“The rumor around town is Matt’s sweet on you. No one can blame him. I mean what’s not to like about you. Unless of course, if you’re another woman sweet on Matt, I suppose that would change it a little bit.” Melinda slapped her leg, laughing at what she’d said. “I get such a kick out of me.”
“Matt and I are good friends. I don’t think women in town need to be worried yet.”
“That’s not how I heard it.” She moved the magazines on the lamp table to dust. “It must be true because, Blondie, your face is as red as my hair.” She grinned.
Jessie wished above all things she didn’t blush so easily. Melinda’s chattering calmed her mind. She relaxed, laughed, and bantered back and forth until it was time to leave.
She walked out of the church without seeing the white car in front of Patterson’s. Once out of the church her anxiety returned. She had no control over too many variables. There were the unknown factors of when, how, and by whom. She was excited to go and mingle with the elite of Blue Cove, but who would be the target? What would the case look like by the end of the evening? Seeing Matt all dressed up appealed to her, and yet she was afraid where this evening might take them. She scrunched her face in thought. Melinda had spoken wisely. “He’s a hottie.” Jessie grinned.
After getting her nails done, Jessie got home in time to walk in with Jeremy who was carrying his tux. “Where did you find one?”
“Matt hooked me up.” He matched her step for step. “You know your friend, she’s a little intense, but she’s fun. I think we’ll have a good time tonight.”
“That makes me happy. You are two of my favorite people.”
“Don’t be getting any ideas on trying to fix me up with her. I’m doing this as a favor to you. I like her, but that’s all for now.” He smiled at her. “Do you get my drift?”
“I fully understand. She drives me crazy trying to match me up with every man that comes along. I might bug her, but I’ll leave you out of it. I promise!” She did a pinky swear with him. “You’re my friend and I know you can figure it out on your own. You have to admit she’s pretty.”
“I’m not going there with you.” He smiled as he placed the tuxedo on the back of the chair. “You girls just can’t help yourselves, can you?’
She shrugged and smiled. “See you in a while. I have to start getting ready.” She headed toward her room.
“Why? You still have a couple of hours.”
“Jeremy, Jeremy.” She sighed. “You obviously don’t know much about girls. We like to take our time to look extra nice on special occasions.” She paused at her bedroom doorway. “Make yourself comfortable and whatever is in the refrigerator, you’re welcome to it.”
She was happy to have some leisure moments to shower and do her hair without having to rush. She wanted it to be perfect. Please let it be a good hair day! She made faces at herself in the mirror as she held the blow dryer with one hand and her brush in the other, tackling the project with a single purpose in mind. It was a time-consuming pain to blow her hair dry, but today she wanted to wear it down. Turning curls into long soft waves took a lot of work. Determined, she smiled as she rolled a long strand around the brush and moved the dryer back and forth. It took every minute of those couple of hours to accomplish it all.
****
Matt felt like it was the night of his senior prom as he walked down the path to the cottage. He was definitely just as nervous. He pulled and tugged at the bow tie and collar of his shirt. He hoped to give himself a little more room for comfort. “Why did they make these dumb collars so tight?” he swore under his breath. He wanted to rip the bow tie off and open the first couple of buttons on his shirt. Who was the idiot who invented the tux anyway? How did he convince men that they needed to look like penguins to dress up? It must have been a woman who was angry with her husband. Yep, the prom was a piece of cake compared to this. He gave up on the bow tie. He had a lot riding on this night, and he didn’t want to mess it up. He frowned. Why did everything have to be so damn complicated?
Jeremy answered Matt’s knock at the door. “Hey, man, you look just as uncomfortable as me. I’m glad.” He smirked at Matt.
“Misery loves company, they say.” Matt walked in and looked around. “Where is she?”
“She went into her room a couple of hours ago and has yet to emerge. I can’t imagine what torture they must put themselves through to spend two hours getting dressed.” Jeremy ran his hand through his hair, messing it up.
Matt heard her bedroom door open. “I think we’re about to find out. It might be hard to improve on perfection.” Matt stood with his feet apart and waited.
Close your mouth, Matt, and quit gawking like a schoolboy. She was beautiful, and he was stunned. Her dress fit entirely too well, showing off the curves of her body. From the moment he saw her, he wanted to run his hands through the shiny softness of her hair, feeling it flow across the tips of fingers. This was going to be one long night. He silently groaned.
From the looks of it, Jeremy wasn’t faring much better, which made Matt want to punch him. Matt resisted and stepped toward her.
“Did it work?” She smiled sweetly at him. “Do I look like a girl?”
He nodded at her, his mouth going dry. “Are you ready?” Before she could answer, he bent down close to her face and whispered in her ear. “You don’t look like any girl I’ve ever known.” His eyes traveled slowly over her. “Every inch of you is a beautiful woman.”
“Why, thank you, sir. I’ll take your compliment as your approval.” She smiled up at him. “I think you look very fine yourself, Mr. Parker.”
“Do you have a coat? It’s a little chilly out there.”
She handed him her evening jacket. He held it as she slipped it on. “You look very handsome, Jeremy.” Jessie smiled after she noticed him leaning against the door.
“Thanks. I’ll see you guys in a few.” He opened the door and left ahead of them.
“Do you have your gun and badge? The way that dress fits, it’s obviously not on your person.”
“No, but you wouldn’t want me to hit you in the head with my purse.” She swung her evening bag back and forth. “We girls can be pretty resourceful when the need arises. It’s attached to my wrist.” She flexed her muscles. “We just can’t mess with the look of the dress.” She winked at him.
Matt held the door open for her, then closed the door behind them and made sure it locked. Grabbing her hand, he walked with her up the path to the car. The gun in her purse made him smile. “How fast can you get that out of your purse if you need to?”
“Pretty fast. I practiced most of the night. Do you want to see?” Before he answered, she had whipped it out.
“I declare, ma’am, you’re fast on the draw,” he drawled as he opened the car door for her. He was still smiling as he got in the driver’s side and closed the door. He really hoped nothing would spoil this evening for them. He had this feeling. It was just a gut feeling that someone was going to try something. He really wanted to be wrong.
****
The Yacht Club’s ballroom was the site of the night’s gala. Jessie’s eyes traveled around the room taking in the panoramic view through the windows to the cove beyond. The sun had already set, but lights from the surrounding buildings reflected on the water, making it glow. A beautiful full moon peeked above the distant horizon as it made its ascent into the starry sky. Matt checked her coat. She walked toward the windows in the ballroom. Autumn colors filled the room. Oranges, browns and gold, repeated again in the table candles and floral arrangements. She stopped when she got to the windows and looked out at the shimmering glow of the moon on the water. Boats rocked gently in the water near the docks and in the cove where their owners had secured them. She could see a rather large boat just entering the cove, probably on its way home. Was someone on it signaling to shore? No, it had to be her imagination. She fixed her eyes on the large boat to see if happened again.
“A penny for your thoughts.” Kati
e tapped her on the shoulder and startled her. Jessie turned to look at her. “Wow, you look sensational. The dress is killer, and the necklace is perfect.” Katie turned slowly around in front of her. “What do you think?”
“You’re a knockout.” Jessie smiled at her. “The back of the dress is a piece of artwork.”
“I do look pretty good, don’t I?” Katie made a pouty face. “But, alas, not as pretty as my gorgeous, hunky date.” She fluttered her lashes and growled. “He looks good enough to eat.”
“Speaking of your hunky date, I see him weaving his way here with Matt.” Katie looked where Jessie was pointing.
“I think Matt cleans up well. So does the rest of your following.” Katie waved at Dylan and Kip who each had a date beside them.
“They’re not my following.” Jessie rolled her eyes at Katie.
“Yeah, sure, whatever you say. They never take their eyes off you. They look like your groupies whenever they’re near you.” Katie giggled, her green eyes lighting up.
Jessie pinched Katie’s arm. “Oh no, you don’t. You’re not going to start that again.” Katie rubbed the spot.
“Start what?” Matt looked at Jessie quizzically.
“Only a few of Katie’s crazy theories, not based in reality, and she’s trying to hang them on me. I won’t let her.”
Katie gave her a wounded expression, putting her hand to her heart. “You just watch, you’ll see.”
“I’m not going to do any such thing. Behave yourself.” Their eyes met and they started giggling.
Matt placed her hand on his arm. “I think we should mingle and make our way to the table.”
Matt introduced her to people along the way. She would never remember all of the names. She let her mind free to admire all the beautiful dresses and sparkling jewelry. It was a veritable feast for the eyes. Their table was at the back of the room close to the dance floor. She wondered if Matt would ask her to dance. Would it be safe? Whom did she need to be watching for? Was he here now in this room watching them?
Chapter 26
Their seats were right where Matt had requested them. A table at the back of the room, near the dance floor with a wall behind them. From here, he could see the whole room. He pulled out Jessie’s chair for her. It would be hard enough to concentrate on what was happening in the room with her next to him. He didn’t need any other distractions. As soon as the music started, the line would begin for a dance with her. He had seen how heads turned when she walked by. She was hot without even trying to be. She made classic look hot. He smiled. He’d heard her tell Katie how beautiful everyone looked. It was time for him to launch his charm campaign.
He whispered in her ear as he pushed her chair in. “Sweetheart, no one compares to you in this room.”
He listened to the conversation at the table halfheartedly while trying to monitor Murphy, who was sitting next to Senator Brinkman and his wife. Tom Maxwell and one of his team were at the table. Dylan and his date were sitting by another person of interest in Matt’s mind, Jason Fredrick, the hospital director. He was an unknown equation in all of this. Would Jed make a move tonight? Was he angry enough at being set up to risk exposure? Matt had a nagging gut feeling that something was off, but nothing concrete.
Once dinner was finished, Katie and Jessie excused themselves to freshen up before the guest speaker and dancing began.
“You’ve been quiet.” Jeremy looked at Matt.
“I’m trying to pay attention to what’s happening around me. It’s a major challenge with Jessie sitting next to me. I’m glad Katie is keeping her entertained, I probably won’t get a very high rating for our first date.” He leaned back in his chair and tugged at his collar. “If I don’t do well, I might not get a second chance.”
“Man, I can put your mind at ease. I think you’ll come out okay. I’ve never seen Jessie behave with anyone the way she does with you. I saw your little scene at the house. She’s into you. She’s never looked at me that way, I’m sad to say.”
“It must be tough.”
“Not anymore, but it used to be hell. Jessie’s a beauty and a real sweetheart which makes her lethal.” Jeremy twirled the stem of his wine glass slowly. “I learned with time to move on. She saw me as a friend and nothing more.”
“Speaking of friends, what do you think of her friend?”
“Katie is vivacious and fun to be with, but a little scary. She comes on strong for such a little package. Still, I find her interesting.” He gave Matt a quick smile. “They’re such opposites, yet they seem to get on. I enjoy watching them together.”
“They have a great friendship. They’re two equally strong, but very different women.” Matt waved off the waiter offering more wine.
“It surprised me that Jessie learned to fire a gun. She never wanted to be around them. The last case really shook her.” Jeremy frowned. “She told me being drugged and locked in the trunk of the car scared her. Nightmares still haunt her. She doesn’t ever want to let someone have that much control over her again.”
“Hell, it scared me. I thought she was a goner for sure.” Matt noticed her the moment she entered the room, his eyes tracking her until she was beside him. He also noticed that Murphy and the senator were watching her.
She touched his shoulder as she walked by him to get to her chair and bent close. “Are you okay, Mr. Parker? You’re so quiet I’m beginning to think you find me boring.”
“You, boring? Not in a million years, sweetheart. I’m trying to keep an eye on a few of our friends without getting distracted looking at you. It’s a little bit of a juggling act, even for me.” He smiled at her. “How about you and I have a dance or two when the speeches are over? After that I’ll think about sharing you with a couple of the boys, and then we’ll blow this place.” He gave her an engaging grin. “I need to start impressing you so we can move on to a second date where I don’t have to share you with anyone.”
“Impress away, that sounds intriguing to me.” She gazed at him and then glanced away.
Matt’s smile broadened. He reached over to slide his fingers gently down her cheek to her chin, lifting it up so he could see her eyes. “Duly noted. You have issued the challenge to impress you, and I’m going to give it my best shot.” He noticed it, right there, in that moment. She gazed again into his eyes; it felt like a caress to him. He wished he wasn’t in a crowded room. He wanted to be alone with her. Damn! Did he have to see it now! Here?
The checkbooks were out; the speakers were done, with the hospital as the happy recipient. The band took its place, and the music began. He wasn’t about to let anyone else claim the first dance. It belonged to him. He saw them starting to make their way like vultures to the table as he stood up and took her hand. “You want to dance?” She stood up beside him, and they walked to the dance floor.
“Sorry, boys, this dance is mine.” He forced a smile as he walked by them. Matt thanked his lucky stars it was a slow number as he pulled her in close to him. “Just so you know”—he looked into her big blue eyes—“I think you look beautiful tonight.”
“I think you look pretty beautiful yourself.” She held his gaze as their bodies swayed to the music. His arms tightened around her pulling her closer still.
Matt could see them out of the corner of his eyes waiting for the song to end. “It looks like I’m going to have to share you with the other boys. This is the dance you’ll remember at the end of the night.” He pressed a kiss on her neck as he whispered in her ear. “Oh, hell, let them wait another song, I’m not ready to give you up yet.” The band was playing one of his favorites. He pulled her close, and she melted into his arms.
Suddenly her pliant body became stiff. He felt her try to pull out of his arms. “What is it, Jess? What’s wrong?”
“We’re being watched. I can feel it.” He could hear the panic in her voice.
He pulled his head back to look at her. “Look at me, Jess.” He needed her to focus. “Who’s watching us?”
“I
don’t know, but I can feel we’re being watched and not in a good way. We need to walk off this dance floor now! It’s about to break loose.”
“Any quick action will alert them. Just play it cool.” He danced on, guiding her to the other side of the room near the exit. They had almost reached the door when the first shot rang out smashing through a window, the bullet hitting the back wall near the table where they had been sitting. An explosion near the outside of the building, which overlooked the bay, followed that. The windows blew in and shrapnel and debris rained down on the guests.
Screams filled the air, people started running toward the exits, pushing so hard that those trying to get through the doors trampled those who fell. Others scrambled under the tables. “Please, someone help my wife, please,” Matt heard a man yelling out. Then the second shot blasted a hole in the wall not far from Matt’s head, and a woman not far from him fainted. He pushed Jessie, pressing against her, moving her forward, trying to protect her. Matt felt the blow, his arm going instantly numb as he pushed her to the floor and dived on top of her. The room was a chaotic scene of flying glass and drywall as more bullets punctured the walls, punctuated by screams, moans, and whimpers.
Several more shots split the night as they lay there. The sound was deafening and the smells, Matt knew he would never forget the smells: sulfur and blood filled his nostrils. He covered her ears with his hands and felt her shudder. Then it was silent, eerily quiet except for an occasional groan.
“Matt, you’re crushing me, please, could you move?” Her voice was soft.
“I’m a little indisposed at the moment, but I’ll try.” Matt grimaced as he rolled aside, and she struggled out from under him. He groaned and she sucked in a quick breath. Blood!
“Oh, God, are you all right?” She touched his pale face and grabbed the phone he was fumbling with out of his hand. “Here let me do it.” She called dispatch, asking for backup and several ambulances, repeating what he told her to say. She took his gun from the holster inside his jacket and sat beside him, holding his hand. Jeremy and Katie crawled toward them as more shots peppered the air from outside the building. They had been on the dance floor not far from them. Tom, and several with him, drew guns and ran out of the room.
Not for Sale Page 20