evening, became a thin line. It was an evil smile that confused Tori.”

“My apologies, Tori, my name is Lizette.”

Tori abruptly stopped in her tracks causing Lizette, Officer Carlo, to slightly lose her balance.

I hate fucking high heels. She thought to herself. And I am quite sure she just made me.

Tori stepped back as far as Lizette’s grasp would allow her.

“Did you just call me Tori? No one here…”

Lizette needed to recover and quickly. Her earring spoke to her.

Ignore her. Just concentrate on getting her out.

“I heard Michael call your name earlier…” she half-heartedly explained as she managed to get Tori to the door, “let’s just get you some air”

With that, Lizette pushed the doors open with her shoulder dragging Tori with her and into the bodies of two meticulously groomed men in suits. They weren’t black tie and they damn sure weren’t artists.

Tori was too stunned to put her head down when they began to read her rights. Because of that, she was able to watch Mr. and Mrs. Chambers galloping towards her. All she was able to do at that point was shut her eyes as voices whirled around her.

I demand to know the meaning of this.

Sir, you are going to have to step aside.

Victoria, darling are you okay?

Ma’am listen to the officer.

I am her attorney…

Then you should meet her at the station.

Surely there is some sort of mistake.

“Chickie find Michael and alert him of the situation; it’s going to be fine Victoria, I promise.”

Tori felt Lizette cuff her, then pull her towards an unmarked black vehicle. She was then shoved inside, and the door slammed shut.

She could still hear Mr. Chambers speaking to the undercover officers. Then he tapped on the window as the car was starting.

“Victoria, do not say a word until I arrive. I will be there. Don’t you worry.”

The car sped off with the sirens blaring as if she was the most dangerous criminal in the country. She was more concerned about Trudy and Dell than she was about being arrested. She knew she was guilty, but it was justified. She knew her rights and knew her defense strategy. What she didn’t know was that none of that would work. The actions of those back home significantly changed her life, her future.

Or what she had left of it.

***

Dell tried to steady his breathing as he pulled in front of his house. He wondered if his mother and father were home or if they were on their way to the funeral home. When he didn’t see Luke’s car on the street, he knew the answer and cussed under his breath. His heart started pounding harder through his chest with each question that popped into his mind.

Did my parents make it to the funeral home?

Were they witnesses to Tony’s murder?

Could they recognize Malik?

Or worse…

Did they see him or his truck?

These unanswered questions were not helping him to calm down. Dell unclenched his hands from the steering wheel. The best thing he could do at this moment was walk into the house as if there was nothing wrong. Any anxiety that he had could be casually attributed to sadness over Ms. Violet’s passing. So that was his story, and he was going to stick to it as he opened the door to his truck just to meet his parents coming down the walk.

They were obviously upset.

Shit.

If they ask, stick to the story.

There’s nothing else to be done.

Not now anyway.

He wanted to text Tori so bad.

Little did he know, he couldn’t do that either.