by Lauren Berg
“What’s wrong with me wanting to believe in a better outcome?”
“Don’t get defensive,” Laura said. “I get it. Your boss asked you to help her with a sensitive plan, and you did. It’s only natural that you didn’t want people buying into a worst case scenario because you love Edith.”
“I do,” Vincent admitted. “I’d do anything for her. I never want anything bad happening to her.”
“And that’s why you helped her fake her own death.”
“I—”
“Don’t deny it. I’ve already got it figured out,” Laura said. “What I do need to know is, where she is right now? I mean, she’s here at the party, right? That’s why you concocted the whole story of Monica, right? You knew what Benjamin was up to, and you clued Edith in.”
“Not really,” Vincent said in a hurried way. “I knew he had gambling debts, and I knew he wanted to use that ridiculous linen project as the cover to get Edith’s money. I had no idea how volatile he was.”
“So, how did Monica figure into all of this?” Cain asked, glancing around the group.
Vincent hung his head. “I knew that there was no way Benjamin would or could believe that Edith ever supported a charity just out of her philanthropic spirit, so we concocted the idea that she had given a daughter up for adoption. If that daughter were to show up, she stood to inherit Edith’s fortune. So we hired an actress for this role. We thought that would sent Benjamin out of balance and draw out his true intentions.”
“This turned out to be a dangerous plan. So where is Edith?”
Vincent opened his mouth to answer just as the doors to the ballroom burst open. Benjamin darted inside, still waving his gun, but now looking like a crazed person with his eyes flashing. “Where is she?”
The crowd moved to the sides of the ballroom as Benjamin raced in a circle. Laura watched as three policemen in tactical gear ran into the room. The scene was almost comical, but she knew who he was looking for, and her heart sped up as she hoped he didn’t find his target. One of the cops made a flying leap, and tackled Benjamin. The other two moved in, guns drawn, as they snapped handcuffs on his wrists.
Laura could feel the collective sigh of relief as Benjamin was led from the room, still yelling.
“This is awful,” she heard Vincent murmur.
When she turned to him, and gave him a look with an arched eyebrow, he sighed.
“She’s over there. The woman in the red dress with the plumed hat on her head,” he said in a soft voice. “Please tell her that it isn’t my fault that you found out. I don’t want to lose my job over this. I tried my best. I really did.”
“Don’t worry,” Laura said with a quick smile. “I think she should be flattered by how much you do for her. “
Taking a deep breath, Laura marched across the ballroom, determined to be as professional as she could manage. When she neared the woman, she said in a low voice, “Ms. von Farron? May I talk to you for a moment?”
Edith von Farron turned slowly. “I think you are mistaken, my dear.”
“I’m not,” Laura said. “Vincent ratted you out. But only because I made him. He loves you. He’d never betray you.”
“I know that,” Edith said. “So how did you know I was here? You’re that Laura Seymour, aren’t you?”
“How did you know that?”
“I do my research before anyone interviews me. I know all about you. And I know that you’ve been involved in some rather large cases. Yet despite helping to solve them, you’ve never quite gotten the story you need. I’m happy to be your story, dear. Your friend Amy really wanted you to have that. She can be very persuasive, as I’m sure you know.”
Laura’s jaw dropped open. “Th—thank you! Really, thank you. I think you should come back over to the other side of the room with me. There’s someone you need to meet.”
Edith gave her a frown, but then nodded her head in assent. The two of them crossed the dance floor again. When Edith arrived, Nathan burst into tears, and Lawrence gaped. Amy and Cain looked at one another in surprise, while Vincent kept his eyes glued to the floor.
“Edie, you’re okay?”
“Oh, Nate, stop blubbering,” Edith said as her younger brother embraced her. “I’ve been fine the whole time.”
“I don’t understand,” said Lawrence.
“You should ask Ms. Seymour. She’s got it all figured out.”
“Well, I think I have, “Laura said. “Edith, I mean, Ms. von Farron, knew that her husband was into something deep, but she wasn’t sure what. He wanted money, and she couldn’t be sure that he wouldn’t do something crazy, maybe even with the help of other family members. So she decided to test him and reveal his accomplices with the help of Mr. Ferrimo. They set up a faux abduction, got the police involved to make it look real, and committed to the charade.”
“So what did you find out?” Lawrence asked his aunt.
“That some family members are more loyal than others. And that my money is all that other people saw in me. Benjamin is a good example of that, though he figured out early on that I had duped him. He was never going to be in my will, and when he figured out that I was still alive, I think he wanted to kill me. He made a deal with mobsters. Unfortunately we are not able to prove this fact.”
“I can prove it,” Cain stepped forward. “I have a video record of his careless confession.”
“How you did it?” Laura was confused. “I’ve seen that he searched you thoughtfully to be sure that there were no any recorder on you.”
“He forgot about my hat,” Cain smiled. “My magical hat has a tiny video recorder. Just an old trick.”
“Wonderful! He won’t be bothering any of us for a very long time,” Edith smiled at the small group. “I’m sorry if I’ve caused you any distress. If you think that I’m crazy, I claim the quirkiness that my age gives me. It’s my right.”
A ripple of laughter went through the group. “And you, my dear,” Laura turned to Amy with a quick smile. “You are just an amazing actress! It took me a long time to figure out that you were in this conspiracy scheme right from the beginning. Honestly, it was an irresponsible and dangerous plan, but … thank you for the great story. My dear boss should do cartwheels in his dusty office.
“You’re pretty amazing,” Cain said as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Laura grinned up at him. “I know,” she said as he covered her mouth in a kiss.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Table of Contents
Title Page
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Table of Contents
