From Money to Murder

By Alexis Anicque

Vanessa thought she was only finding a new career, she found so much more. A new career that led to drunken mayhem, embezzling, and murder. A steamy romantic adventure with a who did it surprise ending.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexis Anicque
• Release date: Nov 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393795148

Alexis Anicque

Alexis Anicque, author, wife, mother of two grown children, and Nana of three. Self proclaimed world traveler and adventure seeker. Spends her time living on sailboats, jumping on planes, trains,or buses. She loves the city life and public transportation. Author of the Finding Famous series, young adult fantasy fiction and From Money to Murder, a steamy romance with a murder mystery twist.

Book preview

This book is dedicated to my loving husband who helped through the technical challenges with his love and support. My children Kayla and Michael for their love and encouragement. Our friend Rody for giving me a peaceful but not quiet place to work.

Prologue

Vanessa came to next to Nicholie he was wearing only a towel. She couldn’t remember anything after getting into the hot tub. She looked around and then back to him, his chest had a trace of dark hair, sculpted muscles and he was just beautiful. Laying there and just realizing how beautiful he was, made her blush. What was she thinking? What had she done? What had they done? She couldn’t think, what do I do now? Her head was pulsating, for a second, she thought about leaving before he woke up. Finally deciding she needed to wake him. She tried calling his name softly at first then a little louder.

Hmmm, he mumbled from his sleepy state.

She asked, What time is it?  And what happened in or after the hot tub?

He raised his head and opened his eyes, oh his head hurt. He dropped his head back on the pillow. He was thinking that he was not cut out to be a drinker. Suddenly he was very aware of where he was and more importantly who he was with. He sat up, What do you mean what happened?

Um let’s see, I’m wearing a sheet, you’re in, I’m assuming, only a towel and we are in the same bed, do you have any explanations? Cause I sure don’t.

How the hell should I know, you don’t think... uh he really looked at her Wow, you look good with your hair down like that. You are gorgeous in the morning. He stopped himself and changed the subject. What do you think, did we?

She was smiling If so, it couldn’t have been, well let’s say memorable.

At first he was a little offended until he realized she was teasing him. For either of us,

Chapter One

It has been raining nearly every day for weeks and the gloomy clouds hung high over her little apartment. Vanessa didn’t care, she was too excited for her job interview today, not just any interview, but her ticket out of food management. The job that could get her foot in the door to a real career with benefits, bonuses, and a real future. She was genuinely surprised they had even called. When she had submitted her résumé she half thought it was a waste of her time. But figured what could it hurt? A customer, who had been impressed with Vanessa’s management skills, mentioned the job opening to her.

Her reflection smiled back at her as she glanced in the mirror. Vanessa was petite, almost frail in appearance from a severe vitamin deficiency. A beautiful face, wide round eyes, with fire in her auburn hair. At less than five feet tall she couldn’t have weighed more than ninety-five pounds. Her childhood had been a nightmare to say the least, making all of her relationships one failure after another. She had thought a year ago that everything had finally changed, but it actually ended up getting worse. Struggling for every bit of her life, but yet she still always believed that it would work out. Her optimistic spirit was strong.

Being a manager in a restaurant wasn’t making life any easier, she was behind on most of her bills and barely making the rent. In the past year she had been driven, but turned down several other restaurant management positions. Vanessa loved her crew and the only way she was leaving was if it was out of the food industry all together. Today just might be her lucky day, she thought.

Continuously thinking about the job as she was driving through downtown, This has to be the one.  She repeated it to herself, like a mantra. Parking was a challenge because garages downtown charged for parking and she had to find free parking. Of course they may validate, but she couldn’t risk it. She had zero cash and her debit card was in danger of being cut in half. After finding a space a couple of blocks away she was elated she had remembered her umbrella. The rain was pummeling the car. Wearing heels, and a second hand business suit, stylish black skirt and jacket, she felt she looked professional. It was sheer luck that she found it at the thrift store.

Walking at a fast pace being careful to dodge the puddles, Vanessa looked up at the thirty story building thinking how professional it looked. A skyscraper made of glass with one single glass rotating door at the entrance. Just inside the entrance was a security desk where she stopped to check in to gain admittance to the elevators. She punched the button for the twenty-third floor noticing that there wasn’t a button for the thirteenth floor. Vanessa thought how funny it was that people could be so superstitious, she was always tending to let her mind wander.

The secretary looked overly busy as she had stacks of files and papers on her desk. And yet, she looked to exude confidence. Looking up at Vanessa she smiled and said, Hello, may I help you?

Vanessa was somewhat nervous but attempted to sound confident. Good morning, my name is Vanessa Lee, I have an interview with John Haven. I believe I’m in the right place.

Yes, you are, I am his secretary, Jessy. If you would like to have a seat, I will let him know you’re here. I know he is expecting you. Jessy buzzed the intercom announcing that Vanessa was there. She heard him respond that it would be just a moment for him to finish his call. Jessy smiled at Vanessa and went back to work. Ten minutes had gone by when she overheard him tell Jessy to please send her in.

Walking in, she noticed how amazing the view was out the large wall of windows.  That’s some view. He glanced at the windows and back to her with a smile. She had brought a file with additional references, letters of recommendation, and her long list of volunteer work. She smiled and handed him the file. A little more info for you.

I must say, Miss Lee, I was very pleased when I saw your résumé. It was refreshing, I see you must have a good work ethic due to the longevity of your current position. We can discuss that further in a moment. Let me tell you about our hiring process, human resources sends me the top résumés for an open position. At least, when it comes to department head positions. I do the initial interviews, which you are the last to be interviewed. Now don’t think that means anything, it was just a matter of scheduling. You have the same opportunity as the other candidates. She was thinking he seemed pleasant. So fortunately we should be wrapping up the hiring process in the next few days.

Mr. Haven looked up from her file she had brought. He thought she looked smart, a little bit too skinny maybe, but beautiful. It doesn’t look like you have much free time.

She squirmed a little in her chair thinking maybe she should say something. He hadn’t exactly asked a question. Yes, I do stay quite busy. I enjoy doing volunteer work in my off time. It can be very rewarding.

The door suddenly flew open making both of them jump. A powerful looking man, dressed in an incredible dark gray suit, he was stunning. His eyes were the color of emeralds, he had dark skin and the features of a Greek inheritance, she thought. Unlike John who was at least ten years his senior and had gone gray years before. His blue eyes twinkled when he smiled.

John this is completely unacceptable, this report is not going to fly with the investors that I’ve been talking to. He threw a file on the desk looking at Mr. Haven as if waiting for some excuse. He was so angry he hadn’t even noticed Vanessa staring at him or that she was in the room for that matter. Well, what do you have to say?

Look Nicholie, I’m sure your grievance is genuine. I’m not sure it is with me as I have no idea what you are talking about. But as you can see, pointing at Vanessa, I am speaking with Miss Lee about the head of research position. If you would like to discuss this a little later I’d be happy to oblige. However, Miss Lee is here now and we’ve barely begun the interview so... John was looking at the man that by now looked slightly embarrassed. He had been incredibly rude and unprofessional. He had not even noticed she was there. He hadn’t even slowed down by Jessy’s desk or knocked to see if John was busy.

Looking from John to her trying to think of what to say, Nicholie managed, I’m sorry Miss... Uh Miss...

Lee, but please call me Vanessa, she was slightly trembling when she stood to shake his hand.

Nicholie was looking at her thinking how beautiful she was. Deciding whether he wanted to find out more about her or not. Shaking her hand, Well, Miss Lee, um... Vanessa I am terribly sorry for the interruption. I assure you I don’t normally behave in such a manner. As I’m sure John explained he normally interviews the applicants and sends me the top three. I interview them and we make the final decision together. So since I’m here I’ll just listen in if you don’t mind. Vanessa was nervous, he wasn’t at all like Mr. Haven, this man made her feel things she couldn’t even describe. She was weak and light headed just staring at him. The silence was nearly unbearable. I’m sorry, I haven’t properly introduced myself, Nicholie Farral, I am...

The owner of this building or company or...  She trailed off, barely breathing and not realizing she had interrupted him.

Both men were now looking at her, but John spoke first, Are you ok, Vanessa, you look a little pale?

Yes, I’m sorry, you just caught me off guard a little. I’m quite fine thank you. Mr. Haven has my résumé along with an extra file I’ve prepared to complement my résumé, if you would like a moment to look them over. She suddenly had an urge to jump up and dart out of the room.

Nicholie picked up the file and began to flip through the pages. Vanessa sat there in silence not wanting to say anything or didn’t even know what to say. Thoughts of not wanting to come off over eager, or pushy where running through her head. She remembered that old saying, the first one to speak loses, or something like that. She sat there in silence as he read her life on paper. Finally he looked up at her, This is quite impressive he changed his sights to John Have you had a chance to read this, John?

No not really, I glanced at it, but we had barely started to talk when you came in so I haven’t had much of an opportunity.

Miss Lee, would you mind stepping out for a few minutes so John and I can talk?

Standing up she looked at him questioningly No, not at all, and walked to the door. I’ll be just outside. Her knees were weak as she walked out the door and she couldn’t help but think about his eyes. She was wondering if she truly belonged here in this world. Nothing had gone as she planned, she wanted to show her intelligence and look professional. Instead she stood there gawking at the owner of the company. She didn’t even really talk or be asked any questions. Her brain was asking what kind of interview was that.

John looked at Nicholie, So what are you thinking? She looks great on paper, other than the obvious. I called on her references before she came in. I have two other candidates that are definitely more qualified. Nicholie couldn’t tell if he was trying to sell him or suggest someone else. It is appealing all the volunteering she does, that makes the company look good and on top of the sixty hour weeks at her present position. That means she isn’t lazy by any means and is probably very dedicated to her career. I don’t feel like I really got a chance to interview her, but I think she might be the one. Most of the applicants these days don’t understand long hours or hard work.

Honestly John, I trust your choice, she will be working with you. So you’re responsible for whom ever you choose. They discussed the other two candidates. John thought about it for a while and made his decision.

It seemed like an eternity as the minutes ticked to a half-hour then forty-five minutes and when she thought she could bear no more the intercom on Jessy’s desk buzzed. Jessy responded immediately, Yes Mr. Haven.

Please send Miss Lee back in.

Jessy glanced at Vanessa and smiled. She was gathering her confidence to walk back into the office not sure what to expect, based on her previous experience it was hard telling. Both men were smiling casually as she walked in and took her seat. Miss Lee, John had made some calls on your behalf and although we generally hire someone with a four-year degree or prior experience in this field she was fading, not really hearing the words thinking she had no idea why she had believed for one moment they would give