by Berinn Rae
He pulled into the garage and cut the engine. The music continued and he reclined in his seat, allowing his mind to drift on the sounds of the battle song. The chords of drums and trumpets alternated with magnificent voices and lifted his spirit. As the rhythm sped, he reaffirmed his determination to fight for his family. He wouldn’t forget them. Not that he could, they were his.
As he entered the house through the side door, warmth caressed his face.
“Daddy’s home,” Milo announced. Tom snickered at his son’s continuing coloring activity in front of the cartoon-blaring television.
Olivia stepped out of the kitchen, Rosie snuggled in her arms. Tom’s chest squeezed at his wife’s widening smile. This perfect picture of the ideal family confirmed there was too much at stake. He wouldn’t survive without them. If some supernatural entity pulled at their strings, how was he to protect what was precious to him? By loving them more, that’s how. He would savor every second with them. Spend time with her. Memorize the sound of her voice.
Her soft lips touched his cheek, leaving a tingle spreading on his still chilled skin. “How did the prepping go?”
“Hmm?” Oh yes, the trial. He mustn’t forget about his work. “It will take more than one session to get the desired results. I hope she doesn’t fall apart on the stand.”
He put his coat over the hanger inside the closet and removed his boots. One thing he’d have to prove was Mrs. Baldwin’s infidelity. So far the always well-put-together lady eluded them all with her “concerned wife” talk. True, Mrs. Baldwin had jumped Hiltorn’s bones at the barbeque and it stood to reason folks talked about the affair around the water cooler, but so far no one was talking to him.
Tom stood in the kitchen doorway, ruffling Milo’s hair as he passed by him. The conversation may not be appropriate at the dinner table. With an ever observant five-year-old boy present, he should watch his choice of words. Good thing Olivia waited for the microwave oven to beep, out of Milo’s hearing distance.
In a few strides, Tom reached her just as a long sound announced the baby food was warmed up. Her closeness steadied his thoughts. “Do you think your boss is capable of an affair?”
Amusement flashed in her eyes as she stirred the steamy portion of blended food in the baby bowl. “He’s divorced for the fourth time as I recall. So it wouldn’t be him who committed adultery.”
Tom glanced at the kitchen table to make sure Milo wasn’t paying any attention. The boy seemed busy making Rosie giggle by wriggling his tongue at her. His little princess found amusement in everything.
He turned to Olivia. “Would he go after the wife of another man? A man he planned a merger with?”
Olivia ceased stirring the orange mush and shot him a surprised glance. “He had an affair with Mrs. Baldwin?”
Tom put his hands up to curb her eagerness to dig for details. “This bit of info came my way yesterday. I need to find out more about this before I can put her on the stand.”
“I’ve been on maternity leave for the past ten months. Even if I’m in the office, I doubt I’d care about stuff like this if I heard it. Employees saw me as all work and no fun.” She spooned out another scoop of the baby food from the jar and into the dish. While stirring she let out a short gasp. “Isn’t it a bit strange I’m finding this intriguing now?”
Tom nodded. He could number a few times she’d come home with some juicy gossip from the office, but that had been her double. “Maybe if you ask around you won’t appear suspicious.”
Her gaze wandered around the kitchen and finally settled on him. She traced her index finger down his tie. “I think I can find out.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer, careful of Rosie’s dinner in Olivia’s hand. “You’re not all work. I should vouch for that. Now tell me, how are you going to find out?”
She set the bowl on the kitchen counter and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Well, it seems in this life my assistant and I are friends. If anyone knows a thing about office affairs, it’s Jess. I’ll call her tomorrow.”
She licked her lips, making them glisten in the overhead light. He slid his hands down her waist and tucked them inside her jean pockets, cupping her buttocks. “If you’re in the mood tonight, I’d like to cash in that rain check from this morning.”
Her lips met his and she cupped his face. “Can’t hardly wait for the kids to fall asleep.”
Tightening his embrace, he whispered. “I love you, Olivia. Always remember no matter what happens.”
She laid her head on his shoulder. “Our life is not something I’ll forget.”
“You have my promise never to give up.” He cradled her face in his hands, trying to memorize every detail. Those long lashes encircling her beautiful black eyes, ruby lips, raven hair, framing her soft features on her alabaster skin.
Rosie turned her giggles of delight to cries of protest. Her little, chubby feet pounded against the footrest of her high chair.
“Dinner’s coming.” Olivia scrambled out of his embrace, grabbed a cracker and plopped it in front the hungry baby.
Tom turned to the stove and inspected the simmering pots. Though the smell of chicken broth made his stomach rumble, the prospect of losing his family shut down his appetite.
• • •
Olivia poured the milk over Milo’s cereal, phone receiver tucked between her ear and shoulder. She put the carton back in the fridge and rubbed her neck while the monotone sound filled her ear. The sensation of last night’s lovemaking and Tom’s lips gliding on the back of her neck refused to leave her since she’d awakened to the sound of a running shower and the fresh scent of his body wash.
“Mommy, the milk tastes funny.” Milo grimaced and pushed the bowl away.
She slid his breakfast back in front of him. “I bought the milk yesterday, can’t be sour already. One more spoonful. It’ll be long time before you get to eat your morning snack at school.”
He scooped a small amount and frowned, eyeing the spoon in front of his mouth.
Olivia chuckled at his funny frown. “You can’t go to school on empty stomach.”
His face fell as he chewed then swallowed fast. “Can I be excused now?”
“Fine, go get ready. Daddy will walk you to your bus stop.” She turned her attention to an automated greeting message that came through after the sixth ring. Mr. Hiltorn’s idea of having a real person answer the phone had not lasted long, as she suspected. Over a year ago his accountant had calculated the receptionist’s salary and come up with the cheaper solution.
At least she didn’t have to chit-chat with an overly pleasant receptionist and answer all her questions about Rosie’s development. Nor listen to her motherly advice on child rearing. Olivia hoped poor Beatrice was offered a retirement, but knowing Hiltorn, no one was safe.
“If you know the extension of the person you’re trying to reach, please dial it now,” the mechanical voice droned.
Finally, Olivia punched four digits on the pad.
Her assistant answered on the first ring as always. “Jess Adams.”
“I’m so glad you’re at your desk, Jess.” She contemplated how to bring up the subject of office affairs, but maybe in this life she was as nosey as the rest of them.
“You’re lucky and caught me between meetings. What’s up?”
Unsure how to ask, she cleared her throat. “This may sound weird, but I have a question.”
“Go ahead.” Jess’s voice took on a curious tone.
“Do you know if … ” Hell, snooping was never her thing. “Have you heard of … um … ”
“I’m in a bit of hurry. Spit it out,” Jess hissed.
“Are there any talks about the boss having an affair with Mrs. Baldwin?”
The chirping of fax machines and ringing phones filled the silence on Jess’s end. “Jess? You still there?”
“I’m here.” Her heavy breath came through, her voice somber. “Not over the phone. Meet me at the Bistro for lunch?�
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Olivia frowned. Since when had she met with her staff for lunch? Especially at the greasy spoon place serving cheap meals, plates piled with greasy fries as the only side order. But she lived a different life now, so she better get used to the idea. “See you then. I’m bringing Rosie.”
“Oh goody, I get to hold the baby,” Jess chirped.
Olivia replaced the receiver and turned to Tom and Milo in the foyer. She would never get used to see them go, not knowing if they would return. “All set to face your day?”
“If Daddy would hurry.” Milo hoisted his backpack. She placed a kiss on his cheeks. “Have fun at school.”
Then she faced Tom as he tucked his scarf inside his black coat. Creases formed at the corners of his mouth when he smiled. His wink sent a trickle to her core. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gave her a peck on her lips. The pine scent of his aftershave drifted to her. “I’ll be at the office all day if you need me.”
She swallowed and nodded. What she needed was him naked and tied to the bedpost for an entire day. “I’m meeting Jess downtown for lunch.”
“Say hi to the queen of gossip. Have fun. I’ll fold the stroller and put it in the trunk before I head out.” He hugged her one more time.
Olivia held him closer. “You seem to know Jess well.”
“She’s quite a character with her innocent flirting.” He tapped her bum and, after another kiss, released her from his embrace. With one hand on Milo’s shoulder, he opened the front door. “Let’s go, boy.”
Olivia waved them goodbye, wondering if Jess ever made a move on Tom. No, she might have enjoyed teasing, but she wouldn’t cross the line and neither would Tom.
After rummaging through the diaper bag and finding all the items necessary for an outing with a baby, Olivia zipped the duffle. At Rosie’s cooing coming through the monitor, she climbed the stairs to the nursery.
The baby’s sweet smell melted her insides, but at the sight of her daughter, her jaw dropped. “Look at you. You’re standing up.”
Olivia took out the camera from the dresser’s drawer. “Look at Mommy.”
Rosie rewarded her with a grin and babbling, drool dripping down her chin while she clung to the railing.
“Daddy’s going to be so sorry he missed seeing you on your feet for the first time.” Olivia snapped a few pictures then returned the camera to the drawer. She picked Rosie up from her crib and cradled her small frame in her arms. Would the angel keep her family together long enough to see Rosie walk? If the entity had tried to teach her a lesson, she learned it. She was no longer that heartless monster.
Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them away, then placed a soft kiss on Rosie’s head. “We’re going out, yes just the two of us. Let’s get ready.”
After changing and feeding Rosie, Olivia bundled her up and strapped the baby in her car seat. She deserved a pat on her back for her first attempt at an outing with a baby on her own.
Finding parking in downtown Toronto proved harder than packing Rosie with all her gear, but Olivia squeezed her family van in an empty spot on the street. She got Rosie out of her seat and into her stroller, then dropped a few coins in the parking meter on the sidewalk. Cold wind slapped at her face during her half a block walk. Chatter, clinking of cutlery and the smell of fetid frying oil surrounded her at the Bistro’s doorstep. Wait staff bustled in and out the flapping kitchen doors. Had everyone taken their lunch here?
She spotted Jess’s flaxen, long hair before her assistant waved from the booth at the back. “Olivia, over here.”
Pushing the stroller through the narrow aisles seemed tougher than fighting the downtown traffic. How witless people could be, babbling away and ignoring her request to make room, then giving her dirty looks when she rolled the wheel over their feet, yet they’d seen her coming. Her perspective had changed. Not long ago she’d been one of those people angry at mothers who forced strollers down rows where there was no room.
Jess jumped out of the booth, a grin on her face covered in subtle yet perfect makeup. “Here’s my big girl.”
Her remark stunned Olivia. Yes, she still struggled with her weight, but by no means was she “big.”
Jess proceeded to unbuckle Rosie and take her out of the pink bundle bag attached to the stroller. “She’s getting heavy.”
Oh, Jess had directed the initial greeting to the baby. Her shoulders relaxed and she took the seat on the burgundy booth, facing Jess. “She’s a growing wonder.”
Jess pushed a mug filled with coffee her way. “The service is slow here, so I ordered for you.”
“Thanks.” Olivia took a sip and shuddered at the abominable taste. The weak brew resembled something she’d make, then dump out. Couldn’t compare to Tom’s.
“Why do you ask about the boss’s affair with certain Mrs.?” Jess bounced Rosie on her knees without glancing Olivia’s way.
Olivia pushed the cup aside. She couldn’t discuss an ongoing case, so answering Jess’s question would be difficult without lying. But she could be vague. She moved in the same circles of people. “I’ve heard something from a mutual friend.”
“Oh.” Jess’s shaped eyebrows arched and she ceased bouncing Rosie. “So gossip is a number one priority in higher society, too?”
Aware of her overgrown eyebrows, Olivia made a mental note to make an appointment at the spa. “As if you didn’t know.”
Jess gave her a light slap on her hand. “Of course I did, silly. Just teasing you. Anyway, this is what I know.” Her face paled under the makeup and fear flashed in her soft blue eyes. “I did something I shouldn’t and Beatrice got fired.”
Olivia placed her hand over Jess’s and furrowed her eyebrows. “What did you do?”
Jess swallowed and glanced around the Bistro to make sure no one listened. She turned to Olivia and lowered her voice to a mere whisper. “We have this neat telephone feature installed. The reception has a button that allows you to monitor phone conversations. We’re not permitted to use it, though. When I filled in for her lunch break, the boss’s line light lit up and I couldn’t help myself. I just wanted to see if I could find out about payment of the overtime as was promised. Then a woman’s voice came through, sounded like the Mrs. you mentioned. I recognized her voice from the news. Anyhow, they were talking about some hit job and how much money the man asked. She called the boss darling and he replied to her with sweetheart. It was sickening and I should’ve stopped, but couldn’t.” Jess shook her head, staring at her mug. “The computer log showed the monitor was used from the reception desk and Beatrice was sent packing. I never told a soul about this. You know what, now that I’ve told you, I feel better.”
The noise in the dining room seemed to fade into the distance. Hit job. The man wanted money. Words repeated in Olivia’s head. Dear God, if Jess had gotten the conversation right, Mr. Hiltorn and Mrs. Baldwin had planned to hire a hit man to kill Mr. Baldwin. Somehow the job must’ve gone amiss, because a professional killer would not do the job half way. Could be the pro’s price was too steep. The only way to use this information would be for Jess to testify, but she could lose her job and gain a permanent stain on her résumé as a whistleblower.
Jess still stared at her coffee, fear etched on her face. Knowing her assistant, Jess could’ve gotten the thing all wrong and out of context. For all anyone knew, the boss discussed a movie he’d seen the night before. Olivia leaned over the table. “It could be nothing.”
Jess nodded and exhaled loudly. “I hope you’re right.” She picked up the menu tucked at the metal holder in the corner. “They have good salads here.”
The coffee was abominable so Olivia had doubts about the food. She opened the menu and scanned through the pages. God, the menu listed the meals the restaurant served in pictures, barely any words to describe them. If it weren’t for Jess, who still had not calmed down from her confession, she’d leave. However, the new Olivia needed to start making friends in this world and the next one, and Jess seemed like one
already.
Olivia lowered the cardboard on the table. “When did we become friends?”
One eyebrow on Jess’s face arched and she flashed half a smile. “When you first started with Intelcorp and lost your presentation, I saved the day and your ass. Everyone thinks me strange for keeping copies of copies, but it proved right more than once.”
Olivia remembered that panic stricken day, yet not the way Jess described it. “Have I ever thanked you?”
Jess tweaked her head. “No, but it’s never too late.”
“Accept my belated thanks.”
Jess’s smile bloomed to a full grin and she nodded, then made a funny noise at Rosie busily inspecting beads on her necklace.
Olivia flipped through the glossy pages of the menu. What to do with the boss? Though many had threatened to sue Mr. Hiltorn in the past, his conduct had been unethical, not illegal. This time however, he might not stand a chance.
Should she disclose Jess’s information to Tom? What if it proved right and brought the trial to a quick end?
CHAPTER 17
The digital display on the parking meter counted down the last minute of Olivia’s time. Misery coiled through her with every decreasing second. Jess’s confession kept repeating in her head. Without it, the case could drag on for months. Hiltorn had been very careful and covered his ass well, but he’d overlooked the obvious — the unpredictability of the office bimbo. Unfortunately, poor Beatrice had now lost her job a couple of years before retirement.
Rosie’s babbling drifted from the back seat and made Olivia chuckle as she stared at the phone in her hand. At the press of the green button, a blank message screen lit up. There was no telling how far Hiltorn would go. Someone needed to stop him. Her thumbs worked fast, typing the text. The boss and Mrs. Baldwin seem in cahoots on killing their victim.
