Diabolical: The green-eyed monster

Chapter 17

Maria made herself a hot cup of tea, poured some fresh milk in it and put five heaped teaspoons of sugar. She took a sip and sighed in contentment. She made her way to the dining room, took a seat and enjoyed her tea. A cool breeze was blowing outside, birds were chirping in the trees. A perfect day to be on the beach or at a mall, shopping maybe both. "You won't get away with it Maria." She heard her mother say as she entered the dining room. Her walk was labored but she managed and took a seat across Maria. "What won't I get away with dear mother?" she smiled, she looked like a little girl all over again. "It's your dementia again isn't it? Oh, my poor mum" she cooed. "Come off it Maria. You and I both know I'm perfectly healthy. This has to stop." Maria's pleasantness dissolved and was replaced by an anger Nannette was all too familiar with. "The last person who said that to me is stone cold dead. Don't be the next victim mummy." Nannette was unfazed by her threat even though she knew it bore some truth. "You killed her didn't you? I always knew you would. But it doesn't make it right" Maria stood and laughed so hard her eyes watered. "What do you know about doing the right thing? You heard us arguing the whole time, you knew I was going to lose the handle but you didn't do anything to stop me. Not that you would have been able to but you should've tried. It would count as one good deed you've done in your entire miserable existence. You know it's your fault actually, if you hadn't told her all those things about me Cindy would still be alive." Nannette had heard Cindy and Maria arguing whilst she was downstairs. Their shouting had woken her up from her sleep. By the time she realized something was amiss she couldn't do anything. Her youth was long gone, her legs weren't what they used to be and there was no phone in sight. There was no one else in the house to help. All odds were against both her and Cindy. "You couldn't save your own granddaughter. You grew a conscience at the wrong time Nannette" Nannette frowned, Maria had no respect for her as a mother. "You did this! Everything I know and everything I have done I learnt from you Nannette. Nothing I ever do will top what you did to me as a child and for that I will never forgive you." Nannette scoffed, "You can't blame me for the choices you made." Maria threw the tea cup at her mother and missed, it shattered on the floor. "I hope you die a horrible death you old hag." Nannette put on a brave face but Maria's words broke her old heart.

***

Gary waited at the entrance of the SSPD for Logan to arrive. As soon as he finished listening to the recorded call, he left without uttering another word to Vicky. He was angry, sad and confused at the same time. Why would Logan do it? Why? Because of money, sex, power? Why? He and Logan had been friends for years. Logan knew Lisa, he'd taken care of her once and for him to throw it all away was something he'd never understand. He couldn't begin to imagine the fear Lisa felt when she was betrayed by someone she trusted. The thought made him so angry he was sure the moment he laid eyes on Logan he'd end his life.

Logan came half an hour later in his police cruiser. He was in a chirpier mood than usual because his problems were solved. He didn't know the shit had hit the fan. In five minutes he was parked and strolled out of the car without a care in the world. Gary spotted him and his eyes darkened with anger. He approached him trying very hard to keep a lid on his temper but failing. As soon as he reached Logan he punched him in the mouth, hard, splitting his lip. Logan fell to the ground surprised by Gary's violent act. Whilst he was still recovering from the shock and trying to figure out why he was being attacked Gary rained down blows on his body until Logan was a bloody mess. He didn't have a chance to defend himself and even if it had been given to him he'd still lose. "I want you to suffer the way she suffered." He kicked him in the gut. It all became clear to Logan, Gary knew the truth. How? He didn't know but his life was over. If he survived the savage beating he wasn't going down alone. No way! He'd take Kevin and Maria with him.