Subject: CHAPTER 90 |
Author:
KK
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Date Posted: 11:36:16 07/05/06 Wed
Chapter 90
Marge picked up her reading glasses and stared hard at the ledger of figures. “Looks like Greek to me. Hope it makes more sense to you.”
“Not doubting me, are you?”
“No, sweetie, of course not. It just doesn’t make sense to me. I’m counting on you, Millie.”
Millicent McHaffey looked over her shoulder and smiled at her friend. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
“How much money do you think we have so far?”
Millicent closed the folder she had poured over for the last half hour. “Does it matter? We have enough. Thousands. Maybe hundreds of thousands. I thought this was about us.”
Marge leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. “Of course it is, but business before pleasure. I want to be set for life. We won’t get a second chance as sweet as this, you know.”
“I know. It’s just so time consuming. There doesn’t seem to be any time for anything else.”
Marge tried to ignore the whine in her friend’s voice. At times, Millie’s emotionalism overshadowed her brilliant financial mind. Marge reached over to give her a tender caress and plant light kissed along the inside of her arm.
“You know my feelings. I want to go upstairs as much as you do, but we have work to do. The mess Michael’s in won’t keep everyone’s attention forever. Sooner or later Papa Jack will figure out what’s going on.”
“If he hasn’t already. I bet it’s hard being in the office with him every day. How do you keep from giving yourself away?”
“Some days it’s not easy. I thought when Jack took over the business things would be easier, but he’s more exacting than Michael was. To tell you the truth, I’ll be glad when Michael returns.”
* * * * *
Nicadea carefully placed her toe into the rock’s narrow crack and reached as high over her head as she dared. Soon, the last rays of daylight would be completely gone. She had to find shelter for the night. A cool breeze disturbed dust from the rocks above, blinding her, but she couldn’t risk letting go. Her eyes burned, but ignoring the pain, she gripped the ledge with her fingertips and pulled.
Her feet scrambled for a foothold, while she pushed upward and switched to the heels of her hands for leverage. By the time she had reached the top of the cliff, her hands and feet were cut and bleeding.
The night sky glowed with fading light and urged her to hurry. She scanned the area, but saw no immediate
refuge. Without hesitation, she moved toward the setting sun, walking gingerly over the rough surface of the jagged stone. The cave came into view almost immediately.
Her first instinct was to hide, remembering the last time she was there. Was her captor still waiting for her? She crouched down and watched for signs of life. Nothing moved other than a light breeze, and the air felt cool against her wet clothing. Spending a night at the mercy of the elements was unthinkable.
The light was fading fast. Gathering her courage, she crept forward, ready to run at the slightest movement. She had almost reached the entrance when she tripped over something blocking her path. She squinted, and then covered her mouth to stifle a scream. The lifeless body of her former captor stretched before her. Shocked, but relieved, she pushed to her feet and backed toward the cave.
*******************
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