SPIRIT OF CONSEQUENCE (A Spirit Walking Mystery Book 1) (33 page)

“Yes.” He nodded.

“Oh, that’s kind of cool.” I smiled. “What good is all my money if power doesn’t come with it?”

“That’s a recipe for disaster, Samantha. All it takes is one disgruntled employee seeking revenge because the bottom line is you, it’s always you.” He opened the folder and pushed it toward me. “These people, they’re not your friends, they’re your dependents. Even more than that, they’re your heirs.”

“Man, I’ve got a big family. I better start buying Christmas gifts today,” I teased him.

“This is not funny, Samantha. Whenever someone dies, the first and best suspects are always the family members. We look for the individual who benefits most from that person’s death.” He held up the file again. “I could take these three hundred people and multiply them by another hundred, and still not scratch the surface of the number of people your money affects.”

“Okay, then look for the person who needs it the most.” I suggested.

“I’ve tried. I’ve made it through a third of this list. A lot of these people have problems: mortgages overdue, credit cards maxed out, alcohol and drug addictions, gambling problems, and a few with police records.”

“You’re off to a great start.”

“No, Samantha. I can’t investigate all of these people well enough to find out not only who needs the money, but who would be willing to kill for it in the next few days. Now, if you’d like to postpone the party for another year, I might be able to do it to my satisfaction. However, without that time, forget it. The party’s cancelled.”

“No, it’s not,” I said. He couldn’t be serious, could he?

“Yes, it is, Samantha.” He said adamantly, as he closed the file.

“It’s my party and if I want to have it, I’ll have it, Dodge.” My voice was still calm. He was kidding, right?

“No, I forbid it. This party is not happening now or anytime in the near future.” Dodge’s lips tightened and his voice had an air of defiance.

“No.” My stomach tightened as hard as a rock; anger had taken over. Who the hell did he think he was? I growled, “You can’t!”

“Samantha!” He shouted, then lowered his voice. “We are not going to argue about this. It’s too dangerous. I can’t protect you from thousands of people.”

“If we don’t have this party, then I spend the rest of my life surrounded by bodyguards waiting for someone to take a shot at me. I can’t live like that. I won’t!”

“Then change the way the companies are set up.”

“How? You want me to give my money and power to Uncle George? Jed? And make them the target instead? No!” I shook my head.

“You’ve got to make a choice, Samantha. You can’t have it both ways; you can’t make the world your heirs and not expect someone to want to kill off the golden goose.”

“Yes, I can. I’m finally old enough to really understand and enjoy my money and the power that I can wield.
I
can do it, Dodge. Me! I can buy and sell companies and understand what I’m doing and not just let Uncle George, and now, Jed, manage my money. I can be the one in control. As I learn, I can make things better for all these people so they don’t want to kill me.”

“You can still do that without putting yourself up as a target.”

“I’m not going to lock myself up in this house and hide from the world. I like interacting with the world.”

“You just want the freedom to do anything you want no matter what it costs you,” Dodge mumbled and shook his head.

“Yes, you’re right, I do. Remember I’ve spent the last five years with total freedom. Now I’m back in my body and I’ve been feeling basically – grounded. My money allows me to enjoy that freedom again. You want me grounded?”

He stood up. “It’s going to cost you your life, Samantha. Is all that money and power worth it?”

Was he nuts? I stared him in the face and said. “Yes.”

He headed toward the door, grabbed the handle, then turned back and said, “I won’t stick around just to watch you die, Samantha.”

“You’re leaving?” I said, my stomach plummeting.

“Yes,” he said, as he opened the door.

And he was gone.

I stared at the closed door. He left? He wanted me to do what? Be a recluse in my home? Not use any of my money and move into that dinky apartment he called his home? Never, not a chance in hell! I glanced down at the fork I had used to feed him pie and my eyes filled with tears. No! I shook my head. I wasn’t going to cry over him. I didn’t need him or want him. I could hire my own people to help with the security at the party. Carl would know who to get. I’d find the person who wanted me to die and catch him myself. I didn’t need Inspector Dodge Dart Benson!

Chapter 33

I slept fitfully that night, too many dreams about my accident and Dodge leaving. I woke up exhausted, even more tired than when I had gone to bed. I was determined to see this party through. I took a quick shower and went in search of Carl.

I found him in the new security room.

He stood as I came in. “Good morning, Ms. Samantha.”

“Good morning, Carl.” I sat on the seat usually occupied by Dexter. He’d probably gone with Dodge. Best friends stick together and all that crap! “I need to talk to you.”

“Sure, Miss. What do you need?”

I pointed to the video displays. “Everything is working okay?”

“Yes. Dexter’s a smart guy.”

“You don’t mind taking orders from him?”

“No, Miss. I’m just a soldier. Taking orders is what I do best.”

“How are the security measures going for the party?”

“I’m in charge of those – why are you asking him?” Dexter’s voice came from the doorway.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

His face wrinkled with confusion. “I’m leading your security team?”

“What about Dodge?”

Dexter frowned. “He went back to the city last night. He said you knew he had to testify in a court case.”

Dodge had lied to even Dexter? My, what happened to never telling a lie to his best friend? “Yes, I knew that. I’m just surprised that you stayed.”

“Once I take on a job, I finish it.” He tilted his head toward the massive video display. “I like working security with an unlimited budget.”

“I’ve got four other residents that are going to need your expertise, Dexter. When this is over, you can keep the job, if you want.”

“I might.”

“Are we all ready for the party?” I asked.

“Yes. The entire place is under constant video surveillance. Not to mention I had metal detectors installed in all the doors leading into the house and garage.”

“I don’t think my guests are going to like walking through those huge metal detectors like they have at the airports.”

“Oh, no. They’re not going to realize it’s happening. I bought the systems out of Sweden. They fit in the door jambs.” He reached over and pushed a few buttons and the front door showed on two of the video displays. “I can see it all from here.”

“Impressive, Dexter,” I said, then I stood. “What about checking out the people on the guest list?”

“That was Dodge’s job,” he frowned, then continued, “but he only got through part of the list. I’ve called in a few favors and have ten people going through the rest of the list. It will be done by the time the party starts on Saturday evening.”

“Great, I’ll leave the security in your very capable hands.” I left the room and went in search of Uncle George.

I found him in his garden pulling the weeds from around his rose bushes. I watched him for a few minutes. There were a dozen gardeners that took care of this property but Uncle George always looked after his roses.

He smiled when he saw me come through the white picket fence that surrounded the rose garden. “Good morning, Princess.”

“Good morning, Uncle George.” I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

He took my hand. “Dodge left?”

“Yeah, we got in a huge fight over the party. He wanted me to cancel it and I said I wouldn’t.”

“Are you sure he isn’t right?”

“I’m sure, Uncle. I can’t spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. Besides, I’m awake and alive! I haven’t seen these people for five years!”

He patted my hand. “I know. But…”

I shook my head. “It wouldn’t have worked anyway. We are just too different. Our worlds don’t even come close to intersecting.”

“Neither one of you was willing to compromise?”

“Why should I?”

“Ah, Sammie. Sometimes you have to bend a little.”

“He could have bent, too.”

“Did you ask him to bend or to break?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Who’s organizing the party?”

“Jed, of course.”

“That’s what I thought. He’s due back this afternoon, right?”

“Yes.” Uncle George shook his head. “Couldn’t you get him to stop visiting Ambrose? He’s just a common waiter.”

My eyes widened. Uncle George knew about Ambrose? That meant he knew about Jed. How did he feel about it? Was he mad at Jed? I thought Jed told me Ambrose owned that café.

Uncle George smiled. “I love my son very much, Sammie. I also know my son. I’ve always known. Who wouldn’t? I watched the two of you grow up together. He was the one in your room playing dress-up with your dolls and you crashed his bike down the back hill. Why do you think I let him marry you when we stood in front of the judge and you refused to marry me?”

“It would have been like marrying my dad,” I said.

He smiled and squeezed my hand. “Thanks for the honor, Sammie. When you refused to go through with it, I grabbed Jed. I knew he was a safe choice. I wouldn’t have done it if I thought there was a chance that the two of you might actually get together. That would have made me happy, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

I kissed him on the top of the head. “You are a very smart man, Uncle George.”

He stood and kissed me on the cheek. “I love you, Princess.”

“I love you, too.” I gave him a big hug.

“Have you had a nice long conversation with Sylvia yet?”

“No.” I lowered my head.

“Get in the kitchen and get it done, Sammie.”

“When are you going to marry her, Uncle George?” I asked changing the subject.

“Maybe when the papers don’t think I’m still married to you. Now go!” He pointed toward the house.

“I’m going to hold you to that,” I said over my shoulder as I left the rose garden.

Today was Thursday. That meant Sylvia was out shopping. Uncle George must have forgotten. Perfect. I could go through the kitchen door, grab some food, and go back to my room. Then I would take a nap and wait for Jed to come home. I wanted to know how the plans for my party were going and he always helped me decide what to wear. I was thinking a slinky red dress.

I smiled as I opened the kitchen door and strolled in. Sylvia stood at the counter, working her hands in bread dough. I stopped, anxiety exploding through my thoughts of party dresses.

She frowned. “Well, it’s about time you came to see me.”

“Hi, Sylvia,” I said.

Sylvia wiped her hands on a dishcloth. “Come over here and give me a hug, child.”

Now Sylvia is a big woman and a hug from her envelopes your entire body. It felt good.

When she finally let me go, I said, “Thanks for stopping in to see me all the time. I knew you were there, at least the last few days, but I didn’t have the strength to talk to you.”

“The strength or the balls?” she said and returned to kneading her bread.

I started to protest and laughed. “A little of both.”

“Afraid I’d tell you, ‘I told you so’?”

“I guess.”

“Well, I did tell you that it was a bad idea to go to that stupid party.”

“Yes.” I nodded and sat on the stool in front of the counter.

“And that those friends would get you into trouble one day.”

“Yes.” I nodded again.

“But you were right, too.”

“About what?” I asked.

“I didn’t have the right to yell at you.”

I went around the counter, put my hands around her, and gave her another big hug. “Yes, you did.”

She wrapped her arms around me again and pulled me tight. “I love you, child.”

“I love you too, Sylvia.”

“How about some lunch?” she said as she wiped tears from her eyes.

My eyes were wet too. “Sure, but I’ll get it. You’re busy making bread.”

“Yeah, I’m making buns.”

“They’re Uncle George’s favorite.”

She rolled her eyes. “He likes everything.”

“He loves you.”

She blushed and I laughed.

“Yeah, well. I love that old guy, too.”

Sylvia was seventy-five years old and she still blushed. It was cool. I fixed myself a sandwich and watched her form the bread into spheres, then flatten them out and put them on a cookie sheet. Watching her cook was something I often did as a child. Sometimes she even let me help.

A few minutes later, Jed came into the room. He wore tight black jeans and a black silk button-up shirt.

“Hi, Ace.” He said, then went over and kissed Sylvia on the cheek. “Hi, beautiful.”

She blushed again.

“You’re home early,” I said.

“I only went to LA.”

“I thought you went to New York.”

“No, he isn’t seeing Ambrose anymore,” Sylvia said.

“Sh!” Jed said. “Dad’s around here someplace.”

“He’s in the garden and he already knows about Ambrose,” I said.

“What?” Then Jed turned around and stared at Sylvia.

She held up her hands. “I didn’t tell him. I don’t tell that man anything.”

“Make yourself a sandwich, Jed, and I’ll tell you what he told me about you.” I grabbed my sandwich and took a big bite.

“I’m not hungry,” Jed said and sat down on the stool next to me. “What did he say?”

I repeated what Uncle George had said in the garden.

Jed frowned. “He’s known that long and he didn’t say anything to me?”

“He was probably waiting for you to say something,” Sylvia said. “You children never talk to us.”

Both Jed and I stared at her.

“Never mind, I’m just the hired cook doing my job. I’m just standing here making buns.”

I turned to Jed. “Let’s go and talk in my room.”

Jed and I got up and as we left the kitchen, I heard Sylvia laughing.

In the small sitting area of my bedroom, I took the couch and Jed sat in the overstuffed chair.

“He really knows?” Jed asked, his voice as tentative as his demeanor, his leg bouncing, his usual reaction to anxiety.

“Yes,” I put my hand on his leg to settle it, “and he seems fine with it.” I told him.

“All these years I’ve been sneaking around and I could have been out in the open about it.” Jed shook his head.

“He seems fine with it but I’m not sure he’s ready for you to bring someone home for Christmas dinner just yet.”

Jed’s eyes glistened. “Won’t that be fun?”

“Yes, it will be.” I smiled. “Make sure I’m here.”

“You’ll probably spend Christmas with Dodge from now on.”

“Not exactly,” I said and told him about the fight Dodge and I had and that he had gone back to San Francisco.

“That seems a little thing to break up over.” Jed took the other half of my sandwich from my plate.

“It wasn’t a little thing. He wanted me to give up my money and power so I wouldn’t have any people who wanted to kill me. He was being an overprotective boob.”

Jed frowned. “I don’t think he was being that overprotective. After all, someone did try to kill you.”

“That was five years ago. Who’s to say that they’ll try again?”

“Who’s to say they won’t?”

“Well, isn’t that why we planned this party in the first place?”

“It seems out of character for Dodge to push you that far. He should have known that trying to control you is not the way to win your heart or keep it. Ace, you’re a control freak – he should know that about you.”

“I’m done talking about him, Jed. I guess he just doesn’t know me as well as you do, Jed. Let’s get back to the
party
. Tell me about your plans.”

Jed’s face lit up. “Oh, you’re going to love it.” He took a bite and slowly chewed.

He stalled on purpose. I hit him on the arm, “Tell me.”

He swallowed, then laughed. “You never did have any patience.”

“I still don’t.”

“Well, the first plans were all fancy and high-class.”

“Right, boring!”

“Right, so I was thinking about a theme party.”

“Like a costume party?”

“No, they’re tiresome, too. We can decorate the place in a theme.”

“What theme?” I could barely wait to hear it.

“Okay. You know how you sort of came back alive?”

“Not really,” I told him.

“Just go with me, Ace. I was thinking about other things that came back to life.”

“We’re not doing a ghost theme, are we?”

“Nope, I was thinking mummies – Egyptian mummies.”

I smiled. “I love mummies and Egyptian stuff.”