Till The Dead Speak (Killer Affections Book 2)

by Jerrie Alexander

  “I didn’t fail anything. That’s why I’m celebrating. If you’re not joining me, go away.” Leaning his head back against the chair, Linc closed his eyes. He tried to block out Dave’s presence, the smell of the sea, and his memories of Sam. “You still here, aren’t you?”

  “Looks like it. What are you celebrating?” Dave shifted in his chair, before propping his feet up on the balcony railing. He looked like he’d settled in for a while.

  “You’re worse than a woman. You’re gonna harp at me till I tell you.”

  Dave smiled and nodded, looking like a surfer-bobble-head doll.

  “I’m having my own party, celebrating my new assignment and the irony of it. “I’ll be closing up my condo and relocating to Dallas in a few days.” Trying hard to pretend it didn’t matter, Linc shrugged his shoulders.

  “Fuck. That’s some twisted fate.” Lync’s face had turned serious, deep furrows ran between his eyes. “She moves out here, and you’re relocated to Dallas.”

  “It is what it is.” He looked out at the ocean hoping Dave would drop the subject.

  Dave stood and placed his hand on Linc’s shoulder. “I wish you’d change your mind about tonight. She misses you, man. She’s withdrawn from us, keeping things strictly business. Oh, and she’s moved into Charlie’s house.”

  “Sounds to me like she’s doing just fine. Not that I asked for an update.” Linc raised an eyebrow as Dave’s grip grew tighter. “What the hell do you want from me?”

  Dave relaxed his hold on Linc’s shoulder. “Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, you should let her in on what’s happened.”

  “Don’t you get it? I’m glad to be going back to work.”

  “Yeah. But you’re doing it all wrong.”

  Linc laid his head back and closed his eyes. He didn’t want to party, didn’t want to see Samantha, and didn’t want to know how happy she was with her new restaurant. He sat watching clouds gather over the Pacific. The wind steadily picked up, blowing white capped swells onto the shore. The consistency of the rolling waves, the repeating pattern, hitting over and over, somehow gave him comfort.

  When he woke, the sun had gone down and rain was dripping from the roof. He shifted his body to a more comfortable position. It was a slight movement, but his head reacted like Mount Vesuvius had exploded. Groaning, he pushed himself upright and out of the chair. Inside, he rummaged around for a couple of Advil, and then stepped in the shower and let the cool water clear away the cobwebs from his brain. He shaved the stubble on his face and applied little patches of toilet paper to the razor nicks. He might need a transfusion if they didn’t stop bleeding soon. At least the rain had stopped by the time he walked back to his kitchen.

  The Cage was Samantha’s life now. He’d watched from a distance, witnessed her excitement as the restaurant had reached completion. He knew that telling her about his assignment was the right thing to do. But could he take Dave’s advice? Could he ask her if there was a chance for the two of them? He would never know if he didn’t push through his pride and take the next step. Only by facing her, looking into her eyes, would he get the truth.

  ****

  Samantha pulled into the parking lot, killed the engine, and sat staring at the newly completed restaurant. A final inspection and they’d be open for New Year’s Eve. She wondered what Charlie would think about The Cage with all its changes. The thought slipped away when Ham and Phil parked beside her, and she hurried to greet them.

  “Welcome to The Cage,” she said, bowing and gesturing toward the building with a sweep of one arm.

  Phil looked official, even though off duty, in his dark suit and tie. It was Ham, in his black slacks and white shirt, covered with a bright red cardigan that brought a hearty laugh from Samantha. Getting between them, she looped her arms through theirs and led them across the parking lot.

  “Where’s your wife, Phil?”

  “Sue sends her regrets. She’s pulling a double at the hospital.”

  “We’ll send her a plate of food.”

  She glanced at Ham. “And I was told you had a date.”

  “She’ll be arriving soon,” Ham said with a wide grin.

  “You look beautiful tonight, Samantha,” Phil said as they crossed the parking lot together.

  “I object,” Ham said abandoning his Santa Claus persona for his attorney voice. “You stole my line.”

  “Thank you, kind sirs. So do you both.” She stopped to adjust Ham’s tie. which was covered with tiny Rudolphs. She squealed and jumped backwards when the noses began blinking. “I love the tie. It’s so you.” She laughed with them. “Dave and Maggie are already here, and Hector came back just in time. Let’s get inside before it rains again.”

  The Christmas decorations made the place even warmer and more welcoming. Shimmering hardwood flooring gleamed as the glare from the lights bounced off the waxed shine. Dead center was a star pattern made out of the salvaged lumber from the fire. In one corner, a Christmas tree reached almost to the ceiling, smothered in multicolored lights, ornaments, and tinsel with an angel dressed in white at the top. Decorating had been a real treat for Samantha.

  The décor, done in shades of beige with splashes of bright yellows, reds, and, greens scattered throughout, had turned out even better than she’d hoped. The restored photographs of Charlie and his famous visitors covered the front entry wall.

  Samantha excused herself after a few minutes catching up on everyone’s holiday plans. She needed a moment alone, so she opened the door to the patio and breathed in the cool evening air. The rain had left the sand wet and shining, as if it too had dressed for the evening. This was her first Christmas in her new life, and she fought to control her emotions, which seemed to sit right at the edge of tears. The one thing that could make the night better was if Linc walked through the door.

  Picking out an outfit for tonight hadn’t been too difficult; she’d found a sapphire blue dress with a billowy skirt, capping off at her knees.

  “Samantha,” Dave called from behind the bar. “What are you drinking?”

  “Nothing for me, thanks.” Thinking quickly, she added, “I’m driving.”

  “You can have one glass of wine and still drive,” Maggie protested.

  “Okay, one wine.”

  The front door opened and in swept her grandmother. “Oh, my God,” Samantha exclaimed in shock. Dressed as if she’d stepped out of the old Bing Crosby movie, White Christmas, Nana was stunning in a floor length red velvet dress with white fake fur trimming at the hem and a low cut neckline. A white fur muff completed the portrait in motion. “Nana, you’re more beautiful than a movie star.”

  “Thank you. I must say you’re looking lovely. She gave the room a brief scan. “Now where’s my date?” With her best smile in place, she sought out Ham, who was walking toward them. “There you are,” she purred. “Buy me a drink, Santa.”

  Ham actually laughed a hearty ho-ho-ho as he took her grandmother by the elbow and led her to the bar. As the two of them walked away, he stopped and turned back to Samantha. Without moving his hands, the reindeer flashed their noses at her. Nana had made another conquest. Ham was smitten.

  Samantha hurried to her purse and retrieved her camera. A picture of Ham and her grandmother would be the first one framed and added to the entryway. Snapping a series of shots, she couldn’t resist telling Ham, “If you stick a finger to the side of your nose and disappear, you’d better leave my Nana behind.”

  A movement outside caught Samantha’s attention. She walked to the back glass, facing the ocean, followed by Maggie. “Can you see anyone out there?”

  Maggie stepped close to the glass. “Not a soul.”

  “I thought...” Had Samantha been hoping Linc would mysteriously show up?

  “That it might’ve been Linc?” Maggie accepted a glass of wine from Dave and passed one to Samantha. “It’s possible. Dave talked to him earlier today.”

  “Linc’s back?” Her heart pounded as she moved to the bac
k door. She peered out, her nose inches from the glass, but saw nothing. “What did he say?”

  “I don’t know. Apparently, he was pretty drunk and wasn’t very sociable.”

  “I can’t imagine him drunk.” Samantha faked a laugh and went to join her grandmother. Thinking about him wasn’t going to ruin her evening. That didn’t mean that she wouldn’t face him and find out what was really in his heart.

  “What do you think of our completed project?” she asked her grandmother as they did a sweep of the interior.

  “I think we did a splendid job.” Her grandmother’s face glowed with pride as they moved through the building. “Your idea of enlarging the seating area was a good one.”

  “Any suggestions or changes you’d make?” Samantha asked.

  “I might leave some of those small clear lights up all the time.” Her grandmother scanned the dining area. “They add to the ambiance.”

  “Yes, I agree. I’ll tell Dave. What’s going on between you and Ham? You’ve been keeping secrets.”

  Nana tilted her head and smiled. “He grew on me.”

  “I’m glad. Has he helped make your decision about living out here?”

  “He’s working on it.” Her grandmother’s laughter brightened up the room more than all the lights. Ham must’ve thought so too, because with Rudolf blinking, he crossed the room and joined them.

  “Nana, I want you to check out of your hotel in the morning. You’re spending the rest of your visit with me at my home.” The word home rolled off her tongue easily. It had become hers. Not Charlie’s anymore.

  “Wow. Give this girl a little money and she gets pushy,” her grandmother said to Ham.

  “Ah, yes, they do get independent. Now we have to get her out of that cocoon she’s built around herself.”

  Again, Samantha saw a shadow by the patio. Ice cold fingers crept up the back of her neck. If it was Linc, why was he so reluctant to come inside? She casually pulled Phil aside.

  “Someone’s out there. This is the second time tonight I’ve seen a shadow by the patio.”

  “I’ll take a look around.” He walked behind the counter and into the kitchen. When he stopped at the side door, she bumped into him from behind.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Phil stared down at her, wearing his cop face.

  “With you.” If it was Linc, she had to know why he hadn’t come inside.

  “Not hardly. You.” He pointed toward the dining room. “Go join the others. I’ll be right back.”

  “Fine.” She glared at him. He was right, but she wanted to go anyway. “If it’s Linc, drag him in here.”

  She heard him laughing as he lumbered into the darkness. His size should probably count as a weapon. The sound of group chatter pulled her back to the party.

  Sitting around one table, her new family talked, with an occasional laugh thrown in, while Christmas music played in the background. How could she be this lucky? Don’t you dare, she commanded the tears filling her eyes. Quickly, she went behind the bar and picked up her camera. She moved around the table capturing the happy faces with the lens of her camera.

  Dave stood. “Somebody get my picture with the boss.”

  “Don’t start that. I’m not going to play an active role. You’re the manager, and I won’t be an interfering owner. I promise.”

  “Why not?” Her grandmother’s eyebrows lifted. “What are you going to do with yourself?”

  “I’ll stay busy. I’m not disappearing from the face of the earth. As the meals are delicious and the drinks are cold, I’ll be around. Speaking of drinks…” she raised her glass.

  “Phil,” Ham called out as Phil entered the room. “Come sit down. Samantha is going to make a toast.”

  “I was only going to say Merry Christmas.”

  “Then I’ll make one.” Ham stood and walked around to Samantha, he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “To you, Samantha. For making us part of your life, giving unconditional love, and bringing great joy. Merry Christmas.” His eyes absolutely sparkled as he kissed her on the cheek while her friends chimed in their holiday wishes.

  “Stop it. All of you, you’ll make me cry.”

  “It’s okay. Cry if you want too.” Her grandmother walked behind her, wrapping her arms around her waist and hugged her tightly. “You’re with friends,” she whispered in Samantha’s ear.

  Pulling away, she hid behind her camera, taking a few more pictures before stealing a glance at Phil. He shook his head. He’d found no one. It had been her imagination, a schoolgirl wish that maybe Linc had been standing in the shadows, missing her, wanting a glimpse of her. She had to quit looking for him around every corner, take the initiative, and go face him.

  As the evening wrapped up she walked her last guest to the door. She kissed her grandmother goodnight. “It’ll be fun ringing in the New Year together at The Cage’s grand reopening.”

  “You sure you don’t want me to help you lock up?”

  “No. Phil secured the doors and set the back alarms. My car is right here at the door.”

  Truth was, she finally had a few minutes alone in her grandfather’s restaurant. She reflected on how fast her life had changed. She stood before the picture of Charlie and her grandmother, taken in front of his car, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he’d be happy with what she’d done? She’d had the faded and cracked photograph restored, enlarged and framed. She’d noticed her grandmother studying it a couple of times during the evening. Samantha hoped it brought back good memories, because she had a smaller version wrapped under the Christmas tree at home for her.

  She made one last walk through, wondering what she was going say to Linc. They deserved a chance, didn’t they? People made long distance relationship work all the time.

  As she locked the door behind herself, her next project popped into her mind. She’d have that old Ford restored and occasionally drive it to the restaurant. She’d park that baby next to the front door for all the customers to see the car in the picture. Why? She wasn’t sure. Maybe, it would bring her closer to Charlie.

  Keys in hand, she walked to water’s edge for a minute. The rain had stopped, and the clouds dissipated leaving the stars sparkling as if they’d been washed and polished. After a few minutes, she turned and started to walk to her car.

  Someone grabbed her from behind. Hands gripped her arms tightly. She screamed, pulling against the hold, but her attacker was too strong. Her purse and keys fell to the ground as she struggled.

  “Shut up, and stop fighting me.”

  Dylan’s low and menacing voice drove a wedge of panic into her chest. He caught a hand full of hair, dragged her to the front of the car, and then shoved her backward over the hood. Pain exploded as he slammed her head against the metal. A knife pressed against her neck.

  The security light cast an eerie shadow across his face. Wild-eyed, his lips were drawn back tight against his teeth, his cheek muscles twitching. Another scream bubbled up in the back of her throat. She’d never known this kind of terror. This couldn’t be happening.

  “What do you want?” She fought to control the panic rising in her chest.

  He pressed against her, inches from her face. His eyes were sunk back in their sockets, tears ran down his face, and his breath was putrid.

  “I want my life back.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “You really don’t know, do you?”

  “Tell me.” She had to get him talking. Anything to calm him down.

  “Your grandfather found out that Leo was running a set of books for the restaurant and a separate set tracking the money he laundered for my father. He took pictures and showed a sample to Leo, threatening to file charges. The stupid fuck panicked and killed the old bastard, but Charlie had managed to hide the entire set of images. My father tasked me to find that proof or buy the properties, but you wouldn’t listen.” Dylan hissed the words at her. “Because of you, he thi
nks I’m a failure. He’s cut me off without a dime.”

  “Listen to me, Dylan. I’m not responsible for your problems.” She struggled to keep her tone of voice level, and fought to keep her wits. He’d gone completely mad, and she had to keep things from escalating.

  “After I killed Leo, my father said to cut our losses, but I couldn’t. I came to you again but you turned me away. When you’re dead, he’ll forgive me.”

  Dylan tightened his grip, lifting her head, so that his lips hovered over hers.

  “Lucky me, I heard you were celebrating tonight. I started to burn it with the lot of you inside, but I decided we’d set fire to it together.”

  “Dylan, be reasonable.” She had to get him to loosen his grip just for a second. “Let’s go inside and have a drink. We can figure this out together.”

  Tears slid down his cheeks. He gulped air into his lungs as if breathing were difficult. “Really? You and me?”

  “If that’s what you want.” She played along, buying time. “We can work this out. None of this is your fault.”

  “You’re right.” He spat his words at her. “It’s your fault.”

  Turning his head, he wiped his nose across the shoulder of his shirt. He released her hair, and ran his hands up and down her bare arms. The feel of his clammy skin on her made her shake from the inside out…she couldn’t stop. Emotions played across his face and real terror struck when his crying stopped, and an exaggerated smile replaced his sneer.

  “You and me?” His face glowed with childlike glee. “Did you think I’d fall for that? I gave you a chance, but you thought you were too good for me.”

  The tip of the blade pushed against her throat.

  “No. Please. Listen to me.” She tried to sound sincere, but her throat seized, making her words come out in a squeak.

  “You really thought I was that stupid? Maybe you should burn with your precious building.”

  He pulled her upright and dragged her toward the front door. She had to buy some time. Had to position herself where she could land a solid blow with her knee.