Read Online Blood Brothers by Keith Latch - Free Book Online Page B

a
business. And as in business, it was all about whom and what you
knew, not your qualifications. It took more than a robust bank
account; you also had to be the type of individual the society
wanted. Nobody cared what you did in private, at least to a certain
extent, but you had to have a shine, a high polish on your public
persona.
    And cutting the new members from the list
made everyone else invited feel a little bit more like the
gathering was an exclusive engagement. This meant the night’s gross
would be significantly increased by the local hot shots with
already-swelled heads, trying to outdo the other individual
donations. As the donations were made in an open forum, the men and
women brought their wallets, and everyone dug deep.
    She still had a few days to finalize the
list, order the invitations and have them back in time to mail them
out. Tired from her two hours at the desk and more, the monitor,
she leaned back and rubbed her aching eyes.
    Stephanie was already dressed for bed in
purple satin PJs and her terrycloth robe. She had showered and
dressed down after making sure Christal had dinner. She hadn’t
planned on working tonight, but she really had nothing else to do.
Considering her level in the socialite hierarchy, her late evenings
were remarkably clear of appointments.
    Switching off the computer, she left the
office, darkening the lights as she went. Her feet were bare and
the hardwood flooring was cool to the touch. She stopped and
withdrew her slippers from the hallway closet at the foot of the
stairs. She heard muffled speaking from above. The housekeeper was
already gone, had been for over an hour as a matter of fact, and
Christal didn’t have a habit of talking to herself. It could’ve
been the TV, but Stephanie honestly didn’t think so. The house was
large, and typically at this time of night it was ominously quiet.
So quiet, in fact, that Stephanie feared she might go mad.
    Moving closer to the stairs she strained her
ears, but could hear no better. The wide steps were carpet-covered,
so with soundless footfalls, Stephanie made it halfway up before
Christal’s voice fell silent. It mattered little; she’d heard
enough.
    Christal’s room lay immediately beyond the
staircase. Back when Stephanie and Michael still shared the same
bed, both had more than a few reservations about their only child
being all alone, way up on the second floor. When she began walking
proficiently, however, it became evident that Christal favored this
room above all others, even her first-floor nursery. The deal was
sealed, for always and forever. Not long afterward, Stephanie moved
upstairs as well, leaving the “alone” concern null and void.
    Stephanie sprinted to the top of the stairs
and pushed her way into her child’s bedroom. At that moment,
Christal, dressed in her nightgown, was standing next to her bed,
placing the telephone back onto its cradle. Tears, fresh ones,
smeared themselves down her angelic face.
    “Mommy,” Christal said, the surprise at the
intrusion evident on her face.
    “Who were you talking to?”
    “Daddy.” As if there had been any doubt.
    “You should be in bed.”
    “It’s not even nine yet, Mommy. I was just
going, though.”
    Stephanie paused a moment. “I didn’t hear the
phone ring. I assume you had to call him.”
    “Yes, ma’am. He was working.” Stephanie
tried, truly tried, to keep the sneer from forming on her face.
Unfortunately, there was just no avoiding it.
    “I’m sure he was. Anyway, crawl on into bed
and I’ll tuck you in.”
    “Mommy?”
    “Yes, sweetheart?”
    “Will you read to me?”
    Stephanie’s sneer was finally changing. A
small smile replaced it, and how could it not? “If you want me
to.”
    Instead of an answer, Christal merely nodded
her head with the enthusiasm only a child could muster.
    “Okay.”
    Christal’s angelic face brightened, the
sorrow now gone. Such resilient creatures are the young. She moved
with the speed of