Web of Deceit Read Online Free

downtown. Why do you ask? Is everything OK?”
Beth asks as she opens the door wider, confronted with two policeman standing
behind Anthony.
    “This is Officer
O’Malley; he’d like to talk to you.”
    “What’s wrong?” A
hurt grows inside, a knowing that something is very wrong.
    “Hi, Beth, do you
have any relatives close by?” Officer O’Malley asks.
    “No. Why? Anthony,
I don’t feel comfortable. I think you should leave and come back when my
parents come home. They will be back at any moment.”
    “That’s why I’m
here,” Officer O’Malley says.
    Ring. Ring.
Ring. Ring.
    “I’ll be right
back; that must be them now.” Beth runs to the phone, hoping her parents are on
the other end. “Hello?”
    “Hi, Beth, this is
Mrs. Perkins; is your mother there?”
    “No, I thought she
was with you. I think something is wrong. My dad’s employee is here and a
policeman is with him.” Beth glanced over at the door with tears of confusion
rising to the surface.
    “I’m using a lobby
phone; I’ll be right up.” Mrs. Perkins ends the call.
    Why would she
be here? Beth slowly places the phone on the receiver and returns to her
unwanted guests. “That was my friend’s mom. She’s on her way up. Maybe she can
help you,” Beth says, wanting her discomfort to end.
    “Beth, can you
tell me what your parents were driving tonight?” Officer O’Malley asks.
    “Their car; why?”
Beth asks, losing patience.
    “Was it a green
Lamborghini?”
    “You obviously
have talked to Anthony ahead of time, so stop beating around the bush and tell
me what’s going on.”
    “There … has been
an accident, and the man and woman in the green vehicle didn’t make it.”
    “What!? You’re
wrong; they will be home any moment. As a matter of fact, they probably took
the limo instead. You need to leave. I’ll have my parents call you when they
get in.”
    “Beth, he’s
telling the truth.” Anthony interjects. “I’m so sorry, but … your parents won’t
be coming home; they didn’t make it.”
    “It’s a lie!
You’re wrong!” Tears stream down her face and drip from her chin. “My parents
will be home any moment! Go away!”
    “Beth!” Elizabeth
Perkins hurries out of the elevator rushing to Beth’s side. “What’s going on?”
She places her arms around Beth, trying to calm her down.
    “There’s been an
accident, and Mr. and Mrs. Callahan didn’t make it,” Anthony answers.
    “No …”
    “It’s a lie! They
will be home any second!” Beth kicks the door hard. “AUGH!!!! Everyone, leave
now!” She collapses into Mrs. Perkin’s arms and sobs.
    “Oh Beth, I think
they are right; that’s why I’m here. I thought I saw your parents’ car … It
didn’t look like … They’re telling the truth.”
    “No! No! No!” Beth
pushes away from Mrs. Perkins. She pounds on the suite door with her fists and
kicks it again, oblivious to the pain. “Wake up, Beth! Wake Up!” she says to
herself, hoping, almost begging for it to be a dream.
    “Oh, sweetie.”
Mrs. Perkins tries to comfort Beth.
    Knock. Knock.
Knock.
    “Beth, are you
awake dear?
    “Mom? Is that
you?”
    Beth’s mom,
Claire, enters the room. “Yes.”
    “Mom!” Beth says
with excitement as she leaps from her bed to meet her mother in the middle of
the bedroom.Beth wraps her arms around her mother and embraces her.“Oh,
Mom, I have missed you so … much.They said you wouldn’t be coming back,
but I knew they were wrong.” Beth weeps in her mother’s arms.
    Her mother doesn’t
say a word; she regards Beth’s eyes with a peaceful smile as she leads her to
the bed and sits down beside her.
    Sniff. “ Where’s
Dad?” Beth asks as she rubs her eyes.
    “He’ll be in
soon.” Her mother gently pushes Beth’s long auburn hair away from her face.
    “It was terrible.
They told me you were dead.” Beth reaches over and squeezes her mother again.“I’ve missed you so … much.Wait a minute. I’m not a child anymore.That means