Christmas Stalking

by Margaret Daley

  “So you decided to bring a gun.”

  “I’m very capable. I was in the army.”

  “Army? Even knowing that, I’m afraid, Miss St. James, we’re not going to see eye to eye on this.” He swiveled around and went to pick up a duffel bag by the steps. He hadn’t had that when he’d first come upstairs. He must have brought it up when he put the gun in the safe. “Good night.”

  Ellie watched him stride down the corridor in the opposite direction of her bedroom. When he paused before a door at the far end, he slanted a look back at her. For a few seconds the corners of his mouth hitched up. He nodded his head once and then ducked inside.

  She brought her hand up to comb her fingers through her hair and encountered a couple of tangles. “Ouch!”

  Moving toward her bedroom, she kept her eye on his, half expecting him to pop back out with that gleam of humor dancing in his eyes. When he didn’t, something akin to disappointment flowed through her until she shoved it away. She would have to call Mr. Jefferson to tell him that Colt was here. From what she’d read about the man he was smart, with a doctorate in marine biology as well as a degree in chemistry. Currently he worked on a research vessel as the head marine biologist for a think tank formed to preserve the world’s oceans.

  His grandmother hadn’t ever questioned why Ellie was always around, even in her lab, but she had a feeling Colt would. Then he would demand an answer.

  * * *

  After traveling for almost twenty-four hours the day before, Colt dragged himself out of bed at a quarter to seven in his old room where he’d grown up. Winnie hadn’t changed anything in here, and he doubted she ever would. She would always think of him as her little boy. Although Winnie was his grandmother, she’d raised him when his own mother had died from a massive infection shortly after he was born. Thinking of his past brought both heartache and joy. Heartache because he’d lost so many people he cared about. But he’d rather not dwell on his past. Besides, he had Winnie. She had given him so much.

  After dressing in his sweats to power walk in the crisp December air in the Colorado mountains, he made his way toward the kitchen and the scent of coffee. Just its aroma made his body crave caffeine. He’d need it if he was going to keep up with Winnie. At seventy-three, she was an amazing woman, owner of Glamour Sensations and creator of both women’s and men’s fragrances. Not to mention her latest development—a line of antiaging products rumored to revolutionize the cosmetic industry. This had been a dream of Winnie and his granddad for fifteen years. Although his grandfather was dead, Winnie was close to completing their vision with the development of a cream that faded scars and lines as though they had never been there in the first place.

  Clean-shaven, Colt came into the kitchen to find his grandmother and her new assistant sitting at the table drinking mugs of coffee. “I thought you would be gone for your power walk by now, leaving me with the whole pot of coffee.”

  His grandmother glanced at the clock on the wall. “As usual, ten minutes late. Did I not tell you we would have to wait on him, Ellie?”

  The pretty assistant, dressed in a navy blue jogging suit with her long curly blond hair tamed into a ponytail, gave him a sugary sweet smile, a sparkle in her brown eyes. “I tried to talk her into leaving without you, but she insisted on waiting.”

  He made his way to his grandmother, kissed her cheek then headed for the pot to pour some coffee.

  “You won’t have time for that. I have a meeting with Harold at eight-thirty, and I’m sure he would want me to shower and change before we meet in the lab.” Winnie rose and took a last swallow from her mug before setting it on the table. “You can have some later.”

  “What if I walk off the side of the mountain because I fell asleep?” He put his empty cup on the counter.

  “Dear, if you manage to fall asleep while power walking with me, I’ll be surprised. Besides, we’re walking inside the fence. It would stop your fall.”

  “Your power walking is grueling.” Taking up the rear, he followed the two women out onto the wooden deck along the back of the redwood and glass house that sat in a meadow with a high fence around the premises.

  As though expecting Winnie at that time of the day, the three German shepherds sat near the door, their tails wagging. Rocket, the white one, barked his greeting.

  His grandmother stooped over and patted each one, saying, “I’ve got a treat for you later today. A juicy bone. I know how much you like that.”

  Lady, the only female, nudged his grandmother’s hand for more scratches behind the ear. Winnie laughed. “You always demand more attention than the boys here. They may be larger, but I have a feeling they do whatever you want.”

  Standing next to Ellie and watching the exchange between his grandmother and the guard dogs, Colt said, “My grandfather bought Rocket and Gabe to be company and guard the place seven years ago. He was very attached to them. Winnie went out and purchased Lady from the same trainer. She wanted female representation. They love staying outside, but whenever the weather gets bad, she brings them inside, even though they have a top-of-the-line dog structure.”

  “I’ve seen it. It isn’t your ordinary doghouse. I thought it might be a storage shed until I saw them going in and out.”

  “That’s because nothing is too good for her dogs. When Granddad died, Winnie took over all three dogs’ care with her caretaker’s help.”

  When she finished greeting each pet, Winnie went through some stretches. “Colt, I don’t want to hear any complaining on my walk. You’re in perfectly good shape.”

  “I don’t complain. I tease.”

  “I have a feeling you swim every day you have a chance on the job. Ellie, he can swim ten miles without tiring. Not to mention he can hold his breath underwater for two minutes. I think that’s from growing up here in the mountains. Great lung capacity.”

  His grandmother’s remark to her assistant slid his attention to the tall woman who lunged to the left then right. “So you’re into power walking, too?”

  Ellie brought her feet together, raised one leg behind her and clasped her ankle. “When I can get the chance, I usually jog, but I’ve been enjoying our early morning jaunts.”

  “Who did you work for before this?”

  Pausing, she stretched her other leg. “A small company,” she said finally.

  Winnie didn’t seem to notice the slight hesitation in Ellie’s reply, but he did. Was something going on? When he got back from his power walk, he would catch Harold before he talked with Winnie. He didn’t want to upset his grandmother unless there was a good reason, but who exactly was Ellie St. James? A woman who carried a gun and, based on last night, wasn’t afraid to use it.

  * * *

  “I’m glad I caught you before you talked with Winnie.” Ellie shut the library door after the lawyer entered.

  “Ah, I see you’ve made good progress with Winnie,” Harold Jefferson said. “She doesn’t usually have someone call her Winnie unless she likes you.”

  “I think that’s because she appreciated my attempt to protect her last night.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Someone got in the house? Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Because it turned out to be her grandson.”

  His forehead wrinkled. “Colt’s here?”

  “Yes, for a few days. I thought he was an intruder and I pulled my gun on him in the upstairs hallway. Without her knowing why I’m here, she doesn’t understand why I would have a gun. It’s now sitting in her safe in her office. That ties my hands protecting her. She needs to be told.”

  “She will stress and shut down. She’s under a tight deadline with this new product she’s coming up with. That’s why I’m here to talk to her about the publicity campaign now that her former assistant, Christy, has agreed to be the new face for the company.”

  “T
he Winnie I’ve seen this past week is tough when she needs to be.”

  “It’s all a show. I’ve been through a lot with her. Years ago her company nearly fell apart because of her son’s death. Then she had a heart attack ten years ago, and we went through another rough patch. That was followed by her husband passing away five Christmases ago. Finally she’s close to going public with Glamour Sensations and offering stock as she brings out her new line, Endless Youth. She’s been working toward this for years. She feels she needs to fulfill her late husband’s vision for the business.”

  Ellie placed her hand on her waist, trying to control her frustration and impatience. “If she is dead, she won’t be able to fulfill his vision.”

  “That’s why you’re here. To keep her alive. The fewer people who know someone has sent her threats the better. She is the company. The brains and creative force behind it. We need the infusion of money to make a successful campaign for the new products in the spring that will lead up to the unveiling of the signature cream next Christmas.”

  “If the company is going public, don’t you have to disclose the threats?”

  “Yes. When we reach that part of the process, we’ll have to disclose the threats to the investment banker and lawyers. Fortunately, we have until right after Christmas to take care of the problem.”

  “I can’t protect her without my weapon. It’s that simple.”

  “What if we tell Colt and have him get the gun for you? She rarely goes into the safe. I imagine she’s too busy in the lab downstairs.”

  Ellie looked out the floor-to-ceiling window across the back at the stand of pine trees. “Yes, but what if she does?”

  She’d never liked the fact that Mrs. Winfield didn’t know about the threats and the danger her life was in. The former assistant had given Mr. Jefferson each threatening letter. They had become more serious over the past month, and one also included a photo of Mrs. Winfield out power walking. That was when he had contacted Guardians, Inc. He was hoping nothing would come of the letters, but he knew he had to put some kind of protection in place. That was when Ellie had entered as the new assistant to replace Christy Boland, who was going to be the spokesperson for Glamour Sensations’ Endless Youth line.

  “On second thought, we probably shouldn’t tell Colt. I don’t want anyone else to know if possible. He might let something slip to his grandmother. It’s probably better that he returns to the research ship.” Mr. Jefferson snapped his fingers. “I’ve got it. I’ll get you a gun to use. I can come back out here this afternoon with whatever you want. Maybe a smaller gun that you can keep concealed.”

  “Fine, unless I think there’s a direct threat.”

  “I’m hoping I can catch the person behind the letters before then. The Bakersville police chief is working on the case personally, as well as a P.I. I hired. Winnie received another letter at headquarters yesterday.”

  “Another picture in it?”

  “No, just threats of what the person is going to do to her.”

  Ellie thought of the sweet lady she’d spent the past week with—a woman who toiled long hours because she knew a lot of people who worked for her counted on her. “What in the world has she done to anger someone?”

  “We’re looking into disgruntled employees, but she was never directly responsible for firing anyone. If she had her way, everyone would still be working for her no matter if they didn’t do their job. Thankfully I run that part of the business.”

  Ellie sighed. “I’ll need you to bring me a Glock G27. It’s smaller and easily concealed. It will have to do, even though I prefer my own weapon. At least you were able to get Winnie to stay and work from home this month. That will help the situation, but this home isn’t secure.”

  “Is any place?”

  “No, but there are some things we can do.”

  “Like what? I’m working on a better security system.”

  “That’s good because the one she has is at least ten years old.” Ellie paced the large room with bookcases full of books. “We could use bulletproof windows. Security guards to patrol the grounds and posted at the gate. Also cameras all over the house and the property being monitored 24/7.”

  “She won’t go for anything else. She didn’t even understand why I wanted to upgrade her security system. Told me the Lord was looking out for her and that’s all she needs.”

  Ellie believed in the power of God, but Winnie was being naive. “What if someone gets to her? I’ve convinced her that I enjoy power walking, and she has graciously asked me to come with her, but she likes her independence. I’m running out of reasons to tag along with her when she leaves this house.”

  “It’s only for a couple of more weeks at best. The P.I. on the case is tracking down some promising leads. If nothing changes after she has completed the last product for this new line, I’ll tell her. She’s fragile when she’s in her creative mode. Easily distracted. Even Colt’s visit will strain her schedule.”

  “And Christmas won’t? I get the impression she enjoys the holiday.” The wide-open space outside the window made her tense. Someone could be out there right now watching their every move.

  “That’s just a few days.” Mr. Jefferson checked his watch. “I’d better find Winnie. She starts to worry when people are late.”

  “I’ve noticed that.”

  “Five years ago next week, Thomas was on the way home from work and lost control of his car. It went off the cliff. The sheriff thought he’d fallen asleep at the wheel from reports by witnesses. So anytime someone is late she begins to think the worst.” He covered the distance to the door. “I’ll meet with Winnie in the lab then come back later with your gun.”

  “So let me get this straight. You don’t want to tell Colt?” Another secret she would have to keep.

  Looking back at her, Mr. Jefferson opened the door. “No, not right now.”

  “Not right now what?” Colt stepped into the entrance of the library.

  TWO

  Mr. Jefferson waved his hand and passed Colt quickly in the hall. “I’ll let Miss St. James tell you.”

  Ellie balled her hands at her sides. What was she supposed to tell Colt? Even worse, had he overheard anything they had been talking about? She started forward. “I’d better go and change for work.”

  He gripped her arm, halting her escape. “What aren’t you telling me? Why were you and Harold talking in here?”

  She schooled her expression into one of innocence. She would love to get her hands on Mr. Jefferson for putting her in this situation. “He wanted to know how my first week went with Winnie. Is there a reason we shouldn’t talk? After all, he hired me.”

  “And how are you doing?” He stepped nearer until Ellie got a whiff of his coffee-laced breath. “Does he know about the gun?”

  “Yes. I saw no reason not to tell him.” Her heartbeat kicked up a notch. She moved back a few inches until her back encountered the wall behind her. “Your grandmother and I are getting along well. She’s a special lady. Very talented. She’s easy to talk to. To work for.”

  “Winnie?”

  Hating the trapped feeling, she sidled away. “Who else are we talking about?”

  “My grandmother is a private woman. She doesn’t share much with anyone.”

  “I haven’t found her that way. Maybe something has changed, since you’ve been gone for so long.” There, she hoped that would keep Colt quiet and less curious about her relationship with Winnie. In some of her past jobs, she’d had to play a role, but it never was her favorite way to operate.

  “Then maybe you can fill me in on what’s going on with my grandmother.”

  “What we’ve talked about is private. If you want to know, go ask her.” Before he could stop her again, she pivoted away and hurried down the hall to the foyer.

  As she moun
ted the stairs to the second floor, she felt his eyes on her. It was so cold it reminded her of the icy mountain stream they’d passed on their walk today. Unable to shake loose of his frosty blue gaze, she felt the chill down to her bones.

  * * *

  After dinner that evening Ellie followed the small group to the den, a room with a roaring fire going in the fireplace and the dark rich wood of the mantel polished to a gleaming luster that reflected the lights. She sat on the plush, tan couch before a large glass-topped coffee table. In the middle an arrangement of sweet-smelling roses vied with the fireplace for attention. She’d quickly learned Bloomfield Flower Shop in the medium-size town at the foot of the mountain delivered a fresh bouquet twice weekly because Winnie loved looking at them in the evening. Their delicate aroma wafted up to Ellie and surrounded her in their fragrance. Since working for Winnie, she’d become attuned to the smell of things. Like breakfast in the morning or a fresh winter day with pine heavy in the air when they were power walking. Winnie always pointed out scents wherever she went.

  Colt took a forest-green wingback chair across from her. She caught his glance lingering on her for a few extra seconds while the others settled into their seats. She pulled her gaze away to finish assessing the placement of everyone, along with all the exits. Harold took the other end of the couch she sat on while Winnie eased down between them. Christy Boland, the face of the new line, and her fiancé, Peter Tyler, a Bakersville dentist, occupied the love seat.

  “I can’t imagine living on a research vessel for months on end,” Christy said, taking up the conversation started at the dinner table.

  “I have to admit it does take getting used to. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I don’t even have a place of my own right now.”

  “You don’t need one. You’re always welcome here when you’re in the country,” Winnie told her grandson. “After all, you’ve done so much to help me with my new line, especially this last product, which will be the coup d’état.”