by Bobbi Holmes
“You don’t know how relieved I am to see you standing there, unharmed,” Joe greeted with a warm smile when Danielle and MacDonald walked into the room.
“You are relieved? You scared the crap out of me!” Danielle walked to Joe’s side and reached out, giving one of his hands a brief squeeze.
Silently Brian stood up and offered Danielle the chair. She politely declined the offer and remained standing by the bedside. Brian sat back down. The chief’s cellphone began to ring. He excused himself and stepped back out into the hallway, leaving Danielle alone in the room with Brian and Joe.
“He tells me it was just the three of you at Marlow House.” Brian didn’t sound as if he believed it.
“You remember what happened?” Danielle asked Joe. “When you came to, you were really confused, had me worried.”
“I don’t remember everything. But I remember most of it.”
“He doesn’t remember how the guns got on the bookshelf,” Brian said. “Or throwing Smith against the wall.”
Danielle looked at Brian. “It all happened rather fast. And does it really matter? I think the important thing is finding out who hired Smith to kill us.”
“I do remember something about the guns. But it really doesn’t make sense, so I’m thinking it was just my mind playing tricks on me because of the way I hit my head.”
“What do you remember?” Brian asked before Danielle could respond.
“I remember sitting on the floor, thinking Danielle and I were going to die. I was angry at myself for not trying to disarm him before he made me tie Danielle up.”
“He would have shot you,” Danielle reminded.
“He was going to do that anyway. I just wanted to distract him, give you a chance to get out of there. But I waited too long.”
“Apparently you—or someone—did something. When we got there, Smith was the one tied up, not Danielle,” Brian reminded. “And someone threw those guns on the bookshelf.”
“That’s when everything gets mixed up for me. I remember my mind was racing. I was desperately trying to think of something to say—anything—to stall him. I figured if I could just get to my feet, it would be easier to lunge at him, possibly take him down. He pointed my gun at me—I figured that was it—and then the gun just seemed to fly out of his hand. A second later, the gun in his belt flew across the room too. I know it couldn’t have happened like that, but that’s what I keep seeing. I remember jumping up, tackling him and then hitting my head. When I came to, Danielle was there, talking to me, and he was tied up in the corner. I know it couldn’t have happened like that. My mind is obviously playing tricks on me.”
Brian looked at Danielle. “What do you remember?”
She took a deep breath and glanced from Brian to Joe. “Joe was a hero. When Smith pointed that gun at him, he just leapt from the floor, as if he had a burst of energy. He surprised Smith. Joe ripped the gun out of Smith’s hand and flung it across the room. And then he did the same with the other gun. The two men ended up on the floor, rolling around. They both got their heads wacked on the wood floor, pretty hard. It knocked Smith out, and Joe was dazed. He stumbled across the room toward me and then just passed out.”
Joe shook his head wearily, “So strange. I don’t remember any of that—about the guns or Smith passing out.”
“I have one question,” Brian asked, looking at Danielle.
“Yes?” Danielle smiled.
“How did you get untied? Joe said when he came to you had his head in your lap and Smith was tied up.”
Danielle wanted to kick herself. It was too late to add Joe had untied her before passing out. “I managed to wiggle out of the ropes. Joe didn’t tie them all that tight. By the time Smith was down, I was out of the ties and then used the rope to tie him up, before he came to.”
Brian silently considered Danielle’s version of the day’s events. Finally, he said, “I guess Joe really is a hero.”
“Yes he is.” Danielle grinned.
“I just wish they weren’t keeping me overnight. I’d like to get out of here and figure out who’s behind this.”
“You just take care of yourself, Joe,” Brian said. “We’ll figure this out. I’m just hoping Smith wakes up, and he can tell us who hired him.”
“Are you saying he might die?” Joe asked.
“Apparently his head was hit hard. They’re running some tests. But he’s still out.”
“Damn,” Joe muttered, falling back on the pillows. Closing his eyes, he rubbed his temples.
“Joe, what is it?” Danielle asked.
“I’ve never killed anyone before. I know it comes with the territory, but…damn.”
“He isn’t dead!” Danielle silently cursed Walt for not intervening sooner—and with less violence.
“Joe, don’t beat yourself up over this. If he does die, so? The guy was there to kill you. That’s what he does for a living,” Brian reminded him.
“You ready, Henderson?” the chief asked from the doorway. “We need to get going.”
“Sure Chief.” Brian stood up.
“I wish I could go too,” Joe grumbled.
“Just take care of yourself,” Brian told him. “And don’t worry about Smith.”
A few minutes later, Danielle sat in the chair previously occupied by Brian. She and Joe were alone in the hospital room.
“I need to get going in a few minutes,” Danielle said. “The chief confiscated my cellphone as evidence, so Lily won’t be able to get ahold of me. She and Ian should be getting home about now.”
“I’ve been thinking about that phone call,” Joe said.
“You mean the one from me, that wasn’t from me?”
“Yeah. It really did sound like you. At the time, I didn’t doubt for a moment I was talking to you.”
“There wasn’t anything different about the voice? Is it possible they used some recording thing? Simulating my voice?”
“No. There was a person on the other end of the line. But, she was whispering. So I suppose the voice was slightly different, but close enough that I just attributed any difference to the fact that you—I mean, she—was whispering.”
“Someone is definitely going to a lot of work to make people think I killed Stoddard. They get a woman who looks like me to drive around Stoddard’s neighborhood in a car like mine. They plant the murder weapon in my car. And if you hadn’t seen me and come forward—well, I might still be sitting in jail right now. I owe you an apology.”
Joe studied Danielle. “For what?”
“I never thanked you for coming forward and telling the chief what you’d seen. And as I recall, I was really pretty snarky about the whole thing when you came over to tell me charges had been dropped.”
Joe shook his head. “You don’t owe me an apology, or a thank you. I would hope anyone would do the same thing.”
“Yes, but if you hadn’t gotten involved then someone wouldn’t have tried to kill you.”
“Which brings me to a question I need to ask you.”
“Okay, ask away.” Danielle shifted in the chair, trying to get comfortable.
“Is it possible none of this is about Stoddard, but about you?”
“What do you mean?” Danielle frowned.
“Do you have an enemy? Someone who might go to elaborate lengths to frame you for a murder, just to see you locked up?”
“Are you suggesting Stoddard was simply collateral damage to hurt me?”
“You did say someone went to a lot of trouble to frame you. Do you have any enemies? Maybe someone who was upset over either of your inheritances?”
“Well, the only one who ever tried to kill me was Renton, and he’s locked up.”
“Maybe Renton wants to see you locked up too?” Joe suggested.
Danielle considered the possibility for a moment, and then shook her head. “If Renton—or someone else—paid someone to hurt me, why not just kill me instead of Stoddard? Less trouble.”
“True, but maybe he
wanted to see you in jail, like him and not dead.”
“Then why try to kill me today?”
“Maybe he figured he missed his chance to see you go to jail, so he’d have you killed instead.”
“Then why kill you too? According to Smith, he was going to toss me down the stairs to break my neck. He didn’t need you to do that. It would have been much easier if he had come to the house when I was alone today, without you there. No, that doesn’t make any sense.”
Joe let out a sigh and leaned back in the bed. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Your brain is just working overtime since you’re stuck here and can’t go back to work with Brian and MacDonald.”
“I suppose.” Joe lifted his head and studied Danielle. “Then can I ask you one more question?”
“What?”
“How did you really get your hands untied? Smith checked them. I know they were tight.”
“I guess not tight enough.” Danielle shrugged. “I also know how to get out of duck tape. I’ll show you that trick sometime.”
“Yeah, I think I’ve seen that YouTube video,” Joe said with a chuckle.
“I really need to go.” Danielle stood up, reached to Joe and took one of his hands in hers. She gave it a little squeeze. When she started to let go, he grabbed it with his other hand and held it for a moment.
Joe looked up into Danielle’s eyes. “At least one good thing came out of this.”
“What’s that?” Danielle asked nervously. He continued to hold her hand.
“This feels like it used to be—after we first met.”
Danielle patted Joe’s hand and gently pulled away. “Yeah, I suppose it does, in a way. I like you Joe. I hope we can be friends.”
“I was sort of hoping—”
“We’ve talked about this before Joe,” Danielle interrupted. “I’m not mad anymore, honest. I’m over it. I understand why you had to do certain things—and how some things must have looked to you. And while I’m no longer angry, we really can’t go back. But I would like to go forward, as friends.”
“Are you seeing someone?”
“Seeing someone?” Not unless you consider midnight dances with a charming spirit seeing someone. “No. And frankly, I’m not really looking for a relationship. I just want to get on with my new life here, and hopefully things will finally settle down for me and I’ll be able to do that.”
“I wondered if maybe…well…you and Adam…” Joe shrugged.
“Adam Nichols?” Danielle practically choked.
“I heard he took you to Stoddard’s funeral. And he did pick you up at the police station after you were released for breaking into Stoddard’s house.”
“I wouldn’t really call attending the funeral of a man I disliked a date.” Danielle cringed. “But no. I’m good friends with Marie. And I suppose Adam…well…I guess we have become friends. But no, not that kind of friend.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
It was almost dinnertime when Danielle returned to Marlow House on Monday. She pulled into the drive alongside the house and found Will Wayne sitting on the bench under the shade trees, sipping a glass of wine. Unseen to Will was Stoddard’s ghost, who seemed more agitated than normal. Yet this time, he directed his anger to Will and not to Danielle.
After parking her car and turning off the ignition, Danielle sat in the vehicle a few moments watching Will and Stoddard. Will looked in her direction and raised his glass in greeting, before taking another sip. He was oblivious to the ghost who repeatedly shook a fist in his direction and paced back and forth, not three feet from the bench.
“What is this all about?” Danielle muttered to herself, before getting from the car. Reluctantly, she walked to Will and Stoddard.
“Beautiful day, wasn’t it?” Will greeted. “I forgot how lovely the weather is here. So different from Phoenix.”
“What is he doing here?” Stoddard demanded. “Is this the real reason you killed me? It wasn’t about Lily after all, was it?”
“Did you have a nice afternoon?” she asked with forced cheerfulness. What is Stoddard talking about? And how much do I tell Will about what happened today at Marlow House? There is sure to be something about it on the radio tomorrow, if not tonight.
“Yes, it was a most pleasant afternoon. The area has really changed since I was last here.” Will lifted his glass to Danielle. “Would you like some wine? I’ve more in the kitchen.”
“He’s just here for my money!” Stoddard shouted.
“Oh, no thanks.” Danielle forced a smile. Will wants Stoddard’s money?
“He shouldn’t be here!” Stoddard shouted before abruptly disappearing.
Danielle glanced around the side yard, looking for some sign of Stoddard. She wondered where he had gone.
“Do you know if Lily’s back?” Danielle asked.
“Yes. She and Ian were here when I returned. They were in the library. I didn’t see Ian leave, so I assume he’s still here. Did she ever get ahold of you?”
“What do you mean?”
“When I got back she said she’s been trying to call you all afternoon, but you weren’t answering your cellphone.”
Instead of responding to Will’s question, Danielle stared at him for a moment. Did Will take my cellphone? Was he the one and not Samantha?
“When did Samantha leave?” she asked abruptly.
“Samantha? Oh, she dropped me off about an hour before Lily and Ian returned. Why, did you need her for something?”
“Umm…yes, there was something she was supposed to pick up,” Danielle lied. “Did she come in the house when she dropped you off?”
“No.” Will shook his head. “I just had her drop me off out front. She was in a hurry anyway, had a patient to see this afternoon.”
Confused and troubled over Stoddard’s reaction to Will, Danielle excused herself and headed to the house to find Ian and Lily.
* * *
Sadie greeted Danielle in the kitchen. Wagging her tail, the golden retriever ran circles around Danielle, playfully nudging her legs.
“Don’t you look pretty,” Danielle told Sadie, giving her a pat. “You smell good too. Are Ian and Lily still in the library?” As if she understood the question, Sadie turned quickly and raced from the room, heading to the library.
“Why haven’t you been answering your cellphone?” Lily asked the moment Danielle walked into the library a few moments later. Lily sat on the couch with Ian, her feet up on his lap as she leaned against one pillowed arm of the sofa. Ian smiled over at Danielle as he gave Lily a foot rub.
“If Ian hadn’t been here, I would have figured out some way to let Lily know what was going on. Write a letter perhaps,” Walt said when he appeared in the room a moment later.
Danielle flashed Walt a smile and shut the door behind her. “You guys aren’t going to believe the day I’ve had.” She walked to the window and looked outside. Will was still sitting on the bench. If he was involved with the plot to kill her and Joe, he didn’t seem upset that she was still alive.
“Well, we had a wonderful day!” Lily boasted. “We went to this restaurant that—”
“Someone tried to murder Joe and me today,” Danielle blurted out.
The foot rub abruptly ended. “What?” Ian and Lily chimed in unison.
Danielle sat on a chair across from the sofa and told them about her day, beginning with the missing cellphone. She left out the role Walt played in the drama, yet assumed Lily was able to fill in the blanks. The version she told Ian was not much different from what she’d told Brian. Later she would tell Lily the complete story.
“So you think Samantha was in some way involved?” Lily asked.
“The chief wants to question her.” Danielle glanced at the window leading to the side yard. Will was still outside.
“But I…well, I sort of wonder about Will,” Danielle muttered.
“Will?” Ian frowned. “Billy Bob Wayne?” Ian was familiar with Will’s celebrity status, and h
ad seen a number of his commercials when staying in the Phoenix area while working on a story.
“Maybe I’m just being paranoid,” Danielle shrugged. “But he did once live in Frederickport. I’d like to find out if he has any connection to Stoddard.”
“There is something you aren’t saying, isn’t there?” Walt asked.
“I definitely don’t want Nurse Ratched touching Lily again!” Ian said.
Lily patted Ian’s arm. “We don’t know if it was her. Samantha seemed nice, but you have a point…I’m not thrilled with the idea of her continuing as my nurse if she was in some way involved. Maybe we could—” Lily stopped talking when her cellphone began to ring. It was sitting on the end table next to the sofa. She picked it up and looked to see who was calling.
“Speaking of the devil,” Lily said as she answered the phone. “Samantha…hello…”
Ian, Danielle, and Walt silently listened to Lily’s side of the conversation. When she finally finished the call, she said, “Well that was interesting. Sorta takes care of our immediate problem.”
“What did she say?” Danielle asked.
“Apparently, the police brought her in this afternoon, to interview her. She knows all about the attempt on your life. Of course, she claims she knows because of the police interview. She insisted she had nothing to do with taking your phone. Said she would never be involved with something like that. But she felt under the circumstances she could no longer come here and be my nurse. I guess the morning nurse is filling in tonight until the hospital sends someone else over.”
“Do you believe she’s telling the truth?” Ian asked.
Lily shrugged and tossed her phone back on the table. “She sounded sincere. But who knows? At least it solves that problem.”
“The chief doesn’t believe either Joe or I are in danger now, because he thinks the whole point of killing us was to discredit my alibi. But their murder attempt actually had the opposite effect. If someone was trying to stop the local cops from looking elsewhere for Stoddard’s killer, they blew it.”
“I think all of us would feel a hundred percent better if the police had Stoddard’s killer—or killers—behind bars,” Ian said.