Both girls looked at each other. Coleen flipped through the book. In the very center of the book, there were three instant photos and a small drawing on a scrap piece of paper. It looked like a drawing of the institution. Both studied it carefully.
“It’s the institution,” Monique announced.
Coleen squinted. “How can you tell?”
“All the rooms are setup like at the institution,” she announced. “Where else in this town is there a building with that many rooms?”
“If it is, it’s just the main building. But according to this, there’s another room somewhere in the basement,” Coleen replied. “We were never shown the basement.”
“Maybe they’re hiding something.”
Coleen glared at Monique. “Who? Professor? You can’t be serious.”
“You never know,” Monique announced with distrust. “I think we should investigate the basement.”
Coleen’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding?”
“No, I’m always serious,” Monique replied simply. She then studied the photos of a hospital surgical room. “Wonder what these have to do with anything?”
“Probably just photos she stuck in the book,” Coleen said and carelessly tossed them into the box on top of the books.
A car was heard just outside the apartment. Monique stuck the envelope and paper into her back pocket. Dr. Talbert walked into the apartment and approached them in the living room while wearing a pleased smile.
“Looks like you girls have been busy,” he announced and eyed the box containing books. “You can take the lighter ones. I’ll take the heavier ones.”
Coleen attempted to lift the box containing the books and immediately groaned. Dr. Talbert chuckled and easily picked up the box.
“There are lighter ones in the kitchen,” he announced then left with the box of books.
Both girls entered the kitchen and searched for lighter boxes to carry.
“Maybe we should’ve kept those photos,” Monique remarked while appearing deep in thought. “They might mean something.”
“We can still pull them out,” Coleen announced.
Monique nodded. Each girl grabbed a box and hurried out after Dr. Talbert. Dr. Talbert shoved the box of books toward the front of the cargo area and headed back into the house for more. Monique crawled into the back of the station wagon, placed their boxes next to the box of books, and grabbed the photos. She closed the box’s flaps then crawled back out. She grinned, pleased with herself.
“Got them.”
She placed them in her other back pocket then returned to the apartment with Coleen.
†
Shelly walked down the back stairs into the press with Jacey in tow. Jacey couldn’t believe how many beautiful dresses Shelly owned and not one would keep her breasts contained. She didn’t realize either how small Shelly’s bust was or how big her own breasts really were. Either way, it was disheartening. She still had nothing to wear for the party. She didn’t feel things could get any worse. As they crossed the press, Jacey saw Brenda casually leaning on the front desk while scanning a paper in her hand. Jacey suddenly frowned. She was wrong; things just got worse. Brenda saw them approaching and immediately grinned deviously. Oddly enough, Shelly frowned in unison with Jacey. It was becoming obvious that Shelly no longer cared for her lead reporter either.
“I have that article for you,” Brenda announced cheerfully to Shelly while seductively waving the paper.
Shelly smirked and took the paper from her. She set it down without even reading it. “I’m sure it’s great.”
“Naturally,” Brenda remarked while casting a glance at Jacey. “I had a front row seat for the unveiling of Roseanne’s murder.” Her eyes swept over Jacey and almost mocked her. “Where were you when the second biggest story in this town broke?”
She glared at Brenda, held back her comment, and then looked at Shelly. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Jacey walked across the press and headed out the front door. She stepped onto the porch with a depressed sigh and looked around the now congested streets. Monique and Coleen were nowhere to be found. She looked at her watch and frowned. It was nearly one o’clock. She walked across the street to the general store. All five women from Jill’s group stood outside the store and leered at something with great interest. Their mouths were in motion, though Jacey wasn’t close enough to hear about what they were gossiping. She was sure she didn’t care either. She looked toward the police station down the street, where their attention seemed to be focused, and saw Asher just outside Town Hall. Asher almost never came to town. Something must have happened! She was suddenly concerned and hurried along the sidewalk toward the building. At the same time, the five gossiping women approached through the crowd and the rows of vendors. Asher walked down the steps of the building while being escorted by Sheriff Monroe. The chatter could be heard from more than just Jill’s group. Asher paused on the bottom step of the building near the sidewalk and observed the small crowd.
“My adoring public,” he announced with a mocking smile and gave his best royal queen wave above his head.
“Okay, break it up,” Monroe announced firmly while walking down the last step and forced the crowd to disperse.
Asher walked behind Monroe and paused when he saw Jacey. A slight smile crossed his face. He raised his finger to his brow and gave her a tiny, secret wave then continued toward the police car. Jacey ran for him. Monroe turned and put his hand up for her to stay back. Jacey instinctively stopped.
“It’s okay,” Asher said softly to Monroe. He then turned toward her, smiled, and casually looked around the crowd that still remained present but from farther away. “Everything’s okay,” he said softly so no one would hear. “I’ll call you when I get home.”
Asher attempted to turn toward the police car when Jacey grabbed his arm. Locals were heard gasping. He turned to face her with some surprise.
“I don’t care if everyone knows we’re friends,” Jacey said firmly. “What’s going on? Why are you here?”
Asher shifted uncomfortably, looked around at the people staring at them while whispering, and then looked back at Jacey. “Someone broke into my house. I came home and found the glass on the sunroom door broken. Nothing seemed to be missing, but I thought I should report it anyway.”
“Why the escort?” she asked with some concern.
Asher nodded toward Monroe, who now yelled at the collection of people. “He feared I might be mobbed. These people think I’ve killed Roseanne. It’s as if we’re living in the Dark Ages all over again. I’m surprised they aren’t carrying torches and pitchforks.”
Jacey wondered why someone would break into Asher’s home. Most people in town feared him too much to even drive past his house, let alone attempt to enter it. She wondered if there was a more sinister reason. She was almost convinced someone was attempting to frame him.
“Maybe you should keep watch for things added to your house rather than things removed,” she said softly under her breath.
Asher’s head cocked slightly and his brows raised. “You are a clever girl,” he said with an odd smile across his face. His look told her he’d already thought of that. “I’ll call you later to discuss when I should pick you up.”
Jacey suddenly frowned. “At the last minute,” she pouted. “I still don’t have anything to wear. I’ll probably have to wear one of my mother’s flapper dresses.”
Asher stared at her a moment then smiled warmly. “Come to my house. I think you’ll like what I have for you.”
Jacey nodded with some confusion. “Okay. I’ll stop by when Professor comes out to ride with the girls.”
Asher smiled warmly at her then walked with Monroe to his awaiting police cruiser. Derek Falcone suddenly appeared alongside Jacey, startling her. His stare was creepy.
“Interesting company you’ve been keeping,” he announced sternly. “Better watch yourself. Some men kill the women they love.”
She gave him
a quick once over, not about to be intimidated by a short-order cook. “Is that a threat or a confession?” Jacey asked while casually tilting her head. She wondered why she couldn’t have been as confrontational with Brenda.
“You think you know that man?” Derek demanded. “You don’t know anything about him. No one does.”
“Go away,” she scoffed and turned to leave.
Derek suddenly grabbed her arm, startling her. She glared at him with surprise. His look was mildly psychotic. “You’re going to regret knowing him.”
She attempted to pull her arm free, but he wouldn’t release it while staring into her eyes. His wrist was suddenly grabbed and his arm was twisted behind his back. Asher slammed Derek over the hood of a nearby car with a loud crack, causing the crowd of mostly locals to gasp. Asher leaned over Derek where he held him pinned face first over the car hood and spoke low in his ear.
“Fucking touch her again, and I’ll--”
“Asher,” Jacey scolded softly.
Asher didn’t move or take his eyes off Derek only inches from his face. He suddenly sneered, released him, and took a step back. Everyone was staring at him. Asher briefly glanced at the crowd and smiled deviously.
“Is everyone happy now?” he casually announced while making eye contact with several people, including Jill.
The locals immediately scattered, including Jill and her followers. Derek cast a glare at Asher then hurried along the blocked off street. Asher frowned and looked at Jacey, who stared at him with a disapproving glare.
“Please don’t look at me like that, my dear,” he replied while offering a tiny smile. “Once a wolf; always a wolf.”
Sheriff Monroe stood several feet away, glared at Asher, and folded his arms across his chest. Asher glanced back at Monroe then looked at Jacey.
“I guess that’s my cue to leave,” Asher announced. “I should go while he’s still asking nicely.” He appeared oddly timid. “Are we still on for tonight?”
Jacey groaned softly and shook her head. “Of course,” she replied with defeat in her voice. “Go on; go home.”
Asher smiled at her then joined Monroe near the police cruiser. She watched him climb into the passenger side of the police car. Monroe drove him along the busy, blocked streets to the area outside town where Asher must’ve parked. Jacey stared a moment longer and smiled secretly to herself. It must’ve been one hell of a sight. She wished she could’ve seen him parade along the street in his usual arrogant manner, giving the hens something to cluck about. Jill hadn’t seen Asher in years, so it must’ve been a real treat for her. Monique and Coleen hurried through the crowd from the direction of the cannon in the center of town and ran for Jacey.
“Did we miss something?” Monique quickly asked.
“What’s everyone staring at?” Coleen chirped.
Chapter Twenty
Jacey followed Asher along the hallway in his house and into his bedroom. It was after 2:00 P.M., and she had left Monique and Coleen in Professor’s hands for their afternoon ride. As he approached the closet, she stopped within the doorway and looked around. She’d never actually been in his bedroom before. It was decorated tastefully with antique furniture made of rich wood and surprisingly colorful material in varying shades of burgundy and gold. The room’s close resemblance to a castle chamber was startling. Asher removed a dress and turned to face her. She stared at the expensive, elegant black evening dress Asher held proudly while grinning. Jacey met his smile and appeared astonished. The dress must have cost a fortune. She suddenly felt subconscious.
“Are you sure you don’t mind if I borrow it?” Jacey asked timidly.
“Mind?” Asher chuckled softly in his throat. “I want you to wear it. It was Katie’s favorite dress.” He smiled with some embarrassment. “Well, perhaps it was my favorite dress, and she just wore it to appease me. You’d better try it on. We haven’t long before we should be leaving for the party.”
Jacey nodded, took the dress, and watched as Asher quietly slipped from the bedroom. She changed into the dress and looked at herself in the full-length mirror. It fit almost perfectly. It was an off the shoulder evening gown with a revealing neckline and a back that plunged daringly low. There was a slit up the left side that nearly reached the top of her thigh. It was extravagant and sexy to say the least. She could see why Asher loved when Katie wore it. She pulled her auburn hair from her shoulders and wondered how it would look pinned up for a formal occasion. Her eyes then strayed to a photo on the dresser in the far corner of the room. It was of Katie in the same evening dress Jacey wore. She approached the photo and studied it a long moment. She’d never realized it, but there was a resemblance between her and Katie, although Katie was a true redhead. She lifted the picture and stared at it. There was a soft tap on the door. Jacey replaced the picture and turned toward the door.
“Come in,” she announced simply.
Asher opened the bedroom door. He suddenly stopped and stared at her for a long moment without a word. He looked almost as if he’d seen a ghost. For a moment, Jacey was concerned by his silence.
He suddenly smiled and appeared pleased. “You look absolutely beautiful.”
Jacey smiled and felt the color rush to her cheeks. “Do you think so?”
He chuckled lowly. “I’m going to have my hands full keeping Dr. Alvord from seducing you away from me.”
She immediately tensed and attempted not to smile. “Will you stop with Maxwell? He’s not interested in me, and he’s seeing someone.”
“He’ll be interested tonight, I assure you,” Asher said with a sly look in his eyes. “Oh,” he injected sharply. “I almost forgot; I have the perfect jewelry to go with that dress.”
He crossed the room to the dresser and opened the top drawer. Asher removed two velvet boxes from the drawer, carelessly dropping a folded slip of paper to the floor. Jacey approached him and studied the boxes with great interest. He opened one to reveal a diamond and ruby pendant necklace with matching earrings. He proudly handed them to her.
“Katie had always wanted these,” he said gently with a tiny smile. “She had so much jewelry.” He handed her the earrings and assisted her with the necklace. They were truly elegant and obviously very expensive. Jacey put the earrings on and turned to face him with a smile. He then opened the second box and removed a diamond tennis bracelet.
“And this will complete the set.”
She stared at the brilliant, shining diamond bracelet with awe. “Might be a little much,” Jacey said with a tiny laugh.
He placed the bracelet around her wrist and smiled deviously. “You’re going to look like royalty among peasants,” he announced cheerfully and held her hand to stare at the sparkling bracelet around her wrist. His eyes then lifted to meet hers. “You’d get more use out of these than the dresser,” he said warmly. His look turned more serious. “I think you should keep them.”
Her mouth opened slightly with surprise at the offer. She didn’t want to take Katie’s jewelry. It didn’t seem right. “Asher, I couldn’t--”
“But I insist,” he announced cheerfully. “They’re doing me no good, and I’m sure Katie would’ve wanted them to go to someone special to me.”
Jacey stared into his blue eyes and couldn’t help but smile. She sometimes wondered if Asher loved her too much. And sometimes she didn’t care. She’d lost her father many years ago, and Asher was the only one who could compare.
She nodded with a warm smile. “If it makes you happy, I’ll keep them.”
“It would.” He released her hand and turned serious. “I don’t mean to rush you, but I have to pick up my tuxedo at the dry cleaners in the city. I’m going to be late as it is,” he informed her. “Perhaps we could meet at the institution, so I won’t have to stop back this way.”
“Sure,” she replied. “That’s fine. Maybe I’ll have my hair done.” She was humored at herself. “I may as well go all the way.”
“You do that,” he said with a soft laugh. “I
’ll be there with my cane to fight off all the young men.” He hesitated only a moment to look over her in the dress then smiled. “I’m going to head out right away. Lock up when you leave.”
Once Asher left the room, Jacey changed back into her everyday clothing. She noticed the stray piece of paper on the floor. She picked it up and glanced at it, hoping it wasn’t his drycleaner slip. Her head tilted and a strange feeling swept over her. It was a bill for the jewelry. A very expensive bill with yesterday’s date on it! She heard Asher’s jeep drive away. Jacey ran her fingers through her hair while staring at the jewelry receipt. Why had he lied? She uncertainly folded the receipt and stuck it in the nearby drawer. Jacey glanced at the diamond tennis bracelet around her wrist and sank into thought. Perhaps she was over thinking it. Asher was, at times, extremely generous with his wealth, and she’d turned down many offers of money in the past. It was possibly just his way of giving her something without protest. She decided to just forget about it and allow him his fun.
†
Jacey’s jeep pulled up to the institution a little after 6:00 P.M. for the exclusive party. Jacey hated being late, but it took longer at the hairdresser than she’d anticipated. She was also surprised at how many women in town were attending and decided to get their hair done at the last minute. She was actually lucky they had the time to take her in on such short notice. Jacey stepped out of her jeep and accepted the ticket from the young valet. The young man’s gaze swept over her in the expensive, black evening dress. He attempted to conceal his grin but failed. She felt a little self-conscious, not used to wearing dresses or high heels. She felt uneasy as she walked to the entrance of the institution. Her auburn hair was up in a French twist with a stray lock hanging just over her brow. Her make-up had been carefully applied by the beautician in town, using the ‘less is more’ technique. She was elegance from the top of her head to her black, strapless heels.
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