by Jada Ryker
The hand holding the gun trembled. “What am I going to do?”
Marisa stepped closer. At the crunching sound beneath her feet, she looked down. The carpet was littered with green glass shards.
“I shot the lamp, Marisa. He’s a pig, but I couldn’t shoot him.”
Marisa put her arms around Tara, dimly aware Alex was pulling the gun from her friend’s unresisting fingers and tossing it in the corner.
Payton popped up from the desk and roared, “She’s a crazy woman! She’s the murderer! She killed those people!”
Tara’s tear-stained face jerked up in surprise.
Payton waved his arms. “Come on! Think! Who else could it be? Who else would brutally shoot that man, and leave Marisa unharmed? Who else would set fire to the murdered woman’s apartment, and not kill that nosy old woman? Tara is the murderer!”
Alex slowly shook his head from side to side. “I think Tara went…a little too far today, but she’s not a killer.” His eyes on Reed’s wild ones, Alex stated, “Reed, you killed Jonah Graham.”
“That’s ridiculous! I don’t have to stand here in my own house and be insulted. It’s high time I called the police to pick up that mad woman...” He reached for the phone on the desk.
Alex lunged toward his boss. “If you call the police, Reed, then I’ll have to ask them to take your fingerprints and check for any outstanding warrants...such as for embezzlement.”
Reed clenched his fists in fury. “How did you...!” He clamped his lips closed as he tried to gather his scattered wits. “I might have done some things in the past I’m not proud of, but I didn’t kill anyone. I didn’t even know Jonah Graham. I don’t know anything about the murders, other than what I’ve read in the newspaper.” Shaking, Reed eased back in his chair.
“Jonah Graham must have stumbled onto your former career as a minister, and your subsequent embezzlement from the church. Zoe and Jonah were partners in the blackmail scheme. You must have killed him because he found out what you did, and you had to kill Zoe because she was in on it.”
A minister? Marisa’s mind raced. A minister in disgrace. The disjointed facts in her mind began to lay themselves out in a neat pattern.
Marisa slipped her hand inside her bag and rummaged around in it.
Alex continued. “Reed, you were on the spot when Jonah was murdered. You dressed in the gown and mask, and covered your head with a surgical hat. Then, you slipped past the receptionist and entered the hall leading to Marisa’s office. The receptionist was busy on the telephone. He did see you, but given the hospital setting, he didn’t stop you. You sneaked into Marisa’s outer office, raised the gun, and shot Jonah through the glass panel. Then, you slipped out the back door, and then you probably re-entered the hospital with the police and emergency medical personnel.”
Alex moved forward a step. “You didn’t kill Marisa because she’s your niece. I had noticed the resemblance between you two, but I just chalked it up as an odd quirk of fate.”
Marisa rose slowly to her feet and shook her head. “Alex, you’ve figured out part of the story, but not all of it. Payton is my Uncle Christian; my father was his half brother. But there’s more to the story.”
Reed was bewildered. “What the—”
Marisa braced her palms on the desk and leaned over to meet Reed’s eyes. “I don’t know why I didn’t see it before. You’re the one who set up the fake employees in the system. You embezzled money by pocketing their pay through direct deposit to an account you had set up for that purpose. You used Alex’s user name for everything. That way, he could take the blame for what you did.”
His face convulsed with rage, Reed brought his fist down on the desk. “Shut up! Just shut up!”
Marisa’s lip curled in scorn. “You set fire to Zoe Walker’s apartment to destroy the evidence she may have left behind. When Mrs. Walker interrupted you, you threatened her and she fainted. Only moments ago, when you accused Tara of the crime, you mentioned the fire and the nosy old woman. The fire was in the news early this morning, but not what happened with Mrs. Walker.”
“Smart, aren’t you? I had to set that fire. It was so easy. Last October, I attended a Halloween party as a policeman. I simply dragged the costume out of the attic, dressed in it, and went to the apartment. I managed to jimmy the door open. As I was pouring gasoline around the apartment, that nosy old woman showed up. I didn’t hurt her, but I could have. Then, I went to Jonah’s apartment. I grabbed his computer, called 911 for the old woman, and then I got the hell out of there.”
“Payton, why did you go to such lengths to hide the truth?” Marisa was genuinely curious.
“If things go well here at the hospital, I’m in line for a promotion to top management in the corporate office—”
“Go well?” Tara was incredulous. “You’ve undone ten years’ worth of hard work through your incompetency and idiocy. You’ve laid off the backbone of the facility, the nursing assistants and the housekeepers. The entire nursing staff has given their notice. Even the volunteers have thrown up their hands and left—”
“It’s bad enough I’ve had to listen to your sniveling during the past months. I refuse to listen to it here in my own home. As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, my promotion will mean a fabulous salary and benefits, hefty bonuses, short work hours, and basically just sitting in a luxurious office and shuffling meaningless papers. I couldn’t jeopardize that by allowing my past to become public.”
Payton Reed slowly raised his hand, revealing an ugly black revolver.
Marisa gasped, and her arm tightened around Tara.
Alex’s body braced. Gently, he moved to place himself between the gun and the two women.
“It’s a moot point, because no one will ever know. I’ve worked too hard to build a life for myself.” His handsome face set in determined lines, he rose from the chair. “I cannot let you leave here alive. I’ll have to kill you all, starting with you.” He trained his gun on Alex’s midsection.
“You’ll never get away with it. How are you going to explain three bodies in your study?” His fists clenched, Alex slid closer to him.
Reed’s mouth curved into a slight smile. “I won’t have to explain. I’ll simply dig a deep trench in the garden. On the off chance of anyone asking questions, I’ll explain I’m preparing to plant some rather large trees. I’ll even run out and purchase them. Then, under the cover of darkness, I’ll place your bodies in the trench, put the trees in place, and then replace all of that dirt. The deed will be done, with no one the wiser. I promise you, my mother will take good care of the garden.” The long finger tightened on the trigger. “It will be very peaceful for you all.”
A rustling sound from the doorway caused four heads to swivel toward it. “Who’s there?” barked Reed.
Mrs. Reed stepped into the room, the long shotgun in her hands pointed at her son. “Put down the gun.”
“Mom! What are you doing?”
“I’m not going to let you kill these people, Christian.”
“Mom! I have to protect myself! They are going to ruin my life if I don’t! I didn’t want to hurt anybody! I didn’t hurt that nosy old woman!”
In spite of the tension and the danger, Marisa cringed at the whining note in man’s voice.
“I’m doing something I should have had the courage to do years ago. I’m going to force you to take responsibility for your actions. Put that gun down, or I will pull this trigger.” The barrel of the gun never wavered.
Reed’s angry, defiant eyes clashed with his mother’s calm ones.
Marisa, her arm still curled around Tara, looked at Alex. She found his eyes trained on Payton’s face. Alex’s body was utterly still, as if poised to spring.
Mrs. Reed stepped further into the room, the shotgun trained on her son’s chest.
“Drop it, son. Don’t make me do this.”
With a clatter, Reed dropped the gun on the desk. Moaning, he buried his face in his hands. His sobbing fill
ed the room.
A furious pounding and raised voices came from the hall. “What on earth?” Alex cried.
Marisa smiled in relief. “I slipped my hand in my purse and unobtrusively sent an emergency text to Lieutenant Camden.”
The study door burst open, and police officers poured into the room.
“I didn’t think he would ignore an SOS from his favorite amateur detectives!”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Althea positioned a clean sheet of paper in her typewriter. Firmly pushing away thoughts of murderers and ghosts, she touched the keys of her typewriter.
As the Crow Flies
By Seretha Ranier
Part Four
The remaining rays of the evening sun shone through the window and pierced Ms. Tate’s hair, making it appear a bright, burnished copper, the eye-catching color suitable for the adornments of a high priestess. Ms. Tate pursed her full lips. Her bronze eyes narrowed as she studied the two beaming, innocent faces across her desk. “Jeneva Valentine. What a beautiful, melodious name. It trips across the tongue, like a love song.”
Jeneva smirked, lowering her eyes as she looked at her white shoes in feigned modesty.
“Too gorgeous of a name for such a mean-spirited, spiteful bitch.”
Jeneva’s jaw fell in shock.
“And Terry Snider. You are a follower, with an easily swayed, susceptible mentality. Not truly evil, but not strong enough to be truly good.”
Terry’s mouth opened and her eyes bulged.
“I gave you both a chance. A chance to be kind, to demonstrate you can do good deeds for others who needed you. If this was two thousand years ago, I’d have you both executed.”
The two clutched each other and broke into exclamations of disbelief and fear.
Ms. Tate’s mouth twisted. “I said, if this was two thousand years ago. The modern banishment is termination of employment.”
Jeneva found her tongue. “But... but... but... why?”
The nursing home administrator rose, acting like an ancient queen passing judgment on two peasants. “You’re indifferent to the needs of the patients. You’re cruel to your co-workers.”
“How did you—” Terry broke off when Jeneva stepped on her foot. “I mean, what makes you think that?”
A tiny dimple appeared at the corner of Ms. Tate’s mouth. “Let’s just say… a little bird told me.”
A knock on the door interrupted Althea’s typing. She glanced up. Her face broke into an involuntary smile. “Clay!” Hastily, she pulled the page out of her typewriter and slid it into a folder.
Clay smiled back at her. “Thea, you’re a beautiful woman in repose, and utterly ravishing when you smile.” He glanced at the folder clutched in her hand. “The way you keep your education article hidden, it must be top secret.”
Althea lowered her eyes in confusion. “It’s a radical new theory for overhauling the education system.” She shoved her folder into her bedside table drawer. “I suppose you heard the news. Marisa called me and told me her boss had been arrested for the murders. I saw Esther out on the patio. She’s in full disguise. Should we go out there and bring her up to date?”
Clay nodded. “We’ll see if she has any additional information.” His eyes met hers.
The room was so quiet Althea could hear the clock ticking. Pinned by the compelling gray eyes, Althea’s breath caught in her chest, suffocating her. Almost unconsciously, her eyes dropped to the firm lips. When her tongue nervously touched her lips, Clay bent closer.
Althea felt like a rabbit, mesmerized by a cobra. She couldn’t move or think. Clay was leaning over her, his eyes the color of a soft, gray dove. As his strong, handsome face with its angles and planes inched closer to hers, she thought: He’s going to kiss me. When his hands took hers, Althea tipped her head back. God help me, I want him to. When Althea raised her lips to meet his, Clay touched his mouth to hers.
As a surge of affection and something else she’d not felt in a very long time flooded her body, Althea slid her hands from beneath Clay’s palms. Tentatively, she placed her hands on his shoulders. As the gentle affection was engulfed by a stronger, more urgent emotion, she deepened their kiss.
Clay responded immediately. His strong hands cupped her delicate shoulders, stroking the silky material of her blouse.
Althea groaned, heightening their rising passion. When her tongue slipped into his mouth, erotically stroking his tongue, Clay moaned.
A tapping noise penetrated Althea’s ardor, bringing her back to her senses with an uncomfortable bump. Regretfully, she broke the kiss.
Clay pressed gentle lips to Althea’s heated forehead, then straightened.
His voice wobbled only a little when he called, “Come in!”
“Fresh towels!” Annette called, her face bright with her smile and her arms piled high with white, folded towels. She seemed not to notice that neither Clay nor Althea met her gaze, and she obliviously bounced to the bathroom. She trotted back out with only a cheery wave.
Clay cleared his throat. “Thea, I—”
The door flew open.
“Oh, Annette!” Clay smiled.
“Not Annette, Mr. Napier,” retorted the nursing home administrator.
“Mrs. Hill!”
She advanced, stopping only when she was a scant inch from the older man. Her eyes were blazing with anger, and her fists were clenched. “I’ve warned you two about inappropriate behavior. Not only are you sneaking around here, asking questions and badgering people, but you’re also conducting a very distasteful liaison in my nursing home. I’ve tried to explain to you how to conduct yourselves in this facility.” She took a deep breath in an effort to calm herself. “I’ll find a new place for you both within the next few days.” She slammed the door.
Clay put his arms around Althea. “Don’t worry, my dear, we’re going to solve this mystery before Mrs. Hill can kick us out of here.” He cleared his throat nervously. “Thea, about what happened between us a few moments ago...”
“Why don’t we go out to the patio and talk to Esther?” Her chin up and her color high, Althea refused to meet Clay’s eyes. She determinedly walked to the open door of the room.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“It’s all over, then.” Tara heaved a sigh. “Payton Reed, who was already on the spot in his position at the hospital, killed Jonah to keep him from revealing his past secrets.”
“And because Zoe would never have kept silent, Reed had to kill her as well.” Camden’s sad glance encompassed Tara, Marisa, and Alex, all of whom were standing outside the tall iron gates in front of Payton’s house.
“When he realized the apartment must contain evidence linking him to Graham, Reed knew he had to destroy it by setting the place on fire,” Alex mused. “Mrs. Walker was very lucky she didn’t become his next victim.”
“I don’t understand why he killed the ambulance driver and the driver’s friend.” Tara’s face creased in puzzlement.
“The ambulance driver actually went to the bathroom opposite Marisa’s office shortly before the killing. When he emerged from the restroom, he must have seen Payton shoot Jonah.” Alex shrugged. “That may be why Payton didn’t kill Marisa as well. When he saw the ambulance driver, the hospital administrator dove out the exit door next to Marisa’s office. Later, when Kerry Webber and his friend tried to blackmail Payton, the administrator knew he had to get rid of them both. He drove to Kerry’s home, ostensibly to pay the blackmail, but in actuality he went there to execute both men.”
Tara wearily rubbed her eyes. “Thank God it’s done.”
Camden’s sharp blue eyes rested thoughtfully on Tara’s head, her riotous curls glowing golden in the evening rays of the summer sun. “When I took Payton’s statement, he claimed Ms. Ross broke into his study and flourished a revolver. He said she threatened to kill him because she thought he was jeopardizing the hospital through gross mismanagement.”
Tara’s eyes met the detective’s expressionless ones before
skittering away. “What a wild story.” She laughed uncertainly. “If everyone with an idiot boss threatened him or her with a gun, then you’d be kept busy 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Camden’s eyes drifted gently to Marisa’s huge handbag. “We didn’t search you or your friends. Any one of you could be concealing a weapon.”
“The important thing is Marisa is out of danger,” Tara interjected hastily, running a slightly trembling hand through her blonde curls. “Right, Marisa?”
When her friend didn’t answer, Tara’s clear green eyes rested thoughtfully on the bowed head. “Marisa?”
Marisa touched her tongue to her dry lips. “I don’t believe Payton killed Jonah or Zoe.”
“Marisa, Reed had a criminal past which included embezzlement and faking his own death. He was a ruthless, ambitious man who craved power and the material trappings of success, and used his new embezzlement scheme to get them. When he saw Jonah at the hospital, he knew everything he’d worked for was threatened. He decided to remove the threat for all eternity.” Alex reached for Marisa’s cold fingers.
Marisa pulled her hand away from the warm, comforting grasp. “When he was arrested, Payton admitted setting the fire in Zoe’s apartment to destroy any evidence of his connection with her. But he didn’t hurt Mrs. Walker, in spite of the perfect opportunity to do so. And he has denied, most emphatically, any involvement in the killings.”
Camden raised his hands. “Marisa, most murderers do proclaim their innocence, in some cases all the way to the electric chair.”
Marisa squared her shoulders and gazed directly into the lieutenant’s skeptical face. “Payton could have shot his mother to save himself. He chose not to do it.”
