Illusions of Death Read Online Free

shouting. The insults. His immense jealousy of her success grew swiftly as his own star dimmed in the art world.
    Finally, the constant betrayal of their marriage vows, the last time with a woman she’d considered a good friend. It ripped her life apart like a jagged lightning bolt in its speed and damage.
    That affair had been the final straw that led her to file for divorce.
    “Good afternoon, Karlyn.”
    Her patrician attorney, Archibald Benton, swept into the room and led her to a seat at the conference table. He greeted the pair across from them and busied himself pulling out various papers from his briefcase, setting them in separate stacks before him.
    “I believe we’re ready to reach a settlement in this matter, Barbara.”
    Barbara McCarthy, cool and ash blonde, gave him her best Go to hell look. Karlyn had decided that Barbara would be a character in her next book. She hadn’t decided how to kill her yet. She would never write Mario into anything. Murdering his lawyer would be the next best literary revenge.
    The attorney raised her pencil-thin brows. “I don’t see how we can agree to any of this rubbish.”
    Benton raised his own shaggy white brows and glared back. Karlyn noted her lawyer’s look trumped McCarthy’s by a mile.
    “I don’t see what the problem is, Barbara. Mr. Taylor may keep any profits from his paintings since the marriage began, as well as any future earnings on paintings already in progress. My client will adhere to the same, retaining her income from her novels. The condo and all furniture within will be sold, with the money divided between the two. There are no children and no pets to consider. What objection could Mr. Taylor have?”
    Barbara splayed her hands flat on the table. “It’s grossly unfair. It will leave my client destitute until the sale of the property goes through. He is accustomed to living in a manner suited to—”
    “Don’t go there,” Benton warned. “Your client has sponged off Miss Campbell for years. He earns a decent living from his art and can support himself. He will neither be homeless nor will he starve.”
    “But he—”
    “He can have the condo. And everything in it. I want this to be over.”
    Karlyn’s interruption brought the argument to a halt.
    “Karlyn, I would advise you—”
    “I know, Archibald. We’ve had this discussion. Several times. And more than anything, I want to be free of this monster and his trail of tramps.”
    Mario leapt to his feet. “You would call me a monster, you little whore? Writing crap that the public gobbles up like candy?”
    “Sit down,” Barbara cautioned.
    Mario spread his arms wide. “Why should I? This little slut spread lies about me to her friends. Our relationship and its problems have been fodder for every tabloid and TV news show. The gossip has ruined my career. I’ll be lucky if I ever have a showing again in New York.”
    Mario sat, his eyes smoldering hate as he looked at Karlyn.
    Benton flipped through a few papers and withdrew one. He turned it around and pushed it across the table.
    “This is the private investigator’s report that details multiple incidents of extramarital conduct on Mr. Taylor’s part.” He reached for an envelope and dumped out dozens of pictures on the table. “And here are the photos to back up the report.
    Barbara placed a warning hand on Mario’s forearm to ensure his silence.
    “Yes, the tabloids have speculated about the marriage and my client’s filing for divorce. The paparazzi have sold numerous pictures of Mr. Taylor with other women, both during the marriage and the separation. But my client has never made any of this public.”
    Benton shook his head. “None of this is news to you, Counselor. And now my client has generously offered all proceeds from the sale of an approximately million eight condo and its contents to go to Mr. Taylor. Or he may choose to continue to be a resident thereof. The choice is his, but the free ride on my