Not What She Seems

by Victorine E. Lieske

  Her eyes traveled to her son. “Connor, didn’t I tell you not to open the door?”

  Connor rolled his eyes. “He’s not a stranger, Mom.”

  Steven crouched down beside him. “Hey, buddy, you’ve got to do what your mother says.”

  Connor looked at his mother, a slight frown on his face. “Sorry.”

  Emily touched the towel on her head. “It’s all right sweetie. Just be sure you don’t do it again.” She turned to Steven, her lips pressed together tight. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go get dressed. You might as well make yourself comfortable.” She gestured toward the seat before disappearing around the corner.

  Steven felt like a heel. He sat down on the couch and ran his fingers through his hair. Connor climbed up on his lap. “Are you in trouble?”

  He laughed. “Yeah, buddy, I think I am.”

  “You have to sit in time out?” His eyebrows scrunched together.

  Steven tried to keep a straight face. “I might.”

  Connor patted him on the back sympathetically. Steven grabbed the remote and flipped on the television. Connor snuggled on his lap while they watched a cartoon. Emily came back into the room, her hair wet, but otherwise put together. She went to the door and took the do not disturb sign off and hung it on the inside handle, perhaps a bit too pointedly.

  Steven still felt bad for coming in when she was in the shower but decided to change the subject. “I spoke with Theodore this morning.”

  Emily sat down across the room and crossed her legs. “How did that go?”

  “Not so well. He told me to leave. I blurted out something about William blackmailing him and he slammed the door in my face.”

  Emily’s mouth dropped. “You really said that?”

  Steven grinned. “Yes. Then I went to speak with Edna. She told me Theodore had an affair with one of his housemaids and got her pregnant.”

  “Oh my gosh, are you serious? When did that happen?” Emily leaned forward in her chair.

  Connor squirmed and jumped down to the floor. Steven looked back at Emily. “Years ago, right before William was born. The house maid left town and was never heard from again. Rumor has it that Theodore paid her to leave so his wife wouldn’t find out.”

  Emily ran her hand through her curls. “Well, if that’s true I can certainly see why Theodore would want to bury that information. Priscilla would kick him out in a heartbeat if she knew.”

  “I bet a divorce would cost him quite a bit.”

  Emily smirked. “A divorce would put him out on the streets.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Theodore married into wealth. It’s all Priscilla’s money. If they got divorced he would be penniless.”

  The information sunk like lead in his mind. “That explains it then. Do you think Theodore might have killed William to keep him quiet?”

  “No. He was paying him to keep him quiet. He’s still paying. He thinks I knew all about it.” She frowned. “What I want to know is what Samantha was paying for. I don’t buy the loan story. William was blackmailing her too.”

  “She won’t talk to you.”

  Emily shifted in her seat. “I’ve been thinking about that. What if I went to her, all sympathetic, and told her I knew all about what William was doing. I could even offer to pay her back the money he took from her.”

  Steven folded his arms across his chest. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Just listen for a minute. I could put a tape recorder in my purse. If I told her I was sorry, that I didn’t know what he was doing, she might listen to me. I could get her to confess to paying him blackmail. With the footprint in William’s blood, that might be enough evidence against her to clear my name.”

  “Emily, I don’t want you to go near her. If she really killed William to keep him quiet, what do you think she would do to you?”

  Her face softened, and she blinked. “Steven, I have to do something.”

  She looked like she was going to cry, and he filled with sympathy for her. “Let’s think about it. I have to leave tomorrow morning for a business meeting. We can talk more about it when I get back.”

  “You’re leaving?”

  “I’m sorry. I have to.” His stomach tightened as he watched her face fall. “I’ll be back Saturday morning.”

  She pressed her lips together. “That’s okay. I’ll call Vincent. Maybe he can watch Connor while I go talk to Samantha.”

  Steven clenched his jaw and his gut twisted up. “Emily, I just want you to be safe.”

  Her eyes flashed. “Do you think I can’t take care of myself?”

  He sighed and stood up. “No, I wasn’t saying that at all.” He crossed the room to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. “You’re a very capable person. I’m simply afraid that Samantha would do anything to protect her secrets. And that includes harming you. Please, stay away from her.”

  Emily blinked, seeming to take in his words. “All right. I won’t go talk to her.”

  Steven wanted to pull her up and embrace her, but restrained himself. She hadn’t exactly been giving him any signs that she was interested. He didn’t want to push her. He took a deep breath. “Thank you.”

  ******

  Richard took a drag on his cigarette. Steven came back out of the hotel alone. Good. He let the smoke swirl around the inside of his car. If he could get Steven out of the way, Emily would listen to him. Steven started his car and pulled out of the parking lot. Richard shifted into gear and took off after him.

  Richard tailed Steven all day Thursday, looking for an opportunity to corner him alone. He had to be patient. The last time he acted in haste resulted in pain. The deep gash on his hand was beginning to heal but still throbbed when he clenched it.

  He watched Steven go in and out of the hotel, running errands and bringing Emily food. Emily didn’t leave her room. When he tailed Steven to the airport early Friday morning, Richard changed his plans. Emily and the kid were now alone in their hotel room. He glanced at the clock. Six fourteen. There was a chance he could make it. When he and Emily would stay in hotels she would shower in the morning, putting out the do not disturb sign.

  He felt real excitement for the first time since Emily left him. His foot pressed the gas pedal and he had to force himself to ease off so he wouldn’t attract a cop. The clock read six forty when he pulled back into the hotel.

  Opening the glove compartment he rummaged through the junk until he found a peppermint from a fast food restaurant. He stuffed it in his coat pocket and headed to the lobby. The hotel door opened as he approached. Two police officers emerged and he spun around pulling his cap down. They passed by him, chatting about a football game.

  He pulled his coat collar up and entered the building. His heart pounded as he rode the elevator. He was almost there. As he approached Emily’s hotel door, he was not disappointed. A red do not disturb sign hung on the handle. Making sure no one was coming, he tapped on the door with one knuckle.

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Steven’s stomach tightened as the jet took off. He had a bad feeling about leaving Emily right now. She said that she wouldn’t leave her hotel room while he was away, but she wasn’t very convincing. At least he had convinced her not to go talk with Samantha.

  Steven leaned back in his seat. This business deal would profit him greatly. He had the capital to turn a floundering communications network into a huge financial success, and yet apathy plagued him. The sensation was quite foreign to him. His zeal for building his empire had fizzled. All he wanted to do was protect Emily from harm, and watch Connor’s face light up to see him.

  He rubbed his temples. He hadn’t felt this way about anyone before. Emily could frustrate him to no end one minute, and make his heart stop the next. He saw her face every time he closed his eyes.

  The plane rocked. They must have hit a pocket of turbulence. Steven tightened his seatbelt. He wondered what Emily would do if they found her guilty. Would she take
Connor and try to run again? But even as the thought voiced itself he knew she wouldn’t. Richard forced her to run away. She never would have done that on her own. Richard used her vulnerability to coerce her into fleeing with him.

  The thought of Richard made him squirm. She was in danger as long as Richard was loose. Stapleton police put out an APB for him, but with no leads yet. He did feel better, knowing that Richard grew up in Stapleton and would be easily recognized if he showed up to find Emily. Besides, she promised she wouldn’t leave her hotel room.

  ******

  Richard pressed his ear to the door. The muffled sounds of the television came through. He tapped on the door again, this time a little louder. The handle quivered a little, then turned and the door opened a crack.

  Connor’s eyes widened.

  Richard bent over, smiling. “Hi kid. Look what I brought you.” He waved the peppermint candy in front of Connor’s face. The door opened a little more.

  “Candy? For me?” He pressed his face into the opening, watching the peppermint.

  “Yes. All you have to do is open the door so I can talk to your Mommy.”

  Connor frowned. “I’m not supposed to open the door.”

  “Then I guess you don’t get the candy.” Richard tossed the candy up and snatched it out of the air.

  Connor shuffled behind the door. He cocked his head, and smiled. “It will fit through here.” He squeezed his fingers through the crack in the door.

  “Nope. Not good enough. I have to come in, to give your Mommy a surprise too.” His legs were starting to hurt, so he stood up.

  “You’re not mad at Mommy?” Connor’s face seemed doubtful.

  Richard plastered a smile across his face. “No, no I’m not mad at all. I want to give her a big hug.”

  Connor’s face brightened. “She likes hugs.”

  “Sure she does. Open the lock so I can come in and give her a hug.” He glanced down the hall at the elevator noise. Someone was coming. “Hurry up, kid.”

  “Okay.” Connor shut the door, and Richard tugged his cap down as someone got off the elevator. He pretended to search for his room key while the person passed him by. Moments later Connor opened the door.

  ******

  Emily spent a bit longer in the shower than usual, making the bathroom too hot and stuffy. She tied a towel around her and wiped the mirror with a wash cloth. Where did those dark circles come from? At least Steven is out of town today. The thought made her smile. Like he would care anyway.

  She grabbed her hair brush and attacked her curls. The heat made her uncomfortable, but after the incident with Steven she wasn’t about to leave the bathroom undressed. She slipped into a comfortable pair of slacks and buttoned up her blouse. As soon as she was covered she opened the door and went into the bedroom.

  She stood at the mirror, brushing her hair. A tingle crawled up her back, and she had the feeling like someone was watching her. Unsettled, she put down her brush and went to check on Connor.

  Her son sat in the middle of the floor, his eyes glued to the television. He had something in his mouth.

  Emily crossed her arms. “What are you eating?”

  Guilty eyes peered up at her. “Candy.”

  Emily blinked. “What? Where did you get candy from? Have you been getting breath mints out of my purse?”

  Connor shook his head. “No, it’s my candy. Richard gave it to me.”

  Fear clenched her heart, and her hands flew to her mouth. She whispered, “Richard?” Her eyes shot over to the door. It was unlocked.

  She spun around, and Richard grabbed her, pressing her arms into her sides, and squeezing the breath out of her lungs. He hissed in her ear, “Don’t scream. You’ll scare the kid.”

  He pulled her into the other room knocking a lamp over. She heard Connor say, “Are you all right, Mommy?”

  Richard whispered, “Tell him you’re all right.”

  She struggled against him.

  His grip on her tightened, his fingers digging into her skin. “Tell him.”

  “I’m okay honey,” she managed to croak.

  “Good. Now I want to talk, and I want you to listen. Understand?” His hot breath stung her ear.

  She nodded, trying desperately to think of something she could do. Maybe she could alert the police somehow. She stopped struggling, thinking she could manage to stall him if he thought she wasn’t going to fight him. Her eyes darted to the phone.

  “I don’t want you to get hurt, Emily, but you continually force me to take drastic measures. I can’t take the risk that you might run off again, so things between us are going to change.” He pushed her away, holding her at arms length.

  She stared down at the floor. “Things already have changed, Richard.”

  “You’re not going to jail. You’re coming with me.” With these words he tugged on her arm, propelling her to the closet. “Put on your shoes and coat. Then get the kid ready.”

  Emily numbly pulled on her boots. Connor ran up to Richard. “Do you have any more candy?”

  “No.” Richard let her arm go so she could pull on her coat. “Actually, I do. But it’s in the car. Why don’t you put on your coat so we can go get more candy?”

  Stomach acid burned Emily’s esophagus and she gagged and coughed.

  “Okay.” Connor willingly pulled on his coat and slipped into his snow boots. “Are you going to get candy too, Mommy?”

  She smiled at her son, tears blurring her vision. Words wouldn’t come, so she nodded to him. Richard grabbed her arm, pulling her close. “No funny business,” he muttered, “or the kid might get hurt.” He turned to Connor. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes. Let’s go, Mommy!” He took her hand and tugged her toward the door.

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Emily tensed as Richard’s grip tightened on her arm. She opened the door, allowing Connor to run out into the hallway. She needed to keep Connor a safe distance from Richard. The hall was empty, and she hesitated at the doorway. Richard pushed her out, and down the hall toward the elevator.

  Emily prayed he wouldn’t insist on getting in between her and Connor. She didn’t care what happened to her, but she couldn’t take a chance on anything happening to her son. She remembered when Connor was an infant, how Richard would look at him with such contempt in his eyes. How had she not seen it then? Richard hated William, and Connor was William’s son. She should have known back then, that Richard was to blame.

  As time went on, Richard stopped looking at him with such hatred. He stopped looking at him at all. His solution to dealing with William’s son was to pretend he didn’t exist.

  Her arm began to throb. Richard pressed the elevator button. Connor seemed oblivious to the situation, having grown up around Richard and his dark moods. He jumped around the foyer making rocket noises.

  The elevator doors opened. A young couple stepped out. She stared at them, willing them to see her face. They passed by without as much as a glance. Richard nudged her into the elevator.

  “Can I push the button, Mommy?” Connor bounced on his toes looking at all the button choices. Richard ignored him, as usual.

  “Yes, it’s this one here.” She pointed to the one with the L on it.

  Her mind reeled. This can’t happen again. I have to stop him somehow. Thoughts swirled through her head, making her dizzy.

  The elevator slowed when it came to the lobby, and Richard stiffened. Emily’s heart pounded against her ribcage. She felt like she was going to throw up.

  The doors opened and Connor rushed out into the lobby. She stepped off the elevator, watching Connor run to the front doors. She planted her feet and screamed, “Stop it, you’re hurting me! Get away from me and my son!”

  Everyone in the lobby turned to stare. Richard’s eyes widened. She didn’t have time to relish in his surprise.

  “You can’t make me go with you!” She struggled to get away from his grip. “Let go of me!” She yanked her arm loose and staggered away fr
om him, her breath coming in ragged gulps. Connor turned and started running back to her. Several hotel workers approached her, and the lady at the front desk picked up the phone.

  Richard stood, frozen, his face stricken.

  A young man in a hotel uniform put his hand on Richard’s shoulder. Richard spun around, his fist connecting with the man’s jaw. A sickening sound rang out and Emily heard someone gasp. The young man hit the floor, and Richard bolted out the door.

  Connor grasped her legs and cried out. “Mommy!” She picked him up and cradled him close.

  “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s okay.” A swarm of people crowded around her.

  Questions rang out. “Are you okay?”

  “Who was that?”

  “Did he hurt you?”

  Police sirens sounded in the distance. She closed her eyes and held Connor tight, the sound of her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

  ******

  Steven stalked into his office, his secretary at his heels.

  “Your messages are on your desk, sir.” Annette handed him a large file folder stuffed with paper. “Mr. Jennings wants you to look over this before your meeting.”

  “Thank you, Annette.” Steven set the file on his desk. “Please hold my calls.”

  Annette fiddled with her wireless earpiece. She looked like the last thing she wanted to do was continue to tell people he couldn’t take their phone calls, but she nodded and left. He shut his office door and plopped down on his leather chair.

  The stack of messages was overwhelming. He pushed them to the corner of the desk. Opening the Accelerated Communications file, he started scanning documents. Ten minutes later, Alex opened his door.

  “Hey, Steven. Are you ready for the meeting?”

  He sighed. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”