Shadow of Suspicion (Haunted by the Past)

by Danielle Rose-West

  “How soon will you be out of here?” he asked. Not even a greeting. Callie sighed inwardly.

  Mr Cunningham dumped the flowers on her side table and moved a chair from against the wall. He positioned it several inches from her bedside, as if she’d caught some exotic disease rather than having fallen down a staircase.

  “The doctors haven’t given me a definite answer on that yet, but I think it will be tomorrow.” Callie struggled to sit up. She grabbed the sheet and covered herself as best she could. Was there anything more embarrassing than being visited by a client in hospital? Her cheeks burned and she hated it.

  Mr Cunningham glanced at her wrapped up wrist. “What does this mean for my project?” He pointed at her injury.

  “I can still work, Mr Cunningham. I have already sketched sections of the B&B and have plenty of plans ready for you to inspect. We can start work on those areas and my wrist will be back in action before you know it.” Callie injected as much confidence as she could into her voice. She’d never been fired from a project before and she didn’t intend to be now.

  “I think, under the circumstances, that you may need to reconsider working with an assistant.” Mr Cunningham cast her a rather smug smile. “I know you objected before, but you are going to need help. It was one thing to have your car out of action, it’s quite another to be injured this way. What do you say?”

  Callie sighed. His tone of voice made it clear that he would have his way on this or he would hire another designer. Callie knew she had her back against the wall. Even if she went back home, nobody would hire her while she bore injuries of this magnitude. Plus she’d already signed the contract to do the work. The tables had turned and Mr Cunningham made it clear that he knew that.

  “Who did you have in mind?” As if she didn’t know.

  “Glad you asked.” He turned towards the door. “Lucinda, would you come in now, please.”

  Lucinda swept in with a triumphant gleam in her eyes. Callie regarded her suspiciously. Could it have been Lucinda that pushed her down the stairs for a job opportunity? It seemed ridiculous and yet the expression on the woman’s face roused Callie’s misgivings.

  “I am very much looking forward to working with you, Callie.” Lucinda leaned against the end of the bed, her face far too smug for Callie’s liking.

  “As long as you are clear that you are working for me.” Callie wouldn’t broke nonsense under any circumstances. “I need you to follow directions to the letter. There is no room on this project for you to follow your own ideas. Is that clear?”

  Lucinda’s lips pursed and anger ignited in her light green eyes. “Are you not even open to suggestions? Andy has been so receptive to my ideas. Surely you could at least listen to them?”

  Mr Cunningham patted Lucinda’s hand. Callie couldn’t help but notice that his thumb rubbed across the top of Lucinda’s hand in a rather familiar fashion. He lingered longer than seemed necessary.

  “I’m sure Callie will be pleased to hear some of your ideas, Lucinda. Just give her time to feel more like herself.” He grinned patronisingly at Callie. “After all, she’s been through a rather traumatic experience.”

  He rose to his feet and surveyed them both as if they were his subjects. “I’ll leave you two ladies to sort out details for the forward movement of our project. I have to make some calls, but perhaps you can fill me in on the details at the B&B later, Lucinda?”

  “Of course, Andy.” Lucinda cast him a flirtatious glance from under her thick lashes. “I’ll meet you at,” she glanced at her watch, “shall we say three?”

  Mr Cunningham nodded and swept out of the room. He shut the door behind him. Lucinda planted herself in the chair he’d just vacated. She glared at Callie.

  “Let’s get one thing straight. I am working with you, not for you. Andy is seriously keen on my suggestions and ideas, so you’d best take them seriously. I wouldn’t mess with me, if I were you. Especially considering that you’re in no fit state to argue.” She cocked an eyebrow at Callie as her hard stare swept over Callie’s battered body.

  “Is that a threat?” Callie narrowed her gaze at Lucinda. “The police would be very interested to know, if it is.”

  Lucinda jerked and her mouth dropped open before she snapped it shut with an audible click. “What do they have to do with anything?”

  “Someone pushed me down those stairs the other night.” Callie watched Lucinda’s face carefully. Was there any sign of guilt or awareness in the other woman’s face? It was impossible to tell. “The police are investigating the matter. I’m sure they’d love to know what you’ve just said. Especially since you’ve been gunning for this job, which I said no to previously. Kind of makes you a suspect, doesn’t it?”

  Lucinda’s face turned an alarming shade of red. “Are you trying to pin this on me?” She leapt out of her seat, her hands curling into fists. “I had nothing to do with your accident. Don’t you dare go spreading rumours!”

  “It wasn’t an accident. That’s a fact!”

  Lucinda waved her hand airily. “Whatever. I’m not that desperate for a job that I would throw someone down a staircase for it. Sorry, but you have the wrong person.” She sat back down and crossed her legs. “I suggest we get on with work, so I can report to Andy later. Unless you want to explain your crazy theory to him? I’m sure he won’t be pleased at further delays to his project. But it’s up to you.” She shrugged with apparent nonchalance.

  Callie wasn’t fooled for a second. The slight tightening around Lucinda’s mouth and the way she gripped her fingers so that the knuckles shone white told Callie everything. Lucinda wasn’t as calm about Callie’s accusation as she was trying to make out.

  “Fine. However, if you are going to work as my assistant, you will refer to my client as Mr Cunningham from now on. I won’t have you calling him Andy, is that clear?”

  Lucinda scowled at Callie. “I don’t see why I should.”

  “Does the term ‘professional’ mean anything to you at all?” Callie sniffed disdainfully.

  As she’d suspected, Lucinda rose to the bait. “I am completely professional. Very well, Mr Cunningham it will be. But only when I’m working.”

  “What you do in your own time is nothing to me.” Callie shifted position on the bed. “Now, do you have a pad and pen? I have a lot of instructions that you’ll need to write down.”

  “I’ll be right back.” Lucinda rose and left the room.

  Callie rubbed her head and wished she could have complete silence. What had she done to deserve the horrible Lucinda? It was obvious the woman would be anything but professional. Callie worried what would become of her designs if she let that harpy anywhere near them.

  There was nothing else for it. She would pin down the doctor on his rounds that afternoon and push to be discharged that very day. She had to get back to the B&B before Lucinda undid all her work and her reputation in one stroke.

  *****

  “Can you tell me where I can find Mr Cunningham?”

  Callie gripped the reception desk with both hands. Her head swam and her chest hurt, but she was determined to be included in the discussion for the B&B. Every instruction she’d given Lucinda had been met with snorts and rebuffs. Lucinda had insisted on shoving her rather questionable opinions forward, all of which broke every rule of taste and quality that Callie prided herself on. She was determined the woman wasn’t going to represent her own ideas at this meeting, rather than Callie’s carefully laid out plans.

  “Andy said he didn’t want to be disturbed.” Kathy didn’t even bother to look up from painting her nails. She sat slumped in a chair behind the reception, her face as bored as usual. She examined her handiwork and blew on the wet vanish.

  “I’m sure he didn’t mean to keep his actual designer out of the meeting.” Callie gritted her teeth. “Do use a little common sense!”

  Kathy cast her a disgruntled glare. “Alright, alright. Keep your hair on! They’re in the small sitting room.” She promp
tly continued to lavish attention on her nails.

  Callie strode along the corridor until she reached the door that led to the small sitting room at the back of the B&B. There was a ‘do not disturb’ sign pinned on its polished surface.

  Callie ignored the sign and opened the door. She was completely unprepared for the sight that greeted her gaze. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes nearly fell out of her head. She could barely believe what she was seeing.

  Lucinda lay sprawled on the sofa, as naked as the day she was born. Her large breasts heaved in apparent ecstasy and her legs were spread wide. Mr Cunningham’s head was firmly wedged between her thighs, with his arms wrapped around her middle as he held her in place. Lucinda writhed on the couch and flung her head from side to side. Her moans filled the air. Neither one even noticed that the door had opened on them.

  Callie backed out hurriedly and closed the door as silently as she could. She leaned against the wall outside and prayed neither one had noticed her exit. Her face burned and she clamped both hands to her cheeks in silent horror. How was she ever going to face either one of them again without what she’d witnessed playing through her head like some bad film? She was sure the image of the lovers was burned into her brain for all eternity, as much as she wished otherwise.

  Callie struggled to pull herself together. She couldn’t stay slumped against the wall. They could exit the room at any moment, although they’d seemed rather occupied for the time being. Callie shuddered with revulsion at the very thought of allowing Mr Cunningham such intimacies. Her legs shook as she pushed away from the wall and forced herself to beat a hasty retreat from the ugly scene.

  Jason rose up in her thoughts. The poor man probably had no idea that his girlfriend was cheating on him. Callie bit her lip. Should she say something to him? After all, he’d told her about Sandra. That’s different. It’s not as hard to tell someone. ‘Your girlfriend is cheating on you’ is far worse.

  What a terrible position she found herself in. Callie had never been stuck like this before. She wiped a hand down her face and winced when she accidently brushed against the bruising on her cheeks. What the hell was she going to do?

  Callie was so distracted, she didn’t even notice she’d entered the reception area or see the person occupying the space until she ran into him. Pain lanced through her abused body and she drew in a sharp breath.

  “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

  Callie’s pulse leapt as she came face to face with Jason. Her heart skipped several beats and then raced ahead so fast she lost her breath. Mind numbing panic gripped her. She wasn’t ready to handle this. She hadn’t even thought of what she would say to him or even if she would inform him of anything at all. What the hell was she going to do now?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jason threw up his hands and managed to catch the figure charging at him before they collided. He grunted as an elbow slammed into his stomach. He should have known Callie Price would have pointy elbows. She probably honed them to perfection. A sharp hiss emitted from her lips and she drew in a ragged breath.

  “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

  Jason stepped back and surveyed her from head to toe. He grimaced as his eyes scanned over the bruising to her face and neck. One wrist was firmly wrapped in white bandages, which peeped out from under the long sleeve of her jumper. Although he couldn’t see much, it was evident that she’d been badly injured. He shook his head. She was damn lucky to be alive.

  “I’m fine.” Callie stared at him with wide eyes and an expression bordering on horrified. Surely he wasn’t that abhorrent to her? She glanced down the hallway she’d just charged out of. Jason peered over her shoulder, but could see no reason for her apparent discomfort.

  “What are you doing here?” Her voice came out rather squeaky. What was wrong with the woman now? Her behaviour was decidedly odd.

  “I dropped by the hospital to check up on you, but they told me you’d been discharged.” He touched her arm to gain her attention. He wondered if he’d ever figure her out. Callie Price was something of an enigma. “Sandra wanted me to check in on you, so here I am. I thought you’d want to know she was asking after you.”

  “Thank you.” Callie wrung her hands, her brow wrinkled.

  “Is that all you have to say? I thought you’d be stoked to know Sandra cared enough to send me to find out about your welfare.” Jason stared at her, confused. He’d thought she’d be more interested in what he’d told her. Maybe the fall down the stairs had knocked her senseless. She sure wasn’t acting quite right.

  Callie bit her lip. “Of course I am. I’m sorry. I’ve been a little………..off. You know, since the fall.” She waved a hand down her body, but her eyes glanced back down the hallway again.

  “Is there something bothering you?” Jason examined her face closely. A deep red hue stole over her cheeks, visible even through her bruises. She looked as jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof. Something was definitely up with her.

  Callie tugged on the bottom of her jumper with her one good hand and fidgeted from one foot to the other. “No. Why would there be?”

  Jason frowned. What the hell was going on? “Oh, I don’t know. You’re acting strange.” He folded his arms across his chest and regarded her with his head to one side. “For a start, you’ve not said one caustic remark to me since I arrived. Did that fall knock your personality right out of you or what?”

  Callie glared at him. “I am not caustic! I’m very polite. People love me! You’re always rude first and wind me up!”

  “No way! If I recall correctly, you snapped at me when I dropped in to deliver your quote the other day.” He grinned at her.

  Callie’s eyes filled with unexpected tears. Jason was stunned. What the hell had he said to make her cry?

  “I’m sorry.” She dabbed at her eyes with the sleeve of her jumper. “I have to tell you something, but I’m not sure how you’re going to take it. I’m not even sure I should say anything, but after the other day, when you were so nice to me………….I don’t think I can keep it in. It’s not fair to you and I think you deserve better.” She gave a wry laugh. “I honestly never thought I’d say that!”

  Jason froze. “What are you talking about?”

  His heart thudded heavily in his chest. For some odd reason, a sensation shivered through him as if something terrible was hurtling towards him and he couldn’t stop it. Which was ridiculous! What could Callie possibly have to say to him that would be so bad?

  She clasped her hands over the lower half of her face and dropped her gaze to the floor. Jason’s stomach twisted painfully. The expression she wore reminded him of when the doctor had announced his brother’s death. He tried to brush aside the sense of doom, but couldn’t quite manage it.

  “Whatever it is, just tell me.” His voice came out sharper than he’d intended. “I’d rather know.”

  She shuddered. “Are you sure?”

  “It can’t be that bad!”

  “That depends.” Callie glanced up at him and he smiled in reassurance. She cleared her throat. “As you probably know, your girlfriend started working as my assistant this morning, on Mr Cunningham’s request.”

  Jason frowned. “No, I didn’t know that.”

  “Oh.” Callie licked her lips and her face drained of the small amount of colour that had been in her cheeks. She wrung her hands. “Well, she did. She was going to have a meeting with Mr Cunningham this afternoon, about the B&B. I discharged myself from the hospital to attend it, because I wasn’t sure she would present my designs to Mr Cunningham as I wanted. She was too full of her own opinions when we discussed things earlier.”

  Jason nodded. “That sounds like Luce. So?”

  “I came back here and went to what I thought was the meeting.” She broke off and stared at him.

  “Do I have to drag everything out of you?” Jason growled. “What did you want to tell me?”

  “I walked in on them just a short while ago. It certainly wasn’t a
meeting. They were,” she nodded her head and waved a hand, “you know, otherwise engaged.”

  Jason shook his head. He couldn’t believe what she was implying. “No way. Lucinda wouldn’t do that to me.”

  “I’m sorry, Jason, but she was or rather probably still is. They didn’t see me. I just beat a hasty retreat and that’s when I ran into you.” Callie’s gaze was filled with sympathy and he hated it. “I didn’t know what to do, but when you mentioned the other day, I remembered what you said to me. How you hadn’t said something to someone once and it had caused a really bad situation. I decided to follow your advice and tell you what I’ve seen. What you do with it is up to you.”

  Jason couldn’t breathe. This couldn’t be true and yet Callie had no reason to lie to him. “Where is she?”

  He could hardly believe the calm tone of voice that came out of him. It was almost as if he could hear it from one end of a long tunnel.

  “They’re in the small living room at the end of the corridor.” She pointed back the way she’d come.

  He grasped her elbow. “Show me.”

  Callie winced and he loosened his grip. She stumbled slightly as he hauled her ahead of him. “I’m not sure I should be here for this.”

  “Just take me there, please! I have to see this with my own eyes.” He shook his head in disbelief. He couldn’t accept that Lucinda would cheat on him without proof. She’d only just asked for them to move in together. Why would she do that if she was playing away? Callie had to be wrong.

  Callie nodded and stepped ahead of him. He felt like a man being led to the gallows. Callie gripped her ribs with one hand and reluctantly dragged her feet to their destination. Jason felt slightly guilty at her obvious discomfort, but he had to learn the truth. She paused before an innocent enough wooden door, except for the ‘do not disturb’ sign that was pinned to its surface. His guts twisted into a tight knot.