Woman on the Edge(60)

“I’m sorry, they’re not. Can I take a message?”

“No, that’s fine. I’ll call back,” I say, and hang up.

There’s only one place to look for them. North Astor Street, where Greg told us he’s staying. I want to see this woman’s face again—the woman who might be working with Ben to destroy me.

I get back in my car, my heart pounding when I merge onto Lake Shore Drive, which is bumper to bumper. My mind keeps coming back to Ben. Would he really do this? Is it possible?

The traffic eases up, and I swing into the right lane to take the exit to IL-64/LaSalle Drive/North Avenue. The sky is overcast and dark, as though a storm is coming.

North Astor Street is just up the way, and it’s not a long road. But the street only goes one direction, so I circle, driving up from the end of North Astor. I park and exit my car.

The neighborhood is eerily quiet; it must cater to professionals at work. Not a single person is out. As I get out of my car and walk down the street, I glance into the first-floor windows of every house. If someone sees me, I’m in deep trouble. But I’m in so much trouble already, I don’t even care.

I spot a dark blue Prius up ahead. I squint. The license plate is different from the one I memorized outside the brokerage firm. I hear footsteps behind me. Something is pressed over my mouth, then I feel a hard slam into the back of my head.

I go down.

And everything turns black.





CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO NICOLE




Before

The house was quiet as Nicole walked in. Her mind and body were quiet, too, for the first time in a long time. No scrambled thoughts; no fist of panic punching her in the chest. She had decided how to solve her problems. And she felt good about it.

“Nicki?” Tessa called. “We’re in the living room.”

She walked in to see Quinn lying peacefully in Tessa’s arms. One day, when Tessa was a bit older and more settled, she would probably make a great mother. But it wasn’t what she wanted, and Nicole had to respect that.

Nicole reached for Quinn, who opened her eyes and beamed at her mother. “Hi, my sweetheart,” Nicole said. Her heart filled with the love only a mother can feel when she chooses her child’s happiness over her own.

“How was the massage?” Tessa asked.

Nicole bounced Quinn gently. “Life-changing.”

“I’m so glad,” Tessa said. “You look … different. You look rested. Quinn was an angel.” There was a book on the couch. It was Goodnight Moon. That was Nicole’s favorite childhood book. Her father used to read it to her and together they would say good night to the moon and stars outside her bedroom window. Nicole choked on the memory.

“Come into the kitchen. I ordered dinner from a new vegetarian place Lucinda was raving about.”

Nicole trailed Tessa into the kitchen and inhaled the lemony-fresh scent. It was as though all her senses were suddenly supercharged. Tessa had, of course, cleaned up. The dirty dishes were gone: only gleaming countertops remained. She’d spent so much time and money on redecorating and designing this house to suit her and Greg’s lifestyle. What did it all mean now? Nothing, she realized. She didn’t belong here anymore.

Nicole pulled Tessa into a tight hug, Quinn between them. When she pulled away, Tessa looked shocked. “What’s that for?” she asked.

“You’re an angel,” Nicole said. “You’ve been such an amazing friend to me. I’ve never really thanked you. You helped me at work. You were my right hand. You even helped when I had panic attacks, and you kept your promise. You never told a soul.” She broke off and swallowed hard. “You are my best friend, Tessa. Never forget that.”

Tessa came closer and gently wiped a tear from Nicole’s cheek. “Hey, you’re my friend, too, Nicki. Jeez, you never get mushy. That massage must have been pretty incredible!” She laughed, and it lit up her beautiful face. “Besides, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for someone I love.”



* * *




Tessa left a while later, and Nicole closed the door behind her, knowing this would be the last time she saw her best friend. The scent of the sandalwood Tessa always wore lingered in the air. She armed the alarm, locked the dead bolt, and checked the door five times. She had to keep Donna—and her own fear—at bay for long enough to put her plan into motion. She held her daughter against her chest, willing all her love, hopes, and dreams into Quinn’s tiny body.

But it wasn’t time. Not yet. First, she had to make everything legal. On the couch, she waited until her attorney, Rick, sent a text saying he was outside her door. She’d told him the doorbell might wake Quinn if she was napping. Never wake a sleeping baby, she thought to herself, and the tears streamed down her face.

She wiped them away quickly and let Rick in.

He did a double take when he saw her. “You look exhausted,” he said in his deep, rumbling voice. “I guess that’s to be expected. My wife is still exhausted, and our boys are in college.”

Nicole smiled, hoping he wouldn’t notice how fake it was. As usual, though, Rick got right down to business. They sat at the dining room table, and he took the papers out of his sleek, brown leather briefcase.

“As I mentioned on the phone, now that I’m a mother, I figure I’d better get my affairs in order.”