Page 55 of The Mastermind

Though I was glad Lawrence and Teresa had paid their due, this accident was no accident. The timing was too perfect, as though someone had delivered them to me. To Audri. To the public for wanting justice served.

Who had done it? And why?

Were Lawrence and Teresa involved in something more dire? Did I want to know? Not really. I had no interest in their lives. Now that they were dead, anything that had to do with them should die as well. However, my gut told me to keep this case open on the side.

Striding into my office, I checked my email for other urgent matters. I had shuffled my schedule around to be with Audri, and Howard had taken care of all urgencies yesterday.

I scrolled and clicked on an email I’d received a few days ago, but hadn’t replied. I only chose a few charity events to attend each year. Given the information I’d recently discovered about Audri, I accepted the invitation.

Thank you for the invitation, Alice. I’d love to attend. I’d like two tickets, please.

Audri had enough trauma to last a lifetime. If I could erase her pain, I would. I hoped she would appreciate the event.

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

AUDRI

After pickingup my consignment check and dropping off a few new earrings at The Style Palette boutique, I headed to City Art Supplies, a huge craft store for artists and students from the Rhode Island School of Design. It was where I bought a lot of last-minute items for my jewelry. Most of the time, I ordered everything online to save on costs.

Today, I needed sterling silver hooks, ready-made pendants, feathers, gemstones, beads, and more wires. I didn’t need them in bulk because I didn’t have enough room in my little apartment. One day, I’d get my own studio.

Summer was approaching, and women loved pairing their colorful outfits with fun jewelry.

I glanced at my watch and pursed my lips. I had one hour to run errands before I had to rush back and prepare for my date with Remi. It wasn’t an official date, per se. He asked me to accompany him to a “special” event, and I assumed it was the beginning of something. Maybe this was Remi’s way of welcoming me into his world.

Someone called out, “Excuse me, miss!”

I whirled and saw an older couple with silver hair waving at me from across the street. The man smiled as if he knew me. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I had seen him.

The couple approached me on the sidewalk.

His eyes warmed. “How are you doing?”

“Fine, thank you.” I studied his face, but I couldn’t place where we’d met. “Do we know each other?”

“You probably don’t remember me. I’m Paul. I was there the day of the fire in the alley. My friend and I put out the fire before the emergency crew came.”

I sort of remembered hearing someone shouting, but it was all a blur.

“Oh, thank you very much.” I smiled. “I’m doing a lot better now. I’m so grateful you were there that day.”

“I’m Paul’s wife, Madeline. We’re so glad you’re okay, sweetheart. There are crazy people everywhere.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Madeline. I’m Audri.”

“Yes, we know. Please send our gratitude to your friend for us,” Paul said. “My friend Ted and I received a very generous donation from him. We can now retire without having to worry about finances.”

“Indeed, it was unexpected. We’re so thankful to him. Paul had to extend his work so we could pay my medical bills. So,thank you.”

I had an idea who they were referring to. “May I ask what his name is? I want to make sure I reach out to the right friend.”

“Oh, he referred to himself as Remi when he inquired about the incident. Tall, dark, and handsome.”

“That was you decades ago.” Madeline kissed him on the cheek.

“What do you mean decades ago?” Paul laughed. “Anyway, Remi was furious about you getting hurt. He wanted every single detail I remembered.”

My heart swelled a little more. “I’ll relay the message for you.”

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