An Uncertain Affair (The Affair Series Book 2)

by Randi Ocean

  “I know that, but they have to check with anyone who had contact with her in the last couple of days.”

  Across the way, Nicole and Adele were each walking into separate rooms. Detective Roberts walked up to Sally and me.

  “Ms. Stone, could you come with me?”

  “Can Sally come with me?”

  “I guess that would be okay,” he said.

  Sally followed me into a small meeting room. It was actually an interrogation room, but even thinking of it that way was making me nauseous. We sat down, and he got right to business.

  “Ms. Stone, when was the last time you saw Ms. Essex before this morning?”

  “It was Tuesday. She and I were planning to go to the North Coast together for New Year’s but she stayed behind to work through the holiday. I talked to her yesterday on my way back. She seemed fine.”

  “Where was she when you talked to her?”

  “She was at the studio with Nicole prepping for the shoot.”

  “Did she say she had been feeling ill or was having any problems at that point?”

  “No.”

  “Was that the last contact you had with her before this morning?”

  I remembered her text. “No, she texted me last night just as I was going to bed to say that Adele had come by the studio to tell them we were going to be doing more work for Sergio than was originally planned.” I pulled out my phone and showed him the text.

  “What did she mean by ‘hell for me’?” he asked.

  “She normally worked with Dane as the lead food stylist. Adele had insisted Nicole take the lead on this job, and Valerie was going to have to work as her assistant. Valerie wasn’t crazy about the idea but was dealing with it. When the schedule got extended, she was going to have to deal with it a lot longer than we originally thought. She was always a team player, though. That’s why she said she would survive.”

  “I see. And how did you feel about the situation?”

  “I just wanted to produce a beautiful book. We all looked at it as a team effort. It was going to be huge for all of us to say we had worked on a Sergio Ramirez book. That’s why Valerie agreed to work as Nicole’s assistant in the first place, so she would have that experience on her resume.”

  “Why did you decide not to use the Epipyn from Valerie’s purse?”

  “Was it there?! Oh, my God, I never found it -- there was so much stuff in that bag!” I started to cry. I couldn’t believe I had overlooked it.

  “Okay, let’s get back to where you were the last few days. Were you by yourself up on the North Coast? Can anyone verify you were there?”

  I could feel my face flush. “I went there to be alone, but I ran into Sergio not long after I arrived. His family has a house that was right near where I was staying. It was a total surprise.” Sally glared at me. I turned to her and said, “I swear, I didn’t plan it. It just happened.”

  “Okay, I get the picture,” Detective Roberts said. “Wait here.” He left the room.

  Sally got up and started pacing. “I thought we agreed you would keep your distance from him.”

  “I was trying. That’s one of the reasons I went up there, to be away for New Year’s and put some space between us.” Sally was about to respond when Detective Roberts came back in the room.

  “Ms. Stone, you’re free to go. We’re arresting Nicole Terry for the murder of Valerie Essex.”

  “Seriously?!” I said in disbelief.

  “All the evidence points to her, and she has the strongest motive of anyone to eliminate Valerie. She’s still proclaiming her innocence, but it’s pretty clear she’s responsible.”

  “This is just insane!” I said as I walked out.

  Sergio and Cy were there, talking with an officer across the way. Sergio came over to me when he saw me walking out.

  “Bridget, are you okay?”

  “Not really. I can’t believe this is happening.”

  He hugged me and said, “Cy and I are working with Nicole’s lawyer to get her out on bail. It doesn’t look like anything will happen until Monday after her arraignment, though. Can I see you later?”

  I looked at Sally, but answered him. “I don’t think that would be a good idea right now.” I turned to Sergio and added, “You should get back and help Cy and Nicole. I’m going home. It’s been a long day.”

  “Okay. I will check on you over the weekend.” Sergio kissed my cheek and headed back toward Cy.

  Sally hugged me and said, “I’m going to have a brief conversation with Detective Roberts, but I’ll come by your house to see you in a little bit.”

  “Okay, see you there.”

  I drove through the darkness. The night air felt particularly cold. I just wanted to crawl back under the covers and hope that when I woke up, this would all turn out to be a bad dream. But it wasn’t.

  Sally arrived a few minutes after me. “Bridget, you must try to get some rest. And try not to communicate with Sergio. I have a feeling there will be a lot of press about this because of Nicole’s connection to the Ramirez family. I’m sure there will be reporters everywhere, so be on the lookout and avoid them at all costs.”

  “I understand,” I said with resignation.

  “With Nicole in custody and so much evidence against her, hopefully the whole thing will be over with quickly.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “Detective Roberts filled me in on what they’ve found so far, and it’s a pretty strong case. Apparently there were even some e-mails between her and Adele saying she wished Valerie was out of the picture. I guess she thought Valerie was too talented and might upstage her.”

  “Unbelievable. Will you let me know if you hear anything more from Detective Roberts?”

  “I will. He’s my husband, so we stay in pretty close contact,” Sally said, smiling, trying to lighten my mood.

  “Thank you, Sally, for everything.”

  “You take it easy. I’ll call you tomorrow,” Sally said, hugging me.

  “Okay. Good night.” I closed the door behind her and slumped to the floor.

  The fatigue and emptiness were crushing. I didn’t even have the strength to get out of my clothes. I just slid off my shoes and got into bed. The numbness was so profound even the tears wouldn’t come.

  Chapter 13

  Saturday morning, I lingered in bed, thinking about the last twenty-four hours. It was surreal. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table to check my messages, and there were thirteen voicemails and a text from Dane: don’t answer ur phone unless u know who it is. The reporters r digging 4 dirt. Call me if u feel up to it. I dialed Dane right away.

  “Hey, girl,” he answered quietly. “How’re you doing?”

  “I don’t know. I just can’t wrap my brain around this. How’re you? What’s going on?”

  “I’m still pretty shaken up, too, but doing okay, I guess, considering…. I got a call back from that detective yesterday afternoon. The CSI team wanted to go through the studio to see if they could find any more evidence, so Steve and I went over there to let them in. By the time they were done, remote trucks were lining the street outside the building. Several reporters tried to stop me to talk, but I just kept going. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing. It’s excruciating.”

  “That’s what all those messages are about. I haven’t listened to them yet. I just saw your text and wanted to talk to you.”

  “Well, one of those messages is from me, but I would bet the others are reporters digging for scoop. Unless you’re ready for your fifteen minutes of fame, I would lie low.”

  “I plan to do just that. What’re you and Steve up to?”

  “We’re going to meet Valerie’s parents when they get in this afternoon. Her mom asked me if I could help them figure out some arrangements.”

  “If I can do anything, let me know.”

  “I will girlfriend. You take it easy.”

  I made some coffee and looked through the list of missed calls to see if I recognized any of t
he numbers besides Dane’s. Sergio had called early in the morning. I started sifting through the voicemails, deleting each as soon as they started, until I got to Sergio’s.

  “Bridget, my sweet,” he said softly in a ragged voice. “I’m sick over this. I haven’t slept, and I really need to see you. Can we get together later to talk? Please? Call me.”

  I could tell he was hurting, too. The emotional stress on him must have been tremendous, knowing that all this was happening because of the book. On top of that, Valerie’s death was so similar to his wife’s. He was probably reliving that awful memory. I had to stay strong and stay away from him for a while until this settled down. I could not waver this time. I texted him: got ur message. I’m not up 4 talking yet. Try to get some rest. I’ll be in touch

  I pulled out my iPad and logged on to CNN.com to see if the story had made its way to the national news yet. It was in the middle of the home page. There was a photograph of the signage for Pratt Photography. The blurb read:

  “An investigation is underway in Portland, OR into the apparent murder of one of star chef Sergio Ramirez’s food stylists at the studio of Pratt Photography yesterday. Details of the case have not been released, other than the victim was 27-year-old Valerie Essex. Photography for Ramirez’s new book was set to begin next week but has been postponed indefinitely.”

  Two stories below that was a photograph of Clint Sinclair and information about his hearing. My head was spinning. How could this be my life?

  My phone rang. It was Sally. “Good morning, Bridget. Did you get any sleep?”

  “Some. I was exhausted, but it was hard to turn my brain off.”

  “I can imagine. Well, I just wanted to check on you. There isn’t much new, other than the fact that Nicole is having a hard time making the wardrobe adjustment. Apparently orange is not her color. She’s been having a bit of a breakdown behind bars.”

  “Has she said anything more about Valerie or how she did this?”

  “No, her lawyer is keeping her on a tight leash, but they’re pushing hard to get her out on bail. She’s very emotionally distraught.”

  “She should be, if she has come to her senses and has realized what she’s done. I still can’t believe Valerie’s gone.”

  “I know. Have any services or arrangements been made yet?”

  “No, but all of that should be figured out by tomorrow.”

  “Well, you hang in there, and call me if there’s anything you need. I’m around and happy to come over if you want some company.”

  “Thank you, Sally. I really just need to lie low and be by myself for a little while. I’ll call you if I need anything.”

  “Okay, talk to you soon.”

  I sat in the dark in my living room. I hadn’t opened the shades, not wanting to acknowledge the day. The silence was deafening; I felt completely paralyzed. I pulled up the pictures Valerie and I had taken during our weekend together over Thanksgiving. There were a few selfies of the two of us and some pictures of the amazing food she had prepared. She was a beautiful girl and such a good friend. The tears came back uncontrollably.

  **

  The rest of the day, I didn’t do much but sleep and read. Dane texted me Saturday night and asked me if I would join him, Steve, and Valerie’s parents for brunch on Sunday. I knew it would be a difficult get-together, but I wanted to meet Valerie’s parents under better circumstances than at a funeral home, so I agreed to go.

  The café was casual, almost diner-like. When I arrived, Dane introduced me to Valerie’s parents, Joy and Robert Essex. We exchanged handshakes and pleasantries while we waited for a table. Within a few minutes, the hostess escorted us to a large booth. The dining room was buzzing, almost completely full. Our waiter encouraged us to place our orders before the church crowd descended on them. Once our orders were in, we could relax and talk.

  “Valerie told us so many nice things about you, Bridget,” Joy said. “She was very happy when you started working with Dane.”

  “I was thrilled to get the job working with Dane and Valerie. They made such a good team. She was also a good friend, and we had so much fun over Thanksgiving.”

  “She sent us pictures from your weekend. It looked like you were having a good time. You could always be sure there would be good food around if Valerie was there,” Robert said, tearing up a little.

  “She was very lucky to have you two,” Joy said, gesturing to Dane and me.

  “I wish I could have done more,” I said, choking up as I spoke.

  “Bridget, we know you did everything you could,” Robert said. “We’re grateful you discovered the almond extract in the water. Nicole might have gotten away with it otherwise.

  Our food came, and when the waiter was gone, the conversation shifted to the memorial.

  “Valerie wanted to be cremated, so we’ll take her ashes home with us, but we would like to have a service of sorts for her here before we go back,” Joy said. “Valerie wouldn’t want anything sad or serious. She would want it to be a party. We were thinking we might rent a private room at Anthony’s and have a celebration of her life there. We have to move everything out of her house this week, so we’re thinking maybe next weekend would be a good time.”

  “That sounds like a perfect idea. I know Valerie would love that,” Dane said. “Bridget and I can help you get the word out if you’d like.”

  “We would love your help. Just let us know about how many people you think we can expect so we can be sure we plan accordingly,” Robert said, then added, “I’m not sure we want Sergio or any of his people there, though. I know we have to see them in court on Monday, but I don’t particularly want them at Valerie’s celebration.”

  “I totally get that,” Dane said. “We’ll make sure they know they’re not welcome.”

  I knew Sergio would be devastated that he couldn’t pay his respects to Valerie at this celebration. He was reeling from the whole situation already, and this could drive him into even deeper depression. I had to be the one to tell him.

  **

  We finished up brunch, and everyone headed their separate ways. When I was on the road, I called Sergio.

  “Bridget, I’m so happy to hear from you,” Sergio said with very little energy in his voice.

  “How’re you doing?” I asked.

  “Honestly, I’m having a very difficult time. It’s hard not to feel responsible. Even though her death was not by my hands, it was still a result of my project. That’s the troublesome reality.”

  “Sergio, you had no way of knowing this was going on. You can’t take on that burden. Do you get any sense that Cy knew how Nicole felt about Valerie?”

  “Cy still claims she’s innocent. He can’t accept the evidence. He and Adele are visiting with Nicole now. Cy said she was having a pretty rough time.”

  “Prison isn’t supposed to be easy. She’s bound to have trouble adjusting from a blissful life with Cy to wearing an orange jumpsuit and having a roommate for the rest of her life,” I said rather harshly, and regretted my words the moment I said them. “I’m sorry, Sergio. I’m just so angry.”

  “I know. I’m angry and hurt and frustrated and sad…and it has brought up so much of what I felt when Marissa died. It’s all so terrible.”

  “I’m sorry. I know this must be even harder to deal with because of that. I imagine it must be putting some strain on your relationship with Cy, too.”

  “It is. Adele has been the rock through it all. It’s almost like it hasn’t hit her yet.”

  “Seems like she’s always been the one to keep a focus on the business and not get emotional.”

  “You’re very observant. That’s one of her traits that kept me grounded and got me back on track. Oh, Bridget, it is so good to talk to you. Can I see you? Would you come here and talk?”

  I knew I needed to address the subject of Valerie’s memorial, and because of Sergio’s fragile state, I thought maybe I should talk to him in person.

  “Sure,” I said. “Can
I come over now? I could probably be there in fifteen to twenty minutes.”

  “That would be perfect. Thank you. Just talking with you about it makes me feel better.”

  “It helps me, too. See you soon.”

  “’Bye.”

  Sergio sent the elevator down to get me. He was waiting in the foyer when the door slid open on the fifth floor. We fell into each other’s arms in a comforting embrace. This was not about romance. We needed each other for support to get through this horrible time. Sergio held my hand as we walked to the living room. The fire was blazing, and there was an open bottle of wine on the table ready to be poured. He filled our glasses and sat back, putting distance between us as he had the last time I was there.

  “I’m very grateful you called me. I’ve been alone with my thoughts for too many hours and was not in a very good place.”

  “I understand. It’s very hard not to blame yourself. I’ve been going through a lot of that myself. Why didn’t I notice the smell sooner? Why didn’t I realize Valerie was having an allergic reaction when she walked in? There are so many things I wish I could go back and do differently. But we can’t change the outcome. We can only get to the truth. I want to know how Nicole came up with this idea.”

  “I know, there are still so many questions,” Sergio said.

  “Dane and I just had lunch with Valerie’s parents. They’re going to be here all week cleaning out Valerie’s house, and they want to plan a memorial celebration of her life for next weekend.”

  “I want to contribute to that in some way,” Sergio said, aching to compensate for what had happened.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You must understand that it would be difficult for Valerie’s parents to have any of your team take part in Valerie’s memorial.”

  “They must know that I am totally devastated by this and had nothing to do with it!” Sergio said, his voice cracking, as he began to cry. He dropped his face into his hands as the tears came uncontrollably. I put my arm around him and held him for a long time as he sobbed. Finally, he was cried out, totally exhausted and numb.