Framed: A Psychological Thriller (Boston's Crimes of Passion Book 2) (15 page)

“What do you mean?”

“I got a note.” Dennis held an envelope in his hands. “One of the waitresses gave me this…there are pictures with it. I saw her give Olivia one, too.”

Riley took the note and read it.

I know what you did with Riley. So does your wife.

Inhaling sharply, she covered her mouth. Glancing over her shoulder, she spotted Olivia. She looked even more beautiful than usual tonight, except…
except was she drunk?

Riley had never seen her cousin wasted. Not that she had seen her much the last few years, but appearances meant everything to Olivia. She had taken great pains over the years not to give the impression that she had a weakness. But tonight…tonight, it seemed Olivia had thrown caution to the wind.

Olivia caught Riley staring at her. She lifted her finger and pointed accusingly at Riley. Setting her glass down on a table, she started in Riley’s direction.

Swaying to the side, she bumped into one of the guests. Without apologizing, she staggered back on her path.

“Pictures?” Riley asked in puzzlement. “You are not making sense. What pictures would upset Olivia that much?”

“Of us this afternoon.”

Dennis’s words stunned her. “That can’t be—” She stopped mid-sentence. Dennis shoved the pictures in her hand. Her heart thudded in her ear as she looked at them.

One after another of Dennis and her at their meeting that afternoon…nothing illicit…nothing romantic unless Olivia misconstrued when Dennis had pulled her into his arms. But she knew her cousin well enough to know it wouldn’t take much to set off her jealousy—just the fact that she had seen Dennis alone would have sent her over the edge.

But who…who had seen them? Terror bolted through her body.
Oh, good Lord! Had someone followed her?

“You! You…” Olivia shouted, taking a glass of champagne in her hand as the waiter walked by. “Stole my husband…You…you…!”

Riley froze. The intense hatred in Olivia’s voice cut her to the bone. Regrettably, words weren’t the only weapon Olivia had at her disposal. Waving one of her hands wildly over her head, Olivia teetered in front of Riley.

Sensing Olivia’s intent, Riley’s pulse spiked. She slid to the side of Dennis. Olivia slung her glass to an empty space, splattering champagne across the toes of her Manolo sandals.

The thwarted attempt only served to infuriate Olivia more. Her eyes flamed. She slammed her finger into Riley, over and over again.

“Whore!” Olivia slurred. “You are sadly mistaken…if you…think I will let him go… You will never have him! Never!”

Dennis interceded and caught his wife by her shoulders. “Olivia, you’re causing a scene. This isn’t the place…”

“Let go of me!” Olivia jerked back. Freeing herself, she lunged at Riley.

Riley pushed back against her cousin. Olivia stumbled and fell down to the floor. Riley leaned down.

Low and clear, Riley stated firmly, “I don’t want Dennis, Olivia. If you are having problems, it’s not me who has come between you. Go home. Sober up.”

“Liar!” Olivia cried. “You have always been between us.”

Suddenly, Riley felt a hand on her back.

“Let’s go.”

Kincaid had found her. She made no argument as he led her out of the room.

In the corridor, Riley stopped. “I need to go back. I can’t leave like this…”

Kincaid shook his head and took her hand. “You can’t argue with a drunk. There is nothing more you can do. I’ll take you home.”

Something in his voice made her draw back slightly. She saw it in his eyes. Doubts. Suddenly she wanted to be anywhere but near him.

She had told herself not to get emotionally involved with the man beside her. She told herself that she would take it for what it was. She had lied.

Unprepared for the realization, she tried to choose her next words carefully. “I’ll go. You can return to the party. I don’t want you to miss this opportunity. You already seemed to have broken the ice with Vivian. Imagine what else you can discover.”

“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.” His eyes narrowing, he went on. “One of the things I admire about you is your bluntness. If you have something to say, say it.”

“I don’t think I have to. I can see it in your eyes; hear it in your voice. I don’t have to guess. I saw you talking with Vivian.”

“Does my opinion matter to you?”

Looking back over Kincaid’s shoulder, she saw Dennis leaning against the wall, waiting. 
Lord, why couldn’t he have left me alone!

Her breathing shallow, she tried to inflect a casual tone. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe lover boy over there.”

“Vivian told you about Dennis.” She said the words as a statement. She didn’t want an answer. She knew it.

“She told me a lot of things. Don’t look at me with wide-eyed innocence. I need the truth…to get to the answers you said you wanted.” His agitation apparent.

She frowned and fought back tears. “I can’t get into this now.”

Nodding, he took in a deep breath. “You’re right. You’re right,” he repeated, looking back at Dennis, who hadn’t moved. Pressing his lips together, he said in a low voice, “We need to talk, but not here. Let’s go down and call for a taxi.”

Riley made no protest, resisting the urge to run. Kincaid was right. She needed to get a grip on her flaring emotions. She couldn’t afford any more mistakes.

Not daring to look Kincaid in his eyes, she wondered whether he had been a mistake.

Since her father’s death, she felt so alone. But loneliness was no excuse. Too much was riding on this to ruin it all by a brief moment of pleasure. For no matter how much she wanted it to be different, it was all it could ever be.

A temporary release from the pain.

She had mistakenly believed this night would be memorable. Despite everything that had happened between her family and herself, she still craved to be a part of the night. She loved her nana.

Admitting defeat, she lowered her head. “There’s nothing here for me.”

“Riley.” Dennis rushed forward. “Let me take you home.”

She paused. He looked so handsome. He always had, but she hadn’t lied to Olivia. Dennis did nothing for her anymore. Her heart didn’t flutter with his touch. Whatever they had had died a long time ago.

“Don’t, Dennis. Go back and see to Olivia. She needs you. I don’t.”

He shook his head. “You know Olivia well enough to know she loves drama. She was striking out at me.”

“Dennis, I’m not your concern.”

For a moment, Riley thought Dennis was going to force her to go with him, but Kincaid had hold of her arm, looking perturbed. Dennis took a step back.

“But you are,” Dennis insisted. “I talked to Dad this afternoon. He said to tell you to get your butt down to Charleston. Now. Enough is enough. It’s too dangerous here in Boston. He will take it from here—…”

Immediately, Riley shot him a look to shut up.
The fool!

“I’ll call Clayton.”

“You said that this afternoon. You didn’t. Hence, me.”

Once again, Riley frowned. “You delivered your message. Now go away.”

Dennis opened his mouth, but Kincaid was quicker. “You heard the lady.”

Kincaid gave Riley no choice, but led her to the elevator. She didn’t look back.

Kincaid was furious…beyond furious.
What had he allowed himself to be dragged into?

Getting off the elevator, he watched Riley. She remained silent, but her face betrayed her emotions.

He let her pass him, and then asked, “What game are you playing?”

She stopped, but didn’t turn. “I believe the question is what do you want from me?”

He reached out, grasped hold of her arm and turned her around to face him. “The truth,” he said bluntly. “I thought we were in this together. Now, I find out that you are keeping secrets.”

“Secrets?”

“Secrets.” He clenched his jaw. “Are you using me to get your inheritance?”

He had her attention. She looked him squarely in the eyes. “No. Should it not be me who should be worried that you are using me?”

The lines about his lips tightened. He pressed again. “Are you using me to get your inheritance?”

“You believe that I used you to
find
the will?” She forced a laugh and shook her head. “I told you everything I know about
that
will. Remember, I questioned it as well? I know…I know that Grandfather left a different will, but it seems strange that it turns up like it has.

“Time and time again, I have been betrayed by my family. Now, Walter has been crying about a forgery and then this
will
ends up in my hands. Don’t you know I fear I’ve been set up? That I’ll be accused of having the forgery made. Why do you think I kept it hidden?”

He couldn’t disagree. It had been his thought until now, but he wasn’t a fool. “Then tell me what you are keeping from me. Don’t play me. I may not have known that Dennis had been your lover, but I do know who he is and his father.”

Riley eyed him warily and murmured, “Clayton Edmunds was my daddy’s law partner in Charleston.”

“A man I have a meeting with next week when I go down there…with you.”

She said nothing and turned her head. He wouldn’t have it.

“Tell me, Riley. Tell me what it is you are hiding from me.”

From the corner of his eyes, he saw movement. Guests were filtering into the museum. For a moment, he had forgotten they weren’t alone but in a public place…in the middle of a gala. He released her.

“We’re not done,” Kincaid stated. “Let’s go.”

His hand grasped hold of her elbow. She sidestepped him.

“I don’t want to go out the front. Reporters could be out front. We can use the side door.” She pointed toward an exit sign. “Nana and I used it all the time. Go call for a taxi. I’ll be here.”

Unsure whether to trust her, he hesitated, but he had no choice. “I’ll be right back.”

Walking down the corridor, he reluctantly admitted he needed to get away from her. He made the frightening discovery that he couldn’t think clearly when he was near her.

The woman was insufferable!

He glanced back at her; she stood with her chin up and shoulders back. Defiant.

Lord, what was he going to—
He stopped mid-thought. Stepping off the elevator was that damn cousin of hers. Olivia.

He reacted to his first instinct—protect Riley. He turned back around.

* * * *

Riley watched Kincaid walk away. She couldn’t tear her eyes away. Her heart sank. She had been foolish…so foolish…to come. The night had been a complete disaster.

From behind Riley, a voice called out.

Recognizing the voice, she turned slowly and faced Olivia. Her cousin looked horrible.

A wave of pity surged through Riley, which suppressed the urge to bolt. Surprise, too.

Never had she seen this side of Olivia. Her hair was a mess; her mascara ran down her cheek. Her reddened eyes betrayed she had been crying.

Where was Aunt Cora? How had Olivia escaped from her family?
The last Riley had seen of them, Walter and Cora were circling their daughter, away from prying eyes.

“Riley…I need to talk to you,” Olivia cried. Suddenly, she grabbed hold of Riley’s hand, tightly. “Don’t do this to me. I love him. For God’s sake, think of Chloe…” Her words faded.

Looking around, Riley felt the eyes of guests filtering in for the gala on the two of them. Mortified, Riley pulled back her hands and replied coolly, “Olivia, please get a hold of yourself! If you are having trouble in your marriage, it has nothing to do with me.”

Pivoting on her heels, Riley headed for the side exit. One of the security guards stood in front of the exit.

“Can I please leave?” Riley tried to hide her growing irritation with everyone.

“I’m sorry—”

Riley cut him off. “Let me introduce myself. Riley Ashcroft. Now, please get out of my way.”

“Miss Ashcroft, may I see…” the guard began, but Riley had already pressed against the door.

The guard clicked on his walkie-talkie. Riley ignored him. She had had enough.

She needed air.

Stepping out into the cool night, she breathed in deeply. She needed this…to get away from every last one of her family.

Behind her, the door burst back open. Olivia rushed out and lunged at her, knocking Riley off balance.

Suddenly a sensation overcame her. Something bad. A strange noise whizzed by and Olivia fell to the ground. Her once bright-blue eyes opened wide, staring eerily at Riley, but there was no movement.

Olivia lay on the ground; blood seeped out from behind her body. She was dead…
dead?

“Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God!” Riley’s voice sounded unnatural.

Surreal.
She froze, desperately gulping for air.
What was happening?
Her eyes swam; her thoughts disoriented.

Over the mad drumming of her heart, screams emerged. Noises blended together.
Did the security guard shout for everyone to stay back?

Something was wrong…terribly wrong.

Looking up, she saw Kincaid rush out the door. The look of pure terror scared the hell out of her.

“Shit!” he cried and dove at her.

Suddenly, two strong arms captured her and jerked her down. Another shot rang out.

She felt herself roll against him on the ground. Pain thundered through her head; her entire body hurt. But she clung to him, not daring to let go.

Flashing lights. Sirens. Wheels squealing. The police converged on the scene. One squad car positioned itself in front of them.

For what seemed an eternity, Riley lay in Kincaid’s arms in silence.

Finally, Kincaid moved, keeping hold of her trembling body. He whispered, “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

“Because of you,” she murmured, before she submitted to tears.

Riley allowed him to help her stand. In disbelief, she saw Olivia lying where she fell.

She turned her head into Kincaid’s shoulder…and felt a warm wetness. She reached up and placed her hand gently on his arm. Pulling back, she stared at the blood that covered her hand and back up at her rescuer.

Kincaid had been shot.