The float was nearly past when something exploded directly in Drew’s path. What sounded like a series of firecrackers sent people running in all directions. Smoke obliterated the scene as several smoke bombs were lobbed into the street. Girls from the riding academy had been right behind Drew’s float, each one carrying a flag and pole. Horses shied and reared in fright. One girl was unseated. Her horse bolted into the crowd. People screamed as the parade erupted in chaos.
Nicole!
Brie’s mother had planned to walk down the hill with her granddaughter at the start of the parade. As people stampeded toward the diner’s small front entrance, Brie pivoted and ran to the steps off the deck.
Smoke rose slowly in the heavy, humid air. Kat’s younger sister, Emily, sat on the ground holding her arm. Blood ran between her fingers. Brie saw Drew’s brother, Zachary, rush to her side. He lifted her tenderly, peering around wildly.
“Zach! Use the deck out back,” Brie called to him. “Have Lois call the paramedics.”
Brie pushed her way through the crowd. She saw Drew trying to calm the riderless horse who was dangerously close to a group of frightened young children. Spotting her neighbors, she ran over to the couple.
“Have you seen Nicole or my mother?”
“They were down at the end of our street.”
Brie relaxed. That was far enough from the disturbance. The police were restoring order quickly. Searching for her mother in this mob was useless, so she headed back to the diner.
Others had followed Zach, seeking refuge on the back deck. Lois and Sam, the cook, were administering first aid with the help of the newly hired busboy. Zach sat at a table with Emily, pressing a towel against her arm. He looked up as Brie started across the deck.
“I think Emily was shot.”
DREW CROUCHED DOWN instinctively when the first smoke bomb detonated. Almost at the same time, his hat sailed away. Smoke clouded his view as people began screaming. A riderless horse nearly knocked him over in its panicked frenzy. Drew bolted after it, reaching for the dangling reins.
He thought he glimpsed Brie in the crowd once, but she disappeared before he could call out to her. Finally, the police restored order and Drew gazed around. His hat lay in the gutter. A neat round hole ran from one side to the other. Brie had been right. Someone wanted him dead.
Chapter Nine
Brie rushed home as soon as the diner closed. She was almost at the house when her mother’s voice called to her from two doors down. Pamela and Nicole were sitting on Mary Jackson’s front porch drinking lemonade. Nicole was playing with her friends and the little girls were giggling as they watched Little Imp tussle with a ball of yarn. Relief made Brie’s knees weak.
“I wasn’t expecting you home,” her mother said calmly. “Weren’t you supposed to go somewhere after work?”
Drew! She’d forgotten all about meeting him after the parade.
“I, uh, decided to change first. Did you go to the parade?”
“Only for a few minutes. It was too hot. Besides, Nicole was upset over leaving Little Imp behind, so when I bumped into Mary and her girls, we decided to come back here instead.”
“We plan to take the girls over later to watch the fireworks,” Mary added. “Sure sounded like a lot of commotion a while ago.”
Brianna quietly told them what had happened in front of the diner.
“I don’t understand what’s wrong with people anymore. I was just telling Mary about the prowler we had last night.”
“What sort of prowler thinks he’s going to find anything worth stealing in this neighborhood, I ask you? Maybe McFarland Leary rose from his grave, after all,” Mary suggested. “You have to admit, there have been some strange and horrible things happening in town these past few months.”
“I don’t think a ghost threw smoke bombs into the crowd. Mom, please keep a close eye on Nicole. I’m feeling real edgy and I have to see someone.”
Her mother nodded knowingly.
“I should be back shortly.”
“Your mother will stay right here with me,” Mary announced firmly. “My Henry will be home soon.”
Although she was already late, Brie took time to shower and change, pulling on a crisp blue-and-white sundress. Though faded, the comfortable shirtwaist made her feel more feminine. There wasn’t time to worry about her hair so she toweled it dry, fluffed it with a comb, and found her mother’s wide-brimmed floppy white hat to cover most of it. Adding sunscreen and a touch of lipstick, she slipped on her sandals and set off for the park.
The dense overgrowth of trees offered shade, but the park bustled with so much activity that the heat and humidity were miserable. Large grills were in operation all over, filling the sluggish air with food odors.
Mayor Thane was at the microphone denouncing the people responsible for this morning’s attack. His words had an oddly rehearsed sound to Brie, who barely listened as she scanned the crowd for a glimpse of Drew.
William and Maureen Pierce sat together in the gazebo, next to Chief Redfern and Anton Pierce. There was no sign of Drew.
“I was afraid you weren’t coming.”
Her heart rate tripled as Drew found her. “Aren’t you supposed to be up there with the other speakers?”
“Come with me.”
The gentle tug on her arm was nothing compared with the tug on her foolish heart. Brie planted her feet. “I can’t go up there!”
“I know. Just stand near the front. Please? We’ll talk when I’m finished. My speech is mercifully short.”
Though she wanted to refuse, Brie let herself be led to the side of the makeshift stage in front of the gazebo. A scattering of applause indicated the mayor had introduced William Pierce.
Becca Smith stood in the crowd next to Zach. Brie stepped over to join them as Drew hurried onto the stage. “How’s Emily, Zach?”
His features lit at Emily’s name, but sobered instantly. “She’s fine. Her arm bled a lot, but she was just grazed. Chief Redfern insists she got cut by something flying out of the crowd.”
Brie lowered her voice. “You don’t agree.”
“Nope. Neither does her sister, Kat. She took Em to the hospital to get checked out. I’m going over there as soon as Drew finishes his talk. Shh. He’s up now.”
There was an underlying edge of excitement that surprised Brie. Zach gave her a broad grin and turned his attention back to the dais.
Andrew Pierce had been born for politics. With his easy confidence, that heart-stopping smile and his open charisma, he had the crowd’s full attention in seconds. “I’m going to beg your indulgence while I depart from the usual patter.”
He looked directly at Brie. Her stomach gave a strange little flip. He smiled and his gaze roved back over the crowd.
“As all of you know, I come from a long line of politicians and lawyers. Our success depends on our ability to talk. Everyone knows both professions are filled with a lot of hot air.”
People tittered. A couple of male voices called out something Brie couldn’t hear. Drew grinned infectiously. Then his expression turned serious. “Four years ago, there was a question I should have asked someone. To my regret, I didn’t.”
He held everyone captive with the intensity behind his words.
“Five simple but terribly important words, and I’ve racked my brain for a way to ask this question. Our family has been part of this town since its inception. You are our friends, our neighbors, our classmates, the people we care about. I decided to ask my question publicly, with all of you standing in witness.”
Her mouth went dry. Drew looked directly at her once more.
“Brianna Dudley, will you marry me?”
“That was six words,” Zach murmured, grinning. “But who cares? Way to go, big brother.”
Deafened by the blood pounding through her head, she was prodded forward until she stood directly in front of Drew at the foot of the makeshift stand.
“Please don’t say no,” he begged softly.
She wa
nted to weep. She wanted to fly at him in a rage. She wanted to run. Instead, her dazed brain let him slide a large ring onto her finger and fold her into his arms while the crowd went wild.
Panic filled her as people crowded around offering congratulations and best wishes. If Drew had released his tight hold even for a second she would have fled. She saw Becca smiling encouragingly at her. Somehow that gesture of friendship steadied her. And just in time, as Frederick Thane suddenly cut off her view.
“Nice little bit of upstaging there, Pierce.” His voice was hearty, but his eyes glittered with the promise of retribution. “Congratulations.”
He hated Drew, she realized.
Enough to kill him?
“Best of luck to you, too, my dear,” he said with false cheer. Her skin prickled as he pumped her hand. She thought she heard him whisper “You’re going to need it,” as he moved away.
Her heart stuttered to a stop as Anton Pierce took his place. She hadn’t seen the older man up close since that day in his home when she’d accepted his money to pay her mother’s medical bills. The years had not been kind. Anton Pierce looked every one of his eighty-odd years, though his eyes still gleamed with the power and intensity she remembered.
Unconsciously, Brie lifted her chin in silent defiance. She would not cower. She’d kept her word. If he thought this was her idea…
His lips curved just the tiniest bit. She would have sworn that was approval glinting in his eyes.
“As you get older you’ll realize life holds some funny cards up its sleeve,” he told her. “I’ve found it’s best to be prepared to make allowances. Welcome to the family, Brianna.”
“Close your mouth, Brie,” Zach whispered at her back. “He doesn’t bite in public.”
For the life of her, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say. He moved away with a sad smile and William and Maureen Pierce took his place.
“Brianna.” There was no warmth in William Pierce’s brief handshake. She’d only met him once or twice and she hadn’t much cared for the stuffy politician.
Maureen edged him aside. Perfectly attired as always, she had quite startling blue eyes. Brie hadn’t realized Drew’s mother shared the same intense eye color as Nicole and Drew.
“Is your daughter with you? I’m anxious to meet her.”
Brie looked frantically to Drew. His mother knew about Nicole? He squeezed her waist in reassurance.
“No, I…she’s at home…with my mother.”
“Of course. It is warm out here for the little ones, isn’t it?” She smiled brightly and stepped forward to hug Brie. Standing frozen with shock in the unexpected embrace, Brie realized people were taking pictures. Reporters were firing questions. She pulled herself together long enough to return the hug, noting Maureen’s approval, even as she prayed the ordeal would end.
No one was answering prayers today.
Drew tried to extract them from the crowd without success. He should have known Brie was too private a person for such a public display. Why had he thought this was such a good idea last night? Sure, it deflected the blackmailer and ruined whatever plan Frederick Thane had in mind, but at what cost? Someone had shot at him this morning. Had he just made Brie a target as well?
It was Cullen Ryan who came to his aid.
“Congratulations.” He eyed Brie closely. “I just spoke to Elizabeth. She told me to tell you if you didn’t call her tonight she’d throttle you. Her words. Look, I hate to interrupt right now, but I really need to talk with you both.”
“If you can get us out of here, we’re in your debt,” Drew told him. Brie gazed up in surprise. It was the first time she’d actually looked at him since he’d slipped his grandmother’s ring on her finger.
“Come on. We’ll go to the station.”
THE POLICE STATION was empty save the dispatcher. Cullen waved and led them back to his cubicle.
“You were right, Drew. Someone fired four rounds into the crowd this morning. Young Emily Ridgemont was grazed, and that’s a scary hole through your hat, but—”
Brie gasped. Drew squeezed her hand reassuringly.
“—it doesn’t appear anyone was seriously injured. We found four spent cartridges. He used a rifle.”
“But Zach said Chief Redfern—”
“Hasn’t seen my report yet.” From a desk drawer he retrieved a clear plastic envelope. “What can you tell me about this, Drew?”
Brie perched on the edge of her seat, staring at the necklace inside the envelope as though it was going to turn into a snake and bite her.
Drew lifted the packet. “I’m no jeweler, but I’d say this is eighteen-karat gold, good-quality rubies and diamonds. It probably cost somewhere in the neighborhood of—”
“Have you ever seen it before?”
“No.”
Their gazes locked. Finally, Cullen sat back with a nod.
“You claimed you never met Ursula Manning.”
“That’s right. My uncle’s done some work with Leland Manning.”
Cullen nodded. “I’m going to tell you a couple of things in confidence. They aren’t to be repeated to anyone. There are enough wild rumors going around town right now.” He ran a tired hand through his hair. “I got the ballistics report back.”
Drew leaned forward.
“Ursula Manning was killed by a rifle.”
“We were all firing handguns.”
“Someone wasn’t. The shooter was in the woods above the firing range.”
Drew cursed. “I saw Leland Manning at the fence right after the shooting.”
“So you said. Manning claims that it’s near the place where he was told to put the ransom money.”
“David Bryson was in the woods. too.”
“We’re checking on him.” The detective hesitated. “Manning believes his wife was having an affair with someone.”
Drew looked from the necklace to the detective. “You thought I was that someone?”
“Several reliable witnesses saw her in your green sports car on more than one occasion.”
Drew sighed. “Carey.”
“Carey Eldrich?”
“He’s been driving the car for several weeks. He has…something of a reputation—”
“I know all about his reputation.”
With a heavy heart, Drew told how Carey had disappeared for a long time that morning, claiming to be ill. “But if she was shot with a rifle, he couldn’t have shot her.”
“No. He couldn’t.”
“Razz could have.”
Both men stared at Brie.
“Razz and Dodie were talking in the diner after the shooting.”
Ryan made notes as she told him what she knew about the pair. Then Drew told him about the incident outside the Dudley house and Leland Manning’s threat against him.
“You never told me about that,” Brie accused.
“Just like you didn’t tell me about your prowler last night.”
“And neither of you told me about getting shot at the other night,” Cullen said.
With a guilty shrug, Drew filled him in and they both answered questions while Cullen took notes.
“So, now what?” Brie asked.
“I’m going to move you and your mother and Nicole out to the compound today, for one thing,” Drew said.
“You most certainly will not.”
“You’d be safe there. Nancy is staying at the main house so the other guest cottage is empty.”
“You think stone walls and fences are going to make us safe? I don’t think so. Whoever was in my yard last night didn’t do anything, but he could have. I was standing right in front of the window. I’d be dead if that had been his intention.”
“I don’t care. I won’t have you and my daughter at risk.”
“Will you listen to the man,” she said to Cullen. “He’s the one getting shot at!”
“And like a damn fool I just made you a target in front of the whole town! If someone wants to get to me, they now know t
hey can do it through you. We’re getting married tomorrow as soon as the town hall opens.”
“We are not!” She pulled the loose ring from her finger and held it out. “I never agreed to marry you at all!”
“You have to marry me!”
“Why?”
“Because…you have my daughter.”
Drew instantly regretted his words. Something infinitely sad came and went in her eyes.
“Brie, I’m sorry. I went about this all wrong.”
“Yes. You did.”
Ryan’s chair creaked as he leaned back. Drew had forgotten about him. So, apparently, had Brie. Red seeped up her neck. With shaking fingers, she put the ring back on her finger.
“Sorry, Cullen,” she said. “We can have this fight later.”
“No apology is necessary.”
“Yeah, it is,” Drew said. Brie sat stiffly beside him looking grim and hurt. This wasn’t how he’d wanted things to go.
“Maybe you were right,” he told her quietly. “Maybe it is a character flaw, but I’m going to apologize to you, anyhow. I’m sorry, Brie. I screwed up. Again. Please marry me. Let me take care of you and your mother. I want to get to know our daughter. You can finish your schooling, go on to law school. I can help you if you’ll let me. You won’t ever have to worry about money again.”
“Ha! My mother needs some very expensive experimental treatments.” Her voice cracked. “She’s dying, Drew.”
He covered her hand. “I know. I’ll open you a checking account first thing tomorrow morning. We’ll go to Boston, see a specialist—”
“She has a good doctor.”
“Whatever you need, Brie. Whatever she needs.”
She stared at the ring on her finger.
“It belonged to my father’s mother,” he told her. “I didn’t have time to buy you a new one. We can pick out something more to your taste tomorrow.”
“The ring is beautiful.” She stared at it wistfully.
“Then we’ll get it sized so it fits.”
“I’m not getting married at city hall tomorrow.”
“Okay. My mother offered her garden. She says lots of flowers are in bloom right now.”
Brie looked up at him, her face expressionless. “All right.”
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