Chapter 8: Suspicion
Miranda knew that the whole affair could become dangerous and that she did have no other option but to call the police. She could only hope that the press wouldn't get wind of it, at least for the next two weeks, according to the last letter. Somebody was clearly against her relationship with Andrea. She stood and pulled her lover unto the bed, "We have to call the police."
"But then they will know about us", Andrea reminded her, after she got back some of her equilibrium.
"I know but there is nothing else we can do. The blackmailer used our relationship as a means for blackmail in the first letter and now it is the reason for blackmail. There have been threats against me before but never of a private nature", Miranda explained thoughtfully.
"I don't want to leave you. Now that we are finally...", Andrea stopped in the middle of the sentence when she felt Miranda's hand on hers.
Even though the threats had to be taken seriously, she would under no circumstances allow that Andrea left her a second time. She had known that it wouldn't be easy but she hadn't expected that amount of opposition. Because nobody could know about them and that was her biggest worry, "And I will not allow that to happen."
A while later both sat with two policemen in Miranda's office. One of them was diligently taking notes while the other questioned them about the letters. Andrea felt more and more as if she was interrogated by a member of the yellow press. At least that's how it seemed to her because she couldn't remember ever being asked so much about her life. That Miranda felt the same was clearly evident. The short answers which were dangerously quiet and the false friendliness were unmistakeable signs. She was glad when the detectives came to an end, "Do you have any idea who could be behind it?" asked one of the detectives.
Miranda narrowed her eyes, "If I knew that I wouldn't need you, would I?" she said in a sarcastic tone. Andrea merely shook her head and hoped to get something remotely like a "normal" life back.
Either out of respect or politeness the detectives ignored the editor's sarcastic answer, "All right, Mrs Priestly, Ms Sachs, we'll inform you as soon as the letters have been analysed and we'll know more." The other detective closed his notebook then both got up, indicating that the conversation was over. Before they could bid their goodbyes, the detective who had taken the notes remembered something, "One last question Mrs Priestly. Do you have surveillance cameras in your house?"
"Certainly not! Why do you ask?" she answered coldly. If one of her employees would have asked such a stupid question they would be fired on the spot. She would never record her private life so that some silly security guard could entertain himself.
For some unexplained reason the detective felt like he had to apologise for his question, "I am sorry about the question but it would explain why anybody would know about you", he said. Then both nodded curtly before they left the office.
Andrea waited until the door closed behind them before she turned to Miranda, "Do you think they will find something?"
"It shouldn't be impossible after all these questions", she said. The letter she had received as well as Andrea's had been put into a plastic bag and the detectives had taken it with them. Furthermore, they had assured her that a patrol car would keep an eye on her house until the case was solved.
Andrea looked sceptically at Miranda, "I don't like that. What if they tell somebody what we told them?"
"I didn't ask them to sign this for naught", Miranda declared and handed Andrea two sheets of paper.
Andrea read it and shook her head unbelievingly, "You are the only one I know who could ask detectives to sign a contract of discretion", she said with a grin.
A small smile played over Miranda's lips, "I take that as a compliment", her face turned serious again, "now I would like some coffee."
"It's on the way, Miranda", with that Andrea also left the office. She knew that something like that wouldn't keep Miranda from doing her work. Whether she liked it or not, as long as they were here they couldn't be more than boss and employee. She sighed quietly, couldn't her heart have chosen somebody else than Miranda Priestly to be the love of her life?
"Why was the police here?" Emily asked and stirred her from her thoughts.
Andrea got her bag and coat while she answered, "Nothing important", she answered curtly, "I have to get coffee", she added and disappeared from Emily's view.
With a shake of her head Emily observed Andrea disappear, "There is something wrong", she muttered to herself.
When Miranda came home next day in the evening she expected to be greeted by her daughters. Instead, after closing the front door, she heard the loud and angry voice of her husband. He hadn't heard her so she quietly took off her coat and shoes and walked nearer. Miranda knew it was wrong to eavesdrop but the threats had left their toll and a slight feeling of paranoia awakened within her.
"... this is not..." she heard him say and when nobody answered it meant he was talking on the phone. She wondered why he was so angry and who he could be talking to.
"I've told you to wait! Do you want to ruin everything?" She heard him say furiously.
Shortly after he ended the call. This was Miranda's cue to enter the living room, "May I ask why you keep the whole neighbourhood entertained while you are talking on the phone?"
He turned around and briefly she could detect a scared expression on his face before it was replaced by arrogance, "None of your business but since you asked, a business partner made a mistake", he explained. At least it wasn't a complete lie he thought.
Miranda looked with dangerously narrowed eyes at him, "Then I suggest you take care of it in a quieter voice."
"I will remember it for the next time", he said and was on his way out.
She wondered what the conversation was about because from what she heard she couldn't figure it out. They circled each other like enemies, waiting who would attack first. The first time it was he who had made the final step now it would be her who ended this game. Before he could leave she grabbed his arm, "Stephen", she started, "I am going to file for divorce", she announced without any emotion.
His face changed from arrogant to dark, "You can't be serious?" he asked doubtfully.
"What if I am? I have already asked my lawyers to prepare the papers", she said not evading his gaze.
His vanity and dignity were hurt. How could she dare to throw him away like an old, worn out piece of clothing. That's not how it was supposed to be, he should be the hero who saved Miranda Priestly after her professional downfall. But he couldn't if she refused him, "Why?"
She let go of his arm, "Do you really think this marriage has any future? Priorities change just like feelings and I cannot be with someone who neither respects me or my children", she declared.
His face showed his hurt, "What do you know about feelings, you are cold and heartless", he accused Miranda.
"That makes two of us", she replied, "and now if you excuse me, I want to say good night to my daughters", she said and left.
"You are going to pay for this, Miranda", he whispered. The mobile phone in his hand crunched when he squeezed his fist hard around it.
While he left the house to drown his anger and frustration in the next bar, Miranda climbed the stairs to tuck her twins in. On the first floor she turned left and opened the second door. When she entered the room she was greeted by her two hurricanes with a loud, "Mom!" and a hug. She smiled, "Well, you two bundles of energy, shouldn't you be in bed?"
Both looked with puppy dog eyes at their mother, "We have been waiting for you", they said in unison.
Miranda wasn't really surprised, although they should be in bed they were waiting for her every evening. A motherly smile played across her lips, "Off to bed with you", she said. Both nodded obediently, then they climbed into bed and she gave each a kiss on the forehead.
Their mother just wanted to say good night and turn off the light when Cassidy remembered something, "Mom?" she called out.
Her hand stopped over the light switch, "Yes?" she asked and found two pairs of eyes full of curiosity and worry gazing at her.
"Is it true that you...", Cassidy had to think of the correct word, "... are having an affair?", she finally found it.
Puzzled and speechless she looked at her daughters who looked expectantly back at her, "Why would you ask that?" she avoided the answer.
"Have you?" Caroline pushed her mother.
She sighed, it was pointless to try to avoid the question because her daughters had inherited her obstinacy and would ask until they got a satisfactory answer.
"Not now", she declared and left room for speculation.
Cassidy looked at her sister then they both nodded, agreeing grudgingly, "Night, mom!"
"Sweet dreams", she said, turned off the light and closed the door behind her. Her girls wouldn't be satisfied with this and she would have to tell them the truth. Her relationship with Andrea was still new but with the blackmail, the danger that the press could become aware of it and with the impending divorce it was unavoidable that her daughters would be dragged into it. On her way to her study she heard the front door being opened and closed again. By the sound of the footsteps it could be only one person, "Andrea?", she called down the stairs. She had been on her way downstairs but had changed her mind when she heard Andrea enter.
Reluctantly Andrea climbed the stairs, Why does she call me upstairs? The children and Stephen should be here or at least the children, she asked herself. Miranda was waiting at the top of the stairs for her with a neutral expression, "Hi! Uhm, sorry it took so long with the Book today but there have been problems... ", she began to apologise.
Miranda raised her hand to halt Andrea's apology, "Come with me", she ordered and walked towards her bedroom.
Andrea didn't know what to think so she followed Miranda who disappeared into the bedroom. When she entered she found Miranda in front of the window looking out, "I know this sounds strange but why are we in your bedroom?" she broke the silence.
An amused smile appeared on Miranda's lips when she turned to Andrea, "Is it not obvious? To talk of course", she answered. But the smile disappeared and she turned serious, "Please, sit down", she said and gestured to the big bed.
Still slightly confused, Andrea sat on the edge of the bed and put down the Book next to her. Miranda preferred to stand and so Andrea couldn't deny that something was bothering her, "What's the matter, Miranda?" she asked softly.
Her lover's expression didn't change; only in those blue eyes one could have detected something but she was too far away from Andrea to do so. Point-blank she explained, "I told Stephen I want a divorce."
"Oh! How did he react?" she asked carefully.
Slowly Miranda walked over to Andrea and sat down next to her, "Not good, he left the house soon after", she said. Her eyes looked straight ahead in her voice was no regret when she said that. She felt nothing for the man she once thought she loved but now he was one of the people she offered politeness with a fake smile. Then she looked at Andrea, "When I came home Stephen had an argument on the phone and I am quite certain it wasn't about business like he told me."
Andrea understood what Miranda was implying, "You think he is behind this", she said and it wasn't a question.
"Yes."
Another thought began to blossom in her mind, "How did he know if it's impossible?" she pondered loudly. Would her affair with Miranda have become public there would have been a scandal and quite a few problems in both their lives. But to threaten somebody with death was another thing altogether. If it was Stephen this wasn't the safest place.
The older woman nodded slightly, "That's why we are in the bedroom, somewhere else the housekeeper or somebody else from the staff could find out. As long as I don't know for sure it is better they know as little as possible", she commented. Holding up an air of unapproachability was pure self-preservation of her private life and right now the danger could come from there.
Andrea's hand gently covered Miranda's and tried to convey that she would be at Miranda's side no matter what. Brown eyes met blue that held so many emotions only shown to her and understood by her. Andrea raised her hand and slowly and tenderly stroked her cheek. Miranda's blue eyes fluttered closed, enjoying the gentle touch of the younger woman. When Andrea leaned forward to kiss those desirable lips, her mobile phone rang. The romantic mood was instantly killed and she suppressed the urge to do the same to her phone. Before she answered she looked apologetically at Miranda, "Yes?" she snapped.
While Andrea was on the phone, Miranda stood to get her reading glasses to take a quick look at the Book when something caught her attention. Briefly she thought she was imagining things but something was definitely different. With all her years of experience she's spent in the world of fashion where she had to care for the tiniest details, changes even the smallest ones, didn't go unnoticed. She let her gaze wander over the headboard of the bed, to the left, to the bedside table where the CD-player stood only to linger there. She raised her eyebrows to find out what was wrong about the whole display. Slowly she walked to the nightstand and her eyes remained focused on the player. There was nothing else there, so what was wrong? She stood in front of it and looked sceptically at the flat silver player. The surface showed no sign of manipulation but before she could take a closer look she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you but you were so absorbed", Andrea apologised when Miranda suddenly turned around. "What have you been thinking about?" she asked.
"I haven't thought about anything in particular but something here is wrong. I just don't know what it is", Miranda answered and turned back to the nightstand.
Andrea hoped Miranda wasn't suffering from a stress syndrome because to her it looked exactly like the first time she had been here. Sceptically she looked from the spartanic nightstand with the CD-player to Miranda, "It looks the same to me."
"It is the same as with the belts, to the uneducated eye they probably looked all the same but to the trained eye they didn't", she tried to explain it to Andrea.
"Hmm! Well, I think..." she began but stopped when she detected a small red dot on the front of the player. Others would have thought it was the standby light but this device didn't have one. She picked it up to take an even closer look and when she gazed at the light she could see that it actually was a hole in the surface from where the red light shone through.
"Did you find something?" Miranda wanted to know.
Andrea gazed up at her, "I'm not sure but I believe such expensive devices like this usually don't have holes with red lights in it, do they?" she asked rhetorically and handed the player to Miranda.
The older woman looked at the hole where only a faint light could be detected and anger started to boil, "It seems to be a mini microphone or something similar", she stated. He had really dared to violate her privacy in such a manner. She turned to Andrea, "Try to find a locksmith that changes locks at this time, please", Miranda said without her usual tone she used at work. "Stephen will never set foot in this house again", she added.
Andrea nodded, "I will. Shall I call the police as well?"
"I will call them myself", she declared.
Nearly an hour later Miranda said good bye to the detectives she had met in her office and closed the door with the changed lock. She climbed the stairs to her bedroom and found Andrea in thought with a lowered head sitting on the bed. Miranda walked over to her, "What is wrong, Andrea?" she asked directly but softly.
Andrea's hands lay folded in her lap and even when Miranda asked her she didn't look up, "It's my fault", she answered quietly.
Miranda raised her brow in irritation, "What do you mean, it is your fault?"
Unfathomable brown eyes looked up at her, "If I hadn't agreed to work for you again then you wouldn't have these problems."
"And I wouldn't be with you", Miranda added and sat down next to Andrea, "You couldn't know what would happen. You are not to blame for his behaviour", she said without letting room for any argument. To put more emphasis behind her words she leaned towards Andrea, their eyes met and for a split second one could feel two souls touching before their lips did.
What happened during the last minutes didn't go undetected but was secretly observed by a pair of twins. When they quietly returned to their room they spoke about it, "You see, I told you something was wrong with mom", Cassidy said first.
"Do you think it is serious?" Caroline asked.
The other girl thought about it briefly before she answered, "I don't know, if it is she is going to tell us about her relationship. I would be glad if Stephen wouldn't live here any longer."
Caroline nodded in agreement, "I'm quite sure he won't from now on", she said with a broad grin. Both knew their mother had changed the locks because of Stephen they only needed to find out why the police had been here. They knew their mother didn't tell them everything but only to protect them. That's why they tried to find out what was going on like two amateur detectives even if it was not polite. Both hoped their mother was happy this time.
"If she thought I am bluffing, she is wrong", Nate spoke to himself while going through his suitcase. If this coward wouldn't do it, he had to do it and the best chance was at the charity event. He had warned her which was more than enough and when he got rid of the problem he could move to Boston with his beloved Andy. He had already applied for a job as a chef there and was certain he would get it. No policeman would be able to stop him, not even the Dragon herself, "Andrea belongs to me", he said quietly when he found what he was looking for.
He was stirred from his thoughts when somebody pounded on the door of his hotel room, "Mister Cooper! This is the police!" it sounded from outside.
