Only Trick

“It came on so sudden.”

“Probably a virus.”

I nod, not really convinced of it. “This trip is a waste of time.”

“But you’re curious?”

“Yes, but not just about what he might have there. As crazy as it sounds, I want to see her penthouse … I’ve never been there. It’s as if I want to confirm that she’s the heartless bitch I’ve always thought her to be. I want to find pictures of some other guy, or men’s shoes that wouldn’t fit my father. As much as I despise her, a small part of me feels sorry for her that my father was always whoring around on her.”

“So … the whole fiasco over the open casket didn’t prove it?”

I laugh. “You’d think, wouldn’t you? But that’s just Rachel. In her own twisted way she thought she was doing him a favor as much as herself. She always had a way of making my father look good in the public eye, politically and fashionably speaking.”

*

As soon as the plane lands I try Trick again.

No answer.

“Maybe I should see if Gemmie can check on him?”

“If you think it will ease your mind.” Tamsen grabs our bags from the overhead compartment. “But if he chooses to ignore the door then it will only send you further into panic mode.”

“I know.” I frown as we exit the plane.

“Let’s go back to my place. You can try him again, freshen up, and then we’ll go to Rachel’s so you can do what you came to do and get back home to Trick. Okay?”

“Okay.”

I stare at my phone the entire way to Tamsen’s, willing it to ring or at least chime with a text from him.

It doesn’t.

Tamsen unlocks her door, dropping her bag just inside. “The bathroom is down the hall to the right if you need to use it and the guest bedroom is on the left.” She sprinkles some food into her fish tank and presses the button on her answering machine.

“Fucking turn on your cell phone!”

My eyes go wide at the sound of Grady’s angry voice.

Tamsen shakes her head and continues to focus on her fish. “Always the drama queen. He’s been very high maintenance…” she looks back at me with the stink eye “…well, higher than usual since you and Trick moved to Mexico. I get all the calls and blown-out-of-proportion emergencies that Trick used to get.” Another sour look over her shoulder. “Thanks for that. I think he’s a little bipolar.”

“Bet you’re glad he’s in LA At least you can ignore his calls. If he were here he’d be banging down your door.”

“Amen, sister.”

I call Trick again, and again it goes to voicemail. “I’m ninety percent worried and ten percent pissed that you’re not answering your phone or any of the texts I’ve sent you. Please! Pick. Up!”

Tamsen giggles. “Now you’re sounding like Grady.”

I grimace. “Yeah, maybe you should call him back. What if it really is important?”

“Fine.” She sighs while picking up her phone. “It’s me. Sorry I missed your calls, but obviously I’m not the only one not answering their phone. I’m leaving to go to Rachel’s with Darby. I’ll have my cell phone on, so you can call me when you get this. Bye.” She shoves her phone in the back pocket of her jeans. “Ready?”

I nod, eyes still glued to my phone.

*

We arrive at the Manhattan high-rise and of course Rachel is not here.

“She’s expecting me,” I assure the fossil at the front desk.

She looks over the frames of her reading glasses. “Then you must know the code.” She gestures to the elevators.

I grin. “Of course.” Pivoting on the balls of my feet, I head toward the elevator with confidence.

“So you know the code?” Tamsen whispers.

“Nope, but I have a good guess.”

When the doors open we step onto the elevator and I type in a four-digit code.

Tamsen grins as the doors close and the elevator beings its ascent. “Good guess.”

“It’s the year she started her company, the same four-digit code for the security at her other house. Rachel’s dresses may be originals but that’s where it ends.”

“So where is she today?” Tamsen asks as we step out of the elevator onto a sea of black and white marble flooring.

“Beats me. I could call her but I’d rather she not be looking over my shoulder while I’m here.”

“You mean while you’re snooping around.”

I check my phone again, unable to stop worrying about Trick. “Something like that.” I frown when I see there are no notifications on my screen. We worm our way through the maze of expensive furniture and pedestals with nude sculptures until we reach the double doors to the master suite.

“Can you believe people really live like this?”

“People, no. Rachel, yes.”

“Damn! Look at this bed.” Tamsen runs her hand up one of the mammoth columns to the four-poster bed.