Hazards on the Hardwood (Hazards and Hijinks) (7 page)

16

Edward received a call that evening that his compound was prepared and ready for him to pick it up. Anticipation made his heart race. “I will wreak havoc on that contest like never before in dance competition history!” He was pretty satisfied with his sabotage.

He waited for Sparky to return home from teaching a small swimming class and possibly another quick shopping spree. He had to have everything perfectly set up. Sparky would play her part, as well. She was still as beautiful as she was the day he married her. His heart nearly beat out of his chest when he thought of her.

Sparky had plans of her own not known to her adoring husband. She was trying to figure out a way to get free of him. He had been a dark hearted plotting husband and it worried her. She wasn’t sure what she could do, but deep inside her, Sparky knew she hadn’t signed up for all this horrible trouble he was about to unleash on innocent people. Edward’s mind was a reservoir of malicious twists and turns. It worried Sparky but she never said much to him. Her conscience alerted her to his sinful streak however because she was his wife she thought she was supposed to support him in every way. “It’s what we women do.” She mused.

“But he’s gone too far. All of this evil could get him thrown in jail.” She grew more worried as her mind worked these thoughts out.

Edward could have done other bad things before this current scheme that Sparky had no knowledge of. She was unaware of any previous dark deeds. What was Edward like before she’d met him?

Sparky started thinking about how Edward was when she met him. They had bumped into each other at Macy’s on a brisk winter day right before Christmas in 2004. They were in the luggage department. She would never forget his handsome face as they both checked out a piece of Louis Vuitton. Their eyes met and the chemistry was immediately obvious. His and her hand felt the electricity as they touched the same label. The attraction was apparent.

“Excuse me miss, I’m sorry.” Edward said with a gleam in his eye.

“Oh it’s okay. I am just looking,” said Sparky rather timidly.

“You are absolutely stunning.” What a line this guy had, Sparky thought at the time.

“Thanks for those kind words. I’m late for an appointment. Have a wonderful day.” She said hurriedly. She turned to move away and he gently touched her wrist.

She recalled that after he’d touched her wrist she became putty in his hands. “I really must go. Please let go of my hand!” She insisted.

“I’m sorry Miss…I didn’t get your name.” That was one of the oldest tricks in the books for a man to try. She snickered and again started to move away.

“May I take you out for a cup of coffee?”

“Boy, this guy doesn’t give up.” Sparky giggled inwardly.

“Sir we’ve never met before. That usually equates itself with a big fat ‘NO’ at least in my book it does!”

“This chick has spunk.” He thought. He had to know her now. She was simply irresistible. She also wasn’t an easy target.

“Look I know I’m being very forward but I find you simply fascinating. And do I detect a slightly British accent?” He was pushing now.

“Yes I am certainly British. I come from Surrey.” Oh boy, she’d given him more information than she had intended. This guy was slick, no doubt.

Edward noticed not only the accent but also that she was a bit on the muscular side; possibly from a gymnastic background. He had to dig deeper.

“I promise just one cup of coffee and if I don’t meet with your social standards you can leave me immediately. What do you say? Just one cup?”

Sparky knew better than to fall for this dashing man. She did take note that his hair was much too perfect. Upon further investigation she figured out that he wore a hairpiece. But it certainly didn’t detract from his looks at all. It made him a little bit more interesting. He was drawing her in like a magnet. He definitely had some guts. Daring to approach her and with no fear apparent, he’d been forward and asked her to coffee.

“Think fast Sparky.” She thought. Before she realized it, she’d accepted his offer.

“Yes I would love to have a cup of coffee with you but I don’t think we’ve exchanged names yet.” She said rather softly.

“My name is Edward Haversham. I am from right here in New York City.”

“My name is Sparky Farnum, of the famous Farnum family of Surrey.” She snickered.

“Well my goodness. Am I in the presence of royalty? I should have worn a better suit. I’m not sure I should be speaking casually to such a one as your highness.” He grinned and his charming smile softened Sparky’s apprehension. “He was a smooth one.” She thought as she tried to remain composed.

Sparky remembered the exchange that took place that day as if it had just happened. It tugged at her heart that it all started over a piece of luggage. “Louis darling what did you do?” She spoke as if Louis Vuitton were right there in the room with her.

Shaken back into the present she had to call her half-brother, Landon Mills. He lived in Las Vegas currently. Landon was such a brat. He had been the offspring of her “mum” and her step-dad, Nigel Mills. Landon took after her step-dad more than she wished he did. Nigel was a barrister and a good one too. Landon had followed the law trail himself and moved to the states as soon as he graduated and into Harvard Law School. He was a smart one! Why he’d decided to practice in Las Vegas was something Sparky could never figure out. But he was prospering and he was also a fabulous ballroom dancer. It ran in their family. Several competitions were won by different family members. Landon even participated in a couple of contests that Sparky entered. They had laughed when they saw each other lining up for their dances. He was an excellent competitor in the fox trot and quickstep. “I could never do the quick step.” Sparky thought and giggled slightly. My heels would get caught in all those feathery gowns. “Pure disaster…better to samba and rumba!”

She would call Landon tomorrow. She had to get some sleep now. Edward was still in the other room on the computer; no doubt emailing some of his co-conspirators. She figured he probably had others in on his plan. He never had the guts to do something by himself.

Sparky grabbed a bite to eat said her “goodnights” to her dear sweet Edward and retired to her bedroom. “I would hate to give all of this luxury up.” She thought as she looked around the lavish boudoir. Satin sheets adorned the bed, elegant lighting, textured walls with expensive paintings from famous U.S. artists, the lush carpet, the walk-in closet that housed all her fine clothes and shoes. “She had it good,” she thought as her eyes glanced around the room. She would have to count the cost of giving up all this elegance for a life crime-free. She definitely had food for thought.

It was time to make a decision and stick with it. No more hiding behind the mask of adoration. The REAL Sparky was about to immerge for the first time in their married life.

Noises surrounded Sparky as she awakened the next morning. The alarm had not been set. “What on earth was that noise?” She was still groggy.

“I’ve told you no! Don’t toy with me Max. I am the customer here. You do things according to the way I want it. I made it perfectly clear that the compound had to be mixed by my requested specifications. Nothing else will have the same effect.” Edward sounded livid. Sparky hated hearing small tidbits of the conversation. She clearly didn’t know the entire situation. All she heard was Edward’s side on the phone. Clearing her mind of the sleepy feeling she continued to listen to what was happening.

“Max that compound better be correct and ready to be picked up. Do I make myself clear? Things could get mighty ugly if you fail me on this!” Oh the venom that was coming from Edward’s tone of voice struck fear in Sparky’s heart. She knew she was definitely on the right track by forming a getaway plan. He knew people that could make it very difficult for her to exist.

First, a cup of coffee so she could function and then she’d call Landon. He would help; he was the only one that could. She loved her brother and had confidence in his capabilities. He had friends in high places. She had remembered that early on.

She put on her Oscar de la Renta robe, swished her hair back, rinsed out her mouth and headed down the staircase to the kitchen. The study door was open slightly and she could see Edward wiping his forehead. He had worked up a sweat with his earlier conversation. His face told it all. He was furious and didn’t want to be disturbed.

She poured her coffee and heated up a scone in the microwave. She had to get some nourishment before going to the pool. She would grab a protein bar to take with her for later. Making sure she had her phone in her purse, she felt a bit of comfort as her fingers touched the smooth surface. Landon would help. She kept repeating it over and over in her mind.

Edward suddenly appeared in the kitchen looking disheveled. “What was he thinking?” she thought as she sipped her coffee.

“Sparky darling. I need you to do me a favor this morning.” His voice sounded artificial as he tried to sound congenial. “I would like for you to go to the address on this piece of paper and talk to a man named Max Levy. He will give you a package. I want you to bring it back to me as soon as you can. Understand?” His voice had a tone of command to it that bothered Sparky.

“Sweetie have you forgotten I have to teach a class at ten?” She tried to sound confident but realized the tone was rather shaky.

“Well I need you to cancel it at once. This is a very important errand. You must promise me you’ll do this for me.” His voice commanded her obedience.

“I’ll call the school and see if they can line up a substitute.” She said hesitantly.

“Good.” With that he walked out of the room and back into his study.

“This is not good; how can I possibly help him in his crime?” She didn’t know exactly how to handle this.

She phoned the swimming facility. Waiting for a staff member to answer, she tried to think of a good last minute excuse for missing her class.

“This is Courtney how may I help you?” The familiar voice came on the other end of the phone. She would believe anything Sparky said without a doubt.

“Courtney, this is Sparky Haversham. I’m afraid a family emergency has come up and I will have to miss my session today. Do you think one of the other instructors could come through today and substitute the class for me?” Sparky tried not to sound too anxious.

“Let me take a look in the log and see.” There was a delay of a few moments and silence as Courtney checked the register.

“Yes, Ellen Miller has a free couple of hours today. I will put her down for the times and call her. I’m sure she won’t mind. She can use the extra money, too.”

“Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

“Sparky I hope everything is alright at home. Please let me know if there’s something you want me to do to help.”

Sparky answered her considerately and quickly, “I will Courtney. If I think of anything I will call you. And I should be back to my regular schedule by Monday.”

Ending the call, Sparky put her phone back in her purse. She then went to the computer to pull up the address on a map site to get directions to the pharmacy.

The name came up in a Google search, “Prescriptions and Pharmaceuticals,” 516 Akers Street, Hoboken, New Jersey, 201-555-1255.

The distance wasn’t too far; about four miles on the Jersey side. She’d travel by taxi through the Lincoln Tunnel. It wouldn’t take too long and she’d be done with her terrible errand.

The stress was building in Sparky. It was already starting to be a horrible day. The sun was hidden behind clouds. She heard Edward talking on the phone again in his office. She leaned in to eavesdrop once more. What was he up to now? Her husband was becoming more secretive and that worried Sparky.

“Yes this is Edward Haversham. Is this Frank Mossman? I’m trying to reach a gentleman whose name was given to me by an acquaintance of yours, Decklin O’Hara. The man’s name is Willie O’Brien. I’m told he might be here in New York, presently and I need to reach him.”

“This is Frank Mossman. How do you know Decklin?” He asked forcefully.

“He attends my monthly lawyer’s group. He said I could trust you. I need to locate this Willie guy as soon as I can.”

“I will see what I can do. Can I reach you at this number or is there another one you want me to try?”

“This number is fine. Tell Willie it’s urgent that I speak with him.” With that, Edward ended the call.

Now all he had to do was wait to hear from Frank. He figured Frank would contact Willie and give him the message. Time would move slowly now until Willie called.

Sparky heard enough tidbits of the conversation to know that something bad was going to be taking place. She didn’t like the idea of being connected in any way. She wasn’t brought up to be an accomplice to any kind of malicious situation. Her parents had taught her to respect people and take care of those that needed help; not pounce on them as if they were some kind of insignificant prey.

She phoned the local cab company and had them dispatch a taxi. Putting her warm Armani coat on, she headed out the door. She didn’t even say “goodbye” to Edward. He probably wouldn’t have heard her anyway.

The cab pulled up about five minutes later as a small drop of rain hit the tip of Sparky’s nose. The weather channel hadn’t predicted rain today but there was always room for error.