“How would I understand that my only child doesn’t have time for me? You spend all your time closed up in your attic writing and then when you finish one of those books you’re gone again. ”
Tonya gritted her teeth. Her mother insisted on talking about her as though she were a character in a Dickens novel. It was more than a bit annoying, but it was part of their ritual and normally she just rolled with it. Knowing she was being manipulated she soldiered on. “I know it’s hard Mama, but I spend as much time with you as I can.”
“You’re going to regret this when I’m gone,” Anita said, sounding like a Tennessee Williams heroine.
Tonya blinked, surprised that her mother had played her ‘I’m gonna die just to spite you,’ card so soon. She was really off her game. She usually saved that one for serious matters, like manipulating Tonya into participating in family reunions and church functions. Well, if she was that determined...“Tell you what, Mama. I might be able to cut my meeting with my editor short. It’ll only be for an hour or two, but we can head up to Geechee.” Might as well get something she wanted out of it.
Her mother beamed at her. “It’s so nice to have such an understanding daughter.”
Tonya just smiled back, acknowledging that her mother had won this round.
* * * * *
Tonya looked out at the glittering scene before her, surprised, but delighted that so many people had chosen to come to her party. The array of celebrity guests was amazing -- big names in rock and hip hop; television and movie stars, and a fairly impressive list of who’s who in the publishing industry. It was easy enough to discern the A-listers; they were dressed the most casual. Nobody wanted to look as though they’d tried too hard. Even so, there were enough designer duds present to keep her in mortgage payments for years to come. The book people came out because they had to, and the celebrities came because she had a genuine rock legend present. And anywhere bona fide stars went, the paparazzi followed. It helped that most of the people present would gladly relinquish a vital organ for a magazine cover.
Though her publicist was good, Tonya knew she owed this party’s success to Callie. In the two years since she’d married the rocker Bryan Spencer, Callie had become a mover and shaker in celebrity circles. Tonight the art gallery had been converted for the release party. The stark white walls which were designed to display some of the priciest art in the city was the perfect backdrop for the sparkling array of stars and media that almost guaranteed her book’s success.
Tonya smoothed the lines of her slip of a cocktail dress before accepting a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She had originally planned to wear the standard little black dress she kept on stand-by for these occasions, but her mother and Callie had other ideas. The nude lace sheath dress she wore was classy and sophisticated; it complemented her subtly curved figure perfectly. The price still made her a bit light-headed, but maybe she could write that off on her taxes. She made a mental note to call her accountant tomorrow to inquire as to the possibility. Suddenly aware that her publicist was trying to get her attention, Tonya began walking in her direction.
She’d made it to within a few dozen feet of where Cecilia was standing when suddenly the hair rose on the back of her neck and she sensed she was being watched. A silly sensation really. It was her party. Of course she was being watched. She couldn’t shake the eerie feeling though, and as she continued across the room she looked about to see if she could detect who was paying her undue interest. Not seeing anyone, she continued on her way until just on the edge of her peripheral vision she spotted a ghost. Not an actual ghost, of course, but someone who might as well be one. Tonya turned and began frantically scanning the crowd, scurrying from place to place, but she didn’t see that familiar dark head again.
She came back to herself as she realized that people were giving her strange looks. That wasn’t surprising; she was darting from one side of the room to another looking at absolutely nothing. She had turned to make her way over to Cecilia when Callie came up behind her. “I know you don’t like crowds, but it’s really rude to run out on your own party. You might want to act as though you have some home training. This little shindig cost a mint. No way are you leaving out before it even begins.”
“Of course not. I just thought I saw someone I knew,” Tonya said, not really listening to her friend as she continued looking around the room. She had to be crazy. What the hell would Nate Randolph be doing here? He’d all but chewed off a limb to escape her twelve years ago, no reason for him to show up now. Still, she continued to look around.
Callie gave her a quizzical look. “I hope this place is full of people you know. Come on. I think I’ve talked Bryan into playing an acoustic set. Everybody will be talking about it tomorrow if he does it. Most of his songs would make a perfect soundtrack for murder and mayhem.”
“Are you about to go into PR?” Tonya asked her all-about-business friend after finally deciding that the man she’d seen had simply been a figment of her imagination.
Callie patted her enormous belly. Tonight she was wearing a low-cut jersey silk wrap dress that showed off her pregnancy enhanced bosom to its best advantage. “It pays to have a fall back position. Especially since Bryan apparently wants his own personal tribe.”
To everyone’s delight, Bryan not only agreed to play an acoustic set he played for much of the rest of the evening. The paparazzi went absolutely insane and Tonya’s publicist was almost giddy from the publicity...or maybe it was the champagne. The celebrity presence was in full-force. Even after several years of socializing with Bryan and Callie and their famous friends, it was still surreal for her as a small-town author to suddenly be rubbing elbows with so many A-listers. Callie worked the room like the pro she was, dragging Tonya along like a recalcitrant lap dog. With the lovely music and liberal amounts of champagne, Tonya gradually loosened up and began to enjoy herself.
“What’s Thad doing here?” she asked Callie, nodding her head toward where StormCrow’s lead guitarist stood near the door looking as though he were searching for someone.
Callie glanced over her shoulder, then turned back to Tonya with a smile. “Where else would he be with you in town? You know he’s got a mad crush on you.”
“Oh for God’s sake, Callie, he does not.”
“Every time you come to town he practically moves in. Last time he came over to bring Bryan a CD.” Callie rolled her eyes. “I can’t tell you the last time anyone in our house played one. Bryan doesn’t even have a player anymore.”
Tonya laughed. “Okay, that was funny, but it doesn’t mean he has a crush on me. I’m ten years older than him, and way too evil. He needs a sweet little Sunday school girl.”
“I would say he doesn’t want a Sunday school girl.”
“What makes you say that?”
“He’s after you, isn’t he?” her friend said with a wink before she began the countdown as Thad spied them. Tonya had to laugh at Callie’s antics. Thad was too young and too sweet for her and she suspected he knew it. She was always careful of his feelings and never gave him any encouragement. They both studied the lanky young man as he ambled over to where she and Callie stood. Three years of being with StormCrow had been good to Thad. He’d gained a little weight and his personality had loosened up -- a little. He even had something of a fashion following for his “geek chic” look that had been created by the band’s stylist. Thad was fairly nondescript except for one thing, his sparkling hazel green eyes. Even though he looked as though sugar wouldn’t melt in his mouth, Tonya was convinced that if he knew how to use them properly he could probably talk a woman into pretty much anything with just one pleading look.
“Hi, Thad,” Callie said, giving the young man a hug. “You’re looking good. So glad you could make it.”
“You knew I wouldn’t miss it,” he said to Callie, but his eyes never left Tonya’s face.
Tonya extended a hand and he used it to pull her into his embrace. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, and thank you for coming.”
Thad had only been with them for a moment when a buzz started across the room.
“Isn’t that Sioux Dupree over there?” he asked pointing to the young pop star whose wild mane of cherry Coke colored hair made her stand out even in this crowd.
Tonya looked at Callie. “What on earth is she doing here? For that matter what’s she doing out of rehab?”
Callie laughed. “Supposedly she’s been clean for a while. She’s taken to following StormCrow around. I think she wants to collaborate with them. Maybe open for the next tour.”
“Say what? Her music is nothing like StormCrow’s.”
“Apparently she has a new sound or gig or something. I don’t know all that much about it. Bryan won’t talk to her, which is why she’s following him around,” Callie said.
“You’re the only woman I know who wouldn’t worry about a beautiful young pop star following her husband around.”
“Bryan could’ve had a pop star each day of the week and two on Sunday if he wanted. He chose me instead. I’ve got nothing to worry about. Come on, I’ve got more people for you to meet.”
Before Tonya could respond the whirlwind that was Sioux Dupree descended upon them.
“Hi, Thad,” she said in a voice evocative of all the long nights of assorted mayhem she was rumored to have had. Tonya was always surprised anytime she heard the girl speak. For such a tiny little thing, she had a deep rich voice that they somehow managed to sanitize into pop pabulum on her records.
Thad sighed. “He’s not going to talk to you. You really need to stop stalking him this way.”
“He’ll talk to me if you come with me,” she said looking up at him with luminous brown eyes. Was that a tear? Clearly the little pop princess should’ve been an actor, if she could stay clean long enough to complete a film.
“Nope, he’ll just be pissed at me, too,” Thad said.
Tonya and Callie exchanged amused glances as Sioux continued to work on Thad, until he finally gave in and escorted her over to Bryan. Tonya giggled, then raised a melodramatic hand to her forehead. “I think I just got my heart broken. Abandoned for a younger woman.”
They both laughed, but then Callie sobered, “I hope you’re wrong. That girl is nothing but trouble,” she said shaking her head.
They watched as Sioux began pestering Bryan, who managed to look bored and aggravated at the same time, but they lost interest as the young woman eventually wandered off apparently defeated again.
Callie and Tonya continued to work the room in tandem. Callie had just introduced her to Badger Metcalf, star of an offbeat little comedy she’d enjoyed tremendously, when she felt eyes on her again. She leaned over to Callie.
“Do you see anyone watching me?”
“Everyone’s watching you. It’s your party. Besides you’re with Badger, he’s the “it boy” of the moment. Now stop whispering to me and talk to him, we’re being rude,” Callie said.
Chatting Badger up wasn’t all that difficult. For one thing he was gorgeous; tall with a classic dancer’s body, dark auburn hair and intense gray eyes. She had little trouble responding to his blatant flirting. It was a comfortable flirtation between a significantly younger man and an older woman when both know there’s no chance for anything more than a little playtime. Their conversation quickly segued into an exchange of telephone numbers. It was only after he mentioned an early shooting schedule that Tonya realized it was well past her bedtime, but for most of her guests it was the shank of the evening. Badger gave her a casual goodbye kiss that promised more and she looked forward to seeing him again. But the eerie feeling persisted and she was on edge for the rest of the night.
Despite her unease it turned out to be a very festive evening. When the music stopped she walked over to the cleared space at the far end of the room where Bryan had been playing. He and Callie were there obviously having an argument.
“You’ve been on your feet all day. You look exhausted,” Bryan said.
“Gee thanks. Just a few minutes ago you said I was beautiful,” Callie said.
“You are beautiful, and unbelievably tired. I don’t know why you’re arguing with me. You’re six months pregnant. With Rory and Brodie you were already on bedrest at this point.”
“They’re twins. I haven’t had any problems with this pregnancy.”
Tonya studied her friend in growing consternation. Callie did look tired and worn. Her movements were slow and almost wooden. It was definitely time for bed. She cleared her throat to get their attention and Bryan looked up. “Tonya, great. Will you please tell my lovely, but mule-headed wife that you won’t head for the nearest exit if she leaves?”
Callie gasped. “I never said that!”
“Might as well have. Look babe, I’ll stay down here and help Tonya. I’ll play all night if I have to, but you have to rest.”
Tonya laughed. “I won’t leave until the last guest does. I promise, but I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to your baby.”
Callie finally nodded. “Fine, I’ll go, but remember you promised to stay and help Tonya.”
“Yes,” Bryan said. “I’m going to call the driver to take you back to the hotel.”
Tonya left the two of them and continued to work the room, not leaving until the bartenders announced last call. Even knowing it was crazy she couldn’t stop looking for Nate, and the sensation of being watched never abated. Though she was excited about the publicity, she was extremely happy when the party finally wound down and she could go to bed.
Chapter Two
“So what do you think of this one, Tonya?”
Tonya looked on as her mother modeled a gorgeous bronze brocade sheath dress. It had a 1960s retro vibe and like pretty much anything she put on the dress looked fabulous on her mother and Tonya told her so.
Anita turned with her back to the full-length mirror. “You really think so? I swear the battle to keep my figure gets harder every day. Reuben and I are going to Vegas for a convention and I want to look nice.”
“Nobody dresses for Vegas anymore, Mama.”
Anita turned up her nose and gave an elegant sniff. “Philistines. Life is too short to run around looking like you don’t have any people. Where are the clothes you picked out?”
Tonya gestured to the tiny boutique’s only other dressing room. “I put them in there. Are you going to get the dress?”
“Yeah, I think I will. Reuben will love it,” her mother said.
“Where is he today anyway? I thought for sure you’d drag him along on this excursion.”
“He had to make some phone calls. Something came up at work.” In addition to being a minister, Reuben was one of North Alabama’s most successful real estate agents. “Besides, I thought we could take this time together, since you’re going to be gone so long.”
Tonya rolled her eyes. She was not going to be gone more than two weeks. She got up from the Biedermeier chair she’d been perched on. Geechee was a small boutique with an up and coming designer named Tree Tolbert. Clearly no expense had been spared in decorating the boutique, which looked like a lady’s boudoir. Tonya loved the décor nearly as much as she adored the clothes. The walls were draped in soft mauve hued silk which played well off the dark furnishings. Walking into the dressing room, she picked up the first outfit she’d planned to try on: a pair of black cigarette pants with a matching tuxedo jacket. She had no idea where she’d wear such an ensemble, but she’d wanted it from the moment she laid eyes on it. Her mother instantly approved it, as well as four other outfits Tonya had picked out. Though she could happily spend the day in the store, Tonya knew she needed to get back to the hotel. She’d moved her meeting with her editor to later that evening and she didn’t want to be late.
They exited the boutique with far too many bags and started walking toward the corner to hail a taxi. As they passed an alleyway between the boutique and another building, Tonya suddenly felt a hard shove to her back and then a
very strong hand grabbed her arm. Before she could turn to see who had assaulted her, she heard her mother cry out. Looking down she saw Anita sprawled on the ground, her packages spilled all around her while the man who’d shoved her turned to grab Tonya.
Tonya swung her bag at this new assailant while desperately trying to free herself from the first. Too winded to even scream she was grateful that her mother was screeching at the decibel level of a tornado siren as she struggled to regain her feet. Tonya’s arm hurt and had begun to throb and she was starting to think she’d never get away. No matter how many times she kicked and scratched, the man held on and dragged her inexorably toward an alley between two stores. Making herself a dead weight helped slow them down somewhat and Tonya finally got enough air to scream herself as she realized that what she had assumed was a simple robbery was starting to look like rape. Determined to at least be able to ID them, she turned her head to get a good look at the first one’s face. He was small, dark and looked Latino, though he could’ve been Arabic, it was hard to tell. Either way he had a wiry strength from which it seemed impossible to break free.
The other man had similar looks and stature, except that he had a long scar that ran almost from ear-to-ear. A wave of nausea came up in her throat and for a moment Tonya thought she was going to hurl all over them. She almost welcomed it, as it seemed to be her only hope of escape. Despite their loud screams no one had come to their assistance. Everything had happened so quickly it was possible that no one realized that anything untoward was going on.
Then just as suddenly as the attack had begun the men were gone. A tall dreadlocked man had grabbed one by the collar while the other abruptly collapsed at her feet as though someone had suddenly cut a puppet’s string. She didn’t see the blow that felled him, but assumed there had been one. She leaned against the wall far out of reach of the fight as the man delivered one punch and then another to the side of the attacker’s neck. He promptly fell to the ground in much the same fashion as the first one.
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