“Because you told Oliver Bates’ wife you were smarter than her husband before he killed the poor woman, and he overheard you,” Hawk said.
Nikki nodded. “I was young and full of myself back then, Hawk. I thought for sure I could take down Oliver Bates with one single hit. When Jane Bates called me on the night of August 2nd, she was very scared. She told me Oliver had threatened to kill her, and she needed my help.” Nikki said. “Jane Bates was going to make a deal with me—my help in exchange for information that could destroy Oliver.”
“But he got to his wife first.”
“Yes,” Nikki said, remembering a stormy night in Atlanta. “I remember driving to their house, a large, two-story Victorian home in a wealthy neighborhood. It was dark, and a horrible storm was lashing the city. I parked my car a few houses down and jogged up to Jane's house.”
“You two were friends at this point?”
“Kinda,” Nikki explained. “I remember Oliver always being a cold fish and Jane being a shy and timid woman. I really didn't know them very well. Honestly, I can't remember how I even met Jane. Anyway, I made my way to the house, sneaked around to the back door, and found the spare key Jane had told me about.” Nikki leaned forward on the steering wheel in order to see the road more clearly.
“What then?” Hawk asked.
“I remember I was wearing a green dress and tennis shoes. I was soaking wet by the time I unlocked the kitchen door and entered. My shoes squeaked on the tile floor... a white tile floor. I took them off and set them down beside the back door.” Nikki lowered her voice. “The house was so silent... ominous. I knew something was wrong.”
“Keep going,” Hawk pressed Nikki.
“The kitchen was dark and full of shadows. Lightning was flashing outside, and then it thundered. That's when I heard Jane scream. I had a small pistol hidden in a green backpack I was carrying on my shoulders. The backpack had my notebooks, pens, a tape recorder... also a bottle of water and some candy bars. I took out the pistol and ran up the back stairs. I remember how the carpet felt under my bare feet.”
Nikki drove her SUV into town and stopped in front of her chocolate store. “I made my way down a lovely hallway filled with antiques and beautiful paintings to a door that was pushed halfway open, and then...”
“And then what?”
“I eased the door open and saw Oliver Bates standing over his wife with a knife.”
“That's when the woman began calling out to you for help.”
“Yes,” Nikki said, staring through the storm at her shop. “Hawk, I froze... I didn't know what to do. All I remember is running, running back down the hallway, and then I felt a horrible pain strike the side of my neck, and everything went dark.”
“While Oliver Bates was dealing with you, his wife managed to scribble a few lipstick letters on her bedroom floor,” Hawk continued the narrative. “But before Oliver could erase them, the police arrived. A neighbor reported seeing a suspicious person sneaking around outside the house and called the police. That sneaky person was you.”
Nikki closed her eyes. “Years later, my memory of that night began to make an appearance in my mind,” Nikki said, keeping her eyes closed. “I wasn't certain what storm was brewing in my mind... I kept seeing flashes of Jane Bates lying dead on her bedroom floor, the silver watch Oliver used to hypnotize me, and the needle... awful images. But Hawk, I didn't remember that Oliver was the killer. I made a horrible mistake and phoned him one day and explained to him what was happening to me. Like a fool, I asked for his help. After all, the man was my daddy's adopted brother.”
“Oliver Bates met you in your home,” Hawk said in a low voice as his eyes studied the dark storm, “and injected you with the same serum he injected you with the night he killed his wife. He programmed you to move to Maple Hills.”
“To put me on ice, so to speak,” Nikki whispered. “I remember him telling me that he would play a final game with me and prove that he was the chess master, and I was nothing more than a mere pawn.”
“So he kills Mrs. Grove and pushes you into a tight corner while sending you out to find a false killer.”
“Waiting until I figured out that he was the real killer, and when I did, he would be waiting for me... but not to kill me,” Nikki finished. “Oliver Bates has a design for me. In the end, he wants me to rot in prison... and have plenty of time to torture myself about how he outsmarted me.”
“The evidence he promised to give you concerning Mrs. Grove is evidence that he will send to the State Police,” Hawk said and shook his head. “Evidence that will lead to your conviction.”
“I'm afraid so,” Nikki agreed. “Hawk, I believe Oliver Bates hypnotized Mrs. Grove before he killed her and programmed her to make a fake accusation, claiming that I threatened to kill her.”
“I was thinking something along those lines,” Hawk replied. “What's important is that you remember now.”
“I wish I didn't,” Nikki said. Turning to face him, she looked into his worried face. “You did a wonderful job hypnotizing me, Hawk. I'm very grateful, even though I will have to live with these horrible memories now. But we have bullets to fire at Oliver Bates, and that's more important than losing a few nights of sleep.”
“We're banking on this psycho believing that you're lying to him,” Hawk said and shook his head again.
“I have to make Oliver think I'm playing his game. The man is mentally disturbed, Hawk. He believes he's controlling me and that he's in charge of the game. Tomorrow it'll all be over.”
Hawk nodded toward the street. “Let's get back to your cabin and continue the game,” he said.
“Okay.” Nikki got her SUV moving through the ice and wind. Hawk grew silent and didn't speak again until Nikki had safely pulled the SUV into the driveway leading up to her cabin. “Hawk, what are you thinking?” Nikki asked.
“Will you leave Maple Hills now?” he asked in a low whisper. “Now that you know the truth?”
Nikki leaned over and kissed him. “Out of every rock comes a diamond.” She smiled into his eyes. “You're my home, Lidia and Tori are my home, Maple Hills is my home. I'm not going anywhere, tiger.”
Hawk smiled and kissed her. “Good, because if you ever try to leave, I will handcuff you to my office door. Come on, let's get inside.”
Chapter Twelve
Tori and Lidia were sitting at the kitchen table. When they saw Nikki and Hawk rush through the back door, they both let out sighs of relief. “We were thinking the worst.”
“We're all safe, and that's what matters,” Nikki said, shaking the ice off her coat. “Did Mr. Purry call?”
“No,” Tori said in a convincing voice.
From across town, Oliver was watching every move Nikki made and listening to her every word. “Perhaps you did find someone whom you actually think is the killer?” Oliver mused, staring at his laptop with a cup of honey water in his hand.
“It's vital that Mr. Purry shows up,” Nikki told Tori. She took off her coat and handed it to Hawk.
“Should we be talking about this... with you-know-who listening?” Lidia asked, jumping into character.
“I've already paid Oliver Bates a visit and told him about Mr. Purry,” Nikki answered and walked to the kitchen counter. “I'll make some coffee.”
Hawk took off his coat. “I don't approve of your method, Nikki. I'm a cop, after all,” he said and hung up his and Nikki's coats on the wooden coat rack standing next to the back door.
“It's the only way to find the person who killed Mrs. Grove,” Nikki told Hawk in a stern voice. “Listen, Hawk, you're a great guy and all, but don't stand in my way, okay? My son's life is in jeopardy. I'll do what Oliver Bates asked me to do and then get rid of him.”
“Are you sure he'll go away?” Lidia asked worriedly.
Nikki worked on making the coffee. “I have my memory back,” Nikki informed Lidia. “I know Oliver Bates killed his wife. I know he hypnotized me. If he refuses to hold up his end of the bargain, then I'll toss t
his case into Hawk's lap and let him arrest the man and—” Nikki stopped talking and threw her hands over her mouth. Hawk, Lidia, and Tori all stared at her, stunned. “I didn't mean... it slipped... I...”
Oliver slowly set down the cup of honey water he was holding and grinned. “So you remember, do you?”
“Maybe he didn't hear?” Lidia murmured, terrified.
Nikki lowered her hands. “He heard... he will be calling me any minute now,” she whispered.
“Yes, I shall,” Oliver smiled deviously and picked up his cell phone and dialed Nikki's home number.
The phone rang on cue. Nikki answered the call with shaky hands. “You heard me, didn't you?”
“So you remember?”
“Listen to me,” Nikki said in a terrified voice, “I found someone on whom you can pin Jane’s murder, Oliver. Please, take him and leave Maple Hills. Do whatever you want with the man, I don't care. Just give me the evidence I need to clear my name, and leave me and my son alone.”
“What do you remember, Nikki?” Oliver asked in a creepy whisper. “Do you remember telling my wife that you were a brilliant woman who was going to outsmart the fox? Oh yes, you told Jane those very words. I remember hearing them. I was standing outside the bedroom door when you spoke those words. But even worse, you caused my wife to turn on me. I loved my wife, Nikki, and you transformed her into my enemy.”
“I'm sorry,” Nikki told Oliver and began allowing a fake cry to leave her lips. “Oliver, I was young and stupid. I swear I will not tell the police anything. Please...”
Oliver stared at Nikki’s face on his laptop screen. “Please, what?”
“Play my game,” Nikki begged. “Hawk and I created a false killer for you. You can have Mr. Purry in exchange for the evidence I need. I know you killed your wife, but... who is going to believe me? Even if Hawk arrested you, what charges could he hold you on? Everything is merely circumstantial. I didn't mean to betray you, but it was the only way.”
“I see,” Oliver said in a sick, pleased voice. “I'm impressed, Nikki. You played the game I created very well in the short timeframe I allowed. For a minute, I was concerned that you were going to be no challenge to me.”
“Oliver... what will... what I mean is, will you make a bargain with me?” Nikki pleaded.
“Of course,” Oliver lied, “as long as you admit that the fox just ate the last chicken.”
“Yes, yes, okay,” Nikki nearly screamed, “you outsmarted me! Is that what you want to hear? You are the chess master, and I'm merely a pawn!”
Oliver grinned. “What sweet words, Ms. Bates. I appreciate your honesty. Now, bring this Mr. Purry tomorrow at our set time, and I will exchange him for the evidence you need.”
“No games?” Nikki asked.
“The game is over,” Oliver lied. “I won. But let me give you a warning, Nikki.”
“A warning?”
“I will retain certain evidence. If you ever try to speak to the police—the real police, and not the cowboy standing next to the back door—I will send the evidence forward. You may threaten to make my face known on your pathetic social media platforms, but I assure you, you will be the one gracing the 'Most Wanted' posters across this country.”
“No games, I promise,” Nikki said. “I'll be at my store at noon with Mr. Purry.”
“I look forward to our meeting,” Oliver replied and ended the call.
Nikki quickly pretended to dial a number and slammed the phone up against her ear. “Pick up... pick up,” she said in a nervous, loud, voice. “Mr. Purry, thank goodness, I was afraid you might not be home... Oh yes, where would you be on a night like this? Listen, Mr. Purry, I need to confirm that you are still going to meet me at my store tomorrow at noon... Yes, I know the weather is bad, and the roads are hazardous... Yes, I know you're back hurts, but Mr. Purry, I have some very important information regarding your past that you need to know about... No, this isn't blackmail; please, just meet me at my store... Yes, at noon... Okay, I'll see you then.” Nikki hung up the phone and looked at Hawk. “Make sure no cops are around my store at noon, Hawk.”
“I could lose my job and my pension,” Hawk fussed. “I should have never agreed to this.”
“You're in too deep now,” Tori snapped at him. “You have to help Nikki.”
“Please,” Lidia begged Hawk. “Help her.”
“Okay, okay,” Hawk surrendered, “I'll keep the local boys busy.” He rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. “I'm going for a shower.”
Nikki watched Hawk leave the kitchen. She looked at Lidia and Tori. “Coffee anyone?” They both raised their hands.
Chapter Thirteen
The following morning, Nikki pretended to sneak out of her cabin without anyone seeing. Wearing a thick white coat over a brown wool turtleneck dress, she hoped her appearance showed a certain style and confidence. Of course, the heavy boots on her feet and the white ski cap made her feel clumsy and silly, but that didn't matter, Nikki thought. She slipped and slid across the icy driveway to her SUV as powerful winds howled into her face. The world was white with ice, but at least the storm had passed during the night, leaving only the winds as an afterthought. Still, the ice was dangerous, and she had to drive with extreme caution.
As Nikki climbed into her SUV and got the heat going, Oliver studied the screen on his laptop. Hawk was on Nikki’s living room couch, asleep. Tori and Lidia were both asleep in the guest bedroom. “Up so early and leaving without the cowboy,” Oliver said and took a sip of coffee instead of honey water. “What are you up to? Perhaps I should take a stroll up to your store.”
Nikki counted on Oliver seeing her sneak out of the cabin. As she backed out of the driveway, her mind began to race. “Calm down,” she whispered. “You're in control of this game. You can do this, girl. You're Nikki Bates and—”
“And you make some really good chocolates.”
Nikki screamed and slammed on the brakes. The SUV skidded to a stop. Chief Daily straightened up from the back seat. “Mr. Purry at your service.”
“Oh, Chief Daily,” Nikki said, terrified, and then laughed. “You scared me!”
Chief Daily crawled into the front seat. “Okay, here's how I have the board arranged. The FBI is using the same satellite to monitor Oliver Bates’ movements that he’s been using to watch yours. But we have to be careful, Nikki. The man has stolen a very deadly virus. He also stole an equally deadly chemical that if used in a smoke form, can put an entire city block to sleep... for good.”
“The same chemical found in my chocolate.”
Chief Daily nodded. “Nikki, we have credible information that Oliver Bates is going to transfer his stolen substances to a known terrorist group in Canada. We have to stop him.”
“I guess it was a good thing he decided to pay me a visit first,” Nikki said.
“The man is mentally ill, Nikki, and very unstable. He was diagnosed with cancer last year. I guess he wants to go out with a bang.”
“And destroy me in the process,” Nikki sighed.
Chief Daily looked down at the cell phone he was holding. A map glowed on the screen. On the map, a little red dot was moving. “Bates is on the move. You better get us moving, too.”
As Nikki drove toward town, Chief Daily reached into the back seat and grabbed a black backpack. Opening it, he pulled out a fake beard and wig. “The wig and beard along with this gray suit should make me look convincing.”
“I hope so,” Nikki said. “Chief Daily, you don't think Oliver Bates will release the virus he stole in Maple Hills, do you? He only wants to destroy my life.”
“Who knows?” Chief Daily answered honestly. “A man in his mental state is capable of anything. But what I do know is that I'm glad you and I are on the same team.”
Nikki smiled. “Me, too.”
Nikki parked her SUV in front of her store and carefully climbed out. Chief Daily followed suit, fussing the entire time. “You didn't need to come to my home!” he complaine
d.
“I needed to make sure you were going to keep your word,” Nikki replied. “Please, Mr. Purry, let's talk inside my store. It's freezing out here.”
Chief Daily glanced around the ice-covered downtown district. “Yes, fine,” he agreed. “You can make me a cup of coffee.”
Already standing inside Nikki's chocolate shop, Oliver Bates watched Nikki help an older gentlemen up an icy sidewalk toward the front door. “Hello, Mr. Purry,” he whispered and dropped back into the shadows.
Nikki reached into her coat pocket and drew out the store keys. With cold hands, she unlocked the front door and moved aside. “After you, Mr. Purry.”
Chief Daily stepped into the store, found the light switch, and flipped it on. As soon as the lights pushed the darkness away, Oliver appeared with a pistol in his right hand. “Close the door, Nikki,” he ordered.
Nikki looked at the pistol and slowly closed and locked the front door. “Here he is, Oliver.”
“What is this all about?” Chief Daily asked in an angry voice. “Who are you? And how dare you aim a gun at me?”
“You're early,” Oliver told Nikki, ignoring Chief Daily.
“The roads are dangerous, and I needed to make a side stop and gather up Mr. Purry,” Nikki explained.
“Who are you?” Chief Daily demanded, locking eyes with Oliver. “What is this all about?” Spinning around to face Nikki, he threw a finger into her face. “Is this some kind of joke, Ms. Bates? Because I am not amused.”
“Please, Mr. Purry, just speak with Mr. Bates,” Nikki begged.
Oliver shook his head at Nikki. “Nikki, did you really believe I would accept this awful man in exchange for justice?”
“What do you mean?” Nikki asked, alarmed. “Oliver, we made a deal.”
“No, Nikki, you made a deal,” Oliver grinned. “Now you will be locked away in prison for two murderers instead of one.”
“What do you mean?”
Oliver took his left hand and reached into his coat pocket and extracted a syringe. “Inject this serum into Mr. Purry's neck, Ms. Bates, at once,” he ordered.
Coconut Chocolate Murder (A Maple Hills Cozy Mystery Book 7) Page 7