I winced. "Oh, yes, I suppose I do. Someone is pointing the finger at me!"
"That’s not a very smart way to go about it. Throwing a brick through your window isn't very subtle."
"Neither was plunging a knife through Esther's heart!"
"I'm going to take the page to the crime scene guys and get it dusted for prints but I warn you, I doubt they'll find anyone's fingerprints except yours."
"Is the killer trying to frame other people? Or just Mark and me?" I asked, although I didn't expect an answer. It seemed pretty clear someone wanted to set us both up. Could they have discovered that Mark had been released? And now that I thought about it, why did Detective Logan let him go?
"Is there anything in the novel that they could use to do that?"
"Probably several pages. I wish you would find the damn manuscript and stop them from using it any longer!"
"Ava!" Someone called my name from the front door.
"Expecting someone?" asked Detective Logan. He turned around, leaning back to crane his head towards the door.
"No."
"Ava!" This time, the voice was closer before Mark burst through the hallway. "There you are! I just got here and saw all the police cars. Are you okay? What happened?" He rushed closer, breathing hard, his face panicked. Before I could answer, he wrapped me in a hug so tight that I had no choice but to relax against him. It was warm and comforting and I could have stayed like that for hours, except I looked up and saw the beautiful woman hesitating in the doorway. Of course, he'd only come to collect his things! I disentangled myself, pushing away gently, embarrassed at the exuberant display, and more embarrassed by my delighted reaction to it. "What happened? Ava? Sam?" Mark looked between us.
"Someone decided to frame Ava," said Detective Logan, "and hurled a brick through her window with another page from her book wrapped around it."
"I thought we were both safe since you arrested me!"
"After your lawyer sister showed up, shouting wrongful arrest and making me release you, I figured word must have gotten out."
I blinked. "Sister? Lawyer?"
"Beth, I’d like you to meet Ava." Mark turned and waved the woman forwards. She stepped into the sunroom, holding out her hand to me. "This is my sister, Beth. She decided on her own to spring her big brother from jail and sort of ruined our plan."
"If I'd known it was only a plan, I might not have come in with both guns blazing," she said, rolling her eyes. "Someone forgot to tell me that part. Hi, I'm Beth."
"Ava," I said, shaking her hand. Relief washed over me, turning me almost giddy. She wasn't Mark's girlfriend! "I had no idea Mark had a sister."
"He doesn't like to tell anyone because he's so easily eclipsed by my brilliance," Beth said with a wink so I knew she was joking. "I thought I was coming to rescue him. Instead, I seem to have stumbled on some kind of plot. What is going on?"
"I already gave her the short version," said Mark. "Can you wait for the rest?"
Beth looked around at the police officers. "I suppose I'll have to."
"I can't believe someone tried to hurt you," said Mark, his face darkening as he searched mine before seeming satisfied that I was unhurt. "They know where you live now! You can't stay here."
"It's a small town. Everyone knows where everyone lives, or knows someone who knows," pointed out Detective Logan.
"And I'm not going anywhere," I added. "No one is chasing me out of my home. I'll get an emergency window repair and make sure my house alarms are fully activated tonight."
"You're not really thinking about staying here overnight," said Mark.
Detective Logan pulled a business card from his pocket. "Call Nate Minoso. He can board the window up tonight and get you a replacement glass. His work is good."
"I know him, thanks," I said, waving away the card. "He's already done some work on this house, and I will call him."
"Why don't we wait with you until the window is patched? Then you could come and stay at the place we rented. It's a large apartment on Main Street and there're two bedrooms and a pull-out couch," said Beth. "I don't like the idea of leaving you here alone, not with a brick-throwing maniac around even though you are clearly a strong, independent woman, just like me." She winked. I liked her already.
"I agree," added Mark. "We'll feed you too, and you can get a good night's sleep without worrying if something else is going to happen. Plus, no one will know where you are."
"No one except me," said Detective Logan. "Make sure you leave an address with me."
"Why? Are you going to arrest Ava too?" Beth approached the detective and he took a step back. He ran a hand over his red hair and rolled his eyes, almost imperceptibly.
"No. I might want to speak to her because someone damaged her property and delivered what could be interpreted as a very threatening message," said Detective Logan. "Stand down, Ms. Boudreaux. I'm not the enemy here."
"He really isn't," I told Beth as she crossed her arms. "Sam and I went to school together and he's doing everything he can to find out what's going on."
"I believe you but only because Mark says such great things about you."
He does? I barely stopped the words from tumbling out of my mouth. My heart swelled a little but I wasn't sure if I felt pride or pleasure that he was speaking about me. I was glad to learn he was clearly saying very nice things. Possibly all of the above.
Detective Logan waited patiently but now he lifted his notepad and pen. "Why do you think someone would have sent you this message?" he asked.
"I don't know. Isn't it because you released Mark and someone thought of me instead?"
"That's what I assumed initially, but maybe there's another reason. Can you think of any reason someone might want to implicate you above anyone else?"
"I'm supposed to be the only other person who knew Esther; and I guess I've let it be known that we didn't always get on."
"Supposed to be the only other person who knew Esther?"
"I'm sure she knew someone else in town, and you must have come to that same conclusion too, Sam."
"What makes you think that?"
"Remember Terry, the taxi driver you interviewed? He mentioned something about Esther recognizing someone; and then there was that loud argument overheard in the hotel's stairwell. I've been asking around and..."
Detective Logan held up a hand. "You've been doing what?"
"I asked Janey at the hotel about it and she didn't know, and neither did Jake Jackman, the bellhop. But Dina Preston thought Esther might have been speaking to a man. I know there was another guest in the stairwell at that time and..."
"How do you know that?" he asked.
"Well it was on the..." Uh-oh. I winced as I realized the trap I'd just walked into. I scrambled to get out of it, hoping Sam wouldn't notice. "There was some talk about a guest stealing small things. He's in room three-nineteen. What if Esther caught him? I know you cleared him because he was supposed to be hosting a dinner, but maybe he snuck out to find her and they fought, and he killed her?"
"Because she caught him stealing little bottles of hotel shampoo?" Detective Logan looked rightly skeptical.
"No, because she knew him from somewhere else. From some time in her past. I'm sure if you interview him, you'll find the connection."
Detective Logan's radio crackled. He tried to answer it but only static came through. "I'm going to step outside and when I come back, you can fill me in on the rest."
"That was everything," I said to Mark as we watched Sam leave. "The thief must have gotten wind that I was asking questions, and he might have felt threatened enough to find out where I lived so he could warn me off."
"All the more reason not to stay here tonight," said Mark and Beth nodded.
"He's right for once. You really should come with us. We can order food in," she added.
"What about my cat?" I asked, suddenly remembering Purrdie. She hadn't been in the room when the window shattered but I couldn't leave her alone in t
he house. What if someone hurt her as a twisted message to me? The thought was unbearable.
"Bring her too," said Mark just as Detective Logan returned.
"I have to go but can you come down to the station tomorrow and make a formal statement?" he asked. "I'm not sure we'll learn anything helpful in finding out who did this, but let's get it official, just in case."
"What's the rush?" asked Mark.
Detective Logan took a deep breath. "A guest at the Maple Tree Hotel just got attacked in the parking lot. He's been taken to the emergency hospital here in town."
"Attacked?" I whispered. "Another one?"
"I've never been happier to be thrown out of a hotel," said Mark. He reached for my hand, twining his fingers with mine. "That place is a danger magnet."
~
Mark and Beth insisted on waiting with me while the two remaining police officers left the house and moved onto the other neighbors to question them. I couldn't argue since having both of them there made me feel a lot safer. I called Nate Minoso and asked him to come over and patch up the window until a replacement pane could be ordered and fitted. While we waited for him to arrive, I directed Mark to his suitcase and went upstairs to retrieve his laptop from my office. I handed it to him while Beth went into the kitchen to answer a phone call. He zipped the laptop in his case, then reached for my hands, lacing his fingers through mine.
"I thought you'd been hurt," he said softly. "I would never have forgiven myself if someone hurt you because Sam's plan was seen for what it was, just a ruse."
"We don't know what prompted someone to throw that brick," I told him. "It's not your fault."
"All the same, my heart stopped for a moment when I saw all the police crawling outside your house. I've never been so scared; and a lot of scary stuff has happened lately." Mark stepped closer, closing the few inches between us. My heart pounded loudly in my ears as he dipped his head and touched his lips to mine. His lips were soft and sweet and he tasted like coffee. The glorious kiss lasted a lifetime and when we drew back, I thought I finally knew what my heroines felt like. Only this was my life, my real life, not just words on a page. "I’ve wanted to kiss you since I first saw you. Even though we don't know what's ahead, I'd really like to find out, with you. Life's too short for me not to tell you what I want you to know."
The sound of a throat clearing in the doorway stopped me from answering. Instead of jumping away, Mark simply turned and didn't drop my hand. I tightened my fingers around his, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Hi, Nate," I said seeing the man with his tool case standing in the doorway. His hoody was half unzipped, revealing a black t-shirt with Minoso Construction printed across the front. "Thanks for coming on such short notice and in the evening too."
"No problem at all. I was just heading to the bar when you called so it was easy to swing by. I saw the damage at the front window but let me know if there's anything else. Did a gang of kids do it? What is the world coming to?" Nate asked. He didn't wait for an answer, but kept shaking his head and heading off to the living room. I let him go. He knew the house and I had no issue with the quality of his work. It wouldn't be pleasant to see the window boarded up but it was better than leaving the house open to the elements or any opportunistic burglar, should the rest of the window shatter in the night.
"What do you need to pack?" Mark asked.
I was grateful when the topic switched to something more practical. Something I could deal with. I would focus on Mark’s words later. "A change of clothes, a few things from the bathroom, and my laptop."
"What can I do?"
"You can get Purrdie's carrier from the hallway closet and if you see her, grab her!"
"Purrdie?"
"My cat."
"Oh! That's a cute name for a cat. Consider it done." He squeezed my hand and it felt so natural that I wanted to melt against him.
It only took me ten minutes to throw a few things together, but it took me another ten minutes to wonder if I packed the right pajamas — not too sexy, but not too “alone on a Saturday night” — and an outfit that was cute but not like I was trying too hard. This new interest in a man was challenging. I didn't know how my characters managed to remain so impossibly elegant at all times, and always knew the right things to do. Perhaps I would have to fix that!
I grabbed my overnight bag and jogged downstairs. Nate had already knocked out the broken glass and was fitting boards as a temporary measure. Mark and Beth stood in my entry, out of Nate's way, and Purrdie was in Mark's arms, snuggling up to him. I smiled at the site of my affectionate, fluffy, white cat. Purrdie had good taste.
"Almost finished," said Nate. "I've doubled up on the boards to keep your house secure, and taken the appropriate measurements. I'll have the glass ordered tomorrow and I'll call you to arrange for a good time to replace it. It won't take long or be expensive. I can claim it to your insurance company, if you want?"
"I really appreciate it," I told him. "Just call me when everything is ready to go."
"No problem. You all have a good night now," he said, waving cheerfully as he left.
"Friend of yours?" asked Mark.
"Kind of. He's done a lot of restoration work on this house for me and he's in high demand around here. He can do just about anything where houses are concerned."
"He's dreamy," said Beth and Mark elbowed her. I just laughed because she was right; Nate was a good-looking man. In addition to being polite and competent around the house, he was a dream-come-true for some women. "Shame I'm not sticking around longer," Beth added with a sigh. To me, she said, "I don't know if the landlord accepts cats but I figure we can get this cute, little kitty in and out without anyone noticing."
"Let's go," said Mark, handing Purrdie off to me. I tipped her gently into the waiting cat basket and Mark lifted her with ease before he grabbed his suitcase with the other hand. I picked up our laptop cases and my overnight bag and set the house alarm before following him and Beth outside. I locked the door and began to head to my car. "Travel with us," said Mark. "If someone comes back, it's better your car stays here so they think you're still at home. No one will know where you are tonight and you'll be safe."
I took one last look at my house with the hideous boards marring the once beautiful window and hoped he was right.
Chapter Nineteen
The place Beth had rented for a few days was a spacious, open plan apartment that spanned the second story of two shops on Main Street. The front door opened onto a small stairway that led up to a large living area, stylishly furnished with twin couches facing each other and a glass coffee table stacked with glossy, arty books. At one end of the living room, a small space was carved out as a kitchen with a breakfast bar separating the two spaces but not completely dividing them.
A spiral staircase went up to the mezzanine floor. The living room had the full height of the room and the stairs led to a slim landing that overlooked the street below and led to two small double bedrooms and a bathroom. Mark insisted on putting my overnight bag in one of the rooms before he made noises about picking up some food from one of the restaurants we passed on the street below.
Now the three of us were perched on tall stools around the breakfast bar, the open takeout cartons spread between us. At my feet, Purrdie lapped a bowl of water, entirely unconcerned about her short journey.
I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I bit into an egg roll. My stomach gave an ominous rumble that was hard to hide. "This beats the pasta I was planning to eat," I murmured.
"I can't stay quiet any longer!" declared Beth, dropping her fork onto her plate where it fell with a clatter.
"You've only been quiet two minutes," muttered Mark.
Beth punched his arm. "You've been in this town, this very pretty town, for barely a week and your colleague was murdered, you've been implicated and arrested, I had to drop everything and come down to bail you out—"
"No one asked you to. We had a well-devised plan
!" protested Mark.
"You were arrested!" she said, glaring at him. "How was I supposed to know you had a plan? Anyway, I sprang you..."
"Hardly!"
"And," she continued as I bit back a laugh at the petty sibling bickering. "Now your friend has had her home vandalized. What kind of town is this anyway?"
"It's a very nice town," I told her, staunchly sticking up for Calendar. "This kind of thing doesn't happen all the time. Mostly, life is very quiet here and the only excitement we get are the town activities and latest gossip on who is dating whom!"
"There's also winter skiing," said Mark. "You love skiing, Beth."
"I do," she replied. She reached for the carton of rice and spooned another scoop onto her plate before adding more of the lemon chicken. "At least the food here is good."
"Please excuse my sister. She's a poor, sheltered, city girl."
"It's true, I am. I’m also a tired and hungry one."
Mark winked at me across the table. "Thanks for taking care of my things. I hope that wasn't what got you into trouble."
"How would your getting thrown out of a hotel after a murder possibly get Ava into trouble?" asked Beth, looking up from her meal and glancing between us. I wondered how much Mark had told her, and if she knew everything. I suspected not.
"I don't see how it could. I wasn't there very long and I simply packed up your belongings and left." I hesitated and added. "Sorry I had to go through your personal things. Dina Preston was very insistent that you had to check out, whether you liked it or not."
"I'm just glad I tossed everything into the laundry bag that morning," said Mark as Beth giggled and pulled a face. She looked as far from a polished lawyer as she could be in that moment.
"Did you pack up his widdle teddy bear?" asked Beth, giggling again.
"No!" This time, I joined in the laughter as I grasped a piece of the chicken with the chopsticks and took a satisfied bite. "But I did take a look at your travel book. When are you going to Spain?"
"Oh, that?" Mark shook his head. "I buy them mostly just to read them. Spain is the latest one."
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