Deadly Deception - By Andrea Johnson Beck Page 0,3

uneasiness was being confirmed.

“Dr. Alder’s in with a patient but I believe she will be available in about twenty minutes. The hospital is on line one in regards to your inquiry about Alice.”

Anne knew that she couldn’t speak with them right now. Her mind was out-of-focus.

“Shelly, I need you to tell them that I’ll have to call them back and inform Casey that I had to leave on an urgent errand.”

Shelly nodded and exited the office. Desperately, she tried to collect her shattered thoughts. Anne had a back door to her office. Clutching the manila envelope filled with its anonymous contents, she quietly tip-toed out and through a set of double doors that lead to the main hallway. She peeked around the corner to make sure no one was watching her skulk around like a thief in the night. Anne made it to the bank of elevators and frantically pressed the arrow. She tapped her black heels on the tile as if magically the elevator would be aware of her urgency and fly up to the twenty-second floor without further delay.

“Come on.” She impatiently scanned the hallway.

Finally, she heard the sound she had been waiting for. She practically lunged inside the metal box. Each breath was irregular and sweat began running down the nape of her neck. She leaned her trembling body against the back of the elevator. Anne stared at the black-and-white-checked floor, trying to figure out what was going on. Her mind was racing in hundreds of directions. A code is necessary to retrieve access to her building on the weekends. The delivery drivers couldn’t even get in without permission. So how did this envelope reach her office door? The floor had caused a bit of vertigo. Anne rested her gaze on the key panel, as a pang of nausea swept through her stomach. Today of all days.

An eternity later, the doors opened to the dimly lit parking garage. She entered the area where her car was located, feeling guarded. She walked through the intimidating space; the smell of car fumes, the harsh noises that echoed off the concrete walls and pillars shot anxiety up her spine.

She reached her black VW Jetta and before opening the driver side door, she glanced about the parking garage, having a restless feeling that she was being watched from somewhere in the ominous corners of the darkness. Quickly, she hopped in, tossing the contents of the envelope on the passenger seat. Anne entered the bustling streets of downtown.

It had been lightly raining for some time now. The streets and sidewalks were damp enough to form sizable puddles. Traffic was always a mess, no matter what time of day it was. While waiting at a stop light, Anne searched for her cell phone.

“It’s Anne. Are you busy? I need to see you right now.”

“No, I’m free,” the female on the other end said, complying with her request without hesitation.

“I’ll come to you. Be there in twenty minutes.”

Anne ended the call and pushed a little harder on the accelerator. She made her way onto Interstate 94, which would lead her right into St. Paul, the location of Carter’s family business; Leeds Imports. It had been in Carter’s family for decades. His father Steven had wanted Carter to take over in the future as well as Leeds Construction in Minneapolis. Anne was on autopilot. Her mind drifted to the past where she first encountered Mr. Carter Leeds.

***

Casey’s twenty-seventh birthday party was being celebrated at the incredibly posh D’aubinge Wine Bar and Restaurant. Her husband Tony had reserved a private room filled with delicious food, fabulous wine and incredible music. The restaurant had a beautiful French singer; she had sung happy birthday to Casey in her native tongue.

“Joyeux anniversaire!” The singer belted out and then kissed Casey on both cheeks.

Anne thought it was superb. She could have sung “Do your ears hang low” and it would have sounded exquisite. With glasses in the air, they all toasted the woman of the hour.

“Can I just say one thing?” Anne hoisted herself up on one of the chairs, raising herself above the crowd of fifteen.

“Casey, you are my very best friend and I love you so much and when you hit the ripe old age of thirty, I will think of you as I enjoy an extra year in my twenties.” Casey stuck her tongue out at her as the guests sympathetically groaned and then broke out into a cascade of laughter.

“To Casey!” Anne held up her glass