Bella

The terror began in Miss Pinkle's sixth grade class. During a class outing, the school bully hurtled off a cliff to his death on the rocks below. An accident, police ruled after speaking to the terrified classmate who witnessed the calamity. Years later the boy's mother plummeted to her death in a ritzy downtown hotel. Another accident? Police found nothing to indicate otherwise.Meanwhile, devout restauranteur Carlo Gaviano and his seamstress wife Marie worked hard to rear their three daughters. Their businesses prospered, affording a comfortable life. But from an early age middle daughter Bella Jacqueline exhibited hauteur and a pronounced sense of entitlement to the privileges of Seattle’s elite. When Marie's best efforts to correct her proved futile she let her go, hoping life experience would bring her to her senses. Her hopes seemed justified, for by all appearances Bella Jacqueline matured into a demure and gracious young woman. Beautiful and alluring, with just a hint of mystery, Bella Jacqueline charmed all who met her, especially powerful business magnate Joseph Windwilder. Unwilling to divorce his wife, however, Windwilder broke off their relationship. Within a week Bella Jacqueline met French vintner Jean-Pierre LeClerc. After a spring wedding they boarded a train bound for New York and the ship that would bear them to France. But sad tidings reached both families. Upon reaching St. Louis the young couple had disembarked--and disappeared without a trace. Only Joseph Windwilder would learn their fate. And never could Marie have imagined the horrific lengths to which Bella Jacqueline would resort to achieve her aims.

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