by Jaden Skye
“Is that why she’s disappeared?” asked Olivia. “Because she’s upset and guilty about fooling around with him? Is she hiding from everyone?”
Nessa let out a strange laugh. “Raine wasn’t upset or guilty about Luigi at all. She couldn’t care less about the encounter. A moment of fun. What did it matter? What she was upset about was that she’d lost a lot of money.”
“She paid him a lot?” Olivia felt herself getting cold again.
“No, not that.” Nessa started walking toward the window and Olivia followed closely behind her. “Raine lost a bunch of money gambling at the casino.”
“Recently?” Olivia asked.
“Over and over,” Nessa whispered. “You know that Raine was a gambling addict, don’t you?”
“An addict?” Olivia knew Raine used to enjoy gambling here and there back in college. When had it risen to the level of being an addict? Being out of control of herself?
“Yeah, Raine was addicted,” Nessa repeated clearly.
Olivia shook her head slowly. “I had no idea.”
“You hadn’t seen her for a long while, had you?” Nessa rubbed her hands over the windowpanes.
“No, we lost touch,” said Olivia.
“You didn’t lose touch.” Nessa turned and confronted her plainly. “Raine wrote you off because you never showed up at her wedding! In fact, she and I talked about it. I told her to give you a break. She wouldn’t.”
Olivia was about to defend herself and stopped. Raine’s friends obviously knew all about her. It didn’t matter what they thought. Olivia had to keep her focus on Raine for now.
Nessa suddenly looked spent, tired and saddened. “Why don’t you go talk to Abby about Raine?” she suggested. “You need the big picture, something from everyone.”
“Who’s Abby?” Olivia was almost afraid of finding out more.
“Abby’s another good friend. She’s very different from me. Abby lives up in Coconut Grove, is married to a rich guy there.”
“You’re not close to Abby?” Olivia was curious.
“Not at all,” said Nessa. “But Raine was close to both of us. Raine was funny like that, she had all kinds of friends, right across the spectrum. After the bachelorette party was over Raine went gambling that night and so did Abby. In fact, Abby was with Raine at the gambling table all night.”
CHAPTER NINE
Before driving back up to Miami to speak to Abby, Olivia wanted to talk to Sean about Raine’s condition. It was too late for him to hide anything from her now. It didn’t make sense and Sean had to understand that.
Olivia put in a call to Sean right away. “Let’s meet right now for a quick coffee,” she said the moment he picked up.
“Sorry, I can’t do that,” Sean replied. “I’m about to leave for Miami. How about going over things back there?”
“I want to talk to you now,” Olivia insisted.
“Look, I’ve got lots to take care of there and so do you,” he balked. “The police are working on things well down here. I’ve been in touch with them. I know.”
That didn’t work for Olivia, though. She didn’t want to wait to tell Sean what she’d discovered. Each person she spoke to became a building block for the next. And Olivia needed Sean to totally level with her before she spoke to Abby.
“It won’t take long,” Olivia pressed him.
“What’s the urgency?” Sean answered fast.
Olivia was startled. “What’s the urgency?” she echoed.
“I’m sorry, of course I realize,” Sean backtracked. “Okay, I’ll be at the coffee shop in your hotel in about ten minutes. Then I head back home.”
*
It was easy for Olivia to gather her few things together and be ready to see Sean in ten minutes. True, he was the grieving husband and had a lot on his plate, including his child and Raine’s mother, who was caring for her back home. Olivia understood why he needed to get back right away. She also realized that it was hard for him to listen to news about Raine. Part of him was still pretending it hadn’t happened.
Olivia took a quick look in the mirror before she hurried downstairs. Dressed in a navy denim dress and a print scarf, she wore her hair loose around her face, her blue eyes shining. To her surprise, she looked and felt at least ten years younger than she had when she first came down on the case. Must be all the adrenaline pumping, she thought. And not knowing what was coming next.
Olivia threw her bags over her shoulder and went down to the coffee shop immediately. She had to set things straight with Sean. Everything had to be laid out on the table. There could be no hiding at all and games would not be allowed.
*
When Olivia walked into the coffee shop Sean was already there, sitting alone at a booth, looking entirely disgruntled.
“Hi,” Olivia said, as she slipped into the booth opposite him.
“I still don’t know why we have to have this talk this minute,” he complained. “We could have caught up in Miami.”
“Don’t you want to hear what I learned from Nessa?” Olivia quickly replied.
“Of course I do, and you could tell me there, too,” he objected. “My emails are piling up like crazy, asking where Raine is! And her father is also on the way down to our home.”
“I’m sorry,” Olivia answered, “but I have to come first right now. I’m on the case and you have to help me.”
“I am, I will,” Sean sputtered. “What did you find out from Nessa? Tell me.”
“Nessa said Raine had a bad case of postpartum depression,” Olivia stated abruptly. “She said Raine couldn’t care for your daughter at all.”
Sean’s eyes flashed. “Nessa exaggerates, she dramatizes everything. I never knew what Raine saw in that woman or why in the world they were friends!”
“Really?” asked Olivia. “Are you saying that Raine was a good mother to your daughter?”
“I’m not saying that exactly,” Sean shot back. “Raine had her moods like we all do, she had good moments, enjoying our daughter, playing with her.”
“That’s not enough, though, is it, Sean?” Olivia insisted.
“What do you want from me?” His face grew red. “What are you suggesting?”
“It sounds to me like Raine was going through rough times.” Olivia downplayed it, so Sean would be able to hear her. She didn’t want to bring up the drugs or gambling addiction yet, either. Olivia wasn’t sure he actually knew all the details and it could certainly put him over the edge.
“I gathered that Raine was definitely battling with depression of some kind,” Olivia went on.
“Who doesn’t battle depression?” Sean looked at Olivia strangely then. “The Lord tells us the enemy will always accost us. When we’re strong in prayer, we can win.”
Olivia was momentarily speechless. On the face of it there was no way to respond.
“Of course prayer is needed,” she replied finally, “and also professional help may be useful as well.”
“I never said that wasn’t true,” Sean agreed. “We had Raine’s moods well under control.”
“Who is we?” asked Olivia instantly. “Was Raine seeing a therapist or psychiatrist?”
“No, not at all.” Again Sean bristled. “Our physician prescribed an antidepressant for Raine. She took it once in a while. That is not something I wish to make public, of course.”
“There’s nothing shameful in taking an antidepressant,” Olivia insisted.
“There is to me,” Sean replied curtly.
“Was the antidepressant enough?” Olivia plunged forward.
Sean sat up starkly. “What are you getting at?” The waitress came to their table then, but Sean brushed her away. “Are you suggesting Raine left on her own volition because she was unhappy?”
“It’s possible, isn’t it?” Olivia remarked. She had to get Sean on board with reality.
“That’s ridiculous,” he answered heatedly then. “Raine had what other women only dream of. Our home is beautiful, our da
ughter the best! I’ve given her whatever she’s asked for, including time to get away and do her photography.”
“And she’s been a good wife to you?” Olivia pressed him further.
“Absolutely,” Sean insisted. “Raine isn’t weak, she’s tremendously strong. She helps with all the charity events sponsored by my organization, helps raise money, make calls. She makes a beautiful appearance in public. People in the community turn to us regularly for all kinds of things.”
“How does she take all those demands on her?” asked Olivia.
“She likes it. Raine jumps in to help whenever she’s needed,” Sean answered briskly.
Olivia remembered that Raine liked to do a great deal at college as well. It was entirely possible that Nessa was creating a picture of Olivia that was skewed. Olivia had no reason to disbelieve Sean.
“Thank you for filling me in,” she said.
“It’s fine,” he responded abruptly. “I don’t mean to be rushed, but if that’s all you want to know, I really want to leave now. What’s next for you?”
“I’m going to talk to Abby in Coconut Grove,” Olivia informed him.
“Very good, very good, Abby’s a smart, settled woman. Much more dependable than Nessa ever will be. And don’t think I’m not grateful, because I am. We’ll talk more later on.”
“Fine,” Olivia said, as Sean got up quickly, grabbed his briefcase, and rushed out of the coffee shop. Olivia decided to stay a few minutes longer herself, though, and have a decent breakfast before hitting the road. The pictures of Raine that Nessa and Sean gave her contradicted each other. But Olivia knew that different parts of a person could only be expressed with certain people, not others. It sounded like Raine had played the role of dutiful wife the very best she could. It was possible Sean knew nothing of what else lay inside her. Olivia certainly didn’t want to be the one to let him know, either. She would leave that to Wayne and Lorna.
Olivia beckoned over the waitress, ordered eggs, waffles, and hot coffee, and took a deep breath. There was no way she could be of any use to anyone if she didn’t take good care of herself. As she sat there thinking about Sean and waiting for her food, her phone rang. Olivia immediately picked up.
“It’s Wayne,” the familiar voice on the other end said. “Just calling to see how it’s going.”
Olivia was delighted. It was so good to have someone to check in with, absolutely necessary.
“It’s going all ways,” Olivia replied quickly. “Do you have time to hear what I’ve learned so far?”
“Absolutely,” said Wayne, “tell me everything.”
“I met Nessa down at her scuba diving school and she said Raine was suffering from postpartum depression. She was high more often these days and also a gambling addict. Could be a way of dealing with her depression?”
“Could be,” Wayne said. “Was she suicidal? That’s the big question here. Did Raine take her own life?”
“I can’t believe that she did,” said Olivia. “I sure hope not.”
“Of course,” Wayne agreed, “but with depression, it’s something we have to consider.”
“What about you?” Olivia quickly turned it around. The idea that her friend had killed herself was more than she could handle. “Is there anything to add yet?”
“We also found out that Raine used drugs.” Wayne was right on it. “There’s no trail yet to any dealers, though. Lots of people use, so it’s not the biggest clue. And yes, Raine also regularly frequented a casino nearby. No one referred to her yet as an addict, though.”
Olivia was impressed at how much information Wayne had gathered in a short time.
“You and Lorna are doing a great job, Wayne,” she said.
“I’m doing it, not Lorna,” he replied. “Lorna’s otherwise occupied at the moment.”
“I’m sorry about that,” said Olivia. “Lorna did say you guys had lots to handle.”
“Yes, we have,” Wayne agreed, “but this case is center and front for me. I’m giving it my all, Olivia.”
“Thank you so very much.” Olivia was touched.
“I have to. You’ve been through enough for one lifetime,” he added.
Despite herself, Olivia smiled. “Way more than enough,” she agreed.
“Let me fill you in on what else is going on here,” Wayne continued. “We’ve got the posters printed, a search team organized, tip line set up, and also a line for ransom calls.”
Olivia was amazed. “How great,” she said.
“You’re helping a lot by talking to Raine’s close friends in depth and letting us know what you discover. I also plan to go back to the Sancho and talk to Luigi later tonight. You stay away from that place for now.”
Olivia smiled; Wayne was sounding protective. “I will,” she said.
“Actually, I was thinking it would be nice to meet for lunch so we can get on the same page with everything,” Wayne suggested.
“I’m driving back up to Miami soon,” Olivia remarked.
“Oh?” Wayne sounded disappointed. “Why?”
“I have to talk to some of Raine’s other friends there,” Olivia said. “Let’s hold that lunch until I return.”
“Well, if you’re going, get started right away,” Wayne said in response. “There a tropical storm all set to hit there tonight or tomorrow.”
CHAPTER TEN
After breakfast, Olivia quickly checked her texts. There was one after another she hadn’t read; it was to be expected. The texts were from Allison, her father, and the people at work. Olivia skimmed them briefly one after another. Allison and her father wanted to know her plans, where she was exactly, and how long she planned to stay. Fair enough, thought Olivia. She’d answer them when she arrived in Miami as best she could. Olivia would tell them where she could be reached, but how long she’d stay was open-ended.
The people at work had more specific questions. Was Olivia planning to come back and resume her position? Naturally, they had to know when as soon as possible. Olivia had already taken a leave of absence and she doubted they would extend it much further. She wasn’t ready to completely cut ties at work, but she couldn’t give them a time when she would return, either. She knew she wasn’t going back soon, though. There wasn’t much time left to firm it all up. Olivia hoped the right answer would come to her shortly.
Olivia left the coffee shop quickly, jumped into her car, and started to drive along the beautiful, scenic highway back up to Miami. As she drove beside the water, a sense of sadness gripped her. What was she doing here alone, wandering around amidst danger? Her father would certainly want an answer to that and he had every right to want it. It was a good question and Olivia didn’t have an answer. How could she tell him or tell herself that she didn’t feel fit any longer to live a normal life? The routines at work couldn’t hold her. She’d seen too much, been through too much disappointment. There didn’t seem to be anything up in New York for her. She wasn’t looking for a new relationship either, probably wouldn’t be for a long, long while.
Dark clouds started to gather as Olivia drove along. She was actually enjoying the day, strange as that might seem. She liked being on the road, digging deeper and deeper into things, exposing the truth. It was also fascinating to meet all kinds of new people, enter their worlds and extend a hand. Even though she and Raine had grown apart these past few years, Olivia felt their friendship was stronger than ever as she searched for her and found out about the challenges Raine had undergone.
As Olivia drove along, the wind picked up. Must be the storm coming, she thought. Sean had gotten her a room in a hotel in Miami and she decided to go there first, shower and change before she headed over to see Abby.
*
By the time Olivia arrived in Miami, the skies were dark and the winds blowing harder. She pulled into her hotel to shower, change, and order up some food.
In a few minutes, as she was finishing the last bite of her sandwich, the hotel phone rang sharply, startling her. Could it be Sean ch
ecking in on her, Olivia wondered, or possibly Wayne?
She rushed to the phone and picked it up. A woman’s voice was on the other end.
“Olivia, this is Abby. Just wondering if you returned from Miami yet.”
“Yes, a little while ago,” said Olivia promptly, appreciating the call. “I was planning to come to see you in a few minutes.”
“Excellent,” Abby replied. “I’m here waiting. I just was hoping you’d get here before people started arriving and we could be alone.”
“I didn’t realize that,” Olivia said, flustered.
“No problem at all,” Abby replied. “Just the sooner you get here the better.”
“Absolutely.” Olivia got the message. “I’ll be on the road in a minute.”
*
Coconut Grove was a few miles away from where Raine lived. One of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods, founded by artists, intellectuals, and adventurers, it was a tropical oasis. It seemed to be Miami’s escape from the stress of city life.
Olivia drove along the streets, completely charmed. Located in the middle of Miami, yet completely separate and quaint, there was a warm, laid-back atmosphere of unusual boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and sailboats that dotted the coastline.
After driving a few blocks Olivia turned down a quaint road to the address Abby gave her. She pulled up in front of a beautiful, wooden home surrounded by palm trees and flowers. Despite the growing wind and chill in the air, it was good to be here. Olivia got out, walked quickly to the front entrance, and hit the large wooden knocker on the door. In a few moments, a tall, willowy, exquisitely groomed young woman opened it.
“So glad you got here quickly,” Abby breathed. “I can’t take another minute of this. Not a minute.”
“I can understand,” said Olivia, calming her down.
Abby seemed to almost to be made of porcelain. Her short brown hair was perfect coiffed, framing her large doe eyes. Didn’t seem like the kind to stay up all night gambling, thought Olivia.
