by Boone, Lisa
“Let’s wait until morning when there are more people moving around outside. I’ll even go with you to talk to him.”
He gave her a look, but otherwise, didn’t say anything.
“Please, don’t go out there tonight.”
“You’re right. We have no idea if he’s working with someone and I shouldn’t leave you alone until I know.” He let go of her hands and turned back to the window. “I have a friend—his name’s Casey Madigan, he’s a fighter—he might be able to help us out. I’ll call him tomorrow, hopefully he can watch over you while I investigate.”
“Ethan…” she said with a sigh.
“Until then, I’ll just keep an eye on our friend out there and then tomorrow, I’ll see what I can find out about Jamie Murphy.”
She pressed the back of her hand to her mouth as she yawned. “He found Rory for us. I think he also saw Paul die.”
“Such a helpful guy. Always in the right place at the right time. Our friend certainly has been busy tonight.” He pushed the drape back. “If that’s him out there, maybe he’ll go home and get a good night’s sleep or freeze to death. Either one would be fine with me at this point.”
Madison wearily sank down into the leather couch across from the fireplace. She closed her eyes. She had been so sure that Paul was the guy they were after. Now it felt like they were starting at square one all over again.
She sleepily rubbed her eyes as she tipped her head back. If I could just get some sleep maybe I could think a little clearer, she thought as her eyelids grew heavy. She felt Ethan sit down next to her and instinctively moved closer to him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
A strong hand brought her head to his shoulder. She smiled as he kissed the top of her head and cradled her close.
Suddenly, she was in court again. Quincy was beside her. “That’s her,” he whispered into her ear. She turned to look…
§
7:07 A.M.
A light touch against her cheek caused her to jump. She covered her eyes as the sunlight streaming from the window blinded her.
“Sorry,” Ethan said pressing his hand over hers, “time to wake up.”
She pushed herself up and blurrily looked around. Ethan was dressed in a pair of jeans and a blue sweatshirt. He was standing next to her, holding a coffee cup in his hand. “What time is it?”
“A little after seven.”
Her eyes widened in panic as she came fully awake. “I’m late.”
“All government buildings are closed.”
“Good for them,” she said pushing the large comforter off her legs. “Too bad I don’t work for the government.” She stood up and glanced toward the window. “Is he gone?”
“He left the laundromat thirty minutes ago. I don’t think he’s gone, though. How did you sleep?”
“Like a baby,” she said heading to the bathroom. She turned right around when she heard the sound of a shower running.
“Sarah just stepped in there.”
“Great,” she said sitting back down to wait. She turned her attention to the TV. “What’s the weather like today?”
Ethan pressed a coffee cup into her hand. “The temperature’s already starting to go up. It should be in the forties by nine. I figure the main roads should be clear soon enough.”
She took a sip of the coffee and set it down on the coffee table. “You know, I just don’t understand why Paul was killed.”
“Paul was following you around. Perhaps, he saw something he shouldn’t have.”
“He was trying to catch that car. He thought the driver could be a witness…” She focused her attention on the TV as a used car dealership came on.
“I wish we knew what—”
She held up her hand as she shushed him.
It wasn’t until the commercial ended that she turned back to him with wide eyes. “I just remembered where I saw that girl.”
“What girl?”
“The one in the mall. The one with that weird Santa.”
“Where?”
She pointed to the TV. “There. I saw her in a commercial back in March. She was in some special St. Patrick’s Day sale commercial for a local used car dealership.”
“Which dealership? The one that was just on TV?”
“No, not that one.” She closed her eyes, trying to remember. “I just remember she was wearing a lot of makeup and sitting on the hood of a car.” Her eyes flew open. “It’s the one on Nicholasville Road near Fayette Mall. I remember seeing the address flash across the bottom of the screen.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” She felt suddenly giddy with relief. “I can see her sitting on top of a green car, wearing a green hat and a green leotard. I’m pretty sure the commercial ran this year.” She frowned. “I remember thinking then that she looked familiar, but I couldn’t place where I had seen her before. Do you think you can find her? Maybe we can get her to tell us who was under the Santa suit.”
“There’s no maybe about it,” Ethan said with a smile. “Just leave it to me.” He inclined his head to the side. “Sarah’s out of the bathroom. Why don’t you get ready for work? I’ve got a lot to do today. You know, buy a new cell phone. Rent a car. Find an actress.” He picked up her coffee cup and took a sip. “Catch a killer.”
Suddenly, feeling more optimistic than she had felt when she went to sleep, she stood up and kissed him on the cheek before heading to the bathroom. “We have a lot of work to do. We,” she repeated for emphasis before shutting the door.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
4:00 P.M.
Madison closed the file she was working on and pushed it away. Leaning back in her chair, she glanced out the interior window of her office towards the hallway, as one of her office building’s security guards walked by.
Right on time, she thought, glancing at the clock as the guard did his hourly walk through the firm.
She raised her hand in greeting, grateful to have some measure of security while she worked.
The guard was one of the partner’s idea or so she was led to believe. She had a feeling Ethan was behind it, not that she minded. At least she was able to get some work done without having to worry about some psychopath coming in and killing her, while Ethan was out investigating.
Her gaze dropped to her desk phone. She scowled as she tapped her fingers against the desk.
She hadn’t heard from Ethan in hours and it was driving her crazy not knowing what was going on. Every time the security guard walked by, she was reminded of the danger she was in and a multitude of questions would rush through her mind.
Had Ethan found the girl in the commercial yet? Who was she? And more importantly, who was Alex? Did he kill Quincy? Was he going to try to kill me?
Her hand automatically reached for the phone on her desk. She started to dial Ethan’s cell phone but hesitated.
The man only just started looking for her. Give him some time, she mentally scolded herself as she placed the phone back down.
The problem was that she was too impatient. Always had been. The urge to get up and do something filled her. But what? What could she do but wait for something to happen? She was working on someone else’s timetable.
She glanced at her desk calendar. Only a couple of more days until New Year.
The phone rang.
She stared at it apprehensively for a moment before snatching it up out of its cradle. Keith was on the other end.
“Hey, I was just checking in,” he said. “Are you okay? I just heard what happened at your place last night.”
“Yeah, I’m okay. How are you doing?”
“Sick as a dog. I swear, every time Derek gets sick, I get sick.”
She chuckled. “Derek strikes again.”
“Yeah, and I’m the one who ends up paying for it. Nicole has been on my back lately about all the time I’ve taken off. It’s not like I can’t work at home.”
“Well, I wouldn’t worry too much about missing today. Hardly an
yone is here.”
“Is Becca?”
“You know Becca, she’s bound and determined to make partner one day. I think the woman lives here.”
“Sometimes, I wonder whether you do too. You should go home and relax. I would if my place had been broken into and someone had been killed right outside. Where are you staying?”
“Ethan’s been kind enough to take me in.”
“Really?” There was a long pause and then, “That’s nice of him. Does he do that for all of his clients or just the attractive ones?”
“I have no idea,” she said bristling at his tone. “I’d like to think that I’m just special.”
He grunted noncommittally. “Is he there with you right now?”
“No, he’s trying to track someone down.”
“Who?”
“A possible witness,” she said trying to keep the irritation out of her voice.
“So, he’s left you defenseless.”
Her eyes narrowed at the accusation. “There’s a security guard—”
He snorted. “The one downstairs? The one that let Paul through the other day?”
“No, a new one. He’s been assigned to our office. Look, I’ve got to get back to work,” she lied. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Well, I should go take some cough medicine and lay down anyway. If you need anything just let me know. I’m serious, Madison,” he said sternly. “Call me if anything happens.”
She murmured a quick “Mmhmm,” before adding, “I hope you feel better. Bye, Keith.”
Madison set the phone down. She let out a little groan when the phone rang almost immediately.
A sense of relief filled her when she heard Ethan’s clear, strong voice on the other end.
“I have good news,” Ethan said.
Madison felt a surge of hope fill her. “What?”
“Does the name Yvette Baxter ring a bell?”
“No, should it?”
“What about Mary Jane Banks?”
“Never heard of her, either. Who are they?”
“Same person. Yvette Baxter is the stage name of the actress who appeared in Larry Nichols’ Auto Sales’ St. Patrick’s Day commercial this year. She does mostly local theater stuff. Tried her luck in New York a couple of years ago. Was there about the same time your sister was living there. Struck out though and returned home a few months ago. Since then, she’s been in a couple of plays. The last one just ended a few weeks ago.”
Madison sat up straighter as he spoke. “Did you get an address on her?”
“Not a current one, but I was able to find her last place of employment. She did some seasonal work at that fancy holiday decorating shop just down the street. Decorations For All Occasions. I’m just about to walk in and talk to the owner. Shouldn’t take me too long and then I’ll swing by and follow you back to my place.”
“You know, I think that’s who does our Christmas decorations.” She tapped her pen against her desk. “If we do use them, they may be more willing to talk to me.”
“Uh, that’s not really nec—”
“I’ll meet you there.” She hung up over his objections and grabbed her purse and coat.
Less than ten minutes later, she was standing in front of a charming pink and white one story boutique only a few miles away from work.
She spotted Ethan through the glass windows talking to a friendly looking older lady with white hair and large expressive blue eyes and hurried inside.
“I couldn’t tell you,” the lady said waving her hand around as Madison approached them. “He’d never come inside. He’d always pull up front and honk the horn. Made me so mad. I’d tell her that I didn’t like that, but Yvette didn’t care. She’d just roll her eyes.” She shrugged one shoulder. “She was just a temp and I needed her help. It wasn’t worth fighting over.”
Madison stepped to the side, pretending to look over a basket of Christmas ornaments that were on sale.
“Did Yvette ever talk about Alex?” Ethan asked.
“Not really. I didn’t get the impression he was her boyfriend or anything like that, but nowadays, how can you tell.”
“How did she describe him to you?”
“Didn’t. He was just a friend.” The lady tilted her head. “Family friend, I think she said.”
Turning her attention to a poinsettia plant at the end of the counter, Madison shifted closer to Ethan.
Ethan spared her a slight glance before turning back to the lady. “I really need to talk to Yvette. Do you think you can give me her address?”
Her eyes shifted downward as she started to back up. “I don’t know…”
Madison dropped all pretense of shopping and joined Ethan at the counter. “Please, it’s vitally important that we speak to Yvette and Alex.”
The older lady locked eyes with Madison for a moment before smiling at Ethan. “Oh, is this your fiancée?”
Madison started to shake her head, but stopped when Ethan wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Sweetheart, this is Clara Howard. She was Yvette’s boss for a few weeks.”
“Oh, she’s just as beautiful as you said she was,” Clara said to Ethan before turning to Madison. “You’ll make such a beautiful bride.”
Madison glanced at Ethan with a wry smile.
Ethan’s embarrassed gaze flashed towards Madison for a second before turning back to Clara. “Mrs. Howard, we don’t want to cause you any trouble, but we really need to get in touch with Yvette.”
Clara looked underneath the counter. “If you leave me your number, I’ll send her a message. I don’t know if it will do much good but I’ll try. She never would respond when I’d call her.”
Ethan leaned over the counter with a smile. “I’d much rather talk to her myself. You know how Yvette is. If she finds out why I want to see her…”
Clara wrung her hands. “I’m sorry. I’m just afraid I could get sued.” She gave them a wry look. “You know Yvette. If she found out that I gave you her personal information, she’d go after me with guns blazing.”
Madison’s gaze swept past Clara toward a refrigerated glass display case filled with vases of colorful roses. She unconsciously wrapped her fingers around Ethan’s bicep as Clara continued to speak.
“I didn’t know Yvette long,” Clara continued, “but I knew her well enough to know that she can be kind of scary. I’m sorry. I wish I could help you.”
Madison frowned as her gaze shifted past the roses to the wall where a dozen or so gift boxes were displayed, each decorated with holiday themed wrapping paper and ribbon. One box, wrapped in silver paper with red and black reindeers and topped with a familiar looking black ribbon edged with scarlet, caught her eye. “We don’t want to get you in any trouble but I just have one question. Do you, by any chance, sell corsages here?”
“Not only corsages but wedding bouquets, floral centerpieces…” Clara’s gaze flickered towards Ethan’s chest. “Boutonnieres for the groom and the groomsmen.” She smiled knowingly as she reached for a three ring binder next to the cash machine. “As the sign says we provide decorations for all occasions. Let me show you some pictures.”
“Did Yvette make or have you make a black corsage about a week before Christmas?” Madison interjected before Clara could begin planning her wedding to Ethan.
Clara blinked for a moment. “Yes, I helped her make one.”
That at least explained who sent me the hideous thing for my birthday, Madison thought as her fingers tightened on Ethan’s arm. Now we just need to figure out why Yvette gave it to me.
Ethan looked at Madison curiously.
“Did she say why she wanted to make a black corsage?” Madison asked.
Clara made a face. “That whole thing was such a hassle. We had some perfectly nice black silk roses left over from Halloween but Yvette wasn’t happy with those. She was very put out when she couldn’t get the exact shade of black that she wanted and silk flowers just wouldn’t do. She wanted a real rose.”
“What corsage are you talking about, darling?” Ethan asked in a puzzled tone as he glanced between Madison and Clara.
She leaned into Ethan and whispered, “Someone gave me a black corsage for my birthday.”
“Was that for you?” Clara asked. “Yvette told me that it was for an attorney who had just died or was dying. I wasn’t quite sure. I got the feeling it was all a big joke.” Clara’s grimace matched Madison’s own. “I never did understand Yvette’s sense of humor.” She looked at Madison in confusion. “I thought you and your sister hadn’t seen each other for years?”
It was Madison’s turned to look confused. “I’m sorry?”
Ethan lightly patted Madison’s hip. “Darling, I have to confess. I told Mrs. Howard about you and your sister, Yvette, and how you too are no longer on speaking terms. You know, maybe, Yvette sent you the corsage in order to open the lines of communication, like a peace offering. She knows how much you love black roses. Your sister probably just forgot to leave a birthday card.”
“Bless her heart,” Clara said with a touch of annoyance, “but Yvette was a bit scatterbrained. She put the wrong card on the wrong arrangement more than once.”
“That’s our Yvette,” Ethan said shifting his hand to the small of Madison’s back. He lightly tugged against the belt of her coat.
“Yes, that sounds just like her,” Madison confirmed quickly. “I’m just surprised that she sent me anything.”
Clara’s attention turned from them to a young man in a University of Kentucky Wildcats sweatshirt and an apron who had just walked out of the back room. She gestured to the white Christmas tree near the picture window. “Be careful taking down those ornaments, Gary.”
“I will, Grandma,” the young man said as he passed the counter.
“Your fiancé is probably right,” Clara said. “Yvette obviously wanted to make amends.” She frowned as she tapped a finger against her cheek. “Although I thought for sure she was giving the corsage to a man.”
Madison glanced behind her as Ethan pulled away. She watched as he checked the price tag of a Santa figurine before moving over to a nativity set. “Why is that?” she asked turning back to Clara.
