“It’s just the wind,” she muttered softly.
The kitchen doorknob jiggled. Jacey jumped with a gasp and stared at the door with wide eyes. She flattened herself against the wall, clung to her handgun, and peeked toward the mostly glass door. She could hear a distinct footfall on the porch. A shadow moved past the door. Jacey let out a slight scream and darted up the stairs. She ran into her mother’s bedroom with the girls and slammed the door behind her. She locked it and breathed heavily. Monique stared at her with wide eyes. Coleen stood alongside the bed and hung up the phone on the nightstand.
“The dispatcher’s contacting Jameson right away,” Coleen announced.
Jacey knew the girls were probably just as frightened as she was, but she needed to keep them calm. She placed the revolver down the back of her pants to give the illusion that she wasn’t frightened for their sake.
“We’ll just wait here until Deputy Jameson arrives,” Jacey informed them and raked trembling fingers through her hair.
There was the faint sound of glass shattering from downstairs in the kitchen. Jacey backed away from the bedroom door and stared at it as if it was about to explode. She looked back at the girls, who now stood on the opposite side of the bed with the same look of horror. Jacey hurried to the far side of the bed with them and now removed her revolver. Monique looked out the large window next to her. Headlights appeared at the top of the long driveway. She looked back at Jacey.
“Jacey,” Monique cried softly and pointed out the window. “Jameson’s coming!”
Jacey hurried to the window and saw the large, white vehicle with bright headlights in the darkness. She looked at the porch roof then the large, oak tree near her bedroom window just a couple of feet away.
“Wait here,” she announced and again placed the gun down the back of her pants.
Jacey quietly opened the screen and climbed out the window and onto the porch roof. She carefully walked across the roof, attempting to be as quiet as possible. Monique and Coleen leapt out the window and ran for her.
“Don’t leave us alone in there,” Monique whispered.
Jacey motioned them to the tree. Both girls climbed into the tree with Jacey behind them. All three began climbing down the branches as the vehicle got closer. Jacey lost her footing and tumbled from the tree to the ground below. She landed on her backside and hit her head. She cringed and looked toward the rapidly approaching headlights. The vehicle was almost on top of her. It skidded to a halt. Something moved within the woods near the house. Both girls screamed and pointed toward the woods. The van doors opened and both Professor and Maxwell jumped out and ran to Jacey’s side. Maxwell knelt beside her and helped her to her knees.
“Are you alright?” Maxwell asked.
Professor ran to the tree and assisted both girls to the ground. They hugged Professor gratefully. Jacey placed a hand to her spinning head and looked around with some disorientation. She then looked at Maxwell and clutched his arm for support. He gently helped her to her feet. Monique and Coleen were screaming and pointing into the woods. They were talking so excitedly, their words barely made sense. Professor stared into the woods a moment, squinted, and then shook his head.
“I don’t see anyone,” he said then motioned them toward the van. “Come on; let’s get you out of here.”
Professor loaded both girls into the van then returned to Maxwell and Jacey. Jacey was now on her feet, although she was weighing heavily in Maxwell’s arms. She couldn’t get herself together enough to stand on her own.
“Is she okay?” she heard Professor ask Maxwell.
“A little dazed, I’d say,” Maxwell remarked gently. “Let’s get her back to the institution.”
Professor saw the revolver lying on the ground beneath where Jacey had fallen. He uncertainly picked up the gun by the barrel with his fingertips, eyed it, and raised his brows.
“Welcome to the sticks, Professor,” he muttered softly and carried it with him as if it would explode.
Jacey exhaled deeply, leaned on Maxwell, and shut her eyes. When she opened her eyes, they were already driving up the dirt lane. Both girls were chattering nervously. Jacey held her pounding head then looked out the window and saw headlights coming at them. Colored lights flashed on the vehicle’s roof. Jacey slowly turned her head and looked at Maxwell, who held her. He was talking to her, but she didn’t understand his words. She rested her head on his shoulder and shut her eyes to the barely audible conversation.
†
Once in the institution lounge, Doc and Timon fussed over Jacey where she sat on the old, worn sofa despite her insistence that she was fine. As she held ice to her head, she couldn’t understand their continuous questions on how she felt. Sheriff Monroe sat on the coffee table across from Jacey and studied her a long moment in silence. She was so busy telling the guys she was okay that she hadn’t even noticed Sheriff Monroe quietly sitting before her. She wasn’t sure how long he’d been sitting there, although she really wasn’t sure how she even got to the institution. It was hard to concentrate with the walls breathing as they were.
“You didn’t actually see anyone?” Monroe finally asked.
Jacey slowly shook her head. “I was so startled by someone at the door that I ran upstairs to the girls,” she informed him. “It wasn’t until I was upstairs that we heard the glass on the door breaking.” She gave him an odd look. “You know, Timon, I don’t think Sheriff Monroe would appreciate you wearing his uniform.”
Monroe studied her and raised a curious brow. He glanced at Doc in silent question.
Doc shrugged. “She called me dad twice.”
Monroe gently cleared his throat and focused his attention on Jacey. “Well, Deputy Jameson tells me nothing was taken that he could tell,” he informed her. “Your friends’ arrival may have scared him off.” He studied her a long moment and eyed the ice pack she held to her head. “Are you sure you don’t want me to call Dr. Talbert to have a look at you?”
Jacey snorted a laugh and glanced around the room. “I’m already up to my elbows in doctors, Uncle Russell. I don’t think there’s room for one more.”
“At least your sense of humor is still intact,” he replied and offered a tiny grin. “Jameson is going to patrol your place a while longer, and we’re having someone board up that broken window on the door for you. I don’t think you should return home tonight.”
“Under the circumstances,” Doc announced firmly, “I think she should remain here overnight for observation. I’ll have Professor lock the gates behind you. She’ll be safe here.”
Monroe smiled and nodded.
†
It was only a few minutes after Sheriff Monroe left when Professor returned from locking the main gate and the doors. He entered the lounge where Jacey and the girls were beginning to relax after their scare. Brian seemed to be the only one missing. Jacey couldn’t even remember if she had seen him since she arrived. Everything was fuzzy in her mind. Oddly enough, the only thing she seemed to notice was the pleasant smell of Maxwell’s aftershave lingering on her shirt. She barely remembered how it even got there.
“We’re secure,” Professor announced firmly. “No one’s getting in here tonight.”
Jacey lifted her head and her mouth opened slightly. She wanted to speak but her head was pounding now, leaving her feeling dizzy and oddly confused. A moment passed, and she finally remembered what she wanted to say.
“Where’s Brian? Has anyone seen him?” she asked nervously, only now remembering he’d never shown.
All four men stared at her with the same blank expression. Professor finally smiled and gently scratched his temple.
“Well, you know, Brian,” Professor said mildly. “He probably stopped somewhere and lost track of time. I wouldn’t worry too much.” He then clapped his hands together, startling everyone, and looked at Monique and Coleen. “How’d you girls like to come to the kitchen for some ice cream?”
Both girls gladly joined Professor.
Jacey sighed while clutching her head. “I suppose I’ve watched too many horror movies, but I’m just worried that something happened to him. I mean,” she said and inhaled deeply, again smelling Maxwell’s wonderful scent on her, “he was coming to the house, never showed, and then we’re attacked. It’s just odd.”
Timon walked to the window and looked out. “There he is,” he said then sighed. “I suppose I should unlock the gate for him.”
“He has a key,” Doc said lowly. “I’ll arrange rooms for our guests.”
Jacey watched Doc straighten and leave the lounge. She caught the look Timon and Maxwell exchanged. Neither man said a word. Maxwell joined Jacey on the sofa and checked the bump on her head. She glanced at him briefly and marveled at his bedside manner. Maybe it was just the concussion or that marvelous smell, but he suddenly seemed amazingly handsome at that moment. He returned the ice pack to her head and offered a tiny smile.
“Someone’s going to have one hell of a hangover tomorrow,” he teased.
Jacey stared at him and grinned at how cute he was. “You smell good,” she announced, surprising him.
Timon stood by the large window and slowly turned his head to stare at her. His mouth opened slightly from the comment. Maxwell smiled, snorted a laugh, and turned away with embarrassment.
“I guess Doc gave you the good painkillers,” Maxwell teased.
Timon snickered softly. The front door was unlocked and opened. Brian hurried into the room, looked around, and paused when he saw Jacey.
“There you are,” he exclaimed. “I went to your house. The glass on the door was broken. What happened?”
Timon walked toward Brian with a cold look on his face. His eyes were narrow and harsh. “Very rude of you not to phone and tell us where you were,” he snorted. “We thought you were dead.” His harsh voice indicated there was something more than concern behind his comment.
Brian appeared a bit puzzled. “I was talking with Deputy Jameson about the murder of that woman. We talked a little longer than I anticipated.”
Jacey’s disorientation was lifting and something didn’t make sense. “Deputy Jameson? Were you with him the entire evening?”
“Until half an hour ago. That’s when I went to your house,” he replied. “That’s why I was late. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Jacey’s eyes narrowed to his lie. “Yeah, everything’s fine,” she scoffed. “I just had some trouble with a break-in.”
She knew Jameson had been at her house earlier, so Brian couldn’t have been with him. Both Maxwell and Timon listened to the conversation but didn’t comment. Maxwell appeared uncomfortable then stood and approached Doc’s medical kit. He returned items to the kit but appeared to listen with interest to the ensuing conversation.
“At least you’re alright,” Brian announced in a soothing tone and appeared sympathetic. “I was worried when I saw the kitchen door and found no one home.” He approached the sofa and sat extremely close to her. “I’m glad you’re okay. I would’ve felt terrible if something happened to you.”
Timon grunted lowly. “I need a drink.”
He left the room as Angela entered with coffee for everyone. Jacey stood with some dizziness and attempted to put some distance between her and Brian. Maxwell saw her sway and twitched as if debating whether or not to rush to her side.
“I’ve had a trying day followed by an appalling evening,” Jacey remarked lowly. “I think I’d like to just get some sleep.”
Brian sprang to his feet to assist her. Jacey ignored him, held her head, and stumbled toward Maxwell.
“Would you mind walking me to my room?” she asked gently.
Angela’s eyes narrowed at Maxwell and snorted her disapproval.
“Of course,” Maxwell announced with a tiny smile, apparently not noticing the look he received from Angela.
As she clung to his arm, he walked with her from the room and guided her toward the stairs. Jacey walked up the stairs while clinging to Maxwell then finally looked at him. Oddly enough, she didn’t remember how she ended up walking with him or where they were even going.
“Why did you and Professor come to my house tonight?” she asked.
“When you called and said Brian didn’t show, we thought we should come for you,” Maxwell gently informed her, although he seemed to be leaving something out of his story. “We were concerned about leaving the three of you alone after what happened in town. It seems we had good reason to be worried.”
She sighed and stared down the long hallway on the second floor. She marveled at how big her house suddenly seemed. “I find it odd someone would try to rob the house while we were awake. We had half the lights on.”
“Perhaps someone is upset that you’re writing that article for the paper,” he announced. “Roseanne’s death has the town in a tizzy.”
“Brenda’s working on an article too, so I’ve heard,” Jacey replied. “No one’s gone after her.”
“Forgive me, but that woman has a little too much air in her head to write a meaningful story,” Maxwell announced then immediately silenced.
Jacey looked at him and appeared surprised. “You met Brenda? When?”
Maxwell fidgeted and appeared uncomfortable. He attempted a smile. “Well, she, uh, sort of stopped by this evening.”
Jacey rolled her eyes. “Oh, so that’s why no one was worried about Brian. He made a little side trip to do an interview with Brenda, huh?” She snorted a laugh. “Or just do Brenda?”
Maxwell fidgeted.
“You don’t have to spare my feelings about Brian,” she informed him. “He pursued me; not the other way around. I have zero interest in him.”
Maxwell glanced at her, offered a tiny smile, and shrugged. “In that case, he’s a whore.”
She suddenly eyed him and had to keep from laughing. “Wow, that’s pretty bold coming from you. A little out of character.”
“Considering your memory loss, you probably won’t remember this conversation in the morning. I can afford to be bold.”
“Oh? Well, in that case,” she announced with a tiny grin. “I’m a virgin.”
Maxwell stared at her with some surprise and tilted his head. A tiny smile crossed his face while hiding his humor. “I think you completely misunderstood the concept of your memory loss.”
Chapter Eighteen
Professor drove Jacey and the girls back to her house early the next morning. It was already planned that he would come that afternoon to go riding with them before the party. During their drive, Professor invited Monique and Coleen to the institution gala. They just smiled but didn’t respond. That they didn’t jump at the chance to attend the party at Professor’s request was almost odd, in Jacey’s opinion. As the white van drove along the dirt road and away from the house, both girls looked at Jacey.
“I think I speak for both Coleen and myself when I say you’re not getting us to wear dresses,” Monique announced firmly. “Not for a party and not even for Professor.”
Coleen nodded in agreement.
Jacey finally understood their reluctance to attend the party. She managed a smile and laughed softly. “I understand. I’m not much for dresses myself. I certainly wasn’t at your age.” She considered her options then inhaled deeply and sighed. “I suppose I’ll have to borrow a dress from Shelly.” She looked back at the girls. “I’m not leaving you alone tonight. I’ll see if Shelly will stay with you until I return.”
Both girls frowned their disapproval. “We don’t need a baby-sitter,” Coleen whined.
“Yeah, we can take care of ourselves for one evening,” Monique agreed. “Jameson said the break-in was probably just an isolated incident.”
Jacey rolled her eyes and groaned, not wanting to be reminded. “I still don’t want to leave you alone--especially here.”
Monique wrinkled her nose. “Do we have to go to Shelly’s apartment above the press? There’s nothing to do there.”
“Maybe Jameson could stay with us,” Coleen
suggested.
“Yeah, I bet he likes watching movies and eating junk food,” Monique announced. “Wouldn’t need more protection than a country cop.”
“Unfortunately, Jameson’s on duty until eight o’clock, and then he’s going to the institution to patrol the area,” Jacey said simply. “Word has it that Jill is forming a protest.”
“How special,” Monique muttered under her breath.
“Why don’t you two feed the horses, and I’ll call Shelly about the dress and her coming to stay with you,” Jacey suggested. “We’ll go to town this afternoon for lunch before your ride. I don’t think the fair was canceled, so you can play some more games while I take care of things with Shelly.”
Both girls nodded.
“Just as long as we’re back before two o’clock for our ride with Professor,” Monique announced.
“We’ll be back in time,” Jacey assured them. “I wouldn’t want to keep you girls from your date.”
Both girls snickered in response.
†
It was late morning. Jacey entered her mother’s bedroom and poked through the assortment of dresses in the closet. As she suspected, her mother didn’t have anything she would consider wearing. She picked up the phone on the bedside table and called Shelly. She looked out the window from her mother’s bedroom to the barn where the girls were washing their horses.
“Shelly?” she announced into the phone. “Hey, it’s Jacey.”
“Jacey,” Shelly chirped back through the phone. “Do you have my article?”
“Yeah, I’m going to drop it off this afternoon,” she announced then hesitated. “I was hoping you had a dress I could borrow for the party tonight.”
There was an odd silence from the other end. “Uh, yeah,” Shelly announced. “I have plenty of dresses, but I’m not sure any will actually fit you.”
“I think we’re around the same size,” Jacey informed her. “I’m sure something will fit.”
“Yes, I’m sure they’ll fit,” Shelly replied from the other end. “But you might be popping out a little more than you’d like.”
Deadly Institution Page 14
