A Model Death

by Brenda Chapman

  Dan was outside Sang Hee’s bedroom door. He tried the handle slowly, and found it locked. He took a look around the hall and I pulled back into the shadows. A moment later I peeked again, and he was quietly dragging a chair from the sitting area at the end of the hall closer to Sang Hee’s door. She wouldn’t see him if she looked outside her room.

  I was starting to get a really bad feeling.

  I couldn’t leave now even if I wanted to. Meech sat himself down and waited for Sang Hee to come out of her room. She was in no hurry and an hour crept by.

  Something moved in my pocket. My phone! Thank goodness I’d put it on vibrate. I pulled it out and looked at the number. Jimmy. I didn’t dare answer. Besides, he was the last one I wanted to tell that I’d snuck into the model house. But his call gave me an idea.

  I scrolled to Jada’s number and typed a text message, giving her my current situation. I suggested I might need help. A few seconds later, my phone vibrated again. She was on her way. Twenty minutes, tops.

  It was less than ten minutes later when Sang Hee opened her bedroom door. I scooted back to my post in time to see her step into the hall. She was almost at the head of the stairs when Meech grabbed her from behind and pulled her neck back against his chest. She let out a shriek.

  “My love,” Dan said, and kissed her cheek before letting her go.

  Sang Hee turned to face him, rage filling her face. “What . . . are . . . you . . . doing . . . here?” Each word a bullet of anger.

  Dan didn’t appear to notice that she wasn’t happy to see him. “I thought we could spend the evening together. We can share a bottle of wine . . .”

  “Are you out of your mind? I’m not sharing anything with you. In fact, I’ve told Shore that either you’re off the show, or I am.”

  His forehead crinkled up and his eyes showed he was puzzled. “I don’t understand. You kissed me in the hot tub. I could tell it was real.”

  Sang Hee was losing control. “You’re a creep. How much clearer do I have to be? Stop following me around. Stop acting like we’re a couple in real life. No wonder Lena wanted you gone. She was just too nice to make you lose your job, but not because she didn’t want to.” Sang Hee shoved the palm of her hand against Dan’s chest.

  The confusion in his eyes turned to anger. “Lena was a liar and a cheat. She told me that she loved me but she was meeting that Nick Roma behind my back.”

  “She told you because she had to for the show. Are you insane?” Then Sang Hee’s eyes went wide. For the first time, I heard a hint of fear in her voice. She whispered, “What did you do?”

  “Women who cheat deserve what they get.”

  Sang Hee didn’t respond. I could imagine the wheels were turning inside her head at a frantic pace. She must have realized that she was alone in the house with a killer. I could sense her terror because I was feeling some of it myself.

  It seemed like a good time to make myself known. Before Dan had a chance to get nasty.

  I pushed the door open and pretended to be talking loudly on my phone. “Sure. I’ll have her there in half an hour. I think she wants the full waxing.” I acted surprised to see the two of them in front of me. “Hey, Sang Hee. The spa is waiting for you. Dan, how are you, man?”

  I marched over and grabbed Sang Hee by the arm. “Let’s get moving. You’re already late and you know they charge extra if you waste their time.”

  “Of course.” Her eyes thanked me, but the look of terror was still on her face. We started at a half-jog down the stairs.

  “I’ve called 9-1-1,” I whispered. “The police will be here any minute.”

  Dan Meech hurtled down the stairs as if he’d been shot from a cannon. He shoved me in the back before we reached the bottom step. I staggered and let go of Sang Hee as I hit the wall. Sang Hee tumbled ahead of me down the last step, banging her head against the banister before sprawling flat out on the floor. Pain shot through my shoulder but I could still move my arm. Meech pushed me again and I flew over the last step, landing next to Sang Hee. Her eyes were closed and she wasn’t moving.

  Before I could help her, Meech grabbed me—luckily by my good arm—and pulled me to my feet. “You couldn’t leave us alone. You’re the reason everything has gone wrong.” He pulled back his hand and made a fist that was lined up with my face.

  Before he could unload, I jabbed my knee upward as hard as I could between his legs. I felt something crunch and it was Meech’s turn to stagger back. He let go of me and dropped onto the floor, holding onto himself and rolling about in pain. He was blocking my exit so I tried to jump over him. But his hand grabbed onto my ankle and held on like a vice grip.

  “Let go of me.” I tried to shake him off and lost my balance. My chin hit the floor and for a moment, I saw stars. I felt Meech crawl on top of me and then his hands were around my neck.

  “You’re going to pay for what you’ve done,” he said, lifting my head and banging it on the floor. Not once but twice. Then he squeezed my throat, cutting off my air. I clawed at his arms with my hands.

  Meech was so busy choking me that he didn’t hear the front door open. He realized too late that Jada was running full tilt toward us. She had the look of a woman about to do battle to the death. Meech let go of my neck but Jada’s fist landed a knockout punch to his face before he could get his hands up to defend himself. His eyes rolled back and he dropped on top of me.

  Jada shoved him sideways onto the floor and helped me into a sitting position. I sputtered and coughed until I felt air enter my lungs. After I took a few deep breaths, I pointed toward the stairs and croaked, “Sang Hee?”

  We both looked over. Sang Hee was sitting up, holding her head.

  Jada said, “You’re both going to be okay. Medical help is right behind me.”

  The police picked that moment to rush in. They took over the downstairs and had Meech in handcuffs before he was fully awake. Sang Hee was hustled away in an ambulance but I refused to go. I finally let a paramedic look over my injuries in the living room after Jada and a police officer insisted.

  “Thanks for getting here so quickly,” I said to Jada after finding out nothing was broken. I’d have a swollen neck for a few days and my chin was going to be sore and purple. But not bad, considering. “You have quite the right hook, by the way.”

  “I’ve been known to punch above my weight class.” Jada grinned.” Looks like making my mom put me in boxing class instead of ballet was a good call.”

  “I’ll say. Remind me to send her a thank-you card.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “Couldn’t you find a smaller turkey, Dad?” I leaned into the oven to baste the bird, which had to run twenty-five pounds. It was almost too big for the roasting pan.

  “Thought I might invite a few more people.” Dad was cutting green beans at the counter.

  The front door opened. A few seconds later, Evan ran into the kitchen. “Aunt Anna, look what I got.”

  Dad and I hugged him before admiring his new remote-controlled airplane. “Do you want to fly it with me, Grandpa?”

  “Sure do, kiddo. But not until after supper.”

  Jimmy and Cheri walked into the kitchen and more hugs followed. I hadn’t seen Cheri since she got back from China. She looked good, with a short new haircut and stylish clothes. She smelled of spice and jasmine.

  “I brought you a gift,” she said, handing me a package. “I’m sorry I took so long to come see you.”

  I ripped open the paper and found a red silk dressing gown and matching slippers from China. “They’re beautiful,” I said and gave her another hug. “It’s good to have you home.”

  Cheri glanced over at Jimmy. By the look on his face, I could tell they’d been fighting. Jimmy turned toward Dad and held up a bottle of wine that they’d brought. “Pour anyone a glass?”

  “I think we could all use a drink,” Dad said.

  The doorbell rang and Dad sent me to let more people in. Jada and her younger brother Henry were at the door.
We had just made it to the kitchen when the doorbell rang again. I returned to find Gino and Nick Roma on the steps. “Your dad kindly invited us to share your meal,” Gino said. “How could we say no on such a happy day?”

  I hugged Gino and looked over his shoulder at Nick. He looked tired but smiled at me. I smiled back but my stomach felt slightly sick. I wondered how to get past the guilt I felt for having believed he could be the killer.

  The last guest to arrive was Dad’s new dance partner, Betty, making us an even ten for Thanksgiving dinner. Betty took my place in the kitchen, helping Dad finish up the last of the cooking. Somehow, it felt right.

  The next few hours flew by as we dug into turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. There was much laughter and chatter, but we steered away from talk about Lena’s murder after Jimmy said Dan Meech had confessed. Nick was quieter than the rest of us, but he joined in now and then. Jimmy kept looking over at him but didn’t go out of his way to be friendly.

  After pie and coffee, and time in the backyard with Evan’s plane, our guests started to say their goodbyes. Nick was the only one to remain behind. Dad came into the kitchen where we were sitting at the table. He looked at Nick and said, “I’m heading to bed now with a nightcap. Either of you want a splash of whiskey?”

  “We’re good, Dad.”

  “Well, good night, kids. Don’t forget to lock up, Anna.”

  “I will.”

  After the door to Dad’s room shut, Nick and I put on our jackets and went outside to watch the stars. We dragged two lawn chairs to the centre of the backyard and sat with our elbows touching.

  “I’d like to take you to dinner, Anna,” Nick said after a while. “If you’d still like to go.”

  I didn’t feel right accepting. Guilt was holding me back. If he knew how long I’d suspected him of being the killer . . . “Nick, you need to know that I thought you might have killed Lena, right up to the end. I didn’t want it to be you, but I didn’t trust you. I’m sorry.”

  “And now?”

  “Now? Now, I realize how loyal and good you are. I feel bad for having doubted you.”

  Nick was quiet for a moment. I felt my hope disappearing with every passing second. I was surprised and relieved when he reached over and held onto my hand.

  “I would have been surprised if you had trusted me with so little to go on. I’m not an up-front kind of person, and neither are you. But now, I think we can start fresh and get to know each other.”

  My heart leapt up a bit, but not all the way. “There’s one more thing you should know.” I paused. The next part was probably the deal breaker. No matter how I framed my relationship with Jimmy in my head, it was going to come out wrong. I took a deep breath and turned to look at him. “My brother-in-law, Jimmy, and I were once engaged.”

  The patient look was back in Nick’s eyes. “Jada told me all about it. Another reason for you not to trust me too quickly. But I’m not Jimmy. I won’t make the mistake of giving you up.”

  And with that said, Nick leaned over and kissed me.

  When he pulled away, I asked, “Is tomorrow night too soon for that dinner date? The turkey and pie should be worn off by then, I imagine.”

  Nick smiled and gently brushed the hair away from my forehead. “Tomorrow night can’t come soon enough,” he said.

  And then, he leaned in and kissed me again.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Brenda Chapman is a well-known mystery author. The Anna Sweet Mysteries are a popular series in adult literacy and English as a Second Language programs. My Sister’s Keeper, the first title in the series, was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Award in 2014. The Hard Fall was nominated for the Golden Oak Award in 2014. A former teacher, Brenda now works as a senior communications advisor in Ottawa.

  ALSO BY BRENDA CHAPMAN

  In Winter’s Grip

  The Second Wife

  Second Chances

  Cold Mourning

  Butterfly Kills

  Anna Sweet Mysteries

  My Sister’s Keeper

  The Hard Fall

  To Keep a Secret

  Jennifer Bannon Mystery Series

  Running Scared

  Hiding in Hawk’s Creek

  Where Trouble Leads

  Trail of Secrets

  You can visit Brenda’s website at www.brendachapman.ca