by Mac Flynn
Archer started back and pointed at his chest. "Me?"
Alicia gave a more definite nod. "Yes, you! You came in here dressed all in black and wrecked my room!"
"There has to be come mistake. I was at the party or in my room all night," he argued.
"Are you sure it was him? Wasn't it dark when you saw him?" Renee suggested.
Alicia shook her head. "No, because I turned on the lights, and there he was in the middle of the room. He even looked at me and I saw he was completely covered in black. I couldn't even see a bit of his skin."
"But how could you be sure it was Max if you couldn't see his skin?" her friend pointed out.
"Because whatever he wore was skintight, so it looked just like him," she insisted.
"And. . .and then what did this man do?" Renee asked her.
"He-" Alicia pointed at Archer, "-leapt across the room and threw me onto the bed. He clawed at me like some wild animal. I tried to get away, but I slipped on the sheets and hit my head on the headboard. That's the last thing I remember."
Archer seated himself on the bed and reached out to Alicia. She cringed and clung to her friend. "Alicia, you have to believe me. It wasn't me you saw last night," he insisted.
She shook her head. "No, it was you." She whipped her head to Stuart who stood at the foot of the bed, and pointed an accusing finger at Archer. "Arrest that man! Throw him in the brig! Do anything but let him run free to hurt me again."
Stuart's face paled and he glanced to Archer. "Mr. Archer-?"
Archer pursed his lips, but nodded. "Go inform the captain there's been an attack and. . .and that I'm the main suspect."
Stuart nodded and hurried out of the room. Archer stood and looked down at Alicia. "Whatever really did happen, I'm sorry it was my likeness that has frightened you."
Alicia glared back at him. "You're just sorry you were caught," she snapped.
Archer bowed his head and left the room. I hurried after him and caught up to him near the living room furniture. He plopped himself on the couch and ran a hand through his hair.
"What a way to start a morning, eh?" he joked, but his voice sounded tired.
I took a seat beside him and set a hand on his shoulder. "I believe it wasn't you," I told him.
He lifted his head and smiled at me. "You don't know how much that means to me."
"Do you have any idea who might have really done this?" I asked him. "Maybe an evil twin or something?"
He cracked a smile. "I'm pretty sure I'm an only child, but I do have a cousin that looks kind of like me if you put me in a dress and pumps."
"Does anyone have any reason to frame you?" I guessed.
Archer leaned back and shook his head. "No one. I have the usual number of enemies for a rich guy, but none who would pull this type of stunt."
I sighed and glared down at the floor. "A black suit. . ." I murmured. It reminded me of the blackness that had emerged from the book.
"Pardon?" Archer asked me.
I shook my head and managed a tense smile. "It's nothing." I thought, or rather hoped.
We waited only a few minutes before the captain and Stuart returned. The captain's face was grave as he walked up to Archer, who rose from the couch at their entrance.
"Stuart told me the particulars, but I'd like to hear the story from you," the captain told him.
Archer closed his eyes and shook his head. "If you're looking for an alibi I don't think I could give one. I went to bed after the investigation of Miss Johnson's room, and slept until seven."
The captain glanced at all our faces. "Do we know when the attack took place?" he wondered.
"Six," a voice spoke up. Renee emerged from the bedroom and shut the door behind herself. "Alicia said she looked at the clock when she heard the noise."
"Then that means I have no good alibi," Archer confirmed.
The captain turned to him and pursed his lips. "So it seems. That means I have no choice but to take you to the brig, at least until we can get this mess settled out."
Archer nodded. "I understand. Better safe than sorry."
The captain glanced at Stuart. "Meet every need demanded by the lady, within reason, and see that she receives a new room."
"She can stay in mine. I have plenty of room," Renee offered.
"That's very kind of you, Miss Roster, but we wouldn't think of imposing on your hospitality," the captain argued.
Renee shook her head. "It's not quite like that. Alicia's insisting on sleeping in my room tonight, so you see I don't have much of a choice."
"I see. Well, we'll see to cleaning her room and refunding her money for the trouble," the captain promised. "In the meantime, I'll have to ask that nothing be disturbed until we can get some investigators into the cabin to see if we can find some clues as to her attacker."
"I appreciate the vote of confidence in me," Archer spoke up.
"Confidence or no, I'll have to make my judgment based on the findings, and nothing else," the captain warned him.
Archer nodded. "I understand." He glanced at me and smiled. "I'm afraid we're going to have to delay our breakfast for another time."
I nodded. "I understand."
He chuckled. "Somehow I knew you would. Well, captain-" he turned his attention to the man, "-let's be off."
Captain John and Archer left the room. I tried to follow them, but Renee's voice stopped me.
"You know he's out of your league, don't you?" she asked me.
I faced her and raised an eyebrow. "I don't know-"
"Of course you know what I mean," she argued as she nodded at the door through which the men had left. "I know he's got an interest in you, but it's just a fling. You're something new that'll get old in no time, so don't get comfortable as the object of his attentions."
I frowned. "I thank you for the warning, but I can keep care of myself. Good day."
I marched from the room and across the hall to my own suite. The door got slammed shut behind me and leaned against the entrance. I ran a hand through my own hair and sighed.
"What have you gotten yourself into now, Jane?" I whispered.
I didn't have an answer to that, but I did have a ton of questions. Some of them centered around the book in my possession. I strode into my bedroom and found the tome on the nightstand as it had been when I'd gone to bed. The blank cover looked back innocently at me as I stood over it, but I knew it was far from innocent.
I opened to the first few pages, but they were as blank as before. No strange light, no sensual tendrils, nothing.
"Did you do it?" I asked the book.
I couldn't believe Max-Archer, that is, would have been so stupid as to not conceal his identity, especially when he attacked someone who knew him. A plausible, but insane, suggestion was that the book on my nightstand had more abilities than to give me pleasure.
My stomach grumbled and reminded me of my change in plans. Breakfast awaited, even if I didn't have the pleasant company of Archer.
CHAPTER 4