Beautiful Music

by Lisa DeVore

  “Okay, rock boy, I see manners aren’t your thing. I’ll put this in a way you can understand. Jena is mine. I’m sure she told you we’re getting married. My fiancée told me she gave you your walking papers. I’m here to make sure you understand you’re to stay away from what is mine.”

  Jena was sure it was taking Chase every ounce of willpower he had not to punch him. He had to keep control. Please, keep control.

  “I know she was here last night,” Todd accused, his voice rising.

  “Yeah, so?”

  “She was supposed to break up with you. We’re getting married.”

  “There was no need to have your thug deliver your message. She broke it off right before they did your dirty work. Just a head’s up… She’s not real happy with you for knocking her out. She’s gone and you’re welcome to her,” Chase said evenly.

  “Stay away from her,” Todd hissed.

  “And if I don’t?” Chase pressed. “Are you going to have another one of your friends beat me up?”

  Jena stole a glance in time to see Todd move within inches of Chase’s face. His finger shook as he pointed it toward Chase. “Next time, I will have the pleasure of seeing you suffer. Jena will have to visit you at a cemetery.”

  “Don’t count on it being me she visits.”

  “Everything okay, Chase?” Jena heard the familiar voice of Detective Burrows.

  “Hey, Fred,” Chase answered.

  Fred? Who was Fred? Jena was sure she heard the detective.

  “No, this traveling salesman was just leaving. I’m not interested in what he has.” She knew he was daring Todd to come at him. Jena ran back to Chase’s bedroom and peeked out the window. Relief washed over her as she saw Todd head up the street. She knew he didn’t have the guts to go toe to toe with Chase, but she worried what he would do next.

  Jena descended the steps, expecting to find the detective in his normal attire. All rational thought left her mind as she found him standing there in a flowered shirt, tan shorts, and high tops. The only thing missing was the camera hanging around his neck. What was going on?

  “I’m assuming I’m Fred? What was that all about? And what happened to your face?”

  “Yeah, well, thanks for going along with that. He was the guy I was telling you about, and I didn’t think it was a good idea for him to know your occupation.” Chase motioned Burrows toward the kitchen.

  Jena couldn’t stop staring at the flowered shirt. The warmth of Chase’s hand joining hers jolted her back to reality in time to hear him say, “I’ll get you a cup of coffee and tell you the whole sordid story.”

  The detective followed behind them. Chase asked her quietly, “You heard all of that?”

  She nodded.

  “I had the pleasure of hearing some of it, too. Come on, little lady, let’s have a cup and see what we’re going to do about this guy.”

  Jena and the detective sat at the table while Chase got the mugs from the cupboard. She broke the silence. “Did you really need to push him like that?”

  “It kept me from punching him in the face.”

  “You’ve only made things worse.” Her shoulders slumped in defeat. Todd Richards was planning his revenge. She was sure of it.

  Chase seated himself across the table from Detective Burrows and gave the highlights—Todd’s visit with Jena, the threats, the note Chase found on his truck, and their late night visitor.

  “You have no idea who jumped you?” the detective questioned.

  “It was dark and they hit me from behind.”

  “And you didn’t see who left the note?”

  Chase shook his head. “Nothing seemed out of the ordinary when I found it.”

  Jena spoke for the first time. “He’s crazy and he’s dangerous. He threatened Chase’s life if I don’t go along with this. And Andrea’s,” she added worriedly.

  “He threatened Andy?” Chase turned to Jena with an angry expression.

  “Only if I don’t stay away from you,” she replied quickly.

  Chase opened his mouth to respond and was thankfully interrupted by the detective. “All right then, Miss Shea, meet your Uncle Fred.”

  Jena looked at the detective with puzzled eyes. “Excuse me?”

  “Well, you can’t stay here in hiding. He thinks the two of you are done and that’s what you wanted him to think, right?” Detective Burrows didn’t wait for an answer. “You can’t see Chase until we get this guy. I’m your new bodyguard.”

  “I don’t think this is a good idea.” Chase shook his head.

  “No, not a good idea,” Jena agreed.

  “I understand, Chase, it’s not easy to give up control of her safety. I promise you I’ll keep her safe. If we’re going to nab him I need to be close to the situation. You…” he said with authority, “can’t be anywhere near the situation. You could put yourself or Jena at risk. Maybe even your niece.”

  Jena sighed. “He’s right. We have to think of Andrea.”

  “I don’t like this,” he said angrily.

  “It’s the only way. I want a life with you. We have to put Todd away.”

  “Jen…”

  “Please.”

  He turned to the detective. “What’s your plan?”

  “This guy doesn’t know your family, does he?” he asked Jena.

  “No. We never spoke of anything too personal, why?”

  “Well, I’ll be your Uncle Fred visiting from, let’s say,” he rubbed his chin, “Arizona.”

  “Why Arizona?” Jena asked curiously.

  “Because I’ve been there and old people like to retire there. This is the reason I haven’t been to Ohio to visit. I’m old-fashioned, you understand. I don’t believe a lady and her beau should be un-chaperoned. I, after all, keep an eye on you since your parents passed.”

  A look of uncertainty passed between Chase and Jena before the detective continued. “When your housekeeper can’t be there I’ll be glued to your hip.”

  “How will I get information from him if you’re always there?”

  “Jena…you’re not going to be alone with him,” Chase warned.

  “I’ll see to that,” the detective assured him. “Get your things together. We’re heading home.”

  “I should get in my truck and hunt this guy down and be done with it—the old-fashioned way.”

  Jena’s lips parted to protest, but her response was cut off by the buzzing of her phone. She lifted it slowly. There really was no need to look at the screen to identify the caller.

  “Is it him?”

  Jena sighed and nodded. Why wouldn’t this nightmare end?

  “Give the phone to me,” the detective ordered. “We might as well get this show on the road. Hello,” he grumbled into the phone.

  All Jena could hear was the detective’s side of the conversation and he was playing his part like an Academy Award winner.

  “Well, let me tell you, young’un, I’m none too happy about this change of events. One minute she’s all gooey over a rock singer and the next week she’s engaged to a weasel. I don’t care if you take offense to that, boy, this is my niece we’re talking about. She’s not marrying without my say so.” He paused with a grin. They could hear Todd yelling on the other end. “Listen, boy, you aren’t scoring any points with me. I don’t care if you never heard of me, ’cause I’ve never heard of you either. I don’t believe you need to talk to my niece right now.” The detective hung up and handed the phone to Jena. “Don’t answer that without my say so, hear?”

  “Okay,” was all she could manage. No coherent thought formed in her mind. She glanced at Chase, waiting for his response. She was sure one was coming by the look on his face.

  “Are you sure this is the way to go about it? Maybe you could wire me and I could get him to admit everything.”

  “It’s like this, Chase. This guy’s a real piece of work and I should be able to lock him up for that very reason. Problem is, I can’t. We have no crime we can tie him to. A couple of th
reats and no eye witnesses won’t stand up in court.”

  “You won’t use Jena as bait.”

  “I’ll be fine,” she reasoned.

  “She won’t be anywhere near any trap,” the detective promised.

  Jena reached across and covered his hand with hers. “We can do this.”

  Chase reluctantly nodded, taking her hand in his and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

  “Now…where’s that note?” the detective asked.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  The goodbye with Chase was quick and painful. Chase and Detective Burrows had made sure Todd was not sitting outside the house. The tears fell freely down Jena’s face as they made a speedy exit.

  “It’s gonna be fine, little lady.” The detective did his best to comfort. “You can’t show any tears when you see this fella, you understand? He’s got to believe every word you say.”

  “I understand. I’ll do whatever it takes to put him away,” Jena said with renewed determination.

  “Good. Is your housekeeper working today?”

  “Yes. I talked to her this morning. She’s staying with my niece.”

  “Is she the shotgun-wielding one?”

  Jena smiled at the comment. “Yes, she’s the one.”

  “That’s what we need, someone with some spunk. Suppose she’d live in for a while?”

  Jena shrugged. “I don’t know. Her sister has been ill. We can ask, but I really…”

  “Don’t say you’ll be fine,” he glanced over with a warning look.

  “Okay, I won’t. I was going to say I don’t need a babysitter.” Her confidence became non-existent when she saw Todd’s car sitting in her driveway. “He’s there, in the driveway.”

  “Don’t panic. We’ve got this. Just follow my lead, understand?”

  Her mouth went dry and her hands trembled. She didn’t know what he was capable of. If he found out this was a setup…

  The detective pulled in the driveway. “He’s not in the car. He must be inside. What if he’s figured us out?” Panic threatened to bubble over. “Mrs. R. doesn’t know about any of this.”

  “I had Chase phone ahead and fill her in. She knows. Now, come on. We have work to do.”

  He nonchalantly walked up the driveway to the door and waited for Jena to open it.

  “Where have you been?” Todd asked in a menacing tone.

  “Does he always talk like this to you, girl?” Uncle Fred asked angrily.

  “No, Uncle Fred,” she said softly.

  “If it’s any of your business,” he directed to Todd, “I took my niece to breakfast and we had a talk about you and your plans.”

  “I thought I recognized you,” Todd’s voice raised. “You were at the rock singer’s house. How is it you know him, Uncle Fred?

  Jena’s heart pounded with fear. Todd had figured them out already.

  “I don’t believe that’s any of your business,” Uncle Fred challenged.

  “I do believe it is. Jena and I are engaged. She is my business.”

  Detective Burrows considered him for a moment before responding. “I was paying a visit to the person I believed to be Jena’s flame. He’s an old family friend. I didn’t know she switched gears.” He looked to Jena with disapproval.

  Jena bit her lip, but said nothing.

  “I like Chase,” Uncle Fred directed at Jena. “He’s a good man. I don’t approve of his career choice, but I like him. Why’d you turn him in for this snob?”

  Jena tried to hide the shock and play along. “I…um….I…”

  “She came to her senses. That’s what happened,” Todd said shortly.

  “That remains to be seen,” Uncle Fred grunted.

  “So, how long will you be visiting, Fred?” Todd asked impatiently.

  “That’s Mr. Shea to you. I’ll be staying a week.”

  Jena’s eyes shot directly to the detective. Mr. Shea? That caught her off guard. She glanced at Todd who was eyeing her with a look of suspicion. She had to do something. Todd was smart…really smart. If he suspected anything this could blow up in their faces. She had to come up with a story he would believe, and fast.

  “Todd, can I have a word with you alone on the front porch?”

  His eyes narrowed and he answered slowly, “Sure.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, girly, until I get to know him better.”

  “I’m a grown woman, Uncle Fred. I’ll only be a moment.”

  Jena led Todd through the front door and onto the porch. She turned to him and sighed. “I understand this wasn’t in the plan, Todd, and I’m sorry.”

  “Throw him out,” Todd said through gritted teeth.

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Jena,” he warned, “I won’t have anyone ruining my plans for our future.”

  “He has control of my inheritance,” she blurted. Money was the one thing that Todd cared about. She worked with him long enough to know his motivation was the almighty dollar.

  “Your inheritance? What inheritance?”

  She had his attention. “My parents left me a great deal of money, but I don’t inherit until I marry. Uncle Fred is the trustee and he has to approve my choice. If he doesn’t, the money stays in trust.”

  “That’s absurd. We’ll fight it.”

  “I’m a lawyer, Todd. Don’t you think I’ve tried? You’re going to have to get on my uncle’s good side.”

  He sighed, putting his hands on his hips. “How much money? Is it worth it?”

  “A lot of money. I’d never have to work again.”

  His eyebrow rose in question. “Okay,” he agreed cautiously. “You realize this doesn’t change my cut-off date, right?”

  “Cut-off date?”

  “We’ll be leaving next Friday. I already have the plane reservations…for two. So make sure you figure out something to do with that niece of yours.”

  “You can’t give me a little more time? With Uncle Fred here I don’t have time to tie up all the loose ends.”

  “Next Friday, Jena. I’ll leave you to your uncle. We’ll have dinner this week. I’ll turn him around,” he replied with arrogance.

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  Todd leaned in and kissed her hard on the lips. It took every ounce of strength not to slap him in the face. “I’ll call you later.” It sounded more like a warning. She waited for him to leave, wiped her hand across her mouth with disgust, and went in the house to face the detective. She had a feeling he wasn’t happy with her.

  “That was really slick, little lady. You’re lucky he didn’t grab you and throw you in the car. Don’t pull a stunt like that again, hear?”

  “I told you this was a bad idea,” Mrs. R. said, coming from the kitchen. “That pretty boy can’t be trusted.”

  “I don’t trust him,” the detective said loudly. “If she follows orders, she’ll be safe. Uncle Fred’s on watch.”

  “Well, meet Aunt Bessie,” Mrs. R. replied with authority.

  “He knows you’re the housekeeper,” Jena reasoned.

  “Yeah, well, I’ll be lurking in the shadows with my friends Smith and Wesson,” she promised.

  “What did you say to him?” the detective questioned.

  “He was getting suspicious. I know him, so I made up a story.”

  His eyes narrowed. “What kind of story?”

  “Let’s say I took advantage of his love of money. He thinks I stand to inherit a lot of money, but you have to approve of my husband.”

  Detective Burrows considered what she said for a moment. “It might work,” he conceded, “but don’t try that again.”

  “I had to give him something else to focus on besides the unexpected arrival of an uncle I never talked about. He’s no dummy, Detective.”

  He nodded in agreement and changed the subject. “Do you have any writing samples of this guy? Something I can send into the lab? I’d like to see if there’s a match to the note from the burger joint.”

  “I have a client f
ile upstairs. He helped on the merger. There might be something in there. You don’t think…”

  “Think what?” Mrs. R. interjected.

  “I want to see if his handwriting matches the note on Chase’s truck,” he explained to Mrs. R.

  “What note?” The housekeeper looked from one to the other.

  Jena gave her an impatient look at the interruption. “You don’t think he has anything to do with my sister’s disappearance, do you?”

  “I’m not saying your sister’s alive,” he said honestly. “Let’s take one step at a time. Could you go check that out? And I’ll fill in Mrs. Nibby Nose.”

  “Don’t get cute, Sherlock. I want to know what’s going on around here.” Her eyes narrowed on him. “Is that such a bad idea?”

  “I’ll leave you two at it,” Jena smiled before hurrying up the stairs.

  She went directly to the roll top desk in the corner and slid it open. The file was sitting on top. Leafing through the pages, she found what she was looking for. The note wasn’t long, just “Jena, check page twenty-three.” She hoped it was enough. Closing the file she rushed toward the stairs.

  “Have you lost your marbles?” she heard the housekeeper say.

  “Now, Ellen…”

  Ellen? When did they become on a first name basis? She stopped on the steps to listen.

  “You listen…I’ve become very fond of that girl. I won’t have her used as bait. There has to be another way.”

  Jena shifted her weight and the step creaked. She squeezed her eyes shut in frustration and said loudly, “Found what you’re looking for.”

  Detective Burrows and Mrs. R. met her in the foyer. Neither one looked suspicious as the detective took the note.

  “Is it enough? That’s all I have.”

  “Should be.” He turned to Mrs. R. “You going to be around? I’d like to get this to the lab.”

  “I’m on watch.”

  “I don’t need a babysitter, “Jena said with a huff.

  The detective ignored her. “I’ll be back soon.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Jena made an excuse about being tired and escaped to her room. Her thoughts drifted to her sister. What if she was alive? She thought back to Andrea’s conversation. Was she talking to her mother that day? Was that why her niece showed no grief?