Life Sentence

by Carolyn Arnold

  “Don’t I know it,” he joked with her. “I’m throwing a party. And nearly everyone’s confirmed their attendance already.”

  Her shoulders dropped. “Oh?”

  “For our engagement. I figure it will be a good way to celebrate. And it’s a good excuse to get me into a tux.”

  “I’m really speechless.” She grouped her hair and pulled it to the one side over the front of her shoulder. “For when?”

  “A week from Saturday.”

  She didn’t seem very enthusiastic about the idea. He thought she’d be happy about this. There was no figuring out a woman.

  “All right. Please make sure you invite Nella and Dominic.” She took a sip of her wine.

  “Damn, I forgot about Dominic. I’ll have Rosa correct that oversight tomorrow.”

  Rosa called into the room. “Dinner’s ready.”

  Bryan and Jessica shared a smile on the way into the formal dining room. Their meal passed at a relaxed rate. They shared one and a half bottles of wine as they discussed plans for their upcoming wedding.

  “Well, I took this coming Monday off.” She smiled forming the small creases around her eyes that he had come to love. “Nella and I are going to do some dress shopping. Looking around anyway. We’ll probably get the rest of my stuff from the apartment too.”

  “Girlie stuff.” He teased her.

  “Well, I am a girl if you hadn’t noticed.”

  “Actually, I would have pinned you as a woman.”

  “Don’t you start with me again, Mister. I won’t have enough energy to keep our love life up long term if you’re going to wear me out at the beginning of it.” She laughed and lifted the wine glass to her lips.

  He echoed her laughter. “Do you want the other part of your surprise or had you forgotten there’s something else?”

  Her eyes narrowed to slits.

  “As if I’d forget. I’ve been yattering nonstop trying to distract myself from it.” She threw the cloth napkin from her lap onto the table beside her empty plate. “And you were right about dinner. Tasted even better.”

  Bryan smiled and said, “I told you so. Come on, let’s go upstairs.”

  “What for?” She winked.

  “The second part of the surprise.”

  “Okay.” She went into the bedroom with him.

  “Sit down, and I’ll be right back.”

  Obvious that the suspense killed her, it amused him. She sat on the chaise near the window tapping her hands on her lap. He went into the walk-in closet and stepped out holding an elegant blue evening gown.

  She gasped.

  “It’s beautiful.” She touched the fabric with her hands, running them up and down the back of the dress.

  She held it up against herself in front of a full-length mirror. He stood behind her. The neckline swept down and it was sleeveless. Its length went to her knees.

  “I would love to try it on.” Those words left her lips and she quickly searched for the tag to make sure it would fit. “And you picked the right size.” She smiled.

  “You think I’d mess that up?” He pretended to take offense. “Go ahead.”

  He gestured with his hand for her to try it on, and took a seat on the chaise where Jessica had been sitting before. She had his full attention.

  She took her clothes off and slipped the dress over her head. “It fits perfectly.”

  “Almost like it was made for you.” He smiled content that he could satisfy her materially. He rose and stepped toward her.

  She twirled, hand laid flat on her stomach, and she studied her reflection in a mirror. “Not bad at all.” She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.” He reflexively put his arms around her and let them fall to her waistline. “But I have more.”

  He grabbed her waist with both hands and held her out from him.

  “Close your eyes.”

  Then he reached into his back pocket and pulled out the box he had tucked there not long before.

  She stood there quietly anticipating what more he could have for her.

  “As fabulous as you make the dress look, I’m confident you can add some luster to these.”

  He handed her the box.

  Her head tilted, and she smiled. She opened the box with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning. Inside there was a diamond teardrop pendant, on a platinum chain, and a set of matching earrings.

  Her hand went to her chest. “You spoil me, Bryan.”

  “That’s what I’m here for.” He smiled and moved in for a kiss. His lips still wet with her, he said, “If it’s not too much to ask, I’d like you to wear this entire ensemble to the engagement party.”

  They both laughed.

  -

  Chapter 15

  THE MORNING WAS GOING QUICKLY. She and Nella had been in four bridal boutiques on the main strip. It fascinated Jessica how people reacted when she told them she was marrying Bryan Lexan. The name exercised a sort of power over people. The salesperson would change her attitude as if a switch had been flipped. A dress they were refusing to order without a wedding date, they were now willing to rush through. They were bending over backward to be of service.

  In each store, they got the same reaction. “Bryan Lexan is the groom? Come this way and see the new line of wedding gowns.”

  The woman in the last store wasn’t as experienced in hiding her true feelings. Her demeanor changed instantly when Bryan’s name was mentioned. The other salesladies’ eyes would open larger or glaze over, dollar signs reflecting in them. But this woman actually mentioned how established the Lexan family was in the community. She went over the top, offering to refer Jessica to printers for invitations, florists, photographers, caterers, wedding cakes, anything required to pull off a public wedding like this.

  After the first store, Nella found amusement in dropping the Lexan name as if it were famous, but Jessica didn’t share that view. She found it somewhat contemptible.

  Why were affluent and successful people handed things in life—products and services free of charge? Meanwhile, the average working man had to sweat to bring home enough for the necessities of life. Jessica shook her head contemplating the injustice of it.

  They stepped out of the boutique onto the sidewalk.

  “Jess, are you still happy with your decision?” Nella asked. She referred to her maid of honor dress.

  Jessica nodded and smiled. “I am. The dress looked marvelous on you. The color was perfect for you too.”

  “I just can’t believe you decided in the moment.” Nella smiled. “It was impressive.”

  They had decided on a full-length mauve dress with a low neckline and short sleeves. Jessica’s only concern was the color, but Nella assured her it would be timeless no matter the season.

  “Now we have to get you a dress.” Nella bumped her friend’s arm.

  “Well, since we haven’t decided on a date yet, I’m not worried about it. Besides, I don’t think I’ll have a problem getting what I want in fast enough.” Jessica chuckled.

  “That’s for sure. Just drop the Lexan name and you’re set. What was that, Miss Pratt? You want that dress ready for next week? We’ll have it to you in twenty-four hours,” Nella mocked the women and laughed.

  “Whoa, who’s that pretty woman?”

  A man’s voice broke them from their conversation.

  Her head turned, instinctually assuming he was talking to her. Her cheeks blushed at her lack of modesty. She faced Mason. She wet her lips and bit her bottom one. Her cheeks burned a brighter shade of red. “Hello.”

  “What are you doing here?” Nella asked.

  But his focus was on Jessica. It seemed like minutes had passed before he acknowledged Nella.

  “Down here to see the old man.” He direct
ed them with a nod and the pointing of a finger to a building across the street and down a bit. “Nursing home. It got to be too hard taking care of him.”

  Jessica remained quiet.

  Nella looked at her friend and back to Mason. “Just getting older?”

  Mason sighed. “Well, that does tend to happen to all of us. The lucky ones anyway.” His lips parted into a smile. “But, unfortunately, it’s not just old age. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about seven months ago.”

  The air between them became serious. He broke the silence.

  “Don’t let me bring you guys down. Look, it’s a beautiful day.” He opened his arms gesturing around them and caught a glimpse of the sign behind them. “What were you ladies doing in there?”

  Nella bumped Jessica’s shoulder with her own. “She said yes.”

  Mason glanced quickly from Nella to Jessica, the focus in his eyes intense.

  “And why would she do that?” He tossed his car keys in the air and caught them.

  Maybe he was hoping the action would cover the catch in his voice. But just the way he stated his question implied they had been friends for a lifetime and he had the right to guide her decisions.

  “Because I love him.” Jessica smiled.

  She realized the way she would change in front of Mason. The way she would flirt with him, without meaning to, and the shyness that resulted, the way she spoke, stood, blinked her eyelashes—it was somehow all different around him.

  BRYAN HAD TO HURRY. He was running behind for his one o’clock viewing of an office property. He told Colleen to take care of it with Richard and that he trusted their decision, but she stubbornly insisted that he come.

  Colleen had viewed the place earlier in the week and told him it was a loft style office in a turn of the century home located on the outskirts of the main core. She had built up the views, the character, and the heritage the place possessed. She had raved about it to the point Bryan braced himself for disappointment.

  He hurried to his vehicle and Jessica crossed his mind. He wondered if she experienced any success or came up with any good ideas from shopping around today. They hadn’t even decided upon a date so he thought it somewhat premature she would go shopping. If she found something, she wouldn’t even know when it would be needed. Bryan shook his head.

  Women and their fairytale endings.

  He turned the ignition in his car. The stereo pumped out hard metal music. He jumped and covered his ears with his hands. He reached over intending to turn it off but when he noticed it was the CD deck playing and not the radio, his curiosity only allowed him to turn the volume down.

  The music stopped abruptly, and a voice came over the system.

  “You’re approaching the end of your life, you rich, arrogant son of a bitch!”

  His breathing temporarily halted, his chest extended with his last breath. He clenched his jaw and swallowed roughly.

  The metal music came back on again. He turned the car off. His heartbeat now racing, his thoughts numb. The accent was Russian. It sounded like the same voice from Jessica’s answering machine. They were obviously getting tired of playing the game.

  His cell phone rang. He exhaled trying to calm himself before taking the call. “Lexan.”

  “Where are you? You better be almost here.” It was Colleen and she didn’t sound impressed.

  “Just leaving,” he said this angrily. He resented the fact that women always wanted to hold the authority card. They thought they were in charge of everyone else’s life.

  Colleen sighed loudly. “If we don’t move on this place this afternoon, someone else is going to snatch it up. Took me pulling out my negotiation skills to have them hold it for you to view today. They won’t hold it any longer. Even for you.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Almost twelve thirty.”

  “Exactly and you told me to meet you at one. I’ll be there then. Go have a coffee or something, and try calming down.”

  “Listen, Bryan, you might be able to tell your little woman to calm down, but you don’t have that control over me. This is business, just get here.”

  Colleen hung up the phone. He slammed his cell shut.

  He wondered why she was so miserable and controlling today but quickly shrugged that care away. He had larger issues to deal with—for one, his life. He ran his hand through his hair and winced when he started the car again.

  The drive to this place was a long one, but he was determined to find fault with the new location for the sole reason that Colleen was attached to it. He was the one with the money and the one who would be backing his partners up in this time of need. Part of him resented that. They should fend for their own damn selves. He had enough problems.

  Colleen paced outside the building and pointed at her watch when he came toward her.

  “It’s about time you got here.”

  “Well, you said the key words, I’m here. Let’s get on with this. Where’s Richard?”

  She adjusted the purse strap on her shoulder, and he couldn’t help but notice it was large enough to serve as a diaper bag. How much crap do women need to cart around with them?

  “He couldn’t make it.” She broke her eye contact with him and focused on the pavement beside him.

  Bryan’s jaw tightened. A pulse tapped in his cheeks. “Shocking, but you managed to drag my sorry ass down here. I guess I’m the one paying the bills anyway.”

  “I resent that.” Rage flashed in Colleen’s eyes.

  “So do I.”

  Colleen shoved past him and led him up a set of stairs inside the front door. A small architectural firm leased the main level. At the top of the staircase, there was an etched glass door with a wooden frame.

  “It used to be a private investigator’s office.” Colleen’s anger faded with the words. She apparently found amusement in that.

  “What happened to him? Go sniffing around where he shouldn’t?”

  “The leasing company said they don’t really know, but he paid up all his bills. So it must not have been anything too bad.” She smiled.

  “Guess we’ll never know.”

  His thoughts went to the CD and Dimitre’s message. He couldn’t tell Jessica about this. He had to let her think the fire was the last attack.

  “Where’s the building manager?”

  “Forgot to mention that he lent me the keys for a couple hours. He trusts the Lexan name.”

  “That will be more than enough time.”

  Bryan motioned with his hand for Colleen to unlock the door.

  She opened it and went inside holding the door for him.

  “Everything in this place has been completely remodeled. It has three offices. I figured for the meantime we could share with our secretaries, set them up in the front corners of the rooms. They’re large.”

  “Or we could have them all share the front desk.” Bryan smiled and put his hand on the front reception counter. “Quite the place for a private investigator.” The fact that Colleen gave justifiable praise to the space, he would keep to himself.

  The front desk sat in the middle of the common area and was constructed of laminate framing with glass squares. It really had a professional feel. An office was located on both sides of the common area. A small bathroom was located on the left. Behind the main reception desk, there were receptacles and networking jacks to set up a communal printing and photocopying area.

  Bryan’s eyes followed the oak hardwood floors to the back of the room. There was the loft Colleen had mentioned. A small staircase led up to it on the right side. Bryan’s attention locked in there. Colleen followed the direction of his eyes.

  “And that would be your office.” She smiled and knocked him in the elbow. “What do you think of that?”

  Bryan smiled. “I think 1055 Suite 201 King Street would look good o
n the letterhead.”

  He didn’t turn to face her but headed toward the staircase.

  He would be elevated above everyone, make sure they were working and play God. He laughed at the progression of his thoughts before the somber reality set in. This place would only be temporary. He just hoped he would be able to use it.

  -

  Chapter 16

  BRYAN SAT AT THE DESK in his den. Things were getting too complicated. He loved Jessica and due to her the fortune in his life was changing. His success was not limited to business and finances. She made it perfect on another level. And now that it had all come together, he likely wouldn’t live long enough to savor it. The dream of a full life would always be outside his grasp. Close enough to envision, yet far enough away to be another place at another time.

  Dimitre would act soon. His instinct told him that. The acts of harassment were intensifying. They had violated his home and left the daunting note, tossed Jessica’s apartment, burned down his business, and bypassed his car alarm to plant a CD directly threatening his life. He saw it for what it was…the last call.

  He couldn’t tell Jessica about it. It would only serve to rile her, and needlessly. Dimitre would strike and nothing she could do would stop it.

  An appeal to Dimitre’s men would be futile. They followed the command of their leader. A bribe, no matter how substantial, wouldn’t turn their nose from the scent.

  “There you are.” Jessica stood in the doorway and hugged a cup of steaming coffee in her hands. “Good morning.”

  He lifted his head. “Good morning.” Hopefully, she hadn’t noticed him slip the envelope in the drawer.

  “What are you doing in the office already? The day’s hardly started. Not to mention it’s Saturday. I think you deserve more time off.” She smiled, half teasing him because of the light workload he had this week.

  “Well, it’s been tough surfing the Internet, catching up on TV, shopping for my woman, and finalizing a lease agreement on a new office.” He smiled.

  “You found a place? That’s great.” She blew on her coffee and took a sip. “Where is it?”