It was a nightmare.
Banging my hand against the steering wheel, I muttered, “Fuck, Madison. Why now?”
Lena said Madison had been out of the hospital for a month. And all that time, she’d been here, living on my land, in the cabin and the guesthouse. She’d waited for our return. The knowledge caused acid to bubble in my gut.
Gripping the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles blanched as I pushed the accelerator to the floor. The gate moved as I approached, opening enough for me to pass through.
The truck’s tires sent loose snow and ice in a rooster tail as I sped up the private driveway. The only vehicle in front of the house was Albert’s. “Please don’t let me be too late.”
I screamed for Albert as I jumped out of the truck and ran up the front steps to the house. There was only a slight hesitation as I laid my palm over the sensor and the locks disengaged.
“Ms. McGrath.” Albert’s voice could be heard from the front French doors as I barreled into the house.
Taking the staircase two or three steps at a time, I ran to the second-floor landing and down the hallway toward the master bedroom suite.
“Sir?” Albert turned my way. “The suite is locked. I don’t hear anyone.”
“Break down the fucking doors.”
He pulled a pistol from beneath his coat, his gaze coming to mine as he pointed it at the ornate doorknobs and lock.
“Fucking do it,” I said, taking a half step back. Raising my volume, I yelled to Julia, “Stand back.”
The gun’s blast reverberated throughout the hallway as the metal and wood splintered. Barely a second later, Albert cleared the way, pushing the broken doors inward with his shoulder.
My breathing stopped and my feet forgot to move as I took in the front room of our suite.
“Fuck,” I growled as my eyes scanned.
Prepared for the wedding, wearing a green dress, Vicki lay crumpled on the floor near the fireplace. Broken glass littered the hearth. Upon the sofa, slouched against the cushions, Margaret appeared to be sleeping, a crystal flute lying on the carpet by her hand.
Albert hurried to Margaret and I to Vicki.
“She has a pulse,” Albert said.
With two fingers, I pressed against Vicki’s neck. “I think she has one.” Fuck it could be my own. “Call for an ambulance.”
Vicki’s eyelids fluttered. “Julia.”
“Vicki, I’m here,” I said, staring down at her and lifting her head. “Where is she? Where’s Julia?”
“Help her…”
“Fuck.” I shook Julia’s best friend, but her eyes were again closed. I shouted to Albert, “Get an ambulance here now.”
As I gently laid Vicki’s head down on the carpet, I saw the bottle of champagne on the table. I’d seen the bottle in the kitchen earlier and assumed it was for our later celebration. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
The bottle was opened.
Dropped crystal flute.
Broken crystal on the hearth.
Fuck.
“Poison.” I looked at Albert. “I think they’ve been poisoned.” My teeth clenched at the possibility.
What kind of poison?