Roulette

by C. D. Bradley

  “I’ll be in Thursday evening. I have a room booked at the Sheraton Waterfront where they are holding the event. I got two tickets to everything just in case you said yes. This is going to be the best weekend ever!” Piper was as chipper as Olivia remembered.

  “Okay whoa, settle down. I have to work all week. Is this your cell?” Always the level headed one, Olivia had to put her cases first.

  “Yes, this is my cell. Do you want me to meet you at your office on Friday? Where are you practicing?” Piper asked hopefully.

  “No, no I’ll call you when I leave here Friday, and meet you in the lobby of the hotel,” Olivia offered, anything to keep her from coming to the office.

  Piper squealed with delight. “Okay, that sounds great. Olivia, you are going to love this, I just know it.”

  “I’m going to love seeing you anyway,” Olivia corrected.

  “See you then!” Piper blurted with the anticipation of a kid at Christmas.

  Olivia was surprised as she hung up that she was actually looking forward to it too. Until she heard Piper’s voice, Olivia didn’t realize just how lonely she had been. Am I really ready for this? Seeing Piper again was going to be a mix of emotions. While she was really looking forward to reconnecting with her old friend, the last time she saw Piper, Olivia choked back tears that had long since dried up, was at Grace’s funeral.

  OLIVIA HUSTLED DOWN the courthouse steps. It was only eleven thirty and she had already filed preliminary motions on both cases. She was trying not to feel too proud of herself, but this week had gone rather well. She had located a case that set precedence for the search and seizure in the Lafferty case. That combined with the other evidence, she was sure that they had a slam dunk. The Hardman case was coming along and she was able to file for a search warrant based on additional DNA evidence.

  When she reached the bottom of the steps a town car pulled up to the curb. Just before she reached it, the door opened and Vincent Trudeau stepped out in a navy pinstripe suit. He flashed the smile in her direction and Olivia did her best not to vomit on his eight-hundred-dollar shoes.

  “You’re in a hurry,” he observed with mock concern. “Don’t tell me you forgot some crucial evidence and you have to rush back.” He puffed out his lower lip in a gesture of sympathy.

  “No, actually I’m all done here. Good luck today.” She smiled and side stepped him.

  “Hustle back to your hole, little rabbit. Unless you’d like to come watch the big boys work,” he offered, as he raised his eyebrows and grinned at her.

  “Thanks, but I’ve seen all the circle and sniff I care to for one day.” She turned and left him standing on the sidewalk.

  She sort of wished she could see the look on his face when he read her motion and the charges in the Lafferty case. No dice though. In law, like in life, anything could go wrong at any time. She wouldn’t allow herself any real congratulations until the perp was convicted. Just a quick stop by her office and she would be on her way to meet Piper. Mr. Davis had already given her the afternoon off. He had babbled on about too much overtime. Normally she would have ignored him and worked anyway, but today was going to be different. She could feel it.

  Olivia slipped into her midnight blue Audi A3 sedan. Even though she had the car almost a year now, she loved the fact that it still looked new. Extensive research had gone into the purchase of this safe and fuel efficient machine. Olivia liked every detail of her life controlled and precise. She didn’t leave anything to chance. She paused at the light on City Hall Avenue and realized that this whole weekend was taking a chance. She hadn’t seen Piper in ten years. Who was she fooling, they weren’t kids anymore. The last carefree thing Olivia did was during that crazy summer with Piper and Grace in Miami. She didn’t even know that girl anymore. That girl died right alongside Grace.

  At least she could escape to her own room if she needed to. Olivia had called earlier in the week and booked a room on the same floor as Piper. She was not about to share a room with someone she hadn’t seen in a decade. What if we have nothing to talk about? What if all I can think about is Grace? Maybe this weekend is a mistake. Olivia gripped the wheel a little tighter than she meant to as she pulled away from the light. She blew out a slow steady breath. It was time to live a little. Her boss’ words still stung her ears. I’m not a machine. I have a life. Of course that revolves around work and . . . well . . . okay, just work. My last date was . . . well shit, that doesn’t really matter.

  Olivia rounded the corner and could see the Sheraton Waterfront Hotel. Man, they are busy. Could that many people really be going to this thing? Cars lined the valet lane into the street. Olivia pulled into the lane to wait her turn. She tapped impatiently on the steering wheel. Patience had never been a virtue that she possessed. She watched groups of women clad in brightly colored leggings, load multiple boxes and totes onto overburdened valet carts. Are they moving in? Sweet Jesus, that’s a lot of stuff. She glanced in the rearview mirror at her small overnight bag in the back seat. “We might be a little underprepared,” she said to her luggage and giggled. Suddenly, she pictured Grace with her Gucci overnight bag. Grace was so proud of that damn thing. Olivia couldn’t help laughing at how she and Piper had teased her for the floral design. (Property of Grandma Petunia). It wasn’t until after Grace was gone that she found out how expensive that stupid bag was. She still didn’t understand how Grace could have afforded something like that. What secrets were you hiding, Grace? Olivia wondered for the thousandth time.

  Tap, Tap, Tap. The valet tapped on the window and scared the holy bejesus out of her. Olivia snapped back to reality and rolled down the window. July in Norfolk was already as hot as Hades. The warm air slapped her in the face with instant humidity.

  “Can I help you, ma’am? Are you checking in?” the pimple laden young man asked in a voice just breaking into puberty.

  Olivia stifled a giggle. “Yes, sir, I am checking in for the weekend. Looks like you guys are pretty busy.” She turned off the car as he opened her door.

  “Yes, ma’am. We have an author event and a boat race. Going to be a packed house this weekend.” He beamed as she stood and handed him the keys and a twenty-dollar bill.

  Olivia remembered what it was like to be young and living on tips. She shook her head. Could she really be longing for those days? She grabbed her overnight bag and made her way into the lobby. Immediately she spotted Piper. Even after all this time the sweet little pixie was unmistakable. She sat in a tan leather chair, her petite frame tucked into the seat as she twirled a tiny strand of her short blond hair lost in a book. She looked like Tinker Bell, no doubt being swept off her feet by some alpha male with a shady past and a heart of gold.

  Olivia’s heels clicked as she crossed the marble floor causing Piper to look up. “Olivia! Is that you?” she exclaimed jumping up and dropping her book in the seat. “Oh my God, look at you! You’re so grown up! I mean, not old, just professional like Gra . . . a grown up.” She corrected herself and blushed.

  “I’m a lawyer now. I had to grow up a little,” Olivia offered. “You look beautiful. I swear you haven’t changed a bit!”

  Piper stood, her deep teal oversized shirt hid her petite frame. She wore floral printed leggings and a bright yellow necklace and earrings that matched her sandals. Quite the contrast to Olivia’s dark blouse, pencil skirt and kill you in the courtroom heels. They were quite the pair. Olivia had to admit that all of her wardrobe was some variation of this dreary tribute to Anne Hathaway. The resemblance had always been a running joke.

  “I’m sorry!” Piper gushed. “It’s really good to see you, Liv. I can’t believe you are really here. This weekend is going to be incredible.”

  Classic Piper. She was the single most optimistic person Olivia had ever met. Just being in her presence Olivia felt a decade younger. This was going to be an incredible weekend she could feel it already. “Okay, I just need to check in. You’re in charge, what are we in for?”

  Piper began her
flight attendant run down of the weekend’s agenda. Olivia did her best to listen but she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them. She glanced around the lobby. She saw women coming and going with their overstuffed carts. A woman with five children made her way through the entrance struggling with bags like a furniture mover herding cats in the rain. Smallish people swarmed her asking for everything under the sun. Olivia reaffirmed her self promise to never have children and quickly turned back to the counter. No one other than the front desk clerk was looking at her. I am probably just overdue for a drink, she thought as she stepped forward to get her room. Movement in the upper balcony caught her attention. She looked up but whoever it was had just moved away. A large potted plant swayed with the void left by the recent occupant. No one. Oh it’s way past wine thirty. Olivia stepped up to the counter and put it out of her mind. She was going to have fun this weekend no matter what.

  OH, FUCK! IT COULDN’T have been. Sweat beaded up on his forehead. Dominic Kain took a deep breath and walked quickly toward the elevator. He had to get the fuck out of there. He just needed some fresh air and a fucking drink. There was no goddamn way. Everyone has a doppelganger, right? He was just tired. This was crazy. He had been walking through the upper level when her voice floated up and took his breath. Like a moth to a deadly flame he had been drawn to the balcony and there she was. So casually she just walked in as if she wasn’t ripping him apart. He could feel every move she made. Each breath she took flowed through him. What the fuck? Had she seen him? What would it matter if she had? She didn’t know him from Adam. Fuck, he really was going crazy, but he knew every move by heart. The impatient way she tapped her delicate finger on her overnight bag. The dark waves that caressed her expensive suit. The curve of her legs into those fuck you heels. He choked back the urge to run down the stairs and pull her into his arms. What he needed was a drink. He was not about to accost a complete stranger. But he knew exactly how she would taste and nothing else on earth would do to quench the thirst. He stepped into the elevator, pushed the button for the fourth floor and closed his eyes.

  OLIVIA STOOD LOOKING in the mirror and waited for Piper. She didn’t even know why she felt nervous. They were going to have a ball. She didn’t know anyone. No risk, she told herself. Her dark hair was in loose waves onto her shoulders. The slate gray lace dress hugged each curve. Maybe it’s a little much. She hesitated but knew she hadn’t packed anything else dressy enough for the red-carpet dinner. The knock at the door startled her from her self-doubt.

  “Oh, wow, Liv! You look fucking great!” Piper squealed when she answered the door. Piper looked like a 1920s starlet in a stunning short red dress. Her tiny dancer’s legs ended in black stilettos.

  “You look hot as hell, lady! Let me grab my bag and let’s tear this carpet up.” Olivia grabbed her Kate Spade bag. Having Piper back was like getting a reprieve from a decade long sentence. Too bad there was no real escape from self-made prisons. Olivia vowed to push the demons into the shadows for the night.

  As they made their way to the elevator, Piper filled Olivia in on her life. Piper had gotten her doctorate in English Literature. She was beside herself talking about enlightening young minds at Brown. No she wasn’t married yet. Olivia suspected Piper was still waiting for that perfect book boyfriend to sweep her off her feet. Unfortunately, Olivia already knew those guys didn’t really exist.

  They met up with a few other readers and authors in the elevator. She looked around wowed at how glammed up everyone was. The energy in the elevator was palpable as if they were going to a real Hollywood premier.

  “So how did you get involved in these events?” Olivia asked Piper as they stepped onto the red carpet. “I mean this isn’t exactly Shakespeare.”

  “Indie authors are fantastic and the cover models . . . Oh my! You never know which of these stories will be the classics of tomorrow. If a book moves you, takes you to another place and time then it has something. I love coming to these events and meeting the authors and models that make it all happen. Tonight’s event has been sold out for months,” Piper said smiling up at Olivia as they approached the red carpet leading into the event. “Oh, we’re next! Now strut that red carpet!”

  “God, I missed you.” Olivia put her arm around her friend as they posed for photos. The event photographer snapped away while the two women hammed it up, laughing at themselves the whole time.

  “Come on let’s go get a drink!” Piper said when the photo session was over. They made their way toward the cash bar. The event was set up beautifully. The tables were trimmed in black and gold. They had perfectly captured the Hollywood theme setting the mood for a fabulous night. Olivia had to hand it to the event coordinators they were professionals. Piper thrust a vodka and cran into her hand and began talking to a couple of models in tight shirts and ripped jeans.

  Olivia looked out over the sea of exquisitely dressed authors, models, and readers. Everyone was talking and laughing. Her heart suddenly pictured Grace among the sea of happy people. Feeling alone in a crowded room was nothing new. She realized she was scanning the crowd for a face that would never be there. She stared through them into a carefree and beautiful past. A presence jolted her and her gaze met a stunning set of pale green eyes staring directly into her. For a moment she couldn’t look away. His dark hair framed a chiseled face she felt she should know. His eyes were locked on hers as if they were the only people in the room. The voices surrounding them faded into the distance. Looking into the eyes of this stranger, she was looking into a soul she had known for a thousand years. A sudden warmth came over the room stealing her breath and her heart began to race.

  “Liv . . . Hey . . . Olivia!” Piper’s voice broke her from the trance and she turned away.

  What the fuck was that? Olivia took several deep breaths and downed the rest of her drink as she tried to make out what Piper had said.

  “Earth to Liv . . . are you in there?” Piper cut into her near panic. “This is Chris and Michael. They are cover models!” She practically sang.

  “Oh . . . um nice to meet you,” Olivia stammered. The two young men smiled and nodded in her direction. She returned their smiles politely while trying to figure what had just happened. Who was that? Did she know him? How could she? She turned back to the lower level but there was no sign of him.

  “Would you like me to get you another drink?” The tall blond was asking her in an Australian accent. His curly hair sat playfully on top of his head. The rugged stubble on his chin framed his mouth that turned up in a mischievous smile. His blue eyes sparkled while he waited for her to respond. Olivia had to admit he was damn sexy, but she was still in shock over the man she had only seen across the crowded room.

  “Thank you. Yes please that would be great,” Olivia answered only giving him half her attention. Piper began introducing her to a group of authors. Olivia smiled and shook hands but she couldn’t help but wonder about the man with the pale green eyes and who he was.

  The event announcer stepped up to the microphone and began introductions. Olivia followed Piper to their seats. She sat beside a lovely couple from Washington State. They began talking with Piper about a story they had all loved. Half the world loved, Piper interjected, but Olivia had barely heard of it much less read it. She watched Piper beam with excitement. Just being here was worth it. Olivia pushed back guilt over the years she had left Piper out of her life. It had just been too painful at first. That was a long time ago she reminded herself.

  The servers brought a fantastic meal. As their table settled in to eating and talking various authors and models were taking turns saying a few words about this book or that. Olivia was seated so that her back was to the stage area. She didn’t know any of the people speaking anyway so she busied herself with the chicken and rosemary potatoes. The organizers had done an excellent job choosing the food. Suddenly Piper sat up and grinned ear to ear. Olivia stifled a giggle at her friend’s total fan girl moment and reached for another bite witho
ut turning around.

  A speaker came to the podium and for the first time Olivia heard his voice. The chill that spread over her skin was quickly followed by an intense warmth. Half afraid to look, but unable to stop herself, she turned her head and there he was. Dominic Kain introduced himself to the room. The smooth bass that flowed from his mouth washed over her completely. When he laughed she felt it. He talked about some book he was on the cover of and the journey of creating it. Olivia struggled to follow his words, though each syllable played through the very fiber of her being. What the hell? Why was she so affected by a complete stranger? What the hell was wrong with her? He seemed to be scanning the room as he spoke until his eyes locked on hers. She felt her breath leave and struggled not to suffocate from the intensity of the connection. He continued talking but only looking at her, into her. His pale eyes turned dark and stormy. She had a sudden flash of him cornering her in an elevator. His lips met hers and she was overwhelmed by the intensity and the taste of cinnamon.

  This is stupid! You cannot have a flashback of an event that never happened. Olivia turned away and picked up her chardonnay. She chugged a bit more than she meant to and spilled a few drops on her chin and down on to her dress. She almost choked on the liquid. She had never been this affected by anyone in her life.

  Ever since Grace’s death she had suffered nightmares and panic attacks. Occasionally she experienced episodes that could be described as flashbacks because they felt so real. The kicker was sometimes they were for events that never happened. Her therapist said it was part of the way her mind dealt with the stress of the unknown. There was no closure so her mind filled in the blanks. The whole first year after Grace died was a blur. A painful mix of emotions and partial memories that she had blocked out until now.