“We’ll have the hospital lock down this area completely tonight,” Brian said. “That means there will only be a small, controllable window to deal with tomorrow.”
“The pageant is tomorrow, though,” Janet argued. “If Simone is the guilty party, she’ll never leave the pageant.”
“Oh, Simone isn’t in charge of the pageant any longer,” Jack said. “The town council stepped in and removed her. Ivy has taken over.”
Instead of being surprised, Janet barked out a laugh. It was low and guttural and took all three of them by surprise. “I’m sorry,” Janet said, patting her chest as her cheeks bloomed with color. “It’s just funny to me. After what happened when Ivy participated, I would’ve thought for sure she wanted nothing to do with the pageant ever again.”
“And what did happen?” Jack asked.
“Don’t tell him,” Brian interjected. “We have a bet and he needs to get Ivy to tell him.”
“Oh, well, she’ll never tell you that story.” Janet was certain. “I remember that pageant, though. I was rooting for her the entire time.”
“Yeah, now I definitely have to find out,” Jack said. “That’s for another time, though. For now, we need to talk logistics and come up with a plan. If we’re lucky, by this time tomorrow we’ll know exactly who did this to Aubrey … and why.”
“And maybe she really will wake up by then,” Janet added hopefully.
“We’re all hoping for that,” Jack said. “I have a feeling it’s going to happen very soon.”
“From your lips to God’s ears.”
Seventeen
“You’re going to do what?”
Ivy spoke louder than she intended and Jack felt obliged to slap his hand over her mouth as they huddled in the corner of the barn and discussed his idea for a trap.
“You have a huge mouth,” Jack muttered, shaking his head when his gaze snagged with Max’s curious eyes. “Do you ever think before you speak?”
Ivy made a disgusted face as she jerked back her head and glared. “What did you just say to me?”
Jack stared at her long and hard, internally debating how badly he wanted to avoid a fight. Finally, he merely shrugged. “I love you more than anything. You have a huge mouth, though.”
As if to argue, Ivy opened that huge mouth and then snapped it shut. He wasn’t wrong. “I’m sorry. You just took me by surprise when you said what you said.”
“Which is why I wanted to take you outside to say it.”
“Well, it’s cold. Next time remind me of this moment and force me to go outside.” Ivy adopted a pragmatic tone. “I’m sorry. They have no idea what we’re talking about.”
“No, and it’s lucky that you can pretend to be surprised by what I told you later,” Jack said. “We need to find a way for the information to get out about Aubrey. We need to make sure all of them know.”
“I can easily manage that,” Ivy said. “We can either make an announcement, framing it as if it’s a good thing that Aubrey is awake and going to make a statement tomorrow so they’ll be safe soon, or we can simply talk loudly and let them overhear. You just said I’m good at talking loudly.”
“You’re the best at talking loudly,” Jack agreed, refusing to offer up an apology no matter how hard she dug for one. “What do you think? Do you think it will work? We’re trying to narrow down a timeframe. The floor will be completely shut down for the night – no one on or off – and then we’ll be there tomorrow morning to watch whoever comes.”
“I think it has a very good chance of working,” Ivy replied. “Tomorrow is the pageant, though. If it’s one of the competitors … .”
“They might not risk it,” Jack finished, scratching at the back of his neck as he considered the statement. It was a nervous habit of his. He always did it when he was consumed with a case. It drove Ivy crazy because the skin always ended up red and sensitive.
“Stop that,” Ivy ordered, slapping at his hand. She rolled up to the balls of her feet to look. “I have more lotion for you.” She made lotions in her free time, ones Jack absolutely loved to rub over her lithe body when it was cold and they were trying to stay warm in front of the fire. “You need to stop scratching like that.”
“I can’t help myself.”
“I know, but that looks painful.”
“It’s not.”
“It looks it.”
“You would argue with the Pope just to get a rise out of him, wouldn’t you?” Jack grinned at Ivy’s uncomfortable expression. “I guess that’s why you drive me crazy and make my heart race all at the same time, huh?”
“You’re a putz.” Ivy flicked the spot between his eyebrows. “I love you, too.”
“I think this is our best shot, Ivy.” Jack turned serious. “We’re running out of time. The pageant is tomorrow. After that, the girls are going to scatter to the wind. We’ll be able to keep our focus on Simone, but if she’s not guilty … .”
“Then a very dangerous girl might get away with attempted murder,” Ivy finished.
“Exactly.”
“Then we won’t let it happen,” Ivy said, forcing a smile. “We’ll make sure they all know. I think the safest bet is making an announcement but frame it as a good thing, as if none of them are suspects. That way we know they’re all aware.”
“That sounds like a good idea. After that, I was thinking we would go to dinner.”
Ivy’s smile dipped. “Aunt Felicity is insisting that Max and I go to dinner so we can make up.”
“I happen to think that’s a good idea. We’ll all go to dinner.”
“I don’t want to make up.” Ivy jutted out her lower lip and folded her arms across her chest, adopting what Jack considered to be the world’s most adorable pout.
“You’ll live.” Jack tapped her chin. “You love your brother and you’re not happy when you’re in the middle of a fight. Suck it up. You’re both adults.”
Ivy made an exaggerated expression. “Whose side are you on?”
“I’m always on your side, even when you’re wrong. Just because I don’t happen to agree with you doesn’t mean I’m not on your side.”
“But … .”
“No.” Jack shook his head to cut her off, firm. “You’re making up. I’ve had it, too. We’ll all have dinner together … just as soon as we make our announcement. Are you guys done with practice?”
“As done as we’re going to get,” Ivy replied. “I’ve watched that opening number so many times I think I could do it and I have negative rhythm.”
Jack snorted, genuinely amused. “I happen to like your rhythm.”
“You’re just saying that because you’re a sap.”
“Guilty as charged.”
Ivy briefly gripped Jack’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Let’s get this over with, shall we?”
“Definitely.”
“Okay.” Ivy shuffled back to the main room and cleared her throat, waiting until almost thirty sets of expectant eyes turned in her direction. “I have really good news everyone. Aubrey has woken up.”
The girls broke into enthusiastic applause, giving Ivy a moment to study their faces. She was looking for someone who only pretended to be excited. After a few seconds, she realized that was the bulk of the girls. They were all pretending to be excited about Aubrey’s recovery.
The realization made Ivy angry … and a little sick to her stomach.
“She’s going to remain in the hospital for a few days, but her parents called the police department and told them she remembers who poisoned her,” Ivy continued. “She’s going to be undergoing tests tonight in a locked ward, but tomorrow, this entire thing will be over because she’s going to tell Detectives Harker and Nixon who hurt her.”
“Oh, well, that’s great news, isn’t it?” Felicity’s eyes sparkled as she stepped forward. “It seems everything is going to turn out exactly how it should.”
“Definitely,” Ivy agreed, taking one more moment to scan the girls before giving up. “So, we�
�re done practicing for the day. You guys are free to go. I expect you here at ten in the morning for a dress rehearsal. Then, after lunch, we’ll be dealing with the real thing. It’s almost here, guys.”
“Yes,” Sadie said, her eyes flashing as her gaze bounced from face to face. “May the best contestant win.”
Ivy thought it was creepy how she phrased it, but she wasn’t in the mood to press the issue. “Everyone have a good night and get lots of rest.”
“Relax a little, too,” Jack added, moving up behind Ivy. “This is almost over. Tomorrow we’ll have someone in jail.”
“And a new queen,” Ivy supplied with as much fake enthusiasm as possible. “It’s going to be a busy, busy day.”
“I’M NOT MAKING UP with him.”
Ivy crossed her arms over her chest and glared across the diner table to where Felicity and Max sat shoulder to shoulder.
“I told you she would do this,” Max groused. “I don’t know why you have to push things, Aunt Felicity. It’s not as if I particularly want to make up with her either. She’s a complete and total … .”
“Watch your mouth.” Jack extended a finger and cut off whatever derogatory comment Max was going to offer up. “You happen to be talking about the woman I love.”
“Oh, so cute.” Felicity beamed at Jack before letting her smile slip as she focused on Ivy. “Young lady, while I’ve always found your attitude and feisty nature to be entertaining, I think I’ve had enough of this one.”
“I’m not making up with him.” Ivy was firm. “He betrayed me.”
“Oh, it’s like a soap opera.” Felicity pinched the bridge of her nose. “Do you have to be so dramatic?”
“I think she’s more dramatic than usual because she’s been spending too much time with teenagers,” Jack supplied. “She can’t help herself.”
“I’m sitting right here,” Ivy snapped.
“I know.” Jack patted her knee under the table. “You’re very warm cuddled in at my side. I couldn’t forget you’re there.”
Ivy’s expression was straight out of a chick flick movie and Jack couldn’t stop himself from grinning.
“Oh, you two are so cute I could just eat you up.” Felicity was having a good time despite the upheaval between her niece and nephew. “I’m so glad you found each other.”
“Me, too.” Jack’s smile was lazy as he leaned back in the booth and slipped an arm around Ivy’s shoulder. “I happen to think Ivy is absolutely perfect … except for when she digs her heels in, like now.”
“I haven’t dug my heels in,” Ivy sputtered, frustrated. Jack was being too charming for her to muster legitimate anger. He was good at defusing her irritation with nothing more than a smile, and she found it alarming at times. “Max is being a butthead.”
“Oh, you’re the butthead,” Max shot back, his temper getting the better of him. “You’re the queen of the buttheads.”
“I told you that I thought you were a queen,” Jack teased when Ivy’s eyes widened to comical proportions.
“Knock it off, Jack,” Ivy warned, anger evident. “I think you’re cute most of the time, but you’re on my last nerve right now. I’ve had a long day. I had to spend it with teenagers … crying, screaming, screeching, mean girl teenagers. Exactly how far do you want to push me?”
That was an interesting question, and it was one Jack didn’t have an answer for. Instead, he held up his hands in mock surrender. “Fine. I’ll back off. Just remember that your brother loves you and has given up a big portion of his life to protect and take care of you. Do you really want to let a little thing like him dating Simone Graham derail that?”
“It’s not a little thing!” Ivy slapped her hand on the table, earning a few curious stares from diner guests and forcing her to lower her voice. “It’s not a little thing,” she repeated. “He knows how mean Simone has been to me throughout the years. He knows she did something to me at the pageant.”
Jack tilted his chin, curious. “Simone is older than you by ten years. What was she doing at your pageant?”
“I believe I already told you,” Ivy sniffed. “She was a mentor.”
“Like you are at this pageant?”
“She was nothing like me.”
Felicity made a sympathetic clucking sound with her tongue as she reached across the table and patted Ivy’s hand. “No one is saying that what happened to you was fair or right. In fact, it’s terrible. Simone isn’t a good person. She’s older now, though. If your brother thinks she’s better than she used to be, don’t you owe him the opportunity to find out?”
Ivy didn’t hesitate before shaking her head. “No.”
“I need to know what happened at this pageant,” Jack said. “I keep hearing whispers, but no one will tell me anything. Why is that?”
“Because I almost went to jail and the person you’re trying to get answers from arranged it so I was covered,” Ivy replied, pressing the heel of her hand to her forehead as she shifted on the booth seat. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You almost went to jail?” Jack was perturbed. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, but maybe you should.”
“No. Leave it alone.” Ivy’s voice was laced with irritation.
Jack turned to Felicity for help. “Will you tell me?”
“No.” Felicity shook her head, apologetic. “I promised Ivy I would never bring it up again. I meant it. She was very upset … and I honestly don’t blame her.”
Jack flicked his eyes to Max. “You’ll tell me.”
“I don’t know exactly what happened,” Max admitted, taking Jack by surprise. “No one has told me either. Whatever it was, it was ugly. Maisie and Ava did something – and if you believe Ivy, Simone put them up to it – and it caused a huge ruckus the day of the pageant. No one told me what that thing was and everyone involved, including Simone, is very hush-hush about it.”
The story kept getting weirder and weirder. Jack had no idea what to make of it. “You don’t know what happened?”
“No.”
“Then how can you possibly go against your sister and hook up with Simone?” For the first time, the sympathy Jack felt for Max waned. “I thought it was some dumb teenage stuff, but if Ivy almost got arrested and no one will talk about it, have you ever considered something heavier happened?”
Max opened his mouth to argue and then snapped it shut, his eyes contemplative. “Not really. You have a point, though. What did happen?”
“I’m not talking to you about this.” Ivy scratched at her cheek, mostly so she had something to do with her hands. “I don’t want to dwell on it. I think I was very clear about that.”
“Honey, you might feel better if you talk about it,” Jack prodded.
“Except I won’t,” Ivy said. “I don’t want to talk about it. I’m not going to talk about it.” She ran her tongue over her teeth as she thought hard. “You know what? Max, I forgive you. Everyone is right. This is all on me. I don’t want to punish you.
“You’ve been a good brother and given up a lot of your free time to help me with stuff over the years,” she continued. “It wasn’t fair to you. Everyone has always loved you. It was me they hated.”
“I didn’t have a problem helping you,” Max protested.
Ivy ignored the statement. “I’m being unfair to you. You deserve to live your life however you want to live it. I’m freeing you to do that. I hope you and Simone are very happy.” Ivy got to her feet, her face whiter than Jack was comfortable with. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m ready to go home. I’ll be at the truck, Jack.”
“You can’t leave.” Felicity was frustrated. “You haven’t made up with your brother.”
“We have.” Ivy was blasé. “We’re not fighting. I promise. We’re done. Everything is … fine.” Instead of waiting for Jack, she turned on her heel and headed for the door, leaving her fiancé to watch with a troubled expression on his face.
“Enough is enough.” Jack leaned forward once she wa
s gone, frustration positively rolling off him in waves. “What happened at that pageant that has made her so crazy?”
“I honestly don’t know.” Max looked as conflicted as Jack felt. “I’ve never seen her like this. I just … don’t know what to do.”
Jack’s eyes darkened as he turned to Felicity. “Why won’t you tell me?”
“Because it’s Ivy’s story to tell and she’s mortified right down to her toes,” Felicity replied. “I can’t tell you. I promised her.”
“Well, she’s going to tell me.” Jack got to his feet and signaled the waitress. “I need my order to go.”
“What are you going to do?” Max asked, genuinely curious.
“Push her until she has no choice but to tell me,” Jack replied. “She’s being eaten up inside, and I don’t like it.”
“She’ll pick a fight with you instead.”
“I’m used to that. I need to know before I head out tomorrow. I could be gone most of the day and if she’s going to have a meltdown … .”
“I’ll be with her,” Max said. “She won’t be alone tomorrow.”
“No offense, Max, but she’s not exactly thrilled with you right now so that doesn’t make me feel better,” Jack said. “That’s the first time I’ve been able to say that about you since we met. You might want to give serious thought as to why that’s the case.”
Max balked. “How bad could it possibly be?”
“Well, you might want to consider who your sister is and everything you’ve seen or know about Simone and roll that idea around in your head for a few hours.” Jack handed several bills to the waitress when she delivered his takeout bag. “Your sister may be dramatic. She’s not purposely mean, though. I think we both know someone who is.”
Jack headed toward the door, pausing long enough to cast a final glance back at Max. “Just think about it,” he prodded. “Who is most likely in the wrong here? I’m going to guess that the answer you come up with isn’t your sister.”
With those words, Jack disappeared, leaving Max with a belly full of guilt and a lot to contemplate.
Wicked Fun: An Ivy Morgan Mystery Books 7-9 Page 54
