From the hallway, the trill of a very distinct voice stole my focus. Electra! I slammed the screen of my laptop closed. Tossing it aside, I leapt from the floor, sloshing some tea down the front of my robe. Stumbling and wiping at the tawny stain darkening the fluffy white fabric, I made my way over to the door.
Herbert’s voice joined Electra’s and something in his tone had my feet skidding to a stop just shy of the door. Sucking in my breath, I held it tight as I zeroed in on the hushed tones drifting through the cracked door.
“So, what do you think of her?” Herbert said.
Her? I crept closer.
“I no think nutting,” Electra came back in a stern whisper. “She ez pretty, but she . . . how do you say . . . ordinary—nutting special.”
“Do you think she’s one of them?” Herbert asked.
“No. No . . . I certain,” Electra was adamant. “She harmless, like a feesh on de land.”
“You mean, a fish outa water?”
“That what I said.”
Leaning from one side to the other, I snuck a look at their serious expressions through the slim slit in the door. Electra was absently drawing her forefinger along the scar on her cheekbone. Herbert pinched his bottom lip between his fingers.
How long should I wait before making my presence known?
Herbert spoke again. “Then she’s real and that means she’s vulnerable?”
“We know nutting for sure, so we keep quiet until we do,” Electra said, crossing herself. “Mother Mary, help us all.”
The air trapped in my lungs pressed hard for release. Laying my hand to my chest, I slowly let out the breath I’d been holding. The sound couldn’t have been more than a hush but it caught Electra’s attention. Her black eyes shifted to the gap in my door, her gaze shooting straight to the uh-oh expression on my face.
Stepping forward, she pushed the door open, fully exposing the fact that I’d been eavesdropping. “Miss Marlie,” she said, sliding a quick glance to Herbert. “What you doing there?”
I gave them both a sheepish smile. “I—I needed to ask you something.”
She looked me up and down like she wasn’t sure if she should run for her life, or call 911. “What you need? You okay?”
“Yeah, sure.” I waved her off. “I was just wondering,” I started, but then shifting my gaze to the look of caution on Herbert’s face the question got all tangled up on my tongue.
Do I dare bring up what the woman in the cemetery had said after what I’d just overheard?
“I mean is there something . . . well, what I’m trying to ask is. . . did you have something.” I pressed the heel of my hand to my forehead like that would help me find the right words. “Do you have something to tell me, a warning?” I managed.
Electra’s eyes narrowed to quizzical slits as she threw another look to Herbert then back to me again. Her stare held long enough to have me feeling very uncomfortable.
“Aye, pobrecita.” She shook her head, moving close enough to lay the back of her hand on my cheek. “You no look so good? You need aspirin, I think?” She moved her hand to my other cheek, her eyes scanning my face under a suspicious brow.
“Oh no, I’m fine,” I said though, clearly, I was not. And to make matters worse, I was starting to feel frustrated. I didn’t need an aspirin. I needed answers. “I want to know what it is you have to tell me?”
She pulled her hand back and slipped it into the pocket of her uniform. “I know not what you talking about,” she said with a shake of her head.
I glanced over at Herbert who was slowly backing away. “I’m sorry,” I said, softening my tone. “I’m not myself today.”
Electra looked me over again. “That we can see.”
I pulled in a deep, steadying breath. “I just wish someone would tell me what’s going on around—”
A man’s voice echoing up the staircase from the entryway interrupted my train of thought. “First, I need to check in with Marlie and then we can talk.”
“Daniel!” I thrust my mug into Electra’s hands and tore off down the hall. Catching my hand on the banister post, I steered myself to the right and down the first few steps.
Standing at the bottom of the stairs, Daniel had turned toward the pounding of my feet. Wearing a dark suit, creased at the elbows and knees from a long day, his dress shirt looked equally tired under his loosened tie. His dark hair was disheveled.
He looked up at me, his lips parting into a wide grin. “There she is,” he said, and that was enough to have me hurrying the rest of the way down.
As I drew closer, his expression tightened, his eye changing to alarm. “Marlie, are you feelin’ all right?” he asked, backing up a half-step or so.
I wondered for an instant what he was talking about. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be,” I said, and then saw that he was examining my robe.
Much to my horror, I remembered that the fluffy material was matted with splattered tea. My hands flew to smooth down the frizzy strands of damp hair I hadn’t even bothered to brush after my bath. I must have looked like a lunatic, all layered up like I was suffering from delusions of an impending second ice age. But I didn’t care. After the day I’d had, and now that Daniel was finally home, I felt safe. I hooked my arms around his shoulders and buried my face in his neck. For a few seconds I hung there while he regained his balance. Then he closed his arms around my waist and hugged me back.
“It’s good to see you too,” he said with a chuckle, loosening his grip.
But I wasn’t ready to let go yet. He smelled manly and powerful. And his warm body chased the chill away from mine.
“Marlie? Sugar?” he tried again to pull away. “What’s all this about?”
I didn’t want to let go. I never wanted to let go. But I couldn’t hold on forever, so I pulled back and looked into his eyes. Dark blue and edged with concern, his gaze tightened along with the smile that still clung to his lips. Where should I begin? Tell him about the ghost and my near crash? Ask if Gentry had a scary twin no one’s ever mentioned? Was she still alive? Then I remembered our wedding night and how Daniel had made it clear that topics relating to Gentry were closed to discussion; I reeled my questions back in.
I gave him a timid smile. “I’m just so glad you’re home.”
Daniel leaned in close. “Let me guess, you’re wearing something sexy under those layers.”
His sly look caught me off guard, and it took a few seconds for me to adjust my train of thought. When I caught up, the idea that I’d purposefully dressed as some sort of kinky Russian stacking doll had my cheeks flushing red.
“Oh, um . . .” Sex was the furthest thing from my mind right now, but since I wasn’t sure how to broach the subject of what had happened today, I decided to play along. I tightened my grip around his neck.
“Maybe you should come upstairs and find out,” I cooed. Pressing my lips long and hard to his, I kissed him like my life depended on it.
His hands moved along my back and hips as he pulled me closer, his mouth taking mine in a fury of heat and desire. One moment I was standing there in my husband’s arms, and the next, nowhere at all.
“Ahem!”
We parted like two school kids caught kissing under the bleachers. Standing in the doorway to the study, Cooper lobbed us a look that was half disgust, half reproof. She made an exaggerated showing of checking her watch.
“Daniel, it’s late. Paul and I have some important matters we need to discuss with you.” She gave him a stern look. “And, no. It can’t wait until mornin’.”
The polish on my thumbnail tasted bitter in my mouth. What was going on down in Daniel’s study? Pacing in our bedroom, I was frustrated that I’d been excluded from their little meeting. And I had the distinct feeling they were talking about me. I mean, what could they possibly need to discuss that I, as Daniels’ wife, couldn’t be a part of unless it was about me? And what about Daniel? He shouldn’t have left me standing there alone looking like a lost puppy just because
Cooper said so.
“Daniel and I are so going to have a talk about this when he comes upstairs,” I grumbled, when the distant sound of murmuring caught my attention.
I stopped pacing and listened.
The murmurs came again. What is that? I moved toward the sound. The voices seemed to be coming out of an old-fashioned vanity table set against the far wall.
Complete with gilded mirror and crystal perfume decanters, the vanity didn’t appear suspicious, but the murmuring had definitely grown louder. Sliding the velvety stool away, I crouched down and spied a tarnished metal grate. Kicking off my slippers, I stripped out of my robe and fleece hoody and crawled under the vanity. The lever for the grate was closed. Slowly, I slid it up. An instant later, Cooper’s voice resonated through the vent.
“Tommy was our father’s closest friend,” she sounded exasperated, “he saved Cannon Records after Daddy died and all he’s askin’ is that you send his appropriations bill to the floor. Plus, you know it’s impossible to say no to him . . . to them.”
“As the deputy speaker it’s my responsibility to decide what goes to the floor and what doesn’t. And if I think it’s irresponsible to call a vote on an appropriations bill before I’m convinced it’s the most prudent use of taxpayer’s money, then it’s within my right to delay the vote. I won’t let the Iphiclesians, or anyone else, tell me how to do my job,” Daniel said, and Cooper gasped.
“Walking a dangerous line now, are we,” Paul said, a warning in his voice. “You know perfectly well it’s forbidden to speak aloud of the society.”
Iphiclesians? I repeated in my head. Never heard of them. Wonder if it’s forbidden to Google them as well?
“I know,” Daniel said. “I’m just sick and tired of—”
“Of what? Living up to your commitments? Saving your father’s company? Becoming a US senator and then the most powerful man in the world?” Paul asked; then there was a pause. “Daniel?”
“You’re right,” Daniel agreed though his tone sounded spent. “I’m sorry. It’s just with the weddin’ and this vote . . . I’m a little on edge. I wasn’t thinkin’.”
“All right then,” Paul said evenly. “You do know that delaying the vote does nothing to change the stipulations already laid out by the proposal. Look, I know Tommy’s a pain in the ass but he’s still our biggest contributor,” he added. “We’re gonna need his funding, his connections and support for your US senate campaign next year, and then for the presidency, and he needs the revenue from the construction of the ballpark in order to have the funding to contribute.”
“I’m well aware of what’s at stake here, Paul,” Daniel said in a clipped tone. “And that’s why I’m sendin’ the bill to the floor first thing Monday mornin’.”
“You . . . are?” Cooper sounded doubtful. “What changed your mind?”
“Let’s just say that I’ve finally been able to put my concerns to rest,” Daniel said.
“Really?” Cooper asked, suspicious. “And this new understanding wouldn’t have anythin’ to do with where you’ve been today, would it?”
Daniel heaved a sigh. “Please tell me you didn’t hang around here all day waitin’ for me?” A pause. “I bet Marlie just loved that.”
“Danny, stop screwing around,” Paul insisted. “Where were you?”
“Meetin’ with the education chairman, if y’all must know.”
“What?” Paul asked. “Why wasn’t I told about this . . . meeting?”
“Because I knew you’d talk me out of it,” Daniel said without elaborating, to which varying degrees of objections spewed from both Paul and Cooper.
“Hold on,” Daniel said. “Hold on! It’s no big thing. I was just securin’ a few guarantees, a compromise of sorts, assurances for the schools before sendin’ the measure to the floor.”
“Oh, Daniel. You didn’t!” Cooper said.
Uh-oh! I thought as my mind rolled back to that brief, unfortunate discussion we’d had at our wedding table. I’d only been trying to defend my husband; how could I have known he would take my spur of the moment suggestion to heart?
“I did. And don’t worry. The education secretary is eager to take all the credit for this; there’s no chance anyone will ever find out I had a hand in it.”
“Really?” Paul’s voice was coarse. “And so what, you’re looking to that bohemian, liberal wife of yours for council now?”
Daniel didn’t answer.
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” Paul said. “You’ve been married a week and she’s already calling the shots. It’s like Gentry all over again!”
“Leave Gentry out of this,” Daniel hissed.
Paul scoffed out a laugh. “Look, Miss California-liberal is fine if you need a surf lesson, or a hot-body to snuggle up to at night, but she’s a social worker. What does she know about politics?” he said pointedly. “This could blow up in our faces Danny, in more ways than one. How could you be so reckless?”
A silence filled the quiet with so much tension that I could feel its nip one story up and through the vent.
“All right, that’s enough. Both y’all need to take a breath.” Cooper stepped in. “Layin’ the merits of this compromise aside. What makes you think you can trust Marlie’s advice? She’s your wife and all, but honestly Daniel, we hardly know her—you hardly know her.”
Daniel let out a loud sigh. “I can’t explain it, but I just know I can. Y’all are goin’ to have to trust me on this one—”
“She’s keepin’ secrets from you,” Cooper cautiously slipped in.
My heart iced over. What secrets was she alluding to?
Cooper continued. “Secrets that could be damagin’ to your future political career not to mention our family’s reputation—”
“Stop right there.” Daniel cut her off. “Does she have a criminal record? Has she engaged in an illicit affair with a married man of questionable moral character? Has she murdered someone?” He waited a beat. “Had an abortion? Is a lesbian? Muslim? Mormon?”
“Not exactly,” Cooper conceded.
“I didn’t think so,” Daniel said in an impatient tone. “Everyone has secrets, Cooper. Lord knows we have our fair share.”
“But you’re forgettin’ that she’s a social worker,” Paul said in a deliberate brutish tone. “She’s trained to ask questions, to dig until the answers surface. What happens if she finds out about—”
“She can’t find what’s not there to be found,” Daniel dismissed. “Y’all are overreactin’.”
“Are we?” Cooper persisted. “She snuck out today and took the boys to the cemetery to visit Gentry’s grave.”
“What?” Daniel said, bemused. “Why would she do that?”
It sounded like I had done something wrong.
“What does it matter?” Cooper persisted. “I have a really bad feelin’ about her. How can we assume that she’ll behave herself when we know nothin’ about her motives? She’s too unpredictable. You should have married someone more . . . well, easier to control.”
Daniel laughed. “Come on, Cooper. Where’s the fun in marryin’ a woman I can control?”
Paul piped up. “And what if she’s one of them?” he said, and Daniel’s laughter came to an abrupt stop.
The conversation lapsed into another awkward moment.
Them? Who’s them? The Iphiclesians?
“That’s just plain crazy,” Daniel asserted. “Marlie’s the most genuine person I know. She speaks her mind honestly, which quite frankly, I find refreshin’.”
Paul chuckled ironically. “Exactly! She’s too perfect. She’s playing you. Being what you want her to be. She could be a spy sent to keep an eye on you, or worse, to sabotage you, which I have to admit, seems more likely,” he suggested, and the room got quiet again.
I held my breath waiting for Daniel’s answer. I still wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but there was one thing I knew for sure. I wasn’t “playin’” anybody. Marriage wasn’t a game. Not to me.
“Don’t go crazy, but you should know that, prior to the wedding, I put a call into Johnny,” Paul continued. “You know we need him on this one.”
“I don’t want Johnny anywhere near my wife.” Daniel was insistent. “Not again!”
Cooper spoke next. “Daniel, you need to simmer down,” she said in a leveling voice. “I think we’re in agreement that the more eyes we have watchin’ the better. Like Paul already said, if we’re not careful, this could be disastrous for us.”
Silence fell over the room.
“Fine. Maybe y’all are right,” Daniel agreed. “But he needs to keep his distance—”
“Miss Marlie?” a voice erupted from inside my room.
Startled, my head slammed against the underneath of the vanity with a hollow smack. Pain radiated from the crown of my head as a very unladylike curse word slipped from my lips. Pressing my hand to the source of the pain, I slid the grate closed with my free hand and looked over the shoulder of the other to see Electra in my doorway. She had a tray in her hands and a sharp look pinching her face.
Busted!
On all fours, I crawled out, my dignity a distant memory. “I—
I thought I saw a spider, or some such . . . other creature, in need of killing,” I said like it was perfectly natural for me to be hunkered down beneath my vanity.
Electra cocked an A-shaped eyebrow and set the tray on the ottoman in front of the fire. “I thought you might need more tea.”
As I got to my feet my head was buzzing, my over-stimulated brain working to make sense of the conversation I’d just overheard while refocusing on my original dilemma—whatever it was Electra was supposed to have told me. And given that I couldn’t ask Daniel about the Gentry-like woman, Electra was my last hope for answers. I barely had time to formulate a question when she straightened and gave me a censured look.
“You drink then,” she said, turning for the door. “Maybe you feel better in morning.”
Replacing Gentry Page 9
