The Architect of Revenge: A September 11th Novel Read Online Free Page B

new lobby.
    “George and I used to dance every Saturday night at our club.” With enthusiasm in her voice, her fingers flitted together until she shook her head in disgust. “Then both of us got this damn arthritis.” She looked at Janie, then Caroline, and grinned. “So when’s the wedding?”
    Holding a silent smile, Morgan searched for an answer that wouldn’t cripple their infant relationship. Caroline was smart, good-looking, seemed to like him , and had come alone to a black-tie event. It was too unbelievable. Had he had that much to drink?
    “Ooo…that would be fun!” began Janie. “I—”
    Raising her palm to pause Janie’s logorrhea, Caroline said to Anne, “You can’t expect me to marry a surgeon.”
    Crap! Morgan thought.
    “Good heavens, why not?” Anne countered. “Why don’t you want a doctor?”
    “He’d never be home,” Caroline answered.
    Morgan felt worse, until her hidden hand squeezed his.
    “George came home.” Anne stroked his hair. “Got me pregnant six times.”
    Morgan burst out laughing as Caroline grew beet red. Kissing his cheek, she lifted her clutch from the table.
    “Time to powder, for poise,” she said then whispered in his ear, “Stay alone.”
    Morgan watched intently as Caroline walked out of the ballroom. Janie came over and gave him a hug. Startled, his eyes pulled away from Caroline’s invisible wake.
    “Glad you’re having fun! Cay’s so sweet, isn’t she? She likes you!” The next hug squeezed more. “Enough of me! There’s more champagne out there…so I’ll be moving on again! Time to look for a man! These parties are grand for that! Glad you’re getting along so well! I’ll call you tomorrow. Promise it won’t be early…in case you have to sleep late.”
    She didn’t need to add that. Missing his cheek, she kissed his ear. Her pungent perfume still cloyed in the air as it had two hours before.
    “Tootles, dearie!” she said, waving.
    “Janie loves a party. Especially when it’s hers,” said Anne. She righted her husband with a push to his shoulder. “Time for this one to go home. But I want to see your fiancée one more time! She has such sweet eyes…and what a grand figure! She’ll spoil the dickens out of you! I know the look, because I’ve got nineteen great-grandchildren! You’ll have a large family too…and…be able to afford good colleges!”
    He had to escape.
    Praying for her quick return, Morgan looked again at the direction Caroline had gone. He saw her walking and talking with a woman whose dress barely covered her thighs—and clearly had a longstanding relationship with a plastic surgeon.
    The two women parted. Caroline came to him delivering a matter-of-fact smile.
    “Her future husband’s a major donor,” said Morgan, rising to hold her chair. “She’s going to be the fourth wife.”
    “I know.” With a sly nod Caroline said, “I met number three at a foundation event a while back. Not as audacious—or bodacious, I might say. This one ought to stay indoors.”
    “Sorry?”
    “A girlfriend’s mom in prep school said it time and again—never leave the house looking like that.”
    “Is there anyone here you don’t know something about,” Morgan inquired, adding with caution, “like me?”
    Caroline glanced around the room. “I don’t think so.” Smiling, she said, “You especially.”
    “Well then, thanks for coming back,” said Morgan. A rush from her fresh perfume shot through his body as he discreetly pointed toward Anne. “And, even after you were bested by her.”
    “She was funny. Ah, the voice of experience,” Caroline replied. “I admit, she got me…I’m rarely come up short for words.”
    “I’m learning that,” said Morgan.
    Leaning closer, her perfume intensified. “Wes…while I stepped out, I checked the auction. Sorry. You didn’t get the Bears tickets.”
    He had forgotten. “That’s okay.” His shrug said more.
    “Perhaps I can help you get over your disappointment,