|
The Tessarae Inn |
|
Suspicions In Scarlet Repose CHAPTER 16
“You’re early.” She nodded. “Needed a change of scenery.” “Want some coffee?” “That would be heaven. I’m going to go grab a booth.” “I’ll send Syl over.” Blair smiled at RJ and then nodded. Sometimes it surprised her how easily they communicated. She needed a little down time and some space and he sensed that without missing a step. She slipped into one of the booths near the back and out of the main traffic path. It’s not like Capricorn was busy by any means during this time of the day, but you never could tell who would drift in. And besides, Todd and Toni would be here soon and then there would be no peace whatsoever. So for right now, she just wanted to take a moment of quiet time to think. Syl, RJ’s new waitress, slipped a steaming mug of coffee in front of her then disappeared. She sipped the coffee then listen to the music playing softly in the background. It was Travis’s “Leaving You.” How strange was that? She hadn’t talked to him in weeks and now it felt like he was here sending her a message. Or maybe a memory was more accurate. It wasn’t that long ago when she felt as if everything in her life was up for grabs and there was no safe harbor. And now everything was so good except for the Asa glitch. Damn him. Still Asa getting The Tornadoes was not the end of the world. The team was Todd’s dream and, although he didn’t seem crushed by losing it, she knew he sure wasn’t happy about it. In truth, though, the bloom was off that rose so to speak. Owning a football team was not the same as playing football and even Todd had come to see that you can’t rewrite the past. So why was she so unsettled by the whole situation? It was probably that control thing again. What she wanted most in her life these days was some genuine measure of control. Carmen swept in and pointed a spotlight on how vulnerable she still was to other people’s whims and agendas. Now JStarr was a potential target and Todd would probably lose The Tornadoes. The whole situation just pissed her off. “Blair! Blair! Blair! I am so-o-o-o-o glad I found you! Is your cell phone dead or something? Anyway, Janeanne told me you were here. Whoopeeeee. So glad I found you.” “Kelly?” “Yeah. You remember me? Your cousin.” Blair ignored the dig. “Is something wrong?” “No. Not really.” Kelly looked toward the main entrance and tapped her fingers on the table then bounced slightly and smiled broadly. “Nope. Here he comes. It’s just that AB wants to talk to you.” “What?” Kelly scooted into the booth across from her just as Albert appeared and slipped in next to Kelly. He stuck out his hand. “Nice to see you again, Mrs. Manning.” “It’s Blair,” said Kelly. Blair raised her eyebrows and stared at Kelly for a second but then said, “Yes, it’s Blair.” “I apologize for intruding but I really do need to talk to you and wasn't able to catch you at your office. I’ve called several times.” Damn. He had called. With everything going on, the calls had slipped to the bottom of her priority list and she’d forgotten about them. Bad business. “I am sorry about that--” “No need for an apology. I understand that you're a busy woman and my concerns are not of paramount importance to you.” “She’s not like that, AB," Kelly said breathlessly. " Honest. She was just real busy.” Blair glanced at Kelly. Exactly how much money did Kelly have—a half a billion or so? If Albert Wright was looking for a donation then the obviously enamored Kelly should have been the mother lode. Still Blair was always willing to do her part, too, especially for a good cause. Just didn’t want to spend a lot of her time today being buttonholed. She’d cut to the chase. “If this about a donation, Mr… Albert, then I--” “No. It’s not. As I tried to say the other night this is about something entirely different. I’m trying to find my wife and I hope you will be able to help.” Blair frowned despite herself. His wife? How in the world did he think she would know anything about his wife? And what was this thing with Kelly? There were sparks flying everywhere and that wasn’t good. Flirting for a few harmless minutes was one thing but this… She turned and looked at Kelly. “Kelly, I think, Mr. Wright and I need to talk privately.” Kelly shaped her mouth into a pout but then nodded. “I’ll be over at the bar, AB.” Albert slipped out of the booth and extended his hand to Kelly who seemed to float out of the booth and moved one step away from falling into his arms. For a minute the two of them paused and stared at each other but then Kelly rushed away. Albert once again slipped across from her. “Why do you think I would know anything about your wife, Mr. Wright?” “Not you directly. Your husband actually.” A warning bell sounded. “You mentioned before that you know my husband.” “I’ve met him. We’ve had a conversation or two but that's the extent of it.” “Then why would--” “My wife is an old girlfriend of your husband’s.” Blair leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Yeah. Right.” “Becca Wright…I mean you’d know her as Rebecca Lewis.” “What? Wait. We just saw her a few weeks ago down in Key West.” “Exactly and I have not seen her since that trip.” An iota of anxiety fluttered in her chest. “She’s missing?” “Not exactly. She hasn’t come home since that trip.” Oh. That was a horse of an entirely different color. And luckily none of her business. Albert Wright was just another man trying to make his personal problems somebody else’s. “Mr. Wright, this is very strange but for the life of me I don’t know why you think my husband or I know anything about this.” “My wife, it seems, needs to find herself. She calls on a regular basis to speak to her children and to let me know she's okay but she has not come home. I'm convinced your husband is offering her assistance—financial or otherwise.” Blair shook her head. “No, he’s not.” “How can you be so sure he wouldn’t help her?” “Oh, he would help her. He wouldn’t skip a beat. He’d help her in a second. What he wouldn’t do, however, is help her and not tell me about it.” Albert studied her for a minute. “Are you really sure about that?” “Yes. And I have to ask why you would think otherwise.” “It just seems seeing your husband had a profound effect on her is all. I….I… don’t know what to make of it and…” “I know everything that happened between them in Key West. Well, as much as it's possible to know and not be there. I know they talked about the past, took a stroll down Memory Lane, played a few rounds of What-If and wistful regrets but that was it. And I’m not guessing. My husband told me everything. And if there was still some contact, he would not keep that from me either.” “Perfect marriage, huh?” “As far from perfect as possible, but we've fought tooth and nail to get where we are and there are some things I'm totally sure of and this is one of them.” “I don’t understand why she is doing this then. I don’t get it.” “Maybe she just needs the time and space. Maybe you should let her have it. She’ll come back once she works out what she needs to.” “Would he let you go away and stay away? Would he just sit around and wait?” Blair exhaled. “No,” she said finally. He looked up and smiled at her. “I really love her. She's my one true soul mate and it’s tearing me up inside to know that maybe she doesn’t feel the same way or would rather live away from me on memories of another man than with me.” Blair shook her head slowly. “I only met her that one time in Key West but from everything I’ve heard she is a loving, responsible woman and I can't see--” “She is everything I ever hoped to find and more.” “Then don’t give up on her.” “I couldn’t if I tried.” “Well, what's this with Kelly then?” He flushed and glanced to the side but then said, “I just need to find my wife.” Kelly appeared at the booth and nudged Albert gently. “Enough time?” He looked up at her and nodded then slipped out of the booth and let Kelly slip in. He slipped back in next to her. Blair stared at them. What was going on here? Kelly glanced over and gave her a goofy, hopeful, pained smile then took Albert’s hand. “I knew you could help him.” Blair looked at her, counted to ten and told herself to stay out of it but she just couldn’t. “Kelly,” she said softly, “I think you and I need to talk.” “Okay, but later. AB and I are going to The Banner and then…” “Kelly, maybe you should let Mr. Wright do this himself. Alone. He seems quite capable to me.” Anger flashed across Kelly’s face and she stared at Blair defiantly but then she bit her lower lip and a hint of moisture appeared in her eyes. Blair could read what was going on so clearly that it hurt. What happens when you think you’ve found your soul mate and he is already somebody else’s soul mate? Do you hold on? Do you let go? Or do you grab onto every moment you have and create a pillow of memories. Kelly had obviously opted for the latter strategy. Damn shame because nothing good was going to come of it. “You know, Kelly,” said Albert softly, “she’s right. I can take it from here and…” “Albert?” Blair looked up. There was a woman standing next to the booth. Where in the hell had she come from? Blair studied her for a second. The woman was very attractive, oozed patrician sophistication and reeked of old money. Which begged the question: What was she doing in Capricorn? Albert rocketed out of the booth. “Mother? Where are the children?” “They are perfectly fine, dear. I thought it was time to come get you though. This situation has gone on beyond a reasonable timeframe. And…” Albert’s mother stopped suddenly and fixed her gaze first on Blair and then on Kelly. She sighed so softly it was barely audible. Albert cleared his throat. “Mother, this is Blair Manning and Kelly Cramer. Blair, Kelly, this is my mother Angela Moore.” Blair nodded her head and did the usual nice to meet you greeting and she noticed that Kelly did too. Angela Moore, though, seemed to be appraising them with piercing interest. “Kelly and Blair have been trying to help me get a lead on Rebecca.” Angela raised her eyebrow and once again gave Kelly and Blair the once over. “I see,” she said finally and then turned toward Albert, “You need to fly home, sweetheart. Your children miss you and she will call tonight.” “So I’m supposed to sit at the house and wait for her to call to talk to the children and then if it crosses her mind deign to speak to me.” “It's a difficult situation but you must be the one who provides a solid foundation. You need to be there when she returns.” “No. I'm going to find her. And, when I do, we'll clear the air once and for all.” "Is she in Llanview?" "No." “Then how long do you expect to stay here?” “Only another day or two at the most. I'm working on a lead.” Angela nodded her head then rubbed her hand along Albert's arm. “Well, actually that might be a good thing. The most extraordinary thing has happened. We have a family situation that--” “A family situation?” “I’ve just learned some startling news. I am going to check its accuracy but then I would like you to be a part of it as well. It’s all very unexpected.” “That sounds exciting,” said Kelly. Albert and his mother both stared at Kelly as if it was the first time they noticed she was there. Angela focused her gaze on Kelly. "Why yes, I guess it does.” She shifted her gaze quickly to Albert. “Sweetheart, I think we need to talk in private.” Albert nodded. “Where are you staying?” “The Palace, Suite 2B.” “I’ll be there within the hour.” “I’ll be waiting.” Angela let her gaze fall on Kelly and then Blair for a second too long then said, “It was…. Nice meeting you, Miss Cramer and Miss Manning.” Blair nodded but Angela didn’t wait for any further response. She walked away. Blair looked at Albert but he was staring down at his hands. She shifted her gaze to Kelly who looked like she was about to cry. Damn. Just what she needed. Albert Wright looking for his wife and, consciously or unconsciously, connecting to another woman. Kelly well on her way to becoming yet another emotional train wreck. Albert’s mother arriving complete with a big spoon to stir the pot and a pretty good radar detector. Nothing good was going to come out of it. But if Kelly wanted to play with fire, she’d have to do it alone. Blair had her own problems to deal with. Of course Kelly wouldn't really be alone. Not once Dorian got wind of Albert because then there would be hell to pay. A married man searching for his wife but finding time to mack up on one of her girls. It would not be allowed. Dorian would move heaven and earth to smack Albert back to wherever he came from. Luckily for Kelly, Dorian had seemed pretty distracted lately, which Blair knew was yet another problem. Dorian was up to something.
Why in the hell was Blair so doggone irritating sometimes? Why? Why? Why? “Look, I just told you those people can stay at the house.” “Uh-uh. Don’t try to play me, Todd,” Blair said. “I…I can’t seem to satisfy you. I’m letting a bunch of whacked strangers stay in my house but that’s not enough for you.” Toni jerked up straight. “Whacked? Listen, dumbass, those are going to be my daughter’s in-laws. They are not whacked.” Todd leaned toward her. “Choosing to hook up with your family doesn’t make them dumb? Exactly how is that true, Toni?” “Tsk. Tsk,” said RJ. “Children. Children. Can we please stop throwing sand at each other? Recess is over. Time to get down to business.” “You know, RJ, if I wasn’t gonna to marry your ass I might just have to kick it.” RJ sipped his drink. “And no one, I assume, would ever consider asking me why I am planning to marry you.” “Twigs,” said Blair and picked a hand full of beer nuts out of the bowl. “Twigs and stuff.” Toni, RJ and Todd all looked at her and then said in unison, “What the hell?” Blair ignored them. “I’m in this whether you like it or not, Todd. There is no way I am going to let you and RJ run around and play The Hardy Boys and leave me out of it.” RJ raised his eyebrow. “The Hardy Boys? So what’s what, Blair? Are you retro-tripping or something?” “Shut up, RJ. Starr likes to read them to Jack.” “I see. And the Manning family uniqueness continues.” “Can you just for once listen to me, dammit,” said Todd. “RJ and I can handle this. You and Toni need to keep everything here on schedule for the wedding. I mean look at her. Toni’s already a raving maniac. That’s RJ’s third drink since she’s been here and he didn’t have one before she arrived.” Toni tapped Todd on the arm. “Oh, you're so full of it.” “Now, she's beating on people. So what part of the statement: You two will slow us down and get in our way and make me lose my football team, don’t you get?” Blair sighed. “Okay, maybe RJ and Toni do have other pressing matters on their minds but that doesn’t explain why you want to leave me out of it. I’m the one Asa is threatening.” Damn. Damn. Damn. He had to think fast. “Because of Starr and Jack.” “They’re fine.” “They won’t be if something happens to both of their parents. I need to know you are safe. I need to know that my children will have their mother regardless of what happens to me.” RJ glanced at Toni. “Yeah, what he said." Toni placed her hands on the top of the bar and rose up and kissed RJ. “Okay,” she said. “That’s a reason I can understand.” Todd glanced at Blair. She looked at him with eyes gone soft and mushy then nodded her head. He smiled and exhaled. Everything was going to be all right. Blair kicked the Audi into fourth gear. “What are we going to do?” “Figure out what they're going to do. I mean there is no way I can give them a free ride in this.” “I say forget them," Toni said. "I mean what makes you think they have a clue. I say we approach this like we would any mystery. The answer to who killed Carmen is in her life somewhere. It wasn’t me, although I will admit that I would have kicked her ass white if I’d had the chance.” Blair chuckled. “Damn.” “What can I say? She ticked me off but I didn’t kill her. You didn’t either but somebody did. Now if she was in my face about RJ, and, lets be frank here, I’m not a particularly nice person, and she was blackmailing your rear end, I doubt we were her first or her only targets. Need to find out what girlfriend was up to. And we need to do it fast.” “You know what? I think I might know someone who can help us.”
“Do you believe the two of them? Damn felt like trying to rustle up a herd of cats. Why did we pick these difficult women?” “Pick? I don’t know about you but I don’t think I had a choice in the matter.” RJ grinned at him. “Damn. That’s about as close to a romantic endearment I’ve ever heard you utter, Manning.” “Yeah, well you need to imagine how endearing your sweet Toni is going to be if she finds out about your relationship with Carmen.” RJ exhaled a loud burst of air. “Stop trying to make my blood run cold. I’ve had enough liquor to warm my soul for one day. Don't need to have to get flat-out drunk.” “Yeah, well just stay focused on the business at hand. I don’t think there is any way to avoid it. We have to start at the beginning of this chain.” “Damn. I swore on the bible I was carrying when I caught the first thing smoking out of that place that I would never go back.” “Well, I had already reserved the jet for this weekend. Had planned to take Blair somewhere hot, steamy and that smelled like coconuts.” “Yeah? Tough luck. But think about it this way. Instead of Blair you get me and someplace hot, humid and that smells like shrimp gumbo. Not a bad trade if you ask me.”
“Blair, I can’t tell you that. I have a client and the information I have collected belongs to him or her.” “Oh, really. I thought only doctors and lawyers had that kind of privilege.” “I’m licensed, bonded and obligated to only cough up information to the one who brung me.” “I see. Suppose I hire you too. Could you share information then?” Cal wet his lip then looked her in the eye. “You think this is about money? Then you don’t know me very well. I might break privilege for something but it wouldn’t be for money.” Toni grabbed the magazine from the nightstand and started fanning herself. “Damn-n-n-n. I’d say get a room but since we are already in hotel room I’ll refrain. But damn-n-n.” “Toni,” hissed Blair. “Okay. Sorry.” Toni jumped up and rushed over to Blair and Cal and inserted herself between them. She put her hands on her hips, leaned toward Cal and said, “You better draw back, sucker, or draw back a nub. We’re buying, not selling.” Cal’s eyes crinkled and he smiled at Toni just as Blair shoved her out of the way. “Will you, please, stop, Toni. This is serious. Okay. Cut the fun and games, Cal. I need some help here.” “Start at the beginning. Rule number 1 in the Investigator’s Handbook.” “I don’t know where the beginning is.” “Start at the beginning you know.” For a minute she stared at him but then realized that was just about the extent of what he was going to offer and despite its cryptic nature it was in fact good advice. She stepped back and looked over at Toni. “Think we need to get going.” “A step ahead of you.” Toni opened the door but Blair turned back and looked at Cal. “Thanks.” He nodded his head slowly. “I’m not going to ask why the two of you are so interested in this, Blair. Want you to know that.” She stared at him for a few seconds but then turned and closed the door.
Comments?
Do you have a comment or question about Suspicions In Scarlet Repose? Feedback is always appreciated. Post your message in the Capricorn Deluxe Suite at:
Suspicions In Scarlet Repose FAN FICTION SLIDESHOWS
|