by Zrinka Jelic
“Who’s his daddy?” With narrowed eyes, Tom cocked his head as if he knew the answer already.
“Jim Hiltorn. We’re searching for him as a person of interest, but the man is nowhere to be found. He must be getting desperate to pull a stunt like this.” Detective Maloney turned to Olivia. “You worked for him. Do you know where could he be hiding?”
Olivia’s mouth dropped open, her gut clenched. Her boss had sent his son to poison them all? “Just yesterday I discovered he had an affair with Mrs. Baldwin. Maybe he ran to her. I had no idea his company is in such dire straits he’d resort to this. The financial reports showed a steady growth. The company is among the top one hundred.”
Detective Maloney pulled his cell out of his pocket and stood. “Covering one crime often requires committing another, and keeping a high profile attorney on a retainer for the past fifteen years would drain the biggest accounts. I’ll send a unit to Baldwin’s estate.” His gaze settled on Milo. “I’m glad your son’s fine.”
“Thank you, detective. Can we return home?” Tom patted the big man’s shoulder and extended his hand.
“Yes, my men are done.” After their handshake, Maloney saluted by pressing his two fingers to his temple and left the room.
To think Mr. Hiltorn would stoop so low and resort to premeditated murder just to get what he wanted — or rather to get even for what he had not gotten. How long had he been lying to the world about the financial stability of the Intelcorp? Was the life of his corporation truly worth more than lives of all people he’d ruined by cutting them from the payroll? Where would this stop? Olivia stuffed the thought away and returned to her son and daughter, playing on the bed.
Tom packed the last of the items into the diaper bag. “Well, Hiltorn didn’t kill us, but we’ll have to clean the house top to bottom to make sure no pellets were placed where kids could get them. The job will pull me away from the case for a day, but it won’t stop me.” He straightened and squared his jaw. “No doubt they’ll be all well lawyered up, but I’ll be ready to face them in the courtroom.”
CHAPTER 18
Sadness mixed with pride inside Tom. Maria never should’ve seen the inside of a prison. This was why he became a lawyer, to defend the innocent. Had not taken much effort from the detectives to put heat on Ike Hiltorn, the bragging idiot confessed without realizing what he’d done. Confession had concluded Tom’s involvement in the case. His client was free. From now on, he’d be handed larger cases. No more closing mortgages and finalizing divorces.
He pulled his cell out and dialed Olivia.
“Hey.” The sound of her cheerful voice sent warmth racing through his blood. For the past two days she’d been depressed, focusing on cleaning. Thankfully, no more poison pallets had been found.
“I have some great news for Maria, so I’ll be a little later than usual. I should tell her personally.”
“Interrogation went the way you predicted then?” Behind Olivia’s voice was Rosie’s loud babbling.
“Yeah.” He yearned to be home with his loved ones. The trial may not take place if Hiltorn turned himself in and it could mean his time with Olivia was running out. Milo’s complaint about computer not co-operating drifted to the phone from the distance.
“Got to go. Our son messed up my laptop.”
Tom chuckled. “Oh the joys of staying home sick. He’ll be back at school tomorrow.” Never having to miss so many days in a row, their son longed for structured activities. Tom glanced at his wristwatch. “I have to go too so I can get home soon. Get in a celebrating mood.”
Olivia moaned and smacked a kiss in the receiver. “I can hardly wait.”
“Wear something nice under your house coat.” He’d love to take her out, but with two kids the best he could get was dinner at a family restaurant. And with Hiltorn still loose, he decided against asking Jason to babysit. Besides, it was mid-term. Their neighbor would be buried under his books. The young dad must’ve stayed up all night studying when he spotted Ike snooping around. And bottle of an expensive wine and a takeout from her favorite steakhouse, followed by hours of slow pleasing her in front of roaring fireplace, held lots of appeal.
“Only the best for you, but I have to go now.” She rushed the words out as he heard Milo return. Frustration edged the boy’s voice. A click and the line went dead.
Tom pocketed the cell just as Maloney entered the room. “I spoke to the warden of the women’s prison. She wants something in writing of course, but she’ll have Maria transferred to a single cell.”
“That was fast.” Tom scrambled into his coat.
Maloney shrugged. “Baldwin pulled his strings.”
“That explains it.” Tom shook his hand with the detective. “Thanks for all the hard work.”
“Can’t take all the credit. Your help was crucial to the case.”
• • •
Olivia stood glued to the news report on the television. Rosie had fallen to sleep over an hour ago, but Milo kept creeping out of bed and whining to switch the channel back to cartoons. She tucked the remote in the back pocket of her jeans and kissed his forehead. “Enough TV for you today. Your eyes look tired. It’s late. You should be in bed, love. School’s tomorrow.”
The boy hung his head and headed for the stairs. “Fine.”
The Hiltorn case, as media now called it, developed with every passing minute. Photos portraying smiling, beautiful and happy Maria flashed on the screen. Media had turned her into a darling at the flip of a dime. Just yesterday they hadn’t hesitated to show her prison pictures.
“Hi, honey, I’m home.” Tom’s cheerful voice reached Olivia from the foyer, but she could only spare him a quick glance over her shoulder before her eyes flew back to the screen.
Cameras flashed, microphones were shoved in detective Maloney’s face. Uniformed officers struggled to keep overzealous reporters at bay. Hiltorn stepped out of the police vehicle, his hands handcuffed in front, suit jacket covering his head. Maloney grabbed his elbow and led him through the crowd.
Olivia clapped her hands, her heart pounding. Had she never lived this life, she would side with her now incarcerated boss and defend his actions, thinking he only wanted best for the corporation and the greater benefit. There had been multiple options to bail out his business. Attempting a murder shouldn’t be one.
“I missed you, too,” Tom teased as he handed her a glass of red wine. “How long have you been stuck in front of the television?”
She gulped the tangy liquid, a nice vintage meant for sipping, but with everything happening today, she needed something to steady her nerves. Then she chuckled and pressed her body on his. He took the glass from her hand and placed it on the coffee table. In the next instant, his lips crushed hers, his tongue licked them, coaxed them open. With a sigh, she surrendered to him, holding him tight in her arms. Heat pooled in her core with every flick of his tongue. For all she knew, this could be the last opportunity she’d get to make love to him and she wouldn’t waste another minute. The thought made her frantic and in a strange way horny.
His hand cupped her rear, and he pulled out the remote to turn off the blaring television. “Enough of this damn thing. What do you say we finish this bottle in our bedroom?”
He took her hand and led her upstairs, shutting the door of Milo’s room on his way to the master suite. The boy spread over the bed was fast asleep.
“He couldn’t wait for you to get home, and neither could I.” She unzipped his pants and reached inside. His hard cock sent a rush of wetness between her legs.
Tom set the bottle and two glasses on the dresser. With a swift movement, he pressed her back against the wall, and gripped her wrists above her head. Soft moans puffed from her mouth with his kissing and licking of her neck. She wiggled one hand free and unbuckled his belt. He spread her robe open, driving her wild with desire.
His hands caressed down the side of her breasts and slid lower to settle against her waist. “Nice teddy. Love how it covers you
in lace.”
Seeing a fierce desire flashing in his eyes, she was glad she kept the undergarment on. The outfit hardly left anything to imagination, especially the roll on her stomach, which for some reason Tom found very sexy.
Electricity charged the air around them and boosted her arousal. She pushed away from the wall, backing Tom towards the bed. He slid his tie over his head and she gripped the fabric of his shirt, then yanked it apart, sending tiny buttons in all directions. Her hands glided on his rock hard chest.
She stripped off his ruined shirt and pushed on his bare shoulders. He dropped to the bed and raised his hips, allowing her to slide his pants off. She straddled him. “We’ll do it my way this time.”
He teased her nipples through the thin lace by brushing his palms over her hardened nubbins. “Oh, yeah, tonight you take charge.”
Her breath stuck in her throat and she let out a cry of surprise when he slid his hand to her crotch and pulled the snaps free. His finger found her tingling clit and gave it a satisfying rub.
She panted, rose to her knees and poised her entrance over his erection. His hands gripped her hips while she eased down until his hardness filled her.
“Oh … ” Moans overtook her voice as she ground her pelvis against his. He matched her pace with his thrusts, and her cries with grunts. Her climax peeked and passion snapped in her core, releasing the waves of pleasure through her. Tom tightened his hold on her hips, holding her firmly while his plunges deepened.
“Yes, oh, yes.” Holding the scream in her throat, she threw her head back and surrendered to sweet trembles, hoping they would never cease. The quivers led to exhaustion. She collapsed into Tom’s arms and he cradled her against his chest. He kissed her forehead and brushed her hair. Sleep crept over her and strange images formed before her eyes when she started to doze off, but she shook herself awake. With Tom’s case solved, if she fell asleep, he’d be gone by the time she awoke. No, she must not sleep tonight. She could make it.
Tom’s slow and steady breathing confirmed he was asleep. Fuzziness filled her head and her eyelids dropped. Damn, it must be the wine. She never should’ve slurped it so fast. The quiet house and soft bed along with Tom’s warm body lulled her to sleep.
A female’s voice whispering her name woke her. She propped herself on her elbows. “Someone there?” she whispered back.
“Hmm?” Tom rolled to his back.
“Go back to sleep. It’s nothing.” But her curiosity drew her out of bed. She grabbed her slacks and a sweater on her way out of the bedroom.
“This way, Olivia.” The voice coaxed her to follow it down the stairs, through the hallway and into the garage. “There’s something you must see. Get in the car and drive.”
“Are you the angel I saw overtaking Tadem’s body?” Olivia put on a pair of old runners she kept on the garage shelf.
“Yes.”
“Maybe I should leave a note for Tom.” She turned toward the door.
The voice stopped her. “No time. We must go. Now.”
The driver’s door to her van opened. Olivia narrowed her eyes. She swallowed a lump forming in her throat. Her feet carried her closer to the vehicle. A nagging deep in her gut told her she must do as requested. No backing out.
CHAPTER 19
Olivia gripped the steering wheel in a feeble attempt to steady her trembling hands. The cold air and her shivering assured her she wasn’t trapped inside a nightmare. The angel’s whispers had lured her out of cozy bed and Tom’s embrace. This was the reality.
Reality? For the past three months, her perception was distorted. She stared at the rear-view mirror, hoping she’d catch a glimpse of the angel. “Why can’t I see you?”
“We only show ourselves to those worthy of seeing us.” The soft voice seemed to come through the car speakers, but the key wasn’t in the ignition and no lights lit the dashboard.
She licked her parched lips. “Worthy of seeing you? Like Tadem?”
“Yes, like her and … Tom.”
Olivia’s blood froze and her heart dropped. “Tom? Why him?”
What the hell was she doing in this freezing garage instead of snuggled in bed with her husband? This was absurd. She grabbed onto handle, but the door wouldn’t open. Jamming her shoulder against the stiff metal produced the same result. The entity had trapped her.
Her heart sped and she jabbed her elbow at the door panel. Pain ripped through her arm. Wincing, she cupped her joint in her palm. “Are you doing this? Let me out. I’m not driving anywhere.”
“You must. It’s time.”
“Time for what?” A strange lethargy set over her, and she leaned back in her seat. She stood powerless against the higher being, and things may get worse if she didn’t cooperate. “I forgot my key inside the house. The car won’t start without it.”
The engine roared to life and the dashboard lit up. Her hands flew away from the steering wheel. “How the hell?”
Heat poured out of the vents and for a moment calmed her chills. She watched her hands on the steering wheel reversing out of the garage and onto the road. Her mind screamed to stop, run away, do something, anything, to get back into the house, but her body no longer answered to her commands. “So where to?”
“You know. You always knew.”
“I do?” She dragged the words out, but a picture of her destination formed in her head and she shifted into drive. “But what’s there, other than a spot on a winding country road?”
“It’s where your future begins.” The whisper behind her head rose hairs on her nape.
Drifting snow blew over the road as she drove on, glancing at the reflection of her house in the mirrors until she no longer could spot its brick siding.
She drove in silence and merged onto almost deserted highway. “You still here?”
“Keep going.” The voice filled the interior. If this was God’s messenger, its ways were mysterious.
“Mind if I put on some music?” No reply came from the angel. Olivia pulled a CD out of the case and inserted the disk. Sounds of pipe-organ from The Phantom of the Opera startled her, but she burst into ironic laughter. How fitting. Hadn’t the heroine believed an angel of music taught her to sing? When in fact the angel was a demented man with disfigured face.
Maybe the angel in Olivia’s car was some lunatic hiding in shadows. She should sing along to pass the time, hide her fear or scare her personal phantom away. Her stab at the soprano could raise the dead she’d been told. Then there was something to be said about prudent silence.
Oh what the heck, it just may work. After the opening piano chords, she joined in with the lead soprano. The words tightened her throat and choked her singing. Her voice tapered off. The lyrics hit too damn close to home. Would Tom think of her? Would his love fade? No, they had promised each other many times. She must hold on to the vow. All she had to do was drive to the destination and then … what? What waited for her there?
Snowflakes whirled in the beams of her headlights, stirring the darkness as her car sped ahead. The last track on the CD played when she took the exit ramp.
She took note of the road signs and the landmarks. Waterloo County. She was outside the city already. Enter the roundabout and take the first right. The voice boomed in her head.
“Blair Road.” She read the green sign. After passing a few scarce houses lining the narrow and winding asphalt, her surrounding dissolved into darkness. Her foot pushed on the brake pedal. Her instinct told her to go back. She grabbed the gearstick and tried to shift into reverse, but the transmission wouldn’t budge. Past the point of no return … the phantom’s singing warned her to follow the road ahead and find spot where she could make a wide turn.
Through the veil of darkness, dense forest loomed over the road. She must’ve passed the last sign of civilization some fifteen minutes ago. The angel remained silent or maybe had abandoned her. The Phantom CD started playing from the beginning. She flipped on high beams. The glistening snowflakes blinded her, and
she switched back to regular headlights.
The heavy snowfall and wiper blades racing at full speed back and forth across the windshield made it hard to see the road ahead. This was crazy. What was she thinking when she left the safety of her home? When would she learn to listen to reason? And now she was hopelessly lost. Served her right.
If Tom woke and found her gone, he’d be worried and livid with her for heading out into the night alone. She should call him. He’d come to her rescue, or send help considering she was over an hour’s drive away from the city.
She slid her hand inside her coat pocket. Her fingers grasped the liner, and her breath caught. Impossible, her cell had to be in there. She wiggled her fingers, inspecting the pouch, hoping the phone would appear. Where could she have left the stupid thing? She slapped her leg. “Top of the microwave.”
That was where she’d placed her cell after talking to Tom. Damn, her head must’ve been in a gutter. What should she do now? The GPS! The device only gave garbled static and displayed squiggly lines. What the hell? It worked a minute ago.
A pickup truck pulled up behind her. She blew out a breath of relief. The driver could help her turn the car around and direct her back to the highway. She squinted at the intense lights mounted at the top of the cabin roof illuminating the interior of her car. What was going on?
The vehicle slowed down and its lights sunk in her rear-view mirror. Scenes from the horror movies involving the lost women on the abandoned road flashed before her eyes.
The pickup sped up and came to her rear bumper, flashing those bright lights inside her cabin. Shouts of young males reached her. The guys must be drunk or high, or maybe both.
“Oh god,” she gasped. Fear sent needles down her spine, stiffening her arms and shoulders.
The truck’s lights faded into the distance again. Maybe they’d had a bit of fun with her and would leave her alone. Then it began again. At the fast approaching beams and roaring laughter, a scream ripped from her throat.
The shouts grew louder. A bottle thrown from the truck shattered against her trunk. “City folks don’t belong here.”