Dark Illusion: A Psychological Thriller Novel (7 page)

“Sure. Lovely girl,“ she forced a
smile.

“How did you meet?“

“I was on my way to a business
meeting when I noticed her passing by. Julie smiled at me. Usually I don’t just
hand out my card, but she had a certain grace. I immediately suspected she
wasn’t from New York,“ Kelly grinned. “No self-respecting New Yorker would smile
at a stranger.“

Soon enough I’ll even convince
myself I was smitten by her.

“I was surprised I hadn’t heard
from her, but then . . . this whole tragedy repeated itself.“

“A nasty
déjà vu
to have to go through twice, huh?“ Sharon’s forthrightness stood in complete
contrast to Kelly’s refined language.

“Without a shadow of a doubt . .
.“

“Okay, I guess I got all the
information I needed.“
Not even close . . .
“Is there anything you would
like to add?“

“I think I told you everything I
know, but I will keep your card just in case.“
Sayonara baby!

“So we’re done here. Thank you
for your cooperation, Miss Danes. Have a pleasant day.“

“C
ome on, you
don’t want to be late on the first day, do you?“

“And I won’t. I’m a
professional.“

“Don’t think I’m a man of little
faith, but I have yet to see your famed punctuality.“

“Perhaps you don’t deserve it . .
.“ The dawn had yet to break and already she’d begun taunting him.

“Why would you think that?“ He
decided to play along.

“Maybe because you tend to forget
you’re still a rookie in this business.“

“Or maybe that’s because you’re a
supermodel and you don’t have to bother being nice to people anymore?“

“Ah, is that what you think of
me? That’s the reason this whole
‘us’
thing isn’t going to work.“

“Right now neither one of us is
working . . . and that means the whole schedule is being delayed!“

“Like all men, changing the
subject the minute the conversation gets a bit more serious . . .“

“Does this conversation really
seem serious to you?“

“Perhaps. Maybe this is the most
serious conversation I’ve ever had with a man.“

“I really hope you’re trying to
baffle me as usual.“

“And what if I’m not? Will you
feel sorry for me?“

“Yes.“

“Why?“

“Because you are a beautiful,
smart, rich, and famous woman who likes to abuse the men in her life.“

Gloria smiled. “Why do you say
that? Arthur seems pretty happy to me!“

“You’re right. I was kidding.
After all, we’ve agreed it’s not a serious conversation, right?“

“Andy!“

“Gloria . . .“

“Maybe you are like all the other
men. It serves you right that I’m abusing you,“ she said with a playful pout.

“Finally, the cat is out of the
bag!“

“Andy!“

“Gloria . . .“

“Why are you so mean to me?“ she
whined.

“Me? In the last five minutes you
have already insulted me three times!“

“Oh, really? I forgive you then .
. .“

“I forgive you, too.“

“But I didn’t apologize!“ she
exclaimed.

“That didn’t stop you from
forgiving me,“ he countered.

“But that was because you were
actually wrong!“

“I’m so confused that maybe I
could have been. That’s what happens when I don’t get my morning cup of
coffee,“ Andy admitted.

A triumphant expression spread
across her face.

“But . . .“ Andy mustered all of
his strength for the final act. “That has nothing to do with the fact that you
are still late!“

“I’m not late! We’re supposed to
leave at six thirty. I have two whole minutes left!“

“But you’re not even dressed
yet!“

“Sure I am.“

“Gloria, I don’t think it’s a
good idea for you to come downstairs wearing my shirt. Only my shirt . . .“

“Why? It’s big enough to cover
everything.“

“You’re absolutely right. Let’s
go.“

“I still have about thirty
seconds left, don’t I?“

At the speed of light, typical of
a runway model who has to change into countless different outfits during one
fashion show, Gloria took off Andy’s shirt. For the split second her body
flashed before his eyes, Andy forgot entirely where he was. When he had
regained his senses, Gloria had already changed back into the clothes she’d
been wearing the night before.

They had met on the pretense of discussing the schedule for
tomorrow, but it had merely been an excuse. They’d sipped some wine, perhaps a
bit more than they should have, knowing in their hearts that one thing would
lead to another. They’d talked and laughed, and then came that moment, when
their eyes locked and their intentions were clear without the need for words.
They’d only had a few hours until morning arrived and Andy couldn’t bear the
thought of spending one more night without her.

Every crevice of her body was his.
He had caressed her body slowly, moving his fingers, along every bend and
curve; the warmth of her body made the tips of his fingers tingle. Andy had
felt like a boy gazing upon a woman for the first time, insatiably mesmerized
by her delicate features. His lips had traced her body, relishing everything in
their path. She tasted like a mixture of salty and sweet, and his taste buds
had craved for more. Once he had reached her breasts, he stopped and pressed
his head into her chest, which was moving up and down like the tide, and
listened to her heart. His breathing mixed with hers into a swirl of
intoxication, his breath covered her skin in a steamy cloak. They were
enveloped by warmth and infatuation.

Andy had leaned over Gloria,
swallowing in his gaze her dazzling beauty, ravishing it with his eyes. She was
as captivating as the picturesque scenery that had surrounded them.
Mesmerizing
like blue and Green
, he had determined while staring at her, thinking back
on the curvy road that had gotten them here, focusing on the curves revealed
before him now. He had whispered sweet words into her ear while his hands
remained busy fondling her. He could feel the warmth expanding between her
thighs and had felt his body reacting to her unspoken demand. Then he had
spread her legs and penetrated her. At that very moment his lips had become one
with her lips, his hands had become one with her hands, and they’d both become
one.

“Okay, now we really are late,“
Gloria interrupted the marvel that had taken over his mind and rushed toward
the door.

“Wait, hold on,“ Andy took her
hand and twirled Gloria back to him for a long, soft kiss.

“Five more minutes won’t change
much,“ he smiled.

D
etective Davis
left the grand office building, heading straight into the bitter cold of New
York City. As the icy wind engulfed her, she curled into her woolen scarf so
that only her turquoise-colored eyes remained visible peeping out.

The smirking umbrella vendors
were the only remaining evidence of the rain that had assaulted the city just
moments ago. Sharon barely noticed any puddles.
A harmless drizzle
, she
thought to herself, looking at all the agitated tourists who didn’t know what
to do with their newly purchased umbrellas.

It took her a few minutes to grow
accustomed to the frosty air. If she hadn’t been right in the middle of solving
a murder case, she would have walked home. Central Park was only a few steps
away, but Sharon had to settle for a quick glance. Her picnic would have to be
postponed for another time.

The slightest drops of rain on
her shoulder caused Sharon to quicken her pace toward the subway. She spotted
the yellow letters on the black sign pointing to the stairs leading
underground, but then her eyes lit up as she spotted a Dunkin' Donuts. Sharon
veered off course and walked in, indulging in the heavenly smell.

“You’re just in time,“ said the
guy behind the counter as he brought out a tray of fresh doughnuts. He was
about seventeen years old.

“Great, I’ll take two. Actually
make it four; I’ll eat them while they’re still warm.“ Sharon figured she
wouldn’t have time for dinner later.

The surprised boy raised an
eyebrow. She did not look like the kind of person who could consume so much
dough.

“It’s okay, I’m a cop; we’re used
to it. It comes with the territory,“ she smiled.

The boy smiled back.

“And also coffee, the largest cup
you’ve got.“

Luckily there weren’t many people on the train, so Sharon
quickly found an empty seat. She settled in her place and prepared to enjoy her
feast. She had finished her coffee while she’d been waiting for the train, but
now she was regretting her indulgence. Sharon bit into the hot, crispy dough,
savoring the sweet taste that spread through her mouth.

I never realized how much
happiness lies within a doughnut.

But the universe never gave her a
break. The vibrating cell phone in her pant pocket made her jump in her seat.
The old lady sitting next to Sharon frowned at her.

“Sorry,“ she mumbled as she
finished the last bite of her doughnut. “Hello?“

“Hi, Davis, it’s Rob. I called to
check how it went at the dentist’s office.“

“Ha? Ah, yeah, it went great,“
she said, struggling to swallow the last of the doughnut.

“What did the doctor say?“

“That I should visit more often.“
Sharon ran her tongue over her teeth in an attempt to wipe off the stubborn,
sticky crumbs. If she was lying about going to the dentist, she should at least
make sure her teeth were clean.

“That’s it? No root canals?“

“Not this time, but I did get a
recommendation for a new toothpaste.“ 

“So you’re not going to tell me
what you were really up to?“

“What do you mean?“ Sharon asked.

“I wasn’t born yesterday, you
know.“

“Rob, I’m offended. Do you really
think I would lie to you?“

“Only white lies, like your
teeth,“ he teased. “I’m assuming it had something to do with Kelly Danes?“

Sharon froze.

“Well, maybe it’s better if I
didn’t know. As long as it ends here. See you tomorrow morning?“

“I’ll be there with bells on.“

“Good. I hope, at least, that
this crazy idea of yours, the one that Kelly Danes has something to do with all
of this, is out of your system. Good night, Davis. Don’t forget to brush your
teeth before you go to bed,“ she could hear Rob laughing before he hung up.

The train stopped, and the name
of Sharon’s station was announced. She stood up at once, making sure her bag of
doughnuts wasn’t forgotten on the bench, and walked toward the electronic
doors. Frankly, Sharon could not seem to get past that “crazy idea“ of hers.
Her talk with Kelly had only made her more suspicious.

I don’t trust that woman.

It may have appeared that the
conversation Kelly initiated had been a gesture of good will, but the more
Sharon thought about it, the more she realized something was off. Kelly may
have answered her questions in a way that would have set the mind of most
investigators at ease, but Sharon found it hard to believe any word coming out
of that woman’s mouth. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but it was there,
living, breathing, and kicking.  

Kelly’s brief disclosure of
contempt toward Mandy had not escaped Sharon, even if it had been concealed
behind a curtain of beautiful words. Of course Sharon didn't plan to accuse the
distinguished businesswoman of murder just because she clearly hadn’t liked one
of the victims, but she could not let it go either. Sharon had to do something.
But what was the next step? Another talk with Kelly wouldn’t be helpful, she
concluded. This was a very smart woman and, therefore, she was dangerous. If
Sharon didn’t play her cards right, she could lose it all; and she couldn’t
afford that.

This woman, without a doubt, was
hiding something. Sharon could feel it. She did not know what exactly, but it
was her job to find out,
at all costs.

C
ould it be
that the young man had managed to thaw the ice queen’s heart?

The crew members were laughing
between themselves. As matter of fact, she was not at all as horrible as they
had expected someone of her status to be. They even liked her. As for him, it
was impossible not to love him. He had immediately won their admiration and
loyalty.

It was clear from the start that
the poor fellow was smitten. They just hoped she would be smart enough to give
him a fighting chance. But that very morning, as Gloria and Andy had been seen
walking down the stairs together, trying not to look at each other, they’d
realized something had happened between them. The secretive smiles they had
snuck to each other a moment before they joined Kristin, Ben, and Jonny, had
left no doubt.

A split second after they sat
down at the table, Arthur showed up, a coffee mug in his hand.

“What took you so long? It’s like
you actually want to miss another day’s work and spend it at the inn,“ he
fondly chided them. “And you don’t want that, do you?“

The actual answer was quite
obvious for everyone seated at that table, except for Arthur. Like a blinded
father, he could not see that his little girl was in love. Gloria spotted the
looks between the staff employees.

Goodbye, discretion.

Arthur placed the mug in front of
Gloria. “Lukewarm, weak latte, with skim milk and no sugar, just the way you
like it,“ he smiled at her. “Don’t worry, guys. Your coffee will be here any
minute.“ Arthur calmed the rest of the group, who were craving their morning
coffee.

“I have no idea how you can drink
that stuff,“ Andy wondered. “I’m not even sure it’s really coffee.“

Gloria gave him a sidelong
glance. “So what would you call it, exactly?“

“I wouldn’t call it by any name.
I would just pour it down the sink.“

Everyone around the table
snickered, except Gloria, who seemed deeply offended.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it,“
Andy apologized, suddenly regretting his choice of words. “I just prefer the
barbarian version of steamy, black coffee. Hard core.“

A hint of a smile was seen at the
corners of her lips, but she wasn’t completely satisfied.

“Okay, fine. Tomorrow I will try,
um,
coffee
à
la Gloria. I promise,“ he sighed.

Gloria grinned from ear to ear.
Andy leaned over to kiss her, but then he noticed the looks on his colleagues’
faces, and especially Arthur’s. He improvised and reached his hand for the jar
of sugar on Gloria’s right side.

“And what exactly are you going
to sweeten?“ Gloria teased him, being that her mug was the only one on the
table.

At that exact moment, Tom, the
owner, placed on the table a large pitcher of steaming coffee.

“It never hurts to be prepared,“
Andy answered triumphantly. The attractive dimples that cornered his smile only
enhanced his victorious expression.  

Gloria could no longer hold back,
nor did she want to. She leaned over to Andy and kissed him passionately,
ignoring everyone around them and their stunned looks. The ice queen was gone;
all that remained was a couple in love.