Invisibility Cloak

by Jill Elaine Prim

  As they left the garden, he asked softly, “What happened to your leg?” Not knowing how to approach the subject. Women were so damn touchy. He didn’t want to upset her, but she limped and hip-hiked slightly, seeming to need a hand as she walked. Finally, his curiosity got the best of him.

  “Accident.” She cleared her throat. “Car accident a few months ago. My . . . my Honda went over an embankment. It was odd.”

  “How so?” He glanced at her. “What happened to cause you to tumble over, what? The side of a hill?”

  “Well, I was on Parker, almost to Cliff Avenue. While I was going around the turn―” She stopped and asked, “You know the one? It’s a hilly road anyway.”

  Ryder nodded. He knew the area she was talking about. It was a steep inclined stretch of lone road that led to another prestigious neighborhood; mansions much like Sophia Edgington’s but they all backed up to the mountains.

  “It was weird. Another car came up beside me and nudged me over the rail.”

  “What?” He rubbed the back of his neck. ”Nudged?”

  “Yeah, came right up beside me and kept pushing me more to the side of the road.” Her teeth skimmed the top of her bottom lip as she remembered the accident.

  Her innocent reaction ignited a spark inside of him. The urge to haul her up against him and kiss her, burned through him. Moving closer to her, he lowered his head but she stepped away engrossed with explaining what had happened the night of the accident.

  “I’d even tried to go faster or slower just to break away. But the car mirrored every move I made.”

  She didn’t even notice my intentions. He shook his head at himself and refocused on what she was telling him.

  “Do you remember what the car looked like? Make or model?”

  “A dark SUV of some kind. Black, I think. Yeah, it was the weirdest thing. I’ve never been so scared. Thank God the kids weren’t with me.”

  Again, he rubbed the back of his neck to calm the anxiety running through him. “Have you noticed any other weird things happening? Anything else out of the ordinary?”

  “Well.” she tilted her head and hesitated as if to tell him something else, but then shook it resolutely. “Well, no.” Then more firmly she said, “No.” A few silky strands fell out of her bun and landed softly against her jawline.

  Ryder recognized that look on her already. “What? What were you thinking of?”

  “I just . . .” She lowered her eyes and murmured under her breath, “It’s just . . .” She stopped before they reached the archway that led back inside the room with all the other guests, and figured she wanted to talk.

  “Amanda,” Ryder began. “My business is security. That’s why I’m here at Edgington’s tonight. I wired her house. From top to bottom.”

  “Oh, I thought you two were dating,” she said quickly. “Sophia said she was seeing you.”

  “Well, sure, she’s seeing me. She’s seen me plenty these last few weeks, re-wiring her residence and setting up perimeters to secure her home.” He grinned at her. ”She is not my type, darlin’.”

  Her brows wrinkled as Ryder watched her take in all the information he just gave her. She was so damn cute.

  “Oh, okay.”

  “Ready to do this?”

  “Yes. I have to.” She held her head up high and inhaled deeply. “Let’s go.” Turning those gorgeous green eyes on him, she said, “And . . .” She exhaled. “Thank you.”

  Ryder nodded and opened the door.

  “Ryder!” Sophia rushed up as soon as they entered the room. “I’m so glad you brought her back!” Laying her hand on his shoulder, she said, “What would I ever do without you?” Then she turned her attention to Amanda.

  “Amanda, I’m so glad you weren’t run off.” Sophia stroked Ryder’s shirt. “This man is so handy to have around.” She lifted her hand off his stomach to flick her nose, sniffing delicately.

  Amanda immediately apologized. “I’m sorry. That was so rude.”

  “Oh, please. I’m just sorry your husband’s murder came up!” Sophia turned to dramatically glare at Roger Carlyle.

  “No, it was bound to come up, and I have to learn to deal with it,” Amanda said, before adding, “And Wayne was my ex-husband, we’d been divorced for ten years.”

  “Please excuse me, Ms. Harris, so very thoughtless of me.” Roger jumped out of his seat and his tan hands covered hers.

  Amanda looked up at Roger then down at their hands. “No apologies are necessary.”

  Sophia sighed and rolled her eyes. “All right, enough drama!” Lifting both of her arms up, she ushered everyone into the dining room. “Time to eat!”

  They all followed her through French doors into a lavishly decorated dining room. Ornate trim molding covered the top half of the wall and melded up into the entire ceiling. Three huge bay windows surrounded a long Mahogany table already set with China place settings.

  “Everyone grab your seat. I put placards on where you should sit.”

  Ryder’s name was to Sophia’s right. He stayed near Amanda and pulled out her chair. She was sandwiched in between Jeffrey Smeth and Roger Carlyle. Mimi Carlyle was placed next to his right; Jeffrey was on Sophia’s left.

  “Jeffrey, would you mind pouring, darling?” Sophia instructed as she shook out her cloth napkin.

  “I’d be honored, Sophia.” Smeth stood up. Grabbing the wine bottle, he walked around the table to pour the dark red liquid into the smaller goblets. Everyone’s place setting already had larger crystal glasses filled with water.

  “So, onto more cheerful subjects.” Sophia lightly chuckled. Just as her laughter died away, the door opened behind her and two servants bustled about filling plates and serving various breads.

  Roger took a sip of wine and held up his glass to the others around the table. “Ah, to the finer things of life. Isn’t that right, Sophia?” He held up his wine glass. “Here! Here, everyone! To our consummate hostess.” Roger gestured to Sophia. “Sophia Edgington.”

  As the other five glasses were held up, Ryder’s gaze sought Amanda’s across the table. She smiled at something Jeffrey said to her. Irritated that someone else held her attention, he scowled. As if she sensed his annoyance, she turned and their eyes met. Her uncertain expression tugged at his chest.

  This was not good. Shit. He wanted her. Slightly smiling, he tried to disguise his interest. Amanda darted her eyes away from his, ducking her head, she smiled. Her modesty charmed him. Amanda Harris fascinated him.

  “So, Ryder,” Roger Carlyle said across the table. “I may have some security issues at my business. I heard from Sophia you are the one to handle those, eh?”

  Roger’s question pulled him out of daydreaming about Amanda.

  For the love of . . .

  Regaining his faculties, Ryder looked over at him. “Absolutely, where’s your office located, Roger?”

  “Downtown. Right off Parker Place.” Roger tipped his head back. After draining his glass, he held it up to Smeth. “Jeffrey? Mind pouring me another, old chap?”

  Jeffrey rolled his eyes, but pushed out of his chair and grabbed the bottle on the way to Roger’s seat. Pouring half a glass into Roger’s goblet, he grumbled, “Save some for the rest of us, ya lush.”

  “Ha!” Roger patted Jeffrey on the back when he turned to walk back to his seat. “I’m the one who knows how to handle my liquor, son.”

  Jeffrey looked back at him with a snarl before he sat back down.

  “Oh Yes, I’m sure we can all recall a few weeks ago at The Club, Jef-frey how you stumbled after a few shots of whiskey.” Roger snickered.

  “I was not stumbling from drinking, you pompous ass!” Jeffrey glared at him. “I actually tripped on the damn rug. Sophia can definitely attest to that fact.”

 
Sophia softly chuckled. “Boys, boys.”

  “Remember, Sophia?” Jeffrey pointed at Roger. “Tell them.”

  “Anything you say, Jeffrey darling.”

  “Ha.” Jeffrey puffed out-loud, cutting open a roll and slathered it with butter.

  Ryder thought that was an interesting exchange of words. And they were all friends with each other? These friends weren’t like his. The guys he hung out with in his spare time, looked and talked like mountain men compared to these prissies. Although the people at this table acted like a bunch of jellyfish they were taking shark bites out of each other. At least the conversation at the table tonight hit on interesting topics.

  When the immigration issue then came up, it was a rousing debate. Should the government allow undocumented immigrants to walk across the border and birth their children here and then those illegal children are deemed a United States citizen? It was clearly an emotional subject. Ryder realized that it was one of those hot topics people just avoided, kind of like religion. Especially since Harbor Falls was so close to the Mexican border.

  “I think the Mexican immigrants who are here illegally should leave on their own accord and come back the right way.” Sophia said then dug into her salad.

  Mimi’s head jerked up. “That’s an interesting point of view coming from you, Sophia, dear, considering―”

  “Considering?” Sophia interrupted Mimi and raised her eyebrows staring Mimi down; all the while she toyed with the stem of her wineglass.

  In the middle of eating his Caesar salad, Ryder choked when Mimi Carlyle spoke up; she’d been so quiet up until that point.

  “My mother died going between borders, “Mimi said quietly. “Worked in California as seasonal help. You Americans certainly wanted the Mexican immigrants around then.” Her face contorted with anger as she narrowed her eyes. “Americans use people and spit them out! All for your own benefit.”

  “Why do you act like it’s all my fault, Mimi?” Sophia reached across the table to grab her friend’s hand. “I’m sorry, darling, I forgot how emotional this issue is to you.”

  “Jeffrey, perhaps Mimi needs another glass of wine?” Roger looked over at Jeffrey pointedly.

  Jeffrey scooted out of his chair with the wine bottle. “Of course.”

  “There, there, darling,” Roger said soothingly to his wife and patted her other hand on the table.

  “Here you go, Mimi.” Jeffrey quickly refilled her glass.

  But the attempts to settle her down failed. Flinging her hands out, Mimi barely missed knocking over her wine glass.

  “You know nothing.” Mimi scrunched up her forehead. “My mother died going back and forth between the borders. You . . .” Mimi stopped and shook her head. “You people used her up and threw her away.” After looking around at everyone’s startled faces, she took a big gulp from her wine glass.

  “Oh, Mimi, why do you always act like they’re my people?” Sophia pulled her brows down. “Your mother, what? She came into the states for temporary work?” She grabbed her wine glass and held it up to her lips. “Where did she work?”

  “She started off working in the fields. Picking green chilies. She’d harvest anything she could find just to work.” Mimi narrowed her eyes. “Then, she was pushed into more menial tasks.”

  “Such as?” Sophia took a tiny sip of wine.

  “Such as being pushed into taking care of the men who worked in the fields,” Mimi spat out. “Like you are so oblivious.”

  “Hmm, sounds reasonable, I suppose. Need to be productive as possible.” Sophia downed the rest of her wine.

  Blatant sorrow flashed across Mimi Carlyle’s face, and Ryder even felt sorry for her― until she opened her mouth; again.

  “Ah, but Sophia darling, I am surprised you know anything about these issues, after all when do you have time to read the paper or Google these issues? Let me guess, in between your Botox appointments?” Mimi laughed before adding, “Or perhaps between your manicures and hair bleaching?”

  Pouring the rest of the red liquid into her glass, Sophia’s mouth pinched together.

  “My mother died. No, your economy along with selfish, lazy indulgent attitudes killed my mother.”

  Roger Carlyle patted his wife’s hand. “We all know what a good, hard-working woman your mother was, Mimi dear.”

  “I watched her die,” Mimi said softly. “When I was ten-years-old. After an American abused her.”

  “There, there, dear.” Roger soothed her.

  “And all the while you all lived like kings. But me, I was dirt poor. You were probably shopping for new clothes and competing in toddler beauty pageants, Sophia.”

  Sophia pursed her lips. “I was never in toddler pageants, Mimi.” Pointing her index finger at Mimi, she added, “I didn’t have the most ideal upbringing either and while we’re clearing the air . . .” She tilted her head. “If you want to open up a can of worms―”

  This time Roger butted in. “Ah, Sophia, let’s move on to a more pleasant subject, shall we?”

  “You had more money and were certainly more privileged than I was!” Mimi burst out.

  “I wasn’t as wealthy as you think, Mimi,” Sophia muttered under her breath.

  Roger lowered his brow and drew out her name. “Sophiaaaaaa . . .”

  “Of course, Roger, you’re right.” Sophia sipped her wine before turning to Jeffrey. “Do you mind, getting another bottle of red, it appears we’ve finished this one.”

  “Anything for you, Sophia,” Jeffrey said and jumped out of his chair.

  Mimi narrowed her eyes at Sophia, as if she was daring her to say something.

  Tension shot up ten-fold in the elegant dining room and everyone adjusted themselves in their chairs. Ryder’s lettuce caught mid-throat until relief radiated on everyone’s face that Sophia focused on her food. Hell, it was uncomfortable enough already. He washed down his food with a gulp of beer.

  Soon the main course of grilled salmon, garlic potatoes and sugar snap peas were served and it was good. He never cooked like this at home that’s for sure. Sophia even announced the food as the servers brought out the cuisine. Was that how they did it at these cultured banquets? He wouldn’t know, since this was his first elegant soiree. The huge party he’d attended here before he started Edgington’s job had a huge buffet line and Sophia hadn’t broadcasted the food back then. Maybe it was all the people and it was such a large party.

  Christ, even then, with all the guests, he’d still felt like a loner and out of place. And he knew and talked to quite a few people that night, too. What was it with him? Didn’t he like people? Nah, I just don’t like crowds.

  Oh well, he shouldn’t have much longer to endure this evening. Ducking his head, he checked his watch. Hell, he was ready to get out of here now. A man can only handle so many petty jibes being tossed back and forth. All the ridiculing was done in categorically good taste, though. Women could sure get nasty with one another. Sophia seemed ready to chew off Mimi Carlyle’s head for a snide remark she’d made earlier. Ryder had blocked most of the chatter off after the “lush” comment Jeffrey made to Roger. No time like the present to get the ball rolling so he could get out of here.

  “Well, Sophia.” He wiped his mouth with the black cloth napkin one last time and looked at his hostess. “This was a great time, but I have a lot on my plate for tomorrow.” Ryder backed his chair out and stood.

  “Oh, Ryder, do you have to leave so soon?” Sophia pushed out her lower lip.

  He’d almost laughed out-loud, but he’d covered it up with a cough. Man, she had the pout down to a science.

  Sophia pushed out of her chair and sauntered over to him. “I was hoping to have some brandy with you later, Ryder. We haven’t even had dessert yet.”

  “I am sorry, Sophia. I have a shi―”
Ryder stopped right before he said shitload and replaced it with, “I am so loaded down with work. I’ll be up all night as it is.”

  “Oh, Ryder.” She tugged his arms, bringing them around her waist. “Are you absolutely sure?”

  Ryder chanced a peek at Amanda who was eying him with amusement and skillfully pulled his hands away from Sophia’s waist, saying, “Unfortunately, yes.”

  After telling everyone how pleasurable it was meeting them, he’d ended up at Amanda’s chair. Her hands fidgeted on her lap as he approached her.

  “I need to get home as well, Sophia.” Amanda stood up before Ryder could tell her the same drivel that he spewed to the others. She looked at everyone around the table and said goodbye in record time.

  And he thought he was the only one in pain tonight.

  “May I?” Ryder pulled out her chair so she had plenty of room to get out and offered his arm.

  “Thank you.” Amanda lightly placed her hand on his arm and they walked out of the dining room.

  Once they were in the hallway, the pressure in his neck and shoulders eased and he glanced over at his partner in crime. “I wasn’t sure if I could stand it another minute in there.”

  “Shhh.” Amanda stuck her index finger up to her mouth and pulled him to the front door. “We aren’t in the clear yet.”

  Nodding, Ryder pushed open the front door and stepped out with Amanda on his arm. Only after he’d pulled the door shut, did he talk. “Think we are safe now?”

  “Yes, I’m pretty sure we are in the clear now.” Amanda laughed. “We should be ashamed of ourselves, you know.”