Before I could scoot off the stage—and run for my life—the mayor caught my elbow. I glanced over on the other side and saw Orion Vanderslice himself. He had dark hair on top that was silvering at the temples. His face was square with pleasant features—if it weren’t for his scowl. He may have been brilliant in business, but he was horrible when it came to social graces.
The man wasn’t especially looking at me with fondness. I knew he’d sponsored this award for years and that community organizations in the area voted on the winner.
“The press would like a moment before you go,” the mayor whispered.
I nodded and, like a good girl, stayed onstage beside him for the remainder of his speech. Finally, I was able to sit down in an empty seat on the stage while other award recipients were called out—Teen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Officer of the Year, etc.
Two hours later, I made my way offstage and was greeted by hugs from my family and friends.
“You guys knew about this?” I squealed.
“Of course we did! We couldn’t wait to surprise you,” my mom said. “But did you know how hard it was to keep this quiet?”
“Especially for me,” Jamie quipped.
In the middle of all the congratulations, a new voice piped in. “Good job, Ms. Paladin.”
I looked over and saw Rex Harrison standing there. The man stood at about six feet tall. He had close-cropped black hair and a smile that could make a nun want to give up her vows.
Charisma. There was no doubt the man had it. When he spoke, people listened.
He was a former cop who’d given up his job in order to run for office. Many in the community called him the People’s Choice. He’d vowed to keep the area safe and had taken a stand against the drug problem rampant in the area by starting a mentoring program. He’d been spurred on by the fact that his brother had been a drug addict.
If my brother were running against anyone else, he’d win. But Rex would give him a run for his money.
My mom nudged me until I broke away from my thoughts. “Thank you.”
“I have to admit, your record for selflessly volunteering in our community is impressive, even if you are the competition’s sister.”
“I appreciate that,” I offered.
My brother cast a disparaging glance at Rex before pulling me back. “We want to take you to lunch to celebrate, so don’t go anywhere, okay?”
I nodded. “Got it.”
I reached into my purse to grab my lipstick and freshen up when my fingers encountered a piece of paper. Curiously, I pulled it out and opened the neatly folded square. I didn’t remember seeing this in there before.
“I know who you are,” it read.
My blood went cold as I glanced around the room. Whoever had left this had been close enough to touch me.
That thought was anything but comforting.
CHAPTER 16
As my family and friends whisked me to my favorite Japanese steak house for lunch, one realization had remained in my mind: whoever was behind the murders knew me. I didn’t mean he’d seen me—that much was clear. It went deeper than that. This person had recognized me at that first crime scene.
My blood froze every time I thought about it. It could be someone I talked to on a regular basis who was behind these crimes. There was no other reason for them to identify me. The thought wasn’t comforting.
By the time all of that was over, I had to head back home to get ready for the big fund-raising gala for my brother tonight. Brian was going with me. Or I was going with him. I wasn’t sure.
I didn’t want to wear just any little black dress, so I’d opted for a little green number instead. The rest of my family had already gone, and I was waiting for Brian to pick me up when I noticed the door to my father’s detached garage/woodshop was open.
I hurried toward it and started to shut it when I paused. The scent of sawdust and varnish lingered in the room, even two years after the death of my father. Inhaling the odor took me back in time.
Even though everyone thought I was a girly girl, I used to love sitting out here and watching my dad work. He’d been a locksmith by trade, but in his free time he liked to make birdhouses and shelves and wooden toys. He’d always make extras of things and give them to families in the church. Once in a while, he’d let me help with sanding or picking out a design.
I missed those days. I missed the security and unconditional love I felt when I was with my dad. I’d give anything to have him here now.
Closing my eyes, I could picture him working out here. I envisioned me sitting on the stool not too far away, talking about my day. I could hear me asking his advice. He’d keep working, casting me glances every now and then as he spouted his wisdom about life.
My smile felt bittersweet. I went to close the door when something inside caught my eye. I stepped inside and let the fading sunlight fill the room.
What I saw made me catch my breath.
There were four yellow buckets, four blue mops, and four purple scrub brushes, just like the ones I’d taken to Katrina’s house.
***
Brian arrived promptly, as always. My heart was still racing, though. The killer knew who I was. He knew what I’d done. And now he wanted to scare me.
His plan had worked.
“Holly. You look fabulous.” Brian twirled me around before planting a friendly kiss on my cheek. Brian was thirty-two years old. He was only two inches taller than me (I was five foot six), and his trim build was offset by his heavy jawline. As a go-getter, he fit in well with my family. He worked as my brother’s campaign manager and was perhaps one of the biggest schmoozers I’d ever met.
“You ready to go?” he asked.
I nodded, trying to cast my thoughts aside, but the buckets in the garage kept haunting me. I’d started to throw them away. Then I’d realized the police might find them in the trash can. I’d almost hidden them in my bedroom closet. But then I realized they could look there, also. Finally, I’d taken them upstairs to the garage attic. My dad had a little cubbyhole that most people didn’t know about. The door blended right in with the wall, and there was no handle. Only my family knew about the space.
No one would find the cleaning supplies there.
At least, that’s what I was counting on. Especially since my fingerprints were now on everything.
I closed my eyes.
Could this get any worse?
“You’ve got a little smudge of dust right . . .” Brian reached for my cheek and used his thumb to wipe something away. “. . . there. All gone now.”
I forced a smile. “Thank you.”
Brian walked me to his car and opened my door for me, and when I was safely inside, he took his place behind the wheel and started down the road.
I wished I liked Brian. I really did. But I just didn’t feel that spark that I’d always dreamed about.
Then again, maybe romance and happily ever after were about more than a spark. Maybe they should be based on a friendship like the one Brian and I had. I just had to convince my heart of it.
“Did I hear you were shot at? Twice?” Brian asked.
I bit back a frown. “Crazy, isn’t it?”
“More than crazy. It’s insane. Maybe I need to hire you a bodyguard.”
Chase Dexter’s face flashed into my mind. I quickly erased it. “I think I’ll be fine.”
“So, what do you think about those two guys who were killed around here recently? Makes you want to stay inside and lock your doors, doesn’t it?”
I nodded. “For sure.”
“To think there could be a serial killer in Price Hill. It’s spooky stuff.”
He wasn’t making me feel better. “It’s more than scary. Scary defines how you feel when watching a movie. This is more like terrifying.”
“Did you know any of those kids?” He glanced over at me.
I shook my head. “I didn’t know them. But I knew people connected with them.”
“Speakin
g of which, would you be interested in doing some campaigning out—”
“I can’t campaign to my clients, Brian. You know that. That would be an ethical breach.” Much like breaking into one of their homes had been.
“I know, I know. It’s just that we’re down by twenty whole percentage points in that area.”
I remembered my conversation with Desiree. I remembered running into Rex at the award ceremony and the charisma that had emanated from him. “People are calling Rex the People’s Choice.”
Brian frowned. “Sounds like something Rex would plant in people’s minds. I don’t trust the man as far as I can throw him, personally. And it’s not just because your brother is running against him.”
“Do you think my brother is going to win, Brian?”
He nodded slowly—slowly enough that I wasn’t convinced. “Yeah, he’s got this. It’s all going to come together. Numbers like this are normal for this stage in the election. You know how the media is—they claim they’re not biased, but they’re giving Rex a lot more airtime and a lot less criticism. We’re going to take this, though.”
Brian was the spin master, which was in reality what made him so good at his job.
“After he’s elected, you’re going to come work for him, right?”
I laughed. “Me? A social worker? I’m not sure there’s anything I can do for him.”
“He needs good people on his team, people he can depend on to help on his staff.”
“I’m not sure I’d be the right person.”
“You should think about it.”
“I’ll wait until he’s elected first.”
“You sound skeptical.”
“I’m not skeptical. I really do believe in my brother, and I think he’d make a great senator.” If I don’t blow his whole campaign to smithereens, that is.
Brian pulled to a stop in front of a hotel in downtown Cincinnati, and a valet appeared. I stepped from the car, and Brian met me on the sidewalk. He took my hand and led me inside. “Here we go. You ready for this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
We mingled for all of ten minutes before Brian was whisked off to talk to some city commissioner. It was fine with me. I could use a break from his incessant talking. I grabbed some punch and took a sip before finding a spot against the wall.
“Hello, there,” a deep voice rumbled.
I looked up and saw Chase.
At once, I pictured being arrested here at the gala in front of all my family and their supporters. That would be the ultimate disappointment to them if that happened. That familiar panic started in me.
Until I realized that Chase was wearing a tux. And drinking punch. And smiling.
“Chase? What are you doing here?” At once, my shoulders went back, I held my head higher, and my pulse spiked. Man, was he ever handsome in that formalwear. More handsome than anyone should have the right to claim.
“After everything your mother did for me during my teen years, I wanted to support you guys. Coming to this was the least I could do.”
My heart rate slowed some. “I’m sure Ralph appreciates it.”
He tugged at his tie. “It’s not really my kind of thing. I’d much rather watch a football game. But I try to be flexible.”
“I’m surprised you could take any time off the case.”
“You’ve got to step back sometimes in order to think clearly. I’ve been working nonstop, other than grabbing a few hours of sleep and eating a meal here and there. I figured it would be good to get away from the investigation for a moment.”
“Makes sense to me. You’ve got to take care of yourself.”
His gaze caught mine, and he grinned, stepping closer. “Holly, it was really great to chat with you for a few minutes over lunch the other—”
“Hi, there,” someone interrupted.
I turned and saw Brian. He extended one hand toward Chase and put the other around my waist, a huge politician smile on his face. “I’m Brian.”
Chase’s smile dimmed some. “Chase.”
The two shook hands, Brian jovial, as always. He had a way of making people feel like they were worth a million bucks. How to Win Friends and Influence People was apparently his favorite book.
“You’re Chase Dexter! I’ve heard about you. Mrs. Paladin can’t say enough good things.”
“She’s very kind.” Humility saturated his voice.
“It’s great that you can be with us tonight,” Brian continued. “We’re appreciative of everyone who comes out and supports Ralph. We think he’ll make a great senator . . .”
I blocked Brian out. I wasn’t really into politics.
I could tell that this wasn’t Chase’s favorite topic of conversation, either. As soon as there was a break, he pointed behind him, mumbled an excuse, and slipped away. I resisted the urge to look for him and forced myself to turn back to Brian.
“Shall we eat?” Brian asked.
I nodded. “We shall.”
For some reason, my heart longed to keep talking to Chase, though.
***
The family was all ushered backstage so we could get a photo before my brother began his speech. Brian was meeting with a few members of the press in another room, and somehow Chase had ended up back here with my family.
“So, when are you going to stop beating around the bush with Brian?” my sister, Alex, asked. “Why don’t you just date him?”
My throat burned. Of all the conversations we could have right here, right now, and in front of Chase Dexter of all people, did it have to be this one?
“We’re just friends,” I insisted. We’d had this conversation before.
“You have impossible standards for men,” Alex said.
I squirmed when I noticed everyone listening, except for my brother, who fixed his bow tie in the mirror. “I do not.”
“Oh, please. How about that one guy you broke up with because he had dirty elbows?” Alex’s eyebrows shot up.
I shrugged. “He did have dirty elbows.”
“Or that other guy? He was so nice. I think his name was Sonny,” my mom added.
“His last name was Hooker. I couldn’t possibly be taken seriously if my name was Holly Anna Hooker. I’d sound like someone from a 900 number.”
Deep laughter rumbled in the background. Chase. He just had to be here to hear all of this, didn’t he?
“Okay, then what about Allen Smith? He had a decent last name and clean elbows.” My brother glanced at me from the reflection in the mirror.
“But he had no sense of adventure and terrible breath.” I wanted to hide. Truly.
“It must be nice being so naïve and sweet,” Alex muttered.
She was quite possibly my polar opposite. I was pretty sure she’d had a mental checklist of what she wanted in a guy and that her decision to marry William was based more on a series of cerebral check marks than love. I needed a balance.
I wasn’t sure what it was about being the youngest that seemed to beckon people to pick on me, but I was the object of their teasing criticism yet again. Everyone stared at me now, waiting to see how I’d respond or what kind of excuses I’d make, or even for more evidence of just how rose colored my world was.
“I actually think it’s refreshing,” a new voice added.
I sucked in a deep breath when I saw Chase step forward. Was he actually defending me? Didn’t he know he might get swallowed by the deceptively sweet sharks known as my family? Of course, Chase was the type who could stand on his own two feet.
“Not only is having standards good, so is making an effort to see the world in a more positive light. Life is about more than what you accomplish. It’s about who you are. I don’t think Holly should ever settle.”
My family remained quiet. I could hardly breathe.
I wanted to hug Chase for stepping in and helping defend me. I wanted to cry because he actually sounded like he understood. Instead, I managed to keep my mouth shut, though it wanted to flop open.
“All right, everyone! Let’s go get that family photo!” Brian charged into the room. He paused and his eyebrows scrunched together. “What? Did I miss something?”
***
An hour later, I stepped outside, needing to get some air. Maybe being alone outside wasn’t the smartest idea after being shot at twice, but I refused to live in total fear. Partial would have to do.
I pulled my shawl around my shoulders and shivered at the winter chill that hung in the air.
It was hard to imagine this being my last winter. Sometimes, I didn’t feel like the implications of my disease had sunk in. Partly that was because I essentially felt healthy. Occasionally, I got tired, but that came from working and volunteering and staying busy. It was a good tired.
Or maybe it was my disease.
I let out a sigh, and my frosty breath fanned in front of me.
Life felt surprisingly unsimple at the moment. As a girl who always tried to keep things uncomplicated, I hated this. I just wanted the future to be clear.
I supposed it was. I was going to die. I didn’t have much time to leave my mark on the world, and there was nothing I could do about it.
More timely than those thoughts, and nearly as pressing, was the fact that Brian had slow danced with me. He’d whispered, “You know, I think we could be really good together.”
His statement was the first time he’d ever directly professed any interest. Before that, we’d just hung out casually and been fill-in dates when neither of us had anyone else. His statement left no questions as to what he thought about the two of us together.
I, of course, had stuttered. Stepped on his feet. Tried to find the right words.
Finally, I’d settled on “Do you?”
Thankfully, my brother had stepped up to the podium and we hadn’t had time to finish our talk.
Now I was out on the street corner, staring at the valets and trying to get a grip.
“Holly! What are you doing out here?”
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