Free Trapped in Paradise by Deatri King-Bey Page B

go overboard.”
    “Who else knew your whereabouts? Someone had to give Carmen and the photographer the information.” He stopped at the light, then turned right.
    “At least a dozen people knew what hotel I’d be staying at.”
    “Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary at the office? Anyone acting strange?”
    He shook his head. “No. I can’t think of anything. Except.” He shrugged. “Never mind. It’s nothing.”
    “What?” Robert turned into the parking garage.
    “One of Leslie’s pictures is missing.”
    “Who the hell would steal a picture?” He pulled into a parking space.
    Fear returned with a vice grip. “What if someone is after Leslie?” John bolted out of the car. “What if she’s in trouble? I’ve got to find her.”
    “Slow down.” Robert followed close behind. “You’re too emotional. I’ll handle this.” He grabbed his brother’s arm, stopping him. “Put your faith in me. I know what I’m doing.”
    John ran his hands over his face. “If anything happens to her…” he trailed off. “I love her. I can’t lose her.”
    Robert prayed he’d never see his brother so broken again. He embraced John. “You two love each other. It’ll be a lot of work, but you two will make it through this. First, we need to find out what we’re dealing with.” He released his brother. “Come on. We need to snoop through Sheila’s desk and anyone else who knew your whereabouts.”
    “I have to tell her I love her.”
    “Stop forcing yourself on her. You’ve already called four times since I’ve been with you. She needs time alone. She would have answered had she been ready to speak with you.”
    ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
    Leslie stared at the room phone. To answer or not answer rumbled through her mind. She’d known John would find her eventually. Decision made, she’d let it ring two more times, then answer. The ringing stopped.  “Coward,” she called herself. The phone began ringing again. He’d never give up. She drew in and released a deep breath, then answered the phone with a calmness she didn’t feel. “Hello.”
    “Um, I’m sorry, but is this Martin Harris’s room?” asked a smooth male voice.
    She felt like the weight of the world had been removed from her shoulders. “Sorry, but you have the wrong number.”
    “I apologize, but I’m glad.”
    She cocked her head to the side. “Glad? Okay,” she drawled out.
    He chuckled. “Yes, glad. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have heard your lovely voice.”
    Totally embarrassed, she flushed. She had no idea what to say.
    “May’s come in with a bang,” he continued. “It’s beautiful outside. I hope you aren’t stuck inside all day.”
    The only light in the room escaped between the drawn drapes. Hiding from the world wasn’t working. Feeling sorry for herself wasn’t working. “I hope you get out to enjoy this beautiful day also.”
    “I will. Good-bye.”
    She hung up then opened the curtains. Sun rays poured into the room, blinding her right after she’d seen how correct the man was about the day’s beauty. He’d actually complimented her voice like she was a radio personality or something. She wondered what the woman kissing her husband sounded like. She grinned as the sound of chickens clucking came to her mind. 
    Leslie strolled along the boardwalk toward the Statue of Liberty. Happily married twenty-one years then bam. When had things gone wrong? Why hadn’t she seen the signs? They argued from time to time, but nothing out of the ordinary. Leaning against the railing, she prayed for composure. She’d never felt insecure before, but was making up for lost time in the insecurity department now. Why wasn’t she enough for him? He’d always been enough for her.
    Her eyes burned and throat tightened. Settled on one of the benches, she watched ferries of tourists enjoying the bay. She loved John with all of her heart, but was old enough to know that love wasn’t enough. She deserved—no—demanded that