Dead and Breakfast
Page 22
Doug moved close to her putting his arm around her shoulders. “You’re not going anywhere without me, beauty.”
“Okay, but it’s going to be hard to fit you into my gown.”
Zoe’s dad smiled, pleased with himself for getting these two together.
When Doug and Zoe got to her bedroom door, he motioned her to lean against the wall away from the entry. She tried to protest, but he shook his hand vigorously. Before unlocking the door, he pulled out a handgun.
“Enough,” she whispered, “just enough. What do you think you’re doing?”
Doug put his hand up for silence. He unlocked the door and pushed it open.
“Stay, Zoe, until I give you an all clear.”
Zoe stormed around the corner. “Really, Doug, this is not cops and robbers. My bedroom door was locked, the French doors were locked, and…”
“Stay there, please. Just don’t move until I look around.”
Zoe’s voice sounded far away. “Doug, look at my dress and the picture.”
The evening gown took center stage on the bedroom floor with a picture of Zoe and her dad, complete with red marks across their faces, pinned to it with yet another kitchen knife.
“I can’t believe this. Every time I think we’re making progress, something else happens.” She shifted her gaze to Doug’s face.
“I’ve been here all day. There was no way anyone could get in and…”
“But they did. Look, get dad and bring him up here. There’s no need to try to keep this from him.”
“You’re not staying here by yourself. Come on. By the way, just so you know, I gave Rachel the afternoon off.”
“What time did she leave?”
“Noon.”
After calling Sutton, Doug gave his secretary a call offering to pick her up. When he saw Zoe’s eyebrows go up, he cited the wisdom of keeping his enemy close. Fortunately, Rachel was thrilled by his invitation asking if there was anything she could do to help with last minute arrangements for the performances. They all had a laugh commenting she had done quite enough for one day.
* * * *
Zoe searched her closet for her one and only remaining long dress. She had planned to donate it to the shelter and it sure wasn’t the image she wanted to put out there, but it would have to do. She was damn mad—she’d had enough.
“Doug, I don’t know how, but Rachel’s escapades have to end tonight—one way or another.”
“Did you have to put it like that?”
Zoe looked at the men with fire in her eyes. “I mean it, you two. She’s gotten the best of us and it has to end.”
Mr. Macmillan drew his daughter into his arms. “It will end, baby, and she’ll draw the short end of the stick—you can count on that.”
Zoe wished she could take refuge in her dad’s arms forever, but it was time to leave. “Before we go, do we have any kind of plan or are we winging it?”
The two men looked at each other like they shared a secret.
“None of that, you two. If you have something up your sleeves, fill me in.”
“I hate to tell you we don’t have a plan but we don’t. All we can do is protect you. Some of Sutton’s men will be around you at all times and if Rachel makes a move, they’ll catch her.”
“Oh, that’s great! What about the police just simply confronting her, or better yet, Doug, you confronting her? You could make her think she left some prints behind on the Tarot, or something, I don’t know.”
“It may come down to that.”
* * * *
CURTAIN CALL
Zoe and Merilee didn’t want to alarm the dancers. If they did, the night wouldn’t go well and Rachel would win. So Zoe, with strategically placed bodyguards, started the night with more than a few butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Doug and Rachel sat center front on the second row. She couldn’t help wondering if Rachel had brought a kitchen knife to throw at her. Instead, the she-devil was full of smiles and didn’t look like she could pull a wing off a fly.
Phaedra and Ismail were the headliners and watching them dance from backstage almost made her forget the danger she sensed around her. Just before they finished, she felt Merilee’s hand on her waist and heard her strained voice asking her to accompany her to the dressing room.
“Why go to the dressing room now, for godsakes?”
“Just come, Zoe. Don’t be stubborn, please. Tell your guards… Oh, tell them anything, just come on.”
When Zoe turned to look at her friend, she saw something in her eyes she’d never seen before. Was it fear or something else? Could Merilee be the one all along?”
The guards looked at each other and allowed them a few steps before falling in behind the two women.
Merilee turned. “Your friends are coming with us. When we get to the door, tell them to wait outside in the hall.”
“What’s this all about?”
Her friend just shook her head back and forth.
Zoe followed directions, the men argued but agreed to stay just outside the door. She and Merilee went inside.
Sitting on multiple chiffon skirts, Rachel waved. “Great show, Zoe, and your adoring fans still obviously adore you.”
“Rachel? What’s going on here?”
“What’s going on is I’m here to tell you once and for all to leave Doug. You can make up any excuse you want to—say you have an old boyfriend you want to get back with or whatever. What you don’t say is that I’m involved in your problem in any way.”
“Are you nuts?”
Rachel smiled looking at the Tarot card in her hand. “Look at The Magician, Zoe. Isn’t he magnificent?”
“Whatever you’re planning, it won’t work.”
“You know this how? The Magician has directed me to, as he says—‘produce change for the better.’ I can do that, Zoe, and the first step is to get rid of you. You inserted your claws into Doug the first time you saw him and you’ve clung to him for dear life ever since. He hasn’t had time to see that I’m the perfect woman for him, but he will see it after you’re out of his life. Nothing to say?”
“What do I say to a crazy person?”
“You won’t think I’m so crazy when Doug’s out of your life. Do you want to make this hard or easy?”
“What are my choices?”
“The easy way is to simply put Doug out of your life and not say a word to your police friend or anyone about all of this. The hard way, well, I don’t think you really want to know about that, do you?”
Zoe looked at Merilee and the two women signaled with their eyes. Merilee grabbed one of the coin belts hanging on a hook nearby while Zoe seized a make-up case on an overhead shelf. The impact knocked Rachel out. Merilee opened the door and motioned the guards to clean up. Doug and Mr. Macmillan were on their heels.
Zoe spoke first. “Why wasn’t Rachel with you, Doug?”
“She had to go to the ladies’ room and it was one place I couldn’t go in. I waited a short distance from the door watching Phaedra and Ismail and I guess that’s when she made her exit. I’m so sorry, darlin’. If anything…”
Officer Sutton stood by Zoe holding the coin belt.
Zoe winked. “I think you need a skirt to go with that.”
About the Final Twist
The Final Twist was founded in February 2004 in the Houston, Texas area for the purpose of offering support and encouragement to local area mystery writers. The Final Twist is honored to have among its members the publishing team of L&L Dreamspell as well as an award winning author, a screenwriter/independent film producer, a book reviewer/librarian, and others successful within their chosen field. For more information about The Final Twist and to find links to all the published members of The Final Twist visit http://thefinaltwistwriters.ning.com/
About the Dead and Breakfast Authors
Cash Anthony – The Stand In
This multi-talented Texas writer and director is a former newspaper editor, librarian, and trial attorney. She’s made t
hree short films, and has been recognized for her feature length screenplays at the Austin Film Festival and Texas Film Expo. She’s also written and directed six murder mystery entertainments, played at Texas Bed and Breakfast establishments. Besides writing short stories she’s busy completing a novel and another screenplay. Her adaptation of Ninth Lord of the Night by Diana L Driver is under consideration for several screenplay awards. Find out more about Cash Anthony on these web pages www.lldreamspell.com/CashAnthony.htm and www.msgroup.org/msg.
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John Foxjohn – Traces of Death
John’s experience as a police officer and homicide detective inspired his true-to-life stories and crime novels. While working on the force his investigative skills helped him solve several difficult and notorious cases. Also a former history teacher and coach, John is a gifted motivator – instructing writers in forensics, crime scene investigation, mystery and suspense writing, and author promotion. In addition to crime stories he’s also the author of Journey of the Spirit – a historical fiction book about the legendary Indian Chief Crazy Horse. Find out more about John Foxjohn on these web pages: www.lldreampspell.com/JohnFoxjohn.htm and www.johnfoxjohnhome.com.
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Betty Gordon – Dead by Breakfast and Veiled Deception
This native Texan draws inspiration for her writing from her years in the legal arena – as a law student and Paralegal. Her true passion is the arts, including a background in dance instruction and as a sculptor. Betty earned a BS Degree in Professional Writing then a Masters in Literature and the Visual Arts. In addition to her short stories she’s published the mystery novel Murder in the Third Person and is working on several sequels. Find out more about Betty Gordon on these web pages: www.lldreamspell.com/BettyGordon.htm and www.BettyGordon.com.
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Linda Houle – The Legacy of Ledgemont Inn
As a “Transplanted Texan” – true to the saying Linda got here as fast as she could! Committed to helping authors realize their dream of becoming published, Linda co-founded the micro-publishing company L&L Dreamspell with Lisa Rene' Smith. Years spent as an artisan helped Linda transition into doing the cover design and graphic artwork for L&L Dreamspell. With a BA in Behavioral Science and interest in people and new age Spirituality, Linda’s stories and books range from paranormal romance to non-fiction self improvement. Find out more about Linda at www.lldreamspell.com/LindaHoule.htm.
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Pauline Baird Jones – Do Wah Diddy Die Already
Award-winning author of eight novels of action-adventure, suspense, romantic-suspense, and comedy-mystery, Pauline has also written two non-fiction books. Her novel Out of Time won the 2007 EPPIE award for mainstream fiction. Raised in Wyoming, she wrote a humor column for her hometown newspaper for four years. She lived in New Orleans for 18 years before settling in Houston, where she’s the current President of The Final Twist mystery writers group. A constant inspiration to her fellow authors, Pauline gives frequent lectures on writing, and spends countless hours promoting her work. Her latest novel is The Key. Find out more about Pauline Baird Jones on these web pages: www.lldreamspell.com/PaulineBJones/htm and www.paulinebjones.com.
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Alexis Glynn Latner – Snake and Smiley
Alexis truly “soars above the rest” when she follows her passion of flying glider planes! She ventures even higher with some of her speculative fiction novels – exploring distant worlds in her latest book Hurricane Moon. Originally from Idaho, she grew up in Georgia, and also spent several years in northern California. Alexis earned her BA degrees in Linguistics and German Literature at Rice University, where she now works in the Fondren Library – she also teaches writing through Rice’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. Find out more about Alexis Glynn Latner on these web pages: www.lldreamspell.com/AlexisGLatner.htm and www.stf.net/people/alexis-latner/index.htm.
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Lisa Rene' Smith – The Old Pine Lodge
This Native Texan finds inspiration in nature for the realistic settings in her books and stories. After realizing her own dream of becoming a published author, Lisa co-founded the micro-publishing company L&L Dreamspell with Linda Houle. Lisa’s editing expertise and book design skills put the sparkle in L&L Dream-spell’s publications. If you’re looking for books with a paranormal twist, including vampires, be sure to investigate Lisa’s stories. Find out more about Lisa Rene' Smith at www.lldreamspell.com/LisaReneSmith.htm.
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Gayle Wigglesworth – I Love a Parade!
Originally from California, Gayle’s successful career in the banking industry brought her to Houston, Texas. Enjoying creative endeavors such as becoming an accomplished potter, creating designs both by wheel and by hand, she also pursued writing. Her first book turned out to be a collection of recipes and family stories. Soon her love of travel entered into her writing, and she used her real life experiences in exotic locations around the world to craft a series of mystery books involving Claire Gulliver, a fictional librarian turned travel bookshop owner. Find out more about Gayle Wigglesworth on these web pages: www.lldreamspell.com/GayleWigglesworth.htm and www.gayleswigglesworth.com.