Rose Quartz Read Free

possible in here, even getting a job done on the outside…for a price. For Victor Price. He threw back his head and laughed at his wit, a deranged sound that stilled the noises coming from the other cells.

Chapter Two
     
    The taxi slid into an opening in front of an imposing five-story brownstone. Bella looked around. There was no prickling on the back of her neck, no feelings of dread. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary on her quiet street. Her plan had worked.
    She stepped out of the car and tipped the driver. Straightening, she adjusted her shoulder bag, rearranging the awkward weight.
    An older gentleman dressed in tan livery stood outside the building.
    “Hello, George.”
    The doorman squinted from behind thick glasses. “Is that you, Ms. Bella?”
    She laughed. “Didn’t recognize me in my new ensemble, huh? So what do you think of my threads?”
    He grinned, showing perfect white teeth that Bella suspected were dentures. “I think you’d look good in a flour sack, Ms. Bella.”
    “You charmer, you.” She touched him lightly on the shoulder, giving him a tiny infusion of beauty and creativity from her amulet.
    His bowed shoulders straightened and the wrinkles scouring his forehead and layering his neck receded.
    “Were you waiting out here for me, George?”
    “I got your message and wanted to make sure you got in safely. I took the luggage that the taxidriver dropped off earlier to your apartment.”
    She smiled warmly. “I appreciate that.” And she did. George wasn’t all that young anymore.
    He opened the door for her and they walked through the pristine white foyer to the elevator. With each step, Bella’s elegant black pumps sank into the lush silver-gray carpet.
    George pushed the lighted button. The doors slid open and they stepped into the elevator.
    Looking at her reflection in the spotless shiny cage, Bella automatically patted her hair. “Has Puss–Puss been behaving himself?” The twenty-pound white tomcat was the love of her life and everyone who knew Bella was aware of it much to their chagrin. Puss–Puss’ name hardly reflected his personality.
    As the elevator slid smoothly to the second floor George cleared his throat. He pursed his lips and wrinkled his forehead as if trying to formulate a polite lie.
    Bella grimaced. “Oh dear, did he bite you again?”
    He smiled. “I needed a new pair of pants anyway. Trying to keep two steps ahead of that cat keeps me spry.”
    She sighed. “I’ll tack on the cost of a new pair of pants to your cat-sitting fee. How’s Martha?” she asked, referring to his wife of forty years.
    “Spunky as ever.”
    The elevator skimmed to a halt across from her apartment.
    “Thanks, George.”
    “I’ll see you in, Ms. Bella.”
    “I’d appreciate that.” Pulling out the key, she unlocked the door and stepped inside, George at her heels. “Puss–Puss, I’m home,” she called out.
    George blanched. He took a hasty look around and stepped nimbly through the door. “Everything looks right and tight. Goodnight, Ms. Bella.” The door shut just as Puss–Puss came cannonballing into the foyer. With one powerful leap he was in her arms.
    She rubbed noses with the sleek white cat. “Ooh, I’ve missed you.”
    “Mrrow.”
    Bella sat him down and headed for the kitchen, the big cat at her heels. “How about a glass of white wine for me and a can of tuna for you?”
    “Mrrow.”
    “I thought you’d go for it.”
    As she walked into the kitchen, Bella kicked off her pumps. The cool marble felt wonderful against the soles of her tired feet.
    Bella poured herself a glass of wine, forked tuna into a crystal bowl and carried them into the living room. She set them on the coffee table then picked up the remote off the latte-colored tweed couch and clicked it. The haunting sounds of a wood flute filled the spacious room.
    Purring, Puss–Puss jumped up and began to eat his pungent meal.
    Bella sank into the overstuffed couch and sighed with pleasure.