Hazards on the Hardwood (Hazards and Hijinks) (19 page)

34

The taxi pulled up in front of Cabriccios and after paying the driver, Fallon dashed inside. The temperature outdoors was a brisk thirty degrees but with the winter wind howling through the skyscrapers it felt like ten below zero!

He scanned the Italian decorated elegance of the dining room and table by table his eager eyes found Sparky, sitting at a dimly lit back table. His heart raced and his palms began to sweat as he approached her. Upwards her head moved as if mechanically, and then their eyes met. “Fallon, you look great. Please have a seat.”

He sat himself in the chair across from her and felt like he was back in high school. She was just as gorgeous as he remembered her. Sparky’s eyes were bright and her smile; mesmerizing.
She still had it
, he mused.

“It’s been a long time hasn’t it, Fallon? She said with a warm tone in her voice.

“Yes, Sparky. I trust you are well.” The hesitation was awkward, “Oh enough of this small talk, Sparky. I need to know if you think Edward is capable of hurling death threats at dance judges or anyone else for that matter.” Fallon cut to the chase and said his piece and waited for a response from a rather pale-faced Sparky. Her heart was doing something like a samba beat as she sat there thinking about what Fallon had asked.

“Why I don’t really know if you’d call them death threats, but like I told you over the phone, he’s planning something and quite innocently I was dragged into all of it.  All I know for sure is that it involves something he ordered at a pharmaceutical company.  I picked up something but he wouldn’t tell me what it was.  I’m scared that the police will arrest me, thinking I’m involved.  I’m his wife and that’s probably good enough to suspect me of wrong-doing. This could go bad quickly.  What should I do, Fallon?” She was starting to shake slightly and he became concerned for her.

“I told Edward I wanted nothing to do it? He wouldn’t take no for an answer. But, death threats, that’s another matter entirely. I cannot believe he’d stoop that low.” She said as she waited for their food orders to be taken.

Fallon, looking around, said, “I received a mysterious note from someone telling me that if I didn’t cast a winning vote for you and Edward, my life would be over and also I was not to contact the local cops. What’s that sound like to you?” He said quietly, not wanting to call attention to their conversation.

The waiter appeared and took their order. They continued their discussion, quietly and discreetly, hoping not to draw any eavesdroppers into the mix.

“Sparky I am glad you met with me this morning. I am concerned that Edward may think there’s something between us and then try to hurt you. Do you think we were followed?” He asked anxiously.

“I don’t think he would know about it at all unless he hired a private investigator to follow me or if he tapped my phone. I hope we’re safe for the time being.”

“You know Edward better than anyone, do you think I should take this threat seriously?” He was hopeful she would say that it was just a childish prank.

“I know several detectives on the local force.  We got to know each other during Edward’s escapade recently.  When he fell in his office, the cops thought he was poisoned and suspected me, but never came out and arrested me.  They just told me to stay in town. “When it turned out to be a false alarm and only a virus was the cause, I was off the hook.  I’m sure they wouldn’t take this lightly; especially knowing the man I’m married to. I have their names if you want to contact them.”

“Well let’s just enjoy our brunch and I will consider what you said. It’s so good to see you again, Sparky. We will undoubtedly see each other at the competition, unless he makes good on his threat!  Best of luck to you.” He smiled at her and began eating his delicious meal of penne pasta and sauce.

Sparky finished her brunch and said her goodbyes and dashed out the door and to the waiting taxi.

Fallon paid the bill and waited once again for a cab. It started snowing on the drive home. He had a lot of thinking to do. He would research some of his old data bases and see if Edward came up as suspect in any of them. He felt in his bones that Edward definitely had something to do with this threat, especially after Sparky told him about the medicine. He would find out…he wouldn’t be intimidated!

Sparky rode home, watching the light snow dot the cab windows. She had a bit of online shopping to do and also maybe a possible “search” of Edward’s study while he was out running his errands. She wanted to find proof of what he was secretly planning.  When and if she found anything suspicious he would definitely go down in flames!  Her name wasn’t “Sparky” for nothing!

She arrived home as the snow started falling slightly horizontal. It was a good day to stay in and “search for secrets.” She found herself giggling and thinking of Nancy Drew and her detective talents. “Where should I start?” Her mind was playing back the conversation she’d just had with Fallon Middleton. She tried to remember every detail; wanted to make sure her mind recalled everything. It was extremely important as Fallon’s life had been threatened and her “not so nice” spouse may have a great deal to do with it.

She took off her wet coat and pulled off her snowy boots and marched into the kitchen to put on a kettle for tea. She needed to warm up a bit before putting on her “sleuth’s hat.” Just like Sherlock Holmes, she loved a good challenge and this was more than she had hoped for.

The kettle whistled and she reached into the tall cherry wood cabinet to find a box of her favorite Earl Grey tea. Then, grabbing her sweetener she put a spoon in and absently stirred; her mind was on other things. The steam rose from the cup and it warmed her nose. “I better get going since I don’t know when Edward will show up and spoil my detective work,” she thought to herself.

She drank a sip or two of her tea and put down the cup and walked toward Edward’s study. She was on a mission; she would not fail!

The study was cloaked in darkness; Edward forgetting to open the maroon and gold drapes before leaving early in the morning. She quickly turned on the desk light, not wanting to disturb the drapes, for he would then deduce that she’d been trespassing in his domain.

The desk light gave off just enough illumination to view items in and around the elegant cherry wood heirloom. That desk had been in Edward’s family for decades. She quietly sifted through papers resting in their proper place on top of the desk. Combing through the files piled neatly on a side table, she didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. It was time to try the desk drawers. On the right were three large drawers and on the left were file sized drawers. Somewhere in these drawers the secret to his dastardly plan might be revealed.
She had to find out exactly what he was planning!

She moved her hands toward the first large drawer on the right; locked! She knew if one drawer was locked, the rest of them would be also. Having to search for a key would take even more time and that was surely something she didn’t have; more time. Edward would be home any minute. She had to find that key!

35

Edward’s errand had been less than successful. He had tried to track down a couple of the other competition judges with similar notes delivered in various ways, threatening them to either vote for Sparky and himself or possibly lose their lives. He snickered at the thought of these guys shaking in their boots.

He stopped in a coffee shop for a brief moment to warm himself with a hot cup of coffee and to dry off. The snow was almost blizzard strength and had covered his Armani top coat with bone-chilling wetness. He had to stay focused so he sat there at a back table thinking about the people he was trying to influence and how they would react to his evil pressure.

Just as Edward was getting ready to leave a familiar face walked through the door…Detective James. Vaguely Edward remembered a hazy face by his bedside at the hospital. “What in the world is he doing here?” Edward mused as he sank lower in his seat and pulled his hat down to cover part of his face.

Detective James sat at a table close to the entrance. This would definitely cause a big problem for Edward when he exited the shop. He gave it some thought for a moment and then figured maybe there was a rear entrance that might allow him a quick escape. He motioned to one of the waitresses to come to his table and he quietly whispered to her, “Is there a back entrance to your store? I have seen a nosy salesman that has been trying to persuade me into buying his merchandise and I would like to avoid him if at all possible.” It was a long-winded explanation but it seemed to work on the blond server. “Yes, you can follow me and I will show you another way out of here.”

He followed the waitress to the rear of the building, through the kitchen area and by the restrooms, to a door marked, “Exit to alley.”

Detective James was none the wiser as he motioned for a menu. Behind the building Edward made his way toward the main street, with his hat pulled over his face slightly, he called for a taxi.

It was almost white-out conditions as he headed home.

Sparky hadn’t found the key yet and thought maybe she should just forget about it for now and come back later when he left on another of his errands. She didn’t want to get caught snooping around in his study. She backed quietly out of the office, locking the door and scooted down the hall to the kitchen to drink the left over tea and appear nonchalant and peaceful whenever Edward walked through the door.

It was a good decision on Sparky’s account to get out of the office for it had been only five or ten minutes when Edward’s cab pulled up in front of their apartment and into the foyer he stomped; he was shivering and wet from the cold unceasingly pounding snow.

“Sparky uh…it’s good to see you. I didn’t expect you to be here.” He said in a rather shaky tone.

“And why Edward, would you not expect to see me? It’s snowing outside…a near blizzard! Where on earth would I be?” Sparky had to adjust her voice. She didn’t want to sound too agitated by his words.

“It’s just that you usually have some social function to go to; here and there!” He said trying to sound casual, but failing miserably.

“Don’t you think I would have been savvy enough to check the weather reports for today? Honestly, Edward, do you think I’m a complete idiot?” She sounded as indignant as she felt.
He had the nerve sometimes!

“I’m sorry Pumpkin I have had a rather rough morning.” He said apologetically.

“Just what could have been rough on you this morning? I thought you just had a few harmless errands to run.” She said rather defiantly.

“Well uh um I had to run by the lawyer’s office to get some papers signed for that new acquisition I’ve been working on for months. You know the one; the bowling alley over on 28
th
street. And then I had to go by the tailor’s to see how my tuxedo is shaping up for the competition. It fit well and should be ready in plenty of time.” He tried to sound less nervous but again, failing miserably.

“I guess you are pretty excited about the competition, right?” She started thinking about what Fallon had said and Edward had guilt written all over him!

“Of course, dumpling! I cannot wait. Aren’t you the least bit excited yourself?” He had a fake kind of pleasant tone to his voice.

“I have a feeling something bad is going to happen there. I’ve got many friends who are entered in the competition and I’m getting a little nervous about the outcome. Edward, tell me truthfully…you aren’t planning on doing anything bad to win the dance competition are you? Please tell me! I’ve got a horrible feeling. You have been very secretive lately. I just need some reassurance.”
She’d gone for his gut now. No turning back!

“Where on earth would you come up with such an idea Sparky? Have I not always been truthful with you? Haven’t I always discussed things and given you an honest answer when you ask me for information? What is this? Don’t you trust me anymore?” He tried to sound genuine but he didn’t quite cut it.

“Edward, remember when you had me go to that pharmacy and put in an order for you? What was that all about anyway? Why are you always locked up in your study, not wanting me to hear your conversations? Are you hiding something from me? If I find out that you’re planning something terrible, you can rest assured I will be your worst nightmare. I will not stand for it. I at the very least have some integrity and honesty. You’d better come clean, Edward.”
There she’d said it…out in the open! What would be his response?

Edward just stood there for a moment; not sure how to answer her. A shocked look on his usually confident face, he was silent for a few moments. He was definitely in the hot seat and wanted to give Sparky a wise but not so honest answer.

“Sparky you know how much I adore you and love you. I have always tried to be a good husband and I find it shocking that you would ever accuse me of ill doings. I’ve taken our money and invested it wisely; I’ve always dealt with our investments in an above board manner. The charities we donate to have always been based upon your decision and your heart. I think you need to take a break from all of this…maybe a trip would do you good. Take some time to visit your family or go skiing in Maine; anything to make you feel better. I hate seeing you like this.” He had that little boy look on his face that drove Sparky nuts.

“Honestly, Edward. Are you nuts? We have a dance competition coming up soon. We need to get down to practicing as soon as we can. Never you mind about Maine or skiing, we’ve got bigger fish to fry. I want to win that competition. Are you with me or not?”

Edward kept his mouth shut, displaying a sly smile. He would address his wife’s questions about plotting later on. For now, she was right, they needed to practice their dance routines. After all, they had a competition to win, or at least appear as if they were true competitors. The threats he’d hurled at the panel of judges would work; it had to! They would be in for a world of hurt if they didn’t comply with his plans.

There were other details to work out, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Sparky wouldn’t need to be in on any of the stuff that Edward was planning. She would be his alibi. He smirked silently as he went to his study to think about some of the loose ends that needed tying up in order to accomplish his devious end.

Sparky wasn’t convinced that Edward was innocent. She knew him oh so well! She knew deep in her heart that whatever it was, it wasn’t something to mess around with; her gut told her to call the cops. Would she? She had to think on it for a bit. Sparky felt like a trapped animal; not wanting to divulge the fact that she had first-hand information from one of the judges that had been threatened.