Harry nodded. "How's your business doing? A what-not-this-'n-that shop. Aphrodite, if memory serves."
"Thriving. Come by the shop sometime. Call first, though, so I can give you specific directions. It's hard to find if you don't know what you're looking for."
"I'll be sure to, the next time I'm in Boston. How long will you be in town?"
She gave him her 'before Nate' plans. "Initially, I'd planned on heading back today after I listed the property for sale. Not much point in that now." She dreaded the thought of locating her brother. From past experience, that would lead to trouble. "Perhaps, I'll rent out the house. Can I do that?"
Harry nodded. "A trust would have to be set up...."
"Right. Bobby. He's an equal owner and entitled to half of whatever revenue the property generates." She let out a lingering breath, then brightened when she thought the same equation applied to costs, as well. She saddened then, realizing that in time, expenses would eat into the revenue until the asset became a liability. Not that she needed the money. Her business prospered more each quarter than the last and the building that housed Aphrodite had increased triple-fold in value since she inherited the property. The fact nagged at her that her mother had wanted to leave something of worth for her children. Asia couldn't destroy her mother's last wish.
Harry broke into her thoughts. "Renting can be a headache. Finding the right tenants can be a hassle, then, even so, you might be chasing them for rent."
"There is that." One more problem to add to the list. Maybe she'd let the county deal with the house. Let the property taxes lapse and force a tax sale. How many years would that take? Her mother would never approve that course of action. She could almost hear her tsk tsk-ing. But, Mom, my options are limited. What do you expect me to do?
"Are you sure my mom didn't make a more recent will?" she asked, still unwilling to believe the reality of the situation.
"Unless she hired another legal representative, this is her last will and testament, as we lawyers say."
"Mom would have no reason to do that, I'm sure." There was nothing more to be done or said. She bid Harry goodbye. "I'll let you know what I decide."
Harry stood and walked around the desk. "If there's anything I can help you with, let me know." He kissed her cheek and handed her the insurance checks.
"Thanks."
Asia left Harry's office feeling disillusioned and angry, not only with herself but with fate.
***
From the rocky shoreline, Asia skipped a stone across the surface of Crazy Belly Lake.
"Damn you, Bobby. Why can't you ever be something besides a problem? You didn't even have the courtesy of showing up for Mom's funeral. That's how much you thought of her."
Bobby's antagonistic and sadistic nature puzzled her and always had. He wasn't like either of their parents. He seemed to enjoy hurting, physically and emotionally and for some reason beyond her understanding, he took great pleasure in hurting her most of all. For all she knew, he could know about the legal stumbling block her mother had unwittingly set in motion and watched from afar, laughing at the trouble his absence caused her and savoring every second of her torment.
Nothing with her mother's will or property had gone the way she'd expected. Maybe she shouldn't take a chance on Nate.
She picked up a rock, threw it high into the air and watched it land far out into the water.
"Why are you the way you are, Bobby?"
"It's who he is," Nate said at her back.
She turned to face him, marveling at the calm the sound of his voice inspired. Everything would be all right now. Nate was here. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her.
"Shouldn't you be at home sleeping?" It took her only a couple of seconds to understand why he tracked her down. "Harry called you," she said.
They looked after their own in the Grove. How she'd forgotten that escaped her.
"I'm fine." She smiled, but judging from his expression, not genuinely enough to fool him. He knew she was troubled. She never could hide anything from him.
"Let's get married." She had no idea where that notion came from, but now that she'd said it, marriage seemed the only next step for them. They'd wasted precious time as it was.
She expected him to grab her around the waist, lift her from the ground and twirl her in the air, all the while singing, 'Yes, yes, yes, I'll marry you'. When he didn't, she felt foolish that she'd asked and insulted that he ignored the question. Perhaps, they didn't have the same goals anymore. She questioned their reconciliation. Maybe Nate had caught her in a vulnerable moment last night. She had been feeling nostalgic, worshipping the love they'd shared and idolizing what once was. Maybe last night had been for old times' sake for them and she hadn't realized it.
Asia stared at the water feeling offended that he at least hadn't acknowledged her marriage proposal, but trying not to let her hurt show.
After a long silence, Nate asked, "What happened?"
It occurred to her then that he hadn't taken her marriage proposal seriously. He probably thought she proposed without thinking.
"Harry didn't tell you?" she asked.
"He couldn't. Client lawyer privilege."
He closed the gap between them and brushed a finger across her cheek. "Tell me what has you so upset."
She shook her head. "It wouldn't do any good."
"How do you know if you don't try?"
She didn't doubt his intuition. Nate had always known what was best for her. She walked to a boulder and sat. Three minutes later, her story was told. "I'd like to wring his neck. You wouldn't happen to know where Bobby is, would you?"
"I can make inquiries, if you'd like. Not for you to wring his neck, though, but to right this mess."
"Thanks, but I have a friend back home who can help me."
"Okay, but if you need —"
"I know who to call." She nodded.
He picked a rock from the shore and sent it skipping across the water. "We should discuss what happened last night and where we're going from there."
A minute ago, she thought they were headed down the aisle. In the current moment, she wasn't sure. "Probably. But not right now." If they talked in her present frame of mind, she'd end up sabotaging herself. She stood and dusted off her behind, shivering in the dampness rising from the lake.
"Thanks for listening. You were right. I do feel better." She turned to where her car was parked. "I think I'll head back to Boston," she said, surprising herself with the decision.
"Last night you said...." He frowned.
"I need to get away from here for awhile. Can you understand?"
"This is not like before, is it?"
"No." Nate referred to what happened between them eighteen years ago. She'd run then too.
"I'd try to convince you to stay longer, but I know it wouldn't do any good. You have your mind made up." He smiled. "I'll miss you. Don't be gone for long."
"I won't." She crossed her heart.
"There's a storm moving toward us. High winds and heavy snowfall."
She looked at the summer tires on her Mustang. Before she'd left for the Grove, she'd meant to take the car to Vince to install the snow treads. She turned toward Nate. "I'll be back in Boston before it hits."
"Don't take any unnecessary chances."
"I won't." The footprint in her mother's flower garden flashed in her mind. "Did you come back to Mom's house last night?"
"No. Why?"
"No reason." She waved goodbye and turned.
"I will."
Puzzled, Asia stopped abruptly and looked back at him. "You will what?"
"Marry you."
Chapter Four
Nate's positive response to her proposal made Asia deliriously happy.
On the drive to Millhaven Lane, her mind was busy making plans for their wedding. They would marry as soon as possible. She didn't need a lavish ceremony. Something intimate would suit her fine. Nate had appeared taken aback that she still intended to make the
trip to Boston. He wouldn't have agreed to marriage simply to keep her in the Grove, would he? She shook her head. No, of course not. Nate loved her. He'd never stopped loving her. He would always love her, just as she would always love him. They were destined to be together. Any thoughts to the contrary were utter foolishness.
Not bothering with the driveway alongside the house, Asia parked at the curb and climbed out of the car. She stood on the sidewalk and admired her childhood home, thinking the house would make a wonderful place for a young couple starting their family. With her next breath came visions of children playing in the front yard – her and Nate's children. But that time had come and gone for them. Her spirits dampened, until she thought about other options. Adoption, for one. She had always looked forward to motherhood, but the desire grew stronger inside her now. Yes, they would adopt a child. When she returned, that topic would be one of the first she brought up with Nate. She needed to know his thoughts on the subject and hoped he hadn't changed his mind about wanting children.
With that settled, Asia dashed across the lawn and up the steps to the house she owned with her brother. Not even thoughts of Bobby could dishearten her. The first on her to-do list when she arrived in Boston would be to hire a private investigator to find the scoundrel. Once he was found, the rest would fall into place, she was sure.
In the foyer, she grabbed hold of the doorknob to balance her weight while she kicked off her shoes. In her peripheral vision, a sparkle of light caught her attention. She peered over her shoulder and saw the glint of metal in the air bearing down on her. A knife. Thinking quickly, she shifted to the side, but not far enough. The knife slashed her arm. Intense pain blurred her vision. Bile washed into her throat. Blackness with pinpricks of light danced before her eyes. She couldn't pass out. He would kill her. She swallowed hard, her eyes rolling back in her head. Don't pass out. Numbness took over her body. She slipped to the floor. The intruder's footsteps reverberated through the cold hardwood against her cheek. He approached. Coming in for the kill? Through eyes opened a crack, she stared at his feet. Nate's boots. No, boots like Nate. Nate would never hurt her. She needed to move. Now. Before he stabbed her again. Move! She lifted her upper body from the floor and clasped the doorknob, but not firm enough. Her hand slipped, turning the knob as her fingers fell downward. The door popped open. Fresh, cool air tumbled inside. She lunged across the threshold seconds before the knife carved her calf. Blood, warming then cooling, soaked her sleeve and pant leg. She bit the inside of her cheek and held her breath against the excruciating aches in her limbs. Wait. She exhaled. Something was wrong. Where'd her attacker go? What was he waiting for? Why didn't he kill her? It's what he came here to do. Pain besieged her then. She closed her eyes to the descending darkness. Blessed oblivion.
Seconds later, or minutes perhaps, she opened her eyes. Something was in her line of vision. Boots. She'd recognize them anywhere, anytime. "Please don't kill me, Nate. I forgive you."
"Shh. Don't talk. Save your energy. You lost a lot of blood, but you're going to be okay."
"I'm going to be okay? Really?" If Nate thought so, then it must be true. Strong arms, Nate's arms, lifted her from the floor and carried her down the stairs. "Where are you taking me?"
"To the hospital. You need stitches." Nate placed her in the backseat of the squad car so gently she barely experienced additional pain. She didn't understand the reason for Nate driving her to hospital. "Why don't you call an ambulance?" Her words came out slurred.
"ETA is a half hour. All available emergency vehicles have been routed to a bus and tractor-trailer accident on I-90. Transporting you myself seems a sensible solution."
"Yeah." Satisfied with his response, she settled back against the seat. Amid the blast of the police siren and Nate's curses at motorists who hesitated to clear a path, they arrived at the hospital. She helped him as best she could to get her from the back seat. He insisted on carrying her.
With her in his arms, he burst through the swinging doors leading to the ER.
"Someone help me here," he yelled. "I need a gurney. This woman's been stabbed and lost a lot of blood."
Asia could hear the squeak of rubber soles on a polished floor before Nate placed her on something soft. A stretcher, she realized. Someone asked if she was allergic to any medication.
Nate answered, "No."
She opened her eyes when Nate patted her hand. "Stay," she said. If she were going to die, she didn't want to go without someone at her side. Wait. Something wasn't right. Where was her mother? She should be here to show her the way. Maybe she wasn't going to ...A voice interrupted her thoughts. She knew that voice. Nate. He was here with her. Good. He should be. This was where he belonged. At her side. Looking out for her. Chasing away the shadows. Keeping her safe.
"I'll be waiting right here for you, Asia. I won't leave. I promise." He walked along with her, holding her hand until the nurse shooed him to the waiting area.
Someone whisked her away, then, through more doors and into a room with machines and instruments and a mass of stainless steel. Fingers swabbed her upper arm and she felt a pinprick. Almost instantly, calm replaced her fear. Thank you, Lord. She'd needed something to quiet her nerves. Hands probed her leg and arm. A strong male voice said, "A quarter inch to the left and a half-inch deeper and she wouldn't have been so lucky."
She was going to be okay. The wounds were not serious. No major arteries had been nicked. She thanked God and relaxed against the cool sheet. A second or two later, she drifted off to sleep.
It's peaceful here, this place...where am I? I'm not alone. Someone is here with me. Hello? ... Why won't you answer? Wait, something's coming at me from behind. Metal...I see the glint of metal. A knife.
"No! Please don't hurt me."
Run, Asia.
Who said that?
Run or he'll kill you.
I'm trying but my legs won't move.
Try harder. You can do it, sweetheart.
Daddy? Is that you? It's been so long. I miss you. Will you hold me? I'm scared, Daddy. I don't want to die.
"Nurse, keep her still, please."
That voice. I don't recognize it.
"Who are you?"
"The seamstress," the voice said.
***
From the corridor outside the cubicle where Asia rested, Nate called the station on his cell. "Is the chief in?" he asked when Stacey, the dispatcher, answered.
"Yes, he is. First though, how's Asia?"
"Doc says she can come home in a few hours."
"She's lucky you happened by," Stacey said.
His visit hadn't been impromptu as he'd told the chief when he'd called in the incident. Nate hadn't been able to get comfortable with the idea of Asia traveling to Boston, not with the threat of a Nor'easter looming. He'd gone to Joanna's intending to convince her not to leave. Good thing he did, otherwise he might be waiting on the coroner rather than a physician to release her to his care.
"The right place and the right time," Nate said. "The chief?"
"Oh right," Stacey said, like she'd forgotten why Nate called.
"Nate," Carter Branch said when he came on the line. "How's Asia?"
He gave the chief the rundown on her condition. "When the doc gives the go-ahead, I'll take her home. I intend to stay with her until we apprehend the lunatic responsible for the assault."
"We've got everything covered here. The men will appreciate the overtime. Christmas is coming."
Nate hadn't given any thought to Christmas. Maybe this festive season would be better for him than the last dozen and a half.
"Were you able to get any prints? Did the assailant leave anything behind?"
"Maybe his DNA. We found a drop of blood on the dining room floor. Hopefully, it belongs to Asia 's attacker. We'll know soon enough. The lab is doing the analysis now. There was a good quarter of an inch of dust on everything in the house that wasn't covered. Prints were easy and they all belong to Asia. As far as anything gone
missing, it doesn't look that way. Boxes are sealed and neatly stacked. Asia would have to confirm it, but it doesn't look like anything was stolen. There's no evidence that the assailant searched the house, either. Seems like Asia was the target. Given what you told me about Joanna's will, it could be Bobby, but we shouldn't put all bets on him. Is there anyone besides him who stands to gain from her death?"
Nate remembered her brother's animosity toward Asia. He'd referred to her as 'The Good Twin'. Mama's pet, he'd taunt. Bobby's ill will toward his sister ran deeper than sibling rivalry. With Asia out of the way, he'd inherit Joanna's house solely, and if Asia didn't have a will, everything she possessed would go to Bobby as her next-of-kin. A nice chunk of change for a drug addict. In addition, she owned a profitable business in Boston and the insurance proceeds from her mother's insurance. Bobby would become a wealthy man with Asia dead.
Nate also remembered how Asia had come by Aphrodite. Maybe her benefactor's heirs weren't complacent like she assumed. Maybe they saw Asia as an opportunist, cashing in on something that wasn't rightfully hers and were back to make her sorry she'd gotten in their way. He wouldn't mention anything about that until the blood analysis came back.
"She's been incoherent since I brought her in, so I haven't been able to question her," Nate said. Asia's plea for him not to kill her played over and over in his mind. She thought he was her attacker. Didn't she know he could never hurt her, that he could never raise a hand in anger to her?
"What did you get on Bobby?"
"Nothing that either of us wouldn't expect. He's got a rap sheet an arm long, as we know, and is presently on bail for an assault. Trial's next month. A uniform in Portland dropped by his last known address and no one was home. The landlord said Bobby hasn't been around for several days. Owes him rent. The usual stuff. Mailbox jammed with bills and sales flyers. The uniform had a peek inside, and it looked to him like Bobby left in a hurry. A carton of milk sat next to a bowl of cereal on the table."
"Did anything come of the canvass of Asia's street?" Nate asked.
One Millhaven Lane Page 4
