Whisper of Death Prologue
PROLOGUE
As Grace and Ken hiked down the trail at Cliffside Park, she still couldn’t believe she was married to such an amazing man. Like most little girls, she had always wanted to find the man of her dreams, fall in love, and have everything she had ever hoped for in life, including a different last name.
When she first met Ken Bradley, he seemed way out of her league. He was smart, wealthy, with a successful career, and handsome. He was the kind of man she had always deemed out of reach, who made her feel beautiful and loved as she had never felt love before. How could a man as wonderful as him even exist? Before Ken, she thought it was just a fantasy like a fairytale prince who was the white knight who came to save her life.
For as long as she cared to remember, Grace had been alone. Her own mother had given her up at the age of ten after telling her she was better off in foster care than on the streets with her, and sadly, she agreed.
After that, she was placed in a group home with nine other girls, and even in that environment, she didn’t have many friends. Most of the girls found her to be too different, too ugly, too annoying for one reason or another. And if they couldn’t find a reason, they were happy to make one up.
Being Grace Monceaux for most of her life wasn’t fun. But Grace Monceaux was no more. And the days of being bullied were over.
She had grown up, changed, and found her prince who came in and swept her off her feet and gave her his name. And she hadn’t been able to wait until it was time to change it legally. She was Mrs. Grace Bradley now.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, giving her his handsome grin as they made their way up the trail. Her calves were burning from the walk, but his smile made it worth it.
“I was just thinking how amazing my life is now. Now that I’m Mrs. Kenneth Bradley.” She did a little spin, looking at him in the process. She felt free and happy, unlike any other time in her life. For once, she felt safe.
“Well, I’m just glad that you felt I was worthy enough to marry. I never thought I’d meet a woman like you, Grace. You’re beautiful, smart, and one of the most incredible women I’ve ever met.”
Grace grinned ear to ear. “You say the sweetest things. Promise me when we’re old and gray you’ll still say them. If you knew me growing up, you might not think that at all.”
“Give me more credit than that, would you? I know the qualities you have, and anyone who thinks less of you isn’t right. And they aren’t worth the time of day.”
He had always made her feel important when everyone else in her life made her feel small and insignificant. She had gotten it from teachers and peers. She had gotten it from her own mother.
Grace decided not to dwell there too long.
“How long is this trail?” she asked. “When can we go back to the camp?”
He chuckled. “You wanted to see why they called it Cliffside Park. I’m about to show you.”
“I just hope my feet can hold out,” she said. “I think I should have bought a new pair of hiking boots. These sneakers are not good enough on this rocky terrain.”
“The problem with new hiking boots is you still have to break them in. But don’t worry, my love. If you get too tired, I’ll carry you.” He flashed that amazing grin that made his eyes sparkle.
“You’re going to regret that offer,” she said with a laugh. “But seriously, where are we going? I feel like I’m so high up I’m going to get a nose bleed.”
“You’re fine,” he said, chuckling. “Just trust me. You’ll love it. It’s the best part of this whole place. You won’t want to miss it.”
“I guess it’s a good thing we have those insurance policies. If something happens to us out here, we may get lost and die of hypothermia.” She looked around and shivered.
“You watch too much television,” he said, rolling his eyes. “We’re on a well-marked trail.”
Being overly cautious was part of her personality. She had always seen the danger in everything, but that was bound to happen when you lived on the streets with your addict mother for half of your childhood.
“Actually,” she explained. “My mother almost died of hypothermia. I had to call for help. She was high, passed out in the alley where we were sleeping in a friend’s car. She never came back that night, so I went out to find her.”
“That’s terrible,” he said. “Some of the stories you tell me.” He shook his head as if he didn’t want to hear it, but somehow, she just couldn’t stop telling it.
“Yeah, I know. When I found her, I couldn’t get her warm. I thought she was dead. Her lips were so blue. They said she was outside too long, and I didn’t even understand that. That’s about all I remember. But I know she would have died if I hadn’t found her. After that, she said I’d be better off if I had let her die. She was actually angry with me for getting her help. She said she’d rather be dead than look at me another day. She always said I looked like my father. I guess I was a terrible reminder for her.”
“Well,” said Ken. “You are way past that. You’re my wife now, and we’re going to have the best life. You really showed her. You got out, and she didn’t.”
Grace chuckled, despite not knowing where her mother ended up. “I do wish she could see me now. But in some strange way, I feel I owe her a thank you.”
“Thank you? Really?” He looked appalled, so she decided to explain.
“Yeah,” she said. “I really mean it. She has shown me that life is not always what we expect, and she’s taught me to stay away from drugs.”
“Most kids of addicts become addicts. You should be proud of yourself.”
She reached for him and squeezed his shoulder. “The only thing I’m addicted to is you,” she said. “So, if that’s a crime, arrest me.”
“Well, I guess it’s good you don’t hold a grudge. Most kids would of their parents.”
“It’s hard at times not to,” said Grace. “But I did have a much better life away from her. And everything that happened led me to you.”
“Well, that’s the most important part,” he said.
“Are we there yet?” she asked, giving an exhausted giggle.
“Almost. It’s just up around the corner.”
“It’s not going to be some tall cliff, is it? You know I don’t feel good with heights.” Her mother had forced her to sit outside on a rickety old balcony eight stories tall while she and her boyfriend did unspeakable things in the next room. She hadn’t liked heights since. But she figured one sad story was enough for the day.
“You should consider it a test,” he said. “Test your fears to beat them.”
“A test? I didn’t realize a quiz was involved.”
“It’s not, but if you trust me, you’ll trust that I have you, and I’ll take care of you.”
“Of course, I trust that,” she said. “You’re a sweetheart. I know you’d never hurt me.”
“Good. So, just enjoy it. Live in the moment. For once in your life, be free.”
No sooner than he said that, the woods opened up to the rocky cliffs that stood tall on each side of the river. The water rushed past the rocks, and she was so high up she could see where the water looked still and peaceful in the distance.
“How does it look that way over there?” she asked, pointing to where the water was clear and flat like a sheet of glass. “Meanwhile, there’s chaos around the corner.” She looked to the left, where the water was running through a rapid.
“Ah, but that’s the trick, you see. The water isn’t still,” he said. “It only looks that way on the surface. But way deep, underneath, it’s raging. It’s waiting for the moment it’s true self can come to the surface.” There was a smile and a gleam in his eyes that gave her chills. He was such a mysterious man when he wanted to be, and that was proof of how exciting their lives were going to be together.
Her own eyes widened with excitement to match his. “That’s wild.” It reminded her of herself. Her whole life, she had been waiting to show who she really was.
“Come on,” he said, taking her hand. “Follow me.”
“Where are we going?” she asked. “I’m not comfortable going too much closer, Ken.” As it stood, she was a good fifteen feet from the edge. “This is far enough.”
“Come on, Grace. Let’s go stand on the edge. It’s flat there. People do it all the time. That’s what the park is for, isn’t it? It’s for people to come up here and see the majesty of nature.”
“Crazy people, maybe. I can see how majestic nature is from right here.”
“Don’t you trust me?” He gave her a look that almost made her feel as if he was deeply wounded.
“Of course I trust you.” She didn’t want him to ever feel bad. Or to think less of her.
“Then what are you waiting for? Let’s go.” He gave her a broad grin and chuckled. “You’re scared.”
“I just don’t want my wedding day to become my funeral,” she said. “Come on, let’s not.”
“Don’t be afraid,” he said, offering his hand. “Trust me. I’ve got you. I’ve always got you.”
“Are you sure people do it all the time?” She couldn’t imagine anyone in their right mind standing there on the edge of nothingness, one step from oblivion.
“Oh, it’s in a ton of photographs from the travel guide. They have had other couples up here to take wedding photos. Could you imagine being up here in a gown and tux?”
“That’s crazy,” she said. “I could never make this hike in my dress. It would get ruined.”
“Well, the view from up here is the biggest feature of this park, which you agreed to come to, by the way. I mean, sure, I wanted to come too, but it’s all you talked about.”
“You made it sound so amazing,” she said. “And you didn’t lie.”
“It is amazing. And this is the best part. Come on. You’ve lived your whole life missing out, Grace. It’s time you step into the spotlight as my wife and get used to doing things you want to do. The world is yours.”
She stepped a bit closer, still unable to see straight down but able to see the rapids below on the other side, crashing and chaotic. They made her want to see the still part again. “I feel I might be dizzy if I look down.”
“So don’t,” he said, pulling her closer. Before she knew it, he spun her around and kissed her face.
No one had ever kissed her the way he always did. It was like she was his beloved. And no one had ever been so obsessed with her as he was.
The kiss broke, and he took her hand. “Come on, I’ve got you, Grace. And no one is ever going to hurt you again. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I love you,” she said.
“I love you too. That’s why I married you. And we’re going to have so many years together, doing this kind of stuff. Living our way. No one can stop us.”
The pep talk made her swell with pride. How could she deserve this love? It was too good to be true. But it was real this time, somehow.
“Okay, come on,” she said, feeling a bit daring. “Let’s get closer.”
He was right. She had to break out of her shell and live her life. People and circumstances had kept her from living life to its fullest before. But she was done with bullies. She was done with people making her feel small.
“That’s my girl,” he said. “You have to see below. It’s amazing.” He stretched out his arm to gesture below, where the waves crashed against the tall cliff where they stood.
She could see everything from there, like the whole world was on display in front of her, and it truly was a sight to behold. And instead of feeling insignificant against the power of nature, she felt invigorated by it as if she herself were a part of its majesty.
She looked over the edge in the distance to her left. There was a woman who looked so small next to the water below them, where the river stopped at a small pebbly bank. Grace knew if she waved at her, the woman would never see it.
She was just about to point her out to Ken when he pulled her back into a tight embrace. He moved so quickly that her arms were pinned at her sides.
“Ken!”
“I’ve got you,” he said. “My girl.”
And suddenly, they were the only two people in the world again. Her head swooned as her body recognized the crushing pressure he had on her. “I can’t breathe,” she said. “You’re holding me so tight I think I’m going to melt right into you if I don’t pass out first.” She was good with that, too. The way he made her feel when they were close was something she had never felt worthy of with anyone else.
“What’s that thing about us becoming one?” he asked. “Is this how we make that happen?”
“I don’t think this is what they had in mind,” she said. “But if you keep squeezing me, we’ll put that theory to the test.”
“Wouldn’t that be fun?” he asked. “Don’t you feel like you’re on the edge of the world right now? It’s like we’re standing on the border of life and death in a place where anything is possible. That’s what living is, Grace. It’s knowing that we have to make the most of things because life is too short and precious.”
The way he whispered the words in her ear made her feel almost naughty. She felt as if she had some special power that only he could understand.
And when he brought his lips against hers, crushing them with a fierce passion, she felt as if she might just explode with happiness. Joy was a wonderful emotion she had missed out on for too many years.
Just when she thought he was about to pull away from her, she felt the push against her body. And before she could reach for him to steady herself, he stumbled backward and she was on the edge of the cliff.
And sadly, she had no sure footing. And scrambling only made it worse.
As she went down screaming, she flailed her arms for anything she could reach, but there was nothing. Realizing what would happen, she watched as he watched her fall. There was nothing he would do to save her. The smile of satisfaction on his face said it all.
She’d seen that smile before.
Just like those bullies in school, he had tricked her. But somehow, she realized in that short time that he was worse. At least those bullies had let her know who they were.
Ken? She had never seen him coming.
In her last moment, she closed her eyes and hoped it would be over soon as her body crashed into the violent waters.
It was the only wish in her life that had ever come true.
