Glass Towers, Shattered (Glass Towers Trilogy)

by Adler

  Then I hear him let out a faint sigh.

  “And I you, Danielle. Goodnight and sleep well.”

  Then, before I can say anything else, he hangs up.

  Gulp…now that sent a different shiver down my body. One of pleasure, not fear. I melt at how his voice caresses over my name like his hands feel running down my body.

  I put the phone down on the nightstand and plug in the charger. I set about finding something to wear to bed. The suitcases were hastily packed, so I have no idea where everything is. I give up and grab my overnight bag full of toiletries. After I finish preparing for bed, I venture out to the living room and see that everything is restored to its usual tidiness.

  I walk to the front door and double-check the locks. I glance over and see the red light on the alarm that indicates it is set. Good, now I can sleep. I walk quietly back to my room and gratefully crawl into bed.

  My sleep is fitful and frequently interrupted. I have that dream with the person chasing me again. It always comes to me when I am stressed out or emotionally distraught. So, it’s no surprise I find the dark figure chasing after me again tonight. Of course, this dark figure is a coward because every time I catch a glimpse of his identity, I am awoken.

  As I slowly open my eyes, I strain to recognize the room. I don’t recognize anything. The room looks foreign to me. Where the hell am I? I rub my eyes and, once they re-focus, I see my pile of luggage and boxes on the floor across the room. Ah, that’s right, I am at Simone’s.

  Whew! For a moment there, I completely forgot everything. I stare up at the faint beams of light on the ceiling. As the cobwebs clear, everything comes rushing back to me.

  Harrison loves me. I love Harrison. We can’t be together right now, and who knows when we ever will be. I have nowhere to live because I am the target of that wine bitch’s wrath. The part that just pushes me over the edge is that she is not woman enough to do it herself. She sends her minions. Knowing that, in all likelihood, it is her at the helm of this would normally set me a little more at ease. However, what Harrison has told me about her, prevents me from thinking these are the harmless tricks of a jealous woman. He obviously thinks she was involved in Adelaide’s death and that I may meet the same fate as Adelaide. It’s an awful lot to digest. Since the woman is so desperate, I suppose it makes sense. Harrison said he would put nothing past her. After all, it’s not just his love she is after; she’s driven by a hungry desire for his wealth and power, as well as his heart.

  Chapter 11

  I reach over to the nightstand, grab my phone, and pull it off the charger. I look at the time. Holy crap! It’s 10:47 in the morning! I have slept most of the day away already!

  I quickly scroll through my emails and note that nothing that needs immediate attention. I see a text from Harrison and open it.

  8:10 AM

  Harrison Towers

  Good morning mon amour! Garrin is coming over after lunch around 1:00pm. Will have another guy there the rest of the week. Call you soon.

  I smile to myself and feel a warm blush come over my face. Despite all the nonsense of last night, what a delicious way to start my day! I may not know French, but Amour means love. That I know.

  I put the phone down and stretch. I look over and see that my door is ajar. I wonder if Simone cracked my door to check on me, or should I be alarmed? I climb out of bed, still wearing my track suit from last night. I start to walk over to the door, when I trip over something and hear a yelp, as my foot comes in contact with the floor and something warm. I quickly turn around to see Henry, Simone’s overgrown chocolate lab, scramble to his feet. I apparently stepped on his tail. How did I forget Henry was here and how did he end up in my room? Hmmm I wonder if she let him in my room to keep me company. I reach down to make amends for the assault on his tail. He happily accepts my apology and wags his wounded appendage in response.

  After giving Henry his due attention, I turn my sights on unpacking. If I am to get dressed today, I figure I had better get my things organized first. I hastily put everything away in the empty dresser drawers of Simone’s guestroom. Then, I set to the task of finding room for my hanging clothes in the packed closet, which Simone uses for her wardrobe overflow. Once all my bags, suitcases, and boxes are unpacked, I change into my running clothes and put on the tennis shoes that my mom bought for me last year. I consolidate the suitcases by stowing the smaller ones inside of the larger. I stack them up neatly in the corner of the room, under one of the windows by the dresser. I grab my phone off the nightstand and my ear buds out of my briefcase.

  Once out in the kitchen, I notice half a pot of coffee, a key, and a note on the counter. In Simone’s pretty handwriting, it says:

  Danners,

  Help yourself to anything. Not a lot to eat, let’s just grab dinner out later. I have clients today. Text or call me! I think that key should work. Don’t forget to call the detective about the flower on the windshield and the mystery wine. Must admit, I am a little worried. Please lock up and be a doll and take Henry out to bathroom?!

  Hugs

  I pour myself a quick mug of coffee and take a couple swigs. I head back to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. I throw my hair hastily into a high ponytail, thinking that I should call the detective when I return.

  Back out in the kitchen, Henry has now joined me. He looks at me expectantly. I look down at his wagging tail and questioning eyes. “Do you want to go for a run?”

  He continues to wag his tail with enthusiasm. I look around for a leash and find one hanging on a hook in the mudroom off the kitchen. Henry starts doing circles and then rears his front legs. “Sit Henry.” He complies. I fasten his leash to his collar and then my phone and ear buds set up. I grab the house key to lock up, and we head out.

  Simone lives in the Southwest Hills of Portland, in a cute, old neighborhood. Her house is a well restored bungalow style, with lots of old world charm. She has done well for herself, and was able to get the house for a screaming deal when the economy crashed. I helped her decorate when she bought the house four years ago. Bradley was annoyed that I wasn’t getting paid anything for the project. I was exasperated that he would even suggest that I should charge her. It was a really fun house to decorate, and since I was still green in my career, it was great practice. She has very eclectic taste, so I was able to infuse antiques with modern pieces. I called it “polished shabby chic”. She chose pale cabbage green and white as her color palette, with accents of chrome. I still find the colors to be soothing and peaceful. Not at all like her bubbly personality. It was a challenge to make it all look like a cohesive home, but I managed to do it and to date, it remains one of my favorite projects.

  With Henry by my side, and the music blaring in my ears, I can almost let my mind clear of all the recent events that have led me up to this very moment. I take deep, cleansing breaths as I enjoy the brisk fall air. I smell the musty, rotting leaves and feel the glare of the sun on my face, as it peeks through the clouds. I love running. It does so much for my sanity. I have not had time to run for a while. When I retreated to my parents’ house for a week, I got back into running every day. It helps with my stress level and dealing with my tangled up emotions. I muse at how much things have changed in just 24 hours. It is extraordinary, really.

  I keep heading up the hill on my run, without paying much attention to my surroundings. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I feel a hard, quick shove at the middle of my back. I topple over my own feet and lunge forward, skinning my bare knees across the asphalt. As I fall, I accidentally let go of the leash and my ear buds yank out of my ears. I catch myself with the palms of my hands. I turn my head quickly to look over my shoulder, expecting to identify my assailant. Nobody is there.

  All I can hear is Henry barking, and I see him running after a person who is dressed all in black. I hear a man’s voice let out a shriek, as the dog continues his pursuit. Suddenly, Henry lets out a wounded howl, followed by the sound of screeching tires. I’ve already
scrambled to my feet and am now limping down the hill as quickly as I can, toward the noise. Calling to Henry, I pray that he isn’t harmed.

  Here he comes, with his tail wagging, tongue hanging out of his mouth and his leash dragging behind him, as if nothing has happened. The car is already gone, but I can see, off in the distance, a black SUV careening down toward the bottom of the narrow, winding hill.

  I would be willing to bet that it was the same SUV that I saw last night. When I get back to the house, I’ll give the detective a call. I sure have a whole lot to add to the events of last night.

  I pick up Henry’s leash and hobble back down the hill to Simone’s, while telling Henry what a good boy he is. I wonder if I would have fared so well, if he hadn’t been with me? It is scary to think what else may have happened had he not been there. It occurs to me that these Marion Minions, as Simone calls them, are getting more brazen. I mean, here I am, running in broad daylight with a dog, and they attack me without care for who might be watching --not very bashful are they?

  I get back to the house and let myself in, once again not being aware of what is going on around me. The pain in my knees and hands is enough to have me sufficiently distracted. I reach up to hang Henry’s leash on its peg, when he starts growling and showing his teeth.

  The hair is standing up on my neck, as I turn around quickly. I scream and jump back a foot, when I see Bradley standing in the doorway to the mudroom.

  What the hell???

  “BRADLEY!” I yell “What the hell? You scared the living shit out of me! What are you doing here?” I demand, as my heart is beating out of my chest.

  He looks surprised, “Wha…well...I was worried about you. After I got your message last night, I tried to call you back, but I kept getting a recording saying the number wasn’t valid.”

  I am totally confused. “What number did you call? How did you find me here?”

  “I called Simone this morning to see if she knew anything. I also called your parents. Um you should call them, they are slightly worried.” I give him another dirty look.

  “Don’t get upset with me, I was worried. I called them back right after I got a hold of Simone. Just call them soon, okay?!”

  “Seriously, Bradley, why didn’t you call me on my new number? It should have been on your caller ID when I called you last night. Didn’t you think to check that?”

  “No, I don’t have your new number. It did not show on my cell phone, it only appeared as a blocked call. Simone wouldn’t give it to me, which by the way, I had to pry your whereabouts out of her. She is like a steel trap, but she did finally tell me all that has happened. You know, she really hates me. What have you told her?” He gives me this smarmy look.

  I snort, “Just the truth Bradley; isn’t that enough?”

  “Okay, okay.” He looks down at my knees, “Say, what happened to you? Your knees are bleeding. Did you trip?”

  “No! I was pushed.” As the words come out of my mouth, I realize how badly my knees and palms hurt. Now that I think about it, my neck hurts also. I must have tweaked it when I fell.

  “Pushed? By whom? This beast here?” He motions to Henry, who is engrossed in sniffing Bradley’s left black loafer.

  “No! I was pushed by a man. He pushed me from behind, I lost my footing, and fell forward onto my knees. I am lucky that I had Henry with me. There is no telling what would have happened if he had not been there to protect me!”

  Bradley looks stressed and there’s something else in his eyes that I can’t put my finger on.

  “My God Dani, what the hell is going on? Did you get a good look at him? We should call the police and report this.” He turns and shuts the mudroom door behind him and reaches into his jacket, pulling out his phone.

  “I did not get a good look at him. All I saw was someone in black running away, with Henry chasing after him. The only other thing I saw was a black SUV driving down the hill. Similar to the one I saw pulling away from my building last night. I assume it is the same creepers.” A nasty violent chill runs down my spine at top speed.

  He looks at me and shakes his head. “Oh Dani, what kind of mess are you embroiled in? It’s not like you to have so much drama!”

  He moves toward me as I put my hand out to stop him. “Look Bradley, I promised Harrison that I would not interact with you. He has one of his men coming here soon to keep an eye on things. I appreciate that you came to check on me, but I think you should go.”

  He steps back and looks at me with his wounded-puppy-dog look. He has used this look on me for years. It used to work on me back in the day. Not now, I am immune to his wiles.

  “Wow Dani, I thought you and Mr. Towers were on the outs? Last I heard he was engaged to that hot chick you showed me in the newspaper.”

  My stomach does a flip. I feel nauseous at the thought of that reality. Bradley is so insensitive, but of course, he would be --he is my ex-husband.

  “You know you are a real fucking jerk, Bradley! It’s complicated.” Before I start blabbing too much, I reign in my anger.

  He tilts his head at me and scrunches his nose. “What is complicated about it? He is engaged to someone else. What gives here, Dani, are you to be the ‘other woman’?” He uses his fingers to make air quotes, which he knows I detest.

  “I resent that, Bradley. I am not the other woman. I told you it is complicated, and I am not seeing him. He is just helping me out.”

  “Sure, I get it.” He winks at me. “But be careful not to become a hypocrite Dani, apparently it is not an admirable trait.” He gives me a knowing look. I had used that line on him many times when we were divorcing. Now he is throwing it back at me.

  “I am tired of this conversation, and my knees are throbbing with pain.” I look down and notice that the blood is dry and crusty. “If you will excuse me, I need to get cleaned up and give the detective a call to report my latest drama as you put it.”

  He doesn’t move, but stands there in front of me, with his arms crossed and a smug look parked on his face. Oh, how I would love to smack that look off his face clear into next week!

  I take a side step to move toward the door to open it for him to leave. He grabs my elbow as I try to pass.

  “Be careful, Dani. I think you are in over your head. Believe it or not, I do still care about what happens to you, and I would hate for this to escalate.”

  I yank my arm away from him. The menacing look on his face is something I have never seen. Never. I am frightened beyond anything else so far. I wouldn’t have expected this kind of behavior to come from Bradley.

  Calmly, I say, “Thanks for coming by. I want you to leave now!” I stiffly walk the rest of the way to the door, and with shaking scraped up hands, I open the door. I turn to look at him just in time to see a dark shadow travel across his face. To mask his anger, he looks down at Henry, who is still sniffing him. When he looks back at me, his face looks normal and he shrugs his shoulders. He nonchalantly leans down and kisses the top of my head, as if everything were normal, and then he walks through the doorway. I am shaking head to toe, and just now when he kissed my head, it sent a negative shock wave down my spine. I feel nauseous again.

  “Bye, Dani, good luck, I am afraid you will need it.”

  As he heads down the walkway, he began whistling. Since when does he whistle?

  I shut the door and lock it. I run past the kitchen, down the long hallway to the bathroom. I barely make it to the toilet, when I proceed to get violently sick.

  Chapter 12

  An hour later, I emerge from the bathroom, feeling refreshed. Actually better than refreshed, I feel like a new woman. After Bradley left and I got sick, I called the detective, while sitting on the floor of the bathroom. I leaned against the wall and filled him in on everything, getting him up-to-date. He asked if I had received any more of those crank calls. I hadn’t noticed, but once I thought about it, I had not received any creepy calls since yesterday. That is one positive thing to be happy about. After I got
off the phone with him, I took a shower and got myself ready for the day.

  I dress myself, once again, in a comfy, deep-pink velour track suit, then I head out to the kitchen. I pour myself another cup of coffee and pop it into the microwave. I look over at a sleeping Henry, curled up into a ball in his fluffy bed. My hero! Note to self, get that dog a chewy bone; he earned it.

  While I wait for my coffee, I get my laptop and set it up on the wooden dining table in the bright kitchen. Normally, I love my work, but today, I dread my to-do list. I have the professors’ install coming up quickly, and I have to navigate the finishing touches. I will need to map out my shopping trip, so I can make the best use of my time. I only have Thursday to get all the final pieces I need to install in a week. With my plans to be gone this weekend, time is getting short. I am very thankful for the business, but I am anxious to be done with this project. The wife has proven to be a bit of an opinionated handful. I approach my business with the attitude that the client is always right, even if they are wrong. It is my job to help them make the right decision. This is not always an easy task. She knows it all and reminds me all the time that she is writing the checks. At the end of the day, I digress because she is right and I am getting a hefty check when this job is done.

  I get up to retrieve my coffee from the microwave, as it has given me the third reminder chime that time is up. As I move across the room, I see someone coming up the walkway to the mudroom door. I freeze, oh no! Who the hell is here? I hear a firm knock on the door. “Henry, Henry, come.” A sleepy Henry gets up from his cozy bed and reluctantly follows me to the mudroom. I see through the glass pain that the man on the other side is that gorgeous French guy, Garrin. I totally forgot he was coming over. Surprisingly, Henry doesn’t bark, instead he just stands there and wags his tail.

  I open the door and give Garrin a bright smile. “Hi!”

  “Bonjour Mademoiselle Austen.” He wipes his feet on the mat outside the door and advances into the mudroom.