Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
I drew her closer as her body started to shake. My anger was a fire burning in my chest but that was for later, right now I had to get her out of here.
“I can’t deal with this right now I need to get my wife out of here she’s tired and shaken up.”
By then the cops had approached with questions of their own.
“Sir, we’re going to need you to come down to the station at some point to answer some questions. I’m sure the chief has told you what they found?”
“Yes he did but like I told him I need to get my wife home, I’ll be down tomorrow to talk to you guys.” He gave me a card, which I studied before pocketing it. Yes, I had a good idea who’d done it, I just had to make very certain.
“Couldn’t we go in Gabe and assess the damage?”
“Not now sweetheart, I think you need to be getting home. We’ll see about it tomorrow.”
“Okay if you’re sure.”
“So are we clear? I’ll see you guys tomorrow?”
“Sure, Mr. Stryker, let’s say ten tomorrow, they’re still processing the scene. You might want to get in touch with your insurance company as well.”
“Yes, I’ll have someone look into it.”
I walked away after a discreet nod to Drake which I’m sure he understood. Before I met up with the cops in the morning, there were just a few things I had to get to the bottom of.
She was a bit clingy which was to be expected on the ride home.
“Did you see or hear anything?”
“No I was in the office upstairs I didn’t hear anything, I didn’t even smell the smoke until the security guy came rushing in and just about scared me half to death.”
“From now on there’s going to be someone there with you at all times.”
“Oh Gabe I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“But I do, either you have security or you don’t stay there your choice.”
She put her head back down on my shoulder as I drove through the gates.
Inside I took her upstairs and ran her a warm bath. “ Did you have any dinner?”
“I sent out for something earlier and you?”
“I’ll have whatever Elsa prepared later, first let’s get you situated.”
“Oh I’m alright Gabe, you don’t have to make a fuss.” She took my chin in her hand and kissed me as I leaned over the tub where she was relaxing back in bubbles.
I didn’t make love to her that night I was too wound up, instead I held her until she fell asleep before going into my home office to make some calls. The first was to Sam.
“Sam, you spoke to Drake?”
“Yes Stryker he called, we went in after the cops left and did our own investigation, did some questioning. The manager at the store abutting yours said he saw a woman back there between the buildings when he went out for a cigarette break. She saw him and disappeared. That was half an hour before the fire broke out. I showed him a picture and it looks like it might be our girl.”
“There’s no mistake?”
“Not according to him, it was still light enough out so he got a good look. What do you want us to do?”
“Do you know where she is now?”
“Yes at her place in the city, I’ve got someone on her condo in case she decides to go out again tonight.”
“Okay thanks Sam I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
“Did you want us to do anything?”
“No I think I’ll take it from here.”
I didn’t want to leave my wife alone in the house asleep, not after the evening she’d had but I couldn’t put this off any longer. From the moment I first suspected that she was the one behind the phone calls that had sent Nadia into hiding I should’ve done something but I didn’t. That was on me, now I was going to nip it in the bud once and for all. She had gone too far this time, this time she could’ve harmed my wife; which I’m sure was her intention.
“Sweetie wake up.”
“Hmm, what’s the matter what are you doing up?”
“I have to take care of something I didn’t want you to wake up and find me gone that’s why I’m waking you. Now go to sleep and I’ll be back soon.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll be back soon I don’t want you to worry.” I kissed her softly before settling her back on her pillows.
“I love you baby.”
“I love you too.”
She was asleep again almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. I ran down the stairs and out the door my inner thoughts and anger finally coming to the forefront. I drove through the quiet streets of the suburbs of Long Island in the darkened night onto the expressway into the city. I had no plans to dirty my hands so my movements were not very circumspect. I parked in the same garage I’d used on the rare occasions I’d visited Sabrina at home during our short fling. Her doorman remembering me from almost three years ago didn’t even bat a lash when I approached the elevator. I chose her floor and relaxed back against the paneling. I was anything but relaxed but I had to keep a clear head if I was to achieve what I came here for. What I would like to do is strangle the bitch for what she’d tried to do to my wife but that would only get me a cell next to her father or worse. No what I had in mind for her would be much worse I’m sure.