Phantom Mischief Read online

  The elevator chimed and the door slid smoothly open. Derek stomped from the lift and marched down the hall. Shanna squeezed her purse strap and quickly followed, glancing over her shoulder. “You can at least wait for me.”

  “Did you wait for me downstairs?”

  Seriously? “Well, you didn’t get the shit scared out of you.”

  He stopped in the center of the hall and partially turned. “Hurry up. I’ve got emails to check.”

  Unbelievable. “You’re supposed to be on vacation,” she said in disbelief.

  She walked beside him to their room, which was the last one at the end of the corridor, and waited until he slid his card into the scanner. After the lock clicked he pushed the door open. “If I don’t periodically check in, production may slow down. When the cat’s away—”

  “Oh stop. They’re loyal employees who do their jobs well.” She stepped directly in front of him, her breasts nearly touching his chest, and shot him a look of pure disgust. “Give them some credit.”

  “The last time—”

  “Yeah, the last time you were away, sales were up fifteen percent. Seriously, the office isn’t going to fall apart during your absence.”

  The elevator chimed. Shanna held her breath and glanced over her shoulder then released the air slowly as the young man who’d loaded their luggage wheeled the squeaky cart into the hallway toward their room.

  Derek propped the door with his foot as he pulled a twenty out of his pocket and handed it to the young man. “Thanks, I’ll take it from here.”

  “No, thank you, sir.” Displaying his appreciation through a bright smile, the bellboy stuffed the bill into his pocket then unloaded their suitcases and set all four pieces on the floor. “I hope you enjoy your stay.” With a nod he departed, pushing the cart toward the next suite.

  Shanna picked up the smallest suitcase then turned on her heels and entered the room, leaving Derek standing alone in the doorway.

  The room was as beautiful as she’d expected. Sighing, she set the piece of luggage down while making a visual sweep of where they’d be spending the next six days. The bedposts, dressers and desk were constructed of cherry wood. The carpeting was a few shades darker than the peach-colored walls and a frilly canopy that matched the orange and white, flowery printed bedspread loomed above the bed. On the center of the dresser stood a crystal vase bursting with a gorgeous bouquet of red, yellow and rust-colored fresh flowers.

  “My staff take extended breaks and goof off when I’m not present, Shanna.”

  “And you know this how?”

  “Charlie in security. He keeps an eye on things.”

  Sighing heavily, she glanced at Derek just as he carried in the last suitcase. “Big deal. They get the work done, bottom line. Can we please avoid shop talk and just enjoy ourselves?”

  “Sorry,” he said as he closed the door. “You’re right.”

  He looked like a wounded boy but she refused to let his forlorn expression tug on her heart. A taste of his own medicine might go a long way. “You need to stop acting like you’re better than everyone else. It’s not very appealing.”

  She knew how hard he struggled to maintain control of the office when not present, but the numbers proved his employees worked more efficiently without him hovering around their desks.

  She’d never forget the day he walked into her office in Cleveland, Ohio and hired the accounting firm to handle his insurance agency’s tax returns. She’d sat speechless in her chair, gawking at the blue-eyed, blond, California-tanned, handsome guy for at least fifteen minutes. He had a great smile and suave demeanor but there was also an aspect of secrecy about him she couldn’t overlook. Since Derek wouldn’t settle for less than a CPA to overlook his books, her boss, Mr. Froehline, assigned her to Derek’s agency.

  Three months later they began dating. At first he charmed her with candy, flowers and dinner at least once a week. But shortly after their first-month anniversary he’d set his arrogant side loose and tried monopolizing their relationship. She didn’t mind a dominant man as long as he didn’t push the limits but she’d never accept dictatorship from a control freak. She gave him two options—to knock it off or take a hike. And she made it perfectly clear that she’d only give him control in bed. Period. It was a take it or leave it scenario.

  She removed her cell phone and charger from her purse, tossed the purse on a chair and sauntered to the window where she plugged it into an electrical outlet.

  A pair of lovers strode hand in hand along the stone walkway circling Tullamore’s signature pond. A fountain sprinkled a romantic mist over the water’s blue surface.

  “Take the,” a voice droned in her ear, “lift.”

  “Huh?” The raspy tone swept through her body like a cold breeze. She whipped around and glanced at Derek where he now stood beside the four-poster bed.

  “I didn’t say anything,” he replied while he removed his watch and laid it on the nightstand.

  “Find it.”

  “Find what?” she asked.

  “Shanna, what in the hell—” Derek approached her and pulled her flush against his body with her back to his chest. “I think you’re seriously jet-lagged.”

  Possibly. “I, um, never mind.” Inhaling a relaxing breath, she rested her head on his breastbone and closed her eyes as he wrapped his arms around her waist, locking his hands at her tummy.

  A gust of cool air whizzed by, prickling her skin. “He waits.”

  Her lids popped open. Her eyes darted back and forth. A foggy mist suffocated the rays of sunshine that’d been peeking in the window. She rubbed her eyes and blinked to clear the haze.

  Okay, that’s freaky. Derek had said it all—she was seriously jet-lagged.

  Something tugged on her hoop earring.

  She jerked and gasped.

  It tugged again.

  “Stop it,” she squeaked, placing her hand over her ear. “That hurts.”

  Derek spun her around and held her a foot away. “Something is definitely wrong with you.” He squeezed her arms firmly but his gaze, laced with concern, wandered over her face. “You need a doctor.”

  Maybe so. “No I don’t. Why’d you pull my earring? You’re going to rip my earlobe.”

  “Why would I possibly do that, Shanna?”

  “I don’t know.” Just being a jerk, I guess.

  “I think you need to relax for a while.” He took her by the hand and guided her to the center of the room. “Lie down while I unpack my laptop and check my mail.”

  “The mail can wait. Lie with me.” Gently she sat on the end of the bed. The foam mattress barely sank as it conformed to her butt and thighs. She bent forward to unstrap her shoes then kicked them off and shoved them aside with her foot. While watching Derek set his computer case on the desk chair she scooted backward, lay down and fluffed a pillow beneath her head. “Please?” she begged.

  “It’ll only take me a few minutes.”

  “Can’t it wait?”

  He removed the computer from the case and carefully laid it on top of the desk. “Just give me a minute.”

  Uncaring, uncompassionate man. He didn’t even have the decency to look at her when responding.

  Something scratched the wall near the closet. She gasped and snapped her eyes shut. “Derek?” she said, her voice shaking.

  “Hold on, Shanna. Damn, woman, what don’t you understand?”

  She held her breath. Reluctantly she popped her lids open and peeked across the room. A dark haze loomed in a narrow section between the closet door and bathroom. Mother—eek. It began floating toward her at a threatening speed. “D-D-erek. The…the…the…”

  It vanished just inches before reaching the bed.

  Holy freaking— “Ghost!” she screeched.

  “For the love of God, Shanna,” Derek shouted. “I give up. You win.”

  Holding her breath, she stared at the empty spot where the shadow disappeared, vaguely aware of Derek cuddling beside her. Every bone in h
er body rattled and her heartbeat throttled her chest.

  “Now,” he placed his lips above her ear, “damn, you’re trembling.”

  Well, yeah—a dark apparition just scared the heck out of me.

  “Show me where you see this big, bad ghost so I can kick his ass.”

  She blinked and slowly released the air from her lungs. “Don’t make fun of me. I know what I saw.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ve got something to take your mind off this foolishness.”

  “How dare you,” she seethed. “I’m not—”

  He silenced her with a kiss, his lips moist and unyielding, stealing her away from the moment. He wasn’t a naturally born romantic but he’d been gifted with a talented mouth to compensate.

  He laid a heavy hand on her breast and rubbed it, the pressure creating tingly sensations from her breastbone to navel then lower to her pussy. She slid her fingers into his hair and pulled him closer. “Mmm. That feels good.”

  Suddenly the tingly sensation stopped. A split second later Derek’s hand shot away from her breast.

  He broke the kiss. His brows furrowed and his features hardened as he gazed into her eyes. “What the hell? Why’d you push my hand away?”

  “I didn’t.”

  “If you don’t want me to touch you, just say so.”

  “I did not push your hand away. See,” she wobbled his head. “I’m holding you.”

  “Let’s not play games. Not right now.” He licked his lips then kissed her. As he slipped his tongue inside her mouth he slid a firm hand down her belly, across her hipbone and beneath her dress. His fingers quickly lowered her pantyhose and panties to her calves, as far as he could stretch without disrupting the kiss, to where she took over and rolled them completely off with her feet.

  While his hand took a stroll up her thigh she spread her legs, inviting the long-awaited fondling of her pussy. The moment his thumb grazed her clit she moaned behind his lips and widened the span of her thighs. “Yes,” she purred, rolling her hips. That single touch smoldered her insides and her juices started flowing. It’d been over two weeks since they’d made love—it wouldn’t take much to climax.

  Suddenly his hand flew away from her crotch. “God damn it,” he shouted and jumped off the bed, glaring into her eyes. And dang, it looked like his head was going to blow off his neck.

  “What?” She came up on her elbows. “What’s wrong?”

  “Don’t fuck with me.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You bitched for my attention. Now I give it to you and all you do is shove my hand aside. What the fuck, Shanna.” He spun around and charged to the door. “I’ll be in The Cave having a drink.”

  “Derek?”

  He yanked the door open and slammed it shut at his back.

  Oooooh. Yeah, Derek, what the fuck! What’s your problem? “Fine,” she shouted into the empty room. “While you’re down there, get your head examined.”

  She flopped back on the bed and plopped a pillow over her face. Push your hand away. Right. Like I’d do that. And at such a critical moment. “Screw you, Derek,” she wailed into the pillow.

  Chapter Two

  Shanna stilled at the distinct sound of keys clicking on a keyboard. Funny, she hadn’t heard Derek return to the room to check his email. How could she have missed the creak of the door? Slowly she removed the pillow from her head and glanced at the desk and empty chair. The computer screen glowed bright-blue as if it’d just woken up but Derek wasn’t anywhere around. “Derek?” she called to the empty room.

  She sat up, gazing at the open bathroom door. It was vacant too. Then suddenly the monitor flashed once and a large picture appeared on the screen. It didn’t display his normal wallpaper background of a golf course but was an actual photograph of a large, burgundy-colored box.

  She strained to see the screen but sat too far away to focus on the image.

  She stood and headed toward the desk, eyes glued on the picture. As she approached, the clarity of a body lying inside the box evolved. Not just any body—her mother’s. And the box was her coffin. Oh my God. Shanna’s mouth fell agape and she dropped down on the chair, soaking up the heartbreaking close-up of her deceased mom. A rosary was draped over her folded hands, exactly as it’d been during her funeral. Red silk surrounded her body and a white satin pillow lay tucked beneath her head.

  Tears blurred Shanna’s vision. She swallowed hard, took control of the computer mouse and clicked on the arrow to advance to the next photo. Like she needed to see any more.

  She blinked the water from her eyes and focused on the picture. It was shot from a distance because it included a view of the entire room. And it’d been taken either before the wake, prior to visitors, or after, because Shanna and Adrienne were the only two people present. Shanna was bent over the coffin wearing an emerald-green dress, kissing her mother’s forehead. Adrienne stood beside Shanna, dressed in black. She had one hand lying on Shanna’s shoulder—the other clutched a teddy bear.

  Shanna studied it closely as the memories fluttered through her mind. The final day of the wake prior to the burial. That photo was snapped minutes before the closing of the casket because Adrienne had removed that bear from the coffin to cherish.

  Beautiful plants and flower arrangements filled the room. April 6th was printed in red ink on the bottom right corner of the photo. Exactly six months ago.

  Shanna’s heart sank to her belly. Why would Derek take pictures of the funeral? Her mother’s funeral.

  Sniffling, she placed the cursor over a folder icon in the upper corner and clicked to open the files. A copy of her mom’s death certificate appeared on the screen. Despite having read it many times, Shanna scrolled through the information, reading it slowly as if it were the first time she’d seen the document. Cause of death—accidental drowning.

  Wait a minute! Wait one dang minute! Mom died from bladder cancer, not an accident.

  Everything else looked correct on the form, including the medical examiner’s signature. Where had Derek gotten this phony document?

  She wiped her cheek with her fingertips then continued scrolling past the certificate. Two blank pages followed before the heading of the next document came into view. It was a—

  Oh. My. God.

  Her eyes bulged while reading the bold title of a double indemnity life insurance policy. Mom didn’t buy any policies. She’d saved enough money for her burial and that was it.

  Bile rose in Shanna’s throat and her heart beat a tempo of dread throughout her chest. Just because Derek owned an insurance company, he thought he could forge policies on whoever he wanted! What the hell!

  Despite the upsetting, sickening thoughts of what she might find, she zipped through the contract to the signature page. Just as she’d expected, Derek was listed as the sole beneficiary. If Shanna’s mom died from an accident, he’d earn a payday of one hundred thousand dollars. It was signed three days before he’d proposed to Shanna. And, damn him to hell, the signature was not her mother’s.

  Shanna dug through the computer case for a blank CD but every one she’d found stuffed inside was an original software update. Then, inside a zipped end pocket lay a handful of flash drives. Her heartbeat thundered as she grabbed one, inserted it into a USB port and copied the file.

  After closing the driver and documents she browsed the remainder of his folders, but had not a clue what to look for because she couldn’t distinguish the difference between fictitious or genuine policies. Maybe he’d only forged her mother’s. Or maybe they were all illegal. But seriously, did she need to know any more? In the breath of a second, the fake document pertaining to her mom turned Shanna’s life upside down.

  Trembling, she inhaled a deep breath, removed the flash drive then jumped up and hid it in the makeup bag inside her purse.

  How could he? How could he be so dishonest?Did the man not have a conscience?No shame?How in the heck would she know, since she obviously didn’t know him very well at all.

 
How dare he! How dare he try to benefit from my mom’s death? Oh God. Oh dear God.

  Maybe he hadn’t done it. Maybe by some miracle he’d convinced her mom to buy a policy. No. Mom would’ve mentioned it. And she would’ve listed Shanna and Adrienne as equal beneficiaries, not Derek. And, God-freaking-darn it, it wasn’t Mom’s signature.

  Just as she sat back down at the desk, the suite door opened and Derek walked into the room, carrying a bottle of red wine and two glasses.

  “Shanna, I’m—” He stopped dead in his tracks. The door clicked shut at his back. “What are you doing?” he asked, exchanging glances between her and his computer.

  She stood, pointing at the screen. “What in the hell is that, Derek!”

  “You have no business nosing through my computer.”

  “And you have no business forging life insurance policies on my mother.”

  “Oh I see,” he added calmly, despite a wild look broadening his eyes. He took a step closer.

  “Where’s the money?” she shouted.

  Derek’s gaze darted to the desk then into Shanna’s eyes. “It hasn’t paid off yet.”

  “How could you?

  “Shanna, I’m—”

  “What is wrong with you?”

  He shook his head. “Listen to me. It’s—”

  “Fraud.”

  “No, it’s our future.”

  “What do you mean, our future?” she shouted, wiping a stray tear off her cheek. “That sounds more like your future. It appears the only one benefiting from it is you.”

  He shook his head. “How did you get into my personal files without a password?”

  “They appeared on their own, so I guess you forgot to log off before you stormed out of here.”

  “I didn’t even log on. I turned it on, that’s it.”

  She ran shaky fingers through her hair then sat down. “Don’t change the subject. You forged my mother’s cause of death to double the money.”

  “I can’t talk about this right now, not with your current angry state.”

  “You will talk about it or I’m calling the cops.” Like she even knew the damn number. Well, she’d call someone. The receptionist downstairs would know what to do.