Twinkle Little Star: A Marlow and Sage Mystery Thriller (A Nursery Rhyme Suspense Book 4)

by Lee Strauss

  “You tell me.”

  “I wouldn’t. Besides, the first incident was an accident,” I said. “Do you have any evidence other than circumstantial to connect me to any of these crimes, Detective?”

  The little animal above Landsky’s lips quivered. He leaned back in his chair and let out a belch. “Thank you for your time, Miss Farrell. We’ll be in touch. Don't leave town.”

  Over the next couple of days Marlow and I did what we could to keep an eye on Isaac Cavanaugh. He was in some of Marlow's classes, which helped with that, but I took more of a stealth approach. Staying close to him by picking a table near him in the dining hall, for example. Not so surprisingly, Stella and Minji sat with him. To comfort each other over Wyatt’s death, I supposed.

  I chose a table in the library to study in the same section as him. I didn't know what I hoped to discover. I followed him into the Literary Café, taking a table across the room. I wore my purple frame glasses just for a different look. People get used to a person's face with or without glasses and changing it up can throw them off. I watched Isaac from the corner of my eye while I did some research for a biology project. Isaac stood and I worried he was going to leave, but he only went to use the restroom. I shielded my face with a textbook when he walked by.

  I should have given Isaac more credit. He startled me by noisily pulling out the empty chair next to me, then cocked his head and leaned in. “Why are you following me?”

  Damn. I needed to get on the CISUE team to get them to teach me how to do a better job of trailing a person. I obviously sucked at it. I decided to play coy. “What makes you think I'm following you? I'm a student here too. We’re bound to be in the same places at the same time on occasion.”

  “You know what I think?”

  That you’re guilty of murder?

  “I think you have a thing for me.”

  My mouth dropped open. Conceited jerk! “I do not. It’s just a coincidence.”

  “A coincidence is when your friend gets shot just after you've left the room. And then because of that coincidence, everyone assumes that you must've killed him because you weren’t by his side at his moment of need.”

  “Sorry if I offended you by my questions,” I said carefully. “It was unfair. I was just shaken up after watching someone get shot only feet away from me.”

  Isaac’s expression softened. “I see. That would be traumatic. Can we start over? Would you like to go out sometime?”

  I couldn't help but laugh. “Should we invite Stella along?”

  The lines on his forehead deepened. “Why would you say that?”

  “Just that… you seem… close.”

  “I’m just being a friend to her. She’s grieving. But it’s you I like, Sage.”

  I got goose bumps and I wasn't sure if it was because we shared a romantic chemistry or if it was because I was being hit on by a killer.

  “So?” he prompted.

  “I don’t know.”

  He was charming and, I had to admit, good-looking. Going on a date with Isaac could be a good under cover gig. It would give me a chance to work on my spy skills.

  Oh, man. Why was I always attracted to bad boys?

  No. I’d learned my lesson. I didn’t go for guys like that anymore. I went for guys like Marlow. No pretenses or false flattery. No hidden agendas. What you saw was what you got. Hopefully someday Marlow would decide that he went for girls like me too. In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to go out with Isaac and see what I could find out.

  “Come on, Sage. Nothing serious. Just dinner.”

  I took off my glasses and flashed a flirtatious smile. Tilting my chin down, I stared at him from under my eyelashes. “Okay. Where do you want to go?”

  “Well, for a first date we should keep it casual.” He grinned. “We’re already sitting here having coffee so we can scratch that off the list of relationship must-dos.”

  I sipped my coffee and nodded in agreement.

  “How about pizza?”

  “Pizza Haven?”

  “Sure. Tomorrow at seven?”

  “Okay. I’ll meet you there.”

  “That's great,” he said. “I look forward to it.”

  He cast a sly look over his shoulder as he left. “Do keep stalking me in the meantime.”

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Marlow

  Zed’s feet were always cold so he’d bought a small space heater and had it plugged on his side of the room. Usually I appreciated the extra warmth, especially this time of year, but despite the factual room temperature the small space between us was frosty.

  I couldn’t remember the last time Zed and I had fought. Maybe it was the winter when we were ten and I hit him square in the face with a snow ball. I hadn’t been able to stop laughing, but apparently it had been more of an ice ball and Zed had ended up with a black eye.

  Zed studiously ignored me and I pretended to read my textbook, though the words just swirled around the page meaninglessly as my mind refused to focus. I tortured myself by reliving the scene in the library, how Zed had so quickly claimed my seat beside Dakota and how chummy they’d looked.

  The pressure in my chest built to the boiling point. “You sure didn’t waste any time!”

  Zed didn’t bother to look up. “Neither did you.”

  “What?”

  “You’re mad that I’m making a move on Dakota, but you have a big freakin’ log in your eye.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  His book dropped to his lap and he stared across the narrow gap between our beds at me. “It’s from the Bible, about pointing out a splinter in someone else’s eye when you got a big log in your own. You’re judging me for something that you are doing and have been doing for months: pining for Sage.”

  “Have you been pining for my girlfriend all these months?”

  “Ex-girlfriend. Dakota and I are friends. We hang out a lot. You probably didn’t notice because you’re always off with Sage.”

  I hated the way he say Dakota and I.

  “But, couldn’t you even wait a day? We just broke up!”

  “You didn’t wait a day, did you? If I do say so myself, and I do say so, you were a lousy boyfriend.”

  I wanted to throw my heavy textbook at his hairy mug, but instead I grabbed my jacket and slammed the door on my way out.

  The wind slapped my face, and I thrust my chin out for more abuse. By the time I’d made it across the park behind the library, the flame of my self-righteous indignation had fizzled into embers of self-loathing.

  Zed was right. I did have a big freakin’ log in my eye. Without Dakota around it was impossible to keep denying the truth: I was in love with Sage.

  Admitting this fact to myself somehow conjured her up.

  “Marlow!”

  She was like a mirage, haloed in the low-angle rays of the setting sun, like a beautiful brunette angel. I wanted to reach out and touch her, needing to know if she was real or if I had crossed over into teleportation-induced insanity.

  “Marlow? Are you okay?”

  She stepped toward me, into the shadow of a red oak tree, and the ethereal effect disappeared. My throat felt dry and I found it hard to swallow.

  “Yeah, uh, I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure? You look upset.”

  “No, just, Zed was being an ass so I left.”

  “Isaac just asked me out.”

  “What? W-why?” I stammered.

  “Why did he ask me out?” Sage looked offended. “Some guys are attracted to me.”

  “No, of course they are. That’s not what I meant.”

  “What did you mean?”

  “Nothing. You told him no, right?”

  “No.”

  “You said yes? Are you crazy?”

  “No I’m not crazy, Mars. This is a perfect chance to get close to our suspect. Maybe he’ll give up some info that could tie him to this case. Reveal evidence of his guilt.”

  “Are you hearing yourself?
You want to go out with a potential serial killer! It’s too dangerous.”

  “We’re just going to Pizza Haven. It’s public, lots of people there.”

  “We don’t know how his system works. Maybe all he has to do is touch you to take you with him. And zap, and you’re gone from the restaurant to who knows where.”

  “I’ll be careful. I won’t let him get close enough to touch me. We’ll sit at one of those big booths.”

  I shook my head. “No. You’re not doing it.”

  She squinted her gorgeous brown eyes, scowled at me. “You’re not the boss of me, Marlow Henry. I’m a grown woman. I can do what I want.”

  “Even if it’s stupid?”

  “Yes! Even if it’s stupid.”

  She stormed off. And all I could think about was how beautiful she was when she was mad.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  He didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of it sooner, with so many abandoned homes in the Detroit area. He found one not far from the university, isolated at the end of a weed-covered cul-de-sac. Over the years the wind had torn off the roof making the one-story house unappealing to squatters. But it had a cellar with a heavy door that kept out the rain. Wooden stairs with loose boards led to the damp room that stank of mold and rotting potatoes. There were a couple small windows tucked up against the ceiling filled with cobwebs and dead bugs and shedding insufficient light.

  No working utilities meant he had to set up a generator to run his equipment. A Coleman camping lantern brightened the room, and at least he could get a Wi-Fi signal, thanks to an open connection in the neighborhood.

  He preferred solitude, and after a while he didn’t even notice the smell. His focus was lasered on the Facebook page belonging to Sage Farrell. Her photo albums pleased him. She had deep brown eyes, the most beautiful, provocative soul-searching eyes he’d ever seen. She was gorgeous and intelligent—look at all the activities that she was involved in! She wasn’t a tramp like Crystal. Sage was loyal and loving. Honest and pure.

  Hacking skills used to be something unique; people sought you out to do the “impossible” if you had them. Now they were almost commonplace. It surprised him that a guy as smart as Marlow Henry would think changing phones would put him off scent.

  He had access to Marlow Henry's phone, and therefore he had access to Marlow Henry's life.

  This cat and mouse game would be over soon, and the lovely Sage Farrell would be his.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Sage

  I arrived at Pizza Haven early because I wanted to be the one to decide where Isaac and I sat. There was a booth with red vinyl seats near the door and I slid onto the bench closest to it staying on the outside edge to prevent Isaac from squeezing in beside me. I kept my coat and gloves on, not exactly sure if that would help me if Isaac just grabbed at me to teleport. I hadn't really thought this through. Did he have to touch me skin to skin or just be holding onto me somehow? I started to feel uneasy knowing I was here alone and wondered if maybe Marlow’s ominous prediction that I was on an ill-fated venture was right.

  A female server dressed in a short black skirt asked if I was waiting for someone and gave me two menus when I said yes. I ordered a hot tea.

  I surveyed the room, memorizing the details—I was on spy duty after all. Eight booths, four along the window, four along the back wall, six tables in the center set for four. Three of the booths and two of the tables had customers. Large impressionist prints of Italy hung on the walls. There was a framed picture of the Italian family who ran the restaurant hung near the kitchen along with a fire alarm box.

  I felt the blast of cool air as the door opened. I twisted to smile at Isaac fully expecting him to scoot into the seat in front of me. But it wasn’t Isaac—it was Marlow. “What are you doing here?” I whispered angrily.

  He stuffed his hands deep into his coat pockets and shrugged. “I’m hungry.”

  He slid into an empty booth along the wall, choosing the seat that faced me. Part of me fumed at Marlow's lack of confidence in me, but a bigger part was actually really glad to have him here.

  The time on my phone was 7:12. Isaac was twelve minutes late. I snorted nervously, wondering if I was being stood up. The door opened again and this time it was Isaac. I waved at him and pointed to the seat in front of me keeping eye contact so that he wouldn't be tempted to look around and possibly spot Marlow staring.

  My tea arrived just after Isaac did and I held onto it. If he made a move, I was going to splash him in the face.

  “So good to see you again, Sage,” he said with a considerable dose of charm. “You look great.”

  I put on a flirty smile and giggled. "Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself.”

  Our server came back and asked if we were ready to order. I hadn't even had a chance to open the menu, but Isaac had obviously been here before and already knew what he wanted. “Is it okay if I order for both of us?”

  Sure, why not? I nodded.

  “Is there anything you don't like?”

  “I like everything.”

  He ordered a large half meat lovers half vegetarian with extra cheese and a bottle of red wine. “That way we have all the food groups,” he said. “Meat, vegetables, grain, dairy and fruit. Pretty smart, huh?”

  The “fruit” arrived first and the server poured us each a glass. Isaac held his up for me to toast. “To a new day and new friendships.”

  I clanked his glass and giggled again. “Nothing cliché about that.”

  He stared at me over the top of his glass. “Why don't you tell me about yourself.”

  “What do you already know?”

  He hummed. “You want to make a difference, which is why you're running for a seat on the student council. You’re intelligent and like to hang out with intelligent people even if they’re nerds and geeks."

  I forced myself to keep my eyes on Isaac and not let my gaze flitter over to “one particular geek” whom I could see from my peripheral vision was scowling at me.

  “That's more than I know about you,” I lied. “Why don't you start?"

  “Okay. My father’s a hospital administrator and my mother’s a sitting Judge, the Honorable Esme Cavanaugh.”

  “Wow. How was that growing up?”

  “The woman has keen senses.” He smirked. “I couldn’t get away with much.”

  The way his eyes twinkled, I doubted that. I suspected his mother had been too busy dealing with the district’s delinquents that she hardly had time to notice the one right under her nose.

  “Why’d you choose to study at DU?” I asked. Isaac had enough smarts and his family enough money to have had his pick of Ivy League colleges.

  “I heard this is where the pretty girls go.”

  I fluttered my eyelashes as if I appreciated the blatant flattery. “I’m sure there are pretty girls everywhere.”

  “That’s true and part of the problem.” His gaze fell to his hands and he twisted his wine glass as he spoke. “I got into a situation… with a girl… the case was dropped, but those schools got wind of it.”

  Was he saying he had raped someone? It triggered the pain of losing Teagan who suffered terribly that way and died.

  He watched me intently waiting for my reaction, and I wondered if he got some twisted thrill out of saying shocking things to people. I worked to keep a neutral expression not wanting to give him the satisfaction. I had to remind myself I was on a job and not a real date.

  “Well, lucky for you then, that you are free to attend here. Speaking of pretty girls, how’s Stella?”

  His chin jutted up in surprise—whether at the sudden change of topic, or that the new topic was Stella, I wasn’t sure.

  “Stella has highs and lows,” he finally said. “Her relationship with Wyatt was… challenging, but his death is still a shock.”

  “I heard Wyatt was the jealous type. That you guys argued over Stella.”

  Isaac jerked. “Where did you hear that?”

  “Well
, maybe I didn’t hear it. I sensed it.”

  “Sensed it?”

  “Yes, when you were both with Stella in the student building.”

  “Ah. So I can add perceptiveness to your list of traits?”

  “I suppose.”

  “Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. He’s dead and Stella’s free.”

  The way he said that so flatly sent chills up my spine.

  I made sure not to lean in, and to keep my hands and elbows off the table. I even tucked my feet under the seat. In no way did I want Isaac to touch me.

  “I, uh, need to visit the rest—”

  Isaac’s head spun, his eyes pinned on something over my shoulder, and his face blanched as if he’d just seen a ghost.

  I turned to see what he was looking at. Everything seemed to slow down.

  The skull mask stared at me.

  I screamed.

  My tea spilled.

  I ducked underneath the table as far as I could, almost hugging Isaac’s legs.

  There was a shrill ringing sound and water sprouted from the ceiling.

  People wailed and swore.

  Droplets spilled over the edge of the table onto my head.

  “Sage?”

  It was Marlow’s voice. Shaking with relief, I reached for his hand and he helped me out of the booth.

  “You pulled the fire alarm?” I said.

  He nodded. “The masked man disappeared. Not sure how his system works if it’s wet.”

  I looked around the restaurant for Isaac.

  “He’s gone too.”

  “Not surprising,” I said. “I didn’t peg him as the chivalrous type.”

  “Nope,” Marlow said. “We should get out of here before the fire truck arrives.” He dropped a bunch of bills on the table to cover my uneaten meal.

  I sighed. Isaac Cavanaugh might be a jerk, but he was officially off our suspect list. We were back to square one.

  Chapter Forty-Six