Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
CASSIE
C assie sighed deeply as she pushed open the ornate door of the women's bathroom at Del Friscos, the city's most exclusive fine dining restaurant. She'd palmed a couple of Tylenol before pushing back from the table, needing a break from the noise more than she needed to use the facilities. Dinner was a whirlwind, and Cassie needed a moment to herself to catch her breath. She could only handle so much time with people without a break. She wasn't an introvert exactly, and she definitely wasn't an extrovert. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy social engagements, she did, but she also enjoyed being alone. Too much time spent with a lot of people drained her completely, even if she was having a great time.
Looking in the mirror, she fixed her smudged eye makeup. Great. Looks like I have a black eye. She didn't wear makeup often and should have spent a little more money on buying the waterproof mascara. The eyeliner was making her eyes water, which in turn was causing the mascara to streak. She finished washing her hands before turning and scanned the luxurious space. The bathroom, like the entire restaurant, was high end. She felt out of her element among the marble and gold fixtures, the soft hum of classical music playing in the background. When she'd looked at the prices on the menu, she'd about fallen out of her chair. The restaurant priced each item individually. Unlike the restaurants she normally frequented, the steaks did not come with a side and a salad. The cheapest steak on the menu was over fifty bucks and came with no sides.
Myla must have sensed her panic, because she'd leaned over and discretely placed a gift card in her lap. “Each of the winners of the drawing received a one-hundred and fifty dollar gift card, courtesy of Ms. Higgins,” she’d whispered.
After that, Cassie had relaxed, at least a little bit. She still felt like a fish out of water. When the meal came, the lobster macaroni and cheese had been an experience all on its own. Easily the best thing she’d ever put in her mouth. Cassie lived on a ramen and boxed macaroni and cheese budget. She didn’t know when she might experience a meal of this caliber again, and she was going to delight in every bite. Remembering the strawberry hibiscus cheesecake she'd ordered for dessert, she turned to leave the bathroom and immediately collided with another figure.
“Oops! Sorry! I'm such a klutz!” The word tumbled from her lips as she stumbled, her shoulder brushing into the person in front of her. Cassie looked over her shoulder and felt her heart drop into her stomach. Time seemed to stand still when she saw who she’d just about ran over. “Oh! Ms. Higgins! I'm so sorry!”
Of course! Out of all the women she would run into, it had to be Ms. Higgins! Why couldn’t she stay upright? Cassie was the only person she knew who could trip over air. Air. Nothingness. Simply air. Lying in bed at night, she’d notice a new bruise on her arms or legs from running into something at work.
Looking up at Ms. Higgins, Cassie was mortified. They'd sat at opposite ends of the dinner table, and so Cassie hadn't been contributing a lot to the conversation. Not that she had a lot to add, she was quite happy to sit there and listen to the others talk. She thought of herself as a people watcher and story weaver, constantly making up stories in her head about the people hustling and bustling around her. Tonight was no different, she was taking it all in, cataloging everything for her memories. Today was going down in history as the best day of her life, well it was, until she just crashed into Ms. Higgins.
“I'm so sorry for bumping into you,” Cassie said again, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “I know I told you earlier at the signing, but your books really have meant so much to me. Thank you for dinner and for letting me join you tonight.” She was truly a devoted reader and had not only read every book Ms. Higgins had written, she'd read them multiple times. If anyone asked, Cassie could talk in depth about the different plots and each one of Higgins’ characters. In Cassie’s mind, they'd become as real as the humans she interacted with every day. She could envision them, hear their voices. Each had their own unique accent or mannerisms setting them apart. She supposed it was a testament to Ms. Higgins ability to describe the details in such a convincing way.
The look Ms. Higgins gave her was one of curiosity. She stood confidently, with perfect posture in her beautiful, silky maroon dress. Cassie had noticed how similar their dresses were when she'd arrived tonight. She'd made a mental list of everything the two had in common. They looked related standing together in the bathroom with their matching dresses and strings of pearls around their necks. Although Cassie knew hers were fake and assumed Ms. Higgins was real.
Ms. Higgins broke the silence, her voice smooth and measured. “Please, call me Iris. Ms. Higgins makes me feel ancient.” There was a twinkle of amusement in her tone.
“Okay, Iris…” Cassie felt a bit awkward calling her that, but went with it.
“I appreciate your loyal readership and kind words about my books,” Iris said. “Are you on my ARC team? If you aren't, consider this a personal invitation.”
Indeed, Cassie had joined Iris' advanced reader copy team a while ago. "I am! I enjoy getting the book first and I leave detailed reviews. My reviewer name is CassieWhoReads."
"Oh! You are CassieWhoReads!" Iris exclaimed, clapping her hands in front of her. "They've used some of your reviews in promo graphics. You know, you could be an author yourself. Your reviews are very thorough and yet never have spoilers. I've enjoyed your comments on my blog, too."
Cassie felt her face heat with Iris' praise. Was this real life? Did her favorite author know who she was?
They spoke for a few more minutes before they both headed back into the dining room. A reader who was sitting closer to Iris had already left, and Iris motioned Cassie to come take her seat. For the next thirty minutes, Cassie engaged in the lively conversation around the table. "I think you need more pets in your books," Cassie said, finally getting the courage to speak up.
"Pets?" Iris asked. "Do tell."
"Remember how many comments you got on the blog about Marcos' Golden Retriever? We all loved the relationship between him and his dog."
"Yes, the readers definitely seemed to like the dog, almost as much as Marcos," Iris said with a smile.
"When the bad guy pointed the gun at Buddy, I gasped!" Cassie said. "If you had killed him off..."
"Never!" Iris exclaimed. "There are a few things you will never read in my books. An animal being killed? Never!”
“I don't know what it is, but a man who loves animals... it just does something for me.” Cassie said.
“Same!” Another lady interjected. “A man who is good to a puppy or kitten, it's swoon worthy!”
"Totally!" Cassie sat back and took a sip of her wine while the other ladies validated her feelings. A minute later, before Ghost leaned in to pass the check to Iris, he whispered. “I love animals,” into Cassie’s ear. Her face flamed, and when he stood back up, he winked at her.
All too soon, dinner was over and Cassie walked outside with the last small group of women to leave. She wanted to have enough courage to ask if anyone wanted to continue the conversation somewhere else, but she didn't.
Cassie's steps faltered as the lively chatter of the dispersing women dissipated into the night, giving way to a more isolated stretch of sidewalk. The street lamps buzzed overhead, casting pools of light on the sidewalk. A chill snaked down her spine from the cool night air. As she hurried to her car, she felt the sudden prickling sensation of the hair rising on her arms. Her sixth sense told her something wasn't right. Her pace quickened instinctively, her heart beginning to drum a rapid beat in her chest. She looked behind her and saw she was alone. Why had she parked so far from the restaurant? Because you are cheap. She chided herself for not the first time. She didn't want to pay for valet parking, that was why.
Ahead of her, two silhouettes of burly men detached themselves from the shadows. One shouldered the other. “It’s her.”
“Are you sure?” The other sounded skeptical.
“Look at the photo.” The man held a phone in front of the other’s face. “Same dress, same necklace, same hair color.”
“What’s she doing over here? Thought the plan was for her to come out in the alley.”
Cassie's breath hitched as she squinted behind her glasses, trying to make out their features. Her vision was awful and her glasses were several years old. Her contacts were an up-to-date prescription, but she hadn’t ordered replacements in time. She couldn't afford both contacts and new glasses, and had been using her funds for contacts. A box should be waiting for her when she got back to town. She really needed to remember to set up an auto delivery for them.
Seriously, Cassie? She chided herself. Now is not the time to think about your contacts.
She pulled her keys out of her handbag and opened them, placing the largest one outwards. She'd seen the maneuver on a self-defense video on social media. Mace. Stun gun. Knife. All of those were at her house. She couldn't bring them on the plane. All she had with her was the signed book she’d brought to dinner and the keys to the rental car.
"Excuse me, miss," one of the burly-looking men called out, his voice a low rumble that didn't match the polite words. A ripple of unease went through her.
Oh God, Oh God. She swallowed down the bile that rose in her throat. Just because they are large doesn't mean they are dangerous, Cassie. Don't judge a book by its cover.
Her gut told her these weren't nice men.
Cassie hesitated, her instincts whispering urgent cautions. She clutched the keys tighter. “Can I help you?” Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the growing knot of apprehension in her stomach.
“Ms. Higgins?” the other man asked, stepping closer. His question was more of an accusation than a query, his tone dark and laden with an edge that didn't belong.
Confusion clouded Cassie's thoughts. “No. I'm not?—”
But they didn't wait for her denial. With a swift motion, one man's hand clamped around her upper arm while the other reached for her waist, his grip ironclad and unyielding. Cassie's heart thundered in her ears as she realized these men were not here for autographs; they were here for Iris Higgins, and they had mistaken Cassie for Iris.
“Let go of me!” Cassie shouted. “Help!” She screamed out, thrashing and kicking at her captors. Her glasses slipped down her nose as she struggled against the vice-like hold, the world blurring into a dizzying kaleidoscope of fear and disbelief.
“Keep quiet, Ms. Higgins,” the first henchman growled, his words slicing through the confusion.
“But... Listen to me! I'm not–” Cassie tried again.
“Stop yelling! Mr. Wilson wouldn't be pleased if we caused a scene.”
Who the fuck was Mr. Wilson? Cassie's mind raced. Where had she heard that name before? It hit her suddenly. Wilson. That was the name of the bad guy in Iris' most recent book. Surely, there wasn't a connection between the two. One was fictional and according to the large man looming over her, the other was very much not.
“Let me go! I’m not Ms. Higgins! You have the wrong person!” Cassie struggled as they hauled her towards a nondescript black van. She fought against them but it didn't help. Their fingers dug into her skin, relentless. She kicked and thrashed in their grip, her breath came in ragged gasps and her glasses fogged up, slipping down her nose more.
“Please, you've got the wrong person! My name is Cassie!” She looked around frantically. Where was everyone? Why was no one coming to help her?
The back of the van's doors swung open as they neared it, showing two more men ready to reach out and grab her. Cassie knew she couldn't allow herself to be pulled into it. It would be much harder to escape from a moving van, especially if they restrained her. She wouldn't let them take her. With a desperate burst of adrenaline, she twisted violently, dropping her book and keys to the ground and freed one arm. She swung her freed elbow up and into the ribs of the man holding her waist. He grunted, his grip momentarily loosening.
Seeing her chance, Cassie broke into a frantic run, her glasses flying off and clattering to the pavement behind her. The night became a blur of shapes and sounds. All she could see was the bokeh of lights in front of her.
Her goal was simple.
Put as much distance between herself and the van as possible. She heard the men shouting, their heavy footsteps pounding the concrete behind her as they gave chase.
“Help! Help!” Cassie screamed. “Someone help me!” No one came out, no lights came on.
Cassie's lungs burned, and her legs felt like lead, but she pushed on. She darted down an alleyway and nearly collided with a stack of crates. Her pulse was a deafening roar in her ears. She stumbled and her hands scraped against the rough brick wall as she fought to maintain her balance.
She emerged onto another street, a small side one that ran behind the businesses. It was more deserted than the last. Her eyes frantically searched for help, for anyone who could offer a safe haven. A lone figure emerged from a doorway up ahead—a tall man in a dark suit jacket. Cassie assumed he was one of the business owners or managers.
“Help!” Cassie cried out. “Please, help me!”
The man turned, his face coming into view as she drew closer. Cassie hoped he would help her, call 9-1-1, protect her from the bad guys chasing behind her, ending this nightmare.
But as he stepped closer, his words chilled her. “Ms. Higgins, we've been looking for you.”
Cassie's hope crumbled. She backed away, looking around her frantically. Finding no way out, she took a deep breath and tried, once again, to straighten things out. “I'm not Iris Higgins,” she screamed. “And if you don't let me go, you'll regret it.”
The man's smile was slow, predatory. “We'll see about that, won't we?”