Black Opal

by Sandra Cox

  Bella looked at her over her coffee cup. “So it’s like that is it, shug? I wondered. It could complicate things,” she warned.

  “It’s not like that at all. I have no idea where that came from,” Sabina responded. She shrugged her shoulders, her manner careless, determined to hide the fact that she’d just been shaken right down to her pedicured toes.

  Her next thought jolted her and a tight fist of fear knotted her belly. “Where’s Maureen?”

  “She flew back home.”

  “Why?”

  “Jack took a tumble off one of the horses and broke a few ribs.”

  “Shouldn’t you have gone with her? I don’t need a babysitter you know.”

  “Of course, you don’t, shug, as long as you are wearing the amulet. But when you sing you take it off.”

  As Sabina started to protest Bella interrupted, “Trying to make me feel unwelcome?”

  Sighing in defeat, Sabina shook her head. “You should have gone into politics. You’re a force to be reckoned with.”

  Bella patted her blonde hair. “Thanks, shug. Now how about we go shopping? Have you ever been in the mountains or to Blowing Rock? They have this quaint little jewelry store where you can get unique gems at a fraction of the cost.”

  Sabina arched an eyebrow. “Bargain hunting? I thought you were as rich as Croesus.”

  “Thrill of the hunt, darling,” Bella drawled.

  They grinned at each other in perfect accord.

  “Give me ten minutes.”

  While Bella sat sipping her coffee and swinging an elegantly shod foot, Sabina showered and threw on designer jeans and a long-sleeved bright orange tee. She went to the sitting room where Bella had moved to. “I’m ready.”

  Bella looked up from the book she’d been thumbing through when Sabina walked in. She held it up. “Good read?”

  Sabina glanced at it. “To Love a Hero. You bet.”

  “Mind if I borrow it?”

  “I finished it yesterday. Go right ahead.”

  Bella gave Sabina a quick once-over from the top of her shampooed hair to her alligator flats then looked at her watch. “Twenty minutes, not bad.” She nodded her approval and rose effortlessly from her chair. She tossed the paperback on the couch. “I’ll pick it up when we get back.” She glanced at Sabina’s left arm. “Your amulet is barely noticeable. Do you always wear long sleeves?”

  “Whenever possible. Do you ever?” she inquired, glancing at the amulet displayed boldly on her friend’s arm. Bella wore a crimson sweater set and cream silk pants, the cardigan thrown over her shoulders.

  Falling in step with her, Bella laughed as they left Sabina’s room and rode down the spotless shiny elevator. “Why should I? Besides, I have great arms for a woman my age.”

  Sabina gave an unladylike snort. “Your arms aren’t the only thing about your body that’s great.”

  “Look who’s talking. Unless you’re wearing a Wonderbra, that’s hardly a B cup you’ve got on.”

  Sabina glanced down and tugged self-consciously at her tee.

  With a light touch, Bella pushed away Sabina’s hand and patted out a wrinkle on her friend’s shoulder. “Flaunt it, darling.”

  “You just glammed me,” Sabina accused as the elevator door swung open and they stepped out. She could feel the subtle tingle of radiance on her skin and hair.

  “Do you mind?”

  “Hell, no.”

  Heads turned at Bella’s trill of laughter. “You are like a breath of fresh air after Maureen. You’d think I was sticking needles in that woman when I glam her.”

  “Maureen doesn’t need it,” Sabina responded as they approached the shiny, little red sports car that was Maureen’s pride and joy.

  “Neither do you, sugar.” Bella unlocked the door and slid into the soft white leather seat. “But a woman should always look her best.”

  Sabina pulled the shoulder strap around her and clicked the safety belt closed as the sports car roared out of the lot.

  When they reached a red light, Bella hit a button on the dash and the top purred down and locked in place.

  “It’s September. Why are we driving with the top down?” Sabina blinked, studying her friend.

  “Oh, come on. You’re in the south and wearing long sleeves. Driving in the mountains is more exhilarating with the top down. Life’s too short not to live it to the fullest.” She pressed down on the pedal and shot onto I-85.

  “How’s Hank?” Sabina called into the wind, capturing her blowing hair and tucking it in the back of her collar.

  “Scrunchies are in the glove box,” Bella yelled back.

  “Thanks.” Sabina grabbed one and captured the hair whipping about her face.

  “He misses me,” Bella said, a note of smugness in her voice.

  “And you miss him.”

  “Goes without saying.”

  “Bella, you should go home.”

  “Shug, we’ve been all through this. Now sit back and enjoy the ride.”

  Knowing she wasn’t going to win this one, Sabina did as she was told. She looked around at the countryside still lush and green even in September. It seemed like no time at all before the little car was climbing into the mountains, taking the curves fast enough to cause Sabina’s palms to dampen with nerves.

  “Bella dear, did you happen to see that sign that said thirty-five mph on the curves,” Sabina shouted over the whistling wind, clutching the side of the car in a death grip. Thank the gods the high-walled rock facing was on her side and not the drop-off that she would be staring at on the trip back. She glanced over and saw Bella’s eyes on the rearview mirror. “For the gods’ sakes, Bella, watch the road.”

  “No problem, shug.” She swung back onto her side of the road as a semi honked its warning from the other lane.

  “That white Jeep two cars back has been with us for about fifty miles. I thought at first it was a coincidence but it turned off I-85 and onto 321.” She shrugged her elegant shoulders. “It still could be a coincidence.”

  “I’ll watch the rearview mirror. You keep your eyes on the road.” Sabina pried her clenched jaws apart long enough to speak.

  “If you are going to watch the rearview mirror you first have to open your eyes. And you can loosen the death grip on the door. We’re here.” Bella laughed and let up on the gas.

  Sabina opened first one eye then the other as they drove into a quaint little town at a sedate pace.

  Bella turned the wheel and whipped into a parking spot between an SUV and a truck.

  Her back pressed against the white leather, Sabina went limp against the seat. After a moment, she pulled herself together and looked around. “Very nice.”

  But Bella wasn’t listening. She watched the street.

  As she turned her head, Sabina saw the white Jeep drive by.

  “Tinted windows,” Bella muttered.

  “Do you want me to roll them down for you,” Sabina volunteered.

  “You can do that?”

  Sabina said nothing just waited.

  “Of course you can.” Bella paused for a moment then shook her head. “The car’s gone now anyway. Hell with it. I’m not going to let the specter of Victoria Price ruin our day. Let’s go shopping.” Suiting actions to words she swung her elegant legs out of the car. Stepping on the sidewalk she inhaled deeply causing the V-necked cardigan to rise and fall, drawing several appreciative stares from the men walking by, whose women hurried them along.

  “God I miss the South. Wisconsin is a great state except for the snow in the winter.” Bella gave a shudder then grinned wickedly. “Though the nights are plenty warm and toasty.”

  Sabina laughed and slipped her arm through Bella’s. Both felt a jolt as the electricity from the beauty-creativity amulet collided with the power amulet.

  Bella pulled hastily away. “No offense, sugar but I could swear my hair just stood on end.”

  “Well, maybe just a teensy bit,” Sabina grinned and brushed it down.

&
nbsp; “Um-hmm,” Bella said her expression skeptical as she gave herself a quick glam.

  “Now where’s this little jewelry shop you are so fond of?” Sabina asked as they sauntered down the sidewalk.

  “Just up the street. It’s costume jewelry but everything’s one of a kind.”

  “I can’t stay too long,” Sabina warned. “I’ve got a show tonight.”

  “Well be back in plenty of time,” Bella assured her.

  True to her word, Bella zipped them through the shops and a light lunch. They were headed out of town three hours later.

  The wind stung Sabina’s face and whipped her hair around. A gust, cold enough to bring tears to her eyes, hit her in the face, taking her breath away.

  Bella picked up speed heading down the mountain. Sabina grabbed the door and hung on.

  “For the gods’ sakes slow down, Bella,” Sabina yelled above the roar of traffic as Bella whipped around a truck in front of them then back into the right hand lane.

  “Bella, did you hear me? This is not funny,” she called out her eyes scrunched shut, the wind whistling in her ears. When there was no response she pried her eyes open. Her neck stiff with tension, she turned her head toward Bella then jerked straight up.

  Bella’s face looked like paste and her hands white-knuckled the steering wheel. “Brakes are gone.”

  “Merda!”

  As the car continued to gain speed, the tires screamed around the curves. Pines growing along the mountain flew by in a green blur.

  Bella pulled into the fast lane and passed a semi as if it were sitting still. Next she passed a van.

  Sabina shuddered as she saw the little ones inside staring out the window.

  “Oh my gods.”

  Sabina looked up and for one timeless second was afraid she would pass out with fear. Two trucks drove side by side up ahead and Bella’s little red sports car was gaining on them rapidly.

  “I’m going to have to aim for the rail and hope I don’t go over,” Bella shouted.

  Sabina’s paralysis left her and her arm bearing the amulet shot out in command as the car hit the rail and began to climb over. Thrown forward then jerked back, her head snapped against the headrest. Her body slammed against the seat, the seat belt cutting into her shoulder and chest as the car screamed to a halt, its nose hanging over the edge of the ravine.

  Her heart thumped like a jackhammer and her breath came in short sharp gasps but she had saved them from plunging to their death down the mountain.

  With a groan, the car tipped backward, its back wheels on the ground, its nose in the air.

  “What the hell took you so long,” Bella panted, trembling.

  “I was so frightened I could barely move my arm. And my brain refused to function at all.” Sabina glanced at the sheer drop below. The car balanced precariously on the thin iron rail, the nose bobbing up and down, the back tires inching upward.

  “Let’s get out of here.” Bella pushed the clasp of her seat belt with her thumb. The belt fell free.

  Sabina threw open her door and jumped out. She went limp with relief as she heard Bella’s door open. She heaved a deep breath and stepped away from the edge, lightheaded and dizzy.

  The whine of a car sounded close by. She glanced at the road and straightened like a spring. The white Jeep that had dogged them earlier was heading right for them. As it came abreast, the passenger window rolled down an inch and the barrel of a rifle slid out, pointed straight at them.

  “Look out,” she screamed.

  A horn blared and a red Corvette convertible came screaming around the curve and tapped the Jeep with its sleek bumper.

  The gun disappeared and the Jeep flew down the mountain. The SUV’s shiny white paint glinting in the sun before it disappeared around a sharp curve.

  The ’Vette screamed to a halt as the driver pulled onto the edge behind them. Adam Morelly jumped over the door. “Are you all right?” He ran forward and grabbed Sabina by her shoulders, his face stiff, his pupils dilated.

  Sabina sagged against him feeling giddy with relief. Everything was all right. He’d come.

  She tensed.

  On the heels of her relief came a cold hard suspicion impossible to ignore. She pulled away and backed up, wary. “This is the second time you’ve appeared out of nowhere at the precise moment I’m about to die. I find that quite coincidental don’t you? The problem is I don’t believe in coincidences.” She jammed her hands into her jean pockets to hide their trembling, staring at him, her face expressionless, knowing suspicion lurked in her eyes.

  “It wasn’t a coincidence,” he snapped out. “I got a phone call.”

  “From whom?” Her voice laced with distrust, Sabina narrowed her eyes.

  “Maybe you can tell me,” he said his tone soft, dangerously so. He took a step forward. Tension-filled electricity leaped between them.

  “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

  Bella glanced from one to the other. “May I suggest we take care of matters at hand and discuss this later in a civilized manner over coffee or perhaps dinner? Adam, would you be a dear and call a tow truck?”

  Adam cast one last smoldering glance at Sabina. “Of course.” He turned his back and punched in numbers.

  9-1-1 Sabina supposed. She could feel her eyes snap with temper. He got a phone call. Sure he did. What kind of idiot did he take her for? Then bit back a yelp as Bella pinched her.

  Rubbing her arm, she looked at Bella who raised her eyebrows and jerked her head toward her car. “It’s a Lamborghini and cost me the sale of five paintings,” she whispered.

  Sabina straightened her arm and concentrated, holding her hand out straight in the direction of the sports car.

  The car rolled backward off the rail and stopped, its nose pressed against the dented guardrail.

  She looked at Bella.

  Bella nodded her thanks.

  Adam finished his conversation, turned around, snapped the phone shut and shoved it in his pants pocket. He looked at the car and frowned, his eyes narrowing.

  Bella raised an eyebrow, her expression inquiring.

  He pointed at the car.

  Bella shrugged.

  In the distance, sirens sounded, drawing closer.

  Sabina stepped toward him and raised her chin, her jaw tight, her lips a straight line. “What are you doing here?” I sound like a parrot that only knows one phrase. “It’s pretty damn convenient the way you keep showing up.”

  “The convenience is all yours,” he snapped. “I told you I had a message on my phone inviting me to watch the show.” He took a long steadying breath as if the memory still unnerved him.

  Before Sabina could respond, Bella asked, “Male or female?”

  “Female.” He turned to Bella. “Does this have anything to do with your armband, Ms. Bella?”

  Bella reached over and gave him a playful tap on the arm.

  Sabina’s eyes widened as his already handsome features smoothed out and became even more defined.

  “Ms. Bella? Sugar, aren’t you a caution. You make me feel old enough to be your mama. I truly don’t know about the armband but I do aim to find out.” Her voice was as honeyed as ever but her thin lips and narrowed eyes boded ill for someone.

  A siren blared. A moment later a police car, followed by a tow truck, pulled up. A car door slammed as an officer wearing a tan uniform and aviator sunglasses got out of the vehicle.

  He walked over and looked at the car then turned to the threesome. “Someone care to tell me what happened?” He took off his sunglasses and stuck them in his shirt pocket.

  Bella touched her amulet for a glam then sidled up to the officer. “Brakes went out.” She batted her eyelashes at him.

  He looked dazed for a moment then pulled his fascinated gaze away from the sultry beauty and once again eyed the car. “Ma’am, I’d say you were real lucky.”

  Adam cut in. “Officer I’d like this car checked over by a competent mechanic.”

&nb
sp; The officer straightened. “You suspect foul play?”

  Adam shrugged, his black silk shirt clinging to his sleek frame. “I’d rather be safe than sorry. Here’s my card. Have him call me.”

  Sabina stepped in front of Adam. “Have him call me.”

  He looked from one to the other. “Who does the car belong to?”

  Bella tapped him playfully on the arm. His face became subtly smoother. “Maybe you’d better call me, sugar. The car is mine.”

  If the smile on his face was anything to go by, Sabina thought, the officer most definitely preferred that suggestion.

  “I will, ma’am.” His glance went to her left hand and his face fell.

  Sabina bit back a grin. You could always count on Bella to work a crowd. Or a lone male as the case might be.

  “I’ll be sure and call you, ma’am.”

  “I’d appreciate that. I know absolutely nothing about those ole cars, except how to punch the gas and turn the steering wheel. It’ll be a relief to know I’ll be getting the details from a true professional.” She batted her lashes and looked deep into his eyes. If possible her accent thickened.

  Sabina expected honey to dribble from the corner of her mouth at any moment. She elbowed Bella in the ribs, afraid the man would have a meltdown in the middle of the road.

  Bella threw her a saucy grin. She gave the officer her number, showed him her license, registration and insurance card then waved at him as he left, the tow truck behind him pulling her prized red toy.

  As the tow truck disappeared around a curve, Sabina glanced at her watch. “Oh my God, I’ve got to get back. The show starts in just a few hours.”

  “You surely don’t plan on doing a show tonight?” Adam demanded.

  “Of course, I do.” She blinked, shocked at the suggestion that she wouldn’t perform.

  “Your call. Get in, I’ll drive you.”

  Sabina and Bella looked at the two-seater.

  Adam shrugged. “Sorry.”

  “Not to worry, sugar, we’ll manage,” Bella said. She turned to Sabina and winked.

  Sabina sighed. This was turning into a farce. She had never used her amulet in the past for anything frivolous. Not that keeping a car from going over a cliff was frivolous.

  Her existence in the small village in Italy where she had grown up had been fairly sheltered. She’d handled any crisis with discretion but she’d certainly never widened a car seat for comfort before. Safety, she mentally corrected herself. It wouldn’t do for her to go flying over the nose of the car halfway down the mountainside.