SHADOWS OF AFFECTION

Unveiled Shadows

Chapter 4

The days following my rendezvous with Isabella at the pier were among my most turbulent. Her comments kept coming back to me, warping my view of Lucas and making me feel afraid and doubtful. My love for Lucas and the nagging doubt that Isabella's revelations had aroused fought each other every minute we spent together.

Lucas and I kept seeing one other in spite of my inner turmoil, our relationship growing even as darkness descended over us. His weighty secrets and the distress in his eyes only served to increase my resolve to find out the truth.

It came time to confront him once more one evening as we sat in his opulent penthouse. I started out, "Lucas," my voice firm but steady. "I'd like to know more about your history. With reference to Isabella and the transactions."

He glanced at me, anguish flitting in his eyes. "I believe we discussed this already, Elena. I've covered every angle with you."

"There's more, Isabella said," I argued. "She claimed that you continue to keep things from me."

Lucas' expression stiffened, a shadow enveloping his features. "Isabella will stop at nothing to undermine us. She is untrustworthy."

But I need to hear it from you," I said. "I have to know everything if we are to proceed."

He drew a long breath and stared at me, his face softening. "All right, Elena. Tell me everything, please."

It was a flurry of revelations during the following few hours. Lucas related how his work partnership with Isabella had evolved into a poisonous love affair. They had engaged in a number of dubious transactions, some of which had damaged both of their reputations for life. Though he acknowledged making mistakes, he maintained that he had changed.

He replied, regretfully, "Isabella never forgave me for ending things." "Ever since, she's been attempting to ruin me."

I could feel the pain and true regret in his eyes as he talked about his previous deeds. I also saw, though, a man resolved to make things right and create a future unhindered by his history.

I said, "I want to believe you, Lucas," very quietly. "But I require evidence. Something to demonstrate how genuinely different you are now.

Knowing, he nodded. "Whatever you need, Elena, I'll supply. Tell me what I may do to establish my worth, please."

Lucas gave me a very thick envelope the following day. "These are all the paperwork connected to my commercial dealings," he declared. All you need to know is included there. Nothing about myself to conceal."

Hands shaking, I took the envelope. This was the evidence I needed to be sure or to be wrong. Relief and anxiety were mixed together as I sat in my studio going over the paperwork. While most of the papers were simple company paperwork, a few sparked suspicions. Deals with shady partners, contracts with unstated terms—things that threw doubt on Lucas's history.

My phone blinked with a message from an unknown number just as I was going to put the papers away. Tonight, Elena, come see me at the old Elm Street warehouse. You have to look at this.

The message sent my heart thumping. This might be anybody right now. And what on earth might they possibly have to show me? Though the sense of dread was overpowering, I knew I had to go. If more was to be found, I had to see it for myself.

Elm Street warehouse was a run-down, forgotten structure. Arriving just as the sun was lowering, the damaged pavement was covered with unsettling shadows. The musty air flooded my lungs as soon as I walked inside, and a chill went down my back.

Say hello? My voice rang out in the empty room.

My pulse slowed as a man appeared out of the shadows. It was a tall, powerful man whose face looked a little familiar.

Low and sinister, he said, "Elena." "We must speak."

Who are you, exactly? My voice quivering, I demanded.

I go by Mark," he said. Lucas used to be my friend. And you need to hear what I have to say."

Mind racing, I stepped back. What do you imply?

He presented a USB stick to me. "There are tapes here of Lucas talking to some really scary people. Still-open deals. The guy you believe to be Lucas isn't him."

Driving, my breath seized in my throat. 'Why are you giving this to me?

"I can't watch him destroy another innocent life," Mark murmured, his eyes steely. "You ought to know the truth."

Then he turned and vanished into the darkness, leaving me in the frigid, deserted warehouse. I paused there, the weight of the USB disk in my palm a physical reminder of the gloom that still encircled Lucas.

My hands shaking, I plugged the drive into my laptop back at my flat. My stomach knotted with fear as the files loaded. The tapes were damning—talks between Lucas and a number of dubious individuals about obviously immoral and unlawful transactions. I could feel the man I thought I knew eroding in front of me as I listened.

The realization that Isabella and Mark had been correct brought tears to my eyes. Lucas had remained the same. I had been naive to his continued deep involvement in a world of corruption and dishonesty.

Though I knew I couldn't do it alone, I had to face him. My voice trembling, I contacted Emma and gave her the rundown. I said, "I need your help," "I have no idea what to do."

Emma waited a bit before speak. Elena, together we'll work this out. You're not on your own in this."

I ran across Emma that evening at a little café close to my flat. Hours passed while we reviewed the tapes and attempted to put together a strategy. At last Emma remarked, "We need to confront him." But we have to exercise caution. Lucas is risky.

Hardening in my determination, I nodded. "We'll finish it tomorrow. I'm sick to death of these lies."

Emma and I went over to Lucas's flat the following day. I knocked at the door, fear and resolve fighting within of me. My heart hammered. With a start, Lucas opened the door to see Emma standing next to me.

Eyes darting between us, he questioned, "What's going on?"

My voice firm, I said, "We need to talk." For these. I raised the stick of USB.

Lucas grew pale, and I caught a glimmer of terror in his eyes for a split second. "Elena, I can explain,"

"No," my voice firm, I cut in. "Listen, you must. Lucas, I have heard the tapes. The offers are known to me. You have not been telling the truth."

Stepping back, his face was tortured. "I wasn't trying to hurt you, Elena. Trying to keep you safe was my goal."

How, by telling me lies? With a breaking voice, I demanded. You drag me into this mess?

Lucas shot me a painful-looking glance. "Eleanor, you are loved. I had no intention of this happening."

I shake my head and tears came down my face. "Lucas, you are untrustworthy to me. Not with all I now know."

Emma moved forward and spoke firmly but calmly. Lucas, we have to call the police. This has to stop.

Defeat in his eyes, Lucas nodded. I perceive. I'll take any necessary actions to put this right."

Meetings with attorneys and law enforcement flitted by over the next several days. Lucas completely cooperated, offering testimony and supporting documentation that made it easier to separate the corruption and lies that had enmeshed him. Ultimately, justice won out after a protracted and agonizing procedure.

Lucas was given the opportunity to start over even though his acts had consequences. For my part, the event strengthened rather than scarred me. I had come out of the shadows feeling more resilient after facing my anxieties and learning the truth.

I was at peace months later as I stood in my studio, working on a new piece motivated by the turbulent trip I had been on. I was prepared to welcome the future, the past behind me.

After we broke up, I felt Lucas was headed for atonement. Concerning myself, I had discovered my voice and my power, prepared to take on any obstacles that arose.

Knowing that I was only starting a new chapter in my life, I grinned as I finished my painting. A hopeful, resilient, and promisingly better future chapter.