Fallen Too Far (26 page)

“If we could, would you ever want children, Annik?” His face was serious as he stared at her.

Where did that come from? He’d told her he couldn’t have kids. Was he thinking of adoption? What was he thinking? She stopped and looked at him. “Well maybe. But it doesn’t matter. I’m happy to be with you, even if it’s just us.”

“But if we could, would you? Yes or no.” His face was intent.

She hooked the light to the tree and wandered over to him to sit on his knee. “Are you talking about adopting a child? What’s brought this on?” She ran her fingers through his hair. Was it the age thing again? Did he feel he wasn’t giving her enough? That she needed a family?

“When we had the party, I spoke with Diana. We talked about children and I told her that I was infertile. She mentioned that there were new drugs for men, almost like a super vitamin supplement. Maybe I could father a child.” His eyes were open wide, searching hers.

“If we could have children, then yes, I would want to. But that wouldn’t be for a while. I know we’ve known each other for years but we’ve only started as a couple. And there’s a lot happening right now to bring kids into the mix. We have a wedding to plan. I have to finish the Pandora renos and get ready for the New Year’s gala. Can we talk about this next year?” Everything was happening so fast. Not to mention a trip to Barbados in January.

“Yes. But I’m pushing fifty in a couple of years and your biological clock is ticking as well. If I wasn’t certain of us as a couple, I could see waiting. But we love each other and we’ve waited a long time to find that out.” He stroked her arm as his eyes bored into her.

She sat quietly for a few moments. “Look, I agree with you. But I think it’s something to discuss seriously next year.”

He continued looking into her eyes without saying a word.

“This is important to you isn’t it?”

He nodded. “I don’t think it would hurt for us to visit Diana at her office and find out more. I don’t think the process would happen overnight, even if it does work.”

She put her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Okay. We’ll see her and then try whatever she says after we’re married. Deal?”

“Deal. Thanks honey.”

She stood up and went back to the tree. A baby? She smiled and pictured herself decorating a tree with a daughter. Her head should be spinning from the turns her life had made in just the last few months, but it wasn’t. It was just right.

Chapter 21

After his proposal, Tom insisted they officially announce their engagement. He hired a photographer who came to their home and took a series of portrait shots, one of which he paid to have published in the Toronto Galaxy, the city’s most popular newspaper.

“Tom, I don’t think this is a good idea,” she told him.

“Why?”

“As if you didn’t know. I worked as an Escort in this city for years—how many of my former clients will see this?”

“And how many of them will admit it, Annik?” He took her hand. “That was then, and this is now, okay? I’m proud to call you my wife. I want the world to know about it.”

“But…”

“But nothing. It’s a new life for you, and I really want to do this.” He rubbed his hand through his hair. “I wish you’d try to see it from my point of view, okay? The past is the past.”

In spite of her reservations, she had to agree. What harm could it really do?

****

When he read the announcement during his break delivering papers, Paul recognized Annik’s picture immediately. He sat in his truck having his coffee break at four thirty AM in absolute shock. His only failure—the one whore he decided to perform work on that got away—was crowing to the world she landed some rich guy.

She even gave her actual name in the article. Annik Dandridge. The last three years hadn’t changed her at all. And that smug look on her face.

He smiled. This was providential. His only failure had been dumped right into his lap. He could regain his perfect record now.

He’d have to make this project a masterpiece. He’d bury her alive. Yes, that’s it. When he was done with her, he’d bury her alive. He’d never done that to any of his projects. He would put her in the hole face up and watch her face as he filled her grave.

This was too easy. Thomas Eldon was in the phone book. After finishing up his papers he parked on the street by their home to ensure he had the right place. He’d only need to see one of them to confirm it. In a few short hours he was rewarded. They both came out together and got in separate cars. He followed the bitch to some big mansion.

A workman was stringing lights along the driveway. Paul pulled in.

“Hey,” he called, “is this a new restaurant opening or something?”

One of them turned. “Well, sort of. It’s a members only club. What’s it to you?”

“Oh, I just cover this area delivering papers for the Galaxy. I was wondering if maybe we could get some subscriptions.”

The workman shook his head and smiled. “No, the members here don’t do a lot of reading, buddy. It’s not that kind of club.”

“Well, what kind is it?”

“You can check it out on-line. It’s called Pandora’s. And I got to get these lights up. Have a nice day.”

“Yeah… Pandora’s. That rings a bell. A woman I know works here.”

The workman turned back. “Oh? Who?”

“Annik. I knew her from back in the day…”

“Oh. She’s out of that now, buddy.” He swept out an arm. “She’s owns the place.” He stared at Paul, no longer smiling. “Things change, man. Understand?”

“Yeah. I guess so. Thanks.” Paul put the gear in reverse and backed out the driveway.

Annik Dandridge. Pandora’s. Fair enough. He jotted the name down and went home.

It took less than a minute to find Pandora’s website. It showed photos of the main room and the progress with the construction. He read the notice of the New Year’s Eve Opening Gala, but when he clicked on the link was locked out.

Members Only? Who the hell do they think they are? Another dialogue window appeared asking if he wanted to apply for membership.

He drummed his fingers on the tabletop.

He could do it like this—apply for membership and make quick work of her at his first opportunity and get the hell out. He’d prefer to take her back to his place of course; but if he did a fast job on her during her moment of glory, wouldn’t that be more suitable? Her getting away from him that night was frustrating, but the presence of that cab driver and letting himself be shoved around… yeah… he’d ruin her little club as well as completing his unfinished project.

It would be time to move on anyway--he’d been in Toronto long enough. Nodding to himself, he applied for membership. He filled out his address, phone numbers—no big deal, he had rented his place with false ID anyway; by the time the cops showed up to ask questions he’d be long gone. He’d head for Florida maybe. Someplace warm anyway. He was getting tired of Canadian winters, and had been in Toronto too long. He finished filling in the information and pressed ‘Next’.

What the hell was this? They wanted his driver’s license? Were they for real?

He laughed out loud. These people are asking more information than any website he had ever been on. He didn’t give a shit about the driver’s license; it had a phony name and date of birth. He’d get a new one in Florida. He scanned it and sent it.

A four page questionnaire? Four pages asking about kinky sex? Okay, so be it.

He answered the questions quickly, moving from page to page.

Now another fifty questions? These ones were just true false and took him only a few minutes to plow through. What the hell was that about? Who’d you have to be to get a membership –a fucking movie star? Shaking his head he submitted the application. A confirmation of receipt window popped up on his screen, advising him that he would have an answer in forty-eight hours.

Two days later he received an email telling him his application was declined. They didn’t give him any reason, just ‘We don’t believe that our establishment would be a good fit for you. Thank you for your inquiry.’ What the hell was
that
all about? Who did they think they were?

Damn it! Now he had to change his plans.

Maybe that was better. He’d still blow this town, but he could take a couple of days making a great project out of her.

He thought about it. He could grab her after she finished with her big party maybe. He’d take her right then. It would be New Year’s Day. She’d probably be with her rich Sugar Daddy though. That wouldn’t be a problem, really. Do him, tuck him out of sight, bring her back here…

It would be a few days before anyone would even start looking for them. He’d bury her here—alive. And leave town. He smiled. He’d cancel her engagement with that Eldon guy and have her to his place for a visit. The ground was frozen. He’d have to start digging his hole to have it ready.

Chapter 22

Annik spent Christmas Day crying. It started shortly after she woke up, through the afternoon visit with Auntie May and, continued during Christmas dinner. When the evening ended, she was still honking into Kleenex.

She woke up Christmas morning alone in bed. Tom’s side was still warm, so he must have just gotten up. She didn’t hear him in the bathroom, so he had to be downstairs.

She put a housecoat on and walked down the stairs. Christmas music was playing softly on the stereo system in the living room.

The Christmas tree was lit. It sat in the center of the bay window. From the side panels of the window she could see the back yard. The trees and lawn were coated with a fresh layer of snow that had fallen through the night. The early morning sun made the grounds sparkle and glisten.

Tom was sitting on the couch. On the table in front of him was a service tray with croissants and an insulated coffee pot. He stood when she entered the room.

She shook her head with a smile. He must have scoured the city for the Christmas sweater he was wearing; it was the most outlandish one she had ever seen. He was also wearing red plaid flannel pajama pants and slippers. He struck a pose, hooking his thumbs under his shoulders.

“Good morning and Merry Christmas, honey. How do you like my outfit?”

She walked over and kissed his cheek. “I have to say, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Tom laughed. “My Dad was notorious for finding the most God awful Christmas sweaters… I thought I’d resurrect the tradition.”

“Okay… if you say so.” She sat on the couch and poured a cup of coffee. It had already been laced with cream and sugar. Taking a sip, she looked up at him. “Bailey’s Irish Cream? First thing in the morning?”

“Another tradition. Starts the day off with a bit of a glow.” He was really into this. Well, it did taste wonderful.

“So! What would you like to do, honey? We can open presents now, or we can do it later.”

“Well, we’ll have to see Auntie May this afternoon, so maybe we should do it now.” She looked under the tree. There were only two presents there anyway. They agreed only one present each this year.

Tom must have noticed her glance because he said, “Looks pretty thin under there. Well, next year, there’ll be more. And toys.”

“Toys?”

“Sure. For the baby we’ll be having. The results from Doctor Grant’s office look promising, so yeah, a baby. To start. Maybe a couple of kids.”

She laughed. “You haven’t even married me yet, and you want me knocked up in three months, is that it?”

“Well, why not?”

She patted the seat next to her and he sat down.

“Look, Tom—I want to have your child, or children more than anything, okay? I’m only thirty-two right now; there is some time. We need to be together for a while before we bring a child into this, don’t you think?”

“Okay. How about the Christmas after then?” He smirked. “Look, honey; I’ve never thought I could have children. And after talking with Diana, I’ve realized that I really want to. Don’t you?”

“Of course I do!” She cuffed him on the side of the head. “But let’s handle one thing at a time, alright? Let’s be married—as in
married
for a year, and then decide, okay?” She wanted his child probably more than he did. But she wanted to do it right.