A Sin and a Shame by Victoria Christopher Murray Read Free Book Online Page A

didn’t bother to respond. When he eased the car to the curb in front of her building, Jasmine tossed seven dollars into the driver’s hand.
    “Good evening, Ms. Larson,” Henrikas greeted as he opened the cab door. “I hope you had a good day.”
    With barely a nod, she made her way to the elevator. Everything annoyed her—Henrikas’s grin, the clicking of her heels on the marble floor, even the glare from the overhead chandeliers. By the time Jasmine entered her apartment, she was ready to be alone.
    Autophobia? I don’t think so.
    She tossed her coat and briefcase onto the couch, tugged off her boots, and sauntered into the kitchen. She stared at the five bottles of water that sat alone on the refrigerator shelves, then opened the freezer. A minute later, she sank onto her couch, tucked her feet under her, and stuffed a tablespoonful of Rum Raisin ice cream into her mouth. “Malik needs to stay out of my business.”
    This time when she slammed the spoon into the mound of Häagen-Dazs the utensil bent. Standing, she left the carton on the sofa table and returned to the kitchen. She tore open the package of cheddar cheese potato chips, and stuffed a handful into her mouth.
    A sudden knock on the door surprised her. Henrikas was supposed to announce guests. Malik, she thought, as she moved toward the door. He’d better have an apology with him.
    “Good evening,” Ms. Van Dorn, her elevator partner from this morning, greeted Jasmine without a smile.
    Shock kept Jasmine standing in place, her mouth stuffed with chips.
    Ms. Van Dorn raised her penciled eyebrows. “May I come in?” she asked, even as she brushed past Jasmine. When she still hadn’t moved, the woman added, “Are you going to just stand there? Where do you want me to put this?”
    For the first time Jasmine noticed the red basket Ms. Van Dorn carried. Slowly she closed the door, her eyes never leaving the woman.
    “Well?” Ms. Van Dorn said, as if Jasmine was making her lose patience.
    “What is that?”
    Ms. Van Dorn blew a breath of air. “It’s your dinner,” she continued as if Jasmine should have known that.
    Jasmine frowned. “Dinner? For me?”
    The woman shook her head and placed the basket onto the kitchen table. “Who else would I be bringing dinner for?” She faced Jasmine. “Unless you’re telling me that someone lives here with you.”
    “Ms. Van Dorn, I don’t want to be rude—”
    “Then don’t. Just say thank you.”
    Jasmine stared at the woman. Without her mink, some of her elegance was gone. In her flowered wrap dress that seemed a bit too snug, Ms. Van Dorn looked like the many older women Jasmine saw daily, strolling the city streets. But although Jasmine didn’t know her story, she suspected there was nothing ordinary about Ms. Van Dorn. Not living in this building, not being carted around in a limousine, and not wearing the diamond stud earrings that glittered from her ears.
    “I’m still waiting for the thank you.”
    Jasmine muttered, “Thank you.”
    Her reward was one of the woman’s half smiles. “You’re welcome.” Ms. Van Dorn moved through the living room as if she had an invitation. “When we met this morning, I could tell you were one of those young working women. More concerned about your career than eating.” She stopped and eyed the melting ice cream on the table. “Obviously, I was right.” She turned back to Jasmine. “What’s your name?”
    “Jasmine.”
    The woman was silent, as if she were waiting for more.
    “Jasmine Larson.”
    The woman half smiled again. “Nice to meet you, Jasmine Larson.”
    “Nice to meet you—”
    “Ms. Van Dorn. But call me Mae Frances. That’s what my friends call me.” Her gruff tone remained, but now her eyes matched her smile. Mae Frances walked toward the door. “One night when you’re not so busy, maybe we can go out to dinner. Get to know each other better.”
    Jasmine nodded because she couldn’t think of anything else to do.
    “Speak