by Linda Wiken
J.J. shivered despite herself. She was tempted to believe him and yet a little voice told her to keep her perspective. For a few seconds, she thought he might kiss her. But he leaned back a bit and she relaxed. Did she have any more questions for him? Did she believe him? It sounded reasonable. But he still hadn’t gone into any details. Why was that? She’d have to give it some more thought before jumping in with the wrong questions.
She sipped her wine, trying to look relaxed under his scrutiny even though she felt engulfed by turmoil. She finally smiled and noticed the look of relief on his face. She wasn’t surprised when he kissed her as they parted outside. She felt all warm and tingly on the walk home.
*
• • •
She tossed and turned all night, and by the time her radio switched on in the morning, she felt like she hadn’t slept a wink, although she knew that wasn’t true. In between her short naps, she’d been reviewing her evening with Brad. She knew they were playing a game. What did he know and what did he want her not to know? It all led to one conclusion—she couldn’t trust him.
And then to top it off, Devine hadn’t answered his phone when she’d called just before going to bed. What had he been up to at that hour? Did she even want to know? Probably another stakeout. She hoped. She knew he’d check his caller ID so she’d left a short message saying she’d talk to him the next day.
By the time J.J. got to the office, she’d managed to get on track. She knew what she had to do. For once she was pleased that Skye was out of the office at a meeting. She sat at her desk and dialed Alison. A couple of rings later, she heard Alison’s voice.
“I hope I’m not calling too early,” J.J. started, “but I need to talk to you about something I’ve found out.”
“Should I be hopeful?”
“I don’t know what it means, yet.”
“Now, that sounds intriguing. But it also sounds like it could land you in trouble, am I right? It’s that yet bit. You’re planning to do something, aren’t you?”
J.J. paused. “Possibly.”
She heard Alison take a deep breath. “I probably shouldn’t even ask what it is. I should just shut you down right now but you’ve obviously called me for a reason. What is it? Or wait, maybe we should talk in person. Can you get away and come here? Pam is out shopping this morning.”
“Sure, I’ll be over shortly.” J.J. wrote a note to Skye as she hung up. She taped it to her computer screen and rushed out the door.
She tried to figure out just what she’d say to Alison. What she was planning could be illegal. Scratch that, it is illegal and you know it. How can I even be thinking it? It’s the only way to figure out what’s happening, that’s why.
Alison was watching out the window when J.J. pulled into the driveway. She had the door open before J.J. reached it.
“Okay, this should be good. Come into the kitchen. I’ve made fresh coffee.”
J.J. waited until she’d taken her first sip, a tentative one since it was piping hot. Then she told Alison everything that had happened in the last couple of days. Alison listened without commenting.
“So,” Alison finally said when J.J. finished, “what are you proposing to do?”
J.J. took a deep breath. “I need to go to the car dealership and check it out. After hours.”
“That would qualify as illegal.”
“But they’re not going come right out and tell me anything and I’m sure the answer is there. And, tonight is the third Thursday of the month so another opportunity won’t come around for another four weeks. Is there any other way to do this, that you can think of?”
Alison was silent for far longer than J.J. liked. She was starting to feel uncomfortable when Alison said, “I shouldn’t even know about this. You don’t have enough for the police to get a search warrant, in fact you have nothing except a theory. It’s too dangerous, J.J., and, like I said, it is illegal. And, it could mean nothing. It could just be an evening of the month that something very routine in a car dealership takes place.”
“Like what?”
“How would I know? Look, I do appreciate that you’re trying to help me, I really do, but it’s not worth your getting into serious trouble.” She reached out and touched J.J.’s arm. “Why don’t you just let it go?”
“I don’t think I can.”
“Why not?”
“Well, for starters, someone has been murdered. You are a suspect. And, I have been misled and, I’m pretty sure, lied to. I can’t just give up now.”
“Why don’t you talk it over with Devine? Something like this is much more up his alley.”
“I can just imagine what he’d say. It would sound much like what you’re saying. But, okay,” J.J. said, sensing that Alison was about to get tough about it. “You’re right. I’ll call Devine.”
“Right now, while I can hear you.”
J.J. made a face but did as she was told. She let it ring until it went to voice mail and left a message for him to call her. “Okay?” she asked Alison.
“I think so, although you didn’t tell him much. I want you to call me once you’ve talked to him.”
“You don’t really trust me, do you?”
“I know you and I think you’ll do this on your own, if necessary. Promise me, J.J.”
“All right.”
J.J. finished her coffee and held her mug out for a refill. Alison shook her head and brought the coffee carafe over to the table just as Pam and Henry walked in.
Pam’s face lit up. “J.J., it’s so wonderful to see you. And I’m sure Henry is pleased, also, aren’t you, Henry?”
He nodded and smiled at J.J., and when Pam turned away, he shook his head and raised his eyebrows. J.J. laughed. He knew how to play the game.
CHAPTER 25
Devine hadn’t called her by dinnertime even though she’d called again and left two messages. In fact, J.J. had already dried and put away her dishes, and still nothing. She couldn’t wait any longer. If he’d called, she would have asked his advice and probably gone with his suggestion. However, he hadn’t and the dealership would be closing in a couple of hours. She wanted to be in there, hidden away, when it did. She knew she couldn’t break in and, in fact, had no intention of doing so.
She quickly changed into dark clothing—she always looked businesslike in black—and tucked away her smartphone. She paused long enough to wonder if she was doing the right thing. But she had to do something and she couldn’t think of anything else. Besides, what could go wrong? She’d get in, hide away, snoop around, and then get out.
An escape plan. She needed that. There must be side doors, back doors, downstairs doors. She just knew she couldn’t exit through the front door. What if the alarm went off? Rather, when the alarm went off. Of course, the business would be alarmed. She’d pick out a hiding place, maybe under a car in the parking lot at the store next door, and wait until the security company or the police had cleared the place. If she closed the door behind her after she’d gotten out, they might believe it was a faulty alarm. If they saw her on camera the next morning, they still couldn’t identify her.
It really was insane. What if it led to nothing and she was caught?
Her plan was, if caught, she’d say it was a publicity stunt. She planned to take some selfies and a video to post of her after hours in a business and post it on YouTube. Skye would probably disown her or kill her or both.
But would anyone believe that a relatively sane woman in her late twenties would take such a chance? After all, she wasn’t one of those brash young men who hid out in a business and made a video to post on YouTube. And besides, hadn’t that craze passed by now?
But did she have a choice? It was tonight or wait until next month. And if whatever was happening had anything at all to do with Higgins Motors and with Jeffrey’s death, it would be way too late to find the connection. For Alison’s sake, and Jessica’s, she couldn’t let the killer get away.
She realized she hadn’t talked to Hashtag
in several days. What if he’d come up with something? But then again, Alison would have known, wouldn’t she? And she hadn’t said anything like that. No, it was up to J.J. to do this.
She hugged Indie a bit longer than he liked and then left quickly before she could change her mind. She slowed down slightly going past Ness’s door. Should she clear it with him?
No, she knew what she had to do. With her resolve restored, she went out to her car and headed to Higgins Motors. After all, it was the third Thursday of the month.
There wasn’t too much traffic, which she took to be a good omen. After she’d parked, she casually walked through the main entrance and spotted a brochure rack against the far wall, next to the hallway. She made a beeline for it and picked up what looked like a brochure about a midsized, moderately affordable car. She pretended to be reading it while she scanned the sales floor. It seemed that most reps were busy with prospective customers while three people with outerwear still on stood next to a table holding a coffee machine and foam cups. She helped herself to a coffee and smiled at the others, then moved behind one of the men. She caught snippets of their conversation, mainly about engine size and passing power. The woman just kept smiling and nodding. As interested as I am.
When the three started to move away, J.J. tried to fade down the hallway, in search of the restroom. She spotted a small sign at right angles to the wall, marking the spot. As she approached, the door swung open and a middle-aged woman backed out, pulling a cleaning cart, complete with mop and bucket. J.J. turned and ducked into the waiting room for the service department, hoping she hadn’t been noticed in retreat. The woman didn’t appear concerned as she knocked on the door of the men’s restroom. J.J. glanced around the waiting room, fortunately empty. As soon as the woman disappeared into the men’s room, J.J. scurried back and into the women’s. It, too, was empty. She checked her watch. Ten minutes until closing. Could she wait inside, unseen?
She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She looked at the screen. Devine calling. She didn’t want to take the chance of being overheard so she opted to text him her location. The answer came back immediately and in capital letters—LEAVE NOW.
Nope. She turned her phone off and took a close look around. The main concern was what might happen after closing but she was banking on no one checking the room now that it had been cleaned. She turned off the light and waited inside a stall, standing on the seat in case anyone came in. Easy.
The minutes passed by slowly and she found her inner voice once again urging her to just leave. Maybe she should. This was a crazy idea and no one would believe her YouTube excuse if she was caught. Worse yet, she could get caught by the bad guys and it didn’t matter what they believed if they decided to kill her. But that was crazy. Jeffrey’s body was found in Alison’s SUV. There was no tie-in to Higgins Motors. So, what was she doing here? Trying to find out what was going on, that’s what. Somebody killed Jeffrey; Alison did not; someone may have known enough about his life to try to lay the blame on Alison’s doorstep, so to speak. But who?
Brad?
Time to ditch this stupid plan. She reached for the stall door to unlock it. The bolt wouldn’t budge. She fumbled in her pocket for her smartphone, turning it on. Making sure the volume had been turned off, she found the flashlight app. She tried the lock again but needed both hands, so tucked her cell under her chin. She tugged again but lost her grip, slipping and falling sideways, hitting her head against the toilet paper dispenser and dropping her phone. It skidded across the floor.
The room was pitch-black again but it seemed she could see stars. Not good. She slithered down the door to a sitting position on the floor and rubbed the side of her head. Okay, she needed to get that door open. She struggled to stand and found the lock, jiggling it with both hands. Nothing happened.
Time for plan B. She dropped to her knees, flattened to the floor, and crawled under the door. She stood and felt her way over to the light switch. She flicked it on, not worrying any longer about getting caught. She could explain what had happened but she’d best leave out the part about turning out the bathroom light and just how long she’d been in there.
But first she had to find her cell. She spotted it on the floor next to the paper towel wastebasket, and the phone still worked. Something was going right, anyway. She brushed her clothes off and patted her hair into place then opened the door into the main hallway. It was dark except for safety lights above the exits. The dealership was already closed. Oh no … beware of what you wish for? She walked quickly down the hall and into the showroom. There were several lights on and she bet they’d stay like that all night. Back into the corridor, she walked from one end to the other. All the offices were dark, as was the waiting room in the short-term service area.
They hadn’t taken long to empty the place. Then she heard the voices. She hoped they were real and that she wasn’t hearing things on top of it all.
No, they were real and muffled so she guessed they weren’t close by. Looking through the glass door leading into the service bays, she could spot a light at the bottom of the stairs. She knew that the larger service area for major repairs occupied the bottom level so it must be someone working late on a car.
She was careful not to make any sounds while inspecting the main floor. No one around up here. She checked her phone. Almost eleven. Time for Jeffrey to show up, but of course, he wouldn’t. The only place that made any sense for him to be visiting was downstairs, where she could still see light and, she was sure, hear a couple of more voices. She checked the service entrance door and it opened easily without any sound. Then she eased cautiously down the stairs, aided by the light from the Exit sign. At the bottom, she stopped to listen but all she could hear was her heart pumping madly. What was she doing here, anyway? Was it just a routine thing, as Alison had suggested? Simply a delivery of new cars?
The voices started up again and she followed the sound to a door with a small window in it. Standing on her tiptoes, she could get a good look at the service area. She spotted several luxury model cars parked along the sides while in the middle, a flashy-looking gold Cadillac sat with its hood and doors open. Two men were working on it, but she realized after a while that rather than putting things in, they were taking things out. A third man started speaking, sounding far too close to the door for her liking. He walked past and she held her breath, trying not to move. He didn’t even look her way but she recognized him as Kent Higgins. And right behind him came Brad.
CHAPTER 26
J.J. wasn’t sure what was going on but she was fairly certain it was illegal at worst, shady at best. She needed to get out and fast but not without some proof. She made sure the flash on her smartphone camera was turned off, then took a couple of quick photos through the window. Then she walked as quickly and quietly as possible back up the stairs.
She walked around, checking out her options. She hadn’t counted on someone being there in the building. She couldn’t tell these guys that she’d been locked in. In fact, what reason could she give Brad for being there in the first place? He’d be suspicious and probably worry that she’d seen something. If she just ran out, the alarm would sound. She’d always known that part would happen but she’d thought she could run before anyone spotted her or the cops turned up. Now she wasn’t so sure.
Alarm. There must be a fire alarm somewhere. She might just be able to get out and away in the confusion. Maybe hide in the parking lot until all the commotion cleared away.
She found it just a few steps away from a side door exit, next to the general manager’s office. She looked through the window beside it and plotted her escape. Break left, duck between the cars, and head to the back street. She almost screamed when a face appeared, peering in from outside. Devine.
She flung her hands in the air in a “what next?” move then pointed at the fire alarm. He nodded and indicated she should unlock the door first. She did so as carefully as possible, nodded at him, then pulled the fire alarm.
&
nbsp; Devine pulled open the door, grabbed her hand, and they started running. They made it to his car, parked on the other side of the dry cleaners next door, and he was out on the street before any vehicles with sirens arrived. He pulled over just before the entrance to the interstate, into the parking lot of a small diner with a sign in its window flashing All-Night Breakfasts.
She didn’t need to look at Devine to know how angry he was. His voice said it all. “Just what in hell did you think you were doing?”
It took her a few more minutes of deep breathing before she could answer. Her head hurt and she felt a bit dizzy. “I had to see what reason Jeffrey had for going there for an eleven P.M. appointment once a month. Always the third Thursday of the month,” she pointed out.
“And do you think you know?”
She pulled out her phone and showed him the photos. She noticed the tremors in her hands. “They weren’t repairing the car; they were stripping it, I’m sure.”
Devine grabbed one of her hands and held it tight. “Do you think this was worth risking your life?”
“Well, maybe not when you put it that way. I guess I didn’t really think it through, although I thought I had.”
“You think! If that’s what they’re doing, they might be desperate enough to silence you, and if it’s not, and you got caught, you could be looking at jail time.”
“I know and I changed my mind. Really, I did. But I couldn’t unlock the bathroom stall where I’d planned to hide, and I slipped and hit my head. I also lost my cell. And, it was pitch-black in there.” She took a deep breath. “And, I had to crawl out under the stall door to get to the light switch. Ugh.”
He pulled her into his arms. She could feel he was shaking. He brushed her hair with his lips. “Let’s get home.”