Thoughts were rapidly flying through Lexie’s head while she walked through the hospital lobby. She knew there was nothing she could do to change Cesare’s mind about building a research lab. Cesare had made his intransigence quite clear during his last public appearance in Vernon Hills. Lexie wondered if he would allow Pierre to dig through the theatre’s rubble. Asking permission to poke around in a ruined building sounded much more reasonable than inquiring about a magic key.
Pierre was twisting the ends of his scarf nervously in his hands when Lexie entered Flora’s room. “Well, did you learn anything?”
“Cesare is meeting with the mayor in Vernon Hills right now,” Lexie told the worried man. “If we leave now, maybe we can catch him before he leaves for Benton Junction.”
A conflicted expression crossed Pierre’s face and he shook his head. “We cannot leave the hospital now that the Lindegaards are here.”
Lexie raised her eyebrows. “Cesare Garland is in Vernon Hills and may have your key. This is the perfect opportunity to question him. If we get it back, all of this craziness will end! Nickolas won’t need to be protected because his uncle won’t want to kill him!”
Pierre let go of his scarf and gripped Lexie’s arm. “I am afraid for Nickolas and Flora.”
“I know, and so am I,” replied Lexie, “but isn’t a hospital the safest place for them?”
“Hamlet was killed by a poisoned sword.”
Lexie sighed with exasperation. “Yeah, and how is someone going to get inside a hospital with a sword, much less a knife? Anyway, I’m sure Braedon will stay with him.”
“A sword doesn’t need to be large and made of steel,” countered Pierre. “A needle can be just as dangerous as a sword. Dr. Lindegaard can prescribe medication, and Nickolas is a patient treated at his practice. He can tell the nurses to give him a specific drug, and then replace it with something deadly. Nickolas could die from the puncture of a drugged needle.”
Lexie felt a chill run through her body. Could Flora be a target of Dr. Lindegaard’s as well? If Flora recovered and Nickolas died, Lexie knew her friend would not rest until she discovered the truth. Despite the turbulence in her relationship with Nickolas, Flora deeply loved him. His death would hurt her nearly as much as the curse.
“Then one of us will stay here. Do you want to deal with Cesare?” asked Lexie, silently praying that Pierre chose to leave.
Pierre shook his head. “Your attempt to stop him from tearing down the theatre failed, but you managed to have a conversation with Cesare. He won’t want to see me.”
“He won’t want to see me either.”
“He might if you do something to…entice him…I mean you did…date him…”
Lexie crossed her arms. “I’m not going to seduce Cesare Garland!”
“Then make him listen to you!” Pierre begged. “Ask him why he visited Flora. Do anything to find the key!”
Lexie saw panic resurfacing in his eyes, and she nodded. Her mind floated back to that unfortunate morning in her apartment when Pierre came to tell Flora about the fate of the Stratford Theatre. It was the three of them again, and Lexie was nodding without actually agreeing with what was about to happen. She found her voice when Pierre pressed his car key into her hand, the cold metal biting into her palm.
“Honestly, I don’t know how things will go with Cesare, but I hope to see you soon,” Lexie whispered. “Please keep them safe!”
Pierre gently squeezed Lexie’s arm. “Good luck. Be safe.”
“You too.”
***
The pain in Lexie’s arm and shoulder had transformed from sharp stabs to a dull ache, and the seatbelt in Pierre’s car only exacerbated it. She fought with the grey strap, tugging it away from her neck. A car honked from behind, startling Lexie so much that she grabbed the wheel with both hands and hit the accelerator. The seatbelt strap smacked against her shoulder and chest, and she winced.
How much damage have I done to myself? I look like I’m falling apart! Maybe I am! What will everyone think when they see me walk into town hall?
Avon Road was nearly devoid of cars, but people were wandering down the sidewalks. Lexie passed two women dressed in men’s clothing in front of a cigar shop and a group of kids wearing fairy costumes ran across the street.
Vernon Hill’s town hall was located at the intersection of Avon Road and Duffson Lane. Its wooden roof, tan brick walls, and brown shutters gave it the appearance of a hunting lodge in the forest. Though it certainly was not the most impressive building, town hall added character to Vernon Hills.
Lexie locked Pierre’s car and walked toward the building. The wooden steps leading to the front door were bowed from the rain, and they squeaked each time Lexie put down her feet. Once again, she was unsure of what to say to Cesare. He would deny having done anything underhanded with the theatre business, and Lexie wouldn’t be surprised if he accused her of stalking.
Lexie pulled at the handle and knocked several times. The old front door was locked.
This is strange. The visitors’ center is in there. Don’t they want to showcase everything in Vernon Hills to guests?
She craned her neck to peer through the square window on the door. A figure was wandering down the hall, approaching the door slowly. Lexie tried to smooth her hair away from her face in an attempt to look somewhat presentable.
The door was opened by a bedraggled Scarlet MacDougal. Her brown hair was frizzy and toppling down from the bun high upon her head. Smudge from mascara and eyeliner stained her face. Scarlet’s black pencil skirt was twisted, and her cream-colored blouse was untucked and buttoned haphazardly. Something that looked like wax was splattered on her black heels.
She looks worse than me!
“Out, damned spot! Out I say!” Scarlet snipped sharply. “Out, out now!”
The woman rubbed her hands together as though she were washing them. They were red and raw as though she had used too much hand sanitizer.
Scarlet’s voice softened to a consoling whisper. “Nothing is there…no spots at all…none, none…”
“Mrs. MacDougal, may I come in?” asked Lexie tentatively. “I need to speak with Mr. Garland. I was told he’s meeting with your husband.”
Scarlet looked down at her own hands, the palms now facing upward to reveal dry, cracked skin. Her eyes widened, and she snarled, “I see the spots! You lie! I see them there, crimson stains, scarlet spots…like my name. No water will wash them off! Are they on my husband’s hands? He is too full of the milk of human kindness, but James carried out the deed!”
Okay, so she’s cursed like everyone else. Who is she? Pierre would know.
“Out, out now!” Scarlet begged, rubbing her hands together viciously. She turned away from Lexie and meandered toward a sign directing people to the restrooms.
Lexie thought Scarlet MacDougal was a sad sight. A twinge of pain went through her chest as she wondered what character had taken root in the unhinged woman. She took a few steps forward when there was a crunch beneath her feet. Lexie looked down to see a broken candlestick, and she assumed it belonged to Scarlet.
Voices could be heard coming from the room at the end of the hallway, and Lexie quietly made her way to it. She peered into the room to discover it was an office occupied by Mayor MacDougal, Cesare Garland, and the Leer sisters. The mayor was pacing, sweat gleaming on his forehead and face. Bella and Donna were leaning against the wall near a dry erase board, and Cesare was looking at papers spread out on a large desk.
“Why do you need to consult your wife? You are the mayor and should know how much money has been set aside to aid with building the research lab,” one of the Leer sisters scoffed. “Your weakness tarnishes the reputation of Vernon Hills.”
Cesare waved his hand carelessly. “Reputation is a frivolous and false imposition, frequently determined by facts without merit. Vernon Hills has lost no reputation at all.”
Mayor MacDougal stopped pacing. “In all honesty, Scarlet should be mayor
.”
“So, she wears the pants in your relationship? I guess we were right, Donna,” Bella snickered, shooting a glance at her younger sister.
Donna smirked. “Well, it’s sad that you consider her stronger than you given her present condition.”
Mayor MacDougal glared at the sisters. “I got my position through Scarlet. She planned everything.”
Cesare frowned. “Everyone says she is an excellent campaign manager. That’s what you mean, right?”
The mayor shook his head. “It was her idea, and I only went through with it after she got the leverage. I lied because I didn’t want you to put your lab somewhere else. As you said, Vernon Hills needs a great economic boost, and a Garland Corporation facility can do that. I thought you would see a weak mayor as a bad investment, but now I see that lying to you is more of liability.”
“Is now really the time to discuss this?” asked Cesare tersely.
Bella crossed her arms. “What are you talking about? It doesn’t sound like you’re talking about the town finances.”
“Leverage? Did you blackmail someone?” Donna inquired. “Are you talking about the upcoming election?”
Cesare causally straightened his shirt and pulled out his phone. “Politics, leverage, and scandals often come in the same package.”
Bella eyed Cesare suspiciously. “What do you mean?”
“Politics are all about leverage and scandals,” explained Cesare as he sent a text. He added quietly, “Certainly you know that.”
“You actually believe those nasty rumors? They are all unfounded lies!” snapped Bella.
“Really? I’ve heard there’s proof. In fact, I’ve seen a video of you, Bella, trying to convince that poor boy to come home with you. He looked so terrified when you unbuttoned your shirt. I bet it was the first time he’d seen a woman’s breasts.”
Bella paled. “Where did you see that?”
Cesare smirked. “I asked if there were any scandals that could put a stain on the town’s name. Mr. MacDougal was happy to show me in exchange for a research lab.”
Bella spun around to face the mayor. “How could you? Scarlet said she locked everything away after the last election!”
Mayor MacDougal covered his forehead with his palm. “Cesare said he would endorse me in the next election if I gave him all the town’s secrets. I need his support if I’m going to help the town grow! Scarlet gave me the videos and told me to show them to Cesare.”
Lexie had to give it to Bella. The woman took a few deep breaths to calm herself, straightened her bony body, and said, “Videos can be altered, and you only have one.”
“I have more than the video. I was also provided with a number of pictures of the encounter and a video of you drugging the boy’s father and driving him to the Midsummer’s Inn. You could be charged with rape as well as child molestation.”
Bella’s face turned the color of a dirty carrot, and she glowered at Donna. “Are you trying to ruin our reputation? You said you deleted that video! You said you took it as a joke! Look what you have done to us!”
Lexie felt her heart racing. The Leer family was about to implode. Those women have a nasty sense of humor. So much for sisterly loyalty.
“Our reputation? The only reputation ruined is yours. I never thought you should’ve gone after the banker and his son!” shouted Donna.
“You are a filthy liar! You want everything I have!” Bella threw a stapler at the wall behind her sister.
Donna put her hands on her hips. “I am the better sister! I haven’t done anything wrong! I should have run for mayor! You never would have had to seduce the boy if I had run! There is no stain on my name!”
Lexie saw a small smile tugging at Cesare’s face. He’s actually enjoying this!
“You’re wrong, Donna,” Cesare interjected placidly. “Honestly, discussing the murder of your little sister, Dahlia, five years ago in town hall was foolish. As prominent members of the community, you should have realized the building has video and audio surveillance. It seems Dahlia had some dirt on you and Bella that she intended to take to your father. It was your idea to kill her by pushing her down the stairs. You said it would look like an accident. Luckily for you and Bella, everyone bought that story. So, which one of you actually shoved her down the steps?”
“Dahlia’s death was a tragic accident!” Donna implored.
Bella looked at her sister shrewdly before facing Cesare. “Donna is to blame for Dahlia’s death. I suppose we should spill all the family secrets.”
Donna and Bella looked like they were going to attack each other. Lexie held her breath and bit her lip to keep from shouting. Suddenly, two hands slammed into her back, sending her tumbling into the room. She hit the floor and looked up to see Scarlet stepping over her.
“Oh, the woes I have caused!” wailed Scarlet. “I am Brutus in a woman’s body! A place in the deepest circle of Hell is reserved for me!”
Despite Scarlet’s dramatic entrance, Cesare, Mayor MacDougal, Bella, and Donna all had their eyes fixed on Lexie struggling on the floor.
Chapter Eleven: Blood will have Blood
Lexie winced as she pushed herself into sitting position. She touched her left shoulder to feel the swollen bruises. Her shoulder was a wreck, and Lexie had no business running around without some type of brace. Unfortunately, the current state of Vernon Hills made that impossible.
“Spying now are you? Following me, perhaps? After our last encounter, I thought you’d want nothing to do with me.” Cesare made his way over to Lexie.
An amused expression crossed his narrow face and a dangerous spark gleamed in his hazel eyes. He looked like a hungry animal staring down at its prey. However, Lexie was certain that Cesare’s hunger had very little to do with food. She felt a sick, tingling sensation in her mouth and throat, signaling that she was close to vomiting or fainting.
I need to focus! Remember what I am here to do. I cannot fall apart now! Remember Flora, Nickolas, and all the others!
Lexie struggled to her feet, refusing to take Cesare’s hand. “I have questions.”
“Well, I’m a bit preoccupied at the moment. If your questions are so important then you shouldn’t mind discussing them on my way back to Benton Junction. I’d rather discuss personal matters away from my office, so we can talk at my condo.”
Lexie clinched her fists. “I’m not going home with you! My questions aren’t that personal!”
“Lex, you interrupted an important meeting. If your questions had to do with official Garland Corporation business, you would have gone to Benton Junction or left an urgent message with my secretary. Only personal questions would involve you following me.”
“You wouldn’t have return my calls or seen me if I’d done things the official way!” argued Lexie. “I don’t want to go through a million people just to ask you a few questions!”
Cesare reached forward and pressed his palm to Lexie’s injured shoulder. She flinched and backed away, earning a soft chuckle from Cesare. “Your questions are personal, and I gladly would have agreed to see you. Of course, we would have met on my own terms.”
“You are so—”
A candlestick flew by Lexie’s face and smashed against the wall, splitting in half like a snapped crayon. She turned swiftly to look behind her and caught sight of Scarlet pacing and muttering.
“Who would have thought the old man had so much blood in him?” Scarlet wailed, pulling at the collar of her blouse. “We killed him! We murdered him!”
Everyone, with the exception of Lexie, seemed to have momentarily lost the ability to speak, so she quietly asked, “Who?”
“Mayor Leer,” whispered Scarlet.
Mayor MacDougal swallowed hard and fixed his eyes on a stray paperclip on the floor. “Honey, have you been self-medicating? This is so unlike you. I thought I told you to wait in the conference room during my meeting. Where did you—”
“But she knows, she knows!” Scarlet pointed a shaking finger at Bella
. “She gave us the medicine to stop his heart! He turned sick, oh so sick!”
Donna’s mouth dropped open and her face flushed puce. “You killed Dad? Were you promised the position of vice mayor if you helped them?”
“I never touched him! James and Scarlet did everything! People told me you planned to discredit me in the election so you could run! I thought the MacDougals were going to kill you too!”
Donna stormed over to Bella and punched her squarely in the face, shattering her nose. Blood dribbled from both nostrils, and bruises were already forming on the center of her face. “You deserve so much worse! Dad would be disappointed! You are a trashy, power-hungry slut!”
A broken nose did not stall the older sister. Bella maneuvered behind Donna and flung her forward against the desk, slamming her head into the hard wood. Donna let out a howl of pain and swiped her arms across the desk, sending office supplies to the floor. She grabbed and clawed at her chest and turned around.
“What have you done?” shouted Mayor MacDougal.
The dull end of a letter opener was protruding from Donna’s chest. Her bulbous eyes were so wide that they engulfed half of her face. She sank down to the floor with her back against the desk. Dark red stains bled through her beige shirt.
“You…selfish…bitch!” Her voice gurgled like a kettle as she gasped and struggled to breathe. Donna fixed her eyes on Bella, and Lexie watched in horror as the spark faded from the blue orbs.
“The spots are back!” Scarlet screamed and turned to Bella. “I see them on my hands and yours as well. I tell them to go, but they always come back! You are stained! You have dirty hands!”
Bella was clutching the sides of her face and mouthing something over and over.
Lexie was trembling. At least she feels guilty.
“This isn’t my fault! This isn’t my fault!” Bella’s voice grew louder with each sentence. “This isn’t my fault! This isn’t my fault!”
Cesare’s face was pale. “Perhaps Vernon Hills is a bad investment.”
Considering there was a dead woman in the room, no one could argue with him. Scarlet was rocking back and forth while her husband gripped her shoulders. Lexie held onto the door frame, pressing her cheek against the cool paint. Bella stopped yelling, and her eyes darted around the room before halting on Scarlet. A kaleidoscope of emotions—most notably guilt, jealousy, and rage—crossed her face.
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