They shut everything down quickly!
Lexie was impressed at their response time. Even cursed, the police certainly could still do their job well. She shivered, shook her head, and walked to the front door of the police station.
“I can’t imagine what the inside of the building looks like.”
Pierre’s somber voice caused Lexie to turn around. She saw the man hurrying from the parking lot. He was so fixated on town hall that he walked into a police car. Had the situation not been so serious, Lexie would have laughed and made a joke. Instead, she calmly waiting for him to regain his balance and make it to the door.
Lexie pressed her lips together. “You don’t want to know. It’s really bad.”
Pierre patted her shoulder. “Hopefully, everything will be taken care of soon enough. Let’s talk to Nickolas, so don’t think on what you saw just yet. It is time to finish Vernon Hills’ version of Hamlet.”
“Yes, it is,” mumbled Lexie.
The station was cold, and the overhead fans sent shadows swooping across the floor and walls like giant birds. The lobby was surprisingly quiet considering all that had taken place down the street. No one was waiting there, and Lexie wondered where Braedon had gone.
“I thought you said Braedon was here.”
“He told me he was at the police station,” Pierre replied. “Maybe he’s being questioned about Nickolas and Dr. Lindegaard.”
“Wouldn’t the police want to talk to me too? I saw everything that happened,” Lexie questioned. “I mean, I’m glad they don’t want to interview me since I have to tell them about town hall—”
“Shh! Not yet!” hissed Pierre.
Lexie rolled her eyes. “I want to get it over with!”
“Let’s find Braedon.”
They walked over to a weary deputy standing at the window where guests signed in. He had his elbow leaning against the granite countertop and his fist pressed against his cheek. He yawned as his eyes fluttered open and shut. Pierre had to knock on the window to get his attention.
“Oh, sorry!” the man choked out, his voice hoarse from lack of sleep. “How can I help you?”
“We’re here to see Nickolas Lindegaard,” Pierre said politely. “I think Braedon Horaz might be here already.”
“I need to see your driver’s licenses.” The deputy reached out under the window, gesturing for Pierre and Lexie to place their IDs in his hand. “What is your business with Nickolas Lindegaard?”
Lexie took control of the conversation. “My name is Lexie Stanley. I witnessed the altercation between Dr. Phillip Lindegaard and Nickolas Lindegaard. The police said they might contact me for an interview. I also need to speak with someone about another matter.”
He tapped away on his computer, rubbing his eyes and struggling to stifle yawns. “There is already a witness in the case with incriminating evidence. It doesn’t appear that a second witness is necessary at the moment. What is the other matter you need to discuss?”
“Lexie! Pierre!” Braedon called their names from the far side of the lobby. “I’m over here!”
“Can I go see my friends, please?” Lexie put on her best puppy dog eyes. “Please? Seeing them will help me with what I have to tell you. Please?”
The deputy was so tired that he didn’t bother to argue. He gave Lexie back her driver’s license. Braedon waited for Pierre and Lexie next to a water fountain and pair of benches. Pierre and Braedon shook hands before all three of them moved farther into the alcove, hiding them from the rest of the lobby.
Lexie went immediately to Braedon. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Are you alright? I’m sorry you had to tell them everything on your own.”
Braedon hugged her back and rested his chin on her head. “It’s okay. You don’t need to worry about me. How are you?”
Lexie shrugged and felt Braedon tighten his arms around her. “I’m going to tell the police about town hall.”
“They’re so desperate for information that they will listen to you. Don’t be afraid,” Braedon whispered soothingly.
“Why are you over here?”
Braedon let go of Lexie and led her to a bench. “I’m waiting on Nickolas. The police consider his assault on Dr. Lindegaard an act of self-defense, so he’s being released.”
“That’s great news!” Lexie exclaimed.
Pierre sat down next to her. Lexie looked over at him and was surprised to find a small smile on his face. She quirked an eyebrow and waited for him to explain.
“So, Horatio finally gets the girl,” Pierre murmured in Lexie’s ear. “He deserves her no matter who represents him.”
Lexie blushed and looked down at her hands. Flora would love to see this.
“Have you heard anything else about Audrey?” Lexie asked Braedon.
He shook his head. “No, but she was in bad shape when I left. Dr. Lindegaard’s man is staying with her. I think his name is Vinny.”
“Yeah,” Lexie said, thinking back to the giant who had roughly manhandled Nickolas. “He’s an employee at Lindegaard Counseling and Therapy. I’m not sure exactly what he does, but I’ve seen him there. He could be taken in for questioning.”
Pierre crossed his arms. “He probably thought he was doing his job as an employee. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Nickolas is treated at his uncle’s practice.”
“He is, but why does that matter?” asked Braedon.
“It doesn’t matter, but we know that Vinny will remain loyal to Dr. Lindegaard,” said Pierre. “He’s a loyal soldier.”
“A corrupt soldier,” Lexie snipped.
“No one is more corrupt than Phillip Lindegaard.”
Nickolas stepped into the lobby, his arms hanging loosely at his sides. He reached out and clasped Braedon’s arm and nodded at Pierre and Lexie.
“The police have enough evidence to put your uncle away,” Braedon assured his friend. “He won’t be able to hurt anyone else.”
“Does my mother still live?”
“Yes, but barely,” Braedon said. “We should get to the hospital.”
Lexie looked at Pierre and whispered, “I’m going to talk to the police about Cesare. Do you want to stay or would you rather go with them to check on Audrey? I’d appreciate someone waiting for me after I’m done.”
“You’re making the right choice,” Pierre murmured back. He glanced once at Braedon, who was in a quiet conversation with Nickolas, before adding, “I’m sure you wouldn’t mind Braedon waiting for you, would you?”
“He’s Horatio, so he’ll stay with Nickolas’s Hamlet,” Lexie replied, deflecting Pierre’s question.
“I’m just worried about leaving Nickolas and Braedon alone while they are still cursed,” explained Pierre as he turned away so the two men could not see or hear what he was saying.
“But Dr. Lindegaard is locked up, and I doubt anyone could hurt Nickolas while he’s sitting by his mother’s bedside.”
Pierre clasped his hands behind his back. “You said Vinny is an employee of Dr. Lindegaard. Doesn’t Lindegaard Counseling and Therapy have employees at the hospital?”
Lexie struggled not to slam her fist down on the bench. “Yes, and you think Dr. Lindegaard might have paid off people to kill Nickolas, right?”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he had, and Nickolas did run away from the hospital.”
“Is it a good idea for him to even go there?”
Pierre sighed and tilted his head back and forth. “Probably not, but he deserves to see his mom. I don’t think she’s going to make it.”
A shadow fell over them, and they looked up to see Vinny approaching. He met the gaze of each person. Finally, his eyes landed and locked on Nickolas. The young Lindegaard didn’t flinch as the giant studied every inch of his face.
“I’ve just come from the hospital,” Vinny rumbled. “Your mother has died.”
Nickolas didn’t react at first. He merely stared at Vinny as though he had not heard a single word the man had said. Then
his brows knit together, his mouth went thin, and his eyes darted around the room. No one knew what to do. The manifestation of Hamlet had caused Nickolas to become even more volatile than usual. Any sudden movement could send him into a rage.
“Do you know what poison my uncle used to kill her?”
Vinny shook his head. “Dr. Lindegaard didn’t kill your mom. She had a reaction to the sedative that was meant for you.”
“That syringe was filled with poison meant for me,” Nickolas retorted. “Uncle Phillip told me he killed my dad and wanted to kill me!”
“I’ve worked for Dr. Lindegaard for five years. He loved Audrey and would never hurt her.”
“He didn’t mean to hurt her, but he did! His decision to kill me was selfish and stupid!” Nickolas started marching away from his friends. “I want to be the one to tell him he murdered his own wife!”
“That’s a bad idea,” Braedon warned.
The curse seemed to have a numbing effect on the officers and deputies at the station. Lexie expected to be denied access to Dr. Lindegaard. It wasn’t protocol to allow more than one person to visit an inmate at a time. However, all of them were allowed through after Nickolas angrily demanded that he wanted to see a blood relative.
“Hamlet is a prince, so he has control over soldiers,” Pierre said when Lexie asked about the lax police policy. “The deputies are like soldiers here.”
“That’s not too comforting,” mumbled Lexie. “Maybe I can talk to Officer Reading when I tell them about town hall. She didn’t seem cursed, and she said she was new.”
“Maybe her residency hasn’t been officially changed. Since she’s already met you, Officer Reading might be more willing to believe your story.”
“If she asks why I didn’t come immediately, I’ll tell her I got caught up in what happened with Nickolas and Dr. Lindegaard. It’s the truth. Nickolas and Braedon found me wandering on Avon Road after it happened.”
Lexie, Nickolas, Braedon, and Pierre were led to Dr. Lindegaard’s cell. They fanned out into a line, staring at the blond man leaning against the bars of the cell. He looked very calm considering that he had just been locked up for murder and attempted murder.
“You might as well leave if you’ve come here to frighten me,” Dr. Lindegaard said firmly. “I don’t fear petulant children.”
“We aren’t children!” Nickolas growled, moving forward until he was inches from his uncle. “I have something to tell you.”
Dr. Lindegaard crossed his arms. “You couldn’t come alone?”
“Mom is dead.”
Nickolas spoke the three words in a steady, quiet voice. There were no signs of the aggression that had been in him moments before. His hands were linked together in front of him and his shoulders were loose. Though his exterior was cool and collected, Lexie was certain that a massive battle was raging within.
“I-I don’t believe you,” Dr. Lindegaard said in a quivering voice. “I would have been told if she had died.”
“You’re being told now,” Nickolas replied quietly.
Dr. Lindegaard’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. “Where’s Vinny? He took her to the hospital. Where is he?”
“He’s in the lobby. We can go get him if you like, but he’ll tell you the same thing,” Braedon interjected. “I was at the hospital, and she was in very bad shape when I left. The doctors couldn’t find anything to counteract whatever you gave her.”
Dr. Lindegaard backed away from the bars and turned so the others could not see his expression. He ran a hand over his face and through his hair. “How did this happen? I loved her!”
“You poisoned her!” Nickolas shouted, causing his companions to jump.
So much for staying calm.
“It was meant for you!” snarled Dr. Lindegaard. “You as good as killed your mother!”
Nickolas grabbed the bars of the cell. “Don’t you dare blame her death on me! I didn’t bring a poisoned needle to Braedon’s home! Do you even have a conscience?”
Dr. Lindegaard spun around and slammed his hands against the bars right above Nickolas’s head. “Do you know what you are, Nickolas Aleksandar Lindegaard?”
“A selfish, spoiled brat who has had a silver spoon in his mouth since the day he was born!” Nickolas repeated the insult his uncle had given him outside Braedon’s house. “I know what you think of me!”
Dr. Lindegaard clapped his hands together with sarcasm. “Very, very good, Nickolas! Well, now you are a spoiled, talentless orphan! You inherited your father’s weakness! It’s a pity that Audrey and I didn’t have a son! He would have been far superior!”
“Nickolas isn’t talentless!” Braedon snapped, forcing Dr. Lindegaard to look at him. “You just say that because you are actually threatened by him. You always have been!”
When Dr. Lindegaard spoke, his voice was quiet and almost respectful. “Braedon, I always believed that you were a good man, but now I see that you have been corrupted by my nephew! You’re not much more than a lapdog. I hope you remember how to think for yourself again!”
Nickolas grabbed his uncle’s shirt. “Don’t say such things to Braedon! He’s more family to me than you ever were!”
Dr. Lindegaard removed Nickolas’s hand. “I can speak to your friends in whatever manner I please. Now, let me see…Ah, Lexie.”
Lexie stiffened and crossed her arms. He’s just a murderer. It doesn’t matter what he says.
“You are a meddlesome girl who can’t separate her heart from her head! If you want to become a great therapist, I suggest you figure out how!” Dr. Lindegaard snarled. “Pierre!”
The only part of the solemn man that moved were his eyes. He boldly met Dr. Lindegaard’s glare and waited.
“You are a foolish man who embodies all the pathetic stereotypes of an actor and artist. Why can’t you live in the real world instead of on the stage? Maybe you would have a real occupation if you stepped out of the theatre!”
“I respect your honestly,” Pierre replied, “but I care little for your opinions.”
“I care little for yours!”
“That is extremely obvious,” muttered Lexie.
A sad, grey gleam lit Nickolas’s eyes. “I loved you once. I used to get so excited when Mom and Dad would tell me you were coming to stay the weekend. I really, truly adored you, Uncle Phillip.”
“Shut up!” bellowed Dr. Lindegaard, sending spit flying from his mouth.
“What is going on?” Officer Reading stormed into the room. Her green eyes were narrowed with suspicion and her mouth tight with frustration. “Why are all of you in here? This is not proper protocol! Who let you in without my approval?”
“Umm…” Pierre hummed.
“We didn’t catch his name,” added Nickolas.
Lexie stepped forward. “Officer Reading, I have information about what happened in town hall. I don’t know if you remember me, but we met when you arrested Dr. Lindegaard.”
“Like I said, you are a meddlesome girl!” Dr. Lindegaard shouted.
“Shut up and let her speak! You have details about the murders in town hall?” Officer Reading’s attention was focused solely on Lexie. “Why didn’t you come earlier?”
Lexie looked down at her feet for a moment, collecting her nerves, courage, and thoughts. “I was threatened. He said he would pin everything on me and my friends. I was scared.”
Lexie felt her friends come up behind her. Though their presence was comforting, she still could not stop trembling. Pierre patted her arm, and Braedon lightly gripped her elbow. Nickolas looked at her from the other side of Braedon.
“What man? The man we found unconscious?”
“No,” Lexie’s voice was shaky and squeaky, “the man is Cesare Garland.”
Chapter Sixteen: Truth and Help
The table vibrated, sending ripples through the bottle of water, when Officer Reading placed the recorder down. She pushed a button and a red light blinked on. The red dot was still and steady like the sight on a sni
per rifle. Lexie’s eyes flickered around the interrogation room as though she expected a gunman to be lurking in one of the corners. When her eyes finally found their way back to Officer Reading, the policewoman was watching her closely.
Am I a suspect?
Lexie couldn’t blame the officer for being suspicious. She had waited a long time before admitting that she had information about the murders. Had their roles been reversed, Lexie would have been skeptical as well.
“Ms. Stanley,” began Officer Reading, pen poised over her notepad, “you are here as a possible witness in the Vernon Hills town hall murder investigation.”
“Yes, Officer.”
“You said you waited to give us information because you were threatened by Cesare Garland. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Do you accuse Cesare Garland of murder?”
Lexie nodded. “Yes, but I don’t have much proof. Mayor MacDougal saw some of what happened, so he can attest that Cesare Garland was in town hall. He fainted before-before Cesare smashed Bella Leer’s head in with a tape dispenser!”
Lexie inwardly cringed as she listened to her voice grow squeaky and tight with panic. I just want to get it all out!
Officer Reading held up her hand. “Let’s start from the beginning. Start with why you went to town hall.”
“I’m friends with Pierre Triste who used to help run the Stratford Theatre. An important personal item was left in the theatre, and he wanted permission to go through the rubble. Cesare refused to answer his calls, so I agreed to help since I dated Cesare in college.” Lexie noticed that Officer Reading was opening her mouth to make a comment, so she quickly added, “I broke up with him, and he was fine about it.”
“Okay,” Officer Reading seemed embarrassed that Lexie had realized the remark she had almost made.
Lexie shifted in her chair. “I called his office in Benton Junction, and a secretary named Emily told me Cesare was in Vernon Hills.”
“You thought it would be easier to talk to him face to face, right?” Officer Reading pressed.
“Yes,” replied Lexie, “and I didn’t want to drive all the way out to Benton Junction. Instead, I went to town hall, and Scarlet MacDougal opened the door to let me in. She looked like she was falling apart. Her clothes and hair were messed up, and she kept saying strange things.”
All the World Page 17