Page 50 of Hidden Raphael
Chapter 14
Kimberly retraced her steps, but her computer was no longer on the table in the hall. What happened? She ducked her head beneath it, but there was nothing. She called out, "Meg? Raphael?"
She found no one. Raphael was in his room, so Meg must have taken it. Had she come in after her?
The clock read six thirty. Should she cook something for dinner as she promised? She bit her lip then decided her computer took precedence. If it was Meg being tidy, then she'd have returned it to her room. Kimberly rubbed her arms, held the candelabrum tight, and rushed down the hall. It would be rude to insult everyone if someone took it for a good reason, like they thought she lost it. Kimberly's blood was hot, and it fueled her frantic pace.
She had left it on the table. The table was cold to the touch. Was it possible that Meg thought a computer out of place?
She proceeded up the stairs, pausing at the bedroom door. What if she'd lost the computer?
Her computer was back in her room, and charging. Meg must have thought she lost it. Kimberly blew out the candles and left the candelabrum in her room. Guess it was time to prepare dinner.
Raphael would be forced to talk to her again.
In the kitchen, she took some red meat from the refrigerator, and spices. She'd grill, and make chimichurri for the grilled steaks. She'd not had that in years, and in Florida, the Argentine flavors were in almost every store. Here in the USA again, she hoped Raphael might have the ingredients. A few minutes later, she grinned. He had the cilantro and the cumin, which were the vital ingredients. She added them all in the food processor and pressed chop.
Then she started the grill option for the steaks. The in-house grills never cooked the same way as outside, but she'd do her best.
The chimichurri smelled heavenly, and the smell of garlic mixed with Italian seasoning and the host of other ingredients would make an excellent paste. She licked her lips and walked away to prepare the vegetables.
The pitter-patter above her was Raphael or Meg. The splatter on the glass meant it still rained outside. She was becoming attuned to the castle noises. Tonight the dinner would be satisfying and simple.
Soon she finished and loaded everything on the dumbwaiter. She quickly cleaned and ensured she'd turned everything off.
This temporary cooking gig wasn't too bad, though it would be smoother with Erica’s recipes.
The stairs creaked on every third step, but she no longer jumped. She knew her way. Old houses and castles made noises.
Then a noise grew closer behind her, and her hair stood up on her neck. A frigid wind pushed against her spine. She gulped and walked faster.
At the top step, she realized how she panted, but at least the noise stopped.
The castle noises shouldn't send her heart into a terrified rush. Whatever that was shouldn't have mattered. She checked both sides of the hallway. She was alone. As always.
Her body shivered as the room's temperature dipped below frosty. Then in the distance, she heard humming. Meg. Kimberly's feet rushed toward the library as she ignored the cold air. At the door, she dropped her hands to her sides. "Meg."
The older woman called out, "One minute, dear. I'm mopping up a mess."
Kimberly peeked her head in and stared at the charred remains of the blonde woman's portrait. Her teeth chattered. What had happened? Raphael's ex was toast. She noticed the pile of trash and she stared at the fireplace. The flames were almost out. Had Raphael destroyed the picture because he kissed her? "This wasn't in the fireplace earlier."
Meg shrugged, and her entire body seemed light. "It left quite a mess, but everything will be fine now."
Kimberly massaged her forehead, but her cool fingers didn't calm her racing thoughts. What happened? She hadn't seen anything, and she had checked. Raphael must have gone to the library after she explored the house. Her breaths were now clouds of cold. "Who was she, Meg?"
"Another woman that neither of the boys should have involved themselves with." Meg shook her head. "Tiffany deserved what happened to her."
Kimberly wanted to ask what Meg knew about Tiffany, but it felt like a betrayal. She pressed her lips together and stared at the ceiling. "What happened to her?"
"It's best not to discuss the likes of her." Meg crossed her arms. "The Murphy men have picked the worst possible choices in their lives as wives, but they've managed to survive."
Kimberly held the amulet around her neck. Did she mean her? What had she done? Her plane crashed, which wasn’t her fault. "Grown men and women decide who they want in their lives without interference."
"Who has time to interfere?" Meg’s green eyes dimmed. "I'll take care of the mess, and hope none like her come back in our lives."
Kimberly dropped her hands to her sides and didn’t want to push too much. Raphael had said that he'd slept with his brother's ex-wife. "Tiffany was Gabriel's wife?"
"I hear he has a new wife now that is quite different." Meg nodded, and the coldness in the room shifted. "But yes, this is what remained of Tiffany, and now she's as dead as the other ex buried in the courtyard."
