by Debra Jupe
“They’ll let this go?” Jed asked.
Cruz shrugged. “Anything’s possible, but again we’re dealing with a smaller town with a “bubba” mentality. Which means, sometimes they bend the rules and don’t require a named informant.” He gazed at Katie. “Be prepared. Though the warrant must be specific, authorities can go through an entire home. They make a huge mess, and they don’t do clean up.”
“That just makes my day,” Katie mumbled.
“Sorry I can’t give you better news. You should’ve brought me the knife the moment you discovered it. We could’ve started damage control earlier. Actually calling me before they interviewed you would’ve helped more. Either way, we still need to turn the blade over to homicide so it can be analyzed. This situation might be over if your condo units cameras worked,” Cruz stated. “I find it strange someone accidently turned them off. I wonder if the person who broke in managed to disengage the equipment before they entered Katie’s loft.”
“That is a huge blow,” Lila said quietly. “We appreciate you taking the time out of your weekend, you’ve helped us so much already, but I have another question. What do you suggest we do until we hire a criminal lawyer?”
“Lie low. Keep out of the limelight. Don’t talk to homicide without representation, and don’t speak with reporters-ever. Jed, you carry a lot of clout around here. Call in favors. I’ll start working on securing the best criminal attorney in the area the moment you leave. He will instruct you after that.”
“What will he advise?” Lila wanted to know.
Cruz picked up the pen again, clicking the top several times. “He’ll suggest the two of them go to the detectives with the item and turn the presumed evidence over. What they’ll do after that is anyone’s guess.” He stared at Katie. “The more cooperative you are the easier things will be for you in the long run.”
“You mean the DA might offer me a better deal? Fifty years instead of life in prison?”
Neither idea appealed to her. And Cruz and her family weren’t really helping. Going to the police may be the right thing, but the right thing sure wasn’t the most desirable. Instincts told her, the knife in her possession was in fact the instrument used to kill Hazel and someone was trying to get her to take the fall for the crime. She could stash the damning proof until she discovered who was setting her up since no one else seemed too interested in finding that out. The only risk was the possibility of the law watching her. She must plan her recourses carefully—and quick. Time, or the lack of, would be a major factor.
“Katherine,” Lila admonished. “You must keep positive thoughts.”
“I am.” Katie was usually glad her mother maintained an upbeat attitude. In fact, she loved her for it, but right now, she wished her mom would be more realistic. “I’m positive someone is setting me up to take the fall for Hazel’s murder so whoever did kill her can walk free.” She flung herself against the chair’s back and collapsed. “Face it, mom, I’m now the police’s number one suspect. They’re not going to look at anyone else.”
“That’s not your only problem,” Cruz warned as he lowered into his chair.
“Cruz is right,” Jed agreed. “Someone dangerous has zeroed in on you. I’m guessing if you play complacent, and proceed through the motions, you stand the possibility of going to prison, but this person won’t do you any physical harm. If you make waves, they may be desperate enough to go after you.”
A shocked gasp escaped from her mother as a hand flew up, her fingers fanned across her chest. “Jed, we need to hire someone to protect Katie.”
“Mom, don’t over react.” Katie focused sharply on Cruz, silently demanding his support. “No one will hurt me.”
Jed tapped her on the arm. “Young lady.”
Crap. Whenever her father used the term “young lady” Katie was done. The phrase meant he’d made up his mind. The discussion was over, and no use arguing.
“We’ll take every precaution to keep you protected. Money is no object here.”
“I know, Pops.”
As strong as her feelings were for Jack, she wanted to strangle him for notifying her folks. She’d preferred to do this her own way, in her own time.
“Good. You understand once we leave here, you’re to go to your condo, pack some essentials, and move back to the ranch until this nightmare is over. And by necessities, I mean only bring what you need. All those damn shoes you love so much stay behind.”
Though Katie realized her efforts were futile, she would rather not to live with her parents. “Pops, I don’t want to disrupt my life. I’ve been on my own since high school. I prefer not to—.”
“Too late.” her dad broke in. “Your life is already disrupted. You’re in danger, Katie. Therefore it is necessary to disturb your routine for your safety’s sake. No argument.”
“Jed makes sense, Katie.” Cruz interjected.
Katie stood, her mother followed suit. The women moved away from the men, who’d clustered and become engaged in planning options for her, and probably for the rest of her life.
Lila took Katie’s hand and held it between her palms. “We’ll have fun. Like when you were a little girl.” She beamed. “Christmas is around the corner. I’ve already started baking. Remember how you loved to help me in the kitchen?”
“I licked spoons and batter from the bowls. And while I still enjoy that, I don’t need the added preservatives or extra calories.”
Her mother released her and waved. “You and your healthy foods. The best method for eating is from plain home cooking. You grew up that way and turned out fine.” She glanced at the men, still in a whispered huddle. “I’ll ride with you and help you pack.” She leaned in, lowering her voice. “We can sneak some shoes in too. Pops will never know.”
“Thanks mom. But I’d rather do this by myself. I have a few things I want to take care of. I’ll be a while.”
“I don’t like the idea of you alone.”
“I need these last few minutes. I promise to be careful.”
Her family bid Cruz goodbye and walked to the parking lot. Dusk had set in early. The evening was cold but calm. Katie strolled to her jeep assuring her parents she’d be cautious. She guaranteed them she’d call frequently until she arrived at her childhood house. Neither was happy with her going alone, though they didn’t disagree. At least they understood her need for these final moments.
Inside her vehicle, she stuffed a wad of cash her mother slipped her, in case she needed anything, into her purse. Her cell buzzed. She checked the caller ID and punched the on button.
“Katie.” Jules voice vibrated from the other end.
“It’s me.” Katie started her car and turned down her radio.
“Are you still at Cruz’s?”
“I’m leaving his office now.” She maneuvered her jeep into light traffic. She tapped the gas pedal, passing a dark pickup crawling in the next lane, and pointed the car toward her home. “Apparently the police are aware that I’m in possession of something belonging to Hazel. They are trying to get a search warrant. The news could be better, but it is what it is, so I’m dealing with yet another catastrophe. I’m heading to my place now. I’m going to pack up and move in with my folks.”
Jules tone held a trace of laughter. “You knew that was coming.”
Katie chuckled wryly. “How has the rest of your day gone?”
“Interesting.” She paused. “The meeting Tara told us about was with Vanessa.”
“At the restaurant?”
“No. I happened to be in my office and glanced out the window when I spied her getting into Vanessa’s car.”
“That is interesting. No love lost between those two. I wonder what was so important they needed to meet up on a Sunday.”
“Whatever they were discussing included Rhett Oates. He was in the passenger seat.”
“Rhett Oates? The owner of Affairs Amore, Hazel’s biggest competitor?”
“The same. I thought they might work for him now that W
eddings Fantastic’s future is possibly up in the air.”
“Doubtful. Rhett fired Vanessa from her last job, and I can’t see him wanting to hire Tara.”
“Didn’t Rhett offer you a position not too long ago?”
“Yes he did. The deal was lucrative. I considered taking it. I unsure why, but I got a bad vibe about the whole thing so I turned him down. Besides, I’d set goals for myself. I didn’t see the need to change yet. He wasn’t happy with me for passing on his offer. I’m thinking my rejecting him wasn’t one of my better ideas.”
She glanced into her rearview mirror. The pickup she’d passed when she’d left Cruz’s office still followed her. It had closed in, and sat on her bumper. Headlights glared into her rear window, blinding her through the mirrors reflection.
Needle pricked across the back of her neck. Was this person tailing her? She deliberately gunned the accelerator. The truck mimicked her movements, staying with her. Not using her signal, she jerked the wheel to the right, making a quick turn, tires squealing as she rounded the curb. The auto did the same, fishtailing as it curved.
“Jules.” She hesitated, keeping an eye glued to the image in the mirror. “I think someone is following me.”
“Katie, be careful,” Jules shrieked. “Stay on the phone with me. Call nine-one-one.”
“I can’t do both.” She would have laughed, although she failed to find anything about her circumstances humorous. Her foot pounded the floor peddle. She yanked the steering wheel to rapidly changed lanes. Once again, the truck imitated her actions. “I’d rather you remain on the line. I’m coming up to my building.”
“You shouldn’t go in.”
“Then what do I do? Driving around all night is out of the question. I’m pulling inside. If you hear any strangeness from my end or dead air, call the police.”
“I need a vehicle description. What kind of car? Do you recognize it?”
“It’s a mid-size truck. Later model, either black or dark blue.”
“Does anyone you know own something similar?”
“No. And the front license tag is missing, so I can’t give you any numbers.” She circled into the drive of her parking garage, stopped, and twisted around. The automobile raced past her condo sight, disappearing into the light traffic. She finessed through the garage’s gloomy aisles until she found her designated space.
“Katie?” Jules worried voice came from the other end of the phone. “What’s happened?”
She put the gear in park and turned off the engine. “I’m home. No one followed me in.”
“Thank goodness. I’ll stay with until you’re inside your place.”
“Yes, please.” Katie scanned the shadowy area as she exited. She hurried toward the building’s entrance, her boots ricocheted against the concrete, emphasizing her isolation.
“I guess you weren’t able to see the driver at all?”
She arrived at the entry. “The windows were tinted and it’s too dark to see anything clear.” She rushed down the hall, key ready to insert into her door. She nearly restrained from breathing until she was inside. “I’m home.”
“Is everything okay?”
Katie flipped on the light and skimmed the room. “Nothing’s out of place.”
“Good. Since you’re fine, I have to get back to work. Call me if you need anything.”
Katie dialed her parents to let them know she was at her loft, though she omitted her most recent ordeal. Pops would be calling the National Guard to escort her to the ranch. She did her best to shake the incident off, chalking things up as an overactive imagination. Or maybe the police shadowed her.
Except cops would be more discreet.
She climbed the stairs to her bedroom, went straight to her closet for a suitcase. She threw it on the bed to quickly pack her things. After she had everything she needed and a few extras, she dragged her bag downstairs into the living area and loaded her laptop. Her next stop was the kitchen. She crammed some dry goods in two reusable grocery bags, then retrieved a small cooler, opened her refrigerator, and filled the entrails of the ice chest to the brim.
One final task and she was out of here. She snatched a dishtowel off the counter and walked to the coffee table where the knife lay still in its plastic cover.
Time to do a little cleanup.
She didn’t understand the basis of DNA or how the process worked except if she’d left anything on the handle then she was sunk. If by chance the piece was clear of her chromosomes, then it would be best they didn’t find her fingerprints either. Cover all bases. She stopped and stared at the table. The towel slipped through her fingers and floated to the floor.
The blade was missing.
What the…? She dashed around the room, lifting sofa pillows, cushions, and knick knacks. She fell to her knees to search underneath the furniture. Nothing.
She stood. Hands on hips she glanced about, then she froze. She swallowed back bile as goose bumps crawled over her skin.
What if her intruder returned and removed the evidence—or hid it?
She willed her mind to pull herself together. She rushed into the kitchen and began yanking out drawers, ransacking the cabinet insides. Okay, it didn’t make sense for someone to break in and get rid of the knife except if a person was trying to gaslight her or…she couldn’t think of any reason a anyone would remove it, unless to hide it to make her appear guiltier.
Her cell buzzed. Her first instinct was to ignore the call, but her mother maybe phoning and she preferred not to set off any alarms. She punched the on button without identifying the caller.
“Katie,” said Cruz’s deep voice. “I just got word from my friend at the police station. The detectives found a judge to issue a warrant. They’ll be at your place to explore, possibly as early as tonight. I can’t get a hold of any criminal defense attorneys so they’re supposed to notify me when they’re on their way. Do not, I repeat, do not let them to do anything until I arrive, understand?”
“Thanks, Cruz,” she said in a voice calmer than she felt. “I’m ready.”
She slammed a cabinet shut. Time had run out. Since the knife was missing, she should be relieved, but she wasn’t. A solid gut punch told her she needed to be more cautious than ever.
Steadily, she picked up her suitcase, food, and laptop case and headed out.
After securing the lock, she left her loft, keeping her pace even as she walked down the hall and into the parking garage, cautiously glancing over her shoulder every few steps. She unlocked the trunk and shoved her belongings into the back, then released the locks with her keypad and got inside.
The passenger side opened.
Katie flinched in the direction and stifled a scream. The police had busted her. A shadowy outlined form dropped into the seat next to her and slammed the door.
“I’d ask where we’re going, but I so enjoy surprises.”
Chapter 11
A champagne cork popped, followed by the trickle of liquid flowing into glasses. Vanessa’s lips curled. She raised her filled flute to ting the crystal against the goblet Rhett Oates held.
Rhett returned her smile as he put the bottle aside, “To the demise of Weddings Fantastic.”
“The demise of Weddings Fantastic.” Vanessa sipped her drink and skimmed her tongue seductively across her mouth. “Hmmm. Very good. Bubbly.” She sat the beaker on a credenza and strolled around the elegant suite until she halted opposite Rhett. “I’ve accomplished my assignment. Do you have something for me?”
Rhett placed his wineglass on a coaster lying on a table in front of him and slid a palm inside his tailored jacket. He produced a small, but thick, manila envelope and held it out to her. She grabbed at the pack, her fingers snapped together as he snatched it away.
“Your assignment was to bring down Weddings Fantastic. You didn’t exactly finish the job.”
A flicker of anger flashed over her face. “I was in the process of doing just that before Hazel was killed. I would assume her deat
h is so much better.”
Rhett threw back his head and laughed. He brought the packet to her, this time allowing her to remove it from his outstretched hand.
“I’m not complaining she’s gone.” He indicated at the envelope. “There’s more. As soon as this task is complete.” He hesitated, displaying an inquisitive look. “You’re sure everything is in place?”
Vanessa nodded, opening the packet to remove a stack of hundreds. Her face lit as she fanned the bills out in front of her. Carefully, she restacked the monies, returned the cash to its package, and tucked her payment safety into her handbag placed next to her champagne.
“I spoke to Hazel’s daughter. She planned to put Weddings Fantastic up for sale to the highest bidder. I explained I represented you, and you were interested in a private purchase. I also told her you would pay top dollar if she were willing to do a restricted sale. She’s all for it. After everything is settled with Hazel’s estate, she will meet with her attorney’s to draw up the papers.” Vanessa smiled. “The company is as good as yours.”
Rhett lowered his pudgy body in a nearby Chamois chair and stared out of a high rise window into the night sky. Although the hour was late, and he was at home, he remained dressed in a tailored suit. “Haven’t the foggiest how you managed to pull this elaborate scheme off so quickly, though I can’t thank you enough for coming to me with such a brilliant idea.”
“Just a little ingenuity and imagination.”
“You definitely missed your calling, darling. I’m happy you used those special talents for righting evil.”
“Thank whoever murdered Hazel.”
“My personal opinion but the person who killed the woman deserves multitudes of accolades.” He paused, removed a silk handkerchief, and dabbed at his receding forehead. “What’s your secret, sweets? What conniving, skillful move did you use to get inside and view Hazel’s last will and testament?”
“Can’t tell you the resources I use to get into Hazel’s private stuff. But I can reveal that I’m privy to the latest news from the police about her death.”