by Debra Jupe
“It is not foolishness,” Rhett interrupted.
“Okay, well look at it this way. Her wandering specter might be upset you’ve purchased her firm, but she loved me. She’ll be thrill I’m running it.”
“Yes, unless she discovers you were in cahoots with me. Then she’ll haunt us both.” He glanced up from his pad. “Which reminds me. We don’t want to make anyone suspicious when this transaction transpires. It might take a while before we announce you as the company manager. I may be forced to continue to employ you undercover for a bit longer.”
“Rhett, you promised. I put myself out there. I could end up in jail with Katherine if anyone discovers my part in you getting this business.”
“All your choices.”
She glared at him, her back erect as she straightened. “You agreed to make me manager of Weddings Fantastic as soon as the purchase went through.” Vanessa steamed. She needed Rhett’s financial backing to continue with her strategy. If he bailed, all of her hard work, and her future would be lost. She wanted to head this company, and Rhett was her ticket to getting there.
He raised a shoulder. “This arrangement isn’t in writing.”
“A verbal agreement is binding.”
“Again, no proof.” He sighed and picked up his tablet. “I’m not totally opposed to you running the business, but there is the matter of you taking kickbacks from venders. I have to consider your reputation. Explain to customers and associates why I’m rehiring you after I terminated you for such deception, and now allowing you to lead my second organization. This matter will take time and finesse.”
She relaxed, slacking into her seat, silently simmering. She had no intention on waiting for her rightful place at Weddings Fantastic. She’d sacrificed too much.
“Nevertheless, the argument is moot since the purchase has yet to be complete.” Rhett studied his device. “So did our little sandwich shop cop reveal to you anything about Hazel’s murder case?” He gazed up and lowered his voice. “I won’t ask what you revealed to him.”
She kicked off her heals and curled her legs under her. “Apparently someone called in a tip. Katherine is possession of something that may link her to the murder.”
Rhett’s eyes widened. “Interesting. Did he give you any hint as to what the item might be?”
She shook her head.
“Who called the tip in?”
“Anonymous.”
“Sounds promising”
“It would be,” Tara let the door shut with a soft click. “A judge issued a warrant to search her home, but another judge annulled it. No investigation.”
“You’re kidding,” Vanessa nearly shouted. Then she spoke calmer, “Probably a friend of Katherine’s rich daddy. I’m sure he keeps the idiot in his back pocket.”
“Jed Drapier is a straight up guy.” Tara walked further inside, and laid a paper bag next to Vanessa, and then returned to the far side of the room. “Well respected throughout the community.”
“So the warrant was repealed.” Rhett glanced from one woman to the other. “Did they give a reason?”
“The tipoff is from an unidentified source. It equals to not sufficient enough evidence for any investigation,” Tara explained.
“If she has something to do with Hazel’s murder then it shouldn’t matter who told the police. They ought to be digging.” Vanessa wrinkled her nose and sniffed. “I bet if the detectives looked into her past, they’d find Katherine not to be as perfect as she likes everyone to believe.”
Tara made an odd sound then spoke in a near whisper, “she’s not.”
Vanessa frowned. “What are you saying over there?”
“I heard other things too.”
They both stared at Tara and when she didn’t elaborate, Rhett prompted, “Don’t keep secrets, girl. Spill.”
“Katherine’s disappeared.”
Rhett gazed at Vanessa. “Maybe your assumption is correct. She is Hazel’s killer.” He chuckled. “Which upped her another notch on my ladder.”
“Where is she,” Vanessa demanded.
Tara shrugged. “No one’s talking, but the police find the move very curious, and want to speak to her again.”
“Too bad you broke up with your cop boyfriend,” Rhett smirked. “I bet he’s in the know.”
Vanessa reached for her cell phone.
“There’s more,” Tara announced. Vanessa froze. Tara grinned triumphantly. “Jack’s with her.”
Silence draped the room for a full minute.
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know?”
Tara’s smile widened. “He’s missing too. My classmates stay connected through social networking. Several saw Katie and Jack together the other night. Someone even said they were seen kissing outside the Broadway Bistro.”
“Ooohhh, this is delicious.” Rhett clapped his hands. He lowered his voice. “The plot thickens.”
“I bet her wealthy daddy encouraged him to go with her.” Vanessa rose from the sofa and plodded to Tara, placed her fists on her hips and glared. “Do these contacts of yours have any idea where they are? As much as this town enjoys gossip, surely somebody knows.”
“People are guessing.” Tara paused. “I doubt if anyone would tell, though.” She blinked innocently from behind her thick lenses. “Everyone likes them. No one will rat them out.”
Vanessa slapped her arms against her side and paced. Those two need to be found immediately. Apprehended. Katherine belonged in jail and Jack…she didn’t know what to do about him. At some point they’d be having a serious heart to heart where his loyalties lie. Granted, he wasn’t aware of his allegiances yet, so she’d give him a pass for now.
“We must find out her hideout, and alert the authorities.”
Tara’s voice grew softer again. “I may know.”
Vanessa stopped moving and stared at her assistant.
She pushed her glasses up her nose and cleared her throat. “I’m sure I know where Katie is hiding.” The corners of Tara lips lifted higher. “It’ll cost you.”
“Cost us?” Vanessa shouted.
“Not me,” Rhett stated firmly. “I don’t give a shiny rat’s booty where Katherine and her defiled attorney are shacking up.” Rhett studied his nails. “And I’ve paid you enough. In addition to your salary as Vanessa’s assistant. You will not receive another penny from me.”
“You’re lucky we’re including you at all,” Vanessa said.
“But you did include me.” Tara’s tone sounded smug. “Rhett paid Vanessa to sabotage Weddings Fantastic and Hazel. The police might find this information very interesting, seeing Hazel is dead.”
“You have proof to use against us, don’t you,” Rhett stated, dully.
“Of course I kept records of everything. That’s my job. As things are, it may be in your best interest to keep the authorities focus on Katie in this murder investigation. Among other things, my info could generate some bad publicity for Affairs Amore.”
Vanessa looked anxiously at Rhett, who sighed. “So what do you want?”
Chapter 17
Jack threw the quilt back and spun out of bed moments before the sun peered through the window. “Shit its cold,” he whispered, chafing his bare arms. An icy draft screamed underneath the glass’s slim cavity, prompting shudders to shroud his body. He hurried to the crack and gulped a mouthful of clean air. At first the chilliness was uncomfortable, but the crisp morning gust morphed into a pleasant change. For years, he’d lived immersed in city smog and grimy haze. He’d forgotten how a rural breeze relaxed him. He remained by the gap for several minutes, relishing in the freshness before he pressed the edge and shut the pane. While he found the fragrance enjoyable, the frosty stream of air quickly negated the brisk tang.
Already in his sweats, he stumbled to his bag, dug out a shirt, and heaved it over his head. He snatched his toothbrush and quietly maneuvered through the corridor, past the staircase, and onto the porch bathroom.
It didn’t take long to sa
tisfy his needs, especially since the lavatory was more bone chilling than outside. After he’d finished, he noiselessly returned to his room. At the entrance, he stopped. His gaze lingered at the closed, dingy painted door across the hallway. Not a sound came from within. Katie must still be asleep. Of course, she was. Unless she’d tossed and turned, and now she lay awake staring at the ceiling. The way he had most of the night.
He shook his head to return to the present. He’d never get his concentration back on track if he didn’t stop thinking about her. He needed to move past Jenna, her betrayal, and learn to trust again. He refused to have two emotional fuckups in a row.
Stepping into his room, he rifled through his duffle to retrieve his spare running shoes and socks, and slipped them over his feet. Ready for his morning jog, Jack rose from the bedside, returned to the window and viewed outside. He had no idea where he was, he just knew Katie drove him to the boonies.
He searched for a place to run. Dilapidated farm buildings were set off from the house. A winding, dirt road snaked away from the home and disappeared into a thatch of dense, dry grass. His tractor drive had already made him aware that the path was full of potholes. Dangerous for runners.
He continued to study the property. A pond sat nearby. Sunlight glinted off the water as the morning’s draught thrust miniature rollers over the surface. A small weedy trail ran around the fishpond might work. Ready to get started, he left the bedroom and walked into the living area.
He stopped short and stared, powerless to tear his look away.
Katie lay stretched out on the sofa, a throw covered her legs. Still dressed in her too large flannel, the top of her smooth breasts peeked from the exposed gap.
His gaze stopped at the delightful aperture for several seconds before he took in the rest of her.
Her propped knees supported her laptop. A frown sat firmly in place across her brow, giving the appearance she was in deep concentration. A sudden swelling materialized, and wedged in the middle of his throat. His palms moistened. A warm tingle pricked over his body, shooting through his inner sensors into an unknown cosmos.
He inhaled again and combed his fingers through his hair as he strolled to where she lay. Jack bent over her computer, and glanced at the spreadsheet displayed over the screen. “Whatcha doing?”
Her head snapped in his direction. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
Her voice held a major coolness, a degree lower than the freezing wind outside. Still annoyed from the night before.
“I was trying not to disturb you, though I suppose I messed up.” He lowered to perch on the side of the cushion next to her, leaning in, grazing her shoulder with his. Careful, he kept his eyes focused onto the computer screen and disregard her shirt’s revealing gap.
“What is all of this?”
Shifting away from him, she returned to her work and hummed softly. “Research. I’m trying to discover whose set me up.”
He took in a lungful of air, catching a whiff of her clean, feminine scent, halting in mid-breath. This needed to stop because he was losing this fight. He couldn’t quit thinking about her. No matter what he’d told her, his frame of mind regarding his former nemesis was too big to fight. Bottom line. He had it bad.
Even though she appeared to be pissed at him, he’d gotten the sense her feelings for him were still strong. Unfortunately, they couldn’t happen, and it would be in both their interest to part ways sooner than later.
“So exactly how are you conducting your exploration? I understand the bunch of names and their association to Hazel.” He pointed to the monitor and waved a finger in front of several rows. “What do these columns mean?”
“You are correct.” She indicated toward the first row, and explained, “This list is former clients, consultants, and venders who’ve had unhappy or dissatisfied dealings.”
He studied the extended roll. “All of those people are pissed at her?” He chuckled humorlessly. “Surprised it took so long for someone to knock her off.”
“These are the only names I’m aware of.”
“You didn’t answer my question. What’s this other stuff?”
“This column specifies what she did to them in various degrees. They’re customers she overcharged, insulted, and employees she fired without cause, or venders she cheated. The next row is the element of anger or frustration they expressed from their business transactions with Weddings Fantastic. This last line is threats made against her.” She glanced at him. “Any one of them could’ve murdered her.”
He continued to examine the display. “I see you included the venders we encountered the other night.”
“I have my doubts about them, but it makes sense to consider everyone.”
“It more than makes sense.” He motioned at her lists. “They definitely didn’t sound like they would miss her.”
“Hazel was known for thriftiness. She’d pick apart a bill so not to pay her venders in full, regardless of the contracts. Most stayed ticked off at her, but their choices in the field are limited so they had to deal with her.”
“Not so much. Either they work for her or they don’t. Simple.”
“Not so simple. I can’t prove it, but I’m pretty sure Hazel kept a file of dirt on everyone she did business with.”
“A file of dirt?”
“You know. Something in their history they preferred to not let the entire world know about.”
“Ruthless woman. How is it no one ever sued her if she operated so crooked?”
Katie wiggled to sit straighter. “Oh, customers did file lawsuits. Hazel had a slick attorney who got her out most of the legal situations or she’d pay them off.”
“Paid who off?”
“Not venders, of course, but clients who threatened to go to the media.”
Jack laughed caustically. “I’m surprised she was able to keep her dishonesty under wraps and her company afloat.”
“I don’t know how she stayed in business, either. I think her secret is she hired competent people.”
“And fire them?”
Katie sighed and nodded. “She was known for creating reasons to get rid of employees.”
“No one safe?”
She made a face. “Only Tara.”
Jack brows rose. “Didn’t expect that.”
“Don’t mistake her frumpiness for stupidity. Tara was on, twenty-four seven. Her capabilities went beyond the actual consultants. She’s quick at solving problem, and she maintains excellent records. She was good at finding and keeping secrets, which was invaluable to Hazel.” Katie gazed at Jack. “I’m sure Tara’s loyalty is geared toward her own motives, but for she was a great asset to Hazel.”
“Who’d a thought?”
“I know, right?” Katie returned to her work, relaxing against the sofa’s arm. “What are your views on my system?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I mean, yeah you made a list of possible suspects, but an inventory of names isn’t going to help you much.”
“I’ve only just begun.”
“What’s your next step? You need concrete evidence to take to the authorities. Proof. I mean, stabbing is personal. Someone was very angry at her.” Jack gestured at her presentation. “You have to go from this list to something more tangible?”
“I know,” she replied in a frustrated tone. “This is just a starting point.”
“Maybe we can brainstorm later and possibly think of something.”
He continued to stare at the screen as he deliberated, doubting any brainstorming would be forthcoming. After he returned, he’d need to deal with what he considered the tough part of his morning. He dreaded what was to come, but he and Katie had to have a serious discussion.
“Do you want breakfast? I packed food.”
The idea of a meal sounded appealing. He hadn’t eaten since they left, and his last feast was his usual weekend cuisine of pastries and beer. He was hungry. “I could go for something after I get back.”
“I’d made oatmeal
. I brought blueberries and flaxseed, which works better for you?”
“Uh, neither.” He almost gagged. “I’d rather eat mud as opposed to oatmeal.”
Katie returned to her computer work. “Plenty outside.”
“I suppose I need to drive to the nearest town and buy some groceries.”
“The closest place is an hour away and there’s no fast food. Just one general store and the supply is limited. They only sell seasonal stuff.”
A sixty minute trip didn’t appeal, but for a marginal spread, Jack may consider doing that. “Coffee? Surely you brought caffeine.”
“Too many unhealthy side effects, and it’s addicting.”
“You don’t you drink coffee?”
“Rarely.”
“How do you wake up? How do you move?”
She dipped her head toward a half full plastic bottle sitting by Jack’s feet. “My pick-me-ups. You’re welcome to try one.”
He bent and lifted the bottle. Pealing back the foil lid, he sniffed, and jerked away, giving an exaggerated heave. “You drink this?”
“Every morning. The benefits are amazing.”
“Like it makes you want to puke from the smell alone? What’s in it?”
“Alkahine, rice protein, organic hemp, spirulina, raw cocoa powder, udo oil, maca powder, and glycobalance and some blue green algae.”
“Rice protein, raw cocoa, and puke colored algae?” He made a face. “So I what you’re telling me is there’s nothing eatable in the shitload of previsions you brought?”
She continued to study her laptop. “You can’t be choosey, Jack. You came uninvited. Next time you crash a getaway, you need to be more prepared.”
“You got me there. And to think, I just restocked on beer and toaster pastries.”
She lifted her head and wrinkled her nose. “For breakfast?”
“The stomach wants what the stomach wants, Katie.”
“My aunt may keep some instant crystals in the pantry,” she murmured, returning to her work. “You’re welcome to check.”
“Mmmm, instant.”
“You’re awfully grouchy.”
“I’m grouchy because I haven’t had any caffeine.”
“See. You’re addicted. You ought to think about kicking the habit and switch to something better for you. Your intestines will thank you.”