He trained the gun on her as he moved forward. “He loved you, you know. Sam did.” His voice was different, more masculine.
Lily said nothing. Denis’s gait had changed. He morphed into another persona right in front of her.
“I told him this job was a mistake. But he wouldn’t listen. Ever since he saw your picture in one of the bridal magazines, he had to have you. You bewitched him. He became obsessed with meeting you.”
Lily narrowed her focus on the gun, hoping his finger didn’t slip. Gibberish spilled from his lips. The guy was unraveling. Keep him talking until you figure a way out.
“What picture?” Jake would come soon. The chief and Aunt Bee knew she was here.
“The one of you, your sisters, and your mother in one of the industry’s magazines. There was an article about how your family business was thriving and something about how you and your sisters decided on staying in the industry after you graduated from college.”
She remembered that picture. How could she forget? Right after that, her father died. “That’s ridiculous. That picture was taken, like, four years ago.”
Denis sneered a perverse smile at her. “That’s right, Lily. Four years ago. We left South Dakota in the dust and came to the Big Apple. New York City. I settled into a job at a bridal shop in New York, and we were setting up for the next job. Sam came to my apartment to discuss our next mark and was rifling through the magazine when your picture caught his eye. He tore out the picture, claiming you were the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.”
He waved the gun around. “You and your sisters look alike to me, but he couldn’t get you out of his head. Sam became obsessed with you. He tracked you down and followed your every move.”
“He stalked me? I never once saw him. Not until that day we first met on the beach. You’re lying.”
“I’m many things, Lily. Yes, even a liar, but not in this case. Sam kept tabs on you, your family, your business. He studied you well before that day on the beach. He was a master of his craft. And you’re right, you never saw him before that day because he didn’t want you to.”
“So he marked me then? To use me? For what? A possibility that I might inherit some money? I don’t get it, I don’t fit your pattern. I’m not some rich widow.”
“Ah, you know about us then? Yes, widows are our chosen ones, but variety is good. You were different. Sam had feelings for you. The fool was in love with you and wanted a real relationship. That wouldn’t work. We didn’t do relationships.”
“What about Claire? If Sam was interested in me, then why did he hook up with her?”
Denis’s expression hardened. “It was our job, Lily. Sam was starting to forget that, and I had to remind him. New York was our next big hit, and this one had to last awhile. I worked hard to get that position at the bridal shop. I had a good thing going and planned on working there for a long time. And I loved my little Manhattan apartment . . .”
“And Sam? He lived with you?”
“No, he had his own place. We kept our lives as separate as possible. No one could tie us together. He worked at private pool clubs giving rich ladies swim lessons and more. The guy always had to be near water. On the weekends he’d head out to the Hamptons. He received invitations to attend a party or stay at a summer house. He was supposed to research our next mark as I worked the salon. I studied the families with ‘unlimited’ budgets in regards to dress shopping.”
“You killed Sam. Why?”
“He betrayed me. The guy couldn’t get you out of his head. He walked away from me and our partnership. Then he hid everything. Our fake IDs, passports, Claire’s painting, and all those beautiful jewels.”
“If Sam loved me, why didn’t he marry me?”
“You could have been our ultimate mark. Mrs. Bailey would have a sudden death. Her estate would go to you and your sisters. Eventually, your sisters would have a tragic car accident, leaving their portions to you. Overcome with the loss of your sisters and all alone in the world, you’d take your own life. Sam would inherit it all. Pity he didn’t stick to the plan.”
“You’re insane!”
“Hardly.”
“A psychopath then.” From all those crime shows she watched, her stomach cringed, because that was how to describe him. She had to buy time. “Everyone knows I’m here. They’re on their way right now.”
He balked at her. “You are a silly girl. The roads are flooded. They’d have to send a special vehicle to cut through to save you. Oh that’s right, you left your phone on your desk and haven’t seen all the alerts. I made sure both the chief and Jake received a text from you that you were on your way home. You’re ridiculously predictable.”
He laughed at her. “Surprised? I figured out the passcode on your phone ages ago. Had to be someone’s birthday. Turned out to be your dad’s. And of course I already knew the code for the alarm system. But you did shock me when you showed up here last night. I had hoped to reclaim my treasures and be long gone by now.”
She sucked in a breath. How could she be that stupid? She trusted this man. “You did something to Mary’s car. You knew I’d come here. You planned to kill me.”
He stilled and the sneer on his face grew. “Even I’m not that good. Nope. Mary’s clunker must have died on its own accord. With a bad storm coming, I thought, this might be my one opportunity to get what belonged to me and disappear once again. I have a truck parked a few blocks away on higher ground.”
He shook the gun at her. “I’ve been searching your house, this place, and that crotchety old bag’s house for the past year. Last night, I overheard you and Jake talking about what you’d found while waiting for the ambulance. Never imagined Sam would hide those treasures up in that disgusting attic. Impressive.”
So the man who followed her was him. She was about to bombard him with more questions to keep him talking, but he continued as if proud of his accomplishments.
“The day Sam slinked back into town, I knew he came for the stash, because I followed him here. He wouldn’t tell me where he hid the stuff and I admit, I lost control and shot that double-crosser.”
“Why did you kill Haley?” She eased her hand to grab the scissors on the table. The luxurious ball gown hid her movement.
“I knew who she was right away. She didn’t recognize me at first. My appearance is quite different than I looked in South Dakota. We met once at a gala. I followed her and her brother. They were getting too close.” He shrugged. “Collateral damage. That bitch Claire was next. I saw her talking to Haley and knew she was going to figure out I was Sam’s partner. We had never met, but she’s clever, that one.”
“And Aunt Bee? Why burn her house down?”
“She’s a hawk. Always watching. She should have died, but you had to save her.” His lips curled up into an eerie, evil smirk. “You should see your face right now. Shock, disbelief, surprise. You’re easy to read. I almost understand why Sam fell in love with you. Opposites attract.” He waved the gun. “Time to go. You’re going to climb up and get my stuff. Don’t do anything stupid.” He motioned for her to move toward him.
She tugged the dress against her body, clasping the scissors underneath. “The chief took the evidence last night. If you leave now, you can make it to your truck before anyone finds you. You can disappear again.”
“Not without my stuff. I watched the shop all night. The chief was too busy getting ready for the storm to collect anything. Now I’m done playing with you.” He jerked toward her, and she bumped back into the table. “Let’s go.”
“Okay, okay. Let me hang the dress.” She turned around without waiting for permission and slipped the scissors into her jacket pocket.
He forced her to walk out the back door. Rain soaked through her clothes and plastered them against her wet skin. They entered Jake’s place.
&
nbsp; He pointed to the ladder. “Climb.”
“Jake’s got an alarm system. He’s going to see what’s happening on his phone.”
“By the time he gets here, I’ll be on my way. Stop stalling, or I’ll put a bullet in you right now.”
He pushed her into the ladder. No doubt, he was going to kill her. She ascended the ladder. On the fourth rung, the ladder shifted and creaked from Denis’s weight. He was climbing behind her. She looked down. Both of his hands were on the metal. He must have put the gun in his waistband. This was her chance. She reached the top and pretended to pry the attic door open.
“It’s stuck.”
“Use some elbow grease!” He moved up another rung, and his shoulder brushed against her ankle.
She kicked down hard on his shoulder and pushed with all her might. He grabbed her ankle, and she stabbed his hand with the scissors. He screamed. She slipped but held on. She had seconds before he shot her. She kicked and coiled around, contorting her body. With a final kick, Denis lost his footing and flew off the ladder. His head pounded on the hard floor with a crack.
Blood oozed from the wound on his hand, and she swayed. Not now. She glanced away and sprang down the ladder.
He glared at her, his eyes cold and flat. “You bitch.” He reached behind his head, and she saw that his hand dripped with red liquid. He tried to stand up.
“Don’t move. I don’t want to hurt you.” Her grip on the scissors grew clammy, her vision started to get hazy. She needed to get his gun and sit down before she fainted. She and the rickety old folding chair by the ladder were becoming great friends.
He didn’t listen. His hands stirred behind his back. Before he could produce the gun, she seized the chair and swung it against his head.
“No!” He collapsed, and with raised scissors, she turned him over, found his gun, and pointed at his chest.
“Lily!” The wind called her name.
She was hearing things and losing her battle with consciousness at the sight of blood. She stumbled to the chair, sat down, and put her head between her knees.
“Lily!”
She lifted her head. Jake. Was she imagining his presence?
He ran over, took the gun from her, and pulled her into his arms. His warm breath caressed her neck. His hands massaged her back. His lips pressed into hers. No, he was real. This was real.
The chief busted through the back door, along with two of his officers. He went to Denis’s body and checked his pulse.
“Did I kill him?” Her raspy voice echoed in competition with the heightened wind.
The chief shook his head. “Thank God you’re all right.”
Chapter 31
Lily laughed along with her sisters in the main room of the bridal shop as Chrissy told a story of meeting a hot Italian guy in some Venice café. Over the past few days, she had heard all about their adventures while traveling in Italy, and she had revealed more of the horrors that occurred in their hometown. Complete opposite types of stories.
Rose and Chrissy bawled along with her, and they hugged and held on to each other, afraid to let go. When their conversations turned too dark, her sisters had a knack of changing the subject to their lighter adventures, and before long, Lily would laugh so hard, she’d nearly pee her pants.
“Jake’s on his way over,” Lily said. “He wanted to see me before the Saturday rush.”
“How convenient that his apartment is right across the street.” A tiny light danced in Rose’s eyes as she teased Lily.
“Yeah, good for some late-night hookups after the shop closes.” Chrissy sling-shotted a garter belt at Lily.
“Ha, ha, very funny. We’re taking this relationship slow.”
Rose put her arm around Lily’s waist. “I’m in shock that Denis is a cold-hearted murderer.”
“At least he’s been arrested,” Chrissy pointed out.
Lily smiled at her sisters, glad they were spared what had happened in their charming shore town. Jake had tied up more than a few loose ends over the past two weeks. Claire’s painting became part of the investigation, but she’d get the treasure back. Jake convinced Claire and Robert to keep the original deal on the bait and tackle shop with Lily. Between her sisters’ return, meeting the new designer, and dealing with the press when the news broke about Denis, Lily was on overload.
The bridal shop bell chimed as Jake swung open the door. His face lit up when he spotted her.
“Hey you.” She held out her hand.
He took her hand and kissed her on the lips. He grinned at her, signaling he wanted more, but they had an audience. He settled for putting an arm around her shoulder.
“We were talking about dinner at our house after we close. Aunt Bee, the chief, and Daisy are already cooking up a storm. The good kind. You’ll be there. Right?” Rose asked, her face scrunched, worry lines already visible on her forehead.
Lily studied Rose. There was a sadness about her. Over the past four years her melancholy surfaced often and at odd times. Something troubled her sister, and when Lily voiced her concerns, she brushed her aside. Even Chrissy questioned her.
Jake pressed a kiss to Lily’s head. “Wouldn’t miss it. Chrissy, I thought you had a hot date tonight.”
“I do. After dinner. With Alvin. Seems kind of sweet.”
Sweet was not the adjective Lily would use to describe him. Awkward, was a better choice. “He was anxious for you to return to the States. I thought he was going to have a stroke when your plane got delayed because of the storm. I had no idea you knew him that well.”
Chrissy shrugged and waved off the notion. “I don’t.”
“Uh-oh, someone’s got a crush.” Rose tapped her sister’s arm.
Before anyone could respond, a customer entered.
“Saved by the bell. Come on, Chrissy. Let’s leave these lovebirds alone.” Rose motioned for her sister to follow her as she greeted the young woman who had entered.
“I have some news,” Jake whispered into Lily’s hair.
“Let’s go into my office.” She led him away with a dazzling smile. Her heart pounded. Somehow between the day she first laid eyes on his handsome face and today, she had fallen in love with Jake.
Once in her office, he shut the door. “I’m staying in town. The chief suggested I start a side business where I check on people’s houses until they return for the summer season. He gave me leads on a few new customers. I can take local PI cases too.”
He swept her into his arms, and when she clasped her hands around to the back of his waist, he cupped her face. “I know you’ve been burned before. We both have. And we’ve known each other a short time, but we’re meant to be together, Lily. I don’t want to live without you. I can’t. We’ll take it slow. As much time as it takes. I promise, but I have to tell you, I’m in love with you. And whatever you need, I’m here for you.”
A rush of heat filled her hammering heart. “I’m in love with you too, Jake. You’re my person.”
He leaned down and kissed her. Finally, like many of the brides who entered her shop, she had met The One, and gotten her happily ever after.
Also from Soul Mate Publishing and Elizabeth John:
JUDGING JOEY
Madeline White must return to her hometown to help her uncle, her only family. She gets a job teaching and sees the man who broke her heart back in high school. Then she discovers he’s the school’s Safety Officer and his nephew is her student! Madeline’s determined to clear the air with him and hopes they can be civil to one another. When she builds up the courage for a painful reunion, she is shocked that he doesn’t remember her.
Officer Joey O’Neill is committed to his job, so after the beautiful redhead accuses him of the contrary, he takes offense. When Madeline informs him they’ve met before, he insists she’s m
istaken. Although his family wants him to settle down and judges his carefree bachelorhood lifestyle, it doesn’t mean he forgets the people in his life. Past or present.
Like years before, people begin to whisper about her when things go missing in the school. Joey starts to wonder if what they say is true. As the past comes back to haunt Madeline, she struggles with a secret that jeopardizes her job and hopes she can trust Joey. Has he finally outgrown being a wise-cracking jock?
Available now on Amazon: JUDGING JOEY
Forever Hold Your Piece (The Becker Sisters Bridal Series Book 1) Page 25
