Distant Obsession (5 page)

“I know. And he can fly me anywhere for a short time. He’s quite yummy to look at but way too conservative and traditional for my tastes. I need someone more flamboyant, a bit risky. Point is; he’d be perfect for you, just the diversion to take your mind off things.”

Lilah hopped from the couch and grabbed the poker to stir the dying embers. “I’m not the least inclined to entertain romantic notions at this time.”

“You can’t hide forever.”

A glance over her shoulder let her presume Ashley’s thoughts. “Let me guess. You came all this way to talk me into making a joint debut back into society.”

“Something like that.”

Lilah dropped the iron poker back into the stand and leveled a heated glare on her sister. “No. I’m quite happy living in solitude.”

“Lie if you want, but you still have to play the game. For old time’s sake, you need to find a way to meet my pilot.”

Her mouth gaped at the absurd challenge. That Ashley was dead serious made the request even more ridiculous. A snort was the only answer she planned to give.

“Okay, fine. I thought maybe I could prod you into moving forward. I’m sorry I offended you.” Ashley uncurled long legs, set her glass on the side table and stood. “Show me your studio. Dad says you’ve been painting again.”

Lilah welcomed the change of topic and gladly led her sibling into an adjoining room overlooking the lake. The view alone inspired her artistic endeavors and soothed her edgy spirit. High on a hill, the house overlooked a picturesque view of crystal waters surrounded by a variety of fall foliage.

The studio area provided enough space for three easels and a storage system for large canvases. Each easel sported a painting in progress, all landscapes of the surrounding region.

Ashley studied the first and smiled. “Wow. You know just how to capture the morning colors and reflections off the water.”

“They aren’t the thought-provoking pieces I did for New York, but they calm me, and I’ve found a gallery manager who’s excited about selling them. Plus, I’ve been able to move enough at local art and craft shows to turn a profit.”

Ashley moved to the second piece and stared. Bending, she looked more closely at the sailor posed on a small sailboat. She tapped the dry surface with her manicured nail. “That’s him.”

Lilah frowned. “Who?”

“That’s your pilot.”

Four

A pair of deep cerulean, blue eyes flashed in her mind. Since running into the man at the bakery, her obsession had taken a different turn, one that forced Lilah to re-examine her situation. Granted, she loved the country home, the secluded haven that provided hours of meditative joy. Yet at the same time, she longed for more from life.

She’d always pictured herself with a three-car garage, a rose garden, three screaming kids, and a doting husband. What had gone wrong with the American dream?

Ben. Ben had gone wrong. Oh, not in the beginning of their union. The first few years were idyllic, but politics had slowly corrupted the man’s ideals and jaded his perspective on many subjects, including marriage.

She stared at Ashley, sure her shocked features must portray a flaky woman. “How can you tell? I don’t paint photo-realistically, more impressionistically so his features could belong to anyone.”

Ashley’s mouth puckered before she shook her head. “Maybe, but there aren’t too many men with a crescent moon birthmark below his ear, and you’ve captured it exactly.” She pointed at the flaw that kissed his lower jaw then scanned lower to the dragon shaped blemish between his nipples. “Wow, didn’t get to see that one. Sexy.”

Once Ashley fixated on something, the hardheaded woman rarely veered from her course. Not wishing to argue more, Lilah moved away from the art and motioned her sister to follow. She wasn’t about to let Ashley know she’d already encountered the “pilot.”

 “Time for another glass of Sangria and something more titillating than my lack of love life,” Lilah said.

“Hmm, what did you have in mind and no, your tactic won’t work. Eventually, I’ll figure a way for you to meet that man you’ve committed to canvas with hours of loving and creative time.” Ashley giggled, skipping in front of Lilah to twirl her body in a dramatic bid for attention.

Lilah just shook her head, used to her sister’s theatrics. “In the meantime, how’s
your
love life. Meet anyone new and exciting?”

“I did share a lovely conversation with a rather nice, but dull man on the flight here. He wasn’t what I’d call hot stuff, but he had the most engaging voice. And – get this, he’s studying to be an actor.” She lifted the canter high, stared at the ruby, translucent liquid, before pouring a full wine glass.  

“A dull actor, eh?” Lilah held out her empty goblet for a generous dose as well. “So, is there more?”

Ashley shrugged, staring into her drink. “He asked me for a date. No big deal.”

“You sound like you have reservations.”

“Maybe. No, it’ll be fine. Hey, it’s a free night out on the town. And I need a bit of courting after being holed up in Caldwell for almost a year.”

“You didn’t have to hide.”

“I didn’t?”

“Why go into seclusion? It’s not like you had anything to do with Ben’s death.”

“Lilah.” Exasperation tinted her voice. “When those reporters couldn’t find you, they started hounding me. They figured I had all the answers, like why a beautiful woman suddenly kills her politician husband? Was it rage that motivated her? Or greed?”

“Calm down. You almost sound like you think I did it.”

Ashley drew her legs to her chest and rested her chin on one knee, the half empty glass dangling from her fingers. “Don’t be silly. I never believed you could be that vindictive, but they sure made a good case. I had to leave before their price got too high and loyalty to my sibling fell by the wayside.”

“What price?”

Ash cast a teasing wink. “The amount they were willing to pay me to set up an interview.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No I’m not. Once they hit a hundred grand, I figured it was time to run and hide myself. You know green is my favorite color.”

“God, I never knew. I’m so sorry.”

“Not your fault. The damn news hogs don’t have any manners when it comes to sniffing out a story.” She gazed absently at the plush, white carpet. “Have you heard anything more from the investigators?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I keep replaying the events over in my mind, but it’s as if there’s a missing piece of puzzle I’m just not seeing.”

“Don’t you think it’s weird, with all the antiques, your jewelry, his wallet, that nothing was taken?”

“
I’ve been trying to figure it out myself, but haven’t come up with a logical reason.”

 “Maybe it wasn’t valuables, but something else the murderer was looking for.”

“Like what?”

“You tell me.”

Lilah set the empty drink on the side table and leaned forward, hands clasped together as she pondered the notion. Ashley’s hypothesis seemed more than possible. Ben always acted very secretive whenever she invaded his home office area. “My husband never liked to be disturbed when he was on his computer. If I came in unannounced, he’d scurry to cover the screen, like he was hiding porn or something.”

“Men can be so crude.”

“True, but perhaps you’re right. Maybe he did have secrets, the kind folks kill for. With all his connections, it’s quite possible.” She glanced at Ash. “Do you know something I don’t? You act like you want to tell me a secret.”

 She worried her bottom lip. “Remember the woman that was found with Ben?”

“How could I forget?”

“Sorry. I know it’s a painful subject, but …” She shifted positions. “I never made the correlation before, because they used only her last name in the newspapers. Well, I talked to a good friend at Para-Sonar, Inc. where I used to work in Olney, Maryland. She told me Jessica, the secretary for Mr. Ackland, president of the company, was the same woman, your husband’s lover.

“Did you know her?”

“Not really, just saw her around the building. Point is, once when your husband visited the company, I saw them drinking coffee together in the cafeteria.”

“Why are you just telling me this now,” Lilah heard the elevation in her pitch and lowered the tone, slightly, “instead of then?”

“I didn’t want to make a big deal about it. I knew the problems you two were having, and figured – you know.”

“No, I don’t, Ashley.”

“Look. I didn’t want to cause more heartache. Besides, the meeting seemed innocent enough at the time. I should have mentioned it, but I didn’t. I’m sorry, Lilah.”

“How could you know, Ash? I didn’t even imagine…” She could tell by her sister’s expression Ashley detected her self-induced illusions, both then and now. “I suspected, but after his last affair, I’d hoped he’d changed. I wanted to believe he’d changed. I grew suspicious the week before my opening art show and planned to confront him. I even saw a divorce lawyer, but …”

“Okay. Let’s go back to that night. Are you sure you didn’t see anyone suspicious in the vicinity when you came home that night?”

“I was rather intoxicated, but …” She sat up, and her eyes grew wide. “He ruined my shoes.”

“What?”

“A man ran out of the building and pushed me aside. I dropped the wine and it splashed over my Pradas.”

“The ones you and I bought together?”

“The same.”

“Now that’s criminal,” Ashley said, causing them both to laugh.

“You’re so good for me.” She settled back into the overstuffed leather chair and draped her legs across one of the cushioned arms. “So, how am I going to figure out Ben’s secrets? If I don’t help the police solve his murder, not sure they ever will.”

“I don’t know. Just keep fixating on the little things and start a journal. Something will jog your memory, something important.”

She closed her eyes, tried to revisit Ben’s strange behavior, like a boy caught with a copy of a nudie magazine beneath his bed. A memory flashed of him on the phone arguing with someone before he motioned her away from the entry to his office. In her mind Lilah caught sight of a small object, black, being twirled between his fingers; until he noticed her at the door. She strained, focused on the item dancing across his knuckles, but he covered it too quickly. “I’ve got nothing. The murderer probably achieved exactly what he wanted – Ben’s death and whatever he was hiding from me.”

“Let’s talk about something more cheerful like what I’m going to wear on my date.” Ashley smiled, displaying a perfect set of white teeth.

“I’ve got just the outfit.” She led her sister into the bedroom where they rummaged through the overcrowded closet. Together they selected five garments designed to lure a man to his knees. In the end amidst much giggling, they regrouped, and Ash settled for a less enticing dress.

Lilah couldn’t understand her sister’s need to go out with a man she clearly had reservations about. It wasn’t like Ashley to doubt her choices. On the other hand, nothing had been quite the same for both girls since Ben’s death. Perhaps Ashley needed to prove her ability to step out into the public without fearing an attack by the paparazzi.

And if Lilah were honest, she’d admit to the same need. Again, she thought of blue eyes and a sexy smile. Why couldn’t she be more like Ash? A woman who lived for a wild time and held no regrets in the morning. If so, she’d have made a play for her fantasy sailor when they collided at that donut shop. Instead, she’d run like a scared schoolgirl. Even now, a week after the incident, her actions made no sense.