Veil of Secrets Chapter 1

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Chapter 1Elora

“One more night?” asked Elora, her tone disappointed. “I was hoping I could leave today. I thought that I was doing better.”

With her breathing improving, she wasn’t sure why they would want to keep her another night.

The nurse, who had introduced herself as Jeanie at the beginning of her shift, gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry, but the doctor wanted to keep you longer. You were dehydrated when you came in. You should drink more water in your day to day.” She gave Elora a sideward look with her kind, tired eyes. “Most young people don’t.”

“I’m not that young,” said Elora. “I’m a grown woman.”

“Well, you’re younger than me,” Nurse Jeanie said as she chuckled. “So, you are young. And the fact remains. Drink your water. Stay hydrated. It’s not hard.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Elora sighed and realized it wouldn’t change anything if she were sprung early or not. “I guess it doesn’t matter anyway. It’s not like I have anywhere else to be.” With the fire destroying everything she had brought to Calter with her, which was most of the important items in her life, she had to start all over or go home and see what she could find in storage, which wasn’t much. It wasn’t clothes or a new ID. She didn’t even have a cell phone or a credit card. Nothing that would make a difference.

Nurse Jeanie changed the bag on her IV. “You get some rest. We will keep pushing fluids and do a few tests later to see if you’re good to go.”

“Thanks for all your help,” Elora said. “I’ll be here waiting.” It wasn’t like she had anything else to do but sit and wait.

Nurse Jeanie stopped at the foot of her bed. “Would you like anything from the gift shop? Perhaps a magazine or something?”

Elora thought it was sweet of her to offer. “I don’t have any money. I don’t have a bag or an ID card, much less cash.”

“That’s fine,” said Nurse Jeanie. “I tell you what, there are a few magazines in the nurses’ station and a crossword puzzle book, too. I’ll bring them down so you have something to pass the time. Trust me, I know how boring it can get here sometimes, especially with our lack of TV channels.”

“Thanks,” Elora said. “That’s thoughtful of you.”

“No problem.” Nurse Jeanie gave her a wink and headed out.

Elora closed her eyes as she rested against the pillows and tried to let the problems ahead fade away. But the events of the past thirty-two hours were still running through her head.

The fire that she had been so sure would consume her still hung in the air around her. Her hair was smoky and gross, and she wanted to shower if the nurse let her out of bed.

She still couldn’t believe they had mistaken her for Marlowe, but she was grateful to her friend that he had told her to sleep in her room instead of the guest room, where she would have indeed died. But she wondered when Marlowe had gotten up to confront the arsonist and why it hadn’t awakened her.

Did she try and put up a fight? Did she scream? Or did they overwhelm her so fast that she couldn’t do anything? And what were they doing to her while Elora lay in the hospital?

Her old friend’s disappearance was troubling. Before Elora let the reality of that sink in and destroy what was left of her, footsteps brought her head around. Elora looked to the door just in time for Gavin Dutch to walk around the corner into her room.

The son of Gwendolyn Dutch was undoubtedly deserving of his career as the face of his mother’s company. His body was like that of a god, and his face was timelessly sexy, with piercing green eyes and brown hair that somehow blended natural red and blonde highlights into one perfect color. Still, he managed to pull off the tall, dark, and handsome like no other, and the sunny highlights left over from the summer sun gave him a boyish look that made him loveable in a completely different way.

He was everything. The total package. And he was standing right in front of her. “You must be Elora,” he said.

“Gavin. It’s very nice to finally meet you.” She could see the worry in his hollow eyes.

“You say that like it was inevitable,” he asked as his voice broke.

“Well, you’re dating Marlowe. And since this happened, I had a feeling you’d be around. I met your mother. She was here yesterday. She was so kind to me.”

“Ah, good old Mom. Always so kind.”

“I wasn’t sure if you would get to come back.” She had no idea the nature of his business or his obligations.

“Yeah, of course, I would. I just got back into town late last night. Did she ask you what the hell happened?” His eyes darkened with the sudden shift of interest. “Because I’d like to know that myself.” He gave her a demanding look.

Elora sat up taller in bed. “I wish I knew something. I was dead asleep when everything happened.”

She hoped he didn’t think she was responsible.

“Where is she?” he asked, walking to the side of her bed. “Where is Marlowe?”

This wasn’t the friendly check-in she had first thought it was. He was a man in love and suffering loss, and he wanted to know her part.

“The house was broken into,” she said. “That’s why she called you, remember? I guess they came back. Maybe they missed something. Or wanted to cover up the crime? Whatever it was, I’m sorry your house burned down.”

He shook his head. “That doesn’t help me. Did you see anything? Hear anything?”

“No.”

“And she didn’t say anything to you?” Gavin looked as if he found that hard to believe. “Didn’t tell you anything that could explain all this?”

“I’m just as confused as you are, Gavin. I assure you.”

“What am I supposed to do?” he asked, looking lost. “No one knows anything.”

Elora tried her best to find the right words, but Gwendolyn appeared behind him.  

“That’s enough,” she said. “I didn’t ask you to meet me here so you could berate the girl with questions she can’t answer. We’re here to bring her home.”

“Ms. Dutch.” Elora nodded at the woman and tried to force a smile. “You didn’t have to—”

“It’s Gwendolyn, dear,” she interrupted. “How are you feeling today?” She casually dropped her bag on the nearest chair and stood by Elora’s bedside like a concerned mother. “You don’t look like you’re ready to go.”

“Unfortunately, no. They want to keep an eye on me a little longer.”

“It is completely understandable,” said Gwendolyn, nodding as if she agreed. “You’ve been through a trauma, darling. Everything else can wait.”  

“If someone broke in, we have to find out who.” Gavin glared at his mother.

“The police are doing all they can,” said Gwendolyn. “We’re rich. They take our problems seriously. And I’m sure that Marlowe’s disappearance is their top priority.”

“It’s a kidnapping,” said Elora. “Won’t the FBI be involved?”

Gavin’s posture slumped, presumably at the idea Marlowe had been abducted.

Gwendolyn spread her hands and shrugged. “Who knows? I’ll speak with the police again later. It’s going to be okay. We’ll have to stick together, the three of us.” She gave her son a stern look. “But we’ll be fine.”

He took a deep breath and straightened his cuffs. “Fine. But I want to know everything every step of the way. Full transparency.”

“She’ll be okay,” said Gwendolyn, who seemed to be trying to help her son with calm reassurance.

Elora hoped like hell that was true. The people who burned down the house and grabbed Marlowe probably wouldn’t shy away from further violence. But maybe Gwendolyn already had an idea who was behind everything. Maybe she knew their motives.

“For now, I think we need to support Elora getting better. We must take this one thing at a time.”

“Marlowe is missing,” he said through gritted teeth. “Shouldn’t that be the first thing we focus on?”

“You haven’t gotten any word?” asked Elora, looking confused. She had assumed they would have gotten some information. “No ransom demands or anything? I mean, why else would they take her, right?”

“All that is yet to be determined,” said Gwendolyn. “Sometimes, people do what they do because they’re crazy. Or maybe they want attention.”

“Let’s hope they’re not crazy,” said Elora.

“Sometimes, Elora, this sort of thing is done simply to send a message.” Gavin turned to look at her as if he were gauging her expression.

“We don’t have any enemies,” said Gwendolyn, as if clarifying. “But there are people who envy us, as you can imagine. And some people want to see wealthy people suffer.”

Elora looked at Gavin, who was staring at her. “You look so much like her. You two could be sisters.”

“Doesn’t she?” said Gwendolyn. “I thought the same thing.” The two exchanged a look.

“I’ve been told that before,” Elora said. “That’s why they confused me for her, I’m sure.”

“You were in her room,” Gwendolyn said. “That probably didn’t help. That was Marlowe’s doing,” she said to Gavin. “I didn’t realize Marlowe was having back problems.”

“Neither did I.” He turned and looked at Elora. “Did she tell you that?”

“Yes, she said the guest bed was better for that. So she wanted to sleep in there. I had no reason to question it.”

“Huh,” he said, shrugging. “Did she say how long ago that started?”

“No,” Elora said, looking lost.

“Anyway, let’s not bombard her with questions and what-ifs. I’ve already asked her what we needed to know. I’ll catch you up on the rest later.” She gave her son a stern look.

“So, what now?” he asked his mother.

“Well, there are other things we can do in the meantime. I’ve already told Elora she can stay with me. Marlowe had asked if I would hire her, and I had agreed. But now, I’m afraid by losing Marlowe, I need an assistant to replace her.”

“I’m unsure if I could replace Marlowe,” said Elora.

“Well, I don’t think you could do some of the things Marlowe handled, but most of them you’ll be fine with, and that’s all I need. And with this deep loss, I could sure use the help.”

“I want to help, of course,” said Elora, unsure if she could fill in, but she had come looking for work. Turning it down wasn’t really an option.

Gwendolyn also didn’t look like she would take no for an answer. “She trusted you. I know I can, too. It’s the best way to help me, Elora. I’ll pay you the same thing I was paying Marlowe.”

“I think I could handle that,” she said. “I just don’t know Calter well. Or the people.” She hoped that she didn’t have to reach out to people for her. She wasn’t sure she had the same gift Marlowe did.

“Look, you just do the best you can. I want you to stay close with everything going on. I’m unsure what will happen next, and I want to know you’re safe. This is one way to ease my mind.” Gwendolyn patted her arm.

“Mine too,” said Gavin, who suddenly seemed to want to go along with his mother. “I think she’s right. You’re the person for the job.”

“Well, thank you. You’re all so kind to me. And I appreciate the help until I get back on my feet.” She felt like it was the same old story as before. Would she ever land on her feet?

“Well, we’re here to help you, dear.” Gwendolyn smiled at her son.

“Thank you.” She gave a soft sigh. “I know I keep saying it, but suddenly, that just doesn’t seem like enough. I wish there were something that I could do to repay you all.”

“Well,” said Gavin, giving a casual shrug. “I think she has a point. It is a good time to give back,” he told his mother. “I think you should look into that. I’ll make a nice donation in Marlowe’s name, if you will. That could do wonders to speed things up.”

“Certainly,” said his mother. Gwendolyn turned to look at Elora. “We’ll figure something out. For now, you should focus on getting better.”

“That’s right,” said Gavin. “I’m sorry I came off a little strong at first. I’m just so beside myself with Marlowe gone. I’m sure you understand. And I hope you will forgive me?”

“Oh, of course, I do, and again, I’m sorry. I wish I could do more.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “If I think of anything, I’ll tell you. But I think I’ve told your mother everything already.”

“That would be helpful,” he said. “We need to get everything we can to help Marlowe.”

“Marlowe raved about you,” said Gwendolyn, patting her hand. “And I know you’ll do a fine job as you fill in for her.”

“She did?” asked Elora, remembering how Marlowe had told her to trust her. “She said she would. I miss her so much.”

Gwendolyn nodded. “A promise kept.” She looked at her son. “Now, if Elora’s not going with us today, we should go home and ensure everything is ready for her arrival.”

“Thank you again for coming down,” said Elora. “It means a lot to have someone check on me.”

Nurse Jeanie returned with a few magazines and a small tray. “I managed to sneak you some juice and cookies from the kitchen downstairs.”

Gwendolyn looked at the nurse. “Is that Dutch magazine?” she asked as the nurse laid a stack on Elora’s bedside cart.

“Yes, ma’am,” said the nurse, whom Elora could tell was a little awestruck by Gwendolyn’s presence as well as Gavin’s. “We had it downstairs. I thought she would like to see it.”

“Well, it’s a great issue,” she said, taking a hundred-dollar bill from her bag. “Get her whatever she needs. And no more leftover cookies from downstairs, please. Find her something healthy and not full of sugar. She is my assistant. I’d like her taken care of, please.”

The nurse looked shocked. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Thank you.” She turned her head back to Elora. “Now, get some rest. We’ll be back tomorrow to bring you home.”

Gavin forced another smile as they left together. Elora could tell by the way it didn’t meet his eyes that his heart wasn’t in it. She felt terrible for him. He had to be so worried that Marlowe was missing and that he didn’t know where she was or who had her.

Elora could only hope that they would have the answers they needed. The police had to make some headway, and hopefully, Marlowe would be found and home soon.

“Well, you’re fortunate,” said the nurse. “You work for Gwendolyn Dutch? She’s an icon.”

Elora let that sink in. “Yeah, I guess I do.”