Maxwell gently rubbed her shoulder reassuringly. “But who would do that?”
She sniffed and lifted her head to meet his eyes. A look of fear suddenly swept over her. “The girls! Where are they?”
Maxwell searched her eyes. “I--I don’t know. On this wing somewhere.”
Jacey pulled away from him and ran into the corridor. “We have to find them.”
Maxwell ran after her.
“Monique! Coleen!” She ran along several corridors until she didn’t know where she was. “Monique! Coleen!”
There was pounding from one of the rooms just a couple of doors down the hall. Jacey ran toward the room with Maxwell on her heels. She attempted to open the door while both girls screamed hysterically.
“Let us out,” they cried out.
Maxwell moved Jacey aside and pressed a series of numbers into the panel near the door. There was the familiar electronic hum, and he was able to open the door. Both girls ran from the room and hugged Jacey.
“We heard you calling, but the door was locked,” Monique proclaimed.
There was a thump on the door next to theirs. “Uh, hello,” came Professor’s monotone voice from the room next to theirs. “I seem to be locked in here. Could someone let me out?”
Maxwell hurried to Professor’s door and unlocked it with the same code. He opened the door to reveal Professor standing in the doorway with his arms folded across his chest and a stern look upon his face.
“Oh, ha--ha, very funny,” he growled. “Don’t you ever do that again.”
“It wasn’t me,” Maxwell protested.
“It’s always the quiet ones,” Professor snapped and left the room.
†
Everyone had gathered within the massive kitchen. They had cups of coffee before them while most sat at the large table. Doc scratched his gray beard and shook his head while pacing before Jacey, who remained huddled over her cup of tea. Monique and Coleen seemed even less interested in their hot chocolate.
“I don’t understand why someone would lock you in those rooms.” He looked at Timon and raised his brows. “Anyone want to own up to this prank?”
Timon appeared horrified or possibly insulted. “I wouldn’t do something like that,” he protested. “Not to the ladies. Professor, maybe, but certainly not them.”
Doc frowned and looked around. “What are the chances someone slipped into the building last night?”
Maxwell shook his head and appeared bewildered. “For what possible reason? Nothing in here would be of any value to someone from town. Particularly nothing in the west wing.”
“Someone may have been trying to scare you,” Jacey announced. “I wouldn’t put it past some people in town.”
Angela clucked her tongue with disgust and sneered. “How pathetic.”
“She could be right,” Doc replied.
“A few people were giving us the hairy eyeball in the diner yesterday,” Timon remarked. “With the looks we were getting, I certainly wouldn’t trust them.”
“The front door remained unlocked all night,” Maxwell said with a defeated sigh. “I just never thought to lock it.”
“From now on, that door is locked and the gates will be closed after everyone’s inside,” Doc said firmly. “No more sleeping in the patients’ wing either.”
“Guess it wouldn’t do any good to call the police on the matter,” Brian said with a sigh.
“We could inform them,” Jacey suggested. “But there’s nothing they can do about it.”
“Probably just stir the town more,” Professor said lowly. His eyes widened dramatically as he raised his voice to a high shrill and waved his hands. “Oh, it’s the curse! Shut the building down! Burn the scientists!”
“You’re right,” Doc said. “It’d do little good to notify the police presently. Keeping the building locked should keep the trespassers out.”
They began to disperse from the huge kitchen. Jacey finally stood and sighed deeply.
“Come on, girls, we have horses to feed,” she announced softly while frowning.
Maxwell studied her from where he stood at the counter alongside Professor while finishing his tea. Brian approached Jacey and smiled sympathetically.
“How’s your friend doing?” he asked gently.
“He was his usual self by late evening and insisted we leave,” she replied.
Brian looked at Maxwell, who promptly crossed the kitchen and left. He looked back at Jacey and smiled pleasantly.
“Glad to hear,” Brian announced. “So how about dinner tonight? You pick the restaurant.”
Jacey forced a smile but really wasn’t in the mood. “Thank you, Brian, but I’m not leaving Monique and Coleen alone again. Last night was enough to frighten me for a while,” she announced. “But if you want, the four of us could go somewhere.”
Brian appeared to consider her remark and managed a smile. “I’m not sure I could entertain three ladies at once. What do teenage girls like to do?”
“I’d say most teenagers like to hang out at malls, but Monique and Coleen like to ride.”
“Ride? Ride what?”
Jacey laughed at his question. “Horses, silly.”
A look of concern swept over his face. “Horses? I haven’t ridden in twenty years.”
Professor slowly inched his way closer to them. “Did you, uh, mention horseback riding?”
Jacey looked at Professor and offered a smile. “Yes, I was just telling Brian about how Monique and Coleen love horses.”
He put a hand to his chest and blinked dramatically. “I love horseback riding. If there’s a stable nearby, I’d be glad to take them.”
“They have their own horses at my farm,” Jacey replied.
Brian scratched his temple with a frown. He was obviously losing interest in the conversation.
Professor held up two fingers. “Just two horses?” he asked then smiled deviously and raised a third finger. “Or three?”
Jacey laughed gently at his childlike behavior. “Including mine, there are ten.”
Professor’s eyes widened with excitement. “Ten? We could all go riding,” he suddenly announced cheerfully. “You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen a genius on horseback. It’s a laughable sight.”
“I don’t know, Professor,” Brian muttered lowly.
“Don’t be such a wuss. It’ll be great fun. We can gallop across fields,” he announced while riding his invisible horse, “splash through streams--”
“Fall off,” Brian added.
“Timon will go,” Professor remarked simply. “He’s not afraid to try something new. Has to be more fun than wearing out yet another tiresome pickup line.”
Brian sneered and threatened to kill Professor with one look. She couldn’t believe Brian didn’t know she saw through him all on her own. She didn’t need anyone telling her the sort of man Brian was.
Professor clasped his hands together and pleaded with Jacey. “Please, please take me riding with you. I won’t even sue when I fall off.”
Jacey laughed. “Sounds like fun. I’ll leave directions with you. Gather those who want to go riding and come to my place around noon.”
“Oh, oh, you’ve got it,” Professor chirped. “I want the biggest horse you have,” he laughed. “So my feet won’t drag.” He then wagged his finger sternly at her. “No ponies, no, no.”
Chapter Thirteen
It was a beautiful, warm sunny afternoon. Several horses were tired to the long, thick hitching rail in front of the barn at the McMurray farm. Monique and Coleen helped brush the horses. Jacey saddled her gray horse while the girls chatted excitedly about their afternoon riding adventure.
“So who’s coming?” Monique finally asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe just Professor,” Jacey replied simply. She felt it best to brush the other horses in preparation for a larger number.
“I like Professor,” Coleen chirped happily. “He’s cute in his own, strange way. You should marry Profes
sor.”
Jacey laughed at how easy Coleen made it sound. If life and love only worked that way, it wouldn’t be nearly so stressful. The girl was in for a rude awakening.
“I don’t like Brian,” Monique announced firmly then sneered a look of distaste. “He was really angry about your date being canceled.”
Jacey’s brows raised and she turned to face both girls. “He was, was he?”
Both nodded.
“Timon scolded him and pulled him from the room,” Coleen informed her. “I think they got into a fight. Professor took us to his room for the movies.” She appeared to consider. “I think Professor was angry too.”
“Professor seems like a very nice guy,” Jacey remarked then laughed. “He certainly likes horses. Any man who likes horses can’t be all that bad.”
Monique placed the saddle pad on her horse and leaned on the horse’s neck to look at Jacey. “How old do you suppose Professor is?”
“Uh, thirty-two, I think he said,” Jacey replied simply.
“A little too old for me, I suppose,” Monique said with a sad sigh.
Jacey laughed softly. “He’s practically too old for me,” she remarked. “Ten years older.”
“Ten years isn’t bad,” Coleen said.
“Jameson’s ten years older than me,” Jacey said simply. “And we saw nothing eye to eye.” She hesitated then added, “Older men have certain expectations.”
“So do teenage boys,” Coleen replied dryly.
Jacey sharply eyed the teenage girl and wondered if they were talking about the same thing. She hoped they weren’t, but there was no telling, and she wasn’t about to ask. The luxury van drove slowly down the dirt driveway and approached the barn. When it stopped, all six scientists got out and approached them. Professor had brand new cowboy boots, designer jeans, and a new cowboy hat on his head. Jacey held back her laugh. Both girls snickered. The only one Jacey was really surprised to see was Angela. She couldn’t imagine her coming along willingly. The woman wore dress slacks, dress boots, and a white, button blouse. The others wore old jeans, old shirts, and sneakers. Timon was the exception. He dressed like a biker in leather with a bandana over his head. Angela eyed the horses and shook her head while pointing. Her upper lip curled snobbishly.
“We’re riding on them?” she demanded from Maxwell. “They’re so big.”
Timon excitedly jogged toward the barn and the horses. “I call dibs on the big, black one!”
Coleen sharply eyed him and clung to her horse’s head. “He’s taken,” she said firmly.
Jacey chuckled softly. “Never get between a girl and her horse,” she teased. “You can have any of the six on the far end.”
“What’s wrong with the others?” Timon asked as he approached Jacey while indicating the horses in the pasture.
“Too young,” she explained. “They’re still in training. I also need to place you according to your past riding experience. Some are more devilish than others.”
“Ooh, ooh, I want a devilish one,” Professor called after her and hurried to join them.
Once all the horses were saddled, Jacey and the girls helped the scientists mount. Angela didn’t stop complaining from the moment she sat on the horse. As they rode away from the barn, Maxwell brought up the rear with Angela. Monique and Coleen rode in the front with Professor and Doc, while Jacey stayed in the middle between Timon and Brian. She looked back every couple of minutes to ensure that Maxwell and Angela were still with them. They rode nearly an hour through the woods and fields.
“We’re going to be so sore tomorrow,” Timon announced and stretched slightly in the saddle.
“Tomorrow,” Angela remarked from several feet behind. “I’m sore already.”
“You should be grateful, Angela,” Brian announced with a soft chuckle. “Riding is a great butt conditioner.” He looked behind Jacey and leered lustfully at her backside. “Jacey’s proof of that.”
Jacey eyed him and attempted a humored smile, but he wasn’t winning any points with her. “You’re such a dog, Brian,” she remarked. “Has anyone ever told you that?”
Brian chuckled lowly in his throat. “Any position works for me.”
Jacey rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“We’re thinking about having him fixed,” Timon added while grinning.
They approached the tall, steel fence surrounding the institution, though the building could barely be seen from the back of the estate. The four in the front stopped and stared at the back gate. Jacey rode up to them. Doc pointed at the open chain dangling on the gate.
“I wonder how long that’s been open,” Doc remarked.
Jacey stared at the cut chain. It looked freshly cut. “I’m sure it wasn’t like that the other day.”
“I remember it was locked,” Coleen reported.
“Maybe we should go inside,” Doc suggested.
Monique rode to the gate, leaned down, lifted the bar, and pushed the gate open. Everyone rode in behind her. They rode at a trot across the flat, lush grounds. Monique and Coleen picked up the pace. Professor loped after them, screaming like a psychotic cowboy. As they approached the front of the institution, they could see the police blazer parked before the main entrance. Doc looked with great interest at the institution and then Deputy Jameson standing before the front door. Jameson appeared startled by their presence, being they came from the back.
“Is there something wrong, officer?” Doc asked.
Jameson stepped off the elegant porch and approached them on their horses. “I’m not sure. Are you Dr. Zellner, the person in charge here?”
Doc nodded.
“I received an anonymous phone call just a few minutes ago urging me to investigate the institution,” he announced. “Last night, Roseanne Pierce, Dr. Talbert’s nurse, was abducted from her home. At least, it appears that way. Some of her things were gone through, and no one has seen her.”
“And you suspect she might be within the institution?” Doc asked and seemed curious.
“Would you object if I had a look around?” Jameson asked simply.
Doc shook his head. “No, of course I don’t mind. I’ll show you around personally.” He dismounted with some effort and handed the reins to Monique.
“Why don’t we tie the horses and get a drink inside?” Professor suggested.
They all agreed. Jacey, Monique, and Coleen tied the horses to the porch. Jacey tied the last horse to the side of the porch and saw a shadow move within the caretaker’s workshop.
“Are you coming?” Monique called to her.
Jacey looked at both girls and nodded, although she was clearly distracted by what she’d seen. “You go ahead. I’ll be along in a couple of minutes.”
Both girls hurried into the house. Jacey stared at the old, rusted door to the caretaker’s workshop and eyed the broken windowpane. She cautiously walked around the side of the huge building and approached the workshop. She heard a metallic clang from the addition. The door was partially opened and old ivy vines had been displaced. She tilted her head to the side and slowly approached the door. Jacey gently pushed it open while standing back. The workshop was filthy and covered in cobwebs and old, rusted tools. She pushed the door further, stepped just inside the doorway, and slowly entered the workshop. The door shut behind her. Jacey jumped and spun around with a startled scream. Asher casually leaned against the back wall next to the old lawn mowers. Jacey’s mouth opened with some surprise. She looked back at the door then to Asher. He smiled delicately and leaned on his cane as he straightened.
“I suppose you’re wondering what I’m doing hiding in the caretaker’s workshop,” he said with some humor.
“That’s just one of several questions,” she remarked then cocked her head slightly to the side and squinted. “Why are you hiding in here?”
“I’d really prefer to explain it to you later. I’m sort of in a spot here, and I need an exit.”
“No kidding!” She once more looked toward the do
or then took two steps toward him. “If Jameson sees you leaving here, he’ll think you were up to something.”
“I’m aware of that, Jacey,” he replied casually. “But I think it would be worse if I was found here, don’t you?” His look conveyed he was up to something. “Will you help me?”
Jacey remained silent a moment then nodded mechanically. “Yes, of course. What would you like me to do?”
“Keep the others busy while I borrow your horse and slip out the back gate,” he said simply.
She stared into his blue eyes then nodded.
“I’ll release your horse within the grounds and collect my jeep on the other side of the woods,” he informed her.
“Give me a few minutes to locate them,” she said gently then left the workshop.
Jacey nervously hurried around the institution and entered through the double doors. She could hear voices from the kitchen. Jacey looked around the lounge. She climbed on top of the sofa and began to scream. In a matter of minutes, everyone was within the lounge, staring at her.
“What is it?” Jameson cried out with concern and looked around the room.
She pointed across the room toward the bookcase. “It was a snake,” she proclaimed. “It went over there. I think it was poisonous!”
Angela let out a startled cry, jumped on top of the coffee table, and looked around nervously. One of the horses neighed excitably from outside. Monique and Coleen both looked toward the window and were about to check on the horses. Jacey had to stop their prying eyes.
“There it is!” she screamed while again pointing across the room.
Everyone looked in the direction she pointed. Angela screamed hysterically, even though there was nothing to see. Timon jumped on the sofa beside Jacey. She eyed him with surprise. He forced a tiny smile.
“I, uh, don’t like snakes,” he replied timidly.
Jameson and Professor looked around the room for several minutes. When they were satisfied it wasn’t coming out from wherever it had slithered, they urged everyone off the furniture. Monique looked out the window.
“One of the horses got loose,” she said with a sigh then left the lounge to collect it.
The Deadliest Institution Collection Page 11