Rose
“I absolutely believe in you.” I say, giving her a light tap on her adorable nose. “I’m sorry those small-minded people did this to you, because you’re exceptional. And brave. For goodness’ sakes, how many twenty-six-year-olds have the gumption to go after a man like this Charlie Carter? You did that. You. That’s what you need to remember. Forget those other people. They are, unfortunately, collateral damage. That’s Mr. Carter’s fault. Not yours. Now, tell me how you caught this goon.”
Rae lifts her hands, swiping at the last of her unshed tears. This poor girl. So smart and strong and learning hard lessons so early in her career. I’d like to tell her it will only make her better, but my sons always hated hearing that from me, so I refrain.
“I walked into the apartment,” she says, “and saw him. He was across the room and I was standing right near the dumped-over basket. That’s when I lost it. I started screaming. Just howling so loud hoping someone would hear me.” She lifts one shoulder. “I guess my instincts kicked in. I threw one of the weights at him.”
“You didn’t!”
She flashes a glowing smile, her eyes lighting up. If I do nothing else right today, I’ve made RaeLynn happy.
“I did,” she says. “Really. He swatted it away, but the other one clocked him.” She presses her finger to her forehead. “Right here. Bam! He stumbled backward and it was enough to give me the jump on him. A few seconds later, my neighbor came in. If I get lucky, the goon will take a plea deal and I won’t have to testify at his trial. During his interrogation, he admitted Charlie sent him. That was before his lawyer got there and now they’re saying his rights were violated. That the interview should be thrown out. So this thing could go to trial and I could be called as a witness. That’s another reason I hightailed it to Bel-Air. I had to get out of town for a few days and get my head together.”
“You're a brave girl."
"If I was that brave, I wouldn't have packed a bag and run. But thank you for saying that. You're the one thing that has made me forget my wreck of a life. I’m sorry for losing it on you. It’s just, well, I never told my parents about the goon. I didn’t want to worry them.”
I shake my head and lift my hands, holding them palm out. “Rae, you’ve been under tremendous pressure. And then feeling you couldn’t confide in anyone only exacerbates it. You had a moment. It was bound to happen.”
She offers a vigorous nod. “It’s…nice…to have someone to talk to. Someone who gets it. You know?”
I do know. Right now, I’m in my own emotional hell. Coming back to La Paradisio and facing the Grande should have been enough for one trip. But no. Thirty years later, I’m discovering secrets kept by the ones I love most.
“Yes,” I say. “I believe I do know. You may not realize it, but you’ve helped me. People are brought together for a reason. I think meeting you helped me realize I've been running, too. Now I have to face it and you’re helping me. Your story, Rae, is helping me."
I’m not sure what I’m doing, spilling this all to a near-stranger, but it’s as if the cage door has been unlocked and freedom is just on the other side.
In front of me, Rae holds up her hand. “High five,” she says.
We exchange the requested high five, but there’s something in her body language. A heaviness that won’t let her loose. Won’t let her believe how extraordinary she is.
Lord, why does it always take an older woman to see what young people can’t?
“You don’t believe it,” I say. “That your work is helping me.”
“Sure I do.”
I hear the words, but there’s something in her tone that a mother recognizes as a lie. I circle a hand. “About our visit with Detective Sanchez. I want you to know I was unaware of counterfeiting or the meeting with Simon and Jeremy. I, in fact, feel a bit foolish.”
“Why? They kept it from you.”
“Ah,” I wag my finger. “But I knew—knew—something was going on with that boy. I trusted my instincts back then and I told Simon I thought Jeremy was hiding something. And do you know what happened?"
Rae shakes her head. “Rose, you don’t have to—”
I whip my hand up, silencing her. If I accomplish nothing else, I will not let this young woman question her instincts for the next thirty years. “My generous, amazing, honest husband told me I was crazy. He made me feel like a fool for even suggesting it. He made me question my instincts. So, when it comes to that man in your apartment or Charlie Carter or those awful people who have shunned you, forget them. You followed your instincts. You wrote a great story and put criminals in jail. Celebrate that and don't ever let any man take it from you."
Before Rae can respond, my cell phone rings. Phillip's ringtone.
I glance over at my purse, once again sitting on the back of the sofa cushion. I never place it on countertops or tables. God only knows the germs that thing might carry.
The phone stops ringing—I’ll call him back in a bit—and I gesture to Rae to continue. I like this chat. I like getting to know her.
Except my phone rings again. Jeremy this time. What could be going on that the two of them are calling me within seconds of each other? Dear God, I hope no one's hurt.
"Forgive me,” I say. “That's Jeremy's ring. And the first one was Phillip. Let me make sure they're okay and then I'll call them back."
I dig the phone out and swipe at the screen. "Darling, are you all right?"
"Yes. What's your room number?"
The abrupt words, after what I’ve just found out about his secret meeting, scrapes at my nerves. “Why?"
"We're in the lobby,” he says. “We're coming up."
They're in the lobby.
Stunned, I rattle off the room number, then glance at Rae.
“We’ll be right up,” Jeremy says.
The call disconnects as I try to focus my mind on why my boys would be on the island. I informed them both of my travel plans, obviously, since Phillip arranged for us to charter the studio’s jet. Since arriving here, I’ve not spoken to either of them. But…
George.
Who phoned me yesterday to share his concerns about my recklessness and working with Rae. And now, the boys have shown up.
That sneaky rat squealed on me.
I toss the phone on the sofa cushion and face Rae. "Brace yourself. Phillip and Jeremy are on their way up. And, from his abrupt tone, I'm not sure it's going to be pleasant."