Page 62 of Set In Stone

Vivian’s eyes darkened, yet they were sad at the sametime.

“That’s honestly the reason I thought you came to see me today. I know he’s struggling, but don’t let that scare you off. You’re good for him. He needs yourspunk.”

“I love him very much, Vivian. I’m not going anywhere,” I assured her. “You’ve been with him for a while now. What do you know about hispast?”

I deliberately left the question open ended in an attempt to feel her out. I didn’t know how much Vivian knew and I didn’t want to betray Alexander’sconfidence.

Vivian sat back in her chair and folded her hands in her lap. She nodded slightly and seemed to contemplate her words before speaking. I almost wondered if she were the one feelingmeout. When she spoke again, her voice wascautious.

“I know enough to know that he can’t be at peace until he has answers. He’s a good man. Hard at times, but good. He lets his past define him. Sometimes that’s good. Sometimes it’sbad.”

“How is itgood?”

“Just look at all the work he does with his foundation. Take the woman’s shelter for example. I suspect there’s an underlying reason for thatproject.”

I nodded myagreement.

“I’ve often suspected the same. I just wish I could help him more, you know?” I shook my head sadly, feeling frustrated over thesituation.

“Oh, but my dear! You do help him! You are his Dorothy!” she exclaimed. I was genuinelyconfused.

“Hiswhat?”

“Do you remember Dorothy, from The Wizard of Oz, and her rubyslippers?”

“How could I not? It’s a classic,” Ilaughed.

“It is a classic, but there’s a metaphor there too. With her ruby slippers, Dorothy had the power all along. You have a similar power, Krystina. And for Mr. Stone, you are the only place he callshome.”

23

alexander

Iwalkeddown the steps of New York Presbyterian Hospital and headed toward the parking garage. Hale’s mother was a little banged up, but it was nothing serious. After ensuring she would have aides around the clock, I left Hale alone to visit with his mother. Her mind was absent today, her clouded vision a telltale sign that she was somewhere else. Nonetheless, Hale felt obliged to stay with her, so I told him to take as much time as he needed. Samuel had already been briefed on the situation and I assigned him to some of Hale’s dutiesaccordingly.

By the time I climbed into the Tesla, it was nearing eight o’clock. Justine’s three-story brownstone condominium was on the Upper West Side, located about four miles from the hospital. Traffic would be light at this time of day, so I knew it wouldn’t take me more than fifteen minutes to get to her place. However, time had a funny way of playing tricks on the mind, especially when you’re trying to put something off. The drive seemed to only take seconds. Before I knew it, I was parked outside herhome.

As I stood in front of the brick structure, the knot of dread that formed on the drive over seemed to sink lower in my gut. I wanted her to be home, but I was also afraid of what she would say. I almost didn’t want her to confirm Charlie’s story, as once she voiced her betrayal out loud to me, there would be no goingback.

I walked up the steps and knocked on the door. No answer. Rather than knock again, I pulled out the key I had for her condo and unlocked the door. The lights were off, making it clear that she wasn’t home. I flipped on the light switch in the entryway so that I could survey theinterior.

Everything inside was chic and modern, decorated in various shades of white, silver, or gray. There was the occasional splash of color here or there, but other than that, the interior of her home reminded me of the décor at StoneEnterprise.

I smiled to myself, reminded of the memory of the first project I gave to Justine. It was right after I purchased the building that housed Stone Enterprise. When I acquired the fifty-story building, my knowledge about the Federated-May merger helped to negotiate a lower than fair selling price. The building was a steal, but it needed a lot of updating if I wanted to lease out some of the floors at a premium rate. Justine had been the one to find KimberlyMelbourne.

Together, floor by floor, they worked tirelessly to make Cornerstone Tower one of the poshest office buildings in the city. After seeing Justine’s organization and exceptional results with the project, I decided to appoint her as head of the Stoneworks Foundation. It gave her something to do, as well as offset the stipend I gave her every month for her living expenses. I played it off as a win-win situation for the both of us. Although, the truth of the matter was that I had ulterior motives for keeping her close. By working with her on a regular basis, it allowed me to keep an eye on her when she was married toCharlie.

I walked further inside the apartment, looking for some sort of clue for where she might have gone. Nothing appeared out of place. However, framed pictures on the mantel of the fireplace caught my attention. They didn’t use to be there. Curious, I went over to look at them and picked up the firstsnapshot.

It was a faded Polaroid of Justine with my mother. From the looks of it, it was taken at the home of my grandparents. Justine couldn’t have been more than three years old in the picture. My mother appeared to be laughing, her eyes alight withhumor.

That would have been before her first trip to the hospital. Before the asshole beat her to a bloodypulp.

My mother’s blue eyes, eyes that matched my own, never shone bright after that day. I swallowed the lump in my throat and moved on to the next picture. Both Justine and I were in this picture, with my mother in between us looking down at me. Even in the picture, I could see the love in her eyes. Fall leaves were scattered around us and I recalled the day it was taken. My mother, grandmother, and Hale’s mother had taken Justine and me to Central Park. We had a picnic of peanut butter and apples, Justine’s favorite food. Even now, I could almost taste it. I could nearly smell the crisp autumnair.

I wondered where Justine had gotten the pictures from. I wanted to feel bitter about seeing them, but I couldn’t. The expression on my mother’s face in both pictures showed how much she adored us. The thickness in my throat tightened and I had to blink back the moisture in my eyes. I couldn’t afford a moment ofweakness.

Where are you,Justine?

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