Authors: Maggie Thom
How the hell did I miss?
Geoff massaged his knuckles,
feeling the arthritis, like poison gnawing through his joints. The pain was
familiar to him. The fact that he had missed was not. It had been several years
since he’d shot his gun but that hadn’t been factored in. Shooting really
wasn’t his style. He’d preferred the up close contact a knife gave him. His
Spearpoint Knife gave him all the security he needed. It was broad with a fat
belly and sliced into muscle and sinew like it was cutting butter. The shivers
started as gentle vibrations at his core, soon vibrating his whole body with a
ripple of pleasure. The high it gave him almost overwhelmed him. Quickly on the
heels of that was the reality of the situation he found himself in. His
euphoric feeling vanished like a whiff of smoke in the wind. He slammed his
fist into his palm.
Dammit, why’d that idiot John
get caught?
He knew that the man would sell
him upstream faster than a bear-chased fish could swim. He didn’t have much
time. They’d be coming to question him. He was almost ready to leave. His
private jet, or he should say the company jet, was ready to go at his command. Everything
was going to work out. His thoughts wandered to the board meeting from the
night before. He’d gone in and sat there like nothing was any different, like
he hadn’t just come from trying to kill someone. Maybe he should have said
something. Half of the old farts on the board would have croaked, saving him
some trouble. They’d all been so easy to convince that he had it all under
control. And yes, he could use the company jet to make sure all things were on
the up and up. He laughed. It was so beautiful. No one had a clue.
Walking across his suite, he
lifted the bottle of whiskey and poured himself two fingers. Downing it, he
filled it up again. Stepping over to the window, he peered through the
telescope and scanned the expansive lawn and the flowers and the four or five
fish ponds his sister had put in.
He couldn’t help but smile every
time he looked at them. They couldn’t figure out what was killing the exotic
fish she kept buying at exceedingly high prices. He chuckled as he realized
he’d missed out on a scheme to make money. He should have told the pet store
guy he’d keep him in business selling her fish that would die but he wanted a
cut of the profit.
Shrugging, he put it down to his
good deed for someone else. He was about to turn away from the screen when he
noticed a vehicle pulling up. He watched as it disappeared from view to park in
front of the house. Several minutes later it pulled away. Curious because he
was not aware of anyone coming to visit, he walked from the room into his
bedroom, opened the door to his walk in closet, stepped inside and hit a button.
The wall slid sideways.
Sighing, he walked through the
door. He was going to miss all the gadgets he’d put in the house. Walking over
to the elaborate listening and recording device, he hit the button that was
blinking. A recorded message played back to him.
Mrs. Lindell, Mr. Turner is
here–
That’s all Geoff needed to hear.
Anger was instant as he thought of the little snot nose kid Dorothea’d had the
nerve to bring into his house. A maid’s kid and god knew who the father was.
She’d taken in the little twerp, raising him like he was her own. The help’s
brat. He’d never be more than that, no matter what Dorothea said or did. Geoff
had taken it upon himself to make sure the little bugger never forgot where he
came from. He’d learned quickly to keep his mouth shut or else.
Almost as fast, a new thought
struck him. He smiled. For once, the twit had done him a favor. He was with the
woman earlier so chances were that she was still with him. Maybe he’d get lucky
and would be able to deal with both of those headaches before he relocated to
the Bahamas. He really was tempted to stick around just to see how extravagant
his burial service would be but knew that might be stretching his luck a bit.
Too many things were threatening to bring his world down. But not before he
vanished.
Everything was in place.
Everything was ready. Just to make sure he did one more check of the C-4 he had
strategically placed around the room. The detonator flashed, ready to be
programmed.
A feeling of power surged through
him. He straightened his shoulders and stood tall.
Time to go visit my dear
nephew.
His heart pounded as he knew that
he was going to be able to serve up his form of justice. A full blown grin
covered his face as he got into his car and drove. He pulled over and parked,
well out of view of the big mansion. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his highly
strung nerves.
The time has come.
He allowed a tiny shiver of
excitement to course through him before he pasted on his somber, serious face
and walked along the path that led to the big house. The one that should have
been his. The one that he treated as his own although it never was and never
would be. It was Dorothea’s.
Everything was Dorothea’s.
But not for much longer.
CHAPTER
FORTY-THREE
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
Bailey did her best not to let
her head whip around like a startled animal but she couldn’t help it. In the
work she did as an interior decorator she’d seem some classy places but never
had she seen anything like this. The foyer was a massive three story, ballroom-size
area that ended in a domed, glass cathedral. The gold and she was sure it was
the real stuff, was like silken threads woven around the windows, flashing in
the bright sun that danced across it.
She lowered her gaze when she
realized she was not only going to get a crick in her neck but that she might
trip over something. With her luck it would break and it would take her the
rest of her life and then some, to pay it off.
The older, elegant lady wound her
way through the house and Bailey tagged along like a puppy dog with her tail
wagging. She took in the large oak doors, the ornate carvings, the bouquets of
flowers that filled the house, the carvings, the paintings, everything.
“My dear, you can walk up the
stairs if you like but I need to use the elevator. Guy, escort her.”
Bailey flinched as she realized
she’d forgotten all about him. She turned to face him with a sheepish grin. He
shrugged and smiled back. She wanted to ask him a hundred questions. The ideas
she was getting for some of her clients was incredible. Not that any of her
customers would be able to afford this magnitude but they could manage a
cheaper version, she was sure.
Guy saluted his grandmother, as
the doors to the elevator closed.
“That wasn’t nice.”
“Please. She can take care of
herself. If I didn’t give her a little bit of attitude she’d be so high on
herself, no one would want to be around her. Staff would quit, no one would
visit. She’d be quite lonely here all by herself.”
“Why that’s quite a story you’ve
come up with. Nothing like making yourself out to be the hero.”
Bowing, he swept his hand in
front of his waist. “After you, madam.”
Guy and Bailey walked back
through the house to the main entrance and took the winding stairs that were
wide enough to drive a truck up.
“This place is amazing. I don’t
think I’m going to be able to get my jaw to re-hinge itself. At least not while
I’m here. This is…” She spread her arms wide, stopping on one of the steps to
spin around.
“I know. When I first came here,
I was sure that a hundred people must live here. But it was just her and
grandpa. And the staff of course. But other than that it was empty.”
Bailey ran her hand over the
smooth, highly polished oak railing.
“Don’t. From this height you pick
up so much speed you shoot off the banister like a missile. Stopping only once
you’ve met a solid, immovable object - the wall.”
“A voice of experience.”
“Yeah. Too much. The older I got
the stronger and better I thought I’d be. It’s gotten me every time. Many
broken bones. And a tooth or two.”
Laughing, Bailey skipped up the
stairs. The place was so fictionally fantastic she felt like a kid at an
amusement park. Her body was humming with awareness, excitement. She felt like
jumping over the second story railing, grabbing a rope that should be hanging
there and swinging across to try to make it up to the third level.
“I know this is none of my
business but…”
“But you’ll ask anyway.”
So caught up in her excited
state, she didn’t hear the dry tone of his voice. “How much marble is in this
place? I know that’s gauche to ask so put it down to my ignorance but really
this is amazing. Everything seems to be marble.” On the third floor she stopped
and put her hand against the cool, solid railing.
“Well it does last forever.
There’s lots. I don’t know how much but you don’t have to worry about the place
collapsing. It’s pretty solid.”
It barely registered, what he’d
said, because she’d become lost in the view through the large ornate doors
thrown open just down the hallway. As if in a trance she walked towards it and
out to the edge of the balcony. The view was unimpeded for miles and miles.
“It’s quite something, isn’t it?”
Startled, she spun around to face
Mrs. Lindell. She sat off to her left, in a large cushioned chair, sheltered by
a large umbrella, blocking out the heat of the day.
“Please forgive me for my
rudeness but yes, it’s amazing.”
“Come sit down. Let’s talk. Tell
me about yourself.”
Bailey glanced at Guy who was
staring hard at his grandmother. Sensing that there might be some words between
them she turned back to Mrs. Lindell.
“There’s not much to tell. My
name is Bailey. I live in Victoria. I’m an interior decorator. Of course,
nothing along the lines of the one you hired. I hope you don’t mind but I was
looking over everything as we came in. I got some great ideas for some of my
clients. Not on this scale of course but... For instance, that antique Chinese
Vase you have in that sitting room just off to the left of the entrance, filled
with that exotic plumage - wow. It’s almost as tall as I am. I’m thinking for
one of my clients, she has this large open space in her living room…”
She was not sure what made her
realize there was a shift, maybe the small smile on Mrs. Lindell’s face, or the
fact that Guy had moved off to lean against the railing as though exhausted.
She gasped and jumped up from the
comfortable seat she’d sunk into. “I’m really sorry. Here I’m babbling on. And
I’m filthy.” She brushed at the grass still clinging to her knees from when
she’d dove onto the ground to avoid being shot. Not something she could really
share with this woman. It brought her back to being in school, to having the
other kids laugh at her for being dirty, needing not only clean clothes but a
shower. She fought the urge to run from the place and instead, she stood with
her hands clasped in front of her. Embarrassed, didn’t even come close to
describing the hole she was prepared to dig for herself through the marble if
she had to.
“My dear. You really are a gem
aren’t you?” Dorothea glanced at Guy. “It’s me who should apologize. I wasn’t
thinking. You probably want to have a bath and relax. I’m sure you’re exhausted
after flying across the country.”
“Yes, actually I would. So if
you’ll excuse me, I’ll call a cab and head to the nearest hotel. It was really
a pleasure to meet you. You’re not the ogre at all that Guy paints you to be.”
She worked hard at keeping the innocent look on her face, even when she could
feel Guy’s meteoric glare.
Guy’s grandmother laughed. It was
deep and throaty. It sounded like something she hadn’t done in a long time. And
by the look on Guy’s face, she guessed he’d never heard it before either or at
least rarely.
“Not true. And not that funny,
Gram.”
Wiping away the water that had
leaked out of her eyes, she smiled at Guy with that knowing look. “Oh, I’m sure
it is.” Standing, she took the five steps that put her in front of Bailey.
Surprised by how close she was, Bailey ignored the temptation to shuffle back a
bit. Thin but strong arms reached out and wrapped around her. She went as rigid
as the marble she was standing on. Scared to move, her saucer-like eyes looked
for Guy.
“You’re so much more than I hoped
for.” Stepping back, Dorothea cupped Bailey’s face. “You’re very beautiful and
I’m honored that we met. Finally.”
Tears ran down over the beautiful
smile, leaving Bailey at a loss as to what to do. She moved back, gently
breaking the contact. The beautifully adorned but frail looking hands stayed
suspended in air for a few seconds before dropping to her side. It was in that
moment that Bailey saw the true age of Dorothea. Her whole body seemed to
whither and sink into itself. The weight of the world descended in that moment
to rest on the shoulders of a woman, who looked like she’d bore up under it for
a very long time but just couldn’t anymore. She’d reached her tipping point.
And Bailey couldn’t help but feel she was to blame.
Guy immediately stepped forward
and put his arm around his grandmother. “It’s okay, Grams. It’s okay.”
Bailey knew he was trying to get
her attention but she just couldn’t quite look him in the eye. She nodded in
his direction as he turned and walked with his grandmother into the house.
Stunned by what had happened, she lifted her hands palm upwards and stared at
them.
They look normal. But no, you
just couldn’t put them around a lonely old woman. Great job, Bailey.
She’d overstayed her welcome.
She’d come back later when she was clean and remembered her manners. The steps
were wide so she had to hop down them one at a time but hurrying as much as
they’d allow. At the entrance she paused, looking for a phone that would get
her out of the place. There didn’t seem to be one so she decided to take her
chances on the guard house. Guilt seemed to riding right on her tail, guilt for
hurting an old lady, guilt for leaving and guilt for running out on Guy. But
she just couldn’t face him after hurting his grandmother. The demons of guilt
chased her right out the front door. She glanced back over her shoulder as she
exited and the man in her path wasn’t quick enough. She ran smack into him. As
she tumbled backwards, her first thought had been that she’d run into one of the
pillars.
Until he spoke. “What the hell?
Who let you in…”
Looking up from her sprawled
position, Bailey brushed her tangled hair out of her face. That’s when he
stopped talking and audibly gasped, making her feel like he was looking at
someone who’d been horribly disfigured in a fire.
Her first instinct was to scoot
backwards as fast as she could. For a moment she’d been sure she’d seen the
devil emblazoned in his eyes. Not being religious or antireligious in any way,
the vision scared her, almost as much as the times she’d hidden in dark closets
waiting for her mom to come back and get her. She shook her head to clear it.
When she looked again, the man seemed very contrite and was offering to help
her up.
“I’m so sorry, Miss. That was
totally my fault. I can’t believe I’m so clumsy.”
She frowned as she cautiously
placed her hand in his. She doubted this large, elegantly dressed man did anything
awkwardly. He seemed very self-contained, demanding attention and strong as he
pulled her up with little effort. She stumbled forward into him.
“I’m sorry again.”
“No, it’s me. I just don’t know
my own strength. Now where were you off to in such a hurry?”
“I was heading to the guard house
to get a cab.”
“Oh, the phones in the house
aren’t working?”
“No. I just felt I’d overstayed
my welcome and that I should leave. It was nice meeting you. Sorry for barging
into you.”
“Don’t worry about it. You know
I’m headed into town. Could I give you a lift?”
“Well…” Bailey brushed her hands
down her pants. Something didn’t feel right. But then she shook it off, when
the first thing came to mind was that she seemed to be doing nothing but
insulting people at this house.
Why pass this up. I’ve already
caused enough headaches.
“Sure. I’m Bailey, by the way.”
“I’m Geoff.”
“Nice to meet you Geoff,” she
said as she fell into step beside him. “What do you do here?” She was busy
looking at all the flower beds they were winding their way through and didn’t
notice the evil little smile that lit his face.
“I do odd jobs around here. You
know, this and that.”
She tried not to be obvious when
she took in his three piece suit and leather dress shoes but realized he must
have caught her attention. His nostrils flared as he replied to her unanswered
question, “I have a date tonight. A date I’ve been waiting a long time for. You
don’t want me looking shabby, do you? Or maybe I’ve gone over the top? This was
outrageously expensive. Why, it took several paychecks just to pay for it. But
I thought she was worth it.”
Feeling contrite at his offended tone,
she apologized, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to imply anything. You look
fabulous. Any woman would be thrilled to go out with you. The flecks of gray in
your hair are hot right now. Women like that.” She was sure that they were what
was left from his dye job, so whether it was an accident or on purpose, she did
have to admit it made him look very worldly and distinguished.
He beamed at her. “Why, thank
you. I can’t tell you how good that makes me feel. And you, what do you do?”
Noticing him glancing at her
clothes, she couldn’t help but laugh. Self-consciously she brushed her hands
down her wrinkled, stained t-shirt. “I usually look much better than this, honestly.
It’s just been a crazy day.” Week. Month. Take your pick. “I’m an interior
designer in Victoria.”
“Hmmmm, Victoria, how did you end
up there?”
Odd question.
“Moved there when I was twenty.
Loved it, so I stayed.”
“You got tired of living on the
prairies.”
“I wouldn’t say that. It was just
time for me to move out on my own. My mom…” Glancing around, she noted that
they were surrounded by trees. She could no longer see the large mansion - a
feat she didn’t think was possible. The back of her neck started to tingle. “Uh,
where are we going?” She looked back over her shoulder along the winding paved
path they’d been following. Ahead there were only more trees.
“Oh I’m sorry. I just live in a
house back here. My car is parked just ahead. It’s not far.”
Still not feeling totally at ease
she continued with him. “How long have you lived here?”
His face took on a haunted look
but he turned really quickly so Bailey wasn’t sure she’d actually seen that. “A
very long time.”
“It must be something to live
here and enjoy this place whenever you want?”