She nodded, snuggling closer to him. “I just don’t want you to leave me.”
“This I promise you right now... If there is a way, I’ll be back. You’re my soul mate Beth. We are meant to be together.”
She stared at him as tears continued to gather in her eyes. A few slid down her cheeks. “I’m so scared, Aaron.”
“There’s nothing to be scared about. Everything will work out just fine.” Though he said the words, his heart wouldn’t believe them. He felt the same turmoil, the same frustration, and he had to admit, he was just as scared.
“My sweet Beth, let’s not talk about this anymore. I want tonight to be special for us. I want to enjoy your company...” He almost finished with for as long as I can, but he didn’t want to make her any more upset. “In fact, let’s pretend that we are happily married and that we’re planning our family.”
Her mouth quivered when she tried to smile. “I... think I can do that.”
“You can.” He kissed her, and she flung her arms around his neck, meeting his urgent kisses. There was something different about their kiss this time, it was as if it would be their last...
No! He wouldn’t accept that. He prayed to God that there would be some way for Beth and him to be together. Forever.
ELIZABETH COULDN’T stand still as she briskly walked the floor in the front of the stage at The Rockwell Theatre watching the cast and crew gather on stage. She’d been nervous for two days, and now... it was time.
Last night, Aaron tried to take her mind off her worries, and his kisses helped a lot, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the beginning of the end. She kept telling herself that she could handle this but, deep in her heart, she knew she was weak. Love made her weak. But it was Aaron’s love that made her strong. It was so confusing to think about.
Nolan and Chad were on the stage, directing where to put the props. Elizabeth thought she recognized ZoAnn immediately but when another woman walked in looking so much like the first blonde woman, Elizabeth second guessed herself. She couldn’t tell which one was which. Nolan called Gina by name, and one of the women turned his way. Elizabeth was quick to note the difference between the two. ZoAnn was wearing tight cut-off jeans and a t-shirt, and Gina had stylish Capris with a loose hanging blouse. Other than that, Elizabeth would have thought they were twins.
From the corner of the backstage, she saw a familiar face. Her heart raced and yet fear choked her. Aaron! What was he doing here? But the real question was... could others see him?
Nolan walked by him and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Nice to see you again, Jake.”
Elizabeth sucked in a breath. Jake? If she remembered correctly, he was one of Aaron’s body doubles. She blew out a relieved breath, feeling stupid that she’d thought that man was Aaron. Then another man walked in who resembled Aaron. She sat on the edge of her seat. What was going on? Jake turned to the other man and called him Joel.
Rubbing her forehead, she shook her head. This was so confusing! But it made sense to have two body-doubles who could be Aaron’s twin brothers, and two look-alike assistants. In the magic business, nothing was ever as it seemed.
She sat down in a seat a few rows up, feeling better now. Well, at least the confusion in her head was better. Her heartache for the man she was going to lose was still strong in her chest.
Shaking off her doubts, she focused again on what the crew members were doing. Chad seemed to be going from person to person, asking questions and writing down notes. She nervously bounced her leg, anxious to get on with the show. She just wanted everything to be over and done with.
It was hard not to watch Jake and Joel, mainly because they looked so much like Aaron. The two men goofed off a lot. Jake took a sword from the rolling display and jokingly challenged Joel to a swordfight. As the guys clanged their swords against the other, they laughed.
The humorous scene should have made her laugh. Instead, it made her mad. Why wasn’t anyone taking this seriously?
Once their battle was done, Jake and ZoAnn paired off and moved to the far end of the stage, huddling together as they quietly talked. Elizabeth moved from her seat and down the row, stepping through a door that led to the backstage. She grew suspicious of ZoAnn, so she snuck closer behind the curtains, hoping to hear what they were saying.
As she approached, she peeked through the slits in the curtains. ZoAnn peered up into Jake’s handsome face as she batted her long, fake eyelashes. She stroked his arm, lovingly. Elizabeth arched an eyebrow, surprised that ZoAnn had moved into another relationship so quickly.
Elizabeth moved around the corner of a large box and flattened herself against the wall, straining to eavesdrop on the pair’s whispered conversation.
“I promise we’ll get those props, Babe,” ZoAnn said.
“No, it’s too dangerous now. Aaron’s ghost scared your brother half to death last time he tried to take them.”
Elizabeth quickly covered her mouth to hold back her surprised gasp.
“I’ll figure out something. I don’t believe in ghosts, anyway. Aaron is dead, so someone must be protecting his props.”
“Do you think it’s Nolan?” Jake asked.
“No. My brother said the ghost looked like Aaron. I think it was Thomas.”
Jake grumbled. “This is a bigger pain than it’s worth. I say we don’t worry about it. Besides, I have a few tricks up my sleeves.” He chuckled. “I learned a lot from Aaron. One day, I’m going to be just as big – maybe even bigger.”
“Yes, you will,” ZoAnn said in cutesy baby-talk. “And you’ll be even better.”
Elizabeth grimaced. There was no way that Jake would be bigger – or better. But at least now she knew why ZoAnn was having the props stolen.
Taking soft steps, Elizabeth crept back across the stage and returned to the seats and sat. Her mind continued to whirl with possible ideas. Although ZoAnn was stupid enough to try and steal the props for her boyfriend’s show, it didn’t exactly mean she had killed Aaron.
Groaning, she rubbed her forehead. Why couldn’t she think straight? Maybe it was because sitting in the theatre where Aaron had been killed, waiting for the reenactment of Aaron’s last moments alive, scared the crap out of her. Things had been going wrong in her life – and Thomas’ too – and her gut feeling told her something was going to go wrong again soon.
“I thought I’d find you here.”
The man’s voice from behind startled her and she jumped. As she looked to see who it was, wearing a wide grin, Thomas scooted next to her, taking a seat.
“Has the show started yet?” he asked.
“Not yet.” She studied his handsome face for a moment. “Thomas? Why are you here?”
“Believe it or not, I was asked to come and participate in this reenactment. Chad suggested I fill in as Aaron.”
“What?” she gasped. “You are going to play Aaron’s part?”
Thomas nodded. “It’s because he didn’t want to take someone out of their own role. He wanted them all to do what they had done the night of Aaron’s death.”
Her heart banged against her ribs in a different rhythm. Dread twisted her stomach. “No, Thomas. You can’t play his part.”
He smiled and gave her a wink. “I’m touched that you’re worried about me, but Chad assured me it would be all right.”
She grasped his hands. “Thomas, don’t you see? The killer has been doing the same things to you that they did to Aaron – a flat tire, running you off the road, food poisoning – although you didn’t get it because you didn’t eat on the plane. Can’t you see? It’s everything that happened to Aaron before he was killed.”
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her. “Shhh... please, calm down, Elizabeth. You’re too nervous. It’s going to be fine.”
She gripped his shirt and gazed up into his brilliant blue eyes that looked so much like Aaron’s. “Promise me you won’t get into that box.”
He gave her a look of pity. “Elizabeth, that�
�s enough. Really.”
She clenched her fingers into his shirt tighter. “Promise me Powers. I mean it, or I won’t let go of you.”
He stroked her cheek. “If it means that much to you.”
“It does.”
“Then yes, I’ll promise not to climb in the box.”
He sat back in the chair, his arm still around her shoulders. The position was awkward because of the theatre’s seats, but the closeness did comfort her slightly.
A few minutes passed in silence between them. She heard Nolan giving instructions on the stage, but the quick beat of Thomas’ heart pounded in her ear as she rested her head on his chest. His cologne was very enticing as well – so musky and manly – even sexy at times. It was almost as good as Aaron’s.
She tilted her head back and looked at his profile. She’d studied Aaron so much these past several days that she had every bit of him memorized. Thomas resembled his cousin so much, it was remarkable, really. Yet, there were slight differences. Thomas was clean shaven whereas Aaron liked having a bit of shadow. Thomas’ lips didn’t appear as full, either. Thomas wore glasses, but that only made him look more sophisticated. His hair was different, too. Although it was still the same dark brown, it was cut shorter and parted differently, revealing a cowlick on the left.
She didn’t realize it until now, but Thomas could have been one of Aaron’s body-doubles too. In fact, he probably could play the part better than Joel or Jake.
Thomas glanced down at her and smiled. “What are you staring at?”
“You.”
He chuckled. “I noticed. But why?”
“Has anyone ever told you how much you resemble your cousin?”
He laughed a little harder. “Plenty of times. In fact, I get rather sick of hearing it sometimes.”
“I’m sorry.” She shrugged. “It just is remarkable, really.”
“As long as you don’t think of him when you look at me, then I won’t get too upset.”
“You have the same eyes.”
Thomas shook his head. “I promise you my eyes are very much my own, and that I get them from my own parents.”
She chuckled. “The witty sense of humor must run in the family too.”
“Elizabeth, my dear.” He cupped the side of her face. “Aaron and I may take after our grandfather, but don’t get us confused. I’m the charming one. Aaron was the goof-off.”
She rolled her eyes and smirked. “Maybe when you were children, but as men, you are very much alike.”
He narrowed his gaze questionably on her. “Have you been talking with my cousin?”
She nodded.
He chuckled. “Enough to have feelings for him?”
Dang! While she could tell he was asking jokingly, he was bringing up that topic again. She remembered that she had gotten sick on his jet, so she hadn’t been able to tell him about Aaron’s interactions with her. That was a conversation she didn’t feel like having at the moment, so she decided to keep her answer short.
“Yes, Thomas. I’m completely in love with Aaron.”
He stared blankly back at her for a few seconds, bits of disbelief floating across his face. Finally, sadness touched his expression and he sighed. “How long are you going to pine away for a dead man?”
Her heart clenched as she tried to smile. “As long as it takes.”
TWENTY-SEVEN
ELIZABETH SAT ALONE in the audience as everyone performed on stage. Nolan had done a wonderful job of replicating Aaron’s last performance, even down to the same booming music playing in the background. Her quickly beating heart hammered in time with the dramatic rhythm. Billowing fog rolled across the stage’s floor, bringing an eerie feeling to the room.
Though she’d watched someone’s recording of Aaron’s last show on the internet, she felt as if she were seeing everything for the first time and was actually there. Her palms moistened with anxiety, and the tightness in her chest refused to relax.
Thomas had done a good job portraying Aaron so far. He must have been watching his cousin’s shows all these years, even though he’d probably never admit to it.
Slowly, a coffin-like box was wheeled into the center of the stage. Her heart lurched. It was time for the last illusion. That box was where Aaron had been stabbed to death. Next, the display of swords was wheeled in, placed not far from the box. Emotion clogged her throat and tears stung her eyes. These two items had been the last things Aaron had seen before being locked inside the box.
A chill ran over her and she rubbed her arms. Her stomach twisted in nervous knots. She wondered why Chad and Nolan were putting her through this terror.
Thomas moved around the box with ZoAnn as they unlatched the sides to show the audience – Elizabeth – that the box was empty. She twisted her hands in her lap. Her breath turned ragged.
Moving with the rhythm of the music, Thomas stepped inside the box, moving his arms the same way Aaron had done it during his shows. She couldn’t swallow as she watched in panic. Don’t get inside the box!
ZoAnn swung her hips suggestively as she walked to pick up a sword. Elizabeth noticed the woman’s face was pale, and even her hands shook. Elizabeth couldn’t tell if ZoAnn’s reaction was because she was guilty – or because she was reliving the moment she had stabbed Aaron to death.
Holding the sword, she walked to Thomas. He took the scarf off his neck and plunged it toward the sword. As the material fell over the sharp blade, the scarf sliced cleanly in half. ZoAnn then slunk away from the box as Thomas crouched to lay horizontally inside.
Elizabeth couldn’t breathe. She watched Thomas, keeping a close eye on him. As long as he didn’t let the box close around him, everything would be fine. She prayed that Chad was watching everyone closely to see if anyone looked suspicious.
Someone off stage said something, and Thomas turned his head to look. The music was too loud for Elizabeth to hear what was being said. Thomas shrugged and scooted down in the box as ZoAnn moved around the box and fastened it up.
“No!” Elizabeth screamed and jumped out of her seat. “Get him out. Now!”
She wasn’t sure if anyone heard her because they continued doing what they were told to do. She ran toward the stage, waving her hands and shouting. Finally, ZoAnn saw her and stopped. The sword was still in her hand. She glanced back at someone off stage and shook her head, pointing at Elizabeth.
Suddenly, the music turned off and Elizabeth climbed on the stage. She ran toward the box. “Let him out. Now!” She glared at ZoAnn.
The woman’s eyes were watery, and she nodded and unlocked the box. When the top was opened, Thomas sat up. “What’s going on?”
“You... told me you weren’t going... to get inside.” Elizabeth’s voice shook as her body trembled.
Thomas quickly climbed out. He went to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, guiding her to his chest.
“I’m all right,” he said soothingly.
Elizabeth shook her head as irritation filled her. “I don’t want another one of Jethro’s grandsons dying the exact same way.”
Chad and Nolan walked on the stage. Nolan stopped near ZoAnn as Chad continued toward Elizabeth. “What happened?”
Elizabeth pushed away from Thomas and wiped the tears off her wet cheeks. “I think that’s enough. I don’t think we need to carry through with everything that happened the night Aaron was killed.”
“You’re right. I think I have what I need.” Chad glanced at Thomas. “Take her off stage and get her something to drink.”
Thomas nodded and wrapped a protecting arm around her shoulders as they headed back-stage. Many of the crew members gawked at her as if she’d grown two heads, but she didn’t care. She needed to calm down and think straight.
As she sat on a crate, one of Aaron’s look-alikes hurried over with a bottle of water and handed it to her. She smiled at him with trembling lips. Up this close, she could see this definitely wasn’t Aaron. It was odd how the men looked the same when she was sit
ting in the audience seats.
“Thank you,” she said.
“I’m Joel, by the way.” He smiled brighter.
“Nice to meet you, Joel. I’m Elizabeth.”
Thomas’ name was called, and he peered back through the curtains. Once again, there was too much talking going on and she couldn’t hear anything. Then again, with her mind wound up like a tight spring, there was no way she could focus at the moment.
He bent and looked her in the eyes. “Elizabeth, will you be all right? Nolan needs me back on the stage.”
She nodded. “As long as you don’t get back in that box.”
He gave her a reassuring smile. “I promise.”
She clasped his hand. “You made that promise to me before and look how that turned out.”
He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “I won’t do it, I swear. The performance is over, anyway.”
Joel stepped closer. “I’ll sit with her while you’re gone.”
Thomas clapped the man on the shoulder. “Thanks, Joel. I won’t be long.”
She watched Thomas leave, taking in deep breaths to try and calm herself, while sipping the refreshing water. She looked back at Joel. He had been watching her curiously.
He narrowed his gaze and arched an eyebrow. “How are you related to the show?”
“I’m not.”
“So, why are you here then?”
She chuckled softly. “I was actually hired by Jethro Powers. I work for the law firm that was going to help him get Aaron’s estate in order so that Jethro could put it up for sale.”
“Oh, okay. I wondered if maybe you were one of Aaron’s cousins or something.”
A crew member suddenly appeared, pushing the display of swords over to them. Joel stepped to the side and motioned for the man to leave the cart with him, giving him a curt nod but saying nothing. Elizabeth waited for the swords to stop clanging before continuing her conversation with Joel.
“Does Aaron have any female cousins?” she asked.
The Magic of a Billionaire Page 19
