by Vicki Hinze
Everyone in the lake knew two things about Mayor Thomas Jessup: At thirty-six, he was a vibrant, handsome clotheshorse who projected the polished, sophisticated look and tone the founders sought, and Thomas was a perfectionist when it came to appearances and images—for Shutter Lake and himself. He wasn’t interested in long-term commitments or relationships that made demands, and he wanted absolutely no part of love.
Why? Dana wasn’t sure, though it made for a great relationship between them. They worked well together and often brainstormed projects and ideas beneficial to the community. They were friends, trusted confidants and sounding boards for each other, but things never got personal to the point of being uncomfortable or complicated. Even seven years after Phoenix, she wasn’t ready for demands or complications and, if she had to guess, Thomas Jessup would never be ready for them.
Gracie reappeared and waved. “You can go in now, Dr. Perkins.”
“Thank you.” Dana walked down the short hallway, her short stacked heels clicking on the wooden floor, to the double doors that stood open, leading to the mayor’s inner sanctum. Before she entered, the comforting scents of of lemon polish and old money reached out to greet her.
“Dana.” Thomas stood behind an enormous desk, intricately carved in rich mahogany. While the reception area was thoroughly modern, Thomas’s preferred style as well as Dana’s own, the mayor’s office was detailed traditional. Official, rich in history and the tasteful swagger of understated success. The effect was reassuring, stable and secure.
“Sorry to barge in on you, Thomas.” Dana moved to the visitor’s chair near his desk. “Didn’t you have on a gray suit this morning?”
“I did.” His green eyes twinkled. “But black works best for the press conference.”
“Ah, of course.” It did add a special sparkle to his green eyes. “Five o’clock, right?”
He sat down. “Yes.” His smile faded. “You’ll be able to make it—in case there are questions about the school or students?”
She hadn’t planned on it, but his point was valid. “I’ll be there.”
He rewarded her with a dazzling smile. “So is this just a friendly visit, or what can I do for you?”
Straight and to the point. One of his best assets. “A bit of both. I asked Chief McCabe for permission to see Vinn.”
“Okay.” Thomas sat back in his large executive chair, giving her his full attention.
“He said no.”
“Did he say why?” Fidgeting with his pen, Thomas thumbed it on his leather blotter.
“Not really. He just refused.”
“So…?”
Thomas was going to make her ask. He knew she hated asking anyone for anything, but for Vinn… “So I want you to talk to him and see if you can change his mind.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.” Regret crossed Thomas’s face. “You know I don’t interfere in McCabe’s investigations.”
“Technically, it’s Laney’s investigation. He put her in charge because she has homicide experience—from her detective days in Los Angeles.”
“I’m aware of Laney Holt’s previous employment, Dana. But I can’t interfere with her investigations either. It’s a sign to residents and the press that won’t be missed.”
“What sign?”
“That I don’t trust either of them to do their jobs.” He lifted a shoulder. “It’s the same sign you don’t want—the council interfering, implying you can’t run your school.”
“But this is more important than perceptions, Thomas. This is about Vinn’s life.”
“Your school is about all the students’ lives, and McCabe’s investigations are about all our lives. Those are equally important, you surely agree.” Regret flashed through Thomas’s eyes, softened his tone. “I do wish I could help you.”
“We always help each other.”
“I know we do, which makes it difficult to refuse you anything. But this time, on this request, I have no choice. I can’t do it.” He paused a second. “Look, I understand how Sylvia’s murder has impacted our community. It has been hard on all of us, especially on those of us in public service. But Vinn confessing… It’s been particularly difficult for you. I get that, Dana. Vinn is gifted. No doubt about it. You’ve invested in him, and you had such high hopes for his future.”
She resented the unspoken reminder of what had happened in Phoenix. His assumption that some misplaced sense of guilt drove her on this with Vinn. She’d be in this chair no matter which of her students sat in that jail cell. “I invest in all my students, Thomas, and one of them has confessed to a murder I don’t believe he’s capable of committing, much less that he did commit. But I also have two-hundred ninety-nine more students in potential jeopardy. I need to find out what really happened, for all their sakes.”
“As do I, which is why our highly qualified police department and county forensics team have access to any experts they might need. The best law enforcement minds in the business are all available to them.”
The council had approved throwing whatever money was necessary to finding the killer. Great news. Fabulous news. So far, all that hadn’t done a thing to help Vinn. “I want to talk with him, Thomas.”
His tone chilled to ice. “I will not counter McCabe’s orders.”
“You can—“
“I won’t.” Thomas relaxed his tense jaw. “Have you even discussed visiting Vinn with his parents?”
“Of course, I have.” She nodded. “Connie called me the day after Vinn confessed. She was desolate.”
“So you put on your psychologist hat and talked her off the ledge.”
“I tried to help her cope with extremely upsetting news. You know how close she and Vinn are.”
An emotion Dana couldn’t tag swam across Thomas’s face. He quickly masked it. “He’s a mama’s boy, and I’m sure Connie is devastated.” Thomas laced his fingers atop his desk, squeezed until his knuckles went white. “What parent wouldn’t be?”
“I’d say her reaction is pretty universal to mothers in this unenviable situation,” Dana admitted, trying to peg Thomas’s odd undertone. He wasn’t a parent, but he seemed to be identifying as one. Maybe that identification was a skill he’d acquired in his position. Being mayor would require the ability to relate to all residents, and many of them were parents. “Anyway, Connie gave me permission to see Vinn, but McCabe won’t honor it.”
“And he didn’t say why?”
“No, he didn’t,” Dana said. “Frankly, he didn’t seem much in the mood for conversation.” She didn’t mention the faint whiff of alcohol she’d sensed. There had been no evidence of it in his speech, and she hadn’t been able to see his eyes. Sunglasses. Probably just mouthwash. She’d told herself that then, and reminded herself of it now.
Thomas swiped at his cuff, avoiding her eyes. “When did you speak to him?”
“On my way to school. First thing in the morning.”
Thomas’s expression lightened. “There’s your problem.”
“My problem?” Bewildered, Dana hiked her shoulders.
“Here’s a secret to put in your back pocket—but it’ll cost you.”
Invoking the game often played between them. That had to be a good sign. “Terms?”
“Dinner. Tonight at your house. And you make that Mongolian beef dish of yours.”
Thomas did love her Mongolian. “Deal—no bribery, just a friendly dinner between colleagues.”
“No bribery.” He smiled his agreement.
“So what’s this non-bribe secret I just didn’t buy?”
“McCabe is a night owl. He’s cranky in the morning. Anything you want him to refuse, you ask early in the morning. If you want him to agree, ask him in the late afternoon. The later, the better.”
Dana laughed. “Now that would have been handy information to have before I asked him the first time, Thomas. Why didn’t you share that insightful tidbit before?”
“If I had, you wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t
be coming to dinner tonight.”
“You’re incorrigible. Shameless, too.”
“Definitely.”
“So you’ll speak to him?”
“No, I’m afraid I still can’t do that.” Thomas sat back, dragged his teeth over his lower lip. “But you might ask him again tomorrow. You never know. He could change his mind.”
“Late in the day.”
“Definitely.”
“I appreciate the advice, and at the moment he might be experiencing at least a little good will in my direction.”
“How so?”
She told him about Nolan Ikard and the DNA event at Stacked.
“Well done, Dana, and. . .interesting.” Thomas dipped his square chin, and a wicked glint lit in his eye. “Guess you’re going to have to back off the kids about watching so much TV.”
“You’re merciless, Thomas Jessup.” Dana stood up. “Seven o’clock,” she said. “And bring wine.”
“Wait.” He grabbed the edge of his desk. “Don’t go. I want to talk to you about something.”
Dana stopped. “What is it?”
He turned serious. Walked from the desk to the wall of shelves filled with awards and honors. “I’m not sure how to approach this.” He studied the plaques as if seeing them for the first time.
“What is it, Thomas?” She moved to his side. “Just say it.”
He searched her face. “You’re a good person, Dana.”
Her heart fluttered. “Are you going beta on me, or what?” It was a commonly shared joke between them. Acting out of character, overly emotional, strange for them.
“No,” he said, then paused. “Maybe.” Another pause. “Well, in a way, yeah, I guess I am.”
She didn’t bother to hide her surprise. “On what?”
He shook his head. “You know what, let’s leave it for now. We’ve got the press conference and I need to get my head into it. We’ll talk about my beta moment tonight after dinner—if that’s okay with you?” He swiped at his broad forehead. “I do want to talk to you about something, but I was wrong. This isn’t the right time.”
“Okay.” She had no idea what to make of that, but at least she wouldn’t have to wonder what was at the heart of it for too long. A couple hours, and he’d be ready to share this…whatever his beta moment was. “Thomas, are you afraid the murderer is still out there and something else will happen?” She took a guess based on her own fears.
“I can’t say that hasn’t crossed my mind.” Thomas let out a deep breath that hiked his shoulders. “But that’s not what this is about.”
“Okay.” She backed up a step, giving him a little more space so he didn’t feel crowded. “Whenever you’re ready.”
“Don’t dread it, Dana. It’s nothing to do with you or Shutter Lake. It’s about me.”
That concerned her even more. If Thomas Jessup was getting personal, it had to be something significant. “You’re not ill.” She said it and prayed it was true.
“No. It’s nothing like that.” He smiled and a tenderness she never had seen in him filled his eyes. “But it’s nice to know you’d be that concerned if I were.”
“I don’t have so many friends that I can squander one, Thomas. Especially not one I can confide in without filters.”
That was true, and something they’d discussed on several occasions. Even in non-work related interactions, he could never forget he was the mayor, and she could never forget she was the school principal people were trusting with their kids. They weren’t allowed the public flaws and insecurities, challenges or shortcomings that all people have. It was their job to, at all times, project control and calm and competence.
And since Sylvia Cole’s murder and Vinn Bradshaw’s arrest, that had been a hard road to walk in Shutter Lake.
Gracie appeared in the open doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, Mayor Jessup.”
“What is it, Gracie?” he asked.
“Vernon Bradshaw needs a minute.”
As Gracie spoke, Vernon Bradshaw brushed past her shoulder and entered the office. A bold move that clearly surprised Gracie as much as it did Thomas and Dana.
“I want my son out of jail, Jessup,” Vernon said.
The billionaire pharmaceutical company owner strode across the wooden floor to face Thomas. “Put him on an ankle monitor or something, but let him come home.” He dragged an unsteady hand through his dark hair. The gray at his temples winked in the light. “Connie hasn’t stopped crying since this all started.”
At the mention of Connie, Thomas’s expression softened, filled with compassion. “I know this is hard on your family but I can’t release Vinn, Vernon. He’s confessed to murder.”
“I know what he said, but you don’t understand. Connie is losing it. I can’t watch my wife falling apart like this and do nothing.” He lifted a hand toward Dana. “Did you go see him? Connie said you were going to go see him. But earlier today, he said you hadn’t been there.”
“Not yet.” Dana didn’t mention McCabe’s denying her permission. Vernon would just erupt on him next, so she kept it to herself. “The students have needed my attention at school, as I’m sure you understand. They’re unaccustomed to dealing with a tragedy of this nature.”
“So are we.” He darted his gaze from Dana to Thomas and back again. “Why can’t Vinn come home? People are placed on house arrest all the time.”
“Not for violent crimes,” Thomas said.
“Violent? You know Vinn. He doesn’t have a violent bone in his body.”
“Vernon, he confessed to strangling a woman to death,” Thomas stated baldly. “That’s violent.”
Vernon clamped his jaw shut, swung his gaze to Dana. “Go see him, Dr. Perkins. Make it a priority. I don’t know what the hell has gotten into his head, but you figure it out. I can’t lose my son and my wife. This whole thing has Connie teetering on the edge.” He pivoted to Thomas. “She jumps or even falls over it, and I’m not going to be a happy man, Jessup.”
Acknowledging his understanding, Thomas nodded. “None of us will be happy, Vernon.”
A truer statement, Dana thought, had never been spoken. If Vernon Bradshaw wasn’t happy, he would make it his personal mission in life to make sure no one in Shutter Lake was happy. Unfortunately, he had the power and money to liberally spread misery. Lots and lots of misery…
Chapter Three
A cluster of people stood gathered outside City Hall, which housed the police station. A podium stood empty with media microphones attached. The major networks, cable news, Grass Valley’s local network, and print reporters from The Sacramento Bee and even a New York Times reporter Dana recognized huddled together, surrounded by residents.
Spotting Julia and Ana, Dana joined them. “Surprised to see you two here.”
“Afternoon walk,” Julia said. “Ana needed a break from the clinic.”
“Reminder. Girls’ night out—“
“Wednesday at seven, The Wine and Cheese House. Got your text.” Julia scanned the crowd.
“I’ll be there, barring any emergency.” Ana leaned forward to see Dana around Julia.
Showing up was at best fifty-fifty odds with Dr. Ana Perez, which Dana guessed was about par for a doctor running a top-notch clinic with all the latest equipment money could buy. Smart, rich seniors who remained icons in their respective fields, demanded excellent everything in health care for themselves and their families. Ana did her best to provide it.
Julia’s blond hair caught the sunlight slanting in through the trees. The woman had beautiful skin and an even more beautiful mind. Her former work as an investigative journalist in some of the most brutal and ravaged places in the world would have scarred most, but somehow she had managed to find balance. “All is well with my soul,” she’d whisper when she needed to center herself.
That ability to center had thus far escaped Dana. Oh, there was a time when she was peaceful, but Phoenix had ended that. There’s just no coming back from that kind of thing. It changes every
thing. Alters your entire life. Yes, you get better at coping with it, but peace? Peace becomes a faded, distant memory. If she lost Vinn, it’d be a haunting memory, too. She shivered.
“Well now,” Julia whispered to Dana and Ana. “That’s interesting.”
“What?” Dana followed Julia’s line of vision to Thomas Jessup. “He changed suits. Gray to black. It’s better for press conferences.”
Julia rolled her gaze. “I wasn’t looking at his clothes, Dana.”
Dana took a second look. Thomas stood near Connie and Vernon Bradshaw. They weren’t speaking, just standing there. Connie seemed to have aged overnight and Vernon’s face had become a mask that hid every emotion known to man.
“Some things expensive clothes and hair-stylists can’t fix.” Julia dragged in air from between her teeth.
“No, they can’t,” Ana said. “I’ve never seen Connie look that… maxed out.”
“She couldn’t care less about her appearance right now,” Dana said. “Her son’s life is on the line.”
“I wasn’t talking about her.” Julia turned to look at Dana. “I was talking about him.”
“Vernon?”
“Jessup.” Julia grunted. “Dana, sometimes you blow me away. Can’t you see how worried he looks?”
“Of course, he’s worried. We’re all worried.”
Julia and Ana shared a look. “Not that kind of worried.”
Impatient, Dana lifted a hand. “What are you talking about?”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously.”
“Dana,” Julia whispered. “Haven’t you ever noticed how much Vinn favors Mayor Jessup?”
Whatever Dana might have expected Julia to say, that wasn’t it. It sank in. She thought of Vinn and really looked at Thomas.
“She never noticed,” Julia told Ana.
Ana ignored her.
No sense trying to hide it. Dana hadn’t ever noticed. “I never thought about it.”
Julia prodded Ana. “You ever notice?”
“Oh, no.” Ana lifted a rebellious hand. “You’re not dragging me into this. I never discuss patients.”