Burned by Deception (The Dark Side of Springwood Book 2)

by Jennifer A. Brown

  “Can I help you?”

  Becky turned to see a girl with glasses who couldn’t have been that old. She had jet black hair and a nametag that read Sabrina. “I’m looking for Charity.” She said.

  “She’s in her office. Just a moment.”

  Sabrina walked ahead of her, going through a red door marked private that was behind the counter. Five minutes later, she came back out followed by a smiling golden blonde haired woman.

  “Hi. What can I do for you?”

  Becky suddenly felt her mouth going dry. “Um…Trent gave me your card. He said you’d be interested in having me for a book signing.”

  The woman looked blank for a few moments.

  “I’m Becky Robinson. Here’s my book.” She quickly extended her book out to the woman.

  That’s when recognition struck. “Oh! Yes! He showed me this book.”

  “He did?” Becky asked. She didn’t give him a copy, so that must have meant-

  “Yeah! He said he had to get a copy of this awesome girl’s book, and that I was crazy not to have you for a signing…which struck me as odd, since Trent is NOT a reader,” she laughed, continuing. “So, if he’s buying a copy of your book, I know you’ve got to be worth something. When do you want to have a signing?”

  ****

  Camryn had decided to go out Christmas shopping that afternoon. Justin took the chance to go to the bank. He went to the nearest shuttle bus stop to catch the next bus downtown to the bank.

  Just as he thought, there was no problem cashing the check. He assumed it was also because of his sister’s mental state too because the teller asked how she was doing as she counted out the money.

  “She’s all right I guess, all things considered.”

  The young, dark, curly haired girl shook her head. “I went to school with her. I think we had a few classes together. She seemed so nice. It’s hard to believe she could even have an evil personality.”

  Justin managed a grim smile, taking his deposit receipt from her.

  “You have a nice day.” The teller said, as he hobbled away on the crutches.

  ****

  Dan arrived at Cyber-Fix that morning still haunted by the weekend’s events. Toby called not long after he got there to say he’d be late, something to do with his mother. Dan had barely heard him as a few customers came into the store, one of them upset because a computer they’d only bought a few days before had crashed.

  “Well, I’m the only one here right now, so I’ll look at it as soon as I get a chance and call you.”

  “I shouldn’t have to pay for this, should I? It’s only been a few days.”

  “Not if you got the warranty.”

  “That guy never said one word about a warranty.”

  Dan exhaled slowly. “He didn’t?”

  “No. I think he was too busy flirting with the girl in here that day. She kept coming up and asking questions while he was trying to help me.”

  Dan closed his eyes. The same day that girl had come in and looked at him like she was seeing a ghost. And he had no idea who she was. “I’m sorry for the trouble. I won’t charge you for this.” He went on. “I will call you as soon as it’s ready.”

  ****

  “Has anyone heard from or seen Brian Shirk?” Mr. Harrison asked each of his staff members that morning. No one had.

  He knew this wasn’t like Brian at all. He had never called in during the entire time he’d been with them, let alone not even shown up.

  He went back to his office, calling Brian’s apartment once again then re-trying his cell phone. No answer for the third time.

  He sighed, putting a hand through his hair before dialing another number.

  ****

  Lyn woke up that day and bolted up in bed, looking down at herself. She had her lounge pants on that she’d spilled the iced tea on. But they were dry…and she didn’t remember putting them back on or going to bed.

  She bolted out of bed, hurrying through her brother’s place. It was empty.

  She went over to the coffee pot pouring what was left inside into a mug as the phone rang. Her heart missed a beat, and she accidentally sloshed coffee onto the counter. “Shit!” she hissed, as she dashed to answer the phone. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Lyn. Mr. Harrison. I was wondering if you’d heard from Brian?”

  She blinked. “No. Why?”

  “Well, he hasn’t shown up this morning. No one’s heard from him.”

  Her heart missed another beat. “Well, I just woke up, but—I can go over there, see if he’s okay.”

  There was a slight pause on his end. “You don’t have a car, though, do you?”

  She gulped, remembering and feeling shame wash over her. “No. I don’t.”

  After another moment’s pause, he spoke. “Well…let me clear up a few things here, and I’ll come over and pick you up. We’ll go over there together. That sound good?”

  ****

  Jacob reviewed the insurance report with Trina, and after assuring her Lyn was being reprimanded for the crash, he talked her out of pressing any further charges. “My sister really can’t control what Tammy does. She’s tried. You realize you can’t really blame her for this.”

  Trina just eyed him dubiously. “She’s a danger behind the wheel and otherwise. She’s up for trial next month, Mr. Barnes.”

  “Yes, I know that. My sister is a wreck right now, believe me. She was cited for failure to control by the police.”

  “And you paid her fine this morning. I checked on it before driving over here.” Jacob closed his eyes as she went on. “Look, I know this is probably none of my business, but I have to say this. Your sister needs help. Not the kind of help you can give her. You need to stop coddling her; that is not going to help her, no matter what you think. We have to replace the entire front end of the business my grandfather helped create in 1936. For over seventy years, we haven’t had to replace anything.”

  Jacob kept his eyes down as Trina stood up to go.

  “I hope your family works out these issues. You’ve been a really great mayor, much better than Lauren Smith. I couldn’t stand that bitch.”

  ****

  Toby finally arrived at eleven, apologizing for being late. “My mom kept complaining about feeling lightheaded and having pains in her chest. She couldn’t make up her mind whether to go to the doctor or not, so I—”

  “Toby, why didn’t you offer Mr. Craighorn a warranty on the tower he bought a few days ago?”

  Toby stopped droning on about his mother and stared at Dan wide eyed. “Who?”

  “The guy you were helping while the pretty girl kept interrupting?” Dan asked, irritation creeping into his voice.

  Toby frowned. “Well, what was I supposed to do? Tell her to buzz off?”

  “No, stop flirting with her and tell her you’re helping someone else and will be with her as soon as you can.” he went on. “This guy needs a whole new hard drive, and we have to eat the cost now.”

  Toby stood there, quiet for a long time, as Dan continued to work. A few minutes later, he turned to Toby. “Well, get to work. It’s done and over now. Just…do like I said.”

  Toby slowly made his way back out front as Dan continued to work on the tower.

  ****

  Becky left The Book Stop with her CD player blaring as she bounced in time to the music.

  She couldn’t believe her first book signing would be that following Saturday! Charity told her she’d even advertise for it in the newspaper.

  Ecstatic and beyond thrilled, she drove past the mall, looking at the entrance to the Barnes & Noble, smugly and triumphantly. She loved this feeling. Tears came to her eyes as she realized she had been on the verge of thinking she’d never get a book signing.

  Thanks to Trent…she did. She wished she knew where he lived. She’d go to him now, thank him, and offer him dinner. She couldn’t believe he’d bought her book.

  Her book.

  She bit her lip, remembering Tammy’s reac
tion to the book. A chill raced through her as she gently touched the back of her head where the faint trace of a bump could still be felt.

  As much as she wanted her best friend there for her book signing, she wasn’t so sure it was a good idea.

  ****

  Lyn remained quiet on the drive over to Brian’s despite Harrison’s attempts at conversation. He felt so horrible for her, wishing he could do more to help her. “You know…Brian suggested you cover your own trial. I think it’s a marvelous idea. It will give everyone a chance to hear your side, as well as give them a front row seat to coverage.”

  Lyn managed a weak smile, running her finger against the arm rest of his Mercury Sable. “Maybe.” was all she could say.

  A few moments later, she instructed him where to turn, and they took the elevator up to the third floor. Lyn had to smile, still seeing a few pine needles on the elevator floor from when they’d brought the tree up.

  The elevator stopped, and they stepped out as a woman pushing a baby stroller got on. Harrison followed Lyn down the hall, where she stopped outside a door marked 20B. She picked up the newspaper which lay on the floor and knocked.

  “Brian? Everything okay? It’s Lyn.”

  She was answered by silence. She sighed. “I thought I saw his car downstairs. He has to be here.”

  Harrison could pick up on the slight panic in her tone and stepped up to knock himself. “Brian? It’s Mr. Harrison! Could you open up, please?”

  Still nothing but a chilling silence met them.

  Harrison reached down and turned the knob which opened easily. Lyn glanced at the door then at him before slowly entering.

  “Brian?” she called again, looking around. She turned to head into the living room, feeling something soft at her feet. She stopped and looked down.

  “Oh my God! Brian!”

  Chapter 11

  Jacob sat through a meeting a half hour after Trina Owens left, trying to stay focused on the topics at hand, but his mind kept drifting.

  “Mayor Barnes?”

  He glanced at Paula Lawrence, the African American woman who had served as treasurer of Springwood for five years. “Yes? I’m sorry.”

  She sighed, sitting back from the long conference table. “That is the third time I’ve had to repeat myself to you. Are you all right?”

  He closed his eyes sheepishly, embarrassed.

  “Never mind. Don’t answer that. I move that we adjourn this meeting. We’re not going to get anything accomplished as long as we’re not all focused.” She said, putting her hand up emphatically.

  Jacob sighed, sitting up. “I apologize. I do have a lot on my mind, but we need to get through everything on the agenda.”

  Paula raised one eyebrow in skepticism. “We need your vote on tearing the old McGregor Women’s Clinic down, so Target can build a new store there. They’ve offered a lot for the land.”

  Jacob looked over the information in front of him before agreeing. Ten minutes later, as the meeting was adjourning, Joan Mills approached Jacob. “The mention of that clinic reminded me; you got mail from them last week.”

  Jacob frowned in confusion. “How can that be? The place has been closed for months.”

  She shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. I came across it a few days ago under a pile of papers. I didn’t get a chance to give it to you since things were so hectic that day.”

  He nodded, getting up. “Okay. Just set it on my desk. I’ll have to take a look at it later.”

  ****

  Robin threw herself into her work that morning, blocking any thoughts of Jacob…until he called.

  “Hey there, are you free for lunch?”

  She bit her lip, sitting back in her desk chair. “I’m not sure, Jacob. I have so much to do, and I still need to prepare for your sister’s case.”

  “Well…you have to eat. I can bring something there, and we can—“

  “Have sex?” she inserted.

  After a short pause, he spoke. “Well…sure. If we have time. Is everything okay?”

  “Jacob, I’m busy. Do me a favor; if you want to help your sister, leave me alone.” She hung up the phone, not giving him a chance to respond as she held her head for a few minutes before getting back to work.

  ****

  Lyn’s head was spinning. This couldn’t be happening. She felt the room tilt, then a pair of arms catching her as she looked into the eyes of Mr. Harrison. He guided her over to the sofa.

  Her eyes blurred. She heard Mr. Harrison on the phone, and her vision became more blurry.

  She felt him sit next to her and talk to her, but she couldn’t make out the words.

  This wasn’t right. No, Brian was not lying on the floor with his eyes open and not breathing.

  She felt something in her hand and looked down. Even though her vision was still blurred, she could make out a handkerchief. She blinked.

  Then there were other people in the room. Policemen. Paramedics. She thought she heard one of the paramedics ask if she was okay. Mr. Harrison said something about her boyfriend, and she was in shock.

  Then another voice entered the mix. Jacob’s. He was kneeling before her asking if she could hear him. But she couldn’t speak. She could only sit there and continue to feel tears dropping from her cheeks.

  ****

  Dan was still working on the hard drive when Toby came back. “Need any help?” he asked.

  “No. I pretty much have this done.” He admitted.

  Toby hung his head, walking around. Dan gave him a sideways glance.

  “No customers?”

  “Not for nearly an hour. It’s getting boring out there.”

  Dan took a deep breath, getting up from his chair. “You can finish what little bit is left. You have two hands.” He went on. “I’m going to go grab some lunch.”

  Toby didn’t say a word, replacing him behind the tower and getting to work.

  Dan headed out of the shop and around the side of the building where his car was parked. He sat there for a few moments in silence.

  He was angry with himself for several reasons, and he was taking it out on Toby. He was guilty of flirting with customers himself and probably ignoring others in the process. But he knew Toby, and the issue with that situation was the least of his troubles.

  He just needed to figure out what to do about them before he went off the deep end.

  ****

  Officer Randy Dunn finally completed his investigation of the apartment, which was now a crime scene. Mr. Harrison and Jacob both approached him. “Did you find anything?” Harrison asked.

  Dunn took a deep breath. “No. This guy was pretty slick. If it was even a guy.” The officer glanced over at Lyn who had calmed down and now sat with her eyes closed. “So, which one of her personalities is present?”

  Jacob glared at him. “Obviously it’s not Tammy! I haven’t seen her like this since our parents died.”

  The officer only shrugged. “I guess you would know.”

  Jacob put his hands on his hips, scowling. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Mr. Harrison put a hand on Jacob’s chest. “Jacob, relax. Officer, do you have any idea how he was…” Mr. Harrison found that even he had a hard time saying the word killed.

  “I don’t know. At this time, it appears he may have been poisoned. We’ll have to wait until the official autopsy report is filed.” Officer Dunn closed his notepad. “Until then…we won’t know anything for sure.”

  ****

  Robin took a late lunch, grabbing a sandwich from a deli a block away from her office. There was a cold mist in the air as she went out to her car. The weather forecast was calling for possible freezing rain overnight. There were still patches of snow on the ground.

  With her wipers on, she drove, eating her club sandwich and taking a sip from her Diet Coke periodically. She arrived back at her office, pulling into her reserved spot as her cell phone rang. She dug into her purse for it and hesitated seeing who the incoming c
all was from. She reluctantly answered.

  “Hello, Jacob.”

  “Robin, I don’t know what happened earlier, but I seriously need to see you. Please.”

  She closed her eyes. “Why don’t you call that other woman I saw you with at the mall?”

  “What? Who? Leslie?”

  “Whatever. You seemed totally into her, so—“

  “Robin…we seriously need to talk…and…”

  She blinked, frowning in concern as she heard him fighting for his breath, panic edging into his voice.

  “I’ve got some bad news. Brian Shirk is dead.”

  ****

  Mr. Harrison dreaded going back to the Daily’s offices to break the news to the staff. One of their own had been murdered. They suspected murder because it was obvious someone had gone through his cluttered desk as well as a few drawers in his bedroom. They had no way of knowing if anything had been taken, though.

  Harrison braked for a red light, seeing Lyn almost drop to the floor again in his mind. He had to move quickly to grab her and help her over to the sofa. She went into a state of shock. Allen was practically there himself.

  He drove through the green light, seeing the Daily’s offices looming up ahead. With a heavy sigh, he tried to prepare himself for making the sad announcement.

  ****

  Justin arrived back home to find Cam was still gone. He went over to the phone, checking messages. There were two. One was from Camryn saying she’d be back around three; she was having a late lunch with a few friends she ran into.

  The second message surprised him. It was from Ben Taylor, the man who ran the auto shop his dad always went to for car problems years before. Justin had grown close to the man as well. He learned a lot of what he knew about cars from him, especially when his dad was no longer around. He’d been one of the first people he approached about work upon being released from prison just a few months before.