*** Friday***
Jennifer and Jonathan each took the day off and flew to New York bright and early.
They landed just after 1 in New York.
"I reserved us the car service to use while we are here".
"Wonderful. What hotel are we staying in?"
"We aren't. I have an apartment in the city".
"I can't wait to see it".
They stopped and picked up lunch from one of Jennifer's favorite places and then headed to Jonathan's place.
When they stepped off the elevator, Jennifer's eyes grew wide with amazement.
"Jonathan, this apartment is absolutely to die for!"
"Thanks. It has served me well".
It was 58 bedrooms, 3.55 baths, with a large kitchen, living room, dining room and an extra long, extra wide terrace.
His master bedroom and bathroom were so big they could have had their own Zip code.
After they ate lunch and got settled, Jennifer went to take a bubble bath while Jonathan went over a few business reports.
"Darling….what is the dress code for dinner tonight?"
"Dressy not formal".
"Perfect".
She put on a long-sleeved dark green sweater dress and some knee-high black boots.
"Baby, you ready?"
"Almost".
She spritzed on the perfume that he liked the most and made sure not a hair was out of place and then came out to the living room.
"You look great. Is that dress new?"
"It is. I thought you would like it".
She straightened his tie and then kissed him.
He grabbed her hand and they headed for the elevator.
They got in the car from the car service and headed to the restaurant.
Jonathan could barely keep his hands off Jennifer the whole way there.
"Darling, if you rip this dress, I will have to go back to the apartment alone".
"Or I can take you shopping".
"I like this dress…you can take me shopping any day".
"We should have come here last night so we could have had the night to ourselves".
"We had a very nice night at my place last night, did we not?"
"Yes, we did. I loved it, but baby, you weren't wearing that…"
"I know why you're like this right now. I know exactly what it is".
"What is it?"
"Can't tell you. It's a secret".
They pulled up to the restaurant.
Before they got out of the car, Jennifer leaned over and kissed him.
"Darling, just so you know, I can't wait till you and I get back to the apartment tonight either".
Before he could say anything, she kissed him again and they got out of the car.
They walked in and found their table.
"Jonathan! Great to see you!"
"Alan Reese, great to see you!"
"Leslie! What are you doing here?"
"Jennifer! I didn't know we were having dinner with you tonight".
"I take it the women know each other".
"We do, darling. We used to work together at the times, before I knew you".
"And before I married you, honey".
"Small world".
They sat down and the men began to talk business while the ladies just caught up and gossiped.
"Jennifer, I cannot tell you how much your column is missed here in New York. Nobody anywhere writes articles like you do".
"You're sweet. I don't have the secret formula or anything, but you're sweet".
"I'm serious. Before I left the paper, I swear they must have gone through 12 columnists in a matter of months trying to find someone to replace you. Are you still writing?"
"Sort of. I was fired from the paper when my boss decided to throw a hissy fit. And within a matter of weeks I inherited a newspaper in California from the journalist who mentored me in college. So, I'm the Editor in Chief, but sometimes I write the stories if we have a gap to fill or if we don't have anyone to do it".
"Do you like running your own paper?"
"Yes and no. I like living up to my mentor's legacy, that's what keeps me going. But sometimes, it would be nice to just focus on one story at a time and not have to worry about payroll or sales reports or stuff like that. One of my mentor's daughters sued me a few months back to try and take the paper from me, and that kind of put a damper on things. It all worked out in the end, though, and we are growing each month".
"That's wonderful."
"Are you still writing?"
"Here and there. I did a lot when my oldest was a baby. I could do it while he slept at night But now that I have 3 kids, it's a little harder. I really only seem to miss it when I read an article that is not done well".
"I know what you mean. I leafed through an issue of Woman's Life the other night and they had articles in there that just made me gasp. First one was about how to get your boyfriend back if he breaks up with you. It actually said to cut yourself in an area of your body that is fleshy but not too fleshy so that you don't nick a major organ and then tell him you got stabbed. Seriously. And they had one page of sale items and I swear the cheapest item on that entire page was over three thousand dollars."
"Yes, it's gotten way out of hand. I used to think about writing a book, but now I just want a good night's sleep without my youngest waking up or getting in bed with us. I did take on some editing work, and that was great because I could do it at my own pace, and they really valued my suggestions."
"Yeah, if we ever have kids I'll probably switch over to editing or proofing or something easy".
Jonathan leaned over to Jennifer.
"Darling, would you care to dance?"
"I would love to".
Alan and Leslie stayed at the table while Jennifer and Jonathan headed to the dance floor.
"How's your business part coming along?"
"Great. He agreed to my terms and we are going to teleconference next week as we sign the paperwork".
"Wonderful! I'm so proud of you".
She leaned up and kissed him.
"How is your conversation with Leslie?"
"I love it. We were never best friends or anything, but we worked well together. She is telling me that everyone misses my column and that when she reads a story that isn't written well, it makes her miss mine that much more".
"What a lovely compliment".
"Yeah, I thought so too".
"So when are you going to tell me what the secret component to our evening is?"
She chuckled.
"You'll find out soon enough, darling".
She kissed him and nibbled on his bottom lip a bit, driving him crazy.
"One more hour and then we are leaving".
"You're on, sailor".
She kissed him just as their dance ended, and they headed back to their table.
After a lovely dinner with Alan and Leslie, they all walked out together.
"Jennifer, it was so lovely to see you again."
"It was great seeing you again too. And thank you for caring about my stories like you do. I love knowing I have a fan".
"Always".
They said their goodnights and then headed back to Jonathan's apartment.
They were barely inside before they were all over each other. Jonathan grabbed Jennifer's face and kissed her to the point of delirium as soon as he locked the door behind them.
They began undressing each other as they made their way to the bedroom, and left a trail of clothes on the floor.
Jennifer sat on the bed and extended her legs towards Jonathan, inviting him to unzip her boots. He seductively unzipped them and then tugged them off her legs slowly.
She undid the buttons on his Italian dress shirt and shrugged it off his shoulders, letting it fall to the ground.
They heard a clap of thunder and then rain began to pound against the windows as they furiously made love to each other. As their bodies were intertwined in harmonious motion, their passions raced to a fever pitch and neither of them were able to hold back their emotions.
As the waves of ecstasy washed over them, they were both eager to start again.
Jennifer kissed his chest as he wrapped an arm around her and softly stroked her hair.
"Darling…what would you say to us going somewhere just the two of us, where we wouldn't have any neighbors, where nobody would be there to bother us or to be bothered by us, if we were to say….explore the more carnal side of our relationship?"
He rolled them till she was on her back and kissed her.
"You want carnal? I'll give you carnal".
She chuckled as he kissed her and they made love a few more times and then finally fell asleep together.
*** The Next Morning***
Jennifer and Jonathan were about to head out to the Soren residence when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
Jonathan talked for a few minutes while Jennifer made them to-go mugs of coffee.
A few minutes later he came in to the kitchen.
"Hey, that was Holt my top IT guy-there's a problem at the New York office and they need me to look at it. So, what if you go to the interview and I'll meet up with you later?"
"Oh, that's alright. I can do this and then I'll just meet you back here".
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive. It's fine. You go handle your office problem and I'll probably be done by the time you get back anyways".
"I love you, you're the greatest".
She leaned up and kissed him.
"I love you more".
They took the car service and she dropped Jonathan off first and then headed to the Soren's.
As they pulled up to the house in Westville, Jennifer began to take stock of what was in front of her. They had a large mansion-like home with a gate and a posted guard. The gate opened to reveal a rather large fountain in the center of a round driveway. Anyone making less than 7 figures a year could forget about ever owning a house like this.
The door opened before she could ring the bell, and she was greeted by Elizabeth.
"Hi, I'm so glad you made it".
"Hi, thank you. My boyfriend had an emergency last minute, so it's just me today".
"Great, well come on in. We took the kids to my parents home last night for the weekend. So, it's just me, my husband and the housekeeper here".
"Great".
She followed Elizabeth through the immaculately decorated home into a small, cozy tv room where Carter Soren sat on the couch.
"And this is my husband, Carter."
"Hi, I'm Jennifer Edwards, it's nice to meet you".
"Likewise. I'm Carter".
Jennifer sat down in the oversized chair adjacent to the couch where Carter was sitting.
"Miss Edwards, can I get you a drink?"
"Jennifer, please. And I'd love some ice water".
"Sure".
She turned to Carter.
"Ok, so Elizabeth filled me in on how you and she met and your life together. Can you fill me in on how your affair with Andrea began?"
"She was my secretary for a long time, and then she went to real estate school, got her license and became one of my top agents. She and I went on a business trip almost a year ago, and it happened while we were away".
"What were your intentions regarding the affair?"
"All I can tell you is that when I was with her, she was my focus. And when I was here, my wife and kids were my focus. I wasn't prepared to let either part of my world collapse."
"Did either Andrea or Elizabeth give you an ultimatum?"
"Eventually. Andrea was more tired of not being able to see me during the big times in her life, like holidays, or other important events. Elizabeth wanted me to honor my marriage vows, and I wanted to protect my kids. I had plans to move out a few months back, but Elizabeth asked me to wait till the kids were a little older so they would understand it better. Andrea wanted me to leave Elizabeth but she wasn't prepared to be with me every night. She still wanted her own space and the freedom to do her own thing".
"Tell me about the night before she was killed".
"We had agreed to go to the Hamptons the next day. So, after my last business meeting, I came home and had dinner with my family. I helped my son with his math homework and then he wanted me to pitch to him, so we went to the backyard. A few minutes later, my oldest daughter came out and joined us. Then, we came inside and Elizabeth was finished bathing the youngest one, so we all piled up on the couch and watched tv for a bit and then it was bedtime. The kids usually want Elizabeth to put them to bed, but this time they asked for me, so we went and read stories and then I kissed them goodnight. It was a quiet, uneventful evening".
"You didn't go anywhere, or leave the house at all?"
"No, I didn't".
"What about the next day?"
"We got up around 5 and left for the Hamptons for the weekend".
"And how long were you there?"
"Supposed to be for a weekend, but our neighbor called and said the cops were swarming the place and then we spoke to them and they said I needed to come back, so we took the kids to my mom's and we came back, whereupon I was promptly arrested and taken to jail for Andrea's murder".
"Did you speak to anyone in jail?"
"No, I was placed in a cell by myself".
"What evidence do the police or federal agents have against you?"
"Well, she was really into fashion. So, I would take her shopping and she would always pick out scarves and purses to go with whatever she got. The detectives said that she had been strangled with a scarf and asked me if I recognized it. It was one I had bought her on a recent shopping trip. They also said my handprint was on the doorknob, and my prints were all throughout the house. I told them I lived in the house basically, and had been there many times. So, it only makes sense that my prints were in the house".
"Did they find any bodily fluids that can be traced to you?"
"No, they did not. I wasn't there so I couldn't leave any and from what I have heard, they didn't find any either".
"Do you know of any other lovers she could have had, either before your affair or during that could have done this?"
"Just one. His name is Brett Stafford. He used to be an agent at my firm and they dated for almost a year and then he moved to another firm about 2 hours away."
"What makes you think he did it?"
"Well, he would always come in town to sell houses. I would say he did this a few times a month. Every time he would stop by the agency, bring her flowers, tell her he missed her and still loved her. Talk her into a dinner and then she would be upset for two days afterwards because he didn't call her or because they had sex and he left immediately afterwards. She would tell me that anytime he found out she was dating someone else or that she had plans and didn't agree to drop those plans for him, even though he asked her last-minute, he would tell her that it wasn't fair, that he would kill for her, and he would ask her why he wasn't important to her".
"Do you know when they stopped all contact?"
"About 4 months ago, on her insistence".
Jennifer was taking notes and writing down everything he said.
"Ok, so when was the murder?"
"Three months ago."
Elizabeth appeared in the doorway.
"Jennifer, may I show you something?"
"Yes, of course".
Jennifer got up and followed Elizabeth to a door in the kitchen.
She opened the door and Jennifer realized it was the garage.
She opened the garage door.
"See how loud that is? If he had left that night, we would have heard it. Plus, listen to this alarm that sounds when the door opens".
She opened and closed the door a few times.
"I understand".
Elizabeth gave her a tour of the house and showed her everything-absolutely everything.
Elizabeth Soren's closet was the size of a regular master bedroom. It had stairs and also an elevator. She had several couches and mirrors placed around.
"This is magnificent".
"I brought you in here to make a point. As a woman, have you ever had two of the same kind of clothes? Like two red shirts, or two black dresses?"
"I'm sure I have".
"My husband gave her a scarf as a gift. That was when I found out about the affair. I saw it in his car, and thought it was my birthday present, and when I opened a diamond bracelet instead, I knew that he had bought that for another woman. But I find it very unlikely that she didn't have a similar colored scarf that she purchased herself or that someone else gave her. Just because she had a scarf and they had an affair and she was strangled with that scarf, that doesn't mean that he gave her that particular scarf or that he murdered her".
"I understand".
They walked back towards the living room and were approaching the front door when it opened and three kids plus a nanny came inside.
"Hi kiddos! What are you guys doing home?"
"We wanted to come back here so Grandma called Piper to come get us".
"Great. Well, this is Miss Edwards and she is here to talk to Daddy and me about some things so can you guys go play in the playroom?"
"Sure!"
They ran upstairs to play their games while Jennifer and Elizabeth continued to the den.
"Well, I think I have everything I need unless there's anything else you want to tell me".
Just then, the phone rang.
Carter reached over and picked it up, and then hit a button.
"My lawyer is here. He says he has pertinent information to give me".
Elizabeth headed to the door, leaving Jennifer and Carter alone once again.
Jennifer called for the car service and then hung up.
She studied him while they waited.
He was tall, probably around 6'3, not lanky but not overly muscular either. He had dark hair and a haircut that made it appear as though he sculpted it. His dark green eyes invited you in, but also hooked you and captured you. He had on jogging pants and a t-shirt and warmup jacket. He stood up and took off his jacket and scratched his arm up under his sleeve. Jennifer noticed he had a large tattoo on his right bicep of a cobra.
As soon as Elizabeth and the lawyer came back in, he stopped scratching and got up to shake his hand.
"Hi, I'm Kevin Johnston, Carter's lawyer".
"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Jennifer Edwards".
"I won't keep you all, but I did want to tell you that I met with the DA last night, and I told him you intended to plead not guilty. He offered a plea deal of 30 years, which I told him I would let you decide on. He said if you don't take it, trial will begin in 2 weeks".
"No deal".
"Ok, I'll let him know".
Jennifer gathered her things and walked out with Kevin.
"It was nice to meet you, Carter. I told Elizabeth I would send her a copy but she said she just wants me to print it."
"Whatever you decide is fine. Thank you, for all your help".
"You're welcome. I'll be in touch".