Read with BonusRead with Bonus

CHAPTER 8 Danger

Evie

I was busy paying for an antique jewelry box which I thought would go well with the antique dresser I got Mama Agnes a couple of years ago when Draven's phone rang. Mama Agnes loved antiques because she believed every item had an interesting story.

Draven excused himself to answer the call, leaving me at the cashier. As I watched him speak to this mystery caller, I got this nagging feeling it was another woman who had taken his interest. I sighed. He just broke up with Cheryl last night and here he was entertaining a new woman. Well, that was how Draven operated. Here today, gone tomorrow. Mama Agnes and I were the only two women who were a constant in his life.

Earlier at his office, I wanted to tell him about my plans if ever I was accepted into medical school, but I didn't want to get ahead of myself without an acceptance letter. I needed to be accepted first before I told him. I knew it would be a difficult conversation for the both of us.

I'd be breaking up with my bestfriend.

After paying, I waited patiently for him to finish his phone call, silently praying he wouldn't run off to meet her, if indeed it was a woman.

"Evie," he called out, turning around, looking for me. When our eyes met, I instantly knew there was something wrong. His face had turned pale, his eyes had lost their sparkle, and his hands were trembling. I reached out, grabbing his phone before he dropped it. After placing his phone in his pocket, I gently slapped him on both cheeks to snap him out of his trance. He was totally spaced out.

"Draven! Talk to me, Draven. What's going on?" I asked, becoming worried. I have never seen him like this before.

"A-A detective called. He, Malcolm Smith, he said Mama Agnes..." I waited for him to finish his sentence, but he fell quiet.

"Draven, what did Malcolm Smith say? What happened to Mama Agnes?" I asked, urging him to continue.

"Her, uhm, her apartment caught fire and she-"

That was all I needed to know. I quickly pushed Draven out of the store and led him to the parking lot where Luke was waiting for us. Once inside, I slapped him across his face.

"Ouch! What was that for?!" He cried. I heaved a sigh of relief. He was finally out of his trance.

"Sorry about that, Draven, but I needed to," I apologized, before taking charge. "Luke, I need you to drive to Santa Monica Suites. Right now and drive fast!" I instructed while putting my seatbelt on.

I nibbled on my nails nervously as we sped through the streets to Mama Agnes' apartment, silently praying we'd get there in time.

When we got there, fortunately, Mama Agnes' apartment was already declared 'fire out'. However, I noticed a crime scene operative pushing a stretcher with a black body bag.

I inhaled deeply, preparing myself for bad news. There was this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that whatever we were going to hear wouldn't be good.

"Sir, you're not allowed to cross the yellow line," a police officer said, blocking us from entering the area that was sealed off from the public.

"I'm Draven Blake, Officer," Draven yelled. " The woman in that apartment is my aunt!"

"Officer, let him in," a man in a suit said, gesturing for us to enter. "Sir, we spoke on the phone earlier. I'm Detective Malcolm Smith. We've retrieved one body from the fire and I'm hoping you could identify it."

It was like a scene in a movie. Everything was going in slow motion. Draven walked towards the body bag, each stride he made seemed like he was being sucked into the pavement. His face was pale and grief-stricken. He paused for several moments, taking a deep breath, and waited for the coroner to open the body bag.

After a brief moment, he looked down and I saw the horror on his face. I decided to take a look, but the smell was really awful. I coughed, fighting a wave of nausea from the smell of charred flesh emanating from the body in front of me.

"It's her. It's Agnes Schultz," Draven announced, his voice devoid of all emotion. "That gold necklace with the diamond including the earrings was a gift I gave her on her fiftieth birthday. She wears the jewelry almost all the time. Evie can attest to that." I quickly glanced at the charred remains, noticing the distorted angle of the face, and saw the jewelry. I nodded my head and hurriedly looked away.

That image will haunt my dreams forever.

"Evie Howell, your name is also listed as next of kin. How are you related?" Detective Smith asked.

"I'm a close friend of the family," I answered honestly. "I'm the one she calls when Draven is busy."

"I see," Detective Smith said. "Where were you around five this afternoon?"

"I was finishing a meeting with a new client of ours and his team at Blake Towers," I answered.

"And when was the last time you spoke to Agnes Schultz?"

"About two days ago. She called to ask me what flavor cake she should buy for her birthday party. We were supposed to have dinner-"

I choked, tears welling up in my eyes. I couldn't believe it was real. Mama Agnes was really dead.

"I'm sorry," I said, blinking the tears away. "Tomorrow is her sixtieth birthday. We were just finishing buying gifts for her when you called," I quickly explained.

"I know this is tough for you, but this is just standard procedure," the detective explained. "What did you plan to give her?"

"I bought her an antique jewelry box. She loves antiques. She loves the idea that something in her possession has history," I said.

"You didn't send her anything through a delivery man, did you? I ask because witnesses say she was arguing with a delivery man before the fire erupted." I shook my head. I did order some items online, but I had the orders sent to my address.

"I did, Detective," Draven admitted, shaking his head in disbelief. I knew he was already blaming himself. "There was a mistake. Apparently, the courier sent my parcel to a different address. I called to fix the problem this morning and made sure it would be delivered today."

"What did you have delivered?" Detective Smith asked.

"A small crate of Pinot Noir. For her birthday celebration tomorrow."

"I guess that explains why she argued with the delivery man. The coroner, through his initial investigation, found puncture wounds on the victim's neck. The courier must have created the fire to cover up the murder of Ms. Schultz," he explained. "After the medical examiner has conducted his autopsy, we'll immediately release her body to you. I'm truly sorry for your loss, Mr. Blake."

"Thank you, Detective. Do call me when her body is released for burial. Come, Evie. Let's get you home."

Draven put his arm around my shoulders and I placed my arm around his waist to comfort him. A burden lay on Draven's shoulders and there was nothing I could do to help him.

Inside the car, we both sat quietly as Luke drove me home. When it was time for me to exit the car, Draven followed me out.

"Luke, you know the drill," Draven instructed before closing the door. I was surprised when Luke came out of the car to stand guard.

"You don't have to see me to the door, Draven," I said as I opened my mailbox to gather my mail. "I'm-" He suddenly grabbed my keys and quickly walked to my front door.

"Pack a bag, Evie. You're coming with me," Draven said, pushing the door wide open before entering my home. He sniffed the air while turning on all the lights and going through all the rooms. I stood in the middle of my living room and waited patiently for him to conduct his search.

When he was done, he gestured for me to go to my room. "Quickly now. Grab your carry-on and start putting all your important things."

"I don't understand. Why do I need to pack?" I asked, bewildered. He placed his hands on my shoulders and looked me squarely in the eye.

"Evie, your life is in danger. Mama Agnes was killed by a wolf."

"Wolf? How do you know Mama Agnes was killed by a wolf? Draven, what is going on?" I asked. "I know it's not my place to pry, but since Mama Agnes is gone and my life is in danger, you need to be upfront with me and tell me everything. Draven, please."

"After you pack a bag, then I'll tell you everything you want to know," Draven said. "But right now, you aren't safe. I had thought the message I left them at the cemetery years ago was good enough for them to leave me alone. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Now, please, listen to me and pack your things."

I didn't budge. "Draven, I wouldn't be in danger if it wasn't for you." He suddenly placed his thumb on my chin, lifting my face to look into his eyes. He was looking at me with his puppy dog eyes, knowing I wouldn't be able to resist.

"Evie, I can't afford to lose you," he said, sighing. "You are very important to me. Be a good little girl and pack a bag. When we get to Blake Towers, I will tell you everything you need to know. I promise you. Please, love..."

My heart skipped a beat. He called me love...

I nodded my head and went to my room to pack.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter