43

Questions and Answers

Please forgive me for posting this chapter later than expected. I didn't get home from the office last night until 11:00 last night. I didn't feel like editing and I was too tired to post. To make it up to all of you, I will do my best to post the last chapter on Sunday. Thank you all so much for reading, reviewing, alerting, and making this story one of your favorites. I appreciate each of you.

As always, the story idea is mine. The main characters belong to Charlaine Harris.

I walked into the party on Quinn's arm. I've been to these kinds of galas before with Pam but I've never been to one that's this grand. The mansion alone looked like it was the size of the White House. The perfectly manicured lawn. The perfect looking valets. The overly expensive cars. And the guests. My goodness. The dresses that the women were wearing; they were even more extravagant than the mansion. I swear one lady's dress was made from diamonds. Everything about this night was grand. It was grander than I've ever seen.

I leaned in and whispered to Quinn as we waited to present our invitations to the hosts. "I feel completely out of place here."

Quinn took my hand in his as he smiled down at me. "You are the best looking woman here tonight. And you're going to be great in there. You're going to fit right in. You've been in a room full of sharks and you came out unscathed. Hell, I've seen you take a couple of them down. This is no different."

I giggled as I nudged Quinn with my shoulder. "You've already gotten the promotion. There's no need to suck up."

Quinn's bountiful laugh could be heard by all.

"Are you ready for this?" I asked as I got serious. "I don't want to cause any problems for you and Cara. I know that you don't know Eric but he'd never do anything to cause ..."

"We can do this," he assured me. "And she's excited about it. She's never been to a party of this magnitude. She went out and bought a new and very expensive gown for tonight. She's going to love this." He wrapped his arm around my waist. "It's going to be alright."

I looked up at him and nodded. "It will be," I agreed. "I appreciate what you and Cara are doing for us. You have no idea what this means to me and to Eric."

"I would do almost anything for you, Sookie," he said. "You've been good to me and my family. Plus, you've give Cara the chance to rub elbows with the filthy rich. She would've ripped me a new one if I'd turned this down."

I reached up and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, my friend."

"Well," I heard the smarmy voice say from behind me. "I guess things haven't worked out for you and Eric."

I closed my eyes and sighed.

Quinn looked behind us and asked, "Who is he, Sookie?"

I glanced behind us as well to see Victor smiling at me. I looked up at Quinn and said, "No one really but they do call him Victor.".

Victor laughed at my little snide remark about him. "You're quite the comedienne, Ms. Stackhouse. You should make that your side job." His face suddenly became serious. "We all need something to fall back on when I main career doesn't exactly go as planned."

Just as always, he expected to get a rise out of me. I didn't fall for the bait. "That's true," I agreed as I turned to face full on. "Maybe you should take heed to your own advice. One day someone is going to get sick and tired of your shenanigans, Victor, and you're going to fall down from that high horse of yours and you're fall with a thud. And hopefully, I'll be there to see you fall."

Victor laughed once again.

Quinn and I inched forward in the line.

Victor followed.

"Daddy," Freyda said from behind him. "Why didn't you wait for me?" She sidled up next to her daddy and put her arm through his. She looked at me and smiled that phony smile. "Hi, Ms. Stackhouse. It's so good to see you."

"Freyda," I said to her.

She looked Quinn up and down as she licked her lips. "I expected to see Eric with you. Who is your delicious looking friend?"

"His name is John Quinn," I offered. "Quinn, this is Victor's daughter, Freyda Madden."

Victor then said, in a loud and obnoxious voice, "Oh, my goodness. I'd completely forgotten." He looked from me to Freyda with wide eyes and a hand over his mouth.

Freyda sneered at me and asked, "What did you forget, daddy?"

That's when Quinn and I turned our backs on the worse actors of the night. They were fooling no one but themselves with that lapse of memory act. I glanced at them over my shoulder for a brief second.

He dropped his hands to his side and said, "I'd completely forgotten that Ms. Stackhouse had taken a restraining order out against you. You're not supposed to be anywhere near her." He placed his hand on her thin, pale arm and said, "My dear Freyda, I'm afraid that you're going to have to leave."

My grip on Quinn's hand tightened as I did my best not to confront them both. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder as we continued to look in front of us.

She pretended to pout and said, "Oh, pooh. I really wanted to be here tonight." She looked at me and added, "I'd hope that Ms. Stackhouse wouldn't be so petty as to send me on my way. I'd really like to stay. Tonight is going to be so much fun. The Vardamon's have the best galas."

Victor shook his head at her and said, "I don't know, Freyda. I'd hate to see you get arrested because you've violated a restraining order. And even though I know how much you love the Vardamon galas, it's really not worth you getting arrested, is it?" He looked at her as sternly as he pretended to and shook his head no. "I think that you should go home."

Quinn and I inched forward once more.

Victor and Freyda followed.

"Please, Sookie," she whined. "I mean Ms. Stackhouse. I won't do anything to provoke you. Please let me stay."

I wanted to turn around and punch that phony cow right in her stomach and while she was down on the floor, I wanted to step on her head and laugh. I would then laugh at her as I screamed in her face that her little games were finally over and that they've lost. And if Victor tries to get me off of his little girl, I kick him in his nuts and destroy his life in front of everyone. I'd stand over them both and watch them as they cry because their lives have been destroyed. I was going to bathe in their tears and humiliation. There was no way that I was going to allow Freyda to miss out on tonight.

"What's so funny?" Freyda asked me.

I didn't even realize that I was giggling. I cleared my throat and composed myself before answering her. "Nothing really," I said. "I just find it funny that you feel that you'll provoke me when you're the one that attacked me but rest assured. I will not have you arrested. I don't find you interesting enough to bother with calling the cops … as long as you behave like a good little girl for your daddy."

Her face was as red as her hair.

"Come, Sookie," Quinn said. "We're up next."

Before turning my back on the Maddens, I said, "So, have a good night and a good time. I'm sure that there's enough fun to be had by all."

I smiled as Quinn and I presented ourselves and our invitations. Not because I was meeting Senator Judith Vardamon but because I could tell that the Maddens expected to get a rise out of me. The looks on their sneaky and conniving faces was priceless. It tickled me down to my toes to know that they are going to be in for the surprise of their lives later on tonight and I can hardly wait.

Once Quinn and I were able to enter the party, I must admit, I was completely impressed with what was before me. Fancy dresses. Tuxedoes everywhere. Bottles and bottles of expensive champagnes and liquors. Violin and piano concertos playing in the background. Every type of businessman that has ever operated a business was here. As I said earlier, it's quite impressive.

I heard Quinn's phone vibrate. He quickly looked at the screen and smiled. "She and Eric are on their way. They'll be here within in the hour." He put his phone back into his pocket as he looked around the room.

I followed his eyes. I couldn't tell what he was in search of but it didn't hurt to try and help him out. I didn't have to search out blindly for too long. He let me know what it was he was in search of.

Quinn's voice was filled with worry when he spoke. "He'll be here, right? I won't have to hunt him down?" He cocked an eyebrow and said, "I'm not above hunting him down."

I shook my head no. "You won't have to do that, Quinn. He wouldn't stand us up. He knows how important tonight is. He said that he's going to help us."

Quinn frowned. "Can you trust this guy?"

"I can," I said as I looked up at him. "He won't deceive us. He knows what we're doing here.

"Do you see him?" Quinn asked as he looked around the room.

"No," I said as I studied the people in the room. "But he's coming. I know that he's coming." Quinn's nervousness was making me nervous.

"You don't see me because I'm behind you."

I turned around and there stood Stan Davis. His brown eyes smiled down at me. Outside of Eric, I'd never been happier to see another man. I hugged him and told him as much. "It's so good to see you, Stan."

Stan wrapped his arms around me enthusiastically. "And it's always so good to see you," he assured me.

I released him as I stood back and admired him. His tux fit him perfectly. His smile made him even more handsome that he was ten years ago. The gray hair around his temples made him look so much more distinguished. I stood at Stan's side as I introduced him to Quinn. "This is John Quinn. He's an attorney at the firm where I'm employed. Quinn, this is Stan Davis and he's a friend of mine."

Stan gave Quinn a quick nod and an even quicker handshake. "Pleased to meet you, John. So, Sookie, shall we dance?"

Smiling up at Stan, I answered, "I'd love to."

Stan and I danced and talked as if ten years hadn't passed between us. Though we've never been close, we had the potential to be. If not for loving Eric, I would have gladly given Stan a chance. He's intelligent and funny. He's so sharing and he has a protective personality. Oh, and his good looks don't hurt either. He's everything that a woman would want. During my last night in Sweden, Stan kept me company as Eric worked the night away. He danced with me. Talked with me. He made me feel as I wasn't out of place. He was wonderful to me.

"How have you been?" he asked.

"Pretty good," I answered. "You? How are you?"

Stan shrugged his shoulder. "As good as a Davis can be. I'm thriving. I'm growing personally and financially. I'm a man that's almost in need of nothing." He looked in my eyes as he said that. "Are you seeing anyone?"

"I am," I said.

"I figured as much," he said. "I also figure that it's the Northman that you're seeing since I'm here to help you to destroy the Maddens … which I am more than willing to do." He then winked at me.

I laughed as Stan and I continued to dance. I asked him about the many things that he's been doing over the last ten years and he was more than willing to share. He has been keeping busy with work and with women. Many, many women. "I love women," he shared. "I can't get enough of them. They keep me on my toes … especially the smart ones."

"I can see that," I replied. "Why haven't you found the one? You're a very handsome and charming man, Stan. I'm more than positive that you can find one."

"I have but she's unavailable. Her beautiful heart belongs to another." He gazed into my eyes. He'd opened his mouth to say something else but he was abruptly stopped.

"Stanley," the man said. "How are you doing this fine night?"

Stan looked at the man and smiled. The smile didn't reach his eyes so I knew right then and there that this man was possibly not an ally. "Murry," he said. And that was it.

"Who's your friend?" he asked. "Is she the flavor of the night?" He laughed at his own joke.

"She is not," Stan stated. "This is my very good friend and hopefully the woman that will consider seeing me on a permanent basis. This is the beautiful and wonderfully charming Sookie Stackhouse."

I guess we've gotten the night's activities started sooner than expected. "Hi." I tilted my head slightly to Murry as I snuggled into Stan's side and wrapped my arm around his waist.

"Ms. Stackhouse, I've heard of you," Murry repeated. He began to nod. "I've heard of you from an associate of mine but he doesn't matter too much. You matter, Ms. Stackhouse. You're a lot better than the other women that he's known to have with him. You're educated. You have a career and based on what you're wearing this evening, you're not lacking for money."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Excuse me?"

Murry chuckled. "Don't get me wrong, Ms. Stackhouse. I'm not insulting you. You're being complimented." He leaned closer to me and Stan and said, "You have a lot more going for you than most of the women here. They're all living off of their husbands' trust funds. Not a single one of them has a career of their own. Nothing that they are wearing or driving has been paid for with their money. You put them all to shame … though you are just the flavor of the night."

Stan glared at Murry. "You're still an asshole. Charm school. Therapy. Money." He shook his head in disappointment as he talked to the man. "Nothing can make you a better person. You're a lost cause, aren't you?"

Again Murry chuckled. "Blame my father." He then looked around the room as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "Did you hear about Appius?"

Stan snatched a glass of champagne from the tray of the passing waiter. He took a long sip before answering the question. "I did," he finally said. "Don't tell me that you're broken up about it."

"I assure you that I am not. I only ask because I'm curious. What do you think happened to him?" Murry asked. "There's a lot of speculation that he was drunk. I heard that his brakes had been cut." He looked around room and used his head to point in the direction of a staring Victor. "At least that's what's he saying."

Victor raised his glass to us.

No one returned the gesture.

"I'm under the impression that it was an accident. A simple accident," Stan said. "But I could be wrong. I wouldn't be afraid to say that Victor was probably the one to end Appius. He's not above taking a life. Answer me this, Murry. Who would want to do it?" He glanced at me from the corner of his eye.

I laughed. "Who wouldn't want to kill Appius?"

Murry laughed with me. "Exactly, Ms. Stackhouse." He glanced at Stan and said, "I knew that she was a keeper. We all know that he was one of the most unlikeable men that we've ever met." He was soon standing close to me. "Appius had many enemies. He'd done awful things to many people and I'm sure that at least 99.9% of them wanted him dead. Including me," he whispered in my ear.

I guess I was wrong. He must be an ally.

"Why would you want to kill him?" I asked.

"Appius was a thief and a natural born crook," Murry answered. "He care about no one but himself. His entire life was built off of being a crook and looking out for the only person to only matter … Appius.

Stan laughed. "A thief and a crook? Those are compliments compared to what he's been called to his face."

Murry cocked an eyebrow. "I concur, old friend. I can't believe that he was able to marry into the Northman family. A man like that." It would have been hard to miss the look of disgust on his face. "There is no way that he would've married into my family."

My curiosity had peaked to epic proportions. "What does that mean?"

Stan decided to answer the question. "He came from nothing. It was believed, and still believed, that he married Erica because he wanted her money and status. From what was being said, he was murdering mad when he'd learned that she'd left everything to Eric." He snorted. "He thought that he was going to get every red cent that she'd left behind. Why would she do that? She never loved him."

"Erica was no fool," Murry picked up. "She knew why Appius married her. From what I've heard, he married her only to get her pregnant."

To fulfill the contract. So, Victor did have something to do with Appius marrying Erica. It was never about love and it wasn't willing. Erica was more than likely forced into marrying that ass hat.

I took a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter. "I heard that she'd miscarried several times before she was lucky enough to get pregnant with Eric."

"I don't know how true that is," Murry shared. "But from what I gather, she was pregnant with Gervais' baby when he died. Dashell wanted that baby but the stress of being without Gervais caused her to lose that one. The stress of what the Maddens were doing to her, saying to her … it's no wonder it took years for her to be able to carry a child full term." He soon had a pitiable look on his face. "That poor girl went through hell with those bastards."

I frowned. "So, did he marry her at Dashell's behest? You're making it sound as if he had no feelings at all for Eric. Are you saying that he was in it for the money? It sure sounds like it to me."

"I've never heard either way but I'm not afraid to say it's true," Stan volunteered. "Victor and Appius did run in the same circles."

Murry laughed. "I always found it quite amusing that Victor would keep company with a man like Appius. He was from the wrong side of the tracks. He was in and out of juvie. He was into drugs. Hell, he and Victor did drugs together quite a few times. Dashell had to pay dearly to keep Victor's record clean of all of his misdeeds."

Shit. All of this was good but it still made no sense to me. "I don't get it. Why would anyone go above and beyond for Appius?"

Murry cocked an eyebrow.

Stan sipped on his drink as he looked away from me.

Their silence was deafening. I opened my mouth to speak and then it hit me. "Were Victor and Appius lovers?"

Murry placed his finger to his lips and shushed me. "It's a well-known secret that no one dares to speak of."

My heart dropped to my feet. "Does Eric know?"

Stan shook his head no. "No one would tell him that. Niall wouldn't allow it. Eric had already lost his mother. There was no point in destroying anymore of his life. Niall would've killed anyone if they'd told Eric that."

"Good, old Niall," I mumbled.

Stan raised a glass at my whispered sentiment.

"But back to your original question Ms. Stackhouse," Murry began. "I will always believe that Victor had something to do with Appius marrying Erica. If that thing with Gervais had never happened, she would not have been put in the situation that she was in."

Stan agreed. "My father told me what they'd done to her," he shared. "They threatened her with prison and ruining her father's reputation and name. Erica was a lost cause as soon as she got into bed with those snakes. The Maddens are a ruthless and underhanded family. They've burned many bridges in their day." He looked in my eyes and said, "Everyone is waiting to see them fall."

"I am a member of that everyone crowd," Murry proclaimed.

"As am I," I agreed.

"Well," Murry said. "I've had too much fun speaking with you and Ms. Stackhouse. That was not my goal. I will take my leave and attempt to ruin someone else's night. Stanley. Ms. Stackhouse, it was pleasure meeting you," he said just as he walked away.

I shook my head at the amusing man. "He is different."

"He is Murry," Stan said. "Shall we dance?"

I offered him my hand as I accepted.

The night was only going to get better.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

I'd been going between Stan and Quinn dancing and having a great time. I've learned that no one likes the Maddens and no liked Appius. I've been trying to get some information on Freyda but no one has really said too much about her. She must not be as hated as her father is. She has never had very many friends but she's not in Victor's league. It really doesn't matter to me either way. She was a part of the lie and she must go down with the lie.

I looked down at my empty champagne glass; my third of the night, and made my way to the bar. No champagne for this lady. I couldn't risk getting tipsy on an important night like this. I got a ginger ale instead. On the rocks.

"Here you go, ma'am," the bartender said.

"Thank you."

I took my glass and stared out into the crowd of people. I leaned against the bar and waited. Stan said that he was going to tell me the next person that I needed to speak with but she wasn't there. Not yet. He said that she could tell me everything that I needed to know. "Once you talk to her, I promise you, you won't have to speak to anyone else to get the dirt that you need on the Maddens. You might even decide to let me take you out to dinner and while we're at dinner, you might even let me persuade you to leave the Northman for me. You can make Sweden or even Paris your permanent home."

That was never going to happen but let him believe what he wants.

As I waited for my queue from Stan, I saw Quinn dancing with Cara. My eyes instantly began scanning the room for Eric. I hadn't seen him since this morning at home and I needed my Northman fix. And that's when I saw him. He was standing with Niall and he looked delicious. The smile on his face as he talked to those around him, made his gorgeous eyes sparkle and his handsome face light up. I wanted to go to him but knew that I couldn't do that. It wasn't time. And just as I was about to look away, his gaze caught mine. I placed my hand to my heart and I breath hitched in my throat.

"Hi."

I dropped my hand from my chest and looked to my right and there stood the guest of honor. She was beautiful. Bright green eyes. Jet black hair with streaks of gray running through it. Her beautiful emerald green gown accentuated the color of her eyes and the athletic shape that it covered. If I was going to admit it to myself, I was jealous of this amazingly beautiful and youthful sixty-five-year-old woman. I'm twenty-eight and my body looks nowhere as good as hers does. I placed my hand on my stomach and thought about the workout sessions I've been missing with Alcide.

"I'm Judith Vardamon," she introduced.

I offered her my hand. "Sookie Stackhouse."

She stared at me as she nodded. "Follow me to my office," she ordered.

And I did just that.

Once we were inside, she closed the door behind us. She pointed at the couch. "Have a seat." She walked to her bar and poured herself a drink. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Gin and tonic, please."

Once our drinks had been mixed, she sat on the couch next to me. "You're the one that Stanley Davis and McArthur spoke of."

I couldn't believe my ears. Pam didn't tell me that he was in town. Maybe she didn't know. "You know Dad … Mr. Ravenscroft?"

Judith laughed. "Of course I know, McArthur. He's been an associate of mine for quite some time. He came by my office and asked for extra tickets to come to my fundraiser. And he said that they were for a beautiful blonde lady."

"I'm not the only blonde here," I pointed out. "There are at least thirty other blondes here. How did you know that I was the one that he was speaking of?"

"Your eyes," she offered. "He said that your eyes would be curious and you wouldn't fit in. As I watched you talking with Stan and that cad Murry, I knew that he was speaking of you. I also think that you are the only real blonde at the party."

"I'm glad that I don't look like I fit in," I said. "Thank you."

Judith laughed as she crossed her legs and threw her arms over the back of the couch. "What do you know about Victor?"

"Everything," I blurted out. "I want to know everything."

A smirk was soon on her face. "You hate them, don't you?"

I could've lied but I refused to. Why should she help me if I'm willing to lie to her? "I do," I confessed.

Judith Vardamon appeared to be surprised by my honesty. She even said so. "I didn't expect that. I talked to McArthur. He told me of the predicament that you and Eric are in and you need my help. Help that I'm more than willing to give you but you need to answer one question for me."

"Okay," I said.

"Are you doing this for Eric or for you?"

"Our daughter," I said. "Then for Eric. They've betrayed him and they have to pay for what they've done. I want to destroy Victor and Freyda. Just as they believe they've taken everything from Eric, I want them to know that I've taken everything from them."

Judith smiled at me. "Vicious. You should be in politics." She sipped on her bourbon before placing the glass on the cocktail table. She got up from the couch and walked to her desk. On the desk was a manila envelope. She handed it to me just before she walked to her office door.

I looked at the envelope as my heart pounded in my chest. This was everything that we've needed and it was right in the palms of my hands. Tears fell from my eyes and onto the envelope. "Thank you so much," I whispered.

"Anytime, dear girl." Judith then clapped her hands. "Now, come on. Let's go back to the party and have a good time. I'm sure that Eric is dying to see you."

I looked at the envelope and back at Judith. "I have to run to the car …"

"No," she said. "Leave it here. McArthur is well aware. It will be in your office early Monday morning. You and Victor will have your showdown then."

I did as she asked and followed her out of the office.

I guess Niall is going to get his wish. Monday will be the day.