The Perfect Deception (23 page)

The air crackled with tension.

Jessica looked over, then back at the magazine.

Nathan sat at the bar counter and scrolled his cell phone.

He didn’t leave, for a very specific reason.

She wanted him to stay, for reasons of her own.

Jessica broke almost ten minutes of silence by offering Nathan a can of soda. Nathan thanked her and accepted it. He told Jessica that Dev was a friend, nothing more. She told him that Vincent was a co-worker, that’s all. Jessica heated the pizza. They drank the wine. Jessica yawned and headed for bed. Nathan went home.

This chess game could continue for only so long. Either one or the other would call checkmate. But one thing was for sure: There was no way they could both get what they wanted.

T
hings changed. Subtle shifts, slight irregularities, unusual bumps in what in the beginning had been a smooth groove. Ever since Friday night a week ago, when Nathan and Jessica had agreed to give their relationship one last try, there had been a cognitive dissonance played out in many ways. There had also been a return of nausea and cramps.

The following Monday, Nate had been awakened by a five a.m. phone call. Broderick wanted him to meet a small group at the DeKalb Peachtree Airport for a day trip to Jackson, Mississippi, where a client proposed to purchase a large acreage of real estate. It was a full schedule, from the time the corporate jet took off at seven, until it landed at five. Afterwards, the group had gone to dinner. During this time, Jessica had called several times and finally texted him a question about his health. Unusual, since she knew how hectic his days normally were, especially when out of town. Even after he’d replied saying he felt better, she called twice more. On his way home, when he could finally return her call and find out what the heck was going on, she’d simply said, “I’m worried about you.”

Tuesday night, she’d gone over to Nathan’s, bringing her now staple gifts of orange juice and soda that she purchased every week. “You don’t have to do that,” he’d told her.

“But you were out,” she’d replied, as if the answer should have been obvious.

Which led Nathan to ponder:
When did she start checking my refrigerator for supplies?

And tonight, after a full week for Nathan and a long one for Jessica, they sat at an Atlanta Hawks basketball game intermission like virtual strangers, acting like they were enjoying themselves, when neither—for different reasons—felt joyous at all.

After watching the halftime show in silence and then feeling Nathan was more interested in checking out the jerseys hanging from the rafters than in talking to her, she tapped his arm. “What’s going on with you?”

Nathan answered without looking at her. “Nothing.”

“Do you still feel sick?” He nodded. “Have you been drinking the orange juice and soda?”

“Yes.”

“And eating the soup I fixed?”

He looked at her. “Faithfully.”

“I can’t understand why you’re not—I mean, with this constant illness, I’m surprised you had the strength to work all week, and then come here.”

“It hasn’t been easy.”

“That’s why you’re quiet. You don’t feel well.”

“Yes, but I didn’t feel like staying at home, keeping you cooped up.”

“I wouldn’t have cared.”

He looked at her intently before turning his attention to the players warming up for the second half. “I probably should go back to the hospital and take those tests the doctor suggested.”

“I don’t think so.”

This comment got his attention again. “Really? I’d think with how worried you’ve been about me, getting an all clear from the doctor would be a relief.”

“I was only thinking of your job, and your schedule, the reasons you haven’t gone so far. But if you can spare three, four days in the hospital . . .” She shrugged and watched the cheerleaders’ showy routine.

They were both glad when the game resumed and they had somewhere to legitimately place their focus other than on each other. Afterward, the colleague who’d given Nathan the choice seat tickets texted him about a VIP after-party.

He relayed the message to Jessica. “Do you want to go?”

“Do you?”

He rubbed his stomach. “Yes and no.”

Watching him, Jessica didn’t hesitate to answer. “Let’s go home.”

“Your place or mine?”

“Let’s go to my house. I’ve got a new tea I want you to try.”

On the way to her home, Jessica’s phone rang. When she didn’t answer, Nathan looked over. “You’re not going to get that?”

She placed a hand on his thigh and squeezed. “I’m with you, babe. Everyone else can wait.”

When it rang again an hour later, she silenced her phone. Nathan noticed but said nothing.

“It was Vincent.”

“Why didn’t you answer?”

“I didn’t want to be disrespectful.”

“By not answering, you come off looking suspicious.”

She reached for her phone. “I’ll call him back and put it on speaker.”

“That’s all right. If this is going to work, we’ve got to trust each other.”

She fixed tea and a plate of snacks. He asked for water, too. Sitting side by side on the couch, they checked e-mails and social media sites. Jessica carefully watched Nathan drink his tea. It seemed to take forever, but when she’d returned from the restroom, he’d finished the cup.

Maybe that will do it, maybe now he’ll get sick enough to
. . . Rushing to the guest bathroom, she threw cold water on her face and took several deep breaths. Nathan cheating on her with Dev had made her angry and helped her grow the backbone Sissy had suggested. But it hadn’t made the idea of killing him a comfortable one. Especially since the process had taken far longer than expected. He’d get sick and bounce back. Cramp up and feel better. Throw up and be near death one day, then back in the office greeting clients the next. In a last-ditch effort, Sissy had given her the name of another drug to try. She said it was strong enough to kill a horse. That’s what was in his drink.

After watching him covertly for several seconds, she put on a smile and reentered the living room. “Feeling better?” she asked cheerfully.

Nathan grimaced. “Not really. My head started feeling woozy just now.”

She sat next to him and placed a hand on his forehead. “I don’t feel a fever.”

“I know but I’m . . .” Doubling over, he let out a low, deep moan.

It’s kicking in.
Jessica swallowed the urge to panic, willed herself to be strong enough to finish this impossible task
. Looks like pouring in all of what remained in that vial is what was needed.
Rubbing his back she spoke softly. “Breathe, babe. Just breathe.”

His moans grew louder. Jessica’s eyes widened as he began to shake. She did too, from a thought so terrifying that it was totally possible that if Nathan started convulsing, she would, too.
What’s going to happen if he dies in my house? How will I move him? What if his death is questioned? They’ll come looking for me!

“Nathan!” Spittle now dripped from his mouth to the floor. She rushed into the kitchen for paper towels to catch the drool. “Babe, help me try and get you outside. You need fresh air, and sleep. Come on. I’ll drive you home.”

It took a while, thirty minutes to be exact, for Jessica to get Nathan out of the house and into her car. That’s after he’d moaned about cramps, complained of a migraine, and then spent considerable time in the john.

“My car,” he eked out, still doubled over.

“I’ll bring it over and leave the keys on your table.”

“So sick,” he mumbled. “Hospital . . .”

“You’ll feel better after getting a good night’s sleep. I promise.”

She was right. The next morning anyone looking at Nathan would have had no clue that he’d been deathly ill just twelve hours prior. They’d think he was the picture of health. Except for one thing—looks can be deceiving.

J
essica resembled a caged tiger as she paced the length of her living room. She’d been keyed up since last night, when it looked as though Nathan might die on her floor.

“Sissy, I have never been so scared in my life as when that man keeled over and started drooling on my hardwood. I can’t believe all this time I’ve been taking this huge chance doing this here, in my house!”

“I hear you, Jessie, but you’ve got to calm down. What could have happened didn’t. Okay? So we just need to think about how we’re going to proceed from here.”

“I don’t understand why it isn’t over already. You said with these increased amounts it would be three weeks tops.”

“Yes, if he’d had them every day. Your constant fights and petty arguments prevented that from happening. Have you talked to him today?”

“Not yet.”

“Then, heck, let’s think positive. Based on how he acted last night, he might be dead now.”

“Since I still have to deal with the body, forgive me for not feeling particularly comforted by that thought. I won’t rest until he’s discovered, identified, and a ruling on his death has been made in which I’m in no way connected.”

“I wish the vitamins would have worked faster. Everybody is different, Jessie. Depending on their height, weight, hereditary disposition . . . crap. You’re right. This has gotten too complicated. It’s the last thing we need right now. Especially since . . .”

“Since what?”

“Since finding out the prosecutor on my case currently has his hands full denying a bribe accusation. My attorney believes if we strike right now, we could score a new trial. That only leaves one person who could potentially cause trouble. With her distracted, a new trial is all but guaranteed, and I assure you there’s no way I’ll be convicted a second time. I’ll do whatever, screw whomever, to hear ‘not guilty.’ If I leave here, I am
not
coming back.”

“So what do we do?”

“Give me a day or so to think about it. As soon as I figure out a plan, I’ll call you. Oh, and Jessie?”

“What?”

“I love you to pieces.”

Tears filled her eyes. At least somebody did. “I love you too, Sissy. Can’t wait until we’re together again.”

 

Nathan rested against the back of his suede accent chair that anchored a corner of the sitting room in the master suite, his feet propped up on its matching ottoman. After three months of an absolutely insane work schedule, recurring sickness, and a difficult engagement, he was finally enjoying a few evenings of downtime. Jessica still had the ring, but they’d put off setting a date. He’d reestablished regular communication with his mom, who’d practically threatened to disown him; and Sherri, who swore he was being held hostage in a cave that Jessica built and guarded. Steve was still in the honeymoon of his new relationship and didn’t meet them as often as he used to, but Nathan had spent quality time catching up with Ralph. He’d met his wife and daughter and discussed possibly hooking up on a project or two. On the phone, he heard the little one who had daddy wrapped around her finger, vying for his attention in the background.

“Nate, let me catch you later, man.”

“I hear Little Mama.” Nathan laughed. “She’s got your number. I feel for you when that child hits her teens.”

“I don’t even want to think about that yet.”

“I’ll see you on the court next week. Take care now.”

He placed the home phone back in its cradle and proceeded to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, he took in his eye color, faint crow’s feet at the edges of his eyes, and the tint of his skin.
You’re not the healthiest man in Atlanta, but considering what’s been happening, you look okay.

He showered, dressed, and headed out the door. After a quick call to Jessica to say he felt better and was meeting the guys for an early dinner, Nathan called Sherri.

“Sherri, what’s up?”

“Nate? For the second time in one week? I feel special.”

“As you should, being my sister and all. What are y’all doing?”

“Al and Aaron are out with friends. Randall and I are soaking up the peace and quiet and absolutely delighted to be doing nothing at all.”

“I know the feeling.”

“What about you?”

“Heading out for an early dinner with the guys.”

“Where’s Jessica?”

“At home, I guess.”

“Hmm. I can remember a time when I could barely get to you for her blocking. Yet the last few times we’ve talked, I’ve been the one to bring her up. Is the bloom beginning to fade from this rosy love story?”

“Every couple goes through their challenges and we’re no exception.”

“I’ve suspected it for a long time, all the way back to when you first got sick and she out and out lied to me about it, and then tried to prevent me from coming in your house. That was beyond strange, and while I’ve tried to be supportive, Brother, I’ve never quite gotten over that incident.”

“I understand, Sis. Had it been you and a guy I had reservations about, I’d be guarded, too. I was very protective back then and probably didn’t let you know how much I appreciated your having my back. But I did, and I do.”

“Hey, have you talked to your friend from the island lately?”

“Dev? Not in a month or more. I’ve been planning to call her though. Are you guys planning a visit soon? I was thinking about maybe taking Memorial Day and heading down there for a long, relaxing vacation.”

“You’re welcome to go there anytime. We’ll be there over the Fourth. You can join us then too, if you’d like. By the way, I noticed you said
I
, not
we
.”

“A wise woman once told me that divorce is expensive and marriage is forever, and to take my time before I make that final commitment. The last few months have been one situation after another. I need time to relax and clear my mind.”

“Wow, Nathan. This woman you talked to sounds amazing. Likewise, it takes a smart and special man to heed wise counsel.”

“Only a fool would ignore it.”

Nathan made one more call, to his mother, and then headed out for male bonding time. By the time he reached the restaurant, he’d mentally firmed up his upcoming holiday plans. He’d head to the Bahamas and lay up at Château Sherri. And he would go alone.

A few days later, all plans in place, Jessica reached for her phone. She and Nathan had shared time the past weekend, but because of Nathan’s illness it had been two weeks since they’d made love. Monday he’d worked from home, something that happened more regularly now, and that night he’d been too sick to see her. She’d used this time to grow a killer backbone, shut down all emotion, and focus on the end. That’s during those moments she wasn’t with Vincent, her patient knight in shining armor waiting in the wings. She hadn’t told Sissy about Vincent. For just a little while longer, she wanted to believe that he was really as wonderful as he seemed right now. Her growing feelings for him had helped distance her from Nathan. Every time a shred of guilt tried to creep in over how bad he was feeling, she’d think about Dev and remember that the cheating scoundrel who’d helped send her sister to prison was getting exactly what he deserved.

She sat on a chair in the dining room, her rapidly shaking right leg the only sign of nervousness. He answered. She took a breath, and hoped this would be easy.

“Hey, lover.” Sultry. Flirty. Seductive.

“Listen to you, sounding sexy.”

“I am?”

Purring like a kitten getting its belly scratched.
“You know it. I think absence makes your heart grow fonder.”

“You might be right. How are you feeling today, babe?”

“I’m okay.”

“Well, I’m not.”

“What’s going on?”

“I’m missing you. That’s why I’ve decided on two things. The first is for you, a vitamin capsule filled with natural herbs that is supposed to be excellent for stomach conditions.”

“What did I tell you about worrying? The stomach virus or whatever it was has rarely flared up since my stress level dropped. I feel pretty good these days.”

“By taking vitamins, you’ll feel even better. This isn’t something to heal you but rather to prevent any new illness from taking place in the future.”

“Where’d you find this miracle pill?”

“The wife of one of the attorneys swears by them.”

“I might give it a try. What’s the second thing?”

“I’ve seen you once in the past four days. I’m coming to get you and we’re hanging out.”

“Jessica, I’m working.”

“It’s Saturday. We don’t have to be out long. I won’t take no for an answer. When we spend several days apart in a row, it’s not good for my health.”
Wait. Did he just snort?
“I’m serious! So I’m going to pick you up, and we’re going to take a drive to the countryside.”

“The countryside. For what?”

“To breathe in the fresh country air.”

“Girl, you’re tripping.”

“Okay, the real reason: to check out my new storage unit. One of the attorneys at work owns the facility, and said I could use one for free.”

“You know nothing’s really free, right?”

“In this case, it is. He’s one of the senior partners, old enough to be my grandfather.”

“Grandfathers need love, too.”

“Please, spare me the visual. On the way back from the storage unit, I’m treating you to lunch. Either you’ll come out or I’ll come in and get you. Be by in half an hour.”

She hung up before Nathan could say no. If he just got into her car and took the pill, she’d be home free. Sissy said he’d be disoriented but able to walk. Once inside the space where she’d park the car, she only had to give him the shot and leave. By the time it took effect, she’d be long gone. Before the day was over . . . so would he.