The Silent Widow

‘I’d have to rebuild the business from scratch in New York,’ she told Gretchen, signaling to their waitress for the check. ‘Build a whole new client list.’

‘That’s true. But aren’t your clients here part of the problem?’ Gretchen countered. ‘This “young girl” you say you’ve been infatuated with? And then there’s what happened to Lisa Flannagan and Trey, not to mention the threats against you. I have no idea how you walk back into that office every day, Nikki. I know I couldn’t do it.’

Later, driving back to Brentwood, Nikki thought about what Gretchen had said. It hadn’t ever occurred to her to leave Los Angeles, but perhaps that fact in itself should worry her. The psychologist in her began analyzing her own motives. Why do I stay? What am I holding on to?

The answer came more swiftly than Nikki expected, blindingly obvious all of a sudden after today’s outpouring to Gretchen.

It’s my anger.

My anger with Doug.

I’m afraid to let my anger go.

Just then, Derek Williams’ number popped up on her Bluetooth. Nikki pulled over to take the call, parking under a jacaranda tree exploding with gorgeous violet blossoms. She felt a brief but acute moment of happiness – maybe she would go to New York? Let her anger go and be free! – that resonated in her voice as she picked up Williams’ call.

‘Derek! Hello. Thank you for your message after the gala the other night. I meant to call before and say that I—’

‘Nikki, I need to see you urgently. Tonight.’

For the first time since she’d met him, Nikki heard fear in Derek Williams’ voice. She wondered whether it was for her or for himself.

‘Has something happened? Are you all right?’

‘I’m fine. This drug-wars thing Luis Rodriguez has with the Russians is even bigger than we thought,’ Williams gabbled, his words rushing out nineteen to the dozen. ‘There’s a ring, Nikki, at City Hall. The cartels are competing for influence across LA. The entire city’s implicated – and I mean the entire city. The police department are part of it, but also banks and even charities.’

‘What?’ Nikki couldn’t keep up.

‘Charities. NGOs,’ Williams explained. ‘They’re being used to launder drug money. Everybody’s getting a cut. This is huge. Huge!’

‘OK, OK. Slow down,’ said Nikki cautiously. She was more concerned with Williams’ tone than anything else, the naked, breathless panic in his voice. It wasn’t like him.

‘Have you found a direct link to the murders? Or to me?’

‘Maybe.’

That wasn’t reassuring.

‘Maybe? Well, do you have any names?’

‘Not over the phone,’ Williams hissed. ‘Tonight. Somewhere neutral.’

They agreed on a hotel.

‘What about Lenka?’ Nikki couldn’t help but ask. ‘Were you able to find out anything more about her?’

‘Unfortunately, yes, I was,’ said Williams. ‘I’ll tell you that too, when I see you. It’s all connected.’

‘Can’t you tell me now?’ Nikki begged. She’d waited so long for closure on Doug’s mistress. Even another minute was torture.

‘Not now,’ Williams was firm. ‘Seven o’clock, at the hotel.’

‘But why …?’

‘Because I’m going home to pack a bag right now, and so should you. You’re not safe here, Nikki. After we meet, you should get away. Far away. Lay low for a while. I’m serious.’

A litany of questions formed in Nikki’s mind, but Williams hung up before she could ask any of them, clearly desperate to get off the phone. His paranoia was jarring, not least because it was so out of character. But Nikki’s nerves were eclipsed by her excitement.

In a few hours, she would know who Doug’s mistress really was.