Adam's POV
Luckily, Penny had confided in me that she had secretly bought her parent's house because she couldn't stand the idea of someone outside the family having it. She had planned to tell Brian once they were together again, that must not have happened since Gwyn had tore them apart.

I found the address on the Internet using her Mother's name. I needed perfect timing, Penny had to know the truth and then get Brian to come to her hideaway as soon as he landed. Then the three of us needed to figure out what to do about Gwyn, before she completely snapped.
Of course, nothing went right, my flight was delayed twice, I had to wait a half hour for the rental car. Even with the address, I had trouble finding the house. It seems Google Maps isn't real up to date on the county roads of Ohio. I finally found the house, a large ranch house with a circle driveway in front and a driveway leading to the garages in the back. All the blinds and curtains were shut. I parked my car in the circle and went around to the back of the house. Even the blinds on the enclosed patio were shut tight. The only windows that weren't covered were the windows at the top of the entry door to the three-car garage. I looked in and saw a purple mustang. BINGO!

Penny's POV
There was a pounding on the front door. There was no way I was answering it.
"Penny, I know you're in there. I saw your car in the garage. Please, listen to me. I haven't told anyone where you are, but I did have Chloe call Brian to get him to come to town as soon as he could."
"Why would you do that? I don't want him anywhere near me." I yelled through the door.
"Please Penny!" He pleaded.
I reluctantly opened the door, I knew Adam wasn't dangerous and soon he would tell Brian exactly where I was and I needed to get rid of him so I could leave.
"This is another reason I shouldn't have trusted you." I slapped his face.
"I deserved that, I know." He said.
"Looks like someone already gave you a good beating. Was it Brian?"
"No, it was Matt Sanders. Brian has been looking for you."
"What do you want Adam?" I said angrily.
"Penny, I know you hate me and I don't blame you. But you need to know the truth, you and Brian are in danger."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Obviously, this was another game.
"Gwyn is behind everything, she wanted Brian so she poisoned you to spend time with him when she visited. She blackmailed me to lie to you and keep you here. She said if I said anything to anyone she would kill you."
"I'm not fond of Gwyn now, but that is ridiculous. Do you really expect me to believe that shit?"
"It's the truth. All those times you were sick when she was in California, did you get sick like that after she left? When we all met for dinner, where did you end up?"
"In the hospital, but even if I were poisoned how do I know the three of you weren't in it together?" I couldn't believe his crazy lies.
"Brian had no idea, he was worried about you and trying to fend off Gwyn's advances. He was trying to protect you from the hurt of finding out your friend was coming on to him. He had no idea and still has no idea that she would hurt you physically."
"What about you, Adam? When did you become part of this evil plot?"
"Right after dinner here, before I got Brian's call that you were in the hospital. I couldn't prove that she was the cause, it was another way of her keeping me in line. She recorded me saying that I had feelings for you, unethical feelings. I should've done something sooner, I let it go too far for too long."
"If this ridiculous story is true, what else did she blackmail you with? I'm sure killing me or ruining your career wouldn't be the only reason she would need to keep you from turning her in. I'm sure you would have had opportunity to record her as she did you."
"I had an affair with a teenager, the daughter of a friend."
"Okay, how could she blackmail you with that?"
"She got pregnant and had a child, my son. Her family agreed to keep it all quiet if I gave his mother a considerable amount of money until he's 18 and pay for him to go to college. I've never met or even seen my son. She even threatened his life if I did not cooperate."
"Wow, that's quite a lot. Was there any other reason you helped her?"
"Yes, deep down I hoped you would fall in love with me. If not before, after you and Brian split. I know this all sounds impossible, but it's true." His expression appeared that of genuine remorse. "I also know that Brian never showed any romantic or sexual interest in Gwyn. She had been hitting on him for months and then backed off convincing him that she regretted it. She convinced him that she was a friend while purposely using the distance between you to weaken your marriage." Adam's performance was Oscar worthy, but I had enough.
"Let me ask you, do you REALLY think I believe this? You need to leave, NOW!"
"I have proof, please just listen." He begged. "You should probably sit down for this." I refused to do so crossing my arms and glaring at him.

Adam pulled his phone out of his pocket and played a recording.
"Penny's better, she's ok to meet Brian now." It was Adam on the phone.
"What! I haven't had enough time!" Gwyn exclaimed.
"Her Doctor in Ohio is the one who ran the tests, so she knows. She wanted us to tell Penny together, but I made up a lie and she agreed to let me do it."
"Okay, then phase two of keeping Penny in the states starts now. It's just earlier than we thought." She said.
"I don't know if I can lie to her and tell her she is actually worse and needs to come to California for a newly approved treatment."
"You will do it. She has to go to California, away from her family and the Doctor in Ohio."
"She will be miserable there. What if she doesn't buy it and calls her other Doctor? Also, Brian is not going to be okay with her doing that."
"If Penny thinks it's her only choice, she will do it. No matter what Brian says. She trusts you."
"That's the thing, she trusts me." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "What if Penny finds out it's all bullshit?"
"Then you will tell her that you did it out of your undying love for her." Gwyn said, dripping with exaggerated affection.
"She will use it to ruin me."
"I guess it will suck to be you then." Gwyn said nonchalantly.
"Shouldn't you be worried if that happened? I will have no reason not to tell her everything. As a matter of fact, I could tell her she's ok now. She'll be on her way and you'll be done."
"You don't want to do that. If you do either one, my promise to you is off."
"Are you saying you would physically hurt Penny?"
"You know the answer to that, a promise is a promise. I don't want to have to do that, but if it's the only way then I will do what I have to." Her tone left no doubt that it wasn't just an idle threat.
"You are psychotic." Adam said angrily.
"Sticks and Stones, Adam. Just keep Penny there and in the dark and you won't have to worry about it."

I practically fell backward, Adam helped me sit down. He then played another recording.

"Gwyn! Did you do something to Penny? No one can find her, Brian called me to see if I knew where she is. You have no reason not to keep your promise, you better not have hurt her."
"No, I haven't done anything to her. She ran off and hid just like I knew she would. I was hoping that I could use that to my advantage with Brian."
"I assume that hasn't worked since he just called me hoping I knew where she is."
"He can't forget the simpering idiot." Her voice spewing venom.
"I have to ask; how did you finally get Brian to sleep with you?"
"Alcohol, drugs, a wig and purple lingerie, he was so out of it he thought I was Penny." You could tell she was proud of her accomplishment.
"It doesn't bother you that he had to think you were Penny to sleep with you?"
"No, it still worked. She caught us together and she ran away. He's still stuck on getting Penny back, but she's just an obstacle. He'll come around. Once I find her and he realizes she's gone forever."
"What do you mean, once you find her and he realizes she's gone forever?" Adam asked.
"Got to go. We have no need to speak anymore and all promises are off. I suggest you move on and keep your fucking mouth shut."

I sat there in shock for a moment. "This is crazy. I've been such an idiot!" I couldn't believe it; she had fooled us both.
"You see Penny, Brian thought she was you. He didn't even know because she had him so drugged up."
"He really didn't remember what happened!" It was all so unbelievable, but I now knew it was true. "Why do you think Brian is in danger too?"
"I think that if he continues to reject her, she will turn on him. Her mind is clearly not right. Can you call Brian and have him come here as soon as he gets to town?"

I turned on my phone and called but he didn't answer, I left him a voicemail. I texted him and asked him to please call me. Still nothing. I called Matt.
"Hey Matt, do you know where Brian is?"
"Yea, he's in Ohio to beg forgiveness. He texted me about 10 minutes ago, that he just made it to your house."
"Who knew he was coming here?"
"I was at your house when he got the call from Chloe that you were back."
"Anyone else?"
"Don't get mad, but Gwyn was there. She won't leave him alone. She snuck into your house and tried to get in the shower with him. He told her that he has no interest in her and never will, right in front of me. I think she was about to go ballistic when Chloe called."
"So, she knows. Damn it!"
"I know that I should stay out of this, but he loves you and he's been miserable."
"I love him too Matt, I gotta go." I hung up.

I looked at Adam, "She was there when Chloe called Brian."
"If she knows you're in town, I guarantee she is here too or on her way." Adam said.
"I have to go home, Matt said he's already there. I have to warn him." I ran to my car and took off. Adam tried to stop me, but I wasn't stopping. I texted Brian that I was on my way to the house.

Brian's car was in the garage when I got there, I was relieved that Gwyn's wasn't. I rushed into the house and called out to Brian.
"Brian! Where are you?"
"Penny! Go away! Leave the house now!" He yelled from the bedroom.
I ran to the bedroom, there was Gwyn with a gun and Brian sitting in a chair.

Notes