Deadly Institution

by Holly Copella

  “State of mind?” Coleen gasped as her eyes widened.

  Jameson nodded as he frowned. “Our theory is that Asher murdered his wife in a jealous fit of rage over an affair she’d been having, although we don’t know the man’s identity. I’m afraid Jacey might be his next victim.”

  “But he adores Jacey,” Monique protested with a look of concern in her eyes.

  “Exactly,” Jameson snapped. “And she’s interested in someone else.”

  “Do you suppose Roseanne was blackmailing Asher, and that’s why he killed her?” Monique suddenly asked.

  Jameson was momentarily stunned. “Blackmail? How did you know she was blackmailing him?”

  Monique produced the letter. Jameson looked at it then looked at the paper in the plastic bag.

  “A little more complicated than I’d feared,” Jameson said softly. “Can I keep this as evidence?”

  Monique nodded and appeared embarrassed. “Sorry we didn’t give it to you sooner.”

  “Where did you get this?” he then asked.

  “It must’ve fallen out of one of the boxes we helped Dr. Talbert carry from Roseanne’s apartment,” Monique replied.

  “Show him the drawing,” Coleen announced.

  “Later,” Monique informed her friend. “We have to get back to Professor.” She looked at Jameson and his puzzled expression.

  “What drawing? Does it have something to do with the murder?” he asked with concern.

  “We’ll show it to you later,” Monique informed him. “You’ll call the paramedics for Professor, right?”

  He nodded. “Whatever evidence you girls have, I suggest you keep it to yourselves until I have a look at it.”

  They nodded.

  †

  Monique and Coleen galloped along the untraveled, dirt road and skidded to a stop near the steep path. It was now seven o’clock and thirty minutes had passed since Professor was trapped under the tree. They carefully rode down the path one at a time and approached the fallen tree. Both stared blankly. Professor was gone! They looked around with concern.

  “Professor,” both called nervously.

  There was no response. They spun their horses around several times while looking around the surrounding woods.

  “Where is he?” Monique demanded to know.

  “He couldn’t have gotten far,” Coleen commented. “His leg was injured.”

  “We’ll go back to Jacey’s,” Monique announced with wide, fearful eyes. “He’ll probably return there for the van. You take the main road, and I’ll take the mining road.”

  “The paramedics will be here soon. Shouldn’t we wait?”

  “I’m not waiting around,” Monique practically shouted then galloped toward the slope and raced up it.

  Coleen turned her horse in a circle then looked toward the dirt road that led to the main road. She took a deep breath then galloped in that direction. Monique rode along the old mining road. There was another path that led to the main road as well, but she rode in the direction of Jacey’s farm. Within twenty minutes, she appeared on Jacey’s property. She’d made good time, having galloped almost the entire way. She galloped alongside the fence and saw the white van was still parked before the house. Professor’s horse grazed in the yard near the house. She pulled her horse to a sliding halt just near the house and practically dived off. Monique ran onto the porch and into the house.

  “Professor,” she called out as ran through the empty kitchen and into the living room. She looked around with some confusion. “Shelly?” There was no response.

  Monique hurried back through the kitchen and looked out the crudely patched window on the door. Shelly’s car and an unfamiliar motorcycle were parked in the driveway. Her brows knitted with confusion. There was a creak from upstairs. Monique’s head snapped upward, and she stared at the ceiling a moment. She approached the stairs and cautiously walked up them. There was a loud clunk from one of the bedrooms. Monique stopped near the top of the stairs and held her breath while staring down the small hallway. She stepped into the hallway and crept along it, looking into the open bedroom to her right. She approached the closed bedroom door on her left. The door opened, and Shelly hustled into the hallway while buttoning her shirt. Monique jumped and let out a startled scream along with Shelly.

  “Don’t do that,” Monique cried out.

  “I wasn’t expecting you to be sneaking around the hallway,” Shelly replied.

  “If you would’ve answered me, I wouldn’t have been sneaking,” Monique snapped back. “Did you see the man we went riding with? His horse is back, but he’s not here.”

  Shelly nervously raked her fingers through her slightly mussed hair. “No, I haven’t seen anyone since Jacey left. Where’s Coleen?”

  “She’s coming back by the main road. We can’t find Professor,” she announced. “He was injured, but now he’s missing. I’d better call the institution.”

  Shelly shook her head. “It’s no use,” she remarked. “I tried calling the institution, and I got an answering machine. I guess they’re not answering the phone tonight.”

  “We have to search for Professor,” Monique informed her. “Could you call the hospitals and see if someone took him there?”

  Shelly nodded. “I suggest you stay put now. I don’t want Jacey thinking I let you girls run all over the place.”

  “We will,” Monique announced. “Just as soon as we find Professor.” She turned and hurried down the stairs.

  Monique ran through the kitchen and onto the porch. Coleen galloped along the dirt driveway and slowed as she neared the house. “Is he here?” Coleen asked.

  “No,” Monique replied and ran to her horse. She mounted with ease. “I think we should take another look around the woods. Shelly’s going to call the hospitals and see if someone picked him up along the road.”

  “Maybe Jameson found him and took him to the hospital,” Coleen suggested. “It’s going to be dark soon.”

  “I know,” Monique said with concern. “So we’d better hurry. We can’t call the institution. They must’ve turned the ringer off for the party. We’ll have to ride out there and see if Professor called or turned up there. We’ll call Shelly from the institution and let her know where we are.”

  “Jameson said he was going there too,” Coleen remarked. “He was going to arrest Asher. You don’t really think Asher would hurt Jacey, do you?”

  “Certainly not at a party,” Monique informed her. “Besides, I’m sure Jameson has him in custody already.”

  They galloped toward the barn and turned onto a path that would eventually lead them to the institution.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Jacey sipped her champagne and appeared bored while looking around the ballroom filled with well-dressed men and women of obvious wealth. It was now 7:30 P.M. Asher was almost ninety minutes late. It wasn’t like him to be late for anything. She hoped he didn’t run into traffic driving to the city for his tuxedo. She remained with Angela, who talked endlessly and mostly insulted Jacey and her town. It was almost torturous being stuck with the insufferable woman. She found herself daydreaming and watching others seemingly having a good time. Dr. Talbert looked proud as he escorted young widow Glease through the crowded room. He wasn’t lying when he said she was the most attractive widow in town. Widow Glease was a thirty-something, strawberry blonde with the largest green eyes. The longer Jacey stared, the more she wondered if the young widow wore colored contacts. No one’s eyes could be that shade of emerald green. Jacey suddenly realized Angela was still droning on about the dregs of Stony Ridge.

  “I mean, it’s nothing personal against you,” Angela announced in a casual tone. “You can’t help that you were raised in an intellectually inferior town.” She then smiled with a look of pity. “I’d hate to see you embarrass yourself when everyone starts talking above you.”

  Jacey held the glass to her lips and glared at the woman before her. She contained her comment, sipped her champagne, and then
lowered the glass while straightening proudly.

  “I think I’ll manage just fine. Fortunately for me, Brian and Timon are kind enough to help with the formalities of dealing with the snobs of society,” she hissed and wondered if Angela got her subtle hint.

  Angela cocked her head to one side. “I’d like to speak to you about that.” She then smiled in a chastising manner. “Those two are only after one thing, Jacey, and it’s certainly not your sense of humor.”

  Jacey’s eyes narrowed as her hostility rose. She was about to let this woman have it, when Maxwell approached Angela from behind and smiled charmingly at both.

  “How are you two getting along?” he asked pleasantly to either even though he mostly stared at Jacey.

  Angela looked back at him and flashed a fake smile. “We’re getting along just fine,” she announced cheerfully. “Was the mayor impressed with you?”

  “If I understood people, I’d be a psychiatrist,” Maxwell replied with a timid smile. His eyes again strayed to Jacey, possibly noticing her cleavage, and then looked back at Angela. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to introduce Jacey to some of our investors.”

  Angela flashed a humored smile. “Sure,” she replied. “That should be entertaining.”

  Maxwell smiled at Jacey and extended his hand to her. Jacey held her breath, forced a smile, and accepted his hand. He led her across the room to a small group of men. Angela glided behind them with a sly grin plastered on her face. Jacey could hear her snickering the entire way. She was introduced to four of the men, who appeared pleased to meet her--or so they claimed. Their smiles appeared genuine enough. Mayor Howard Norad was with the four men. Jacey had very little interaction with the mayor of Stony Ridge over the years. She knew him by sight, but he didn’t appear to recognize her. As he talked to her, she was certain he didn’t know she was a resident of Stony Ridge. He treated her like one of the wealthy investor guests. It was almost laughable. The men asked Jacey about her occupation. She was slightly embarrassed to admit she wasn’t a professional of any kind. They didn’t seem to care and included her all the same. Their interest in her despite her non-professional status irritated Angela. The conversation strayed to investments and stocks, involving everyone except Jacey. She shifted nervously from foot to foot and wished she could crawl into the woodwork. Jacey had almost zero knowledge of stocks and investments, probably because she only made enough money between the library and press to clear expenses. She was horse broke. Caring for that many horses wasn’t cheap and training them for resale was a long process with small rewards.

  “Do you invest, Jacey?” Angela asked slyly in an obvious attempt to embarrass her.

  Maxwell’s eyes fixated on Angela and gave her a look of disapproval. Angela was getting some sick pleasure out of embarrassing her, and she would continue all evening if allowed. It became apparent to Jacey; she’d be leaving early. A hand touched Jacey’s waist, startling her.

  “Jacey’s far too sensible to play that little game of Russian roulette,” came Asher’s calm voice.

  Jacey looked at the man who stood beside her and smiled with relief. Asher had finally arrived, and she felt better already. The four investors laughed. Howard glared at Asher and frowned in response. Asher looked at Howard and smiled almost pleasantly, but it was obvious there was some animosity between them.

  “Wish I hadn’t gotten started myself,” one man replied while shaking his head.

  “And who are you, sir?” the second man asked.

  “Allow me to introduce Konrad Asher,” Maxwell announced with a broad smile.

  He then introduced the other men to Asher, and they politely shook hands. Howard made a hasty departure during the introductions. Asher seemed to mold into one of the high society men, never forgetting his calm demeanor. His smile was confident yet defensive. Jacey marveled at the way Asher handled himself around perfect strangers. She’d never really seen that side of him. She’d heard about his charm before he became the infamous legend she’d come to know. His presence was commanding and yet endearing. He was a hit!

  “Are you gentlemen from New York?” Asher questioned with a slightly raised brow.

  One laughed. “Yes, how did you know?”

  “Your suits are from La Mount,” Asher explained. “I recognize the fabric and the style of buttons. A very exquisite tailor. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him personally.”

  The men appeared to marvel at his associations. Brenda noticed Asher from across the room, and without warning, walked away from Brian to get closer to the infamous legend. Brian noticed her departure and hurried after her. Jacey noted Brenda’s curiosity regarding Asher but refused to acknowledge her. Asher placed his arm securely around Jacey and smiled pleasantly at her.

  “Have these men treated you well, my dear?” he asked.

  Jacey nodded and hugged him for security. The look on Brenda’s face was priceless. She obviously saw the interview of a lifetime for their little town and appeared jealous that it was one interview which Jacey would have exclusive rights.

  “Returning to the institution must be difficult for you,” Brenda said to Asher as she fished for a story. “What do you think of the changes?”

  Asher glanced at Brenda, raised a sly brow, and smirked. “I don’t have an opinion,” he informed her then returned his attention to Jacey. “Remind me to give you those notes for my memoirs, darling. That book of ours isn’t going to write itself.”

  Jacey stared into Asher’s eyes and tried not to laugh. She put on her best serious face and nodded. “Of course. We can work on that this weekend.”

  Asher turned to the men surrounding him. “Jacey’s a journalist for our local rag sheet,” he boasted. “I’m sure she’s going to have some brilliant articles on the institution’s transformation and tonight’s gala. You may want to be careful what you say around her, she’s liable to print it.”

  The men laughed and suddenly focused their attention on Jacey. She had several questions about journalism thrown at her. Brenda sneered and walked away. Brian realized she’d walked away and hurried after her. As Jacey answered their questions without faltering, she secretly gloated over Brenda’s sudden departure.

  One of the men noticed Asher’s cane. “What an exquisite walking stick,” he marveled.

  Asher held it up for the man to examine. “It was a gift from a fellow I’d assisted while overseas.”

  “It’s a fabulous likeness to Duke Winslow’s cane,” the man remarked.

  “It’s not a replica, it’s the real thing,” Maxwell informed them.

  Asher lowered the cane and smirked. “I don’t believe I know any royalty.”

  “It’s possible you don’t,” Maxwell replied simply. “I did some research on your cane. It has quite a history.”

  Asher stared at Maxwell a long moment. Neither man said a word, though Maxwell seemed pleased with himself. It seemed as if Asher wasn’t interested in what Maxwell had discovered. He looked at Jacey and swiftly changed the subject.

  “Would you care to dance?” he asked warmly.

  “If your ankle’s up to it,” she replied.

  He extended his cane to Maxwell. “Kindly hold this for me, so I may dance with the lovely young lady.”

  Asher’s limp was better as they approached the dance floor for the slow song. Jacey could tell he was having some discomfort from the movement, but he smiled all the same. Derek glared at them as they passed. Asher either hadn’t noticed or didn’t care. Jacey stared back at Derek and cursed him with her eyes. Asher gently pulled her into his arms and slow danced with her.

  “You look beautiful,” Asher said with a dashing smile and held her near him for the slow song.

  “You don’t look half bad yourself,” she teased warmly.

  He laughed softly then appeared more serious. “Nervous?”

  “A little,” she said with a soft sigh then smiled lightly. “I feel better now that you’re here. Between Angela and Brenda, I was being eaten alive. If I w
ouldn’t have been dressed like such a lady, I probably would’ve knocked both on their asses.”

  Asher chuckled softly and gently brushed the stray lock of hair from her brow. “Don’t give them a second thought. I’ll take care of the shrews,” he announced cheerfully. “You just enjoy yourself.”

  She sighed deeply. “That’s difficult to do that when you don’t understand what anyone’s talking about.”

  “There’s more than one way to answer a question,” he casually replied. “If you think about it, you don’t even have to give the right answer. Evasiveness can be your best friend. I should know.”

  “I’ll try to remember that,” she said and placed her head on his shoulder.

  “It just occurred to me,” he said firmly almost alarming her. She lifted her head and met his gaze. He smiled warmly. “We’ve never danced together before.”

  Jacey smiled and returned her head to his shoulder. “I haven’t danced ever.”

  Asher laughed softly. “You’re doing fine. In fact, I think you’re ready to dance with our young Dr. Alvord.”

  Jacey lifted her head and looked into Asher’s eyes. She smiled with some embarrassment. “Don’t even think it,” she scolded. “I don’t need you throwing me at him. Angela has it out for me as it is.”

  Asher grinned then suddenly limped harshly and stopped dancing. Jacey took a step back and saw him clutch his leg and motion for Maxwell. Maxwell approached with his cane.

  “Are you alright?” Maxwell asked with some concern.

  “Yes, I’ll be fine,” Asher announced and took his cane. “You’d better finish this dance for me.” With that, Asher dramatically limped away.

  Jacey stared after him with her mouth hanging open. Oddly enough, his limp mysteriously got better as he disappeared into the crowd. She couldn’t believe he played her like that! Jacey caught a glimpse of Angela in the crowd. She was staring at Jacey and Maxwell through piercing, squinted eyes. Jacey looked back at Maxwell and smiled with some embarrassment.