Murder in the First Edition

by Lauren Elliott

  Addie set out the last of the buffet dishes as everyone lined up along the side service table. She slipped into last place behind Crystal and heaped her plate with an assortment of hash browns, eggs, sausages, bacon, flapjacks, and chicken and dumplings, which she smothered in gravy. She looked down at her plate and cringed. This was going to force her to do extra stomach crunches tonight for sure. She shrugged. ’Tis the season and all that.

  Addie slid into a chair between Crystal and Simon, who was seated beside his new buddy, Jack. Apparently, they were now bound by the brotherhood of stethoscopes. Out of the corner of her eye, Addie noticed Jonathan take a chair at the end of the table on the other side of Crystal. Her senses began buzzing.

  Crystal’s elbow bumped Addie’s as she dug around in her purse. She pulled out her cell phone and laid it beside her on the table. She glanced at Addie. “I’m expecting an important call. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Jonathan laughed, setting Addie’s teeth on edge. “Here.” He placed his cell on the table as well. “Now everyone has to get mad at both of us.”

  Crystal’s laugh chimed in with Jonathan’s, and they turned away from Addie and were soon in quiet discussion. Fine with her, she thought, as she shoved a forkful of chicken and dumplings in her mouth. It was as if she had disappeared. Conversations whirled about her. Instead of feeling lonely, she shifted closer to Crystal and strained to hear what she and Jonathan were discussing. But it was no good. Jonathan and Crystal’s soft tones were easy muffled by the overexcited physicians to her right. Within five minutes, she had learned more about the latest medical breakthrough in cellular regeneration than she had ever cared to.

  She caught a glimpse of Jonathan’s hand clasping Crystal’s, his thumb stroking small circles over the back of it. No wonder the poor girl’s food was untouched. Jonathan briefly met Addie’s stare. His attention flicked away and went back to ogling Crystal, but Addie shivered at the challenge in his eyes. Or had it been a warning?

  If only Catherine could see this. But her friend, oblivious to the fondling under the table, laughed with her guests and played the merry hostess. Fearing what she might do, Addie excused herself and took refuge in the kitchen. Addie put a stranglehold on the kitchen counter, her body vibrating with rage. A hand rested on her shoulder, and she jumped.

  “Are you feeling ill?” Catherine asked.

  “No, I’m fine.” She blinked away stinging tears. “It’s just . . . never mind. I’m tired and feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.” She loosened her death grip on the counter, her whitened knuckles pinking back with life.

  “Yes, the holidays can do that, and it all sneaks up on one at the darnedest times.”

  Addie searched her face. “Catherine”—she sucked in a shallow breath—“there’s something I need to talk to you—”

  “Ah, here you two are.” Jonathan appeared in the doorway. “Is everything okay?”

  “Nothing to worry about.” Catherine stroked Addie’s arm. “She just had a spell of holiday anxiety and needs a few minutes.”

  “That’s too bad.” Jonathan’s gaze narrowed on Addie’s. “Nothing too serious, I hope.”

  “You tell me, Jonathan. Is everything okay?”

  Catherine scoffed. “Why on earth would Jonathan not be okay?”

  His smile looked forced. “Perhaps our friend here needs a cup of tea to soothe whatever ails her today.”

  “Good idea. It’s time to put the kettle on and make coffee, anyway.” Catherine went to work filling the kettle and switched on the coffeemaker.

  Addie swept by Jonathan and returned to the dining room to her seat. Crystal removed her plate to the side table and headed toward the front hall coat closet and retrieved her coat. She called out her thanks to Catherine and waved good-bye to the group at the table. Jonathan appeared in the foyer and whispered something to the young woman before he closed the door.

  Addie leaned toward Simon. “Where’s she going?”

  “She asked me if Patrick could have visitors yet, and I said yes.” He shrugged. “I guess that’s where she’s off to.”

  Catherine entered the dining room carrying a serving tray laden with hot tea and coffee and set in on the sideboard. Jonathan took his seat at the end of the table, and Catherine served his coffee, measuring out his required five spoonfuls of sugar. Addie wondered how many other women knew how he took his coffee? Did Crystal? That thought sent her imagination into overdrive, and she almost missed Catherine asking her what she would like to drink. Needing something without caffeine, for once, she selected an herbal tea with Serena’s business logo on the tag. She studied Jonathan and his eyes flicked to hers.

  His cold, unyielding gaze broke off when he glanced at his vibrating cell phone. “I’m sorry, my dear Catherine. I have to go out for a while.” He patted his shirt pocket. “I appear to be out of cigarettes and couldn’t possibly indulge in gingerbread cake and not top it off without one.”

  “Do you really need one so badly? You promised me you were quitting.” Catherine made her way around the table to him and placed her hand on his arm.

  He clasped her hand in his. “Sorry, bad habits. I shouldn’t be long.” He kissed her forehead.

  “Better listen to her,” Jack piped in. “After all, you have not one, but two doctors who back her fully on this.” He raised a coffee cup in a salute.

  Addie glanced at Crystal’s empty chair and then at Catherine, her heart aching for her friend.

  “We’ll save you some cake,” Catherine smiled, “but hurry back before Jack tries to teach you a lesson about smoking and finishes all the cake off.”

  Jonathan chuckled as he made his way to the front door and put on his coat. Before leaving, he pinned Addie with a look, his eyes cold and unreadable. Addie shivered and sought out the warmth of friendly conversation and tea.

  Chapter 17

  Catherine kissed Addie’s cheek. “Thank you both for helping with the cleanup. I’m sorry Jonathan hasn’t come back yet.” She glanced at her watch. “I can’t think what’s keeping him this long.”

  Addie forced a smile. At least, she hoped it came off as a smile and not the teeth-gnashing grimace she was feeling. “And thank you for such a wonderful meal. It was more than you should have done, really.”

  “Yes, thank you for including me, too,” Simon grinned, “but Addie’s right. You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. I think this motley crew would have been happy just to get together over muffins and cold cereal.”

  “It was no problem.” Catherine’s eyes lit up. “When Joyce and I get together in the kitchen, we become a regular Julia Child cooking team.”

  Addie poked her head into the living room. “It was nice to meet you all. I hope we can get together again over the holidays.”

  Jack waved. “Yes, we definitely have to make a plan. Simon and I still have a lot of groundbreaking medical discoveries to discuss.”

  “Yes, we do.” Simon pulled on his gloves. “See you soon, Jack. Joyce, it was great to meet you.” He waved and stepped outside.

  Addie pulled her coat collar up and grabbed the back of Simon’s jacket as she skidded down the slick pathway behind him. Simon’s laughs chugged out as fog as he sled-dogged her across the street to the truck.

  “That was fun.” He helped her gain her footing on the ice-covered running board into the truck.

  She snorted, buckling up her seat belt. “It seems Catherine decided to invite every stray soul in town.”

  “Does that mean I was invited because I’m a stray soul?”

  “No.” She stifled a giggle. “I wasn’t talking about you. I think Catherine wishes she was twenty years younger because she has a thing for tall, dark, handsome doctors, as her sister apparently does, too.”

  That produced a laugh from both of them as she closed her door and Simon slipped his way around the truck and got in. “Phew! Good thing Carolyn didn’t need her truck back today. It’s getting pretty icy.”

  “I hope the hill up
to my house isn’t going to be an issue.”

  He turned onto Main Street. “Sanding trucks appear to have started. That will help.”

  Addie arched her back and rubbed her hand over her aching stomach. “I don’t ever remember being this full. I can’t wait to get home and get into my yoga pants,” she moaned.

  “I was surprised Serena stayed after us. I thought she’d want to get out of there to spend some alone time with Zach.”

  “Poor Serena. With Zach’s schedule, they hardly see each other.” Addie shifted in her seat and groaned. “But staying really wasn’t her choice. Apparently, Adel has been bugging her mother to let her dye her hair the same fiery-red shade as Serena’s, and Joyce finally gave in, so they’re upstairs playing beauty salon this evening.” She looked out her side window as they approached the hospital. “Stop,” she cried.

  “Why?”

  “Just pull over, now.”

  He slid to a stop on the slushy gutter snow. “What is going on?”

  “Look”—she pointed—“isn’t that Crystal walking out of the hospital toward the parking lot?”

  “Yes, so? It appears she did go visit Patrick, and judging by her arms full of folders, he’s given her some homework to do while he’s laid up. Is that why you made me pull over?” He shook his head as Crystal got into a blue Honda Accord and exited the lot. “Anything else, or can I take you home now? I have to be back here to work at seven to pull an all-nighter in the ER and need to go home and have a nap first.”

  “Sorry, I was just curious.” She batted her lashes at him; then she yelped, “Stop.”

  “What now?” He slammed on the brakes.

  “There. Isn’t that Jonathan walking out the main doors around to the back parking lot?”

  “It looks like him. I wonder why he’s here.”

  “Pretty sure he didn’t find any cigarettes at the hospital gift shop.”

  “No, he wouldn’t have. They’re not sold on-site.”

  “Yeah.” She looked sideways at Simon. “That’s what I thought.” She frowned and glanced back at the parking lot just as a black Land Rover spun around the corner from the back lot, speeding toward the exit in front of them. “Duck.” She grabbed Simon’s coat collar and pulled him down with her.

  Simon, his head under the dash, looked sideways at her. “Is this really necessary?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I don’t want him to see us, or he’ll know we caught him in his lie to Catherine.”

  “Why are we whispering?”

  “Because—” She jumped at a sharp knock on the window above her ahead. She looked up over her shoulder and swallowed. “Jonathan?” She sat up and rolled down the window. “Hello there.”

  “Hello, Addie, Simon,” he nodded, “is everything okay here?”

  “Yes, everything’s just fine. Why?”

  “No particular reason.” His eyes bore into hers. “I’m just wondering why you’re hiding here in the truck.”

  “Hiding?” She looked at Simon, then back at Jonathan. “Us? No, Simon was just driving me home and—”

  “And my contact popped out,” Simon chimed in.

  “Yes, we were just looking for it.” Addie pasted a sugary-sweet smile on her lips.

  “Glad to hear everything’s all right.” He drummed his fingers on the lower window casing.

  “Found it.” Simon poked around his eye. “There, now I can see again.”

  “See, just fine.” Addie pasted her toothy grin back on her face. “Are you heading back to Catherine’s now? I know she’s wondering where you are. It has been a while since you left for cigarettes.”

  Jonathan’s expression didn’t change. There it was again, no tell, just that steel cold gaze.

  “Yes, heading back now.” He double tapped the side of the truck. “I just wanted to make sure you both were okay.” He hopped back into his Land Rover and skidded out of the lot.

  “Can you believe that?” She flipped the window button to close. “The nerve of him questioning us. He lies about everything. Cigarettes? Yeah, and my name is Queen Elizabeth. All he was doing was finding an excuse to chase after a woman half his age.” She slammed her palm on the dash. “And look”—she pointed—“he’s going the same direction as Crystal did. Catherine’s house is the opposite way.”

  Simon studied her as if she’d sprouted a second head.

  “What?” She glared at him. “You have nothing to say? Well, mister, I sure do. I told you what he was like. Now poor Catherine is going to be so hurt, and with Crystal of all people. What is he thinking?”

  “Forget Crystal. It’s Jonathan’s uncanny—”

  “I can’t forget Crystal,” she snapped. “You didn’t see the two of them carrying on during brunch, right under Catherine’s nose.”

  “No, I didn’t, and I know how much you care for Catherine, but—”

  “Of course, I do, and I should have talked to her sooner. He’s nothing but a playboy and always has been. He’ll never change.”

  “Addie”—he looked at her from under a raised brow—“do you really think that he met Crystal here for some tryst in a storage room closet?”

  “It happens in hospitals every day, doesn’t it?”

  He choked on a laugh. “Only on medical televisions shows. Take my word for it, not in real life.”

  “Then what were they doing? Wait, I know!” She snapped her fingers. “With Patrick laid up, they met in his office for their little liaison.” She spun toward Simon, her seat belt locking against the sudden force. “That’s it, isn’t it?”

  He grasped her hand. “Stop, and think about it.”

  “That’s all I am doing.” She slammed her body against the seat. Who cared if pouting was childish? She didn’t. Not about anything anymore.

  “But you’re thinking about what you know to be true about Jonathan and not what you don’t know. Put your non-emotional, rational hat on instead of being so bent on proving to yourself that Jonathan’s the snake you think he is. Remember your big-picture thinking. That’s what you need here.”

  “What are you talking about?” She struggled against the tight seat belt, unfastened it, and reclicked it. “I’m being totally rational.”

  “Are you?” He started to pull out and slammed on the brakes. A taxi skidded to a stop directly in front of them. He glanced at Addie’s hand still on the seat belt fastener. “Nice timing.” He brushed his hand over hers. “And they wonder why there’s so many traffic accidents.” Simon growled under his breath at the driver as they pulled out and passed the taxi. “Did you see that? He just flipped me off.” Simon’s eyes darted between the rearview mirror and the road ahead, uttering words that Addie didn’t know he was capable of using.

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  “That idiot taxi driver again. Some guy raced out and jumped in, and he’s been right on my tail since the hospital. Hang on.” Simon swerved over to the side, his curse words burning in her ears.

  The white and blue cab sped by them. Addie clutched her chest.

  “You saw that, too?” Simon snarled. “He almost sideswiped us.”

  “No, it wasn’t that. The guy in the passenger seat looked like Marvin Gibson.”

  “The crooked broker?”

  “Yeah.” She snapped her mouth shut and clutched at the thoughts buzzing through her head. “Okay, just hear me out. What if Jonathan went to meet with him?” Her gaze followed the taillights as the car disappeared around the corner on Birch Road. “Which means Marvin, Jonathan, and Crystal were all at the hospital at the same time. Aha! And Patrick’s there, too.” She stroked her chin. “That’s all the top suspects on my crime board.”

  “Crystal isn’t really a suspect, though, is she?”

  “No.” Her forehead puckered. “I think you were right. She just went to see Patrick, not meet up with Jonathan. With the auction coming up, I’m sure he’s dumped a lot more work on her now that he’s laid up.”

  “I’m guessing that you were just
too blinded by Jonathan’s past performances with women to see that when you saw them both coming out of the hospital?” He cocked his head to the side. “Apology accepted.”

  “Apology for what?”

  “Nothing.”

  Her lips pursed into a pout. “I’m sorry for my rant and shouting at you.”

  “That’s my girl.” He ruffled her hair. “Now that your blinders are off concerning Jonathan, what do you think is really going on? The fact that Marvin was also at the hospital puts a whole new spin on it.”

  “Yeah, this definitely is more than some dalliance with a pretty young woman.”

  “I don’t know what’s going on, and it might not mean anything but a coincidence, but now I’m getting worried . . . about you, mostly.”

  “Me, why?”

  “Remember Jonathan’s strange visit last night?”

  “Of course, I do,” she scowled. “I was there, wasn’t I?”

  “He essentially broke in and then gave you a warning.”

  “Yeah, he warned me to stay away from what was happening.”

  “And you saw Jonathan’s face just now when he was talking to us? He obviously wasn’t happy seeing us there. He wasn’t ticked because we caught him having a fling with Crystal. He was there for another reason.”

  “Yeah, I should have thought about that then. He’s never cared about getting caught having an affair before.”

  They bounced over the ruts at the top of the hill and slid to a halt at her front door. She reached for the door handle. “You’re right. I have to stop thinking of Jonathan only as the womanizer and remember he is the number-one suspect on my list, right above Marvin and Patrick.”

  He leaned across the seat. “Yeah, and from what we just saw, this, whatever this is”—his finger tucked a loose wave of hair behind her ear—“with the book, the death, Jonathan, and Marvin, is more than you should be handling on your own. He’s already given you one warning. What’s going to happen next?”

  “Especially after this afternoon.” She deflated into her seat. “How did he know we were in the truck? His ability to see and seem to know everything bothers me.”