Keeping enemies close
By Sarah
Disclaimer:
I don’t own
Rating:
PG/R
Spoilers:
None, its AU
Pairing:
Michael/Maria with some Kyle/Tess
Summary:
A stalker wants her dead. What will she do when she finds out that the killer is
actually a close friend? Secrets from the past are revealed and a new love is
born.
Distribution:
Belit’s site, Kraving Candy, Candy is Dandy, Aliens love and Roses, Second in
Command, Fanfiction.net, Roswell Desert Skies, Ally’s site, and if anyone else
wants it, all you have to do is ask.
Author’s
note:
This is in response to a challenge issued at Belit’s planet called Bodyguard.
As I was reading it all these thoughts just entered my head so I couldn’t not
write it. Remember when reading this that I intend this fic to have a sequel so
there will be many questions but all with eventually be answered. This is in no
way related to the movie. Feedback is appreciated, as is honesty. I also want to
thank Sherry for the amazing Beta and the gals over at RCWW for all there help.
Challenge can be found here: http://pub10.ezboard.com/fbelitsplanetfrm110.showMessage?topicID=54.topic
Email:
sezza43@hotmail.com
I just wanted to be happy; to marry the man of my dreams and have the perfect family, but could you let that happen? No. He was mine long before he was yours, or hers should I say. You had the perfect man but gave him up for a career you won’t have for much longer. I kept my anger in as I thought that maybe…maybe I’d still get my chance, but no. You had to bring her into the picture. I don’t hate her-- but you-- I hate you. You fucked it all up. You destroyed everything I worked so hard for, so now… now I destroy you.
It’s
the first time I’ve ever felt this lonely
Wish
someone could cure this pain
It’s
funny when you think it’s gonna work out
Till
you chose weed over me you’re so lame!
I
though you were cool until the point
Up
until the point you didn’t call me when you said you would
Finally
figured out your all the same
Always
coming up with some kind of story
Every
time I try to make you smile
You’re
always feeling sorry for yourself
Every
time I try to make you laugh
You
can’t you’re too tough
You
think you’re loveless
Is
that too much that I’m asking for?
Thought
you’d come around when I ignored you
Sorta
thought you’d have the decency to change
But
babe I guess you didn’t take that warning
Cause
I’m not about to look at your face again
Can’t
you see that you lie to yourself?
You
can’t see the world through a mirror
It
won’t be too late when the smoke clears
Cause
I am still here
Every
time I try to make you smile
You’re
always feeling sorry for yourself
Every
time I try to make you laugh
You
can’t your too tough
You
think you’re loveless
Is
that too much that I’m asking for?
Maria
breathed heavily as she finished her song and waved to the crowd before
departing the stage. Walking down the stairs to the dressing rooms, she was
instantly bombarded by camera flashes, blinding her as she tried to walk through
them. Performing she loved, but this… this was too much. ‘Just breathe and
smile’ she told herself as her bodyguard, Bob, helped her to pass through the
crowd of people wanting a glimpse of
“This way Miss Deluca,” Bob said as he ushered her through a backstage door. She mumbled ‘thanks’ as they approached her dressing room door and let herself in while Bob stood guard outside. She breathed a sigh of relief as she sat in her chair that faced the vanity, putting her head in her hands she laughed softly. She was a famous singer, something she always wanted but still couldn’t be completely happy. There was something missing, something that needed to fill the void in her heart.
“Or someone,” she whispered to herself. Being famous and in high demand left little to no social life. She had hardly any real friends except the ones she had at home, and no boyfriend to speak of. She may be living out her dreams, but she was living them out alone. Her head rose as she heard a knock at the door. “Come in,” she yelled.
“Hi Maria, great performance they loved you.” Liz gushed as she handed Maria some mail that she had with her. Maria smiled; Liz Parker was the only real friend she had with her. She and Liz had grown up together and when Maria hit it big, she took Liz on as her manager. “After you get changed, ET want to do an interview with you,” she stopped talking when she saw Maria’s grimace and smiled. “Just a small one I promise, then we can head home.”
“Ok, I think I can handle that.” Maria said as she sorted out the mail. Her eyes stopped on an unmarked blue envelope. “What’s this?” she asked Liz as she held it up to inspect it. Liz shrugged and told her to open it. Ripping open the flap she pulled out a white letter and with it, a photo. She held the photo up and gasped.
“What?” Liz asked in confusion. Maria handed her the photo and Liz paled when she saw it. The photo was of Maria at a recent concert; she was on stage holding a microphone, only her head was missing. She looked up at Maria. “What does the note say?”
Maria opened it and read:
Watch
your back, Maria.
Liz blinked. “Is that all?” Maria nodded and handed it to her. All of the letters had been cut out of magazine articles and there was no signature or anything. Liz turned and opened the dressing room door and asked Bob to join them. Once the hefty man was in the room Liz gave him the letter and photo. “What do you make of that?” she asked.
The bodyguard shrugged. “It looks like the all the others that have been sent. I haven’t seen anyone near here but I can ask Manny if there was anyone suspicious hanging around the mail locker.” Liz nodded and Bob left. Turning back towards Maria, Liz sighed and sat on the chair in front of her. Maria still looked pale and had gone quiet, which was very rare for her best friend.
“Maria, sweetie…it’s ok.” She took the blondes hand in hers. “Look, Bob is looking into it don’t worry. We’ll find this asshole and he’ll be very sorry he messed with Maria Deluca.” Maria offered a weak smile and turned to her mirror.
“This is the 7th one he’s sent in the past month Liz, how can you say that it’s nothing. Not to worry?” Liz was about to speak when Maria cut her off and continued. “I think that I need someone else here to look into this.”
“Who?” The brunette asked as she sat back in her seat. Maria touched a photo that was placed on her desk. Liz too glanced at it and knew whom she was talking about. “Kyle?” Maria nodded. “Why Kyle? I mean, Bob is pretty good, you don’t need to get Kyle all the way up here do you?”
Sighing, Maria stood and went to her rack of outfits. “I think I do Liz, sure Bob is good, but he’s not enough. I think that this person is close and I need someone I trust completely to handle this and there is no one that I trust more, besides you of course,” Maria said with a smile that Liz returned, “than Kyle.” Liz nodded in understanding.
“Ok, I’ll call your brother tomorrow morning and ask him to come here.” Maria grinned and hugged Liz tightly as she thanked her over and over again. “Now get dressed so we can do this interview and go home.” Maria nodded and Liz left the room to give the girl some privacy to change. As she walked down the corridor, she passed Bob, who was on his way back to the room. “Did you find anything?”
Bob shook his head. “No, no one saw anything, what do you want me to do?” Liz thought for a moment.
“Just go and stand guard at her door, she wants me to contact her brother to look over this. It’s becoming serious and she’s scared, as am I for that matter. This guy seems serious.” Bob nodded then continued his way down the hall as Liz walked into a room filled with a camera crew. She smiled at the interviewer. “She’ll be with you shortly.”
*~*~*~*
Kyle walked into his office and laughed as he saw his partner, once again, be lectured by a member of his family. Taking a seat at his desk, he went through the agenda for the day.
“I mean it Michael…Michael? Damn it Michael, are you even listening to me?” Laurie asked. When she still received no reply, she whacked him upside the head. Michael winced and gave a, ‘What the hell?’ look. “Listen to me next time.” She said with her hands on her hips. “Now as I was saying…”
Michael once again tuned his sister out. She was yakking on about him getting into the ‘dating game’ as she put it. So what if he hadn’t had a date in over a year? It wasn’t like he didn’t have any offers; he got them all the time actually. Only the offerees weren’t exactly his type. At the ripe old age of 25, Michael Guerin was looking for a commitment, not just some good one-night fuck. He’d been there and done that, now he wanted to settle down. Finding the right girl however had proven to be rather difficult.
“…So I think that… Michael? Oh my god, that’s it. I give up!” Laurie yelled as she threw her hands up in the air in frustration. “Maybe I should just sick Isabel on you, maybe you’d listen to her.” An evil smile spread across her face as Michael visibly paled. She opened her bag and pulled out her phone. As she dialed the numbers, Michael reached up and snatched the phone out of her hands.
“No don’t, fine I’ll think about it ok?” Michael said as he switched the phone off. Having one sister on his case was bad enough but two? Hell no, two was worse. “Why do you want me to date so bad anyway?”
Laurie shrugged. “You have like, no life Michael. You’re a 25-year-old bodyguard slash police officer, with no girlfriend or even prospects. Michael you need to start thinking about the future.” Michael rolled his eyes.
“Sis, I have a life, I actually happen to like my life. So get of my case ok? If I find the girl that I want to spend the rest of my life with, then I find her. If I don’t, then I don’t. Look Laurie, I appreciate your help but could you stop? It’s my life and I will handle it the way I want to.” Laurie sighed and nodded in defeat.
“Fine. I was only trying to give you some advice.” Michael smiled at her and ushered her out the door.
“And I appreciate it, but as Kyle and I actually have work to do, you have to leave. I’ll see you later.” As Laurie turned to speak again, Michael shut the door in her face and Kyle effectively burst into laughter when they heard an annoyed huff on the other side then very angry footsteps walk away. Michael flopped back in his desk chair. “Thank god.”
Kyle
shook his head. “Man I’m glad I don’t have your sisters as family. I
don’t think I could handle it.” Michael closed his eyes and groaned as Kyle
continued to laugh at his expense. He and Kyle had been friends for a few years
now, they met when they were in the
“Shut up Kyle, I don’t need shit from you too.” Kyle held up his hands in mock offence and tried to stamp down his laughter when he heard the phone ring.
“Hello?”
“Kyle? It’s Liz,” a cheery voice answered on the other line.
Kyle looked surprised, why was Liz calling him? “Liz? Hey how’s it going? Maria not working you too hard is she?” he laughed as an image of Maria ordering Liz around popped into his head.
“No, did you see her on TV? Wasn’t she great?”
“Sure was, she really fits into the famous singer role huh?” he stated more than asked. He, his wife and children had all watched her at the MTV awards on the weekend and she was indeed amazing. He always knew she could sing but had no idea how good she actually was. His three-year-old daughter kept saying all night that she wanted to be just like Auntie Ria when she grows up.
“She was born for it. But onto why I called. Look, ah well you see the thing is,” she hesitated.
Kyle rolled his eyes. “Spit it out Liz.”
“Maria’s been receiving threatening mail and she wants you to come down here and sort it all out.” She said in a rush. “She’s really scared Kyle.”
Sitting up straight in his chair, he became more interested in the conversation. “How long has this been going on?” Michael shot him a curious look from across the desk.
“Look, I’ll tell you the finer details when you get here, you can though right?”
“Yeah, I’ll bring someone with me. I can be there by tonight.”
“Ok, thank you Kyle, Maria will be happy. See you then.”
Kyle hung up the phone and cursed under his breath. “What’s going on?” Michael asked.
“My sister, Maria, has been getting threats and she wants me to look over it, can you come with me?” Michael nodded as Kyle walked to the door and called Danny in. “Danny, Michael and I need to leave for a case and I don’t know how long it will take so you’re in charge until further notice.” Danny nodded then left the room to make the necessary arrangements.
“So where are we going anyway?” Michael asked. Kyle had talked about his sister a lot and shown him pictures and what not but he had never met her, or heard her sing. He didn’t get around to watching TV much and tended to stick to heavy metal when it came to music.
Looking through his desk drawers for some papers Kyle muttered to himself, “I need to call Tess,” then turned to Michael. “Huh? Oh yeah, she lives in LA. Pack to stay for at least a week or two, I don’t know how long it’ll take.” When Kyle found what he was looking for he turned to Michael. “Go home and pack, I’ll pick you up in two hours.” Giving Kyle a curt nod, Michael headed out. Looks like he was going to LA.
Michael sighed as the cab pulled up to the Mansion. ‘Great,’ he thought. ‘She may be Kyle’s sister but she’s a snob.’ He hated jobs like this, the person always seemed way too polished and thought they were above everyone else. That and they tended to overdramatise their situations. More than likely this ‘stalker’ was just an over zealous fan.
Letting out a low whistle, Kyle stepped out of the cab after paying the driver. “I should visit more,” he said as he picked up his bag. He and Michael walked over to the gates and watched as they opened and a voice said to enter. Reaching up to knock on the door, Kyle was shocked as a small blonde figure jumped on him.
“Kyle!” She cried as she jumped into his arms, almost knocking him over. Kyle laughed and hugged her back.
“Sis, what are you trying to do to me huh?” He let go of her but kept one arm around her waist as he turned her to Michael.
Michael’s breath caught in his throat. The person who stood before him was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. She had long blonde hair, piercing green eyes, luscious lips, legs that went on for ages and a perfect figure. She walked towards him and he almost fainted when she smiled. She was perfect.
“Maria, this is my partner Michael, Michael, this is my sister Maria.” Maria stuck her hand out for him to shake and he grasped it firmly. They both drew a quick breath, feeling electricity course through their bodies at the small touch. Michael lifted his gaze and met the most amazing set of piercing green eyes he had ever seen. They were beautiful. She was beautiful.
Kyle frowned when he noticed the looks between the two. Maybe bringing Michael wasn’t such a good idea after all. Suddenly Liz appeared at the door and ushered them all inside. Making themselves comfortable on the sofa, Kyle decided to find out what was going on. “So, want to tell me why I’m here?”
Glancing at Liz and taking a breath, Maria started to speak. “I’ve been receiving threatening letters in the mail recently and I’ve also had a few phone calls, you know the heavy breathing ones?” Kyle nodded and she handed him the letters and photos. She pointed to the most recent of them. “I got that one last night.” Kyle handed the letters to Michael before standing and pacing around the room.
“Why the hell didn’t you contact me earlier Maria? This is serious, this person isn’t just some stalker, he wants you dead.” Maria shrugged.
“I didn’t think it was really important before and I had my own bodyguards with me but they’ve been coming up with nothing. At first it was just the phone calls but now they’re sending photos. Kyle, this person has been following me everywhere.” She said as she stood. “I didn’t mention it sooner because I didn’t think it cause for concern but now…now he’s scaring me.” Kyle sighed and pulled his sister into his arms.
“Don’t worry sis, we’ll find the jerk who’s doing this ok?” Nodding, Maria whispered a thank you into his chest as he hugged her tighter. Some asshole was after his sister and there was no way in hell he was going to let anything happen to her. He turned to Michael who was still looking over the letters and photos. “What do you think?”
Looking up, Michael shrugged. “I don’t know yet.” He glanced at Maria. “We’ll need a list of everyone that you talk to, anyone you think might have some kind of grudge against you, and everyone that you work with. We’ll also set up a tracking device on your phones in case this person calls again.”
“I’ll go start the list,” Liz said and walked into another room. Michael motioned to where Liz had walked off.
“Who is she to you?” Maria looked at him then up to Kyle.
“She’s
Liz Parker, my best friend and manager. Kyle and I have known her all our lives,
she used to live in
Michael shook his head. “Just curious.” He said as he went back to glancing over the letters. “Parker, does her family own the Crashdown?”
“Yeah,
Jeff is her dad, she and I used to work there.” Maria narrowed her eyes at
him. “Did you always live in
“I went to East Roswell High and we had our own Diner near it so we went there. I moved onto the west side with my sisters a few years ago.” Maria made an ‘o’ shape with her mouth as she nodded. He looked at her. “So you’re famous huh?” Maria looked at him with a shocked look set upon her face and Kyle tried not to laugh. Almost everyone knew who Maria was, but Kyle also knew Michael and knows that he would rather die than listen to Maria’s music genre. Michael gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry, don’t get around to reading chick mags or watching TV much.”
Maria narrowed her eyes. “Chick mags? A bit sexist don’t you think?” Michael mumbled a ‘Whatever’ and Maria rolled her eyes. “Listen, let me show you to your rooms.” She told them as they followed her into the lobby and up the stairs. “So Kyle how’s Tess and the kids?” Kyle smiled as he started to think about his wife. They had gotten married three years ago and had two children.
“Tess is great, Liam is a terror and Kara wants to be just like you when she grows up.” Maria grinned when she heard the last bit. “So besides this, how have you been?” Maria sighed.
“I’ve been ok, I mean, singing is great and all but I don’t know. I miss everyone.” Kyle nodded as they reached the top of the stairs. “I think that after the tour, I want to go home and visit for a while, what do you think?”
Kyle thought for a moment. “When does the tour finish?” Maria told him that it ended in two weeks. “Cool, well Michael and I will stay here until then, and look into this case, then after the two weeks, you can come back to Roswell with us. Hopefully we’ll have this fucker before then.” Maria nodded.
“Sounds great, I’ll tell Liz, later. I’m sure she’s missing home too. Ok Kyle, this is your room,” she said pointing to a door before turning to Michael, “And this is yours.” She said pointing to another room. Michael ducked his head inside inspecting the room before nodding in approval.
“Where’s your room?” He asked innocently and Maria gave him a suspicious look. Michael raised his hands. “Just for safety purposes, wouldn’t want this sicko attacking in the night then have to search every room looking for you.” Maria gave him a ‘yeah right’ look before pointing to the room across from his.
“Mine’s there and Liz’s is two doors down.” She said motioning down the hall. Michael gave her a strange look. “What?”
Michael pursed his lips together. “Liz lives here too?” Maria nodded, silently asking why. Michael shrugged. “Curious is all.” Maria rolled her eyes at him and shook her head.
“I’m going to help Liz with that list, you guys make yourselves at home.” Kyle nodded and waved as she headed back down the stairs.
Turning to Michael, Kyle asked, “What’s with all the questions about Liz?” Michael shrugged not giving an answer. Kyle narrowed his eyes. “Ok then, what was with those looks you were giving my sister?”
“What looks?” Michael asked with false innocence. He was not about to tell Kyle how hot he thought his sister was. He valued his life. “I haven’t given her any looks, you’re just imagining things.” Kyle was about to object but Michael cut him off with a change of subject. “Let’s go set those bugs up.” Kyle sighed and nodded.
He knew that Michael wasn’t telling him something but let it drop for now. They had work to do. Maria’s safety came first.
*~*~*~*
“What looks? I wasn’t giving Michael any looks,” Maria said as she entered the living room, Liz on her heels, “and besides, I think he has a crush on you.” Liz froze and stared at Maria wide-eyed.
“Why do you say that?” She asked when she could again move. The thought that Michael could have a crush on her was…well it was preposterous. He was so not her type and there were definite vibes going on between him and Maria.
Maria shrugged. “He was just asking questions about you, I don’t know. He is cute though huh?” Liz nodded as she got a strange look on her face. Maria was about to question her but Kyle, followed by Michael, came into the room. Kyle asked where the phone was and headed towards it as Michael pulled out tracking devices from a bag. “You like your rooms?”
Kyle nodded. “Yeah they’re great. We’ve bugged the phones upstairs and the one in the kitchen. Is this the last one?” he asked as he started adding the equipment to the receiver. Maria nodded and Liz went to get some drinks. As she walked back into the room, she placed the glasses on the table and her jacket sleeve rose. Michael eyed the piece of jewellery there. It was a plain silver chain with some charms hanging off it.
“Nice bracelet.”
Startled, Liz looked up at him. “Ah yeah, my brother bought it for me a few years ago. I never take it off.” She said as she pulled her sleeve back down. Michael glanced over to Maria who gave him a weird look before walking out of the room. He looked at Kyle who was still bugging the phone, before getting up to follow her.
Maria jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and came face to face with a pair of incredibly intense looking eyes. “What are you doing?” she asked. “Trying to give me a heart attack?” Michael grinned and stepped back.
“Nope, just a mild stroke.” Maria rolled her eyes and he chuckled. “Do you have that list for us yet?” Maria nodded and handed him the list. As he read it, Maria took in his profile. He was beautiful. He had a strong jaw, great muscle tone and from what she could see before, a cute little scar above his left eyebrow, which she yearned to touch. Michael lifted his gaze off the paper to Maria and noticed her staring.
“What?”
Blushing at having been caught, Maria tried changing the subject. “So what do you think of Liz?” He gave her a questioning look, so she continued. “You know, it’s just you were asking questions about her, I thought that you might, I don’t know…like her?” Michael burst into laughter and Maria furrowed her brows in confusion.
“Me? Like Liz?” Michael asked trying to contain his laughter. “No, I don’t like Liz. No offence but she’s ah… not my type. Too boring looking, and no body either.” He told her then smirked. “Why? You jealous?”
Maria scoffed. “Of what? You?” Michael nodded and Maria laughed. “No, sorry but you’re not my type.” Michael nodded but stepped closer to her. Maria took a step back and hit the bench. Michael brought his arms to either side of her, effectively trapping her and leant in close to her ear.
“That’s a pity,” he whispered then backed away when Kyle called out to him. Maria watched as Michael walked out of the room and started to breathe again. She hadn’t even realised that she was holding her breath and now felt cold since he removed his body from hers. ‘Did he just flirt with me?’ she asked herself before shaking her head and walking out the same door he just did.
*~*~*~*
Later that afternoon Maria walked onto her balcony where she liked to sit and write songs. She found the view from her bedroom to be beautiful and it was just so peaceful. As she sat on the wicker chair she gazed into the distance and breathed in the fresh air before opening her notepad. She started to sing what she already had.
She’s
his yellow brick road
Leading
him on
And
letting him go as far as she lets him go
Putting the pen to her mouth she closed her eyes and let the music flow through her head as she placed more words onto her paper.
She
puts on her make-up
The
same as she did yesterday
Hoping
everything’s the same
“That’s a nice song.” Maria jumped as the person behind her spoke. She turned her head and glared at Michael who now had a smirk on his face.
“Do you get some sick pleasure out of sneaking up on me?” Michael chuckled and shook his head. He was about to comment when the cordless phone next to Maria rang. She held up her hand for him to be silent.
“Hello?” She asked into the phone. Upon receiving no answer she greeted them again with a sterner voice. “Hello?” Michael’s expression became serious at that and he grabbed the phone off Maria and listened. All he heard was breathing. Saying a gruff ‘Who is this?’ into the phone, the other person hung up. “It was the same as the others I’ve gotten.” Maria said after he handed the phone back to her. “They call and all I hear is breathing.”
Michael pursed his lips together. “I’ll go downstairs and see if Kyle traced it but I don’t think he did. They weren’t on the phone long enough.” Maria nodded and jumped out of her chair saying that she was going with him. As they headed down the staircase they heard a muffled voice curse followed by a loud crash. Michael turned the corner and watched as Kyle jumped around the living room holding his foot. “Kyle?”
Turning to his friend, Kyle stopped jumping and sat on a sofa. “Stupid thing,” he said pointing to one of the broken devices that lay on the floor, “it’s broken and when I picked it up, I dropped it and it landed on my foot. Useless piece of--”
“How can it be broken?” Michael asked, cutting off Kyle’s swearing. “I checked it earlier and it was all working.” He walked over to the box and held it at eye level. Taking off the cover he looked inside to see that all the wires had been cut or ripped out of its place. “How the hell did this happen Kyle?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know man. I pulled it out of the bag, went to the car to grab a tool I had left, and when I came back, it was broken.” Michael turned to Maria and asked her who was currently in the house.
“Just us, Liz and a few maids. Why?” She asked, then upon realising what he was suggesting she shook her head. “No, no! I trust everyone that is in this house and they would not have done it. My servants would not have done such a thing.” Michael looked away and cricked his neck. It wasn’t the servants he was thinking of. At that moment Liz came into the room.
“What’s going on?” She asked. Maria explained what had happened to the equipment and Liz gasped. “Who would do such a thing? Are you sure it wasn’t already broken before you got here? I mean all of Maria’s help are incredibly trustworthy. Maybe you didn’t check it properly.” Michael slowly nodded and mumbled a quick ‘Maybe’ before scratching his head.
“How important was that piece anyway?” Maria asked.
Kyle picked it up and placed it back in the bag. “Very, it was the thing that would tell us where the calls were coming from. Now all the bugs are useless.”
“Well what does that mean? Were they the only things you had to work with?” Maria asked getting worried. Kyle shook his head.
“No but it would have helped. Now we just resort to some old fashioned detective work.” He said with a smile and Maria rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky Michael and I used to be cops.”
Maria turned to face Michael who had been standing behind her. “Cop huh? How long have you two known each other exactly?” Michael shrugged and told her they had met a few years ago. “Oh,” she said. “So did you quit the cop jig for the same reason Kyle did?” Michael nodded. “How do you get bored being a cop?” Maria wondered out loud and Kyle chuckled.
“
“Sounds good,” he said as he pulled the said list out of his pocket. “The first name we have is Mary. Who is Mary?”
“Mary’s one of our friends, a back up singer on the tour.” Liz told him. Michael asked why she was on the grudge side. “Well I have overheard her tell a few people that she’d love to be where Maria is and would do anything she could to get it. I also heard from a few people that she has been saying a few bad words about Maria. She’s one of those, ‘Friend to your face but stabs you in the back’ type of people.”
Maria furrowed her brow in confusion. “How come you never told me this?” Liz opened her mouth to try to explain but was saved when Courtney, one of Maria’s maids entered the room. She announced that there was some mail and handed it to Maria who mumbled a thank you before turning and sifting through it. “Bill, Bill, Bill.” She said throwing them onto the nearby desk.
Michael rolled his eyes at Liz who kept on talking about this Mary girl whom she thought might be worth talking to. Kyle smirked at his partner before looking over towards the corner that Courtney had previously left in. He noticed that she hadn’t in fact left, but was standing by the door staring at Michael with a look of lust on her face. Kyle’s eyebrows rose as he glanced at Michael who didn’t seem to notice anything in the room but Maria. He then shifted his gaze back to Courtney who jumped and scurried away after catching Kyle’s eye, knowing that she had been caught. ‘I’ll have to keep my eye on that one.’
The last letter in the pile that Maria had been looking through was another unmarked blue envelope. Upon reading its contents she gasped. Michael walked up behind her and took the letter out of her hands and read it aloud.
You
think those bodyguards will stop me Maria? Think again.
Maria grew pale and swayed a little where she stood. Michael grabbed her shoulders and leant down near her ear. “It’s ok, we’ll find this asshole.” He said with so much conviction that Maria couldn’t help but believe. Maria nodded and became a little shocked when Michael didn’t release her upper arms but was now rubbing them gently in a comforting manner.
Liz turned to Maria. “Why don’t you go lay down for a bit, I’ll bring up some painkillers later.” Maria smiled graciously and left the room as Liz went to the kitchen. Michael stayed in the living room for a while longer staring at his hands. They still tingled from when he touched Maria. Her skin had felt so soft against his, so right. Shaking his head, he swivelled around and started to walk in the direction that Liz had left in. He had a few questions to ask the girl. Kyle could search the grounds by himself.
Outside, Kyle slapped his forehead after realising that he left the list that Maria had written inside by the coffee table. As he glided back into the room be heard a hushed voice in the shadows.
“Where are you now?” The voice, obviously female, said. “Good, don’t do anything else until I call you again ok?” Kyle furrowed his brows. Could this voice belong to the stalker? “Uh huh, we’ll wait a few days before going ahead with the rest of the plan. She’ll never suspect a thing.” Kyle’s jaw dropped as he heard the last sentence and watched as Courtney, the maid who brought in the mail, left the shadows and hurried into the dining room with Kyle, hot on her trail.
Michael followed Liz into the kitchen where he found her pouring a couple of pills from a bottle on the bench top. “What are you doing?”
She turned and gasped in surprise, not having heard him enter the room. “Oh, Maria has a headache so I’m taking her these pills. She gets them a lot when she’s stressed.” Michael nodded and walked around to sit on one of the stools. Liz’s eyes followed him the entire time trying to work out what it is that he was doing there. “Is there something I can help you with? I mean, shouldn’t you be with Kyle doing… I don’t know, bodyguard things?”
“Bodyguard things?” he smirked and shook his head. “No, Kyle can handle all of that on his own for now, I wanted to talk to you.” Liz placed the bottle back on the bench and waited for him to continue. “Why did you take the job of Maria’s manager? I heard that you had a chance to go to Harvard. Why turn that down just to sit back and watch your best friend gradually get famous?”
Liz narrowed her eyes at him. “You think it’s me don’t you? You think that I’m the stalker.” Michael remained expressionless. “Well I’m not. Maria is my best friend. I didn’t go to Harvard because when it came down to it, being a scientist isn’t what I really wanted to do. When Maria offered this to me I took it because I wanted to. It’s a great opportunity and I hope to one day manage other stars besides Maria.” She stopped talking and reached under the bench to retrieve a glass. “Plus, if I wanted her dead, I would have done it by now.”
“Still, I’m keeping my eye on you,” Michael said as he considered what she had said. It all did make sense but he still had a nagging feeling that wouldn’t go away. Liz rolled her eyes as she poured water into the glass and placed the jug back in the fridge.
“You do that then.”
*~*~*~*
“Who was on the phone?” Kyle said as he entered the dining room behind Courtney. The maid jumped in surprise and turned to look at the person behind her.
“Excuse me? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said as she picked up a nearby duster.
Kyle crossed his arms over his chest. “I heard you on the phone and I want to know what’s going on… now. I heard you say that Maria will never suspect anything and that you had ‘plans’, so I’ll ask again, what’s going on?”
Kyle watched as Courtney placed the duster back on the table and looked around the room. She walked closer to him and bit her lip. “Fine, I’ll tell you, but you have to keep this quiet ok? No one else can know, especially not Maria,” she asked with pleading eyes and Kyle nodded, although thinking she was a complete nut job—as if he wouldn’t tell anyone. Courtney surveyed the room once more before whispering, “The staff and a few others are planning a surprise part for Maria. Sort of a … congratulations on the tour, kind of thing.”
Kyle blinked. ‘What the hell?’ he thought. “Party?”
The maid nodded. “Yes, a party. The person on the phone is in charge of the decorations. He delivered some today but we don’t want Maria getting suspicious so I was told to ask him to hold off on bringing any more for a few days.”
“A party, you’re planning a party,” Kyle laughed. He couldn’t believe he thought she was a killer. She looked way too innocent to be a killer anyway. “Ok, I won’t tell Maria,” he said and Courtney smiled. Before leaving the room, Kyle asked her one more thing. “Oh, do you recall seeing anyone by the mail when you went to pick it up?”
Courtney looked to be thinking for a moment before nodding. “Yes, actually, I do. I saw a man; he had this gruff look with brown hair, cute though. I asked him what he was doing there and he said that he was the new gardener.”
Kyle nodded, taking in all the information, thanked Courtney and walked out of the room. As he walked down the hall he couldn’t help but think that Courtney still had some kind of connection to all of this. Sure she looked innocent, but looks could be deceiving. He’d have to check with Liz to see if this party was for real.
He stepped into the kitchen and saw Michael sitting at the bench in thought. Kyle clapped him on the back, bringing him back to reality. “Hey Michael, you seen Liz?”
Michael shook his head. "Why?"
“I just need to check something out with her. Oh and I think I have our lead suspect, well for now anyway.”
“Me too,” Michael said with a half smile. So he thought that Liz had something to do with it too.
Kyle nodded. “Yeah it’s Courtney,” he said, just as Michael said, “Liz.”
The two men stared at each other. “You think its Liz?” Kyle asked. “It can’t be, I know its Courtney. Well I don’t know, but the evidence is piling up, trust me.”
Michael shook his head. “No, it's Liz. She’s our number one suspect. I know she’s in on it. And who the hell is Courtney?” Michael asked, confused. He picked up the list that Kyle had placed on the table and scanned it. “She’s not even on this grudge list.”
“She was the maid who brought in the mail.”
Michael thought for a moment then nodded. He remembered her now. He caught this weird vibe off her but just thought that it was the burrito he had for lunch.
Kyle took out a pen and wrote her name in the grudge list. “Well she’s our number one suspect now.”
Michael shook his head and grabbed the pen and paper off him. “No, Liz is our number one suspect,” he said as he scribbled out Courtney’s name and wrote Liz’s.
Kyle grabbed the pen and paper back. “No, it’s Courtney,” he said re-writing her name.
Michael pushed him and tried to grab the pen away but Kyle held it to his chest. “Go away Michael, it’s Courtney and that’s final,” he said giving Michael a push back.
Michael saw red and charged at him bringing them both to the ground. Kyle let go of the paper and they both watched it float to the ground. Kyle looked at Michael who glanced at him before both tried to shuffle themselves closer to the paper.
“The killer is Liz,” Michael growled out when Kyle had managed to get his head in a headlock. Michael punched him in the gut. Kyle let go but before Michael could get the paper, Kyle tripped him.
Kyle smiled in triumph as he picked up the list. “The killer is Courtney.”
Michael was about to charge at him again when Maria entered the room. She took in their messy appearance and sighed, “I’ve hired immature morons.”
Michael smirked at her while Kyle pocketed the list.
“You know you love us,” Michael said.
Maria smiled at him seductively and brushed past him. He shivered at the slight touch and ignored the glare that Kyle was shooting him.
“You wish,” she said as she walked over to the far door.
“Every damn night,” Michael called out and heard her giggle as she left the kitchen. He looked over at Kyle who was looking at him in disgust. “What?” he said, the list temporarily forgotten.
“Do you have to flirt with my sister?” Kyle said angrily. He wasn’t sure why the two of them flirting affected him so much, but Maria was his baby sister and Michael had a reputation for not being able to commit to anyone. Maria deserved someone who could give her a future.
Michael sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I was not flirting with your sister,” he lied. He knew what he was doing but also knew that Kyle was getting pissed off with it. Michael knew how much Kyle loved his sister, he talked about her enough, but Michael also couldn’t deny that every time he saw her he felt something go through his body. He tried changing the subject. The last thing he needed was to have his best friend angry with him. “The killer is Liz.”
Letting out a small laugh, Kyle shook his head. “No it’s not,” he said and smiled. “It’s Courtney.”
“How much do you want to bet?” Michael said with a smirk.
Kyle thought for a moment then a small smile crossed his face. “If it turns out that Courtney is the killer, you have to stay away from Maria,” he said mimicking Michael’s smirk.
Clenching his jaw Michael contemplated Kyle’s side of the deal. Could he stand to stay away from Maria if he was wrong? No he couldn’t, although, he had never been wrong about a case before. Not being one to chicken out of a deal, he agreed. After all, if he did lose, then he’d just find a loophole around it.
“Fine, but if I win and Liz is the killer, then you have to take over the Reynolds case.” He smiled as he watched Kyle’s jaw drop and shudder. Mrs Reynolds was an elderly woman in need of a bodyguard when she went out, she was very wealthy but had a sickening crush on both men, and every time they went around, Mrs Reynolds tried to make a pass at them.
Kyle nodded after a few moments, although somewhat reluctantly. Like Michael, he was never one to chicken out on a bet. After all, Kyle had never been wrong about a hunch either.
*~*~*~*
Courtney broke out into a full-fledged grin as she entered Michael’s room. He had obviously made the room his own, even though he had only been there a day. His clothes were thrown on the bed and his wallet was lying on the mantel above the fireplace. She walked over to the bed, picked up a black t-shirt and held it to her face. After inhaling the smell of Michael she let out a content sigh.
Ever since seeing him in the lobby as he and Kyle arrived, she had felt an instant attraction towards him. He had the longish brown hair that she’d just love to run her fingers through and the most deep, intense chocolate brown eyes that she could get lost in forever. She placed the shirt over her arm and walked over to the mantel. She picked up the wallet and started going through it. “Credit card, credit card, video card, Photos, bingo!”
As she reached the photos, she started seeing red. There was a photo of Michael with two gorgeous women hanging off his arms. She pulled the wallet-sized photo out of its sleave and read the names on the back. “Isabel and Laurie,” she said to herself as she turned the photo back around and glared at the two smiling faces. Placing the wallet back on the mantel, she walked over to the bin, ripped the two women’s heads off the photo and threw them in the bin. Smiling in satisfaction, she then left the room and walked down the stairs to the servant’s quarters. After waving at a fellow worker she continued down a long corridor until she reached her room.
Courtney walked over to her closet and ruffled around until she found a plain box. Taking out a permanent marker, she wrote ‘Private’ on top and then took off the lid. Taking the shirt off her arm, she carefully placed it into the empty box. “The first addition,” she said to herself with a smile. After seeing Michael that day in the lobby she knew that he had to be hers. She had come up with a plan earlier that day to try to make Michael see her as more than just a maid. She would sneak into Michael’s room, steal some of his things, then when he reported them missing, she would come in, say that she had found them, and then he would see her in a different light. It was the perfect plan, what could go wrong?
She then reached into her pocket and fished out the ripped photo she had also taken from him. This she wouldn’t be giving back, this she would keep. She walked over to her dresser and pulled out an old photo album. After flicking through the pages, she spotted a picture of herself and an old friend and knew it would be perfect. Taking out a pair of scissors, she cut the old friend out of the photograph then took the other photo and cut carefully around Michael’s body and glued it to the picture of her self. She held it up to her face and admired her work. It now looked as if Michael had his arm around her. She brought the photo close to her face and kissed the picture of Michael. “You will be mine, I’ll make sure of it,” she said as she placed the photo under her pillow.
*~*~*~*
Liz smiled and congratulated herself on a job well done. The ballroom looked perfect. Tonight was the night of the surprise party for Maria. Liz had managed to get Kyle to take Maria out of the house and into town for a while until the ballroom had been completely set up. She was due back an a few hours and all she needed to do now was get dressed.
“Good job,” someone said behind her. Liz smiled and came face to face with Michael. Lately she couldn’t seem to shake him from her presence. He had been very true to his words when he said that he’d be keeping an eye on her. Hopefully though, Maria could keep him company for a while so she could at least have a few hours to herself.
Michael surveyed the room. Liz had gone with a metallic blue, silver and purple colour scheme. Balloons and streamers were hung everywhere, a buffet table was situated in the corner ready for food to be placed on and many tables and chairs littered the area surrounding the dance floor.
“Thank you Michael, It does look rather good doesn’t it? Are you going to get ready anytime soon?” she asked, then raked her eyes over his body. “Oh and I suggest you wear a tux, you do own one right?”
He glared at her before placing a smirk on his face. “Yes I own a Tux but why on earth would I want to get ready now? There’s still two hours before anyone gets here,” he asked confused. All he needed to do was throw on his suit and stick a bit of gel in his hair.
“Well don’t you want to look good for Maria?” Liz asked with a small smile and tried not to laugh at the exasperated look on Michael’s face.
“I do not like Maria ok! Anyway, she’s Kyle’s sister, like anything could happen,” Michael said as he shook his head. Over the past week, when not watching Liz, he had been sneaking glances at Maria and with every glance he had fallen even further for her, but kept telling himself that nothing could happen. Firstly she was Kyle’s baby sister and he didn’t want to ruin their friendship and secondly, she probably didn’t even like him. She had so far shown no interest as all.
Liz rolled her eyes. “Keep telling yourself that Michael and maybe one day you might actually believe it.”
Michael glared at her again before she started walking off towards the entertainment area. Michael stayed standing rooted in that spot for a while thinking about what Liz had said. Sighing, he pushed his hands in his pockets and walked in the direction of the stairs. Maybe he should start getting ready.
*~*~*~*
“You know, it has been really good to spend some time with you sis,” Kyle said as they walked through a park. Liz had made him get Maria out of the house while she set up the party. It turns out that Courtney had been telling the truth, but still, over that past week that girl had been acting even stranger. Not only that but he kept catching her staring at Michael. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary seeing girls stare at Michael, only the looks she gave him were more of an obsessed look. It was somewhat frightening at times.
“Yeah it has, hasn’t it? So how is everyone back home?” Maria asked looking up at the stars as they sat down at a nearby table.
“Well Amy and Dad are still acting like they’re newlyweds and it’s quiet disgusting.”
Maria shuddered at the mental image that created. Her mother had married Kyle’s Dad a few years ago but they still acted like horny teenagers.
“Ah, Tess and the kids are great, Tess actually wants to try for another but I don’t know…we’ll see. Max misses you like crazy as does Laurie.” Kyle paused for a moment then smiled. “I never told you this before but Laurie is actually Michael’s sister.”
Maria
creased her eyebrows. “Really? I wonder why I never met him before. But then
again I only knew Laurie for a few months before moving here,” she said in
wonder. She wondered why she didn’t notice it before. Both of them had the
same eyes and scratched their eyebrows when they were confused about
something… not to mention having the same last name. Laurie had been Maria’s
roommate when she was in college. In high school, Maria had actually completed
all of her courses early so took the chance to leave and start college earlier
than all her friends. She attended the
“Yeah, apparently Laurie had no idea I was your brother either until Max mentioned it,” Kyle said as he stood. “Come on, we’d better get back to the house, it’s getting late.”
Maria nodded and followed Kyle. As they walked Kyle remembered something that Courtney had mentioned but he had forgotten to ask Maria about it. “Hey, who is your new gardener? That maid Courtney said that she saw the new gardener around the mailbox the day you got that letter. Only I haven’t been able to find him.”
Maria furrowed her brows in confusion. “I don’t have a gardener.”
Kyle paused slightly and filed that information away for later. Either Courtney was lying when she had mentioned the guy near the mailbox, or there was someone else in the running for the number one suspect.
*~*~*~*
Michael rolled his eyes as yet another woman invited to the party made their way over to him. He had been hit on three times already and the party had only been going on for an hour. Michael just hoped that Maria got there soon. Maybe if he stayed near her then all the other women would leave him alone. Another few minutes passed when Liz’s voice came over the microphone and told everyone to be quiet because Maria had just entered the house. Silence engulfed the room and a moment later, the door opened and everyone yelled out, "Surprise!"
Everyone in the room watched as Maria jumped back, then smiled. By the look on her face, she really had no idea that this was happening. Michael stayed in the corner and watched Maria mingle and converse with a small group of friends before moving onto the next. He couldn’t help the jealous feeling that ran through him as a man about the age of 20, placed his hand on the small of her back and asked her to dance. Pushing himself off the wall, Michael walked over to the bar. He needed a drink.
“Not dancing tonight, Michael?” a female voice asked from next to him. He looked over and saw Courtney smile at him. He internally groaned. ‘Great, will these women never leave me alone?’ he thought as the girl trailed a finger up his arm.
“Shouldn’t you be cleaning or something?” Michael asked and she shook her head.
“Nope, Maria gave me the night off. Do you want to go somewhere to… I don’t know… talk?” she suggested with a wink and Michael knew that what she had in mind had nothing to do with talking.
*~*~*~*
Maria smiled at the guy who asked her to dance and politely refused. Sure he was cute but there was only one man that she wanted to dance with right now and he couldn’t be found.
“Did I do good, or did I do good?” Liz asked from behind her. Maria laughed and gathered the brunette up in a hug.
“Oh you did good, I can’t believe that you orchestrated this, it’s amazing, I don’t know what to say,” she said still beaming.
Liz laughed and shook her head. “No need to thank me sweetie, you deserved this. Oh I have to go over and talk to Randle, I’ll see you later?”
Maria nodded and watched as Liz made her way over towards the producer of her album. Shifting from one foot to the other, Maria smiled when she spotted Michael sitting over at he bar but then a feeling of possessiveness coursed through her when her maid, Courtney, ran her hand up his arm. She walked closer to see if she could hear what they were talking about.
“Do you want to go somewhere to… I don’t know… talk?”
Maria’s jaw dropped at how unbelievably forward Courtney was being. Before Michael could give her an answer, Maria walked up behind them and tapped Michael on the shoulder. “Michael, there you are,” she said, placing her hand on his arm. She glanced at Courtney and smiled. “Oh Courtney, Kara called in sick so you will have to work tonight after all. I need you to clean all of the bathrooms.”
“Can’t I just do it tomorrow?” Courtney asked with a fake smile. She was sure she was making progress with Michael until she came. Maria shook her head.
“No, and make sure that the toilets really sparkle.”
Courtney stood with a huff. “Fine,” she said then licked her lips and winked suggestively to Michael. “See you later, Mickey G.”