Triggered by Love
Page 40
Her mother kept throwing up, and her father patted her firmly. “That’s enough. Jason, gather all of Avery’s evidence, testimony, notes, and meet me this evening with my attorney. Do not leak any of this to the media.”
“We won’t,” Jason said. “I’ll keep Avery out of the spotlight as long as I can.”
Avery got off her dad’s lap and kissed him, then went to Jason’s side.
“The killer is still out there,” Chase roared. “I can’t sit on my hands and not make Overton pay.”
Dad stood up firmly and barked. “You’ll do nothing. That’s an order.”
“Why?” Chase charged his father, but Damon grabbed him from behind, holding him back.
“Because any action you take will tip off the killer and the media,” Dad said. “We need to strategize before you do something so stupid as to throw Avery out like red meat to a den of lions.”
“He’s right,” Damon said. “No leaks. Nothing out of the ordinary, as hard as it might be. Which means we have to go to Richie Overton’s Broadway production like we planned.”
“You guys have tickets too?” Avery asked. “Next Friday?”
“Mezzanine,” Dad said. “Mom and I were invited.”
“Richie gave us tickets, too,” Jason said. “Front row orchestra seats, right side.”
“Why would he give you tickets?” Damon asked suspiciously.
“He wanted me to go with him,” Avery explained. “But I told him I couldn’t if he wasn’t in rehab. I guess he didn’t want me to miss the show.”
“If it makes you guys feel better, I don’t think Richie is aware of what his dad did to Avery,” Jason added. “He doesn’t have enough brains and self-control to carry out a plot like this.”
“He does seem to be quite fond of her,” Mom observed.
“He’s overly ingratiating,” Avery said. “He told me once his father wants him to end up with me, but of course, I didn’t let him know why it was impossible. He’s also a partier and can’t keep his mouth shut.”
“I’d still keep an eye on him,” Chase all but growled.
Avery wasn’t sure why Jason was giving Richie a pass, but he kept his cards close to his chest. While she wasn’t afraid of Richie, if it came to taking sides, he would back up his father and call her a liar.
He knew which side his bread was buttered.
“Okay then, we have a plan.” Jason turned off the video camera. “I’ll put a copy of this video on a secure server for you.”
“Even better, you’re giving me the memory card.” Dad held out his hand.
Jason took the card from his camera and handed it over. “Sure, General. Whatever you think is best for Avery.”
“I can’t trust anyone.” He took the card and pocketed it. “You can leave now. Avery stays with us.”
“No, Father,” Avery said, moving to Jason’s side. “We have to seem unaware and proceed without changes until you’re ready to go public. The way I see it, I’m celebrating my Manhattan Fashion Show debut. Since the police are on the take, Jason’s going with the story of my suicide attempt. I speared one of the pufferfish through the liver and decided to end it all as a tribute to Brando.”
Mom gasped and wiped the vomit off her lips. “I was afraid of that. You have lots to live for. Avery, darling, I’m so sorry.”
“Mom, calm down,” Avery said. “Although now that I think about it, I want all of you to go out there and act like I tried to kill myself. The only person who knows the truth is the killer. Jason and I will be watching their responses and how well they act.”
Her mother burst into tears, and her father held her tight. Her brothers clenched their fists and regarded Jason with the dark, brooding looks the Cockburn boys were famous for.
With nothing more to say or do, Avery took Jason’s hand and walked away from the family that was blinded, like her, by fame, fortune, and a place in high society.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Jason kept a close watch on everyone who had been inside the elevator as he and Avery went about their daily lives. On Monday, she visited Joan and brought him along.
Joan was shocked and bowled over by Avery’s suicide attempt. She consoled her in front of Jason to move on from Brando’s memory, assuring her she was more than happy with the fashion show and tribute. She worried over her like a mother hen and wept in Avery’s arms, racked with misplaced guilt at the thought her grief over Brando had driven Avery to such extremes.
Jason was tempted to set her straight, but it would happen soon enough once Avery’s accusations hit the media.
Kerry and Finn completely disbelieved Avery’s story, and she had to clue them in that they were trying to catch the killer off guard. After that, they went along with it, appearing extra sensitive and placating.
Saul and Ivanna appeared concerned, but they were more frightened about any blowback coming toward them. Saul was out on bail for the false bomb threat charge. He insisted he hadn’t removed the memory card and that he handed the camera to the police when they arrested him. Ivanna backed up his story. They appeared to believe Avery was suicidal, and Ivanna insisted she had nothing to do with poisoned quills. She even showed the cuts on her fingers from working with the porcupine headdress, but that could have been before she dipped them into a pufferfish liver paste.
Trent was a mystery. He grew sullen and apologized to Avery for triggering her memories of Brando by his presence. He said he loved Brando like a brother and let his own grief overshadow any consideration he had of her feelings. He thought he was helping out by working with Blade, and now, he was sorely disappointed Avery thought he had anything to do with Brando’s death. He explained that Brando had invited him and Jayla to the show last year, and he’d only made friends with Saul, Tatiana, and Ivanna after meeting them during the after-party.
Jason wondered why he’d be in a partying mood after his supposed best buddy was killed, but he shelved that question for later.
As for Blade, well, he was glorying over his supposed rescue of Avery in the elevator and taking credit for the quick response of the police and ambulance. It was just like him to be dismissive of Avery’s mental health.
“Looks like you got stuck with crazy chick,” he said with a jocular voice.
“Have you found the memory card yet?” Jason asked, ignoring the jibe.
“What for? There’s no crime.” Blade shrugged. “Looks like you chased bunny tails for nothing.”
Blade’s dismissiveness had Jason fuming, but now was not the time to lose his cool.
“I don’t believe Avery would take her own life,” Jason said, staring into Blade’s ice-blue eyes for a clue. “You were there. What was her mood like?”
“How would I know what she was really thinking?” Blade shot back. “You’re compromised, Burnett. You’re letting your emotions get in the way of police work. That’s why you’re sidelined. Chief is plenty pissed with the way you took the victim from the hospital without her parents’ consent.”
“She’s an adult, and she chose to go with me.”
“Anyway, as it turns out, she wasn’t a victim.” Blade pointed his finger accusingly. “You’ve been had, Burnett. This is all a big publicity stunt. Do you not see it? She’s got so much free media attention, it’s worth billions. Her Shopahol sales are off the roof, and the ‘I Heart NY’ pose of hers has gone viral. They’re making a mint on T-shirts.”
“She didn’t pull a stunt,” Jason said. “I don’t believe it.”
“What am I doing, wasting my time arguing with you?” Blade hefted both of his shoulders and touched his gun. “Get out of here. I’ve got real police work to do.”
“Yeah, and I’m taking Crazy Lady shooting,” Jason added. “Got her a Smith & Wesson Shield.”
“How cute, his and hers.” Blade’s mocking tone followed him from the precinct.
After spending the week trap and skeet shooting, target practice, and quail hunting, Avery was ready for Friday night in the city.
Avery stopped by her apartment to get dressed. Kerry was busily trying on all of Avery’s evening gowns from fashion shows past.
“That’s too overdressed for a summer show,” Avery said with a critical eye. “You should wear something stylish but casual. It’s only Times Square.”
“Aren’t we going in a limo?” Kerry asked. “Will there be paparazzi?”
“Everyone these days is a photographer.” Avery opened another section of her wall-to-wall closet. “Oh, look, this is so you. Remember when you pretended to be my mom?”
“That was fun. I’m surprised how easily we fooled the guard into thinking I was an aging hippie.”
Avery held up a trendy tie-dyed print handkerchief blouse and a pair of dark-wash jeans with strategically placed rips. “I’ve got the perfect flower-power sandals to go with this.”
“Add a fake nose ring and a bandanna headband, and I’m groovy!” Kerry swung the outfit around and danced around the room. “How about you?”
“Should I do leopard spots or tiger stripes?”
Kerry scrunched her nose and shook her head. “Classic little red dress over jeweled stilettos and a bedazzled diamond clutch.”
“I’ve got just the thing.” She flipped through her dresses. “Slinky red minidress, a pillbox hat with black mesh veil, and a ruby-tipped wand. Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.”
“Oh, a sexy Dorothy. Jason will flip out.” Kerry flashed her an overly seductive wink and grin. “How is it going with him, girlfriend? You two have been tight, tight, tight.”
Avery’s face heated in a pleasant way, and she knew she was smiling. “He’s wonderful, and that’s an understatement. I’ve held on to my regrets way too long, and so has he. Honestly, he’s exactly the man I need.”
“I’m so happy for you.” Kerry hugged her and bounced up and down. “Finn thinks highly of him, and that’s saying a lot. Finn doesn’t warm up to people much.”
“Yeah, well, Jason isn’t exactly warm and cuddly. The man has so many sharp edges and barbed points.”
“None directed at you, girlfriend.” Kerry poked her shoulder. “That man’s devoted to you. He’s protective, but he lets you get your way.”
“True, he respects my wishes.”
“Then he should have no problem with me and Finn sitting in our original balcony seats,” Kerry said. “Finn feels bad depriving you of your front row seats.”
“Are you sure? The balcony is way up there. Jason wanted you two to have the ultimate experience.”
“It’s sweet of him, but Finn is the type who gets dizzy if we sit too close in the movies. He hates looking up at the big screen.”
“This isn’t the same thing, although it can be unnerving to be so close to the chorus line.” She wondered if they would be close enough to recognize Harvey Leach who was one of the dancers.
“Especially when the hero is shot on Fifth Avenue near the end of the show,” Kerry said. “I heard they’re using real blanks.”
“Meaning the smell of gunpowder could trigger him?” Avery wondered if Finn could have a spot of PTSD.
Kerry blinked and nodded. “He denies being affected, but that last mission he was in didn’t end well. He doesn’t talk about it.”
Finn had returned from the poppy fields of Afghanistan to rescue US troops who were on their way home. There was an ambush, and the survivors barely got out alive.
“I understand.” Avery hugged Kerry. “Anyway, girl. We want to enjoy the evening, so no more doom and gloom. We own Broadway tonight!”
“Woohoo, let’s rock it!”
Chapter Fifty-Five
“To new life!” Jason had his arm around Avery as he, Finn, and Kerry toasted each other inside the limo.
“To new love.” Avery clinked her champagne flute with his and gave him a meaningful look. The deep gaze of her beautiful Madonna eyes shone with a timeless allure, invoking the comforts of home and hearth, and the promise of walking hand in hand with him through the seasons and years of their lives.
“I love you,” he murmured, kissing her softly so as not to mess up her makeup.
She was beyond gorgeous, and the tiny triangular veil over her face gave her an air of mystery and intrigue. She’d even dotted a beauty mark below the corner of her lips.
It shouldn’t bother him that he’d said the “L” words multiple times, and she had yet to return them. She could have as much time as she needed, as long as he was the one giving her the love and care she deserved.
“Kerry, have you changed your mind on where you and Finn will get hitched?” Avery asked her friend, no doubt needing to deflect from his declaration of love.
“You mean ditch the Montauk Lighthouse for The Edge?” Kerry picked up on Avery’s train of thought.
“I’m afraid of heights,” Finn joked, even though he routinely rappelled out of Army helicopters. “The Edge is nice, but it’s not my style.”
“You two should marry on The Point of The Edge,” Kerry said, pointing at Avery and Jason. “Lean out as far as you can. What are you waiting for? Take the leap.”
“Leap, laugh, love.” Avery giggled and held her flute out for a refill. “Except I might get hurt. Jason is all points and edges.”
“A fitting place to pop the balloon,” Finn joked.
Avery chugged the champagne without toasting, and Jason took it that she wasn’t ready to talk about such big leaps of the heart.
“You two looking forward to the front row seats?” Jason asked. “You’ll be close enough to see the dancer’s sweat.”
Finn and Kerry glanced at each other and shrugged. Avery seemed suddenly interested in her compact and touching up her lipstick.
Before long, the limo pulled up to the limo line underneath the shining marquee above the theater. The bright lights and colors, the throngs of people and traffic noise added to the excitement and exhilaration that could only come from the magic of a Broadway performance.
“Times Square never sleeps,” Kerry said. “I’m always amazed at how much electricity it uses.”
“Nothing but the best for The City,” Avery said. “The show has such great reviews.”
“It’ll end with an explosion, like the 1812 Overture,” Kerry said. “Hope you brought earplugs.”
Jason wasn’t sure why they’d need earplugs far away in the upper deck, but it was their turn to disembark. He quaffed the rest of the bubbly liquid and helped Avery from the car.
After tipping the driver, he and Avery were bombarded by photographers held back by the guards and the velvet rope barriers. Avery was a pro. She’d flipped down her veil and strode straight forward without being spooked.
She held on to the tickets, and when they parted from Finn and Kerry, he realized the ushers were directing them down to the orchestra section.
“I thought we gave your friends the front row seats,” he said.
“And put them in the danger? No way,” Avery replied. “Kerry says Finn hates sitting in the front of movie theaters. He gets dizzy being so close and looking up.”
A patchwork of prickles grazed Jason’s scalp, and an itch tingled between his shoulder blades. He’d figured that any attacker would have changed plans knowing Finn and Kerry were sitting up front. He patted his new Glock 26 which was holstered on his right flank, glad that he still carried his police ID. Even though he and Avery had practiced all week with the Glock, without his usual firearm, his accuracy wasn’t tip-top.
“See you after the Schitt character shoots up Fifth Avenue,” Kerry said, waving as she and Finn walked up the stairs to the balcony section.
“Why is she obsessed with the ending?” Jason had a bad feeling about this. He glanced after the departing couple, who were supposed to be Avery’s best friends.
What if he’d miscalculated?
While everyone else believed Avery had attempted suicide with the porcupine quill, Kerry and Finn knew the truth. Could they have passed the message to the killer?
How many pieces of silver would it take to sell out a friend? Avery told him Kerry’s mother was confined to an expensive nursing home, and she had been under pressure to pay back her former boyfriend who advanced the money.
Jason didn’t have a good feeling about the show, but Avery seemed pleased and excited, having heard the many good reviews and the fact that Ivanna had made some of the costumes.
“Since I’m going to partner with Ivanna, I might as well take the time to study the details up close,” she said. “There’s so much I can do with 3D printing and electronics.”
“How does the story go?” He flipped through the program. “It’s about a rich family with a crappy name.”
“Yes. It’s a billionaire West Side Story, Upper East versus Upper West. The Schitt family hate their name, but their ancestor required them to keep it to benefit from the trust fund and the banks they own. The Triumph family are nouveau riche and are viewed as gauche social climbers. One family wants the other family’s name, and the other wants their old-money status.”
“Sounds droll,” Jason noted. “There’s a shooting at the end?”
“Adam Schitt, the villain, actually never mind, I’m not going to tell you the plot,” Avery said gaily. “You’ll have to follow the show.”
“It’s all the singing and dancing we have to wade through. I’d rather have the concise plot points.” Especially if somebody was planning something.
“Are you telling me I have to educate you culturally?” She followed him to their seats which were in the front and to the right of the orchestra.
“Would you rather have come with Richie?” He could have slapped himself. “I’m sorry.”