Free Alicia's Folly by C A Vincent Page B

she wasn’t very good at staying focused. Not unless she had a very specific task to accomplish. To that end, she was a hell of a researcher, but couldn’t follow a simple line of questioning without letting her emotions and worries get the better of her. Her former boss was well aware of this.  
    “Get out,” Alicia seethed, changing her mind. Suddenly it sufficed knowing his appearance and attitude were all kinds of creepy. She didn’t need to hear his justifications. She was content to think he’d booked the trip for her with the intent of crashing it and attempting to seduce her. The thought made her shudder and feel queasy, but at least now she could avoid being strung along.  
    “I’m weak, Alicia. You can’t kick me out,” he countered. His voice miraculously lost its power as he drooped in the chair she’d helped him to.  
    “I will pick you up and throw you bodily from this room, so help me God! Get. The. Hell. Out,” she yelled. For emphasis, she stormed toward the door and threw it open. The unexpected sight of someone standing on the other side made her scream and stumble backward several steps. Phillip, suddenly recovered, was up like a shot.  
    “I warned you to stay away,” the newcomer barked, stopping him in his tracks. He was holding the door open and glowering at Phillip. It took several moments for Alicia to realize it was James, the oily detective. When she did, she looked back and forth between them, feeling trapped.  
    “You two know each other?” she asked, struggling to keep the panic from her voice. Phillip simply crossed his arms over his chest and refused to move. His behavior was so counter to his character, she screamed at him. “Get the hell out. And talk to the front desk about getting your money back because I’m changing hotels. I can pay for my own damned vacation!”  
    “You heard the lady,” James said, gesturing for Phillip to leave. After a very pregnant pause, her former employer and friend finally moved. Without saying a word, he left her room and headed down the hallway. He didn’t even look back. Alicia was shaking from her head to her feet as she asked James how in the hell they knew each other.  
    “We went to school together, back in the day. He’s decided he’s been in love with you all along and wants to make sure you’re taken care of when he’s gone. His plan was to have us meet and, eventually, fall madly in love. I’m – ”  
    “And you just went along with it?” She could barely ask the question for the lower half of her jaw being so close to the floor. He shook his head.  
    “I thought it wouldn’t hurt to meet you. When I did, I realized you are far too lovely a bird to be caged by such an extremely possessive and controlling man as myself. You deserve to fly freely,” he answered quietly. “I am very sorry you had to witness that scene the other morning. It really was for show. It also had the desired effect on the men my partner and I were after. They were apprehended this morning. You can read about it in the paper later this evening or tomorrow morning.”  
    Alicia’s shaking slowly eased as James spoke. His tone was soothing to her frazzled nerves. When he was done, she couldn’t help but feel guilty for all of the horrible things she’d thought about him. There must have been something in her expression because he shook his head and chuckled.  
    “Don’t worry your beautiful self,” he said, grinning. Then he grew serious and looked her square in the eyes. “Do change hotels, regardless of the outcome of my case. Phillip hasn’t been taking his medication and the pain… It has to be what’s causing him to be so – not himself.”  
    Even though she knew James was right, she couldn’t help but think she should stay put. She was worried about Phillip. Yes, he’d freaked her out completely by showing up and being so nasty and manipulative, but they were friends and it was hard to let that go.  
    “I will