No Place to Vanish
Page 1
NO PLACE TO VANISH
(MURDER IN THE KEYS: BOOK #2)
JADEN SKYE
About Jaden Skye
#1 bestselling author Jaden Skye is author of the bestselling romantic suspense series CARIBBEAN MURDER, which includes 16 books (and counting), and which begins with DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1), a free download!
Jaden is also author of the romance series A PERFECT STRANGER.
Jaden is also author of the new romantic suspense series MURDER IN THE KEYS, which begins with NO PLACE TO DIE (Book #1).
Jaden has always been fascinated with mystery, wrongful death, lies, deception and the power of the truth to prevail. Her romantic suspense/mystery novels feature strong female protagonists who must overcome insurmountable obstacles, and through them, she seeks to get to the very heart of the nature of justice and love. Please visit www.jadenskye.com to find links to stay in touch with Jaden via Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, her blog, and a whole bunch of other places. Jaden loves to hear from you, so don't be shy and check back often!
Books by Jaden Skye
THE CARIBBEAN MURDER SERIES
DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)
DEATH BY DIVORCE (Book #2)
DEATH BY MARRIAGE (Book #3)
DEATH BY DESIRE (Book #4)
DEATH BY DECEIT (Book #5)
DEATH BY JEALOUSY (Book #6)
DEATH BY PROPOSAL (Book #7)
DEATH BY OBSESSION (Book #8)
DEATH BY DEVOTION (Book #9)
DEATH BY BETRAYAL (Book #10)
DEATH BY REQUEST (Book #11)
DEATH BY ENGAGEMENT (Book #12)
DEATH BY SEDUCTION (Book #13)
DEATH BY TEMPTATION (Book #14)
DEATH BY INVITATION (Book #15)
DEATH BY WEDDING (Book #16)
THE TOM’S RIVER SAGA
A PERFECT STRANGER (Book #1)
MURDER IN THE KEYS
NO PLACE TO DIE (Book #1)
NO PLACE TO VANISH (Book #2)
NO PLACE FOR MARRIAGE (Book #3)
THE KILLING GAME
INVITATION TO DIE (Book #1)
INVITATION TO MADNESS (Book #2)
INVITATION TO AGONY (Book #3)
Tap here to download Jaden Skye books now!
Copyright © 2017 by Jaden Skye
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental
Jacket image Copyright mrfiza and By I_B, used under license from shuitterstock.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
CHAPTER ONE
As the plane tossed through the gathering clouds, Olivia looked out the window, replaying all that had gone on. It was still impossible to believe that she was returning to New York alone. Todd wasn’t with her; he was gone. Her hand reached out to the empty seat beside her as her mind continued to play games. He’ll be back in a minute, her mind whispered. This was all a dream, Todd’s alive, he’s well. He’ll be there at the airport waiting when you arrive.
Of course Olivia knew that Todd wouldn’t be there, not today, nor ever again. It was hard to believe that they’d gotten engaged in Key West only a few weeks ago. The engagement ring Todd had given Olivia right before he was killed still sat on her finger, looking up at her, gleaming. At times it was soothing to look at it, reminding her of wonderful times. Other times the ring seemed to be mocking her, daring her to take it off, put it in a drawer, and move on.
The plane took a sudden dip in the growing turbulence that accompanied the flight. Images of Todd on his death bed, struggling to breathe, flashed through Olivia’s mind. She recalled sitting alone in the emergency room, late at night, waiting for a word of hope. Her first encounter with Todd’s disturbing family came to her vividly, how they’d adamantly refused to believe that Olivia and Todd had become engaged.
Olivia listened to the rain falling on the plane as an airline stewardess suddenly leaned toward her.
“Can I get you anything at all?” she asked.
Olivia looked up at her sadly.
Bring Todd back to me, she wanted to say, but forced herself to smile instead.
“Thank you very much, but not now,” Olivia replied.
Since the crime had been solved, and Todd’s former girlfriend, Rhonda, convicted, Olivia hadn’t been able to sleep or eat much. During the few weeks of investigation, wave after wave of shock and horror kept occurring, almost daily. Olivia not only met the disturbing people in Todd’s life, but one sordid fact after another about him became revealed. To top it off, Olivia discovered that he was still sleeping with his ex-girlfriend Rhonda, even as she and Todd were becoming engaged. She knew she should hate Todd now.
But for some reason, she still loved him.
Olivia knew that, without her uncanny insight and courage, Rhonda would have gone free. Yet, despite all the attention and adulation Olivia received at the end, she took little pleasure in it. The future lay spread out before her now—and she had no idea what was in store.
*
When the plane finally landed back in New York, a row of cabs were lined up outside the airport. Olivia got her bags quickly and took one of the cabs to her upscale apartment, on a fashionable street in the Upper East Side, overlooking the river.
As soon as the cab pulled up to her building, a doorman, Russo, came out and helped bring her things in. In a daze Olivia slowly followed him inside and gazed around the lobby. All kinds of perfectly dressed people were coming and going as they always did, looking confident and secure. It was as if their carefully constructed worlds were built on a solid foundation and couldn’t fall apart in a second, as Olivia’s just had.
“Good to have you back home again,” Russo commented lightly as they got into the elevator and pressed a high floor.
“Thanks so much,” Olivia replied, as the elevator lifted up quickly. Of course Russo meant well, but it saddened Olivia to be welcomed home. Even though she and Todd hadn’t actually lived together, he’d spent most nights here with her since they met. They’d been inseparable. Now, without him, her place didn’t feel like home anymore.
Russo brought her bags into the apartment, piled them carefully next t
o one another, wished her well, and left.
Olivia then began to wander aimlessly through the beautifully decorated rooms. Todd’s things were still scattered around here and there, including a few photos of them together, smiling. In the photos it looked as if the entire world had belonged to them. Olivia could not bring herself to look at the photos closely. She also could not imagine taking them down. The time would come when she could, she thought. But for now, she felt lost and confused, wondering if things would ever normalize again.
Olivia walked over to one of the large glass windows, pulled up the blinds, and leaned against the dusty windowpane. Standing up here high on top of the world, she looked out at the river, where tugboats passed along just as before. Olivia remembered how much she and Todd used to enjoy walking at the river’s edge at the end of the day. She also thought of his texts and emails that she’d so enjoyed receiving. How they talked almost all night long, curled up in each other’s arms. Olivia’s life had totally changed the moment they’d met. Todd said his had, too.
Now, she had no idea what to believe anymore.
The phone rang sharply, but Olivia didn’t even try to answer. She couldn’t. Not yet. It was too soon to talk to friends, put on a cheerful face, and pretend that she was the same person she’d been when she left a few weeks ago. Perhaps she just needed to settle in and after a bath and good dinner, she’d feel more like herself.
No, she needed more than that.
She knew that tomorrow morning she needed to get up and go back to work, full steam ahead. To immerse herself back in her old life. Otherwise, she would just waste away here, wallow away in misery and depression. And that wasn’t an option.
Somehow, she had to find a way to pick up the pieces and move on.
Yet, she just didn’t know if she could do it.
CHAPTER TWO
Olivia barely slept all night, just tossed in the midst of rocky dreams. At times she felt as if Todd were with her again. Other times she dreamt she was back with her first fiancé, Paul. In her dream she was sitting at Paul’s bedside in the long vigil his sickness took them through. Paul was begging her to stay beside him.
Olivia awoke harshly at the crack of dawn, breathing hard, rubbing her eyes. Both Paul and Todd were gone now. It was time to face the new day alone. Like Todd, Paul had also died before they could marry, a couple of years ago. Olivia’s experience with Paul was entirely different though. He’d died after a long battle with cancer. He wasn’t horribly poisoned by a vengeful girlfriend as Todd had been. And layers of deceit, fraud, and scandal hadn’t been exposed about Paul.
After Paul died, it had taken a long while to regroup. Olivia didn’t want to go through that again now with Todd. She didn’t have the time or energy to do so. And most importantly, she didn’t want to. Did Todd deserve it, even? He’d lied to her, played her for a fool. What Olivia had learned about him after his death had thrust her into deep confusion about her own judgment. Why hadn’t she seen any of the truth of what was going on? How could she have been so blind?
Olivia jumped out of bed and went straight to the bathroom to shower and dress. She was determined to leave these memories behind and go forward. She was back in the city now and it was time for things to turn around.
The cool water in the shower was refreshing, woke her fully up. Olivia stood there a long time as the water poured down, hoping it would wash away the pain and horror. She grabbed a loofah brush and scrubbed her body hard, wanting to remove the grit and pain. Whether she wanted to or not, it was time to get ready for a new beginning again.
Finally, she turned off the shower, got out, dried herself briskly, and put on a crisp, beige linen suit. Then she brushed her long, beautiful, blonde hair over and over, hoping to return to her normally pristine self.
Acting as if nothing were different today, Olivia went into the kitchen and made a quick pot of coffee, scrambled some eggs, and popped a few pieces of whole wheat bread into the toaster. She knew that the sooner she could create a semblance of her old routine, the better she would feel.
After eating breakfast and cleaning the dishes, she decided to get into the office as soon as she could. Earlier would be better. She’d throw herself fully back into the work she’d loved as a book publicist for a top publishing company. The work had always been rewarding and exciting and Olivia hoped it would continue to be so.
Ready to leave, Olivia grabbed her briefcase and headed straight for the door. She’d get to the office, see her colleagues, and take care of whatever was there waiting for her.
*
Olivia’s company was located midtown on the twenty-fifth floor, overlooking a busy avenue with cars, buses, and trucks honking on top of each other, all day long. Her office, which faced the street, was small but bright, with a large desk in the center strewn with papers. A sizable bookcase covered the far wall. The bookcase was filled with books on display that Olivia had worked on, proudly.
As soon as she walked in, it was as if no time had passed and those horrible weeks in Key West were entirely unreal. No one was in the office yet and Olivia slipped behind her desk quickly. First thing, she would sort out the piles of papers that were on it. As she picked up one paper after another and started to read, her eyes began to blur. It was hard to focus on the words in front of her. Her mind kept returning to Todd.
Olivia knew that colleagues and clients would soon be arriving and were expecting to see her today. The idea of seeing everyone suddenly filled her with dread. Would they be sorry for her and treat her gingerly? Would they see her as a two-time loser? Or would they be distant and nervous in the face of the tragedy she’d just been through? Either way was distasteful. Olivia felt unnerved.
She quickly flipped open her computer to scroll through emails and go over an old assignment she’d been working on. Once again, the words just flashed before her eyes. Try as she might, she couldn’t concentrate. Or, when she finally did, whatever she read seemed completely meaningless now.
Olivia closed her eyes and tried again, but the same thing happened. She couldn’t do it! Her attention had been taken over. Her heart and soul were no longer here. A big part of her was still down in Key West and she was having trouble bringing it back so soon. To Olivia’s dismay, she then began sobbing. She got up, went to the window, and looked down at the bustling traffic and pedestrians trying to cross the streets. She wasn’t ready for this by a long shot. She had returned to the office way too soon.
Grateful that no one was here yet, Olivia grabbed her briefcase and made for the door. She needed more time badly. How long? She had no idea. She’d go home, write to her boss, and ask for her leave of absence to be extended.
Indefinitely.
*
It was even hard returning to her apartment now. Once inside, Olivia quickly sent an email to the office explaining that she wasn’t ready to return, asking for more time.
How much time? came the quick reply. We were surprised not to see you here today.
Not really sure, Olivia answered truthfully. I’ll let you know soon, though.
Olivia then thought about texting Allison, whom she used to confide in regularly. But there was nothing in particular to confide and truthfully, Olivia didn’t want to hear anything Allison had to say. She needed something entirely different now, she realized.
Her phone suddenly rang. Undoubtedly, it was someone from the office. Olivia knew she had to pick up.
“Olivia Wells?” a strange male voice answered, surprising her.
“Yes?” asked Olivia, wondering who it was.
“I realize there’s no way you can recognize my voice,” he continued. “But it’s Sean Merkin, Raine’s husband.”
Olivia was confused. Raine had been her best friend in college, though they’d lost touch over the past few years. When Olivia hadn’t attended her wedding, Raine had distanced herself. Olivia explained she had to be out of the country, that the trip had been planned for almost a year. But Raine wouldn’t listen. It was sta
rtling to hear from Raine’s husband, Sean, now.
“Of course I know who you are. How are you?” Olivia quickly replied.
“I’ve been better.” Sean’s voice lowered.
“Is everything all right?” Olivia had no idea why he was calling now.
“I’m sure it’s all fine.” Sean started talking quickly. “And I know it’s crazy to call, but I heard how instrumental you were in solving a case in Key West and I was impressed.”
“Thank you,” said Olivia, startled. It was actually comforting to be speaking to him.
“Raine heard about it too, and she was fascinated,” Sean quickly added.
“How is Raine?” Olivia immediately picked up on it.
“That’s what I’m calling about.” Sean’s voice grew husky.
Olivia had a moment of fear that Raine was ill. Was he calling on her behalf? Did Raine need something from her now?
“Raine recently went down to Key West to be at a friend’s bachelorette party,” Sean continued. “She was supposed to come back two days ago.”
“Yes?” Olivia was not clear about where he was headed.
“She still hasn’t returned,” Sean announced.
“I’m not exactly understanding,” Olivia remarked.
“Raine was due home two days ago,” Sean repeated, nervously. “We live in Miami, a short trip away.”
“Raine’s probably with one of her friends,” Olivia commented, not knowing what Sean had in mind.
“She’s not,” Sean answered briskly. “I’ve spoken to them. They all know each other, most live in Miami, nearby. Her friend Pietra organized the party, and Raine’s mom came here to take care of Clea while she was gone.”
“Clea?” Olivia was startled.