Deadly Deception - By Andrea Johnson Beck Page 0,33

am beyond upset, Rita. I am pissed off!” Anne quickly lowered her voice; feeling eyes around the bar watch their exchange.

I have been lied to for God knows how many years.”

“Anne,” Rita began.

“I’m not finished. All of Carter’s records have been erased, but I’m sure you already knew that. What does Adam have to do with all this? Tell me now!”

“Adam was our attorney. He was to accompany Carter to Chicago to assist in the legal side of the investment. We had to make sure we weren’t getting screwed in the deal. Long story short, the deal went south with Carter and Adam in the middle of it. Adam took the easy way out.”

“No, I think Carter did.”

Rita stiffened, finishing her drink.

“Adam is nothing but a snitch but he held all the cards—there was nothing we could do. When he made his play for you, we knew he meant business and wanted Carter gone for good.”

“Jesus, do you realize how insane this is? How do you just sit there and let all this happen?”

Rita’s face flooded with crimson.

“I didn’t have a choice!”

“Bullshit!”

Anne slammed her hand down on the granite, then placed the wine glass to her lips and let the merlot flow into her mouth. Rita’s gaze moved past Anne and toward Christian who was still standing at the opposite end of the bar, cleaning glasses.

“Does he work for the Montgomerys too?” she whispered, placing the glass down.

“Why Anne, you don’t look so well.”

Anne was feeling a rush of euphoria circulate through her veins, with every heartbeat thrusting the sensation more rapidly into her blood stream. Her mind thickened with haze, disabling all lucid thought.

“Here my dear, let’s go to the ladies room.”

Anne could faintly feel Rita’s chilled arms wrap around her waist and guide her toward the back of the bar.

“What…was…in my…”

The motions of her lips ceased; words could no longer be found.

Through the heavy surge of whatever drug they had placed in her drink, she could faintly hear multiple voices. Feeling her feet leave the ground, she was floating away into the shadows. Her breathing slowed and in one last exhale, Anne’s world faded into nothingness.

CHAPTER 12

“Everything will be all right, my sweet Anneliese.” Carter’s words swept into her consciousness like ocean waves. “Trust me, trust me…”

She could feel caresses glide across her cheek and then soft echoes. But quickly the nothingness pulled her back under.

Through her closed eyelids, she could see a peach glow; the rays of sun poured onto her still body. Anne moved her fingers along what seemed to be a leather surface, perhaps a chaise. It was dimpled with cold circular buttons. The room was concealed in silence. She could hear her own breathing, which had returned to a normal rhythm.

Coaxing her limbs to reposition themselves, she moved ever so slightly. Her muscles ached from the tension she subjected them to as the drugs had entered her nervous system. Her recollection of what had taken place earlier was hazy, as was her vision. Anne blinked several times to regain focus; her surroundings were unfamiliar.

An arched window that reached the top of the cathedral ceiling revealed the ginger sun and clear cerulean skies. The walls were shelved with oak and displayed thousands of antiqued books; some had sculptures and ornaments from faraway lands. The large study had the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sandalwood. Anne was alone, but only for a moment. The six-panel wooden door opened as Carter sauntered in, holding a newspaper.

“Good morning, sleepy head.”

He spoke with an eerie cheerful tone. He strolled over to an iron cart that sat near the window. He poured two cups of coffee from the sterling silver pot that reflected the morning sun into Anne’s eyes. She sat up more but her head began throbbing wildly. She rubbed her temples.

“Oh, my head.”

Carter placed the white porcelain on the table in front of her, along with two Advil.

“Here, the coffee will help.”

“I think I’ll pass.”

She was fearful to drink anything from him ever again.

“I’m sorry for that, Anneliese. It was the only way.”

“Drugging and kidnapping me was your only option? I doubt that, Carter.”

Anne was gaining her senses quickly now.

“You wouldn’t listen to reason. You are not only putting yourself at risk, but me and my family as well and I cannot have that.”

Carter sat in the leather club chair that faced her across the table.

“This is unbelievable. You have lost your freaking mind. I wouldn’t have had to be so intrusive if you would have just