by K P Stafford
He practically pushed me out the door and closed it behind me. The receptionist had a surprised look on her face as I walked past her. I hadn’t intended for either of them to know I was there. I was such an idiot sometimes.
On the way back to John’s office I decided to stop in the herb shop and see if I could find out anything from the Drake’s. If they knew plants, they’d likely know where someone could get ahold of the one used on the Swansons. They might even know how it could be used to poison someone.
CHAPTER 23
I was deciding my morning couldn’t get any worse, but then realized when that thought pops up, something always gets worse. Jake had been…I wasn’t sure what Jake had been. The more I’m around him, the higher on my suspect list he goes. He also keeps me off balance. I can’t figure out this crazy attraction for the man. And this morning he was almost arrogant.
The stop by the Drakes shop wasn’t any better. Peyton had told me how sweet they are. That may be true for Annie, but for some reason I rubbed Alice the wrong way and she had it in for me. She was rude as soon as I walked in the door. I know people don’t always like the first time they meet, but I’d never done anything to her.
I returned to the office to regroup. I knew the phone would be ringing, but maybe that was the distraction I needed to stop all of these thoughts from invading my mind.
I also wanted to write out some notes about where the case was, who we still needed to question and what new developments had presented themselves. I’d also needed to head up to Hayden’s Ridge again. I wanted to talk to the nurses on staff and hoped they’d supply some answers. Right now, it looked grim. This case may never be solved, I told myself.
I watched Jake enter the diner. My heart sank when he didn’t look over towards my office. I don’t know why I expected him to. I guess I hoped he was having second thoughts about the way he acted this morning. He sat in his usual booth next to the window. I secretly thought he did it to rub it in my face, even though that’s the same place he always sat. I tried to get my mind back on work, but I found myself looking up every few minutes, hoping to find him looking at me.
About ten minutes later I saw Alice Drake entering the diner. She turned and glanced my way, or I thought she did. My heart skipped a beat when she walked up to Jake’s table. I saw her laugh and then sit down. I had no reason to be jealous, but anger was boiling up inside me. I felt hot. I gathered my notes and decided to head to the retirement home. I couldn’t bear to watch Jake having a good time with another woman, which was stupid. I didn’t have any claim on him. Besides, he was a suspect, why did I care who he spent his time with unless they showed up dead. He could do what he wanted, I wasn’t the least bit interested in him. So why did it bother me so much? Odd that I see her talking to Jake after I stop by to question her about poisonous plants. Could they both be involved?
After I returned to the office I found myself looking at the diner and watching Jake. How had I become so obsessed with the man? I needed a distraction so I pulled out my list of suspects. I didn’t want to mark anyone completely off just yet, but after the visit up to the retirement village, it was becoming more clear the assistant, the nurses and the Drakes had no motive in killing this couple. I glanced across the street and kept Alice Drake's name on my list. She looked a little too cozy with Jake and I was still concerned about why she picked today to have lunch with him. Was it planned before I went to her shop to ask questions? There was no way to know.
I wanted to rule Grams’ out too but had no hard facts to use for that. Mavis Clark was left on the list. The property in question was the only motive for her or Grams and it seemed unlikely that’d be a good enough motive for two older women. Besides, neither of them could physically lug a couple of bodies through the woods and bury them.
That left me with Bernie Copeland, the mortician, and Jake. An uneasy feeling crept over me at the thought of Jake. I didn’t want it to be him, but he was definitely a high candidate on the list. I brought my hands up and rubbed my arms in a self-hug position. I couldn’t shake the feeling. I sat back in the chair and had the daylights scared out of me from a man standing at the window staring at me. Once I caught my breath, I realized it was Jake. He looked vigilant in his stance with his arms crossed over his chest. I felt like some prey he was waiting to devour.
I motioned for him to come in. He walked through the door and took my breath away. I wish he’d stop doing that. There’s nothing intoxicating about a man walking into a room, but when he does it, I lose myself, and my nerve.
“How long have you been standing there watching me?”
“Long enough to think about how beautiful you look first thing in the morning.”
I rolled my eyes. I didn’t need to have this discussion, didn’t need him to reel me back in from being mad at him. “That’s nice.” I was short with him. “Is that all you wanted? I have work to do.”
“You went up to Hayden’s Ridge earlier.”
“I did. What about it?” I started asking before it hit me, “Have you been following me?” I stood up and sent my chair rolling backwards.
“Maybe.” He had that look again. “I thought I warned you about sticking your nose into this case.”
“You did. I didn’t listen.” I wanted to stick my tongue out at him like a little girl would have.
“Then you need to start. You’re in over your head Lexi. You’re going to get hurt.”
“Is that a threat? Another threat?”
“No, it’s not a threat, just a fact.”
“Well, the only person I see who is starting trouble with me over this is you. So, why don’t you just admit you’re behind it all.”
“Look…”
I cut him off, “No, you look, I have a job to help do around here. My grandmother is a suspect in this mess and I’m determined to get to the bottom of it.”
“I just don’t want you finding yourself in the bottom of the ocean.”
“So, that is a threat?”
Jake lowered his defensive stance, “Can we talk about this over dinner?”
I pulled my chair back up to my desk and flopped down in it, tapping my fingers on the desk. “What? And have you getting me drunk and taking advantage of me again?”
“I didn’t take advantage of you!” His tone was gruff. I knew he hadn’t, but I needed a way to throw him off balance so I could regain my composure.
“No, I don’t want to have dinner with you.”
“Lexi, you know I didn’t take advantage of you.”
“What’s it matter?”
“Because I want to hear you say it!”
“Can you leave now, before I have John come in here and throw you out of my office?”
“He’s not here. It’s just me and you.” He said as he walked to my desk and placed his hands on the edge. He was bent, hovering over me. I’d gotten myself into this battle and saw no way of getting out of it. I looked up at him, expecting to see rage in his eyes. What I saw confused me. He was serious and concerned. Maybe he did care about me and wanted to keep me safe, but why play this game with me? Why couldn’t he just come out and say it if he wasn’t up to something? Were his eyes lying? Was he that good at deception? I had no way of knowing.
He straightened up and walked around the desk to stand beside me. He turned my chair around to face him, put his hand under my chin and pulled my gaze up to meet his. I felt my bottom lip quiver as I tried to speak. “Can you just leave, please?”
His charming, melt your heart, smile crossed his face, “Not until you agree to dinner.”
Bastard, I thought. He knew he had me under his control. I knew he did. Why did I keep letting him do this to me? “Okay,” I whispered. I felt like a frail puppy who’d been abused. He bent down and lightly kissed me on the mouth. I wanted to pull him in, to feel his tongue play around in my mouth. He pulled back, kissed my forehead and headed towards the door. “I’ll pick you up at six.” He turned to me as he pulled the door open, “It’s casua
l.” And he walked out the door.
I was left alone with thoughts of his touch and his sensuous lips. I flopped back in my chair. This is all I needed. How did I let him sucker me in again? I knew getting information out of him wasn’t happening, so it was really a waste of time, other than the fact I liked his company... when I wasn’t mad. And there’s the fact that I find myself falling for him harder and harder each time I see him.
CHAPTER 24
I crossed the street and headed to the sandwich shop to meet Peyton for lunch. They had the best grilled ham and cheese, served with waffle fries. I was famished. As I stepped onto the sidewalk I glanced back over my shoulder at Jake's office, still in a tizzy about how everything had gone with him. I noticed Bernie Copeland entering the building. This piqued my curiosity. He could be going to check on insurance, but I had the eerie feeling it was about the Swanson's insurance claim, maybe even about their deaths. He looked back and saw me staring at him. He gave me a go to hell look and jerked the door open.
I started walking again, wishing he hadn't seen me. For everyone in this town to know what everyone else was doing at all times, there sure were a lot of secrets here. All towns have their secrets, and that makes a place fun and interesting, but sometimes secrets could be dark and foreboding. I had one of those feelings now as I wondered what Jake and Bernie were up to. I hadn't really considered they might team up, but if money was the motive, they very well could be in this together. They were both in the perfect job positions to run a scam on elderly people. I got sick to my stomach thinking of how Jake afforded his condo. Was it at the expense of people dying? I decided I probably wouldn't be having that sandwich now. My insides churned. I'd been out with him and couldn’t stop thinking about him. I was going on a date with him tonight. Talking to Peyton about my feelings were moot now. I needed to put these pieces together before anyone else died around here and Jake Donovan cashed in on it.
After having lunch with Peyton, we had pretty much ruled out everyone except Jake and Mr. Copeland. Jake was too secretive and Mr. Copeland was always on the defensive. At least he was with John and me. Peyton had talked to her friend who worked for the county, Will Hunter. He's the same guy who escorted me to the office on Saturday after the mortician was found dead.
He couldn't tell her anything, but she gathered that old man Copeland wasn't too happy with the county guys and their line of questions either.
She didn't like the idea of Jake being a killer or a con artist, but I told her we couldn't let our feelings stand in the way of getting to the bottom of things. I didn't like it either. I was having strong feelings for him and whether I wanted to or not I enjoyed his company. After not dating awhile, it was just my luck to be attracted to a con man and possibly a killer too.
I returned to my office, mostly deflated. Having such mixed thoughts about Jake was wearing me thin. He really was a charming guy. I guess that's what it takes to also be ruthless and to blend in with such an unsuspecting town.
I pulled my notes out again, looked them over and started over. I listed Jake and Bernie in one column, then listed the Swansons and the mortician in another. It made sense about the couple being killed, their insurance money could be the motive. I couldn't figure out how the mortician fit in or how someone could cram him into an oven and burn him to death. Jake may be the bad guy here, but I couldn't see him doing something so heinous.
I fielded a couple of phone calls the remainder of the afternoon. It had been a long day full of dead ends and I'd had my fair share of emotional turmoil. I decided to keep the date with Jake. Maybe I could trick him into telling me something or get more insight into his character. Besides, I was really hoping that a casual date meant beer and pizza. I could use both.
I locked up the office and left. I was about to pull out of the alley onto the main street and decided to go right instead of left to head straight home. I didn't need to spend the time to get fixed up for the date. With an hour before Jake would be by to pick me up, I had time to do a quick check of the mortician's house. Maybe there was something there to tie him into all of this mess.
The mortician lived up a secluded lane. It was creepy and reminded me it fit him perfectly. I pulled into his driveway. With the sun setting the place was darker than I was comfortable with. I fished my flashlight out of the back floor board. A gift I could truly appreciate right now.
I got out of my car and headed to the house. I saw a small basement light on in the right corner and held my breath. He probably left it on before he died. It was sad to see the lone light close to the ground, knowing the rest of the house was dark and gloomy, it's owner would never be returning. On second glance, I decided it was the evening sun glaring on the window. I let a breath out.
I eased my way around to the back of the house. I didn't intend to break in, but if I did, the back would be a better place than out front for any passersby to see.
I approached the back door, reached for the knob to turn it. Fear shot through me as it turned with ease. I should have been relieved at not having to break a window. My heart was pounding hard in my chest. I hesitated, trying to decide if I should go in. This was the craziest idea I've ever had. Get a grip Lexi. Just go in, no one is here. The man is dead.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The evening sun was casting shadows into the rooms down the hall from the kitchen. I headed down the hall, creeping my way, unsure of what I might run into. Thoughts raced through my head of ghosts haunting the mortician. Who better to haunt than a guy who deals with dead people. Sweat formed on my brow even though the house was chilly.
The hall led into a living room. Off to my right, I saw a door opened. It looked like a study or library. Luckily the evening sun was coming through the windows and illuminating the room well enough to see. I made my way across the room and peeked inside. There was a large desk in front of a curved window seat. The walls were lined with bookshelves. Various other pieces of furniture were set up in one corner of the room.
I padded across the floor to the desk. People keep important papers in their desk. I slid open the center drawer. It had an array of paperclips, pens, tape and other essentials. I opened the large drawer on the left-hand side. It contained some old newspaper clippings of my aunt's disappearance. I guess he truly was in love with her.
I moved to the drawers on the right. A noise startled me. I sucked in a breath, afraid to move. Was someone in the house?
The clock on the wall began ticking loudly, drowning out my staggering breaths. The seconds felt like an eternity. After a minute or so I quietly pulled open the drawer. It had old journals in it. I pulled one out and flipped through it. Nothing important. I glanced around the room. To my left were shelves and some drawers underneath. I stood up from the chair and went over to them. I squatted down and pulled one open. Bingo! This is where he stored his bills, receipts, and other important documents. I pulled out the file marked Insurance first. That was the best lead I had to go on to tie him into this case. I flipped through it as quickly as I could. The room was getting darker and I needed my flashlight. Crap, it's on the desk. As I stood up someone grabbed me from behind and slung me across the floor. I rolled and hit the leg of a table. Pain winced through my lower back. Before I could get up, the man was on top of me. The room had grown darker. I was in a frenzy trying to fight him off and couldn't get a good look at his face. I finally got a chance to kick at him and caught him in the gut. He bent over with the breath knocked out of him. I got to my feet and ran for the flashlight. He stood up, looked at me and laughed.
"That flashlight isn't going to do much."
I gasped. Bernie Copeland.
"If you come any closer, I'll hit you with it," I said as I pulled it back, ready to swing. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
He laughed again. "Isn't that obvious? I'm trying to stop you from ruining my plans."
“You killed the Swansons!”
“Guilty, I’m afraid.”
“Why? What did they
do to you?”
“People kill for many reasons, my dear. Hate, lust, envy, jealousy, greed. I have to admit mine is for greed. I just love money. And it seems I also need to shut people up, of course. See, the Swansons caught on to my scam. I couldn’t have them going around blabbing all over town. They even went to see my nephew, Jake. You know Jake. Anyway, that was a big mistake. A fatal mistake.”
“So why kill Orvel Haynes?”
“Ah, such a shame, that one. It wasn’t supposed to be like that, but he knew much, got scared and threatened to expose me. But he forgot one thing.”
“What’s that?” I tried to keep him talking, hoping I could figure a way to run past him.
“His own secret. He didn’t know I knew about his secret. When I returned the threat of exposure for his foul deeds, which are no better than mine, by the way, he attacked me. It was self-defense and I got the upper hand.”
“You shoved him into an incinerator. I wouldn’t call that fair.”
“Oh we was dead before that. And no one would have known, except I assumed the incinerator would destroy all the evidence. Obviously they’d been baking pizza or something in the one I chose and the fire didn’t get hot enough to destroy the body.”
“You’re sick.”
“Sick or not, I intend to be a very wealthy man. As soon as I deal with you, I’ll be free and clear.”
“People know I’m here.”
“Tsk, tsk, dear child, no one knows you’re here. You run off half cocked most of the time trying to prove your independence or something.” He waved his hand in the air as he chuckled. “Such a silly girl.”