The three of them turned in our direction. It wasn’t difficult to see the family resemblance. Cooper’s father was merely an older version of him, down to the trimmed beard, dimpled chin, and designer tuxedo. The two women could have been twins, the only difference being their hair color. Both were dressed, coiffed, plucked, nipped, and tucked to perfection. The two ladies beamed at Cooper and gave me the once over. His father smiled at me, but seemed disinterested in Cooper.
Cooper leaned in to kiss his aunt. “I can’t thank you enough for throwing this fundraiser, Aunt Vivian. My research facility wouldn’t be possible without you.”
She gave him a demure smile. “Oh, you flatterer.”
Placing his hand on my shoulder, he said, “And it also wouldn’t be possible without Ellie. This is Professor Ellie Matthews, my Head of Operations. Ellie, of course you know my mother.” His mother, Judith Ashmore Cooper, was the president of Ashmore College and therefore my boss. He continued, “This is my father, former Indianapolis Mayor George Cooper, and my aunt, Mrs. Vivian Ashmore Harris.”
We exchanged pleasantries, but my head wasn’t in it. I was busy pondering Cooper’s use of the title “Head of Operations,” a term he hadn’t mentioned before. In reality, I didn’t expect to be much more than a glorified assistant—and probably the person in charge of physically moving and placing the cadavers we would be studying. Dr. Dudley Cooper, Professor of Forensic Anthropology, was uncharacteristically squeamish when it came to anything except dry bones. I wasn’t convinced that he’d thought this body farm idea through, but he seemed to be gung ho about it. That aside, I wasn’t surprised to hear Cooper trying to make the facility sound fancier and more appealing to his family. He seemed overwhelmingly preoccupied with what they thought of him, which was a foreign concept to me. I’d left home the night of my high school graduation and never looked back.
A young man elbowed his way into our group, pushing Cooper aside in an effort to make a grand show of giving Vivian a big hug and kiss. “Hello, Mother,” he said enthusiastically. He couldn’t have been much older than my college students, and he was no taller than I was.
“Oh, hello, Tyler my dear,” replied Vivian.
I had noticed Cooper and his dad stiffen when Tyler appeared. Tyler didn’t seem to notice, or else didn’t care, because he went on with his glad-handing. “Aunt Judith! You’re looking as beautiful as ever.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek and shook hands with George. “Uncle George, your campaign seems to be going along without a hitch. Good for you.”
George said between gritted teeth, “Yes, thank you.”
Tyler turned to Cooper and gave him a punch in the arm. “And Dudley! Long time no see, cousin.” He pretended to think for a moment. “I guess the last time we got to hang out together was in Alaska during our hunting trip. Has it really been a month since we’ve seen each other? You know, my dad is still going on about the moose I shot. He was so impressed with my kill that he had the head mounted. Just got it back yesterday. It’s in his study if you’d like to see it.” Tyler was awfully proud of himself, but Cooper and his father didn’t seem to share his opinion.
Cooper replied, “Maybe another time.”
Clapping Cooper on the back, Tyler joked, “Oh, don’t pout, Dudders. You’ll get your first kill eventually. There’s always next year.”
Ignoring his cousin’s jab, Cooper said, “Tyler, I’d like to introduce you to Ellie Matthews, Head of Operations for the new research facility. Ellie, this is my cousin, Tyler Harris.”
“Hi, Tyler,” I said.
“Hel-lo,” he said, leering at me. “Cooper, why aren’t you dancing with this gorgeous creature? If you’re not going to, I am.”
Before I could object, Tyler whisked me into the great room. No one else had started dancing yet, but that didn’t stop Tyler. He clasped my right hand and put his other hand at my waist.
“So, Ellie,” he began, his face much too close to mine. “You’re going to be working alongside my cousin and his disgusting dead bodies at that old water park. What’s a sweet girl like you doing working in a place like that?”
In the three minutes since I’d met him, I’d decided I didn’t like Tyler. “Well, for one thing, I’m not all that sweet. I used to work for Hamilton County’s crime scene unit, so I’m not squeamish, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Interesting. Were you a real-life CSI?”
I hated that question. “I guess you could say that.” Years ago, I’d been a criminalist for the county sheriff’s office, but after a particularly heinous and deeply personal case, I had resigned and joined the faculty at Ashmore College. For no other reason than to keep the topic off myself, I asked, “What do you do, Tyler, besides excel at hunting wild game?”
He puffed out his tiny little chest. “I am soon-to-be-Senator Powell’s campaign manager.”
My jaw dropped. “You’re the campaign manager for your uncle’s opponent?” No wonder Cooper and his dad couldn’t stand Tyler.
He shrugged. “I’m a Republican. He’s a Democrat. It’s not like I could have managed his campaign.”
“But he’s family.”
“Not really. He’s only my uncle by marriage.”
“I see.”
Leering at me again, he asked, “So are you and Dudley a thing? Or are you a free agent?”
I groaned inwardly and looked away, happening to lock eyes with Rob Larson, who had just entered the room. He seemed to be smirking at me. I started to flash him a smile, but Tyler chose that moment to step on my toe, and instead I winced in pain.
Instead of apologizing, Tyler said, “Looks like someone isn’t paying attention to where her feet should be.”
Before I could return a biting remark, Rob came up to us. “Ms. Matthews,” he said, his voice serious, “I’m sorry to interrupt your dance, but I need to speak with you immediately.”
Tyler released me and made a big show of giving me a wink. “Catch you later, pretty lady.”
I didn’t reply, because if I had, it would have been inappropriate.
Rob took my elbow and walked me purposefully down a hallway, away from the crowd. He opened a door and ushered me into a study. He was wearing a stern expression and hadn’t said a word, so I was becoming a bit wary of the situation. He closed the door behind us and turned to face me.
“Am I in trouble here?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m afraid so.”
My heart rate increased. “What’s going on?”
Crossing his muscular arms, he replied, “I assessed the situation and determined that you were in danger of being hit on by a loser.” He broke into a brilliant smile.
Relieved, I smiled back and took a step closer to him, placing a hand on his arm. I felt an unmistakable draw to this man. “That was very observant of you. Thanks for saving me.”
He covered my hand with his and lowered his voice. “Just doing my job, Ms. Matthews. I’ll make sure to keep my eye on you tonight so that kind of thing doesn’t happen again.”
“That would be nice.”
Rob’s phone beeped. After stepping away from me to read the text he’d received, he grimaced. “Duty calls.” He opened the door for me, and we parted ways.
Disappointed that our private chat was over so quickly, I set off in search of Cooper. The shoes that went with the recycled-yet-beautiful bridesmaid’s gown I was wearing were starting to hurt my feet, and being stomped on by Tyler surely hadn’t helped.
After wandering around the massive home for a while, I found Cooper speaking to a man I recognized as a member of Ashmore’s Board of Trustees. They looked as though they were in the middle of a serious conversation, so I decided to wait until they were finished before approaching. A waiter came by offering a tray of pastries, so I chose one. After taking a bite, I nearly gagged. I’d assumed the thing was going to be filled with something sweet, but instead it was hiding a slimy mixture that tasted distantly familiar. Liver. The horrid taste brought back one of the few memories
I had of my grandmother. When I was four or five, I had stayed with her once while my mother was off on a bender. All she’d had to feed me was liver and onions. I remember choking it down only for it to come back up all over her hideous floral couch. I had never eaten liver since.
Another waiter came by with a tray of champagne flutes, so I snatched one of them and washed down the offending flavor. As I was scanning the room for a trash can to dispose of the rest of the nasty little pastry, I noticed Rob staring at me again with the same smirk on his face. Realizing he must have witnessed the liver incident, I blushed and looked away. He probably thought I was a fool. I downed the rest of my champagne, then discreetly stuffed the pastry into the empty glass and deposited it onto the table behind me. I should have known I could never pull off an elegant party like this.
CHAPTER TWO
After another agonizing round of introductions to snooty people I hoped I’d never meet again, I was tired of Cooper, this party, and especially my shoes. I grabbed two more glasses of champagne and slipped out onto the patio alone. Sinking down onto the low stone wall surrounding the slate patio, I glanced at my watch and grimaced. I had only been here for two hours, but it seemed like an eternity. I chugged the champagne and removed my shoes. I was just about to start rubbing my tired feet when the door opened. Hastily shifting my long chiffon dress to cover my bare feet, I looked up to find Rob Larson smiling down at me.
“Rough night?” he asked.
“What gave me away?”
“The expression you had on your face after you looked at your watch. That, and you downing two glasses of champagne in under ten seconds.”
“These kinds of parties aren’t quite my style,” I admitted.
“Mine either.”
Grinning, I said, “Is it wrong that I would actually kill for a beer and a half dozen White Castles right now?”
“I’d be happy to have one of my guys run out and get that for you. I can’t have you killing anyone on my watch.”
I laughed. “I appreciate your offer, but I’ll settle for getting my backup pair of shoes out of Cooper’s car.”
“I can help you with that. Come with me.”
After I slipped my feet back into my shoes, Rob helped me up from my seat. Then, placing his hand on the small of my back, he guided me around the side of the house. When we got near the driveway, I noticed considerably fewer protestors milling around on the sidewalk on the other side of the street. There were still enough to cause trouble, though.
“Those kids are still here?” I complained.
He frowned. “Yes. After the last of the guests arrived and went inside, the protestors got bored and all but a handful of them left.” He shook his head. “Pain in the ass. But we can’t forcibly remove them if they don’t set foot on anyone’s property.”
“They know that. They’re smart little buggers.”
“Unfortunately. I’ll have Dr. Cooper’s car brought around for you.”
I waited at the end of the driveway while Rob conferred with the valet attendant several yards away. While I was standing there, two of the protestors left the group and wandered to a car parked down the street. This seemed to enrage one of the young men, who shouted, “Deserters!” at them as they pulled away. He began to pace back and forth angrily, until he spotted me. Striding over to a small bucket sitting on the ground, he picked it up and took off at a run straight toward me. By the time I realized what was about to happen, it was too late. He yelled, “Death to the Body Farm!” and chucked the contents of the bucket at me. A wave of dark red liquid came splashing out of the bucket, hitting me in the torso and running sickly down the front of my pale pink gown.
Everyone on the street froze, staring in horror at what had just happened. Even the boy in front of me had his mouth agape as realization crossed his face.
“Professor…Professor Matthews,” he breathed. “I—I had no idea…I didn’t think…I didn’t know it was you!”
Something snapped inside me. I reached the kid in two strides and had a fistful of his collar before he could get away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rob hurrying over, but he stopped short when I started my tirade.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” I exploded.
“I…I didn’t…” the kid whined.
“Do you think this is a friggin’ joke? You threw an entire bucket of blood on me!”
Another boy hurried over to us, his eyes wide in disbelief. “Justin, you dumbass! I told you we weren’t using the blood to throw on people!” I recognized the kid when he turned to speak to me. His name was Tristan Sellers, a student in one of my classes a couple of years ago. He said to me, “I’m so sorry. It’s just pig’s blood, Professor Matthews.”
“Just pig’s blood? My dress, which cost me a week’s worth of pay, is ruined!” I took a look at the boys’ cronies, noticing that Vasti Marais was among them. Judging from her expression, she seemed scared. I said to all of them, “For as smart as you kids are, you can be really stupid sometimes. And Vasti, I would think you of all people would have more sense than to be a part of this. You all think everything is about you. Well, let me tell you, the real world won’t coddle you pretentious, entitled little shits like college does.” I turned my wrath back to the kid I was still holding by the collar. “And you are going to get a taste of what happens to people in the real world after pulling a dick move like this.”
Jerking the empty bucket out of his hand with my free hand, I shoved it down onto his head. He started crying and screaming, so I slapped the side of the bucket for good measure before releasing him. The protestors who were left decided at once that it was time to get the hell out of here.
“Yeah, that’s right! You’d better run, you little bitches!” I yelled as they scattered and sprinted to their vehicles.
His expression wary, Rob came over to me and gently touched my shoulder. “It looks like you took care of this yourself, but do you want to press charges? I can call the police…”
I shook my head. “Nah, I don’t want to have to stick around and talk to the police. Those kids will get a slap on the wrist at best. It’s not worth my time.”
I heard murmuring behind me and turned toward the house. Several guests, including Cooper and his parents, were congregated on the porch. My heart sank.
Whirling around so my back was to them, I said to Rob, “Did all those people back there see me lose my shit?”
He hesitated. “Yes.”
“Including Mrs. Cooper?” She probably didn’t appreciate one of her faculty members going off on students like that, no matter the situation.
“Yes.”
I nodded. “Right. So I’m probably no longer welcome at the party, and maybe even out of a job. I’m going to need to find a way home now, aren’t I?”
“I’d say that’s a good idea.”
I slapped my forehead in frustration. “You can take the girl out of the trailer park…but you can’t take the trailer park out of the girl. And you should never let her go to a fancy party.”
Before Rob could respond, Cooper rushed up to me and got between us. He stared down at my dress, aghast. “Ellie, are you all right? What happened out here?”
“Some of Ashmore’s finest were causing trouble again,” I replied.
“Was Vasti a part of this?”
“She was here. Why?”
He grimaced. “I think she has it out for me.”
“So why am I the one who looks like Carrie?”
At my comment, a smile pulled at the corner of Rob’s mouth, but he fought it.
Cooper sighed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for you to—”
“Dudley,” Cooper’s father snapped, stalking toward us. “What in the world is going on?” He gave me a distasteful glance and continued, “I told you before that this ridiculous project of yours was a bad idea. The press has been circling you since you bought that property and announced your morbid plan, and it’s starting to reflect badly on me. They’re
going to have a field day with this. Any other incidents and I’m going to have to officially pull my support. You’d better put a lid on this, son.” He barked at Rob, “Larson, I’m leaving. Have my car brought up immediately.”
“Yes, sir,” Rob replied, heading to the valet stand.
George Cooper turned on his heel and marched back to the house, leaving Cooper and me alone.
I shook my head. “I’m sorry for losing it there. I’m sure I embarrassed you in front of your family.”
“It’s fine. I’m not worried about that.” He spoke kindly, but his eyes belied his words.
“I need to go home and get out of this dress.” Even though the night was warm, I was starting to get chilly in my now-soaked clothing.
“I think that would be best. I’m sorry I can’t drive you, Ellie, but I feel it’s my duty to stay here at the fundraiser. I’ll be happy to get you an Uber.” I didn’t expect him to leave the party early on my account, but the thought of riding home with a stranger and covered in blood didn’t appeal to me much.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Thank you for attending the fundraiser tonight. Tomorrow I’d like to take you to the site for the facility and get your thoughts on which structures should be torn down and which could be of use. May I pick you up at noon?”
I wasn’t thrilled about spending my Sunday afternoon at the abandoned clown park, but it had to be done at some point. “Sure. That would be fine.”
Smiling, he replied, “I’ll see you then,” as he headed back to the party.
Suddenly I was exhausted. And freezing. In my uncomfortable shoes, I hobbled to move out of the way for a shiny new Mercedes to pull into the driveway. It was followed by a massive black SUV with tinted windows. The SUV stopped next to me, and Rob stepped out of the driver’s seat.
He had a blanket in his hands. “I thought you looked cold,” he said, going behind me and wrapping the blanket around me. Leaving his hands on my shoulders, he murmured in my ear, “It was nice to meet you, Ms. Matthews. Maybe we’ll run into each other again sometime.”
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