I pushed a hair behind my ear and frowned. My body wouldn’t let me forget the ordeal I’d been through. If I stopped long enough to think about it—to really think about it—I might completely fall apart. I couldn’t do that now. I had too many other things to accomplish before I could allow myself to have any kind of breakdown.
“I know I look terrible.” I shook my head, trying to process everything. Like Jamie being here when she was clearly supposed to be at the stables. “How’d you get here? You didn’t have a car.”
She shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. But her eyes still looked worried as she studied me—most likely my busted lip, black eye, and who knew what else was out of place or abnormal.
“I got a ride from one of the other workers,” she said. “He said he had to come by this way and could give me a lift. I tried to call, but you didn’t answer your phone.”
“I was a little busy.”
She led me to the couch and lowered me there before sitting across from me, her eyes narrowed with questions and concern. “What in the world happened to you? I feel like I should go beat someone up because they messed with my best friend. But maybe beating up someone wouldn’t even be justice.”
Where did I start? The events of today had seemed devastating enough to cover an entire week. Had everything really happened in less than twenty-four hours? Was that possible?
I sighed and leaned back into the couch. As I tried to formulate the words, my head pounded with enough intensity that I had to shut my eyes. “I’d be happy to tell you. But can you get me an ice pack, some Tylenol, and some water first?”
“Of course.” Jamie stood up and hurried toward the kitchen, casting one more glance at me before disappearing through the doorway.
I pressed my eyelids tighter together. Everything felt surreal. Had I dreamed all of this? Could I wake up and discover this was all a nightmare?
No, I wouldn’t be that lucky.
My head pounded harder as I replayed everything Chase had said and tried to make sense of it.
Please tell me we can talk more later. Please try and trust me.
How could he possibly have an explanation for all this? Before I could even dwell on that, I remembered the man who’d been beaten up mere inches from where I’d been hiding. Who was he? What was his connection to Alexander Cartwright?
Jamie returned to the room with everything I’d requested.
I downed the Tylenol. Hopefully that would help ease some of the ache in my head. Just in case it didn’t, I put the ice to my temple.
I closed my eyes, trying to figure out where to start.
“I talked to Chase,” I started.
Her eyebrows shot up. “Chase? What? Really? Where? How?”
“You’re not going to believe this—” Before I could finish, a knock sounded at the door.
Jamie bustled through the room and answered.
A familiar figure stood on the front stoop. The man wore a rumpled suit and had hair so short it almost made him appear bald, and huge bags hung beneath his eyes.
I squinted. Where had I seen him before?
Almost as if it was happening in an alternate universe, I heard him speaking. “I’m Detective Victor Rollins. Can I come in?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Detective Rollins? That’s when I remembered.
He was the detective we’d seen in the parking lot that night we’d found Aidan. Chase had known him.
What was he doing here?
“I’m looking for Ms. Holly Paladin and Ms. Jamie Duke,” he continued.
Jamie glanced over at me, looking a bit speechless.
“I’m Holly Paladin,” I volunteered. “Is everything okay?”
“And I’m Jamie.”
“May I?” He extended his arm toward a chair across from me.
I pushed myself upright, but my head throbbed with such intensity that I sank low again. “Yes, please excuse my manners. Have a seat.”
He lowered himself into the chair, but his posture was so stiff that it was almost like he was here to deliver bad news. The tension between my shoulders pulled tighter as he studied me.
“I have a few questions for you.” He looked at me, his eyes intense and perceptive. “But before I start, I should ask you: Are you okay, Ms. Paladin? You look . . .”
“Horrible?”
“I was going to say like someone tossed you around like a rag doll.”
Should I tell him what happened? Not yet, I decided. I needed to know why he was here. There were too many possibilities.
“I’ll be fine,” I said. “How’d you know we were here?”
He tugged at his pant legs as his eyebrows flickered up. “Interesting story. I surveyed the security footage at the Belmont Apartments after the body of Aidan Jennings was found. We saw a van pull away. I ran the plates and made a trip to Cincinnati trying to track you both down. Ms. Duke, your mom told me that you’d gone to Louisville with your friend Holly Paladin. I tracked down Holly’s brother, and he shared this address.”
Drats! That must have been Ralph calling earlier at the stables.
“That’s some detective work,” I muttered.
“That’s why I get paid the big bucks.” He offered a wry smile.
“What did you want to see us about?” Jamie asked.
His gaze flickered between the two of us. “As you probably know, the body of Aidan Jennings was found in the woods that evening. I understand you were both at the scene. Did you see anything suspicious?”
“We saw a van pull up, and someone deposited a gun by a Jeep,” I said, surprised by how even my voice sounded. “Then that van backed into an open spot and dumped Aidan Jennings’s body into the woods. We called the police and explained everything that happened.”
His gaze flickered again as he processed what we told him. “Why didn’t you stick around?”
“We got scared, I suppose.”
“Running does convey guilt. You both realize that, right?”
Jamie and I looked at each other before nodding.
“Yes, we do,” Jamie said. “But the only thing we were guilty of is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
He shifted, tugging at those pant legs again. “That’s not actually the main reason why I’m here.”
I bristled and waited.
Detective Rollins leaned toward me, his elbows on his knees. “Ms. Paladin, what’s your relationship with Chase Dexter?”
“Chase?” I mumbled. “Why? Is he okay? Did something happen?”
I tried to tell myself I didn’t care about him anymore, but I knew I did.
“Physically, he’s fine.”
My shoulders sagged with relief. For just a moment I’d wondered if those men had found him after he dropped me off. I’d pictured them killing Chase, just like that other man had died. My heart wouldn’t be able to handle that.
“Your name has come up in conjunction with his.”
“Is . . . is Chase helping you with this?”
Detective Rollins leveled his gaze. “No, ma’am. I’m afraid you misunderstood. I’m investigating Chase Dexter. We suspect him in a murder.”
My mouth dropped open. Had I heard him correctly? “What?”
He gave a curt, serious nod. “We believe he was involved in the murder of Aidan Jennings. We believe he’s trying to frame Alexander Cartwright for the crime.”
All I could hear was my heart, pounding in my ears. Murder? No. I didn’t believe it.
“You’re his friend,” I muttered. “I heard you talking that night.”
“We worked together in the past,” he corrected.
“How did you know Chase and I were connected?”
“All one has to do is check your social media profiles.”
He had a point, I supposed. I had to stop being suspicious at every turn. “What could you possibly think Chase’s motive would be for killing Aidan Jennings?”
Detective Rollins squinted at me a moment, almost as if h
e was confused. “His motive? That’s simple. Alexander Cartwright was the prime suspect in the murder of Chase’s brother, Hayden Dexter. He’s had vengeance on his mind ever since.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
I nearly fell over. Thankfully, I was sitting on the couch. My arm darted out, and I caught myself before I tumbled into a horizontal position.
Why hadn’t I pieced that together?
“Are you okay, Ms. Paladin?” Detective Rollins continued to watch me. Did he think I was lying? Did he think I was in on this?
I managed to nod. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Have you heard from Chase lately?”
I nodded, anxiety churning in my gut. “Today.”
“Today? Where?”
“At Golden Equestrian.”
His eyes widened with surprise. “What were you both doing there?”
“I was picking up a friend from a job interview. I ran into him.”
“Why was Chase there?” the detective continued.
I swallowed hard. “That wasn’t clear.”
“What was his demeanor?”
I remembered it clearly. “He seemed agitated.”
“Did he hurt you? Did he do this to you?”
I touched the tender skin around my eye. “Chase? No, he would never.”
He twisted his head and narrowed his eyes as if doubtful. “I’m not certain about that. I urge you to be cautious.”
“I will be.”
He put his notepad back into his pocket and nodded. “If Chase tries to contact you again, call me. It’s of utmost importance that we bring him in for questioning. Do you understand?”
My throat went dry. He wanted me to turn Chase in? Turn on the man I thought I would marry? I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t sure if I could actually do it. “I . . .”
“You don’t want to impede an investigation,” the detective warned. “You do understand how serious those implications are?”
I nodded. “I understand.”
He stood and took a step toward the door but paused before leaving. “I urge you to be careful. Don’t try to confront him yourself. He’s dangerous.”
I didn’t even have to contemplate that. I simply shook my head. “Not Chase. He would never hurt me.”
“Maybe not in everyday life, Holly. But he’s panicked right now. He’s drinking. And he’s desperate. That’s a deadly combination.”
I remembered how he’d acted when I was with him earlier. Had it been panicked? Maybe, but that was only because there were two men willing to kill in the building with us.
But I didn’t want to be stupid, either. People could change. People on substances could change.
“Do you understand, Ms. Paladin?” Detective Rollins repeated.
Finally I nodded. The detective handed me his card as he stood. “You may want to consider staying somewhere else. It’s only a suggestion.”
* * *
I escaped to my bedroom, desperately needing to process everything. Magnolia had returned home shortly after the detective left. Jamie had filled her in, but I didn’t want to hear her opinions. Not right now, at least. I just wanted to be alone.
I leaned against the headboard in my room, my thoughts churning. As my gaze drifted to the aquarium, I spotted that little fish, still hanging in, skimming the top of the water and barely hanging on to life.
Every time I closed my eyes, I remembered Chase pulling me into the stall. The man being beaten up. My haunting conversation with Chase when he’d dropped me off.
Despite my qualms with Chase, I didn’t believe he was a killer, as Detective Rollins had implied. Besides, the men in the van had all but admitted that they’d killed the man. But what was Chase’s connection with the death of Aidan Jennings?
But that detective had swept in and dropped a bombshell, and now I didn’t know how to begin picking up the pieces.
A knock sounded at the door. Before I could answer, Jamie stuck her head inside.
“Can I come in?”
I nodded. “Please do.”
She gingerly sat on the edge of the bed, looking more nurturing than I’d ever seen her. “You’ve had a rough day.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t know about Chase’s brother and his connection with Alexander Cartwright.” I shook my head, feeling another headache coming on. When Calvin had mentioned two deaths connected with Alexander, I had no idea Hayden was one of them. “Not only that, but I can’t put the pieces together. Now I’m really confused.”
“Let’s talk it out,” Jamie said.
“Here’s what we know. Chase met with his ex-wife. A dead body was dumped outside the apartment where he’s staying, and the man who died is connected with the same man who possibly murdered Chase’s brother.”
My head pounded. “This string of events is in a great big knot, and I have no idea how to untangle it.”
“The good news is that Chase may not have been cheating on you,” Jamie said.
I jerked my eyes toward her. “What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “I mean, maybe he just needed Peyton’s help with something. She works at the track. Maybe she has connections to Alexander Cartwright.”
She had a point. But other things still didn’t add up.
“Then why wager?”
Jamie shrugged. “I have no idea, only guesses. He could have been posing for some reason.”
“Let’s say all that is correct. It doesn’t make sense why he couldn’t tell me.” The questions just poured out of me. I didn’t expect Jamie to have the answers. Not really.
“Maybe the less you knew, the better. Maybe he was trying to protect you,” Jamie offered. “It could be one of those ‘the less you know is better’ type of things.”
Maybe assumptions were bad manners, just as Magnolia had said.
“The detective said if Chase contacted me again, I had to call him. I don’t know if I can do that.”
“You could be arrested if you don’t.” Jamie shifted. “Tell me about Hayden, Holly.”
I sucked in a long breath. “I don’t know how much I really know. Hayden was two and a half years younger than Chase. They’d only met a year before that. I know he was shot in the back while he was at the park. No one saw anything. No one knew anything. It tore Chase apart.”
Silence fell between us as we both processed everything. I pulled my knees to my chest and turned to face her better, trying to formulate my words. “Jamie, do you remember when you were in two car accidents within a three-month period?”
“None of them were my fault!”
I raised a hand to halt her thoughts. “That’s not where I’m going with this. I promise. But do you remember how for the next year, every time you got into a car with me and noticed anything remotely dangerous—a car driving too close behind us or one that was all over the road or someone speeding—whatever it was, you got nervous.”
She nodded. “I tensed all over. My body was preparing for another accident, I guess. Why are you bringing that up?”
I sighed and stared at the fish again. “I guess that’s how I’m feeling about my life lately. You go through death and grief and health scares, and suddenly you get paranoid. Your experiences have conditioned you to look for the worst, to prepare for it.”
She squeezed my hand. “I get that.”
“I found an oncology bill for my mom stuck in the seat of her car,” I continued.
“Oncology?”
I nodded. “She didn’t mention anything to me about it.”
“Well, now I know where you get it. You’re pretty secretive about things sometimes too.”
I frowned. “I guess I just don’t understand life sometimes. I see some people who glide through their days, their weeks, their years, and everything seems easy. I mean, I’m sure it’s not. I’m sure they have struggles. But they’re all alive, and they’re all whole and healthy. Their family units are intact.”
Jamie murmured something to let me know she was listening.
>
“Then I look at my family and everything we’ve been through. It’s seemed like trial after trial, and I have to ask myself, why? Why does God allow so much suffering for some people of faith and hardly any for others? And please don’t tell me it’s because He’s trying to grow my faith or He only gives people that He has big plans for that kind of hardships. Maybe it’s true, but it doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“I wish I had some answers for you. I only know that life’s hard. We all experience that in one way or another eventually. Some people learn that lesson earlier in life, and others not until later. It’s not fair. It’s not easy. It doesn’t make a lot of sense. I guess we really have no choice but to deal with it, though. You know?”
“Unfortunately.”
“I know that’s not deep. It may not even be helpful. But we can let those experiences overwhelm us and make us sad. Or we can take the time we’ve got left here and make the best of it, despite the hard times.”
I bobbed my head up and down slowly. No, her words weren’t that deep or philosophical. But they made sense. She was right.
We couldn’t control what happened to us in life. We could only control how we reacted to it, what we did with our pain, how we handled the bad times. We could only pick up the pieces and try to learn and grow throughout the experiences.
“Don’t give up hope, Holly,” Jamie finished.
“I haven’t. I just wish God would cut me slack sometimes.”
“You’ve taken everything that’s happened, and you’ve used that ugliness and turned it into something beautiful. You’re an inspiring person, Holly. You pour your life into others. You’ve been a great example of what it looks like to really live out your faith. Never forget that. You may not be able to see the truth through your pain, but other people can see God shining through you.”
“That means a lot. Thank you.” I was going to buck up. I had to give Chase the benefit of the doubt. I’d want him to do that for me. “I’m not giving up, Jamie.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jamie and I went to church at a local congregation less than a block away. Time with God in His presence could be more powerful than weeks and weeks of trying to do things on my own. Both Jamie and I knew that well from experience, so despite the urgency of the situation, we made sure to find a church.
Random Acts of Malice (Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries Book 3) Page 14