The Perfect Deception (10 page)

“W
hat’s up, player?”

Nathan smiled and turned down the volume on his phone. The voice of his sister’s loudmouthed friend was bouncing off his loft walls. “As if you don’t know.”

“Who,
moi
?”

“Keep your day job, Renee. I know you’ve talked to Sherri and know everything that happened over the holidays.”

“Yes, I can’t lie. She told me.”

“I figured as much.”

“What I can’t figure out is how either you or she could have thought for one second that showing her ass was okay!”

“Sounds like you’re under the mistaken impression that I care what you think.”

“Ouch!”

“I’ve already been down this road with Sherri. I’m not going to pull punches with you.”

“She told me that you think she overreacted. But really, Nate. Your girl is going to come down to a family function in a thong?!”

“It wasn’t a family function. She didn’t know neighbors would be there and I didn’t’ know what she’d wear. What we both knew was that it was an adult outing and we were in the Caribbean. Contrary to our prudish views in America, the rest of the world views their bodies differently. They’re not as uptight as we are.”

“You see my butt switching by with a piece of floss between these cheeks, you’d change your tune.”

“Ha! Damn, Nay. That’s TMI.”

“No, it’s TMA—too much ass!”

They laughed. “So is harassing me the only reason that you called?”

“It’s the main reason. But the other is to follow up on what you asked me a few weeks ago. Over the holidays I checked out the club scene—”

“I bet you did . . .”

“—and also talked with a couple club owners who are also friends of mine.”

“Did you share my client’s plans?”

“Contrary to your low opinion of my running mouth, I can be discreet. No, I said nothing of what your guy is doing in Atlanta. I just asked what types of clubs are hot now, and if they’d heard about any new clubs opening up this year.”

“Had they?”

“No. But I’d suggest you advise your client to get on this quickly and if possible, hook up with one of the new hotels being built right now. These establishments are always trying to set themselves apart and a novel entertainment concept would be enticing. I sent an e-mail with information I thought you’d find useful. Oh, and I’ll e-mail the invoice for this consultation.”

“Ha! Fair enough.”

“So when are you coming to Vegas to check things out?”

“Probably in the next couple months. I need to talk to my client, and there’s been a development at work.”

“What?”

“It just happened and I’ve not shared it with my family, so you can’t say anything.” When she remained silent, he added, “I’m going to need your word on this.”

“Okay. I won’t say a word.”

“I’ve been promoted to VP of the firm.”

“Congratulations! Nate, that’s exciting news!”

“And totally unexpected, but due to personal matters, the current man in that role stepped down.”

“Look at Mr. Nitpicky!”

“Girl, you need to quit with that teenage nonsense.”

“I think it fits you more now than ever.”

“Thank goodness you’re the only one.” He checked his watch. “It’s the weekend. Why are you on the phone with me and not on a date?”

“I’m three hours behind you, darling, and meeting my date in a couple hours.”

“You’re getting too old for the dating game. Better make a decision soon.”

“Haven’t you heard? Forty is the new twenty, and I’m a year away from that.”

“But don’t you get tired of going through the whole intro/ start-up situation over and again?”

“I’d marry in a minute if I met the right man.”

“Describe this right man.”

“Fine, packing, confident, successful . . . someone like you.”

“You’re a perpetual flirt.”

“Hey, it’s in the genes.”

“The ones in your blood or the ones you have on?”

“Both!”

“You’re something else, Nay. I’d better get off here and call my family before you share my good news.”

“I told you I’d keep quiet.”

“Forgive me if I don’t believe it. In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve not seen that before.”

Renee adopted her sexy voice. “There’s a lot you haven’t seen.”

“You’re a trip, Renee. Good-bye.” Laughing, he dialed his sister.

“Hey, Nathan.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I have a case of pre-teen disease.”

“What?”

“Ask one of your coworkers with kids to explain it. Right now, I’m too tired.”

“Then I’ve called just in time, with some good news to cheer you up.”

“Okay.”

“I got promoted.”

“Really, Nate? That’s wonderful!”

“Yes.” He told her what had happened. “It’ll be a lot of late hours for the next six months, until I get a handle on everything. But I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

“You’ve always had that leader quality. You’ll be great.” She paused a moment. “I’m sure Jessica is excited.”

“She will be once I tell her.”

“I’m the first to know? What an honor.”

“Actually your BFF Renee is the first one I told.”

“What?”

Nathan chuckled. “She called me right before I called you.”

“When did you and Renee get so cozy?”

“We reconnected over Thanksgiving, and now that one of my clients is thinking of expanding to Vegas, I’ve kept in touch.”

“That’s nice. Renee is good people.”

“Yes, and crazy as hell.”

“That, too.”

The siblings talked for another thirty minutes. Then Nathan met some of his friends for a game of basketball. Not since he’d begun dating Jessica had a Saturday night left him without plans. There were several places he could go, and friends he could call. But he wasn’t feeling a night out at the club. So he drove toward a deli for takeout. A block away from a Reuben sandwich, his phone rang.

One look at the caller ID and his face lit up. He tapped his steering wheel. “Stephen? I don’t believe this! When did you break out of jail?”

“Okay, man. I guess I deserve that.”

“Heck, yeah, you deserve it. I haven’t heard from you in weeks. What’s her name?”

“Don’t I wish. I’ve been back home, helping my mom take care of my dad.”

“What’s wrong with your father?”

“He had cancer. No one knew. I just saw him in October and he looked fine. A week later Mom calls and said he had four weeks to live. He lasted five just to be ornery.”

“Aw, man, Steve. I’m sorry to hear that. My condolences, man.”

“Yes, these past few weeks have been crazy. I’ve felt emotions I didn’t even know existed. His passing so quickly taught me one thing—to live every day to the fullest, and not take one thing for granted. So that’s one reason I’m calling you, Nate. This girl I met right before leaving to help care for him has invited me to a private party. Her cousin is in town and she’s asked me to hook her up. I really like this girl so I can’t ask a hardhead who’ll get in there and act a fool. So how about it, man? You down for some fun on a Friday night?”

“I don’t know, Stephen. It’s been a busy week with a lot going on. I was just getting ready to grab a bite and head home to chill.”

“Stop acting like an old man. Just an hour or so, and if you and the cousin aren’t vibing then call it a night. Plus, Ralph will be there.”

“Ralph’s back in Atlanta? I heard he joined the police force in Cleveland.”

“That was years ago. He got married and moved back here; working as a detective now.”

“All right. I’ll go. Never pegged you for one needing help getting a woman but . . .”

“You know that’s not true. She’s just trying to show her cousin a good time.”

“It would be good to see Ralph again. Give me the address. I’ll see you in an hour.”

 

Nathan arrived at a sprawling mansion in suburban Atlanta. He stepped into a home where socializing was in full swing. People stood in groups of two or three, music played and conversation flowed. After chatting with a few familiar faces, he found Stephen and met his love interest’s cousin, Olivia. He could immediately see why his friend had wanted them to meet. Smart, sophisticated, with several letters behind her name, at one time she would have been just the type of woman he’d prefer. But after thirty minutes of feeling he was in a competition rather than a conversation with a woman who was as aggressive as she was attractive, he thanked her for her company, exchanged business cards, and went to find Ralph.

On the drive home, he found himself comparing women like Olivia to Jessica. Where Olivia had been understandably confident and assertive, Jessica was initially shy, reserved. Olivia was fiercely independent; Jessica deferred to Nathan, made him feel needed. He’d always thought he wanted a woman with his same drive, ambitions, education, and money as a partner. Tonight was glaring proof that he’d been wrong. He admired women like Olivia. Even with her sometimes annoying behavior, he wanted to marry someone like Jessica. One day, he’d let her know.

J
essica rolled her eyes, wishing she’d not bothered to answer the call. “What do you mean, why not? I told you earlier that I didn’t want to go. What made you think I’d changed my mind between the office and my house?”

While Vincent continued his drivel, Jessica walked across the room, picked up the remote, and turned on the TV. She muted the sound and flipped through the channels, hoping something good would be on tonight. It had been a long, lonely week. She usually enjoyed Vincent’s flirtations, often responded with some game of her own. But today he was getting on her nerves and bearing the brunt of a frustrating week spent without her man. She placed the call on speaker and laid it on the bar counter in front of her.

“What’s got you in such a foul mood tonight?”

“Who says I’m in a foul mood?”

He laughed. “Really? Oh, wait a minute. It isn’t
what
but
who
has you in a mood. Where’s your boy?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s why you’re mad. Any sistah who doesn’t know where her man is on a Friday night will have an attitude.” Silence. “Y’all have a fight or something?”

“Why aren’t you out chasing instead of bugging me?”

“Is that what I’m doing?”

“No. I’m just not in the mood for conversation.”

“All right, then. I’ll let you go. But if you change your mind and want to feel better, give me a call. I’ll come over and help you get a few things off your mind.”

“Ha! I just bet you will. Bye, Vincent.”

Shaking her head, she ended the call, moved to the couch, and turned up the TV volume. At least Vincent put a smile on her face, something that had been lacking most of the week. She’d kept her vow to herself to not call Nathan. A herculean task that had almost required cutting off her fingers, but she’d left him alone. She missed him almost as much as she’d missed her sister all those years. Still, she prayed he’d leave her alone, forget she existed. Then she could walk away from this crazy promise and truthfully tell Sissy that he’d broken things off and her plan wouldn’t work. That she’d tried and failed. She and her sister had been apart for years, and while there would be anger and disappointment at first, Jessica knew her sister loved her and in time would forget about this plot of revenge. She’d get out of prison, they’d find a place together, and make up for lost time.

Her message indicator pinged. She looked down.
Sissy.
They texted and talked often now that Sissy had a cell phone and Jessica had purchased her untraceable burner.

 

Has he called?

 

Jessica spoke to the walls as she picked up the phone. “You’ve got a one-track mind, girl.” Her thumb tapped a quick reply: No.

 

You call him?

 

No. Jessica rubbed her thumb across the screen, waiting for Sissy’s answer.

What?!?! Why not?

 

Tricky question.

 

Because I don’t want to do this.

 

Her thumb hovered over the Send button as she contemplated Sissy’s likely response. They’d already been around the world and back on this subject. She owed Sissy, and had given her word.

Delete.

 

Don’t want to look too obvious.

 

She waited. No response. She continued.

 

Like you said, let him chase me.

 

She imagined Sissy pacing and pondering. Always pragmatic, her sister planned with precision. And once she made a decision, there was no turning back.

Her phone pinged.

Jessica heaved a heavy sigh. Okay.

 

You have everything?

 

No.

 

Get prepared! Gotta go. Luv u.

 

Luv u 2.

 

She’d been bored, wanting something to do. Shopping for arsenic and antifreeze along with beverages and foods to mask them wasn’t exactly what she’d had in mind.

Following her sister’s advice, Jessica drove to a library across town. To bypass the need for a library card, she bribed a teenager who was already online with fifty bucks for his time on the public computer. Using the fake ID and stolen credit card info that Sissy had provided via text, Jessica ordered two bottles of arsenic trichloride for overnight delivery. After that, she researched and printed out an easy recipe for making soup. Not much of a cook, Jessica hoped her sudden channeling of Rachael Ray wouldn’t seem suspicious. Then again, as sick as Nathan would be from her sneaky concoctions, he probably wouldn’t even notice.

Next stop: an auto store. Several gallons of antifreeze.
Check.
A short time later, she stood at the back of her car in a grocery store parking lot. Orange juice.
Check.
Soda.
Check.
Ice cream.
Check.
Soup mix and frozen veggies.
Check.
These along with a few personal items for her went into the trunk. Heading home, she battled mixed emotions. A measure of happiness for finally being able to do something for the sister who’d done so much for her. Sadness at what this obligation would cost her. Fear of breaking the law. An eerie, inappropriate excitement over carrying out this clandestine plan.

The burner phone rang. She reached for it and tapped the speaker button. “Hey, Sissy.”

“Hello, Jessie. Sorry about earlier. This dike guard’s an asshole, had to hide the phone. She can’t stand the fact that I shut down her bitch advances. But since I’m in with the warden’s son who’s a guard here, she knows I can’t be touched without consequences. Women like her will never be able to compete with women like me.”

“It’s got to be tough in there.”

“I always say it’s not what happens to you but how you handle it. Ever since I snagged his namesake and only child for a boy toy, the warden has been on my side. Of course, this was my plan all along. I’ve been living as high a life as one can while inside. Plus, with this new attorney working to get my earlier conviction thrown out, I’m close to a new trial . . . feeling better than I have felt in a long time.”

“When is all of this happening?”

“He’s working on it right now, which is why it’s so important to handle this other piece of business pronto.”

“I ordered the . . . vitamins . . . and am just coming back from the grocery store.”

“Vitamins . . . I like that! So you called him?”

“Not yet. But I’m ready.”

“Cool. Don’t forget the instructions. Go slow. This has to look like an accident, a medical anomaly that can’t be explained.”

“Okay.”

“Can you believe it, Jessie? After all these years, we’re back in regular communication!”

She smiled. “Yes, it’s nice.”

“And in a year or so we’ll finally be together and get to live those dreams we talked about in those letters! Where should we buy a house? I was thinking either California or Florida; somewhere with pristine beaches and hard-bodied men!”

“My ex is in California, so not feeling that. Florida sounds nice.”

“Then that’s our first trip: house hunting in Miami. Ocean view with a pool, modern kitchen, marble floors, vaulted ceilings, and dual master suites. As soon as I get sprung from this joint, we’ll head there to scope out the scene.”

After a few more minutes, Jessica ended the call. During the rest of the short drive home and while unpacking her car, she thought about her sister’s grandiose plans. Bouncing from one foster home to another, these rare but promise-filled talks with her sister had kept her alive. Then Sissy left the system, Jessica moved, and they lost contact. Just before her twenty-first birthday, Jessica tracked down Sissy, helped by foster family she lived with while dating Edwin. The reunion was short-lived. When he broke into her e-mail account and found out about it, her controlling husband put an end to their communication. Jessica defied Edwin and the sisters reconnected through Facebook. Sissy helped her leave the abusive marriage—both emotionally and financially. Shortly after that, she’d had a favor to ask.

Later that evening, her regular phone rang. Jessica cringed, eyes closed, hoping it was Vincent and not Nate. She checked the caller ID. “Hello?”

“Hello, beautiful. How are you?”

It was not Vincent. “I’m all right.”

“Would you like to go out, hear some jazz or have a drink?”

“No, I don’t feel like going out.”

“Can I come over?”

Two seconds passed.

Five more.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why? Jessica, is this over?”

Say yes! Keep him away from you and the deadly promise you made!
“Shouldn’t it be?”

“If I thought so I wouldn’t be calling. Now, do you want to see me or not?”

“I want to see you but—”

“Good. I’m on my way.”

Jessica smiled as she ended the call.
Tonight everything changes.