by Jennie Marts
Holy crap! She froze, her hand in midair, halfway to the phone. Mac had said that Leonard identified Jeremy by his custom-made jacket and had asked what kind of man wears a video game emblem on his coat. An emblem of World of Warcraft.
The kind of man who designs video games for a living and lets his girlfriend borrow his favorite jacket when they are out on a date and she’s cold. The same jacket that had been hanging in her closet for weeks! There was no way that Jeremy walked into his office the morning of the murder wearing that coat. She had taken his jacket the week before the murder, and she still had it at her house.
So, if the video showed Jeremy at his office with a time stamp of Saturday morning, that must mean the recording was a fake! Why would Leonard present a fake recording that would incriminate Jeremy to the police?
Maggie could only think of one reason. That Leonard had something to do with Jim’s murder and was trying to frame Jeremy.
She had to tell him. She grabbed the phone and dialed Jeremy’s number. It rang several times then went to voicemail. She slammed the phone down and reached for her purse. Jeremy’s office was only a few blocks from hers. She could be there in five minutes. She had to warn him about what Leonard was up to.
As she raced for her car, her cell phone rang. Unlocking the car door, she slid in and pulled the phone from her purse. She tucked the phone under her ear and started the engine. “Hello.”
“Hey, Maggie. It’s Sunny. I’m so glad you answered your phone. Don’t hang up.”
“Oh, Sunny. I’m sorry.” Maggie felt bad that she had ignored her friend’s attempts at offering support. “I won’t hang up. I’m doing better now.”
“Good. We can get into all that ‘ignore Cassie and Sunny’s calls’ business later. And we will talk about it later. But for now, I had to tell you that I just talked to Jake. He told me he and Finn have been going through all of Jeremy’s emails, and they’ve discovered that his email account was hacked.”
“So what? Like, he just won the Canadian lottery or a princess in Nigeria needs his help and if he just sends her a little money now, she’ll repay him in gold and treasure later?”
“Oh, my gosh. Why are you always so cynical?”
Maggie turned out of the parking lot, her attention on getting to Jeremy’s office, not discussing a Nigerian scam on his email. “I’m not cynical. I’m a realist.”
“A frustrating realist! Would you just listen? The emails that were hacked were the ones that were sent to Jim. The ones that threatened him. Finn figured out that they came from a different IP address and were hacked into Jeremy’s account to make it look like he sent them.”
“Who would do that?”
“Obviously, someone wanted to set Jeremy up. To make it look like he threatened Jim. Now, I don’t have all of Edna’s crime-show-watching experience, but I’m pretty sure the only one that would benefit would be the actual murderer.”
Maggie was overcome with a feeling of happiness. One more piece of the puzzle showing that Jeremy was innocent. And if he was innocent of these other things, maybe he hadn’t really slept with Charlotte. Although a naked blonde in his bed was a pretty big puzzle piece to ignore.
Maggie turned the corner into the parking garage of Jeremy’s office. “That’s not the only time someone tried to make Jeremy look guilty.” She quickly explained about Mac’s visit and the bogus recording putting Jeremy at the crime scene. “I’m headed to Jeremy’s office right now to let him know what’s going on.”
“It sounds like the real murderer keeps trying to frame Jeremy. And he keeps upping his game. If this Leonard guy is really the one that’s responsible, he could be at the office now. Working with Jeremy. What if he sees you come in?”
“So what? I’ve visited Jeremy’s office before.”
“I think you should wait. Call the police and have Mac go in with you.”
Maggie hadn’t told her the part about Mac kissing her. “All we have is circumstantial evidence. I just want to talk to Jeremy. Tell him what we found out. I’m not ready to have the SWAT team raid the place.” Maggie pulled into a parking spot and turned off the engine. “Look, Sunny, I just parked. I’ll call you after I talk to Jeremy, all right?”
“All right. I guess. But please be careful.”
Maggie hung up her phone and dropped it in her purse. She strode across the parking garage, anxious to get to Jeremy. But now Sunny’s warning had her spooked. What if someone was spying on her? The same person who had sent her those texts. And tried to run them off the road.
She slowed her pace, trying to appear normal. Keeping a watchful eye for anything out of the ordinary, she drew up short as she walked past a familiar car. It was the dark burgundy Mercury Marquis that Edna had seen at Comic Con. She hadn’t paid that much attention to the license plate, but how many cars could there be like this? And in Jeremy’s office parking lot?
She stepped along the side of the car and nonchalantly peeked through the car window. The car was empty, so she leaned in to see if she could see anything on the seats.
“Psst! Psst! Maggie.”
Maggie jumped and let out a little shriek as she heard someone whispering her name. Her hand flew to her rapidly beating heart as she looked around the parking structure.
The concrete levels kept out the majority of the mid-afternoon sun, and Maggie realized that she was not alone in the otherwise deserted garage. She reached in her purse for the mace that Edna had bought each of the book club members for Christmas the year before and hoped she remembered how to use it. Then prayed she wouldn’t have to.
“Psst! Over here!”
Maggie looked across to the cement pillar reading “Parking Level 1A” and groaned as she saw a familiar silver-haired woman crouched beside a minivan and waving her over. Speak of the mace-gifting devil herself. “Edna! You scared me to death. What are you doing?”
“Shhh! I’m on a stake-out.”
“Edna, get over here.”
The older woman poked her head from between the rows of parked cars. She looked both ways then duck-walked across the parking garage. She wore dark sunglasses and a khaki trench coat. The tails of the coat dragged on the ground as Edna waddled over. She made it to the rear of the Mercury Marquis and pushed herself up with a groan. “The old knees aren’t what they used to be.”
“Aren’t what they used to be? Have you had a lot of experience waddling across cement parking lots?”
Edna winked at her as she rubbed her sore knees. “I’ve had a lot of experience doing just about everything.”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“I told you that I recognized this car. I couldn’t get anyone to trace that license plate for me, so I’ve just been keeping my eye out for it. You know I do Zumba across the street, and I saw it here this afternoon, so I decided to scope it out.”
“And you just happened to have a Sherlock Holmes wannabe trench coat in your car?” Maggie asked, almost surprised that she wasn’t wearing a deerstalker cap and smoking a pipe.
“I like to be prepared.”
“Well, what have you seen?”
Edna counted on her fingertips. “Four business men in suits walked by, a woman carrying a baby in one of those car seat thingies, and I’m pretty sure I saw a couple of thugs making a drug deal. Oh, and I saw a couple sneak out to that blue car over there and crawl in the back seat and make out for a bit.”
“Geez. How long have you been here?”
The older woman shrugged. “I don’t know. An hour or so. Not long enough to see anyone come out and get in this baby, though.” Edna tapped the trunk of the Mercury Marquis.
Both women grabbed for each other in fright as something inside the trunk tapped back.
Chapter Twenty-one
“Holy poop! I think I just had a heart attack.” Edna looked down the front of her shirt as if her heart might have actually fallen out of her chest. “What the heck was that?”
“I don’t know, bu
t it scared the crap out of me.” Maggie tapped on the trunk again. A muffled banging sound answered. Maggie’s eyes widened. “There’s someone in there.”
“Yeah, there is. And you’re about to join her.”
Maggie and Edna grabbed for each other again as they heard the male voice behind them. They turned and gasped in unison as they stared into the barrel of a gun.
Leonard stood behind them, his hand shaking as he held the gun pointed at them. He passed a set of keys to Maggie and gestured to the trunk. “Open it.”
Maggie took the keys and popped the trunk, terrified at what would be inside. Expecting a bloody and mangled body, she was surprised to see only a lumpy shape wrapped in an old army blanket. A shock of blond hair poked out the end of the blanket, and Maggie was pretty sure whose lumpy shape was now wiggling around and making muffled noises. “You don’t have to do this. We can just pretend this never happened. We’ll walk away and won’t say a word to anyone.”
Leonard’s mouth took on an ugly sneer. “Do you think I’m an idiot? I can’t let you walk away now. You’ve seen too much. I warned you to keep your nose out of it, but you wouldn’t listen. Now you’ll have to pay.”
So, the threatening texts were from Leonard. One mystery solved. But Maggie didn’t want to create another one. The Case of the Missing Old Lady and Her Lawyer Friend. An unfortunately-timed giggle threatened to escape from Maggie’s throat and she swallowed it down. Why did she always want to laugh at the worst times? The last thing she wanted was for Leonard to think she was laughing at him.
She looked over at Edna, who was discreetly trying to pull something from her bag. Maggie’s heart leapt to her throat as watched the older woman pull a large silver revolver from her bag.
Edna pointed the gun at Leonard. “Who’s gonna pay now, sucka?”
Without warning, Leonard’s arm shot out and knocked the gun from Edna’s hand. It hit the cement with a loud thud, and Maggie thought it lucky that the thing didn’t go off.
Edna huffed and snarled at their assailant. “Now what’d you do that for? That was my best gun.”
Ignoring her, Leonard held out his empty hand. “Give me your bags.”
Edna passed over her huge tote bag, and Maggie handed him her slim black purse.
He looped them over his arm and motioned for more. “Hand over your cell phones.”
Maggie pointed at his arm. “Mine’s in my bag.”
Leonard gave her a questioning look. “I’ll check when I get in the car. You better not be lying to me.” He pointed the gun at Edna. “How about you. Where’s your cell phone?”
“What cell phone? I’m eighty-two years old. I still have a rotary phone and a dial-up modem. I have no use for those new-fangled toys.”
Leonard narrowed his eyes at her, as if he were not sure whether to believe her. “Well, you had a gun.”
Edna laughed. “Cowboys and Indians had guns.” She lifted her arms and wiggled her hips suggestively. “Do you want to search me?”
Leonard recoiled in horror. “No, absolutely not.” He waved the gun at Maggie. “Get in the trunk.”
Maggie climbed in and lay against the lumpy shape. The lump grunted when Maggie accidentally kicked it in the shin.
Leonard pointed at Edna. “Now you.”
Edna smiled sweetly. “I don’t think there’s enough room for me in there. Besides, I’m actually quite claustrophobic and tend to get a little car-sick. How about I just ride up front with you?”
Leonard stared at her in disbelief. The veins in his neck bulged as he clenched the muscles in his jaw. “Lady, get in the trunk. Now.”
“Fine. It was just a suggestion. You don’t have to get all touchy about it.” Edna awkwardly climbed into the trunk, falling into Maggie before turning and spooning against her as she squeezed into the leftover space. She looked up at Leonard as he reached to close the trunk. “It’s a little tight in here, but it’s a nice trunk. You’ve kept this car in great condition. You know, we used to have a Mercury Marquis.”
Leonard rolled his eyes and leaned into the trunk. “I don’t care what you used to have. We’re gonna go for a little ride now. And just so you know, lady, it is a nice car, and if you throw up in it, I will shoot you.” He slammed the trunk, leaving the women in the dark.
Maggie poked at Edna. “What are you thinking? Chatting him up about how nice his car is? I was waiting for you to invite him over for tea.”
“I was building rapport. Classic first step in hostage negotiations. Maggie, you really should watch more television.”
“Yeah, I’ll get right on that.” Maggie grunted as the women shifted against each other with the motion of the car. She could tell Leonard had reversed and was now pulling out of the parking garage. She tried to focus on the turns they were making, but was quickly disoriented and lost track.
Edna shifted. “Did you get the phone?”
“What phone?”
“My cell phone. I dropped it in your lap when I fell against you. Do you think I am so clumsy that I can’t crawl into a trunk?”
“Where was your phone? You told Leonard you didn’t have it.”
“I didn’t want him to know I had it. I always keep it in my bra. I knew he wouldn’t really frisk me. I keep tons of stuff in my bra. It’s not doing much of anything else. I usually use it like a second purse. I think I have a package of trail mix in there if you’re hungry.”
“Eww. No thanks, I’m good.” Maggie felt around by her stomach and found the phone. She pushed a button and laughed as the display lit up the trunk. She leaned against her friend in a one-armed hug. “Edna, you are a true gem. I love you.”
“As much as I appreciate that, quit dry-humping me and call 911.”
Maggie’s elbow pushed back as she tried to reach the keypad of the phone. The lump wriggled behind her. “I think Charlotte is in the trunk with us. What should I do?”
“Why hasn’t she said anything?”
“She’s probably gagged.” Maggie did not want to admit the perverse pleasure she took in making that statement.
“Can you reach her?”
Maggie twisted around and pulled at the blanket covering the lump. She hit a button on the phone and turned the lit display toward the lump. A wave of terror filled her as she had the sudden thought that this might not be Charlotte, and they could be stuck in the trunk with a stranger. She pointed the phone at the shape and pulled the blanket down, releasing her breath in relief as she recognized the head of blond hair.
Charlotte’s eyes were wide above the strip of duct tape that covered her mouth. Maggie wiggled against her, trying to maneuver her arm up to get a hold of the tape. As much disdain as she had for this woman, she also felt compassion for how afraid Charlotte must have been, bound and gagged and trapped in the dark, confined space of the trunk.
Maggie’s fingers closed on the corner of the tape. “Get ready. I’m going to yank, and this is probably gonna hurt.” She tugged at the tape, pulling it free in one motion.
Charlotte took in huge gulps of air, sobbing as she gasped. “Oh, my gosh. Thank you so much. I’ve been in this trunk since Leonard went to work this morning.”
Maggie twisted back around, intent on trying to dial the three digits on the phone. She touched 911 and then pushed the phone up to her ear, silently praising God when the operator answered the phone.
“911. What is your emergency?”
“We’re trapped in the trunk of a car. My name is Maggie Hayes, and I am in trunk of a burgundy Mercury Marquis with Edna Allen and Charlotte Foster.”
“Please calm down and speak slowly, ma’am. Did you say there are three of you trapped in the trunk of a car?”
“Yes, we need help.”
“Ma’am, this line is for serious emergencies. You can get in a lot of trouble for pranking the 911 line.”
“I’m not joking around! Is Officer McCarthy there? Could I please speak to him? This is a serious emergency.”
The operator hesitated
, then spoke in an annoyed tone. “All right. I’ll patch you through to Officer McCarthy’s cell phone. But if you really know him, just call him directly next time and keep the emergency line clear.”
The lyrical notes of hold music filled Maggie’s ear as she sighed in frustration. “She doesn’t believe we have an emergency. She thinks I’m just interested in Mac.”
Charlotte cried softly behind her. Maggie tilted her head back. “Don’t worry, Charlotte. We know a cop. He’s gonna help us get out of here.”
Charlotte gasped for breath. “I know. That’s why I’m crying. I feel terrible. I have been thinking awful things about you and now here you are, trying to help me. You’re nothing like what I expected. I thought you would be a snooty, sarcastic bitch.”
“She is,” Edna said. “You just happened to catch her on a good day.”
Maggie poked at Edna with her free hand. “Thanks a lot.” She put the phone on speaker so she could hear if Mac came on the line, then tilted it to shine around the trunk. “Why don’t you make yourself useful and try to find something to smash the brake-light reflectors. Feel around for some pliers or a screwdriver.”
Edna fidgeted, running her hand along the trunk’s interior. “I can’t find anything.”
“Check your bra. You seem to have everything else in there.”
Edna huffed. “I said my brassiere is like a purse, not a hardware store.”
Charlotte shifted, throwing her leg over Maggie’s thigh. “I’ve got an idea. I’m wearing four-inch spike heels. If you can pull one off, I’ll bet you could use it to knock out the reflector.”
“Good thinking. Maybe you’re not such a dumb blonde.” Edna bent her arm backwards. “Try to lift your foot up to my hand, and I’ll pull your shoe off.”
Charlotte hiked her leg up toward Edna’s outstretched hand.
Maggie tilted her head, using the phone as a light, and gave them instructions as if she were a game show host. “Charlotte, lift your leg two inches higher. Edna, move your hand a little to the left. No, your other left.”
