by Maggie Thom
Shaking off that memory, he tried to see it through Bailey’s eyes. In truth though, he couldn’t take his eyes off her face as she lit up like Cinderella at the ball.
“This is incredible. Wow. This must have been amazing to play in as a kid. Hide-and-seek would have been fun. I’m betting a kid could get lost for days.”
He smiled but didn’t correct her assumption that it had always been laughter and fun. He was just glad this place didn’t scare the crap out of her, because when she discovered who really lived there, it just might be the last time she talked to him.
Graham pulled in front of the extravagant marble stairs that rose to an open set of massive, double oak doors. Guy was about to suggest they go for a drive and come back later but he should have known better. His grandmother was already hustling out the door, her cane barely clipping the ground as she hurried toward them as though she feared they’d drive away.
Not looking forward to this encounter but knowing it was already in motion, Guy opened his door and jumped out.
“Stay here for a minute. Please.” He glanced at Bailey but reinforced it with a look to Graham before closing the door. Turning, he skipped up the stairs expecting her usually demanded hug, but she was busy trying to move past him. Guy stepped in front of her, only to have her cane land against his ribs and shove him sideways. Looping his arm over her shoulder he tried to steer her away but she wasn’t having any of it. She slipped around him and made her way toward the Hummer.
“Stop. She doesn’t know who you are.”
She spun so fast he was sure she was going to topple over. He grabbed her arm, steadying her. “Come and walk with me. I’ll explain.”
She glanced at him and then anxiously toward the vehicle. It had been almost thirty years since she’d been able to hold her granddaughter.
“Gram. I can’t go into all that has happened but I—”
“Never told her anything. Dammit Guy. I sent you because I thought I could trust you. I thought you’d follow my instructions. You were to find her. Let me know. I’d set up the meeting. What the hell are you trying to do to me? I won’t have Gina and Daniel put on that emotional roller coaster again. Do you hear me?”
The shouting wasn’t out of character for her, but the emotional wobble to her voice was and it almost did him in. It was the fourth time he’d ever heard it. The first had been when he’d shown up at the age of ten. The second had been when his step grandfather had died. The third was when she’d asked him to find Cassidy.
“Yes, I do. And my intention wasn’t to spring her on you.” If I had my way, we wouldn’t be here. “But someone’s after her. I think they’re trying to kill her.”
“What? Why haven’t you shared this information with me before now? I’m still in charge. And don’t you forget it.” Turning, she moved swiftly toward the vehicle, her cane swinging freely in her hand.
He stood by and watched. He really didn’t know what to do. The rest was really in the hands of fate. If he was lucky, Bailey’s future would have the gold lining that his ended up with.
“Hello, my dear. You must be Bailey. I’m Dorothea Lindell. Please call me Dorothea. Come. Let’s get you settled.”
Bailey climbed out and took her heavily bejeweled hand. At least four karats of diamonds adorned the fingers of her right hand. On her left, Guy would have bet it was double that. He wondered what Bailey thought. She’d been deprived of so much.
“Thank you, Dorothea. I’m sorry to just drop in on you like this. I don’t think—”
“Don’t you worry, come, we’ll have some iced tea on the balcony.”
Bailey’s head tilted back as they walked under the portico. Guy stuffed his hands in his pockets, not sure what to do with himself. The sound of a vehicle engine starting caught his attention. Spinning around, he was just in time to catch his buddy’s wave as he drove away.
“Damn you, Graham.” He knew giving chase was futile but that didn’t stop him from looking for a softball-sized rock in the garden to chuck at the receding taillights. The vehicle soon disappeared behind the forest which lined the driveway.
“Guy! Guy, are you coming?”
He mentally gave his whole body a vigorous shake like that of a wet dog drying himself, hoping it would awaken him from this insane situation. The two women were talking like old friends as they made their way up the stairs. Sighing, he grabbed the backpack and bag that Graham had graciously unloaded in the driveway. He immediately tensed when his grandmother yelled again.
“Guy. You’re being rude. Get in here.”
He sighed, feeling like things were almost normal for the first time in a long time. He followed them inside.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
How the hell did I miss?
Geoff massaged his arthritic knuckles, the familiar pain like poison gnawing through his joints. It had been several years since he’d shot a pistol; he much preferred the up-close contact of a knife. His Spearpoint Knife gave him all the security he needed. It was broad with a fat belly and sliced through muscle and sinew like they were nothing more than butter. Shivers started as gentle vibrations at his core, soon vibrating his entire body with a ripple of pleasure. The high it gave him almost overwhelmed him. Quickly on its heels was the reality of the situation he found himself in. His euphoric feeling vanished like a puff of smoke in the wind. He slammed his fist into his palm.
Dammit, why’d that idiot John get caught?
Geoff knew the man would sell him upstream faster than a bear-chased salmon could swim. He didn’t have much time. They’d be coming to question him. He was almost ready to leave. The company jet was ready to go at his command. Everything was going to work out. His thoughts wandered to the board meeting from the night before. He’d attended as if nothing had changed; as though he hadn’t just attempted a murder. Maybe he should have said something. Half of the old farts on the board would have croaked, saving him some trouble. They’d all been so easy to convince that he had the winery they were acquiring under control. And yes, he could use the company jet to visit the winery in person to ensure everything was legitimate. He laughed. It was so beautiful. They were giving him a free ride out of there and no one had a clue.
Walking across his newly built suite, he lifted the bottle of whiskey and poured himself two fingers. Downing it, he filled it again. Stepping over to the window, he peered through the telescope and scanned the expansive lawn, the elaborate flower gardens and the exotic ponds at the main house.
He couldn’t help but smile every time he looked at them. They couldn’t figure out what was killing the expensive fish his sister kept buying. Ah, too bad he wouldn’t see her face when she found out. But then that was the least of her worries. He almost couldn’t contain himself when he thought about all that had yet to learn. All that would bury her under guilt and shame and just maybe retire that overworked bleeding heart of hers. Shrugging, he was about to turn away when he noticed a vehicle pulling up. He watched as it disappeared from view to park in front of the house. Several minutes later it pulled away. Curious, he walked into his bedroom, opened the door to his walk-in closet, stepped inside and pressed a button. The wall slid apart, revealing a doorway.
Sighing, he walked inside the secret room. He was going to miss all the gadgets he’d had installed. Making his way to the elaborate listening and recording device, he pressed the blinking button. A recorded message played back to him.
Mrs. Lindell, Mr. Turner is here—
That’s all Geoff needed to hear. Anger was instant as he thought of the little snot-nose kid Dorothea had the nerve to bring into his house. A maid’s kid and God only knew who the father was. She’d taken in the little twerp, raising him like he was her own. The help’s brat. Guy would never be more than that, no matter what Dorothea said or did. Geoff had taken it upon himself to make sure the little bugger never forgot where he came from. He’d learned quickly to keep his mouth shut or else.
Almost as fast, a new thought struck him. He smiled
. For once, the twit had done him a favor. He was with the woman earlier, so chances were she was still with him. Maybe he’d get lucky and would be able to deal with both of those headaches before he relocated to the Bahamas. He really was tempted to stick around, just to see how extravagant his burial service would be but knew that might be stretching his luck a bit. Too many things were threatening to bring his world down—but not before he vanished.
Everything was in place. Everything was ready. Just to make sure, he did one more check of the C-4 he had strategically placed around the room. The detonator flashed, ready to be programmed.
A feeling of power surged through him. He straightened his shoulders and stood tall. Time to go visit my dear nephew.
His heart pounded with the knowledge he was going to serve up his form of justice. A full-blown grin covered his face as he got into his car and drove. Carefully making his circuitous route so that it appeared he’d come from the other direction, he couldn’t afford someone finding his precious lair just yet. He pulled over and parked well out of view of the big mansion. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his highly strung nerves.
The time has come.
He allowed a tiny shiver of excitement to course through him before he pasted on a somber expression and walked along the path leading to the big house. The house should have been his, but it never was and never would be. It was Dorothea’s.
Everything was Dorothea’s.
But not for much longer.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
In her work as an interior decorator, Bailey had seen some classy homes but never had she experienced anything like this. The foyer was a massive three story, ballroom-sized area that ended in a domed, glass cathedral ceiling. Silken gold threads wove their way around the windows, flashing in the bright sun that danced across it.
She lowered her gaze when she realized she was not only going to get a crick in her neck but she might trip and break something. With her luck, it would take her the rest of her life and then some to pay it off.
The older, elegant lady wound her way through the house while Bailey tagged along like a gleeful puppy dog. She took in the large oak doors, the ornate carvings, the flower bouquets that filled the house, the priceless paintings and sculptures.
“My dear, you can walk up the stairs if you like but I need to use the elevator. Guy, escort her.”
Bailey flinched as she realized she’d forgotten all about him. She faced him with a sheepish grin. He shrugged and smiled back. She wanted to ask him a hundred questions. The decorating inspiration was incredible—not that any of her clients would be able to afford this magnitude but they could manage a less expensive version, she was sure.
Guy saluted his grandmother as the doors to the elevator closed.
“That wasn’t nice.”
“Please. She can take care of herself. If I didn’t give her a little bit of attitude she’d be so high on herself, no one would want to be around her. Staff would quit, no one would visit. She’d be quite lonely here all by herself.”
“Why, that’s quite a story you’ve come up with. Nothing like making yourself out to be the hero.”
Bowing, he swept his hand in front of his waist. “After you, miss.”
Guy and Bailey returned to the foyer to take winding stairs the width of a truck.
“This place is amazing. I don’t think I’m going to be able to get my jaw to re-hinge itself. At least not while I’m here. This is...” She spread her arms wide, stopping on one of the steps to spin around.
“I know. When I first came here, I was sure that a hundred people must live here. But it was just her and grandpa—and the staff, of course.”
Bailey ran her palm over the smooth, highly polished oak handrail. It would be so much fun to slide down.
“Don’t. From this height you pick up so much speed you shoot off the banister like a missile. Only the wall can stop you.”
“The voice of experience.”
“Yeah. Too much. The older I got the stronger and better I thought I’d be. It’s gotten me every time. Many broken bones. And a tooth or two.”
Laughing, Bailey skipped up the stairs. The place was so fictionally fantastic she felt like she’d just stepped into a fairy tale castle. Her body was humming with awareness, excitement. She felt like jumping over the second story railing, grabbing a velvet rope that should be hanging there and swinging across to try to make it up to the third level.
“I know this is none of my business but...”
“But you’ll ask anyway.”
So caught up in her excited state, she didn’t catch his dry tone. “How much marble is in this place? I know that’s gauche to ask, so put it down to my ignorance but really, this is amazing. Everything seems to be marble.” On the third floor she stopped and put her hand against the cool, solid railing.
“Well, it does last forever. I don’t know how much, but you don’t have to worry about the place collapsing. It’s pretty solid.”
His response barely registered, because she’d become lost in the view through the large ornate doors that glided open just down the hallway. As if in a trance, she walked toward them and to the edge of a grand balcony. The view was unimpeded for miles.
“It’s quite something, isn’t it?”
Startled, she spun around to face Mrs. Lindell. She sat off to her left in a large cushioned chair and sheltered by a large umbrella that blocked out the heat of the day.
“Please forgive me for my rudeness but yes, it’s amazing.”
“Come sit down. Let’s talk. Tell me about yourself.”
Bailey glanced at Guy who was staring hard at his grandmother. Sensing there might be a silent message being passed between them, she turned back to Mrs. Lindell.
“There’s not much to tell. My name is Bailey. I live in Victoria. I’m an interior decorator. Of course, nothing along the lines of the one you hired. Your gorgeous home has given me great ideas for some of my clients. Not on this scale of course but... For instance, that antique Chinese vase in the sitting room just off the entrance, filled with that exotic plumage—wow. It’s almost as tall as I am. I’m thinking for one of my clients, she has this large open space in her living room...”
She was not sure what made her realize there was a shift; perhaps it was the small smile on Mrs. Lindell’s face or the fact that Guy had moved off to lean against the railing as though exhausted.
She gasped and hopped up from the comfortable seat she’d sunk into. “I’m really sorry. Here I’m babbling on. And I’m filthy.” She brushed at the grass still clinging to her knees. It brought back memories of other kids laughing at her for wearing dirty clothes and needing a shower herself. She fought the familiar urge to run; instead, she stood with her hands clasped in front of her despite the fact that her embarrassment over her appearance made her want to dig a hole for herself, through the marble if she had to.
“My dear. You really are a gem, aren’t you?” Dorothea glanced at Guy. “It’s me who should apologize. I wasn’t thinking. You probably want a bath and time to relax. I’m sure you’re exhausted after flying across the country.”
“Yes, actually I would. So if you’ll excuse me, I’ll call a cab and head to the nearest hotel. It was really a pleasure to meet you. You’re not the ogre at all that Guy paints you to be.” She worked hard at keeping the innocent look on her face, even when she could feel Guy’s meteoric glare.
Guy’s grandmother laughed. It was deep and throaty. It sounded like something she hadn’t done in a long time. And by the look on Guy’s face, she guessed he’d rarely heard it before either.
“Not true. And not that funny, Gram.”
Wiping away the tears of laughter, she smiled at Guy conspiratorially. “Oh, I’m sure it is.” Standing, she took the five steps that put her in front of Bailey. Surprised by how close she was, Bailey ignored the temptation to shuffle back a bit. Thin but strong arms reached out and wrapped around h
er. She went as rigid as the marble she was standing on. Scared to move, her saucer-like eyes looked for Guy.
“You’re so much more than I hoped for.” Stepping back, Dorothea cupped Bailey’s face. “You’re very beautiful and I’m honored that we met... finally.”
Tears tracked over the beautiful smile, leaving Bailey at a loss as to what to do. She moved back, gently breaking the contact. The beautifully adorned but frail looking hands stayed suspended in air for a few seconds before dropping to her side. It was in that moment that Bailey saw Dorothea’s true age. Her entire body seemed to wither and sink into itself. The weight of the world descended in that moment to rest on the shoulders of a woman that appeared as if she’d borne it for a very long time but just couldn’t anymore. She’d reached her tipping point. And Bailey couldn’t help but feel she was to blame.
Guy immediately stepped forward and put his arm around his grandmother. “It’s okay, Grams. It’s okay.”
Bailey knew he was trying to get her attention but she couldn’t quite look him in the eye. She nodded in his direction as he walked his grandmother into the house. Stunned by what had happened, she lifted her hands palm upwards and stared at them.
They look normal. But no, you just couldn’t put them around a lonely old woman. Great job, Bailey.
She’d overstayed her welcome. She’d come back later when she was clean and remembered her manners. She hurried down the grand staircase and at the entrance she paused, before heading outside so she could call a cab. Guilt seemed to be riding on her tail; guilt for hurting an old lady, guilt for leaving and guilt for running out on Guy. But she just couldn’t face him after hurting his grandmother. The demons of guilt chased her right out the front door. She glanced over her shoulder as she exited and the man in her path wasn’t quick enough. She ran smack into him. As she tumbled backward, her first thought had been that she’d run into one of the pillars.