HOLLY, IVY, & INTRIGUE
Joanie Bruce
Alexa Verde
and
Denise Weimer
CHRISTMAS MURDER MIX-UP
By
Joanie Bruce
CHAPTER ONE
The phone blurred, and Paige rubbed the tears from her eyes so she could see the numbers.
Disbelief … anger … terror … pain … they all bubbled inside her like a boiling pot of tomato soup, and numbness crept through her limbs as she waited for Rosie to pick up.
“Paige Collins, something better be wrong for you to call me this late,” Rosie teased.
Paige pressed her back against the living room wall and slid down to the floor beside the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree.
“Paige? Are you there?”
“Rosie …” she managed to whisper.
Rosie’s voice boomed into the phone. “Paige, are you all right? What is it?”
Paige swallowed the lump in her throat and whispered, “Cooper … I heard Cooper—” She swallowed again.
“What about Cooper?”
“I heard him on the phone, Rosie.” Paige rubbed her head and tried to think. “I heard him planning to kill me.”
“What?” Rosie’s voice was strained and unbelieving. “That’s not funny, Paige.”
“No, I’m not kidding. I heard him say it—as plain as day.”
“What did he say?”
“He said, ‘I have to get rid of her … now.’”
“Are you sure he was talking about you? Maybe he’s firing his secretary. You know she’s nothing but a gossip.”
“No, Rosie, he said … he said … four months was long enough to know he didn’t want to keep me anymore. He said he spent too much money on me already, and he doesn’t intend to spend a cent more.”
A sob burst through her lips, and the silence on the other end brought fresh tears to her eyes. The Christmas lights on the kitchen doorway twinkled in blobs of blurry color.
“I know I spent a lot buying antiques for the house, but I had no idea he was—” A strangled breath interrupted her sentence.
“Paige, I don’t believe it. Cooper worships you. Something has to be wrong.”
“It is wrong. I should have never married him. I knew he was getting cold feet before the wedding, and I talked him out of waiting. I should have never—”
“Stop it, Paige. Cooper’s a Christian. He would never do anything like that. Don’t say another thing until you talk to him. Go confront him now.”
“I can’t. He left already. I told you he was flying out of town tonight, remember?”
“In this snowstorm? My guess is they’ve canceled all the flights.”
“I don’t know. Maybe he just pretended to leave, and he’ll come back instead and— Oh no!”
“What is it?”
“I just remembered. He gave me a box before he left and told me to open it right before I went to bed. Rosie, you don’t think it’s a bomb do you?”
“That’s ridiculous, Paige. Get hold of yourself.”
“I wish you could have heard him, Rosie, then you would believe me.”
“It’s not that I don’t believe you, hon. I think you might have misunderstood. Where were you when you heard him on the phone?”
“Right before he left, he was sitting in the pickup in the garage talking to someone. I thought he was talking to me, and I went out to see what he wanted. The backseat window was open. Oh, what does that matter now? The point is, he … he wants me dead.”
“Stop it, Paige. Breathe. Take a slow, deep breath and listen to me. I’ve seen the way Cooper looks at you. He’s crazy about you. There has to be an explanation for what he said. Don’t think about it now. Wait until he gets back to see what’s going on, or better yet, why don’t you call him?”
“No. I can’t talk about it on the phone. I have to see his eyes to know if he’s telling me the truth. And don’t you even think about calling him either.”
“You know I would never do that. It’s your business. Hon, if you would trust God to help you—”
“Rosie, you know how I feel about God. You and Cooper jumped on that wagon, but I’m not ready to say God even exists, much less trust Him with my life.”
“I’m just saying that He’s ready to help you, if you’ll let go and trust Him.”
“Rosie …”
“Okay. I won’t say more, but Cooper trusts God, and he would never try to hurt you.”
Deep down, she believed what the Bible said was true, but she wasn’t ready to trust a God she could not see, even if Rosie and Cooper did. She knew Cooper’s life had drastically changed after he trusted in God, but he wasn’t perfect. His recent conversation still echoed in her head.
“Paige, are you listening to me? Go get in bed, and turn on a favorite movie. Cooper won’t be home until tomorrow evening, so we can talk about this more in the morning. I can’t come over tonight because of this storm, but get some rest, and I’ll be over first thing. We’ll get it figured out tomorrow. Okay?”
Paige nodded. “Okay, Rosie.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Right?”
“Right.”
Paige hung up the phone and stared at the picture of her and Cooper on the mantel. He stood tall and handsome, a foot taller than her, and his curly dark hair was flying loose in the wind—a strong contrast to her long blonde strands.
Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
Tomorrow. They would find the answers tomorrow.
But if what she heard was true, there might not be a tomorrow.
CHAPTER TWO
Cooper eased his Toyota Tacoma out of the garage and frowned as the wind blew snow into the back seat. Why was his back window down? He held the lever until the window reached the top.
The voice of his friend, Dave, boomed through the speakers of the truck. “I understand, but I hate to see you get rid of her, my friend. You two fit well together like salt and pepper.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve spent most of my military savings on her, and what do I have to show for the money I’ve spent after four months? Not much.”
“I hate to see you do it, but I understand.”
Cooper waved at one of his neighbors who was turning into his driveway, and turned left at the four-way stop.
“Do you know anyone around this area I could hire to handle this job?”
“So, you’re not gonna do it yourself?”
“I haven’t decided yet, but I think an expert would know better how to take care of it. I’ve never done anything like this before—I’m not sure I could pull it off. This is not something you do every day.”
“You’re not gonna dump her in some old landfill, are you? You’ve spent hours with her—at least end her life with class.”
“No, I’ll make sure she gets a decent burial.” Cooper laughed.
“My cousin in Atlanta does this kind of thing all the time, and I believe he’s visiting his parents for the holidays. He flew into Nashville International yesterday and might like something to do while he’s here to get away from the women. Know what I mean?”
“Do I ever. That sounds like a good idea. I’d like to get it done as soon as possible. I don’t want to be second guessing my decision. Give me his number, and I’ll ask him to send me a quote.”
“I’ll have to call you back. It’s on my phone, and I haven’t learned how to work this new phone yet.”
Cooper laughed. “I’ve been there before. I may have to turn my phone off while I’m on the plane, but you can text it to me.”
“Sure thing. I guess I’ll see yo
u next week in the batting cages.”
“Sounds good.”
Cooper pushed the end button on the car’s Bluetooth and frowned. This wasn’t what he planned when he made the decision four months ago, but it was the only thing he could do to rescue his bank account.
CHAPTER THREE
Tag White flipped the closed sign in the pawn shop window earlier than usual and hurried back to the glass display counter. Sweat spread across his forehead as he searched through the stack of small square boxes lined up across the glass. Nothing but old watches.
“I can’t believe I was so stupid,” he told himself. Desperately he searched the empty boxes on the shelves behind him. Each box made a hollow sound as it hit the floor, but he opened and inspected each one.
“No.” He slumped onto the stool and moaned after he threw the last box across the room. How could he let this happen? Vince sold the wrong watch right out from under his nose. Stew would take it out of his hide if he didn’t get it back.
The vibrating of a cell phone in his back pocket made him jump, and a ball formed in the pit of his stomach when he saw the name of the caller.
Stew.
Should he ignore the call? Even if he did, Stew would find out eventually.
“Stew, I was just gonna call you.”
“Why?”
“Well, the funniest thing happened.”
“You don’t sound like it’s funny at all. I can hear the panic in your voice. What’s wrong?”
“I sort of lost the watch.”
“What?”
“I left it out by mistake, and Vince sold it to a customer.”
Tag jerked the phone from his ear until the shouting stopped.
“Why was it out of the safe in the first place?”
“I had it out comparing it to the one on the internet and got called to the phone, so I slipped it in one of the watch boxes to take the call. Vince sold it to a customer looking for an antique watch for his wife. The man was in and out in less than ten minutes, but when I got back, the watch was gone.”
“Are you sure it was our watch? Did you check the rest of the inventory?”
“I did.”
Stew’s silence was worse than his yelling.
“I’ll get it back, Stew. I promise.” His stomach churned.
“That watch will make enough dough to clear our debts and then some. You better get it back. If you don’t, we’ll both be swimming in the river with a cement anklet.”
Tag’s throat tightened. Stew was right. He’d heard Big Benny collected debts in ways that made his stomach lurch. He cleared the frog in his throat.
“I’ll come up with something. Just give me time to think.”
“I’ll be over tonight, and we can plan a way to get it back. We only have two days, and we have to have the money … or else.”
The dial tone rang in his ears.
Tag hung up the phone and stood staring at the bulldozer clearing the empty lot across the street. He had to fix this. Both their lives depended on it.
CHAPTER FOUR
The car radio faded as the Bluetooth alerted Cooper to an incoming call. He didn’t recognize the number, but he pushed the receive button on the steering wheel.
“Hello.”
“Is this Cooper Colllins?”
“Speaking.”
“This is Tag White. I’m the owner of Prize Pawns on Whitehall Road.”
“Yes, I remember. I bought a watch from your store.”
“That’s what I’m calling about, Mr. Collins. I’m afraid there’s been a mistake. I have to ask you to return the watch.”
Cooper frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“The watch we sold you had already been redeemed. It was not ours to sell. Our employee didn’t know the original owner sent money to redeem it the day before you came in. You need to bring it back, so we can return it to the owner. We will, of course, allow you to exchange it for one of the other watches left in the store.”
The car slid on a patch of black ice, and Cooper blew out a frustrated breath. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to exchange the watch.” He straightened the car. “I bought this one because my wife is a history buff. She will love knowing this particular watch was ordered for Marie Antoinette. Besides, I’ve already given it to her as an early Christmas gift.”
“Look man, you have to return the watch. The owner didn’t want to lose it, it belongs to—”
“If that’s true, then the man wouldn’t have pawned it in the first place, would he? Look, I bought the watch fair and square. I have a receipt, and that’s the end of the story.”
“No, it’s not the end of the story.” Mr. White’s voice grew in volume. “The story is that you will bring that watch back to this store, and—”
Cooper pushed the “hang-up” button on the steering wheel. What nerve! He’d never shop there again.
A patch of black ice shimmered on the road in front of him, and Cooper grabbed the steering wheel with both hands. He tensed when he felt the tires slide across the frozen patch but relaxed again when they found traction.
Tonight was not a good night to be driving. Maybe he should go back home.
CHAPTER FIVE
Tag threw a pair of black gloves into the duffel bag and stood looking around. Had he forgotten anything?
His cell phone rang, and he dug it out of his coat pocket.
“Yeah?”
“My truck battery’s dead. I can’t get there tonight. Have you come up with an idea?”
“Yeah, I have a plan. I called the man to see if he’d return the watch, but he said no. I don’t believe he’ll change his mind, so,” He paused, “I’m stealing it back tonight.”
“What?”
“The man’s address was on the sales slip, and he said he already gave it to his wife. I’m sure it’ll be at his house—maybe under the Christmas tree.”
“You can’t break into someone’s house if they’re home, and you certainly can’t knock on the door and ask for the watch back if he’s already told you no. What are you planning to do once you get there?”
“I know what I’m doing. I’ve done this before.”
“You’ve done what before?”
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me, partner, but don’t you worry, I know how to get it done. I made a living off of other people’s stuff for years.”
Stew gasped. “Were you ever caught?”
“Nope, and I don’t intend to get caught this time either. I’ll wait until they’re asleep and pick the lock on the back door. They don’t have dead bolts or a security system—I’ve already checked.”
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
Heat flushed through Tag’s body, and his temples pounded. “I know what I’m doing,” he ground out. “Look, if I get caught, I won’t mention your name, okay?”
“I have a stake in this too. I have to know you’re not gonna mess up. I’ve never seen this side of you before.”
“I’m full of secrets, and picking locks is only one of my specialties. If you’re so concerned, why don’t you find out if they’re gonna be home tonight? We might get lucky if they’re out on the town.”
“In this blizzard? I don’t think so. Besides, how am I supposed to do that?”
“Call his number. Make up some reason to call, or pretend you dialed the wrong number.”
“All right. Let me have it.”
Tag flipped through the sales book and called out the numbers.
“Hey, wait a minute. Are you sure that’s the right number?”
“It’s the one he wrote down.”
“I recognize this number.”
There was silence on the other end.
“Stew? Do you know this guy?”
“Yeah, he’s a friend of mine.”
“Well, maybe you can talk him into giving the watch back.”
“No way. He won’t. He told me he already gave it to his wife. I had no idea when he said he was g
iving her an antique watch that he was talking about our watch. No, he’s stubborn. He’ll never give it up … not willingly.”
“Yeah well, he’s about to, whether he likes it or not.”
CHAPTER SIX
Cooper frowned when the phone rang again.
“Look I said—”
“Coop? It’s Dave. I heard on the news that all airline flights have been canceled.”
“Oh great. That’s just what I need. I’m almost at the airport now.”
“I have an idea. Why don’t you crash with me tonight? My house is only a few blocks from the airport. I know it’s not much closer than your house, but your route home is uphill all the way. The way the snow and ice are piling up, those hills will be completely covered before you get half way home.”
Cooper blew out a defeated breath.
“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, man.”
“It’s okay, Dave. I’m thankful you let me know, but missing the meeting in Chicago is disappointing. I was all psyched up for the big pitch.”
“Who were you pitching to?
“Hummer Pharmaceutical. It’s a new company, but they’re already selling shares, and their advertising budget is tremendous. Landing that account would have branded my advertising business as a big boy company.”
“I’m sorry, Coop. Maybe they’ll let you reschedule.”
“I hope so.”
Cooper slid the car to a stop on the side of the road and stared at the snow falling diagonally. “I might take you up on your offer. I’ll never make it home in this.”
“That’s great, man. I’d love the company. Blizzards give me the heebie jeebies—all that wind. By tomorrow they should have most of the main roads clear. If not, you could probably walk home from here if the winds let up.”
“Thanks, Dave. You’re right. I’d love to be home tonight, but there’s no way I could get there in this mess. I hope Paige understands.”
“Hey, you could invite her over too.”
“No, she’d never get out in this weather. Remember, she was raised in Florida.”
“Oh yeah. Okay, I’ll pull out some old war movies.”
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