DEADLY HOPE a gripping detective mystery full of twists and turns

by Jack Parker

  Luci clenched her jaw and waited as patiently as possible throughout my inspection of the newly discovered marks, her eyes begging me not to say a word about them in front of so many people, strangers. Of all the emotions I deciphered in Luci's eyes yesterday, fear never appeared until now. Her fingers flexed with the stress of the interaction, and I pulled my prying eyes from the white lines, dropping them to our hands once more. Luci's fingers relaxed.

  "Lauren, once you have a moment, I would very much like to continue our conversation. Obligation free, of course," Her tone both reassured and released me of any guilt or responsibility for not considering her job offer.

  "Not that I'm not glad to set things right between us, but why are you here? I mean, we didn't part on the best of terms yesterday, and I'm not sure exactly what it is that you think I can offer you." I glanced around at the hushed diner and realized that nearly everyone was now blatantly staring and listening to this clean-cut, beautiful stranger ask politely for my company whilst ignoring every other person in the room gracefully. If Luci noticed the attention she received, she indicated nothing. Annoyed at the antics of small town gossips, I turned back to Luci quickly.

  "As you stated, I would like to set things right." She pulled her hand from mine, confident that I'd not bolt from her again

  "Why?" I asked simply and reclaimed my hand. I fidgeted for a moment before shoving both hands into the front pockets of my jeans.

  "As you know, I have only recently moved here, and of every other human being I've encountered, you seem to be the only one who hasn't asked me for money or a date. I find that fact disconcerting. I had hoped you would accept my offer of dinner and an official tour of my home since you love it so very much. There is no ultimatum, of course. My actions yesterday were crude and inappropriate, and if you believe it to be a wise decision, I'd very much like to start over or at the very least make it up to you. I'd very much like to be your friend, Lauren." Her answer was honest and straightforward, given without hesitation or expectation, and I felt myself caving to her request even before I formulated an answer.

  "It'll take me a couple of hours to catch a break," I whispered and tossed my head towards the dining room behind her, my long black hair slapping at my waist like a whip.

  "Of course," Luci accentuated her words with a dip of her head, and her eyes slipped shut in what seemed relief. I realized then that the gorgeous creature before me felt the whispers and eyes at her back acutely. "I brought a book." She offered as explanation of her plans for the next hour or two.

  "You're seriously gonna sit here till I get off work?" The idea was preposterous, especially if she hoped to avoid those asking her for dates.

  "I would happily return at the end of your shift if you prefer, but I'm interested to observe the town in its natural state of being. I've been informed that Barb's Diner is the most optimal spot to really feel the general attitude and ideals of the community. It appears you're the focal point of this sleepy little hamlet. The diner, I mean." I almost laughed. She was the oddest person I'd ever met, and it was the most refreshing thing I'd ever experienced.

  "Suit yourself. I get off at five, so that's..." I glanced behind me at the clock. "That's another three hours." She nodded and opened her book in response.

  I gave her a close-lipped smile and retreated to the kitchen, throwing a hand up in Barb's direction as I passed through the saloon doors to stave off any questions she had bubbling to spew out of her mouth presently. I peeked over the doors. Luci already escaped into the world of the book opened across the counter, coffee poised at shoulder's height, ready. As out of place as Luci Pravitas appeared in my world, she already determined to not let it frazzle her. To everyone else, she looked poised and confident, pretentious even, but I knew that deflecting the attention she received took a toll. Her shoulders hunched too closely to her ears, the crease in her brow pinched too harshly for simple concentration.

  Her eyes strayed from the words, my gaze soft fingertips smoothing the harshness from her clenched face. I swallowed roughly. Her expression conveyed misery, pulling a tight knot of guilt into my chest. This kind, lonely woman subjected herself to the obviously embarrassing and uncomfortable scrutiny of my nosy little town on my behalf, to seek my company. Without provocation, her eyes softened, perhaps even became a lighter shade of blue as a glint of humor manifested. I smirked over Barb's saloon doors, agreeing with her about the ridiculousness of the situation. In a small town where everyone knew everything about everyone, people sensed when something was afoot and filled in the gaps with their own imaginative stories when even but a small puzzle did not reveal all of its pieces immediately. Luci Pravitas definitely joined that category today, and tomorrow, Barb would know what those stories entailed.

  "You were right!" Ashley called from the sink, excitement infecting her as much as everyone else in the diner today.

  "'Bout what?" Luci turned back to her book, and I winced at the irritation in my voice, knowing that I had never intended to direct it towards my best friend.

  "She's as contrary as she is pretty," Ashley offered as an explanation just before I heard the splash of her hands reentering the dishwater.

  I smiled over the doors again at Luci and shoved my hands into the back pockets of my jeans in an attempt to hide the emotions tingling through them that I couldn't identify. The longer I watched her, the wider my smile spread. I couldn't be positively certain, but I branded the emotions as best I could. Were they attributable to the fact that I'd just made a friend? The relationship wasn't forced or necessary, like the one I shared with Ashley, but a genuine and natural affinity for another human being who felt and returned the immediate connection.

  I returned to my work and pushed that thought aside in disgust. There was only one reason, I told myself, that I wanted Luci Pravitas in my life. If I gained Luci's friendship and trust, she bought my ticket out of this place this place. The woman genuinely frightened me on some level but possessed something I needed, money and protection. If using her meant escaping forever, then her friendship would be a small cost to pay. I walked away once, and she pursued me. I had her. Now I needed only to reel her in far enough to take what I desired and forget the rest.

  CHAPTER 4

  True to her word, Luci perched quietly at the end of the counter, occasionally turning to glance over the patrons of the diner. When someone paid at the register, those curious azure eyes studied every movement, memorized every nuance. She smirked at certain words or phrases, particularly amused by the phrase "right quick," which seemed so common place to me but was apparently new for her. When someone's accent lulled a bit too thickly and his or her pronunciation too fast or mumbled for complete comprehension (even to me), she leaned on her left arm and strained to make sense of the odd speech pattern. Every new person she observed offered her new insight into the mind of the town, the deep religious influence, the improper language that seemed perfectly natural and normal to us. Everything helped her understand how to act and what to say, or what not to say.

  And everything that piqued her interest helped me understand her.

  The more I uncovered, the more fascinated I became. She wasn't a desperate lonely woman who sought to buy affection like I'd previously concluded. She was lonely, yes, and incredibly bored, but she offered so much more than that. Her intelligence shone brightly in her eyes with each new bit of information, and her insight into human behavior surprised me when I watched the wheels turn in her mind, calculating life events that led to personality traits. She may be the only other person besides myself in this town who observed behavior and stored the information for later use, like a tool for protection. I determined in that moment to discover what made Luci Pravitas the person she was. Even if I compromised myself to do it, I suited up and dove into the deep sea wreckage of this elegant stranger. She became my biggest challenge, and failure was simply not an option for me, not when she had twenty more years of practice than I. No, she would be mine, and she'd never see i
t coming as long as she never touched me again. If I spared myself the warmth of her skin, I knew that I'd pull this off perfectly, and that single fact filled my thoughts when five o'clock finally rolled around.

  "Are you ready?" I asked as I untied my black apron and tossed it beneath the counter below the cash register. I'd collect my tips tomorrow; no one ever bothered them.

  "Absolutely. Have you ever been to Carmona's?" Lucy carefully marked her page with a silver chain and looked up at me expectantly.

  "Isn't that a fancy restaurant over in Ellie Hill?" Why in the world would she want to take me there for dinner?

  "Indeed. I've been there nearly every evening for dinner since I've arrived. I'm afraid that I have no talent with food, and I would so very much like to treat you to a delicious meal as promised." Her hopeful eyes shone brightly, and I knew that I would agree.

  "You drive forty-five minutes both ways for dinner?"

  "I admit, it is rather inconvenient. I discovered it during a trip into the city one evening fell absolutely in love. I assure you, it will be one of the best meals you've ever tasted. Please say yes." She grinned at me, and I sighed. Perhaps my grand scheme to take advantage of Luci Pravitas proved more difficult than originally anticipated. Why was she so damn graceful? Beautiful, I handled that easily enough, but her voice and her words and her controlled movements drove me insane, pulled me closer against my will. I hated her for disarming me and fought the urge to lash out just to escape her eloquent clutches.

  "I don't have anything to wear to a place like that. I mean, my idea of dressed up is jeans that don't have grease stains on them." She stood and stretched her long arms towards the ceiling, undeterred by my statement as she casually loosened her muscles that had stiffened during her long period on the uncomfortable stool. I crossed my arms, suddenly self-conscious next to her illustrious form and chic clothing.

  "I can assist with that problem if you'd like. I believe you are nearly the same measurements as my Mattie."

  "Mattie as in twenty years ago Mattie?" There was no way I'd wear her ex-lover's clothes, especially ones that were twenty years old.

  "No, Darling. Mattison is one of my employees, no relation, simply a bizarre coincidence. Most of her things were shipped with mine. She remained in France until proper renovations could be made to Carver. She also prefers jeans to business attire, so I'm certain she won't mind if you borrow something for the evening." She'd planned everything. It occurred to me then that she intentionally stripped away my comfort zone to gain an advantage. Oh, yes, there was more to Luci Pravitas than the golden doubloons atop the sediment, and I would discover all of her hidden depths.

  "Okay, then. Let me grab my coat." And we were off. Barb and Ashley stared over the saloon doors to watch us leave together. They'd been oddly quiet all day about my pending dinner plans with Luci, but I knew a grilling awaited me the following day for every last detail.

  Thankfully, she'd parked close to the entrance. The evening chill settled into my joints quickly after being inside the hot kitchen on my feet all day. I leaned my head against the cold leather rest behind me and tried to figure out the smell tickling at my nose, like leather and plastic mixed into one and pumped into the car through a vent. Perhaps this was the "new car smell" I'd heard about on the television and occasionally from the bank manager and magistrate when they ate together at Barb's. The thought disappeared as easily as it had come when Luci slid gracefully behind the wheel and immediately clicked her seatbelt in place before turning the ignition.

  "Safety belt," she demanded and waited until it snapped into place before maneuvering the shifter into reverse. "I haven't driven in the United States for some time," she offered simply as though the comment was not supposed to set my nerves on edge.

  The short drive to Luci's house passed quietly, only the hum of the motor filled the car. Luci seemed unbothered by the silence, so I watched her, impressed by her expert handling of a standard vehicle. Even in my community, not many people learned how to drive a clutch, which I found silly. They handled much better in the snow, but they pulled more slowly on the mountains. I supposed the town sped up, just like the rest of the world, but Luci appeared to be above that nonsense.

  She was so posed, so confident and in control as she quietly maneuvered the vehicle towards her mansion, no rush despite the long drive ahead. I liked riding with her. I loathed the thought of leaving the car now that it finally blowed warm air from the vents and I'd found a happy peaceful place: silent drives with Luci. The older woman sensed my hesitance and handed me a key. I stared at it for a moment and then tossed a questioning glance in her direction.

  "That will open the front door. I pulled a few items from Mattison's clothing bags this morning in the hopes that you agreed to our outing. You shall find them in my study, and I do suggest changing in there as well. It sadly remains the only room in the house with heat at the moment. I'll wait here, and keep the car warm."

  She had planned the entire thing perfectly, and I'd fallen for it when she charmed me with those brilliant eyes and damnable silky voice. I rushed to the heavy door and opened it as quickly as possible. Joints and muscles protested the cold and the sudden movement, and I cringed. As I crossed the great hall, I hoped that I never grew old if I already felt this much joint pain but stubbornly refused to allow it to slow me down. Luci awaited my return, and if I were honest with myself, the prospect of pretending to be someone else for the evening excited me. They would call me ma'am and take my coat when I walked into that restaurant, just like Luci's. We'd be equals, even if only in the eyes of casual observers.

  As promised, there were several items of clothing covered in plastic and a black pea coat hung neatly over those high-backed chairs in front of the fireplace. I unwrapped the first bundle and found three shirts. One was a frilly mess that I immediately returned to the clothing bag in disgust. One was the same color red that I wore all day in the diner, and I shoved it into the bag, convinced that the color never suited my complexion nicely. The last one was a deep blue silk button-up with long sleeves. Satisfied, I shrugged my coat to the floor and pulled my scratchy polo over my head. My flesh pimpled and shivered when I slid the smooth, cool fabric onto my body. I'd never felt anything quite so exotic against my skin. I allowed the sensations to flow through my body freely before I buttoned the shirt and moved to the second bundle.

  It contained only two items, a black skirt and black slacks. I returned the skirt to the bag and then kicked off my shoes and wiggled out of my greasy jeans. A tendril of adrenaline shot through me when I stepped out of my pants and stood half exposed in Luci's study. I pushed the arousal aside and finished dressing, wishing there were a full-length mirror. I rounded the chairs and found several pairs of shoes in a neat row beneath the table; a hair brush, hand held mirror and a small box sat atop the table. She'd thought of everything.

  I ignored the shoes for the moment and opened the box. Jewelry and stylish belts glowed in the dull light. I knew immediately what I wanted, and snagged the belt with the silver hoops and knots, the one Luci had worn yesterday. I traced the elegant pattern, still awed by the beauty of such a simple thing and then closed the box. Jewelry failed to excite me. I laid the belt in my lap and studied the shoes, immediately disregarding the pumps. The boots I chose were designed with a thicker heel, and I decided they were comfortable enough if I didn't break my neck in them. Unaccustomed to heels, I wobbled as I stood but the three inches didn't feel completely torturous. My foot slid a little as I walked, enough to tell me that the boots were a half a size too big but not enough to hinder a dignified pace. Luci had been spot on; Mattison and I were nearly the same size in almost everything.

  Finally, I brushed my long black hair and tossed it freely down my back and over my shoulders. It reached my waist again. I didn't bother with the mirror. It wasn't big enough for me to properly see the entire outfit anyway, and I knew what my hair looked like already. I secured the belt around my hips and then slipped into
the pea coat. Carefully, I made my way back to the car, each step growing in confidence as I adjusted to the boots.

  "Did everything fit?" Luci asked as I buckled my seat belt. In the short time I'd been inside, the sky had darkened to black, and her eyes glowed in the low light offered from the headlights.

  "More or less. Mattison is a little taller than me, and her foot is half a size bigger." I glanced down as Luci left the driveway. "And her boobs are definitely a cup size larger, but for the most part, everything seems to work."

  Luci grinned and glanced at the mentioned area. My stomach tightened with the attention, and I pulled my shoulders back. If she wanted to look, who was I to deny her that simple pleasure? She raised an eyebrow and returned her eyes to the road. I slumped into the seat, disappointed. I charmed men with only my body every day, but apparently women offered a better challenge. I mulled that thought as we crossed the mountain separating my town from the city. Like the drive to the mansion, the trip to Ellie Hill was made in silence and passed more quickly than I'd imagined. The silence was comfortable, not something manifested out of a lack of things to say or questions to ask but rather a gift we gave to each other. I found the entire experience incredibly peaceful, being enclosed with another human being for so long without that nagging, awkward need to fill the space with forced conversation.

  The second we walked through the doors of the restaurant a hostess greeted Luci by name and immediately showed us to a table. She collected our coats and handed us menus a few seconds later and then flitted away, presumably to inform our server that "Miss Luci" had arrived. The woman certainly imprinted on everyone who was both lucky and unfortunate enough to encounter her. Luci grinned at the young woman's antics and turned her eyes towards her menu, but I stared around the restaurant in awe. The dim mood lighting created a feeling of antiquity within the new structure and made everything seem romantic. The dark walls were wooden and shiny with polyurethane, and beautiful glass tile pillars stood six or seven feet apart, reflecting the light in odd patterns in the large oval dining room. Miniature pillars served as vases at each table, and the flowers were real and fresh and created an interesting aroma of delicious food and an open field. Differing pastel colors covered every table in celebration of the coming spring and Easter and nicely complimented the dark wood of the chairs, which were the same deep brown as the walls. If Luci had turned her house into a restaurant, I imagined it would look much like this.