But Madison was not really listening to their banter. She was thinking about what Blake said.
Could the killer identify her?
And, more importantly, what would he—or she—do about it?
***
Two nights had passed without interruption from George Gail, but that hardly meant Madison was able to sleep well. New worries plagued her. What if the killer came after her? Would her children be safe? Had that black car been following her today? What if Nick Vilardi came through with a deal on renovating the house? Then she would be forced to make a decision whether or not to buy it. And why hadn’t she heard from Brash? Was he still angry at her? It had been three days since Caress was killed.
Three days, but on funeral. Due to the criminal circumstances of Caress’s death, an autopsy was ordered. Next of kin had to be notified; the actress’s family, what little there was, was scattered around the country. And John-Paul Noble had to arrange to fly in from Paris.
With the arrival of Valentine’s Day, Madison had no time to worry about funerals, eccentric clients or exasperating men. Her babies were going on their first dates. A quadruple date as it were, which at fifteen was the best kind. Madison took a ton of pictures, shed a few melancholy tears she tried to hide from the twins, then stood back and watched as her babies, looking excited and all grown up, took those first gigantic steps away from her.
Madison lingered on the porch as she watched the limo pull away. Where had the time gone? Just last week they were toddlers, getting into everything, times two. Wasn’t it just last night that Blake lost his first tooth? The Tooth Fairy tiptoed into his room and slid a handful of change beneath his pillow. And wasn’t it only yesterday Bethani learned to whistle? She had been so proud, even if the resulting shrill tones drove her and Gray nuts that first week.
Time, Madison determined, had no sympathy for a mother’s tender heart.
By the time she finally collected herself, Madison had few moments to spare. At least there are no ruffles, she noted with approval as she slid into her own dress.
It was a gorgeous dress, but impractical; she could hardly wear the dress to church, or even to a wedding. It was strictly a party dress, and Heaven knew how seldom she went to those. Maybe I can wear it again at Christmas, she mused. The deep red was right for the season, but the neckline was lower than she preferred and the skirt a bit tight. Very sophisticated, the dress was something like she would have worn in Dallas.
For the first time, Madison realized how much she had always hated dressing up for one of Gray’s events. And they had definitely been his: his friends, his colleagues, his desired lifestyle. She would have been just as happy staying in most evenings, cuddled up with the twins or a good book.
Determined not to think of Grayson tonight, Madison shook off memories of prior Valentines spent with the man she once loved. It didn’t bother her to be spending this ‘holiday’ alone; there was too much happening in her life right now to be worried about romance. Once again, she would be content to stay home with a good book and a glass of wine, but tonight was important to her friend.
With that thought in mind, she slipped on a pair of black pumps, spritzed on perfume, and braced herself for the evening ahead.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Genny, this place looks amazing!”
Despite her having spent most of the day helping her friend decorate, the place looked different by the time she returned two hours later. Genny had added the finishing touches to make the atmosphere absolutely perfect.
Twinkling white lights crisscrossed the room, interspersed here and there with strands of red luminance. Antique paper hearts, strands of crystal beads and photocopies of old love letters, edged in glitter, gave the room a nostalgic air. Dubbed a Mixer, tonight was more about friends than lovers. A few intimate tables were set up in the back for an aura of romance, but most of the tables—all topped with white linen cloths, flickering candlelight and scattered rose petals—were set for parties of six or more. Instead of hushed romantic notes, a live band played upbeat tunes and the center of the room was cleared for spontaneous dancing. In lieu of a menu, a long buffet stretched down one side of the restaurant, overflowing with delightful creations and fancy offerings usually reserved for weddings.
“This is incredible,” Madison proclaimed. “And look at you! You look gorgeous!”
“Thanks,” Genesis beamed.
Where Madison was tall and straight, her friend was shorter and curvier; not exactly plump, but shapely with generous contours. Her short blond hair had a tendency to curl around her heart-shaped face and, she often lamented, called attention to the sharp point of her chin. Few others ever noticed the chin; her twinkling blue eyes and charming dimples were showstoppers. Although she was seldom mistaken for a beauty queen, when Genny Baker flashed her smile, her face lit up with an inner radiance that made her truly beautiful.
“Do you like your dress?” Genny worried.
“I have to admit, you did a great job picking it out. And yours is gorgeous.”
While Maddy’s dress stretched sleekly down her long frame, Genny’s was short and flared. The full skirt rustled when she moved, swishing around a layer of red petticoats. The dresses were totally opposite, but perfect for each of the women who wore them.
“I did good, even if I do say so myself!”
Madison laughed at her friend’s cheeky reply that lacked an ounce of modesty. “Okay, so what do you need me to do? People will be arriving soon.”
“Here, take this tray. I have to check on one last detail in the kitchen.”
Thirty minutes later, the café was filling up quickly.
“People are going to go crazy when they find out all of this is free,” Madison murmured to her friend. She spoke out of the corner of her mouth as they stood near the door, greeting guests as they arrived.
“I love my new career. This is as much a gift to myself, as it is to the community.” Waving at the couple stepping through the door, she called out a warm greeting. “Matt! Shannon! I’m so glad you could come.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world! This is absolutely fabulous. And you two look amazing!” Shannon all but squealed, grasping first Genny’s hands, then Madison’s.
As the couple moved on, a deep voice spoke near Genny’s ear. “I’ll second that. You look… I can’t even find the right word, you look so beautiful.”
“Aw, Cutter, what a nice thing to say.” In spite of herself, Genesis blushed. It did wonders for a woman’s soul to hear such heartfelt praise from any man, especially one as ruggedly handsome as Cutter Montgomery. Even though he was several years younger than she was, Genny was not as immune to his charm as she liked to pretend. He looked particularly handsome tonight. The red western shirt set off his dark blond hair and year-round tan. Black jeans and a black tooled leather vest gave his sexy cowboy look an added edge. “And you clean up quite nicely yourself, I might add.” Her eyes twinkled as she took a pointed glance behind him. “Where’s Callie Beth? Is she meeting you here later?”
His open scowl made her regret her words. “I’ve told you a dozen times, she’s not my girlfriend!”
“I don’t think she got the memo,” Genny said softly.
“I don’t mean to sound rude, but that’s her problem, not mine. We’ve gone out a couple of times, mostly with a group, but she’s hardly my Valentine.”
“Well, that’s what tonight is all about,” she beamed. “Mingling and mixing among friends.” She waved a hand toward the quickly filling room. “Have a seat wherever you like. We’ll open the buffet line in about ten minutes. And thank you for coming.”
There was a line forming behind him, but he seemed not to notice. “There will be dancing later, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then I’ll save a dance for you.” He gave her a flirtatious wink before ambling off toward a group of friends.
Genny laughed at her own foolishness as she felt another blush stain her cheek
s. What a shame he was too young for her, too old for Bethani. Then again, he was just about right for Shilo Dawne….
She gave the crowd another fifteen minutes to get settled. Then she called for their attention and made a brief speech, thanking the townspeople for welcoming her and making her business so successful. Because of them, her dreams of owning her own restaurant and bakery had come true, and tonight was her way of giving back. This was a party, she announced, free of charge. Madison and Shilo Dawne would be around soon with flutes of champaign. Over the excited murmur of the crowd, she gave a flourishing hand movement to the table behind her and proclaimed that the buffet line was now open.
As people were re-seated, Madison and Shilo Dawne delivered the sparkling wine. Madison moved among the tables with her tray and a warm smile, until a woman stopped her with the simple words, “You’re her, aren’t you?”
“I beg your pardon?” Madison did not recognize the other woman, but her squat, stocky figure did seem vaguely familiar. “You’re the one who … saw… Caress, aren’t you?” When she faltered over the words, Madison knew this much be Caress’s best friend. Her heart went out to the other woman’s palpable sorrow.
“Yes,” she nodded gently.
The other woman thrust out her hand. “Darla Mullins,” she confirmed. “Could we talk?”
Madison glanced first at her empty tray, then at the people around them. Most had already been served. “Sure,” she shrugged.
Even when Darla Mullins shoved to her feet, Madison still towered over her. Darla was short and thick. There was little definition to her shape; she was like a solid chunk from her thick neck down to her thick thighs. Her hair was cut short and severe. Dressed in a dark pantsuit, the light coat of mascara and large hoop earrings were her only nod to fashion. Like she and Genesis, this other duo of friends were exact opposites.
“I keep thinking we have met before,” Madison said.
“You’re probably thinking of my sister, Myrna Lewis.”
“Oh.” For a moment, she could think of nothing else to say. Myrna Lewis was hardly her favorite person. After making a terrible scene with Bethani here in this very restaurant, the woman had tried to tarnish the teenager’s credibility and Madison’s business reputation with vindictive verbal attacks. Few people in town even liked the woman, but there were some who listened to her bitter lies.
“Dean told me what a wonderful job you did filling in for him and Myrna at the Insurance Agency,” the sister said as she led the way to a less populated area of the room.
“Thank you.” As irony would have it, and much to Myrna’s dismay, Dean Lewis had hired In a Pinch to fill in while they were out of town for a few days.
They came to a stop in a dimly lit corner. “As you may have heard, Caress was my best friend.”
“Yes, and I am so sorry for your loss.”
“I still can’t believe that she is gone. We were inseparable. We had just talked on the phone an hour before… before…” Darla Mullins put a chubby hand over her mouth as if to hold the horrible words inside. Collecting herself, she asked, “What did you see, Mrs. Reynolds? I need to know what her last minutes were like.”
“I-I really didn’t see… the end.”
“I thought you were an eye witness!”
“I saw her arguing with someone, yes, but I did not see her actually be… I didn’t see it happen.”
“Do you-Do you think she was in pain?”
Madison could not help but frown. She was brutally stabbed to death, numerous times. Of course she was in pain!
The words, of course, were never spoken aloud. She smoothed the frown from her forehead and went with a well-meaning lie. “I think it was very quick. Hopefully she didn’t have time to feel much pain.”
The other woman slumped in relief. “Thank the Lord,” she breathed, making the sign of the cross across her saggy bosom. At least she had that in common with her friend.
Appalled at her thoughts, Madison cleared her throat uncomfortably.
“So you saw who did this?” Darla asked, gripping Madison’s arm with a surprisingly strong hold.
“Not really. I never saw a face.”
“Oh? Then you’re really no eye witness at all.”
In deference to her sorrow, Madison allowed the snarky tone in her words to slide. “Mrs. Mullins, do you know if Caress was seeing anyone romantically?” she asked instead.
The other woman bristled. “Why would you ask that? And what business is it of yours, anyway?”
“I-I heard she was seeing someone here. I just wondered what local man could compete with her long-time boyfriend, John-Paul Noble.” She flashed a smile, hoping to look appropriately star-struck.
“Well, you heard wrong, on both accounts,” Darla Mullins snapped. “She and John-Paul were over years ago.”
“So she didn’t have a current boyfriend? She was such an attractive woman, I’m a bit surprised by that.”
“I can assure you, she was not involved with any man from here.”
“Oh?” Madison pressed. “I heard she was seeing… a married man.”
“Who?” Darla demanded. “Who was she supposedly seeing?”
“Uhm, I’m not sure I should repeat gossip.”
A light of suspicion sparked in the other woman’s eyes before she swelled with indignation. “Well, I can assure you, that is not true! Caress was far too classy to be involved with any redneck hillbilly from around here!”
Grief was one thing; open hostility was another. Taking an immediate dislike to the woman, Madison gave her a false smile. “Yes, I see the resemblance now. You and your sister are remarkably alike.”
“So I’ve heard.” She apparently did not detect the insult in Madison’s words and kept right on talking. While doing a mental shrug, Madison almost missed the words, “I’d like to hire you.”
“Hire me?”
Even Madison heard the squeak of surprise in her voice.
“Yes. You do own a temporary agency, do you not?” Darla demanded.
“Yes, I do.”
“Good. Then be at Boundaries first thing Monday morning.”
“But -”
Darla looked her directly in the eye, challenging her to lie. “Do you have another job lined up for Monday morning?”
“Uh, well… no.”
The other woman fairly smirked. “Good. Then I’ll see you sharply at eight o-clock. The corner of Third and Juniper. Don’t be late.” She walked away before Madison could come up with a reply. Apparently done with the party, Darla Mullins kept walking, right out the front door.
Madison had no idea how long she stood there, staring after the strange woman. She was finally aware of someone approaching. A familiar voice spoke near her ear, flavored with concern. “Maddy?”
Snapping out of her trance, she looked up into Brash’s dark eyes. “H-Hi,” she stammered.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m not sure.” She relayed the odd conversation and the way Darla practically ordered her to work at Boundaries.
“They are an odd lot, she and her sister. Yankees,” he said by way of explanation.
“I’m of half a mind not to show up Monday morning.”
“The other half?”
“Lucky for me, that’s the sensible half, the one that keeps track of my finances.” A rueful smile played along the lines of her pouted mouth.
His dark eyes zeroed in on her lips. A new energy charged the air as he came a step closer. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Maddy.”
“Happy Valentines to you, too.” Why was her voice suddenly so husky? She didn’t care a thing in the world about celebrating this day.
“You look gorgeous. Red is definitely your color.”
That was good, because it appeared in both of her cheeks. “Thank you,” she murmured. Her eyes fell to the starched shirt of his uniform. “Working?” It was a needless question, but it kept her from saying something foolish, like how good he looked, as well.
“Yeah, but I thought I’d run by and take a chance at my luck.”
She gave him a quizzical look.
In response, Brash held out his hand. “Dance with me, Maddy?” he asked lowly.
She moved into his arms more eagerly than was proper. When he laughed, the sound did warm and wicked things to her fragile libido. It’s the stupid holiday, she told herself. A made-up holiday at that. It made even sane people behave foolishly, all in the name of love and romance. Not that I want either, she assured herself. I’ve done without it for the past two and a half years, I can do without it for another two and a half. By then the twins will be out of school and I’ll have time for myself again. I’m good till then.
“Maddy?” Brash scrutinized her with a slight frown. “Where did you go? I lost you for a second.”
She tried to push off her foolishness with a laugh. He tucked her hand deeper into his, curling it close against his very warm, very broad chest. Not that she noticed or anything. She said the first thing that came to mind. “I was just thinking working nights all the time must be murder on your love life.” Lordy, where had that come from?
“I don’t always work nights,” he assured her, his voice sounding amused.
Since she had already brought the subject up…. “So you never remarried after you and Shannon split up?”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“Never met the right woman.”
She loved the way his deep voice rumbled within his chest. Madison allowed herself to sink into his warmth as she laid her head against his shoulder. Her arm tightened around her waist and she could have sworn she heard him give a very manly purr.
“Any serious girlfriends?” she pressed.
“There was one long-term girlfriend, but I wouldn’t call it serious,” he said. They were still in the darkened corner, swaying to the music more than actually dancing. Both knew it was a thinly veiled excuse to be close to the other. “It ended when I moved back here.”
“Waco isn’t that far. You could have kept seeing one another.”
“To be honest, I was glad for the break.”
When the Stars Fall (The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series Book 2) Page 12
