Book Excerpt / Silver Bells anthology
Christmas Past, a novella
Nicole inhaled deeply to calm her rapid heartbeat. “So what else is in the bag?” She peered into the shopping sac and saw a letter envelope addressed to her. “What’s that?”
"Believe it or not it’s a letter that was addressed to you. It was mailed to my old townhouse. I guess the sender knew you were living with me at the time. Anyway, it was delivered to the townhouse next door and the bonehead that lived there never took the time to drop it by my place. He just moved out and the rental company found it. They called me and I picked it up.”
Curious, Nicole picked up the padded envelope. Her name and address were typed neatly on the mailing address label of an Alexandria, Virginia law firm, Wellington and James. The postmark was August 15, a year and a half ago. Richard had been dead nearly a month when the letter had been mailed.
“I was curious about Wellington and James so I looked the firm up on the web. They have a site.”
Nicole laughed. “Ever the detective’s wife.”
“I’m a natural snoop.” There was no hint of apology in her voice.
“So what did you find out, Nancy Drew?”
“Not much. It’s a small firm owned by two women. Charlotte Wellington and Sienna James. Everything written about them was positive. They did mostly corporate work but have branched into criminal law.”
Beth gurgled and grabbed the edge of the envelope. She’d have put it in her mouth if Nicole hadn’t set her back down on her blanket and handed Beth her bottle. Nicole pulled the tab on the edge of the envelope and tore it open. Flecks of padding cascaded to the floor as she dug her hand inside. Her fingers brushed the hard edges of a DVD case. “What’s this? There’s no letter.”
“Pop it in the DVD player and lets see.” Lindsay’s tone had grown serious.
“It bothers me there is no letter.” Hard lessons had taught Nicole that surprises never boded well. She put the disc in the machine and hit Play. Immediately, Richard’s face flashed on the screen. Dark slicked back hair and olive skin accentuated sharp piercing eyes and even white teeth.
Nicole’s stomach immediately clenched and tears filled her eyes. Seeing him nearly made her sick. She had forgotten how intense and frightening his gaze could be. With a trembling hand, she shut the TV off. “Oh, my God.”
Lindsay pushed Exit and pulled out the DVD. “God, I am so sorry. I had no idea. You don’t need to see this. Just smash it into a million pieces.”
Sweat beaded on the back of Nicole’s neck. “How could he have sent this? He died a month before it was mailed.”
Lindsay pursed her lips. “No doubt he set something up with the attorneys before he came to Richmond.”
“Richard was always good at looking at all the different angles.” Nicole’s hands trembled and a chill cut through her body. “I don’t understand.”
“I do. He figured if he failed to get you back, he’d have this tape sent to you. Its just another way to terrorize you.” Lindsay shut the TV off.
Nicole pulled in a ragged breath. Richard’s plan was working. She’d gone from excited and happy to terrified in seconds. Beth gurgled on her blanket. Nicole glanced down at her daughter and reminded herself she had nothing to be afraid of. Richard was dead. She was free. “Turn the TV back on.”
“Nicole, let it go. You don’t have to watch this. Don’t give him the chance to upset you.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “No, Lindsay. I need to see his face, look him in the eye and tell myself I am not afraid.”
Lindsay looked unconvinced. “You don’t need to prove anything.”“I need to know I can do this.”
“It’s not necessary. I know you’re not afraid.”
Nicole pulled the remote from Lindsay’s long fingers. Her throat tight, she reloaded the DVD and pointed it at the TV. She hit Play.
Richard’s face reappeared. Her stomach clenched but her gaze didn’t waver. He would not rule her life. She would have the last word.
© 2008 Mary Burton
