by Combs, Sasha
Linda stepped back, pushing her purse aside. She wanted to apologize but she couldn't find the right words to say.
"Linda... What's going on? Talk to me. Explain why you aren't dressed."
"Hayford when I said I would go... At the time I meant it. But...l... Well, you know how these murders have been a priority for me. I've been working around the clock... Then Maxie and Corey came by... They caught me off guard. And well..."
"You forgot." He saved her the embarrassment of saying it.
"Uh... Kinda."
"And Corey and Maxie... Why were they here?"
Explaining the reason for her friends being in her apartment would only make her appear to be the ass she currently was. Had she agreed to join them by going to the nightclub, Linda would have missed Hayford altogether; thereby making an already bad situation far worse. She recoiled at the thought. If bamboo beatings were a legal form of punishment, she would be the first person in line; consenting to receive her well deserved blows. Linda sighed...
"Okay... Okay... I'm busted. I forgot that we have a date and before you arrived, Maxie and Corey were coaxing me to join them at a nightclub."
"But...apparently that plan also fell through because here you are in jeans and a sweater and your friends are headed out on the town leaving you behind."
"Hayford, let me explain."
He was tired of the excuses and his flat stare told her as much. It had not been her plan to disregard him in this tasteless fashion. There was only one answer. Only one way to remedy this mess. She hugged her bag while saying...
"Do you think your cousin will be terribly upset if we arrive a little late?"
"That depends. How late are we talking?"
Quickly, a mental picture formed, revealing her closet and a beautiful designer gown. Then she considered how best to wear her hair.
"Thirty minutes. Fifty minutes tops."
"Well, instead of wasting time talking....we had better get moving." He said to avoid any further delays.
They rode the lift in silence, barely sharing a glance at one another. When they walked into her apartment, Hayford sat in her living room, patiently waiting while she changed and styled her hair. When she stepped out wearing a Vera Wang gown; every hint of dismay dissipated. He'd never seen her looking more lovely than she did standing right before him. Dear Lord, how did she do it? Too look like her, most women would require the help of maids, as well as a professional stylist. But not Linda. She was a natural beauty.
As he stared at her, amazed at her swift transformation; Linda held out her hands, sexily posing and seeking his honest appraisal.
"Do I make the grade?"
"Baby... You have no idea." Hayford stood, crossing the floor, to close the distance. He locked her in a loving embrace. He kissed her gently so as not to smudge her makeup. When he drew his head back, he said...
"Thanks for putting us ahead of everything else."
Hayford didn't say her job but Linda knew exactly what he meant. She lifted to kiss him, then she spoke tenderly, saying what she felt in her heart.
"I’m sorry. I know I've been impossible to be around and I don't deserve you. Max and Corey keep telling me how lucky I am to have you in my life."
He pressed one finger against her lips, silencing her. He said...
"I'm the lucky one."
Her heart tripped, then sped its rapid beat. She'd meant what she said. After weeks of her mistakes and missteps; nothing she'd done had affected the intensity of Hayford's love.
He moved a stray curl, then smiled one of his sexy come hither smiles.
“We had better get going. We're late enough as it is and my cousin may never forgive me."
"You can blame me." She said, and she truly meant it.
They were walking out the door, entering the hallway when Hayford said...
"I could never throw you under the bus like that."
She smiled at him and in that instant she knew all the reasons she'd fallen in love with him. She pledged to do better if only to prove herself worthy of his love because Linda wanted to feel like she truly deserved him.
As they passed through the inner lobby, then walked through the outer doors, leading to the street; thoughts of Gerry flashed in her brain. The photos. The images. Before running into Hayford, her plan had been to call Stone, while racing over to his apartment. Not more than an hour ago, she’d been on cloud nine; with an envelope in her hand. For the first time in weeks, she had a true break. A picture to show perspective witnesses. But somehow seeing Hayford standing in her lobby; none of that seemed to matter. She’d dropped her work bag on the chair in her apartment. Not once had she peeked inside of the envelope. She didn’t dare because to do so, might have tempted her to do something she would surely regret.
Presently, she only wanted one thing and it was times like this... Occasions like this. When she and Hayford were alone. She could imagine what their life would be like, living together. She could envision them years and years from now and the prospect thrilled her. With the possibility of a happy future staring her in the face, she made the only logical choice left to her. Tonight, her job would have to wait. Linda had no ill-conceived notions, telling her that these murders would be easy to solve. She had her work cut out for her but solving four murder cases would have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight, would be about her and her man.
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Chapter 7
The Engagement Party
Ethan & Patricia Morrison
Cordially invite you to the engagement celebration of their daughter, Marian Morrison
And her fiance, Phillip Sutton
And his parents, Tatum & Lillian Dorch-Sutton
The thirty-two piece orchestra played a Duke Ellington song, spicing up the room with a rhythmic jazz beat. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, while champagne flowed liberally. No expense had been spared. The party planner skirted around the house, directing the guest and the paid help. Being certain to earn her hefty fee, the party planner personally checked every detail. Everyone, including the waiters, and the guest were dressed to the hilt. Black tie, cummerbund and tux. Couturier evening gowns, accentuated with enough precious jewels to bankroll a country. Hayford guided Linda through the enormous house, passing an array of endless halls and closed doors. As he neared the large ballroom, he greeted family members and some of his closest friends. Hayford stopped briefly to speak, while introducing Linda as they navigated through the house. When his cousin Marian announced her engagement months ago; Hayford’s aunt and uncle hired the most sought after event planner in New York. He’d heard the tales in the beginning. Stories that Marian would one day tell her children at bedtime. The gala began as a small party. An intimate gathering consisting of family and the couples closest friends. Within an hour of drafting a guest list, before they knew it, half of the social registry was being considered. Hayford chuckled, recalling the memory.
“Come this way... I want to introduce you to Marian. You’ll like her. She’s real people.”
Linda smiled, allowing him to guide her through a sea of people, yet she doubted whether Hayford knew any real people. Primarily because, their definitions weren’t quite the same. Except for her, whenever they dined with his friends, his associates were always upperclass, high laced Ivy leaguers. Men and women with trust funds and ocean front property. Even so, in his defense, she knew that Hayford wasn’t pretentious.
Making it to Hayford’s cousin Marian had been easier said than done. Between her and where they’d started, lie an ocean of people eager to speak to Hayford. Most of these people had only heard about Linda and had never met her. These days, interracial couples were a dime a dozen but Linda was never shocked when some people stopped and openly stared. She experienced that with a few of the party guest, while they walked through the ballroom. But, Hayford... Well, he wasn’t at all daunted by their expressions. In fact, he hooked his arm around her waist, possessively; leaving no question that Linda wa
s there with him. He smiled, introducing her using nouns and adjectives that would cause most society people to squirm in their seats.
“Good evening, this is Linda Gables...my sweet pretty lady.”
“Hello Aunt Fran, I’d like to introduce you to the jewel of my heart...Linda Gables.”
No two introductions were the same, but each grew in adoration; causing Linda to feel special. More so than the bride to be and in each word, Hayford’s pronouncements expressed his genuine sincerity.
His fingers laced with hers, moving through a throng of people blocking their way. The masses clank their crystal glasses. People laughed in small groups. Women exchanged air kisses, while men shook hands, comparing stock tips. All around them, the atmosphere was filled with joy. They were caught in a stream of merriment; making slow progress moving through the room. Linda wasn’t surprised when a tall man reached out, seemingly from no where; stopping Hayford’s forward momentum.
There was immediate recognition on Hayford’s part. He said...
"Linda... This is my buddy Josh. We both attended St. Bartholomew Prep."
"Yeah... That is until the head master was the sole victim of my last prank."
Both men laughed but Hayford didn't notice Linda's inattention. Her eyes had drifted elsewhere. Josh extended his hand, while saying her name.
"So... This is the elusive Linda Gables. The woman I’ve heard so much about."
At the sound of her name, her head turned in his direction. Linda smiled, allowing him to palm her hand with both of his hands. Josh shamelessly flirted when he said...
"When Hayford described you to me, I called him a bloody liar. But now...I'm beginning to think that he didn't quite do you justice."
"Don't listen to him Linda. Josh is a sly fox. He's been bugging me for months to bring you to his penthouse but I couldn't bring myself to make you endure his bad behavior."
"I'm sure if he's your friend, he can't be all that bad." She said, but Josh supplied...
"I wouldn't go so far as to say that."
"You see. The man is a scoundrel."
The two men exchanged a few more harmless verbal jabs before Josh was coaxed away by a woman wearing a Chanel vintage gown. Linda assumed that the feisty brunette was more than likely Joshua’s date and she’d grown weary of his shenanigans.
Alone now, Linda took advantage of the moment because Hayford had resumed inching their way in the direction of his cousin. She leaned in close enough to be heard over the joyous clamoring.
"Hayford..." Without pointing, she rocked her head in a general direction.
"That lady over there. The young blond wearing the teal off the shoulder gown. Who is she?"
With so many people crowed in the room, she didn’t imagine he’d be able to spot her without more guiding on her part, but she’d been wrong. Hayford craned his neck, looking over the heads of others, to see whom she was referring too.
When he spotted the blond, he said...
"That’s Brice Fischer’s wife. Angelica. Why... Have you seen her before?"
"Yes... I just wanted to be certain I wasn't mistaking her for someone else."
The room seemed to come at them from all side. Mainly because, the closer they got to the young couple, the more people they had to maneuver around. Everyone at the party wanted to give their congratulatory remarks. As he guided her along, Hayford didn't notice Linda keeping an eye on the woman he'd identified.
After a few moments had passed, Linda felt Hayford standing at her side. He leaned forward, wrapping one arm around a tall willowy blond, while kissing one side of her face. The young woman hugged him back while saying...
"You're late."
Hayford laughed then said...
"I'm sorry but it couldn't be helped."
As promised, Hayford bore the blame for their tardiness. His cousin pulled back from their warm embrace. Her eyes settled on Linda, then her deeply shaded rose lips spread, framing a pleasing smile.
"Introductions please..." she purred to Hayford. He laughed then said...
"Marian... I'd like to introduce you to Linda Gables. Linda, this is my spoiled brat of a cousin...Marian."
They all shared a laugh. Marian playfully punched Hayford’s arm, while saying...
"You’re the only person allowed to say that. No one else would ever dare because it's all true." She blushed, pretending to be innocent.
"Linda, if you haven’t formed any opinions yet... Marian and I have been rascals for many, many years."
"That's right.” Marian agreed. “We're yin and yang. But we can talk about that later. Linda, I'm so pleased to finally meet you. I was beginning to think that you were a figment of my cousins imagination."
Marian leaned in, embracing Linda with a hug. When the two women parted, Linda said...
"I'm always pleased to meet Hayford’s family members."
"You say that now dear." Marian said, while smirking at Hayford. "However, there are a few of our relatives that are best to be avoided."
"Don't frighten her Marian. She'll never attend one of theses big family events again if you shoo her away."
Marian slanted her head, reassessing Linda. The tall blond said...
"She doesn't look like she would be easily scared away. Am I wrong dear?"
"I can hold my own." Linda smiled right back at her, stern in her resolve.
Marian stared at them both, assessing how they looked as a couple. In their past, she'd never seen Hayford serious when it came to any of his relationships. The way his hand possessively gripped Linda's waist, pulling her nearer to him. Marian had seen her cousin flirt but she'd never witnessed this side of him. Before she could say another word, she felt her fiancé hooking her arm with his.
"Darling...your mother is ready for us to formally address our guest." Phillip had been pulled away moments ago, but now he’d returned. Marian blushed, then she said...
"Honey... You remember my cousin...don't you dear?"
His eyes drifted to Hayford, then lit with recognition.
"Hayford ole boy, glad to see you." Each word spoken, betrayed his Boston heritage. He reached his hand out, gripping Hayford's in a solid hold. The two men were members at the same sports club. Phillip smiled when he said...
"You gave your cousin a fright. When you didn't arrive with your parents, Marian began to think that you weren't coming at all." He turned to his fiancée saying...
"You see darling... All is not lost." He gently kissed her cheek and when he straightened his eyes landed appreciatively on Linda. He smiled, while nodding his head.
"You're Linda aren't you."
"Yes... Nice to meet you."
Phillip looked at Hayford. The two men exchanged what can only be described as an appreciation for having good taste in women. Phillip quickly regrouped. He wanted to remain in the good graces of the woman who would soon be his mother-in-law. He said....
"Marian... Darling.... Our parents are waiting for us near the champagne fountain."
"Hayford... You've got to join us. After the toast, granny insist that we take a family photo. You can stand next to your parents."
Hayford was of a mind to excuse himself but he hadn’t prepared himself for Linda’s dissuasion.
"Hayford...go.” Linda coaxed persuasively. “Don't worry about me. I'll wait right here for you."
"But Linda...."
Hayford wasn't ready to be separated from her. In his heart, Linda was as much a part of him as his family and he wanted her standing by his side. But again, she said words that went contrary to what he would have preferred.
"Hayford... Go. It's just a picture. When you're done, we can enjoy the party together."
He wanted to tell her to come and spend time with him and the rest of his family. But before he could protest. Before he could offer an alternative suggestion; Marian hooked his arm with hers. Now she had both men, joined on either side of her hips. His cousin was incorrigible and she always got her way in every situation. He looked
at her fiancé but he knew he wouldn’t get any help from Phillip. Resigned that there was no way out, Hayford said...
"Stay here. I'll be right back" he said and then he was whisked away, through a sea of parting people. With Hayford now gone, Linda's eyes scanned the room, looking for one particular woman. She cut through the crowd of people, like a salmon swimming up stream. No one wanted to miss the official toast and they all wanted to see the Mead, Morrison and Sutton’s pose for their pictures. This was as much a marriage of money as it was soon to be a marriage formed by love.
When the crowd thinned, Linda found her prey easily because the woman was standing alone near an unattended hors d'oeuvres table. As she neared her, her features became clear. This was the woman she’d first met weeks ago. The lady at the first crime scene with the crying baby. In a million years, she would have never thought their paths would cross at an engagement party. As she approached her, Linda noticed that the young woman didn't at all appear at ease. She shifted on her feet, staring aimlessly at others. By the look of her, she didn’t appear comfortable in this environment. Linda had experienced something similar in her past. However, the sentiment grew thin; weakening over time, until finally the notion was more foreign than not. But she couldn’t take the credit for her sense of calm. It had taken time, and during their months of dating, Hayford always made her feel like she rightly belonged. Even as Linda made her approach, the young woman’s eyes darted without purpose. She didn’t even notice Linda until she was standing right in front of her. Startled, the young woman said...
"Nice party...huh."
"Yes. It is a nice party. I was just wondering... Are you a guest of the bride or the groom?"
The young woman shyly blushed; her cheeks turned a rosy red. She said, hesitantly...
"Neither, but my husband knows the Morrison family. He manages several of their stock portfolios. Or at least, that's what he tells me." She blushed again. Linda moved a little closer saying...
"I don't know how to quite say this, except to just say it." Linda stepped nearer, then she said...