The Last Mrs. Parrish(105)

When she brought the girls to look at the house, she had held her breath, waiting for their reaction. They had immediately run up the stairs to see where their rooms would be.

“Oh, can this be mine, Mommy? I love the pink walls!” Bella had asked after checking them all out.

Daphne had looked at Tallulah. “Fine with me. I like the one with the built-in bookcases,” Tallulah said.

“It’s settled, then.” She’d smiled. “You like it?” They’d both nodded.

“Mommy, will this be your room?” Bella had taken her hand and pulled her to the master bedroom.

“Yes, this will be mine, and Grandmom will have the third floor to herself.”

“Yay! You’ll be so close to me.”

“That makes you happy?” she’d asked.

Bella had nodded. “I used to get scared in that big house, with you and Daddy so far from me. This is so nice.”

Daphne had hugged her. “Yes, it is.” And she’d said a silent thanks that she would never have to lock her bedroom door again.

The refrigerator was filled with their favorite foods; there was ice cream in the freezer and candy in the pantry. Daphne had left her scale in Connecticut and felt healthier and more beautiful than she ever had. Sometimes she would still reach for her food journal, and she’d have to remind herself that she didn’t have to write things down anymore. She’d brought it with her as a reminder never to let anyone control her again. She was delighted to keep those extra ten pounds she’d put on, which gave her a feminine and shapely form. Walking into the family room and hearing SpongeBob’s braying laughter, watching her daughters revel in the silliness, overjoyed her. She relished the freedom to make her own choices without fear of reprisal. It was like letting out a sigh of relief that had been pent up for years.

School would let out in another three weeks, and they were all looking forward to a lazy summer collecting seashells and learning how to surf. She loved the simplicity of their life here. No more packed schedules and regimented days. When she drove them to school on their first day, Bella had looked at her with surprise.

“Aren’t we going to have a nanny that will drive us?”

“No, darling. I’m happy to take you.”

“But don’t you need to get to the gym?”

“Why do I need the gym? I can ride my bike to the beach and take a walk. Lots of things to do. It’s too beautiful here to be stuck inside.”

“But what if you get fat?”

It had been like a knife to the heart. Clearly Jackson’s imprint wasn’t going to be as easy to wash away as she’d hoped.

“We’re not going to worry about fat or thin anymore—only healthy. God made our bodies very smart, and if we put good things in them and do fun things for exercise, it will all be okay.”

Both girls had looked at her a bit dubiously, but she’d work on it over time.

Daphne’s mother had arrived last week, and had been as enchanted with the house and the area as Daphne. It felt so good to have her mother back in her life for real.

Now the cab was pulling to a stop, and Daphne paid the driver. When she walked into the office building, the familiar feeling of dread engulfed her. She squared her shoulders, took a long breath, and reminded herself that now she had nothing to fear. She didn’t belong to him anymore. She sent a text and waited. Five minutes later, Douglas, Jackson’s assistant, came down on the elevator and walked over. He gave Daphne a hug.

“I’m glad you made it. I just got the call. They’ll be here any minute.”

“Does he have any idea?”

Douglas shook his head.

“How bad is it?”

“Bad. I’ve been giving them the spreadsheets for months now. I was finally able to get some of the account numbers two weeks ago. Pretty sure that’s what clinched it.”

“Shall we go up?” Daphne asked.

“Yes, let me sign you in.” He turned around and looked behind her. “They’re here,” he whispered.

There were four men clad in shiny blue raid jackets, the gold letters “FBI” embossed across the left breast, entering the building. They approached the security desk, flashing their credentials.

“Come on, let’s get upstairs before they do,” Douglas said.

As the elevator ascended, she felt a throbbing pulse in her wrists and a tingling all the way to her fingertips. Her face was hot, and she felt a sudden wave of nausea overwhelm her.

“Are you okay?” Douglas asked.

She swallowed, put her hand on her stomach, and nodded. “I’ll be fine. Just felt a little woozy there for a minute.” She tried to smile. “Don’t worry. I’m all right.”

“You sure? You don’t have to be here, you know.”

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

The elevator doors opened, and Daphne followed Douglas into the suite of offices and went with him to his, directly outside Jackson’s.

She had a thought and quickly turned to Douglas. “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?”

“I have something to say to him before they go in.”

“You’d better hurry.”

She flung open the door without bothering to knock, and after a confused second, Jackson looked at her in surprise. He rose from his chair, looking impeccable in his custom suit, an angry scowl on his face.