Authors: Aleatha Romig
His glare turned toward Claire. “I think you
can, and you will. Tell Anton my memory’s not so bad for an old
man.”
She sat taller, “I will.”
Harry interjected, “Do you really want to
threaten the man who’s provided you with all of this?”
Patrick sat back against the chair. “I
agreed to meet with you because I wanted to see you.” He tipped his
head toward Claire. “I haven’t been able to find or contact Anton
in twenty-five years. I wanted confirmation he still exists.”
Harry replied, “Your yearly payments weren’t
enough?”
“
No trace of their origin.
Glad to know he’s still kick’n. He was a good kid.”
Claire asked, “So what
message do you want me to give that
good
kid
?”
Patrick stood and the others followed. “Tell
him to contact me only through the suits in L.A.. I don’t want any
more surprise visits.”
Claire nodded and Harry extended his hand as
he spoke, “Good bye, Mr. Chester. I believe Ms. Nichols has enough
information.”
Going the direction they came, Claire and
Harry silently made their way back to the blue Mustang. It wasn’t
until they were outside the iron gated community that Claire
finally spoke. “Why did you show him a credit card?”
“
I didn’t want him to know
your address.”
His words added to the unease she’d been
feeling at the end of their interview. “Oh, thanks, I didn’t think
of that.”
Making their way back to I-5 North, they
settled in for the almost six hour drive. Claire inclined her seat,
listened to the music from the speakers, and absorbed the sun’s
rays.
Her mind wandered from
Patrick Chester to Tony. Claire still didn’t know who this mystery
woman was, but now they’d confirmed she exists, or existed. Who
would Tony be willing to protect with annual payments? He never
mentioned another woman. Actually he said he never wanted to be
with anyone else. But could she believe anything he ever said?
Maybe the woman really was his aunt. However she never heard of any
family members. Even the
Vanity
Fair
article said he had no other
relatives. Could that woman be the one who sent Claire the box? Why
would she willingly upset the man who’d financed her freedom from
prison for murder? Or did she or someone else have another motive
for sending Claire that information? Maybe the person wanted the
box to affect Claire differently? It seemed the new information did
nothing but create more questions.
Claire closed her eyes under the sunglasses
and fought the ache threatening her temples.
As she was about to drift away when she
heard Harry say, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have exposed you to that
creep.”
She shrugged, “I’ve met a creep or two
before. No harm no foul. I’m just not sure what we gained.”
“
We now know for sure
there was a woman. Someone Patrick believes is Samuel’s sister. I’d
put money on the fact, she killed Samuel and Amanda.”
Claire added, “And Tony is willing to pay
yearly to keep that knowledge hidden.”
“
Who’s the
woman?”
“
That seems to be the
million dollar question!” She said as she watched the beautiful
scenery.
Compromise - better bend
than break.
― Scottish Proverb
Chapter
29
Leaning against the
countertop in the kitchen of their new condominium, Sophia traced
the edge of the cool granite, as her mind wheeled in disbelief. She
tried desperately to make sense of the voicemail she heard for the
second time. Mr. George, from the Civic Center Art Studio in Palo
Alto, received a call from a buyer, representing an anonymous
customer. This mysterious person wanted to purchase
three
of Sophia’s
pieces, the entire collection Mr. George commissioned from her
Provincetown studio. During their earlier discussions, she agreed
to three of her older works, after painstakingly debating the
pieces on her website. The paintings were still in Massachusetts
and had only been on Mr. George’s website for twenty-four hours.
Now they were sold.
Mr. George wanted Sophia’s
entire portfolio, yesterday. Apparently the buyer was enthralled.
Yes, Sophia couldn’t believe it. That was the word Mr. George used
–
enthralled
with
her art. The mysterious buyer may even be interested in additional
works. Mr. George wanted to know how soon Sophia could fly to
Provincetown and ship her
entire
studio
to Palo Alto. He promised to make
it worth the expense.
Although Sophia and Derek had recently
reached an understanding, well, more than an understanding -- a
coming together of monumental proportions. She wasn’t picking up
and flying east without discussing it with him. Looking at her
calendar she realized the only conflict, if she suddenly flew to
P-town, would be some fundraiser dinner they were supposed to
attend. Some top executive wanted Derek to attend this dinner as a
representative of Shedis-tics. Apparently, this was an annual big
deal.
Sophia wondered if she could possibly do
both. Considering the probability, she realized she would either
need to tell Mr. George to wait, or tell Derek she couldn’t do the
dinner. The timing was just too unfortunate for both. Packing the
art work would take days, possibly a week. The event was in five
days. This was one of those compromises they’d discussed. The
concept was much easier in the figurative sense.
Like a child, she crossed her fingers,
unconsciously bit her lower lip, and dialed the phone.
Danni’s voice on Derek’s private line no
longer surprised Sophia. Sophia even shamefully felt a twinge of
superiority with Derek’s recent confession. He swore total
ignorance regarding Danni’s hidden agenda. Perhaps part of Sophia
even felt a bit sorry for the pretty young blonde. No, given the
circumstances, she didn’t.
“
Hello, Danni, it’s
Sophia.”
“
Yes, Mrs. Burke, Derek is
in a meeting right now. May I take a message?”
Sophia noticed, despite
many attempts to change Danni’s salutation, she was still addressed
as
Mrs. Burke
and
Mr. Burke was still
Derek
. “Yes, please let him know I
need to speak to him as soon as possible. As a matter of fact, I’ll
be going out later and can come by his office this
afternoon.”
“
Yes, well, his schedule
is quite full. Perhaps, I can have him call when he’s
available.”
A week ago that would have stopped Sophia,
but not today. As soon as she hung up with Danni, Sophia would text
Derek’s cellphone. When Sophia explained her insecurities during
their reconnection, Derek promised only he would answer his text
messages.
Sophia smiled into the phone and replied,
“You can let him know I’ll be in the area from one to three. Please
call me with the best time to stop by.”
“
Yes, Mrs.
Burke.”
“
Bye, Danni.”
She hung-up and sent the
text. Seconds later her telephone buzzed. She swiped the
screen,
I ALWAYS HAVE TIME FOR YOU! CAN’T
WAIT. GOT A WEB CONFERENCE AT 11. BE DONE BY 12:30, ANY TIME AFTER
AND I’M ALL YOURS. – NOT TRUE, ALWAYS YOURS! LOVE YA
BABY.
She grinned. Technology
was wonderful! She wouldn’t let Danni, or anyone else, make her
feel insecure about her husband. After swallowing the final drops
of Jasmine Tea, she stowed her tea cup in the dishwasher, wiped
down the breakfast bar, and began contemplating the extent of art
in the Provincetown studio. Her mind spun with displayed and stored
artwork. Suddenly the ring of her telephone brought Sophia’s
thoughts back to Santa Clara. Looking to the illuminated screen she
saw:
Derek’s office
.
“
Hello?”
“
Hello, Mrs. Burke. This
is Danni.”
“
Yes?”
“
It seems that a meeting
has been rescheduled, Derek is available after 12:30 this
afternoon.”
Sophia’s smug expression couldn’t be
contained. “Thank you, Danni. I look forward to seeing you and
Derek then.”
“
Yes, ma’am.” The line
disconnected.
Glancing at the clock, Sophia realized she
had three hours before she needed to be in Derek’s office. She
decided to go to Palo Alto and talk to Mr. George in person. Maybe
he called the wrong person. After all, who would buy three pieces
of art without seeing them in person?
The Civic Center in Palo
Alto was in the heart of a cafe haven. Easing her car into an
available space, she contemplated stopping at one of the many shops
she passed. As in Santa Clara, parts of the city gave Sophia the
wonderful
small town
feel.
The fog that so often
encased the Silicon Valley was gone, dissipated into the shining
blue sky. The buildings, trees, and mountains all glowed with the
spring sun. As Sophia walked along the crowded sidewalk, inhaling
the fragrant aromas emanating from the coffee shops and cafes and
listening to the murmurs of pedestrians, she found herself bemused
by the recent turn of events. This new life wasn’t as bad as she’d
made it out to be. Derek
did
want her here.
The revelation or epiphany
came in the knowledge that he wanted
her
-- not some perfect wife. That
support strengthened her, rejuvenating her confidence as she
approached Mr. George.
Entering the small studio, she noticed the
contrast in noise. The sounds from the busy street silenced as the
glass doors closed to faint music, impeded only by a soft chime
indicating a prospective customer. Sophia took in the white walls,
indirect lighting, and lovely pieces of displayed art on canvas as
well as three-dimensional pieces on podiums. At the beck and call
of the protective bell, Mr. George appeared from the depths of the
back rooms.
Since their initial meeting, they’d only
spoken on the phone. Sophia wanted more information before she
shipped her entire collection to this man.
“
Oh, Mrs. Burke!” Mr.
George exclaimed with perhaps too much glee.
“
Mr. George, please call
me Sophia.”
“
Yes, Sophia. I’m so glad
you came in today.” His bright smile threatened to rupture his
ruddy cheeks as he positively swelled with excitement. “Did you
receive my voice mail?”
So it was meant for
me,
she thought as she answered, “Yes,
that’s why I’m here. Can we discuss this transition?”
“
Most certainly, I agree
it’s unusual. But I want you to know, I’ve verified the funds,
although I’m unable to confirm the identity of the buyer. It’s
real. Someone offered 2.3 million for all three works.”
Sophia’s bravado dissolved. She struggled
for air. Her lungs collapsed, and her legs wobbled. “I’m sorry; did
you just say 2.3 million?”
“
Oh, didn’t I mention the
amount on the message? Yes, initially the buyer asked me the price.
I told him I’d need to discuss it with the artist. He didn’t want
to haggle, so he offered what he believed would be the top bid.”
Mr. George’s grin enlarged even more, showing his too white, too
perfect teeth, and the pink gums above. “I think he succeeded.
However, I still told him I’d need to discuss it with you. Of
course, the studio collects fifteen percent. The rest is
yours.”
Before her legs gave out
entirely, Sophia found an empty chair. Her mind subconsciously
computed the math, while her lips fought diligently to speak, “Mr.
George, I’m going to talk to my husband, soon. I’ll be getting
those works for you as soon as I can.”
One
million nine hundred and fifty thousand dollars!
“I just don’t know about my
entire
collection. I don’t want to
close my Provincetown studio.”
The two of them discussed the possibilities
and opportunities. They decided upon a sampling of her works on
display in Palo Alto, with the entire collection available online.
If this buyer or another wanted one of the works still in
Provincetown and were willing to pay appropriately, Sophia would
return to Massachusetts.
An hour later, Sophia entered Derek’s
office. As her long gauze skirt brushed the tops of her feet and
her high heeled sandals clicked the marble floor of his private
reception area, Sophia chose to ignore Danni’s looks and innuendos.
Her mood was too high to worry about the immaculately dressed PA or
the plush surroundings. She casually walked past the pretty blonde
without speaking and stepped into Derek’s regal office. Brazenly,
she wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and kissed his
parted lips. Before she could introduce her tongue teasingly into
his willing mouth, Sophia realized Danni followed her into Derek’s
office.
They both turned to see her standing in the
doorway. Before Derek had the chance to recover from his wife’s
licentious greeting, Sophia took the liberty of dismissing his
assistant, “That’ll be all, Danni. Please close the door on your
way out.”
Danni looked questionably at Derek, who
smiled uncontrollably, barely able to take his eyes away from the
spirit filled woman who’d just fallen into his lap. Finally, he
glanced toward his PA and confirmed Sophia’s wishes, “Yes, Danni,
and please hold my calls.”