UP IN FLAMES

For a moment, she considered not answering, but then, she was done hiding from reality. She’d face this head-on.

“I hope you liked those flowers I sent,” the caller said. “See how easy it is for me to get you there? It doesn’t matter if you have that boy toy following you around. Now, I want my money.”

“I want my proof,” Vanessa replied, hoping that she sounded brave enough. “It seems like you might be having trouble coming up with that.”

“Ask Christopher’s assistant for the ledger. The other ledger, the one he keeps locked in the safe behind his desk. That’s where you’ll find your proof.”

She took a deep breath. “Was Chloe in on this with him?”

“She knew. Whether or not she received a cut, I have no idea. But it’s probably likely she did, as money to keep her mouth shut. If she knows where the three million is, I would be surprised if she doesn’t take it and try to run.”

Wincing, Vanessa shook her head. It was bad enough to learn that the man she’d thought was an upstanding- if remote and cold-citizen had been involved in so many illegal activities. But then to find out Chloe, the woman she’d trusted implicitly, had participated too?

“Did you kill Christopher?” she asked, her heart skipping a beat or two. “Or have him shot?”

“No.” The answer came swiftly and certain.

“Did Chloe?”

This time, the question made the caller chuckle. “No. Actually, I’m ninety-nine percent sure that the cartel had him killed for trying to cheat them. Now, since I was Christopher’s partner, they’re going to come after me next. I need that money to pay them, to show them good faith, understand? This isn’t about me being greedy. This is about me not wanting to die.”

Stunned, she wasn’t sure what to say. In the end, she settled for the truth. “I don’t know where the money is. Christopher emptied out our joint savings account before he was killed.”

“Then find out,” he demanded, effectively destroying what little sympathy she’d begun to feel for him.

“Or I’ll make sure you suffer right along with me. I’ll give you until after Christopher’s funeral.”

Which meant he knew when the service had been scheduled. “Who are you?” she pressed, refusing to allow him to intimidate her. But he’d apparently already ended the call, as she heard only silence.

About to go tell Alaric, she decided to wait. She wanted to call Chloe tomorrow morning and arrange to ask the other woman to her face. When she called the next morning after breakfast, Chloe answered on the second ring.

“Do you have time to grab lunch with me?” Vanessa asked, her tone friendly. “There are a couple of things I’d like to discuss.” She named a popular café in the heart of the city.

“Fine,” Chloe agreed, but her tone sounded a bit disdainful.

Squelching her annoyance, Vanessa said she’d be driving her car over, and Chloe agreed to meet her in the afternoon.

When it was time, Vanessa wondered whether to ask Alaric to accompany her, she looked out the kitchen window and saw Alaric and Paul sitting on the patio and talking. Because she didn’t want anyone to worry, she dashed off a quick note saying she was meeting Chloe for lunch and left it propped up on the kitchen counter, facing the hallway.

Since her car sat parked in front of the house, she slipped out the front door, hurried to her vehicle, started the engine and backed out of the driveway. No one came after her. Driving always calmed her nerves. She waited until she was out of the subdivision gate before cranking up her radio on the classic rock station. Singing along to Bob Seger, she pulled into the parking lot of the Cafe and found a spot close to the door.

Chloe had already arrived and waited just inside. She was wearing a business suit and pumps, making Vanessa wonder if she con-sidered this a business meeting.

“There you are,” Chloe exclaimed, hugging Vanessa and doing the air-kiss thing on both cheeks. “I’m so happy to see you came without your bodyguard.”

Her words sent a shiver up Vanessa’s spine. Had she made a bad decision, sneaking out of the house without Alaric? But then she looked around at the crowded restaurant and relaxed.

“I’ve got a few things I’d like to discuss with you,” Vanessa replied. “In fact, I need to request one of the back booths. I’d prefer to have privacy.”

“Already done.” Had Chloe always been so smug? She lifted up her tote bag. “I’ve got several documents I wanted to go over with you too.”

The hostess led them to the back room of the restaurant, to the more secluded area where people went to discuss business. She showed them into a corner booth tucked into an out-of-the-way area. “Will this work?”

“Perfect.” Chloe smiled. “Thank you so much.”

As they took their seats, Vanessa eyed Christopher’s assistant, wondering why the other woman acted as if she were the one who’d called this meeting.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Chloe kept up a steady stream of chatter until the waitress arrived to take their drink orders. They both asked for sweet tea, and went ahead and requested the catfish platter.

Once the teas arrived, Chloe pulled several manila file folders from her tote and placed them on the table.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Christopher owns several other properties, most of them in the country. The largest one is a cattle ranch.” She slid one folder across the table. “I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of them and what they might be worth on the real estate market should you decide to sell.”

“Thank you.” Vanessa looked the other woman directly in the eye. “Do you think any of them are worth three million dollars?”

Chloe blinked. “That’s a mighty specific amount. I’m not sure. But if you consult a Realtor, I’m certain they could tell you.”

“Chloe, I’m done playing games. What do you know about the missing three million?”

Chloe swallowed, the only sign that revealed her unease. “What are you talking about?”

Pitching her voice low, Vanessa relayed everything the caller had said. When she finished, Chloe had recoiled and was staring at her as if she thought Vanessa had lost her mind.