SPIRIT OF CONSEQUENCE (A Spirit Walking Mystery Book 1) (35 page)

I got up immediately and headed for the door. He stuck his head in and pointed at me. “I said stay!”

I huffed, and sat down on the bed.

A few minutes later, Jed came back with a glass full of bubbling liquid, clutching something in his hand. “I’ve got champagne and Zeon. That should settle your nerves, Ace.”

I reached for both of them, and then stopped.

“What?” Jed asked.

“I should be able to get through my party without stimulants, shouldn’t I?”

He raised his eyebrows. “This is that damn cop’s influence.”

“No, it’s not.”

He held out the glass. “I’ll put the Zeon away, but at least take a sip of champagne. You’re paying for all these people to drink this wonderful brew, you might as well have a taste yourself.”

I took the glass and tasted. The wine was smooth and slid down easily. When the glass was finished, I handed it back. “Okay, that was wonderful. I serve very good stuff.”

Jed smiled. “Yes, you do.”

“Can I go downstairs yet?”

“Sure, let’s go.”

Jed stuck out his arm and I took it. We strolled to the top of the stairs. He squeezed my hand. “Are you ready for your miraculous return?”

I took a deep breath. “Yes.”

Jed nodded and we walked down the stairs together. When we got to the bottom, Uncle George met me.

“Are you ready, Princess?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be, Uncle George.”

He looked at Jed. “You take the right, I’ll take the left and she stays by our side, no matter what.”

“Absolutely,” Jed said.

It was nice to see the two of them working together. But I wasn’t about to spend the entire evening flanked by guards.

We moved out of the foyer and into the living room. People started applauding. I spent the next hour saying hello to people I couldn’t have cared less about and smiled until my face hurt.

David Ratcliff’s son, Mitch, was still a drunk. His newest girlfriend, Tiffany, had the IQ of a rock and boobs that only Mitch’s money could have bought. Or was that my money? I never thought about that before.

The girls I used to party with, Tierney and Ariel, were both married. Tierney had gone conservative and was married to one of the lawyers who worked with Jed. Ariel hadn’t changed at all. She married a rock musician with a body full of piercings and colorful tattoos.

I finally got away from Jed and Uncle George around ten. I told them I had to use the restroom, went upstairs, and came down the back stairs and out to the backyard. It was so noisy.

The backyard was filled with people, too, so I headed out to Uncle George’s rose garden. Jed had deliberately not put any lights on the garden, so people would stay out of it. I sat down on one of the benches and took several long breaths.

“Hello, Samantha,” I heard him say.

I turned. Tall, thin, bony body, black hair, dense, dark, crew cut, thin lips, beady eyes, and dressed in an obviously rented tux. Uncle Ted had a glass of my best champagne in one hand and a gun in the other.

“Dexter,” I started.

Uncle Ted pointed the gun at me and growled, “Shut up, Samantha.”

I did as I was told. His hands quivered so much that I was afraid the gun might go off by accident. “What do you want, Ted?”

“No Uncle Ted, Samantha?”

“No,” I said.

“I want my sister’s share of the Gerald money.”

“That’s my money now. My mom’s dead.”

“I know that. I should have gotten the money when she died. I tried, but you and your lawyers kept me from getting what’s rightly mine.” He took another sip of champagne.

“Well, get a lawyer and try again.” I stood. “But get out of my house.”

As I walked past him, he grabbed my arm. “I didn’t say you could go.”

“Let go of me, Ted, before I call someone and have them throw you off my property again.”

Ted stuck the gun into my back and pulled me back toward him. I could feel his heavy breath on my face. “Listen, bitch. We’re going to walk back to the house. You’re going to give me a lot of money, and then I’ll walk myself out of your stinking house.”

“I think not,” I heard Dodge’s voice as he reached around and grabbed the gun out of Ted’s hand. Then he knocked him to the ground.

Dodge put a pair of handcuffs on Ted, holding him down with his knee while Ted struggled.

“Back from the city?” I asked.

Dodge frowned. “What were you thinking? What happened to the code words?”

“I didn’t need the code for this idiot.”

“Samantha,” Dodge’s voice was stern.

I wasn’t going to be reprimanded by him. “Go back to the city, Dodge. We’ve got our killer. I’m going back to my party.”

“It wasn’t him.”

I turned. “What?”

“It took me a whole week to track down this scumbag and verify his alibi for the first attempt on your life; I already crossed him off the list. There’s someone else out there who wants you dead.”

Chapter 35

Dodge dragged Ted to his feet.

Ted thrashed back and forth, trying to shake Dodge’s hold on him.

“I didn’t do anything wrong!” he bellowed.

Dodge pulled Ted around and faced him. “If you don’t hold still, I’m going to shoot you.”

“You can’t do that,” Ted scoffed.

I took Ted’s gun from Dodge’s hand. “But I can,” I glanced at Dodge, then continued, “self defense, right?”

Dodge nodded.

I pointed the gun at Ted. “Oh please, give me the opportunity to shoot you. It would be the best birthday present ever.”

He started to speak, then lowered his head and became immediately complacent. I followed Dodge to the back of the house, where Carl stood with a man dressed in a police uniform. I had never seen him before.

Dodge shoved Ted and the officer caught him. He tipped his head to Carl and then dragged Ted down the walkway as he mumbled to himself, cursing at me and my family, and pleading with the officer to let him go.

Carl stepped up. “I was just on my way out to the garden. We couldn’t hear Ms. Samantha anymore. What happened?”

Dodge looked my way. “Little Miss Independent was going to take care of him all by herself.”

“I didn’t need your help,” I told Dodge.

“Of course not. By the way, why’s your dress blue?”

“Why not?” I glanced down at the rich color.

“Red looks better on you, Slick.” Dodge grinned, went around me, and started toward the house.

I blew out a raspberry, then stuck out my tongue at him. Childish, I knew, but it fit the way I felt at the moment.

Dodge glanced back over his shoulder and chuckled. “Go to your room, Samantha. I need to talk to you.” He went into the house.

Carl followed Dodge.

Who did he think he was? He wasn’t going to order me around. I turned away and walked toward the huge white tent that filled the entire backyard. Inside, one entire wall of the tent was lined with white-clothed rectangular tables adorned with large ice sculptures of Egyptian sphinxes and massive amounts of colorful food. Three tall champagne fountains were strategically placed around the room.

In the center, a massive raised wooden dance floor had been erected, with throbbing lights synchronized with the music from a ten-piece band. White-clothed circular tables adorned the remainder of the tent, and in the center of each stood several bottles of wine beside an orchid plant protruding from a beautifully engraved canopic jar. There had to be over three hundred people milling around, some dancing but most consuming the food and wine. Everyone laughed, talked, and had a great time. Man, did I throw a good party!

Ignoring the appetizer, salad, and soup tables, I went directly to the mammoth display of jumbo shrimp, loaded up my plate, added a crystal bowl full of cocktail sauce, and then wandered around talking to my guests. I sipped champagne, laughed, and enjoyed being totally absorbed in my party. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around.

It was Jed, resplendent in his tux.

“Hi.”

“Having a good time, Ace?”

“Yes. The dress is magnificent, the decorations are fabulous, the food is the best I’ve eaten in a long time, and the champagne is bubbly and glorious,” I giggled, starting to feel tipsy.

He frowned.

“What?”

“Could you do me a favor?”

“Of course.”

Jed grabbed my arm and took me outside the tent.

“What’s the matter, Jed?”

“Would you please go up to your room and talk to Dodge?”

“No.” I turned back toward the tent.

Jed planted himself in front of me.

“What?”

“He’s threatened to bring in the Federal drug guys and arrest everyone at the party who brought in illegal drugs, including me.”

“He won’t do that.”

“Oh yes, he will. Samantha, give the man five minutes of your time, please.”

Jed only called me by my name when I was in trouble, or he was.

“Fine,” I said. I set my plate of shrimp on a nearby table and marched toward the house.

What an ass! Ordering me around and threatening Jed and my guests. He is still trying to control me! I wondered how much it would cost me to pay Dexter or Carl to throw him out of my house.

I stormed through the kitchen door and up the back stairs to my room so I could avoid all of the guests. I trembled inside and it took all my strength to control the anger that grew with each step, but if I took too long, the feds would bust down my front door and arrest my guests. When I came into my bedroom, Dodge sat on the couch, head back, eyes closed.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” I yelled.

He smiled and stood.

I crossed my arms and glared at him, swallowing back the anger that threatened to explode. “How dare you threaten Jed and my guests?” He took a few steps toward me, but I continued, “You’re a guest here, too, Dodge. You’re only here because I allow you to be.”

He took a few more steps. I raised my hand and pointed my index finger at him. “If I wanted to, I could have you thrown out of here. I might not be able to get Carl or Dexter to do it, but there are plenty of police officers who would do it for me.”

He took a few more steps and his smile broadened.

“Stop smiling at me!” I screamed, as the fury cooled and desire shivered up my spine.

He stood in front of me.

I put my hands on his chest to keep him from getting any closer, hoping to appear more collected than I felt.

“Samantha,” he asked, in a slow breathy voice, never taking his eyes off of mine. “Where’s the listening device?”

I averted my eyes and looked down to my dress. “I stuck it in my bra.”

“It’s not working. Dexter stopped hearing you a while ago.”

“Oh, well,” I said. “I didn’t like anyone listening in on my conversations anyway.”

He put his hand out. “Give it to me.”

“No. ” I tilted my head, placing my fists on my hips. “If you want it, go and get it yourself!”

Dodge moved toward me. I retreated until my back hit the door. He put his hands on my shoulders, then moved them down my arms, brushing my breasts with his thumbs as he went by them. Oh my God! I tried to take slow and shallow breaths, but I couldn’t breathe.

He slipped his hands through the slit on the side of my dress. I gasped. He was so close to me, I could feel every part of his body against mine and his breath hitched a bit as he worked his hand up my thigh. What the hell? He was not acting like the same man who had walked out of my life.

“Dodge,” I whispered.

“Yes,” he whispered back, brushing his lips against my neck as he slipped his hands under my dress and up towards my stomach.

I grabbed his hand, stopping its progress.

He pulled his head back and raised his eyebrows.

“Why did you leave?” I asked.

Dodge tilted his head up and smirked at me. “I had to make it appear that I wasn’t around anymore. Do you think I would let anyone get anywhere near you if I was still here? You wouldn’t be very good bait if I never left your side.”

“You picked a fight with me and knew that I would go ballistic when you tried to control me?”

“Of course I did.” He leaned in and kissed me on the tip of my nose. “I know my girl and what pisses her off.”

I removed my hand and he continued its exploration of my skin, sending shivers running through my body each time his skin touched mine.

“Now where is that little listening device?” he said as his fingers rubbed little circles on my stomach.

“I don’t care about the party or finding the lunatic that’s trying to kill me.” My head swam and my knees buckled. I didn’t know how I still stood.

“What about your money and all that power?” He rubbed his fingers around the top of my hose, sliding between the garter and more sensitive places.

“Right now, I’m not thinking about either one of them,” I said, as I felt the rumble of pleasure building in my body. “Please, don’t stop.”

He leaned in and kissed me. My brain exploded in colors and pleasures as my body shuddered with delight.

Then he stepped back, holding the listening device. “Ah, here it is.”

I shook my head. “What?”

“I found the device. It was buried in the top of your hose. Love the garters, by the way. It’s no wonder Dexter couldn’t hear you anymore.”

“But?” I said, working hard to bring my body under control.

He smiled. “I told you, Samantha. We aren’t going to do anything until we have a proper date.”

“But?” I repeated myself, but finally felt more in control.

He pinned the pendant to the outside of my dress. “I don’t care if it clashes with your outfit; leave it out so we can hear you.”

“You think you’re so cool, Dodge. Winding me up and then walking away.” I stepped toward him and heard him catch his breath as I slid my knee slowly between his legs. “But your body is giving you away. You want me just as much as I want you and you don’t care about that stupid date either.”

“Yes, I do.” He took a deep, slow breath. “The date might have to be tomorrow.”

Just then Jed stuck his head in the door. “I don’t mean to interrupt the two of you, but Dad wants to make a speech and the guest of honor should be there for it.”

I caressed the side of Dodge’s face, winked, turned toward Jed and chose just the right words, “I’m coming.”

Jed walked me down the stairs and into the largest of the tents in the backyard. Uncle George stood by the bandstand. He smiled as we came into the room.

“There she is,” Uncle George said.

Everyone turned toward me and applauded.

Jed and I joined Uncle George on the stage.

“You’re not going to make this too mushy are you?” I whispered to him.

He just smiled and stepped up to the microphone. Always the diplomat, Uncle George started his speech by welcoming the guests and thanking them for coming. Then he continued, “We are truly blessed that Samantha has returned to us. We have missed her delightful personality and lovely voice for the past five years. Every day I sat by her hospital bed and prayed for her to come back to me and God smiled down and granted my wish.”

Everyone clapped. It was so pretentious. I knew Uncle George spoke from his heart but the guests probably couldn’t care less.

“Today,” Uncle George continued, “marks an ending and a new beginning for Samantha and the Gerald Foundation.” He held up several pieces of paper. “First, I am annulling my marriage to her.” He stepped back and nodded at me.

I moved to the podium. Uncle George handed me a pen. I signed the document and then Uncle George actually signed as a witness.

“My son will also sign as the witness to this annulment,” Uncle George said and held up the pen for Jed.

Jed came forward. “It will be my pleasure, Dad,” then he signed as the groom.

“I am also transferring all of the Foundation’s assets to Samantha.”

We all signed in several places again and Uncle George held up the final documents. “When these are filed tomorrow, Samantha Gerald will be one of the richest women in the world.” Then he winked at me and the audience. “Bachelors, get in line!”

Everyone laughed.

We walked off the stage, the podium was removed, and the band began to play again. Everyone came up to me, offering their congratulations and hugs. Several men asked me to dance and I obliged each and every one of them, although I was getting tired very quickly. I was filled more with a desire to make Dodge jealous than to actually dance with them. I knew that at least in one of the video displays, he would be able to see me, so I played it up big. Dancing, laughing, sipping champagne and letting everyone fawn over me.

Two hours later, worn out, I jostled my way through the crowds and slipped outside to sit on a bench near the front of the tent. It was a lovely evening, in the low eighties with a slight breeze.

I leaned my head back on the bench and closed my eyes.

“It’s tiring, smiling all the time, isn’t it?” A voice asked.

I opened my eyes to see a tall, lean, nice looking gentleman dressed in a black tux smiling down at me.

“Yes, it’s exhausting.”

He pointed to the seat next to me. “May I?”

“Of course.” I slid over and made room for him.

“It’s a wonderful party, Miss Gerald,” he said.

“Thank you,” I said. “But you should really thank Jed. I just came; he did all the work organizing the party.”

“Then I’ll thank him, too, when I see him.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know your name,”

He laughed. It was a very nice laugh. He extended his hand. “My name is Bret Clancy.”