by G G Collins
“Thank you. I would appreciate that. I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, but Oscar has his own way of getting fed.” Taylor described how he must leave the cabinet door open so Oscar could go inside and turn around, and then jump up on the counter. “It’s okay he’s on the counter. He knows what area he’s allowed.”
“Oo-kay,” Victor said cautiously. “I’m not going to need my cuffs, am I?”
“I don’t think Oscar would stand still long enough for you to cuff him.” She smiled at the image.
“I’m told my purse is in that drawer. The keys are in the outside pocket.”
“Got them.”
“Why do I have to stay overnight? I feel fine.”
“You look a bit woozy to me,” Victor said. “You don’t do many drugs, do you?”
There were times when Victor’s sense of humor was rather irritating to Taylor. This was one of them. It suddenly came to her why she was in the hospital.
“Oh, dear God. Jessica? Is she alright?”
“She has stabilized.” He grinned. “I believe that is doctor-ese for it. They are running tests. We should know soon what’s wrong with her.”
“Poison?”
“Not sure yet. Regardless, she has a much better chance here in the hospital. If you hadn’t found her the outcome could have been far worse.”
Taylor sighed. “Then it was worth it.”
“What? Oh, you mean the B and E, as we call it in our vernacular.” Victor teased.
Taylor tried to glare at him, but her eyes wouldn’t quite focus. She settled for a frown.
“I had a feeling about her.”
“Are we talking about women’s intuition? You know, I don’t believe that is based in scientific fact.”
Now she was aggravated. So much so she was caught completely off guard when he learned over and kissed her lightly on the forehead. In fact, she was speechless.
“Next time you get one of those feelings,” Victor admonished softly. “Would you please call me first? I’ve grown rather attached to you and would like to see you live out a full life.” He left Taylor astonished and emotional. She hated that.
* * *
The following morning Taylor padded down the corridor in the ugly scuffs provided by the hospital. She had covered her hospital gown in a sheet from the bed. It was better than trying to be ladylike in the open back gown. The hospital would release her before lunch, and she wanted to check on Jessica before she left.
Jessica’s room was the last on the right. Taylor knocked softly on the half open door.
“Jessica, are you up to some company?”
“Come in Taylor.”
Light from the window washed the color from Jessica’s face accentuating the brassiness of her hair. She was sitting up and appeared much improved from yesterday when Taylor found her on the floor.
“You look a lot better conscious. How do you feel?” Taylor asked.
“Embarrassed.”
“Why?” Taylor asked in surprise. “What on earth do you have to be embarrassed about?”
“Taylor,” she motioned to the chair. “Please sit down. You’ve been through quite an ordeal yourself.”
Once Taylor settled herself in the uncomfortable chair, with her cold feet tucked beneath her, Jessica continued.
“It seems I have the flu. The tests didn’t show any evidence of poisoning.”
“But that’s great, not that you have the flu, but no attempt was made on your life. That’s good news. If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s me. I’m the one who made like the cavalry.”
“No, not at all. My doctor said you may well have saved my life. Flu can be a serious illness, and add a concussion to that, the potential is deadly.”
“How did you fall?”
“I was preparing a late lunch when the food odors began making me nauseous. I went in the bathroom to splash my face with water. When I leaned over the sink, the room started to spin. That’s the last thing I remember before waking here in the hospital. If I hadn’t died from the flu, or the fall, it’s possible I would have died in the fire.”
“Fire?”
“The food on the stove. I would have sworn I turned off the burners. Eventually, there would have been a fire.” Jessica leaned toward Taylor. “I’m convinced you saved my life. Thank you.”
Taylor was touched by Jessica’s sincerity. She stood and clasped Jessica’s hand.
“I’m glad I overreacted.”
“If there’s anything I can do for you please ask.”
Taylor considered for a moment whether to reply. She knew exactly what she wanted to ask Jessica, but wasn’t sure this was the time. She decided to go for it.
“There is something you could do for the company,” Taylor said. “Would you consider bringing back Virginia?”
Jessica’s face took on a hard edge. Taylor was afraid she had gone too far.
“She is a good editor. Even Dominique liked her. Just think about it?”
“Okay, I’ll think it over.”
“Well, I’m about to be sprung. I should go get dressed and you need the rest.”
“Thanks again, Taylor.”
Taylor smiled and nodded. She didn’t trust her voice. Saving someone’s life felt special. She would never forget that day. There was something profound about caring more about another person than yourself. Taylor had been so self-involved after Dave’s death it felt good to find she was able to put aside her own concerns. She felt as if she’d turned a big corner in her own recovery.
Chapter 22
“Your carriage awaits.” Jim opened the door of his Jeep and extended his hand to Taylor.
“I don’t understand why I had to be wheeled out of the hospital,” Taylor said with rancor.
Jim grinned at the long-suffering orderly.
“She gets testy every time we have to hospitalize her.”
The young man nodded politely. He was accustomed to complaining patients. They all thought they could walk out of the hospital. They probably could, but not as long as he was in charge. Rules were rules.
When Taylor was seated and belted in, Jim insisted on doing this for her, he winked at the orderly who gave him the thumbs up sign.
“Off we go,” Jim said.
The engine protested a bit; then started.
“Needs a tune-up,” Jim said apologetically.
“I hear our favorite detective fed one furious cat last night. I would have been happy to take care of the little guy. Sanchez dropped off your house keys. Here they are.” He tossed them to Taylor who let her lap catch them.
This was just what Taylor needed, two grown men fighting over who fed Oscar while she spent a night in hospital.
“He was there and offered, so I gave him my keys with my thanks.”
“If I’d known you were in the hospital, I would have been there too.”
“I’m sorry, but for awhile I was unconscious and unable to think about calling anyone.”
“No need to fret,” Jim said condescendingly and patted her knee.
Taylor wanted to kill him but there had been enough murders in Santa Fe lately. Instead of encouraging him along this line of conversation she watched the piñon and chamisa go by in a blur as Jim sped north on Old Pecos Trail.
“Here we are.”
Jim set the Jeep’s brake and ran around to help her out. Taylor had enough of all this help and got out before Jim could reach her. To her surprise she felt a bit dizzy.
“Hey, hey,” Jim said with concern and placed his arm firmly around her waist.
“You’ve been through quite an ordeal. Don’t try to be a hero. You did that yesterday.”
Oscar was not overjoyed to see her. After all, she had abandoned him with no warning whatever. He allowed her to pick him up, but turned his head to avoid any eye contact.
“You’re in deep doo-doo now,” Jim observed.
“Oh, he’ll get over it, but it may take a few days. He thinks I deserted him.”
“He thinks!” Jim scoffed. “Taylor, my love, this whole situation is affecting your otherwise razor sharp mind. I want you to lie down the rest of the day. Direct order from Dr. Jim. Need any help?”
“Out!” Taylor pointed to the door. “Out!”
“Okay, okay, I’m going.” The last thing Taylor heard was Jim on her front portal mocking her. “Oscar thinks; the cat thinks. It’s a miracle!”
* * *
A few days later Jessica had recovered and was back at work. Taylor had beaten her back to work by two days. Things had been pretty quiet, just like before the murders, except for a mammoth pile of manuscripts that had increased in height every day. Taylor started stacking them in a corner of her office so she wouldn’t have to look at them.
“Taylor.” Jessica stood in her door. “I thought about what you said at the hospital. Virginia will be returning this morning. You were right about her being good for the company. And obviously, you are inundated with so much work there was no way you can do it all.”
“Thank you Jessica.” Taylor felt relief and hoped the two women could coexist.
“How are you feeling?” Taylor thought this would be a safe subject.
“Good, a bit weak, but that’s to be expected. I’m glad to be back at work.”
After Jessica left Taylor pushed a stack of manuscripts aside and placed the copied type from an upcoming mystery in the middle of her desk.
Galleys needed to be ordered. She hurriedly chose a cover stock color, requested a smaller size to keep the cost down, and placed a photocopy of the book cover on top of the stack. After scrawling some instructions to the galley printer she tried to assemble a box to ship it in. There simply wasn’t space on her desk.
Now that Virginia was returning, there was no point in keeping all these manuscripts. She heaved the stack with a groan and carried it into Virginia’s office placing it on her credenza. When she turned to leave she couldn’t help noticing Virginia’s computer was on.
The same sentence repeated until it filled the page. Curiosity overwhelmed Taylor and she sat down in the chair for a closer look.
A scream rose in her throat that she was able to suppress, covering her mouth with her hand. The entire screen was comprised of one sentence, “She must die.”
She hurriedly swung around in the chair to see if anyone was there; no one. The fine hairs on her neck prickled. She herself had asked Jessica to bring Virginia back into the fold. Could she have been wrong about Virginia? And was this a threat against Virginia or another woman at the company?
Taylor rushed to Jessica’s office. Empty. Alise was gone from her desk. She was never around when needed. She called Candi from Jessica’s office.
“Candi, do you know where Jessica is?” She tried to steady her voice.
“Sure,” Candi said. “She left with Virginia a while ago in Virginia’s new car.”
“Where’d they go?”
“Said they were going to work out something. Jessica left orders to take messages. They will be gone for an hour or so.”
“You said Virginia has a new car? What does it look like?”
“Like the other one only new. I can’t tell any difference.”
“Thanks,” Taylor mumbled. Her fingers fumbled as she tried to dial the phone.
“Detective Sanchez is out of the office right now,” the desk attendant said. “Want to leave a message?” He insists I call him when something happens and then he’s not there.
She left her name and number with the operator and promptly left the office.
Since they had gone by car that left out a number of places within walking distance. But where did they go? There were hundreds of restaurants in Santa Fe, more than most cities its size. It was also possible they did not go to a restaurant but it did seem the mostly likely place. Virginia did not like hot, spicy foods but they were unlikely to eat a meal. Drinks were more likely.
Taylor paused before she started her car. If Virginia intended to kill Jessica she wouldn’t take her to a restaurant to do it. Or would she? If Jessica was the killer, would she try to slip poison in Virginia’s drink?
With the awareness she simply could not find them in time to save a life, she drove to the police station.
* * *
Victor Sanchez strode into the lobby where Taylor had been waiting.
“Why do you leave me a message and then take off to places unknown?” he said.
“We don’t have time for this prattle. Virginia and Jessica are somewhere in the city together, in Virginia’s new car.”
“I don’t follow?”
“Virginia’s new car is a tan Marquis, just like her old one. You remember? Like the one at the bookstore.”
“Okay, so what are you saying?”
“I went into Virginia’s office to leave some queries. They were piled sky-high, and since Jessica told me Virginia was returning I wanted them out of my office.”
“Go on.”
“That’s when I saw it on the computer screen.”
“What?”
“A sentence was typed over and over. It said ‘She must die.’”
“Stay here,” Victor dashed off to alert dispatch.
Taylor’s knees felt a bit shaky. She wanted to sit but couldn’t help but wonder who had already sat there. Santa Fe wasn’t a crime riddled place, but it had its share of unsavory characters. All of whom had probably sat in this very room in these chairs.
“Okay,” Victor said behind her. She jumped. That amused him.
“We’re looking for them. Now go back to work and don’t worry.”
“Don’t worry? Are you kidding? Do you realize I asked Jessica to bring her back? If she kills Jessica, it will be my fault.”
“I admit this looks bad, but there’s nothing more you can do so get on with your day. If I hear any news, I’ll give you a call.”
Taylor swung by the office and let herself in. It was getting late and the place was deserted. She was drawn back to Virginia’s office. She found Virginia’s computer shut down, the screen black. For a moment she thought maybe she had imagined the awful words on its screen.
At her own desk she straightened the mess she’d left. Someone had turned off her computer too. But who? A conscientious employee or the killer?
Taylor almost missed seeing the CD on the credenza. If she hadn’t made the effort to bring order to her office, she would have overlooked it.
She turned on her computer, inserted the CD and waited for the directory. There was only one document saved, “For You.”
The retrieved file made Taylor go cold. She felt her chest constrict and found it difficult to breathe. It was similar to Virginia’s screen earlier only the text read over and over, “You’re next!” She scrolled down the page only to find more of the same.
The walls seemed to press in against her. She felt entombed. And she was no longer alone.
Someone was coming upstairs. She was sure she heard footsteps. She ejected the CD and hid it in the middle drawer of her desk, picked up a message slip and pretended to read it.
“Working hard Taylor?” Thank heavens it was Donald. Taylor looked up and tried to appear normal.
“Still working.” She smiled.
“Made some tea,” he said. “Care to have one? I have more downstairs.” He placed the steaming cup on her blotter.
“Thanks,” she mumbled. She didn’t want tea or talk. All she wanted was to get out!
“You okay?” Donald asked.
“Yes. Thanks. I’m in a bit of a hurry is all. Virginia’s back, but we’re struggling to catch up with the editing chores.”
“I’ll leave you to it.”
With Donald gone, Taylor poured the tea in the flower pot containing her only plant, a poorly palm that probably didn’t have a chance of survival with her as its caretaker. Her memory always failed her when it came to caring for them. Only when she noticed them gasping their last would she think to water them. It would appreciate the drink.
She cupped her head with her hands and tried to think. But she couldn’t think here. Not where so many things had happened. Victor was right; she should have stayed out of this. It was all so unreal. She was afraid, afraid she was going to be the next victim.
Chapter 23
After finding the CD, Taylor delivered it to Victor on her way home. Once he saw the contents he insisted Taylor not go anywhere, except work or home, until the case was solved. When she insisted eating was a necessity, he instructed her to take Jim along.
“I don’t like him much, but we no longer feel he’s a suspect.”
A real vote of confidence. Jim had been happy to escort her. Too happy.
“Hey Taylor,” Jim said over the intercom the following afternoon. “I’m going to take a cab to the garage and pick up my car. Its tune-up is a fait accompli. You ready to call it a day?”
“I really need to finish proofing this cover blueline. It needs to go back to the printer by overnight mail. Why don’t you go ahead? I should have it done by the time you get back.”
“That’s not following the detective’s orders.”
“Oh, give me a break. I don’t have to be watched every second.”
“Are you the only one left up there?”
“Just me.” She touched her plant. It didn’t look too good. No surprise.
“I guess it will be all right. I’ll lock you in. By the way, there’s a storm brewing over the mountains. I’ll try to get back and pick you up before it hits. See you later.”
She looked closely at every word and image. Bluelines resemble blue prints in color and the type of paper. Since they are made from the final film and are used to make the plates that print the book, it is important they are accurate. It is expensive to make corrections at this stage of publication so only actual errors will be noted, no rewriting at this phase.
Taylor had been both relieved and discomfited when Virginia and Jessica returned to the office after their meeting yesterday; both in good health.
“Oh no!” She found an error that had to be corrected. Taylor searched her desk for the small orange sticky notes they used to mark mistakes and came up empty-handed. That meant a trip to the supply room in the basement.