Love With A Stranger Read online

  Afterward and as best as she could, she rewrapped the lingerie she now knew had been purchased for another woman, perhaps the one on the first tape. She tossed those gifts into the grocery sack, then scowled as she dropped in the offensive camera that had filmed those sordid trysts, along with other items taken from it earlier. As she was tossing things back into Tom’s briefcase, the cigar box missed her target and its lid fell open on the bed, revealing a black leather object.

  Cass picked up the five-by-seven-inch book, noting its closure strap and lock. She was certain it was a diary, containing private material she couldn’t handle reading tonight. She found the key and removed it from Tom’s ring. She placed the sack and briefcase in her closet to wait until she was ready to give them to Peter. The diary and key she added to the collection in her closet safe.

  As she worked, memories of how she had met Tom and his pursuit of her came tumbling through her distressed mind. Tom had said she was the only woman he had ever met who liked him for himself, not for his wealth and power. He had been amazed when she returned expensive gifts because she insisted she did not know him well enough to accept them. When she refused to have sex with him, he thought it was because of her high moral standards, but her true motive had been to avoid being just another trinket on a rich man’s string of affairs. They had gotten close when he came to Augusta to consider buying the golf cart company where she worked and she had been assigned to show him around town and to take notes at their business meetings. Not once had she imagined she was being stalked like innocent prey.

  She had loved him, though not wholeheartedly, so maybe she was partly to blame for what happened to her. His money was an attractive bonus, she confessed, though she had not married him for it. He had given her a generous checking account and several credit cards with high limits, but an accountant/manager handled finances, including all household bills, so she didn’t know how wealthy he was.

  She now realized that Tom cunningly had slowly gained control over every facet of her life, down to selecting her clothes and friends and planning her schedule. He had insisted on no children and no career for her. She had been unaccustomed to a life of enormous wealth and constant travel, yet she had tried to please Tom and fit into his unfamiliar world. Knowing now what that world included, she grimaced and chastised herself for being so blind and foolish, so trusting, so stupid!

  Cass noticed the box of sympathy notes nearby and her tormented mind shouted, Let Peter’s secretary do them! You’ll pay for this evil, Tom, somehow, you’ll pay for what you’ve done to me!

  She cursed him again, then took a Valium. She didn’t want to think anymore tonight; she didn’t want to hurt anymore tonight; she only wanted sleep to give her relief from her mental agony.

  * * *

  As Inez swept the front porch early the next morning, an Orient Blue BMW pulled into the driveway and a casually dressed man joined her.

  “My name is Doctor Jason Burkman,” he announced. “I’m an acquaintance of Mrs. Grantham and I wanted to stop by to extend my condolences and to see if she’s all right and if there’s anything she needs.”

  “She’s doing as good as can be expected. I’m taking care of her and seeing to all of her needs. So is the young Mr. Grantham and Doctor Hines.”

  Jason had met both men and didn’t like or respect either one. He hated to think of the lovely and gentle woman who, he had played tennis with twice and treated as a physician three times, being in the care of either man. He had been drawn to Cassandra immediately, but had held his feelings in check for months since she was a married woman. It had been quite a while since he’d seen her last, but she’d often been on his mind. “I’ve phoned several times to inquire about her, but she hasn’t returned any of my calls. If she’s home, I’d like to see her.”

  The housekeeper knew the handsome doctor hadn’t gotten through to the house because; Peter had changed the telephone number to an unlisted one while they were in Los Angeles and had the old number assigned to his residence out back where either he or his answering machine took the calls. Peter had told her it was to spare his stepmother from receiving unwanted or business calls, but she wasn’t sure if that was his sole motive. “I’m sorry, Doctor Burkman, but Mrs. Grantham isn’t feeling well and she isn’t seeing visitors yet.”

  “Perhaps I should examine her and see if she needs any medication; I have treated her several times in the past.”

  Inez recalled Peter’s orders about not letting anybody in to see his stepmother. “As I told you, she’s under the care of Doctor Hines. Maybe you should phone Mr. Grantham at work to check on her.”

  Peter Grantham is the last man on earth I would call for any reason after what he did to me! There was something about the woman’s tone that intrigued Jason. “Would you mind asking her if I can speak with her for a few minutes?” He saw the housekeeper look at him oddly and hesitate before she nodded and told him to wait on the porch.

  She went inside and checked to make certain her employer was still asleep. So, as Peter had ordered yesterday morning, she told the blond physician, “As I tried to tell you, sir, Mrs. Grantham isn’t seeing visitors at this time. When she’s ready to have company, she’ll phone you. Until she does, it’s best if you don’t trouble her again. She’s grief-stricken over her husband’s death.”

  That wasn’t the response Jason had hoped for, and he wasn’t sure if he believed it came from Cassandra herself. “Would you tell her I came by?”

  “Yes, sir,” Inez said, knowing she would not. She watched the man drive away and reminded herself to report the visit to Peter.

  Jason glanced at the front of the sprawling Mediterranean house as he turned onto Sea Island Drive. Something wasn’t right here. He had the impression the housekeeper hadn’t even spoken to Cassandra about him. Strange, he mused, very strange.

  At eleven o’clock, Cass sat at a glass-topped verdigris table on the downstairs patio while she had a late breakfast of black coffee with sweetner, mixed fruit juice, and a toasted bagel with no-fat cream cheese. She hadn’t risen until thirty minutes ago, but still felt tired and depressed; her brown eyes, dry and scratchy, her body as limp as a wet dishcloth. Her life was a wreck, her marriage had been a sham, and she didn’t know what her future held, or even her present. She couldn’t get those sordid images and sounds out of her head and wished she hadn’t found the tapes or viewed them. She recalled her mother saying, “Never let your mind become a trash heap by allowing people to dump garbage there.”

  In her wildest dreams she could not have imagined that Thomas Ethan Grantham could be so evil or that she could be so blind and stupid. She had let that handsome and charismatic vampire suck the life from her and pull her into his dark world and change her forever. She was as cut off from her past and her old self as if they had never existed. Somehow she had to find her way out of this gloomy maze with her soul intact. She didn’t know what she would do if news of his affairs leaked out. People might think she was like her husband and ostracize her. Perhaps they already knew about Tom’s dirty secrets and maybe that explained why no one had phoned or come to visit his recent widow. True, she had no close friends here, or permanent neighbors. But didn’t, she reasoned as she fidgeted, good manners and breeding dictate that at least a few of Tom’s acquaintances would contact her? What had happened to common courtesy, compassion, southern hospitality?

  Maybe they never liked or accepted me in their social circle, she mused. Now that Tom’s gone, they don’t have to pretend anymore. I wasn’t born or reared as one of them. I sneaked in by marrying up. I’m nothing more than a country girl from a poor family. I couldn’t even hold on to my first husband; he screwed around, too. She sighed in dismay. For heaven’s sake, what’s wrong with me? Going off the deep end? I’m as edgy and prickly as a cactus! Get a grip on yourself before you wind up in a—

  Cass jumped and squealed when Inez spoke from behind her. She bumped the table leg with her knee when she twisted in her seat. She just man
aged to halt herself before—so unlike her—cursing the woman.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, I didn’t mean to startle you. More coffee?”

  Cass rested one hand on her chest as if to help slow her racing heart. “No, thank you, Inez; I’m stimulated enough today. Have you checked the phones to be sure they’re working?”

  “They’re working fine, ma’am. Why do you ask?”

  “I guess I’m just disappointed that nobody’s called me.”

  “Maybe folks don’t know what to say to a new widow or they don’t want to disturb you this soon after his funeral. You and Mr. Peter have gotten plenty of pretty sympathy cards. Do you want me to bring out the box so you can read them?”

  “No! I mean, no thanks; I’m not in the mood for more sadness today.” She thought that sounded like a flimsy excuse following her outburst. “I think I’ll walk out to the mailbox and check it.”

  Knowing she was supposed to intercept any mail that didn’t get forwarded to Peter’s new post office box, Inez set down the coffeepot as she offered, “I’ll go for you. Maybe he hasn’t come by yet, so no need for you to waste your energy when you look so tired.”

  Cass’s troubled mind scoffed, Being nice again today, are we? “That’s kind of you, Inez, but I need the exercise and diversion.”

  Cass headed for the brick walkway that separated the main house from Peter’s residence and garage. She walked along the curved driveway that edged the ivory stucco and glanced at the enormous live oak with its spreading limbs draped in silvery Spanish moss, its leaves as evergreen as the thick and lush bed of ivy surrounding its huge base. She reached the mailbox and peered inside: nothing there.

  Her vexation increased at being ignored by the many people that Tom had known. Then again, she reasoned as she grit her teeth and frowned, maybe they knew Tom too well. Perhaps they had associated with him only because of his wealth and status and they hadn’t truly liked or respected him and felt the same way about her.

  Cass looked up the tree-shaded street of expensive homes. She loved the beauty and tranquility of the long and narrow island and its semi-tropical climate and verdant landscape. Even so, she couldn’t decide if this was where she wanted to spend her life, as so much of this small island and others nearby was geared toward tourists and vacationing residents. The rear of her home bordered the glistening Atlantic with its lovely beach of soft white sand. The other side of the island provided sweeping marsh views and wetlands, a buffer between the ocean and mainland. From previous excursions and visits, she knew the islands were steeped in history and they offered numerous diversions.

  Diversions, her mind echoed, that was what she needed to chase away her sadness, torment, and strange moods. She could do volunteer work and get involved with the arts, as there were numerous social and service organizations available in Brunswick and the Golden Isles. Perhaps she could take continuing education classes at Brunswick College or begin a new hobby. She could get back into church activities, even take up tennis once more, perhaps play with Dr. Jason Burkman again. No, that might not be a good idea since he’s a handsome bachelor. People might gossip. She was tempted to visit him professionally for a check-up to see what could be done about her crazy mood swings, but that might give him a bad impression of her. Until she got a grip on herself and her life and she waited a proper mourning period, she should avoid Dr. Burkman’s discerning blue eyes.

  As she started to head back to the house, Cass heard a feminine voice calling out to her from down the long and winding street. She turned in that direction.

  “Mrs. Grantham! Mrs. Grantham! Wait up for a minute!”

  Two middle-aged women, dressed in fashionable casual outfits and coiffed perfectly, hurried toward her. Cass assumed with a warm relief they were distant neighbors coming to offer their condolences and to extend offers of friendship.

  The first woman said in a near breathless voice, “We heard about your husband’s accident and we were wondering what happened to him.”

  Cass was taken aback. She had expected them to express their sympathies and to offer help. “I beg your pardon?”

  The second woman said, “We read about Mr. Grantham’s accident in the newspapers and saw a report on the television, but it didn’t tell us much. What happened? Why are the police investigating it?”

  Cass was outraged by the audacious women who were only interested in obtaining gossip they could share with their friends. “I haven’t the slightest idea; you’ll have to phone the police for answers to your…curious questions. If you’ll excuse me, I’m rather busy this morning.”

  The presumptuous women looked as if she had insulted them by refusing to feed their greedy appetites. Cass half-turned to depart, but was halted when one touched her arm.

  “Wait, Mrs. Grantham! Surely you have some idea why they’re—”

  Her nerves raw, Cass interrupted. “I just lost my husband and my thoughts are elsewhere, so I haven’t read the newspapers or watched TV. I don’t have any inkling what those foolish reporters have said. Tom had a tragic accident and he’s dead; that’s all I know, so I can’t appease your curiosity. Good-bye.”

  As she walked away, Cass heard the women whispering but could not make out what they said. She glanced up at a noise and saw a vehicle slow down while its occupants stared and pointed at her and her home as they chatted among themselves. She increased her pace to get out of their sight behind her house. She found Inez waiting for her on the stone patio.

  “What’s wrong, ma’am? You look upset and pale. You’re shaking.”

  Cass told the housekeeper about the two incidents.

  “Just busybodies, ma’am; pay no attention to them.”

  “Where are this week’s newspapers?”

  “In the pantry in grocery sacks; I always save and recycle them.”

  “Please bring them to me so I can learn what everybody else knows.”

  “Are you sure you want to see them? There’s pictures of Mr. Grantham and his car in them. It’s an awful sight. Don’t hurt yourself that way.”

  Cass prayed that no reporter had gotten hold of dirty facts about Tom and printed them. Had their private life been opened up to scrutiny, and did a scandal loom before her? “I have to know what’s being said about him and the accident,” she told the woman. “If we’ve become a subject of gossip, I need to know about it.”

  “As you wish, ma’am. But before you start on them, do you want some herbal tea to settle your nerves or one of those pills from Doctor Hines?”

  Merciful heavens, please don’t let the news be that bad! “Herbal tea is fine for now, Inez.” And I hope I don’t need anything stronger after I read them.

  Before Inez reached the double French doors, Cass changed her mind. “On second thought, bring the newspapers to my bedroom. The sun is too bright for reading out here.” If I freak out, I don’t want a witness to report my crazy behavior to Peter.

  After the housekeeper brought the tea and stack of newspapers to her room, Cass thanked her and said, “When you finish your chores, Inez, you can leave, and it was kind of you to come in on Saturday.”

  “After what you’ve been through this week, ma’am, I thought you could use the extra help and company. I’m willing to stay until evening.”

  “That isn’t necessary, Inez, but thank you.”

  “I’ll come in tomorrow for a few hours.”

  Damn it, woman, just shut up and leave! You don’t have to cater to me to keep your crummy job! Just get out of here and stop annoying me before I lose my patience and temper! She halted her ugly thoughts. Be nice, Cass; she might be the only person on the island speaking to you! “There’s no need for you to do that, but thank you for the kind offer. You need your rest, Inez, and I’m sure you have things to do at home. I’ll be fine, and I really need some time alone.”

  “If you change your mind, ma’am, just call me and I’ll come over.”

  “I will, and thank you again for being so kind and helpful.”

&nbs
p; As Inez left the room, she reminded herself to tell Peter that the medicine she was putting into Cass’s food was not working, because the woman was acting as jumpy as a cat with its tail near a rocking chair and her eyes had a strange wild glaze. Perhaps Dr. Hines needed to prescribe something stronger to pacify the agitated woman. Knowing Cass didn’t like her and might fire her when her head cleared, Inez felt a power in putting something over on her boss. It would be to her own advantage, Inez thought, if the medicine mellowed and calmed the woman as it was supposed to do. And, as long as Cass was off balance, she needed her help. Yes, the gleeful Inez planned, she must tell Peter that Cass needed more medication, enough to keep the woman too relaxed to think clearly or to cause trouble.

  Chapter Four

  Cass decided to take a long walk on the beach to calm her tension before subjecting herself to what she might discover in the newspapers. As she waited and watched from her front bedroom window for Inez’s departure before leaving on her stroll, she saw several vehicles slow down before her house and stare at it. An occupant in one actually pulled over, leaned out of his window with a camera, and took a picture of it! Whatever the media was saying, it must certainly be titillating.

  Cass scanned every newspaper printed since Tom’s accident late Sunday night, and she read every detail that concerned her. Monday’s paper showed a picture of Tom’s crushed convertible, the first time she had seen the mangled red Volante. The driver’s side had taken the brunt of the hit before the car rolled over several times and landed upright. The article said he hadn’t survived the “high speed crash” after his “brakes failed for an unknown reason” and he’d lost control of the vehicle while not wearing a seat belt. Tuesday’s paper featured Tom’s picture and a lengthy obituary about the “prominent local resident, businessman, and multi-millionaire.” Wednesday’s had an article about a police investigation into the cause of the mechanical failure and reason for a missing air bag that possibly could have saved his life.