Wrapped In Shadows (16 page)

I disciplined my features and sank into my seat, bracing myself as I turned to him. Josh’s expression was strangely calm, his blue eyes moving over my face. He took a sip of his merlot and smiled slowly.

“What did Diana do this time?”

I grazed the inside of my cheek with my teeth. “She showed up at the penthouse while I was barely dressed.”
True…

“Wish it had been me,” he said with a wink, then replaced the hand on my knee and squeezed. “Don’t let Diana get to you. We’ll be married soon enough. Just indulge her. You’re her only daughter and she means well.”

I nodded and reached for his port, deciding I was not nearly drunk enough.

I exited my building and walked swiftly to the corner. Extending my arm, I angled my neck to peer up the busy street in search of a cab. The morning sun sliced through my head like an ax through butter. I wasn’t a big drinker, and last night’s over indulgence was costing me. My head and stomach vied for most wretched. I took a quick peek at my watch and cursed. I was meeting with Michelle and then heading downtown for an appointment with my broker and I didn’t want to be late. I needed to have my deposit in before one o’clock today. Apparently there was another party interested in the brownstone apartment and the owners needed to know I was serious. I knew this was a common tactic used to secure a tenant, but I wasn’t taking any chances. We’d already negotiated terms of the lease and I was satisfied with the agreement.

After my mother’s departure, last night had not improved. I’d told Josh about my plans to move and he’d practically blown a blood vessel. He wanted us to live in the penthouse and didn’t understand my need for independence from my parents. But bolstered by the alcohol, and already in combat mode from dealing with my mother, I’d put my foot down. The brownstone had plenty of space for the two of us and was even closer to his job. He wanted me to wait and talk to my parents on Saturday night at the holiday party, but I knew he’d only find an ally in my mother. And I refused to be swayed. I was moving. End of story.

A yellow cab swerved to the curb. I was just about to pull open the door when a cacophony of sound startled me. I looked over the top of the cab to see a frazzled dog-walker entangled in a net of leashes. Trying to create order out of chaos, he yelled frantically at his charges. Another dog had apparently crossed their path and incited a riot of canine indignation. I was about to slip into the cab when something behind the melee caught my eye. A man. He had been facing me and was now turning away, but there was something about his features that were strangely familiar. I frowned, not liking the prickly heat that nettled my back. Trying to shrug off the discomfort, I folded my body into the back seat of the cab, but couldn’t help twisting my neck around to get another view of the man. He was gone.

I shook my head and blamed my disquiet on my raging hangover. Fishing my cell from my purse, I searched my contacts and called Michelle. I was running late and wanted to inform her I was on my way.

Michelle answered on the third ring.

“
Oh, shit, Kay!
I’m so sorry. I forgot all about it!”

I heard the alarm in Michelle’s voice and felt my brows squeeze together.

“I should have called you earlier. I’m sorry. I wasn’t feeling—”

“It wouldn’t have mattered. I wouldn’t have been able to make it anyway.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“I’m at work.”

“I thought you were off today?”

“I was, but it’s total chaos here! Something horrible has happened! I had to come in.”

I immediately felt the chills return, this time to coat my flesh in a thin sheet of ice. I’d spoken to Josh this morning and he hadn’t mentioned anything, yet Michelle’s tone scared me.

“What’s going on?” I was surprised at the nonchalance in my voice because inside I was starting to shiver.
Luke? Was he okay?

“Hold on while I close my door, Kay.” I heard Michelle moving about and the few seconds seemed like a decade. “It’s my boss, Luke Davenport. He’s been arrested for murder.”

The chills turned my body to a solid block of ice and the cold threatened my very breath. “
What?
”

“It’s so hard to believe! There’s no way he’s capable of what they’re saying! He’s such a good guy!”

I must have gurgled a response because Michelle rushed on, “And you won’t believe this shit. The victim is
Ms. Carmen
from
Sensations
! Turns out he was there the same night we were! Can you fucking believe that? I knew some of the guys from here go there sometimes cuz I’d heard them talking about it once, but this was a fucking shocker!”

“
Michelle!”
This time it was hard to keep the tremor from my voice. I blinked hard and my grip on the phone tightened. “Is Luke…Mr. Davenport okay?”

My friend sighed on the other end. “I don’t know. Things are a mess here. Clients are calling, wanting to know what’s going on. Some accounts have pulled out. We are basically in damage control mode.”

“Where is he?”

“Mr. Davenport? I hear he’s being arraigned this afternoon. I feel so bad for him.”

I fought to keep down the contents of my stomach. “Why would they arrest him? He didn’t do it.”

“Ms. Carmen was strangled, remember?”

“Yes, why would they arrest him?”

“She was found dead in one of the rooms.”

“Yes, but why would they arrest
him
?” My thoughts kept pounding my head over and over, like a pick ax chipping away at a block of ice trying to get to the answer in the center.

“I don’t know. They must have some evidence. Maybe he was with her that night. Maybe they were lovers. Or maybe because of his wife.”

“Wh-what
?
”

“Because of his wife, Kay.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Luke Davenport’s wife, Roslyn, was murdered four years ago. She was found strangled to death just like Ms. Carmen. There were rumors that he'd done it in a jealous rage.”

Entirely numb now and paralyzed with shock, the phone slipped from my cold fingers.

*************************

Luke

I sat in a cell in central booking located somewhere in the Criminal Court Building at 100 Center Street. I passed a hand over my tired eyes, trying hard not to think of the crush of rioting news reporters and spectators me, my lawyer, and several officers had to forge a path through when I’d been transferred here. It had been a mob scene. I’d been shocked to see that so many had congregated outside the courthouse, but guessed the buzz of a murder committed by a prominent business owner at a sex club in New York City was a juicy morsel that could not be resisted.

Bruce was handling things at the office, but I could imagine the fallout my arrest was creating. My business depended on my reputation and consummate trust from the people I built campaigns for. My connections and ability to network meant everything. Four years ago it had not been this bad, but then I’d not been as successful and well-known as I was now.

I swallowed past the dry knot in my throat at the horrific memory. I’d just gotten home from work and was spending time with Livy when Mrs. Rogers announced the detectives at the door. Detective Lawson had been among the stoic group that had brought the news of Roslyn’s death. I could still remember the numbing anguish that had poured over me like liquid nitrogen.

The events that followed had been equally horrific. It was no secret that Roslyn and I had been having problems, and I’d been hounded and questioned repeatedly by the police. Detective Lawson had been relentless and seemed to conduct his investigation on the presumption of my guilt. The detective had been a nagging sore for months, a constant irritant that compounded my sorrow and grief. Although no official charges had been filed, the rumors that circulated had been just as damning. I had managed to weather that particular storm, but I didn’t like the way the destructive winds were blowing this time around.

I stood and stretched my legs. I wasn’t used to sitting idle for so long and my incarceration was taking a physical toll on my body. It didn’t help that I hadn’t slept since my arrest. My clothes were wrinkled and my body felt like it had accumulated a layer of prison grime. Although my body was tired, my mind was too active to permit down time. My case had been docketed and scheduled for arraignment and I was hoping to hear from Jack soon.

I looked up when an officer came in to collect me. Stoically, I was led to a room where Jack was waiting for me behind a glass partition.

I immediately did not like the look on my lawyer’s face. Jack stared somberly, lines of fatigue drawn under his eyes.

“How are you doing?”

I couldn’t answer the question. There were no words for what was churning inside him.

“What’s going on?” I asked without preamble.

“They are going to charge you with second degree murder. Which is a non-premeditated killing, resulting from an assault which leads to the death of the victim.”

I exhaled slowly, my body going stiff. “This is bullshit! Why?”

“Because you were the last one seen with the victim. Because there are eyewitnesses who place you in her room where the murder occurred.”

I shook my head, not believing what I was hearing. When I’d first gotten to the club, I’d had a drink in a small room where I’d taken off my coat. A staff member had collected me and shown me to Ms. Carmen’s room where I’d waited for her. When I’d spoken to the hostess, she’d said she had someone special waiting for me. I’d only seen her briefly, then left to join Katie.

“There are also reports that you’ve been depressed and withdrawn lately. Worse, I think, is that rope matching the type used on the victim was found in your office.”

I felt that blow to my core. “That’s impossible! Why would I keep rope in my office?”

“It’s not your rope?”

“No! There must be a mistake.” I watched as Jack made some notes. This could not be fucking happening. Anger boiled up inside me.

Jack put his pen down and faced me squarely. “The evidence so far seems circumstantial. I don’t think the grand jury will have enough to issue an indictment. But we have to be prepared when we go in front of the judge. I know this DA and he’s good.”

I watched as Jack packed up his briefcase and motioned to the officer. “I’ll see you in a little bit. Just stay calm.”

I nodded as I was led away, my thoughts spinning out of control. I couldn’t believe that rope matching the murder weapon was found in my office. What the fuck? I didn’t keep rope in my office. Why would I? And I certainly would not have been stupid enough to murder someone and hold on to evidence. Someone had obviously put the rope there…but who? My forehead bunched. And to have implicated me in a
strangulation
…like Roslyn’s… Who could be so cruel? Who hated me that much?

My mind was manic, my thoughts obsessive. I just needed to get out of there. I was useless locked up in this place. I needed to think clearly so I could figure out what the hell was going on…so I could protect what was mine. Livy’s agonizing cries rang in my head and bile clawed up my throat.

Like you protected Roslyn?
The unbidden thought knotted my muscles and I slammed a fist into the wall, familiar feelings of guilt and impotence surfacing. My wife had been murdered, my daughter left without a mother. I remembered the excruciating agony of going to the morgue to identify her body. All emotion had been reduced to eviscerating pain as I’d given my acknowledgment. My Roslyn. My beautiful wife. I’d been so hopeful. I’d failed her. I’d fucking failed her.

I shook my head to clear away the destructive emotions. I needed to keep calm.

I was tired, worried about Livy, my business, and…Kay. I couldn’t banish her from my mind. Had she heard of the arrest? What must she be thinking? I’d give anything to be able to talk to her. I craved her comforting warmth and the feel of her arms wrapped around me. I enjoyed the peace she brought me. I wanted to get lost in her. She made me feel like I could live again, that all would be well.

Were her arms wrapped around Josh right now? Had she taken him back?

I rubbed at the aching left side of my chest right above my heart. I imagined the dragon rearing its head and roaring in protest. I sighed and dug into my eyes with the heels of my hands. Fatigue was starting to get the best of me. I couldn’t afford to think about her now.

Shit, Davenport! You need to keep a clear head!

It wasn’t long before I was led into the courtroom to confront my fate. I was surprised at the number of people filling row after row of wooden benches. The entire proceedings were a blur, a grotesque twist of reality that resurrected emotions from a past I’d long ago buried. The courtroom buzzed with activity. It seemed a million things were happening at once, but with automated efficiency. A court reporter sat straight-backed, pecking dutifully at a stenotype machine, recording events as they unfolded. I listened mutely as the judge read a charge of second degree murder. I entered my “not guilty” plea, not recognizing the scratchy, dull monotone as my voice. It was a disembodied drone filling my head to bursting.

The DA outlined a scenario where I had a sordid sexual encounter with Ms. Carmen and then killed her in a rage of anger during sexual play. They painted the picture of a ruthless business man, a man who had recently been depressed and withdrawn. A man who was unstable and volatile. Jack argued that the DA did not have a strong case and pointed out what he thought were substantial deficits in a case based on circumstantial evidence. Jack spoke of my character, my ties to the community as a business owner, and my role as a father.

Jack asked the court for bail and that was when I felt my heart practically implode in his chest with desperate hope.
God please…
The sober-faced judge recited a discourse of statutes and laws then asked me a few questions. Finally bail was granted and set at an amount that should have staggered me, but so eager was I to be released that I’d have handed over my entire life savings.