A Dagger through Dimensions Chapter 53

A Sweet Smirk

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Chapter 53

Sally went quiet, watching Adele take in the words.

“I certainly understand that you’re hurt by all the lies,” She glanced over at me.

“However, let’s be honest. If Lane came to you with the truth at the start, you’d think he’s nuts. It’s a story so wild that I can’t believe it, and I’m in the middle of it!” she said, slamming her palm on the counter.

“By the way, did Lane tell you what I said to him when he helped me get the gun away from Joe?”

Adele shook her head.

“No, he just mentioned he almost ran over you.”

I saw Sally’s eyes light up.

“There we have it, a terrible secret that he didn’t tell you. Do you know that he helped my husband from committing suicide. Also, it appears he didn’t tell you that I smugly kicked him out of the house. I told him he was involved in every sleazy thing in this town because his name is Lane Dagger.”

She paused as Adele frozen stare softened slightly at the information.

“Yes, he came to you. He said your apartment was the only address in his wallet. Can I ask how you greeted him when he showed up at your door?”

Adele’s face reddened, and she glanced at me.

“I told him to leave,” Adele finally admitted.

It made me wonder briefly about her time with Childress and apparently others. While I told her I didn’t care about it at the time, it did make me think about the hypocrisy of Adele’s accusation about my deceit.

“Yet, for some reason, you let him stay,” Sally continued my defense. “And you certainly weren’t upset with him during the times I’ve been with you, at least not until last night. If that’s manipulation, tell me how he does it differently?”

“I don’t like being used.” Adele stated with a face filled with disgust when she turned back to Sally.

I guess outsiders like me are all assholes, I thought. Sally’s chuckling almost made me think she read my mind.

“If you and Lane are right, then all of us are being used for someone’s damn game.” The woman stood and looked down at Adele. “Isn’t that the bigger problem?”

She stretched her arms above her head, then she placed her hand on Adele’s shoulder.

“Anyway, I think it’s time to keep our friends together to get out of this mess. But if you can’t accept that, then you should find another path. That’s my advice for the two of you. You and Lane will need to decide. The house I offered is still open to you.”

Sally glanced at me.

“Adele, one thing I realize is the man sitting next to you cared enough that he nearly died to keep Antonio’s thugs away from you. I don’t think that’s the type of person who wants to control you. If you want my opinion, there’s something deeper there. Even if you don’t want to admit it because your ego is hurt.”

Sally’s words only partially swayed Adele. I remained silent while they had further discussions. Finally, Adele agreed not to return to her apartment alone after Sally told her to stay there. I would be taking the house across the street from Sally’s business. After that decision was made, Adele insisted on going to see her wounded friend.

While Sally got dressed, I tried to start a conversation with Adele who was making breakfast. However, nothing came of it. It appeared she wanted nothing to do with me any longer. I shrugged and went back to the spot by the window.

As the three of us ate together, I remained quiet while telling myself it was for the best. Maybe the relationship was never meant to be, despite my manipulation. After all, I’m the dipshit that turned the situation into a heaping mess. The one thing that kept nagging at me was the fact that we needed to stay alive no matter what Lees was planning to throw at us.

Adele called a cab to take her to the hospital. I offered to go along. However, Adele insisted on going alone while talking mainly with Sally. She told her that she would check on Jenny’s condition and she promised to be careful with a disguise.

After Adele went to the bedroom, Sally whispered in my ear to be patient. She patted my shoulder and I nodded. When I looked over at Adele’s return, I almost laughed. She wore a silly-looking black wool felt hat with a wide brim hat that had a drop-down veil on it. While Sally thought it looked cute and it helped cover her bruised cheek, I tried to imagine how much of a disguise it would make going over only half of her face.

“Don’t worry,” Sally insisted. “The police know you, but they don’t know what Adele looks like. We listened to the dispatch announce her description on the radio. A thousand people could look like her. Besides, they’ll expect her in the same dress as last night.”

“Yeah, but a thousand aren’t showing up to see Jenny at the hospital,” I replied with growing frustration.

“That’s why I’m going with her. We’ll be fine.”

Those are famous last words!

I kept my thoughts to myself as I watched them leave. Going to the window, I finally let out my breath when Sally’s car disappeared after leaving the parking lot.

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