Billionaire's Last Secret

The first time Alexander Kane saw the necklace around another woman's neck, he was standing under a chandelier valued at more than most people's homes, listening to some strangers whom he thought were being extremely brave. He didn't like to use the word brave. It made it seem like he had overcome his sadness, but actually he had learned to live with it, perhaps more like with it. A lady in diamonds said to him, “Your foundation has worked wonders this year.” Alexander's smile was one he had perfected, and he had won the favor of business magazines for it. Thank you. "We've got very generous supporters here. Her focus was on a photographer. He was thankful when she left. The string quartet played quietly, between the white roses which rose in tall bouquets all around the ballroom. Waiters were dancing around with champagne and New York's richest guests were celebrating each others largesse. A photo of his wife Vivienne, smiling as if to know a secret not known by the rest of the world, was above the stage. It had been three years since she'd been missing. Three years later, a burnt car, a pile of clothes, and a pile of well organized reports led the authorities to believe she was dead. A body had never been found. Alexander had ceased correcting people when they referred to her as his "late wife". He didn't need any sympathy when he explained that he was unsure. “Why don't you look more like you are at your own funeral?,” his uncle replied next to him. Alexander looked at Julian Kane. By the time he was fifty eight, Julian had learned how to look the part of a man who really didn't need to hurry. His silver hair was immacately combed, his tuxedo was faultless, and his face exuded the comforting warmth of a man who had dealt with other people's issues for decades. “Oh, I'll do my best not to be so grateful,” Alexander said. “Do. The board is watching.” The board is on its guard at all times. “And tonight, they're on you. Alexander went for a glass of water. Then he saw the woman standing by the entrance to the ballroom. She was dressed in a simple black dress but it was very elegant and not expensive, and she couldn't be found in the room around her. As other guests came over to exchange business cards and commendations, she glanced at a showcase of photos depicting the foundation's work. Then she looked up her head. A gold pendant was on her collar bone. Alexander stopped moving. He was familiar with that necklace. The pendant was oval with a slight irregularity in its edge, and it was smaller than usual. It had a shallow engraved curve around the middle. Most people would have ignored the blemish but Vivienne had complained about their jeweler refusing to fix it due to the flaw being part of the original design. Alexander had taken her picture wearing it in their kitchen four days before she went missing. Remembered, laughed at his expression, and told him that he took life too seriously, because he stole her coffee. He had saved this picture somewhere. If he was unable to sleep, he still looked at it. Who else is that lady?” he questioned. Julian looked at a person he followed. His face twisted for a split second. It was short enough that Alexander could have disregarded it, if he was not a man whose life had been spent studying the people who requested something from him. Julian shook his head.“No, I don't know,” Julian said. Alexander placed his glass on the table. “If I ask her then I will.” Before his uncle could react, he had crossed the ballroom. From close range, the woman looked to be in her thirties. Her hair was black and her pigtails were loose, falling around the back of her head and down by her cheek. She was looking at a plaque below a photo when his shadow crossed the plaque. “Excuse me," he said. “May I ask you something?” She looked up. Her gaze lingered only long enough to see his face, and then she knew. “Of course.” “Your necklace. Where did you obtain it from? Her fingers lifted up of their own accord to the pendant. It is something that my mother gave me.” “May I see it?” One eyebrow lifted. “Do you typically give people your jewellery?” “Jewelry important only then.” “To you?” “Yes.” She scrutinized him for a second. “It's a personal issue, Mr. Kane,” he said. Alexander almost smiled. Almost. “It's me you know.” “It would be hard not to be.” Your name is on the event program, the entry display, and a minimum of 6 banners outside. She looked over to the picture of Vivienne. Yes, I'm the guy all the people are congratulating for being brave, right? His expression tightened. “You’ve been listening.” “My ears are here, they were born with the dress.” This time, he was almost laughing. He was more irritated than he should be by the unexpected impulse. “And your name?” “Elena Voss.” What's up your sleeve, Ms. Voss? I'm a forensic accounting consultant, I had been brought in to take a look at some of the financial records of the foundation.” That did not go down the drain. “By whom?” Your finance director. Ask him, does he regret it? Her voice had an edge but she didn't seem to be trying to impress him. Alexander wondered if she spoke to them all like this or if she just felt she was entitled to this. He gazed at the pendant once again. “Is that necklace yours, Mom? “Yes.” “Where did she get it from?” The gold was in the hands of Elena's fingers. Why is it important? “Since it has happened before.” “Where?” He hesitated. He had been in the middle of three years of awkwardness and he knew it was a direct result of his reference to Vivienne. Some offered sympathy. Some attempted to switch to a different topic. Some seemed to be infected by his sadness. But, Elena was unmoved, her expression guarded instead of pitying. He said his wife used to wear one like it. “Wore?” “She went missing 3 years ago.” There was something about her face, a heart that softened, but she swiftly shielded that from view. “I’m sorry.” “You don't sound like you believe that.” I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you want me to say.” Alexander pulled his cell phone out of his coat. He was not about to share the photo with anybody tonight, but they were too similar to be kept inside. He found a picture and showed it to her. Vivienne posed in her kitchen, smiling with the gold pendant around her neck. Light of the sun falling in her hair. The picture was shot on a typical morning, neither of them realizing that this morning could be valuable. Elena examined it. She now appeared truly disturbed for the first time since he had approached her. “This is the necklace,” she said in a hushed voice. “You recognize it?” Yes, of course I do, I've got mine for years. Well, that's why I want to know how your mom got it.” At him, Elena glanced at the picture. I know what you're thinking, that doesn't mean I have an answer. “Does your mother live?” Her jaw tightened. “I don’t know.” Alexander's answer came back with a thud. Before he could ask another question, Julian came up to Elena's side. A pleasant yet firm voice, “Alexander.” “Chairman is waiting for you.” “I’ll be a moment.” Julian didn't look up at him. His eyes were stuck on the pendant she wore around her neck. “Wear old clothes just don't understand,” he said to her. Elena’s expression cooled. “Well, it was a gift from my mother and I know that much. “Of course.” Julian pulled up his sleeve. “Excuse me,” I said, “but I meant no offense.” “But you pulled it off somehow! Alexander saw his uncle's smile harden. Julian was not easily rattled and didn't like those who could make him do the rattle. “Voces si conoces a la señora Voss?” Alexander asked. “No.” The response was quick. Julian looked towards him. “And I suggest you don't turn a charity night into an investigation – if you find any similarities, grief makes it seem like it can.” “Do you think this is?” I believe you deserve one evening to heal old wounds, instead.” Alexander did not get a chance to reply, as Julian walked away. Elena followed him as he went; then she put the pendant under her neckline. She said that she should go. “You haven’t answered my question.” “When I could I responded.” “Will you let me contact you?” Her gaze held his. “For what purpose? Asking questions about my mom again or asking if I am related to your missing wife?” “I don’t know yet.” He could tell her the truth, at the very least. Elena thought of him and for a split second the steeliness on her face was replaced by curiosity. Then get that figured out, Mr. Kane.” She looked around and went to the door. Alexander looked at all the people and saw her get lost in the crowd. Julian stood still by a table of unopened champagne, gazing after her, all across the ballroom. He had recognized the necklace. Alexander knew it was true. For the first time in three years, he questioned if anyone in his family knew what had happened to Vivienne.