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Angel struggled to think. She reached down and picked up the photograph of the strange manRossagain. Okay.Breathe. No more screaming, yelling, nothing. She had to think straight and ask the right questions. Information would be her weapon.
“Where does he live?” She asked.
“Virginia.”
“Virginia?” About as far from L.A as you could get!
“You said he’s rich?”
“Of course. No more questions. Do you accept?”
She had no choice. At least once she was back in America she could find a way to escape. Unless this mean-looking bastard tied her up in his basement…
“You’re sure he ain’t crazy?” She asked, hating how much her voice trembled.
He watched her curiously for a minute before he said, “Put the picture down.”
Angel set the picture down. Mangjeol pulled something from his pocket— a glittering green stone.
Her eyes felt heavier and heavier. She sank into the chair.
“Now let’s begin again,” he said. “What’s your name?”
Angel said, “Angel…”
8
ELROY’S
At Elroy Madison’s family home in Rowanville, the upper crust of Virginia Society were gathered for that worthy’s birthday. Ross and Elroy were distant cousins and classmates at Everdue. Since the event was twenty minutes from his house, there was no way for Ross to refuse the invitation.
Elroy greeted them at the door, chipper as a squirrel. “Ross! How is the family? Haven’t seen you in ages, have I? Tina is here, by the way. Trying to avoid her? Quint! I told you that’s the last glass you’re having, understand?”
“Quinton’s here?” Ross said a moment before Quinton came up to thump him on the back. He was red-faced and jolly as usual. “Ross!” He bellowed. “Couldn’t believe it when Nerdboy said you were coming. I just flew in from Tokyo yesterday. Couldn’t miss a shindig at the Madisons. Elroy, get me another drink, will you pal?”
“Don’t make me throw you out this time, Quint! I mean it!” Elroy turned his great blue eyes on Ross. “Ross, the auction next week. Are you coming?”
“Sure thing,” said Ross. He handed Cousin Elroy an envelope. “Happy Birthday.”
“Stocks in Sleta? Thanks, Ross! You get the best presents,” Elroy said, his grin widening as he tore open the corner. He gave Ross a genuine hug and tucked the envelope into his coat.
“We were supposed to get youpresents?” Quinton said.
“It amazes me he still invites you anywhere,” said Ross dryly as Elroy stormed off.
Quinton loyally accompanied Ross to the edge of the room. “Seen Tina yet?”
“No.”
“I couldn’t believe it when she married Charlie. What a bitch. Didn’t I tell you she was a snake in the grass? Like they say, Ross, ‘skin folk ain’t kin folk’.”
“I don’t think that means what you think it means.”
“But I warned you, didn’t I? That’s what I’m saying,” said Quinton affably.
Ross McCall stared at his ex-girlfriend Tina. She was swishing across the room to schmooze up to an Oklahoma oil baron. Diamonds glinted from her curvaceous figure, the largest in the white gold setting on her wedding band.
The venue was the old plantation home of the Madison family. Ross admired the soaring rafters brushed with gold leaf, the original Rembrandt above the fireplace, the leather furniture, the hand carved doorway from Louis XVI era France, through which more guests streamed every minute. Southern money gathered in one place, a royal family that had clawed a bloody trail to the top of the food chain, and grown bloated and lazy from the feast.
