Castleton

  Wednesday

  Rachel Corbin's Apartment

  11:34 a.m.

  Rachel stretches out from her curled position facing inward on the couch. She forces both eyes to open, licking her lips and smacking them together. Something woke her up. What was it? Maybe her excessive thirst and the crying need to empty her bladder.

  Sitting up on the couch, Rachel drops both feet to the floor. She glances at the front door just as Ned opens it and walks into the apartment. Ned's keys in the lock. That's what had awakened her. The two-timing bastard finally decided to come home.

  Rachel folds both arms across her chest and scowls at her miserable boyfriend. Ned couldn't care less. He strides past the couch and heads straight for the kitchen. Probably to grab a beer.

  "Where have you been, Ned?" Rachel calls, raising her voice to be heard. "And don't say Mrs. Lamont's. That old woman is usually in the bed before nine. Besides, I called her. So where were you, Ned? Ned, do you hear me? Ned?"

  Rachel climbs from the couch in a huff. She doesn't even bother to put on her slacks. Storming into the kitchen, Rachel prepares to confront Ned, who leans against the counter nearest the fridge. She steps to within a few feet of her boyfriend and repeats her former question.

  "Where...Have...You...Been, Ned?"

  Ned becomes equally as belligerent, his eyes flashing with fury. He leans forward and points a finger in Rachel's direction.

  "None...Of...Your...Goddamn...Business," Ned hisses through clenched teeth. "Is that a good enough answer for you, Rachel?"

  "No," Rachel retorts, stepping even closer. "So...Who is she? The bitch I heard laughing in the background last night? Who is she, Ned?"

  "A better woman than you'll ever be," Ned spits back. "You vindictive little whore. No, I take that back. Your sister was a whore. And a good one, too! I got to ride her a few times. Real nice. At least, with her...I could always count on..."

  Rachel temporarily forgets herself. She pulls back her right hand and smacks Ned hard across the face. Regret and fear quickly occupy equal space in her heart and mind. However, while the element of surprise is working in her favor, Rachel takes advantage of the moment.

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  "How dare you mention my sister, Ned! She's gone, you sleazy son of a bitch. You don't talk about my sister. Not ever."

  Quicker than should be possible for a human, Ned reaches up with a strong hand and grips a thick section of Rachel's bouncy dark curls. He violently yanks her head to one side. Rachel grimaces but remains quiet. She'd figured this would be the result of her outburst. But at least, she'd made her point. Sort of.

  "And you...Don't tell me what the hell I can and can't talk about, bitch! Just who the hell do you think you are?"

  "I'm the one putting a roof over your head, asshole," Rachel growls. "My money pays the rent around here. You're always pissing everything you get away. Without me...You'd still be living in that abandoned building on Archway. Still bumming cigarettes and turning tricks for a quick fix. You act real tough now, Ned. But how tough were you when all those men were dominating you for hours on end?"

  Ned's face twitches and he glowers down at Rachel, tightening his grip on her hair. He pulls her head further back, contemplating the many creative ways he could hurt her right now. However, despite what Ned feels at the moment, Rachel is right about one thing. And wrong about just about everything else.

  "I never did anything like that," Ned exclaims, his eyes growing wide in his face--matching his heightened level of frustration.

  "Sure you did, Ned. At least, that's what I'll tell everyone. And there's video. Lots and lots of steamy video. You'll never live it down. Your reputation as a tough guy will be tarnished forever. Boys will be boys. And men? Well, they have funny ways of looking at things sometimes. Think about it, Ned. I know you. Your reputation means everything to you. How else will you convince all of those juicy young women...That's you're so very good in bed? An absolute boss? Eh, Ned?"

  Ned does think about it, his eyes revealing the height of his fear. She wouldn't dare spread those lies about him? She wouldn't dare ruin his life? His reputation? Would she?

  "I never did any of those things, Rachel? That's slander."

  "I know, Ned. But enough of it is true to make people think twice about you. Even a little rumor is enough to end you, Ned. In the court of public opinion. Do I get a name? Or do I find out my own way?"

  For a moment, Rachel believes she has won. She offers Ned a cruel smirk as he finally releases her hair. Crossing both arms over her chest, Rachel leans all of her weight on one leg.

  "So? Who is she?"

  Ned's hard backhanded slap causes lights to dance in front of Rachel's eyes. She stumbles backward, holding her bleeding mouth and aching nose. Ned grunts and steps directly in front of Rachel. He grips the front of her black tank top and draws her very close. His cold, calculating eyes seem to stare straight through her soul.

  "You open your mouth. You say one word of that crap...To Anyone...And I'll kill you, Rachel. Don't think I'm kidding. I'm not. I will kill you stone dead. On my mother's grave. My reputation? You try and ruin me? I won't hesitate to put you in the ground. Test me...If you dare. You think you're the only one around here who can play games? I'll fill you in on a little secret. You're not. I'm the only reason you got that job at the Rage. Derren and I were best friends long before you were even out of elementary school. Without me...You'd be nothing. Another silly little girl selling your ass for a useless college degree. Like your whore of a sister. I'm warning you, Rachel. Get off my back. Get off my back and stay off it. Last warning. I'm gonna go take a bath. Clean your face up."

  Releasing Rachel a second time, Ned storms out of the kitchen and up the hallway. Rachel presses the back of one hand to her mouth and sobs.