Deadly Deception (An Artisan Mystery Book 1)

by Patricia H. Rushford

  “You’re right.” Michael eased himself out of the chair he’d been sitting in and made his way to the door. “Call me when you learn anything new,” he waved at his partner. “We’ll need to check out the other galleries Carolyn uses. There may be other break-ins.”

  “Will do.” Doug started toward him. “I’ll head over to the hospital to interview the victim in a few minutes.”

  “I could do that.”

  Doug shook his head. “No way. You’re sidelined. Go home and rest that leg.”

  His partner was right, of course. Michael was in no shape to take part in this investigation or any other. Still, he wanted to be kept in the loop. He wanted to protect Carolyn and find whoever was tormenting her.

  “You win,” he told Doug. “But please keep me updated.”

  “Of course.” He glanced out the window. “Looks like your ride is leaving.”

  Michael spun around. The taillights of Carolyn’s rental car disappeared around the corner.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Doug said. “I’ll drop you off on my way to the hospital.”

  “It’s not the ride I’m worried about.” Michael dropped back onto the chair he’d vacated. “She shouldn’t be out there alone.”

  “I’m not sure it matters any more. Whoever is after her seems to know her every move, disguise or not.”

  Doug’s phone rang. “Detective Calhoun.” Some of the tension seemed to drain out of him. “Okay. Sure. I’ll meet you there.”

  He slipped his phone into his pocket. “They’ve located Marla.”

  “Where.” Michael’s heart ratcheted up a few notches. “Is she all right?”

  “Let’s go. I’ll fill you in on the way.” He left orders for the crime scene techs and headed for the door.

  Carolyn couldn’t wait in the car another minute. Yes, she should have waited until Michael was ready to leave, but every moment felt like torture. She needed to get to Katherine. She needed to escape this craziness. She needed to know what had happened to Marla. She needed to discover who was behind Adam Burke’s death. And she needed to find the person who seemed bent on destroying her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Carolyn parked in the lot near the emergency room entrance and tried to calm her fears. Having her paintings shredded was the closest anyone had ever come to destroying her. They may as well have ripped out her heart. She tipped her head back against the seat. Katherine had been hurt because of her.

  Maybe she should just kill herself and get it over with. At least then her friends would be safe.

  That’s not the answer. Carolyn sucked in a deep breath as the thought sank into her muddied soul.

  “Then what?” As she straightened, she caught a glimpse of herself in the rear view mirror. Or rather of Mary Chapman. She formed her own answer to the question. “I can paint more pictures. I can start over. I’m still alive.”

  She swallowed hard. “For now.”

  Carolyn grabbed her bag and opened the door and stepped out. She needed to stop thinking about her pain and focus on Katherine and she needed to check in with Michael. She shouldn’t have left him at the gallery. True, his partner would make certain he got home all right, but still.

  Pulling the burner phone out of her bag as she made her way to the hospital entrance, she located Michael’s number and pressed it.

  He answered on the first ring. “Where are you?”

  She winced at the sharp tone in his voice. “I’m sorry I left. Please don’t be angry.”

  “You shouldn’t be out there alone.” His tone softened a bit.

  “I’m at the hospital. I’m still in my disguise.” She hesitated. “Michael, I need to see Katherine.”

  “Don’t. We’re heading that way.”

  Knowing he was coming gave her strength. “Have you heard anything about Marla?”

  “We found her. She’s on her way to the hospital.”

  “Is she all right?”

  He hesitated.”

  “Michael?”

  “She’s alive. I’ll fill you in when we get there. Please stay in the waiting room.”

  “But…”

  “Carolyn, going to see Katherine or Marla could put you and them in greater danger.”

  “I don’t understand.” Just as she mouthed the words, she realized what he meant. The killer may have hurt Katherine and Marla to draw her out. A visit to them could mean exposing herself to the killer.

  Carolyn entered the busy waiting room and took a seat against the wall where she could see people coming in and out. Could Michael be right? If so, the killer could be one of the fifty or so people milling around or seated in the large seating area. She let her gaze wander through the room and recognized several. Two in particular. A vice gripped her heart.

  Brian and his mother. They’d both seen her in this disguise. She tipped her head down and picked up a magazine, hoping they wouldn’t spot her. Fortunately, she didn’t have to hide for long.

  “Mrs. Burke?” A woman in scrubs stepped in front of them. “Your friend can see you now.”

  What friend? Caroline would’ve loved to have followed them back into the emergency room.

  “Thank you.” Emily said as she and Brian stood and followed the woman through the double doors.

  Moments later Doug came in with Michael crutch-walking behind. He looked pale and in need of pain pills. She wanted to go to him, but his warning gaze pinned her to the chair. Doug showed his badge to the receptionist. She couldn’t hear what he said, but the two of them were immediately ushered back. Had Michael reinjured himself? She chided herself again for leaving him at the gallery. But no, they were here to see Marla and Katherine.

  About five minutes later, the receptionist came out and asked for Mary Chapman.

  Caroline rose and followed the woman through the double doors to a curtained area. She brushed aside the curtain expecting to see Katherine. Instead she was confronted by the two detectives looking none too happy to see her. Michael grimaced as he lowered himself onto a chair. Doug glanced up, his lips forming a tight line.

  “What’s going on?” Carolyn swallowed in an attempt to keep her tears at bay. “Is it Marla or Katherine?”

  “They’re both okay.” Michael’s scowl softened a bit.

  “Then why am I here with you?”

  Doug cleared his through. “We’ll go in with you to see Marla and Katherine and then get you to a safe place.”

  “So I can see them?”

  He nodded grudgingly. “Your disguise should keep anyone, press included, from recognizing you. For now.”

  “Except—Brian and Emily Burke are here. I was wearing this disguise when I spoke to them yesterday, but I’m sure they didn’t see me here though.”

  “They’re here? Do you know why?”

  She shrugged. “To see a friend. I don’t have a name.”

  A look of concern passed between the two men. “I’d better go check on Marla.” Doug stepped toward the curtain. “From what we can ascertain, the Burkes were the last to see her before she disappeared.” He ducked out and growled back at her to stay put.

  Carolyn stared at the curtain as it swayed. She should do as the detective said but if Marla was in danger she had to help.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Michael warned.

  Carolyn met his gaze. “I’m sorry.” She slipped out and headed in the direction she’d seen Doug go. She spotted him at the end of the hallway about to enter a room.

  Carolyn hurried after him and stopped just outside the room when she heard voices.”

  “Detective.” It was Marla. “I was wondering when you’d get here.”

  Doug cleared his throat. “I’ll need to get your statement.”

  Caroline hung back. Through a small opening she spotted Marla on the gurney with Brian standing beside her and holding her hand. Emily sat on one of two visitors’ chairs. Marla was the friend? She and Brian looked pretty chummy. Strange.

  “Do you need us to leave?” Br
ian asked.

  “That would be best.”

  Brian leaned over and planted a kiss on Marla’s lips. “I’ll see you soon. Call if you want us to come get you. You can stay in the guest room if you need to.”

  “I’ll be fine, but thanks for the offer.”

  Carolyn stepped away from the curtain and began walking in the opposite direction they were taking. Once they turned the corner, she stepped back inside Marla’s room.

  “Can’t you just once do as you’re told?” Doug ran a hand down his face in exasperation.

  “Carolyn!” Marla opened her arms for a hug. “I’ve been so worried about you.”

  “Me too. About you, I mean.” She leaned down for a hug. “What happened to you? And why were Brian and Emily here?”

  Marla sighed. “Long story.”

  She glanced at Doug. “I gave a report to the officers who found me.”

  “I’d like to hear it as well. Did you get a look at your attacker?”

  She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “He tasered me in the neck. I was in the trunk when I woke up. Saw nothing.”

  “Your car was found near the beach access close to where the Burkes live.” Doug said.

  “Yes. I think it was Brian who called it in. I had stayed to talk with him after Carolyn left. I told him about the evidence clearing Carolyn.” Her gaze met Carolyn’s and moved back to the detective. “He didn’t kill his father or shoot Michael.”

  “He came at me as if he wanted to kill me.” Caroline rubbed at her forehead. “How can you be sure?”

  “I’ve known Brian for a few years now and we have dated on and off.”

  “I’m confused.”

  Doug cleared his throat. “That makes two of us. But let’s get back to you. You didn’t see your attacker. Can you tell me anything about him? Size, clothing? Anything?’

  She shook her head. “Nothing, I’m sorry.”

  He tucked his notebook into the inside pocket of his jacket. “Maybe the crime scene techs will find something.

  “Wait.” Marla frowned. “I do remember this odd smell. Like pitch—you know, from cedar trees.”

  Doug pulled out his notebook and jotted the information down. Michael came in and for the first time admitted he needed help. “I should have had you drop me off at the house,” he said to Doug. Shifting his gaze to Carolyn he said, “I know you want to check in on Katherine, but could I talk you into driving me home?”

  “Of course.” Carolyn reached into her bag for the keys.

  “What about Katherine?” Marla asked.

  “You two go on,” Doug offered. “I’ll fill Marla in on the gallery.”

  Michael was shaking and pale by the time Carolyn pulled into his driveway. On the way she’d told him about Brian and Marla, but he didn’t seem interested. Or maybe he was just in too much pain to think about anything but getting relief.

  They spoke little as she tried to make him comfortable. With pain pills taken and ice in place, he seemed to relax. “I don’t think you should go back to the hospital. The more you’re out there the higher the odds this guy will figure out who you are.”

  Carolyn agreed. “True enough.” And the higher the odds someone else connected with her would be hurt. She’d been considering her options and realized now there was just one thing for her to do. She needed to shed the disguise and go back to her old life. Okay, so it would be a risky move—people might recognize her. She might even be killed in the process. At least those around her would be safe.

  Once Michael was asleep, Carolyn gathered her things and wrote a note of thanks. She hesitated at the door vacillating between wanting to stay and knowing she had to leave. She’d come to love Michael and felt certain he felt the same about her. Reality doused her heart in ice water. This was not the time for even thinking about a relationship. She had to face the fact that their time might never come. If whoever wanted her dead succeeded in his cause. . .. No. Carolyn shoved aside the thought. She was not going to let some crazed killer end her life. Not if she could help it.

  Michael, Doug and Marla would be furious with her when they realized she’d gone home, but she couldn’t subject them to the danger they were in because of their association with her. They couldn’t protect her forever and she couldn’t allow them to. She closed the door before she could change her mind.

  Within minutes of leaving Michael’s home, Carolyn pulled into the driveway behind her apartment. There’d been no reporters and for the first time in days she felt a sense of freedom. She was apparently no longer news. Maybe her nemesis had given up too. One could only hope.

  She felt a moment of panic as she remembered that someone had taken her keys. It didn’t look as if anyone had changed the locks yet. She tried the door and it opened. She glanced around again making certain she was alone. She hadn’t been here since the night of the murder. Her heart hammered as she stepped inside. Could the killer be waiting for her? She reached into her bag for the can of pepper spray Marla had given her.

  The late afternoon sun had all but disappeared leaving the house in shadows. Carolyn eased the door open all the way and hesitated before going in. The apartment was one large room with doors leading to the bathroom and closets. She took another step inside and closed the door, taking care to lock it and turn the deadbolt. To make doubly sure no one was there, Carolyn checked her closets and the bathroom and even under her bed. Clear. She tucked her weapon back into her bag.

  Evidence of the break-in and vandalism as well as the crime scene investigation provided the stark reality of the danger she was still in. She stiffened, determined to follow through on her plan to return to normal.

  Really? Normal? Was there such a thing. Apparently not for her. She continued scanning the room, still wary. She made her way past her studio area and into the kitchen. Her hand automatically went to the light switch. She stopped just short of it. A light would advertise to the world and anyone watching that she was home. She sucked in a long steadying breath. Was she ready for that?

  So many things she hadn’t thought about when she’d decided to come out of hiding. She dropped into one of the two mismatched but comfy chairs that, along with a sofa, made up her living room. Coming out of hiding and staying here meant being exposed. She’d have to go to the store for groceries. People would see her—friends, reporters and very likely the person intent on destroying her life. She couldn’t stay inside forever. Carolyn tipped her head back. Maybe she’d use the wig and glasses for a while out in public.

  The sun hadn’t fully set and Carolyn felt the remnants of a sunset bathe her in in reds and yellows. She breathed in the peace those fleeting moments brought. “Lord,” she whispered. “Show me what to do. I know the fear I’m feeling doesn’t come from you.”

  The burner phone she’d placed in her jacket pocket vibrated. She pulled it out and glanced at the screen. Marla. Carolyn thought about not answering, but didn't want Marla to worry. She swiped her finger across the phone icon. “Hi.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Home.”

  “Alone.”

  “Yes. I left a note at Michael’s. Marla, I can’t do this anymore.”

  “You’re at your apartment? Alone?

  “Yes.”

  “Are you crazy?”

  “Probably.”

  Silence, then, “Listen. We can talk about this later, but right now I need a favor.”

  “What?”

  “I’m being discharged from the hospital. Doug left and I need a ride home. I was hoping you could pick me up.”

  “Of course.” So much for going back to her old life. As if she could. Mary Chapman would have to remain in play for a while longer. Marla was waiting at the hospital entrance when Carolyn drove into the patient pick-up area.

  “Thanks.” Marla climbed in and fastened her seat belt. “Let’s go.”

  Carolyn braced herself for Marla’s lecture, but it didn’t come. Instead, her long-time friend leaned against the seat with her head
tipped back. “Can I stay with you tonight?” she asked.

  “Um…”

  “Look, I know you want to get back to your life, but in order to get out of the hospital, I had to promise I’d have someone check on me overnight. That would be you.”

  “At my place?”

  “We could go to a hotel if you’d rather.”

  “I don’t know. Hanging around me is hazardous to your health.”

  “Being a cop isn’t exactly a safe occupation.” Marla glared at her. “Look, I have a horrendous headache. I need an aspirin and some sleep.”

  “Why do I get the feeling I’m being manipulated.”

  “Because you are.” Marla grimaced.

  Carolyn managed a chuckle. “Okay, you win. You can hang out at my place.”

  “I really do have a headache.”

  “Uh-oh.” Carolyn sucked in a sharp breath as she reached her driveway. “The lights are on in my apartment.”

  Marla snapped up. “Drive past. Park up a couple of houses and let me out. I’ll check it out.”

  “But…”

  “Do it.” Marla undid her seat belt. “Circle around the block. If I’m not out here to meet you, call Doug.”

  Carolyn braked and Marla jumped out. “This is crazy.” As much as she wanted to park and follow Marla, she wouldn’t. Not this time. Carolyn drove and in four minutes had circled the block. Marla was waiting in the driveway and standing at the open door was one of Carolyn’s favorite people. Gwen Owens. Relief drowned her fears as she parked and exited the car.

  Gwen Owens swept Carolyn into a hug and then moved aside so Carolyn and Marla could enter the apartment.

  “What are you doing here?” Carolyn asked. “I thought I’d come in and tidy up. That detective told me what had happened. I didn’t know when you’d be back and wanted to have the room clean before you returned.”

  “Oh,” Carolyn reached over to squeeze her hand. “That was so nice of you. I thought you were staying with your sister.”

  “Yes, well.” Mrs. Owens shook her head. “I love her dearly, but she drives me crazy. We can only stand each other for short periods of time. Besides, I missed my beach.”