The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans Read Free Book Online

just stared at the last entry. How could Sara still care about him after all he had done to her? He walked to the bathroom. Bending low over the sink he splashed his face with water. Then he looked in the mirror. He felt sick to his stomach and angry. But more than anger or even betrayal, he felt something still stronger. He felt shame.

CHAPTER
Eleven

It was nearly noon when Kier walked back down the stairs. Fred was polishing the banister with a dust rag. He looked up at him. “You sure you’re not a ghost?”
    â€œCan’t prove it.”
    Fred laughed. “Come back and haunt us again,” he said.
    Kier walked outside. The air was crisp and fresh. He climbed into his car and drove home.
    On the ride down the canyon, Kier mulled over what he’d read. “Heartless,” “Monster,” “Grinch,” “Bergermeister”? His memory had been betrayed by his “friends” as well as his enemies. Only one person seemed to care about him and it was the woman he’d betrayed. He was baffled. After all he had done to Sara, she had stood up for him. Why?
    He suddenly felt very alone. At least he had Traci. He wondered how she was handling the news. Probably a wreck , he thought.

    The roads home were clear and Kier arrived in the valley in less than a half hour. He stopped at a nearby stripmall andpicked up a new phone then drove home. He pulled into the driveway, opened the garage door, and parked inside, entering from the garage. He stopped at the edge of the living room. It took him a moment to comprehend what he saw. The room was filled with dozens of shopping bags. Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Lolabella, bebe, White House Black Market; an impressive array. He pulled from one of the bags a black, tufted Gucci bag with the price tag still attached: $3,995.
    I guess she decided to cash in while the card was still good. He wondered why she brought everything to his place instead of her own until it occurred to him that she was just being efficient; his place was closer to the malls. He went to the kitchen and called Lincoln.
    â€œHow’s it going, dead man?” Lincoln said.
    â€œHave you contacted the newspaper yet?”
    â€œNo. I had to get Carol to go into the office. But we’re just about to serve them.”
    â€œBelay that.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI don’t want you to contact them yet.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI don’t want anyone to know that I’m alive.”
    â€œWhat have you got up your sleeve, Kier?”
    â€œThis is an opportunity, Lincoln. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
    â€œI’m not following you.”
    â€œDid you see what Brey wrote on the Tribune site?”
    â€œYeah, I saw that. I’m sorry.”
    â€œI’m not. Now I know the truth. For the first time in my lifeI can see what people really think of me. This is a platinum opportunity.”
    â€œBrilliant.”
    â€œWhat are you doing tonight?”
    â€œNo plans.”
    â€œLet’s get a drink at Porcupine Grill. Say, seven?”
    â€œSeven it is.”
    â€œSee you then.” Kier hung up and went back to the front room. He sat down in a wide crushed-velvet chair and lifted his feet up on the ottoman staring at the door while he considered his next move. First Brey, now Traci. He was wondering the best way to handle the two of them when he heard a car pull into the driveway. A moment later came the sound of keys in the deadbolt. The door opened a few inches, then swung open as Traci walked inside, pushing the door open with her rear. Her back was toward him and her arms were threaded through the handles of more shopping bags. She was humming cheerfully. Kier waited for her to set down her bags before he spoke.
    â€œHi.”
    She jumped at the sound of his voice and swung around.
    â€œI’d ask where you’ve been, but I don’t need to, do I?”
    â€œJames.” She held a hand to her chest.