"There is more than one way up here," Reeva said in her defense. "I saw Karen take off on a path halfway back and she's still not here. I left Harriet picking mushrooms somewhere."
"They were poisonous," Billie said. When everyone looked at her, she explained.
"Hey, what's going on?" Karen said, coming up the path, clearly winded.
"Allison almost killed herself falling down the cliff," Reeva said. "We had to pull her back up."
Karen glanced at Sabrina who was holding her shirttail to Allison's scalp, trying to stop the bleeding. Then she looked at me. "If she's the one who fell off the cliff, how come Billie and the cowgirl are the ones who look so exhausted?"
Nobody felt like explaining.
"I better go check on Harriet," Reeva said. "Jesus, what a day!"
"You okay to walk?" I asked Allison.
"I'll help her down," Sabrina said. She was hovering over Allison like a mother hen.
Karen shot her a pained look but didn't say anything. Slowly, Billie and I got to our feet. "Why don't you guys go first," I said to Sabrina. "We'll be right behind you."
"I wouldn't want to slow you down," she said. "I mean, Allison might want to take it a little slower. Why don't you all just go on ahead."
"Oh, for God's sake," Allison said, getting to her feet. "I'll go first. You can all follow me." Sabrina looked hurt, which seemed to make Karen angry. I looked at Billie and shrugged. There were more emotions flying around this group than I'd ever be able to sort out. But one thing I did know for sure, someone really did want Allison out of the picture, and they'd almost succeeded. Whoever it was, she was getting pretty bold. At least now I knew for sure it wasn't Billie.
As she and I slowly brought up the rear, I worked the kinks out of my muscles and wondered where Holly, Fay and Lacy were. Still wandering along one of the paths, trying to find their way to the top of the waterfall? Or was one of them lurking in the woods, watching our descent, cursing their foiled attempt?
Chapter Twelve
Dinner was strained, and for reasons I couldn't untangle, there seemed to be a great deal of tension at the table. Lacy was her usual perky self, doting on Allison, which seemed to infuriate Sabrina, who hadn't let Allison out of her sight since our return from the falls. I'd seen what I thought was the full array of Sabrina's mood swings, but tonight she seemed downright spooky. She kept gracing me with long, wounded looks, and then would turn her attention back to Allison, watching her with adoration one minute, pouting the next. Karen stormed away from the table before she'd even finished eating, and Reeva seemed irked beyond reason. It wasn't until I saw her new girlfriend, Harriet, head toward the dance floor with another woman, that I realized Reeva had been dumped.
Holly was watching the whole scene with her usual detached amusement. I wondered what it would take to rattle her cage. I just don't trust people who are that cool all the time. It makes me think they're hiding something. I also wondered where Fay was. She hadn't joined us for dinner.
"Girlfriend, we've got to talk," Billie whispered. She was looking damn sexy, I thought. Her dark skin was set off by a white caftan, and she wore bright red beads for accent. She'd even adorned her close-cropped hair with a red begonia she'd picked in the woods. Allison was watching us with curiosity.
I nodded at Billie, but before I could answer, Allison nudged me under the table with her toe. "Let's dance," she said, smiling seductively.
I sighed and shrugged. "Later," I said to Billie, then followed Allison to the dance floor.
"I'm scared," she said, sliding into my arms. We'd hardly had a chance to talk since we'd been back. Sabrina had insisted on accompanying Allison to the cabin, and I'd had to crouch in the closet to watch them through the camera lens, just to make sure Allison was safe.
"Me too," I admitted. It was a nice, slow song, and we moved easily together. "I'm going to tell Billie. It can't hurt to have another set of eyes. Our stalker is getting reckless. Besides, Billie saw the rocks."
"If you hadn't done what you did—"
"Shhh ..." I felt her move closer, burying her face against my neck. She wasn't playacting. I could feel her body tremble.
"I owe you my life."
"Allie, don't. When it's all over, I'll let you buy me a really nice bottle of wine. Besides, you're paying me, remember? In the meantime, let's just stay focused on finding the damn stalker." I felt her let out her breath. It was warm and moist against my neck.
"Do you have any ideas?"
"Too many," I said truthfully. "I think Sabrina's so full of love and hate for you she doesn't know which end is up. And she may be suicidal — there's a touch of Sylvia Plath in her poetry — and sometimes suicidal people turn homicidal too." I took a breath. "I think Reeva just plain hates you, out of sheer envy, and after what she did to me today, I see she's got a violent streak. Besides, her obsession with football does coincide nicely with the notes. On the other hand, she did help Billie pull us up."
"So did Sabrina," Allison pointed out.
"I guess neither one of them could very well refuse, with the other one there."
"What about Karen?"
"You know that picture you showed me of the whole group in the snow? She's got a copy of that in her wallet, except you've been cut out of it."
Allison was silent, taking this in. Suddenly she laughed.
"What?" I asked. Her breath was tickling my skin, raising goosebumps all the way down my arm.
"In that picture, I've got my arm around Sabrina, right?"
"So?"
"So, Karen's madly in love with Sabrina. Haven't you noticed? She was furious when we started dating. It was right around the time that picture was taken."
Suddenly, I understood all those looks I'd seen Karen giving Sabrina every time Sabrina fawned over Allison. And I understood why Sabrina had been Karen's favorite receiver this afternoon. I'd thought it was because Karen doubted her own throwing skills. But it was just as possible, I realized, that she'd been showing unabashed favoritism.
"That gives her a motive," I said. "She hates you because Sabrina prefers you to her."
The song ended, and another one started. Allison tightened her arms around me and we continued dancing.
"Anyone else?" she asked.
"Lacy seems normal enough. I just can't figure out why she'd hide her Bible."
"What?"
I explained how I'd found Lacy's Bible in her pillowcase when I'd searched her room.
"I didn't even know she was religious," Allison said. "Not that anyone would care. Lately, I've been feeling pretty damned religious myself."
"Frankly, Holly and Fay remain a mystery. I didn't get a chance to search Holly's cabin, but she's about the most aloof person I've ever met. Always has that smug smile on her lips, like she knows a secret. And she acts so superior to everyone else. That she probably knows you've willed two million dollars to Women On Top, and the fact that she'll be in charge of those funds once you die, gives her a pretty damned good motive. As for Fay, she's either the shyest woman on earth or she's hiding something. I get the feeling she's constantly biting her tongue, dying to say something, but holding back. Maybe I just don't trust people who reveal so little of themselves. They both make me nervous."
"I had no idea you were such a cynic." She sighed against my neck, sending another flurry of goosebumps down my body. I pulled away. "Your lip looks terrible," she said, touching it with her fingertip. It was puffy and sore. Dinner had been tricky.
"I guess Reeva really wanted to win," I said.
Allison leaned forward and kissed me lightly on the lips.
"Hey," I said, stepping farther away.
"Hey, yourself. You're supposed to be my girlfriend. Besides, you saved my life today. It wouldn't be natural not to show my appreciation."
She leaned forward again and pressed her lips to mine, gently insistent. Despite the tenderness of my lips, despite the warnings in my head, my lips responded, sending ripples of pleasure through the
rest of my body.
"Allie, don't." I pulled away abruptly, holding her at arm's length.
"That's okay," she said. "On that one kiss, I'll get through the rest of this evening."
We danced until the song ended, holding each other at a safe distance, yet I was intensely aware of her body inches from my own. When the song was over, I nearly bolted for the door.
"I need to address the new arrivals anyway," she said, smiling. "But don't go too far. I may need you."
On my way back to the table, I literally ran into Karen. As she had the night before, she was wearing all black.
"Hey, cowgirl. I see you haven't been bucked off yet." She grinned lewdly, and her eyes looked slightly glazed over from alcohol.
"I beg your pardon?" I felt my cheeks growing warm.
"I admire a woman who can stay in the saddle with Allison. She's as wild a ride as they come." When I didn't laugh, she went on. "Why, I remember not being able to walk for a week. But then, you two haven't had that much time alone yet. You'll see what I mean."
I felt my hands bunch into fists at my side.
"There a problem here?" Reeva said, stepping up behind me. She must have noticed my stance.
"Nah, I was just telling the cowgirl what kind of ride she could expect tonight."
"And I was just getting ready to explain to Karen that where I come from, women don't talk in derogatory terms about ex-lovers and friends."
"Shit, where the fuck is that? Walton's mountain?" Reeva's face was flushed and her words were somewhat slurred. Like Karen, she'd been drinking since we'd come back from the falls.
Karen guffawed. "That's good, Reeva. Damn, all this time I've been calling her cowgirl, but she's really John Girl, John Boy's long lost sister on Walton's Mountain."
I smiled, letting my fists relax. "That would be funny, wouldn't it? I mean it would make a pretty good movie."
"What's that?" Reeva asked.
"You know. John Girl meets Beavis and Butt-head." I smiled sweetly and headed for the door, half afraid they'd follow me outside, half hoping they would.
Chapter Thirteen
"Damn, girl. I thought I was gonna have to come to your defense there." Billie's hand on my shoulder made me start, but it was oddly comforting.
"Come on," I said. "Let's get out of here before they come looking for me." We headed down toward the lake.
"Beavis and Butt-head?" she asked, linking her bracelet-laden arm through mine. We jangled as we walked. "Honey, that was sweet. The best part was when you walked out. Reeva turned to Karen and said, Which one of us do you figure she just called a butthead?' I nearly choked on my wine!"
"Someone's trying to kill Allison," I blurted.
Billie stopped in her tracks and turned to face me. Her dark eyes burned with intensity. "So I noticed. You wanna tell me what's going on, or am I supposed to guess?"
I told her. We walked down to the lakeshore and sat on one of the wooden benches, looking across at the island. The moon was nearly full, its light licking the water like flames. When I'd finished, Billie reached out and held my hand.
"I should've known something was up. Damn, why didn't she tell me?"
"How could she tell anyone? She doesn't know who's trying to kill her. All she knows is that it's someone in your group. In fact, you're the only one we've ruled out."
"I can't believe this." Billie got up and began to pace in front of the bench. She'd taken the flower from her hair and was twirling it between her fingers. "I'll tell you what," she said. "I don't think it's Reeva. I mean, the first down, second down thing fits, but I don't know. She's too literal, you know? I mean, throwing the rock might be Reeva's style, but not the bees. Not the poisoned cereal. Sure, she could've done the brake lines, but I don't think she would have. For one thing, that kind of points to her, being a mechanic and all. And second, she's more the type that would come after you with a knife."
I thought about the Swiss Army knife I'd found in her cabin and nodded. Billie was right, but Reeva simply might be smart enough to throw us all off. "So who?" I asked, standing up to pace beside her.
"I don't know. Damn, I wish I did. You say Holly knows about this money? Even if she does, I mean, how could that help her? It's not like she could steal it. Could she?"
"Once the money is willed to Women On Top, she could certainly control it. She's smart enough to figure out some way to get her hands on it."
"It's gotta be someone else," Billie said, shaking her head.
"Well, there's an awful lot of love/hate stuff going on around Allison," I said. "People seem to either idolize her or resent her. Has it always been this way?"
Billie laughed. "Now that I realize you two are just faking this little relationship, I can understand the question. If it were real, you wouldn't be asking."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, anyone who's been with Allison would understand." She walked toward the water, looked up at the moon. "Allison's a special lady. She has a gift. I don't just mean that she's great with her patients, or a natural leader. Her real gift is so special, she only gives it now and then. If and when you're ever lucky enough to be on the receiving end, you'll know what I mean."
"Billie, no offense intended, but how good can someone be? I mean, I understand great sex, but come on."
Billie turned and looked at me. Her eyes were laughing and she was shaking her head. "Cassidy, listen to me, girl. It's not about sex. Not totally. When Allison's with you, she gives one thousand percent. She makes you feel like you're the most important person in the world. The only person in the world. Being with her is like being in a dream you don't want to wake up from." She sighed. "Picture this. A piece of chocolate that's so good, so rich, so extraordinary, when you bite into it, you swear you've found heaven. Best thing you've ever tasted. One piece is almost more than you can bear. You'd like more, but you know instinctively that it wouldn't be good for you. It would be too much of a good thing. Now, here's Allison, and she's got a whole box of these chocolates. There's no way one person can handle the whole thing. And what's she gonna do? Let it rot? She knows what she's got. She appreciates it as much as the people she shares the gift with. She offers them sparingly, when the time is right."
"You make her sound like some kind of sex goddess," I said.
"Do I?" She looked wistful, then sighed. "It's not so much the sex as it is the intensity. It's— Oh hell, Cass. Some things are better left unexplained."
We'd started walking along the shore, and I was glad Billie couldn't see my face. "You're saying that her gift is her love, but it's so wonderful that the average person just can't handle it? I'm supposed to believe that all these women she goes to bed with are just grateful for the opportunity to be her latest conquest? I should introduce her to Erica Trinidad."
Billie laughed. "I don't know who she is, but this Erica sounds interesting."
I chose to say nothing.
"Look, Cassidy. I'm only telling you this because of what's happening. You think someone's trying to kill Allison out of jealousy, but I'm not sure that's right. I can only speak for myself, of course. I mean, I can imagine someone wanting to be with her again, but no one in her right mind would think they could possibly handle Allison full-time. She's just too intense."
We had walked all the way to a small pier where dozens of tiny sailboats were moored. We turned back. I was as intrigued with the conversation as I was disturbed by it.
"Are you telling me that after treating these women like they're goddesses, she just drops them and they're okay with it? I don't think Sabrina is."
"I said anyone in her right mind. Sabrina's a whole different story."
"How about you? You seem to be handling Allison's infidelities just fine."
"That's just it. They're not infidelities. She's never promised herself to anyone. She's totally honest about what she can give. You feel like a damn fool accepting the conditions, but before it's over, you realize you'd have been a worse fool not to have taken
advantage of the opportunity. You see? She's not taking advantage. You are. Well, not you. I mean, the women in Allison's life. I guess I mean me." She laughed at her own admission.
"So you don't feel any jealousy?" I thought I knew the answer.
She sighed heavily. "Cassidy, if Allison crept into my bed tonight, I would not turn her away. I'd welcome her with open arms. I've never loved anyone like I love Allison Crane. Not just because she's beautiful or powerful. And not just because she taught me more about myself than I imagined. I love Allison because she's a free, delicate spirit. Like a butterfly. You might want to own her, but that would mean killing her first. Those guys who chase butterflies with nets and then trap them in amber paperweights, they profess to love butterflies. But a butterfly in a paperweight is no more beautiful than a squashed bug. I think Allison counts on her lovers to accept this."
"I think one of them may have missed this point," I mused. We were almost back to the lodge and we'd both started walking more slowly.
"You like her, don't you?" she asked.
"Of course I do." It sounded pathetic, even to me.
"I mean, if you weren't on a case, you'd be interested."
"Interested or not, it wouldn't matter. I have a lover."
"But you are. Interested, I mean."
"Billie." She stopped and we stood looking at each other in the moonlight. "Allison Crane is one of the most intriguing women I've ever met, but Maggie Carradine is my lover. She's smart, she's sexy, and if I don't screw things up, I think she might just love me forever. If she ever even thought I was looking at someone else, she'd bolt. I don't want her to bolt. I have found a woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. I don't need Allison Crane." My face was hot again, and I was afraid that in the moonlight Billie could see my emotion.
"I think what I'm hearing," she said, suppressing a smile, "is that you not only love your partner, but you're trying as diligently as humanly possible to remain faithful, despite your obvious attraction to Allison. All I can say is, good luck." She was grinning now, but her eyes were ultimately kind. "It's a noble effort, I'll give you that," she added.
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