Ripple Effect

By Kathleen King

Ten years ago, seven college friends stood in judgment of their peer, and their plan for revenge went horribly wrong. They vowed to keep the secret…and the guilt of it…between them. This decision has affected all of them, but most of all Lexi Cooper. As the latest note is slid under her door one evening, she crumples to the floor, both afraid for what will happen and resigned to it, because she knows whatever it is, she deserves it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483539256

Kathleen King

Kathleen King is the owner and baker at Tate’s Bake Shop in Southampton, New York, where she was born and where she first began selling her chocolate chip cookies at her father’s North Sea Farms farm stand.

Book preview

9781483539256

PROLOGUE

What the hell was I thinking? The thought spoken aloud was by now a familiar chant in Jenna’s subconscious. She stopped to catch her breath and get her bearings. The cold air froze her nostrils; she breathed deep, but hope soared. Isn’t that chimney smoke? There’s got to be a fire going around here somewhere.

The snow shoved its way into her boots, her snow pants wet and stiff by now. Her skis lay abandoned somewhere back in the forest. She pushed past yet another clump of bushes in search of a trail.

Jenna’s breath caught as she struggled up the hill. Please God, let there be lights, she prayed inwardly. Nothing. Instead, the woods stretched on endlessly, reflecting gray in the moonlight. The wind moaned through the trees, the frozen branches clicking together and sending ice shards raining down. Jenna winced as one lanced her cheek, penetrating the numbness. She drew her coat closer around her, zipping it up her neck.

Her footsteps crunched in an ever-slowing cadence, evidence of her growing exhaustion. She’d been out here a long time now…too long. The wind rose to an ominous groan. Swollen clouds temporarily obliterated the moon, further deepening the shadows.

It was not this that she pondered, rather the events leading up to this moment. Jenna knew who wrote the note. Her own stupid, selfish actions were what got her to this point, no matter what other extenuating circumstances there may be.

She wound her way through the trees, using her ski poles to move branches aside and to brace herself on steep inclines. No trace of smoke in the air now. Must have been her imagination or else she was headed the wrong way.

She paused and looked back in the direction she had come, considering and dismissing the option of turning back and retracing her footsteps. A forked tree leaned drunkenly to the left. I could swear I’ve seen that tree already, she thought. But from which direction? Her heart thudded violently in her chest. Keep it together. Just stay calm and keep walking. The trail has got to be here somewhere. These thoughts did nothing to soothe her rattled nerves.

The wind escalated, now dropping snow off the branches above and whipping up the snow on the ground. Jenna blinked and pulled her ski goggles down. It was harder to see through the tinted lenses, but they offered some protection from the blinding snow.

She considered the real possibility that she wouldn’t get out in time. Her feet were frozen and clumsy, and it was getting more and more difficult to keep walking. Her hands clenched numbly, and her cheeks stung where they were exposed to the air.

Jenna stopped for a moment to catch her breath and to look for other options. A small copse of trees and other brush appeared dense enough to afford some protection from the biting wind and driving snow. Maybe her only hope.

Jenna hobbled over and pushed her way into the middle of the undergrowth, clearing the snow clumsily with her numb hands. She dug all the way to the frozen earth, and mounded the cleared snow around her, to form a half igloo of sorts.

When she finished, she shook as much of the snow off her clothes as she could. She thought for a split second about continuing on through the woods and trying to find her way back. Just then, the wind and snow kicked up around her. With a sigh she accepted she was just too tired and cold to go another step.

She resigned herself to the fates and hoping for a quick rescue, moved into her makeshift shelter and lay down, pulling her ski jacket down around her legs and curling into the fetal position. She pulled her ski hat down around her face so that only her mouth was exposed.

Jenna lay there, straining her ears for sounds of a rescue, but there was only the howl of the wind and snow. She thought of her brothers and the note she had left. They’ll find me, I know they will, she thought. The overwhelming urge to sleep crept in. She fought against the darkness and prayed…for her family, for forgiveness. Her last thought before drifting to sleep was a hope that Lexi would someday forgive her.

CHAPTER ONE

The panic attack hit her hard as it always did. Oh no, not again! Lexi’s racing heart pumped madly but failed to deliver the blood needed to keep her upright. She swayed and clutched the arm of the sofa to keep from falling. Her legs and arms tingled and the memories flooded in. She stiffened, but knew she mustn’t fight the thoughts, that would only make it worse.

Her stomach heaved as the memories rose like bile. The mind knows its limits and hers had been reached. She clutched the crumpled note and fell to her knees.

Lexi had almost sensed rather than heard it being pushed under her door. She had been in the kitchen draining pasta, humming along to the radio and enjoying a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio, when out of the corner of her eye she’d seen Tucker stiffen and start padding toward the door with a soft growl, hackles beginning to rise.

Lexi had forced herself to raise her head, to walk over on trembling legs and pick it up. Please God, no more, she prayed, even though she knew they would never stop. The now familiar scrawl, this time an excerpt from Oscar Wilde’s The Ballad of Reading Gaol, burned off the page:

With tears of blood he cleansed the hand,

the hand that held the steel;

For only blood can wipe out blood,

and only tears can heal.

Her gaze caught the calendar on the wall. She should have been prepared for this. How had she failed to see what day it was? Last year a similar note had been lying on the front seat of her car when she left work. The year before, she’d found a note in her mailbox. Always a poem by one of the greats, written in a fine hand, and always their meaning was crystal clear to Lexi.

The worst part about it, she agonized, crumpling to the floor clutching the note, is that I deserve each and every one.

CHAPTER TWO

Shadowy images, gray and menacing, haunted Lexi’s sleep. The angry buzzing of the alarm was slow in penetrating. She dragged herself back from the frightening images that hid in her subconscious. A crack of thunder sent her scurrying back under the covers but just for a moment. She flung back the raspberry silk duvet and forced herself to focus on the neon green numbers of the alarm clock that glowed in the predawn gloom.

Oh my God, it’s 6:30! Lexi groaned, shaking off the rest of her mental cobwebs and leaping out of bed. She almost tripped over Tucker, sleeping peacefully next to her bed. He raised his big brown head and looked at her soulfully, clearly not ready to rise and shine. It’s alright, big fella, you can go back to bed. Sorry to disturb your beauty sleep!

Tucker yawned loudly and laid his head back down between his giant paws.

Lexi chuckled. She’d adopted Tucker from the local animal shelter three years ago. He was a mix of German Shepherd and some other undetermined, but undoubtedly large breed. He tipped the scales at a whopping 130 pounds, and was her constant companion and protector. She was grateful every day for his presence – he meant the world to her.

Fifteen minutes later, after a very hasty soap down, Lexi dragged a brush through her shoulder-length wheat-blonde hair and pulled it back into a sleek, low ponytail. She shed her towel and walked to her closet. Lexi paused a moment at the floor-length mirror and gave a frank appraisal of what she saw; 5’4" in her bare feet, people called her petite. She’d say she was short. Others had compared her blue eyes to the color of the ocean…stormy gray at times, Caribbean blue at others, depending on her mood and what she was wearing. She would much rather have brown eyes, and hardly saw the beauty of her own. She shrugged and shook her head. No sense worrying about what can’t be changed. Lexi hurried into a Calvin Klein gray wool pantsuit and white silk blouse, blind to how the fine material luxuriously hugged her curves. When she went to put on her black leather loafers, they were nowhere to be found.

Not again…TUCKER! Lexi rushed out to the kitchen and looked around. Not in the garbage can. She ran into the living room and checked some of Tucker’s other favorite hiding spots. Not in the large fichus next to the fireplace, and not in the fireplace, thank goodness. Tucker, I really, really need my shoes…now, buddy!

Tucker had padded out of the bedroom and tried to hide behind the couch but there was no concealing his bulk. She dragged him out of there to see if the shoes had been hidden underneath him. Nope.

Lexi’s next stop was to check the dog bed and there she found the missing shoes, wedged into the corners and liberally covered in dog hair.

Oh man, Tucker – I KNEW it! You are so lucky I’m late, pal, or you’d be out on your butt!

Tucker gave her a playful bark and wiggled the entire lower half of his body, rearing up to plant his huge paws on her shoulders and go in for a big, sloppy kiss.

Lexi pushed him back down, laughed and swiped at her cheek with the back of her hand. She gave him her most stern Stay command, then a quick cuddle of apology, and headed back to her bedroom to find an alternative.

She rummaged through her closet, rejecting one pair after another. Today was a big day and she needed to find just the right pair. She finally reached up to the shelf above where she kept all her favorite things and pulled down a shoebox from her special stash.

Her Christian Loboutin Houndstooth Heel Sling backs would be perfect! Her eyes widened and she shivered with delight, pushing back the hot pink tissue paper and lifting one out ever so gingerly. Glossy black patent leather with suede uppers, they were amped up by a micro-houndstooth pattern running down the sky-high heel. She’d fallen in love with them and simply had to have them on a recent shopping trip with her mom. They would be an exquisite foil to her conservative suit. What the hell, she thought and slipped them on. They were far edgier than she’d usually wear to the office, and would be a physical challenge to wear for an entire day, but they made her so darn happy!

Her umbrella was nowhere to be found, and she was out of time. Lexi shrugged into a black trench coat, and grabbed her portfolio case off the kitchen counter. She noted that the zipper was open and went to yank it closed, and panicked when she felt it stick and then tug free. She looked close and saw the zipper tines were now separated and she just had not time to try to mess with it. She closed the portfolio as best she could and ran out the door. The rain pelted down and she was forced to hold the briefcase over her head as make a break for her Toyota 4Runner.

Of course she dropped her keys twice on the way. She was drenched by the time she yanked the door open and she bumped her head climbing in. Typical of how this morning is going. She threw her portfolio over her shoulder into the backseat and flew out of the driveway.

Lexi arrived at her office building at 8:00 on the dot. She pushed through the revolving door, with a harried businessman close on her heels. Halfway around, her portfolio got jammed in the door. The businessman pushed hard, only wedging it in tighter. She pushed back and yanked it free just as she heard a stern voice calling out to her.

Um, Miss Cooper, please hurry. We can only hold it but a moment.

She glanced over and saw one of the senior partners of the firm, Lawrence McMillan standing at the front of a throng of people crammed in the elevator.

She walked to the elevator cursing under her breath. Ugh, of all people to catch me coming in late. Why the hell didn’t he just go without me? The elevator’s packed and it’s not like there’s not a whole bank of other elevators to take! She smiled brightly to mask her tension.

Thank you, Lawrence, she said breathlessly, squeezing in next to him and tucking the portfolio down at her feet. She smoothed her damp hair and prayed this would be a quick ride.

It appears you’re having a somewhat challenging morning, Miss Cooper. Is everything alright? Lawrence glanced down at her briefly, and then turned away, choosing to concentrate his attention on the gentleman to his left.

Lexi shifted slightly. She glanced down and could see that one of her buttons had come undone, exposing a good part of the lacy white bra underneath. She reached up casually to fasten the closure. God, tell me he didn’t see that, she whispered under her breath.

What was that, Miss Cooper? Lawrence resembled a tall, gaunt walrus with deep jowls and spectacles perched on the edge of his long, hooked nose. He looked down that nose now, surveying Lexi’s discomfort. As he said her name, the nasal quality of his voice produced a distinct whistle.

Lexi bit back a hysterical giggle that rose in her throat. She shook her head, looking around her for a possible ally or distraction.

That was when she saw him. Off to her left in the back corner of the elevator; physical energy surged off him in waves. His face was obscured; he was turned slightly toward the wall consulting his Blackberry, but there was no hiding the sheer power of his presence. The black overcoat he wore gave him a mysterious air, further enhanced by his jet black hair and swarthy complexion.

The elevator stopped at the tenth floor and a man in a stained, wrinkled trench coat pushed through to exit, physically jostling Lexi from her reverie.

When the elevator doors closed, Lawrence spoke to Lexi again. I understand you’re going to be meeting with Jack Hunter from the New York office about the new museum project. Please be sure you’re fully prepared.

Lexi nodded. Of course. I’m really looking forward to meeting him. She stepped to the side to let a woman exit, and when the doors closed she continued. I’ve heard so much about his work and am a huge admirer. It will be nice to have someone of his caliber join our ranks.

She forced herself to quit babbling and take a breath. Lexi found herself trying to maneuver her position so as to better sneak a peek at the man in the corner. She noted his height; well over six feet. His hair, so thick, curled sensuously around the collar of his coat. It was in a state of disarray and Lexi’s fingers itched to run through it. Normally all business, Lexi was surprised at how she was visually devouring him. She hadn’t even fully seen his face yet!

Lawrence nodded, saying nothing. Lexi registered the movement, but couldn’t remember what she’d been saying.

She filled the silence with light, useless banter about the weather and the firm, but Lawrence remained silent. This man makes me so uncomfortable. Lexi grimaced at the idea of what a mess Lawrence must find her to be.

A soft ping signaled their arrival at the 23rd floor, where a discount stock brokerage firm was housed. Two men and a woman, all in khakis and button-down oxfords exited, leaving just Lexi, Lawrence and one other passenger, the mystery man himself.

Lawrence looked over to the left. Well, speak of the devil. I didn’t see you over there. How’ve you been, Hunter?

To Lexi’s mortification, the very same sexy man who had caught her attention, smiled and extended his hand to Lawrence.

He shook Lawrence’s outstretched hand, and then turned toward Lexi, looking her over from head to toe. So…you’re Cooper. His voice growled up from his chest and Lexi swore she could feel it reverberate through the elevator.

Lexi drew herself up primly and steadied her gaze, meeting eyes that were deep green with flecks of gold. The jolt she felt hit her like a physical blow. The confident greeting she had planned died on her lips. She even failed to notice his extended hand.

"Well…are you Alexis Cooper or aren’t you?" he asked dryly. His confident grin didn’t quite meet his eyes creating an incongruousness that Lexi longed to ponder. From those intense eyes, she moved her focus to the rest of his face. She noted the sharp planes, softened by the deep dimple slashed into his left cheek. Lexi longed to move her eyes downward to explore the rest of this man.

Lawrence angled his head toward Lexi. Alexis Cooper, I’d like to introduce you to Jack Hunter, Senior Partner, New York office. As you know, he has graciously agreed to work with our office to head up some key projects, and to assist us in the upcoming partnership discussions.

Lexi finally took notice of the proffered hand and extended hers jerkily. She felt his large fingers close over hers; panic bubbled up inside of her, and she felt the urge to flee. The heat was a whole other story, moving from her hand and up her arm and to other places with lightning speed. Lexi jerked her hand back and wiped it on her trench coat without thinking.

Jack’s next words brought her back to the moment. Well, I hope you’re a little more eloquent when we meet later this morning.

His manner and tone were openly sarcastic, and Lexi blushed, something she couldn’t remember doing in years. She smiled politely and forced herself not to take a step back or move away from him. She could hardly breathe and the thought flashed through her mind that this was the longest elevator ride ever. I’m sorry, Mr. Hunter, yes, of course. We’ll be meeting later today. I look forward to it, she finally murmured. Her voice, deep and husky, betrayed her turmoil. She cleared her throat.

Lawrence looked from one to the other. Yes, well. I’m sure Miss Cooper will be better able to express herself at your upcoming meeting. She’s one of our best and brightest young architects, and we believe she may hold a certain amount of promise.

Lexi gave Lawrence a small smile as Jack replied, Yes, well, we’ll see about that, won’t we?

The elevators opened finally at the 28th floor.

Lexi stepped out briskly, hesitated, and begrudgingly turned back. I believe our meeting is set for eleven o’clock. I’m sure you have a lot of business to attend to before then. Would you like to meet in my office? She kept her face neutral and professional, awaiting his response.

That’s sweet, Cooper, but what say we meet at my office? Don’t be late. I really do hate that. He turned to Lawrence, effectively blocking her from further conversation.

Lexi hesitated, and then retreated to her office. She closed her door and sank heavily into a nearby chair, expelling a deep, shaky breath. Before she even had time to ponder this recent exchange, her phone buzzed, signaling an internal call. Lexi groaned, seeing it was Mark Sanderson, the firm’s designated pain in the ass.

What’s up, Lexi? Late, huh? You know, they’re picking the museum team today. Might have been a good idea to get here early like I did, or at least on time, don’t you think?

Lexi could almost feel his Cheshire grin through the phone. Hi, Mark, yes I guess they are. Lexi refused to be baited and leafed through her in-basket, laying aside documents that required her immediate attention.

Are they going to even let you meet with him? Mark’s snide attitude interrupted her train of thought and she forced her attention back to the conversation.

Why, yes of course. Why wouldn’t they? she said evenly. I meet with Hunter at eleven.

Well, I’m meeting with him at ten, Mark said in a snarky tone. "Just remember that there are a lot of people here who’ve been at it longer than you. Don’t feel bad when…I mean of course, if they choose someone else."

Lexi rolled her eyes, thinking how little she needed this conversation right now. His way-too-obvious attempt at intimidating her was laughable and annoying. I think I can handle it, but hey, thanks for the concern, Sanderson. Listen, I’ve got a ton to do…

Mark interrupted. Just a suggestion…I wouldn’t show him the children’s museum. That’s kind of small stuff and I’d really hate for you to be embarrassed.

Lexi made a face into the phone but managed to keep her tone polite. Don’t you worry about it, okay? Good luck to you today. With that, Lexi clicked off without waiting for his response.

She took care of her waiting correspondence and reviewed the final draft of a presentation she was set to give in two days. Several times during the morning, she’d see Hunter walking down the hall with one associate or another, deep in conversation.

One time, Jack looked up and caught her staring, startling Lexi. He locked eyes with her and raised an eyebrow in silent challenge. Lexi defiantly tore her gaze away, picked up the phone and punched in a number. When the prerecorded voice came on from her voicemail, she launched into a conversation as if it were her most important client on the other end.

She looked up triumphantly, but he had already moved down the hall, his attention focused on the cute junior associate at his side. Lexi hung up the phone; feeling embarrassed, and paced her office.

An eternity later, at 10:55 sharp, Lexi picked up her portfolio and headed down the hall to the office suite the firm had set up for Jack’s use.

Eleanor Mahorn, Jack’s assigned secretary, stood behind a high mahogany desk sorting mail, the buttons strained on her hot pink polyester blouse. Eleanor had been with the firm over thirty years but refused to dress like anything other than a college co-ed. She nodded her bleached head toward the sofa. Lexi perched on the edge and waited.

Laughter erupted from within; a moment later the door opened. Sanderson came out first, with Jack just behind him clapping him on the shoulder and chuckling. They shook hands and she heard the senior partner say, Welcome to the team, Sanderson. It’s going to be great having a fellow visionary on board.

Mark flashed a self-satisfied smile at Lexi and bowed his head, as an ancient warrior would when issuing a challenge.

Lexi gathered up her portfolio with a toss of her head. She marched past Jack into his office and was totally unprepared for what she saw there.

CHAPTER THREE

Instead of the hard edges, chrome and steel she had expected from this corporate heavy-hitter, the office exuded warmth, good taste and a love of architecture. A large traditional mahogany desk stood proudly in the center, behind which sat an overstuffed, well-worn leather chair. In one corner, a drafting table groaned under the weight of blueprints, books and plans. A conversation area with a low coffee table in the other corner faced the river, affording visitors a spectacular view of Belle Isle and the Detroit River.

Black and white sketches of architectural marvels around the world covered the oak-paneled walls. A single spot of color rested on the console table behind the desk and Lexi moved closer to take a look.

She gasped and went over to touch it. My scale model of the children’s museum! she said under her breath. Jack shut the