UP IN FLAMES

Disappointed, she hung up the phone. “Was that long enough?” she asked.

“No.” Alaric made a face. “I just needed a few more seconds. However, I’m going to let Paul know he called you again. See if he can do more digging from his end.”

She nodded. “Can’t he get in touch with my carrier and find out the caller’s number?”

“They could. But most likely he either used a burner phone-one that’s untraceable-or blocked his number. What showed up on your caller ID?”

“Unknown Caller.” She tried not to be too glum. “Which means he blocked his number, right?”

“Probably.” Alaric didn’t appear too concerned. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out. He’s actually not the one I’m concerned with.”

“What do you mean?”

“He even admitted he’s not the one trying to hurt you, though he claims to know who is. I’m more worried about the guy who took out your window and tried messed up your things.”

Put that way… “I agree.”

She sounded worried now and all Alaric wanted to do was cheer her up. “You don’t have to worry. All I care about right now is catching the murderer and the man who keeps calling you wanting money. I’m beginning to suspect those two might be the same person.”

Narrowing her eyes, she took another sip of wine, “What about the third person who shot out the window?”

“I really think there aren’t a bunch of people out there trying to hurt you,” he said, surprising her. “It’s likely one and the same guy. He’s just trying to mess with your head and make you think you have legions of enemies.”

She replayed those words as she lay in her bed alone, hours later, trying to sleep. Oddly enough, they helped.

She managed to drift off and didn’t wake again until seven. Her mood was vastly improved-maybe due to the amazing sex days ago, or the idea that she might be dealing only with one psychotic killer. She went through her morning routine humming, a smile on her face. Freshly showered and dressed, makeup and jewelry on, she felt prepared to face whatever the day threw at her.

When she headed for the kitchen, she realized Alaric was already there. Her smile faltered-should she keep acting like nothing had happened between them? Deciding to take her cue from him, she bid him a cheery good-morning and headed for the coffee maker.

He barely looked up from his phone. While she waited for her cup to brew, she willed her heartbeat to slow. At least he didn’t want to have a deep discussion about their relationship before she had her first jolt of caffeine. She didn’t either. Actually, she hoped he wouldn’t mention it at all… At least that’s what she told herself. She dreaded telling him nothing had changed. His silence was a good thing.

Despite that, her good mood vanished.

At eight, the doorbell chimed. Vanessa had just taken a sip of her first cup of coffee as Alaric finished his.

“Now what?” she groaned. It could only be either Paul Forbes or Chloe. She needed at least another hour before she would even begin to feel ready to face dealing with reality.

“I’ll get it,” Alaric told her, setting down his mug on the counter.

Grateful, she nodded and closed her eyes, breathing in the wonderful scent of fresh-brewed coffee. Alaric knew she wasn’t much of a morning person and needed time to get going.

A few seconds later Alaric returned with Paul at his side. Chloe walked a few steps behind the men, her high heels clicking on the tile floor.

“It’s nice to see you again, Mrs Spencer,” Paul said after they all exchanged greetings.

“It’s nice to see you too,” Vanessa replied,

“And he brought doughnuts,” Alaric interjected, grinning as he placed the box in the middle of the table. “Which is perfect. Carbs always help you wake up faster.”

Heaven help her, she blushed, which earned both Paul and Chloe’s interested stares.

“Would you like coffee?” she asked, including Chloe in her question. Christopher’s assistant dragged her gaze away from Paul long enough to nod. Glad she had something to do, Vanessa made two cups of coffee. Black for Paul, and one cream, one sugar for Chloe. As she handed Paul his, she couldn’t help but notice the way Christopher’s assistant watched Paul. Hero worship? Or something else? She told herself it was none of her business and gestured at the table. “Sit. Let’s drink some coffee and have a doughnut or two. I didn’t sleep well last night, so I need some time to wake up.”

“Hmmph.” Pulling out a chair, Paul dropped into it. Like everything he did, the gesture seemed large and dramatic.

Helping herself to a doughnut-maple frosting, her favorite, Vanessa sat down. She waited until everyone was seated before biting into it, barely suppressing a small moan of pleasure. Chewing and swallowing, she looked up to find Alaric watching her intently, his gaze hot.

Everyone had a doughnut except Chloe, who sipped her coffee and vacillated between shooting worshipful glances at Paul and appraising ones at Alaric. She had a manila folder in front of her and she kept one perfectly manicured hand resting on top of it.

When she realized Vanessa watched her, Chloe pasted on a confident smile. “I got everything handled that you asked me to. Since you chose to have the funeral on Friday afternoon, all the local networks have been notified so they can cover it.” She shuffled through some papers. “Oh, and I let the Wesleys know so they can make plans with any other family members.”

“What about Chris?” Alaric asked, his casual expression not fooling Vanessa .NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

Chloe blinked, a fleeting look of panic crossing her face before she vanquished it. “Chris?”

“Yes. Christopher’s friend Chris.”

Chloe dropped her eyes, again riffling through papers. When she raised her face again, her expression seemed resolute. “I’m not sure who you mean. If you can give me a last name, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Never mind.” Alaric reached for another doughnut. “I’ll take care of it myself.”

“What’s going on here?” Paul looked from Alaric to Chloe before his gaze settled on Vanessa. “Who’s Chris?”

Vanessa opened her mouth to answer but Alaric fore-stalled her. “It’s not important,” he said. “Chloe, is there anything else you need? If not, I think you should go. We have important things to discuss.”