Deadly Deception - By Andrea Johnson Beck Page 0,32

up all this time and now it will come to a head with her directly in the middle of it all.

“I know this is going to come out harshly, but didn’t you ever suspect anything when you were with Carter?”

Anne wasn’t offended by the question, and a valid question it was. How could she be in such a serious relationship for so long and have no inkling of his illicit activities? Were the memories there and just buried? Did the shock of losing him and their baby hide them deep in the confines of her brain?

“I know, Casey. I’ve asked myself the same question a hundred times since this all happened. How could I have been so blind and stupid? And even with Adam, ughhhh.”

Anne tossed her head back against the chair in sheer aggravation.

“I need to get some air.” She threw her hands up.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Casey asked.

“No thanks, I really need to be alone and try to sort it all out.”

Casey hugged her and placed a motherly kiss atop her head.

***

The Riverfront District in Minneapolis was Anne’s place of solace. The collage of glass and metal reflected grandly off the Mississippi. Dreary rain clouds were starting to move out of the city, letting in peek-a-boo sunshine, which felt soothing against her skin. She inhaled the garden-fresh aroma.

Perched on a stiff wooden bench, she observed a man and woman with two small children. They grasped their father’s legs, begging for piggy-back rides. Anne couldn’t help but feel such a sadness for Sam’s little girl who would never share such memories with him. He would be absent from her first dance, her graduation. Who would walk her down the aisle on her wedding day? Anne knew that longing all too well and wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.

She could feel the fury and heat burn through her stomach and enter her blood stream, oscillating resentment and disgust. All at once the wind ceased and the distant noise of traffic and conversation were silenced. This would be the calm before the storm. All she could hear were the stilettos pounding hard against the Stone Arch Bridge as she made her way to uncover the truth.

D’aubinge had a lighter feel to it in the afternoon hours. Anne sat at the bar where she had first met Carter. Realizing that she had been caught up in nostalgia, she found herself quietly smiling to the glass of merlot that sat in front of her. Anne shook it off and gazed around the polished brasserie. Sitting behind her in a small booth were two business women and next to them was a man typing feverishly on his laptop. Anne twisted herself back toward the bar to discover she now had company.

“Hello Anne,” Rita said, sitting on the stool.

Her hair was back in a slick ponytail and decorated with a black oval jeweled hair accessory and she was looking put together in her red linen dress suit and black silk camisole, Anne saw a glimpse of the Rita she had once known. The bartender approached them with a grin.

“Christian, I’ll have a scotch on the rocks and Anne will have another glass of merlot.”

He nodded and went to prepare the drinks.

“Are you following me now?” Anne asked sarcastically, drinking the rest of the warm liquid.

“Anne, first let me apologize for my demeanor toward you the last time we spoke. I was having an off day and I took it out on you. Second, I am not following you, just simply making amends.”

Christian placed the drinks in front of them.

“Thank you. I’ve got this, okay?”

Rita gave him a wink; he once again nodded and returned to the other end of the bar.

“Did you know?” Anne asked discreetly, knowing anyone could have been listening.

“I did.”

“Why am I not surprised,” Anne replied acidly.

“I swore I wouldn’t say anything. I had to protect him. Lord knows his father didn’t.” Rita gulped her scotch.

“Why weren’t you at Sam’s funeral this morning? He was Carter’s best friend and part of your family.”

“I was there. I sat in the back of the church.”

Anne rolled her eyes.

“You Leeds are sure good at lurking in the shadows.”

Rita shifted her body toward Anne, radiating displeasure.

“I know you are upset and you have right to be, but he did it to protect you. I am in no way condoning what he has done, but, Anne, he loves you so much and he is trying to get everything worked out with the appropriate people.”

“I