A maze would be the perfect thing to compare to the route they took to reach Henry's place. Angelica was too tired to bother memorizing the streets and buildings. Okay, honestly, she dozed off.
The sun was coming up and to think about what would have to happen in the next few hours, she already felt stressed out.
“I don’t know this place actually exists within the city,” she commented as they climbed out of the car and walked towards the old building.
“It’s because people like you don’t bother to look,” Henry said dryly, playing with his keys.
He led her into the building. Like outside, the inside was old--antiquated. It was not dirty, thank God for that. But there was no elevator and she had to follow him up to the fifth floor where a long carpeted corridor greeted them. There were about five or more doors along the right side of the stairs, but Henry turned left and walked past three doors until he stopped at one and worked with the keys.
There were no more rooms across the hall, but windows lined the length, giving natural light from the disappearing moon and the appearing sun.
Angelica didn’t notice when the door opened, lost for a moment in the peaceful scene outside the window.
“Are you coming in or what?” Henry’s voice said behind her.
“Yeah,” she cleared her throat and walked into the dark room. “You live alone?”
“Yes, but not here,” he answered while locking the door. For a moment, they were both in total darkness until he flicked on the lights.
“What do you mean?” Angelica asked, looking around her.
“I don’t live here.”
“Then whose place is this?” she asked, looking for any clue of anyone who might own the apartment. There was none. Actually, there was nothing except a couch, a table, two or three chairs, a refrigerator, and a small television set.
“Mine,” he answered, walking across the room towards a small hallway. “I use this only for instances like this,” he added then stopped when he noticed that she was following him. He turned around and raised an eyebrow at her. “Do you want to see me naked?”
Angelica was dumbfounded. “What?”
“I’m going to change. You want to see me doing that?”
“Why didn’t you say so?” she snapped and whirled around to return to the living room. “And I would be glad to see you naked, but with the circumstances, I think I should pass,” she couldn’t help but add.
“Call Hartman. The phone’s by the fridge. The line is secure so don’t worry.”
She didn’t know what he meant by the line is secure, but she nodded and walked to the phone anyway. She dialed her father’s attorney’s number and waited as the line started ringing.
“Hartman speaking,” the man answered.
“It’s me, Angelica, can I talk to you?”
“Ms. Dalton, sure, what about? Is something wrong?” He probably thought so because of the time of the call. Well, there was actually something wrong, but she didn’t dare say that out loud.
“I changed my mind about the cremation thing for today. I want you to invite…” her voice trailed off as she saw Henry walk out from the hallway carrying a white shirt, his upper torso bared and oh so naked. He noticed her gaze and raised his brows in question, innocent of her womanly thoughts. She averted her eyes, shook her head fast and cleared her throat. “So I was saying that I want you to invite every partner and associates of my father’s. But I don’t want this one to appear in any papers, understand? Just his partners and some important associates. No others.”
“Yes, yes, I think that can be done,” Hartman’s curious voice answered. He was probably wondering why she suddenly changed her mind. “Just one question, did you order for an autopsy?”
“Yes. I just…well, I’m a doctor and I’m just curious how he really died physiologically.”
“Oh, okay. Well, I already took care of the papers and they’re going to start immediately before the cremation later this afternoon. But the official result will not be in until next week.”
“That’s okay, I’m not in a hurry,” she lied. “Thank you,” she said as goodbye and replaced the phone.
“So?” Henry asked, still unconsciously naked.
“It’s cool,” Angelica tried her best not to look at him and cleared her throat once again. “Do you have water? I need some water,” she turned to walk to the fridge. “And put that shirt on, what are you doing holding that in your hand?”
“What’s wrong?” he asked behind her.
“Nothing, I’m just tired,” she tried to answer nonchalantly, bending down to grab a bottle of water. “How old is this water?” she asked.
“It’s still good. I was here two days ago,” he answered.
“Good,” she straightened and gulped down a huge amount, cringing as the water hurt her throat.
“Where are you going?” he asked as she walked towards the sofa.
“Sleep,” she mumbled, seeing him wearing the white shirt from the corner of her eyes.
“You can sleep in my room,” he offered.
“No, I’m not sleeping there with you.”
Henry chuckled. “I’m not saying you’ll be sleeping with me, Dalton. That’s not ever going to happen.”
Something inside Angelica perked up. That part of her that fed on challenges—that part that wanted to prove to anyone that they were wrong—and at that moment, she so wanted to prove to Henry Bell that he was wrong, and that someday, he would eat his words. “Hmm, let’s see about that,” she whispered under her breath, standing up.
“What did you say?” he asked.
“Nothing. I said I’ll take that offer with or without you,” she winked at him and turned on her heels to go find the bedroom.
*****
Henry thought he said something really bad as he watched Angelica’s retreating form. He knew he saw something in her eyes as she left, but he didn’t know what it was. He can almost feel for it, but he couldn’t.
What is that? What is she thinking now? He was almost afraid to answer that himself.
Shaking his head, he lay on the sofa, his arms behind his head, and all of a sudden, his thoughts were already wandering around the series of events and unexplained things that happened in one day. He could still picture the little device he had in his pocket, wondering what it contained.
And again, his thoughts drifted to his real mission. With everything going on with Angelica, he didn’t know how he could juggle her and his mission together without the two colliding against eachother. He knew he couldn’t let her find out anything.
Because if she did, he knew she’d curse him for the world…along with her father.
*****
Angelica opened her eyes through the stream of light coming through the window of Henry’s bedroom. She wrinkled her nose, smelling bacon and bread, remembering the days she had to go on duty with the same food daily. Her brain was quicker than most and she instantly reminded herself that she was not in the hospital or her apartment. She was in a room of an apartment in an old building in the middle of the city that she had never been to with a handsome, strange guy who called himself her guardian.
Who implied he’ll never like you, added that bitter voice.
She ignored it and looked at her watch. It was ten in the morning and she had been asleep for four hours. Not bad. She was used sleeping in lesser time. Sitting on the single bed that creaked with her every movement, she looked around the room and sighed. Earlier, as she entered the room to sleep, she was hoping to see things that would tell her about Henry, but again, she was wrong. Like the whole apartment, his room was bare of any trace that he had a life other than what she thought he had, which made her even more curious to find out what the man was hiding.
She knew by now that he was not just a cop, but he was something else.
CIA… FBI... Russian spy… Assassin? She tried guessing, but no answer really came to her. Hell, he could be anyone.
How can Philip have a friend like him? She asked quietly. Does he know about Henry?
Shaking off the questions she knew were impossible to be answered, she put on her shoes and walked out the room, slowly making her way out to the living room and there she saw him in the kitchen, his back at her, his head bent down on the stove.
And he was only wearing a pair of black boxer shorts.
What’s with this guy and the word ‘naked’?
“Are you trying to seduce me with your almost-naked form and with breakfast?” she asked aloud, molding her face into a challenging look.
Startled, Henry whirled around and when her words sank in, he frowned. “What?”
“Ah, don’t bother,” she waived a hand and tried to focus on not looking at him from waist down. “It’s actually working and I might just think of going after you,” she winked and walked to the chair and sat down.
“What?” he asked again.
“I’m hungry, so I guess I’ll have to explain later if you still don’t get it,” she rolled her eyes.
“Get this,” he ordered, handing her a fork. “I’ll go get change and don’t burn them.”
“This I can do,” she smiled, batting her eyes at him. She wanted to laugh with mirth as he stepped back and glared at her.
“Just…eat. We’re going to have a long day.”
Angelica just shrugged and finished his cooking. After that, she picked up the phone once again and called Hartman. “Is it all done?” she asked, trying not to think of her dad.
“Yes, of course, Ms. Dalton. The autopsy people already wrapped him up and he’s on his way to the—”
“I did not ask you about every detail, Cole,” she cut him off, cringing at the thought of her father being wrapped up. “I was asking about his partners at the firm.”
“Ah, yes. All five of them agreed and were glad to be invited to say their goodbyes.”
“Good. Did you tell them this is not supposed to be out to the public?”
“Yes, of course. They were happy to oblige.”
“That’s good. See you later?”
“Yes, definitely, Ms. Dalton.”
“Bye,” she said and replaced the phone. “Hey!” she called out as she placed plates on the table. “I called Hartman and he said people are coming later. I hope you’re happy now!” she said the last sentence bitterly. This was never in her plan.
“That’s good,” he walked out fully clothed, much to her little disappointment, and sat across her. “Act casual later, talk with them like you usually would, and don’t tell them anything that happened. If they asked how Patrick died, give the usual heart attack speech.”
“Whatever,” she munched on her toasted bread. “Or you could do the talking.”
“That I can do as well,” he shrugged.
“You know them?”
“Your father’s partners? Yes, of course. You don’t?” he seemed startled.
“No,” she answered honestly. “Never met them, never seen them.”
“I’ll introduce you to them,” he stated.
“Yeah, I would be glad to at least know who my kidnapper is. And my father’s killer,” she added, finally letting him know she was accepting that fact.
“I said one of them might be your kidnapper or your father’s killer. I didn’t say I was sure. It could be anyone.”
“Whatever,” she rolled her eyes. “I’m pretty sure I’ll get some vibes later.”
Henry looked at her incredulously. “Vibes?”
“Yeah, vibes,” she winked at him and again, she saw him look away, averting his gaze.
*****
Something had definitely changed and Henry knew that. He could see the way she talked and looked at him, and he was familiar with those moves. He’d seen her do that a million times in front of Philip and to know that she was doing it to him was something unacceptable. What’s wrong with the lady? Didn’t she realize she was almost at the edge of a deep trouble and she was still having time to flirt with him?
She’s planning something, he thought. Yes, she’s definitely planning something. He threw her a glance as they drove to the cremation home.
Unluckily, she was too tuned in on him that she noticed. “What are you looking at?” she purred.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Why? What’s wrong?” she asked, her hand planting on her chest for drama.
“Whatever you’re doing, stop that. I don’t like it one bit,” he said through clenched teeth.
“Why? What do you think I’m doing, Henry?”
Inside his head, Henry was screaming. She was really something and to dare to do something like what she was doing now was something not easy to pull off. If he didn’t know her, he would have grabbed her at the first chance she gave him, but he knew her. He knew her well enough to know that all this—everything she was doing—was just a game for her. In some ways—though he didn’t know where or how—he had said something that triggered this game. He must have made a mistake somewhere and now she was after him, which was obvious enough. It was different watching her going after men, but it was another thing to have her at his tail.
He chose to ignore her and concentrated on driving them to the cremation home alive.
*****
Angelica did not bother changing her clothes, too tired and too eager to get this thing over with. Hartman was already at the door as they walked through the long hallway of the building, looking all formal and solemn.
“Ms. Dalton,” he greeted. “Mr. Bell,” he turned to Henry and shook his hands as well. He turned back to Angelica with a small smile and said, “I was glad you changed your mind. Those people inside,” he motioned with his thumb, “are dear friends of your father’s.”
“Yeah,” was all she could muster, “let’s go.”
“Yes, of course,” Hartman opened the doors for them and five heads immediately turned towards their direction.
“I don’t know these people,” she whispered to Henry beside her who, like everyone else in the room, was wearing a tie and tuxedo. Well, aside from the beautiful woman sitting at the front wearing a black straight cut dress.
“I’ll introduce you,” he took her elbow and led her down the aisle. “Smile and show a little gratification,” he whispered through his lips. “Go with me on this, okay?”
“Yeah,” she swallowed and smiled, looking at everyone in the eyes, memorizing their faces. To know that anyone of them could be her father’s killer was already something to alarm her senses, but as Henry said, she had to stay calm.
Henry led her to an old man with his back hunched towards his cane where his hands were resting. “Mr. Barnes,” Henry said his voice all formal. “We are glad you came,” he shook the old man’s shaking hands and motioned his head towards her. “This is Angelica Dalton, I’m sure you’ve heard of her?”
The old man’s green eyes looked up to her and he smiled faintly. “Yes, of course, Angelica. Your father spoke of no one else.”
He could be lying, she thought, but she smiled anyway. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Barnes.”
“Call me Kevin,” he corrected as he took her hand and kissed it.
Henry then led her to the person beside the man, the one who had been staring at her since the moment she stepped inside the room. He was probably the youngest among the group. He was lean, and tall, and handsome. Honestly, she could see Philip in him and it immediately made her feel good. He was smiling as he stood up and took her hand. “I’m John Stewart and you’re Patrick’s daughter. I know,” he smiled shyly for a moment before his beam came out, showing perfect teeth. “I heard Henry introduce you to Kevin. I’m glad to finally see you.”
“Yeah, me too,” she whispered hurriedly, lost for a second into his beautiful brown eyes.
A loud clearing of throat brought her back to her real situation and she let go of John’s hand. She turned and saw Henry looking at her with a frown. What? She mouthed the word.
He did not answer but turned to John. “Nice to see you again, John,” he shook the man’s hand briefly and without another word, dragged her to the next pew where only one person was sitting all by himself.
“Stan,” Henry was beaming as he reached out a hand to the old, short man with graying hair. “I’d like you to meet Angelica Dalton. Angelica, meet Stan Howe.”
Angelica couldn’t help but smile as she took the man’s hand. There was just something in his chubby old smiling face that gave her a warm feeling. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Howe.”
“Oh, call me Stan. You’re first name basis with Kevin and not me?” he joked.
Angelica giggled. “Okay, Stan, Stan it is.”
“Good girl,” he looked at her with wonder. “You’ve grown a lot.”
She was frozen for a moment. “You’ve met me?”
“Yes, of course. But that was a long time ago,” he waved off with a hand. “Now, tell me,” he looked at Henry suspiciously, “why are you with Ms. Dalton, Bell?”
“I’m her—”
“We’re dating,” she intercepted much to her guardian’s surprise. She saw from the corner of her eye that John Stewart turned his head at her announcement.
“You’re what?” Obviously, it was quite a shock for Stan who laughed out loud, not caring that they were inside a small room where her father would be arriving any moment now. “I never thought of that!”
“Well, we’ve been dating for quite some time now, haven’t we, Henry?” she turned her head towards her guardian who was sweating and obviously at a loss.
“Yeah,” he answered quickly and added, “We’re sorry, Stan, but we need to go along,” he grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her out the pew and across the aisle. “I will need to talk to you after this,” his whispered words were already harsh enough to give Angelica the impression that she would have to have a good explanation later.
The black-haired woman she saw earlier stood up and smiled as they approached. The way she walked as she met them along the way was pure elegance. Her hair was tied in a bun and Angelica would love to tell her some few tips about hairstyles. The woman might be old enough to be her mother, but she was one hell of a beauty, Angelica thought. “Angelica,” she uttered with a sad smile and embraced her, much to her surprise. Awkwardly, she patted her hands on the woman’s back, her eyes searching for Henry. He just shrugged. “I’m so sad to meet you under this circumstance but its better late than never, right?” the woman’s beautiful gray eyes searched hers and when she finally realized that Angelica didn’t know her at all, she took a step back and smiled shyly. “I’m sorry, I’m Pamela Baldwin,” she turned her head to the right and motioned towards the haggard-looking man sitting on the pew. “And that is my husband Garrett,” she leaned closer and whispered at Angelica’s ear, “he’s tired, please forgive him. But you’ll like him once you get to talk.”
“Okay,” Angelica nodded slowly, forcing a genuine smile on her lips. There was just something about Pamela and her husband that just didn’t click. “Thank you for coming,” she said and turned to Henry.
It was his turn to speak and he said, “It’s nice to see you, Pam. Say hi to Garrett for me. He’s probably sleeping with eyes open.”
Pamela giggled and nodded. “Okay, I will.” She then turned around and walked back to her husband.
“What’s wrong with her husband?” she whispered beside Henry.
“He’s always like that, don’t mind him. Now, keep your eyes open.”
Henry led her to the front where two chairs stood separated from the pews. “And don’t forget,” he whispered, his breath brushing against her face, “we’ll have that talk later.”
Angelica just nodded and hooked her hand through his arm. “For now, let’s just play the part.” She leaned up and added in a whisper, “Stan is watching,” and she almost laughed as his jaw clenched.