There was silence on the other end of the phone. Vienna could almost count the breaths Stella took. “When did you ever have a conversation with him? Certainly not at Shabina’s house. We were all together. And afterward, when we found out Denver was dead, we were all so shocked and devastated, we just kind of stayed together for a little while and talked things out.”
“I know. But then I went backpacking up into the mountains alone. I didn’t want to be afraid of a serial killer coming after me. I have to be able to go into all sorts of places without being afraid. I decided I needed to just go, to get it over with. I took a month’s leave of absence, packed up and went hiking. Zale followed me.”
Again, there was a long silence. Finally, there was the sound of a door closing. “Sorry, someone came in. I take it you didn’t send him away.”
“No, he stayed with me for the entire month. He was this amazing man. So intelligent, and you know how that matters to me. He could make me laugh. And he was great outdoors. On top of that, he was dynamite in bed. He could light up the night. I had no idea sex could be like that. We didn’t talk about my home life or his because I thought we had all the time in the world. For some ridiculous reason, I believed he was as taken with me as I was with him. I mean, he didn’t say so, and neither did I, but when he touched me, I felt it. So much for my intuition as a woman.”
Vienna was very proud of herself for keeping any bitterness from her voice. She didn’t even feel bitter. She’d been hurt, but she wasn’t bitter. Zale hadn’t given her false promises. If she had built a relationship between them, it had been all in her mind. He’d showed up, they’d talked. She couldn’t even say he’d seduced her. The attraction had been mutual. He’d been respectful. Careful of her because they were alone out in the middle of Yosemite. He’d told her he’d pitch a tent away from her. She’d been the one to make the decision to allow him to stay with her.
“What happened?”
“He just packed up one day and disappeared without a word. I mean, I woke up, he was packing up, he leaned over and kissed me goodbye and was gone. I never heard from him again.”
“Are you kidding me?” Stella sounded outraged.
“No. He really is one of the Ghosts Denver was always going on about. In any case, he’s clearly working some job here. He signaled to me that he didn’t want me to acknowledge that I knew him. Or maybe he’s married and his wife is here with him. Sheesh, I never even thought of that.” Now that she did think of it, she was alarmed. Horrified.
“No, he’s not married. Well, at least I don’t think he is. Now I’m going to go grill Sam. Zale Vizzini is Sam’s best man. I had no idea you even knew him other than for that brief moment at Shabina’s or I would have told Sam he was banned from our wedding. I wonder if it’s too late to kick him out. I’ll turn into bridezilla for you.”
Vienna laughed. “You can’t do that. I can handle it. It was just such a shock to see him.” She sobered up suddenly. “Although if he was married at the time, I’ll have to retaliate even if it’s in a childish way. That would be so disgusting. I do not mess around with married men. And that includes men in partnerships.”
“I’ll find out what I can and call you back.”
“Please keep what I told you confidential.”
“I’m very aware you’re an extremely private person, Vienna. In any case, you kept everything about me confidential,” Stella said. “I can’t wait to see you in a few days.”
“I’m looking forward to bouldering and some other outdoor adventures. After the tournament I’ll need to be out of this building,” Vienna assured. “Don’t forget to text or call me back when you know something. I don’t want to be up all night feeling guilty if I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Will do,” Stella promised.
Vienna paced around the suite several times. She’d meant to stay in and just relax but now she couldn’t. She needed action. Something. Anything outdoors. She would have to work tomorrow, starting early afternoon, and play carefully to stay in the game. She was playing against some of the top players in that world. She’d made it through to the semifinal table, a feat she was certain hadn’t been expected of her.
When Vienna had first started, she’d had to borrow money to buy into her first online game. She’d won. She’d been able to borrow the money because those who knew her were aware of her uncanny ability to win at cards. It wasn’t that Vienna counted cards or anything like that, she just “knew” things. She had a gift, and over the years, she’d come to believe in it and knew she could trust it. Because she saw her talent as a gift, she didn’t overuse it, and she made it a point to give back in some way.