Read Online Sidney Sheldon's After the Darkness by Sidney Sheldon - Free Book Online Page A

depressed to me.
    Maria Preston said snidely, “Indeed, your chef is to be congratulated. He must have worked like a slave all day to produce this feast.”
    Andrew Preston blushed. Not even Grace Brookstein was stupid enough to miss a blatant dig like that. He wished Maria would get a grip on herself, but after a few glasses of wine she was lethal. It was bad enough that she’d insisted on coming to dinner in a lavish Roberto Cavalli evening gown, slashed to the thigh and wildly inappropriate for the occasion.
    â€œMaria, cara. Everyone else will be in jeans or simple sundresses. You look stunning, my angel, as always. But couldn’t you…”
    â€œNo, Andy. I couldn’t. I am not ‘everyone else.’ ’Aven’t you learned this by now?”
    Grace was too polite to rise to Maria’s bait. Lenny had no such qualms.
    â€œOur chef is a ‘she’ actually. Felicia.” His tone was measured. “And she does work hard, though I’d hardly call her a slave. Last year I paid her considerably more than I paid your husband, Maria.”
    Andrew’s blush deepened. Maria glared at him in silent fury.
    Grace wished the ground would open up and swallow her. She hated confrontation. Lenny, on the other hand, had grown tired of walking on eggshells.
    â€œSenator Warner,” he said brightly. “You’re awfully quiet this evening. What’s the problem, Jack? Not in the party spirit?”
    If looks could kill, Lenny Brookstein would have dropped dead at the table.
    â€œNot really, Lenny, no. Unemployment rates in my constituency are about to reach ten percent. While we’re sitting around your table, enjoying this fine food and wine, the people who voted for me are having their homes repossessed. They’re losing their jobs, their health insurance,their hope. And they’re relying on me to try to fix things for them. So, no, I’m not really in a party mood. If you’ll excuse me.”
    Honor watched in horror as Jack got up from the table and left the room. He’d finally come clean about his gambling debts last night. As a result, Honor hadn’t slept a wink. It was exhaustion that had made her lose her temper with Grace earlier, something she’d been kicking herself about all day. Not because she gave a damn about Grace’s feelings. But because the entire purpose of this trip was to try to get closer to Grace so she could use her influence with Lenny to get him to help Jack.
    Last night Jack had yelled at her. “I need Lenny Brookstein! Without that money, I’m finished, do you understand? We’re finished.”
    Honor did understand. But now here was Jack, storming off like a spoiled child, embarrassing them both in front of everyone.
    â€œI’d better go after him,” she said meekly. “Sorry, Grace. Lenny.”
    The dinner party limped on. After the Warners’ departure, everyone made an effort to be upbeat, but Jack and Honor’s empty chairs were like two ghosts at the feast. John Merrivale made a toast, thanking Grace for the meal, but his stammer got so bad halfway through that Caroline had to finish it for him. Connie left before dessert, citing a headache. By the time the maid brought the coffee, the forced smiles of the remaining guests were beginning to look like lockjaw.
    In bed with Lenny afterward, Grace broke down in tears.
    â€œIt was a disaster, wasn’t it? Why does everything come back to the stupid economy? Connie and Michael losing their house, Jack stressed out about unemployment.”
    â€œI don’t think that’s all he’s stressed about, sweetheart.”
    â€œEven Caroline and Maria were moaning at the hairdressers’ about how much less John and Andrew are making this year. I hate it.”
    Lenny was furious. “Maria and Caroline were bitching to you? Are you kidding me? They’re lucky their husbands still have jobs. The SEC is all over us