Ribbon of Steele: A Romance of Suspense (2 page)

4

Lizzie awoke with a start. For a moment, she didn't remember where she was. Her eyes scanned the room. The walls were completely bare, and she spotted a stack of black framed nature photos piled neatly in the corner. The top image was a black and white waterfall that looked as thorough the water was made of a single piece of white silk. She recognized it as a photo she had taken and given to Nicole last summer after backpacking with Sam in the Tetons.

In an instant, the memories of the previous day came back, and she remembered how she had come to be living in Nicole's spare bedroom
.
God I hate my life
.
She pulled off her covers and ventured into the living room. Sitting on the one uncluttered chair in the living room was Nicole. Her hair was pulled back into a pony tail, and she stared intently at the TV as she spooned Cheerios into her mouth from an oversized bowl. She wore an ragged T-Shirt, no bra, and slippers that looked to be made out of shag carpeting.

"You look like shit," said Nicole looking up with a mouth full of Cherrios. "Want some breakfast?", she said raising her eyebrows while still chewing.

"Just coffee," said Lizzie smiling. She poured herself a cup, and sat on the one space of Nicole's couch that wasn't occupied by laundry.

"What's in the bag?", Lizzie said as she sipped her coffee and nodded towards Nicole's feet.

Nicole almost spit out her Cherrios. "I almost forgot," she said forcibly swallowing. "Remember how I told you last week about the dorky little troll that wanted me to plan that corporate party? He called me yesterday panicking and doubled the budget. Would have been nice to know that three weeks ago. Now everything is five stars, ice sculptures, and fucking camels from the zoo."

"Camels, are you serious?", Lizzie replied.

"No, I made that part up, but it's nuts Lizzie. This party is going to put me on the fucking map."

"So, what's in the bag?", Lizzie asked again with a smile.

"Oh yeah, check it out," said Nicole as she pulled a handbag out of the bag. "Troll needs a party, so I got a Louie," she sang melodiously as she swung her new leather handbag back and forth.

"You're a nut," Lizzie laughed.

"Um Hey," Nicole said with a serious tone as she leaned forward and hugged her new bag. "What are you doing this week?", Nicole asked.

She fixed her deep blue eyes onto Lizzie and opened her mouth into a big cheesy grin.

"I think I know where this is going," smiled Lizzie. "I've got to work."

"Come on, Lizzy. Can you ask the Pebbles for some time off? I really, really need your design skills on this one," she asked playfully.

"It's the Wendles, Nic. I work for Mr. and Mrs. Wendle at Wendles Interiors," said Lizzy with a laugh.

"Come on Lizzie, you told me that Mrs. Pebbles told you that you are the only one there that never takes vacation," interrupted Nicole as she continued to make her case. "There will be a party and champagne and penises and a boat.."

"Nicole," shouted Lizzy, laughing as Nicole rambled on about ice sculptures. "I'll help. It's the least I can do. No penises though," said Lizzy. "I'm done with penises."

Nicole squealed and leaned over to give Lizzie a squeeze.

"This is going to be a kickass shindig," said Nicole.

"Alright, what's first?", asked Lizzie.

"First," said Nicole with a smile, "we need to take you shopping."

5

Mackenzie Steele let out a little more sail and leaned back over the water. The hull beneath him began to rise as his catamaran picked up speed. His muscles tightened and ached as he held himself in place and let out more line. The water slid quickly and silently beneath the boat as the burst of a small wave jumped from the hull and a shower of water cascaded over him.

He tasted the cold water in his mouth, and he quickly slicked his auburn hair from his face as the catamaran raced closer to the shore.  He passed the outer buoys of the harbor and sped around the point. He let out more line, pushing him higher into the air as the boat groaned. The speed was intense as the boat careened into each wave and sent more bursts of water into the air.

CRAC
K
. The sound of cracking wood and stained metal shrieked in the quiet air, and Mackenzie found himself floating in midair as the boat gave way beneath him. After what seemed like several seconds, he splashed into the water below and everything was quiet once again.

6

Lizzie and Nicole spent the entire day shopping for the party. They had visited the caterer, florist, ice sculptor, and had finished their day on the deck of a huge luxury sailing boat in the harbor.  Lizzie couldn't believe the size. She walked around the deck as Nicole negotiated the price.

"Are you serious? We're not even leaving the dock! There is no way that's your low price," she heard Nicole bark.

The upgraded budget had also included an upgraded venue, which meant finding something unique and creative. Luckily, Nicole was very skilled at being unique and creative.

Lizzie stood on the deck and watched a huge catamaran as it disappeared around the point. The gulls were flying against breeze, barely moving as the wind pushed them higher from beneath their wings. Lizzie was transfixed, and took a deep breath as she watched the harbor.

"We got it," said Nicole with a victorious smile. Lizzie smiled, turning away from the water. "And with that little transaction, we are done for the day," said Nicole pumping her fist.

Leaving the harbor, Lizzie was happy when Nicole suggested massages. In the cab, Nicole called the masseuse and booked them together. Lizzie got the sense they were afraid of Nicole. They didn't even balk when she told them she was booking an appointment for two in five minutes. It was just what Lizzie needed.

Feeling the skilled hands of the masseuse on her shoulders made Lizzie relax for the first time in a week.

"Those Pebbles are good people," Nicole said as her masseuse worked on her lower back. "I know I told you to ask, but I can't believe she gave you a week off with zero notice."

"I was going to take the time later for my honeymoon anyway," said Lizzie.

"Oh right, sorry," said Nicole. She closed her eyes as her masseuse worked on her shoulders.

Lizzie thought for a moment about the honeymoon. Sam and Lizzie had disagreed about the destination. He had wanted to sit on a beach in the Caymans for a week, while she had favored taking a camper across country and sleeping in the cozy bed or underneath the stars. He probably would have gotten his way.

She was suddenly glad they hadn't come to an agreement and made reservations. She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled as the strong hands of the masseuse pushed deeply into her shoulders.

7

When Mackenzie surfaced, he scanned the water for the remains of his catamaran. The twisted metal of the boat bobbed helplessly, overturned a few feet away. He quickly swam to the wounded vessel, took a deep breath, and disappeared below the surface of the waves. Swimming underneath the boat, he blindly made his way to the seat where he was sailing just moments earlier. His fingers numbly searched the surface of the metal near his seat. He felt nothing. He traced the smooth metal of the hull with his fingertips. His lungs burned but he pressed forward, meticulously exploring the floor of the boat.

Finally, The tip of his finger hooked on something metallic and he reached further. He wrapped his hand around a large carabiner, and followed a string to a small waterproof bag. With one swift motion, he released the clip and placed the bag tightly between his teeth. Pushing hard against the water with his palms, he worked his way quickly to the water's surface. Taking a deep breath of air, he felt the cold breeze on his face and a strong sense of relief.

He took in his bearings. On the shore, he could see the profile of a large car and a well dressed man walking towards the water. He gave his legs a quick and powerful kick. His body glided through the water as the waves passed over his rippled shoulders like stones in a river. In a few minutes, he reached the shoreline and waded through the water onto the beach. He turned and could see the outline of the catamaran still bobbing on surface.

"Towel sir?"

"Yes James, thank you," Mackenzie said to the man. He handed James the small bag, and blotted his face with the towel. His shirt clung tightly to his body as he wrapped the towel to his chest. Taking the bag back from James, Mackenzie walked to the car. James opened the door, and Mackenzie lowered himself into the back seat. A tackle twill Yale sweatshirt and khaki shorts sat tightly folded on the back seat as he pulled off his wet clothes.

He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. It had been unsettlingly strange being back at the old camp again. The small family cottage was only accessible by water, and had been one of his father's favorite retreats. The roof of the main cottage had caved in many years before, but the small lean-to where he slept as a boy had remained intact. He was able to find his name carved into the soft pine of the walls, remembering the summers sleeping out under the stars. As a boy and into his teens, it had been his favorite place in the world. Remembering why he had come, he had moved to the back of the lean-to and felt the floor against the back wall. After only a few moments, he found the loose floorboard and a treasure he had left there many years before.

"Feeling better sir?" James asked as Mackenzie opened his eyes after dressing himself in the dry clothes.

Pushing two fingers inside, he slowly separated the drawstring tie holding the top of the bag together. Reaching his hand in slowly, he pulled out a long silver key. Flipping it over, he could see an inscription carved in the side.

Veritas Lux Me
a
.

Fondling it between his fingers, he smiled. He hadn't thought of the key for years until he received a curious letter two weeks earlier telling him it was a vitally important piece of his future. The letter also told him to make sure he kept his calendar open for the Steele and Wickes client party. Again, the letter made reference to it being important to his future. It was signed "A Friend."

Mackenzie looked at James and smiled.

"I am now," he said.

8

The day of the party, Lizzie was flying. She hadn't thought about Sam all week, and the harbor was buzzing with caterers in their white coats, deckhands in their crisp navy polos, and vans stuffed with everything from flowers to crystal.

Collapsing on a crate, Lizzie took off her shoe and massaged the ball of her foot. Nicole was standing on the bow of the ship, barking out orders to the waitstaff about napkin folding. Lizzie thought it would be funny if any of the staff saw Nicole's couch.

Nicole was in her element. Nobody fucked with her. In one weeks time, she had changed caterers, planned a new menu, coordinated the venue, and doubled down on every part of the party. Lizzie was starting to feel that Nicole had really earned the new Louie hanging from her arm.

"Bitch, no sitting down on the job," she heard Nicole shout from the deck of the boat. Lizzie laughed as she threw her hands up in the air and smiled.

"Get up here, I need your help," Nicole shouted.

Lizzie placed her shoe back onto her foot and walked up the long "runway", as Nicole called it, to the deck of the two story ship.

"These fuckers know nothing about napkins," Nicole scoffed once Lizzie was in earshot. "Ok, we start in exactly... four hours," Nicole said looking at the clock on her phone. "I need to get ready, and so do you so we will do it in shifts," said Nicole, still clearly operating in work mode. "I'll be back in a few. The band is moving in and the flowers are done. Just make sure these napkin fuckers get their job done."

Nicole didn't even wait for Lizzie to respond as she jogged down the runway and disappeared out of sight.

By the time the napkins were folded and the flowers were perfectly arranged, it was nearly seven
.
So much for shifts
!
With only an hour until the event, Nicole arrived and was escorted up the runway by a short balding man with black rimmed glasses
.
That must be the trol
l
. Nicole looked stunning. Her pin straight hair had been looped into wavy curls that fell around her neck. The thin straps of her gown held a flowing wine colored fabric.

Lizzie made her way down the runway as Nicole walked up, pointing things out to the troll. "As you can see Mr. Anderson, we have this area prepped for cocktails when the guests arrive." He nodded with his mouth pursed and eyebrows raised, clearly impressed by their handiwork.

As Lizzie passed them, Nicole looked back and mouthed, "I'm so sorry" with a winced face. She quickly turned back to the troll and again began to point out details.

As Lizzie briskly walked to the start of the pier, she stole a quick glance at the ship. She could see Lizzie standing at the top of the runway. The ship looked marvelous. They had pulled it off. She held up her hand to hail a cab and looked at her phone
.
Shit. fifty-six minutes to get ready and get back. You're killing me Nic.