Authors: C. De Melo
“You too,” I
said, forcing the words out as best I could before ending the call.
“He’s lying,” Lance
said.
I sighed.
“I know.”
“This sudden New York
trip has everything to do with the break-in last night.”
I nodded in agreement. “
So, what now?”
He shrugged.
“I don’t know. I guess we have to wait and see.”
I reached across the table and took hold of his hand. Lance gave me a reassuring smile as his thumb gently caressed my knuckles. The simple act sent chills up my arm. I saw sudden movement out of the corner of my eye and quickly turned my head towards the sliding glass door.
Lance did the same. One of the curtains swayed slightly as if someone was peeking behind the fabric and just ducked out of sight. Was Maria spying on us? She was starting to give me the creeps and I wanted nothing more than to fire the woman on the spot.
“Don’t,” Lance said, casually pulling his hand away to grab hold of his coffee cup.
“Don’t what?” I countered.
“Don’t get angry and fire Maria,” he said, reading my thoughts. “Yes, she was spying on us a moment ago.”
“And you’re not upset?”
“She’s sleeping with Michael. She knows he and I a
re not on the best of terms, and feels it’s her duty to make a report whenever I come over. I’m sure Juana and Carlos do the same.”
I took a sip of coffee
. “You’re right. What should I do when Michael comes home?”
He leaned for
ward. “Don’t let on like you suspect anything. Stay busy at the gallery and try not to worry, okay?”
“Okay. I’m scared,” I confessed.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said. “That’s a promise.
Lance left shortly afterward and I spent most of the day in my studio.
True to his word, Michael was back before dinner. Maybe he actually did take care of legitimate business, but why fly commercially? Something didn’t gel.”
I realized that his business trip had been nothing but a sham when
several armed security guards showed up at the front door the next day.
“I’ve hired these men
to watch the house,” Michael explained.
What the hell had happened in New York?
“For how long?” I asked.
“A few weeks, maybe a few months; I haven’t decided yet. I don’t like the idea of someone breaking into my house- especially when my wife is here alone.”
Several big men in dark suits with silver communication devices attached to their ears were soon scattered throughout our property. Most of them looked like they were ex-military. I felt this new security measure was an invasion of privacy, but had no choice but to try and get used to them. Meanwhile, I took Lance’s advice and kept busy in the gallery. Most importantly, I continued to play dumb.
Chapter Twelve
Maddy paid me a visit on
the hottest day of the summer. It was mid-August and (despite the CCT) it was uncomfortably hot. Lance had once mentioned something about extremes in temperature being hard to control. I was working on my computer by the pool and stopped to embrace my sister. I told Juana to bring out some cold drinks.
“W
hat’s new, sis?” Maddy asked.
“Just
trying to stay cool. Did you bring your bathing suit?”
She began to remove her tank
top and shorts, revealing a purple floral bikini. “You bet I did.”
Juana came out with a tray, two glasse
s and a pitcher of freshly made lemonade. There was also a bowl of chilled melon balls.
“Looking good, Maddy,”
I said with a smile as I poured out a glass of lemonade.
She accepted the glass from my hand with an appreciative nod and took a sip. Two security guards stood at opposite ends of the patio, the metal of their lethal weapons gleaming in the sun.
“Do they ever get to you?” she asked quietly, eyeing one of the big men.
“They bothered me at first, but now I don’t even notice their presence.”
“Michael must be spending a fortune to maintain them.”
“He can afford it,” I
replied with sarcasm.
Maddy’s eyes narrowed
. “Is everything all right between you two?”
“Fine,” I
lied. “Come on, let’s jump in.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” she said before diving in
after me.
“
I’ll race you,” I said, splashing her in the face.
After swimming a few laps,
Maddy stopped to rest. “I have something to tell you.”
I stopped next to her and clung to the edge of the pool for support.
“What’s that?”
She
announced breathlessly, “I met someone.”
I smiled.
“Really?”
“Yeah, s
he’s great. Her name is Naomi and she’s from Egypt. We’ve been dating for a few weeks now and I totally dig her.” She smiled and added, “I think this may go somewhere.”
“Wow, that’s wonderful
! Where did you meet her?”
“At the little café
where I get my coffee every morning. She was standing behind me in line and dropped her purse. I helped her gather her stuff off the floor and we struck up a conversation.” She laughed softly at the memory. “We ended up sharing a table while we drank our coffees. The rest is history…”
“
I’m so happy, Maddy. She’ll have to come over sometime.”
“
Or maybe we three can do lunch.”
“Sure, lunch works for me.
I would love to meet her.”
“What about tomorrow?” Maddy asked, slicking her wet hair back from her forehead.
I shrugged. “Tomorrow is fine.”
“Great! How about that Indian
place…oh, what’s its name? Mother India!”
“Perfect.”
“Why don’t we meet there at one o’clock?”
“I’ll be there. I’
m really looking forward to meeting Naomi.”
“Oh, I think you’ll approve,” Maddy assured with a grin.
***
I
arrived at Mother India ten minutes before one o’clock on the following day, and was shown to the table Maddy had reserved. I ordered a glass of white wine and waited. It was not long before my sister walked in through the door accompanied by a beautiful woman.
“Hi Zoë!” Maddy said
, waving.
“Hi
Maddy. You must be Naomi,” I said, extending my hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Like
wise,” Naomi said with an Arabic accent.
I took in Naomi’s large dark eyes. She wore her
thick, black hair long and straight with blunt cut bangs. Her skin was naturally tan and it looked great against the buttery yellow fabric of her pricey Gucci pantsuit.
“Maddy tells m
e that you’re from Egypt,” I said after we had sat down. “I visited Cairo once with my husband and found it fascinating.”
“Really? I was born just outside of Cairo!” Naomi replied. “My parents moved to the United States when I was a teenager
, and I’ve been living here since.”
“Do you go back to visit?” I asked.
“Quite often.” She paused and then added, “Maddy has told me so much about you- everything good, of course.”
“That’s a relief!” I
said, laughing.
Mad
dy shot me a look of gratitude for breaking the ice. We ordered lunch and chatted amicably over curried lamb, spicy vegetables and basmati rice. I could tell that Maddy was smitten with Naomi. Not only was she exotic in appearance, but also pleasant and well educated.
“What do you do
for a living?” I asked of Naomi between mouthfuls.
“I
am an investment banker,” she replied.
“And a successful one at that,” Maddy added.
That explains the Gucci suit
.
“Maddy tells me
you work in an art gallery,” Naomi said. “I love art. Perhaps one day you could give me a tour?”
“It woul
d be my pleasure, Naomi. You must come for dinner at the house sometime, too.”
“We’d love that,” Maddy said, taking hold of Naomi’s hand.
“Yes,” Naomi agreed.
“It’s settled, then. Why n
ot join us this Friday?” I suggested.
Maddy looked to Naomi, who nodded.
“Friday would be great. Thanks, sis,” Maddy said. “Invite Lance, too. I haven’t seen him in ages!”
I smiled. “I will
. I’m sure he’ll enjoy catching up with you, too.”
We finished lunch, skipped dessert and ordered
hot teas. Naomi insisted on picking up the check before announcing that she had to return to work.
“She’s great,” I whispered to Maddy as we
left the restaurant.
“I know,” Maddy whispered back.
Naomi looked over her shoulder coyly and smiled at us as if she had overheard what was said.
***
Lance was the first dinner guest to arrive at the house on Friday.
“Hello, Zoë. You look lovely as always,” he said
politely after kissing my cheek in greeting.
“Thank
you, Lance,” I retorted, feeling the weight of my husband’s gaze upon us.
“Ah
, Lance,” Michael said as he stepped forward. “How are you?”
Lance shook his older brother’s
hand. “Good, you?”
“Just fine, thanks. Have you been
out on the golf course lately? I’ve been so busy that I haven’t played in weeks,” Michael said.
“
I’ve been rather busy myself.”
There was palpable tension between the brothers.
“Would you gentlemen care for a drink?” I asked in the hope that alcohol would make them both relax.
“Vodka tonic for me,” Lance said.
“Scotch neat,” Michael said.
“L
ime with that vodka tonic?” I asked.
“You bet,” Lance replied.
I busied myself with the drinks while the two brothers talked about golf. I handed them their respective glasses and then poured a glass of wine for myself. The doorbell rang and a moment later Juana announced that Maddy and Naomi had arrived. Maddy looked nice in a red sheath dress, but Naomi’s sexy black halter-top, tight white pants and black stilettos stole everyone’s attention.
After
introductions were made and cocktails were doled out, everyone took their seats for a friendly pre-dinner chat. I noticed how Naomi’s eyes flitted frequently to the armed security guards who stood discreetly in the background.
“I have read so much about you, Mr. Adams,” Nao
mi said to Michael, her expression one of naked admiration.
Michael smiled
in surprise. “Have you?”
“
Oh, yes. I follow your strategies in business investments,” she replied, moving to sit close to him..
.a bit too close.
“I would love to be able to predict the market the way you do.”
“I
t’s not that difficult,” Michael said with false modesty, obviously flattered by the beautiful woman’s attention.
While Maddy and Lance were busy catching up,
I studied Naomi. She was fawning over Michael shamelessly, and if I didn’t know better I’d think she was flirting. Not the behavior one would expect from a lesbian. Was she perhaps bisexual?
“I
’ve saved every single issue that you’ve been featured in,” Naomi said, wide-eyed. Michael was eating it up like a celebrity. Her glossy lips curved into a seductive smile. “Even my little brother looks up to you.”
Maddy’s gaze finally drifted towards Naomi and Michael. She caught my eye and gave me
a little smile of discomfort just before Naomi leaned forward in her chair and exposed her ample cleavage.
I stood
up and announced, “I’m starving. Is anyone else hungry?”
“I am,” said Lance.
“Me too,” Maddy said.
Michael and N
aomi seemed reluctant to follow us to the dinner table. After everyone had taken their seats, Juana and Maria served the guests. They had prepared creamy tomato bisque, followed by a salad of mixed baby greens and then perfectly roasted Cornish hens with hazelnut stuffing. Naomi continued to lavish her attention solely on Michael while Maddy, Lance and I tried to have an all-inclusive conversation.
I felt sorry for my sister. Naomi
was behaving rather badly, which I found odd since she had left me with such a good first impression at lunch the other day. Lance and I were seated side by side and we both turned to look at one another in surprise when we heard the word ‘ALTSYS’ coming from Naomi’s mouth. Being closest to her, I paid attention to what she said while Lance cleverly engaged Maddy in conversation. The formal dining table was wide and Michael and Naomi were speaking in low voices, but I could discern that she was asking many questions and he was providing answers. Their conversation seemed harmless enough, but why would an investment banker be so interested in clean energy?
After dinner,
Juana served coffee and homemade strawberry shortcake. Naomi now divided her attention with everyone as she talked about Egypt and the pyramids. Maddy appeared relieved.
“I remember my first trip to Egypt,” Michael said. “I was amazed a
t sheer size of the pyramids. I kept thinking to myself: these architectural masterpieces were created with none of the technology we have today.”
“The ancient civilizations
had their own technology and were actually quite advanced in their mathematics,” Naomi said. “Did you know that pyramids align with specific stellar constellations?”
“Yes, I did,” Michael replied.
“No doubt thanks to Zoë,” Lance interjected.
Michael looked to his brother and
nodded. “Yes, thanks to my wife. She loves to read about historical art and architecture.”
Naomi
caught my eye and smiled. “Maddy told me you are fascinated with ancient history.”
“I am
,” I confessed.
“May I ask you a question-
totally unrelated?”
“Yes, of course.”
“It’s a personal question,” Naomi warned.
“It feels very strange and
I often feel displaced,” I said, already knowing what she was going to ask. “It’s like a big gap is missing in my life.”
Naomi blushed and lowered her gaze.
“Sorry. I bet everyone asks you that question, huh?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t imagine what it would be like to wake up twenty years into the future,” Naomi said quietly. “Forgive me, Zoë. I hope I didn’t upset you.”
Maddy shifted in her seat uncomfort
ably and looked over at me with concern. I smiled and waved my hand. “I’m fine, Naomi. I’m used to being asked that question.”
There was an awkward momen
t of silence.
“Why don’t you tell us about the swanky little soiree Nancy Ashton is planning at the gallery this weekend?”
Lance asked.
I appreciated the subject change. The upcoming event was
important enough to be mentioned in the Washington Post. Nancy was planning a party for all the top clients of the gallery. It was something she did every year to show her appreciation for their patronage.
“Will Barbara and Alicia be flying in for this?” Michael asked.
“Actually, yes. I’m really looking forward to seeing them again,” I replied. “Barbara and Alicia work in our sister gallery in Los Angeles,” I explained. “I met them in Rome this past spring.”