Phantom of Execution Rocks

by MJ Miller

“What are you doing up? They said bed rest for the first week. You have to heal.” Luce sighed in exasperation.

  “I’m a grown ass man and I know my limits,” Andy mumbled, causing Luce to scowl.

  “Fine!” She stomped back over to the couch and sat down, arms crossed. “It’s your leg. Your life. Whatever.” Luce looked over at Molly then for support. “Is he always like this?”

  “24/7 Luce, I’m afraid he’s not a good patient.”

  “Not surprised. I think I’ll stay at Annie’s for sure.”

  “No, you’ll stay here.” Andy had finally made it over to the recliner and realizing he couldn’t reach the lever to lift the foot rest, just stood leaning on his crutches. “Some help over here, please?” He looked at Luce, brows raised.

  “Seriously? Mr. Grown Ass Man now wants help?” Luce huffed out.

  “Please?” It was his smirk that did it. It lit up his whole face.

  Sighing, Luce got up and went to help, grumbling the whole time. Once she had him settled in the chair, he reached up and pulled her down.

  “Thanks,” he whispered, leaning in to kiss her. Pulling back, she shook her head, trying to hide her smile. She couldn’t deny the chemistry. Or the fact that even in his current state he was irresistible.

  “So it’s settled, then, right?” Andy looked around grinning. “Luce can stay up in the room next to mine. You know, just in case I need something.”

  “I’m not a nursemaid, Andy,” Luce frowned.

  “Trust me Luce, that much I know.” He wiggled his eyebrows then, and Luce realized she’d been set up.

  Again.

  Luce had to admit, the cottage was ideal for their needs. They’d converted the sitting area into an interview set, and it was perfect. The large game table was a good place to gather around for brainstorming. Now all they needed, she thought looking about the room, were answers.

  “Who’s on tap this morning, Kat?”

  “Rodney Court and his wife, then Jackson and Cherise Tulley.” Kat tried to keep her tone impartial, though she knew Luce was going to throw out a dig.

  “Oh yay, slut time.”

  “Luce, really. She’s not all that bad. She’s kind of nice.” Kat was trying not to laugh. She’d actually spent a little time with Cherise at the 4th of July party and found her to be friendly. She even admitted to having a bit too much to drink that first night.

  “You know her boyfriend had dumped her that day. She was just letting loose.”

  “Really?” Luce wondered if Cherise were just playing to Kat’s sympathies.

  “Yeah, he told her he only went out with her because her brother was famous.”

  Luce sighed. She’d been quick to judge, and that wasn’t like her. Well it was, but she’d been trying to lose that habit.

  “Ok, I’ll be nice,” Luce smiled at Kat. “I’ll give her a chance but if she goes anywhere near your Uncle…”

  Kat laughed out loud. “I know, all bets are off.”

  Luce looked over and grinned, just as her phone buzzed. “Well well, look who it is,” she murmured, seeing the text pop up. She laughed seeing the newly edited contact name.

  Grown Ass Man: What time are you starting? I need help getting over there.

  10 am. And your dad built you a ramp. You’ll be fine.

  I have something for you.

  She smiled at his obvious innuendo and fired off a quick retort.

  I’ll bet you do.

  You owe me though.

  She had no idea what he meant by that. But knowing Andy, he was trying to rile her up.

  “I think your uncle is overmedicating,” Luce smirked, letting Kat know she was kidding. “Oh now what,” she muttered, as the phone buzzed again.

  “Holy shit, Kat,” she looked up from her phone, shock on her face.

  “What? Please don’t keep me in suspense!”

  “It’s from Annie. She said Mark called, Jen just got a query on a manuscript. For a book on the MorningStar.”

  “What the fuck?” Kat swore loudly.

  “Yeah. They all signed NDA’s, right?”

  “Absolutely Luce. I had everyone sign. Anything discovered during filming was the property of the station and can’t be disclosed to anyone.”

  “Why do I feel like whoever is pitching this book has something to do with the attack on Andy?” Luce wondered aloud. “Whatever he found, they wanted to silence him. So they could profit.”

  “You’re right. If they were to discover it, after the show was suspended, the NDA wouldn’t apply, would it?” Kat didn’t know enough about contracts. Clearly there was a loophole.

  “Andy is still in danger,” Luce murmured, biting her lip. A shiver went through her at the thought.

  “We all are.” The women both looked up to see Andy in the doorway, leaning on his crutches and scowling.

  “Chris texted me. We’ve got work to do.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Andy looked around the table. They’d postponed all interviews until the next day and everyone had gathered at the cottage. Mark and Julie, Chris and Annie, Jen and Bill, along with himself and Luce. The gang of 8 back together again he mused. Kat was over at the house, collecting and uploading footage in the editing bay they’d hastily re-set up.

  “Once Kat gets here with the jump drive, we’ll play it back on the TV and see if we can detect anything out of the ordinary.” Andy was in full-on detective mode.

  “If I might suggest something?” Chris leaned in and pointed to the map Luce had printed out. “Andy, you’ve got a camera posted outside this place right? According to this map, the other entrance to the tunnels, is right about,” he waved hands around, “here!”

  Andy smacked the table with his hand. “God damnit, how could I miss that? Stupid meds. Yeah, right above the entryway, on the side eaves, and the back patio.”

  “You have security cameras for your clubhouse?” Luce tried not to laugh. “Isn’t that over the top?”

  “Maybe, but we had a break-in a few years ago. It made my mom feel better,” Andy mused. “And it sure is coming in handy now, isn’t it?” He picked his phone up off the table, then thinking better of it, put it down. “Too small. Luce, grab my laptop will you? Over there by the door.”

  Luce didn’t move, just pursed her lips and glared.

  “Let me rephrase that. Luce, my darling, would you be so kind as to please grab my laptop?” Andy grinned and winked.

  “Better, Detective.” Luce shook her head as she headed over and unzipped the bag, grabbed the laptop and brought it to him, laying it on the table. Placing one hand on his shoulder, she leaned in and kissed his cheek softly, then whispered. “You’re a fast learner.” Sitting back down, she smiled at him, reassuring him that all was well. The last few days, while hectic, had also helped her make a decision. They’d yet to cross that line into a relationship, but Luce was hopeful it would happen. And this time, she was ready.

  Andy quickly pulled up the app with the footage they needed. Thankfully it had been a clear night, but even so, it wasn’t exactly high resolution. With a few clicks, he had it playing back on the flat screen TV so they could all watch. They ran through the first clip with no signs of anything. The second had only a few scurrying animals. Putting the third on, Andy sighed.

  “Last one,” he said as it flashed on the screen. They watched for a few minutes, the atmosphere in the room became frustrated.

  “Stop it there, would ya?” Bill called out suddenly. “There. See it? Left corner.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Andy swore softly. “No way we can see who, but there is someone there for sure.”

  “Forward it to me. I have a friend. Might be able to work some magic.”

  Everyone sat silent for a moment, watching the interchange between Andy and Bill. Luce especially. Who would Bill, the guy who seemed to be everyone’s handyman, know that could help in a criminal investigation? Though of course it wasn’t an official investigation, as Andy was on medical leave and al
l of them had been instructed to leave it to local law enforcement.

  “What?” Bill looked around. “I have friends, ya know.” He grinned then, sitting back and returning everyone’s look of astonishment. The only one not appearing to be surprised was Jen. Luce tucked that away. She’d have some questions for her friend later.

  “Thank you Mr. Court, I appreciate your time.” Luce nodded to the historian as he stood to leave.

  She watched as he slowly made his way to the door. “Say hello to your wife for me,” she added as he stepped out the door.

  She sighed and leaned back. It was the last interview of the day. Andy and Kat had stayed up in the main house, sitting through each one, listening and watching through a feed that Bill had somehow managed to have set up. They’d compiled a list of questions, designed to figure out if any of the dinner guests had more knowledge of the ghost ship than they’d let on. Designed, Luce thought, to trick them. But so far she didn’t think they’d been successful. They’d have to review each conversation. Closing her eyes, she tried to clear her head, and almost succeeded until a knock interrupted her meditative state.

  The door opened before she could respond.

  “Just me, Luce. Everyone gone?” Andy’s voice was quiet, thankfully.

  “Yes.” Luce nodded. “Come sit, get off your feet, would you?” The last thing she needed was Andy in pain. He was grumpy enough.

  “I’m afraid I didn’t get much today.” She said, as she got up and, taking his crutches, helped situate him on the couch, lengthwise, his leg resting on a throw pillow.

  “Here, there’s plenty of room,” he said, pulling her down to sit next to him. Keeping one arm around her, he pulled her back so she was reclining with him, leaning back into his chest.

  They sat that way for a few minutes, neither saying a word. She could feel his heartbeat thumping steadily, keeping her in an odd state of nervous relaxation. She felt connected in a way she never thought possible. Luce’s mind drifted back to that night. And the sudden recollection of what happened before the chaos.

  “Andy, I have to tell you what I learned. In all that’s happened, I didn’t get a chance to tell you. You know, what I wanted to tell you. The reason I went to look for you that night.”

  The words tumbled out of her mouth, but she was feeling so calm she didn’t move. Just continued to talk.

  “I found the secret to the MorningStar. At least I think I did.” Luce paused.

  “Tell me,”Andy murmured quietly.

  Luce began by explaining what she’d read in the journal, and the image of the map, and how she’d found him. It was at least a half hour later when she stopped, and tipped her head to look at him. His eyes were closed, a small smile on his face.

  “Are you even listening?” She asked, wondering if she’d been talking to herself all that time.

  “Sorry, you were saying?” He asked, his smile broadening.

  “Andy!” She cried in exasperation. “I am not repeating all of that.”

  “No need, Luce, I heard it all.” Andy opened one eye and peered at her. “I think we’ve solved the mystery.”

  Lifting his head and leaning in, he tightened his arms around her as his lips crashed into hers. This time, his kiss wasn’t tentative or sweet, it was as if it consumed him. Luce reacted the only way she could, by returning it with as much fervency and heat as she could, then pulling back quickly.

  “You’re not cleared for landing yet, are you?” Luce whispered, watching his face go from fierce to frustrated. “No. But soon, so hold that thought,” he smiled then, and relaxed his hold. She laid her head back down on his chest and waited for their racing hearts to slow down. It was several minutes later she felt him tense back up.

  “Luce?”

  “Yeah,” she murmured.

  “I know who attacked me. Time to gather the troops. Let’s wrap this up.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  “Who? I’m not calling a single soul if you don’t tell me instantly!” Luce was still stunned that Andy had figured it out.

  “No can do.”

  “Excuuuse me?”

  “Luce, we don’t have evidence. We’re going to need to lay a trap.”

  “And I’m happy to help if you tell me who we’re trapping.”

  “See that’s the thing. We need everyone to be taken by surprise. This is how we’ll catch them.”

  “Them? So, it’s more than one?”

  “We’ll have to wait and see.”

  “I have a great poker face, just so you know.”

  “Yeah, the one you’ve been using to ward me off.” Andy smiled broadly. “Didn’t work, though, did it,” he whispered, leaning in for a kiss that was sure to silence her.

  “There. That’ll hold you. Now gather the troops, would ya?”

  “What about the police? Don’t you have to call them too? Isn’t it part of your code?”

  “No, not yet. We don’t have enough for them to even issue a traffic ticket. We need to have some pretty solid stuff. Ergo, we set a trap.”

  “So, it’s decided, then.” Andy looked around the table, waiting for them all to agree. “Questions?”

  “Just one bud,” Bill spoke first. “How the hell did you figure it out?”

  “Well, actually, Luce did.”

  “Me? I still haven’t figured it out,” Luce looked at him scowling. “Since you refused to tell me,” she added with huff.

  Andy smiled then. “All in good time, love, all in good time.”

  The group seated around the table grew quiet as they turned to stare at Andy, then Luce. Love?

  “Is there something we all missed?” Annie chuckled out loud. “Last I knew you were still known as Satan’s Spawn in her contacts.”

  Luce frowned at Annie, glaring at her. “Don’t you dare,” she hissed.

  “Satan’s Spawn?” Andy tipped his head back and laughed.

  “That was a long time ago,” Luce muttered.

  “Really. What’s it say now?” he reached over and grabbed her phone. Unlocked it with a few swipes.

  “Hey! How did you get in there?” Luce demanded.

  “Really?” Andy shook his head and laughed.

  “Grown Ass Man? I don’t think so.”

  With a few taps, and a roar of laughter, he handed her phone back.

  “Okay! Any more questions before we get to planning?”

  Luce looked down at her phone and felt the flush creep up her face. But she couldn’t prevent the smile that broke out either. They’d have much to talk about later, she realized.

  “I know you won’t tell us who, but can you tell us why you think you were attacked?” Jen asked.

  “I think whoever did this was trying to sabotage the show.”

  “But why?” Mark wondered. “Why would someone not want you to solve the mystery?”

  “Money,” Chris offered. “It’s always about money. Maybe there’s a treasure buried beneath the sand….”

  “Shame. Maybe somebody really doesn’t want the truth to come out.” Kat spoke quietly. “Or what they think is the truth. I mean, we’re the only ones that know the true story at this point.”

  “Maybe not, you know I’ve requested the full manuscript from that mysterious query I got,” Jen added. “That might tell us everything too.”

  “True, it could be someone outside of the show. Or, maybe it’s one of the Bowers.” Luce pursed her lips in thought. “Protecting the family. Not wanting anyone to discover what they think are nasty secrets.”

  “I promise, you’ll all know soon enough. I’m going to meet with the local PD. Now that we’ve got a plan, we’ll need them on standby.” Andy leaned back and relaxed. “We need to set this up precisely as it was the first night. Invite everyone back for the finale. Only this time, we’ll have one thing out of sync. The centerpiece will be a model of the MorningStar, just like before, only this time an exact replica. Where the truth will be clearly on display.”

  “Do we have everythi
ng we need in place?” Bill asked.

  “Yeah, you, Jen, Mark and Julie can all hang here and watch as it all goes down,” Andy replied. “I know you’d rather be in the room, but we’ve got to keep this looking legit.”

  “How will we do that?” Mark asked curiously.

  Andy looked at Bill and nodded.

  “We posted a few more cameras. The feed will run right into the TV in here,” Bill explained. Again, as before when Bill mentioned his friend who could help them out, they all looked at him curiously. His only reaction was to shrug and chuckle.

  The next few days went by in a whirlwind of activity. Persuading Mrs. Bowers to host another dinner was in fact a challenge. Surprisingly, it was Lionel who convinced her to go along with it. Peabody seemed to be quite annoyed but Kat was able to smooth his feathers a bit. Luce had to admit that Kat and Lionel made a pretty good team.

  Andy was recovering well, and the more able he was to move around, the more control he began to take of the situation. Leaving Luce to step into the background once again. They’d hadn’t had much time together with all the commotion of shooting a finale and catching a suspect, and as it all came to a head, Luce was more than ready for it all to be over. She had relocated, staying with Chris and Annie and hadn’t slept in days. Everyone had agreed that it would be best not to let whoever was behind all this know how close she was to Andy. Her mind flitting from one topic to another like a speeding train. Who attacked Andy? Would they catch them? Would they get it all on film? Would she finally achieve the success she’d worked so hard for? Would she finally get the guy she’d lost her heart to?

  Slipping downstairs and out to the patio with a trashy novel and a glass of wine, Luce sat down and watched the waves lap at the shore and wondered just where life would take her next. She heard the door slide open and turned to see Annie approach carrying a plate.

  Luce smiled. “Late night snack?”

  “Hey, you have your wine, I have my chocolate chip pecan blondies,” Annie laughed as she plopped into the chair next to Luce.