Jinxed

by Carol Higgins Clark

  Walter stomped his foot and walked over to retrieve the shovel. As he reached down to grab the handle, something red caught his eye. The bright color was visible through the wall of dirt that the shovel had hit. Walter got down on his knees and brushed the dirt with his hands. More and more of the red became visible. Could it be the side of some sort of container or trunk? Oh my God, he wondered. Could this possibly be Bella's treasure?

  Walter grabbed the shovel and, in a frenzy the likes of which he had never previously experienced, began to remove the soil from around the mysterious object. Dirt was flying everywhere. Please, oh, please, he thought, let this be Grandpa Ward's treasure! Let the stealing of my car be worth it!

  “It is a trunk!” he cried ecstatically when more dirt had been cleared. “It's a trunk, it's a trunk, it's a trunk!!!!”

  Although the trunk was still embedded in the earth, Walter was able to undo the latch so the top could be opened.

  He paused. Please let this be something really good, he prayed. Please let there be something really valuable in here. Slowly, he lifted the lid.

  The small trunk was filled with old wine bottles of various shapes, sizes, and colors. Walter picked up a green-glass, onion-shaped bottle and examined it. It was stamped with a coat of arms, the year 1698, and the word “London.” “Oh my God,” he breathed. “These are beautiful.” He picked up another. It had a different coat of arms, the year 1707, and “Rome” inscribed on the bottle. There are a dozen bottles in here, Walter counted. This is a collector's dream!

  Just last week in the pub Walter had been chatting with some tourists who were wine experts. They sat at the bar until closing, drinking beer. “Once in a while we need to have a lager,” they had joked.

  The tourists told Walter that a wine bottle from the seventeenth century had just been auctioned for over £10,000 in Edinburgh. They explained that in those days customers ordered their own wine bottles from a glass merchant, then sent them to a wine merchant to be filled. The auction house was amazed that the bottle fetched such a high price. They had expected maybe £300 or £400 pounds at the most.

  “Eureka!” Walter cried. “We've hit the jackpot!” Quickly he looked around to make sure no one was lurking nearby, ready to steal Bella's—and his—treasure. They had already stolen his car, but he didn't care about that anymore. These bottles could potentially turn into several hundred thousand dollars in the bank! He and Bella could both buy new cars. Now there was only one problem. How could he get the bottles home?

  Walter closed the trunk, fastened the latch, covered it with dirt, and marked the spot with several pebbles. Quickly he filled in all the other holes. After brushing himself off, he went over to the creek, rinsed his hands, and dried them on his pants, which only made the dust-covered chinos look dirtier. “I'll buy new pants,” he laughed, and with a spring in his step, he headed to the candle shop. “I'll buy myself a couple of pairs of pants,” he sang to himself. “And then I'll buy myself a new pair of shoes . . . and then I'll buy myself a . . .”

  Anyone who spotted him sauntering through the vineyards would have thought he was auditioning for Broadway.

  61

  What is going on out there? Whitney wondered. Has someone-come for me? She heard a car pull up and stop. A while later she heard someone try to start it. Then she heard someone yelling. It was all so crazy. Nobody ever came out to the barn. It was at the farthest edge of the property and had been abandoned for years.

  Utilizing some of her Uncle Earl's relaxation techniques, Whitney tried to remain focused and calm. She tried not to dwell on the fact that she was miserable. She tried to replace her negative thoughts with positive ones. She even tried to imagine that she was playing the part of someone who was kidnapped and about to be rescued.

  Taking deep breaths was impossible with the gag in her mouth, but she could still control her breath. Easy, even, she told herself. Think pleasant thoughts. Slowly and methodically Whitney wiggled her hands and feet, attempting to loosen the binds. As she did so, she thought about Frank.

  I wish I could just sleep for hours and hours, she thought. At least it would be an escape. Then when I wake up, I might be rescued. He can't leave me out here forever—or can he?

  Whitney closed her eyes and thought she could detect the vaguest smell of smoke.

  Please, God, let that be my overactive imagination, she implored. Please. But in her heart she knew it wasn't her mind playing tricks on her. It had been a dry spring, and the threat of wildfires was very real. There's no way I'll fall asleep now.

  Whitney shut her eyes tight. Hey, universe, she pleaded, if you're listening, send out the message that I need help. Find me. Somebody, please, find me.

  62

  They just caught him!” Regan announced. She was standing at the reception desk and was talking on the phone to the local police chief. Red marks were visible around her neck. “He stole a car that ran out of gas on the main road. He sideswiped a television van from Los Angeles.”

  “I'd like to get my hands on him,”

  Luke said vehemently. Luke, Nora, and Lilac had come running when Regan screamed bloody murder. Lilac called the police, who were on their way to Altered States when they arrested Don Lesser. They had just phoned back to give Regan the news.

  “His real name is Rex Jordan.”

  Lilac had run to tell Earl and Leon what had happened, and the three siblings rushed back to the main lodge. Now they were all standing around as Regan talked on the phone. Nora had her hand protectively on Regan's forearm, Luke was just inches away on the other side of her.

  “Who owned the stolen car?” Regan asked.

  The cop on the other end read the name off the registration: “Walter and Bella Hagan.”

  “Bella?” Regan repeated, surprised. “She works here at the winery. Lesser escaped and went running out the back through the vineyards. I wonder where the car was.”

  Lilac turned to Earl. “Go get Bella.”

  Earl nodded and hurried off.

  “We're bringing Jordan down to the station,” the chief told Regan.

  “I'll call my friend Jack Reilly in New York,” Regan said. “He's going to be very happy, and he'll obviously want to talk to you.”

  “I'm sure he will. Tell him to give me a call.”

  Regan hesitated. She didn't want to bring up her fears about Whitney—that this guy Rex might have something to do with the fact that Whitney hadn't been heard from all day. Not in front of Lilac. Regan finished the conversation, thanked the officer, and hung up. She would ask Jack to talk to the police chief about Whitney.

  “I really think that now is the time for a glass of Weldon Estate's finest wine,” Lilac proposed.

  “It's five o'clock somewhere in the world,” Luke joked. He put his arm around Regan. “Come on, honey. Sit down with us in the living room. We could all stand to relax.”

  “I will, Dad,” Regan agreed. “But first I have to call Jack.” She opened her cell phone and walked out to the deck. The late afternoon sun was casting a soft light over the vineyards. Was it really only two days ago that she and Jack had arrived here for a restful weekend? Regan dialed his number and stared out at the rolling hills. There was a faint smell of smoke in the air. The winds were blowing the smoke from the wildfires in the direction of the winery.

  “Hello,” Jack answered on the first ring.

  “The things I do for you.”

  “What now?” Jack asked, laughing.

  “He's in custody.”

  “What?”

  “They've got Rex Jordan behind bars.”

  “I don't believe it!”

  “He stole a car and had a fender bender. I told the police chief you'd be calling him. When you speak to him, would you tell him about the situation with Whitney? I know she's not officially missing, but I'm worried. I'm afraid this Rex has something to do with her silence. He was here when she left early this morning. Maybe the police can get him to talk.”

  “I will,” J
ack promised.

  “And I still say he's connected to Lucretia's fiancé. If you could find anything at all . . .”

  “I'm working on it.”

  “Thanks, Jack. Keep me posted.”

  “Regan, you're the one with all the exciting developments.”

  “Well, the most exciting development for me now would be to learn that Whitney is safe and sound.”

  “You and me both,” Jack echoed.

  63

  Edward was a wreck. He had just finished talking to Rex—who was planning to check out—and was heading back to his room when he heard all the commotion. Edward looked outside and saw Rex running through the vineyard. Things didn't look good, not good at all. Would Rex rat on him if he got caught?

  There was a knock at the door. “Yes,” he said tentatively.

  “It's me, darling.”

  “Come on in.” Lucretia entered the room. She had rested and primped and changed into an apricot-colored silk pants suit. She was now ready for the rehearsal dinner.

  Edward, meanwhile, was in the fetal position on his bed.

  “Are you all right?” Lucretia inquired with concern. She walked over and sat next to him.

  “I don't feel well,” Edward admitted pitifully.

  Lucretia put her hand on his forehead. “You don't have a fever.”

  “My stomach hurts,” he moaned.

  “That's a shame,” Lucretia cooed. “But, darling, you really have to start feeling better. We have our rehearsal dinner, and there's so much going on, so much excitement.”

  “What excitement?” he asked, feigning innocence.

  “There was a man who attacked that nice girl Regan Reilly in the office. He's a fugitive, and she figured it out. But they caught him!”

  “They did?”

  “Isn't that wonderful? He's a horrible, horrible person, just dreadful. He's wanted in New York, and now they're going to get him. They say he's going to be behind bars for a very long time. Lilac just can't figure out what he was doing here. Well, I'm sure it'll all be sorted out before long. The creep.” Lucretia patted Edward's cheek. “Everyone is gathering for a glass of wine now. Why don't you take a shower and see if that doesn't make you feel better? Then join us, darling. It's your night, too.”

  “I will.”

  When Lucretia shut the door behind her, Edward lay very still, staring at the ceiling. What are my options? he wondered. Would it be better if I told them now that Whitney is tied up in a building on the property? If Rex turns on me, it'd be better if I had tried to help Whitney. They might go a little bit easier on me. I can say that I only wanted Rex to detain her for the weekend, keep her busy till the wedding was over. I never intended for him to kidnap her.

  But then it would be all over, he thought woefully. Lucretia would never marry him, and he might end up in jail. No. I'll take the chance. I'll ride this out. Whitney will be fine. She'll be released once we're married, and everything will be fine.

  Edward got up, went into the bathroom, and got sick.

  At least I wasn't lying about that, he thought.

  64

  Bella was in the gift shop when Earl came in, walked over to her cautiously, and took her hand. “I want you to remain calm.”

  “What happened?” Bella cried. “Did something happen to Walter?”

  Earl shook his head softly.

  “Then what?” she demanded, greatly relieved. Earl could be so irritating.

  “Your car was stolen.”

  “Stolen? From where?”

  “I don't know the exact location,” Earl said. He explained what had happened in the office, how “Don” had gone running into the vineyard and then had stolen the car and gotten into an accident.

  Bella's heart sank. He must have stolen the car from out by the old barn. But where was Walter?

  “Go on into the house,” Earl urged her. “I'll take care of things here.”

  Bella came from behind the counter and stepped outside into the parking lot just as Walter was emerging from the vineyards. He came running up to Bella, lifted her into the air, swung her around, and gave her a big kiss.

  “Walter!” Bella exclaimed. “Are you okay?”

  “Of course I'm okay.”

  “But the car was stolen.”

  “How do you know?”

  “What do you mean, how do I know? It was stolen by someone who tried to kill a girl here at the winery. He smashed up the car out on the main street.”

  Walter was still smiling.

  Bella started to get worried. “Walter, were you out in the sun too long?”

  “Uh-uh.”

  “No?”

  “No. I have something to tell you, Bella.”

  “What?”

  “I found the treasure.”

  Bella jumped up and down, then whispered to him. “What is it?”

  Quickly Walter explained what he had found. “But we're going to have to rent a car fast and go back for the bottles. I'm telling you, they're worth thousands and thousands of dollars.”

  “I can't believe it,” Bella exclaimed. “Grandpa Ward collected old wine bottles. When he got to Canada, he hung on to newspapers and magazines.” She lowered her voice again. “We've got to go in the house and call the police about our stolen car. What excuse are you going to give for being back there?”

  “I was coming to visit you and took a wrong turn.”

  “But you dropped me off here this morning.”

  “I'm not very good with directions.”

  Bella laughed and gave him a quick kiss, and then together they walked into the main lodge of Altered States, looking as if they didn't have a care in the world.

  65

  Lynne B. Harrison broadcast a live segment from the scene of the accident. “Unbelievable!” she began. “We were on our way to catch up with Lucretia Standish at the Altered States Winery when we were hit by a stolen car! A fugitive from the law who had spent the previous night at the bed-and-breakfast at Altered States was the driver. We were right at the Altered States property line when the car came barreling out of a side road . . .”

  They replayed the clip of Rex getting out of the car, running, and then tripping over the cat. The cameraman had hurried over and zoomed in on Rex's face.

  “. . . The driver has been identified as Rex Jordan of New York City. We'll keep you posted on the details about Rex as they come in. Now we're off to meet up with bride-to-be Lucretia Standish. This is Lynne B. Harrison with GOS-TV. Back to you later!”

  66

  Regan stepped back inside the main lodge, glanced out the window, and caught a glimpse of Bella hugging a man in the parking lot. They looked exuberant. That's odd, she thought. Wasn't her car just stolen?

  Regan accepted a glass of wine from Lilac and sat down on one of the couches just as Lucretia made her entrance into the room.

  “Darlings,” Lucretia said grandly. “It's time to celebrate.”

  “Will Edward be joining us?” Regan asked.

  “I hope so. The poor dear has tummy problems.”

  I'll bet, Regan thought.

  Luke and Nora were seated on a couch facing Regan. Lucretia-sat down next to them. Lilac was pouring the wine.

  “Leon had to finish a couple of things up in the winery,” Lilac explained. “But he'll be along soon. Oh, look, here's Bella.”

  Bella and a man who Regan thought looked as if he'd been rolling around on the ground entered the lodge. Lilac introduced Nora and Luke to Bella and her husband. “And Regan, this is Walter, Bella's husband.”

  “I'm so sorry your car was stolen,” Lilac continued. “Walter, where was it?”

  Walter laughed. “I was coming over to pay a little visit to Bella, and I turned down the wrong road. I ended up at the old barn at the edge of your property. The mountains were so pretty that I figured I'd get out and take a little walk. When I went back, there was a guy pulling away in my car. So I came over here to call the police, and Bella tells me you already knew the guy
's been in an accident.” He waved his hand. “Can you believe it?”

  Sounds implausible, Regan thought. And if my car were stolen, I wouldn't be chuckling. What's going on with these two? They both obviously like to play with dirt. Bella had disappeared into the vineyard during her lunch hour and returned with dirt under her nails. Walter's pants looked as if they could use a good soak in the washing machine.

  “Well, call the police and have a glass of wine,” Lilac urged them.

  “Sounds good to us,” Bella said. “But I have to get back to the shop.”

  “I'll tell Earl to close up. It's about that time anyway,” Lilac said.

  “If you insist,” Bella agreed gaily.

  Boy, she's in a good mood, too, Regan thought.

  The door opened again, and a young man and woman entered the lodge tentatively.

  “Can I help you?” Lilac asked.

  The woman spotted Lucretia. “We're here to meet with Lucretia Standish.”

  Lucretia popped out of her seat. “Hello!”

  “Lucretia, I'm Heidi Durst, and this is Frank Kipsman.” She turned to Lilac. “Are you Whitney Weldon's mother?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “I could tell! You two look so much alike! It's so nice to meet you. Frank and I are the director and producer of the movie that your daughter is starring in. I spoke to Lucretia about playing a part in Jinxed, and she said to join her for a glass of wine today.”

  “You arrived at the right time!” Lilac noted, smiling. “Please sit down.”

  Regan thought the director looked uncomfortable. He caught Regan's eye, and she nodded at him. “Is Whitney here?” he asked Lilac.