Sweet Revenge
by Allyson
Book 1, Chapter 11 - 20
Chapter 11
“Maria! Be quiet!,” Tess says in a low voice.
“Oh, its just you two,” Maria says taking a deep breath as she sees Tess, then Tim.
“You didn’t say anything you shouldn’t have, did you?” Tess asks.
“No, I didn’t. Meg asked Ben if she could talk to him private, so he asked me to leave,” she says.
“Oh no! She knows something. I just know she does!” Tess says.
“Tess, will you stop it. You are going to put us all in a panic. Meg does not know anything,” Tim says.
“I’m not so sure about that,” Maria says.
At Ben’s House
“I don’t want to believe that Maria could be a part of it. There must be some other explanation,” Ben says.
“But, there is no other explanation,” Sara says.
“Ben, she’s right. Maria is their most likely link,” Meg says.
“I know, I just……I guess it is hard for me to believe,” Ben says.
Ben walks over to his desk.
“I know its hard,” says Meg walking up behind him. “I wouldn’t have brought this up to you unless I really thought this could be possible.”
“I know you wouldn’t have,” he says turning around to face her.
“Then lets come up with a plan to beat her at her own game,” says Sara.
Chapter 12
“You think she might know something?” Tim says.
“Yes, I do. Ever since she showed up at the door with that ‘looking for trouble’ sister of hers, I have been very nervous,” Maria says.
“But how could they……uh oh!” Tim says.
“What do you mean by ‘uh oh’?” Tess asks nervously.
“Do you remember that day when we were discussing the million dollars at the Shockwave?” says Tim.
“Yeah…oh no! That sneaky sister of Meg’s must have overheard us,” Tess says.
At Ben’s House
“I think we need to figure out a way to trick Maria into telling us about her involvement,” Sara says.
“Okay, but how?” Meg says.
“Well, since Maria is a total suck up…” Sara says.
“Sara!” Meg gasps as she looks worriedly at Ben.
Ben responds with a sly smile from ear to ear.
“I couldn’t have said it better!” he says.
They all erupt in laughter.
Chapter 13
Ben’s house
The laughter gradually dies down.
“Okay, lets get down to business,” Sara says.
She looks up at Ben and Meg who still have amused looks on their faces.
“I mean it!” she yells.
“Okay, okay!” Meg says.
“So what is your plan?” Ben asks.
“Ben, I think you should talk to Maria and ask her questions about Benjy and the other things that we discussed. You pretty much need to keep asking her stuff until she starts to crack and it should gradually all come out,” Sara says.
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Ben says. “Shall we record this?”
“I was just getting to that,” Sara says. “I was thinking we could hide some type of recording device somewhere…hmmm,” Sara stops talking and looks around the room.
“I’ve got it!” Meg says excitedly. “I bet we can get Gabi to help us.”
“Gabi? What can she do?” Sara asks.
“She can get us a wire to put on Ben,” Meg says.
“Do you think she will go for it?” Ben asks.
“I am sure she will. Plus, I like the idea of putting a wire on Ben. It’ll be…fun!” she says with a sly grin.
Ben smiles in reply.
“How did I know that was coming?” Sara mumbles.
Meg leans over to give Ben a kiss. Sara stands up suddenly.
“Mom and dad are going to kill us if we don’t go back soon,” Sara says.
Startled by Sara, Meg turns her head towards Sarah. Ben is still heading towards her lips with his eyes closed. Meg turns her head back around. Her head collides with Ben’s.
“OW!” Meg shrieks grabbing her cheek.
“God Bloody Damn!” Ben yells.
They turn to find Sara doubled over in laughter.
“I am going to get you for that Sara Elizabeth Cummings!” Meg says.
Sara shrieks and runs out of the house.
Ben and Meg laugh.
“I should go. I will talk to Gabi and let you know what she says. I will also get my conniving little sister back!” Meg says.
“Please do! Seriously, let me know what Gabi says,” Ben says.
“I will, I’ll call you. Bye,” she says.
Meg heads to the door.
“Wait just a dag on second! You forgot something,” Ben says.
He pulls her to him and plants a big juicy one on her lips.
“Mmmm! I will definitely call you later,” she says with a sly smile.
Ben laughs.
“I love you,” Ben says.
“I love you too,” Meg says.
He walks her to the door and watches her get in the car with Sara and watches the car as it disappears down the street.
Chapter 14
Under the deck
“Tess, please calm down,” Tim says.
“How can I? You just told me you think Sara and Meg have an idea of what is going on,” Tess says.
“I know I did, but there is no sense in panicking. It will make things worse. We need to come up with a way to make things go faster so Ben can’t do anything about it,” Tim says.
“How will we do that?” asks Maria.
“I’m not sure yet, but the important thing is that we don’t let any of them out of our sight,” Tim says.
“Gee Tim! That helps us a lot!” Tess says sarcastically.
“Well there is nothing else I can think of to do right now,” Tim says.
“Maybe we should do something that will distract Ben and get his mind off of whatever Meg and Sara are telling him,” Maria says.
“Now you’re talking! I say we get Meg and hide her somewhere and keep Ben looking for her until we get everything straight,” Tess says with an evil grin on her face.
“No Tess. It is out of the question. We are leaving Meg alone,” Tim says.
“Tim, get over that piece of Kansas trash already!” Tess yells.
“I am over her. I just…I can’t do that to her. I just can’t,” Tim says.
“Tim, you are such a freakin’ wuss!” Tess says.
“Hey!” says Maria interrupting. “I hate to interrupt this little charade, but I need to pick up Benjy from my mother’s in 15 minutes. Let’s just come up with something for now and we can reconvene later.”
“Okay. I say we just keep tabs on the three of them for now and then if we see anything suspicious, we will report to each other. Got it,” Tim says.
“I got it!” says Tess angrily with her arms crossed.
“That works for me too,” Maria says. “I will see you two later.”
Maria gets out from underneath the deck just in time to see Sara and Meg leaving. She turns around and pokes her head back under the deck.
“Guess who just left,” she says.
“Sara and Meg?” asks Tim.
“Yeah,” says Maria.
“Okay, I bet they are going to the Shockwave. I will keep an eye on them there,” Tim says. “Tess, you hang around here.”
“Whatever you say Tim dear.” Tess says sarcastically rolling her eyes.
Tim gives her an angry look.
“Okay, I am gone. Bye,” Maria says.
She turns around and goes around the house to her car.
“Tess, I will call you later. Bye,” Tim says.
“Bye,” Tess says as she watches Tim walk down the beach towards the Shockwave.
“How could I date such a lovesick moron!” Tess says outloud and then she gets out from under the deck and turns around, only to find Ben standing on the deck watching her.
Chapter 15
The Shockwave
“Hi mom,” Sara says as she walks over to the counter.
“Well, hi there. Where did you take off to so fast?” asks Joan.
“Oh, well Meg and I had some business to attend to,” Sara says.
“Okay…its not anything dangerous is it?” Joan asks.
“Mom, don’t worry. We are just trying to beat someone at their own game,” Sara says.
“Who?” Joan requests.
“Mom, I have already said too much. Lets just leave it at what I already said. The less people that have an idea about this, the better,” Sara says.
“The less people that have an idea about what?” says Hank walking up.
“Great! The things me and my big mouth get themselves into to,” Sara mumbles.
“What did you say honey?” Hank asks.
“Nothing dad, nothing. Oh, and by the way, Meg had some errands to run so she won’t be back for a little while,” Sara says.
“That’s fine. We are not too busy, but we could use a hand with some dishes,” Joan says with a smile.
“Mom, you always stick me with my favorite job!” Sara says sarcastically and stalks to the back room to get an apron.
Joan and Hank laugh.
Ben’s House
“Uh, Tess, would you care to enlighten me as to why you were just under my deck talking to yourself?” Ben asks.
“I thought I saw a toy of Benjy’s, so…I looked, but I didn’t find anything. I guess my eyes are playing tricks on me,” she says with an uneasy smile.
“Okay…” Ben says turning around. He walks toward the door, then stops and faces Tess.
“Do you know if Maria went to get Benjy?” he asks.
“Yes, she sure did. I just passed her on the beach a little while ago. She said she was getting him,” Tess says matter-of-factly.
“Okay, thanks.” Ben says and he goes into the house.
Tess takes a relaxed breath. “Woo, that was close,” she says to herself.
In the house, Ben is thinking of the exchange that just occurred.
“She is lying through her teeth and I am going to find out why,” he says to himself.
Chapter 16
Police Station
“Man, this day has been so boring and long,” Gabi says to herself as she twirls her pencil around and eyes her mountain of paperwork. Dejectedly, she grabs an folder and digs in.
Then Spence comes by and drops yet more files on her desk.
“Thank you Spence,” she says with the sweetest smile she could possibly muster up.
Then the phone rings.
“SBPD,” Gabi says.
“Can I speak to the most overworked person in the police station?” Meg says with a giggle.
“Very funny Meg!” Gabi says. “What can I do for ya?”
“I need you to get something for me.”
“Like what?”
“I need a wire for Ben.”
“Why?”
“Well, it is kind of complicated. Sara and I sort of hatched up this plan to get the truth out of Maria and…”
“Wait, you, Sara, and a plan. Why does this worry me?”
“Probably because I said the name Sara, but seriously we really need your help.”
“I am sure that’s it! I will see what I can do.”
“Oh, thank you Gabi! Please call me when you know something.”
“Don’t worry, I will. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Gabi hangs up the phone and looks up to see Ricardo staring down at her.
“Hi, hon.” Gabi says.
“What was that all about?” Ricardo asks.
“What was what all about?” Gabi replies.
“Your phone call.” Ricardo says.
“Oh, that. Meg is planning a surprise for Ben and she needs my help. I told her I have a lot to do and I will see what I can do to help,” Gabi says praying he buys it.
“Oh…well I guess I will get back to work then,” Ricardo says and gives Gabi a quick kiss on the lips.
“Okay, have fun. Love ya,” Gabi says.
“Love ya too,” Ricardo says and then he turns around and goes back to his desk. “Why do I have a strange feeling she is not telling me the truth?” he wonders to himself.
Chapter 17
Ben’s house
Ben is sitting on the couch with paperwork spread out in front of him on the coffee table. He is trying to get some work done, but his thoughts keep floating back to Meg. Then his thoughts are interrupted by the slam of a door and the sound of running foot steps.
“Daddy, you’re home!” yells Benjy. He flings himself into Ben’s arms.
“Hi son. Did you have fun at Grandma Carmen’s?” Ben asks.
“Yeah, we made cherrios. They are donuts,” Benjy says.
“Are you sure you made cherrios?” Ben asks confused.
“Benjy, I think you mean churros,” says Maria as she comes into the house with Benjy’s things.
“Oh yeah, we made ch-churros,” he stammers.
“I bet they were very good Benjy,” Ben says with a smile.
“Yeah, they were yummy!” Benjy says with a smile from ear to ear.
“Is that my favorite little boy I hear downstairs?” says Tess from the top of the stairs.
“Tess!” Benjy yells and runs to the steps. Tess comes down and gives him a very big hug.
“Tess, why don’t you take Benjy and his things upstairs and help him put them away. Maria and I need to have a little talk,” Ben says.
“Sure thing,” she says. She and Benjy go up the stairs and he explains the fine art of making churros along the way.
“What is it you need to talk to me about Ben?” Maria asks.
“We need to finish our conversation from earlier today. We need to find a way to explain to Benjy what we found out,” Ben says.
“I know. I just hate to cause this little boy pain, but I agree that he needs to know the truth. It is so hard to…”
Brring! Brring! Brring!
“Why did that damn thing have to ring now?” Maria thinks to herself.
“I need to get that. I am expecting a call,” Ben says. He answers the phone.
“Hello?” he says.
“Hi handsome!” she says.
“Hold on a sec,” he says. “Maria, will you excuse me while I step outside to take this call?”
“Sure Ben,” she says
Ben gets up and walks out to the deck.
“So, what did you find out?” Ben asks.
“Could I have at least gotten a hello first?” she asks.
“I’m sorry Meg,” he says. “Hello beautiful!”
“That is much better,” she says with a giggle. “And, yes I did find out something.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense,” Ben says impatiently.
“Now don’t get impatient with me young man,” she says trying to sound mean. “Gabi said that she would see what she could do and get back to me later, so, I will let you know for sure tonight.”
“Okay, that sounds good to me,” he says smiling at her attempt to get back at him for being impatient.
“Well, good!” she says. “I love you!”
“I love you too!” he says. “Bye.”
“Bye.”
Chapter 18
Ben turns around to go back inside and finds Maria standing in the doorway looking upset.
“Maria, is something wrong?”
“You told her didn’t you?”
“Told who what?”
“You told Meg about Benjy didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did. Why, is that a problem?”
“I did not want anyone to know about that yet. She has probably told half the town by now.”
“Maria, she hasn’t told half the town and she won’t. I don’t keep anything from her and I don’t plan to. Too many people have been hurt due to things I kept to myself and I won’t do that anymore.”
“Daddy!” Benjy yells from in the house.
“I’m coming son,” Ben says and then he goes past Maria and into the house.
“Why must that little bitch know everything?” she thinks to herself. “I am beginning to like Tess’ idea more and more,” she says outloud.
“What idea?” Tess says from the doorway.
“Oh, Tess, you scared me. I did not know you were there,” Maria says.
“Sorry.” Tess says. “What idea of mine do you like so much?”
“I like the one you suggested where we hide Meg and keep her hidden until everything is done, but then there’s Tim…” Maria says.
“The hell with Tim! We can do this without him,” Tess says.
“Do you really think we can?” Maria asks.
“Maria, stop being such a wuss! We can pull it off,” Tess says. “We should meet somewhere tonight and discuss it. Meet me under the pier after you put Benjy to bed. I am supposed to go out with Tim, so I will be out anyway. I’ll just ditch him. You tell Ben you are going for a walk.”
“Okay, I will do that. We better stop talking before the wrong person catches us,” Maria says.
Just then Benjy appears on the deck covered in flour.
“Mommy, daddy and I are making churros. Can you help us?” he asks.
“Sure, my little white man. I’ll be right there,” Maria says.
He turns around and runs into the house.
“Okay, Maria, don’t forget,” Tess says.
“I won’t. I will see you tonight,” Maria says.
Maria goes into the house and Tess takes a walk on the beach.
Chapter 19
Ben’s House
Maria walks into the kitchen to find both Ben and Benjy covered in flour.
“Well, this is an interesting sight,” she says with a laugh.
“Benjy got a little excited with the flower and the excitement landed on both of us, but I did manage to get some to make the churros,” Ben says with an embarrassed look on his face.
“Yes, I see that,” she says. “I have an idea, why don’t you two go upstairs and get cleaned up and I will finish the churros.”
“Mommy, I want to help!” Benjy whines.
“Benjy, you’ve done enough already. Now go with daddy and get washed up,” Maria says.
“Come on Benjy. Lets do as your mother says,” Ben says.
“Ok,” he says with a pout.
They leave the kitchen and go upstairs. The Shockwave
“Finally, I can take a break!” Sara says and she collapses into the nearest chair and closes her eyes.
“Hello!” Meg says.
“Geez!” Sara says startled. “Can’t you see I am trying to get a little shut-eye?”
“Long day?” Meg says sitting in the chair next to Sara.
“Yeah and speaking of which, where have you been?” Sara demands.
“Here, there, and everywhere. Oh, I talked to Gabi,” Meg says.
“What did she say? Will she help?” Sara asks.
“She told me she would see what she could and let me know and I believe she will come through,” Meg says with confidence.
“That’s good,” Sara says as she notices Tim coming into the Shockwave. “That moron is back again.”
“Who? Tim?” Meg asks.
“Yes, Tim. He has been hanging around here all day. He came here not long after I got back from Ben’s and he has been coming in and out all day. Its like he is watching somebody,” Sara says.
Meg ponders the last two words that Sara says as she watches Tim go over and sit at a table close to where they are sitting.
“Sara, wait a second, what time did he leave the first time?” Meg asks.
“Um, I guess it was 11:30 when you dropped me off. Tim came in close to twelve, I think, because I was doing dishes, but then mom asked me to stop and help her because the lunchtime crowd was coming in. We took orders nonstop until almost 1 and then I noticed he was gone, why?” Sara asks.
“Sara, I love it that you have a great memory. I think I saw Tim around the house earlier today. I had just gotten off the phone with Ben and I thought I heard something outside the window I was standing by. I went over to the window and looked out and saw some blond-haired guy running down the street that looked vaguely like Tim, but I didn’t think it was him. You just said you thought he was watching someone…” Meg says.
“But what does that have to do with us?” Sara says interrupting.
“Sara, you must be tired not to be able to figure out what I am saying,” Meg says.
“Guilty as charged! So what are you saying?” Sara says.
“Sara, he’s watching us,” Meg says.
Chapter 20
Shockwave
“But why would he be watching us? He doesn’t know anything…does he?” Sara says.
“That’s just it. He probably does know something is up because of Maria,” Meg says.
“Wait…you think she mentioned to him that we asked her to leave and now he is suspicious?” Sara asks.
“Exactly!” Meg replies.
They both look in Tim’s direction. He gets out of his chair and goes out the door.
“I am going to follow him,” Meg says.
“Are you sure that is such a good idea?” Sara asks.
“Sara, I’ll be fine. Its just Tim,” she says.
“That is what I am afraid of. Let me go with you,” Sara says.
“Sara, you can’t just leave the store unattended…” Meg stops talking as her mom suddenly appears. “Hi mom,” she says.
“Hi sweetie! Sara, are you two going somewhere?” Joan says.
“Um, uh…” Sara says.
“Mom, we are going to go check on Tim. We’re worried about him,” Meg says.
“Why…is something wrong? Is there anything I can do?” Joan asks concerned.
“No, um, we can take care of it. He trusts us,” Meg says.
“Okay hon. Call me if you need me,” Joan says.
“Okay mom. Bye,” Meg says as she gives her mom a quick hug.
Sara takes off her apron and grabs her purse. She gives Joan a hug and follows Meg out the door.
Police Station-Storage Room
“Hmm…I wonder where they keep them,” Gabi says to herself.
She starts looking at the names on the boxes.
“Handcuffs, vests, uniforms, hats, wires…oh great! How am I ever going to reach them?” she mumbles to herself.
She looks around the room and her eyes come to rest on a little stool. She goes and gets the stool and then she places it directly under the box with the wires. She steps on the stool and grabs the box.
“Ok, got it!” she says out loud.
All of the sudden, the stool gives out.
“Whoa…!” Gabi shrieks.