‘I think that not all femme fatales can entice and destroy a man. Many also claim that there is a femme fatale behind every successful man,’ explained Martina.
‘Martina, believe me, a femme fatale is seldom happy. Her destructive nature rebels against peaceful happiness. People like Danielle Jackson are fatal to the family and can destroy it forever. Therefore, behind every successful man is a loving woman,’ assured Barbara.
‘I would say that behind every great man there is almost always a wise woman,’ said Kristin.
‘I agree with Kristin that a woman should be wise and loving,’ declared Barbara.
‘No, Barbara, she spoke only about wise women. Loving and wise are different categories. By the way, fatale women must possess a deep mind and mystical energy,’ asserted Martina.
‘Martina, I’m going to visit Debbie Larsson today at around eleven thirty. Do you want to come with me and provide some moral support?’ asked Kristin, temptingly.
‘I agree, Kristin,’ said Martina, enthusiastically.
‘Another femme fatale?’ asked Barbara, jokingly.
‘No, Barbara, she is most likely a loving woman. It was she who confirmed James Jackson’s alibi… By the way, Martina, maybe after seeing Debbie Larsson, we could drop by and say hello to James Jackson,’ Kristin suggested.
‘Kristin, did you decide to do visits all day?’ asked Martina, gloomily.
‘Martina, do you want to take part in this investigation?’ inquired Barbara.
‘I certainly want to, but not from morning to evening. Do not forget, I still have a gallery to run,’ explained Martina.
‘We have no right to forget about this, Martina. If you can’t make the visit to James Jackson, there’s nothing wrong with that. I will go to see him without you and then I will call you afterwards,’ Kristin assured.
‘Thanks, Kristin, you are a true friend,’ said Martina, happily.
‘That’s fine, we now have a mutual understanding,’ testified Barbara. ‘So, we can easily conquer the world.’
‘Yes, girls, we now have to go and conquer the world,’ said Kristin and she rose from her chair. ‘Martina, we meet at 11.20 a.m. in the hospital entrance. Barbara, have a great day. Kisses, I must go.’
‘See you, Kristin,’ said a dumbfounded Barbara, who watched Kristin as she walked off into the distance. ‘And what was that? I thought that only Italians had such a dynamic temperament and, Kristin, forgive me, surpassed even them!’
‘Yes, I agree. Perhaps this is due to the hot mixture of her blood. How calm Cameron stands it. Ha ha ha,’ said Martina.
‘Oh, yes, Steve also drew attention to this and said that you will never get bored with her,’ said Barbara in confirmation.
‘Barbara, look at the time! We have to go and do not forget; I should be at the entrance of the hospital for 11.20 a.m.,’ Martina said and laughed.
‘It’s ten minutes past nine, if you do not want to be late, then hurry up,’ said Barbara, and she rose from her chair. ‘Great things are waiting for you. See you soon.’
‘See you, Barbara.’
Love is Ready to Forgive Everything
‘You wanted to see me?’ asked a young woman with a pleasant appearance and smile on her face.
Seeing the inscription, “Debbie Larsson” on her badge, Kristin and Martina answered with a stupid smile, ‘Yes, Miss Larsson, if you can, please give us a few minutes.’
‘Okay, let’s go to the office,’ Debbie Larsson said in a calm voice.
They walked quietly along a long hospital corridor; past offices parallel to each other.
‘The penultimate door to the right,’ Debbie Larsson reported. She opened the door and invited them to enter.
Kristin and Martina thanked her and silently sat down on the chairs next to the desk.
‘And so, you are Mrs…’ said Debbie Larsson, trying to remember the names of those present.
‘Sorry, Miss Larsson. I am Kristin Smith, and my friend is Martina Gverzoni. We are not patients; we just need to talk to you,’ uttered Kristin, nervously.
‘You want to talk to me?’ Debbie Larsson asked in surprise.
‘Yes, with you. We are good friends of James Jackson,’ said Kristin.
‘Good acquaintances of James?’ Debbie Larsson asked in surprise.
‘Yes, and we know that you are not indifferent to him. If you were, you would not be so worried now and would not have gone to the police to provide him with an alibi. We have not come to you to confirm the veracity of the alibi. We are here to help save James Jackson. And we can only do this with your assistance,’ said Kristin in a confident and convincing voice.
‘I… I don’t know how to help him,’ replied Debbie Larsson in a bewildered voice.
‘Debbie, not you, but us. Believe me, this is very important, he needs a woman like you, Debbie Larsson. You and him are close not only in spirit, but also in thought, and only with you, can he live happily and enjoy life,’ Kristin said in a smooth and confident tone.
Martina watched what was happening with an astonished look. She admired Kristin not only for her ability to convince, but also for the talent to feel and read people’s emotions.
‘Thank you, Kristin. But I do not know how to help him,’ Debbie Larsson repeated.
‘Miss Larsson, you are already helping him, believe me. Your love for him and the desire to help, it means a lot to him,’ Kristin said, gently.
‘My love means nothing to him, Kristin. I saw it the evening he went to her house and often noticed her gentle gaze toward him,’ said Debbie Larsson in a trembling voice.
‘Debbie, who did he go to that evening? And whose gentle glance did you notice?’ inquired Kristin.
‘Jennifer Davidson,’ answered Debbie Larsson, quietly.
‘Jennifer Davidson? That’s impossible,’ Kristin said, softly.
‘Her son is our patient, I often see her looking at James, the look of a loving woman,’ said Debbie Larsson, nervously.
‘This does not mean that he loves and wants to be with her. Do not forget, she is just a relative,’ Kristin said. ‘You must fight for your love, and not stand on the side and wait. You should often remind him that you care.’
‘Thank you, Kristin. I will try to follow your advice. Can I ask you something?’ said Debbie Larsson.
‘You are welcome,’ answered Kristin.
‘I wouldn’t want anyone to know that I’ve been following James Jackson,’ pleaded Debbie Larsson.
‘Do not worry about it. I’ll write my mobile number and Martina’s on this piece of paper so that we can keep in touch,’ said Kristin, taking a sheet of blank paper from a message pad on the desk.
‘Miss Larsson, sorry to bother you,’ said Martina.
‘No, I am very glad to meet you,’ responded Debbie Larsson.
Kristin handed the telephone numbers to Debbie Larsson and said with a smile, ‘Debbie, thank you for your understanding. See you soon.’
‘See you, Kristin. See you, Martina,’ said Debbie Larsson.
Stepping outside and seeing the beautiful weather, Martina took a deep breath and expressed her pleasure, ‘What marvelous weather! Maybe we can have a little walk?’
‘Not a bad idea. I adore the golden autumn and never cease to admire nature at this time of the year. I try to spend as much time as possible outdoors in the warm sunny days,’ said Kristin, quietly.
‘Kristin, I cannot disagree with you, seeing this beauty. Such beauty cannot leave anyone indifferent, but I still prefer spring, when everything around is blooming and fragrant. With the onset of late autumn, many people have reduced working capacity, a depressed mood arises, and this is not encouraging. Perhaps this is due to the fact that I am Italian, and a true Italian prefers the sun, rather than rain and fog.’
‘You know, Martina, I never have a bad mood at this amazing time of the year. When it rains, I like to sit at home by the fireplace and watch the landscape. I like to walk with the noise of the leaves under my f
eet. Autumn inspires me with its riot of colors. What a pleasure to sit on a bench somewhere in the park and spend an age looking at the falling leaves. And then you understand how life is priceless.’
Martina looked at her friend for a long time and smiled mysteriously.
‘Kristin, it seems to me that we’ve known each other so long, but lately, another Kristin has opened up before me, who I had no idea existed. To have the talent and ability to read and convince people, as well as your instant transformation into a new role, delights me. Sometimes it seems to me that you chose the wrong profession,’ said Martina.
‘Wrong profession, Martina. What do you mean?’
‘Yes, for some reason it seems to me your calling is different.’
‘Well, thank you, friend,’ Kristin laughed.
‘I’m not kidding, my dear, you are at ease in this environment, think about it well. Unfortunately, time is short, and I have to go back to the gallery,’ said Martina.
‘Then I’ll visit James Jackson.’
‘Kristin, be careful, and forgive me for not being able to join you.’
‘Do not worry, I’ll call you in the evening.’
‘No, call me when you leave James Jackson’s house.’
‘Okay, Martina. See you soon.’
Martina hugged her friend and said quietly, ‘Be careful.’
Believe in Yourself
Immersed in her thoughts, Kristin did not even notice how she reached 24 Mary’s Street, while an unexpected voice behind made her flinch.
‘Kristin, is that you?’
She abruptly turned around when she saw a familiar man in dark blue jeans and a black Barbour jacket. ‘James?’ she asked in surprise.
‘Hi, Kristin. I did not expect to meet you here,’ he said in a calm voice.
‘James, I’m glad you’re home. How are you?’
‘Fine, but I don’t think they have released me for long.’
‘I don’t think so, James. You are not able to hurt anyone.’
‘Thank you, Kristin, for your kind words. I tried to walk a bit, forget about everything, but it does not work. In my heart, I am carrying such a burden that I want to scream and cry.’
‘James, would you like a cup of hot tea? There is a small coffee shop not far from your house,’ Kristin offered.
‘Thank you, I would love to,’ said James.
‘Then let’s go. It’s not so far, three hundred meters,’ said Kristin, smiling.
‘Kristin, have you lived in St Andrews for a long time?’
‘No, a few months. We moved here after the death of my mother-in-law. My husband missed his homeland very much, now I miss mine.’
For some time, they walked in silence, each immersed in their own thoughts. The first to break the silence was Kristin, ‘So, we have reached the café, Taste.’
James Jackson gallantly opened the door for her and said, ‘Please, Kristin.’
‘Thanks,’ Kristin said. Noticing a free table near the window, she walked towards it and James followed.
They sat down at the table and ordered two Americanos with milk from the attending waiter.
‘You know, my husband and I drink tea rarely in the evenings, we are coffee lovers.’
‘And how many years have you been together?’ asked James.
‘I’m scared to say, nineteen years now. These years so imperceptibly flew by for us, it seems that we met only yesterday. If you do not notice this passing of time, it means that you live a happy life,’ said Kristin, quietly.
James had tears in his eyes, tears of despair. Wiping his eyes with a napkin, he said in desperation, ‘I do not know how to continue to live. I met my father this morning. He looked at me with a puzzled expression and said that my wife was blackmailing him, once upon a time they were lovers. Now the police suspect him of her murder. And I also found out that my best friend, whom I’ve known since childhood, also betrayed me with Danielle.’
‘As they say, it’s easy to trust people, but once that trust is lost it’s hard to believe again. And whatever happens, and no matter how terrible you feel, remember that you need to take one step then another step. The main thing is to keep moving forward and never stop. And do not forget that people close to you are also suffering: your mother, Jennifer and your friend’s wife, it turned out that they also were deceived.’
‘Kristin, my mother came to visit me and I saw her suffering. Poor Jenny, how hard it is for her to live, and how strong she needs to be to endure such betrayal from her closest people.’
‘James, this is life, and life must be faced boldly. Learn to rejoice in and savour every moment, every minute, every day, every event and every meeting,’ advised Kristin. ‘And more often, call your mother and tell her how you love her.’
‘Thank you, Kristin. I wasn’t thinking about my mother’s suffering. She is waiting for my call and I have behaved selfishly.’
‘James, I think not only your mother is waiting for your call and is worried about you.’
‘Are you hinting about Jenny?’ James asked thoughtfully.
‘No, James, I saw the worried eyes of Debbie Larsson, a very pleasant woman.’
‘Yes, Debbie Larsson is a nice woman,’ noted James, calmly.
‘Excuse me, James, may I ask you something?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘James, do you like Jennifer Davidson?’
Looking into Kristin’s eyes, he said, softly, ‘Yes, we are soul mates, we are alike: lonely and unhappy.’
‘James, how can you talk so depressingly about your life, “We are unhappy and will suffer together”. What a nightmare! Remember, around a person who thinks positively, a powerful bright aura will form. I have to go home,’ Kristin said irritably and abruptly got up from the table, taking her purse.
‘Wait, Kristin. I’m sorry if I somehow put it that way. I did not mean to offend you,’ James said, getting up from the table. ‘Can I walk you out?’
Coming out of the café, a woman’s voice called out to James, they turned around at the same time and saw Jennifer with the children. Leo ran up to James, hugged him tightly, looked at his mother expectantly and said, ‘James, we missed you and love you very much.’
Jennifer looked at her son with approval and in a quiet, but excited voice said, ‘James, we were waiting for you.’
Emotions overflowing, he hugged them and said, ‘I missed you too.’
Kristin looked at this family scene with puzzled surprise and felt a little ashamed, after rigidly dismissing James’ statement about soul mates. She said with a beaming smile on her face, ‘Hi, Jennifer! Hi, boys! I’m glad to see you? How are you?’
‘Hi, Kristin. Thanks, we’re fine. How are you?’ answered Jennifer in an embarrassed voice.
‘Thank you, I am fine. I’ll leave James in your safe hands, I have to go home. Wishing you a good evening. See you soon,’ uttered Kristin in a melodious voice.
James looked desperately at Kristin and said softly, ‘See you, Kristin.’
‘See you later, James,’ responded Kristin, noticing the outrage in Jennifer’s eyes.
Tangled Puzzle
After dinner, Kristin spent several hours in her study working on her article and trying to gather her thoughts into a single whole. The unexpected encounter with James Jackson and Jennifer Davidson had thrown her off balance, she couldn’t get that desperate look on James’ face and Jennifer’s indignant look out of her mind.
I have missed something, or did not attach importance to what I saw or heard. And why did I decide that James would be happy with Debbie Larsson and not with Jennifer? What matchmaking nonsense, I do not recognize myself, thought Kristin.
‘I cannot think any more, it is time to drink tea,’ Kristin said, before looking at the clock. ‘Five to eight, my poor spouse.’ Looking into the living room, she enthusiastically greeted Cameron, ‘Hi, my dear. Do you miss me?’
‘I always miss you, my dear.’
‘If you miss me, then with a ca
lm heart, I will go to make us tea.’
‘I am always ready to support my lovely wife,’ uttered Cameron, getting up from the chair. ‘I will make the tea for you!’
‘Thank you, my dear, you are a true friend. Do you mind if I make a short phone call while you brew the tea?’ said Kristin in a grateful voice.
‘It seems to me that I will end up making and drinking this tea alone,’ Cameron said with a smile.
‘Dear, I just want to clarify something with Chief Inspector Duke, it will only take two minutes,’ said Kristin and she picked up the phone.
‘Well, I will pretend to believe you about your two-minute conversation,’ said Cameron.
‘You can note the time,’ Kristin said and dialed Duke’s home phone number.
‘Okay, darling.’
‘Hi, Barbara… can you talk? I need to clarify something with your husband. Hi, Chief Inspector, Kristin is bothering you again. May I ask you for the address of Richard Jackson’s house, I need to talk to his wife. 19 Nelson Street. Thanks. Have a good evening. Bye.’
Having ended the telephone conversation with Steve Duke, Kristin returned to the kitchen and addressed her diligent husband, ‘Dear, I’m at your disposal,’ informed Kristin.
‘That’s fantastic,’ said Cameron, handing her a silver tray with a teapot, two cups and saucers. ‘Please be careful. I’ll bring some sweets and a sponge cake.’
‘I will try to,’ Kristin said and headed to the living room.
Sitting comfortably in her favorite chair, Kristin wrapped her fingers with pleasure around a cup of hot tea and said, ‘My dear, life is beautiful, I adore the moments we spend together, they are priceless. Nothing on earth is more valuable.’
‘I agree wholeheartedly! Lately, however, my beautiful wife devotes more and more time to her investigation, sorry, I mean her article,’ said Cameron, jokingly.
‘Ha ha. I knew you would talk about it. I will try to complete it quicker, I am a little confused by these murderers.’
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