“No. The vet thinks she'll make it. My wife got her to the vet fairly quickly after it happened.”
The officers shared a look and the older one scribbled a few notes down in his little book. “Aside from the poisoned meat,” the younger officer asked, “was anything else found?”
“Roses,” Cynthia murmured. “I found torn up roses on my doorstep.”
The young officer took a deep breath. “We knew nothing of the incident with your dog. We're here about your car, Mr Allen, but it now appears the two incidents may be related.”
Greg felt his stomach flip but he tried to appear confused. “Related how?”
“Have either of you been experiencing problems with another person: a neighbour, family member, friend? Any arguments or confrontations? Can either of you think of someone who would want to harm either one or both of you?”
Cynthia's face registered genuine confusion. Greg hoped his did too.
“No-one,” Cynthia said. “Why?”
The young officer looked Greg in the eye. “Your brakes were tampered with, Mr Allen. We believe someone may have tried to kill, or in the least, seriously harm you.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Mike sat at his desk tapping his foot thoughtfully. Something was going on between Greg and Ashley.
Ashley hadn't been in work all week. According to one of the other secretaries who knew Ashley outside of work, Ashley had become involved with a married man. She was supposedly feeling hurt and rejected and angry. But that wasn't what interested Mike. What was interesting was the gossip that was floating around the coffee room this morning.
Greg had been involved in a car accident in the parking lot yesterday. That was common knowledge; the whole office knew about it, but the interesting part was that his brakes had been intentionally destroyed. Apparently Greg and Cynthia had a visit from the police the night before, it was the police who believed someone was out to get Greg. It also seemed whoever was out to get Greg was out to hurt Cynthia, too. Only someone who knew Cynthia and knew how much she loved Jesse would intentionally target the dog.
Mike knew he shouldn't be jumping to conclusions, but if he had to wager a guess at what was going on he'd bet that Ashley was waging a war on Greg. She was the woman scorned, the used mistress and now Greg was going to pay. Mike wondered if he'd caused some of this by sending Ashley to the restaurant when he knew Greg was there with Cynthia, but he figured if the woman was crazy and obsessive she didn't need any input from Mike.
The problem was all this was assumption on Mike's part. He didn't actually know what was going on and though it appeared that Greg was being targeted along with Cynthia, it could just be a coincidence. Ashley may actually be ill, and Greg's brakes may have just simply failed, and he could easily imagine somebody targeting Jesse for poisoning.
But whatever was going on he intended to get to the bottom of it.
Mike picked up his phone and dialled the direct line for his boss, Mr Carter.
“Carter,” his boss answered bluntly.
“Mr Carter, this is Mike.”
“What do you need, Mike?” That was Mr Carter―straight to the point.
“I'm currently working on the paperwork for the Mullins Road house. I'm afraid I can't get all the necessary information together without Greg's input.”
“Greg's at home recuperating from his accident yesterday, as you know. Perhaps if you called him on the phone?”
“I'm afraid I need his signature on some of these documents as he was the agent that was present at the time.”
Carter left out a long sigh. “We need that paperwork finished today so we can push it through tomorrow.”
“I know that, Sir. Perhaps if Greg could come in for just a few minutes?”
“Okay. I'll give him a call now and see if he can make it in.”
Carter hung up the phone and Mike grinned. He knew that Greg wouldn't say no to Mr Carter. He gathered his keys and wallet and left his office.
This would be his one opportunity to be alone with Cynthia when she was hurting and vulnerable. He could imagine how distressed she would be over Jesse. Imagine how angry she'd be if she were to find out that someone had targeted Jesse to hurt her because of Greg. He remembered how angry he'd been the other night when he'd tried to let her know that Greg wasn't in the office like he said he was, her trust in him had really pissed off. Would now be a good time to let Cynthia know about Greg's affair when she was still raw over Jesse's poisoning?
*
Mike's stomach flipped as he stared at Greg's house with Cynthia's car parked in front. She was in there right now, alone. He'd watched Greg leave in his car a few minutes earlier, he must have got it back from the garage. Mike knew he probably wouldn't have an opportunity like this again. He didn't yet know whether he was going to tell Cynthia about Greg's affair, he would have to weigh up the situation and judge whether this was the right time in order to benefit himself.
He looked at the front room window, trying to see any movement from inside. He saw nothing to indicate that Cynthia was walking around inside or was looking out at him right now. If she asked him why he came he would just tell her he'd heard about Jesse and wanted to offer his support.
Mike stepped out of his car, walked up the driveway and knocked loudly on the front door. He hoped Cynthia wasn't asleep or in the shower. Greg wouldn't be in the office long and it wouldn't take him long to figure out that his signature wasn't actually needed on the paperwork. He had a very short window of opportunity before Greg figured out Mike wanted him out of the way so he could visit Cynthia. When he heard the footsteps approaching the front door he began to shuffle nervously.
This could be it. His one and only golden opportunity. He ought to call Ashley and thank her for she had unwittingly aided him in his effort to get Cynthia. Cynthia open the door and Mike stepped back in surprise. He had never seen Cynthia look so terrible. Her hair was in disarray and sticking out in certain places as if she'd just got out of bed. Her expression was pale with dark rings circling her eyes. She looked as though she'd been crying, too.
“Sorry. Have I just woke you up?”
Cynthia's smile slightly. “Do I look that bad?”
Mike shrugged and gave her one of his best smiles. “You do look a little run down.”
“Is that just a nice way of telling me I look as rough as toast?”
Mike laughed a little but he was confused. She didn't sound as terrible as she looked and she didn't appear to be grieving as hard as he thought she would be.
“Sorry for dropping by unannounced again. But I just heard about Jesse I wanted to see how you are.”
“Well if you'd turned up half an hour ago you'd have found me in a terrible state. But I just got off the phone to the vet about 10 minutes ago. He said Jesse's going to be fine. They're going to keep her in tonight for observation but she should be coming home tomorrow.”
“That's fantastic news,” Mike lied. Shit. There goes my plan.
He needed Cynthia to be upset and vulnerable if his plan was going to work. Couldn't the dog have stayed sick just a little longer, or better yet just died?
“And how is Greg? I heard about his car accident yesterday.”
“If you can call it an accident,” Cynthia replied. “The police think someone intentionally tampered with his brakes.”
“Does Greg have any idea who it could be?”
Cynthia lowered her eyes and shrugged slightly. “Not that he's saying. But I get the feeling he's keeping something from me, like he's trying to protect me. The police think whoever tampered with his brakes might be the same person who poisoned Jesse.”
Mike's stomach squirmed in excitement. “Why would Greg keep something like that from you? If he's having a problem with someone who is capable of poisoning your dog and messing with his car wouldn't he tell the police?”
Cynthia shrugged again. “Like I said, I feel like he's trying to protect me from something.” She looked Mike in the eye. “Ple
ase don't repeat any of this to Greg. He seems to be taking all this pretty badly and just wish he'd open up to me. If there is something going on at have a right to know.”
I'm going for it. “I've heard things at the office. There are some rumours floating around.”
“Rumours about Greg's car accident and Jesse's poisoning?”
“Yeah. And about who may be behind it all, and why.”
Cynthia made eye contact with him and her shoulders slumped. She appeared to be both intrigued and full of dread. “Do I want to hear this?”
“Can I come in?”
Cynthia took a deep shaky breath and exhaled slowly. “Greg will be back from the office soon, he only popped in for a few minutes. Can you meet me somewhere tomorrow?”
This was working out better than Mike had hoped. He'd have Cynthia all to himself and he planned to tell her everything.
“Yes. We'll meet tomorrow. How about the cafe in town? The one near the traffic lights?”
“Yes, we'll meet there. Shall we say about 12 o'clock?”
“Perfect.”
Cynthia lowered her head. She had turned a sickly shade of grey and she gnawed on her lower lip. For the first time since arriving Mike felt a stab of concern.
“Are you okay?”
“Thanks for coming, Mike, but I need to be alone now. I have some things to think about.”
“Are you sure?”
Cynthia nodded slowly. “If what is actually going on is what I suspect then yes, I'll have a lot to think about. I'll see you tomorrow, Mike.”
Cynthia closed the door abruptly in Mike's face. It was looking as though he wouldn't have to tell Cynthia about Greg's affair for she clearly already suspected it. Somehow, he didn't feel as satisfied as he thought he would. A part of Cynthia appeared to have shut down, emotionally and mentally. He just hoped she could keep it together until after their meeting tomorrow. If she confronted Greg today his plan was shot for tomorrow. Even if he only got Cynthia into bed once he was determined to get Greg out of the picture.
For good.
*
Greg arrived home in his car and jumped out of the vehicle. He immediately noticed Cynthia's car had gone. Within minutes of arriving at the office he'd realised he'd been tricked. The papers Mike had said needed his signature were still on Mike's desk, but Mike was missing. After asking around for him Greg had been told Mike had left the office before he'd arrived. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Mike wanted Greg out of the house and away from Cynthia. To confirm his suspicion and assure himself that he wasn't just paranoid, he'd checked the papers and found none of them needed his signature. If Mike were to tell Cynthia about his affair with Ashley and that she was the cause of Jesse's poisoning and his car accident he would lose her for good.
He rushed inside his house and immediately sensed that something was wrong.
“Cynthia? Cynthia?”
She didn't answer his calls and he rushed from room to room searching for her. She wasn't on the sofa or in bed sleeping and she wasn't in the shower. He found the note she'd left for him on the mantelpiece in the living room.
With dread stirring in his stomach, Greg picked up the note and sat down on the sofa to read it.
Greg. I know that you're keeping something from me, something bad. I don't know how to handle this and knowing that you're keeping something from me hurts more than everything else that's happening. I'm spending the night with my friend from work because I need some distance from you. In the meantime, I hope you'll consider opening up to me and telling me whatever it is you're hiding. Just know that I love you and that will never change. I'll be home tomorrow about 2 o'clock. Cynthia.
Mentally drained and emotionally broken, Greg broke down and cried.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mike swayed under the lamp post, giggling to himself. It was only 9 PM but he'd been at the bar since 5 o'clock, celebrating. Tomorrow was the day he been waiting for for years. Tomorrow was the day that Greg got what he deserved. He felt a little bad when he thought about how badly Cynthia had took the mere suggestion that Greg may be up to something behind her back, but in the long run he was doing her a favour. Greg may feel bad about the affair now, but Mike thought back to the night he saw Greg making love to Ashley over his desk. He certainly wasn't concerned about Cynthia then, or when he'd met her at the Anderson house. If Greg was going to steal the woman Mike wanted he should at least treat her right.
“Who does he think he is, me?” Mike giggled again then pushed himself away from the lamp post. He amused himself most of the way home by trying to walk in straight line, but figured he was making a lousy job of it. When he arrived at his apartment door and found the destroyed red rose lying on his doorstep, it took him a moment to figure out what it actually was. He nudged it with his foot and swayed slightly. Frowning in exaggerated concentration, Mike bent down for a closer look. That's when he realised it was indeed a rose.
“What the hell?” Mike muttered. Finding a mutilated rose on one's doorstep is confusing enough, but in Mike's intoxicated state he was completely baffled and question after question tumbled through his mind.
Had he bought roses for someone earlier tonight and dropped one? Had somebody been by with the delivery of roses and accidentally dropped one? Had it been left by a woman who had been annoyed to find him not home?
Mike didn't know and he didn't care. All he cared about was meeting Cynthia tomorrow and finally winning. He kicked the rose to one side, staggered unsteadily on his feet then laughed out loud. After three attempts he finally got his key into the lock and turned it sharply. He entered his apartment and slammed the door behind him before almost falling to his knees.
Coffee. He was going to need lots of coffee or he was going to wake up with hell of a hangover tomorrow. Without turning on the lights Mike headed to his small kitchen and proceeded to prepare the coffee machine. After spilling the coffee beans all over the floor he settled on making himself a cup of instant coffee and switched the kettle on. Only then did he noticed the smell of perfume in the air.
Mike frowned deeply and glanced around. The smell was familiar, like he'd smelled it on a woman before. He tried to remember which woman he'd last brought back to his apartment. He thought she had black hair but he couldn't be sure. He couldn't even remember her face, never mind the perfume she had worn. Mike shrugged and continued to prepare his coffee.
He needed to think about what he was actually going to say to Cynthia tomorrow. Was he going to tell her straight away about Greg's affair? Would she hold it against him in some way? Women were a strange lot; they could make you feel guilty over something you hadn't even done. The most powerful piece of evidence in his possession was the video footage of Greg and Ashley leaving the Anderson house. The problem was he couldn't show this to Cynthia without her realising he'd spent the night with she and Greg, having dinner and chatting without saying anything. He could tell her that he'd heard rumours of Greg's affair and that he didn't know for sure if they were true. The problem with that was he wanted Cynthia to know for sure that Greg had betrayed her. He didn't want to leave any room for doubt and he didn't want to give Greg any chance to lie his way out of it.
Mike suddenly straightened up as a great idea jolted him. He could say that someone had sent him the footage of Greg and Ashley leaving the Anderson house. He could say he didn't know who had sent it, but that he felt she needed to see it. That could work. That way he could make out that he is the concerned friend looking out for her but that he knew nothing of Greg's infidelity. Cynthia may wonder if he suspected something beforehand but he could simply deny it.
Yes. This was the way to go. Of course, this wouldn't guarantee that Cynthia would leave Greg. In the end she could forgive him and give him another chance. Mike's shoulders slumped at the thought. All his efforts would be wasted. He'd have to really lay it on thick for Cynthia tomorrow and tell her there were rumours of Ashley and Greg sleeping together in the office and taking off for lun
ch hours together. He'd have to make her feel so hurt, betrayed, and crushed that she couldn't ever imagine sharing the same bed as Greg ever again.
If anyone could do it, Mike could. He'd have Cynthia in his bed before the week was out.
As Mike was stirring in coffee whitener with his instant coffee, he realised the smell of perfume was now really strong. He raised his head up and sniffed loudly. He knew he wasn't just smelling things but he couldn't imagine where the smell was coming from. As he turned to throw the used spoon into the sink, he jerked and cried out when he found the figure standing behind him. He glimpsed long blonde hair and a face covered by a black scarf seconds before the butcher knife was rammed into his abdomen. His cry of shock instantly changed to one of surprised pain. He gazed at his attacker, his shock turning to disbelief as he recognised the woman behind the knife.
Ashley! And she's killing me!
The knife was yanked from his stomach only to be thrust immediately into his chest. Unable to speak, unable to breathe, Mike simply looked into those beautiful eyes, pleading silently for his life.
The cold eyes looked down at him, betraying no evidence of emotion. “You won't be saying anything,” she whispered.
She pulled the knife out of Mike's chest and stepped back, smiling as he collapsed to the floor. He instantly curled up in the fetal position, whimpering and gasping. She watched coldly until he died, then smiled. Slipping the bloody butcher knife into her purse, she walked out of Mike's apartment then stopped to pick up the butchered rose she had left as a warning sign.
One down, one to go.
Her blonde hair blowing in the wind, she left silently and headed for Greg's house.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Greg wandered aimlessly from room to room, unsure of what to do with himself. He'd tried to call Cynthia on her mobile phone but she was refusing to answer. He'd also tried to call Mike about five minutes ago but he was also refusing to answer. A sick feeling spread through him as he wondered if Cynthia was at Mike's house. What if Mike had told her everything about Ashley and she had gone to his place seeking comfort. Greg clearly remembered Mike telling him a long time ago that hurt and bitter women were the easiest to seduce. What if on some level Cynthia wanted to hurt Greg back and she was using Mike to do so. The awful thoughts and the stomach churning mental images that accompanied them made Greg realise how much he was asking of Cynthia to forgive him for betraying her with another woman.
A Deadly Affair—The Femme Fatale Series Page 12