Suzy, Gary L Beer [story reading txt] 📗

did not suspect her anymore of killing Doug and Sharon being killed so close to Suzy's home was maybe a warning to her?
“I would not say as close friends, but I know Doug used to do some work for her at times.” answers Suzy finally.
“Do you know what kind of work he did?” asks WPC Davenport.
“He never said; he beat me once after I questioned him about why he had stayed out one night, as I got jealous.”
“Do you think he was having an affair with Sharon?” asks WPC Levit.
“No I do not.” she snaps; Suzy frowns and thinks of her cat and starts to cry. She feels that the police are being insensitive towards her. She had just been told that her friend had died and she felt it would be out of place not to show grief at her loss.
“I think it best that we leave you now, we will come back and talk to you some more when you are feeling better.” says WPC Davenport.
Standing up they start to walk out of the door; “We will show ourselves out.” WPC Davenport says as they walk away.

The police left Suzy alone for only two days before they returned. Suzy had not left her bungalow or used the telephone in that time as she was convinced the police were watching her.
WPC Davenport and WPC Levit called on her on the afternoon of the second day. Appearing sympathetic and friendly they try to put Suzy at her ease, which has little effect. Suzy does not want them here in her home and with little encouragement she makes herself appear depressed.
The policewomen only question her for an hour as Suzy continuously cries in grief. Making herself appear slightly unbalanced she talks of the death of her husband and friend as if it was yesterday. Also talking about them as if they are still alive, the policewomen feel disturbed and out of their depth.
Getting nowhere with their questioning they decide to leave Suzy to grieve in peace. Promising to return when Suzy feels better WPC Davenport looks most concerned at Suzy's 'supposed' mental state. Touching her on the shoulder WPC Davenport tells Suzy to rest and that if she needed any help to call her.
Passing Suzy a business type card with her telephone number, WPC Davenport leans forward and speaks softly; “If you need me anytime day or night call me Suzy, I am here to help.” she says with genuine concern.
Suzy sniffs loudly as she takes the card from the policewoman's fingers, wiping the tears from her eyes she looks up with bloodshot eyes; “Thank you, I will.” she assures as she looks down at the floor.
“We will let ourselves out.” says WPC Davenport softly as she turns to leave.
Suzy feels really guilty at WPC Davenport's concern and continues staring at the floor until they leave.

Putting her jacket on and putting her phone in her pocket Suzy opens her front door and steps outside. The day is overcast with a chilly wind blowing from the north-west. Zipping her jacket up Suzy shuts and locks her front door. Opening her gate she looks along the road in both directions; the road is empty of parked cars and Suzy smiles in relief as she walks to the town.
Using back roads and alleyways she makes her way to Lewis's flat, certain she has not been followed she puts her hood over her head and approaches Lewis's main door and rings the bell.
A few seconds later she hears movement inside and Lewis opens the door, his face drops in surprise when he sees Suzy standing on the doorstep.
“Suzy!” he exclaims; “You are taking a chance coming here, come in, come in.” he invites as he opens the door wide.
Suzy steps inside as Lewis goes outside and looks up and down the street.
“I was not followed if that is what you are worried about, it has taken me two hours to get here through the back alleys and side streets.” confirms Suzy with a tense edge to her voice.
Lewis steps back inside and closes the door; “Go in to the front room.” he orders.
Suzy turns and walks into the front room and sits down on the couch as Lewis sits down in the armchair.
“How are you coping Suzy?”
“I am a lot happier now that Doug has gone; life goes at my pace now and not his.”
“I heard about Sharon, you did that didn't you?” he accuses in an unfriendly voice.
“How do you know about that?” asks a mystified Suzy as the news had not been in the local newspaper or on the television.”
“The police came round here and arrested me.” he replies angrily.
“Arrested? Why would they do that?” asks an alarmed Suzy.
“They have been watching me as well; they must have traced me from my number plate when we paid you a visit. They knew all about Sharon practically living here, looks like we have not been as smart as we think we have.”
Suzy's face turns slightly pale; “What did they say?”
“Asked me a lot of questions about Sharon and about you but they could not hold me as I was at work that day she was killed.” Lewis angrily replies as he stares Suzy in the eyes.
Suzy meets his stare reflecting his anger, Sharon had made Lewis a prisoner and by killing her; she had set him free. He should be grateful, not angry.
“Why did you do it Suzy?”
“I saw the way she was treating you, I couldn't let her do that as you would have lived the same life I lived with Doug.”
“I thank you for setting me free but I would have preferred less drastic action. Thanks to you I am now a prime suspect in Doug's murder; and you are the prime suspect in Sharon's murder.”
“They can suspect what they like, they will not be able to prove otherwise.” answers Suzy appearing bored with the subject.
“You scare me Suzy, what would happen to me if I upset you?”
“We would probably have an argument nothing more. I love you Lewis.”
“I am not so sure you do; yes you are grateful to me for helping you with Doug and from keeping you out of jail. But you are forgetting one thing, I am very sick as you know. That is the second time my lung has collapsed and now any physical effort has me struggling for breath. I can only get worse and in a few years I will be almost housebound, you will have to nurse me and become a prisoner yourself.”
“I don't care about that, all I want is to be with you, you're fine now, why are you saying these things?” asks Suzy a touch of anger to her voice.
“I am not fine; I know you do not believe me so I will show you.” Lewis replies angrily as he stands up.
Suzy's eyes widen in fear by his sudden movement as memories of Doug standing quickly and striking her across her face fill her mind.
Lewis stares at her angrily as he notices her fear, lying down on the floor on his front he looks up at Suzy; “How many press-ups can I do?”
“Ten, easy, I have seen you do them before.” answers Suzy in a slightly bored voice as Lewis starts to do press-ups.
Suzy stares down at him with an angry expression until he reaches the fifth press-up and his breathing changes. Gasping for breath Lewis continues until he reaches the count of ten. Falling to the floor with a thump Lewis breathes like he has just run a one hundred metre dash.
Sitting up Suzy sees he is covered in sweat and continues to breathe quickly as he tries to fight for breath.
Suzy walks over to him and bends down in front of him, the concern on her face appears one of anguish.
Lewis slows his breathing and holds his wrist towards Suzy; “Heartbeat.” he says pushing his wrist forward.
Suzy holds it between her forefinger and thumb and searches for a pulse. At first she cannot find it much to her frustration until she locates it under her forefinger. Lewis's pulse is racing, as must be his heart. Looking at Lewis in shock Suzy is at a loss what to say.
“Now you know why Sharon could push me around so easily, trouble is, so the doctor's tell me that I will become as exhausted as that in a few years time just making a cup of tea!”
“What would happen if you stopped smoking?” asks Suzy as she knew Lewis was a heavy smoker.
“They say I will not get any worse.”
“Why don't you stop then?”
“You don't think I have tried, even when I am coughing my lungs up I still have to have a smoke.”
“Would you stop for me?” asks Suzy hopefully.
Lewis laughs and starts coughing, when he regains his breath he looks Suzy in the eyes; “I cannot stop for me, let alone anyone else.
Suzy stares deeply into Lewis's eyes as she imagines her life living with someone disabled. The thought holds little appeal as now Doug has gone she wants to make up for all those lost years. Looking at Lewis as he still struggles to breathe Suzy realises he will not be able to live the active life she wants.
“I cannot offer you a good future Suzy, unless you want to be a full-time nurse. I really care about you and I hope that we will remain friends for the rest of our lives. You will always be welcome in my home.”
Suzy understands what Lewis is telling her, coming as a bit of a relief she realises Lewis is offering her a friendly way out.
Lewis pulls himself up off the floor and sits down heavily on the couch, reaching for his inhaler Lewis breathes in the gas gratefully. Several times he operates the inhaler and Suzy can see the relief spread out across his face.
“That is better, I should have used this before I did the press-ups.” he smiles.
“You had me worried there for a while, are you sure you are all right now?”
“I do not intend to dig the garden or anything.” smiles Lewis; “I will take it easy for the rest of the day and I will be fine.”
Suzy stands up; “Best I make my way back as it will be dark in a few hours, I will call and see you again.” she says as she bends down and kisses him on the cheek.
Turning