Margaret Daley - Poisoned Secrets

“The apartment is on the second floor, Miss—” He peered back at her, snaring her within his flintlike gaze.

“Maggie Ridgeway.”

His guarded look conveyed the message: stay away. The silent statement pulsated in the air between them, intriguing her, tempting her. She knew all the signs of someone who kept himself apart from others. She was a master at it. He could do nothing she hadn’t done herself at some time in her past.

As she mounted the staircase to the second floor, she firmed her determination. She couldn’t afford to be sidetracked. Which one is it? she thought as she passed a closed door. “How many apartments are in this building?”

“Six on three floors. I occupy the basement.” He unlocked apartment 2A and pushed the door open. “As you can see, they’re big. I have three families in my building. Some furniture comes with the apartment if you want to use it.”

“It’ll just be me, and yes, the furniture would be appreciated.”

She entered the living room and surveyed the oblong configuration with a marble fireplace on the outer wall, a brass screen across its front. The carved mantel would be a perfect place to set family pictures. But who would be in those photo frames? The question came unbidden into her mind.

“I just finished having the place cleaned,” Mr. McDowell said, thankfully pulling her attention from the answer to that question.

A shiver skipped down her spine. She refused to think about Henry Payne, who had been murdered in the kitchen according to the news. A murder yet unsolved. Instead, she let her gaze roam over the neat room with a beige leather couch, a coffee table and two navy and beige plaid wing chairs with a table made of a rich cherry wood between them. A bank of built-in bookcases, all empty, ran the length of one wall. On another were two large floor-to-ceiling windows flanking the fireplace, which offered a view of the neighbor’s house, twenty yards away, and the barest glimpse of the lake behind the house. The walls painted maroon gave a feeling of cozy warmth that completely contradicted what had happened in the apartment recently.

“I’ll take it. When can I move in?”

“Immediately, if you want.” Puzzled, he cocked his head to the side. “Wouldn’t you like to look at the rest of it first?”

“No, this is fine. It’s close to Seven Oaks Hospital and in a nice neighborhood. As I mentioned before, there aren’t too many places available at this time of year.”

When she shifted her attention to Kane McDowell, his eyes narrowed on her for an uncomfortable moment as if he were delving into her mind to see what was really behind her desire to live in his apartment building, especially in a place where tragedy had occurred. She schooled her features into a neutral expression, determined not to reveal her hidden motive.

“Normally I have a person fill out an application and then I run a credit check, but if Edwina has gotten a recommendation from Dale, then I’ll lease it to you. I require first and last months’ rent.”

She released the breath she held slowly, covering the space between them and holding out her hand. “It’s a deal, Mr. McDowell.”

The rough feel of his hand warmed hers. When he let go and stepped out into the hallway, the lingering effect of his touch streaked up her arm, jolting her heart to beat faster. Maggie clenched her hands together to still the slight tremor. This man did strange things to her insides, and this certainly wasn’t a time in her life to pursue an attraction. She’d come to Seven Oaks for only one thing. She couldn’t let anything stand in the way of her mission.

“I’ll get a lease, and you can sign it.” Kane retraced his steps to the basement.

“That’s great. I’d like to move in as soon as possible.” Maggie hurried to keep up with him.

Unlocking a door across from his workshop, he motioned for her to enter his apartment. When she stepped inside, the comfortable-looking living room with large windows offering a view of the lake surprised her. After only a short time in his presence, she had been sure his place would be dark and stark like the man. But because the apartment building sat on a hill that sloped to the lake, the basement wasn’t totally below ground. The back half was opened to the sprawling yard with oaks, maples and elms dotting its terrain down to the water.

“Have a seat while I get a lease. I’m sure I have one around here somewhere,” he said and walked toward a hallway.

Restless, she paced. Maybe I should leave the past alone. Maybe I should go back to St. Louis and forget. Maybe—no, I can’t walk away now. This wouldn’t have been possible without You. I know it in here. She tapped her chest over her heart. Lord, it’s finally happening after all these years. Thank You.

Every nerve ending alert, Maggie stopped pacing and rotated toward Kane who moved into the room, a paper in his hand. Their gazes locked. Her lungs constricted at the power emanating from him.

Suddenly, he broke eye contact and crossed the room. “The rent’s due on the first. There’s to be no loud music or noise after ten. Pets are allowed so long as they’re small and not disruptive to the other tenants. Oh, and trash is picked up every Tuesday and Friday.” He laid the lease on the coffee table with the apartment key next to it. “Any questions?”

“No.” Matching his strictly business demeanor, she sat on the rust-colored couch, noted the amount of the rent, then signed her name on the lease.

He retrieved the lease. “This is contingent on the fact Dale gives you a glowing recommendation.”

“He will.”

“Tomorrow’s okay to move in, but I still have a few things to do to the apartment. That’s one of the reasons I took some vacation time.”

“Fine. I’ll be working tomorrow morning, so I won’t be here till the afternoon.”

“I’ll try to be out of the way by two.” He started for his door. “You can give me the rent then, and I’ll give you a copy of the signed lease. I’ll also introduce you to Edwina tomorrow. She’ll handle everything after that.”

Maggie rifled through her oversize purse and withdrew her checkbook. “Let me pay now. One less thing to handle later.” As she filled out the check, she asked in a casual voice, “Who else besides Edwina Bacon lives here?”

“On the first floor across from Edwina there’s the Sellman family with a set of twins. The Penningtons live across from you. You’ve already met Kenny Pennington. Upstairs from you there’s Kyra Williams with her son, Sean, and lastly Edwina’s sister Ann and her husband, Marcus Quinn.” He walked toward the front door and opened it. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

Effectively dismissed, Maggie escaped into the hallway and started for the stairs. What am I doing here? Panic seized her.

Father, give me the strength to see this through to the end, whatever that may be. Give me the strength to do the right thing when dealing with the woman who gave me up at birth.

The box must weigh a ton! Maggie tried to shift the weight some as she stopped halfway up the stairs to her new apartment, but she lost what grip she had. The box crashed to the step in front of her. The sound of glass breaking echoed through the quiet.

“Can I help?” Kenny asked as he came up behind her.

Still unaccustomed to having her half brother so near, Maggie tensed for a few seconds before forcing herself to relax and smile. “I don’t think anyone can help now. I think Grandma Ridgeway’s glassware is gone.” She plopped down on the step, placing her elbows on her knees and resting her chin in her palms.

“Maybe it’s not so bad.” The brown-haired boy peered into the container and whistled.