Page 3 of A Charming Touch of Tarot (The Gin & Tarot Club #2)

3

Ace of Swords

I wake the next morning to a quiet house, tiptoeing my way downstairs so as not to wake the others.

Once Nick left, the girls and I stayed up late, laughing until our bellies hurt and tears streamed down our faces. It was just what we all needed after the heaviness of the last month.

Especially Nina.

She seemed to be back to her old self, before the days of Richard. Carefree. Hilarious. I can only hope that over the coming weeks, while the snake attempts to slither his way out of charges, she doesn’t lose that light in her eyes that I saw briefly last night.

I’m finally able to put to rest my worries surrounding Nick. Everything is fine. He’s simply busy trying to wrap up a case that was always going to be troublesome. The villain has too much money to not go down without a fight.

I lift my arms over my head and stretch with a yawn.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee washes over me as my feet hit the wood floor. I’m grateful I had the forethought to prepare it the night before, considering the late hour.

I grab my favorite mug from the cabinet, one Ava made me several Christmases ago. World’s Best Mom is scrawled across the bottom of a picture of the two of us. Ava’s smile is extended from ear to ear, her cherub cheeks rosy. She’d just hopped off the swing set, where I’d pushed her into the air for well over an hour as she giggled and squirmed, relishing the way her belly dipped every time she swooped through the air.

It’s a day I begged god to burn into my memory. A time I never wanted to forget. Days when Ava was carefree and small, wanting nothing but to spend hours swinging in the backyard, with her mommy and daddy close by.

I smile, filling the cup with scalding-hot coffee, splashing just a bit of peppermint creamer to turn the dark liquid a shade lighter. Bringing the mug to my lips, I inhale, sighing in contentment. All is right in the world on this perfect Christmas morning.

Curling up on my new gray corduroy chair, under my creamy cloud blanket, a Christmas gift from Lanie, I enjoy the peaceful moment, running through the events from last night, smiling all the while.

So much has changed in these last couple of months, and heading into the new year, I recognize that I have a giant list of things to be grateful for. At the top is Ava, and the fact that she received all A’s on her report card, yet again.

Despite everything she’s endured with losing her father, her tenacity and work ethic has only gotten stronger. The girl is destined for greatness, and I’m loving the front-row seat I have, watching her shine.

I’m not sure how much time has gone by, but my cup is nearly empty, and the sound of feet pattering on the wood floor tells me that someone else is up, and my moment of quiet is over.

“Merry Christmas, Ally.” Nina takes a seat across from me with her own cup of coffee. I smile, raising my mug to her.

“Merry Christmas, Nina.” I take a sip, smacking my lips upon swallowing. “How did you sleep?”

“Like the dead. I haven’t slept that well in ages.” Nina groans as she rolls her shoulders.

“Maybe it’s time you get out of that mausoleum,” I suggest, and she bobs her head in agreement.

“Not that I have much of a choice.”

I tilt my head to the side.

“It’s the mayor’s mansion, and with the current one behind bars, the town council has appointed an interim mayor until an official election can take place,” she explains.

“They’re forcing you to move? Now? With everything you’re going through?” My voice pitches, indignation rising at the reminder that Richard’s actions continue to affect my best friend.

“No. Not immediately. They’re allowing me to stay until after the election. I’ll have a few months.” She takes another sip of her coffee, blowing out a harsh breath after swallowing. “If I’m being honest, the sooner I get out of there, the better. I don’t want to be in that hellhole anymore.”

I huff. “You never wanted to be there.”

She dips her chin, shrugging her shoulders. “That might be true, but now I really don’t want to be. There’s something off about the mansion. Strange noises, and I swear I hear voices.” She shrugs. “Maybe I should have you come over and search for spirits.”

I crinkle my nose. “Pass. They’re likely to be worse than the likes of Billy.”

Nina’s leg bounces, her typically calm and collected facade slipping yet again. I’d hoped after last night that things might be turning around, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Could her talk about the mansion being haunted have her rattled?

“How are you doing?” I ask, recognizing how loaded a question that is.

“About as good as to be expected. I’m the wife of a murderer.” She shakes her head, chuckling darkly. “In this small town, that’s grounds for exile.”

“Nobody is exiling you,” I scoff. “You aren’t the bad guy.”

She makes a strangled sound. “Come on, Ally. You and I both know that I’m the local pariah.”

The unfairness of the situation only manages to anger me more. Since Richard’s incarceration, the town has acted cold toward Nina. You’d think she was behind it all too. That she helped plot and execute everything.

“What he did has nothing to do with you,” I say, trying to keep the bite from my tone but failing miserably.

“I know that you know that, but the town will believe what they want, no matter the evidence that says otherwise. The police won’t find a single shred of proof that points to my knowing what Richard was up to, but that won’t matter. I’ll still be labeled the wife that kept the villain’s secrets.” Her voice cracks. “And it’s all my fault.”

My lips turn down, sadness for Nina sweeping over me. “It isn’t.”

She sniffs. “No…it is. I played the part and fooled the entire town into thinking our marriage was strong. That we were a unit.” Her head falls back. “Nobody knew what my life under that roof was truly like. That we were less than roommates.” She huffs a humorless laugh. “I fueled their current distrust, and now I can’t go back to the school.”

“Why? You love your job. You’re good at it.” My voice rises, and my fingers curl into fists.

“There will be parents who won’t find me an acceptable counselor. They’ll petition the school board, and I’ll be removed, if I don’t resign first.”

She rambles this off as though someone has already pointed out the likelihood of that scenario playing out. It wouldn’t surprise me if Landis Jones, the school superintendent, did just that. He’s an arrogant asshole who might be a bigger gossip than Nan Jenkins and the Red Hatters. The man has no tact, yet we continue to allow him to lead our youth.

“Are you going to? Resign?” I say, to clarify my previous question.

She clicks her tongue. “What choice do I have? It’s what’s best for the kids.”

As much as I wish she were wrong, I know she’s not. Small towns can be amazing places to grow roots, but they’re also unforgiving and incredibly unfair at times. The circus that will rain down will only hurt the kids in the end.

“What can I do?” I ask, feeling helpless.

“Nothing.” Nina’s sternness catches me off guard. “I want you to do absolutely nothing. If something is said, you remain quiet.”

I blink several times, completely baffled by this Nina. It’s unlike her to take that tone with me, which only tells me how serious she is.

“I don’t want you fighting my battles. It will only put a target on your back too, Alyssa.” Her voice is softer with this delivery, but there’s still an edge of warning.

“I don’t care about any of that,” I say, eyes pinned to Nina’s hands as they twist around each other.

“You should,” she snaps. “You’re finally getting your life back, and I won’t be the reason things go south for you.”

“I don’t care about that,” I repeat, voice rising. “I care about you.” I want to get it through her head that I won’t abandon her.

“I know, and that’s the problem. You care too much about everyone else when you should be selfish. This is your time. Your second chance. And you’re going to take it.” She puts her cup down and leans forward. “I’ll be fine. I just need to keep my head down and hope that Richard goes away for a long time.” She closes her eyes, inhales deeply, and exhales harshly.

“I have to hope that he’s too preoccupied with his own situation to feel the need to drag me down with him.”

Here’s my chance to pry. She’s opened the door for me to press about her secrets, and I have to take it. She needs someone to shoulder the burden. There’s a massive secret needing to be unearthed, and once it’s out, she’ll have to feel a little better.

“What does he have on you, Nina? I know you don’t want to talk about it. But you need to tell me. Whatever it is, it’s eating you alive.”

She looks away, and I follow her movement, staring out the window at the picturesque scene beyond.

Massive flakes of snow gracefully pirouette from the sky, resembling shimmery feathers as they make their way to the ground. They capture the few rays of sun peeking through the cloud-filled sky, glimmering like diamonds against the muted backdrop, creating an enchanting winter scene. The perfect Christmas day, if not for the heavy conversation currently occurring.

“The summer before my freshman year, I lost my virginity to a boy named Ian Whalen.”

“I’m…What?” I say, unable to keep the humor from my voice. “I mean…that is pretty early, but you were from the city. Maturity tends to move a bit quicker there than in the country.”

“There were a lot of issues with it, age being one factor for sure,” she says. “But it didn’t matter. Ian and I were best friends.”

“Wait…is this the neighbor boy you’ve told me about before?”

She nods. “That’s him.”

I don’t miss the way Nina’s voice goes soft when she says that, the way her lips tip up at the corners as if she’s recalling a fond memory.

“When my mother and Gary found out, they shipped me off to St. Mary’s.” My eyebrow lifts, and she rushes on to explain. “It’s a convent in Rhode Island.”

I scrunch my nose, one eye squinting. It seems like a severe punishment, even for them. But my confusion is less about that and more about the fact that I’m only just hearing this. She never mentioned being at St. Mary’s before moving to Indiana.

“I was pregnant.”

My head jerks forward.

“Nina.” Her name slips from my lips, a mere whisper. I’m shocked, but more than that, I’m terrified at what that means, considering she doesn’t have a child.

“If it got out, it would ruin Gary’s reputation.” She sucks her teeth, seeming far too calm, when my palms are sweating and my heart is beating out of my chest.

“Couldn’t have that,” she continues rather flippantly. “Not during an election year.”

Gary was Nina’s mother’s third husband—a wealthy politician, whom her mother was determined to wed as soon as she realized how many dollars he had to his name.

Belinda Rothchild married for love the first time, which only led to broken bones, black eyes, and bills piled to the ceiling. Nina was the only good thing that came of that relationship. Unfortunately, she had to bear witness to the atrocities.

Their escape came when Nina’s father suffered a massive heart attack at a young age, leaving them both alone and better off. Until Belinda met her next abuser.

Husband number two wasn’t physical, but he slung words like daggers, holding Nina’s mother in a perpetual state of insecurity. He made it so she felt she couldn’t live without him. Then one day he filed for divorce, choosing his mistress over Belinda, leaving her in a financial and mental pile of rubble.

After that was Gary, and while not perfect, he was a far cry better than the first two. Or so I thought.

Belinda’s currently on husband number four, Patrick Rothchild, heir to an oil dynasty, and he seems to be just slightly better than the last four.

Nina was never modeled a healthy relationship. It’s no wonder she ended up with Richard, a man so much like her mother’s husbands.

But none of that currently matters, because Nina just said she’d been pregnant.

Where is her baby?

“What happened, Nina?”

She swallows, lips trembling. “Gone.”

A tear slips from the corner of her eye, descending slowly down her cheek, but she doesn’t remove it. She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes on an inhale.

My breath hitches, and my chest tightens, but I remain quiet. This is her story. One I have no doubt she’s needed to tell for a very long time.

“I gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and then I was forced to hand him over to a family I didn’t even get to meet.”

My hands fly to my mouth, the shock pressing down on my lungs. “He’s alive?” My question is barely audible through my labored breathing.

Nina is like a sister to me. We tell each other everything, and yet, she’s kept this secret all these years. It’s not only shocking but also heartbreaking. Having carried a child for nine months, I can’t imagine the devastation that would come from being separated from my baby.

“I couldn’t tell you, Alyssa. Not because I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t.” Her crisp blue eyes hold mine, and I see the desperation that hovers over her.

“I understand, Nina.”

I don’t actually understand, but I won’t make this harder for her. Nina must have her reasons for keeping silent on the matter, and I will respect that.

“Is that how you ended up in Fort Wayne?”

“Yes. When Gary was elected to the Senate, it allowed him the ability to move out of Indianapolis. Mom thought a fresh start might be best for us.”

Bullshit. Belinda and Gary chose a small town far removed from the city, hoping to keep the gossip at bay and Nina in line.

Regardless, I can’t hate them for the move. It’s what brought Nina into my life. She was bubbly and warm. Not a girl who showed signs of the trauma I know she experienced.

A seasoned actress, forced to perform.

Nina licks her lips. “I think Gary chose Fort Wayne because he would have an excuse to be overnight in Indianapolis every week. Made it easy for him to continue his affair with our former neighbor.”

I bite my lower lip, shaking my head. Nina’s grandparents tried to get her out of there on multiple occasions. I remember her grandma showing up, telling Nina to pack a bag and that she was going to live with them.

Belinda had thrown a fit, and Gary had ordered her grandma away. That was the last time I ever saw the woman around. At the time, I’d been grateful for Gary. I didn’t want to lose my best friend.

I didn’t realize that going with her grandparents was best for Nina. I was just a kid, unwilling to part with the one person who understood me.

“Before we moved, I was warned to never speak of the baby. I knew the ramifications of talking.”

My eyebrows tilt inward as I try to unearth the meaning of those words.

“They had already run the Whalen family out of town, Alyssa, and if Gary’s reputation was spoiled due to the scandal, they wouldn’t stop there. They’d have ruined them. Ian wouldn’t have had a future.”

Nina kneads her chest as tears continue to stream down her face.

It’s clear that her feelings for Ian ran deep.

“What does any of this have to do with Richard? What did you see when you touched him?”

She sighs heavily. “I’ll get to that, but first, you need to understand why I married him in the first place.”

I sit back, because this is something I’ve often wondered about through the years.

When Nina met Richard, it was not love at first sight. He went out of his way to woo her, and eventually she caved and went on a date with him. But it always baffled me how he’d made her fall in love with him.

“I married Richard because he made it clear he was digging around, trying to find dirt on me. He was determined to trap me.”

My stomach drops, and bile rises up my throat.

How had I missed the signs?

At Nina’s wedding, she wasn’t the blushing bride, excited to rush down the aisle. I’d assumed all the champagne she attempted to guzzle was to calm her nerves, but if I’d paid closer attention…I’d have known.

“That’s why things shifted so soon after the wedding. He’d officially trapped you.”

She nods.

“Stop looking like you’re to blame, Ally. I made you believe I was happy. I knew what I was doing.”

I groan, looking to the ceiling. “Why you? Why not all those women who threw themselves at him?”

Her head falls forward and shakes back and forth. “It wasn’t me Richard wanted. It had everything to do with who my stepfather was. He wanted access to Gary and his contacts.”

My heart shatters into a million pieces for my best friend. To know that all these years she’s worked to help others, while she needed saving just as badly.

No matter what she says, I let her down.

We all did.

“He threatened to expose my secrets.” She huffs a humorless laugh. “I didn’t realize it at that time, but he didn’t know anything. It was all a ruse. Smoke and mirrors.”

Richard Dunbar is a predator. One I hope Nick can put away for a very long time.

I bite my bottom lip, wading through all the information she’s shared.

“Why didn’t you ensure he actually knew something?” I ask, knowing Nina is smarter than that.

“Because it didn’t matter. He had the resources to make good on the threat. I feared what lengths he’d go to.” She clears her throat, swiping away a tear. “I didn’t know he was capable of murder, but I did know he’d do unspeakable things to get what he wanted.”

“You agreed to marry him to protect your son and to keep Ian’s identity a secret.” It’s not a question. I know Nina, and it’s the sort of thing that she’d do.

She’ll sacrifice herself for those she loves every time.

“I told him I’d play the doting wife as long as he promised to stop digging around.”

My fingers flex as I try to tamp down the rising anger, but it’s no use. “I hate him.”

Nina sighs. “I know. Me too.”

Her eyes close, and I watch as her chin trembles and hands shake.

I take a deep breath and sink to my knees, making my way toward Nina. Grabbing her hands in mine, I squeeze.

“What I’m about to say, I say with all the love in my heart…”

She opens her eyes and pulls her mouth to one side of her face.

“You need to seek a very good therapist.”

To my horror, she bursts out laughing. Her chest shakes with the force of the manic outburst, and I’m not sure what to do.

Right now, she appears on the verge of a major crisis, and I’m ill-equipped to help her. I do the only thing I can think to do, pulling her into my chest and holding her close. Her cachinnation turns to sobs, and I clutch her tighter, allowing her whatever time she needs to grieve.

Minutes go by as she weeps in my arms. When she stops shaking and pulls away, I grab a tissue from the table next to me and hand it over. She blows her nose in the most unladylike fashion, entirely unlike Nina, but that’s good. Based on everything she’s said, who is the real Nina? Maybe her facade is slipping, and we’ll get to see a glimpse of the girl that’s remained hidden all these years.

It appears her family and then Richard dictated what the world got to see of her. Yet one more truth that’s utterly tragic.

When she’s composed, I broach the subject again. “I know you might not want to hear this, but after everything you’ve been through, talking to a professional is necessary. You know this, considering your profession.”

She nods. “Even therapists need the reminder,” she says, offering a small smile. “There’s just so much trauma to dig through.”

“And that’s exactly why you’re going to find the best of the best. This runs so much deeper than Richard, Nins. Surely, when you think on it, you see the parallels between the life you’ve lived and the life that was modeled to you by your mother.”

She gulps, face paling. I can practically see Nina slipping into her role as therapist, paddling through her past, dredging up the damage that needs healing.

“Men have dictated both of our lives. We’ve both stayed in unhealthy situations despite having all the means to get out.” She inhales, chewing on her bottom lip. “We’ve allowed ourselves to be controlled by cruel men, and we’re still doing it to this day.”

I offer a sad smile. “That’s the first step. Now, allow someone to help you heal.”

“I’ll look for someone. I know you’re right. I’ve just been too lost in self-pity to take the steps.”

I know all about self-pity. It’s hard to pull ourselves from it. We all need a hand. Nina was part of helping me out of mine, and I will be here to help her.

“You are smart and caring. You’ll find your new normal and you’ll escape his hold, Nina. I know it.”

She taps my hand. “Thank you for not being mad at me.”

“Why on earth would I be mad?”

“All the secrets. All the lies.” Her lip quivers.

“You had your reasons. I’m just glad you decided to allow me to shoulder some of this burden.”

“Want to shoulder more?” she says, voice catching. “Turns out, Richard went digging anyway. He found Ian.”

Oh shit.

“Is that what you saw when you touched him?” I lean forward, recognizing a little too late that I probably appear far too eager to hear a very painful story. Despite the seriousness of the situation, I probably look ready to bust out the popcorn and soda.

Cringe.

“I’m sorry, Nins. I don’t want you to think I’m getting any joy out of your pain. I’m invested. That’s all.”

She smiles. “I know that, silly. I would never think that about you.” She sits back in her seat, appearing a bit more relaxed. “Apparently, Richard tracked Ian down at a university.”

“Where? Close by?”

“Providence University. As soon as I left the prison, I started to research Ian and found that he was a TA there. English Literature.” Her voice has a swoony quality to it, but her face falls into a mask of stone, and I begin to worry.

“What did Richard do?”

“I…don’t know. I didn’t see anything but Richard stalking him through campus.” She leans in toward me. “Ian vanished.”

My head jerks back. “Vanished how?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.”

My eyes widen as all the possibilities surface. “He killed him?”

“I don’t know,” Nina says, voice rising. “Based on the timeline of information I found on the internet, the end of Ian’s digital footprint coincides with Richard’s visit to the university.”

Oh god. That’s not good news, considering Richard’s track record of violence.

“Richard did something,” I say, chewing on my fingertip.

A pained expression crosses over Nina’s tear-stained face. “I don’t know, but I need to find out.”

I pull my top lip into my mouth. “I’ll help. Whatever that entails,” I promise, and she frowns.

“What did I say about focusing on you?”

I shrug one shoulder. “Consider this my first non-ghost PI assignment. It’s good practice.”

She rolls her eyes, trying to contain a smile, but it falls away quickly, replaced by something resembling horror.

“What if…” Her words trail off. “Could you…”

My head tilts to the side, waiting for her to continue, but then it hits me.

I gasp. “What if he’s a ghost? And I can summon him.”

We gulp simultaneously.

Things could get very grim very quickly, and I’m not sure I’m prepared to be the one to uncover something so dark. Not when Nina’s attached.

“If it’s any consolation, I haven’t seen any deceased men hanging around. A woman? Yes, but no man.”

Her eyebrows lift skyward. “You saw a dead woman? When?”

I chuckle darkly. “You know how Mrs. Fields claimed to see someone in the snow?”

Nina’s shoulders shiver before I’ve even managed to finish my story.

“Turns out, she did see a woman. A poltergeist.”

Nina’s puffy, bloodshot eyes widen, making her look like a cartoon character.

“Did she reach out to you? The ghost.”

I shrug a shoulder. “I mean…I saw her. She was staring at my house, just as Mrs. Fields described, but I haven’t seen her since Nick left last night.”

She whistles. “Thank god. Ghosts are scary enough, but poltergeists…”

“Are frightening,” I say.

“What do we do?” Nina chews on her bottom lip, a habit she’s recently formed.

I stand, moving beside her. “Let’s get through Christmas, and then we’ll discuss what to do. Okay?”

She bobs her head, taking a sip of coffee and spluttering.

“Eck. It’s cold.”

I pat her shoulder. “Time for a refill.”

“I’ll take mine with liquor,” Nina calls.

Me too, girlfriend. Me too.