Wish of the Heart (Fountain of Love) (Contemporary Romantic Suspense): Fountain of Love

by Malia Mallory

  Now that Macie looked, she thought she did notice a little waddle in Rose’s step. She did a circuit of the room and returned to the bar. She hopped up on a barstool and nursed her drink. A nice-looking man stopped to chat, but she didn’t encourage him. She wanted to talk to Carol, and besides, she wasn’t really looking at the moment.

  Macie gasped as she realized it was true. She’d stopped seeing every guy as a prospect since Rylan came back into her life. She wondered if that was wise. What would happen when this whole thing was over? Would they pick up the threads of their lives and move on?

  Macie left the bar area. Carol was in here somewhere. After circling the venue twice, Macie spied her at a small table, half hidden behind a pillar, and set out in her direction.

  The seat across from Carol was empty and Macie slid into it. “Carol, how are you?” Macie reached across the table and grasped her hand.

  “Good. Fine. I didn’t expect to see you.” Carol pulled her hand back and laced her fingers.

  “You know I like to catch up with you guys. You’re my friends, too. It helps keep Karen’s memory alive.” Carol looked stricken and Macie wondered if she’d laid it on too thick. “Anyway, I can never thank you all enough for the support you all showed. It’s little enough for me to do to come by and say hello.”

  “Your job is going well?” Carol asked. Two highball glasses sat on the table in front of her. One was already empty while the other was half-filled with amber liquid.

  “Yes, keeping busy. I talked to Rose and she said you guys are swamped.”

  “What would she know about it?” Carol responded, her words dripping with resentment. “She’s always taking off for doctor’s appointments and her son’s soccer games while the rest of us stay late. Jerry has a real soft spot for her.”

  “Really? That must be frustrating.” It shocked Macie that Rose and Carol were at odds. The two of them had been so close with her sister. Perhaps Karen had been the glue that held the group together.

  Carol thumped the table. “It is. Just because I don’t have kids doesn’t mean I don’t have things to do. She’s always asking people to cover for her.”

  “The merger is still making a lot of work for everyone?” Macie asked.

  “Yeah, it’s ridiculous and they won’t hire anyone. After things get integrated, they’ll probably be laying people off, so why bring on more staff now? At least, that’s what they tell Jerry.” Carol took a large gulp of her drink.

  “That’s kind of crazy, making you all work so hard if they’re going to let people go.” Macie didn’t always love her job, but she wasn’t working under the constant threat of termination.

  Carol shook her finger at Macie. “The question is, who are they going to let go? That’s why they can do it. Everyone’s afraid they’ll be one of the ones to get the boot. They think if they work their asses off now, maybe it will be somebody else when the time comes.”

  Macie adopted a sympathetic expression. “Must be a lot of documents to go through.”

  Carol scowled. “There are. Boxes and boxes as well as electronic stuff.”

  “I imagine you must find things that have to be corrected.” Macie’s breath hitched as she waited for Carol’s reaction.

  “Sure, now and again.” Carol shrugged and took another deep gulp of her drink.

  “What would happen if you found something big?” Macie asked.

  “What? What are you talking about? Why would you ask that?” Carol bristled with irritation.

  “Sorry, you always see it in the news about some big-wig doing this or that,” Macie offered an explanation for her curiosity.

  Carol didn’t respond.

  Macie tried a new tact. “It sounds stressful.”

  “It is. It sucks.” Carol looked around nervously. “Don’t listen to me. I’ve had a couple drinks. It’s not all that bad.”

  Macie wanted to hint around about Jerry, but thought better of it. Carol probably wasn’t aware that everyone knew. Carol had clearly consumed more than her limit and wasn’t in the best of moods.

  Carol pointed at Macie. “You know,” she slurred slightly, “your sister. She was a beautiful person.”

  “Yes, she was,” Macie agreed. Karen had been more than her sister. She’d been Macie’s best friend. Tears stung Macie’s eyes and she blinked them away.

  “What happened to her … that was wrong. Tragic.” Carol looked off into space, lost in thought.

  “Yes.” Suddenly Macie didn’t want to hear any more. She didn’t want to reminisce about Karen. She didn’t want to probe and dissect the politics of a dysfunctional office. Neither Rose nor Carol seemed to know anything beyond that her sister was working hard at the time of her death.

  Macie stood and almost bumped into Jerry as he came up behind her. “Oh, Jerry, you startled me.”

  “Sorry,” he said, not looking sorry at all.

  “I’m going to get going. I wanted to drop by for a quick hello.” The party was a complete waste. Carol was inebriated, Rose was preoccupied, and Macie had no more answers now than before.

  “Hello,” Carol said, wagging her fingertips.

  “Watch out for her, Jerry. I think she’s had too much.”

  He didn’t respond and Macie walked away quickly. She exited the bar and headed toward the subway, clutching her purse tightly.

  It wasn’t that late. Many of the businesses on the street were still open. She removed her fare card from the side pocket of her purse, swept it, and entered the turnstile.

  Rush hour was over. Only a few people stood on the platform. The skin between Macie’s shoulder blades itched, and she moved farther down toward the center. She glanced around but no one seemed to be taking any particular notice of her. She got out her phone and opened the book she’d started earlier in the week.

  Macie heard the soft fall of a footstep behind her just before she was propelled forward as someone bumped into her hard. Her phone went flying, and she fell to her hands and knees, flesh scraping against the concrete platform. Her momentum took her to the edge, but she didn’t fall off. She blinked as the metal rails came into focus. She quickly crawled backwards.

  “Yo, lady. You okay?”

  Macie looked up into the face of a young man. He held her phone out to her and she took it. “Thank you.”

  “Gotta be more careful. People don’t look where they’re going.”

  “No. No, they don’t.” The man shuffled away, and Macie struggled to her feet. Her palms and knees stung and blood welled in places.

  The train rattled into the station and Macie shook. She could have been down on the tracks.

  Macie entered the train car and surveyed the damage. Her phone seemed okay. The case was a little scuffed. There was a jagged rip in her dress and grime on her skin. As the stops passed, other bumps and bruises made themselves known.

  Macie looked around the subway car. A sudden feeling of vulnerability seized her. Maybe that bump hadn’t been as accidental as she thought. Maybe her questions made someone nervous.

  The train stopped but Macie didn’t get off. She continued riding and disembarked at the station closest to Rylan’s apartment. She limped the few crosstown blocks to his building and entered the lobby.

  The doorman announced her and soon she was in the elevator. Rylan poked his head out his door as she hobbled down the hall.

  “What happened to you?” he demanded.

  “Long story.” Macie didn’t want to share it, but she knew Rylan wouldn’t drop the subject without an explanation.

  Rylan guided her inside to the bathroom. He helped her clean up the cuts and scratches as she told him about the party.

  He dabbed alcohol on one of the deeper lacerations. “Let me get this straight. You went to the office party. You asked a lot of nosy, unusual questions, and then someone tried to push you off a subway platform?”

  Macie could almost hear his teeth grinding together. “Why does it sound so much worse coming from you?”

&nb
sp; “Macie, I can’t believe you did something so careless.” Rylan held a piece of gauze to her knee and taped it in place.

  “It wasn’t careless,” Macie protested.

  “It was,” Rylan insisted. He brought her palm to his lips and planted a gentle kiss on her skin.

  “It was a perfect opportunity to try to find something out. Besides, we don’t even know if the subway thing is related or not.”

  “Did you report it?” Rylan asked.

  Macie hedged. “Not exactly.”

  “Not exactly,” he repeated. “You mean no.”

  “Rylan, I was hurt and scared. Frankly the only thing on my mind at the time was—”

  “Was what?”

  The truth poured out of her. “Getting to you. I wanted to get to you. I wanted to feel safe.”

  Rylan clasped his arms around her and held on tight.

  Chapter 9

  The phone jarred Macie out of a sound sleep. “Hello?” Her voice was thick and drowsy.

  “Ms. Connor? This is Joe from the parking garage.”

  Macie couldn’t place the thick, Brooklyn accent. “Huh? The parking garage?” She’d paid the bill, hadn’t she? Her foggy mind couldn’t wrap itself around why he’d be calling.

  “Yeah, there’s been a fire. Your car was damaged. I need you to come down here.” Muffled voices in the background came through the line.

  Macie shook off the cobwebs of sleep. “My car’s on fire?”

  “Fire’s out. Call your insurance. Then you need to come down, please.”

  “All right. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Macie hung up. Her first thought was to call Rylan and she dismissed it. She could handle this. She’d been handling things on her own a long time.

  Macie dressed and made the call to her insurance agent. Her coffee craving emerged and her mouth watered in anticipation of that first sharp gulp. But there was no time for indulgences.

  Out on the street, the sun lightened the sky at the edges. It was early, but not so early that there weren’t plenty of people on the street. Joggers and dog walkers vied for sidewalk space with those heading in for an early day at work.

  Her garage was only a few blocks away. She didn’t use the car much and often thought about cutting the expense. However, when she wanted to escape the city, it was great to have transportation close at hand.

  A fire truck and two police cars blocked the street in front of the parking garage, and she quickened her steps. She entered the office, where several men were speaking. She identified Joe via the name patch sewn onto the pocket of his shirt.

  “There she is. Hey, Ms. Connor. Sorry about the bad news.” Joe ran his fingers over his balding scalp.

  “What happened?” Macie asked.

  One of the men stepped toward her. “I’m Fire Marshal Cross and this is Detective Petry. May we speak to you?” Fatigue lined Cross’ face and his deep-set eyes bored into her.

  “Of course.” Macie’s stomach clenched. This situation was all too reminiscent of the investigation into Karen’s death.

  Cross verified her personal information and the make of the car. “When did you last drive your car?” he asked.

  Macie thought back. “A couple weeks ago. I drove a friend to the airport.” Public transportation to JFK was either slow or expensive. Macie had been glad to help out a friend.

  “Was that the last time you saw it?” Cross held his pen poised over his small notebook.

  “Yes,” Macie responded. She wanted to sit. The cramped office was becoming claustrophobic.

  “Can you confirm the date?” Cross cocked his head to the side.

  Macie fiddled with her uncooperative phone calendar until she found the information.

  “Was your vehicle experiencing any mechanical problems?”

  “No, not that I know of.” Macie swallowed. She didn’t pay much attention to the car, since she didn’t need it daily. She knew she’d be sorry one day when she had a major breakdown.

  “When did you last take it in for service?” Cross kept his voice matter of fact.

  “Ummm, a few months ago for an oil change? The date is on a sticker on the windshield.” Macie twisted Karen’s ring on her finger, wishing now she’d called Rylan.

  Cross continued his questions. “Was your gas tank full?”

  “Probably not full. More than half. I don’t like to go below half in case I have trouble getting to a station.” Macie glanced at Detective Petry, but he seemed content to simply observe as she was questioned.

  “Do you smoke, Ms. Connor?” There was the merest suggestion of a drawl in Cross’ words.

  “No.” Macie tried to read his expression, but he kept his expression neutral, though his eyes were sharp and alert.

  “No smoking materials in the car?” he pressed.

  Macie shook her head. “No. I keep coins in the ashtray.” The change was handy for tolls.

  Cross made a note. “What other items did you have in the car? Any personal items?”

  Macie pictured the cluttered interior. “Some music CDs. Jumper cables. Random stuff in the back seat. An umbrella, I think.”

  “Anything of value?”

  “Not really, no.” It had never seemed smart to leave anything valuable in the car. She didn’t want to end up with a broken window.

  “A gas can?”

  “No.” Macie resisted the urge to put her finger in her mouth. Nail biting was a habit she’d given up long ago.

  Cross closed his notebook. “I may have more questions for you later. Right now, we’re completing our on-scene investigation and then the car will be towed.”

  “Can I see it?” Macie asked.

  “The area is cordoned off right now. There’s really not much to see. Detective Petry has additional questions for you.”

  “Yes. Okay.” Macie walked to the lone guest chair in the cramped office. The faded vinyl seat was split but Macie sat down anyway. Discomfort soon had her fidgeting.

  “Ms. Connor?” Petry’s soft voice didn’t fit with his stern demeanor.

  “Yes?” Macie looked up at the officer. His square face was serious and his suit crisp for such an early hour.

  “You’ve been at home all night?” Petry asked.

  “Yeah. Aren’t there security cameras in here?” Macie looked at the ceiling. Blinking cameras were attached high on the wall in two corners. She hoped they weren’t fake.

  “Yes, there are and we’ll be taking a look at the footage.” He paused, taking stock. “Do you know of anyone who’d want to do you harm?”

  “Do me harm?” Macie flipped her hands over, hiding her scratched palms. Her action didn’t escape his scrutiny.

  “Do you have any names for me?” His pencil poised over his notebook.

  Macie hesitating, weighing her words. “I can’t think of anyone.” She’d never been a good liar and, under these circumstances, she was worse than usual.

  “If you think of anything, you call me.” The officer handed her a card.

  Macie rose. “I will. Am I needed for anything else?” She steadied herself, resisting the urge to bolt.

  “We’ll be back in touch with you,” he said as if he could read her thoughts.

  “Okay.” Words bubbled up in her throat, threatening to burst free. She wanted to tell him about Karen, the laptop, the subway, everything. Petry’s manner invited confidences, but she couldn’t do that. She shouldn’t do that—yet. She wanted to talk to Rylan. She needed to talk to Rylan.

  Macie walked out of the office with slow, deliberate steps. She removed her phone from her pocket and a text popped up.

  Good thing you weren’t in the car.

  Macie froze. She didn’t know the number. She dialed Rylan as her eyes swept the street.

  “Macie?” Rylan sounded sleepy.

  Macie told him what happened to her car and about the text she’d received.

  “Go back to the parking garage. Stay there. I’ll come meet you.”

  “Okay.” Macie r
etraced her steps. When she reached the parking garage, she stayed on the sidewalk.

  Detective Petry came out. “Did you think of something?”

  “Uh no. A friend is coming to pick me up,” Macie explained.

  “Okay. Hold on to that card,” he responded.

  “I will.” Macie hid her hands in her pockets and resisted the impulse to pace. The minutes crawled by. Pigeons pecked at the curb, and she focused her attention there. Anything for a distraction.

  A cab pulled up and the door opened. Rylan was in the back seat.

  Macie slid in beside him. “I’m so glad to see you.” She pressed up against him, savoring his warmth.

  “Macie …” He grasped her hand tightly.

  “I know what you’re going to say.” Macie didn’t want to go to the police, not yet. She wanted to find answers first and present them with the evidence. She wanted it to be solid. She sensed justice for Karen was within reach, and she wasn’t going to stop until she had it.

  “Okay, I shouldn’t have to say it again.” Rylan stroked her hair.

  Fear seized her heart. “Where’s the laptop?”

  “At my place. I didn’t take it anywhere else.”

  “I don’t think we should leave it unattended.” The computer was their hope of finding the truth. Macie didn’t want it out of her sight again.

  ~ * ~ * ~

  The elevator doors opened and Macie sprinted down the hall, Rylan on her heels.

  “Macie, calm down. The doorman wouldn’t let anyone up when I’m not at home.” Rylan’s keys jangled in his hand.

  “Open the door, please.” On the cab ride over, her anxiety ballooned until her throat clenched.

  Rylan unlocked the door and Macie rushed inside. Books and paper lay strewn across the floor.

  “Was this how you left things?” Macie knew it wasn’t.

  “No.” Rylan’s eyes settled on the table. “The computer.”

  “Karen’s laptop?” She knew it. It was gone. Macie gasped for breath.

  “No, mine. I put Karen’s back in the chest.” Rylan strode through the kitchen. “Someone came in the service door.” The back stairwell contained the garbage chute, and most residents kept their recycling there as well. It was only used by building employees.