Where Shadows Meet(46)

Hannah opened the door. The woman’s eyes widened, and her mouth pressed into a thin line. Her gaze traveled from Hannah’s tight bun to her shapeless skirt and flat shoes. “Who are you?” she demanded.

“I’m, um, I’m renting this house. I had the dead bolt locked.”

The woman dismissed her with a jut of her chin. “I need to pick up a few things.” She started past Hannah, who stood her ground. “Excuse me? I need to get past.”

“I think you’d better tell me who you are first.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake! I’m Matt’s sister-in-law, okay? I left some things in the attic I need. I used to rent this dump.”

Hannah thrust her hand into the pocket of her skirt and withdrew her cell phone. She’d programmed Matt’s cell number into it.

He answered on the first ring. “Hannah, everything okay?”

“Well, your sister-in-law is here.”

“Vanessa? What’s she want?” He growled the words.

“She says she left some things in the attic and needs them.” Hannah glanced at Vanessa, who stood tapping one high-heeled foot on the porch. She had her arms crossed over her chest.

“Let me talk to her.”

Hannah handed Vanessa the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”

The woman heaved a sigh and grabbed the phone. “Matt, it’s not a big deal. I just need my stuff.” She went quiet and listened. “How dare you? There was an Elie Tahari dress in that container. And my favorite pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes.”

Hannah could have sworn there were actually tears in the woman’s eyes. Evidently Vanessa had some hidden pain to react so strongly to the loss of things.

Vanessa handed the cell phone back. “What are you staring at?” she snapped.

Hannah smiled. “You’re very beautiful,” she said.

The hostility faded from Vanessa’s eyes. “Have we met? You look familiar.”

“I don’t think so. But I was married to Reece O’Connor.”

“Ah.” Vanessa nodded. “The Amish girl. I remember now. How is Reece anyway?”

“We’re separated.”

Vanessa’s lips curved up. “How delicious. That should cause a stir.”

Hannah winced. The woman knew how to place her darts. She said nothing.

“So why are you here? You and Matt having a little fling? If you are, you’re a brave woman to tackle Iceman. Since Analise died, he’s hardly human.” Vanessa opened her bag and withdrew a slim cigarette. She lit it and blew the smoke Hannah’s way.

The first puff of tobacco stung Hannah’s eyes, and she took a step back. Matt was widowed? “Of course we’re not having a fling. I’m his, um, renter.” She wasn’t about to air her secrets to this woman.

“You’re hardly his type. Look, let me come in and just look around.” Vanessa’s smile was winsome. “Matt might be bluffing about my things.”

“In the short time I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him bluff about anything.” Hannah had seen only quick, decisive behavior.

Vanessa put one shapely foot into the doorway. “Please? Just a minute?” Ajax growled low in his throat and took a step toward her. She hastily withdrew her leg. “That dog didn’t like me from day one.”

“I’m sorry, I really can’t let you in without Matt’s permission. You want to call him back and talk about it?”

Vanessa took another draw on her cigarette, then stubbed it out against the door frame. “It’s all spite, you know. He never liked me even when he and Analise were married. They were such bores once the kid came along.” Vanessa shrugged. “I guess I’ll go if you’re not going to let me in. Tell Matt he can take a flying leap.”

Hannah wanted to say there was nothing between her and Matt, but Vanessa’s heels were already clicking along the sidewalk to her car, a cherryred sports car of some kind. Hannah didn’t know much about cars, but she knew enough to recognize something expensive.

She heard a familiar rumble. A glimpse of that tan truck Reece had been driving made her grab the door and slam it. Stepping to the window, she peered through the curtain. The pickup sat idling beside Vanessa’s car. Vanessa gestured back toward the house, and Reece took a long, slow look. Hannah jerked away from the window. She peeked out again when she heard a door slam. He was striding up the walk.

She ran to the door and threw the dead bolt. Ajax sensed her agitation and shook off the cats. He padded to her side, and a warning growl rumbled from his chest. “Quiet,” she whispered. She peered out the peephole and saw Reece grinning at her.

“I know you’re in there, Hannah,” he said, his voice calm. “Open the door and let’s talk.”

“Go away,” she shouted through the door. “I have nothing to say to you.”

“Look, I know you’re mad, honey. I don’t blame you. But we’ve got our daughter to think about. She needs both of us. We can work this out.”

“I don’t want to be anywhere near you,” she said fiercely. “You don’t have our daughter anyway. It’s a lie.”

He rattled the door. “Let me in, Hannah. I’ve changed. I won’t hurt you.”

“You pushed me down the stairs!” He’d told her things would be different so many times. She knew better than to believe him.