“Understandable after what you’ve been through.” Sydney moved to the window. “Damn.”
“What?” She turned her head, but the movement caused a crashing pain.
“That asshole investigator is back and as jerky as ever.” Sydney filled her in on some of the comments the guy had made when he questioned her.
“He’s a jackass.” Daisy kept her head turned, concentrating on her bagel. “He was probably jealous. Thought we were running some kind of reverse harem and wants to join. Maybe you should interview him and see what hidden talents he has.” Daisy watched Sydney’s face turn red.
“Ha. Ha. I’m having enough trouble with your other suggestion on how to pick between Jace and Marshal.” Sydney made a face and turned back to the window.
“Yeah. I’m having trouble with that one myself.” The idea had seemed like a good one at the time.
Daisy finished off the bagel and the glass of orange juice beside her plate. “Think I could sneak out and shower before he wants to talk to me again?”
She stood and went to the window.
“There’s no back way out of here. Hang on.” Sydney dialed Jace.
Daisy could see Jace near the main house and she watched as he answered his phone. She could even see him nod in response to Sydney’s explanation of their dilemma.
“Okay, Jace is going to divert him long enough for us to slip to our cabin. I need a shower, too.” Sydney stood with her hand on the doorknob. “The EMT didn’t want to move you last night.”
She nodded, slowly so her head wouldn’t explode. “Why’d you call Jace?”
“Detective Weiner-face has an issue with Jace. He seems to think his only reason for being here is to stop us and sleep with me.”
“Sounds reasonable.” Daisy couldn’t help it. Watching Sydney’s face turn red again brightened her mood.
“Very funny. Okay. We’re clear. Let’s go.” Sydney opened the door and Daisy followed her out, not surprised when Graham and Marshal fell in step behind them.
“Captain’s orders.” Tucker grinned.
“You know he’s going to see you and figure out where we are,” Sydney pointed out.
“Not if we come in with you.” Marshal winked at Sydney, and Daisy watched conflicting emotions travel over her face.
“I was kidding,” Marshal said, only he didn’t look like that had been the case.
“You know this isn’t a covert op. When he finds out we’re in the shower, he’ll wait for us. It’s not like he’s going to cart us off to prison or anything. We didn’t do anything wrong.” Each step felt like her head would fall off her shoulders.
She’d hoped the ache would subside once the food and caffeine kicked in. So far, she hadn’t been lucky like that. She didn’t want to tell Sydney, didn’t want to see the worried, guilt on her sister’s face. She’d have to if the pain didn’t stop growing in intensity.
By the time she’d rinsed her hair, she couldn’t take it anymore. Wrapping a towel around her head and another around her body, she leaned against the side of the shower stall, certain she was going to be sick.
Daisy tried to call out for Sydney, but couldn’t speak. She slid down the wall when her legs refused to support her. On her way down, she swung her arm out and knocked the shelf clear of every bottle and item stored there hoping Sydney would hear.
Bright overhead lights stung her brain and she squeezed her eyes shut tight. A voice she didn’t recognize boomed near her ear. “She’s waking. Get those lights turned down.”
Thankfully, whoever they spoke to complied and she allowed her eyes to relax. She didn’t know where she was, but from the antiseptic odors and barely audible footsteps, figured she was probably at the hospital.
The only reason Sydney hadn’t brought her yesterday was because she’d thrown a fit and made her promise not to. She’d feared for her life so much at that point. In retrospect, she probably should have allowed it. Maybe she wouldn’t be wishing for a decapitation now.
“How’re you doing?” The same voice, only softer now.
Daisy tried to open her eyes, but even the dim light hurt.
“Don’t. Not yet. Keep them shut. I can talk to you like this. I’m Dr. Keller. You’re going to be fine.”
He sounded nice. Daisy relaxed a little. “My head hurts so bad.”
“I know. A combination of dehydration and the drugs your kidnapper pumped into your system. He used an odd combination of components that make no sense.”
“Does that make him a stupid criminal?” Daisy tried for a joke but was pretty sure it failed.
“He was a stupid criminal for trying to kidnap you to begin with. Rest. You should feel better in a few hours. I’d like to keep you here at least until you can open your eyes without it hurting.” He patted her shoulder.
She heaved a sigh and relaxed on the pillow. She should have let Sydney bring her here yesterday. Maybe she could have avoided this horrible pain and causing her sister any more worry.
Trying to clear her brain, she almost wished she would have allowed that jackass who drugged her to take her to see the boss. Almost. At least they’d know who they were dealing with.
The last thing she remembered was passing out in the shower. She was dying to know if any information had been discovered through her vague directional description of where she thought she’d been held. She’d been able to describe the outside area pretty well, including the falling down outhouse she’d been forced to use. The smell alone would probably make the place easy to find.
She drifted, wondering how she could be so tired.
Daisy opened one eye, then the other. The raging pain had eased to a dull ache and she pushed herself up. An IV stuck out of her left hand, attached to a bag of clear fluid. The room was dark. She looked around for a clock, but didn’t find one. It had to be late though.
Great, what a way to screw up two, wait, three, days of work. They’d never pass next week’s inspection. She must be recovering if she was thinking about work. The door opened a crack, the light coming through making her squint, but not cry out in pain.
“You’re up.” Sydney sat in the chair beside her, her face in shadow but the worry in her voice evident.
“I’m okay. Sorry I didn’t let you bring me here sooner. Obviously it would have been the smart thing to do.” She relaxed against the pillows, wanting to rip the IV out of her hand.
“That’s beside the point. You’re okay. That’s all that matters now.” Sydney patted her hand, fiddling with the tape holding the tube in place.
“Take that out, will ya?” She held her arm up.
“No way. They’ll do it when they discharge you. Dr. Keller wants to wait until the rest of your bloodwork comes back. Should only be a few hours.” Sydney sounded exhausted and Daisy knew it was her fault.
“I always seem to cause trouble, don’t I?” Tears pricked her eyelids and she struggled to keep them inside.
“Don’t you dare think any of this was your fault.”
“It is. Except for the kidnapping stuff. I know I had nothing to do with that. But everything else. If I hadn’t insisted on calling Marshal in, then you wouldn’t be conflicted over which man is the one for you. Neither would I, for that matter. If I hadn’t initiated the search for my birth parents, Nadine wouldn’t be raising hell for us.” Daisy choked on the tears.
“How can you even try to blame yourself for any of that? I don’t blame you at all. At worst, I’ll end up with neither guy and never have to feel guilty or wonder if I made the right decision. Nadine can go to hell. You’re not the one who brought her crashing through our door. That was Vile Violet, not you. If she hadn’t told her about the inheritance then she would never have bothered. I know it hurts you to hear that, but it’s true.” Sydney grabbed her hand and squeezed.
/>
“It doesn’t hurt as much as it should. She’s a sick woman. The only thing I feel for her is pity. And gratitude that she at least had enough sense not to screw up my life in the process of messing up hers.” She took a shaky breath. The statement was like a bolt of lightning.
All the angst and anger she’d carried around with her faded. Her mother did love her in a twisted way. She’d done the right thing by leaving her with people who would love and care for her. Maybe, in time, she could have a vague friendship with the woman who gave her life. Maybe.
“What are we going to do about the guys?” Daisy rolled her head toward Sydney.
“Send them packing? All of them?” She’d said it as a joke, Daisy knew, but the thought of never finding out where her heart belonged stung.
“I’m still considering sleeping with them both.” That had been intended to counteract Sydney’s teasing.
“Me, too.” Sydney’s eyes were serious.
Silence hung in the air between them. She knew her sister’s morals and how shocked she’d been at Daisy’s half-joking suggestion of a one-night stand. Now her prim and proper sister was actually considering sleeping with two men just so she could make a choice?
“I don’t think that’s a good idea anymore.”
“Good. I don’t either. But then again, what if it is? What if they both suck in bed?” Sydney’s laugh brightened the room and lifted some of Daisy’s melancholy.
“You could only hope that they do.” She wiggled her eyebrows, but doubted Sydney could see that in the dark.
“What if they’re both excellent, both make me see fireworks and witness God? I’ve considered that. How do you choose then? And what if I don’t and always wonder if I made the wrong decision?” The worry was back in Sydney’s voice.
“And how do you tell the one you chose that’s how you made your decision?” Daisy picked at a piece of tape.
“Why would you?”
“I don’t know. Honesty maybe? Would you lie if they straight out asked you?” Daisy hoped Sydney really wasn’t considering forgetting her morals just to try to make this decision easier. As if it would.
“Oh. I never thought of that. Not that I’d ever be able to go through with something like that anyway. This whole situation is stupid. It’s very rare that I even have one guy interested in me.”
“It shouldn’t be. You always do that. Sell yourself short. And it sucks. You have a lot to offer, Syd, you just need to figure that out for yourself.” Sydney didn’t look at her. She only shook her head and faced the window. Daisy figured that conversation was now over. “What are we going to do about the next inspection?”
Sydney sniffed. “No worry. We’re in good shape, not that I would care if we weren’t. I hired Kay’s grandson and some high school kids to spread the stones and paint the activity building. The bathhouses are under construction and the pool contractor starts in the morning.”
“How’d you get all that done?”
“Well, when Dr. Keller told me you were going to be fine, I had to do something or go crazy worrying about you. I’ve been working from the waiting room all afternoon, the guys have been calling in with updates every few hours.”
“How are we affording the pool renovations now? I thought we had a plan for that?” Daisy couldn’t quite remember what their last conversation entailed.
“I’ll explain that on the way back.” Sydney acted like she thought someone was spying on them.
“Secretive, are you? Fine. I’m ready to go.” She sat up, amazed at the difference in her head.
“Okay. Let me find the doc and see what he says.” Sydney stood as the door swung open.
The dim light kept Daisy from seeing who came in. Her heart pounded, her head echoing the beats with the remnants of the pain. The terror of being held captive filled her and she struggled to remember she was safe.
“Good. You’re up. I’m turning the lights on.” The doctor’s voice.
Daisy relaxed and covered her eyes with her hands, waiting a few moments until the initial sting passed. The ache was still there, but in the background.
“How’re you doing now?” Dr. Keller opened her chart.
“Better. Much better. Can I go?” Daisy watched him study her treatments over the past few hours.
“You’re good to go. The drug you were given has mostly cleared your system. The headache will linger for a little while yet, but if it becomes severe again or doesn’t completely go away by this time tomorrow, call me immediately. You should be nice and hydrated. Continue to drinks lots of fluids and don’t forget to eat properly. I’d like to check you in a week, just to make sure you’re not suffering any long term effects from your ordeal and to check that bruise.” He handed her a list of instructions.
“Thanks, doc.” She held up her arm with the IV tubes.
“The nurse will do that. Don’t forget, fluids. Be well.” He shut the door behind him.
Sydney stood and rummaged around in a bag beside her, producing a pair of jeans and her favorite T-shirt.
“Ah. Clothes. I guess I arrived without any.” She wondered who’d carried her out of the bathroom.
“Yep. Naked as the day you were born. Here.” She tossed panties at her next. “You should have seen the guys. Graham was beside himself. Tucker was ready to punch Graham. Marshal was yelling at both of them to quit acting like babies.”
“Why?” She almost hated to know the answer.
“Because they both wanted to carry you out. Marshal did it and they were both ticked. Marshal was like ‘Well, if you want to stand around discussing this like kindergartners go ahead but she needs to get to the hospital.’” Sydney’s impression of Marshal made Daisy laugh.
“I have a feeling they’re going to drive you crazy when we get back. They were convinced you were knocking on death’s door. Marshal had to make Graham stay behind and I had to remind Tucker his crew needed his guidance. They call every half hour or so. I had to turn my phone off when I came in to see you.”
Daisy groaned. She was honored and flustered by their attention. And not looking forward to dealing with their questions when she got back.
Finally, after dealing with shocked disapproval from the nurses for taking the IV out herself and listening to another lecture on hydration and proper diet, Daisy buckled into the passenger seat of Sydney’s car.
“Are you hungry?” Sydney asked.
“Starved. Can we just grab take out? I don’t feel like sitting in a restaurant.” The thought of dealing with the unnecessary noise and odors didn’t sit well.
“Sure. Any preference?” Sydney signaled at the hospital’s entrance as she listed the choices.
They finally settled on one of the two fast food places in town. Daisy wanted to ask Sydney to spill her secrets, but waited until they’d gotten their food and merged onto the main road toward the campground.
“Okay. What aren’t you telling me?”
“This has to stay between us . . .” Daisy listened as Sydney told her what was inside the mysterious box found behind the secret compartment.
“Holy shit. Gramps is a freaking genius.” Daisy rested against the seat, relief mixing with excitement.
“I just can’t help but wonder what kind of hold Violet had over him. He had to have agreed to the stipulations she wanted on the campground or they would have never held up in court. I don’t understand why he did it, or why she wants this property so badly.” Sydney sounded frustrated and Daisy’s guilt load resurfaced.
“It’s not like we can come right out and ask either of them. Violet would only lie. What did the journal say?” She was with Sydney. How could Gramps have allowed this?
“I don’t know. It’s locked in my briefcase. I only glanced at it. What I did read was confusing, as if we would expect anythi
ng else. Gramps knew he was dying and almost pleaded for death.” Sydney sighed and shook the ice in her cup.
“Where is the box?” She trusted all the guys at the campground, but Gramps had hidden it for a reason.
“Relax. I locked it in the trunk, too. No one knows anything. They know I have the box, but not what’s inside, let’s tell them the box was filled with old photographs.” Sydney cast her a sideways glance.
“Okay, so we take the money out and put pictures in. I have a ton we can use. We’ll put the old ones of the campground we’re going to frame on top, leave the box on the table in the cabin and see what happens. I hate to say this, but I really think one of our trusted guests is working for the other side.” Daisy rubbed her arm, the bruise throbbing in time with her heartbeat.
“I do, too. Who else would know that the plumber was due for a meeting? You still think it’s Jace, don’t you?” Sydney’s voice cracked, but her face showed no signs of distress.
“Not really. He does have the most to gain from us losing the campground, but I don’t think he’s interested in anything but you. I hate to say this, but what about Kay?”
“What? You can’t be serious.”
“What if she’s working with Violet? She already said she’ll always have a soft spot for her. Kay knows a lot of what’s going on at the campground, probably way more than we realize. What if Kay sees this as closure between her and Gramps? I can’t help but wonder if she is bitter because she didn’t end up with him?” Guilt turned Daisy’s stomach. Kay had done nothing but support them.
“No. I’d never believe that. She stayed with me until the doctor left. No.”
“Good. I don’t believe it either. I’m sorry. I just had to put it out there. Who else could it be? Someone from Tucker’s crew?”
“Or Marshal’s?”
Daisy’s stomach burned. “I trust Marshal with my life. He’s been my friend for a long time.”
Prelude of Lies Page 18