Lethal Legacy

by Amanda McKinney

  “Here you go.”

  He nodded. “Perfect.”

  He tucked the photos into his briefcase.

  “Do you have any more information?”

  “Not yet, but I will soon.” The urgency momentarily slid from his face. “How are you, Victoria?”

  “I’m holding up.”

  “Is there anything I can do, or help with?”

  “You’re doing plenty already.”

  “I’ll continue to do what I can.” He paused, his eyes sparked. “Please forgive me, but you look beautiful.”

  Caught off guard, she smiled. “Hardly, but thank you.”

  He smiled. “I’ll be in touch very soon.”

  “Okay.”

  “Please, be safe.”

  “Of course.”

  Chapter 11

  “I’m getting a lot of questions about Will, and when the funeral will be.”

  Victoria leaned her head against the back of the chair and sighed. “I know.”

  “So, now that we know the body wasn’t his, are we assuming he’s still alive?”

  She glanced down at her cell phone. “I think that’s the best assumption for now.”

  “Why the hell wouldn’t he contact you? And where the hell did he go?”

  “I have no idea.”

  After a long day meeting with lawyers and dealing with insurance, Natasha and Victoria sipped red wine as they sat out on the suites balcony. Victoria had told Natasha everything, except for her secret meetings with Anthony. She still wasn’t sure why she felt the need to keep that information from her best friend.

  “You think he’s with the blonde?”

  “Possibly.” She sipped her drink. “But would Will really set the house on fire as a diversion so he could run away with some floosy? And if so, whose body burned to death in my house?”

  “Cops have any leads?”

  Victoria scoffed and stood up. “Of course not.” She began pacing. “Cops are good for absolutely nothing.”

  Natasha laughed. “Eh, I’ve had a few in my day, they’re not bad.”

  Victoria smiled.

  “Ah, I got a smile out of you!” Natasha stood up and leaned against the rail. “Okay, so now onto business.”

  “Yeah?”

  “The charity event tomorrow night that the gallery is hosting…how should we handle that?”

  Victoria ran her fingers through her hair. “I’d completely forgotten about it. Well, everything’s done. We can’t cancel.”

  “Agreed.”

  “You’ll go, right?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good.”

  “Vee, I think you should go, too.”

  “Tasha, it’s not even been a week since the fire.”

  “Right. But the gossip is rampant. And, you obviously don’t plan on telling people that Will is alive, but missing, right?”

  She nodded.

  “Well, then, I think you need to go, put on the face of a grieving wife and make up some lie about the funeral. Tell them it already happened and was only immediate family. Make the gossip go away.”

  Victoria contemplated for a moment and almost laughed as she gazed up at the sky. “Can you image the gossip if Will decides to return from the dead?”

  Without missing a beat Natasha quipped, “If that happens, divorce him, take half his money and move to Bora Bora.” She nudged her arm. “Come on, Vee. You need to do this.”

  She was right. “Okay, okay. I’ll make an appearance.”

  * * * *

  “Give it to me, Wilson.”

  “Okay. William King is the son of Randal King, known as Randy. Randy founded King Chemicals in 1975. The company mainly specializes in agricultural chemicals. Fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides…”

  “I get it, keep going.”

  “The company grew big, fast.” He handed Danny a print out. “Here are the stats and all pertinent information. Currently, the company generates a revenue of about one hundred and seventy million annually.”

  Danny skimmed the paper.

  “Randy died ten years ago, and left the company to his only child, William.”

  “How’d Randy die, and what about his wife?”

  “Randy died of a heart attack. His wife, Williams’s mom, of cancer.”

  “Any criminal records?”

  “Nope, both are clean as a whistle.”

  “What year did Charles Henry, Victoria’s dad, begin working for the company?”

  “Shortly after it was founded. From my research, I get the vibe that he and Randy were pretty close. Randy promoted him rather quickly to COO in 1981, where he remained until he died.”

  “Was murdered.”

  “Right.”

  “Any record?”

  “Nope, Charles is clean too.”

  Danny picked up his pencil. “Okay, so let me lay this out. Randy King founded a very successful chem company. When he died, he gave it to William, who is married to Victoria. Victoria’s dad, Charles, worked for the company.” He paused and began tapping his pencil on the desk. “Years ago, Victoria’s dad was murdered, but the case went cold. A few weeks ago, an employee from King Chemicals was run off a ravine and died. Last week, William King’s house blew up, and now he is nowhere to be found and we have an unidentified burned body.”

  Wilson nodded.

  He tossed his pencil and leaned back. “Where the hell are the sealed files on Charles Henry?”

  “I sent in the request, sir.”

  “Get it, Wilson.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  * * * *

  The event was stunning. The banquet room was dimly lit by elegant chandeliers hanging from the tall ceiling. The smell of fresh roses and lilies permeated the room. White table cloths draped each table. Low music danced through the air.

  Heads turned, followed by a few gasps as Victoria made her entrance.

  She was dressed in a navy blue, floor length gown, her black hair tightly pulled back to emphasize the high neck of the dress and her sparkling diamond hoops. Her arms were bare except for gold bangles on one wrist and a tiger bracelet with glowing emerald eyes on the other. Her eyes were heavily lined and shadowed, her lips bare.

  Gripping her clutch, she scanned the room for Natasha.

  “Oh, oh, Mrs. Henry!”

  Her anxiety began to spike. “Hello, Mrs. Jenson.”

  Mrs. Jenson was a fifty something, stay at home wife, with a lot of time on her hands.

  “Oh, dear, how are you? We didn’t expect to see you.”

  “I’m doing okay, thank you for asking.”

  “Oh honey, I’m so sorry about William.”

  “Thank you.”

  “When’s the funeral? I’d love to send flowers.”

  “Oh, she already had it.” Natasha swooped in and patted Victoria’s arm.

  “Oh, hello Natasha.” Mrs. Jenson’s lack of excitement was hardly hidden. Men loved Natasha, and wives hated her.

  Mrs. Jenson looked back at Victoria. “You already had the funeral? I hadn’t heard. It wasn’t in the paper. Oh, dear, I wish I would have known. I would have done something.”

  “It’s fine, Mrs. Jenson.”

  Victoria glanced at Natasha, who promptly said, “Well, we have some business to attend to. Good evening, Mrs. Jenson.” She pulled Victoria away. “What a bitch.”

  “Shh.”

  “Seriously though, could she hate me any more?”

  “Probably because her husband drools every time he sees you.”

  Natasha shimmied her chest and winked. Tonight, she wore a tight red velvet dress with a low neck emphasizing her voluptuous breasts. Her blonde flowed down her back. Her heels were red with diamond studded spikes.

  “Oh, Tasha, I shouldn’t have come.”

  “Yes, it’s good you’re here. This will quiet all the gossip, I promise.”

  Victoria scanned the crowd. The richest of the rich were in attendance. The men were dressed in black suits, talking
politics and drinking the finest liquor. The women wore their best dresses, carried their fanciest purses and sipped champagne while attempting to hide their gossip as they whispered and pointed. Many of those whispers and pointed fingers were aimed directly to Victoria.

  She took a deep breath and held her head up high. She was no stranger to being a subject of gossip.

  “Well, you couldn’t have timed your entry any better. It’s time to take our seats.”

  They walked briskly through the crowd, with Natasha leading the way. It was nearly impossible to ignore all the questions and attention Victoria was getting, but Natasha did her job of keeping the small talk minimal and ushering Victoria along.

  Their table was up front in the far corner exactly as Victoria had arranged. Only her and her staff. She knew she could minimalize unwanted conversations that way. She took her seat as Natasha walked up onto the stage to greet the audience and prep the evening.

  As the night carried on and drinks flowed, laughter and music rang through the air. Victoria managed to stay in the corner and out of the limelight, ignoring the glances and whispers.

  She scanned the room, feeling relieved that he night seemed to be going smoothly, but then stopped instantly as their eyes met. They held each other’s gaze for a moment before the blonde looked away, picked up her glass and moved through the crowd.

  Victoria pushed out of her chair. Was it the same woman that she saw with her husband?

  With tunnel vision, Victoria stepped away from the table and began crossing the room. She weaved in and out of the crowd, ignoring all the Oh, hi Victoria’s and So sorry’s from the women.

  She was making a beeline toward the blonde when she was stopped in her tracks.

  “Well, hello.” His voice was smooth and deep.

  Surprised, she said, “Lieutenant.”

  He smiled and looked her up and down. “That’s a hell of a dress.”

  Looking past him, then back to him, she said, “I’ll assume that’s a compliment. So, thank you.”

  He looked over his shoulder, in the direction of her gaze. “Who are you looking for?”

  “Oh, ah, no one.” She’d lost sight of her. Damn it.

  He pressed his eyebrows together. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, yes. Just tired, that’s all.”

  “I’m surprised to see you here.”

  “Are you? It’s my gallery’s biggest event of the year.”

  “Yes. Seems quick for a grieving widow to make a public appearance.”

  “What do you know about grieving widows?”

  “As a cop, plenty, actually.”

  Surrendering her annoyance, she politely asked, “Well, are you enjoying yourself?” She was suddenly aware of how dashing he looked in his navy blue suit, crisp white button up and no tie. Always somewhat casual. “You clean up nice.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. And, yes, I am enjoying myself.”

  “Are you interested in any paintings?”

  “All of them.”

  Recognizing his sarcasm, she said, “Don’t you appreciate art, Lieutenant?”

  He looked at her. “I appreciate beautiful things.”

  They held each other’s gaze for a moment. She blushed and looked down.

  “Oh, Victoria! Hi! How are you?”

  “Hello, Mrs. Turner.”

  “Oh, dear, I’m so sorry to hear about William.”

  “Thank you.” She glanced at Danny, “This is Lieutenant Dabrowski.”

  He extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Turner.”

  “Well, you are a handsome man, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, thank you.” He cleared his throat and glanced at Victoria who looked extremely uncomfortable. “Victoria, would you show me that painting we were discussing?”

  “Sure, yes, right this way. Lovely to see you, Mrs. Turner.”

  Turning away, she glanced around the room looking for the blonde, with no luck.

  Victoria led Danny to the back of the large room.

  They leaned against the wall, disappearing in the shadows, and she looked at him. “Thank you for pulling me away.”

  “No problem.” He eyed her. “Something’s up with you tonight.”

  She avoided eye contact. “Just tired, as I already told you.”

  “Is it uncomfortable at the Four Seasons?”

  She rolled her eyes. They stood in silence for a moment.

  “Are you too tired to have that talk about your father?”

  She looked down.

  He leaned closer. “Victoria, I’m asking for your help here.”

  In a soft voice, she said, “I don’t like being analyzed. I don’t like you considering I might have been involved.” Pause. “And, I don’t like discussing my father. With you, or anyone.”

  His expression softer, he turned toward her and lightly tilted her chin up. “Victoria…”

  Her eyes met his and she felt the tickle of butterflies in her stomach.

  He opened his mouth, but seemed to lose his words.

  For just one moment, the chaotic world around her seemed to drown out and fade away.

  “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.” Natasha looked Danny up and down, as an animal would size up its dinner. Flashing an ear to ear grin, she extended her hand. “I’m Natasha, nice to meet you.”

  “Lieutenant Dabrowski. Nice to meet you as well.”

  Her smile faded as she looked back at Victoria. “You okay?”

  “Yes, I just ran into Lieutenant Dabrowski, and we stepped aside to talk.”

  Natasha looked concerned as she looked back at Danny. “Well, alright. I guess I’ll leave you two alone then.”

  “I’ll meet up with you in a second, Tasha.”

  “Okay.” She sauntered off.

  Victoria looked at Danny. “I need to get back to the table.”

  He smiled. “Of course you do.”

  She paused, contemplating. “We’ll meet tomorrow. I’ll tell you everything.”

  “I’m counting on it.” He winked. “Have a good night, Mrs. Henry.”

  Chapter 12

  The music from the party faded as she pushed through the double doors and stepped into the hallway. It was dark and quiet, other than the flapping doors closing behind her. She swore she saw the mystery blonde walk this way before losing sight of her.

  She crept down the hall, peering into each room. Small offices, storage closets and bathrooms–all vacant. At the end was another door.

  Whoosh! The doors behind her flapped open.

  She jumped into a storage closet, held her breath and listened.

  From down the hall, she heard laughter, giggling, and women’s voices. Drunk, obviously.

  “This isn’t the bathroom, you idiot! Come on, let’s get out of here, its creepy!”

  Victoria released an exhale and stepped out of the closet.

  Feeling ridiculous, she turned to go back to the event when something caught her eye.

  At the end of the hall a dim light shown under a closed door. As she looked closer, shadows moved behind it.

  Reluctantly, she stepped up to the door and pressed her ear against it. Nothing.

  Her fingers lingered on the doorknob before she opened the door of what appeared to be a large storage room. Tables and chairs were carelessly stacked, cluttering the large space. Boxes and various decorations were scattered about. A single ceiling light flickered in the back.

  She took a few steps inside and paused. The room was eerily silent.

  Her heart began to beat faster when she suddenly saw movement. Her gaze snapped to a stack of chairs in the back of the room. She froze.

  BAM!

  Victoria screamed as the door slammed behind her, and an arm wrapped around her neck.

  She opened her mouth but only a gurgling sound came out as the grip tightened. Unable to scream, she kicked, bucked, flung her arms. Her vision became cloudy, bright spots speckled her vision.

  No. Fight Victoria, f
ight.

  The room began to spin right before she passed out cold.

  What seemed like seconds later, she opened her eyes. Her hands and feet were bound and she was being dragged through the storage room. A gag was tied around her head. Ice cold terror shot through her veins.

  Her heels squeaked against the floor as she was being dragged by her hair.

  A door opened and she was pulled outside, onto the sidewalk.

  She frantically looked around. The narrow alley was pitch black, the smell of rotting trash and wet mold filled her nose.

  No one was around.

  She heard an engine rumbling.

  Don’t get into a car, don’t get into a car!

  The car door opened. One hand grabbed her hair, the other under her arm as she was hoisted up.

  WHACK!

  “What the fuck?!” A man’s voice.

  She was clumsily released and fell to the sidewalk.

  She recognized the sound of a fist against flesh. She bucked onto her side and saw two men scuffling on the sidewalk. Fist’s flying, legs kicking. Fresh blood splattered on her face. One of the men doubled over in pain. Which one was her captor?

  The dark shadows concealed their faces as they wrestled. She watched the larger man push the other man over, then deliver a swift kick to the ribs, then to the face. She heard bones crunch. The man lay on the sidewalk, moaning. Blood pooled around his head.

  The large man turned to her, towering above her body. His face was shadowed, only the glow of the moon outlined his large frame. She braced and squeezed her eyes shut as he bent over.

  He slid his arms under her body and lifted her.

  She looked into his eyes and recognized him instantly.

  * * * *

  She was lifted into a car. The gag was cut from her head, and she coughed and licked her dry lips. “Anthony.”

  He clipped her bounds.

  She leaned her head against the seat. “Oh my God.”

  Still breathing heavily, he turned the ignition, glanced over his shoulder as he pulled onto the street.

  Her whole body hurt. She was dazed with pain and confusion. “You saved me.”

  “Looks like it.”

  They rode in silence for a moment. She felt sick. “Who was it?”

  He glanced in his rearview mirror. “I don’t know.”

  She rubbed her face. “Oh my God, Oh my God.”