by Mia Dymond
Silence. Even the twins gave him the evil eye.
Vanessa was the first to find her voice. “Why did you keep it from us?”
“It wasn’t really intentional.”
“Cut him some slack, ladies.” Dane came to his rescue. “He almost died that day.”
Travis saw the realization in Verity’s eyes. “So you were given cherries on purpose. Somehow he found out about your allergy and tried to kill you. When that didn’t work, he decided to kill you in the fire.”
“Or both of you,” Casey added. “He must’ve known Verity was with you.”
“Where can we be safe?”
“I’ll follow you over to the Inn. You can check in there. I’ll wait outside until I can get one of my deputies to come.”
“We’ll take Annessa home with us for the night,” Dane said, herding the twins toward his car.
Annessa broke away and rushed back to Casey and gave him a kiss. “Stay safe.”
“We will,” Casey assured her.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Gathered at the Dupree house with Lexi and the twins the next morning, Verity glanced around the damaged bedroom, thankful it was the only victim in the house.
“I like black, but this is overkill,” Lexi mumbled as she scrubbed more soot from the wall.
Annessa giggled from atop a ladder where she cleaned corners. “Oh, if these walls could talk.”
Travis swatted her leg with his glove. “They wouldn’t say anything that you need to hear.”
“Right.” Annessa snorted. “Van and I heard everything anyway.”
“Yes, we did.” Vanessa grinned. “And we’ve used every word of it.”
While Dane and Maverick swung sledgehammers to break apart and tear down the damaged walls, Verity pulled on a pair of heavy work gloves, two sizes too big for her, and helped pick up the big pieces and toss them into a large container outside. She was hot and dirty, but she didn’t mind. They all worked as a team, quietly part of the time, laughing and joking at others. And not one time did anyone mention how the bedroom ended up in the condition it was in.
Verity saw a picture sitting on the dresser, untouched by the destruction. She picked it up and couldn’t help but smile. Four young boys dressed in baseball uniforms, surrounding a trophy and grinning at the camera.
Travis pointed to the picture. “I remember that day. Right after that picture was taken, we got into a fight with the other team. Dane got a black eye and I had a bloody nose.”
“What about Casey and Maverick?”
He winked at her. “They could always fight better than we could.”
“And it’s still that way.” Casey said as he entered the room, plucked Annessa off the ladder, cradled her in his arms, and kissed her. “Morning, babe.”
“You’re late.”
“And you’re not going to let me forget it, are you?”
“Nope. Just another weapon for my arsenal.”
“Lucky you.” He set her on the floor. “I got a call from the forensics lab this morning.”
Verity placed the photograph back on top of the dresser. “And?”
“The pie was laced with Strychnine.”
Verity’s stomach churned. She’d actually considered eating the dessert.
“Seriously?” Vanessa squeaked.
Casey nodded. “Unfortunately, our case has now been promoted to attempted homicide.”
“Sick bastard,” Maverick mumbled.
Verity’s heart pounded. Although she knew all along that Richard wanted to kill her, a failed attempt more or less put things clearly in perspective. “Yet we still don’t have proof.”
“Not yet, but now I have a solid reason to question anyone I feel may have information. Starting with Cindy Perry.”
“Cindy?” Lexi frowned. “Why?”
“The pie came from Sue’s Diner,” Casey explained. “I’ll double check with Sue, but I believe Cindy would’ve been the last verifiable person to touch the pie before it sold. And most likely, she sold the pie to our suspect.”
“I already asked her about that.” Verity sighed. “She told me she doesn’t remember anyone out of the ordinary purchasing a pie lately.”
“She may tell me differently. And, the picture of Danforth may jog her memory.”
“I hope so. When do you plan to question her?”
Casey lifted his wrist and glanced at his watch. “In approximately one hour. Would you and Travis like to watch behind the glass?”
“Can we do that?”
He nodded.
“Yes,” Travis answered for her. “We’ll meet you at the Sheriff’s Department in an hour.” He then turned to the rest of the bunch. “And we’ll meet the rest of you for dinner at McGill’s this evening.”
Exactly sixty minutes later, protected behind tinted glass outside the Seaside Point Sheriff’s Department’s interrogation room, Verity focused on Cindy Perry who sat at the ugly gray table on the other side, biting her fingernails.
“If she knew what I know about nail biting, she wouldn’t do it.”
“Probably not,” Travis said from beside her.
“When is Casey going in there?”
“He always lets them sit a while first. He says they tend to do more talking that way.”
“Remind me why he’s questioning Cindy. She’s not a suspect. We already know that Richard is behind all this.”
“He wants to ask her about the pie.”
Before she could clarify Travis’ response, Casey walked into the interrogation room carrying a thick file folder. He closed the door then turned his chair around and straddled it. The file made a loud thud as he hit the table with it, opened it up, and pulled out a picture. He turned it around and held it up.
“Cindy, do you know this man?”
“No.”
“Have you ever seen him before?”
“He looks vaguely familiar but I can’t place where I’ve seen him. Why?”
“We believe he’s in town and he poses a threat to Travis Dupree and Verity Thomas.”
“Really? Why would someone want to hurt them?”
“He and Dr. Thomas are previously acquainted. Did you sell him a chocolate pecan pie at Sue’s?”
She shook her head with force. “No. I’m relatively sure he’s never been in the diner. I think I saw him walking around at the Peach Festival.”
Casey folded his hands and braced his elbows on the table. “Dr. Thomas received a chocolate pecan pie laced with Strychnine and you were the last person that we can identify who touched it.”
Cindy’s eyes widened. “I would never hurt anybody. A lot of people buy those pies. I sell so many I can’t possibly remember who purchased each one.”
“I’m not accusing you of tainting the pie. I simply want to know if you remember if this suspect purchased a chocolate pecan pie from you.”
“The only pies I’ve sold other than at Sue’s were at the Festival. If he bought one, I simply don’t remember.”
“Dr. Thomas’ pie was purchased before the Festival. Look at his picture again.” He slid it across the table to her. “Are you sure you haven’t seen him at Sue’s?”
Cindy picked up the picture and studied it for a few minutes before she shook her head again. “I don’t think he’s been to Sue’s Diner, Sheriff.”
“Thanks for coming in, Cindy. I’ll give you a call if I have any further questions.”
A few minutes later, Casey joined them behind the glass. “She wasn’t much help. I need solid evidence against him and I was hoping Cindy could be a witness.”
“She looked really scared,” Verity noted.
Casey nodded. “I wanted to scare her. She’ll spread the word quickly that you two could be in danger. That should put a kink in his plans.”
“Thanks for letting us listen in.” Travis shook his friend’s hand. “We’ll see you at dinner tonight.”
Later that evening, Travis sat next to Verity in a corner table they shared with their friend
s at McGill’s and patiently waited as Blake McGill passed drinks around. “I’ll be taking your order too, seeing as though I’m short-handed tonight.”
Travis frowned. “Where’s your staff?”
“Sophie couldn’t find a babysitter, Joanna has the flu, and Cindy called in. She claimed to have had a hard day so I gave her the night off.”
Vanessa smiled. “You’re just a big ole softie.”
“Yeah, that’s me. A pile of mush.” He shook his head. “Do you guys know what you want to order? Or do you need a few minutes?”
“I think we know what we want,” Travis answered for the table. And then one by one, orders were made.
“Thanks, guys.” Blake tore the order sheet off his pad. “It shouldn’t be too long.”
Verity sighed and leaned her head on Travis’ shoulder. “I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard. Or gotten so dirty.”
“I know, right?” Annessa spread both hands in front of her. “I broke three fingernails.”
Lexi nodded. “I had dirt in places I never thought could get dirty.”
Maverick cocked an eyebrow and opened his mouth but Lexi shot out an arm and covered it with her hand. “Not one word from you.”
His friend simply nodded.
Travis stared in shock. That was a first. Maverick never gave up that easily.
Casey was quick to change the subject. “Help me out, guys. I’ve been going over and over this case all day. I’m missing something.”
Dane steepled his fingers under his chin. “Like what?”
“Danforth’s been here for days, yet we can’t find him. How is he able to escape detection? The only way I can think of is if someone is helping him and feeding him information. Also, Cindy says he didn’t buy the pie at Sue’s. So who did?”
“What about the flyers? Did anyone report any new information?” Travis took a draw from his beer and swallowed.
“No new information.” Casey shrugged. “It’s like the guy’s a ghost.”
“He seem very anxious to talk to Verity.” Dane wrapped a straw wrapper around three fingers. “Do you think that’s just a cover?”
“I thought the same thing.” Travis took Verity’s hand and threaded their fingers. “And I’m not willing to take the chance.”
“We’re not taking any chances,” Casey reiterated. “I’m so desperate to find a link that I’m about ready to run a background check on everyone in town.”
“Don’t be surprised when you read mine.” Annessa gave him one of her famous there’s-nothing-you-can-do-about-it smiles. “It’s entertaining.”
“And several pages long,” Travis added.
Blake arrived at the table with their food and conversation ceased while they ate. Although not one of them spoke a word, Travis was willing bet each and every one of them were mulling around theories in their heads. All kinds of things were floating through his mind and he wasn’t too crazy about discussing them.
Casey finally pushed back his plate. “The fire makes me nervous, Verity. I’m going to put a deputy on you, even when you’re at the clinic and with Travis.”
“I appreciate your concern, Casey, but do you really think that’s necessary? He tends to steer clear of crowds.”
“He set the house on fire.” Casey didn’t have to voice the silent duh in his sentence for Travis to hear it. “Yes, I think it’s very necessary.”
Vanessa laid her silverware on her plate and then cleared her throat. “What about Travis?”
“I’ll hang with Dupree myself.” Casey grinned. “It’ll be like old times.”
“Too much testosterone at this table,” Annessa mumbled as she tossed her napkin to the table. “Next thing you know they’ll be rehashing their glory days.”
Vanessa sighed. “Look out, Seaside Point.”
Verity giggled and squeezed Travis’ forearm. “You’re an open book.”
“Not by choice,” he muttered as he grasped the check and slid it from the table. “I’ve got this. Thanks for helping today.”
“You’re welcome, but I’m exhausted. I’m not exactly a manual labor kinda girl.” She grabbed her purse and then turned to Maverick. “Can you let me out? I’d like to go home.”
He stood and pushed the chair out of her way. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“That’s not –“
“I know, it’s not necessary.” He released a hard breath. “But I’m going to do it so just walk.”
“I’ll see you all tomorrow.” Lexi left the table with Maverick hot on her heels.
“Anybody care to make a bet?” Dane reached into his pocket.
Casey wrinkled his brow. “On what?”
“That woman will tame him.”
“I’ll take your bet.” Travis grinned and tossed a couple bills at Dane. “It’ll never happen.”
* * *
“Well, Sexy Lexi, I’d say today is your lucky day.”
She glanced at Maverick as they walked to the parking lot and stopped next to her car. “I’d ask you why, but I’m not sure I want to know.”
A shiver of something extremely close to desire crossed her spine in the momentary silence and turned to a full-fledged shake when he shot her a distinct panty-dampening smirk.
“C’mon, ask me.”
She folded her arms across her chest and cocked her head to one side in a brief time-out. As badly as she wanted today to be lucky, she knew that showing Maverick how much would be a huge mistake.
“You know you want to.”
“What makes you so sure about that?”
He placed his finger against the exposed side of her neck and slid it down toward her collarbone, pausing on top of a rapidly pulsing vein. “Your heart is beating ninety to nothing with excitement.” His eyes flashed. “But don’t wait too long or I might just not tell you what you want to know.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“Like what, exactly?”
“To hear me beg you to tell me.”
“There’s many things I’d like you to beg for.”
“Okay. Why is today my lucky day?”
“I’ve decided to become your personal bodyguard.”
“What? No.”
“Oh, yes. You’re not safe alone.”
“And how are you going to protect me? Light him on fire?”
He released a hearty laugh. “No, I put out fire.”
She bit her tongue, threatening to make it bleed if the next two sentences left her mouth. Oh yeah? What about the one blazing between us?
“Thank you Maverick, but that’s really not necessary. I’ll be fine.”
Although she fully expected a quick comeback, she didn’t receive one. Instead, his look sobered and he ran a hand over the top of his head. “Look, Lexi. I’m serious. Until this guy is caught, I’m not so sure you should be alone. I was only kidding about the personal bodyguard title but I’d really like it if you’d call me if you need to go out at night or somewhere out of the norm.”
She leaned back against her car, cautious about his change of demeanor. Was he truly concerned? Or looking for another reason to torment her? She took another quick look at him and narrowed her gaze, hoping to catch a glimpse of some sort of sign. When she didn’t find one, she relented.
“Okay,” she said finally. “I will.”
* * *
He wrung his hands as he paced the floor. Another failed attempt. Time was running out. His plan had taken a drastic turn since he’d first arrived and now he had no choice other than to get things back on track.
His cell phone rang and he simply stared as if it were a poisonous snake, tempted not to answer. But he knew better. Life as he knew it would be over if he didn’t answer the call.
He lifted the phone to his ear as he connected. “Yeah?”
“Why is she still alive?”
He took a long drag on his cigarette, grateful that he could smoke here. “The place was crawling with people, including cops.”
“You failed again? I guess it’s time for me to fix this.”
“We need to meet, face to face.”
“I can’t be seen with you. Your picture is plastered all over town.”
“I know. I’ve seen it. That makes it even harder to move around.”
“You’re making it more difficult. Just grab the bitch!”
“I need a distraction of some kind.” His feet felt heavy as she continued to pace. “I’m working on something. I may need your help.”
“You’ve only got twenty-four more hours.”
The line went dead and he tossed the phone to the side. Twenty-four hours was not much time. If he didn’t get it done before then, all hell was going to break loose and even his best plan wouldn’t do any good. This would have to be one doozy of a distraction.
CHAPTER NINE
From across his desk, Travis glared at Casey, who sat in the chair on the other side with his ankles crossed and propped on the desk. “You look mighty comfortable. Don’t you have something to do besides stare at me?”
Casey chuckled. “I’m not staring at you, bro. I’m keeping you company.”
“Yeah right. Who’s with Verity? You should be at the clinic keeping an eye on her.”
“Relax. Deputy Ruiz is with her. She’s in good hands.”
Before Travis could respond, the loudspeaker squawked.
“A bomb threat has been called in to Seaside Point Elementary School. I repeat. A bomb threat has been called in to Seaside Point Elementary School. All available units please respond.”
Travis jumped up as Casey’s cell phone went off, most likely with the same news. Maverick and Dane were sliding down the pole as he stepped into the bay and into his gear.
Casey sprinted past them. “I’ll meet you there.”
Travis smacked the door opener just before he climbed up into the cab of the ladder truck, Dane at the wheel. As the bay doors slid open, Dane flipped on the lights and sirens and then blew the horn and pulled out onto the street. “I sure hope this is a hoax.”
Travis had to agree. “Takes a real psycho to hurt all those kids.”
