by Mary Frame
I had no choice but to tell them. After all, they’d given me quite a few days to get the information on my own and so far I’d failed.
When I started to make excuses—and it’s true I haven’t been to Jared’s all week, because he’s been coming over to our place—they shut me down. After all, if I had wanted an invite over to his house, they’re sure I could have found a way.
I can’t just blow them off anymore.
Then they told me what I would be expected to do. Mother will leave to powder her nose, and I will have to distract Jared so he doesn’t notice if she’s gone more than a couple of minutes. Well, dear Dad will be sure to help me, along with Paige.
Now I just need to figure out how to stop them. But do I want to stop them? Will they really sign over Paige if they get what they want? I’m not sure I can believe it. They aren’t exactly paragons of integrity.
We pull into Jared’s driveway and Father parks the car.
“You know the plan, right?” His eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror.
“Yes. Distract Jared, give you time to search. I get it. It’s not rocket science.”
“Watch your tone,” Mother says.
I roll my eyes as I get out of the car.
We walk up the front porch together and I knock.
Jared answers after a few seconds, leaning in to kiss my cheek before he shakes hands with my Father and gives Paige a side hug.
“We brought some wine.” Mother hands him a bottle with an expensive-looking label and kisses him on the cheek, leaving a deep red mark behind.
“Thanks. Come on in, I’ll just put this bottle down.” He leads us into the kitchen and then toward the living room.
“Why are all the lights off?” I ask. The sun is setting and the living room is gloomy. I’m not paying a ton of attention to the surroundings, though. I’m too busy trying to wipe the lipstick smudge from Jared’s cheek. Her mark on him bothers me.
“I, uh, I’m not sure. You can turn the light in the living room on.”
“Okay.”
He’s acting weird. I know something is up. A wayward idea shimmers in the back of my mind, something about today’s date, so when a figure ducks behind the couch right before I click on the light, I’m not entirely surprised when—
“Surprise!”
The shouts explode while I’m still standing in the entrance to the living room. I don’t have to fake my startled jump but I do lay it on a little thicker by shrieking and then laughing and cursing everyone. There’s laughter and talking and a crowd swarming me for hugs.
It’s not my birthday.
It’s Ruby’s birthday.
I wrote the date down on the tax forms I had to complete for the police station before I started consulting for them.
I’m still hugging people, but my mind is reeling a bit because Jared remembered. He noticed enough to throw me a party and plan something and get everyone out here.
I’ve never had a party before. No one has ever cared enough. Except Paige, but I could hardly expect my sister, who’s eight years my junior, to plan me some kind of birthday party.
Immediately following the glow of surprise comes the ache of knowing it’s all a farce. It’s not really my birthday. It’s yet another lie. And how do I repay him? By letting my parents into his home to scam him out of his money. Most people bring wine or gifts to the host. I bring destruction.
Did the parents know? When I glance around for them, they’re shaking hands, meeting and greeting. Mother shoots me a look that says our plan will have to change.
They didn’t know. If they had, they would have said something, found some way to weasel their way into being a part of it or using it somehow to their advantage.
There are quite a few people, more than I would have expected. There are the obvious: Jared, Tabby, Troy, and Eleanor. Ben. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Olsen. Plus Mr. Bingel and the boys, Judge and Mrs. Ramsey, and even Miss Viola pretend-sleeping in her wheelchair—as usual. All of these people came here. For me?
“Why didn’t you say anything about it being your birthday?” Tabby half hugs, half strangles me.
“I guess I just didn’t think it was that big of a deal.” I shrug it off.
“Not a big deal? My birthday is in a little over a week. We’re practically twins!”
“Excuse me? Don’t you mean triplets?” Troy interjects. “Happy birthday,” he adds, giving me a quick hug and handing me a lumpy wrapped box with duct tape sticking off the sides. “It’s not as good as a swap meet gift, but I think it’s pretty good.”
“Why is this wrapped in Christmas paper?”
He shrugs. “It’s all I had.”
“It’s not time for presents, Troy,” Tabby snaps.
“But I really want her to open it now.”
“You’re so annoying.” Tabby’s eyes roll heavenward and then she’s distracted by conversation with Mrs. Ramsey.
Even though I’m probably too old to be excited about birthday presents, I can’t help it. I want to open the gift now. It’s hard to be a mature adult when I’ve never had anyone care enough to give me gifts and plan me parties. I rip open the Santa-covered wrapping paper. Inside the large box is a Ouija board and a Magic 8-Ball.
Troy grins at me. “In case you ever run out of tricks up your sleeve, you’ll have a backup.”
I swallow past a lump that’s formed in my throat. I’m going to miss Troy. “That’s so—”
“That’s so sweet.” Mother stands beside me and looks down at my present before turning her bright smile on Troy.
And the lump of emotion turns into a rock of frustration.
“You must be Officer Reynolds. I’ve heard so much about you.” Mother takes his hand and shakes it, pulling him a little closer.
I plaster a smile on my face and then introduce them. “This is my aunt Leah.”
“You can call me Troy.”
“Troy.” Her smile is dazzling. “It’s such a strong name, and it suits you so well.” She’s still holding his hand, shaking it. Now she lifts one hand and clasps it around his bicep. “Does the department require you to stay so fit?”
Troy is immediately charmed, the grin on his face growing, though he tries to stay serious. “Well, you know, I’ve always felt it’s important to stay in shape.” He flexes an arm for her. “The public depends on me.”
Mother nods and smiles at him just a beat too long, then clears her throat. “Oh, you must excuse me, the air here is so dry.”
I have to refrain from rolling my eyes. It’s not dry at all.
“I can get you some punch,” Troy offers.
“Would you? You are such a sweet man.”
He literally runs in the direction of the kitchen. How can he fall for such an obvious ploy?
As soon as he’s gone, she leans over to whisper in my ear, a smile still plastered on her face. “Plan has changed. Father and I will search the study together.”
It makes sense. With all of these people here, they won’t need me to run a distraction. This crowd should be distracting enough. No one will notice if they disappear for a few minutes, and two people searching will move faster and more efficiently than one.
I nod, and then Troy is back with her drink. She turns away from me to take the glass from him and pepper him with more compliments.
“Can we go swimming?” Paige appears next to me. “The boys want to go in the pool.” She gestures behind her to Greg and Gary, who are all puppy-dog eyes.
I glance around to find Jared and catch him watching us. He nods and makes a loud announcement to move the party outdoors, and then there’s the hum of talking and laughing while everyone shifts the party outside.
I can’t follow them yet, though. I don’t know when the parents are going to make their move, but before long I know they will be digging through Jared’s office.
I can’t let them find anything.
While everyone is organizing food and games outside, I slip away, making an offhand comment to T
abby about using the restroom before slinking down the hall to Jared’s office.
The computer is off, and bits of mail are strewn across the desk. I flip through them. Nothing looks important. I open a few drawers, finding some neatly sorted files. I shuffle through the documents, but there’s nothing with account information on it. The folders labeled for taxes for the last three years are all empty. Where are they? I go through the rest of the drawers but I can’t find anything else the parents could use against him. Maybe they won’t have time to look any further than what I’ve done myself. They won’t get into his computer—not easily and not without someone else’s help. They’ve never been tech savvy.
There’s a filing cabinet in the corner, but it’s locked. I consider attempting to jimmy the lock with a paper clip, but then voices and laughter sound in the hallway.
No time for anything else.
I wait until the voices fade back down the hall and then I sneak out of the room, gently closing the door behind me.
By the time I reach the living room, everyone has made their way outside.
Most of the party is sitting or standing around a table that’s been laid out with appetizers. The kids are in the pool. Troy is in there with them, tossing the boys around like they’re rag dolls, making them shriek when they get splashed with the resulting spray.
The party is a blur of food, drinks, and laughter. If it were my actual birthday, it would be the best one ever. Except for the parents. But there are enough people here that I can almost forget about them. Until I’m talking to Judge Ramsey and Mother meets my eye from across the patio.
Her smile is just as friendly as the one she’s used to charm everyone here, but I read the intent behind it.
Father reaches her side, and they both disappear into the house. No one appears to notice but me.
I try and focus on the party, on my conversation, but my heart thumps dully in my chest while I wait for them to reemerge.
No less than ten minutes later, they are back. They mingle and talk as normal, but there’s a tightness in their eyes and a brittle undertone to their laugh.
Maybe they didn’t find anything.
Then more food is brought out, and there’s no time for me to discover whether they were successful or not.
After we eat, Tabby and Jared make me open presents. Mr. Bingel and the boys bought me a box of gardening supplies, the Ramseys got me a nice chess set, and Tabby got me a gift certificate for a spa day. Which I have to use with her and Eleanor, and Eleanor actually seems genuinely excited about the idea.
Off to one side, Mother explains to Mrs. Hale how they are planning on buying me a new car for my birthday. If I could roll my eyes without anyone seeing, I would.
The last gift is from Jared. The box isn’t huge; it’s square and rather flat and fits on my lap.
As unassuming as the package is, I’m stunned into silence when I get it open.
It’s a signed and framed picture of Lucille Ball.
Paige lets out a low whistle. “Is that an original print?”
Of course, she would think the same thing that comes to my mind. What is this worth? Knowing Jared, probably a lot.
“That’s an awesome gift,” Tabby says. “You love Lucy.”
“I do,” I say, still a bit overwhelmed. “Thank you,” I tell Jared. He’s standing across the room so I can’t kiss him, and I’m still not sure how I feel about public displays of affection with the parents watching, but hopefully he can see my thoughts in my eyes.
In fact, everyone must sense it because Troy says, “Someone’s getting some tonight.”
Eleanor hits him on the arm and Tabby rolls her eyes.
After presents, there’s cake. Cheesecake. Of course, Jared remembered. “Even though it’s not really cake,” he adds with a wink.
By the time everyone leaves for the night, it’s late.
“You’re staying, right?” Jared asks as people are making their goodbyes in the entryway. “I can bring you home tomorrow.”
“Paige can stay with us tonight,” Father says.
I don’t miss the flare of panic in Paige’s eyes.
“She has an extra toothbrush and clothes here already,” I say. “It would be easiest for her to stay. That way you don’t have to drive all the way to our house for her stuff.”
“That would be great,” Jared interjects. “We could swim and I’ll take you guys out to breakfast in the morning.”
“Well isn’t that nice.” Mother smiles and weaves an arm through mine. “Will you walk me to the car, dear?”
“Of course.”
As soon as we’re in the driveway, she leans in and whispers, “We couldn’t find any account statements. His files were all empty. Even the ones in the locked cabinet.” She watches for my reaction and I have to use every acting ability I have to hide my relief at those words.
“That’s too bad.” So they were able to get into the cabinet. And it’s empty, too. What the heck?
“That means you will need to hack into his computer. Do it tonight while he’s sleeping.” Without waiting for my response, she pulls me into a quick hug before sliding into the car.
Then Father is hugging me, too. It’s all for show. “We’ll come by tomorrow for the information. I’m sure you won’t have any problems.” He ruffles my hair like I’m a child he’s fond of before he slides into the driver’s seat.
Then they’re pulling away and I’m left in the driveway staring after them.
I’m glad they couldn’t find anything, but now how am I going to get around this? Tell them I couldn’t find anything in the computer either? Will they believe me? Will they take Paige if I don’t deliver?
Why are all of Jared’s files missing anyway?
I can’t leave him waiting too long. Back inside, Jared and Paige are in the kitchen cleaning up some of the leftover debris from the party. I help them. There’s not much because people threw away all their stuff as they left. Within a few minutes we’ve got most of it put away except for a few dishes that Jared insists we leave in the sink.
Paige is yawning, so I send her to bed. She disappears into her old room, the one she used the last time we stayed with Jared.
“Thank you for today,” I tell Jared when we’re heading down the hall to his room. “The party, the presents, and everything.”
He shrugs. “It’s not much.”
“It is, though.”
He hands me a pair of his boxers and a T-shirt to wear to bed, and then we brush our teeth in the master bath at the double sinks. He’s only wearing sleep pants, giving me a nice view of his chest and muscular arms. I smile around my toothbrush. We’re the picture of domesticity.
But then I remember I have an ulterior plot to take care of. His computer was locked. It takes time to hack into a PC, time I might not have. There might be an easier way to get his password, although I’m loath to do it.
I finish brushing and wipe my mouth on a small towel before pretending to remember something. “Oh, hey, I almost forgot. Do you think I could use your computer real quick before bed? I was expecting something from a vendor yesterday, and it never showed up. I want to check my email since I haven’t had a chance to check on the status.”
He’s nodding even before I finish my whole sentence. “Of course. You’ll have to log in. The password is—”
I hold up a hand to stop him. He seriously can’t make it this easy. I can’t let him. “Why don’t you just come type it in for me?”
What is he thinking? You can’t just give your password out like that! I know I need it, but I don’t want to need it. The warring emotions are tossing me about like a balloon in a tornado.
He quirks an eyebrow at me. “It’s no big deal. My password is CastleCove911.”
It hurts that he’s trusting me when he shouldn’t, but nonetheless his password makes me smile. I lean forward and kiss him softly on the lips.
“What was that for?”
“That was for being so cute.”
And trusting. The fool.
I leave him in his room and pad down the hall to the office, going inside and shutting the door partway before flicking on the lights.
Once behind the desk, I start up his computer and key in his password. My hands shake as I type the words. Why am I doing this?
It’s for Paige, a small voice reminds me.
It doesn’t make me feel any better.
Once I’m logged in, it doesn’t take long to find what I’m looking for. Jared has his information saved, encrypted, in one of his drives. It’s cute that he tried to store the information safely, but it’s amateurish at best. It takes me mere minutes to unlock the files and then I have everything I need. Account numbers. Passcodes. Along with mutual funds, he also has various CDs and other investments that make up quite an impressive portfolio.
One account at a separate financial institution from the rest holds a paltry sum—for him. About fifteen thousand.
I don’t print anything. Instead, I memorize as much of the information as I can. It’s not hard to do, I’ve been trained for this. Some of the account numbers are long, but I mentally file them away by separating the long numbers into memorable chunks, an old tactic the parents taught me when I was younger than Paige.
When I’m done, I shut everything down and sit there for a minute, staring at the blank screen in front of me. Am I really going to do this?
“Hey,” Jared calls from the doorway, wearing nothing but sleep pants and a smile.
“Hey.”
“You ready?” He means for bed, and if the grin on his face is any indication, he doesn’t mean for sleeping.
I’m not ready. Not ready for anything. But I nod.
Chapter Eight
The next day, I’m a ball of nerves and anxiety. I know they’re going to show up asking for the intel at any moment.
Part of me wants them to, if only to catch the conversation on the recorder and cement my insurance policy.
But I still don’t know if I’m going to give it to them. What will they do if I don’t? If I refuse? Would they believe me if I told them I couldn’t get it?