Pearson lifted his eyes to the ceiling. “And?”
“And George Aldridge showed up, talking on his phone. He sounded really scary, so I didn’t let him know I was there. Anyway, it sounded like he was hiring a hit man to murder his son-in-law. But it turns out—it was just that he was buying the house next door to David and Debbie. So it was all just a silly little mistake on my part.”
“What?”
This was good. I’d rendered the General practically speechless. I could see out of the corner of my eye that Eduardo had all he could do not to crack up laughing.
And best of all, I was telling the truth. Cat would have been proud.
I let the total zaniness sink in to the General’s head. Heck, the crazier he thought I was, the better, at this point. Maybe it was the Pentobarbital.
“You think George Aldridge hired Shaw to kill David?” Pearson was incredulous.
“Well, at the time, I did. Now I realize it was all just a mistake.” I started to get up.
“Sit down, Glori.” The General was a bulldog. “Did Aldridge mention any names on the phone?”
“No.”
“How did you decide Shaw was the guy George hired?”
“Like I said, General. The shoes gave him away. The shoes—and the gun. Yeah, that pretty much gave him away too. It’s a good thing I never realized you guys go undercover as waiters sometimes.” I thought Eduardo was going to lose it.
At last Pearson understood he wasn’t going to get anything more out of me but shoe-talk. I was dismissed. Whew.
Eduardo escorted me out of the building to my car. I knew he was dying to talk to me, but he restrained himself. He probably figured he needed to get David to talk to Cat. So he kept the conversation to my new shoe venture and Glori Cosmetics. He told me he was so proud of the way I handled myself at the convention, and he was sure my business would be a huge success.
As we got to the car, he gave me a brotherly hug and a kiss on the forehead. “He’s still crazy for you, Glori.” Eduardo had that tone of hopeless sympathy.
I could feel my eyes burning. I had to get out of that friggin’ place.
***
“Cin?”
“Glori, where are you? How’s it going?”
“It’s going fine. I’m in Vermont of all places. Just when I thought this place looked real familiar, I found out all those Sound of Music people settled here. Guess it looks like home, Cin.” I let out a moan and heard a chuckle on the other end.
“Guess there is no getting away from your problems, Cin. Debbie told me not long ago, there is no such thing as a geographic cure. When did she get so smart?”
Cindy went into more lilting laughter. It was always good to hear her laugh. I drank it up. Feel the feelings.
“So tell me about your whirlwind tour.”
“Well, I almost choked when Diana gave me the itinerary. I started off at a spa on Cape Cod, of all places. Just exactly where it all began with my favorite photographer, Clint, and my favorite pina coladas. Do you think the Universe is trying to tell me something?”
“Hmmm…”
“Then I went to the Berkshires to two spas there. I wondered why such a rural place would have two major spas. It turns out, it’s just like being in New York, except you’re in the mountains. Everyone had a New York accent. It was kind of funny. But they love the product. Glori Cosmetics is a huge hit, and Diana Black thinks she died and went to heaven.”
“That’s terrific, honey. Your dream is coming true. Maybe not the way you planned, but it is.” I could always count on Cin to be my cheerleader.
“I wish you were with me. We’d have a blast. And you’d have super smooth skin.”
“I wish I was there, too.”
“Yeah, I’ve been exfoliating my way across New England. But the women really appreciate it. They’re like me. They never knew the difference between fragrance oils and essential oils. They never knew how all the chemicals in fake fragrances can cause all these problems. And how much high quality essential oils can help. Plus all the other ingredients I talk about that no one’s ever heard of. So I feel like I’m being useful out here, Cin. I feel like a circus elephant that finally realized I can break that stupid chain and be free if I want to.”
There was silence on the other end, then a weird little noise. “Cin? Are you crying?”
“I’m fine, honey. I’m so happy you’re finally getting there. You deserve all the success, all the joy in the world.”
Then I started to choke up. “Cool.”
It was time to change the subject before I started bawling. “So tomorrow I’ll be in Boston, and then I’ll fly to New York for a few days. I’ll be chatting with every fashion and beauty editor in town. Then I’ll work my way down the East Coast to Hilton Head and South Beach.”
“Wow, that’s a packed schedule. When are you coming home?”
I heaved a sigh. “I’ll probably stay in the U.S. until after the opening at the flagship store in New York. That’s September twenty-first. There’s no need to rush home to Salzburg. I can meet with some people I need to see for the swimwear line here. And I have meetings scheduled in New York with a couple of product manufacturers. Mostly, I chat with the people on the phone anyway. They know what to do without me standing there.”
“That’s true.” I knew Cin was thinking the same thing I was. What about Alain?
“Yeah, I haven’t heard from Alain, and I don’t expect to. The twenty-ninth is gonna be a tough day. Believe it or not, that’s the one day we’d made plans for, months ago. For one of my birthday presents, he told me we’d spend his birthday someplace fun and sunny. I know he felt bad because he had to be away for my birthday—saving the world, you know. Anyway, he’ll have to spend thirty someplace sunny without me, I guess. But I was looking forward to it.”
“Oh, honey.”
“No big deal, Cin. I’ll be in Beverly Hills on that day, having fun in the sun. But I do need to get going now. There’s a crowd of women buying stuff, and I need to go thank them.”
***
Alain pushed through the conference room door, letting it slam behind him, brushing past Hollinger.
Jimmy looked up from his computer to watch several files fall to the floor. “Shit, I had that pile arranged perfect.” He got up to retrieve them. “So how was Brussels?”
Alain slammed his briefcase on the table. “Fine.” He dropped into his chair.
“Yeah. Did you see Pearson?”
“Yeah.” He rubbed the sweat from the back of his neck and sat back in his seat, staring at the ceiling.
“Pearson said he wanted to tell you himself. You need help getting this bastard?”
“No.”
“If you wanna call Glori, I can leave.”
“I can’t call her. Not now.” The words burned in his throat.
Hollinger took his seat and faced him. “Don’t tell me you two are gonna stay mad over this stupid shit. It wasn’t her fault. She’s probably lucky the stuff didn’t kill her.”
“I know.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“We’re better off apart.” He couldn’t believe he was saying those words aloud. How could he let her go?
Hollinger snorted in astonishment. “What are you talkin’ about? You still love each other.”
He leveled his gaze at Hollinger’s eyes. “You know that’s not always enough.” That shut him up.
His friend stared at the table for a minute or two. “Yeah, but it is. It really is.”
He swallowed a pain that spread through his gut. Maybe Hollinger was right. But he couldn’t take that chance. It would be better this way. They were already apart. Better to stay apart. Glori would just get into some other compromising situation somewhere along the line.
“Look, Alain—” Jimmy’s voice was thick with emotion.
“You look, Hollinger. I know you want to help, but you can’t. If we get back together again, she’ll still be traipsing around the world o
n her business trips, posing in her new string bikinis and six inch heels.” If he couldn’t have her to himself, he wouldn’t have her. Better to decide that now.
“She’s an entertainer—”
“It’s not meant to be.” He put his head in his hands.
“So that’s it? You’re gonna quit your job, move to Brussels, and start over with the EU? What the hell’s the matter with you?”
Lambrecht and Clemente slammed through the door.
“What the hell’s the matter with you?” Clemente was in his face.
Alain pushed him into a chair. “Nothing.”
“Yeah, right. How come we all got calls from a bunch of clowns at the EU? Look, this whole thing wasn’t even Glori’s fault. We just need to get you two in front of each other in some quiet place. We’ll get her back from whatever cosmetics thing she’s doing, and you two can sit down and work it out.” Clemente sat back in his chair.
Lambrecht took his seat. “Debbie told me she knows Glori is heartsick over this. She wants you back. We all know that. She’d be back here on the next flight, if you’d agree to meet.”
Alain rubbed his eyes and sucked in a breath.
Clemente took out his phone. Alain grabbed it from him.
“I know you’re trying to help. But you can’t. It’s over.”
Chapter Eleven
It was weird being back in California on August twenty-ninth. The weather sure was great, with no end in sight. Back in Salzburg they’d be having the last precious days of summer.
I stood at the rail staring out to the water and the beach below. I remembered the fog we’d had on those chilly nights on this beach. Now the fog was in my eyes. No one could see. I had my new sunglasses on. Yeah, the eye-wear company had called me, too. I guess some day I’d have to tell them I was no longer engaged to a secret agent.
I swung around to look at the hotel we’d stayed at, that first night together, and the night I’d thought would be our last. I looked up to see the balcony of “our” room.
I remembered that pain I felt when I was sure it was over between us. And I felt that same pain now. Yeah, I’d have to get used to that hole in my heart.
***
I couldn’t bear to stay in that hotel, so I’d checked in to the Ross Hotel in Beverly Hills. It was a comforting place, at least as places go. The whole extended family had stayed here while they were in California last year. It had all the amenities, great security, and an attentive staff.
I let my hair air dry. It’d been a while since I wore it so wavy. I guessed I needed a change.
I couldn’t get my mind off Alain, so I turned on the late night talk shows to try and distract myself. Don’t you know Glori-the-shoe-wielding-heroine was the subject of more than a few jokes. Everyone was talking about my invite to the White House. Yeah, I’m sure the President wanted to speak to me about cosmetics.
Then I let myself recognize that Alain would probably go to New York to deal with Clint Carlisle. It wouldn’t matter that we weren’t still together. Alain was a big believer in retribution.
I shuddered as I remembered the little hole in that assassin’s forehead. I sure hoped that wouldn’t happen to Clint.
It’s not that I loved the guy, or even liked him anymore. I just didn’t want him dead or maimed. He didn’t deserve that. But what could I do? Pick up the phone and warn him? That could jeopardize Alain’s life. And mine.
I picked up the phone and dialed Alain’s phone. I was shocked when he answered. “Yes?”
“Alain. Please don’t kill Clint Carlisle—and—don’t hurt him either. I don’t love him. I never loved him. I don’t even like him anymore. But I don’t want him dead over this. He doesn’t deserve it. That lousy, black-mailing guy, Korn—he deserved the beating you gave him. But not Clint. He’s got problems, Alain. He probably needed those sleeping pills himself….” I tended to babble when I got upset.
And as long as there was silence on the other end, I kept going. “The guy’s a great photographer. But he’s lonely as hell. I know that. And I know it was a mistake that he gave me those pills.”
“Glori.” Alain’s voice shut me up. I loved his voice. I could listen to it forever. “Glori, you don’t need to worry. Why don’t you get some sleep? It must be very late in New York.”
“I—I’m in L.A.”
“Oh.”
I drew in a loud breath through gritted teeth. “Alain, just tell me you’re not gonna kill Clint Carlisle.”
He chuckled. “Get some sleep, Glori.” Then the phone went dead.
“Happy birthday, Alain.”
***
Glori had perfect timing. Alain grinned as he let himself into the apartment. People shouldn’t be so lax with security. He quickly assessed the space, took in a view of the New York skyline, and then went to the bedroom. He could see her form in the bed.
He switched on the light, and she rolled out of bed with a thud. She began a scream and immediately changed her mind. She knelt on the floor peering at him over the mattress.
“How did you get in here? What do you want? I’m going to call the police now.”
“Good idea.” He took a small upholstered chair and sat down. His eyes were fixed on her, and she didn’t move. “Do you need a phone?”
“I’m serious. I’ll call 911.”
“Yes, 911 is fine. The phone is right there on the nightstand beside you. Just don’t try for the gun in the drawer. That would be a grave mistake.”
“What do you want? What?”
“I want you to tell me about how you set up Clint Carlisle, and why.”
“Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Okay then, that’s 9-1-1.”
She made a low moan of resignation. “How did you know I had anything to do with it?”
“I had a peek at your medical records. It seems you have a problem with anxiety and lack of sleep. You also have a quack for a doctor. And a small issue with jealousy.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
“Unfortunately, you almost killed two women—one that the police in New York know about. I’m sure there are a number of others who never came forward. And your biggest mistake was causing my fiancée and me a great deal of pain.”
“I didn’t know you two were engaged.”
“Apparently not.”
“Look, I’m sorry.”
“We’re beyond that now.”
“I can make it up to you.” She stood and started to lift her tee shirt.
“Don’t bother. Now I’m dialing 911.”
***
Clint Carlisle walked out of the court house and ambled down the granite steps a free man. Until Alain appeared on the sidewalk. Clint’s eyes popped in surprise.
Alain wasted no time. He grabbed him by the collar and flung him against a wall, holding him there as his toes struggled to touch the ground.
“I didn’t do it. I didn’t know. My assistant—you’re making a mistake.”
Alain glared into his eyes. “I know the story. I know you still want Glori, and that’s as far as it ever goes. You are not to be in the same city with her. When you hear she’s coming to New York, you’ll be packing your bags. If her plane touches down in L.A., you’ll be on the road to San Francisco. Wherever she is, you will not be. Because, if I ever hear you two are in the same city at the same time, you’ll have a whole lot worse than a little bump on your head. Understand?”
“Yeah. Yeah.”
Alain released his grip, and Clint Carlisle slid to the sidewalk.
As Carlisle staggered down the street, he glanced back over his shoulder. Alain returned his glare.
Carlisle broke into a run, dodging and jostling passersby.
Alain didn’t feel any better.
***
I was committed to appear at a host of spas, salons and wellness centers in California. As luck would have it, my next stop was a resort in Santa Barbara owned by a client of Dominguez Construction. Cindy a
nd Raphael had stayed here last year, and Cin said the spa and all the facilities were awesome.
She was right. My suite was tremendous, and the view overlooking the golf course and the ocean was spectacular.
It seemed like every guest they had followed me into the spa’s yoga room. All the Glori skincare and cosmetics were displayed around the room, attended by the women they hired specifically through Cat’s program.
After I gave a talk, I met with a bunch of the women individually. That was the part of the job that I enjoyed the most, and it took my mind off my problems when I was talking skincare and makeup. They were all so nice to me, not to mention spending a fortune on my products. I decided to do a little workshop on my signature eye look.
A pretty dark-haired woman took me aside to help her choose the palettes she wanted to buy. All of a sudden, she flipped open a heart-shaped gold locket she wore around her neck. I thought she was going to show me her husband or kid, and instead, there was a picture of David and her together. David, Debbie’s David. I almost fell back on my heel. Thank goodness they were sturdy.
She obviously saw the shock on my face. She batted her newly done eyes. “My name is Darla.”
No! “Darla?” I gulped.
“I have something very important to discuss with you. There’s a bench overlooking the golf course. You’ll see it if you take the exit from the café and look to your right about a hundred feet. Meet me there in twenty minutes.” She waved her credit card at the cosmetics assistant, took her package and left.
I must have stood there the whole time with my mouth open. I decided I’d better get going and went to find the manager.
“Is Darla a regular here? She’s stunning.”
“Yes, she’s one of our nicest clients. And beautiful. And her new eye look is fabulous, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. Fabulous.” I excused myself and stumbled to the rest room.
In the Name of Glori (The Redemption Series: Book 3) Page 13
