The man quickly stuffed all his belongings into the duffle bag before shoving the entire thing into one of the many dumpsters that lined the alley. He looked up and down the vast space, but didn't notice any shadows out of the ordinary. He quickly walked to his car, opening the door and sliding in. He didn't bother with his seat belt and quickly turned the key in its ignition. He heard an unfamiliar click but that was all he heard as the explosion that ripped through his car killed him instantly.
Anna sipped her glass of champagne and nibbled on a strawberry as she looked around the park. It was filled with people sitting at tables and on blankets, all listening to the orchestra play. The music was lovely, but she had to admit she wasn't giving it her full attention. She turned to look at her best friend Gwen who was scanning the crowd, presumably looking for her son Max who was off playing with some other boys his age. Gwen must have spotted him because she turned back to Anna, frowning.
"What do you mean you're divorcing Jackson?"
Anna shrugged, "I mean I'm divorcing Jackson."
"I know you have been unhappy for a long time, but why now?"
Anna looked down at her glass before looking back at her friend, tears in her eyes, "I just can't do it anymore, Gwen. I feel my life ebbing away a little more every day that I stay. I miss writing, I miss laughing, and I miss being who I was before I met Jackson."
"He won't make it easy."
Anna nodded, "I know, but I don't want anything from him. So he can threaten to cut me off all he wants, it won't matter, I am not giving in this time."
Gwen looked at her friend the concern written on her face. She knew how much Anna had struggled since marrying Jackson. He had been charming when they had first met, sweeping her best friend off her feet. Anna had fallen in love quickly, giving up her promising career as a writer to marry him. It didn't take long after the wedding for Anna to realize that Jackson had only married her to help with his business, to show her off to her clients. She was the perfect example of a trophy wife, at least to Jackson, with him playing the perfect, loving husband in public but barely speaking to her in private. They hadn't slept together in years and in fact they lived in separate wings in Jackson's estate. It hadn't been easy seeing her once vibrant friend lose her lust for life, and had often urged her to leave her husband, but Anna was stubborn and swore things would change. As the years passed though it had become more and more apparent that those changes would never happen and Gwen was happy Anna had finally realized that as well. She reached for her best friend's hand.
"I love you, and you know I will be there for you."
Anna smiled and grasped her friend's hand. "Thank you Gwen."
"Does this child belong to one of you?"
Anna looked up to see a tall dark haired man holding Max's hand. Max was covered in ice cream.
Anna pointed to Gwen. "Has he been causing trouble?"
The man smiled, "He and some other boys decided to take advantage of the free ice cream cart and start an ice cream war, as you can see he lost."
Gwen stood up, grasping her son's hand. "Max, what were you thinking?" She looked at Anna and the stranger, "If you will excuse me, I have quite the mess to clean up."
Anna and the man watched as Gwen struggled to pull Max across the grass. As with most little boys, he hated the idea of being cleaned up after anything.
Anna turned back to the man and smiled, "Thank you, Mr.-?
The man reached out his hand, "Bates, John Bates."
Anna placed her small hand in his, taken back a bit at the slight shock she felt. Mr. Bates must have felt it too because his warm green eyes widened slightly. Anna shook her head slightly before speaking, "I'm Anna Smith."
"Nice too meet you Anna. Am I correct in assuming you are from England?"
Anna laughed, "I am!"
"What brings you to New York?"
"I'm on vacation with my friend Gwen. We are heading back to London in a few days. You?"
"I'm here on business, as boring as that is. I also leave for London in a few days and I have yet to do any exploring of this great city."
"Oh you have to try and get some sight-seeing in, the city offers so much. You at least have to check out the museums. They are beautiful."
John indicated to the Gwen's empty chair, "Do you mind if I sit?"
Anna smiled, "Please."
She watched as he attempted to put his tall frame in the small wrought iron chair, his long legs stretched out in front of him, which he had crossed at the feet. She looked back up as John spoke again.
"What museums do you recommend?
"You have to visit Museum of Modern Art and the Natural History Museum, they are both amazing."
John nodded and smiled and Anna couldn't help but notice how they crinkled in the corners when he did, she had to admit she found it charming. She shook her head, what was the matter with her? She barely knew this man, yet she couldn't help but be taken by him for some reason. He made her feel at ease, which she hadn't felt in the company of a man in a long time.
"What do you do in London Anna?"
Anna looked down, unconsciously fiddling with her wedding ring. "I'm a—well I was a writer."
"You don't write anymore?"
Anna shook her head, "No, I stopped when I got married."
"How long have you been married?"
"Seven years, but I'm getting a divorce." Anna's eyes widened in shock at her statement, what had she been thinking? Why would she blurt that out to a perfect stranger?
John frowned, "I'm sorry."
Anna shook her head, "It's okay, it has been a long time coming." Once again, Anna chided herself. What was it about this man that made her leave her guard down?
"Well as someone who has been divorced, if I can offer any advice please let me know."
Anna smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Bates."
John smiled. "Please call me John." He stopped for a moment, and Anna got the impression he was wrestling with something. He looked over at her. "Anna I know this may sound forward but would it be okay if I called in on you when we are both back in London? No pressure, maybe just for coffee?
Anna knew she should say no, after all she was about to start divorce proceedings, but there was just something about this man. She had felt an immediate connection, and she couldn't help but want to get to know him better. She nodded, "I'd like that." She reached for her purse and took out a small notebook and pen. She quickly jotted down her number and ripped the piece of paper from the pad handing it to John.
John looked at it briefly before folding it and tucking it inside his jacket. He glanced down at his watch, "I'm afraid I have to go, but I look forward to talking to you again very soon Anna." He stood up and reached for her hand, pulling it to his lips and kissing it softly.
Anna flushed at the feel of his lips on her hand, she watched as he released her hand and with a final smile towards her he turned and strode off, quickly lost in the crowd. Anna touched the spot on her hand where his lips had touched and smiled.
Anna put her key in the lock turning it to unlock the door. She reached inside the foyer of the flat for the light and frowned when nothing happened as she flipped it on. She sighed in frustration; of course it would be her luck to come home when the power was out. She reached for her cell phone, scrolling through until she found the flashlight app. She quickly turned it on and the foyer was lit up. Anna frowned as she took in her surroundings. The walls that were normally covered with art were empty. She walked into the flat, quickly entering the living room. The bright light from her phone revealed only a sofa and chair in the massive room. All the tables, lamps, vases and wall art where gone. Had they been robbed? A quick walk through of the rest of the flat revealed that the other rooms all had suffered a similar fate. She frowned, unsure of what had happened. She headed back to the foyer, stopping short as she saw a man standing there. She reached in her purse for her pepper spray but before she could find it the man spoke up.
"Anna Smith?"
Anna frowned, "Yes. Who are you?"
"Mrs. Smith, my name is Thomas Barrow; I am with the London police. I'm afraid I have some bad news."