“I have a suggestion. My niece just rented a new apartment in the city. She could pack up your personal things and ship them to you and in exchange, you could sell her the furniture at a discount.”
“That would be perfect. In fact, if she’ll clean the apartment after she packs up, she can just have the furniture.”
“I’m sure she’ll be delighted. Is there anything else you need before you fly out tomorrow?”
I shake my head. “No, I just want to take a long, hot bath and then sleep until it’s time to leave this city.”
“After what you’ve been through, I don’t blame you. Did Jenny land in Austin safely?”
“Yes, she sent me a text about an hour ago. I didn’t tell her what happened tonight. I figured she has enough to worry about. What’s being done to find Robbs?”
“We’ve put out an APB. The airports, bus terminals, and train stations all have his picture. I’ve got people processing your apartment now, looking for signs of how he got in and how long he may have been there. One of our tech guys is going through the history on your desktop to see if he researched any destinations or bought any tickets.”
“He said that he was going after Jenny again when he was done with me,” I tell him.
“I’ve alerted the Austin PD that he could be on his way. I wish that there was more we could do.”
“I wish there was, too.” I sigh. “I know I’ll be looking over my shoulder until Robbs is behind bars.”
“Can you and Jenny stay with your friend Chase until he’s caught? I hate the idea of you two girls on your own.”
“Once Chase finds out about tonight, he’ll probably organize a rotating guard of his football buddies. Robbs will have a hard time getting to us if we’re surrounded by college linebackers,” I joke.
“I like the sound of that. I hate to leave you, but I really need to be getting back to work. Have a safe flight tomorrow. You have my number. If you need anything at all, just give me a call. I’ll let you know if the crime scene techs find anything in your apartment.”
I walk the detective to the door. “Thank you again for everything, Detective Delco.”
“You’re welcome, Kiara. I’m sorry that you didn’t have a better time in The Big Apple.”
“It wasn’t the city. I was trying to escape my past, but it just followed me here. Tomorrow, I’ll fly home and face it. For now, I just want to sleep.”
Chapter Two
I spend most of the night trying to get to sleep, but I’m haunted by the memory of Robbs’ evil glare. At four-thirty, I give up on the idea of rest and call the airline. They have a seat available on a six-forty flight to Austin, so I change my reservation. By five-fifteen, I’m on the hotel shuttle to the airport.
We pull up to the departure gate, and the shuttle driver helps me unload my suitcase. I can’t help but be on edge. As I move through the airport, I keep my eyes peeled for any sign of Robbs. Delco assured me that Robbs would never be able to get past airport security, but he’s evaded the police so far. I don’t feel safe until I’m finally on the plane. The flight is nonstop to Austin, so once we’re safely in the air, I recline my seat and drift off to sleep.
“This is your captain speaking. We’re now approaching Austin for landing. Please secure your tray tables and carry ons, buckle your seatbelts, and return your seats to the upright position. Local time is eleven-thirty a.m.”
The pilot’s booming voice wakes me up, and I move my seat up as directed. I gaze out the window as we begin our descent. When the wheels touch down on the runway, I feel at home.
I stay seated and let the other passengers rush off the plane. I’m groggy from my nap and don’t feel like fighting through the mad dash. I pull my cell phone from my purse and turn it on. It chimes immediately, and I see that I have six new voicemails. I dial in to my messages as I exit the plane.
“Hey, Kiara, it’s Chase. It’s nine o’clock, I just wanted to make sure that your flight is still scheduled for ten. A couple of guys from the team are going to come stay with Jenny so I can pick you up at the airport. Give me a call back if you get a chance before you board.”
There’s no point calling him now. I’ll just grab a taxi to the apartment.
I delete Chase’s message and move on to the next.
“Kiara, it’s Paul. Look, I promised that detective that I’d give you some space, but I’d really like to know that you’re okay. I gave my statement last night and then hopped a red eye back to Austin. I’ll be at the restaurant all day, but I’ll keep my phone on me. Check in if you don’t mind, just a text is fine.”
He did save my life, the least I could do is call him. I’ll do it after I get home.
I delete the message and stick my phone back in my purse without listening to the rest of the voicemails. I’m sure that they’re all from Chase, Jenny, or Paul, and I’ll be talking to all of them soon enough. I make my way to the baggage terminal just as the conveyor belt starts moving and luggage starts falling from the shoot. I retrieve my suitcase and roll it out onto the sidewalk. A line of taxis are waiting at the curb. I hop into one just as my cell starts ringing. I look at the screen and recognize the Culinary Institute’s phone number. I give the driver Chase’s address and answer the call.
“Hello?”
“Hello, may I please speak with Ms. Kiara Sands?”
“This is Kiara Sands.”
“Ms. Sands, this is Ruby Miller from Le Cordon Bleu. I regret to inform you, but you’re scholarship for the current semester has been revoked.”
“What?” I ask in shock.
“If you’d like to continue your current classes, tuition will be due by the tenth of next month. If you cannot pay the tuition in full, you will be dropped from the class rosters. Any questions can be directed to the Board of Admissions and Student Services. Have a nice day.”
It takes me a few moments to realize that she’s ended the call.
“I’m sorry,” I say to the driver, “but I need to make a detour. I’d like to go to the Le Cordon Bleu campus.”
“No problem,” he assures me.
We travel through my hometown, but I’m too distracted to take in the familiar sights.
What the hell has happened now? I haven’t even called to transfer back to the Austin campus yet. Why did they call me, instead of New York? And what reason could they possibly have for revoking my scholarship? Sure, I missed some classes while Jenny was in the hospital but surely they understand the special circumstances.
“Am I dropping you here, or waiting?” the driver asks, snapping my attention back to the present.
“If you can leave the meter running, I’d appreciate it,” I reply. “I may be awhile, but I don’t want to lug my suitcase around campus.”
“It’s your money. It makes no difference to me whether I’m moving or not.”
“Thanks, I’ll try to be fast.”
I slide out of the taxi and rush through the main entrance of the administration building.
“Can I help you?” the receptionist behind the counter asks in a perky voice.
“I hope so. My name is Kiara Sands. I just got a phone call from Ruby Miller regarding the status of my financial aid. Is there any way I could speak with her?”
“I’m sorry, but Ms. Miller only sees students by appointment. Would you like me to put you on her schedule?”
“Yes, please, as soon as possible.”
“No problem, I’ll just need your student I.D. card.”
I retrieve the card from my wallet and pass it to her.
“All right, Kiara Sands,” she says to herself as she types my information into her computer. She hits “enter” and frowns.
“Is there a problem?”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Sands, but your I.D. number has been flagged. If you’d like to inquire about your financial aid package, you’ll have to submit a hearing request to the Admin Board.”
“How do I do that?”
“I can do it for you now,” she re
plies, her fingers racing over the keyboard. “It may take a couple of weeks before you hear back from them. And I should warn you, they only approve a fraction of these requests. Once they make a decision, they usually stick with it.”
“Ms. Miller said that my tuition for this semester will be due on the tenth. What happens if I don’t get a meeting with the board before then?”
“You’ll have to pay the tuition or drop your classes. If you formally drop them, it won’t affect your grade point. If you wait for the teachers to drop you, you’ll end up with incompletes.”
I sigh. “Okay, can I also get a copy of my bill? I’ve always been a scholarship student. I’m ashamed to admit this, but I don’t even know what my classes cost.”
“Of course,” she replies, hitting even more keys. Her printer spits out a single sheet and she passes it to me. “Good luck, Ms. Sands.”
“Thank you.”
I glance down at the figures and feel like I’ve been hit in the stomach. I still have most of my New York salary in the bank, but it won’t be enough to cover living expenses and the tuition. I fold the bill in half and stick it in my purse as I walk back to the taxi.
“Thanks for waiting. The original address now, please,” I tell the driver.
“No problem.” He smiles.
Robbs has to be behind this. I don’t know who he called or what he said, but this has to be his fault.
We get closer to Chase’s apartment building, and I put on a brave face to greet my friends.
***
“Kiara, what are you doing here?” Chase steps out of the doorway, and I walk into the apartment. “We weren’t expecting you for hours. I was about to run some errands before I picked you up from the airport.”
“I had a change of plans. Where’s Jenny?”
“She’s sleeping. That’s pretty much all she’s done since she got here yesterday. The poor girl, I can’t imagine how she must be feeling. I’ve taken some pretty bad hits on the field, but I’ve never been as banged up as she is.”
“She’s got an uphill battle, that’s for sure. How’s her mood?”
“Better than I expected. She’s sad, that’s obvious, but she’s also got a sense of peace about her. I think that she’s just relieved to be back in Austin.”
“That makes two of us.”
“So what happened? Why did you change your flight? Not that I’m not thrilled to see you.”
“I had a rough night. I don’t want to tell the story more than once. Let me go wake Jenny.”
A cloud of concern covers Chase’s handsome face. “Okay… I took the couch last night. She’s in my bedroom. It’s the second door on the left.”
I make my way down the carpeted hallway and gently knock on the door. “Jenny?” I call out softly as I push it open. Thick black curtains are drawn over the windows, and the room is dark.
Jenny stirs in the far corner. “Kiara?” she replies through a yawn. “I didn’t mean to sleep all day. How long have you been here?”
“Relax, I caught an earlier flight. It’s just a little after noon. Do you mind if I turn on the light?”
“No, I need to get up anyway. Did Chase tell you the news?”
“No… Jenny something happened last night that I need to tell you about. Can you come out in the living room with us?”
“Oh my God, what is it now?”
“Exactly what you think it is,” I reply gravely.
Jenny and I make our way back to the living room, where Chase is pacing impatiently.
“So what did he do this time?” he demands. “I’m assuming whatever happened last night, Robbs was involved.”
I nod and take a seat on the couch. Jenny perches next to me. Her long blonde hair is tangled around her head, but her eyes are clear and focused.
“Just tell us, Kiara,” she insists. “I can take it.”
“Robbs was waiting for me when I got back to the apartment yesterday. When the ER called to tell me you’d been brought in, I rushed out without setting the alarm. I have no idea how long he’d been there. He confronted me with one of my chef’s knives and threw me against a wall. He’d have killed me, but Paul busted the door down and I got away.”
The color drained simultaneously from Jenny and Chase’s faces. “He was in the apartment?” Jenny asked.
“What was Paul doing in the city?” Chase piped up.
“I don’t know why Paul was there, but I’m glad he was. I got away and called Detective Delco. When he got there, Robbs was gone and Paul was unconscious.”
“Oh my God,” Jenny gasps. “Is Paul okay?”
“He’s fine,” Chase replies.
“How do you know?” I ask, completely confused.
Chase blushes. “I took your old apprenticeship at Fission,” he admits. “Paul approached me about it weeks ago. You’d just left for New York, and he’d just fired Robbs. He needed help, and I need the experience. I hope that’s not awkward for you.”
“If you can handle it, so can I,” I quickly reply. “It doesn’t matter much anyway. I’ll be eternally grateful to Paul for saving me last night, but I don’t want him in my life. You working at the restaurant isn’t awkward for me.”
“I’m glad.” Chase smiles. “Anyway, I talked to Paul this morning. He knows that Jenny is here, and he gave me a couple of days off. But he never mentioned anything about being in New York or rescuing you from Robbs last night.”
“He probably knew I’d want to tell you myself.”
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Jenny asks. “You should have called last night as soon as you were safe. Or at least called this morning when you changed your flight.”
“I wanted to tell you in person, so you could see for yourselves that I’m fine. I knew if I told you over the phone, you’d just worry until my plane landed.”
“Did Delco have any leads on where Robbs is headed next?” Chase asks.
“There are techs going through the apartment for clues. But I think it’s pretty safe to assume that he’ll come here. I know I said we’d be out of your hair in a few days, Chase. But we may need to stay a little longer.”
“So he didn’t tell you the news,” Jenny says with a smile.
“No, what’s going on?”
“I called my super yesterday,” Chase tells me. “The unit across the hall is open. It’s a two bedroom, so you’d have plenty of room. I explained your situation, and he agreed to let you do a month-to-month lease. I know you might not want to live across the hall from me indefinitely, but it would be a great arrangement until Robbs is behind bars.”
“That couldn’t be more perfect,” I agree quickly. “When can we sign the lease?”
“You don’t even want to look at it first?” Chase laughs.
“I don’t need to. the location is all that matters. And the money, of course, but I’m sure that I have enough in savings to cover the deposit and first and last month’s rent.”
“I thought you’d feel that way.” Jenny beams. “Chase called the super again this morning. He’ll be here at five with the paperwork and keys.”
“And I talked to some of the guys on the team. They’re going to empty out your storage unit tomorrow and move everything in for you,” Chase adds.
I let out a sigh of relief. “That’s a few less things to worry about at least.”
“You don’t have anything to worry about, Kiara. Neither of you do, not anymore. I’m not going to let anything else happen to you,” Chase promises.
“I’m afraid that will be harder than you think,” I warn him. I tell Chase and Jenny about my scholarship.
“But they didn’t say why they revoked it?” Jenny asks.
“No, Ms. Miller hung up the phone before I could ask and the receptionist wouldn’t tell me anything. All she said was that my I.D. number had been flagged.”
“They can’t just revoke your scholarship based on the word of a crazy person,” Chase insists. “I’m sure there’s something we can do. We’ll find
a way to come up with the tuition money.”
“Kiara, maybe we shouldn’t sign the lease,” Jenny suggests. “You need to pay for school, and you shouldn’t have to take care of me.”
“No, Jenny, we have to have a place to live. And I’ve already told you, I want to take care of you. Chase is right. We’ll figure something out.”
“Kiara, my sister Madison moved to town a few weeks ago. She has a degree in Academic Administration, and she’s working at the college. I was pissed when she first showed up. I’m convinced that my dad talked her into coming here so he could keep tabs on me. I could give her a call and see if she can pull some strings with the Board. At the very least, she can probably make sure you get the hearing.”
“That would be fantastic, Chase,” I reply with a yawn.
“After the night you had, you must be exhausted. I was going to go to the market before I picked you up. I don’t really have much food in the house right now. You go take a nap. I’ll call Madison on my way to get groceries.”
“I am really tired,” I confess.
“You can have the bed. I’m going to take a shower,” Jenny announces. “I haven’t done anything but sleep since I got here yesterday. I still have the stench of the city on me.”
“You girls make yourselves at home and call me if you need anything. My neighbor Sherman works from home. I’m going to stop by on my way out and have him keep his eyes and ears open while I’m gone.”
“I’ll never be able to thank you enough for all of this, Chase,” I tell him.
“Your safety is all the thanks I need.”
Chapter Three
“Kiara, wait a second!”
I turn impatiently and see Paul running across the parking lot. I pull my phone from my purse and check the time. It’s one-fifteen, and my meeting with the Administration Board is set for two o’clock.
“Hi, Paul. Look this isn’t really a good time.”
“Kiara, I don’t mean to crowd you. I know that you needed space, but I had to see with my own eyes that you’re okay. Every time I close my eyes, I see that maniac standing over you with that knife. I had to get that image out of my head.”
Fifty Recipes For Disaster Page 2
