Shattered Dreams

by Loyd, Sandy

  “Besides,” she said, “there’s not much wind this time of year. Seas will be flat, and you can work on your tan.” July always brought the dreaded doldrums—an invisible meringue of hot, still, moisture-laden air that even a knife would have trouble cutting through. “I have a compressor and air-conditioning below. Evenings should be nice. We can anchor in my favorite spot.”

  Claire held her breath. Sensing Crystal’s wavering, she added, “It’s an opportunity to be together. Say yes.”

  “Okay. I suppose so. But can we talk about it tonight? I’m due in court in twenty minutes.”

  “Sure. Call me when you get a chance.” Claire hung up, grinning. She could count on Crystal.

  Two hours later, a waiter led Claire and Gwen through a maze of tables.

  “Is this okay?” He set the menus down when she nodded and sat in the chair he’d pulled out.

  “Bring me up-to-date,” Gwen said as she sat down across from her.

  Claire took a few minutes perusing the menu, decided quickly on the shrimp pasta, and placed the plastic folder on the table before sighing.

  “So much has happened. Where do you want me to start?” She met Gwen’s earnest gaze.

  “You said they think Mr. Roberts’s ex-wife did it?”

  “Everything points that way.” Claire spent a moment detailing the events of the past week, and ended with, “She’s still in a coma. The doctors aren’t sure she’ll wake up.”

  “It’s so unbelievable.”

  Gwen looked up expectantly when the waiter strode up to the table with his pad and pen ready. She waited until he’d taken their orders and was out of earshot before leaning closer.

  “So, Carl was having an affair with her?”

  Claire nodded. “According to Jason, Elise told him he’d asked her to marry him. He and Snyder think they were in on the scheme to disappear and something went wrong, which is why she killed him. God only knows why she burned my house. If she doesn’t wake up, we’ll never know.”

  “What about Crystal?”

  “What about her?”

  “Don’t you think it’s strange now that you two are best buddies, that she says she and Carl never had an affair, when she offered evidence? Too coincidental.”

  “Oh? How so?”

  “You only have her word that the affair with Carl never took place.”

  “You worry too much.” Claire picked up her linen napkin and spread it across her lap. “Crystal and I are as close as ever, and I trust her. In fact, she’s spending the weekend helping me with the boat.”

  “I only hope you know what you’re doing. Just be careful.”

  Gwen’s voice held warning, yet she simply didn’t understand Claire’s relationship with Crystal.

  Chapter 56

  Claire walked into the kitchen that evening to inform Jason about her plans for the weekend just as Jason hung up the phone. Dinner was long over, prepared using the new appliances that had been installed earlier in the day, and the girls were upstairs watching a movie.

  “Was that the hospital?”

  He nodded. The thin curve of his smile was a dim prototype. “She’s out of the coma.”

  “That’s great.” Claire’s quick smile replaced concern. Then she sobered, remembering the woman was responsible for such horrible deeds. “Has she said anything about why?”

  “No. She’s disoriented, still under sedation. She’s not making sense, and has no memory of what happened. Her doctor says he can’t predict the outcome. It could be permanent damage or something brought on by stress.”

  Nodding distractedly, Claire started pacing, not sure how to approach the subject.

  “What’s up?” Jason’s gaze narrowed. “You seem jumpy.”

  Pursing her lips, she turned to face him and cleared her throat. “We need to talk.”

  He stiffened slightly. “About?” he asked cautiously.

  “Snyder’s released my boat and I want to check on it.”

  “Okay. Let’s make a day of it on Saturday. Include the girls.”

  “No. That won’t work.”

  “Why not?” His potent blue eyes held her captive. “They love sailing, and I can use a break from working on the house.”

  “Because I’m going alone.”

  “Oh?” His eyebrows rose.

  “Well, not totally alone. Crystal’s going too. We’re spending the weekend sailing.”

  “I see.”

  Her gaze strayed to the floor, unable to keep meeting that expressive stare belying his words. He clearly didn’t see.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, averting her gaze. “I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but I need to get away. To think. To decide what I want and where I’m going.”

  She broke off and started pacing. “It’s time I left. I appreciate all you’ve done. Really, I do. And now that we know about Elise and she’s on the mend, I’m not in any more danger, so I don’t need to be here. Please try to understand.”

  He stood stock-still for a drawn-out moment.

  Finally, she risked a glance. Big mistake. He’d cranked the volume. Despite the heat searing from his intense expression, a small chill trickled down her spine. The man always could see right through her, see deep enough to reach her . . . her what? Her soul. She always felt Jason Roberts could see her soul, and right now she could see his.

  She swallowed hard. Tried to breathe, but her lungs seemed paralyzed.

  “I will on one condition.” The grin he gave her only added to her unease.

  “What condition?”

  Her spine straightened. She wasn’t afraid of Jason. But when he started moving toward her, causing her to back up slowly until the small of her back hit the counter, she had to rethink that. She was afraid of what he made her feel.

  “Give me tonight.”

  “Tonight?”

  Oh God! Not afraid. Petrified. Like right now when her heartbeat pounded out of control, and the blood rushed through her arteries, leaving behind a light-headed sensation.

  She licked her lips, stilling her body’s reaction as his mouth halted an inch from hers.

  “I want you to think about this,” he murmured, and then his lips lowered for the barest kiss.

  His soft mouth nipped and sucked. When she felt herself melting, her legs liquefying, she grabbed a steadying hold of his arms. His muscles bunched under her touch.

  “Give me tonight to reinforce the memory, and you can have all the time you need.”

  “Unfair tactics,” she was barely able to get out.

  “I told you I use what works. And right now I’m fighting for my life.”

  Jason’s whisper sent more chills up Claire’s spine. When he swooped in for another earth-shattering kiss, all thought emptied as other sensations charged through her system.

  Chapter 57

  Claire strode briskly out of her office on Friday afternoon, unable to wipe the satisfied grin off her face. Leave it to Jason to make sure he was a big part of why. His efforts last night had improved her mood considerably.

  With a small cooler in her hand, she walked past Amy’s desk, nodded her usual greeting, and headed for the refrigerator in the lunchroom. While packing, she looked up to find Amy standing at the door.

  “Need any help?”

  “No. Just loading some takeout from the deli on Fourth. This way, Crystal and I don’t need to worry about dinner tonight.” Turning, she held up a bottle of red wine, along with a pint of bourbon. “And we’re set for happy hour.”

  “Are you going to your spot?”

  Claire nodded, snapped on the lid, and lifted the cooler. “You sure you don’t mind staying late? I could call and have the delivery held until Monday.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Amy said with a smile. “No plans until later, I promise. Go, have a good weekend. You deserve to take it easy. You’ve had a rough week.”

  “I have.” Claire laughed. “I’m just so happy. Never thought I’d feel this good after all that’s happen
ed.”

  “It’s the bright side.”

  “Oh?”

  “You’re changing your image, right?” When she nodded, Amy added, “Now it’ll be easier to work on the new Claire because the old Claire’s gone, including physical reminders.”

  “How true. It’s all a matter of perception.” She inhaled deeply, her smile seemingly stuck in place.

  Yep! Jason definitely knew what he was doing last night.

  Claire set the cooler down and moved to hug her assistant. Keep things in perspective. If she could do that, she might just figure out what she needed.

  • • •

  “This is perfect.” The sun’s hot rays drenched Claire’s skin. She ignored the beads of sweat, the result of cloying humidity that also made breathing difficult, refusing to let simple discomfort ruin her mood. “A perfect time to be out.”

  She started the engine, thankful that the effects of Snyder’s investigation weren’t as drastic or as hard to repair as she’d first thought. With Crystal’s help, they pulled away from the dock after only an hour of work.

  “It’s not so bad.” Crystal jumped back on board after untying the lines, and then poured a drink. “Why am I here and not Jason?”

  Grinning, she plopped next to Claire. She took a sip, brought both bare feet onto the bench, and wrapped an arm around her bent legs, keeping a curious, amused expression focused on Claire. “I could’ve stayed with the girls.”

  Claire smiled and didn’t reply, moving her attention to guiding the boat through the harbor and into deeper water, using the markers.

  “He’s into sailing. And he’s into you,” Crystal said a moment later, clearly not backing away from the subject.

  “I told you why.” Claire nodded toward the bow, hoping to use the chore as a distraction. “Can you work the jib? Or do you want to keep the boat on track while I do it?”

  “I’ll take the jib.” Crystal grabbed the sheets and headed for the bow. “But it won’t work.”

  Once the sails were trimmed, Claire shut down the engine.

  “Come on CG, fess up. This is CG you’re talking to. Why’re you here with me instead of Jason?”

  “Probably the same reason you’re not with Jimbo.”

  “Huh-uh!” Crystal shook her head and waved a hand vigorously in front of her. “We were talking about you, not me.”

  Claire grunted. “Strike a chord, did I?”

  “The jury’s still out on him . . . still deliberating.”

  “Don’t give me that. You’re in as deep as I am.”

  “Maybe.” Crystal’s gaze never wavered. “And you’re evading. Where’s Jason?”

  Shading her eyes, Claire shrugged. “I don’t want to make another mistake. I let hormones guide me with Carl. It wasn’t real.”

  “I know the feeling,” Crystal agreed as her contemplative gaze moved to the water. Finally, she sighed. “Who am I kidding? The subterranean pit named Jim O’Malley is bottomless, and I’m sinking fast.” She snorted and took a lingering drink. “I can’t catch my breath when I’m with him. God knows what he’ll do once he realizes it.”

  “What if he feels the same way?”

  “I hope so. But what if he doesn’t? Or what if the feeling burns out?”

  “I never felt this strongly about Carl. Even before that day . . . you know.”

  “Yes, I know. Scares the hell outta me.”

  “Now that’s something I never thought to see.” Claire’s quick grin spread. “You afraid of a man.”

  Crystal chuckled. “Jimbo’s not just a man.”

  “Looks like one from my vantage point.”

  “Humph! Still makes me want to run.”

  “Guess I’m running scared too. Must be genetic. I have my share of what-ifs. What if this is the same? What if what I feel for Jason is only lust?”

  “I’m trying not to dwell on what-ifs. And I’ve decided I like lust.”

  Claire’s laughter burst into the air, mixing with the sounds of birds squawking and water lapping. “Lust is good,” she said as her laugh receded into a residual smile.

  “The best relationships start with a lustful spark.” Crystal’s eyes were full of merriment. Some of her amusement fled as she added, “But if the flame’s too hot and a firestorm ensues, everything becomes ashes, leaving little to build a relationship on.”

  “So that’s your biggest fear with Jimbo?”

  “That it’ll burn out before we can set the foundation in place?” Crystal nodded and examined her drink, wiping off the condensation. “Our track record isn’t impressive. I’ve tried to slow things but he’s like a tornado, sweeping away all resistance. That’s part of the reason I agreed to this.” She motioned toward the water with her glass. “I love spending time with you, but you know I hate sailing. At least I have a chance to catch my breath. And distance is a pretty good brake.”

  “We’re pathetic.” Claire groaned. “We should be taking them by storm, not the other way around.”

  “You’re right. We’re the Grayson twins, for Christ’s sake. I say it’s time we started acting that way.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Claire smiled. “Definitely worth implementing.”

  She eventually guided the boat to her favorite cove, pushing away thoughts that the last time she spent the night in this spot her nightmare with Carl began. What she remembered instead was this was where she and Jason had first connected.

  Once anchored, she pulled out the cooler and began fixing dinner. “It’s deli. I didn’t have time to make brownies.”

  “This is great.” Crystal took a food-filled plate.

  The two sisters ate in companionable silence while the sun, still high, started its descent in the late-afternoon sky.

  Feeling funny, Claire set her wineglass down as she tried to shake off a wave of dizziness. Peering over at Crystal, her vision clouded.

  “What’s wrong?”

  A sense of foreboding exploded inside her as a feeling of déjà vu gave her chills. Gwen’s warning rushed back, and all-out panic struck. Had it been Crystal all along?

  “Claire?”

  More memories flashed, recalling details of the past few weeks, as well as the recollection of her twin swearing she’d get even three years earlier.

  Claire didn’t want to believe it. Please, Lord, don’t let it be Crystal. That was her last thought before she passed out.

  Chapter 58

  At his desk, Jimbo typed on the computer, bringing up several pictures he’d scanned, including all the women he suspected. Playing with a photo editing program, he tried to make Elise and the others look like Claire and Crystal. He also checked a printout of numbers Elise’s cell phone had generated, as well as a few other numbers, and cross-referenced them.

  He played around some more, adding the right hair color and a few more details, and printed out several pictures he’d created, along with a list of phone numbers.

  “Shit,” he muttered when something popped out at him.

  Unbelievable, yet there it was in full color. Facts were facts. The hard part was figuring out which facts were relevant.

  He stuffed the information into his pocket, grabbed his cell phone, and headed for the parking lot.

  “Great.” He’d used his phone for some of his online searches, and now the battery was getting low. He’d charge it in the car.

  Twenty minutes later, he stepped into the cool lobby of the Ocean View Resort.

  “You ever see this woman before?” Jimbo asked the reservation clerk at the front desk.

  “Yeah. She was here with the dead guy.”

  “Really? You sure it’s her?”

  The man nodded. “Looks like her.”

  “Well, George,” he said, spying the nametag. “What about this one?” He placed another picture beside the first.

  “I’m confused. Didn’t you already ask me about these pictures?”

  “I’m asking again.” He looked closely at the clerk’s face. “Did you ever see h
er with the dead guy?”

  “Yeah. What are they? Twins?”

  “Close,” Jimbo said with a grim smile, and pocketed the pictures. He started for the automatic doors, calling his thanks over his shoulder.

  Chapter 59

  “All tests look positive. Brain waves are normal.” Elise’s neurologist turned off the light showing her latest CAT scan and smiled. “I expect a full recovery.”

  “Including her memory?” Jason asked.

  “I don’t see any reason other than mental trauma stopping her, so yes, eventually.”

  “Can I see her?”

  “Sure,” the doctor said. “Once out of the coma, she recuperated rather quickly, and was moved from intensive care this morning. Room 226.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Bennett.”

  After shaking hands, Jason strode toward the elevator, dreading the visit. What did they have to talk about? What was he going to say to a woman he thought he knew, a woman who almost killed another woman who’d become his life?

  Jason pushed the door open with a greeting on the tip of his tongue, but stopped short when he spied an empty bed.

  “Elise?” He moved to the bathroom door and knocked. “We need to talk.”

  He waited a few moments. Nothing.

  “Elise? It’s Jason.”

  Still no sound came out of the room. A feeling of foreboding snaked through his bloodstream. He turned the knob and the door opened. Noticing a dark room, he pushed it all the way, revealing a vacant bathroom.

  “Have you seen Elise Roberts?” Jason asked the nurse at the desk.

  “She’s not in her room?”

  “No.”

  The nurse gave an unconcerned shrug. “She could be out for tests. Let me look at her chart.”

  After a thorough search confirmed Elise’s disappearance, Jason hurried out of the building. While driving south on I-95 toward Crystal’s office, he yanked his cell phone from his pocket.

  “Jimbo,” he said to voice mail. “Elise’s gone. Has been the entire afternoon. Sheriff’s deputy says a woman matching her description was seen skulking around Claire’s Collections earlier in the day. I’m on my way. Call me.”