Currently Reading The Innocent: A Novel By Posie Graeme-Evans see related

Episode 18

As Cole pulled into the cemetery he turned looking at Ann. “You don’t look too good.”

Ann tried to smile. “That’s not the kind of thing a girl wants to hear.”

“Well at least you have your sense of humor.” He unlocked the car letting her out. She stood looking down in his window. “Are you sure you want to go this alone.”

“Ebony was rolling in her grave last night when I brought you to the dinner as a date for Nikki. I don’t need the bad press.”

Cole smiled, “Of course not.”

“Pick me up later?”

“Just give me the call.”

Ann smiled appreciatively. Turning she moved along the cemetery and towards the grave.  It was starting to rush her all at once her grandmother and her husband in the same month was too much for her.  She found a bench and clutching her purse started to cry.

<><><><><><> 

Adrien could tell that Vie had a thing against cops, or was hiding something as he watched the fear and hesitation dance across her features. When she finally settled on a smile, he only relaxed a little. She knew something. “You’ve lived here most of your life, right?”

“Yeah since college…I liked the town so I stayed.”

“Can you tell me about the Spence family?”

Vie tried not to think, letting her words flow effortlessly. “I don’t hang around with that set a lot. They just like my food. Aiden Bartley comes here for lunch, but I think he does it more for Lorene’s company then anything else.” She laughed. “But the Spence’s, no, I can’t say I see them around here too much.”

“Well, I’m sure you know the rumors.” Adrien knew he was reach far when he asked for rumors, but in a town like Craven Ridge he figured rumors would run close to fact.

“The whole working for the Mob rumor?” Vie asked. “Or the aggressive socialite rumor?”

“Both.”

“That could take all day; and I have work to get back to.” She said stand up from her chair.

“Well then dinner…you could tell me over dinner?”

Vie smiled. “Where? When?”

“Tomorrow, 7:00?”

“Sure.” She walked off before he could get a chance to realize he didn’t have her number or knew where she lived. She walked into her office picking up her phone she dialed a number.

<><><><><><> 

Jay parked his car outside of Tori’s house jumping out of the car. Despite having his own apartment that was costing him an arm and a leg, He liked the homey look that Tori had given to the place it reminded him of home. He knocked on the door, and entered when Tori opened the door. “Why are you wet?”

“Did Ved leave any of his clothes?”

“Yeah, what happened?”

“This girl…a waitress dumped water on me, because I asked her what her name was.”

“Well she’s fired who ever she is. What’d she look like?”

“Now wait Tori…I don’t think especially if Ved has been pretending to be me, that you should fire her.”

“So, what are you trying to say? That Ved would cheat on me?”

Jay pulled off his shirt. “You doubt it?”

Tori threw him a shirt. “Who is she?”

“I don’t think I should tell you now…not if you’re going to just fire her like…” Jay got a good look at Tori’s face then sighed. “Blonde hair, brown eyes?”

“Loraine…that bitch.” Tori muttered walking away.

<><><><><><> 

Ann walked into the cemetery un sure of where to go when she was approached by Nadege, “It must have been a difficult decision.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Choosing your grandmother over your husband.”

Ann stared. “What do you mean? John’s funeral isn’t today.”

Nadege compressed a smirk. “Oh? You didn’t know?”

Currently Listening Loose By Nelly Furtado Promiscuous see related

Episode 17

Jay Rouka sat in a booth near the back of the Ridgeway café. He was reading the paper and glad that he had the sense to turn in his resignation just before the mess. In the years that he had lived in Craven Ridge he had always known that the small town was a hot bed for the people who lived there underestimated and shielded by the suburban atmosphere.

He took another bite from his burger when he heard someone calling his name. He looked up at the waitress as she smiled and waved. Jay was confused but remembered he had just spent the past couple years of his life pretending to be Ved while he was Jay it was unnerving when people he had never met started talking to him.

“Jay, I thought that was you.” She slipped her notepad into her apron pocket. “You look different…new haircut or something?”

“Uh…no…Listen what ever happened between us is pretty much over.” Jay mumbled looking back at the paper. “Could I get a refill on my soda.”

Lor frowned not sure what had happened in between La Masque and now. You usually had to have sex before you got the brush off. Picked up the glass and walked off wordlessly.

Vie walked out of her office just in time to see Lor filling up the glass her eyes blazing. “Hey, what’s up?”

“That…no good. He acted like I was some kind of slut. Oh I’m going to show him!”

“Lor, wait!” Vie grabbed Lorene’s arm. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Oh like you wouldn’t believe!” She pulled her arm from Vie’s grip walking back to Jay’s table.

He looked up at her and smiled. “Thanks appreciated. I don’t remember what’s your name again?”

Lor smirked. “I don’t think I ever gave it.” She poured the drink over his head. “But then again maybe I did.” She walked off toward the entrance of the café. Turning to Vie she tossed her notepad and apron. “Let me know when you wanna get things with Smoochies started.”

<><><><><><> 

Ann jumped out of bed when she heard the door open and close below her. She ran down the stairs looking at Cole as he struggled under the weight of two suitcases. “Did you find everything?”

“Are these ALL of your clothes?”

“Just the easy travel stuff.” She easily picked up one of the heavier suitcases and put it on the couch opening it up. “Is the black dress in here?”

Which one? That grandma one or the slinky little number towards the back.

“This is a funeral…not a private party. I need to be there I can’t believe I forgot my own husband’s funeral. She picked up a green shirt throwing it across the room.” Rubbing her face with her hands she sobbed.

“It’s ok…your grandmother just died…she was shot and you were standing right next to her.”

“If I don’t go then Ebony will just use it as an excuse to label me as a suspect. I have to be there. I want to be there.” She sighed. Going through the suitcase again she pulled out the black wrap dress that Cole had referred to as dowdy. Brushing it off with her hand she went back upstairs to change.

Cole only watched her go wishing he knew what he could do to help.

<><><><><><> 

Vie rolled her eyes picking up the notepad.  Looking at the order on the pad, Vie walked to the table. She smiled looking down at the costumer. “I’m sorry, she’s having a rough day, and she went on a date last night and got caught up in the Cassie murder.”

“They’re already calling it a murder?” Adrien asked.

Vie hesitated. “Well it’s obvious, you don’t go around getting accidentally shot in this town.”

Adrien smirked. “So where’s my order.”

“I’m going to go punch it in and then we’ll take some off your check.”

“Thanks.”
 

Vie walked to the computer punching in the order. Trying to keep her mind off the cute costumer, Vie smirked with failure. Getting in the order she brought out his drank. “Here you go. Sorry again. Tell me, I’ve never seen you around this town before, are you new?”

“Yeah, just got here yesterday my boxes aren’t even unpacked.”

“I’m glad you chose my place for you first meal out, I promise it’s not as lively as today.”

“It came highly recommended, but your not tell me your Vie Kay.”

“The one and only, why?”

“I thought you would be older.” Adrien stopped realizing what he had said, “actually I mean it in a pleasant surprise sort of way.”

Vie laughed. “So, what do you do in this town?”

“I’m the chief of Police.”

Vie’s eyes widened as she looked down at him surprise visible on her face. “Oh!”

Currently Listening Rent (2005 Movie Soundtrack) Seasons of Love see related

Episode 16

“The death of my grandmother, Cassandra Spence, is a great tragedy.” Nikki stood in front of her house the microphones shoved into her perfectly made up face. She dabbed her face for effect, but Ann could tell as she watched the television that her cousin wasn’t crying. Nikki never cried.

“You shouldn’t be watching this.” Cole turned the TV off setting the tray down in front of her.

“Thanks for letting me stay here. I’m sure they’re looking for me now.”

“I left word at the mansion that you were out of town.”

Ann smiled. “That’s good; you’re really good at this damage control thing.” She took a bite of toast as he sat down on the end of the bed.

“It’s one of the first jobs you get as a CIA.” Cole picked up an orange and started to peel. “So how are you feeling?”

“It hasn’t hit me just yet. I know it will though, as soon as the funeral starts and Nadege starts to divide her stuff between everyone.” Ann sipped her juice.

“Nadege?”

“Oh, Nadege Harper, the Spence’s lawyer she’ll be taking care of everything for sure.”

<><><><><><> 

Nadege Harper moved her car through the crowd of news crews standing outside the Spence mansion. She felt like running over a few of the cameramen as the gate slowly opened for her. She had gotten the call late last night from Nikki about Cassie’s death and the possibility of murder on the list. She hated losing such a lucrative client as Cassie, but she had always favored Nikki’s way of working anyway.

Walking into the study she found Nikki making herself comfortable at Cassie’s desk, “Looking good.”

Nikki looked up from some papers. “Thanks, I hate news crews, but they’re necessary, and the more they stand outside the more interesting things will get.”

“Hmmm,” Nadege nodded putting down her brief case and went to the cabinet to pour herself a drink. “It’s interesting, last time I saw her she was in the best of health now she’s dead.”

“Gun shot wound.” Nikki sighed.

“Oh! Well that wasn’t in your little report you gave this morning.”

“I thought everyone knew.” She looked at Nadege down her drink, “Apparently not.”

“So why am I here?” Nadege asked.

Nikki put down the papers looking at Nadege she stood. “Do you have the last will in testament?”

“Yes, but you can’t see it until after funeral.”

“What do you mean?” Nikki looked confused.

“I mean—”

Nikki waved away her explanation. “Never mind, I understand. I hate that woman. She never leaves anything lying around.” Nikki stood walking away from the desk. “Do you need food to go with that drink?”

Nadege looked up from her second glass. “Eggs, beacon, and…err wheat toast?”

Nikki nodded calling in the maid, Charlene. “Could you make, Miss. Harris scrambled…no eggs over medium, beacon, and wheat toast, thank you.” Nikki watched as Charlene left and turned to Nadege. “Are you still in it with the District Attorney?”

“Every once in a while, why?”

“I need to know about this new Chief of Police.”

Nadege looked suspicious. “Why would you need to know?”

Nikki shrugged. “I need to know he’ll find Cassie’s killer.”

“Oh well,” Nadege smiled, “he’ll find them…he could find them easily enough. He’s the proverbial bloodhound. If there’s someone to sniff out the evil doers; it’s Adrien Walters.”

<><><><><><> 

Adrien sat at his new desk going through the paper work. It was his first day on the job and he was already exhausted. He had been called in by Lieutenant Everett Brown when the lights had came on in the Fowler Facility about a murder.  He couldn’t believe it thinking he had a pretty quiet town when he’d applied for the job. It wasn’t like Craven Ridge was New York City or Washington D.C. He sighed looking up at the Lieutenant as he came in, “Anything?”

“Forensics didn’t pick up much. But we did find this in the ceiling.” Everett placed a plastic bag on the desk. Inside it was torn piece of black fabric. “It’s being I.D.ed now.”

Adrien nodded his approval. “Look I’m going to go find something to eat is there anything good in this town.”

“Ridgeway Café, it’s the best in town. Try the burgers; Vie’s created heaven with those things.”

“Thanks, I’ll take your advice.” Adrien walked out of his office behind Everett and locked the door.

<><><><><><> 

Lor sat in a chair in Vie’s office as Vie talked about her plans for her night club Smoochies. Lor was kind of confused but she let her boss and friend go on until she stopped to take a breath. “I thought you couldn’t get a permit to build.”

Vie looked up. “Oh that…I resubmitted yesterday. I’m confident that they’ll change their minds.”

Lor looked at Vie but didn’t ask the question sitting on her tongue. How come Vie was so confident? “I think I need to go back out it’s almost lunch so things are going to speed up soon.”

“Right, right; hey Lor, I’m serious think about being manager of Smoochies. You won’t have to wake up in the mornings it’s all afternoon and night work. A great change.”

“Yeah...I promise, I’ll think about it.” Lor walked out of the office noticing someone was already sitting at one of her tables. Walking over she stopped short. She recognized him from last night, the police chief who was asking questions about Cassie’s murder. She sighed then moved to stand in front of him.

“Can I take your order?”

“Uh...yeah, can I get a hamburger, and could you tell me about the Spence family…I mean what are the rumors.”

“I wouldn’t know…I don’t hang with that sort of crowd.” Lor took his menu as he looked up at her for the first time. “I remember you from last night: The green dress.”

“I was on a date. I really don’t know anything about the Spence family. They’re not looked well upon by the Bartley’s. That’s all I know, but how about you talk to my boss, Vie. She’s lived here most of her life.” Lor walked off before she could be asked any more questions. She stopped when she saw someone else she recognized, but he looked different. “Jay?”

Currently Listening In My Mind By Heather Headley In My Mind see related

Episode 15

Simone was the first to react turning to her secretary and demanding what had just happened. She took one of the candles that ornamented the table and used it to walk up to the stage she had meant to use at 10:00 to give a speech. She stood at the podium ready to calm everyone’s fears when she suddenly felt lightheaded and lost her balance falling off stage.

<><><><><><> 

When the lights went out, Tina was in the ventilation system flash light and gun in hand. She had changed in to a black nylon body suit and had night vision goggles poised on top of her head. She pulled the goggles over her eyes looking around. She could hear the people below her and as she walked a long the beam, she tried to think about not falling.

<><><><><><> 

Lorene looked at Tori in the darkness. “What do you want?”

“I want you to stay away from Garrett Porter; people could be tracking him looking for you.”

“Who are you?” Lor asked suspiciously

“I’m FBI…WPP is being swamp right now, and they needed some assistance.”

“So I get stuck with the FBI…that makes sense.” Lor rolled her eyes heading toward the kitchin. She was feeling her way when she heard a curse behind her.

“You know…I don’t like this job anymore then you do, but until Garrett leaves town and we’re sure no one comes after you, you’re stuck.”

“I’m sure.” Lorene continued down the hallway leaving Tori stumbling behind.

<><><><><><> 

Ann looked at John who was holding her arm. They had been dancing, an excuse to talk in private, when the lights had gone out. She looked at John. “I think something’s up.”

“What? What is it?”

“Not sure, I need to find Cassie.” Ann grabbed John’s hand dragging him through the darkness.

<><><><><><> 

Simone work looking up into the eyes of Garrett Porter. He had been there to catch her when she made the embarrassing mistake of fainting on stage. Someone shined a flashlight in her eyes and she recognized that it was Jacob.

“Are you ok, darling?”

“I’m fine,” Simone winced trying to get up but instead closed her eyes. “Not so much,” she mumbled.

Jacob nodded pulling out his cell phone to call a paramedic.

<><><><><><> 

Tina pulled one of the pieces of ply wood from the girded ceiling thinking that for 1000 dollars a plate Hi-Wit was using a really cheap facility.  She moved the plywood adjusting her goggles and focusing down on the crowd below her.

Everyone was crowded near the stage around a girl lying on the floor. Searching the crowd she found Nikki still sitting at her table, but Ann and John were somewhere else. She looked around until her eyes caught sight of Cassie. She stopped. Tin could see Cassie was talking to Ann in the darkness, but there was someone behind her. It was still a clear shot.

Tina grabbed the gun balancing along the beam. She moved to stand up, but her body suit got caught on a screw head. Kneeling in an awkward position Tina aimed her gun at her target.

<><><><><><> 

Ann stood looking at her grandma, her hand on her arm to make sure she was talking to the right person. “Cassie, have you called the limo yet?”

“Yeah, but why is there all the rush? The lights will come on in a minute.”

John turned on the mini-light to his watch. “Ms. Spence it’s been an hour.”

“Yeah, so let’s get out of here. We’ll find a nice diner or something.” Ann looked at Cassie desperate. “Besides I think I might have changed my mind.”

Ann felt Cassie tense she imagined the look of pleasure on her face. Cassie opened her mouth to saw something when a shot rang out. People started to scream rushing toward the door. John hooked his arm around Ann, but she wouldn’t move.

“Ann, we have to get out of here.”

“No…no Cassie—she’s been shot!” Ann screamed as the lights came back on and she saw Cassie on the bleeding from her gun shot wound.

Currently Listening Vivian By Vivian Green Memory (Beautifully Young) see related

Episode 14

Tina looked at John appreciatively.  The night had gone pretty well so far and she hadn’t bumped into Lorene or Aiden and now she was sitting next to a very good looking man. Tina smiled. “So, Mr. Parker, you work where in Las Vegas?”

“Um, I...”

“He works in casinos. He’s an accountant for a lot of big casinos.” Ann said.

“Thanks Ann,” Tina smiled. She looked at John. “You wanna dance?” Before John could decline she grabbed his hand pulling him onto the dance floor.

<><><><><><> 

“I’m sorry, do I know you?” Lorene asked quietly.

Garrett coughed clearing her throat, “Um no...I guess I was wrong, but would you like to dance?”

Lorene looked at Aiden, “Do you mind?”

“Not so long as you come back.” He kissed her on the cheek for good territorial measure.

Out on the dance floor and far away from anyone she knew Lor frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“Is that any way to talk to your fiancé Lor?” Garrett laughed.

“Ex-fiancé, Garrett, and it’s not Vander-Hagan, it’s Hart.”

Garrett snorted, “Hart? What kind of name is that?”

“It’s the kind of name that keeps me out of the public eye. I’m in the Program, Garrett, and if they find out my cover’s been blown I’m out of the Ridge within the hour. Garrett I like it here.”

Garrett looked at Lorene. “With guys like the very rich Aiden Bartley falling for you, it’s no wonder you like this place.”

Lor stopped dancing looking at Garrett, “A year of prison and you’re still a snob!”

<><><><><><> 

“Look Jay, I have somewhere I have to be.” Tori said walking back into her house flipping the lights. “Can’t this wait until tomorrow?”

“No, Tori I have to get my life back. You helped Ved.”

“I was trying to trap him.”

“Well it didn’t work, did it? He trapped you.” Jay sighed sitting on the couch. “I went down to the station this morning and gave them my resignation.”

“How’d you do that?” Tori asked turning and looking at him.

“I went in and told them I was leaving for good.” Jay said sarcastically. “I am Jay.”

“I know you are...but what now? What do you expect me to do?”

“How often does Ved visit you?”

“Not often...actually, I think he’s out of town doing some kind of con.”

“When do you think he’ll be back?”

Tori sighed. “Maybe never...”

“Huh?” Jay looked at Tori a bit concerned.

“I saw you in the market a couple of days ago...I came home and called Ved first thing.”

“What happened?”

“He cursed and said he was leaving town. He went to the station and told them he was taking a vacation, and left.” She said quietly.

Jay stood coming next to her and patting her shoulder. “You gave a lot up for my brother. We both did, but he’s gone. Let’s just hope the scum stays away.”

Tori nodded. “I guess it’s as good a time as any to let go.” She stood and yanked a tissue out of the box on the table dabbing her eyes. “I gotta go to the party...I have work to do.”

<><><><><><> 

Tina danced for a good three songs before Ann charged in between her and John. “Come on John, we need to talk.” Tina only smiled as she watched the guy being pulled off by Ann. She soon checked herself. She was enjoying herself so much that she had forgotten why she was here. She scoped the crowd looking for Cassie. The woman was dancing and mingling as if she had been born to rub shoulders with the rich. Tina shrugged it was a shame she would have to get rid of such a vibrant woman... “No conscience,” she muttered under her breath looking around the crowd.

She stopped when she saw Aiden sitting at his table eyes intensely watching something on the floor. She followed his gaze and sighed. She should have known it was Lorene.

Tina smiled mischievously as she thought of giving Aiden a bit of his own medicine. She walked seductively in her black beaded mini dress to his table taping him on his shoulder. “Nice tux...I guess it’s only the best for the Bartley’s.”

“Hey Tina...”

“Do you by any chance still have my cell phone? I need the numbers in it.”

“No...” He said it as if it didn’t bother him that he had been sleeping with her only a few days ago.

“Funny...Lor seems to be pretty cozy with that guy.”

Aiden looked at Tina. “What do you want?”

“It’s definitely not sex.”

“Will you shut up.” He stood looking down at her.

“Are you going to tell her?”

“Why would I tell her about something that doesn’t really matter?”

“Because it does...you slept with me, if you don’t remember. I live with Lor. I could tell her any time I want.”

“But you’re not.”

“What’s going to stop you?”

“If you tell...I’ll go to the police with a lovely copy of your phone’s contact list.”

“Big deal...I’m a consultant. I have all kinds of numbers in there.”

“Including the number of Nikki Spence and every possible hit man in Craven Ridge? That looks suspicious.”

Tina stayed nonchalant, but her mind was racing. “Poker buddies.”

“You have a lot of poker buddies...Tina.”

Tina sighed. “I won’t tell.”

“Good,” he handed over the sleek phone from his inner coat pocket. “And see that you don’t, Latina.”

Tina walked away angry glancing at the time on her phone: 9:00 pm. She cursed aloud heading to the ladies room.

<><><><><><> 

“I’m sorry, Lor. You of all people should know how I tease.” Garrett said quietly.

Lor sighed. “You never told me what you were doing in Craven Ridge anyway.”

“I’m getting my company back from that witch who stole it.”

“Simone Caruthers didn’t steal it. She bought it. Besides what exactly do you think you’ll be doing to get your company back? You don’t have money to buy it.”

“That’s my business, Lor. You shouldn’t get involved; especially since we both know what happened last time.”

Lor gasped at his low blow, but was interrupted by one of the waiters before she could finish. “Miss Hart, you’re wanted in the kitchen.”

Lorene nodded walking off in the direction of the kitchen. She made her way down the brightly lit corridors when she felt her arm being grabbed. “Damn, Lorene, are you that stupid!”

“Huh?” Lor turned on Tori confused.

“Do you really want me to report you to WWP?!”

“What in the world are you—?”

Before she could finish all the lights went out and the people in the ballroom shouted and gasped in surprise.