The tables were covered with white linen. In the center, four high vases with white calla lilies and roses submerged in water. Gold napkins lay next to white china with gold around the edge and gold silverware.
Everything was perfect including Sam on her arm, who smiled at her as if she was the only one in the room. The outside world was forgotten as she focused on the man whose arm rested comfortably around her waist, and she liked it. Sam was gorgeous and he was hers—at least for the evening—in the make believe world centered around this gala.
He could definitely be a male model. Eduardo had asked Sam if he wanted the work and the question was met with a dark scowl. She didn’t want any other woman’s hands or eyes on him.
The gala kicked off with a Nat King Cole impersonator—her idea—and the music of Motown reigned throughout the evening. They sat at the table with Robyn and Dennis and two other couple who also volunteered at the Foundation.
Dinner conversation was light, thanks to Dennis. His light bantering about who had the prettiest date even pulled Sam into the conversation. Alexandria thought Robyn looked wonderful in her long black evening gown. The two other couple bowed out of the discussion so Dennis and Sam declared it a tie.
After dinner, Alexandria made the rounds to talk with the guests, wanting to ensure they didn’t forget to leave their large donation checks. Sam was an arm’s length away. When anyone came too close he was right at her elbow easing her back into him with his arm gently around her waist. She could get used to that and smiled at him.
The dance floor opened up and she thought Sam would ask her to dance. A couple of the donors asked, but she turned them down waiting for Sam’s invitation. His eyes focused on the room watching for any sign of trouble. She wanted his eyes focused on her, and was about to ask him to dance when Matt took her hand and wheeled her to the dance floor.
“You cut your ponytail off,” Alexandria laughed, letting him lead as he twirled her around the dance floor while the band cooed their rendition of Unchained Melody. “You dance very well for daddy’s hired help.”
“Ouch. I deserve that. Sorry about what happened at your place.” Matt became serious when the song ended. He pulled at his bow tie. “I hate tuxedos. Let’s get some air.”
Matt took her hand and led her out to a private terrace. His eyes had lost the playfulness he had on the dance floor. They hadn’t spoken since finding the hidden camera at her apartment. She was still a little upset with him, but couldn’t stay mad at him. They had been through too much together over the years. When Damien left he’d stayed up with her all night while she cried in her ice cream.
“You look beautiful,” Matt said as he leaned over and kissed her. Not on the cheek like he usually does, but on the lips.
She was too stunned to react. “Matt?”
For as long as she’d known him he had never made so much as a pass at her. When she tried last Christmas to move things along between them, he turned her down. And tonight he was…what? She was confused.
“I chose your father’s money over you,” he said with regret in his voice. “We could have had something great. O’Malley is the smart one. He chose you from day one.”
“Matt…” Alexandria didn’t know what to say. She had always flirted with him, but he’d never acted on it. Now she knew why. It was all because of daddy’s money.
“I just wanted to…” Matt leaned in to kiss to her again but this time she saw it coming and pressed her hand to his lips.
“No.”
He caught her hand and kissed it. “I know, you’re in love with Sam. I can tell. I guess I didn’t want it to be true. You’re different. It’s as though you’ve stepped out from your father’s shadow and came into your own.”
Alexandria didn’t say anything. Matt took her hand and they sat together on the bench in silence. Music and laughter drifted though the open door from the ballroom. A couple came out and headed to the other end of the terrace. Turning to Matt, she could see the hurt in his eyes. He touched her face and she turned her cheek into his hand.
“You’ve always been a good friend even when I didn’t deserve it. I thought all you wanted was friendship.”
“So did I until O’Malley rode into town on his white horse,” he said attempting a smile.
“You brought him into town,” Alexandria said, looking toward the door when another couple came out on the terrace laughing.
“Yeah, but I didn’t know he was going to make a play for you. I didn’t even think you were his type.”
“It hasn’t been easy, Matt. You’re right. I do love him, but it’s one-sided,” she confessed. “When he finds the stalker, he’ll leave me.”
“You could be wrong.”
“I wish I was. Are we going to be okay?” She didn’t want him to walk out of her life. Too many people already had. Some didn’t even have the courage to say goodbye. They’d had some good times together. He was the backup last minute date or a shoulder to cry on.
“I’m a big boy,” he said with a sad smile. “We’ll always be friends. Right?”
She nodded.
Sam came out on the terrace and Matt got up releasing her hand. “Your shift,” he said to Sam. “I better get back to work.”
“They’re wrapping up,” Sam said, his eyes following Matt as he left the terrace.
Matt had always been there for her as a buffer sometimes between her and her father. Most of the time, he was her last line of defense against her father when she couldn’t get through to him. When she wanted to move out, he was the first person she’d told because she needed an ally. They were friends yet now she felt as though their friendship had changed. She thought about sharing this with Sam, because he stood there looking at her as if he was waiting for an explanation. She didn’t think he would understand.
“I better go and thank everyone for coming.”
She stepped passed him and he caught her arm. “Alexandria?”
“Yes?” Alexandria looked up at him. His eyes were asking for an explanation of what just happened between her and Matt. She wasn’t about to give him one and he knew it.
“Never mind.”
• • •
He smelled Alexandria’s perfume as he stepped through the door, closing it behind him. O’Malley had changed the locks but he had gotten a new set of keys. Turning off the alarm, he walked into the living room. Alexandria and O’Malley were checked into the hotel enjoying the gala. He should have been the one escorting her, but she hadn’t invited him.
This was his fourth visit to her apartment. White was her favorite color, a pure and innocent color. But it wasn’t pure any more. She’d defiled herself by sleeping with O’Malley.
How could Alexandria have allowed O’Malley to touch her in that way? Crying out his name like she was some whore. She belonged to him. No one had ever touched him the way she had touched O’Malley in a very long time. Every time he closed his eyes, he could hear her crying out O’Malley’s name, begging him for more.
She was supposed to touch him that way and cry out his name. He’d tried to get that traffic cop to touch him that way and she had spat in his face. Too bad she had to die. Alexandria would be next.
Pushing his hands in the white latex gloves, he began to go through the drawers in the kitchen until he found a sharp butcher knife. Picking up his knapsack he’d left by the door, he headed for the bedroom, his boots clunking on the hardwood floor.
He opened a pack of blood and squirted it on the walls. He moved to the washroom. Pulling the clothes from the walk-in closet, he dumped another pack of blood all over them.
Returning to the bedroom, he stood in front of the bed staring at it. With both hands wrapped around the knife like a man possessed, he drove it deep into the bed until there was nothing left of the mattress but shreds of material and exposed coils. Then he proceeded to empty the rest of blood onto the mattress.
They couldn’t use the bed to hurt him any more. He saw a picture of Alexandria in a crystal
frame on the nightstand and reached for it. She was laughing at him. There was another picture, staring at him begging for his forgiveness. He smashed it against the dresser and retrieved the picture. Reaching for the scissors he had picked up in the washroom, he began cutting up all the pictures he’d taken from each picture frame, then sprinkled the pieces like confetti on the bed. He wouldn’t forgive her this time.
She had to be punished.
She had to die.
She must die.
“Well, I have to say, this will definitely drive her back home to the estate.”
The harsh voice brought him around and he came face to face with the last person he expected to see standing at the door. His large frame filled the doorway.
“Very nice, Cain.” His eyes followed the mess. “Bleeding walls. I must say you have a dark side to you for a doorman, but then I already knew that.”
“What are you doing here?” Cain gathered his knapsack, ignoring him as he shoved the empty blood packs into his bag. He wasn’t sure if it was the smell of the blood or the man that made him feel queasy all of a sudden.
“You shouldn’t have killed the cop. It wasn’t part of the deal.”
“It was necessary.” Cain zipped up the knapsack, moving quickly toward the door. That’s when he saw the silencer. He watched still hands patiently screwing it onto the weapon. “You can’t do this.” The knapsack slipped from Cain’s grip.
“It’s necessary.” A cold smile spread across his lips as he tightened the silencer on the gun. “You’ve outlived your usefulness and I’m afraid I can’t take the chance of having you being connected to me.”
“No. You’ll never get away with it.”
“Yes, I will. It’s simple. You’re so distraught about Alexandria and Sam sleeping together, it drove you over the edge. You’ve decided that you can’t live without Alexandria any more and killed yourself leaving behind a suicide note,” he pulled the note from his pocket. “This explains how sorry you are for all the trouble you’ve caused. You hope she forgives you. Oh, and you apologize for killing the cop.”
“No one will believe it. How are you going to explain the truck with the bullet holes?”
“Your prints are all over it, not mine.”
“I’ll see you in hell.”
• • •
Sam watched as Alexandria moved around the room, smiling and shaking hands with the guests as they gathered around her. She glowed. Her smile was like the sun in the universe and everyone gravitated around, congratulating her on a job well done, from the food to the music.
The planning of the gala was an incredible undertaking and she had exceeded all expectations, including his. She had done a whole lot more work than the other members on the committee and had a lot more class than some of them if he had anything to say about it. And he had plenty.
The incident at the dance club was past and gone. Water under the bridge and yet someone brought it up. When he was about to step in, she touched his arm, indicating she could handle it. And she did, by smiling at the woman who, in his opinion, looked like she should be in a wax museum. Alexandria changed the subject by complimenting the diamond choker the woman had around her neck. It looked like a dog’s collar, but what did he know about jewelry fashion.
A wisp of hair escaped the pins holding the mounts of curls in place and Sam wanted to reach over and tuck it behind her ear. He was close enough to do it but restrained himself.
On the walk in from the terrace, she hadn’t mentioned anything about what he’d interrupted between her and Matt. It didn’t look like she was about to anytime soon. Clearly, it was none of his business
Why should she explain anything to him? Despite his wandering thoughts earlier, he had no claims on her. He’d told her in plain English that their relationship should be kept on a professional level. Yet that didn’t stop the green-eyed monster from rearing its ugly head once again. The band played softly in the background while some of the guests exited the ballroom.
“Sweetie, you’ve outdone yourself this year.” Robyn hugged her. She was next in line, waiting for her turn to congratulate Alexandria. “I loved everything from the food to the décor.”
“Thank you.”
“Dennis actually stayed for the entire thing this year,” Alexandria said, surprised. “Usually he’s calling a cab by dessert.”
“It was the Nat King Cole impersonator,” Robyn laughed. “He’s over there talking to him,” she pointed across the room toward the stage. “Listen, I have some great news to share with you. How about lunch Monday?” Robyn looked at Sam and he shook his head. “In the cafeteria at the Foundation, and you’re also invited.” Robyn said hopefully.
Alexandria looked up at him waiting for his response. “Come on, she invited you too. Please.”
He nodded. Tonight he couldn’t say no to her.
“Thank you,” she said with a smile meant just for him, taking his hand. “See you Monday, Robyn. Oh, the final numbers aren’t in yet, but I’m almost positive we made our goal this year.”
Robyn’s eyes misted. “My dream is finally coming true. Thank you. I hope you both are going straight to bed,” she said to Sam and blew them a kiss as she crossed the room toward Dennis.
“Ready to go?”
“Yes, I am. My feet are killing me. Thank you for making this night happen, incident free.”
“I had a lot of help.”
“I know, but I want to thank you any way.” She reached up and kissed him. He didn’t back away or object. Her lips were soft as they caressed his slowly and he didn’t want the kiss to end. His hands circled her waist, pulling her closer. Someone bumped into them and they pulled apart breathing heavily.
“Even though no cameras were allowed, except the Foundation’s photographer, you know someone is going to leak the news of you locking lips with your bodyguard.”
“I don’t mind. Do you?”
“Not in the least. Shall we continue this upstairs?” He asked, running his thumb over her lips. He wasn’t thinking about tomorrow. It was about right now. Right now, he wanted this woman like the very air he breathed.
“Yes.”
They left the ballroom, hand in hand, crossing the lobby to the elevators when Sam heard someone scream. The glass wall shattered around the seating area not far from the glass door. Turning toward the front entrance, he saw some of the guests from the gala pouring back into the hotel. The glass door shattered and the doorman fell to the ground. It was like a stampede. He pulled Alexandria close and hastened his steps toward the elevators. He reached for his gun strapped to his left leg.
“Matt?” The elevator doors opened and Sam stepped in pulling Alexandria with him. She had frozen when the glass wall had shattered. “What’s going on?”
“Someone shot the lady that runs the Foundation,” Matt yelled in his earpiece.
• • •
“Sam? What is it?”
He waited until the elevator door closed and pressed the button to their suite before he responded. “Someone shot Robyn.”
Robyn!” Alexandria pulled away from him. “No.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Stop the elevator.” She pounded on the doors and started pushing the buttons.
“No.”
Alexandria knew going back in the middle of the chaos was asking for trouble but she didn’t care. All she could envision was Robyn lying on the ground in a pool of blood.
“Stop the elevator!”
“No. Listen to me—”
The elevator doors opened and she nearly knocked over an elderly couple trying to get on. Alexandria shot out on the third floor in a huge sitting area. She didn’t know which direction to go and started running. Sam caught up with her before she opened the door at end of the hall leading into the stairwell.
“This is what he wants.” Sam shook her gently. “Listen to me. You can’t do this. He couldn’t get at you all night—”
“He shot Robyn instead to get my attention. I need to see if she’s
okay. Please.”
Sam cursed under his breath. “Matt, I’m coming down the north stairwell from the third floor. I have Alexandria with me. Don’t you think I know that?” He looked at her. “Just meet me there!”
The door on the ground floor entrance to the lobby opened and a man who looked like a quarterback stepped through, closing the door behind him.
“Matt sent me,” he said to Sam. “I’m Cameron, Ms. Prescott. I don’t think this is a good idea.”
Cameron looked at Sam who had a permanent scowl etched in granite on his face. He was angry with her at the moment. Seeing Robyn was more important than how he felt.
“She won’t listen to me,” Sam grumbled. “I can’t get her to go back to the room. What do you suggest?”
She stood, arms folded across her chest, waiting for Cameron and Sam as they whispered amongst themselves, ignoring her as if she wasn’t there. They could talk all they wanted, but she was going to see Robyn.
“You two can whisper all you want. I’m going to see Robyn.” She grabbed the door handle.
That stopped their little chattering session. They stared at each other. Sam looked like he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and drag her off up the stairs.
“Well?” She dared him to try it.
Sam shook his head and gave in. Sandwiched between Sam and Cameron, they pushed through the crowd and got to the front door. She saw Matt gun raised as he scanned the crowd.
Robyn lay on the concrete driveway beside her white Volkswagen, blood pouring from her right shoulder. Dennis had removed his jacket and rolled it in a ball under Robyn’s head. He was applying pressure to the wound to stop the blood without success. In the background she heard sirens. She’d heard sirens that night too when her mother had fallen to her death.
“The shooter is gone, but she still shouldn’t be out here,” Matt said when he saw them. “Take her back inside, O’Malley.”
“She won’t go, Matt. I’ve tried and Cameron has tried.” He threw his hands out at Alexandria, “Be my guest.”
“I’m not going anywhere until I see Robyn. You said the shooter is gone. I want to see her, please.”
Cat 'N Mouse Page 19