“I’ve warned you about high priced women,” Damon said. “Do you have any ideas on how to continue? That nosy Shelby is smarter than the girls we’re used to. I’ve tried disarming her with my charm, but she doesn’t go for it. She’s faithful to the handyman.”
“Too bad. If you remove the handyman from the equation, you could swoop in and get her while she’s vulnerable. If she’s with you, she won’t be a problem.”
“True. She isn’t the type to fool around like Teresa.”
I was no longer the target. Heath was! I needed to alert him. Making enough noise to alert them to the fact someone was close by, I banged open the dumpster lid and tossed the magazines in. Only then did I realize that if they looked in the dumpster, they’d know I was the one who had had all the magazines.
I groaned. Idiot. Maybe they wouldn’t look.
Quick walking, okay, jogging, away from the pool, I went in search of Heath. I found him scooping dead leaves from the koi pond.
“You need to hear this.” I handed him the recording.
After listening, his face impassive, he said, “Good. Better me than you.”
“No!” I gripped his arm. “I’m prepared for them, you aren’t.”
He shook free. “I’m better able to protect myself than you are. Besides, Ted will be close by.”
How was I supposed to concentrate during Saturday’s event if I worried about Heath? Now, instead of patrolling the maze, I’d be following him around. “You don’t understand.”
“No, it’s you who doesn’t understand.” He sat on the brick wall surrounding the pond. “I’ll rest easier knowing you aren’t the target.”
“I won’t rest at all knowing you are!”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I guess we’re at a stale mate.”
“I guess we are.” Tears clogged my throat. “I don’t want the people I care about in danger.”
“You can’t have it all, Shelby.” He exhaled sharply. “At least you admit to caring about me.”
“You know I do. Don’t do this. We’ll talk after Saturday.”
“Fine.” He stood. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” He turned his back.
I blinked, trying to hold the tears at bay. Our first real argument and I wasn’t sure our relationship would survive.
“Shelby!” Alice clunked on her stilettos toward me.
I sniffed and wiped my eyes. “Yeah?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Are you crying?”
“Allergies.”
“Oh, yeah, they’re tough this time of year. I have an idea for Saturday. Walk with me to the kitchen.”
I’d never been in the kitchen before. At any other time, excitement might have peppered my steps. Today, I dragged.
“My idea is to have some kind of mystery food for Saturday’s dinner. But, I’m drawing a blank.”
Was she serious? Who wanted to eat something they didn’t know what it was? I thought for a moment, then had an idea. “How about making up different ethnic meals and putting them in plain dinner boxes? No one will know what they’re getting at first, but they’ll recognize the food once they open the box.”
“Great idea.” She grinned. “That’s why I hired you. Now, run out and get me sixty of those type boxes.” Handing me a credit card, she shooed me from the kitchen before I had both feet in the room.
I texted Grandma to see if she wanted to go with me. She did. A few minutes later, we were both in my little Volkswagon and headed for the nearest warehouse store.
“I never turn down a chance to stock up on my wine,” Grandma said.
“Your liver ought to be quite pickled by now.”
“Everyone knows it’s the hard stuff that hurts your liquor. Wine is good for you.”
Whatever she said. An hour later, the backseat filled with wine bottles, boxes, and clothes Grandma just had to have, we headed home.
As I drove, I asked her advice regarding Heath.
“Why didn’t you say the words back?” She tilted her head, looking just like a wrinkled puppy.
“I’m afraid.”
“Oh, pooh. I didn’t raise a coward.”
She didn’t raise me at all. In fact, until I graduated high school, I rarely knew my world-traveling grandmother.
“I’ve told Teddy dozens of times. Love is cheap, dearie, commitment is what costs you. It’s clear you love the man, so say the words. Take a chance. He isn’t your ex.”
While I thought her reasoning regarding love a bit skewed, she did make a valid point. “I’ll tell him after tomorrow night’s event.” I glanced in my rearview mirror as a dark truck with tinted windows rode on my bumper.
I pulled to the slow lane so they could pass. Instead of increasing their speed, they slowed and hit the side of my car. “Hey!” Not my baby. “I thought Heath was the target now.”
“Perhaps you both are.” Grandma dug her fingernails into the dashboard. “Can you outrun them?”
“In this bug? Not a chance.” I stopped and threw the car into reverse.
The truck did the same.
A curve up ahead sent a bolt of fear through me. If I couldn’t avoid them before we reached it…I turned the wheel and sped back the way we’d come.
“I’m calling Teddy!” Grandma fished her phone from her purse.
I didn’t know what he could do, but it wouldn’t hurt to let someone know what was happening. I pressed the accelerator and pushed my baby to her limit.
It didn’t take long for the truck to be on my bumper again. “What do I do?”
“Take a defensive driving class as soon as possible. Teddy? We’re being run off the road…yes, Shelby is driving…Ted says to get off the road as soon as possible.”
“Where?” Trees lined the highway.
The truck rammed us from behind.
“Oh, that hit clicked my teeth together. I almost bit my tongue, Teddy…” she smiled. “He said he’ll kiss it later.”
Gross. “Hush and let me concentrate.” I whipped the wheel again, taking us toward the truck.
“Oh, good Lord, she’s playing chicken with the truck!”
“I am not.” I’d spotted a dirt road off to the side. Before the truck could turn, I’d pulled in and drove behind some bushes. “Tell Teddy we’re at mile marker 102, down a dirt road. And hurry. It won’t take long for them to find us.”
“He said the tracker on your phone told him where we were and help is on the way.”
“I forgot about that particular invasion of privacy.” For once, I was glad to have the tracker on my phone.
Sirens wailed in the distance. Soon, a squad car pulled alongside us.
“Did you see them?”
The young officer shook his head, his eyes covered by mirrored sunglasses. “Nope. They must have left when they heard me coming. I’ll follow you to your destination.”
“How’s my car?”
He glanced up and down. “A few scratches. A dent. Nothing that can’t be fixed. It looks as if the assailant wanted to warn rather than harm. More importantly, are either one of you hurt?”
“My tongue is throbbing.”
He pressed his lips together. “Let’s go.”
“You can be so embarrassing, Grandma.” I pulled out of our hiding place. True to his word, the officer followed until I drove into the parking lot of Shady Acres.
That was a close call. One I didn’t want to repeat any time soon.
Ted and Heath ran toward us as we got out of the car. While Ted grabbed Grandma in a hug, Heath wrapped his arms around me.
“I’m sorry. Let’s not fight. What if an argument is the last thing we did?”
I tilted my face to his. “You aren’t angry with me anymore?”
“I was never angry with you, only hurt. I’ve put my big boy pants on.” He gave me a crooked grin. “Why is there something red dripping from the inside of your car?”
“My wine!” Grandma stomped her foot. “I demand retribution. That stuff isn’t cheap.�
��
Heath slid his arm around my waist and planted a kiss on my neck. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Let’s do the maze together tomorrow.” I glanced up. “It will be safer, and if something happens…which I’ll pray it won’t…there’s no one I’d rather be in trouble with than you.”
23
Heath squeezed my hand. “Ready?”
I nodded and watched as almost everyone from the community traipsed down the flagstone path to the maze. I clapped my hands to get their attention. “The fliers explained the rules, but I’ll say them again. First one to find the prize, gets the prize. That’s pretty much it. Heath and I will be wandering the maze with you in case you get hopelessly lost. Ready, set…go!”
Like a herd of thundering cattle they entered the maze. Alan and Damon were right in the thick of the crowd. Good. I’d almost thought they wouldn’t show.
I glared at them as they passed, but both men avoided my gaze. Cowards. I glanced at Heath. “Ready?”
“Do you have your wire and Tazor?”
I nodded. “And my heavy flashlight.”
“Don’t get separated.” He led me by the hand into the maze.
Clouds flirted with the moon, casting the maze into dark shadows. Perfect for the event.
The residents had also enjoyed the surprise dinner boxes and wanted them more often. I really was made for this job. I’d been a good teacher, but this…working with the gardens and seeing people smile at the activities I planned…was very fulfilling. Maybe someday I’d return to shaping little minds, but not any time soon.
The night filled with excited chatter until someone called out that talking alerted others to where you were and if you didn’t shut up someone might beat you to the prize. Then, silence fell like a shooting star except for the giggles rising from my throat.
“I really do love these people,” I said.
“All of them?” Heath’s eyes sparkled.
“Most of them.” I returned his smile and flicked on my flashlight. “Should we start moving or wait until someone calls for help?”
“Let’s walk. Nothing like a moonlight stroll with my best girl. Besides, if we keep moving, it’ll be harder to find us.”
“Wait.” I tugged him to a stop. “Finding us is the whole point.”
“You do have the two-way wire on, right?”
I nodded. Ted had given it to me earlier that evening.
“Ow!” A cry sounded behind us.
We turned.
Alice sat on the ground rubbing her ankle. One of her ridiculous high heeled shoes lay beside her.
Heath rushed to her side. “You should know better than to wear heels in the maze.”
“Help me to that bench. I’ve twisted it bad.”
Another cry for help rang out.
I glanced at Heath, who was clearly torn between helping Alice and going with me. When Alice clutched his arm, I whirled and dashed away. Better I leave him safely behind.
I ran this way and that trying to determine where the call for help had come from. “Where are you?”
The cry came again.
I turned right and came to a dead end. Grinning at me were Alan and Damon.
“Look at that. She found us.” Alan pulled a gun from his pocket.
“Whoa.” Damon stepped in front of him. “What are you doing? We don’t kill for the money. We’re only here to scare her.”
“You’ve served your purpose…friend.” Alan pulled the trigger.
Damon dropped to the ground.
I rushed to his side and fell to my knees. “He’s still alive. We need to get help.”
“I’m afraid that isn’t possible. Let’s go.” He waved the gun.
“Go where? There’s only one way out.”
“That’s what you know. Head to the gazebo. Avoid Ted and Heath at all costs. You’d better hurry. If someone gets there before us, there may be more shots fired.”
“You’re insane.”
“No, just desperate, and desperate people are dangerous.” He shoved me. “Go.”
I slipped my hand into my pocket and turned on the recorder. “I knew you were the killer.”
“I figured as much. Women shouldn’t be as smart as you. Now, stop talking before someone hears and follows us.”
That’s what I wanted. But, after too many jabs in the back with the gun, I took him to the gazebo. No one had found the prize yet. The box sat on the small table in the center.
“Move that table. There’s a trapdoor under it. Hurry up.” Alan jabbed me again.
Now I knew how Lauren got in and out to leave me messages. I moved the table and pulled up a door I hadn’t known was there. You would have thought the workmen would have mentioned it. Instead, they’d repaired the door and gazebo as if it were perfectly natural to have a trapdoor.
I shined my flashlight down a set of wooden steps and took a deep breath. Here went nothing. I really hoped Ted was close enough to be following us.
“Turn right at the T-junction.” Alan ordered.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere you can’t find your way out until I’m long gone.”
I stopped and turned, shining the light in his eyes. “You aren’t going to kill me?”
“No, I’ll let the dark do that.” He sneered, slapping my hand down. “Don’t blind me like that.”
“May I ask why you killed Teresa?”
“You know why. She was blackmailing me with that stupid article.”
“And Ms. Wilkinson?”
He shrugged. “I’m not positive she knew anything, but I couldn’t take any chances. As for Damon, well, we had some laughs, but the man was too soft where women were concerned. He’d become a liability.”
I stared at the heartless man in front of me, then brought the flashlight back up. I shined the beam directly into his eyes, then lashed out with the flashlight, clipping him on the side of the head. As he fell to his knees, I ran.
“I know these tunnels, sweetheart, and you don’t.”
True, but I wasn’t going to make anything easy for him. I’d read somewhere that if you were lost, to always stay to the right. I ran deeper into the tunnels.
A shot rang out, then a curse.
My flashlight jerked in my hand, then sputtered out. The bullet must have clipped the light. Better the light, than me. Problem was…I was now cast into total darkness.
I trailed one hand down the wall and continued, watching for the small beam from Alan’s light. He could no longer see me, but I could see him. All I needed to do was find a place to hide then zap him with my Tazor when he got close.
I tripped and fell. As I felt for the wall to get back up, my hand disappeared into an alcove. The perfect hiding place. I crawled inside and waited.
Darkness engulfed me. The odor of moist dirt filled my nostrils.
What if Ted didn’t come? What if he really did leave me down here? The infernal tears that were never far behind when I was upset or scared sprang to the surface. No. I swiped them away. If he left, I’d find my way out. It might take a while, but I refused to die down there.
From somewhere came more cursing. It was hard to tell if he was coming my way or not.
With eyes wide open, I waited for a glimmer of light to signal he was close.
“I changed my mind. I am going to kill you! Slowly!”
I shuddered. “Ted? If you can hear me, I’m in the tunnels. Alan is coming, and he’s mad. Hurry,” I whispered.
“Sit tight and be quiet,” Ted’s voice came over the piece in my ear. “I’m on my way.”
“Please, hurry.” I scooted as far back as I could.
A faint light broke through the darkness. I got my Tazor ready.
Alan stopped in front of my hiding place. “I smell the perfume you’re wearing.”
“It’s body spray.” I reached out and zapped his ankle.
He shrieked and fell.
I scrambled for the flashlight and the gun, tripping over
his body. The flashlight slammed into the wall and went out. Okay. I’d try to be positive. I was stuck in the dark, with a killer, but I had the gun and a Tazor. My phone!
I pulled it from my pocket and shined the light on Alan’s face. His eyes glittered with evil intent. I zapped him again, then kicked him for good measure.
“Shelby!” Ted yelled in my ear.
“That hurt. Speak softly, please.”
“What’s going on? Where are you?”
“In the tunnels. I fought Alan and won. He’s twitching like a fish on a line right now. I have enough juice in my Tazor for one more zap so you’d better hurry. Oh, and call out before you run up on me. I’m sitting in the dark with a gun. I’d hate to shoot you.”
He chuckled. “I’d hate that, too.”
I shut off the light on my phone. I’d use it again when Alan stirred, which would be in about twenty more seconds. I wasn’t out of trouble yet.
“I suppose I could shoot you in the leg and leave you for the rats, but, you see, Alan…I’m a nicer person that that.” I hit him with the flashlight in the head, then flashed my phone long enough to see I’d knocked him out. “That’s what people get when they try to kill me.
“I would say it wasn’t personal, but it kind of is. I need you to stay unconscious until help arrives.” I slid my back up the wall until I stood on my feet.
I turned and glanced down the tunnel. Where was Ted?
Arms grabbed me and swung me off my feet.
I kicked as hard as I could, connecting with Alan’s shin.
“Give me the gun!”
“No.” I tossed it into the dark. Now, neither one of us could see.
He released me and grappled for my throat.
I stepped back, willing my breath to be slow and easy. He huffed so loud it had to be hard to hear me.
“I am going to squeeze the life out of you!”
He had to find me first. Inch-by-inch I moved backward. I stepped on something.
My ankle twisted.
I fell.
Wait. It was the gun.
I crawled on the dirt floor looking for it.
A light shined in my face. I blinked against the glare.
Alan had the same thought of using his cell phone. He bent and retrieved the gun at his feet. “Get up.”
Path to Nowhere (A Shady Acres Mystery Book 2) Page 14
