Rachel was walking upstairs when Doug called out to her.
“Rachel, where are you?”
“Up here, Doug. I’m taking a tour of the place. You know I haven’t been here since it was finished.”
“Ummm. Okay then, I’ve got you set up in the room at the end of the hall. I think it’s called Zinnia.”
“The rooms are labeled? Good idea.”
“Mr. Macmillan’s concept. Anyway, I think you’ll find everything you need in there. If not, we’ll get it. I’m not sure how long we’re going to be working from here, but I know it will be a few more days.”
“Fine with me, boss, whatever you say.”
“There’s one other thing I need to tell you. Zoe had a burglary several nights ago and two of her guests had some things taken too.”
“My God, what’s going on?”
“Nothing for you to worry about, but keep your eyes open in case you see anything unusual. When the group gets in later, I’ll introduce you to everyone so you’ll know who belongs and who doesn’t.”
“Okay. Hey, why don’t I stay here while we’re working. It would save me going back and forth.”
“I’m sorry, Rachel. There just isn’t a room available and after all, this is actually closer to your apartment than the office.”
“You’re right. I just thought with the break-ins and all …”
“Don’t worry about the burglary. It’s probably someone playing a practical joke on Zoe—maybe some guy who’s trying to get even with her for something.”
“Yeah, probably. All right, then. I have some papers that need your signature and then I’ll rework those drafts.”
* * * *
Zoe was nervous. Officer Sutton’s lesson in stalkers was unsettling. He said many times a delusional stalker will go after someone he considers socially desirable—someone like an actress or, he added, a dancer. She had to laugh. If this nut was trying to put her in a celebrity category, he’d lost his mind. Nevertheless, Sutton had cautioned her to be watchful for anyone who didn’t belong with her group and who wasn’t identified as a convention worker. The center authorities were aware of the problem and their employees had a specific identification badge.
None of this helped. If this guy was someone she had turned down or ignored, why didn’t he just say something to her, but the officer lost no time telling her these people didn’t afford courtesies like that. She didn’t buy Sutton’s theory. The way she saw it, it had to be someone who knew every square inch of the house and someone who didn’t like her very much. Either way, she didn’t want to think what this meant.
* * * *
Zoe left the convention center at four in the afternoon. She scheduled an impromptu performance for attendees at 7 and didn’t have her costumes. When she got to the B&B, her stomach churned. Even though everything looked serene, she felt like the other shoe was about to drop. She took time to have an iced tea with Doug and check on Leila and Salome. When she got to her room, the other shoe dropped like a guillotine. All her costumes were shredded and piled on her bed with a sword in the center. When she got closer, she saw the sword pinned down a Tarot card, the Tower.
Zoe put her hand over her mouth. She had to stay quiet until Doug could get here. She dialed his cell.
“Doug?”
“Zoe? You sound peculiar.”
“Doug, come to my room and come by yourself. I’m locking the door, so knock once.”
“Say no more.”
Doug was there in a matter of seconds. He was incredulous when he saw the mess on Zoe’s bed.
“What the hell?”
“That’s what I thought, but…” Zoe’s eyes misted. “This is the last straw. I have just had it with this nut job. It’s obvious he’s smarter than the rest of us.”
Doug pulled her toward a huge settee. “Baby, he’s not smarter than us and every time he does something, it’s just one more nail in his coffin.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, I don’t see nail one. This is the third instance and he’s escalating his activities.”
Doug pulled out his cell. “Sit tight, Zoe. I’m calling Sutton. Maybe he left some fingerprints this time.”
Sutton said it would take him an hour to get there.
“Look, I told Merilee to emcee the seven o’clock performance. I need to call her and have two of the other dancers take my place.” She glanced at the bed. “Those are all my costumes— every last one of them except for the practice skirt I have at the Center. Whoever did this wants to make sure I don’t perform this time around.”
“I think you’re right. I haven’t asked this before because you seemed so certain this crackpot wasn’t anyone connected with your convention, but now I think you have to give everyone a hard look—maybe someone who would like you to disappear from the ranks of belly dancing?”
“Or maybe from the ranks of living?”
“No, I don’t think that’s what this is about. What I’m getting here, someone is trying to scare you off from something—it’s the something I don’t understand.”
“While we wait for Sutton, let’s see what we can put together and the first thing to look at is what the Tower means.”
“Man, here we go again.”
Zoe pulled her book out of the drawer. When she got to The Tower, it appeared to have what looked like blood swiped across the page.
“My God, Doug, look at this. No danger? Wrong.”
“Let me see that. It looks like fingernail polish to me.”
“Symbolic, don’t you think?”
“I’ll give you that. Now, tell me what this card means.”
“All right, but I’m going to paraphrase it. It says that there are mounting pressures that need to be released and if they’re not, trouble. Actually, it warns not to place too much on ‘false values.’ There’s more, but it’s pretty much the same. So, this person is experiencing mounting pressures. Well, you know what? I’m having some mounting pressures of my own, dammit.”
“Let’s go downstairs and wait for Sutton. It would be better if the staff isn’t alerted by the doorbell.”
Sutton and another policeman arrived about the same time they went outside. They filled them in, went to Zoe’s room, and one of the cops dusted for fingerprints.
Sutton stared at Zoe and Doug. “We have to have a sit down, folks. This incident should give you some kind of a clue.”
“How do you figure that?”
“Well, let me lay it out for you. Zoe, you’ve felt all along these burglaries were personal.” Seeing her start to shake her head, he went on. “I know what you’re going to say—Phaedra and Ismail’s zills were taken too but I think that was staged to throw you off track. Their burglary in New York was a happy coincidence for our man and helped add to the confusion. Okay, then a Tarot card was put under a drum, a Tarot card that resembled one of your guests…”
“How did you know that?”
Sutton smiled. “I have my ways. Anyway, Ismail’s burglary in New York and his resemblance to the card is just smoke. You are into Tarot from what I hear and this person apparently knows that. Okay, back to this last instance.”
“Zoe, I meant to ask you why your door wasn’t locked.”
“I’ve never locked my door…”
Doug shot her a quick glance.
“Well, I guess I’ve locked it a few times but not usually. Anyway, I suppose I should have with all the problems we’re having but I just didn’t.”
“Okay. In the future, I urge you to lock up and your other guests should do the same thing. Hold on a minute.”
Sutton turned to the man with him. “Tim, anything?”
The man shook his head.
Zoe stared at Sutton. “Another dead-end?”
“Maybe, maybe not. We know now that this individual is definitely after you.”
“Thanks for that.”
“When’s your dad coming in?”
“In the morning.”
“Let me know as soon as he gets her
e. In the meantime, Doug, I haven’t asked you any questions, but since you and Zoe are a couple…”
“Hold on, Officer Sutton, Doug has nothing to do with this.”
“I didn’t say that, but the someone in question could have something to do with him.”
Doug threw his hand in the air. “Man, if that’s so…”
“I’m not saying it is, but the perpetrator is gaining momentum in a matter of days and we have to stop him.” Sutton saw Zoe look away. “I’m not trying to frighten you, but take precautions—like locking your door.”
“Mea culpa.”
“So, Doug, anyone or anything come to mind? Maybe a disgruntled girlfriend?”
Zoe poked Doug in the ribs, “I’m sure there are a few of them.”
Sutton wasn’t in the mood for play. “Come on, this is serious. Doug?”
“I’ll admit I’ve left some broken hearts along the way, but I’ve not stomped on them.” Doug walked to the window. “There was one—no…”
“Don’t close it out. What happened?”
“I dated this woman not too long before I met Zoe. She was a fashion designer who had convinced herself she was getting past the marriage age. To make a long story short, when she discovered I wasn’t interested in marriage, she got a little belligerent.”
“Belligerent? How?”
Doug hesitated not wanting to release his words. “I shouldn’t bring her up. There’s no way she’s involved in this—we’ve been over for a long time.”
Sutton rubbed his chin. “Look, I’ve told you folks that there is nothing too small to look at. If we’re not looking at a stalker, maybe it’s an old flame of yours, Doug. So, tell me what you can.”
“Well, after I finally got through to her that I wasn’t ready for a commitment, she exploded like a Roman Candle. She said the usual things like I didn’t know what I was missing, etc., and then she made good use of her scissors destroying a few of my suits.”
“Why didn’t you mention this before?”
“It didn’t seem relevant. I mean, that was just a dating situation gone bad. It didn’t have anything to do with Zoe or this mess.”
“Doug, I’ll need this woman’s name and address.”
“Sure, if you think there’s a connection, but I heard she moved to Tucson.”
“Give Tim the information anyway.”
Doug felt Zoe’s fixed stare as she remembered Doug’s reluctance to enter into a relationship when they first met. She hadn’t quizzed him about it. Now, could some old flame be responsible for this nightmare?
Sutton left with a final admonishment to be careful.
* * * *
Zoe went back to the center for the night’s performances in spite of Doug’s objections. He was waiting for her when she returned.
“Zoe, you’ve got to be more careful until we catch this crazy. You didn’t need to go back to the convention center tonight, you know.”
“I don’t want to argue with you, Doug. I have to do what I have to do. Let’s talk about tomorrow.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow is the big day for everyone and obviously I can’t perform with no costumes.”
“Can’t you borrow one?”
“Size matters and I’m a lot taller than the other girls except for Phaedra and you can forget that one. Anyway, this is what I’m thinking. I called one of the dress shops in the area and I’ve got an evening gown lined up—I have to pick it up in the morning. I figure I can emcee the show and our customers won’t know the difference.”
“What about the program?”
Zoe couldn’t hide her frustration. “I’ll work it out—trust me. What I need to talk to you about is laying a trap for our demented friend.”
“You’re not thinking of doing something off the wall, are you?”
“Maybe, but here’s the thing. There’s no doubt I’m the target and I think it’s someone in this house. I don’t like the idea that it could be any of the dancers or any of the staff, but let’s face it—what other explanation could there be?”
Doug opened the French doors to the patio. “I don’t know, Zoe. Think about what you’re saying.”
“Sweetie, I am well aware of what I’m saying. I don’t like this any better than you, but someone is either trying to ruin my career, put an end to me, or get me off your arm. Of course, the last two are the same in a way.”
“Hold on, my beauty. You think it’s an old girlfriend of mine, don’t you?”
Zoe moved close to him. “If you hold my feet to the fire, I’ll admit it. I think it’s someone you have either been close to in the past or are close to now.”
The frown on Doug’s face deepened. “Let’s get one thing straight. I am not close to anyone but you—so don’t go there.”
“I love you too, but this is getting serious and I have to do something about it.”
“I thought the police were taking care of that.”
“Well, it’s not getting solved. Are you game to do something about it?”
“Of course, what do you have in mind?”
“First of all, let’s narrow the field. Who was in the house with you today?”
“Are you looking at me?”
Zoe winked. “Yes, and I like what I see. Who else, lover?”
“Leila, Salome, the cook, two of your maids—I don’t know their names…”
“I do. Go on.”
“Let’s see. The gardener came by early but he was gone by noon. Guess that’s all. Oh, Rachel was here, of course.”
“What time did she come?”
“About 7:30 and she left at three o’clock. She had a dentist appointment.”
“All right. I’ll do some checking on Leila and Salome, but I’ve known them for years and I doubt I’ll find anything.” She stopped, watching Doug’s eyebrows lift. “Never mind, I’ll check.”
“That’s better. Now, where did your dad keep the employees’ files?”
“In his desk file drawer and before you ask, his desk is in the Butler’s quarters.”
“Strange.”
“Not really. He liked to spend time out there and get out of the ‘big house’ as he called it. Anyway, everything should be there. Now, my delicious friend, that takes care of everyone but Rachel.”
Doug’s voice dropped an octave. “Yeah, Rachel.”
“Yeah, Rachel? What does that mean?”
“I don’t think she’s involved in any of this, but she is a thorn in my side.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know how to put this without sounding—oh, I don’t know, so I’ll just say it. Rachel would like a relationship with me. Nothing has ever been said, but it’s obvious to me.”
“Duh, why didn’t you say something before now?”
He snapped to attention. “Not Rachel?”
“Could be. Look at it this way. Dad has had the same staff since he opened the B&B, Leila and Salome have been friends and business associates of mine for several years, and that brings us to you and Rachel.”
“Me? Come on.”
She smiled impishly. “Well, I’m pretty sure about you, but I never thought of Rachel. Do you know the name of her dentist?”
“Not right off, but it’s probably on her Rolodex.”
* * * *
By the time they located the dentist’s name, his office was closed.
“Doug, I think this warrants an emergency call to the good man, don’t you?”
He already had the phone in his hand. It took Dr. Hendricks fifteen minutes to get back to them and report that Rachel did not have an appointment that day. They sensed a small victory.
“Doug, I think we may have our gal. Would you call Sutton and fill him in?”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to plot out some strategy. Remember, dad is coming in tomorrow morning. I’ll be at the center when he gets here so I’m counting on you to bring him up-to-date. Doug, make him understand he has to keep hi
s cool. And you, sweetie, don’t mention this to anyone except Sutton.”
“What about Merilee?”
“I’ll tell her, but before I do, let’s attack the big question—how do we catch the she-devil?”
“In the act?”
“That would be great, but it hasn’t worked so far. Is she planning on coming to the show tomorrow night?”
“Yes, she’s very excited about it.”
“Maybe that’s when she plans her final dirty deed.”
“She wouldn’t have that kind of nerve.”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Yeah, like I believe that. With me out of the way, she has a clear field. What does that say to you?”
“It says we have to get with Sutton.”
* * * *
Mr. Macmillan arrived the next morning eager to join in efforts to capture a woman hell bent on destroying his daughter.
Sutton believed Rachel would make her play at the house before Zoe left for the center; however, she’d have a hard time getting to her with everyone there and that might be enough to make her change her plans. Before he left, he laid out strict guidelines for his men and Doug.
When Zoe returned from the center, she had her own ideas how this thing should play out. After hugging her dad until her arms ached, she announced she needed to go upstairs, shower, and change clothes. The men’s faces betrayed their agitation, but Zoe lost no time explaining that this night was too big for her professionally to let a crazy woman interfere. If the students and visitors left the convention center happy, she could repeat this seminar next year, the year after that, and on and on.
Both men murmured understanding.
“Okay, then, I’m on my way to transform myself into a beguiling emcee. In the meantime, why don’t you two have a drink, sit, and relax?”
Dead and Breakfast Page 21
