She ignored the tickle in her stomach. “Hello.”
“Is this seat taken?” His voice was low and smooth as butter.
She glanced around. “No. Please.” She gestured to the seat.
The man sat, placing his drink on the bar. He smelled of rich cologne. They sat in silence for a moment.
The air was thick with curiosity, and something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She twisted the stem of her glass in between her fingers.
He finally looked over at her, with a soft smile.
“I’m Anthony.”
She returned the smile, shaking his hand. “Victoria.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs.?” His hand lingered on hers.
“Henry. Victoria Henry.” She pulled away.
He sipped his drink. “What are you drinking?”
“Dirty Martini.”
He signaled for the barmen.
Intriguing was an understatement for this man. She glanced over her shoulder again. Still no Natasha.
“Do you live here?” He ordered another round of drinks.
“Yes. You?”
“I’m in town on business.”
“What business are you in, Mr.?”
“Ramos. Anthony Ramos. I’m an attorney.”
She smiled. “I could’ve guessed that.”
He laughed. “Oh really? What about me says attorney?”
“You just have the look.” She sipped her drink, looking him over. “Let me guess, criminal defense?”
He looked down at his suit and smoothed his tie. “I didn’t realize I was so transparent, Mrs. Henry.” He leaned closer to her. “Okay, my turn.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Go ahead.”
He smirked, looked her up and down and took a deep breath, as if assessing her.
“You’re a bored housewife who’s refocused her passion, which once belonged to her husband, to philanthropy.” He tipped his drink. “And you’re a part-time supermodel.”
The corner of her lip turned up. “A sting followed by flattery.”
“But close to the truth, no?”
She tensed. “No.”
He leaned back and placed his hand on the back of her chair. “Okay, then. What do you do, Mrs. Henry?”
She hesitated. She was almost done with her second martini and beginning to feel the effect from the vodka. Where the hell was Natasha?
“I own an art gallery downtown.”
“Ah, I see. Yes, that fits.”
“Well, your approval means everything to me, Mr. Ramos.”
He laughed. “Do you paint?”
“I do.”
“But no philanthropy.”
“I’m involved in a few charities.”
“So, I was right on that assessment.”
He removed his hand from the back of her chair and lightly touched her shoulder. Goosebumps ran down her arm. She met his gaze. Their eyes lingered a moment too long.
In a low voice, he leaned forward, inches from her ear. “Bored?”
Without hesitation, and much to her surprise, she replied, “Immensely.”
In almost a whisper he said, “So I was right on that assessment as well.” She felt his breath on her neck. He smelled of mint and brandy. Her stomach danced.
“Well, hello.”
Almost tipping over her drink, Victoria turned around with a startled expression. “Natasha.” Her voice was a mixture of relief and disappointment.
The corner of Natasha’s lips curled up as she addressed the handsome stranger in the grey suit. “Who’s this?”
Anthony stood and extended his hand. “Anthony Ramos.”
Natasha eyed him coolly and shook his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ramos.” She sent a curious glance over to Victoria.
“The pleasure is mine.” He pulled out the chair he had been sitting in. “Please, sit.”
“Thank you.”
He locked eyes with Victoria.
“I’ve got to be going. Victoria Henry, it was a pleasure.”
She nodded and smiled. Anthony flashed a smile at Natasha and she and Victoria watched him walk away.
“Who the hell was that?”
Victoria paused before she answered. “I have no idea.”
Natasha glanced back at the door. “Well, damn, I’d sure like to get to know him better.”
Although she agreed, she decided to keep that thought to herself.
The barman came over with two dirty martinis. “From the gentleman who just left. And your tab’s been taken care of.”
Yep, he certainly was one smooth character.
“Nice.” Natasha sipped her drink and began updating Victoria on her meeting. Dazed, Victoria pretended like she was listening, but her mind was a million miles away.
* * * *
“Good night, Mrs. Henry.”
“Good night, Brooke. Would you mind locking up behind you?”
“Will do.”
“Thanks, see you tomorrow morning.”
It was seven in the evening, and Victoria leaned back in her office chair. She was never excited to go home, but, for whatever reason, today she was dreading it. She gazed back at the income statements on her computer screen. Feeling an ache of a headache behind her eyes, she removed her reading glasses and rubbed her temples.
Throughout the day, her thoughts were stolen by the mysterious man she’d met the day before. Why couldn’t she stop thinking about him? There was something about him, something that piqued her interest. Other than his devilish good looks, of course.
Rubbing her temples, she looked out the window. The sun had set but the sky was still illuminated with shades of orange, pink and blue. It was an unseasonably cool, October evening. She watched the commuters on their way home to greet their families. Couples strolling hand in hand to dinner. Young singles out walking their small yappy dogs, hoping to meet someone new. Children playing in the park.
She and William had tried for children the first few years of their marriage. But, that was back when things were happy, and before they moved into that God-awful mansion. Before her husband was working twelve hours a day and gone for weeks at a time on business, somewhere. There was no big, catastrophic event that led to the dissolving of their marriage. It happened slowly, but surely.
About three years in, things just changed. William started working more and more. And Victoria had opened the gallery, where she spent most of her time. They just drifted apart. On the surface, they were the town’s golden couple. A gorgeous, rich couple that people really did envy. From the outside, it looked like they had it all.
It wasn’t too long after they began drifting apart that Victoria became suspicious of Will. He had become withdrawn and cold. He became vague and secretive about his work and travels. And, he developed a short temper. The polite, southern gentlemen that she had met was long gone.
Victoria fingered the blue sapphire necklace around her neck and leaned her head back on the chair. What had her life become? What was she living for? She worked so hard to keep order and control in her life. Her therapist said her need for control was a direct result of her childhood tragedy. Whatever. All she knew was that life ran much more smoothly—with less horrific surprises—if she controlled everything. But now, everything seemed to be slipping beyond what she could control, namely her marriage. William had changed. And there was nothing she could do about it.
She shook her head and abruptly stood. She needed to clear her head and get rid of the knot in her stomach.
She walked back to her painting room, grabbed her gym bag and threw on her running clothes. One more glance out the window confirmed she probably had about forty-five more minutes of light before night fell. She grabbed her keys, walked out the front door and locked it behind her.
Stepping onto the sidewalk, she decided to run her usual route. Through downtown, to the park and then onto the wooded trails that loop back around to downtown. It was a four-and-a-half-mile jog.
She took a moment t
o stretch and then broke out in a jog.
About a mile in, she hit her stride. Her head started clearing, a light sweat glistened on her skin. She loved to run. It was the only other thing besides painting that could clear her mind. She rounded the corner that led into the trails. A flicker of reconsideration crept up as she realized how dark the trail was in the early evening. The lights were on, of course, but she couldn’t see much further past each light post.
Too far in now, she thought. She picked up her pace.
The crowded sidewalks began to thin out. No one was on the trail ahead of her as far as she could see. The only sound was each foot hitting the pavement and her heavy breathing, in and out. A bead of sweat trickled down her face.
She was mid-trail when a sudden feeling of uneasiness swept over her. She glanced from right to left, making sure she was alone, but dark shadows blanketed the woods surrounding her.
Pat, pat, pat.
Footsteps behind her. Her pulse picked up, her senses heightened. Listening intently, she concluded it was only one set of footsteps behind her.
She picked up her pace.
Then, so did the person behind her.
The back of her neck tingled with fear. Squinting, she looked ahead. Still no one ahead of her on the trail.
The footsteps behind her sounded closer. Was she being chased?
A burst of adrenaline flooded her veins and she broke into a sprint.
Close on her heels, the steps drew closer, closer.
Her heart was pounding, her breath heavy. Sweat rolled down her back.
Rounding a corner, she spotted a couple up ahead and relief washed over her. And then, anger. Who the hell was chasing her? She would not allow herself to be scared. She inhaled, slowed her pace, then planted her feet and whipped around, prepared to fight.
No one.
Gasping for air, her eyes wide, she saw no one. Nobody behind her. She closed her eyes and bent over trying to catch her breath and regain control.
She felt confusion and embarrassment. But she had heard someone, right?
Yes. She knew someone had been chasing her.
Slowly turning back around, she started to walk. Her legs tingled from the sprint. The couple ahead on the trail was fading out of sight.
The uneasy feeling gripped her again as she gazed over into the dark woods and paused. She couldn’t see far beyond the dark tree line, but her instincts were on high alert.
Victoria was being watched. She knew it. She needed to get out of there.
She pushed into a jog and looked over her shoulder every few steps the whole way back to downtown.
When she reached her street, she took a quick detour into her favorite smoothie shop.
“Mrs. Henry, hello!”
Catching her breath, she said, “Hi, Sandra.”
“Just getting in from a run?”
“Yes, phew.” She wiped the sweat from her forehead.
“It’s dark for a run, isn’t it?”
She glanced over her should again. “I suppose.”
“You should be careful.” Sandra waved her hand in the air. “Oh, the mother in me! Okay, what can I get for you?”
“Green juice please, extra shot of protein.”
“Coming right up.”
Victoria was too wired to sit, so she leaned against the wall. Behind the counter, a small TV hung from the wall.
“What’s going on?” She nodded toward the TV.
Mixing her shake, Sandra paused and looked up. “Oh, a house fire. So sad. News just picked it up right before you walked in.”
Victoria drew her eyebrows together and stepped closer.
“Here you go.” Sandra handed her a murky green shake.
The cup dropped from Victoria’s hands and exploded on the floor.
“Oh, my God.”
Chapter 5
Victoria skidded to a stop as close to the house as she could get, threw open the car door and darted up the sidewalk. Firetrucks, squad cars and news vans blocked the street.
“Whoa ma’am, this is a restricted area.” The officer spread his arms wide, blocking her entry. With tunnel vision, Victoria pushed him back and side-stepped him.
“Ma’am!” He lunged forward catching her arm. “Ma’am stop!”
“Let go of me. This is my house!” Victoria struggled to break free of his hold, but he gripped her shoulders and in a calm, rational voice said, “Okay, okay, I’m sorry, walk with me, I’ll get you as close as we can go. But you can’t go into the house.”
“Is everyone safe?” Her voice cracked.
“We’re checking now. Come on.”
Victoria knew she needed to remain calm. Collected. Nothing is gained by losing your mind. She’d learned that years ago.
The officer kept a firm grip on her upper arm and led her to the front gate. Black smoke was barreling out of the mansion, lifting high into a dark night sky. Flood lights illuminated the horrific scene. Uniformed men were scattered across her manicured lawn. Crowds gathered on the street. Screams, shouts, orders, loud voices were swirling around her.
“Beth!” Victoria broke loose from the officer’s hold and ran to her housekeeper.
“Oh my God, Vee!” Eyes filled with tears, Beth covered her mouth, in shock.
Victoria grabbed her shoulders. “Are you okay?”
Uncontrollable sobbing.
“Beth, are you okay?”
“Yes, yes, yes, Mrs. Henry.” She shook her head, dazed. Yes, I’m okay.”
“Is anyone in the house?”
Although various uniformed men were trying to talk to her she kept her focus zeroed in on her housekeeper.
“Mr. King was home.” Beth frantically looked around. “But I haven’t seen him.”
Victoria’s eyes widened as she scanned the crowd. “Okay. Jeffrey? Edward?”
“They’re safe.”
“Okay, Beth, you’re okay. Everything’s going to be okay. Just stay here, okay?”
“Okay.”
Victoria turned as an officer placed his hand on her back. As her adrenaline kicked into overdrive, her voice became hyper and agitated. “Where is my husband? Beth said he was in the house.”
“We’ve got men in there now, ma’am.”
“They haven’t found him?”
“Ma’am, we’re looking.”
Victoria stood frozen, gawking at her burning, crumbling house. It wasn’t real, it couldn’t be. It was as if she were on a set of a movie.
Fire hoses continued to spray gallons of water at the burning rubble. Her legs felt like rubber, her head was swimming, the screams around her turned into a loud buzz like a swarm of wasps. It was as if everyone were in slow motion.
A blanket was suddenly dropped over her shoulders. Someone was speaking to her, although she couldn’t make out the words.
Deep breaths, Vee, deep breaths.
She was seven again.
Not again, Vee, not again.
The world started to spin, dots flashed in her eyes. Then, blackness.
* * * *
“Ma’am, ma’am!”
Victoria opened her eyes to strangers hovering over her. An EMT was taking her pulse, someone else was fanning her, Beth was crying. A nosy neighbor handed her water and an ice pack. Flashlights flickered through the light.
She sat up.
“I’m okay. I’m okay.” She’d been carried away from the commotion and was lying underneath a tree on their west lawn.
“You passed out. Please drink this, let me put this on your neck.”
“Thank you.”
Victoria sat, bewildered and dizzy. She couldn’t believe what was happening.
“Have you found my husband?”
“Not yet, ma’am.”
She shook her head. “What happened?”
“We’re assuming a gas leak right now.”
“Oh, my God.”
“Is there anywhere we can take you, Mrs. Henry?”
She paused a moment. Yes, she�
��d have to find a place to go.
“No, I’d like to stay here until they confirm my husband was not in the house.” She turned to Beth. “Have you tried calling him?”
“Yes, no answer.”
“I should go get my cell phone in case he tries to call.”
With the help of the EMT, Victoria stood and glanced at the street filled with neighborhood residents in their priceless silk gowns and diamond studded slippers.
Beth put her hand on Victoria’s back. “Vee, let me go get your phone.” She looked at the crowd. “Everyone will try to talk to you.”
Victoria’s gaze at the news vans. The last thing she wanted was to be on TV right now. “Yes, thank you. I’ll stay here.”
The moment Beth walked away, more strangers came up to Victoria. Can I call someone for you? Can I get you something? Can I do this, can I do that? Victoria didn’t hear a word of it. She just stared at her house, watching it burn to the ground.
When Beth returned with her cell phone, it was full of messages and voicemails. Without checking, she dialed Will. No answer. She quickly scrolled through the texts. Over half were panicked messages from her assistant, Brooke, who must have recognized the house on the news. Victoria typed a response.
Here at house. Waiting for Will. Will need hotel.
Send.
* * * *
It had been over two hours since she’d arrived when two officers approached her. Their expressions had her stomach falling to her feet. She knew instantly that they were not delivering good news.
“Mrs. Henry, can we pull you aside a moment.”
She nodded and walked to the far side of the yard.
“Ma’am, we found a body inside the house.” The men paused. Victoria opened her mouth but no words came out.
“We’re taking the body to the ME’s office for analysis now…I’m sorry, ma’am.” Pause. “Is there someone we can call for you?”
Time was momentarily suspended. Victoria didn’t scream, didn’t cry, didn’t fall to the ground. An indescribable feeling of finality washed over her. The feeling was one that she’d had before. William was dead. He had burned to death in their perfect mansion.
She shook her head and they stood in silence for a moment.
Behind the officers, Beth stood far enough for privacy but close enough for Victoria to know she was there. They locked eyes, Victoria nodded for Beth to come over. Tears streamed down Beth’s face.
Lethal Legacy Page 4