by Sandra Kyle
Beach house. Just like he told Nate.
Her stomach groaned, a bundle of nerves making itself heard.
Do I surprise him like I did at the quarry? Vanessa wondered if Daniel had forgotten about the app and the ability it afforded her to locate him. She felt a smile form. Her husband either didn’t know how to turn it off or didn’t care that his every move was tracked. His hatred of technology could definitely be manipulated to my advantage if I was a jealous, untrustworthy wife. She reevaluated her thought. It’s everyone else I don’t trust, when it comes down to it.
She played back one of his many butt-dialed voicemails. He had unintentionally left it after their clandestine meeting at the quarry weeks ago. Vanessa had discerned the chorus to one of her favorite songs in the background, amidst the scrapes and pops. He was thinking of me when he heard it. I know it. He thinks about me all the time. As much as I think about him. That’s why he ended up at my doorstep not long after he left that message.
That’s why I love him.
*
It was a dangerous gamble And stupid. And if anyone knew what Daniel was up to, they would have put a stop to it. Which was why he hadn’t told anyone.
The chat with Jack on the phone had confirmed what he’d dreaded. He, Donnie, and Phil poured over the footage for a couple of hours. Nothing even hinting at incrimination where Mabel was concerned had turned up in the video.
He paced the length of the entry rug. Every time he rotated on his heel and faced the screen door, his gaze inspected the gravel drive in wait.
Not much longer.
The quick chat he’d had with Mabel over the phone a half-hour ago had left things open-ended.
On purpose.
He’d thanked her for her time on the court that morning. In passing, he mentioned he was alone at her beach house finishing up some details. And it’d be great, if she had time of course, to review a sample or two before the next work day. He could bring them by, he’d offered. Taking the bait, she purred that she had a free hour or so. She’d try and swing by. If she didn’t get to it, he was more than welcome to come to the house with the samples. But the way the honey-coated words left her mouth made one thing clear.
She’ll come.
He’d laid the groundwork with all of his syrupy, cavity-inducing talk today. She’d come by and try her wiles on him. Again. Just like she had months ago.
Before Cameron came into the picture.
He’d gotten out of many an awkward situation with Mabel back then.
And now I’m inviting it. On purpose. To fix things.
A rhythmic tapping from the back of the house, leading out to the sandy beach, got his attention.
Something must have blown up to the door. Occasional debris found its way onto the patio. The six panels of large sliding doors the crew had installed a week ago still had their protective transparent film attached to the glass. He had impressed himself with the idea. It now offered a stunning view of the outdoor sitting area, the bright beach, and the blue water. The large interior living room felt even larger now with the glass replacement, which he’d not thought possible.
Daniel peeked around the corner to the back. His mouth fell open. Vanessa’s figure stood in wait on the patio, staring out at the water. His head whipped back to the entryway.
Vanessa? With Mabel on her way? Shit. Shit. Shit.
His heart pounded. He rushed to the sliding door. The new rollers released easily with the gentlest pull. Vanessa turned and gave him a thankful smile. When her eyes searched his face, however, the soft lines around them crinkled. “Are you all right? I know you weren’t expecting me.”
“No. Yeah, yeah, I’m good.” He stepped out onto the flagstone patio. “What are you doing here?” He shrugged. “Where’s your truck? I didn’t see you pull up.”
She thumbed behind her shoulder. “The public lot down by the boardwalk. I decided to take a walk along the beach and see the progress you’ve been making.” She broke from his gaze. “That’s a lie. Nate told me all that happened today and said I should make a point to connect with you.” A lift of her head gave him the chance to drink in the beauty of those chocolate-brown eyes he adored.
“Baby—” Daniel began.
Vanessa broke in. “I know I’ve been terrible and distant and unforgiving—”
“Did Nate tell you about the evidence we got a chance to look at?” Daniel took the chance and cut her off. No time.
She nodded.
“Good. Then, you might understand why I have to ask you to leave. Right now.”
“What?” Vanessa shook her head at the ridiculous request. “I came to see you. To talk things out.”
“And I’m in complete thankfulness for that. But…”
“But what?”
“I’ve got Mabel coming over so that I can get her confession.”
Vanessa’s lids widened. Her brows lifted an inch.
He pulled out his phone. “I found this voice memo app on my phone.” He grinned for a second. “You’d be proud.”
She waved a hand. “I know I’m to blame for all of this. Telling you what I overheard that day. Daniel”—her fingers wrapped around his wrist—“you don’t have to do whatever crazy-ass thing you have planned. I believe you.”
“I’m going to fix this. Once and for all. You need to go.” He hopped back into the living room. Before he had a chance to close the door, she slipped in behind him. If he had fur, it would have puffed up in ire. “Vanessa,” he labored, “you are going to mess everything up.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Are you going to kick me out?”
“Of course not.” He sighed and jogged to the front door. “She’s not here yet. There’s still time for you to respect my wishes and leave, though.”
She scrutinized him. “What was your plan?”
“Huh?”
“What exactly are you going to get her to confess to?”
“That she was with Brian the day he died. I need to find out what she might know. Maybe she did it.”
Vanessa laughed. “She’s not going to confess to murder if you whisper in her ear.”
“I brought some bourbon.”
“Well, that should do it,” Vanessa mumbled in a sarcastic tone. She shook her head and sighed. “This is nuts, but… let me help.”
“What?”
“Where’s a good place to hide? I’ll record the whole thing.”
“Not a good idea.” He moaned.
She snapped her fingers. “The pantry you redid. You said it’s the size of our bathroom.” She rushed to the kitchen. A quick tug of the accordion doors revealed a spacious interior filled with shelves and drawers. “There’s plenty of room for me in here.” She pulled out her phone. “I’ll tape the whole thing.”
“Now who’s sounding insane?”
“I’m not leaving you alone with her. If she is dangerous…”
They both turned at the sound of tires spinning over gravel.
Vanessa fumbled with her phone’s screen. “Put some music on so it’s not so damn quiet in here.” She retreated into the pantry’s alcove and reached for the door. “‘Til death do us part, right?”
He squinted. “You have lost your mind.”
“No,” she whispered, “I love you is all.” Her face disappeared behind the shuttered facade.
Daniel’s mind short-circuited for some seconds. He stood, frozen in place.
“Music, babe,” Vanessa whispered from behind the door. “And run your fingers through your hair. Oh, and look her up and down like you want to throw her on the kitchen island. That might get her to say whatever you want.”
“My wife is giving me tips on how to seduce another woman,” he stated in a monotone and hurried over to his portable bluetooth speaker. Once on, he rotated the dial to a known station. Music filled the kitchen as the front screen door eased shut behind the curves and sass that made up Mabel Fitz-Davis.
“Danny?” she cooed.
“In the k
itchen, Mabel.” He positioned himself near the island, by the sample props he’d placed out in anticipation of her arrival. His attention darted from the open liquor bottle and his half-full glass beside it on the counter to the pantry. Vanessa is hiding in there, recording. I’m doing a sorry-ass portrayal of a criminal investigator turned mole. This is crazy.
She waltzed in, wrapped in a bright yellow sarong. The fabric whirled around bare, tan shoulders and a plunging neckline. A few turns about the tiny waist and the silky pattern ended right above her knees. Sandal straps encased small feet and pink toenails. Ready to hit the beach. And ready to hit on me.
*
We most definitely did not think this through.
Vanessa shifted on the balls of her feet in the dark pantry. Every imperceptible tap or shuffle she inadvertently created amplified in her ears as if she’d been plopped dead center into a headbanging rock concert.
Don’t forget to breathe. She held the phone with both hands, leaning the mouthpiece end into the sliver of a gap between the doors. A slow gulp echoed in her brain.
The shutter slits did not provide much in terms of a view. A pop of yellow to the scene indicated Mabel had entered the kitchen.
“What are you cooking up in here?” Mabel purred like a cat in heat. Vanessa’s skin crawled at her current state of eavesdropping. This is wrong on so many levels.
“Some tile for this island. I was tossing around the idea to incorporate a splashy pattern. This is the best spot. Want to take a look?”
A thud. Her enormous purse landing on the counter. She could hide a body in there if she wanted to. Or at least the tools to cut someone up into itty bitty pieces. Vanessa shuddered. Get a grip. You haven’t stepped into a Stephen King novel.
“Hm. I like this one.” Her voice was closer. Closer to Daniel.
“Excellent choice. I may be able to pick up enough at the tile shop tomorrow.”
“That was all you needed?” The question was laced with disappointment.
“I need lots of things.” A dramatic sigh from Daniel followed the statement.
He’s laying it on pretty thick.
“Have you been drinking all by yourself?” She was picking up on all of the cues.
“I didn’t raid your liquor cabinet. But I am guilty of using one of your glasses.”
“Mi casa e su casa.”
Vanessa cringed.
“Indulge me. Have a drink.” A cabinet door opened, and the pouring of liquid signaled Daniel was not asking.
“Sure. We can toast to a great day.”
Daniel chuckled. “Looking like an ass on the tennis court constitutes a great day for me?”
“You can’t be perfect at everything,” Mabel teased.
“I pride myself on perfection.”
“Well, if you keep at it, I’m sure you will excel.”
A clink of glasses. Silence as they sipped.
“Think I can get as good as Cameron?”
“He is quite close to perfect on the courts.”
“Is that why you stopped paying me much mind?”
Mabel fumbled over her words. “Wha-what?”
“Come on, Mabel. We danced around it for months. That first go round of filming… I got used to your daily visits.”
“Well…I…I must admit that’s news to me.” She imbibed. “A woman can only get spurned so many times before she looks elsewhere.”
“Aw, Mabel.” His voice was soft and tender. “I was with Vanessa. You can call me many things, but cheater is not one.”
Hearing Daniel talk about her in the past tense made her heart ache.
“Are you saying you and Vanessa are no longer together?”
“Like you didn’t know that? You can’t keep much a secret in Savannah.” He took another sip, encouraging Mabel to do the same.
“I’d heard you were staying at your old house.”
“Things haven’t been good since… well, you knew him, too, I found out today. I have to admit I was surprised when Cameron told me that Brian Lancaster was a friend of yours.”
“He was hardly a friend.” The flirtiness was gone, replaced with a sharp tone.
“But you brought him to the club back in May.”
“I didn’t have much of a choice. That man was like a bad case of fleas.”
“I understand. We never seemed able to get rid of him, Vanessa and I. He was always hanging over us like a rain cloud.” Vanessa listened, wondering how much of Daniel’s story was fiction and how much he might have truly believed. “But how did you know him?”
“Is this what you wanted to talk about? Is that why you called me over?”
Shit.
“I’m sorry. Listen to me wallowing in self-pity.” He lowered his voice. “I guess it’s just... I’ve always felt this strong connection to you, Mabel. Like I could bare my soul to you.” He choked back some of his words. “It’s been so hard, with Vanessa wanting nothing to do with me. She couldn’t handle Brain’s death. She blamed me for it.”
“She’s an idiot.” A sound of disgust rumbled up from Mabel’s throat. “I honestly don’t know what either of you saw in her. Brian was obsessed. Ingratiating himself into our fold with one of Archie’s real estate acquisitions. And why? Thinking he could use me to get that mousy accountant back.”
Bitch.
“No. Oh, Mabel, I’m sorry you had to go through that. It must have been horrible.”
“It was. I mean to have that whiny banker go on and on about her. He had me convinced that if I threw myself at you, you’d crumble. I knew you were better than that.” Is she crying?
“You should have told me. I could have helped.”
“And, then, when he told me about the pictures of you that would go viral if Vanessa didn’t come see him…”
“You knew about those?”
“We’d gone back to his motel and he started again, drinking and ranting. I heard about this elaborate plan he concocted over a year ago. Paid a group of people, got you drugged at some party, and had compromising pictures taken. Was waiting for the right time to use them. He was losing his patience. You didn’t show any signs of caving no matter who he threw at you. Even that twit Jessica. He only had to make one phone call to this reporter he knew in Hollywood and you would be ruined.”
Vanessa closed her open mouth and swallowed.
“And then, he told me to get out. That he had to get ready for Vanessa to show up.” A glass slammed on the counter. “I was so angry with him. And her. Messing up your life. Messing with both of our lives like that.”
“You didn’t…?” Daniel trailed off.
She laughed. “Kill him? God no. I just wanted to shut him up. But I was rash and wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“What did you do?”
“He’d gone into the bathroom. His glass was on the dressing table. I pulled out a few of my valiums, crushed them up, and dropped them into his drink.” Mabel sniffled. “He came back out and yelled about why I hadn’t left yet. I suggested we toast to a job well done. We did. And then I left.” Her sobs grew louder. “And then, I found out he’d died.” Her voice was muffled. Vanessa guessed Daniel embraced her in comfort. “Who will believe I didn’t do it on purpose, try to kill him, after all that? And Archie. Oh, Danny. I don’t know what to do. You don’t know how much of a relief it is to tell someone. Especially you.”
Mabel’s cries were the only sound Vanessa could hear for a long, arduous minute.
Finally, Daniel spoke. “I think the police would understand that what you did was in the heat of the moment, Mabel. Especially if they heard your heartfelt confession.”
“Confession? I won’t be confessing to anything.” She flipped her tone again. Not a hiccup or inflection of sadness in her voice. “You can’t say anything to anyone, either.”
“Mabel, I…”
“What is this? Are you trying to frame me for it? You still care for that sorry excuse of a woman, don’t you? All of this… you are as stupid as Brian was
.”
Vanessa heard a slice cut through the air.
“Mabel, put the knife down.”
Oh my God.
“You won’t reject me again, Danny. Not again.”
Vanessa dropped the phone and slammed the pantry doors wide open. Mabel whipped around in her direction, with a chef’s knife clutched in her tight grip. Her eyes were wide, her cheeks red, an expression full of rage on her face.
The distraction gave Daniel just enough time to react. He grabbed Mabel by the forearms, his chest pressed tight against her back, forcing her arms to her sides.
“Let me go!” Mabel screamed.
“Shut up!” Vanessa curled up her fist and made contact with Mabel’s face. The knife fell to the ground. Vanessa kicked it across the floor. It slid into the pantry. “I think we’ve all heard about enough from you.”
“Call the police,” Daniel commanded.
Vanessa nodded. Once she found her phone and turned off the voice memo, she hit the emergency call button. “Who’s a sorry excuse for a woman now?”
Chapter Nine
Everyone who was anyone in Savannah had come out for the police processional outside of the Fitz-Davis’ beach house. Twilight had blanketed the scene with some much-needed discretion. But the circling red and blue lights gave the front of the home an out-of-place discotheque feel. The red rope barriers were replaced with yellow police caution tape.
Instead of an exalted entrance down the steps of a country club gala, Mabel Fitz-Davis was escorted out of the beach house in handcuffs by an officer. The disheveled and wild appearance of the former debutante offered a stark contrast to how the visit had begun. She had tussled herself into a huge mess trying to free herself from Daniel’s strong grip while the trio waited for the police.
And to think she wanted to be held by him only moments before things went to hell in a handbasket. Vanessa watched the spectacle along with everyone else. Lots of shaking heads and phones directed toward Mabel could be seen in the growing crowd.
A constant barrage of expletives and insults flew out of Mabel’s mouth. Her lawyer followed, on his phone the entire time. Archibald Fitz-Davis was nowhere to be found amid all of the crazy.