Killer Party

by Lynn Cahoon

  I updated my investigation book which now only had one open page entitled Jessica and The Castle. It sounded like a Nancy Drew mystery. I listed off the questions I wanted to ask Jimmy and then tucked the notebook back into my tote bag. As soon as Toby arrived to take over the shop, I’d run into town, see Jimmy, and pick up lunch. Then I would head home to work on the five chapters the professor had assigned as reading for next week. This class just might break me.

  But I was Wonder Woman. I could run my business, investigate murders, and pass Math for Business Decisions. At least I hoped so.

  I opened the book I’d started yesterday and began to read. I was picking out a new book to carry with me when Toby walked into the shop. I’d finished the other one, but it hadn’t given me that sigh of happiness when everyone was okay at the end of the book. Instead, it had made me anxious and wondering if the heroine would ever find the right guy or keep a job. I hated books like that. I wanted the happily-ever-after. Which, again, was a testament to my Pollyanna side.

  “Thanks for doing my laundry.” Toby slipped on an apron and washed his hands in the sink. “You don’t know how much I needed that extra couple hours of sleep.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re turning into a washer woman for everyone in town.” My aunt appeared from the back office, dressed in a cashmere twinset and pleated pants. She set the baby-blue outfit off with a single strand of pearls—which I knew were real—and dark blue flats. One of her more casual outfits. She’d given up on heels years ago, saying her days of waitressing at the coffee shop had ruined her legs forever. “You already have one man to take care of, you don’t need two.”

  “I only did it this one time.” Why was I explaining myself to her anyway? It wasn’t her business. Then I realized I had it wrong. Everything was Aunt Jackie’s business, at least according to her. She had her purse and the wedding planning book. “Why are you so dressed up?”

  “I went to talk to Brenda yesterday but no one was there.” Aunt Jackie poured herself a travel mug of coffee and took a sip before continuing. “I thought you and I could go over this morning and get this party all nailed down. I have things to do that I can’t until I have a confirmed date and place. Like ordering the invitations. I found several possibilities online last night.”

  I glanced at the clock. Jimmy’s office was open until five. And Aunt Jackie had to be back for work around three. I could still do this and get my reading done before class reconvened next week. It changed up my plan for the day, but I knew when my aunt had her mind set on something, it was going to happen.

  “Sure, let me grab my purse and keys.” I paused in front of Toby. “I’m glad you got some sleep. You’ve been looking a little like the walking dead lately.”

  He glanced at Aunt Jackie who was now inventorying the dessert case as she waited.

  “You’re out of Key lime cheesecake. I’ll bring one up for you.” My aunt disappeared into the back room.

  “This Sasha thing has got me more wound up than I’d expected. Seriously, who gets this worked up over a break up?” He grinned as Aunt Jackie returned with a cheesecake box.

  Toby took it from her. “I’ll get that set up. You two just go and have fun.”

  “I’ll have her back in plenty of time for her shift. We’re just heading up to The Castle.”

  Toby started plating the cheesecake and I grabbed my tote. Apparently sharing time was over. He had come a long way from the playboy he’d been when Aunt Jackie had first hired him. Who’d knew that the guy actually had deep feelings and a strong yearning for family and connectedness. Once, during his first year with us, he’d been dating two different girls and they’d both shown up at the hospital when he’d been attacked. That had been awkward.

  “Don’t forget to stock the new books that came in yesterday,” my aunt called back as we left the shop. “I can’t be carrying those heavy boxes out to the front by myself.”

  As we went to the back parking lot where she parked, I looked at her. “Doesn’t he always stock the new books on Tuesdays?”

  “Of course, dear.”

  Now I was confused. “Then why did you remind him?”

  She handed me her keys and then walked over to the passenger side. I guessed I was driving. “Because he needs to know what he does is important and why.”

  I thought it was more like she wanted to put on the guilt trip just in case he got busy and was unable to complete his to do lists but I didn’t say anything. A tune from Phantom of the Opera blasted from the speakers as soon as I turned on the car. My aunt liked her show tunes loud. We made our way up to The Castle with little conversation. My aunt looking small as she sat in the passenger side with her wedding planner book on her lap. It was a good thing the wedding was in June since the book was growing so fast, soon she wouldn’t be able to carry it without a handcart.

  Greg’s friends’ cars still sat in the parking lot when we arrived so I guessed Jessica’s wish that they’d be released hadn’t come true. I wondered what Terrance was thinking and if he’d found out about the sale of The Castle. Maybe he’d already worked that line and found it to be a dead end. This is why people needed to talk. I could share my information and he could share his. However, he’d probably arrest me for obstruction of justice or some stupid thing if I told him even half of the stuff I’d found out.

  We parked the car and as we walked toward the ticket booth my aunt stopped. “Lock the car.”

  “What? No one’s out here.” I looked around at the deserted lot. The closed sign had still been on the welcome sign out by the highway. I bet Brenda was having a cow by now. I hate to be in Terrance’s shoes.

  She just stood there, her eyebrows lifted, not answering me.

  “Fine, I’ll lock the car.” I double-clicked the remote so she could hear the beep-beep sound from the car, then shoved the keys into my jeans pocket. I unlatched the chain that kept people out and opened the way for my aunt. We headed into Brenda’s office in the first building on the right.

  It was empty. No receptionist. No Brenda. I walked over to the coffeepot and put my hand on the half-full pot. It was cold. “I don’t think she’s even been here this morning.” I backed up and looked at the door for some kind of sign saying she was ill or where the guests could go if they needed help. Nothing.

  It was creepy empty. Like one of those places in Stephen King’s The Stand after Captain Trips took out most of the world with its genetically modified flu bug. I met my aunt’s gaze. “Was this the way it looked yesterday?”

  She slowly scanned the room. “I think so. None of the computers were on. The coffee was at that level. I went to check to see if it was still warm so I could fill up my travel mug.”

  So what ever had happened, it had happened yesterday. Visions of all the zombie movies I’d ever watched came into my head. If this had been a movie, we would have heard the door open behind us and the hive swarm in to eat us.

  But this was real life. And like Greg had just said that morning: Nothing bad happened in South Cove. At least, not as bad as the rest of the world. I backed out of the office. “Let’s look around and see if we can find anyone.”

  The pool area was empty. The tables cleared and waiting for their guests to come and eat. I went back to the fountain and turned toward the main house. That’s when I heard the scream. I waved at Aunt Jackie to stay where she was and then inched my way up the path. I could see the house and the large windows for the dining room. A woman stood by the window waving her hands and screaming. It was Lois. A man pulled her away from the window, then came back and glanced around. I flattened myself against the wall and hit Aunt Jackie who was standing behind me.

  “I told you to wait at the fountain.” I whispered through clenched teeth.

  She flattened next to me and whispered back. “Who was screaming?”

  “Lois. I think someone has the group locked up in the dining room.” I thought about what to do next. Quickly, I devised a plan. “Why don’t you take my purse, go back
to the car, drive down the hill and call Greg?”

  She shook her head defiantly. “New plan. You and I go back to the car, drive down the hill, and call Greg. Do you really think I’m going to leave you alone here?”

  “Please? Someone has to watch to make sure they don’t leave with the hostages. I don’t know what they want, but if this has been going on for at least a day, I don’t think they are looking for ransom or planning on keeping those people alive.” Greg would be devastated if all of his old friends were killed over a period of less than a week. “Use my cell phone. The number listed under Greg goes to his cell. If he doesn’t answer, call 911.”

  “You know I don’t know how to use that stupid phone of yours.” She paused, I could see she was seeing the value in my plan. “All right, but I’m going to use my own phone and just call 911. I know how to dial that.”

  “Be careful and go slow. I don’t want him seeing movement. I doubt that they can see the parking lot from there, but you never know.” I hoped I wasn’t sending Aunt Jackie off to be shot. I just felt that she’d be safer, locked in her car than hanging out here with me. I would wait for Greg to show up just watching the windows and making sure they didn’t leave.

  My legs already ached from crouching and I’d been hiding here for only a few minutes. This staying still and quiet was going to kill me. I started running through the reasons they had been taken hostage. Money. Well, that couldn’t be the reason. Jessica was the only one with any chance of having big money and she had to wait for probate on Levi’s estate. Maybe they’d tried to kidnap Levi and failed so they thought they could get ransom from his company for his soon to be wife?

  Then why hadn’t they called someone yesterday? Aunt Jackie had been here yesterday to talk to Brenda and had found the office in the same state as it was today. That thought made my blood chill. What if she’d been here when it happened? My aunt might have been one of the people locked in that dining room.

  I glanced back down the path, but no one appeared. Too early for the cavalry. I went back to my mental musing. So not money, or at least it wasn’t the obvious reason behind this.

  Maybe he was obsessed with someone? Again, I’d have to put Jessica as the target. She did work at a strip club for a while. Which totally explained the attitude when we saw her get off the elevator when this circus of a bachelor party first started. But Allison might be the girl too.

  Allison was sweet, kind, and a little obsessed herself, but at least her obsession was swimming. Could she have had a rabid fan that didn’t like her retirement plans from the sport?

  Now I just felt I was reaching.

  I looked down the path another time.

  Nothing.

  This waiting thing was hard. Maybe I should have snuck out with Aunt Jackie. We could have both been safe, sitting in her car at the bottom of the hill. Something poked me in the leg. I arched my back and pushed my hand into my jeans pocket. I pulled out Aunt Jackie’s keys.

  Crap. She wasn’t safe or out of danger because I had her car keys. I stared down the path, hoping she’d figured out how to use my phone and that Greg really was on his way. If not, I needed to inch my way back to the parking lot without being seen and then tuck her in the car and take off.

  The keys jangled in my hand and I realized I was shaking. I took a deep breath and with one last look at the now empty window, I stepped back on the path.

  “I’m sorry Jill, but you have to come with me.” Brenda stood in front of me blocking my way.

  I dropped the keys into the soft dirt behind me, hoping they wouldn’t make a noise. Maybe if Aunt Jackie came back, she’d find the keys where I’d been. Maybe.

  “Brenda,” I put on a smile. “I was just looking for you. My aunt was wondering if you would rent her the pool area for her engagement party.”

  She looked at me like I was crazy.

  Since she didn’t say anything, I kept chattering. “She sent me here to beg you for a favor. Of course, she couldn’t come herself because she has a shift coming up at the coffee shop.”

  Brenda’s eyes widened and she glanced down the path. “Don’t tell me she’s here too?” She shook her head. “Just keep your mouth shut about her and maybe he won’t notice.”

  Now I was confused. Brenda seemed concerned about Aunt Jackie. She couldn’t be part of the kidnapping if she was helping me. “What’s going on, Brenda?”

  “I can’t tell you. We don’t have time. If we don’t get back to the house soon, someone is going to die.”

  CHAPTER 21

  Brenda grabbed my arm. Her grip was tight. She hissed into my ear as we walked. “He saw you from the window. I don’t know why you keep getting yourself in these kind of situations, but this time, your luck might have just run out.”

  I stumbled on a cobblestone and she pulled me upright. Fear pulsed through my body and I didn’t know what was going on. Only that we were going in the exact wrong direction from safety. “Why are you helping him?”

  Brenda pressed her lips together as she pushed me through the oversized door into the marble foyer. “Because I have to.” She pointed to the door on the right. “That way.”

  I felt like a death-row prisoner being taken to the execution chamber. Brenda’s fingers were clawing into my arm, and I knew, the time to try to run had long past. I might get to the entry door, but not much farther before she caught up with me. I tried to calm my breathing and without thinking, I whimpered, “I don’t understand.”

  “Just be quiet. Tell him you came to see me about a booking. Then shut up.” She hissed into my ear before shoving me in front of her and into the room.

  I blinked, trying to adjust my eyes from the dark foyer back into sunshine. The tapestry drapes that hung on the wall of windows that overlooked my hiding place were pulled back, letting sun into this room for the first time, probably since the antiques had been brought in from Europe. Sun and tapestries didn’t mix well.

  Lois and Butch were sitting at the table across from where I stood, their arms tied behind them with gags in their mouths. Lois pleaded with me with her gaze, but she didn’t realize I wasn’t there to help, I was just as lost as she was. Looking around the room, I saw that all of Greg’s friends were seated similarly around the table, gagged and bound. Jessica sat at the head of the table, no gag, but her arms were tied. She gave me a slight nod and I realized she thought she could still talk her way out of this.

  Maybe the years of self-protection as a young woman had given her hope, even in this situation. Or maybe, she knew someone, probably her father, would eventually come looking for her.

  I just hoped it wouldn’t be too late.

  “Sit down.” A man standing near Jessica waved a gun at me. “Use those curtain ties to bind her to the chair. But be careful. They are delicate. We don’t want to be ruining any of the furniture.”

  “Blood splatter would really mess up these antiques.” I didn’t move, waiting for him to actually look at me. I thought I knew who it was, but I wanted to be sure. “Why are you doing this?”

  This time, he left off his study of Jessica and turned toward me. John Anderson, the man who’d been so animated about taking care of The Castle each and every time I’d run into him stared at me, but instead of the thoughtful man I’d seen when I first met him last weekend, now a wild animal seemed to be living behind those eyes. I was afraid I had given him a good idea.

  “She didn’t mean it,” Brenda stepped closer to me, holding out the drapery tie back. “She only came by to ask about holding an engagement party out by the pool.”

  “More people getting drunk and ruining The Castle?” John shook his head. “Would you party at the Louvre? Or in St. Patrick’s Cathedral? Why do people think it’s perfectly fine to desecrate this historic site?”

  I shrugged off Brenda’s hands as she tried to guide me into a chair. “The party is for my elderly aunt and her boyfriend. I’m pretty sure it will be as calm and respectful as a tour of any religious chapel in the world. Are
you saying my aunt is destructive?”

  I didn’t know if going on the defensive was really a good strategy, but mostly, I was just waiting for Aunt Jackie to get a hold of Greg. If she couldn’t make my phone work, she could call from the office. The office door was still open and she could lock herself inside while she waited. Or maybe she’d come back to the spot where she’d left me and found the keys. Either way, I needed to give Greg time to get up here and save us.

  “No one respects the artifacts like they should.” He pointed the gun at Brenda. “Her husband was the worst. He stuffed drugs inside priceless vases, just to hide them from customs. He treated The Castle like his own little pharmacy.”

  “Craig is dead.” And his murderer was in jail, or was he? If the drug lord hadn’t gotten tired of Craig two timing him, John would have killed him just to save The Castle. “No one here did anything bad to the campus. You need to let us go.” He laughed and pointed to Jessica. “She was going to turn this place into a night club. People drinking, throwing up,” he choked up a bit before he continued, “smoking in rooms like this? What do you think it would have done to the furniture? The artwork? People like that don’t deserve to be alive.”

  “She didn’t plan on turning The Castle. Levi did.” At this, Jessica’s head turned toward me, her eyes narrow. “Levi was the one to blame, but he’s already gone. You dealt with the threat. Now, this is just overkill.”

  “I can’t step back now. What, do you think all these people are just going to forget about being tied up for a day? Are you?” He shook his head. “No. As soon as I let you go, you’ll run to your boyfriend crying. And I’ll be in jail. Who will watch out for The Castle then?”

  “I will. You know I love the place. Even when I was married to Craig, I worked to try to get the place set up as a historical landmark. I’m still working on protecting it.” Brenda stepped closer to the man. “Why don’t you give me the gun, then you can leave, and I’ll take over.”