Uncover Persona - Chapter 6

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Mario knocked on Emily's hotel room door. "Who's there?" she called. "It's me," Mario said.

Emily cracked open the door and peeked outside. When she saw that it was Mario, she unlatched the lock and opened the door. "Thank God," she said. "I was so worried. Sonja said that you went looking for Kenton."

Mario sighed. "She shouldn't have told you that."

Emily closed and locked the door. "You shouldn't have done that, Mario. He's crazy. He could have killed you."

"He may be crazy, but he'd have had to use a gun to kill me." He sat down at the small table in the corner of the room and motioned for Emily to sit next to him. "Why didn't you stay with your parents?"

"I was afraid Kenton would show up over there," Emily said. "With as crazy as he has been behaving, I was afraid he would hurt one of them."

Mario took Emily's hands in his. "I have to tell you something about Kenton, and you are not going to believe me."

Emily's phone buzzed. She looked at the display. "It's Carol. I texted her earlier to let her know what was going on."

Mario's face tightened, and he nodded. He wondered if Carol knew that Damon had gone to a gay bar to meet Kenton.

"Hello," Emily said into the phone. She paused when she heard Carol sob and then said, "Carol, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"This is my fault," Carol cried.

"What do you mean it's your fault?" Emily asked. She gave Mario a surprised look, but he looked away.

"Oh my God, Emily, I'm so sorry. Kenton and I were having an affair."

"What!" Emily shouted into the phone, bringing Mario's eyes back to her.

"I had told him that I wanted to end the affair that morning, and he went ballistic. I guess that's why he didn't go to Louisville like he normally does," Carol said and sniffed.

Emily stood and started to pace. "Let me get this right," she said between gritted teeth. "You have been whining to me because you thought your husband was cheating on you when you were, in fact, cheating with my husband."

"Yes, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry," Carol cried.

Emily pursed her lips, fury building up inside her. "So you think?" she asked tightly, "that Kenton abused me because he was mad at you?"

"Yes," Carol said, sniffing again. "He said that he was going to come to town to deal with me, but when he got to the house, Damon was home, and that seemed to make him even angrier." She blew her nose. "I told Damon everything, but he already knew."

"Damon knew about your affair with Kenton?"

"Yes, I don't know how but he did. We had a horrible fight. He said he was going to tell you. I wanted to tell you the night of the party after everyone else had left, but Kenton showed up. And then, and then," she started crying again. "He hurt you. I'm so sorry."

"Yes, you are!" Emily shouted. "You are a sorry little whore!" She threw the phone on the ground and stomped on it.

Mario jumped up and grabbed her. He wrapped his arms around her to make her stop stomping on the phone. Emily crumpled in his arms and began crying hysterically. Mario held her while she cried. She calmed somewhat after a few minutes, put her arms around Mario's waist, and laid her head on his shoulder. "Why is this happening?"

"I don't know," he said. "But we need to talk."

Emily held onto him for a few minutes longer. She felt safe in his arms. She knew that she had grown too fond of him over the past few weeks working together, but she never considered stepping beyond the boundaries of friendship. She was married and took her vows seriously, even though she had questioned Kenton's fidelity, and now she knew he had been cheating with Carol. She squeezed Mario harder and then let him go. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," he said quietly. "I have more to add to Carol's story."

Emily closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. "I could use one of your aunt's margaritas about now."

"I'd go get you some tequila, but I don't think you should have it with the pain medicine your taking."

"Oh, why not," she said bitterly. "Death might be a good thing right now."

He gripped her shoulders and made her look at him. "No, death is not a good thing right now." He took a deep breath. "I like you very much, and I know this is not the best time to tell you that. But you mean a lot to me, and I won't let you do anything foolish like killing yourself."

Emily let out another sigh. "I wouldn't really do that, and I like you very much too."

Mario smiled slightly. "We'll talk about that later, but now I have to give you some more troubling information." He took Emily by the hand and led her to the table. He pulled out one of the chairs. "Sit."

Emily sat down wearily. Mario went to the bathroom and got them both a glass of water. He sat down across from her.

"Okay, let me have it," Emily said.

"After we left the hospital, I went with Aunt Sonja and Uncle Fernando to their house so they could get some clothes. Aunt Sonja was going to go to the big house and get some more stuff for you, but Kenton's car was there. I wanted to go to the house and kick his ass, but Aunt Sonja said no." Mario shifted in his seat and looked away. "After we went back to my cousin's house, where they are staying, I got in the truck and went back to your house."

"Mario, he has guns in the house," Emily gasped.

Mario shrugged. "He passed me on the road, so I turned around and followed him." Mario shifted uncomfortably again. "I followed him to a gay bar."

"What?" Emily shook her head. "Oh my God, this just gets better and better."

"Oh yeah," Mario agreed. "Carol's husband, Damon, was there. I went right up to Kenton and apparently interrupted an argument they were having because Damon asked Kenton if he was fucking me, too."

"What?" Emily hissed.

"Yeah," Mario looked at the floor. "It was like they had a lover's quarrel."

Emily got up and started pacing again. "I can't believe this." She stopped and scratched her head with both hands, messing up her hair. She came back to the table and sat down. "Okay, so Carol says that she and Kenton were having an affair, and you found Kenton at a gay bar arguing with Damon like they were lovers."

"Yes," Mario confirmed. "This is totally fucked up." "Yes," Mario agreed.

"Wow," Emily said, rubbing her face with her hands. "I don't even know what to say or think about all this. This is insane." She got up and paced some more. "Wow," she said again, shaking her head.

Mario just nodded his head and watched Emily pace.

"I need to get out of here. What's open now? Not a bar, maybe a coffee shop or something."

Mario grinned, "I'm sure we can find a restaurant somewhere that's open. Plus, I'm starving. I haven't eaten all day."

"Me either," Emily said. She got her purse off the bed and followed Mario to the door. She touched his arm when they reached the door. "Would you mind staying here with me tonight? I really don't want to be alone."

"Of course," he said and gave her a slight hug. "I'll be here for you anytime you need me."

Emily smiled and hugged him back. "Let's go get some food."

Kenton slammed the front door when he entered the house. That fucking bitch still hadn't come home. He looked at his watch. It's one in the morning. She might think she can hide from him, but he had connections, and he would find her. She was going to be sorry she pulled this shit. And Carol, he was going to straighten her ass out. Nobody dumps him, nobody. He's the one who dumps people. And Junior, what the fuck did he think he was doing telling Damon about Carol? This was all getting out of control. He should be in Louisville right now partying his ass off at the Derby Festival. Stupid, fucking idiots.

He went into the kitchen and took a vial of powder out of the pocket of his suit jacket. He poured some of it out on the counter and took a business card out to get it lined up in two lines. He took a small, gold-plated tube out of the same pocket he'd had the vial in. Pushing one side of his nose closed, he leaned down and snorted the powder through the tube. He stood and sniffed. He bent and repeated the process using the opposite side of his nose. He stiffed again and then wiped his nose with a handkerchief he pulled out of the breast pocket of his jacket.

"The bitch better have the good bourbon here, or I'll kick her ass for that too," Kenton mumbled as he opened the liquor cabinet door. He pushed the bottles around for a few minutes until he found what he was looking for.

He looked up into the glass door of the cabinet and saw his reflection. He touched his swollen nose and black eye. He would deal with that Spic too. And he'd fire those damn Rodriquez's. They were a big part of the problem with Emily. Coddling her and giving her too much confidence. He'd fix that shit.

Taking the bottle of bourbon and a tumbler he'd fished out of the cabinet, he went out to the patio and sat down at the patio table. He pulled the chair opposite him over so he could prop his feet upon it. He filled his glass and took a large drink out of it. Wiping his mouth, he looked around the pool area. Maybe he would go for a swim. He took off his jacket, took another big drink of whiskey, and then bent over and took off his shoes and socks.

A pair of feet with neon green toenails appeared next to him. Kenton looked up at the owner of the feet. "That's really not your color."

The blow was unexpected and came with such force that it snapped Kenton's head severely to the left. He tried to stand, but his balance was completely off. Stumbling forward, he fell against the chair, hitting his head at the temple in almost the same place his attacker had hit him. He was slipping from consciousness when he fell, smacking the other side of his head against the side of the pool before falling in.

The attacker stood at the side of the pool for a few minutes, watching the blood seeping out of Kenton's head color the water, and then tiptoed back out of the yard and disappeared into the night.

Emily woke with a start. There was a body next to her, a male body. She had been having a nightmare about Kenton. He was holding her down and hurting her. She sat straight up in bed.

Mario sat up next to her. "What's wrong?" he asked, wide awake and looking around the room for an intruder.

"Sorry," she said and dropped her head in her hands. "I was having a nightmare."

Mario put his arm around her and pulled her back down on his chest. With his arm around her back, he held her tightly to him. "It's okay. I'm here."

Emily laid her head on his chest, the way she had last night when they had been watching a movie together. She had never felt safer. She wished that she could regain that feeling now, but in the light of day, the reality of all that she had to face loomed over her. She was going to have to face Kenton and confront him about what she had heard. He was going to deny everything, she knew, but she still had to let him know that she was on to his lies.

She stretched her legs beside Mario's and noticed that her left hand was hurting. She brought it up to her face and looked at the bruises that have formed over her knuckles. "How on Earth?"

Mario raised his head and looked at her hand. "It was probably last night when you were flailing all over the place." He gently took her hand and looked at it. You were swinging your arms everywhere. You clocked me a couple of times."

Emily rose up and looked down at his face. She reached out and touched the bruise under his eye. "Did I do that?"

He smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, but it is okay." "I'm so sorry," she said, leaning down to kiss the spot. His dark eyes turned black. "We...we should probably get up." He touched her cheek with the back of his hand.

They stared into each other's eyes for several moments before Emily sat up and moved away from him. She didn't want to be like Kenton. Yes, she was very attracted to Mario, and it would have been so easy to kiss him just now, but she wasn't going to do that. She would deal with Kenton first.

She and Mario had talked for a long time last night about so many things, including their growing attraction. Mario was a traditional guy, and he wouldn't cross the line between them unless she crossed it first. She looked over at his concerned face. If they were to have something in the future, it wasn't going to start as an affair. She smiled weakly at his handsome face. "I want to go to the house. I'm going to deal with Kenton."

"Are you sure?" Mario asked, sitting up.

"Yes," Emily said. "Everything that has happened has just been insane, but I really can't believe he is having an affair with Damon. I'm going to confront him about it."

"But, he will hurt you again," Mario said.

Emily nodded. "This is what we'll do. You drop me off at the house and then go to Sonja and Fernando's. If I don't call you in a half an hour, you call me. If I don't answer, call the police."

Mario didn't like it, but the determined look on Emily's face said she was going to deal with Kenton one way or another.

He couldn't let her do it alone. He nodded and got out of the bed. "Do you want to stop to get something to eat?"

"No," Emily said as she carried her clothes into the bathroom to take a shower. "My stomach is in knots. I couldn't eat anything if I tried."

She was a nervous wreck and more terrified than she wanted to admit, but she wanted to get this over with. She wasn't really sure what she thought she was going to accomplish by confronting Kenton or what she would do next. She just wanted the truth.

After her shower, Emily started to pack up her stuff, and then she stopped. She looked over at Mario, who was gathering his wallet, and the few pieces of clothes he'd changed out of yesterday. "You know what? I'm going to leave some stuff here and go ahead and pay for another night. Regardless of what happens, I think I may need another night away."

"Okay," he said. "That's probably a good idea."

She picked up her phone; the screen was cracked, but other than that, it was still working after the stomping she gave it last night and put it in her purse. "Let's go get this over with," she said with new determination.

Mario nodded and followed her out of the room. They stopped at the front desk, where Emily made arrangements to stay another night. She followed Mario out to Sonja and Fernando's big black truck. She climbed in and sat next to the passenger window.

"What are Sonja and Fernando doing for transportation?" she asked.

"My cousin, Jesus is letting them borrow a car, but they weren't planning on going anywhere until they heard from you. They are probably just now getting up," he said smiling. "It is just seven o'clock."

"I bet you twenty bucks your Aunt Sonja has been up since at least five and has probably made breakfast for everyone."

"Okay, you're on," Mario said.

Emily smiled, "Hope you have some cash."

"Humph," Mario said and dialed his aunt's cell. "Buenos Dias, Tia," he said. "Como estes?" He paused for a moment. "Si, she's here with me," he said, looking over at Emily. "How long have you been up?"

Emily laughed when she heard Sonja tell Mario she had been up since four. "I told you."

Sonja must have asked what they were doing because Mario said, "Emily wants to go to the house."

Emily heard Sonja going off in Spanish on the other end of the phone. Mario said, "I know, but that's what she wants to do." He paused and then said. "Yes, I will call you and let you know what happens. I love you, too."

Mario reached over and took Emily's hand. She turned and looked at him. "She is very fond of you."

"I know," Emily said with a slight smile. "I'm very fond of her, too." She looked out the window. "I'm not sure what will happen with them or me, but I hope we will always remain friends, no matter what."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly, and they made the rest of the trip in silence. Emily's nervousness got stronger the closer they got to the house. Was she really strong enough to face Kenton, to confront him?

Mario pulled into the driveway, and Emily took a deep breath. "Drop me off by the garage," she said. "I'll go in the patio doors."

Mario nodded. He stopped just past the point where the driver turned to go into the three-car garage. The garage door was closed, so there was no way of knowing for sure if Kenton was there.

Emily opened the truck door and moved to get out. Mario put a hand on her arm. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Emily nodded. She squeezed Mario's hand and then got out of the truck. She went around the truck and paused at the fence that led to the pool area. Looking back at Mario, she opened the gate and slid inside. She was walking with a new determination when something floating in the pool caught her eye. She turned, saw Kenton's body floating in the pool, and screamed.

Mario had started to slowly drive toward his aunt and uncle's house when he heard the scream. He threw the truck in reverse and backed up to the garage. He put the truck in park and then jumped out. He ran through the open gate, running into Emily, who threw herself into his arms with a sob. He looked past her and saw Kenton's body in the pool. "Oh my God," he cried. He set her away from him, ran, and jumped into the pool. He grabbed Kenton's body and pulled it to the side of the pool. Once he had Kenton at the side of the pool, he pushed him up onto the patio. He quickly climbed out and checked Kenton's pulse. When he felt how cold Kenton's body was, he realized that Kenton had been dead for a while. He looked up at Emily. "You better go call the police. He's dead."

Emily gasped and covered her mouth, letting out another smaller scream. Mario got to his feet and wrapped her in his arms. "I'm so sorry," he said into her hair.

Mario ended up calling the police. Emily was completely distraught. He made her go into the house because every time she looked at Kenton's body, she let out a small scream. Even though he thought Kenton needed to die, seeing him dead was weird.

The fire department arrived first, followed by an ambulance and the police. Mario met each one of them at the front door and then led them to the patio. Emily was sitting in the family room crying. He had called Sonja and Fernando and told them what was happening; they should have been arriving any minute.

Carol burst through the front door shortly after the police arrived. "Where's Emily?" she demanded.

Mario pointed to the family room.

Carol ran into the family room and asked Emily, "Are you okay? Did he hurt you again?"

Emily just stared at Carol and said. "He's dead."

"What do you mean, he's dead?" Carol looked over at the police surrounding Kenton's body by the pool.

"You killed him!" she cried.

"No, I didn't kill him," Emily shouted. She looked at Kenton's prone body and then back at Carol. "But I wanted to. I want to kill you!" She stood up and pushed Carol. "How could you? You were supposed to be my friend."

"It just happened," Carol said, dropping her head. "Bullshit," Emily hissed. A female police officer rushed over to the pair. "What's going on?" she demanded. "This fucking slut was screwing my husband," Emily growled. The officer stepped between the two women. "What is your name?" she asked Carol. "Carol Butler." "Why are you here?" the officer asked.

"I live a few houses down. I'm married to Emily's cousin, Damon Butler. Kenton had hurt Emily a few nights ago. When I heard the ambulance, I was afraid that he had hurt her again."

"Were you having an affair with the deceased?" the officer asked, obviously having overheard their argument.

"Yes," Carol answered quietly.

The officer motioned for another officer to come into the house from the patio. "Take Mrs. Butler in the kitchen and take her statement. Detective Carter and Detective Jones should be here any minute to take over the investigation."

The other officer, a young man, probably just out of the academy, took Carol by the elbow and led her to the kitchen.

The front door opened, and a tall African American man with extremely short hair graying at the temples came in, followed by a woman who looked a few years younger. She was close to Emily's height but with an athletic build. Both detectives wore dark button-down shirts under sports jackets and black slacks. The woman had her blond hair pulled back in a ponytail. The female officer, who had been dealing with the investigation so far, approached them and gave them a rundown of what they knew so far.

The two approached Emily. The woman spoke first, holding her hand out to Emily. "I'm Detective Janice Carter, and this is Detective Harold Jones," she said, pointing to the partner. "We have been assigned to this case because it appears to be a homicide."

Emily nodded.

Detective Carter took a notebook out of her jacket pocket and a pen. She looked up at Emily, "Tell us what happened."

Emily slumped down onto the couch. "The night before last, my husband, Kenton," she said, pointing toward the body, "came home, and I was having a small party. He usually doesn't come home at all when the Derby Festival is going on, so I wasn't expecting him, but he showed up and was furious that I was having a party."

Detective Jones asked, "Why would he be angry that you were having a party?"

Looking down at the floor, Emily said, "Kenton is...was a very controlling, and I was supposed to keep the house ready for any party he might want to have. And, I had invited my parents, who don't like him, and the Rodriquez's who work for us."

The two detectives looked at each other and frowned. "And what does that have to do with today?" Detective Carter asked.

Emily didn't look up from the floor. "After everyone left the other night, Kenton beat me up and raped me."

"Did you file charges?" Detective Carter asked.

Detective Carter made notes and looked at Detective Jones, who was gritting his teeth and shaking his head. "What happened after that?"