Practicing Murder

by Unger, Erin;

  She planted her feet. “You want to boss me around?”

  “Just go. I’m not trying to.”

  Maddie moved as stealthily as she could into the small library, guided by a small amount of light that moved down the hall and landed in the doorway. The windows of the Greek Revival home weren’t quite floor-to-ceiling, but pretty close. She peeked through the thick plantation-style blinds. Black shadows covered half the expanse between her house and the neighbor’s, too dark to make out a single form separate from the bushes and flowers. “I don’t know, Joze,” she spoke only loud enough for him to hear. “I can’t tell. You should come see.”

  He was beside her so fast she jumped, and her hand went to her heart. “Whoa.”

  “Didn’t mean to scare you.” His shoulder grazed hers.

  For the first time she studied his profile. Wow, he’d gotten even more handsome since she’d last seen him: his jaw a little broader, his cheekbones more defined.

  He blinked and turned. “I don’t see anyone, but it’s hard to say.”

  Maddie closed her slack jaw and looked back out the window. “Uh huh.”

  Ten minutes later, lights flashed down the street and shot toward the house in a blue and white blaze.

  She crumpled against the window frame. Safety. Here at last.

  It took him a second to move away from her, an unreadable expression on his face. At the door, they waited for the officer to check the perimeters. Joze threw the door open when the policeman returned.

  The officer’s face split with a smile. “Joze, what’re you doing here? I heard you were involved in this.”

  Joze ushered him in.

  Maddie tilted her head to the side. Was there anyone he didn’t know in the Hartford County law enforcement and emergency departments?

  “Beaucamp, good to see you.” He ran a hand through his dark hair.

  The officer turned to her. “You are Madeline Clare?”

  “Yes, sir.” She tried to shake the flustered heat in her face. “I don’t understand what’s going on but,” she had to swallow her pride, “thanks to Joze, I’ve been safe. He’s right, someone has been following us.”

  He spread his feet and took an easy stance. “I checked the area. A few people walking dogs and such, but nothing suspicious.” He eyeballed Joze and then her. “Either one of you get a good look at this person or persons following you?”

  They glanced at each other and spoke at the same time, “No.”

  Joze put a hand to his waist. “I could tell the person on the street was definitely male. But I couldn’t see any details from the window in the basement. And he didn’t have a dog with him.”

  Officer Beaucamp nodded. “I heard about the report on the incident at the carnival tonight. Ms. Clare, have any other details come to mind since you spoke to Officer Tuttle?”

  “No. I wish I could tell you more, but it happened too fast.”

  Joze reached out and squeezed her forearm. She gave him a weak smile, and for the first time, didn’t want to move away. She gulped. Not good.

  8

  What next? Maddie reached for two glasses and filled them with ice and water to keep busy and not think about all the whys of tonight. She handed one to Joze and set hers on the granite counter, avoiding the crumbs from her mom’s breakfast meal. The curtained windows of the kitchen kept the dark at bay. She tried to keep her eyes open, but between stress and a possible concussion, she was awake on borrowed time. “A patrol through the night will be plenty.”

  He squared his jaw. “But I should stay anyway.”

  What would Mom think of him staying? What did she think of it? The idea became more and more welcome after the events of the night and the possibilities to come. But she couldn’t let him. Now, if he had a work partner she could lean on, things would really be looking up. Just as long as it wasn’t him. Maddie hung her head. That wasn’t nice at all, even if he couldn’t hear her thoughts. “Mom should be home in less than an hour. I won’t be alone. And you have your own life. Get back to it.”

  He glanced to the wall clock above the kitchen sink. “If I talk to Mrs. Clare and she agrees, can I stay?” He formed a perfect triangle on the countertop with his hands. He leaned in and out as he spoke.

  Heat climbed up her face. Joze in the same house. Yesterday, she’d have said over her dead body. But still…bad guy out to hurt her versus Joze? She pictured the mental weights in each of her hands. “I’ll make a deal with you. If I even suspect something bad is going down, I’ll call you. Give me your cell number.”

  His mouth tightened, eyebrow raised in an evil glint. “Nice try to get my number, chick.”

  She’d have smacked him if he stood any closer. “Stop joking.”

  His hands went up. “Sorry. I guess you have a reason to be touchy tonight.”

  “Ya think?” She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.

  He finished his water, slapped the glass down, and winced. “Didn’t mean to do that.” With a lighter touch, he pushed the cup toward her. “I’m staying—at least till Mrs. Clare gets here.”

  She dropped her arms and picked up her own glass. A patrol circling every hour or so was something, but a lot could happen in that time. “Deal.” She drew out the word. “But then you go.”

  “Tell me you’re going to have a security system installed tomorrow. I don’t want my next call to be this address with your lifeless body on the floor—” He bit his lips. “That statement could be misconstrued.”

  She cleared her throat and took another gulp of water. The fluid cooled her throat. He had a way with words for sure. It didn’t surprise her that he added double meanings to lots of things he said. It was no different than before. And the past could not repeat itself.

  “So…” Joze looked around. “I want to know about your aunt. You didn’t even mention anything about her to the authorities, did you?”

  Stall. Oops. She’d forgotten to call Mom. She held up a finger. “Let me find my cell phone.” It wasn’t really stall tactics—yes, it was. “I need to see how long my mom’s going to be.”

  She rummaged through the miscellaneous drawer by the back door. Not there. Why’d he need to know anything? Once he left tonight, he wouldn’t be back. And she’d make sure Mom had a decent security system. It would all be fine. She scurried to the hall and looked through the key basket on the mirrored coat rack and stand. There it was.

  But was tonight a fluke? Would whoever had been following them realize she was the wrong person?

  Maddie returned to the kitchen, speed-dialing Mom as she walked.

  “Hello, Maddie.” The usual distracted voice of her mom sounded no different tonight.

  “Hey, when are you getting home?”

  “I’m on my way. Hold on a minute.” Rustling echoed through the phone. A pause. “Getting on the highway this late at night shouldn’t be so hard. The traffic is bad tonight.”

  “Wait ’til you get to Anby. The carnival is probably closing down soon.”

  Joze moved closer to her, but Maddie shooed him away. “So…well…speaking of the carnival, I had an incident out there tonight.”

  “Meaning what?” Honking accompanied the question. Mom was a terror on the road.

  “Someone grabbed me,” Maddie rushed on, “and I kinda got knocked out.” She squeezed her eyes closed. Mom would either be outraged or doubtful, and Maddie didn’t prefer either outcome.

  “How do you get yourself into these situations?”

  “I didn’t—”

  Joze stole the phone from her. “Mrs. Clare, this is Joseph Evans.”

  Maddie could hear her mom’s voice buzz through the air as if Joze had put the phone on speaker.

  Maddie winced.

  “It’s true,” Joze continued. “Maddie was attacked, and it wasn’t her fault—”

  Maddie grabbed for the phone. He twisted around and held her at bay with his left hand. “I’m keeping an eye on the situation until you get home…because we were followed whe
n we left the park.”

  A sound reverberated out of the phone that Maddie assumed was her mother yelling.

  Joze cut her off. “Ma’am. I’m only trying to help. Maddie shouldn’t have been driving alone. I was only providing a medical service.”

  He raised his brows as he looked at Maddie

  She pulled away and dropped her shoulders. Why hadn’t she figured Mom would kick into overdrive and take him down a notch? Maddie held out her hand for the phone.

  “Yes, ma’am. I understand. Here’s Maddie.” He handed it back.

  Even at twenty-six, Maddie was still a teenager in her mom’s eyes. Funny, since her mother had never been around to do the job when Maddie was young.

  Now, if Maddie wanted to accept Joze’s help, she would. And Mom had no say, now or ever. “Listen, I’ll talk to you when you get here. Joze is staying and that’s it.”

  He grinned and fist pumped the air.

  Maddie made a face at him. “Bye, Mom.”

  She clicked the phone off and set it on the counter in a slow, deliberate motion, refusing to look at him. “What did she say to you? Or do I want to know?”

  “Let’s just say she remembers the past, or at least a version of it.”

  Heat shot through Maddie’s veins. Why wouldn’t he see the truth? As much as she tried to will away the old pain and anger, it still surfaced. Slamming her hands on the counter, Maddie’s voice went up a notch in volume. “How dare you—”

  “Oh, come on. I don’t want to deal with this right now.” His hands flayed out in front of him.

  As she stormed toward him with fists raised, Joze pulled her against his chest, holding her wrists tight in one hand. Too tight. His hand snaked around her waist.

  “Ow. Let go,” she growled.

  “Fine have it your way. We’re having it out, once and for all. Now.” Everyone was yelling tonight.

  Maddie tried to shove away, her gaze glued to his in a fierce scowl. What good would it do to bring up the past when Joze obviously hadn’t changed his opinion? It only made the hurt jump back to life.

  He had to leave. And now. “Just go. I don’t want you here.”

  His breath went jagged. “No. What really happened? I want the truth, Maddie.”

  The heat of his body invaded her own. His muscles bulged like tight rocks against the flesh of her side at the strain of holding her thrashing movements.

  She heaved a breath. For the third time tonight, she fought tears. Tears she refused to let fall. “You know the truth even if you don’t want to believe me.”

  He pulled her even closer, their faces mere inches apart. His voice went dead cold. Quiet. “Todd would never do what you accused him of. I’ve known him almost my whole life.”

  “He wouldn’t take advantage of a woman ever, Joze? Not ever?” She pressed her forearms against his chest to get some distance, but he only loosened a fraction. “Do you seriously believe that? You saw how he was around other girls.” Please believe me.

  His sweet breath touched her cheek. She blinked. How many times in the past had she longed to be in Joze’s arms…before… But not now. Not when he wasn’t budging an inch on the matter. With one sudden hard shove, she pushed him away. He took one step back but didn’t tumble the way she’d planned.

  She’d thought the hurt had been buried for good. How was it possible that her heart twisted and wrenched now? Once again Todd was the victim in his eyes, not her. She struggled to control the quiver in her voice. “You need to leave.”

  He reached for her again, but she moved fast enough to avoid him.

  Joze crouched a hair. “I’m not going. We’re going to talk about this.”

  She edged toward the hall.

  He stood and ran a hand through his hair, taking one deep breath. “I’m sorry for letting this get out of control.” Joze moved back a pace. “Please, let’s go sit in the living room.”

  Maddie couldn’t prevent a sniffle from escaping. “Why should I? It won’t change anything.”

  He marched toward her and took her hand. His grasp was firm but not violent. “Please. I’m listening now.”

  Why must his warm palm on hers seem so right? She wanted to let go but couldn’t. Maddie let him pull her to the couch, where she plunked onto it.

  His swift gaze shifted back to the windows. He seemed to be listening to something. “Did you hear that? Let me make another sweep real quick.”

  Maddie froze against the cushions and strained to hear whatever had drawn his attention. No scraping or shuffling came from outside. Nothing.

  While his back was turned as he looked out the window, Maddie wiped her face and tried to ease the tension in her body.

  With one last look, he shook his head and moved away from the windows, sidestepping the coffee table to sit beside her on the edge of the leather sofa. “Go ahead.”

  She could still feel his arm around her waist, the whisper of breath on her cheek like little tingles. This whole thing was twisted. Shouldn’t she be ready to punch him and take off, not pondering his touch?

  He bent low and met her eyes with his. Maddie played with the ring on her right ring finger. His fingers lifted her chin. Why did this have to be so difficult? She took a shaky breath.

  It was too painful to go back to that day. Too hard to think she’d allowed herself to be trapped. And by a friend, someone she trusted. How did she put it into words? She began in a whisper, “I wouldn’t lie about this, Joze.”

  His mouth went into a hard line.

  She faltered. “That day you’d dropped me off so you could work down at the coffee shop on campus, right?”

  He nodded.

  “Well, Todd wasn’t in the mood to study like we planned. He wanted to go for a drive, and I was tired of trying to get him to pay attention to the discussion questions we were supposed to be answering.”

  He put his hand up, his knee bumping her as he did. “You were the one who wanted to go for a ride.”

  Why couldn’t he see the truth? She squeezed her hands into fists and held her breath. “No. It. Was. Him. Period.”

  He gave a curt nod, but his eyes still held an ounce of unbelief. “And…”

  “And so I gave in and went.” She forced herself to keep talking, working against the growing pressure in her lungs. “I didn’t think anything of the trail he drove to. All of us had been there before.” She covered her mouth for a moment. Then she dropped her hand. Oh, how it hurt to remember. “And he started talking about how much he liked me. Still, at that point, I never suspected he would—I didn’t even know he liked me as more than a friend.” She squirmed and shivered, the old terror rising in her throat like the remnants of a bad burrito.

  He put his hand up. “You’re trying to say he liked you. No, no, you liked him. You betrayed me by trying to convince him to date you. You seduced him.”

  “Nooo…” She couldn’t breathe or stop the prick of unshed tears. “That is not what happened.” Maddie wanted to beat the truth into him with her fists. “No one believed me. Not even my own mother. You said you wanted to hear the truth. Well, here it is. Listen.”

  9

  Joze wanted to strangle Maddie tonight. Just like he’d wanted to the last time he’d seen her. The air in the room suffocated him. A potpourri heater pumped out some syrupy-sweet aroma, and he wanted to gag. He pulled on the top button of the white shirt of his uniform as he sat beside her. Then he restrained his hands in his lap.

  His best friend, Todd, had been by his side since he could remember. Todd would never try to steal Maddie from him, much less attack her. Joze couldn’t wrap his head around her accusations, even with years between the most awful day of his life and now. He pushed down the urge to storm out and never talk to her again. But hadn’t he promised her a fair hearing tonight? Hadn’t he told God he would forgive her and move on? Her story hadn’t changed. But…heat refilled his capillaries again. Todd was innocent. He knew it at his core. “Why would Todd do that to you? Why?”

&n
bsp; She dropped her eyes and pulled back, their knees no longer making contact. The movement removed the heat between them and cooled the room to sub-zero. “I. Don’t. Know.” Tears leaked down her face in torrents, a sob escaping. “I don’t get it either.” She paused. “At least he didn’t—”

  He pressed a knuckle into his eye socket. Would she still be so torn up if she was lying? Her outpouring of tears dammed the anger welling in his chest. He needed to think, to step away from the situation and evaluate it again. “I—”

  The front door handle jiggled. In a split second, he was on his feet and blocking Maddie. She shuffled behind him. “What’s that?”

  “The door. Please tell me you don’t keep a spare key under a rock out there.”

  “Maybe.”

  Great. The bad guy could walk in anytime he wanted. Why hadn’t he thought to ask her about a hidden key before? And there was no time to go into the virtues of never leaving keys where common criminals knew to look. “Stay behind me.”

  She shifted. “Don’t boss me.”

  Did she want to die tonight? He didn’t have time to argue with her about the benefits of listening to him for once. He sprinted to the hall and smacked into the door, turning to press his back against it.

  She rushed to his side and pushed against it as well.

  “You have your cell on you still?”

  “No. It’s in the kitchen.”

  Right. She’d set it down when he’d—no time to think about what he’d done.

  The handle moved again.

  A muffled female voice came from the other side. Joze met Maddie’s gaze. He turned to look through the peephole and melted against the door. “It’s your mom.”

  They jerked away and backstepped a few paces. Joze grabbed his chest. If he didn’t stop jumping like a girl, his reputation would be at stake.

  The front door squealed open. “I’m home. What’s going on?” Mrs. Clare stopped in mid-stride. She looked from Maddie to him and then dropped her keys into a glass bowl on a small table, creating tinkling as they settled.

  He shifted from foot to foot.